Venue Magazine Online

Stay and Play Tours, MarDon Resort

Venue Magazine — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:11:38 +0000

TOUR BUS SCHEDULE for the rest of summer 2010

Please call for Custom Trips Availability & pricing. (509) 346.2651

July 23 Grant County Wine Festival 2 pm 8 pm

& 24 & Pig Out in the Park,

Moses Lake $20 per person

July 31 Crescent Wine Tour Noon 6 pm

Aug 7 Coulee Dam Casino Run 2 pm 11 pm

& Laser Light Show

Aug 14 Sentinel Wine Tour Noon 6 pm

Aug 21 Crescent Wine Tour Noon 6 pm

Aug 28 Gorge Amphitheatre TBA

John Mayer & Keith Urban

Sept 4 Gorge Amphitheatre TBA

Dave Mathews Band
Dave Mathews Band

Sept 11 Gorge Amphitheatre TBA-SOLD OUT

Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker

Sept 17 Deutschefest-Odessa TBA

18 Deutschefest-Odessa TBA

Trip Descriptions:

GORGE CONCERTS: Tour departs hours before the concert and returns to MarDon Resort directly after the concert concludes. Price $25 each

CRESCENT WINE TOURS: Tour visits Jones of Washington, White Heron, Cave B Estate Winery and Tonnemaker’s Organic Fruit Stand. Tour departs & returns to MarDon unless other arrangements are made. Price $30 each.

Sentinel Wine Tour: Tour visits Foxy Roxy, Ginkgo Forest, Fox Estate Cave B Winery and Tonnemakers’ Organic Fruit Stand. Price $30 each. Tour departs & returns to MarDon unless other arrangements are made.

Coulee Dam Casino: Tour takes visitors along the Coulee Corridor National Scenic Drive to Grand Coulee for afternoon gambling and an evening laser light show on the face of the Grand Coulee Dam. Price is $25 + you’ll be hosted slot machine tickets valued at $10.

We reserve the right to cancel the tour is less than 10 people sign up.

The famous Notaras Lodge in Soap Lake, Washington

Venue Magazine — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:09:46 +0000

The famous Notaras Lodge Resort

Where each room is a unique work of art created by Marina Romary

It is hard to live or visit Eastern Washington without being curious about the famous Notaras Lodge Resort, undoubtedly a remarkable destination that rivals none other for its design. “Luxury in Logs” best describes the rustic log buildings. They offer 15 rooms ~ each uniquely designed and decorated around a different person or theme. Each unit has a kitchenette area equipped with microwave, compact refrigerator and bar sink, direct dial phone, WiFi, cable TV and incredible log beds with beautiful quilts.

Then, it gets interesting because you can have a choice of fresh or Soap Lake mineral water for your bath. You may want to reserve a room with an in-room whirlpool, with Soap Lake mineral water to soothe your body and soul.

Each room is uniquely furnished and appointed including beautiful tables and vanities with artifacts and memorabilia worked into layers of epoxy making each a separate work of art, created by Marina Romary.

The original Notaras Lodge two-story building (opened August 1983) was lost in a fire June 5^th, 1998. Before its construction, the owner, Marina Romary enjoyed collecting hundreds of pictures and mementos for decorating the lodge rooms and the epoxied slabs tables from local residents, relatives, neighbors and friends. Many of the items on the walls and in the tables were irreplaceable artifacts, primitives and antiques. A lot of the décor from the original Lodge building was salvaged and is being used in the newer rooms.

The design and construction of each Notaras Lodge building and room was accomplished by local tradesmen. During the construction, logs were shipped from the Methow Valley and Nespelem in Washington. Many of the ideas for the décor of the rooms were added as the work progressed. Your will find different rooms include tooled leather light switch covers, beds made of logs, cistern pump water faucets and many other unique touches.

A special room dedicated to Marina’s mother, Joyce Notaras, is decorated with love and affection. This whirlpool suite, with its flowery décor, teacup display, Tennessee cedar woodwork, and a queen size bed is sure to make you remember Gramma’s house. Dad’s old shotgun and a soliloquy to him (written by the eldest son) are but a couple of the touches in the room. There is a poem relating actual happenings when the children were young. “Mrs. NO”, which is the name of the room, was locally thought to be short for Mrs. Notaras, actually came from the number of times she told the children NO as they were growing up!

The Old Mexico room is created with stucco, red clay tiles, a wrought iron balcony, a log carving depicting siesta time, sombreros, parrots, and sea shells (from the beaches of Mexico).

