Although it is not unique to the Americas, nor were we the pioneers of it, American food is, buy it’s very nature, fusion cuisine. When you think of fusion cuisine, you might think of Tex-Mex, California Cuisine or some sort of Asian-Pacific-West Coast dish. I grew up with fusion food, or Americanized Korean. It was Kim’s […]

Often it’s eggs and cheese and toast. No vegetables. There’s no time when I’m skimming around the kitchen with wet hair and bare feet. (Cold, bare feet. My cozy birthday slippers aren’t always where I think I left them.) There are complaints. Breakfast is boring. Eggs are disgusting. That is, until I started making thin […]

ThurstonTalk

 

Jeff Widmer (license #1016) is joining Boggs Inspection Services.

An Olympia transplant, Jeff Widmer is excited to be joining Dwayne Boggs and Boggs Inspection Services.

Jeff met Dwayne while he was tagging along on a home inspection with his fiancee.  “My fiancee is a real estate agent who has used Boggs Inspection Services for six years with her clients.  I went along with her one day and met Dwayne.  We started talking and I became more interested in joining him as a home inspector,” recalls Jeff.

Widmer has more than 15 years of experience in construction and home building.  During his construction career, he specialized in foundations and concrete work.

“My experience in construction, and understanding of how homes are built, will help me identify safety and health hazards as well as simple maintenance issues,” says Jeff.

“His knowledge and construction background is definitely a plus,” comments Dwayne Boggs.  He is excited to work with Jeff and credits his solid work ethic and easy going personality.

Widmer plans to also draw upon his sales experience when communicating with customers.  “I am able to talk with clients in a non-alarming way and make them feel more at ease in a high stress situation,” he explains.

Boggs adds that Jeff is good at explaining issues in very basic terms that clients can understand.

As Jeff moves on this next stage of his career, he is excited to be working with Dwayne Boggs and Boggs Inspection Services.  “Like myself, Dwayne is a man of integrity and honor.  I enjoy working with him,” he says.

Knowing what you are buying, before signing on the bottom line is critical for homeowners.  Being able to turn to a professional, knowledgeable home inspector that will educate you about the home seals the deal.

You can find Dwayne Boggs, Jeff Widmer and Boggs Inspection Services at www.boggsinspect.com or by calling 360.482.9602.

ThurstonTalk

 

By Brooke Guthrie

If you have children who like to spend the summer on the swings, Olympia parks do not disappoint. To help mom stretch her legs at the park, or to burn off pent up energy, many of these parks also have a walking or running trail.  These are some of our favorite City of Olympia parks featuring swing sets. All of the parks include bathrooms.

Priest Point is a historical park that dates to the 1840s and has many amenities, including handicapped accessible swings. Amenities include a rose garden, an extensive trail system that descends to the beach and a great boat play structure. The South Sound Estuary Association regularly has beach naturalists on hand at the beach to talk to visitors about beach life.

Priest Point Park

Friendly Grove is a great park with swings, a skate park and nice play structure. It also boasts a Born Learning Trail that surrounds the park. The trail provides outdoor learning games that build pre-literacy skills for school readiness (the other local park with this trail is Decatur Woods). The park has a neighborhood seating project by artist Susan Christian using life stages of trees as public art and park seating.  The park has a little kid structure and various climbing structures.

LBA park was developed in 1974 and stands for the Little Baseball Association (the city’s then Little League) and has been expanded since. It includes a .7 mile loop running track, swings, and it is the only Olympia park with a zip line. It also features a monster dome rope play structure with areas to climb, swing, a rope bridge and it even accommodates really big kids (adults). It has a little kid structure as well.

Lions Park was started in 1946 by the Olympia Lions club and the neighborhood association. In 2010 the park was improved to include log climbers, horseshoe pits, a climbing rock structure and slide. The park includes the animal journey of indigenous animal tracks (including people) and the path is meant to be walked on allowing people to participate in the journey. Also at the park are 12 hidden lions and a sprinkler.

