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Summer camp benefits youth for many reasons By Patty Hutchens It’s what childhood memories are made of. Summer camp for many is a time to try new activities, meet new friends and gain some independence from Mom and Dad. But the benefits extend far beyond that and can teach children values that will help guide them through life. One of the most important things to realize is that it is not easy for some children to make friends, and the bonding that occurs in a camp setting is far different than when one is in school or engaged in athletics. At overnight camp in particular, kids are living together and experiencing life without distractions. In this setting, they can really forge a bond unlike any other friendship. With counselors present to make sure all are included, it can put a parent’s mind at ease wondering if their child will fit in and be accepted. While it may be hard to send your child to an overnight camp, you may want to start out with a camp that isn’t so long, and I’m sure by the end they will be asking if they can stay longer next time. Technology in today’s world has exploded exponentially, making it harder than ever to become “unplugged.” Unfortunately, connecting one-on-one and in person has become less frequent. Taking a break from technology is something we all should do, but rarely act upon. Allowing your child to do so will allow him or her time to connect with others, learn from positive role models such as camp counselors and gain a greater appreciation of nature, outdoor activities and things that keep their mind and body engaged. And hopefully the break from technology will translate to less screen time away from camp as well. A child who has attended camp is likely to develop a sense of independence earlier than those who may not attend camp. The growth of a child can be amazing when the parent or parents are actually absent (but under other adult supervision). And it doesn’t stop there. Most people who have sent a child to college have remarked how much the young adult has “grown up” after only one semester away from home. With that independence also comes a sense of empowerment—something that will serve them well in life. Living together for a period of time at camp can also teach children the concept of teamwork. Whether it is working together on a project, helping one another solve challenges or simply turning to one another for advice, living and experiencing each day together can build a strong bond and give a child, who may not otherwise be on an athletic team, a sense of what it is like to be part of a team. Teaching a child how to be a team player will give them the tools they need to build good and long-lasting relationships throughout their lives. Trying new activities and finding things they enjoy is a great way to build a child’s self-confidence—something that will definitely benefit them as they go through life. It is natural for a child to feel more pressure with his or her parents watching, so camp is a great opportunity to explore various activities. A child’s first time doing anything, whether it is paddling a canoe, swimming or riding a horse, can be activities that may push them out of their comfort zone, but doing these things while being supported by camp counselors, in a safe environment, can do much to build their self-confidence. There are so many different kinds of camps that it is important to explore what one is right for your child. Do they want to learn more about a particular activity or sport? Investigate what camps are available that will help teach your child more about these skills or topics. For children with special needs or who may have special medical needs such as diabetes, going to a camp that caters to those needs can open a whole new world to them. It can help them realize that they are not alone in their world. Connecting with other kids who face the same daily challenges they do can provide a newfound confidence. And for those who have suffered a major loss in their lives, many hospice organizations provide a camp for kids who are grieving. Camp can be expensive, but there are ones available that provide scholarships or even payment on a sliding scale. Don’t let cost be a deterrent to providing lifelong memories for your child. While there are countless long-term benefits to sending your child to overnight camp, it can be tough on both kids and parents. Some ways to make the transition easier is to visit the camp prior to attending. Many offer open houses or will gladly provide a tour to families who are interested. It is also helpful to sign your children up to attend camp with a friend, sibling or other relative. It’s always nice to see a familiar face, especially if you are feeling a bit homesick. Lastly, go the old-fashioned route of sending letters to your child. In your correspondence, be sure to not include things that may make them feel homesick. Avoid details of the “fun” things going on at home or how much you miss them. Instead, make the letters encouraging and inquire about their activities. Whatever you decide, know that sending your child to camp is an opportunity to give them a life-long gift—a gift of memories, learning, developing new skills and connecting with others whom they may have never had the opportunity to meet if it wasn’t for that special summer at camp.

Travel a little further for an authentic experience By Marguerite Cleveland Photo Visit Mendocino There is a scene at the end of the movie “A Walk in the Clouds” when a horrific fire destroys a family’s vineyards. All is not lost with the discovery of an old root which the family will use to reestablish the vineyards. For this wine tour of Mendocino County, the focus is on some of the original families, the roots of the wine industry in the area. These are the fourth and fifth generations of Italian immigrants, many growing grapes for more than 100 years. With names like Brutocao, Graziano, Parducci, Barra and Testa, their wines reflect this heritage. Mendocino County is a climatically diverse region bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, redwood forests to the north and split by the Coastal Mountain Range. Within these extremes are warm valleys with lots of sun perfect for growing grapes. If you are a red wine lover, one of the best ways to experience Mendocino wine is with Coro Mendocino. This is the first wine in the United States to brand itself similar to a European appellation with their strict rules. Each wine passes through four blind tastings before it is declared worthy of the Coro Mendocino label. “Coro was established to show off our world-class grapes and the innovative people associated with them; generations of family farming that has since brought new farmers and ranchers to this great agricultural community we call Mendocino County,” says Hoss Milone, winemaker for Brutocao Cellars. “Zinfandel makes Coro unique. Cabernet is grown all over the world, but only California has Zin and only Mendocino County has a Zin blend that is Coro. Currently our 2015 vintage is for sale. Every summer is when we release. Our next release event for the 2016 Coro is on July 16, 2019, with 11 wineries offering tastings of their own individual Coros at the Mendocino Music Festival in the iconic Village of Mendocino on the coast. “The establishment of Coro started over 15 years ago when a group of Mendocino county winemakers got together to discuss a project that could define what Mendocino winemaking was all about. We started with Zinfandel, but the beauty of the project has been the Old-World varietals that are such an important part of each unique blend, and it showcases the diversity of the grapes grown in this county,” says Steve Brutocao, president and CEO of Brutocao Family Vineyards. For a very authentic stay, choose the Testa House as your home during your visit. This lovely craftsmen-style three-bedroom farmhouse was built in 1927 by the original Italian immigrants who farmed the land. This vintage home is filled with original features and old Testa family photos yet has all the modern conveniences for a comfortable stay. “Staying at our Testa House is truly something special. It is a place to get away and relax but still feel right at home. You wake up and have your coffee to the waterfront view and end the day with a glass of wine on the back porch overlooking the vineyard. At Testa you are surrounded by 106 years of history, beautiful vineyards, a working winery, old rustic barns and our Tasting Room, which is just steps from the house. There is truly nothing else like it," says Maria Martinson, a fourth-generation winemaker and owner of the Testa Ranch. Begin or end your wine tasting day at the Testa Tasting Room. At each stop of your tasting journey, be sure and try the Coro Mendocino; these red blends are a work of art with each winemaker showcasing their skills. It is interesting to taste each winemaker’s Coro Mendocino and to compare the differences. Not far from Testa are Barra of Mendocino and Parducci tasting rooms. If you prefer to picnic at the wineries, plan to swing by the Redwood Valley Market, a cute little local store with a deli. After your first round of tastings head into Ukiah to School Street, which has local boutiques and a bookstore. For lunch visit Schat's Bakery for fresh soups, sandwiches and salads or to pick up some treats for breakfast at the Testa House. The Bottle Shop is very popular with locals. This deli makes great sandwiches, and don’t forget to add the Mendo mustard. They have a variety of pasta salads and other grab-and-go items to pack a picnic. In the afternoon head to Hopland for some more wine tasting. Another fourth-generation run vineyard and winery is Brutocao Cellars. “Our long history of grape growing and winemaking goes back 75 years when my grandfather, Irv Bliss, first bought the property that is now fondly called the Bliss Ranch. Every bottle has family involvement, from my brother Len growing the grapes, to my brother David