Another room, The Eagle’s Nest, has a beautiful balcony that faces to the east so you can enjoy the sunrise. It has five different woods including Tennessee Red Cedar, Black Walnut and Cherry.

The Odds & Ends/Bits & Pieces was named by Jim Zimmerman and decorated with his collage of items – from Norm Rolf’s memorial (one of the original builders of the lodge) to Louis Leininger’s Camera Collection, Greek Festival Mud wrestling pictures, Apple Box Labels, 1950’s Don’s Restaurant Menus, a 1912 Titanic paper, President Kennedy’s assassination headlines, and many, many more “Odds and Ends”.

The Kenny Ardell room is named after a Gentlemen Cattleman from Moses Lake. Ardell’s cattle brands enhance the vanity along with his personal memorabilia. Garnishing the kitchen wall are rodeo pictures donated by Deb Copenhaver, world champion bull rider. A 1950’s antique stove, Ken’s saddle, cane, and even a picture of his favorite horse, Dinger, adorn this room. A favorite part of this room is the toilet seat which has barbed wire epoxied into it.

The Cabin room has a hunting theme like an elegantly rustic cabin. The large wooden door from the basement of the original Lodge was worked into the décor. This room has French doors opeing onto a balcony with a beautifully view of the lake.

The Cowboy room features chaps, a saddle, bridle, hats and pictures that give it a definite western atmosphere.

For the description of each room and any information you wish, please visit their website at www.notaraslodge.com.

Rooms to select from: OLD MEXICO ~ THE BUNKHOUSE ~ EAGLE’S NEST ~ HOUSE OF POVERTY (dedicated to Monte Holmes) ~ LUCK OF THE DRAW ~ TROUT LODGE ~ BITS AND PIECES ~ KENNY ARDELL ~ THE CABIN ~ THE COWBOYS ~ NOTARAS LEGEND ~ MEMORIES ~ THE HONEYMOON SUITE ~ THE EXECUTIVE SUITE (1500sq foot apartment with conference area).

(509) 246-0462 for reservations.

“Put me in coach!”

meleajohnson — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:38:43 +0000

spencer with his dad with eyes on the ball

Life Lessons from Spencer Kimbro

by Ben Getz

Have you ever awakened for the day, thinking only of your problems, aches, pains, and what you won’t be able to do? As humans we often get caught up in negative thinking; self pity, and self limiting fears that actually tear us down physically and emotionally. Every once in a while there comes an opportunity to get that thinking turned around 180 degrees by others, some quite young, who remind us that attitude is everything, and it should be about what we can do, not what we think we cannot do.

One such person is Moses Lake’s Spencer Kimbro, a typical nine year old boy in so many aspects, and yet very non typical in how he faces some serious challenges on a daily basis and the empowering effect he has on almost everyone he meets. Having faced a series of life threatening conditions since before he was born, Spencer has lived his entire life so far without giving in to the thinking about what he ‘cannot do’. Born with Spina Bifida, he also has at least four other non related medical conditions that each have had their serious effects on him.

Now in his first year with the Moses Lake Youth Baseball Minor League Division team named the ‘Mariners’, Spencer has had the opportunity to play not only third base and shortstop, but also first base, though his favorite part of the game is hitting the ball and driving those runs in to home. He really enjoys being part of a team, and this is evident by the support of and camaraderie between him and his team mates. His mother Robin, a Moses Lake school teacher, relates that at first when he tried out in a huge group of kids there were stares and whispers, and some kids, being kids, made fun of him. As soon as he was placed on his team though, the bonds and positive social effects were quickly formed and prejudices erased.

If one of his team mates is not performing their best, Spencer is right there to cheer them on and build them up. The other players look at what he can do, with his win-win spirit, and it helps them realize they have no reason to feel bad about themselves. Players on opposing teams are even amazed at his determination and how his team pulls together, with his special ‘side kick’, his father Dan, serving as propulsion to keep Spencer’s catching and throwing arms free.

Visit with any of the parents along the side line whose children share the field with Spencer and they will use the adjectives awesome, super, and amazing many times. What stands out is not just what he accomplishes physically, but the powerful lesson in determination and inspiration he doles out without really knowing it or taking credit for. In many respects, he does not see himself as any different from his peers and does not ask for any special treatment, he simply knows he has to be ‘adaptable’ to be able to accomplish what he wants to do.