Yauger Park also features a trail around the park, through the storm water structure nature area, a disk golf course, horse shoe pits and swings. There is a Dirt Works demonstration garden at the park that features summer classes for kids. The park features a three story play structure called the mega tower including four slides, and the structure is handicapped accessible.

After visiting one of these parks, head over to the Port of Olympia’s Boatswap and Chowder Challenge on Saturday.  Event information can be found here.

Get out and enjoy the sunshine this summer at any of these Olympia parks.

 

ThurstonTalk

 

Submitted by Luxe for Style

Spring is here.  Prom and wedding season is right around the corner.  At  Luxe for Style hair salon, we are studying up on the latest hair and makeup trends for the 2013 season.  This year mira bella is using a lot of metallic tones with winged out tips reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe with a strong coral, red or pink lip.  Skin is soft and dewy and everything well blended. Of course following trends are not for everyone.  At Luxe, we can customize a look that is best suited for you and brings out your best features.  You will look amazing on your big night!

Luxe is definitely on top with our team of stylists and makeup artists.  If you are looking for a prom style, wedding ‘do or just a big night out, we know we can help you create the look you are going to absolutely love.  We can create a beautiful, structured chignon or a tousled textured style.  Perhaps your look is a long wave or extreme volume.  We offer extensions that will take you to that amazing look that will make you feel like the star you are.

Give Luxe for Style a call today to set an appointment or a complimentary consultation.  We look forward to being a part of your big day!

360.754.1600

ThurstonTalk

 

By Mary Ellen Psaltis

A BBQ plank is one way to infuse additional flavors into fresh fish.

Fresh seafood is a huge bonus of living in the Pacific Northwest. Fish is healthful (all those good omegas), easy to prepare and is pleasurable to eat. My son and I love salmon – lucky for us. I am not sure where the unpronounced  “l” came from, but that is not on my list of worries. Copper River salmon season, which last a fleeting two months, begins on a random day mid-May. Restaurants will celebrate its arrival with enticing recipes. Fish markets will have it and then suddenly the last tail slips away until next year. Yes, you can freeze some, but I like the bear method – eat copiously while it’s readily available.

Copper River salmon refers not to a particular kind of salmon, but that the salmon physically came from the Copper River. It might be King, sockeye or silver. The swiftness of the river requires the fish to have more fat and oil to make the difficult journey.  The unpredictable weather and extreme tides also make for challenging fishing. Hence, Copper River salmon is renown around the world.

In case you are not crazy about salmon, you will have numerous options if you stop in at Bayview’s Lobster Sale on Friday, May 17.  Head under the big tent in the parking lot for live or cooked lobsters. Alongside the lobsters will be whole and half halibut and other seafood for as well. Seafood Manager Lisa Ishler has been scoping out the best prices and availability. Sounds like feasting to me.

On Friday, May 17, Bayview Thriftway will be hosting its one day lobster sale.

Here are a few thoughts for cooking your fish:

Sear: (high heat, short time) Start your fillets on the stove then finish them in the oven. The outside will be golden perfect and the inside still moist.

Or, forget the oven finish and sear only. It won’t be cooked through – and that’s OK. (maybe not for everyone).

Broil: Again, you will cook the outside fast. A sticky marinade would be nice. Cook as desired.

Bake: 350 degrees for a few minutes. Totally easy – won’t produce crisp outside but perfect for spicy rubs. Don’t be afraid to take your pan out off the oven when the fish appears almost but not quite done. As the pieces sit for a couple of minutes, the cooking will continue.

Poach: citrus, wine and butter. Submerges flavors, no burning.

Plank: Soaked pieces of wood protect your fillets from the grill and add a smoky wood element that you either love or hate.

Smoke: Not within my realm of expertise, but lots of people do it. Need some equipment.

Raw: No cooking at all: Raw, fresh, high quality salmon can be eaten raw but one ought exercise caution.

Boiling: Cooking lobsters requires a huge pot of salted water. Best results come from putting the live lobster head first into the roiling water. You can probably do two at time (depending on the size of the pot).

Cover the pot and let it get to boiling again. Recipes suggest 12-20 minutes for a 1-1 ½ pound lobster. The shells will become bright red and the tails will curl. Drain well.