helping to make the wine, to myself and my nephews Ryan and Kevin marketing and selling the finished product. It all starts in the vineyard, and the ground is sacred to us. This is the same land that our grandpa fell in love with; that our mom helped pick grapes on; that our dad saw the vision and potential of and expanded our business; that my brothers and I have continued that passion and that our children will after us,” says Steve. Also in Hopland is the Graziano family of wines. This is another old Italian family with the fourth generation working in the company. Graziano has a very good Coro Mendocino and four separate labels for their wines. For dinner a must is The Broiler Steak House in Redwood Valley. It has been around since 1966 serving juicy steaks, seafood and other yummy dishes. This is where the locals go for a nice meal or family celebration. It’s just unpretentious and good. Another restaurant getting a lot of buzz is Patrona Restaurant and Lounge. Owned by wine chefs Bridget and Craig, the two are passionate about their community, and the menus are based on what is available from local purveyors. Their award-winning wine list is heavy on Mendocino County wines, which are all kept in a temperature-controlled wine room. There are so many unique activities available to see and do while in the area. Head up to Willits and catch The Skunk Train. The two-hour Wolf Train Turn will take you into the Redwood-rich Noyo River Canyon where you will see the giants Redwoods from the comfort of a train. Montgomery Woods State Park is another location to see the Redwoods while enjoying a nice hike. For a more relaxing experience visit the Vichy Hot Springs and buy a day use pass which includes the use of the famous "champagne" Vichy Mineral Baths, Olympic-size swimming pool (in season), Hot Pool and private 700 acres of walking and hiking trails. Picnic tables are available throughout the grounds for guests' enjoyment. There is a waterfall on-site, and it is spectacular this year due to all the recent rain. The Testa House is pretty centrally located. If you wish to go further afield, Willits is an interesting town to visit. From there you can head west to Fort Bragg for a nice day trip to the coast. To get to Mendocino County, fly into the San Francisco International Airport. It is a two-and-a-half hour scenic drive that takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge. It is about an hour further than Napa or Sonoma but well worth the drive. The Specifics: Visitor Information VisitMendocino.com Where to Stay TestaRanch.com The Wineries TestaRanch.com BrutocaoCellars.com BarraOfMendocino.com GrazianoFamilyOfWines.com Parducci.com Where to Eat BroilerSteaks.com PatronaRestaurant.com Schats.com Things to Do SkunkTrain.com VichySprings.com FortBragg.com RedwoodHikes.com/Montgomery/Montgomery.html

They are not all created equally By Nikki Luttmann, Interior Designer Let’s talk countertops. One of my favorite upgrades in any kitchen or bathroom often starts with countertops. Nowadays there are so many options out there you can choose almost any look, but all countertop surfaces are not created the same! Stone countertops are very popular. Stone ranges in all kinds of looks and colors, from super-simple Absolute Black, to classic Carrara Marble, to swirly-twirly Typhoon Bordeaux. As well, the surface of stone can be polished, honed or even leathered, creating options within options, which can be even more daunting when it comes to the selection process. However, I will say this: Often when it comes to natural stone, and granite in particular, my clients experience something akin to love at first sight—they’ll see a slab and just know that that is the rock they want in their house. Stone is quarried all over the world, but there are several talented fabricators and sales centers right here in Washington. Natural stone is dug out of the quarry, then split into manageable slabs, then sent to local distributors and then purchased by the fabricator, who cuts it to size, adds details like edging and specific cuts, and then it is installed. It is a tedious process that is all the more difficult because the fabricators are working with massive slabs that weigh thousands of pounds and can break easier than you might think! Quartz is fabricated roughly the same way as granite, but it is a man-made substance, not pure stone like granite. It’s called quartz because the manufacturers take quartz rough material, grind it down finely, and mix it with binders and pigments to get an end product. It can look wild with lots of variation, or subtle with little to no variation, and can go with a variety of interiors. Many people labor under the misinformation that quartz is more durable than granite, but often times, that is not the case as it can be more brittle and heat-sensitive. Because it is man-made, the material is only as good as its manufacturing process, and different manufacturers have different processes. A good fabricator or sales center can help you determine the right quartz brand for you, as they often have their favorites that they have good working history with. There is also tried-and-true laminate, which has come a long way since the glossy blue marbled look of 1985! The new laminate materials from Wilsonart and Formica are gorgeous—some of them look very close to natural stone, and others looking sleek and ready for an uber-modern interior. Edging has also improved. Gone are the days when wood or laminate tape was the only option for countertop edging. Integrated Corian edges look fantastic, and some places can do seamless rolled edges as well. In addition, there are new composites like Dekton, which works for both indoor and outdoor use and is very dense, and fun, environmentally friendly options like compressed paper, which comes in a variety of colors and looks like stone or even leather. I’ve done Terrazzo countertops, concrete countertops and even natural Linoleum countertops. All of them are different and all of them have pros and cons. Bearing that in mind, do some research and then ask questions of your sales person! They can be a wealth of information and can help you find the right product for your home.

How Tacoma’s Richard Kresser uses defeat as motivation By Anneli Fogt Photo by Richard Kresser Richard Kresser stood outside a café in Bend, Oregon, devastated. He cried as he spoke to his girlfriend over the phone. “The trip’s over,” he told her. His bicycle, and the 80 pounds of highly specialized gear that had been attached to it, was gone: stolen by a passerby in the less than 10 minutes he had been inside grabbing breakfast. It was early July of 2018 and Richard was nearly halfway through the Tour de Volcanoes—a human-powered, mostly self-supported challenge he dreamed up that would see him bike to and summit the 16 active volcanoes between Mount Lassen in California and Mount Baker in Washington. In total, he would cover 2,400 miles on his bike and gain 127,000 feet of elevation. On foot, the 16 summits would add up to 180 miles with nearly 80,000 feet of elevation gain. It was the most recent of the extreme adventures thought up by the Tacoma-based Army veteran and ultrarunner from Iowa who seeks out chances for failure and finds joy in overcoming it. His motto: “If you’re not scared, it’s not a big enough goal.” He had been planning Tour de Volcanoes for years and had already summited six volcanoes before he found himself at that cafe with only the clothes on his back, journal, phone and helmet. He was admitting defeat. It was uncharacteristic … and painful. “At that point, there’s anger and then there’s quickly acceptance,” Richard recalls of coming to the realization his bike was stolen. “Even if I got the bike, all the gear that I had for my very particular style of climbing would have taken so long and been so expensive to replace that it was that final sigh of … ‘I’ll just catch a flight and come home.’” But Richard found motivation in his impending defeat and, after saying goodbye to his girlfriend, found a convenience store with a surveillance camera nearby. The employees there had seen a bike in the alleyway. It was his, but more than half of the gear on it had been stolen. “Now I had my bike and it was that acceptance of ‘I do have to keep going, and now I have even more of a hurdle of how to replace the gear,’” he says. He took a day to regroup before picking up where he left off and riding 40 miles west to the Three Sisters. He summited all of them that day—36 hours after nearly scrapping the tour. Sixty miles north was Mount Jefferson: a technical climb that Richard, who was summiting all of these volcanoes solo, was going into blind on a day with questionable weather. “I hadn’t seen the route,” he says. “Not knowing what I was getting myself into was really concerning, but taking a weather day would severely delay me. That day was a gray area where winds were decently strong, but they were not terrible. I was thinking, ‘I could maybe do it, but it’s taking a lot of risk.’” Richard recognized that while he wanted the summit, things could go awry quickly. So he forced himself to take a rest day and wait for better weather. “That was such a moral conundrum,” he said. “Right after having taken 36 hours off for the bike being stolen, all I wanted to do was go, and having the reins pulled on me was so hard. That was the only day I took off.” He summited Jefferson the next day and encountered the steepest snow he’s ever climbed without a rope. Richard admits “it was pretty hairy,” but everything went well. After that, he knew the hardest parts were over. “Then it was just like, ‘OK, don’t mess up now. You know all the rest of them,” Richard recalls. Over the next 13 days, Richard biked to and climbed up Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker without a hitch. Back at the trailhead after summiting Mount Baker on that last day, he stopped the clock on the Tour de Volcanoes 25 days, nine hours and 58 minutes after first setting off up the slopes of