Spencer’s head coach is Ralph Gonzalez, who has been working with Moses Lake Little League for almost two decades, and even served as president for two of those years. As a busy husband and caring father of two, his pride in and devotion to all of his players is very evident, and having a player like Spencer only heightens his joy. Many of the other coaches vied to have Spencer on their teams, and this makes Gonzalez feel very fortunate to have him, as well as proud of his fellow coaches. He adds, “Spencer really is a driving, uniting force for the team, and has been an encouragement to other children with disabilities far beyond just our local community”.

“We really do nothing for him, it is him doing so much for all of us!” is how Gonzalez puts it. “Parents of all children, whether they have special needs or not, need to encourage them to get involved in sports. Spencer is a great kid, but it’s his whole family who deserve gold medals. They are there for every game and practice, supporting him in his dream to play baseball. It’s the fears we have as parents that we need to get past to allow our kids to grow and face challenges on their own. There will be times when we don’t think they can do it, but realize in the end it’s us the parents who have the fear, not the children. “

Adding to this, Gonzalez tells us what Spencer has taught him as a coach? “Spencer brought me back to where I started back in 92’, and to remembering that this is just a game and having fun and the opportunity to play baseball is what it’s all about. The icing on the cake is the fun we have along the way.”

Like any nine year old, Spencer Kimbro’s plans for his future occupation and aspirations are varied and ever changing, however with a positive attitude and spirited determination such as his, we can be sure he will do great things, and anything that he sets his mind and heart to do. It is not about what is impossible with him; it’s all about the possibilities.

Curt Carpenter, a guardian of our lake

Venue Magazine — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:22:02 +0000

The men in one picture are from left to right Chris Wilson, Curt Carpenter, Mike Cole, Garrett Goff and MLIRD commissioner, Glen Rathbone.

Curt Carpenter, Guardian of our Lake

The Right Time, The Right Place, and the Right Person

By Joe Rogers

Today, Moses Lake faces a new and combined threat of invasive vegetation and increasing amounts of silt. Some would resign the lake to eventually fill in as just part of the “natural order”. Others hate the idea any government agency messing with the water. But Curt Carpenter sees a different future. Curt is the general manager of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District or MLIRD. The agency has been around since 1928, and is the only agency in all of Washington State invested by law with the sole purpose to be the guardian of a lake. MLIRD was formed to watch over the water quality, and to rehabilitate and improve Moses Lake in order to further the health, recreation and welfare of residents in the area.

For many years, the agency’s efforts were fitful and unnoticed. Then about three years ago, the agency’s commissioners hired Curt Carpenter. Curt’s leadership, experience and training has enabled the MLIRD to become a model of stewardship for the state.

If you take a quick review of all that MLIRD has recently accomplished and have a look at their future plans you are going to be impressed.

What have they done?
They increased the cleanliness, clarity, and oxygen capacity of the lake water by working with other agencies to increase water flow through the lake. Ask anybody who uses the lake how much cleaner it is. MLIRD also improved water flow with a more efficient pumping station that pipes incoming water into the once stagnant lake water behind McCosh Park.

They have held the line against the growth of lake-choking milfoil by refurbishing the old weed harvester and purchasing a second one. And the MLIRD mapped out problem areas and established a long-range Vegetation Management Plan with the help of a DOE grant that Curt obtained.
Curt has also initiated a summer Water Quality Institute for hand-on training of elementary, middle school and high school students to do real Water Quality testing. Last year, 13 high school students and 34 elementary and middle school students went through the program.

And what steps is MLIRD taking for the future health of Moses Lake?
For a start, they intend to dredge out the years of silt accumulation clogging the lake. Dredging should return the lake to its original rocky bottom and give small fish a place to hide and grow. MLIRD has already purchased a used commercial dredging machine for the project and the permits have all been applied for. There is a good chance the project could start next August.

In addition, MLIRD has visionary plans for their property at Connelly Park. With only a fraction of the 124 acre park currently developed, Curt has initiated a long-range plan that calls for large scale landscaping with formal gardens of appropriate eastern Washington plants, adding sports fields and camping facilities, complete with small rental cabins and walking trails. And he intends to remodel the current buildings for better educational programs and create an interpretive center.
Altogether MLIRD is embarked on several ambitious programs to protect, and enhance the park and our lake.
You would be right to ask at this point, if the MLIRD and its manager have the wisdom, training, and experience for all they want to do. And on top of this, Curt says he and his staff intend to do almost all the work themselves. His “staff” by the way, consists of only four people, Chris Wilson, Mike Cole, Garrett Goff, and Administrative Assistant, Julie Smith. Can MLIRD really do all this, Is Curt Carpenter up to the challenge?