Bayview will do the cooking, if you prefer. Serve with drawn batter and chilled wine.

What is drawn butter, anyway?

Also known as clarified butter, it’s unsalted butter where the solids and liquids have been separated. This is done by melting butter, just bringing it to a boil, removing from heat and then skimming off the solids. What’s left is clear. Use for dipping.

I see fish in my future and it sure looks great. There must be at least one fish with one cooking style that appeals to you. Give it a go. It’s the season.

Eat Well – Be Well

ThurstonTalk

 

 

Now open!  Forza celebrates their grand opening of the Lacey store.  Forza was born from a combined passion for Italy, the love of coffee, and the pursuit of making a difference in the community.

Complete article coming soon.  Thanks to Priest Photography for the photos.

Forza

130 Marvin Road SE #130

Lacey, WA 98503

ThurstonTalk

 

Submitted by City of Lacey Parks and Recreation

Celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1, 2013, by joining other trail supporters at Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, to spread wood chips on trails in the park, pull weeds and invasive plants, and conduct basic trail maintenance. The Woodland Trail Greenway Association is hosting the trail maintenance work party.

Individuals, families, and groups are welcome to join. Volunteers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will enjoy a barbeque lunch provided by The Alpine Experience after the project is complete. Please pre-register by Friday, May 24 to ensure that enough food, water, and tools are on hand. To access the registration form, visit the City of Lacey website at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/parks-volunteer.

National Trails Day® is sponsored by the American Hiking Society. Since 1993, this event has grown to inspire thousands of people to celebrate America’s magnificent trail system on the same day nationwide. This year marks the 21st annual celebration, with over 2,000 events taking place throughout the United States. Additional National Trails Day® projects are available at www.AmericanHiking.org/ntd.

For more information, please call the Lacey Parks and Recreation Department at (360) 491-0857.

 

ThurstonTalk

 

Submitted by City of Olympia

In a ceremony today, Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts honored both members of the public and members of the Police Department for their service to the community in 2012.  Each year, the Olympia Police Department meets during National Police Week to recognize those who have gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to help provide a safe and secure city.  Chief Roberts thanked the award recipients for their dedication to community and to duty.

• Life Saving Award:  Mr. Ralph Osgood and Mr. Rhys McCray, were honored this year with a Life Saving Award for the help they gave to a suicidal woman who was trying to jump off the Capitol Way bridge onto I-5.  Officers Kory Pearce, Amy King, Ryan Donald, and Duane Hinrichs were also recognized for helping bring the woman to safety.
• Medal of Valor:  Officer Mike Hovda received a Medal of Valor for his actions that prevented injury to officers by a suspect wielding a gun.
• Partnership Awards:  Awards are given to members of the community who partner with the police to address crime.  Mr. Peter Guttchen, Ms. Angie Warner-Rein and Ms. Linda Donaldson were recognized for their efforts to keep their neighborhoods safe.
• Chief’s Awards:  Awards are given to individuals who provided exemplary service to the Department in 2012.  Those receiving Chief’s Awards included Officers Jason Watkins and Paul Evers, Sergeant Jim Black, and Corrections Officer Kelli Hull.
• Employee of the Year (non-commissioned):  Lonnie Griffin received this award for his exceptional work in Evidence and in Customer Service.
• Officer of the Year:  Chris Johnstone received the Officer of the Year award for his outstanding work as a Detective.

 

There is little history about this sandwich. It seems to have originate in Israel with Iraqi Jews. There is no real mythology unless you consider that it is popular on the Sabbath when cooking is prohibited in the Jewish faith. It’s street food. It’s  just a bunch of left-overs. It’s insanely delicious. Move over Falafel – there is a new sandwich in town. […]

ThurstonTalk

 

Submitted by The Foundation Campus

The Foundation Campus in Lacey includes a pre-school, daycare, and K-12 program. If you are looking for a great Biblically based education and strong academics check out The Foundation Campus today. The teacher to student ratio at The Foundation Campus greatly enhances the level of education that their child will receive.