Mount Lassen more than 2,000 miles south. Success. The snowfield Richard was standing on continued upward in front of him at a 70-degree angle. It was 2am and the light from the full moon lit his path up to Mount Rainier’s summit. Looking down, he could see the headlights of cars making their way up the winding roads inside the national park. “It was that moment when I knew I needed more of this in my life,” Richard says. Born and raised in Iowa, the 21-year-old college student had never seen a mountain. Now, he was more than 1,700 miles from home on the side of one of the tallest in the contiguous United States. And he was elated. While Richard grew up in a family that spent time outdoors, most trips consisted of car camping and bike riding. “I knew nothing of adventure sports,” he says. So, when he picked up a magazine at the age of 11 and saw a person rock climbing on the cover, he was immediately intrigued. Seven years later, when it came time for him to go to college, he chose to study civil engineering at Iowa State University and joined Army ROTC with the hope that the military could help him get to the wild, natural spaces where he could climb. It did. During the summer between his junior and senior years, he and the rest of the cadets in his class were sent to Fort Lewis (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord) for a three-week camp where Richard saw mountains—and Mount Rainier—for the first time. “Just walking out on the drill grounds and seeing this massive mountain right there, it was amazing,” he recalls. “We never were allowed to leave the base, so I didn’t really get to experience it, but I was exposed to that.” He returned to the Iowa State campus that fall with a newfound desire to return West. And he wasn’t the only one. A few classmates he knew from being involved in the school’s outdoor recreation program sent an email later that semester asking who would be interested in a two-week road trip west the following summer to climb some of the Pacific Northwest volcanoes, including Rainier. Richard jumped at the chance. “We failed on every mountain in those two weeks except for Rainier,” Richard says. “I was a total [disaster], I had no idea what I was doing.” But he was hooked. “That trip, hands down, changed my life,” he said. He graduated in 2009 and was set to begin his four-year term of service with the U.S. Army in Fort Hood, Texas. In a stroke of luck, he switched with another soldier who wanted to go to Texas and Richard ended up back at Fort Lewis. “I moved out here and then just went down the rabbit hole,” he says. During his four years at Fort Lewis, the marathon runner started climbing and summited all the major mountains in the area. By the time he completed his military service in 2013, he was looking for a challenge that would truly test his physical prowess. He had completed 50-mile running races before and always felt at the end that he “had more in the tank,” he says. He decided to return to Iowa for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)—a weeklong, 420-mile ride from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. But he wouldn’t be biking, he’d be running. “I wondered if I could run 400 miles in seven days in the Iowa heat,” he says. In July of 2013, he became the first person to run the RAGBRAI route and immediately began thinking up his next challenge. Back in Washington, while working ski patrol at Steven’s Pass, he concocted a plan for a brutal trip he coined Dick’s RASH. He would go up, down and around Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and Hood—230 miles with 71,000 feet of elevation gain—in seven days. Traditionally, a trip of that scale would take three times as long, and as he planned, Richard began to understand the magnitude of the undertaking. By his calculations, Rainier alone would take one day to summit and then two days to run around the 93-mile Wonderland Trail. “That’s half my time on one mountain. That was so intimidating,” he says. After two years of training, Richard took on the RASH in the summer of 2016. He started at Rainier where he summited and descended the glaciated 14,411-foot volcano in under 12 hours before heading straight for the Wonderland Trail where he went 43 hours with no real sleep, a sore throat and got caught in a surprise rainstorm 20 miles from the finish line. “Morally, I was done,” Richard recalls in a blog post for the Mountaineers about that last day on the Wonderland Trail. “How could I continue in weather like this, already with a sore throat? ‘Just keep moving,’ I told myself. ‘You never know what will happen.’ After many hours, I finally made it to the van. I was in horrible shape and sure I wouldn’t be able to finish, but I couldn’t come up with an excuse to quit. I could still walk, the sore throat was bad but I could still eat, and I had no idea if weather was going to be bad or good the rest of the week. Well, got to try at least, right?” He did more than try. Richard completed the ascent, descent and around-the-mountain run of Adams in just over 18.5 hours and Saint Helens in 14.5 hours. After five days, only Hood was left, but Richard was done—“wore down,” as he recalled in the blog post. “On the drive down I-5 to Hood, I cried. Just bawled,” Richard writes in the post. “About nothing, about everything. It was the first time in days I was stationary and didn’t have anything else to think about. All of the emotions from the previous three mountains flooded over me, all the positives and all the negatives. And to think I was only one mountain away from being done. So close ….” Richard’s 14-hour run around Hood was rough, but he kept moving forward and, after a three-hour nap, he set off for the summit with skis on his back—determined to make this descent fun. But the ascent was hard. Richard found it hard to move uphill. “All my reserves were spent,” he writes. “Slowly, but surely, I made progress up Hood. It kept getting closer and closer. I was crying again. It was so beautiful. I was at the summit.” In the parking lot after skiing what he calls “some of the happiest turns” of his life six hours after setting off for Hood’s summit and one week after beginning the RASH, there was no fanfare for Richard’s feat. “I was just walking back to my car after having just finished this big achievement. No one around me knew what I’d just did,” he said. But that’s just how he likes it. For Richard, these feats are not about gaining recognition or setting records. They’re about acknowledging the possibility of failure, using it as motivation, and overcoming. “It’s an internal feeling—that quiet satisfaction of being able to do something I set out to do—that’s why I do it,” he says. Professionally, Richard is a firefighter for the City of Everett, works for Steven’s Pass Ski Patrol in the winters and organizes Skimo—uphill ski touring— events in Washington state through the company he founded, Snow Goat Skimo.

Are they right for you? By Rhonda Savage, DDS, Uptown Dental Gig Harbor Fourteen years ago, Kevin came to my dental office worried about his front teeth. He wanted a nicer looking smile, but there were complications from orthodontic care he’d received when he was young. His front teeth had very short roots and cavities. Kevin was entering the working world and was worried about the appearance of his teeth. We talked about three options: implants, bridgework or splinting his upper front teeth together on the tongue side and placing veneers. With short roots, some dentist would feel that implants would be the best. It certainly was a good option, but in a paper I published in a scientific, peer-reviewed dental journal, I argued, “What if he keeps these teeth five years?” “Where will we be technologically with implants in the next five years?” “What if the teeth go 10 or 15 years?” Kevin came back after the 14 years. He’d had an accidental blow to his face and one of the veneers I’d placed came off. It was time to place implants. If you’re considering implants, technology and materials have improved and costs have come down due to competition in the implant market. Implants are a man-made root. They’re very strong, hassle free and state of the art. You do have to keep them clean because while they won’t get cavities, you can lose an implant due to gum disease. The Philips Sonicare brushes, the AirFloss, Butler soft picks and an antibiotic liquid called chlorhexidine are important tools to use with implant maintenance. You can also lose an implant due to excessive bite forces, which normally result from clenching or grinding. Most patients with implants should be wearing nighttime protection, such as a night guard or an oral sleep apnea appliance. With implants, the process can be quick if the implant can be placed the same day as tooth removal. But, that may not be the best treatment process, especially if there is any sign of infection. There’s a stepwise process if there’s any sign of infection: tooth removal, bone grafting, healing time, implant placement then creation of the restoration. Did you know you can have implants to support a denture and get rid of that loose lower denture? Implant-supported crown and bridgework or the “All on Four” technology is amazing! You may need bone grafting if the tooth has been missing for a while. Bone grafting for one tooth or many teeth provides a scaffold for your bone to grow around. I know what you’re thinking: “This sounds painful!” I understand how you feel but, for most patients, placement of an implant is less uncomfortable than the removal of a tooth. Implant dentistry is a big decision. It’s important to look at the training and credentials of the dentist and seek a second opinion if you have questions or concerns. You can look and feel better with implants as they help maintain the bone in your face. Without teeth or implants, you lose the bone in the lower third of your face. But the great news is, with today’s technology, you can look and feel younger, plus chew and eat healthier for the rest of your life!