You be the judge.
Landscaping 124 acres with formal gardens?
Managing all the vegetation problems of our lake?
It happens that Carpenter is a certified landscape architect. His degree from WSU included advanced training in architecture, horticulture, as well as engineering and construction management.
Before that, Curt spent many years as the field manager for the Moses Lake Conservation District Nursery. So he knows his plants.

And what about experience in construction and planning?

After graduating from WSU, Curt served over ten years in the City of Moses Lake Engineering Department supervising construction plans and plat reviews.
How about running a Water Quality Institute for children? This surely is too much for one guy. Well, good point, but Curt gets a little help here. Curt’s wife, Jennifer joins him for the institute. Jennifer has taught science classes at Moses Lake High School for over a decade. And Curt’s father, Clyde lends a hand. Clyde Carpenter taught science classes at the high school for 31 years and then went on to found the Water Quality Institute. Finally Curt also gets the help of his old professor of geosciences from WSU, Jack Horne. This high-powered team of five runs a pretty educational Institute.

What about all the mechanical issues the district faces, you might wonder. Who understands the issues in buying and mending a used dredging machine? Who can rehabilitate a specialized weed harvester and fix a high-powered pump? These require mechanical and hands-on knowledge that only someone mechanically trained and experienced would have. You need something more than an architect.
Well, it turns out that Curt Carpenter actually started out to be a mechanic. He graduated from the BBCC Automotive Program and even worked a while for C&V Auto. He later joined Shay construction and worked for years as a heavy equipment operator running bulldozers, scrapers, and track hoes on various projects at Washington State University- until the day the Landscape Architecture program caught his eye.

In these times when our lake needs so much care, MLIRD manager, Curt Carpenter is the right man for the job and we are lucky it’s our lake that he takes care of.

come home and stay there

meleajohnson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:57:32 +0000

For those who toil every day in a job you love (or hate), you probably dream of 10 days on a sun-bathed cruise ship, or a stroll on the narrow streets of that far-away place that lures your senses. Everything in the dream becomes interesting.

With a born sense of wonder, I made it a part of my life to travel the world in search of interesting. But, I will have to say, having been to cities that have more tourists than locals and more pigeons than people, it is hard to imagine anymore, leaving the place that soothes my soul. Home.

Even so, the need for new adventure has not escaped me. I have simply discovered interesting is not so far away. We are fortunate. Few places are as stunningly beautiful as our Pacific Northwest. Nature that happens completely on its very own surrounds us and becomes a marvel of interesting. Our diverse landscape coupled with over 300 days of sunshine makes for a vacation destination without going anywhere far away. (And face it…not everyone likes being hurled through the atmosphere at 500 miles per hour to get somewhere, right?)

Short mini-vacations, close to home (lots of them) is my answer, meant to refresh and renew mentally, physically, and spiritually, without cleaning out the bank account. You can do more with less, always a motto of mine. With record gas prices and soaring airfares, a hometown vacation is perfect. You’ll never know you didn’t go anywhere!

Here’s an idea: Take the guide book right in your hands, right now. Go thru the Venue pages and make a note of everything that could even possibly be interesting to you. Arts, events, new businesses you have not been to,…..list them all. Then, pick a weekend and do something on your list.

Idea: Make reservations at a local motel, right in your own hometown. Pack light for a week-end get-a-way. If you are taking the kids with you, select one with an indoor swimming pool, (the kids will love you), for an early evening of invigorating activity, long forgotten in this cold weather. Then, order dinner to pick up close by or have it delivered, spread it out on a tablecloth from home on the bed, and dig in. Bring cozy blankets from home and watch a good movie together as a family. Spend the whole next day at the park, play ball with the kids, move muscles that need motion, breathe some fresh air and stretch your boundaries.

Idea: Buy tickets to attend a performing arts production with your best friend. Begin the evening with a culinary experience at one of our local restaurants, and perhaps early enough in the evening that you have time to visit an art exhibit or a winery with tastings anew, or find an ambiance where you may sit relaxed and simply…talk. Remember, it’s OK to get a babysitter every once in awhile.

Idea: An itinerary for Valentine’s Day is a biggie. (You are on your own with this one, Romeo.)

The mini-vacation ideas are endless, and the more creative you and your family become in your planning, the more you will encompass all you already have, close to home, or even “at” home.

We can all set our sights on making every day special, because it is just that. A new day to begin….again…with enjoyment of what it brings. This morning I sat outside with a hot cup of coffee viewing a sunrise that was so magnificent I could taste it!

Ah, yes, I am on vacation!