Volumes of research dating back to the 1960’s highlight the advantages of smaller schools:

• Greater student achievement
• Better grades
• Higher graduation rates
• More years of college and graduate school after high school
• Safe schools
• Strong parental involvement
• Strong science, math, and critical thinking skills’

Empirical evidence also shows that the advantages of small schools stay with children throughout their educational career. In addition, Foundation Campus staff go the extra mile to create an environment that helps students to go beyond the normal educational experience that most school systems offer. The campus has a rich tradition of excellence in athletics, statewide academic competitions, the arts and more.

Northwest Christian High School (NCHS) in Lacey was just voted as the 2013 best high school in the greater South Sound region by readers of South Sound Magazine. NCHS tied for first with Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma. In response to our selection, South Sound Magazine stated, “High school can be both mentally and emotionally challenging. Help ease that burden by enrolling your teen into one of the best private schools in Western Washington.”

Find more information about each school on The Foundation Campus here. You can also call the following people to set up a tour of each school on our campus:

Day care and Pre-school-Michele Jewett                            (360) 951-3054

Community Christian Academy-Rick Graham                   (360) 493-2233

Northwest Christian High School-Dr. Terry Ketchum    (360) 491-2966

OLYMPIA SPORTS SCHEDULES   - Rugby - 5/18/2013 08:00 AM BB Barbarians @ WA Rugby Finals Location:TBA (check BuddBayRugby.com)   BOX SCORES   - Rugby - 5/04/13  BB Barbarians U15... ☞

by Jordan Nailon   The South Sound Shock FC would like to foster a good ol’ fashioned “futball” rivalry with the upstart Tumwater Pioneers FC. Both teams compete in the... ☞

Spring is in the air, love is all around and it’s a good time to check in with a two traveling bands based around couples that’ll be coming through town... ☞

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Don’t mistake excitement or enthusiasm for progress or accomplishment. For more information, look closely at children.  A reasonable order of operations would have one complete a... ☞

Each Thursday night during the OlyBlues partner dance on the third floor of the Eagles Hall (downtown at 4th Avenue and Plum Street), the good people of Olympia have a... ☞

Introducing you to new locally-owned businesses… Shirlee Woolsey started making beaded necklaces when she was 16, going to now famous Shipwreck Beads on Mud Bay Road to shop. Years later,... ☞

Date/Time: 4/25/2013, 18:14 Hours Location: 3200 Yauger Way, Olympia Incident:  Skate or Die   For the initiated, skateboarding can become more than a pastime.  The hard static rumble of wheels... ☞

By Waponigirl on Flickr.

Now, I'm sure you see it clearly now. But, what a lot of people call the upper waterfalls on the Deschutes in Tumwater is actually a derelict dam. It is also (according to my list) the oldest dam in Thurston County by nearly 40 years.

There are a surprising number of dams in Thurston County (35 total), now that I think of it. All but one were built in the last 100 years. The busiest decade for dam building was the 1960s (with eight built). I'm also surprised by the number built in the 1980s and 90s (five each).

The stormwater pond dam over at SPSCC has a surprisingly high risk rate, "From 7 to 30 lives at risk."

Most of the dams -- 15 out of 35 -- are both earth fill and were built to create recreational reservoirs. Three of these actually have "ski" in their names.

There are also dams in surprising places, Grass Lake for example. This is a small lake surrounded by a City of Olympia park. The dam was built in 1966 for the original purpose (I assume) of irrigation.


View Larger Map

Grass Lake dam illustrates what I take away from the list of Thurston County Dams. Most of us read the word dam and see the Elwha dams, the Grand Coulee or even our own La Grande Dam. Something big, blocking a big river. But, most of these dams are smallish, practically fading into the landscape. You don't even know a dam is there.

ThurstonTalk

 

The team from Small to Tall, including Dr. Ben Ruder, have fun and educate families at the Lacey Spring Fun Fair.

When is a dentist not ‘just a dentist’?  Pretty much every day if you are one of the talented and compassionate dentists at Small To Tall Pediatric Dentistry.  The care they give to each patient in the office is the same care they extend into our community, supporting non-profit organizations and individuals throughout the South Sound.  The Small to Tall team has supported, financially or with their time, more than twenty-one different groups.