Maximizing your kids’ summer schedule in a two-home family By Felicia Soleil, JD Summer is fast approaching. As a divorced or separated parent with kids, have you figured out your summer schedule yet? In a flexible co-parenting relationship, summertime offers up plenty of opportunities to maximize your non-work hours with your children and help them experience the freedom and fun that childhood summers should be. Often, the residential schedule (parenting plan) that you and your co-parent initially created revolves around developing a structured schedule to maximize success for your children during the school year. A good plan often minimizes transfers between households during the school week and has the kids settled down and prepared on Sunday nights before the new school week begins. They know when they will see each parent, whether for a dinner visit, overnight or to chaperone them to their practices and events that week. They know their homework will be completed and on time, and in which home their uniforms, instruments and sports gear are kept. However, the summer schedule can provide a welcome release from all this structure for everyone if both parents can be flexible and communicate with one another, and value creating a laid-back summer of childhood memories for their kids. I always recommend getting together in early May to start this planning so each parent can share in memorable vacations and hopefully enjoy extra time with their children where circumstances allow. Many families have a predictable time when they take vacation each year, and some parents are dependent on the policies of their employer and need to request time off early in the year for the summer. Ideally, parents will work together to accommodate employer-related vacation restrictions of the other party. If overlap of requested vacation is unavoidable, parents can alternate who gets first pick on vacation times each year. (For example, Mom gets first pick even-numbered years and Dad gets odd-numbered years.) Additionally, avoid back-to-back vacations. It is not a competition as to who will have the greater adventure, and exhausted kids don’t make for fun vacations. Kids need unstructured time at home with each parent as well. Swimming, fishing, bike-riding, camping in the backyard and just hanging out with friends without the demands of homework and early bedtimes can be enjoyed even more when children don’t have to worry about a tight parenting schedule. Can you and your co-parent agree on letting your “kids be kids” during this time? As long as both parents agree on any needed supervision for the children during work hours, such as day camps, extended families, fun teenage babysitters, etc., parents who mutually agree that summer break should be a special time for their kids can depart from a structured school schedule. With a little advance planning, you can enhance not only your children’s summer schedule but also your own. Felicia Soleil helps her clients in achieving a resolution that fosters both a compassionate ending to their union and a healthy new beginning for them and their families so they can focus on moving on, rather than simply moving out. Felicia can be reached at 253.853.6940. All consultations are strictly confidential.

Father’s Day is June 16! Treat Dad to an early gift at an Orchestral Recital Series of Tacoma concert at Schneeback Concert Hall, University of Puget Sound. How often in life does a music student of any age or virtuosity get to perform with live orchestral accompaniment? The Orchestral Recital Series of Tacoma (ORS) offers this rare opportunity in our region. Student soloists perform a concerto with strings, winds and brass. Playing as a soloist with a full orchestra is the ultimate musical thrill for both young and older students. Every spring for 27 years, ORS of Tacoma has given music students this opportunity to perform on a non-competitive basis. The organization assembles conductor, experienced student orchestra musicians, arranges performance venues, and coordinates rehearsals along with a dedicated group of volunteers. The annual series brings student musicians, music lovers and the local community together for a five-day festival to enjoy a variety of music for all ages. The 2019 June Orchestral Recital Series will take place in partnership with the University of Puget Sound at Schneebeck Concert Hall on the UPS campus, May June 1-5, 7:30 p.m. each night and a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, June 2. Seventy-six student soloists will take the stage over the five-day series. The concerts are open to the public and all are welcome. No ticket sales; suggested admission is $20 per person at the door. There is a special rate for groups and families. Won’t you join with others in our community and support this unique opportunity to transform lives through music? Dad will love it. (For more information visit our website at www.orstacoma.org or “like” us on our Facebook page “Orchestral Recital Series of Tacoma.”)

Voting Now Open For the first time in the history of the association, the Master Builders Association Pierce County (MBA Pierce) is opening the Remodeling Excellence (REX) Awards for public viewing and voting. The REX Awards program recognizes outstanding home remodeling projects throughout Pierce County. The award open for public voting is this year’s People’s Choice Award. People can browse all entries and cast their vote for their favorite project at www.rex-peoples-choice.com. Only one vote per user is counted. “The People’s Choice Award is a great opportunity for people to see what our members are capable of in terms of talent, quality of work, expertise and professionalism,” said Executive Officer Jeremiah Lafranca. This year there are a total of 33 entries showing before and after project transformations. Companies who submitted projects remain anonymous until winners are announced. “These projects meet a set list of high criteria and also showcase design trends,” said Lafranca. “We are thrilled to involve the public opinion this year and hope that they are inspired by each of these projects.” Master Builder members submit their remodeling projects to compete in various categories that include exterior, kitchen, bath, entire home remodels and more. People’s Choice Award is the only award chosen by vote. Category winners are selected by a judging panel of industry professionals. All Remodeling Excellence Award winners are announced at a gala event on May 21, 2019. For questions please contact MBA Pierce at 253-272-2112 or email info@mbapierce.com CONTACT: Sheryl Bushaw - 253.254.0082, sbushaw@mbapierce.com ____ Established in 1945, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County (MBA Pierce) is a trade association representing housing and the residential construction industry. MBA Pierce is the leading voice for the residential building industry, representing more than 650 builders, remodelers and industry professionals employing over 10,000 people in Pierce County.

Spark Real Estate Investment Association (REIA) is Washington state's largest real estate investment associations for real estate investors, offering education, networking and resources for the beginning to advanced investor. Since 1983, Spark REIA, formerly known as the Real Estate Association of Puget Sound (REAPS), has been providing real estate education with the objective to help their members with real estate investing as well as networking in order to build passive real estate income. Sparks REIA has been a volunteer run for most of its existence, with volunteers serving on their board, managing the day-to-day operations for their members while constantly striving to make Spark REIA the best professional association of its kind in the Northwestern United States. They are all active in real estate investing and the community. They offer several Membership Plans that provide you the flexibility to get the most out of your membership, each designed to cost their members absolutely nothing when used correctly. In fact, membership can actually make you money. Membership Plans include Single, Dual, Long-Distance, Guest and Business/Vendor memberships. All plans provide members full access to Spark REIA benefits including, but not limited to: membership to National Real Estate Investors Association; ability to volunteer and get more exposure for your business; network opportunities with knowledgeable speakers and other real estate professionals at the monthly meetings; one-on-one help from fellow members; free admission to more than 100 live events per year around Puget Sound; deeply discounted admission to seven or more live, full-day Saturday training events; ability to attend members-only events (most of which are free with membership); and discounts with—and access to—local, national and wholesale vendors. To find out more, sign up for membership or view all upcoming events, visit our website at https://www.reapsweb.com/ Serving Bellingham, Bellevue, Fife, Bremerton and Mountlake Terrace, Washington. 425-260-3121 info@reapsweb.com

Determined and resolute, trans-Pacific rower continues his quest By Dan Aznoff Photo Courtesy Jacob Hendrickson Off course and months behind schedule, Jacob Hendrickson continues to propel his custom-made row boat toward what he hopes will be a triumphant landfall in Australia. The former Air Force pilot began his marathon journey in July 2018 for what had been charted to be a 9,150-nautical mile journey from Neah Bay in the northwestern corner of Washington state to Perth on the west coast of Australia. He has admitted the schedule was an optimistic view of a daunting physical and mental challenge for one man to accomplish alone. Hendrickson has been tracked by a team on the mainland who have stood by in case the adventurer ran into forces of Mother Nature that threatened his survival. He also had an emergency beacon stowed in his protected cabin that connected to a satellite operated by the Federal Communication Commission. Early entries in his weekly blogs at JacobAdoram.com allowed anybody to keep up with his observations and growing doubts about the magnitude of the challenge he had taken on. His initial blogs allowed followers to share his sea-level observations and his musing about the journey he had undertaken. He has rowed his custom-built 28-foot Emerson with prevailing currents and often against unpredictable weather patterns that threw him hundreds of miles off course. As of mid-April, Hendrickson was meandering east of the Solomon Islands and true north of New Caledonia with a 10.7 mile-per-hour wind at his back. The aviator was forced to make a decision last December at the five-month point of his crossing that he later described as “not really a decision at all.” He had lowered his sea anchor due to a low-pressure system that was apparently passing north of the Hawaiian Islands. He waited and drifted before contemplating the safe choice of turning back toward Hawaii because he was running low on provisions. “Should I continue past Hawaii as planned? We already know it's not as planned; I'm a couple of months behind schedule. Should I continue past Hawaii even though I'm short on food? That's the real question. “We also know there is no question, I'll continue.” But that’s when Hendrickson also showed his first signs of doubt. “The wheels haven't fallen off yet, or the rudder, or the rudder drive that sounds like imminent death (I'm working on it). Pending catastrophe between here and Hawaii, I'll continue.” He welcomed a visitor to his solitary journey on Day No. 189 when a blue-footed Booby checked out the unusual craft before finally coming in for a social call. “The Booby is interested in Emerson,” Hendrickson wrote. “Between passes low in the troughs, he hesitates directly above the boat, eyes darting left and right. The tail feathers spread, the wings broaden, giving the Booby an extra few seconds of reconnaissance before slipping back into a trough. On the next pass, the Booby commits—it’s time for a landing. Emerson is 28-feet long, with plenty of flat surfaces. This Booby instead decides to land on the thin edge of the raised hardtop, about 3 feet from my face. “He ignores me entirely.” The solo sailor admitted having an extended conversation with the unusual sea bird, admitting to the Booby that he was rowing and not paddling like a bird on the surface of the water. The conversations with himself evolved into trite observations of his surroundings. “I don't have cup holders anywhere, with the exception of makeshift devices constructed with 550 parachute cord. It's just a thin rope, so the improvised cup holders only hold until about 35 degrees of roll. After which, I have a projectile coffee mug on my hands.” That was the same day that the native of Austin, Texas, faced the reality that he would no longer be able to update his Garmin map because the device had caught fire through what was an apparent short in the charging cable. “Well, it was more of a red, smoldering, smoking, rubber dripping situation,” he wrote. “Everything is under control, just no more text messages.” The fighter pilot spent as many hours as he could observing and supervising the construction of his custom-built rowboat at Schooner Boatworks in Portland, Oregon. Hendrickson flew A-10 Warthogs in Afghanistan while he saved up enough money and recruited sponsors to pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars he estimated would be needed for the solo crossing. The boat was the concept for the ocean-going rowboat, the last boat designed by the legendary boat designer Eric Sponberg before his retirement. Hendrickson’s boat was featured in an article on the famed designer authored for an issue of “Boat Builder” magazine. Sponberg was so proud of the craft he designed for the Air Force pilot, he included it on his personal website. For his safety, Hendrickson has worn a four-point harness to prevent him from being tossed overboard in rough seas. His 28-foot boat weighed only 22 pounds before being stocked with provisions for the voyage. The would-be captain was on hand to be part of the testing of the boat while under construction. The innovative design of the craft allowed it to right itself even if it was toppled over by high waves. “I sat in the boat with the four-point harness when the boat was flipped during a test run,” he recalled. “My head was under water for only a few moments before the boat righted itself and I was vertical again.” The safety precautions went beyond the design of the craft. Hendrickson said the row boat was equipped with the latest in electronics to guard him against any unforeseen situations. He described the high-tech safety measures his own Risk Management Plan. By the time Hendrickson made his decision to forge ahead on that fateful afternoon, imagination had become his best form of entertainment. That included many lengthy conversations with himself. Early entries in his blog were focused on the physical challenge, including descriptions of the aches that riddled his body. “Physically, I'm holding up well,” he wrote on December 5 of last year. “I'm not taking medications for any ailments, so I'd say that's excellent. I'm still working through various joint and muscle pains, but nothing worth complaining about.” By Day No. 230 on March 6 of this year he was much more philosophical. “I can't think of anything I know with certainty. Not even 1+1=2 works anymore, since apparently on the quantum scale 1+1 doesn't just mean 2. It seems we don't need absolute certainty to survive, since we are all here. The stories of our ancestors say we don't need certainty, we need something called faith. Faith isn't knowing either, it's something else. “As far as I can tell, nobody truly knows anything. It's obviously terribly unproductive to just declare nobody knows anything.” The images and impressions that he had held inside for so long as a cadet at the Air Force Academy and being ordered to deliver deadly weapons against unsuspecting enemies that were only specs in the sand when he flew sorties in Afghanistan had suddenly become vivid images that surrounded him on his small craft in the middle of the Pacific. “I know there are some things in life that improve my situation, and others that are detrimental, and sometimes I get it wrong,” he wrote in his blog on one especially dark night. “I know feelings influence my decisions in some manner even if I don't understand how or why. I know there are certain ways to act that are acceptable, and I know I've gotten that wrong too. ‘It's like a self-correcting sine wave, overshooting certainty, oscillating closer and closer to some semblance of knowledge, but never truly arriving. Maybe somewhere in that narrowing oscillation lies wisdom.” Hendrickson had hoped his experience as an aviator together with his working knowledge of navigation would allow him to take on the challenge many said was impossible. The currents and the winds at sea level, he said, present a different range of challenges than flying Mach 1.0 at 30,000 feet. “The currents can act like the wind, but that’s where the similarities end,” he explained. “For a journey of this length, I had to make considerations as to the types of freeze-dried foods I could take along, how much toothpaste to pack, how much butane I would need to boil water, what type of music would inspire me and, most importantly, when I need to deploy the sea anchor.” When he passed into the Southern Hemisphere, the Milky Way and other familiar constellations were no longer in their usual place in the night sky. Hendrickson began his journey with a full complement of electronic equipment to help guide him across the lonely stretches of ocean. But he continued to rely on his sextant and his compass to remain true to his desire to duplicate the efforts of sea captains who sailed the uncharted seas centuries ago. “I've determined I'm unable to visualize how the earth is oriented within our galaxy using casual observation. I keep looking at the band of Milky Way rotating above our heads, then imagine that we are also in that Milky Way, then imagine the earth spinning and orbiting within some arm of the Milky Way, but unsure where I am relative to the band of stars above,” he wrote. “Up, down, north, south, all that gets confused in my head, mainly because I'm not sure if there's a north for the galaxy?” Then his thoughts passed from philosophy to physics. “Is the location of where we think the Big Bang took place, the cosmic north? How have I not figured this out before?” And then beyond the Earth sciences. “The sound rushes back in. Awake again. The sensation of waking always fascinates me. Especially the sound. It's the conscious awareness that sound is again available for sensory input that is peculiar. It feels like a forgotten crescendo found an opening back into space and time.” He wrote that he was certain that he would run out of the pre-packaged, high-protein meals he had stored below deck. Hendrickson contemplated eating less but eventually utilized the fishing gear he had brought along to catch some fresh meat. Hendrickson was realistic about the degree of difficulty he had created for himself before he made his first pull on an oar. He was aware that his physical limitations or forces beyond his control could force him off course enough that he could miss his ultimate goal altogether. “Odds are that I very well may end up in Hawaii or California,” he confided with friends. “Wherever my journey ends, it will be a valuable learning experience for my life.” At his present rate and direction, Hendrickson could make landfall on the Solomon Islands or the tiny atoll of Vanuatu before he reaches his ultimate goal of Australia. Regardless of where he sets foot on dry land, the solo navigator told friends he is looking forward to sitting down at a table for a meal of food that is not dehydrated and not freeze-dried. Dan Aznoff is a freelance writer based in Mukilteo, Washington. He was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the toxic waste crisis in California and has received acclamation for his work in the areas of sustainable energy and the insurance industry. He is the author of three books that document colorful periods of history in Washington.

By Marguerite Cleveland Photo by Samantha Elise Tillman Cierra Nalani Richards is one busy gal. After completing her reign as the 2018 International Junior Miss Washington she competed and won the 2019 USA National Miss Washington title. She also volunteers as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN) Washington ambassador. Q. How long have you been involved in the pageant world? What drew you to compete in pageants? Any future pageant plans? A. Only five years! I started when I was 17 for the scholarships but I soon realized I was able to reach out to and empower countless people to never give up on their goals and to find ways to give back to their communities. The sisterhood is also an absolutely wonderful gift of pageantry! The girls I have met are not like the stereotypes at all. They are kind, helpful, intelligent, community focused and highly accomplished. Pageants have given me the platform to truly make a difference. After my year of reign ends with USA National Miss I plan to compete for National American Miss and then return to Miss America for their 100th year anniversary. After that I plan to run for Miss Collegiate again (I was first runner up this past summer) and end my pageant journey with Miss USA and hopefully Miss Universe. Q. Tell me about helping to get a bill passed to get tobacco out of Washington schools? A. Yes! Tobacco 21, or Washington 21, was a bill ACSCAN has lobbied for extensively the past five years, so we were thrilled to attend the bill signing with Jay Inslee on April 5! Through endless activism, a passion for protecting kids in Washington from a lifetime of addiction to tobacco, emails, in-person meetings, phone calls, to social media posts, together we ensured our representatives in Olympia clearly understood the lifesaving impact of this bill. It wasn’t easy. We met a lot of adversity but we pushed through it all for the health of Washingtonians as we became the seventh state out of 12 so far to pass this bill. With this bill also comes the effort to move money we receive from the Master Settlement Agreement from the General Fund to cessation and prevention programs—what it was initially meant for. Q. Tell me about your work with the Cancer Action Network. A. Being an ACSCAN Washington Ambassador is actually my focus with my current title, and through ACSCAN I met with legislators and congress people, responded to and distributed Action Alerts to constituents, attended State Lobby Day (where we lobbied for T21), and provided community support for local, state and federal advocacy activity. We also are campaigning to eliminate cervical cancer globally through greater access to the HPV vaccine and to close the Medicare colorectal cancer loophole seniors face when they go in for a checkup and do have polyps. Q. Many little girls dream of becoming a princess. Does wearing a tiara ever get old? A. Absolutely not! My crown is a symbol for all I do and everyone I serve as a representative of Washington. Many people think of “Toddlers and Tiaras” when it comes to pageantry but in reality the women who compete in pageants strive for titles not for themselves but for how much of a difference they can make when they are crowned. Do you genuinely have a passion you will stop at nothing to work toward? For example, because the National platform of USA National Miss is Crown CARES (Creating A Respectful Environment in Schools) I have also been able to expand my presence in schools by teaching anti-bullying lessons. My focus is on creating a healthier Washington through service, connection and care. Q. What are your dreams for the future? A. Definitely earning my masters! I’m the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree and I hope to be the first to attend grad school as well! I’ve always said I want to be Barbie, not because of what she looks like, but because she’s had every job! I love learning and traveling so I hope to do a lot more in the near future.

Surround yourself with things that elicit joy By Patty Hutchens When it comes to our homes, we like to do what we can to personalize it and make it a true reflection of ourselves. What better way to do that than through the art we choose to place on our walls? Art, in any form, can evoke strong emotions and can bring joy to our lives—whether it is a painting of a special place with fond memories, photos of our family and friends or even something as simple as our children’s artwork. There aren’t a lot of “dos and don’ts” when it comes to decorating your walls, unlike when choosing furniture and paint color. Art is a place to express yourself through color, content and texture. And remember, art is not just about choosing wall hangings; it can include sculptures and rugs as well. Before you begin, decide what “look” is most appealing to you. Do you like to display your art in neat rows? Or do you want it to be eclectic with no real rhyme or reason to how it is presented? Once you decide on the type of arrangement you would like, then you can decide upon your starting point. This will be the focal point, or the anchor, to your other pieces, so pick something that reflects a feeling you want to echo throughout the room. Perhaps it is a piece of art you have had a long time, or you may want to purchase something new. Many people choose to have one large piece of art as opposed to other smaller pieces around an anchor piece. This can make a large impact when displayed in a prominent area. Some of the best art is often the least expensive and provokes a sentimental feeling. Kids’ artwork is something that parents love to save. But what good is it if you stick it away in a box only to discover it years later when cleaning out storage boxes or getting ready to move? Preserve their artwork in a frame for all to enjoy! There are also several inexpensive ways to display your favorite photographs. Groupon frequently offers coupon deals to turn your digital photos into canvas prints. It’s a great way to preserve memories and display photos of family trips, senior pictures and photos of grandparents and other loved ones. Interior Designer Nikki Luttmann states that for gallery walls, try to group “like with like.” “Black-and-white prints look great with other black-and-white prints. Gold-framed oil paintings look great with other gold-framed oil paintings. If, however, your collection is a little more eclectic, that's OK too,” she says. But whether you choose a more formal arrangement with symmetry and a coordinating theme or an informal arrangement with an eclectic blend of artwork displayed randomly, be sure to space out the different elements equally on your gallery wall, paying close attention to how far apart things are. Nikki recommends a sure-fire way to guarantee everything will look good is to lay it all out on the floor ahead of time. “Another trick is to use blue painter's tape to mask where items go on your walls. This lets you clearly see the layout even before getting out your hammer.” Also, the right tools are important. For art hanging, you will need nails, hooks, a hammer, a pencil, blue tape, a tape measure and—most importantly—a level. “There's nothing worse than hanging a heavy piece of art or a mirror on your walls only to find out it hangs two inches too high on one side,” says Nikki. She shares that she recently learned of Command wall-hanging solutions, a 3M product, which rely on a high-powered adhesive to adhere your art to the walls. “Because you are not putting actual holes in your walls, it can feel a little less daunting to do a gallery wall if you use Command strips.” It can also be helpful if you are one who likes to change things up often. One of the most common mistakes Nikki sees is artwork that it is hung too high. “When placing your art, the rule of thumb for galleries and art museums is that the center of the piece hangs at about eye-level, if possible,” recommends Nikki. “If you are very petite or very tall, this can be a little hard to determine, but figure the center of the piece to be at about 5 feet off the ground for a professional look.” Other ways you can group things together is to incorporate a picture ledge onto your wall. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to display your art collection. Whether you opt for a single ledge or decide to group them, they're the perfect solution to fill a blank space. If you are trying to brighten up a smaller room, hanging a mirror can catch light and help “expand” the room. There are many different decorative mirrors available, allowing you to find most anything to fit the style you are looking for! When decorating your walls, don’t forget about greenery. By placing a tall potted plant next to a piece of large-scale wall art, it can help bring the outside indoors and add interest to a specific area you wish to accentuate. Whatever you choose, the goal is to find something that makes you happy. “The best way to decide if something is right for your walls is if you love it. Remember, your home is a reflection of who you are—your likes and dislikes,” says Nikki. “Artwork is very personal and evokes emotion like nothing else in your home, so by hanging art you truly love, your space will feel uniquely ‘you.’”

Beach walks, fresh local seafood and luxurious lodging make for a perfect vacation Story and Photos By Marguerite Cleveland Cannon Beach was named by National Geographic as one of the world’s 100 Most Beautiful Places in June 2013 as well as the staff’s pick for Best Beach Towns in July 2014. With the Oregon icon, Haystack Rock, dominating the beach, it is easy to see why it earned these monikers. The village of Cannon Beach manages to have a sleepy, small-town vibe yet has all the amenities that visitors desire. Its architecture is reminiscent of East Coast island beach towns like Martha’s Vineyard. With scenery this lovely, plan your trip around time exploring the beach and coastline views, meandering through local shops, art galleries and restaurants, and throw in a day trip along the coast. There are many lodging options in Cannon Beach, but I just love a good beach house. During my stay I called the Baker Beach Cottage home, conveniently located within a short walk to the beach and Haystack Rock. Or head the other direction and you are a few houses down from town. This cute cottage offered all the comforts of home and had some fun extras like an outdoor fire pit with Adirondack chairs and a separate bunkhouse with two sets of bunk beds to sleep four in addition to the three-bedroom cottage. Beachcomber Vacation Homes offers a variety of rentals in various sizes and price points. The Beach North Coast beaches are a wonder to behold with sandy beaches speckled with rocks and cliffs. Whether you pull off at viewpoints or walk for miles on the beach, you will want to make beachcombing a big part of your trip. There are usually warning signs posted near the beach; when visiting Oregon beaches, always make sure to read the warnings about sneaker waves and tsunamis. The beaches can also be chilly even in the warmer months, so dress in layers to stay warm. Start with the almost 4 miles of beach surrounding Haystack Rock. Familiarize yourself with a tidal chart. Low tide is the best time to see tidal pools and to get a closer look at the “Rock.” From February to April, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program has volunteers that set up each day to provide visitors with printed resources and knowledge about Haystack Rock. In April you can see the cute Tufted Puffins nesting. For a great overlook of the village and Haystack Rock, drive up to Ecola State Park which has panoramic views of Cannon Beach and the historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, as well as scenic hikes. You don’t want to miss Hug Point State Recreation Site, which is 3 miles south of Cannon Beach. Make sure to visit around low tide for the best experience. Enjoy the sounds of rushing water at the beachside waterfall. There are sea caves and rounded rocks covered with bright green seaweed, which make this a great place for photos. Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, a short two-minute drive south of Cannon Beach, offers a long beach walk that connects to Hug Point. It is worth a stop on its own merits and provides a unique beach with great views. Food The area has a bounty of Pacific Northwest culinary delights from craft distilleries and breweries to local farmers markets. One place you don’t want to miss is the Ecola Seafoods Restaurant and Market, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. After recovering from a fire last July in the midst of their peak season, they are back in business in a beautiful space which serves as a market and restaurant. The Beckmans run a family owned enterprise with husband Jay operating two fishing boats to provide fresh, local seafood and wife Cindy who runs the market and restaurant. They succeed through word of mouth. “People come because they are getting fish from boat to table, sustainably line-and-hook caught with no gill nets. Our seafood is not farm raised and that makes a big difference,” said Cindy. It really does make a huge difference in taste. You can purchase a variety of fish, crab or shrimp to take home or order from the counter and enjoy on site. Two must-haves are the halibut fish and chips and an Oregon shrimp and Dungeness crab boat. This melding of two allows you to have both, and it is so good and fresh. You can enjoy with the Beckman’s homemade cocktail sauce but that crab with a squirt of lemon is to die for. The Village The village is such a fun place to stroll around. At the end of Taft Street (where the Baker Beach Cottage is located) sits the EVOO Cannon Beach Cooking School. This fun business offers cooking shows where you watch a chef prepare a gourmet meal and you get to eat it too. Check their calendar for availability. If not, make sure to stop by and visit their shop with a variety of cooking-related merchandise. Bruce’s Candy Kitchen is always a hit with house-made candy as well as a great selection of what I call ‘vintage candies,’ which are those fun products you grew up with. There is a local market for groceries. I always love a good wine shop of which there are two. The area is a nice easy stroll with art galleries and lots of other cute shops. You may want to drive from this side of town further north to the Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House. This cool, kitschy place is a local favorite and is known as Oregon’s first hardware store to serve beer and wine. Yes, you can enjoy a brew while you shop the aisles. This is one of those stores that have a little bit of everything. While in the area make sure to visit The Sleepy Monk for coffee. This place was recommended over and over by locals, and it is a popular joint. Road Trip Plan to take a day and drive down the coast to Tillamook to tour the cheese factory and have some of their great ice cream. Grab a North Coast Food Trail guide, which has some great suggestions for things to see and do. The little towns of Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi are so quaint and worth a stop for coffee or lunch. On my trip I drove straight to Tillamook with a stop in Manzanita for lunch and then slowly worked my way back to Cannon Beach with numerous stops along the way. Many of the marinas you will pass sell seafood and will cook crab for you when in season. A short detour from the coast is Nehalem. Stop into the Nehalem Bay Winery and enjoy a glass of wine on the deck overlooking farmlands before heading back to Cannon Beach for the sunset. If you are running late, as the sun comes down fast, there are plenty of scenic overlooks to stop at. If you are looking for a truly relaxing vacation, Cannon Beach checks all the boxes. The Specifics Visitor Information Cannon Beach Visitors Information CannonBeach.org Where to Stay Beachcomber Vacation Home BeachComberVacationHomes.com Where to Eat Ecola Seafoods Restaurant and Market EcolaSeafoods.com Things to Do North Coast Food Trail NorthCoastFoodTrail.com

Breaking down the benefits and how long the results really last By Kristin Carlson, Medical Esthetician Did you know your skin cells shed and regrow every 27 days? Sometimes skin cells need a little help during the natural shedding process; this could be due to dehydration or lack of routine skin care. The skin will look dry and flakey. This is when a facial is most beneficial. There are many types of facials. There is the facial focused on relaxation with cleansing, light exfoliation and a long luxurious massage on your face, neck, shoulders, scalp and even your arms, hands and feet. You walk out with a luminous glow and your body feeling pleasantly like mush. Then there is the facial solely focused on correction; it may feel almost clinical, using a variety of modalities, medical-grade products and even chemical peeling agents to remedy a specific skin condition. It has less “fluff” and is more results driven. Ideally, look for a facial falling somewhere in between; one offering a relaxing facial massage and even the option to have your hands or feet pampered, but the focus is results. The facial can include the use of medical-grade skin care, extractions, dermaplaning or chemical peels to ensure you and your esthetician are working toward your best skin. So, what is happening during a facial? Let’s break down its life cycle and what to expect immediately after and in the coming weeks: • Immediately post facial treatment: We have cleansed your skin, exfoliated off all the dead skin cells and debris, performed extractions if necessary, and pumped your skin full of antioxidants and hydrating products. Not only will you leave feeling relaxed, your skin will be radiating a healthy glow. There may be slight redness post facial if extractions were performed. • Two to three days post treatment: Your skin is hydrated, plump and glowing. There is an increase in blood flow from the massage and manipulation of your facial skin. This increase carries more oxygen to the skin cells resulting in a healthy, hydrated post-facial glow! The massage also stimulates the facial muscles giving your face a lifted and more toned appearance. • Twenty-eight to 48 days post treatment: This is when the real work is done. Skin cells are regenerating, creating long-term anti-aging benefits and stimulating collagen re-growth. With routine facials, long-term results can include a reduction in fine lines, lightening of pigmentation and more taut skin. • Four to six weeks: Dead skin cells are starting to build up again and impurities can clog the pores. Therefore, it's time for another facial! A few things to remember: Getting regular facials alone will not transform your skin. Just like a diet or exercise, consistency is key. Staying hydrated, eating a clean diet, getting enough sleep and a good at-home skin-care regimen all contribute to the health of your skin. These factors, along with regular facials, will maximize the life cycle of your facial and provide long-term benefits for your overall skin health. And remember: Taking an hour every four to six weeks to pamper yourself will not only contribute to your skin health but your mental health as well. You are worth it! Ask for a free consultation with your esthetician or skin-care professional to discuss what type of facial is most beneficial for you.

Individuals making a big impact in their local communities By Colin Anderson Ideas are powerful. Something as simple as a passing thought can become something huge that impacts our daily lives, or something small impacting the people in our neighborhood. When the idea is something that could positively impact a community, others are usually quick to rally behind it. There are examples all over the Northwest of how an idea can bring together people from all backgrounds and walks of life to find common ground and to better their surroundings; two of which you can be a part of and make an immediate impact. CHAFE 150, Sandpoint, Idaho, June 15. CHAFE150.org It started as a simple idea from a local accountant, pitched to a small group around a table; something fun that would help raise some funds for the local school district. The Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE) is a group that looks to raise additional private funds for public schools in order to support programs that are either underfunded or wouldn’t be available with the current budget. Current board president Geraldine Lewis recalls the day board member Brad Williams pitched the idea of a bike ride as both a way of generating donations and bringing awareness to the cause. “There really were only about eight or nine of us conversing about ways to expand our group of private supporters for public education. We decided we had the right amount of elements and connections to make it work, so we decided to do it!” said Geraldine. As with most initial events, PAFE was just hoping to break even the first ride and really focus on getting the word out. A clever name, CHAFE 150, an acronym for ‘Cycle Hard for Education’, was created, and the group went to work utilizing their local connections in the business community to seek out sponsorships and volunteers. “Each of us was assigned a different task; someone in charge of the route, the marketing, the logistics, the food, and we just sort of figured it out as we went,” laughed Geraldine. The first CHAFE 150 drew about 45 riders along with several volunteer groups like local cycling clubs, Boy Scouts and other nonprofits manning the aid stations. Brad’s idea was now realized, and with the help of community members banding together, it would surely continue. More riders continued to sign up, and more volunteers offered their time to help out. The event continued to grow—and so did the support for the Panhandle Alliance for Education’s Ready for Kindergarten program; a program to help parents get their children ready to attend kindergarten from age 0 to 5. Money raised from this ride went directly to the program and benefited dozens of families in the area. After five years of running the event, PAFE decided to pass it on to the Sandpoint Rotary, who would be better equipped and well connected to manage and operate the suddenly large annual event. “The transition was so smooth, everyone recognizes the rotary name, the business support is already in place, and now it just grows and grows each year, which is great,” said Geraldine. Mel Dick is co-chair of the CHAFE 150 alongside Brad, who continues to chair the event each year. Over the past seven years, the Sandpoint Rotary has increased the ridership participation and helped bring in title sponsors Timberline Helicopter and Ting, along with many other organizations like the Lake Pend Oreille School District, Angels Over Sandpoint, Friends of Scotchman Peaks and the YMCA. “Well over 100 volunteers are involved day of the event, and our ride organizing committee works on the ride year-round,” said Mel. The Rotary also realized they could attract more cyclists by adding additional ride distances. The first few years, only a 150-mile course was provided. Organizers decided to put in an 80-mile ‘Half CHAFE’ and, not long after, a 30-mile distance. This year, three more options are available including a 100-mile ride, 40-mile ride and 4-plus mile family fun ride. The CHAFE is a beautiful and challenging course that was just named No. 3 Best Charity Ride in the United States by Bicycling Magazine. “Now the ride is a full Gran Fondo, with multiple routes and an after-ride party open to all riders, their friends, family and the community as a whole,” said Mel. When the event was handed over to the rotary, proceeds continued to be presented to the school district. Over the past six years, $260,000 was donated to programs in support of students on the autism spectrum in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. This money has a huge impact for both students and families, as told by Sandpoint resident Patty Hutchens. “When my son Brett was in first grade, he was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction. It is a disorder that is on the autism spectrum. Although he is not autistic, he had to have some special accommodations in the classroom to help him focus and reach his full potential. The principal and the teacher had never even heard of this disorder, although it is very common. I paid for his speech and occupational therapists to come in and educate the principal and the teacher on this so they would have knowledge on the disorder and why special accommodations were needed to help him be successful. I often wondered what would happen with those families who did not have the resources to pay therapists to do that or just did not have the knowledge of their rights. “Since CHAFE 150 has been contributing funds to the program in the school district, all teachers are now aware of not only this disorder but so many others related to autism and are also educated on what they can do to help students. It has been a gift to the community.” The 2019-2021 rides will all continue to benefit the local school district, this time in support of after-school literacy programs and a new reading curriculum, according to Mel. The Sandpoint Rotary Club has also used funds for various community projects including a ‘teen room’ at the local library, a swing set and jungle gym at a playground, and funding for a book trust that funds monthly book purchases by students. Race for a Soldier, Gig Harbor, Washington, September 15. RaceForASoldier.org Born out of tremendous grief and a determined desire to help other veterans after her son overdosed in a Baltimore hotel room on March 7, 2009, just one day his discharge from the VA hospital, his mother, Leslie Mayne, decided the best way to honor Kyle’s memory and service to his country was to recruit family, friends and her community to help her create the first Race For A Soldier in 2011 in Gig Harbor, Washington. Kyle was 27 and had served as an infantryman in Iraq. This was the beginning of a movement that is bringing hope and healing for our veterans that help them make peace with their past by developing programs that foster “post traumatic growth.” The Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation’s (PTSD) other events, Prayer Breakfast, Swing for A Soldier and Pull for a Soldier, have helped to raise awareness and support for the mission. Along the way, the foundation discovered a comprehensive wellness model that encompasses mind, body and spirit for our combat veterans and now includes our first responders. It is called Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes). The goal is to build a strong foundation of leaders here in the Pacific Northwest for its own Northwest Passage wellness retreat and programs. Since 2011, the foundation has supported what it sees as effective and sustainable alternatives to the present resources offered for our veterans. The foundation plans to expand the impact and provide more of the same programs to veterans and first responders in the Pacific Northwest region. It is driven to seek and provide unwavering support for our returning warriors and first responders. Presently, the foundation runs a monthly huddle at the Heron’s Key retirement facility in Gig Harbor, conducts quarterly Mind, Body and Spirit workshops that focus on “post traumatic growth,” and has begun to align itself with the new Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Lakewood, Washington. In 2019, the foundation will continue to send veterans and first responders from this area to strength-based and proven innovative retreat programs. Leslie concentrates her energy and passion for those who serve, strengthening relationships and resources, as well as keeping her eyes open for more compassionate allies to come alongside her. The Run “After Kyle died, I felt the need to leave Gig Harbor and search for some answers and process my grief,” recalled Leslie. That road trip ended up in South Texas, and she lived with her aunt for six months, until Memorial Day weekend, and she returned. Her friend Kathy Davis Hayfield was the general manager at the Tides at the time and hired her to serve the patrons of that establishment. Knowing of her love for our military, Kathy put Leslie in charge of “Buy a Soldier a Lunch” day on October 15, 2010. It was such a hit with the community and the 70 Green Beret who showed up—all about to leave for Afghanistan—that Leslie knew, after that day, she needed to do something bigger and more impactful that would speak to the needs of our military when they return. “The Race For A Soldier was born in my heart that day,” she said. She began to hit the streets, knock on doors and introduce herself to the mayor, the city leaders and anyone who would listen to her. Sue Braaten, a good friend and owner of the Wesley Inn Best Western Suites, advised Leslie to introduce herself to Miguel Galeana. Miguel, a renowned world-class runner and owner of Route 16 Running and Walking, happily agreed to help her organize and be the architect of the first half marathon in the area. Thirty or so friends and family met at a conference room free of charge at the Wesley Inn each month, planning for a year. Their dedication paid off as almost 1,100 people showed up for the first run. In addition to the race inception, Leslie added an event called the Prayer Breakfast, always two days before the race, which allows soldiers to share their inspirational and illuminating stories of overcoming the struggles of post-traumatic stress and making peace and finding purpose. It was standing-room only the first year, and continues to be each year since. The number of runners is now close to double. “I was more grateful than surprised, and I’ve always known that the citizens of Gig Harbor and beyond are generous and caring. They live amongst our military, both active and retired. They want to be a part of the solution. We just had to find a way people could get involved in a tangible way,” said Leslie. From an initial run, the organization now hosts four annual events, each benefiting the Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation. If you are a golfer, Swing for A Soldier is a terrific tournament; if you like competitive trap-shoot events, Pull for a Soldier offers that opportunity; and of course the Prayer Breakfast is the most illuminating and inspiring event of the year in the Gig Harbor area. These are the stories of two individuals with an idea; one combining a passion for cycling and education, the other a mother not wanting any other parent to go through a similar tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide. Both were inspired to make an impact on their community, and the ideas they brought to life have touched thousands of lives. Do you have an idea you’re pondering?