But the Small to Tall dentists and staff aren’t supporting our community just to grow a lengthy list.  They simply know it’s the right thing to do.  Dr. Ben Ruder shares, “If there are things we can support financially, with donations or with our presence we feel everyone can benefit.”   And the organizations around our area benefit greatly.

One example is Small to Tall’s support of the South Sound Reading Foundation (SSRF).  If you delivered a baby at a local hospital, then you have benefitted from the SSRF.  Thank the SSRF for the board book you went home with (ours was titled Mama, Mama).    In addition to their Books for Babies Program, the SSRF has more than ten programs aimed at supporting literacy for children – promoting reading 20 minutes a day by making sure books are in every home and childcare center in our area.

As parents of small children themselves, the Small to Tall dentists are proud to support SSRF’s work.  “I really enjoyed attending the annual fundraising breakfast and learning more about the great impact this organization has on our community,” says Dr. Scott Rowley.

Dr. Scott Rowley performs a lap exam, a knee to knee exam, involving parents helping the youngest patients feel at ease, during Dental Health Month at the Hands On Children’s Museum.

Coming up soon on the calendar is the Lacey Spring Fun Fair, an event that Small to Tall is proud to participate in and sponsor.  This free community event draws thousands of people every year, celebrating the season with a variety of fun activities for kids and adults.  Stop by Small to Tall’s booth at the Lacey Spring Fun Fair and pick up educational materials about oral hygiene.  During the two day event, all of the dentists and their staff will rotate through the booth.  “It’s not just the dentists who feel passionate about community support – it’s a philosophy supported by the entire office,” adds Rowley.

Like many parents in the area, I am thrilled with the new Hands On Children’s Museum.  Small to Tall is too.  They were key donors during the construction process of the new museum, but their involvement doesn’t stop there.  They partner with the museum to highlight Children’s Dental Health Month each February, coordinating free dental screenings.  Many dentists from the Thurston-Mason Counties Dental Society pitch in throughout the month.  This free service is invaluable to area families who may have skipped early childhood check-ups due to finances or simply didn’t know screenings start with the emergence of the first tooth.

And community involvement of other area dentists is something Dr. Ruder sites as the norm, not the exception.  “I really feel that the dental profession as a whole, not just Small to Tall, supports the arts, school groups like PTAs and other non-profit organizations around the Olympia area.  Whenever I go to a performance, school event or a non-profit benefit, it’s always reassuring to see how many dentists sponsor or offer support to these organizations,” shares Ruder.

When reading through the list of organizations Small to Tall supports, I was struck with not only the larger organizational support including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, South Sound YMCA and Providence St. Peter’s Hospital, but that it included so many smaller, more personal connections.

These connections exist because Small to Tall really loves their patients, who travel from Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis, Thurston and South Pierce County to take advantage of the specialized pediatric care services offered at Small to Tall.  Dentists in other counties refer patients to Small to Tall, knowing that their youngest patients will get just what they need from Drs. Rowley, Ruder, and Psaltis.  In turn, Small to Tall supports the school auctions, PTAs, dance teams, Scout troops, theater productions, and sports fundraisers of their patients.  “It’s built into our business and a core philosophy that we share,” remarks Rowley.

Melissa, a Small to Tall dental assistant, shares oral hygiene tips with a Thurston County child.

One of the favorite outreach activities of the team at Small to Tall is visiting local preschools where they demonstrate, in larger than life scale, how to take good care of your teeth.  Floss made of rope and teeth made from stuffed pillowcases make preschoolers laugh, but also get them excited about taking care of their own teeth, ridding their mouth of the dreaded “sugar bugs.” When kids are excited about their own dental health, parents will follow.

And ultimately, that’s the big goal of community outreach and support.  “We are supposed to be advocates for children’s oral health, to make sure they have healthy teeth and quality experiences when they come to the dentist,” shares Ruder.  “That certainly extends beyond the borders of the dental office.  We want to make sure we are advocates not just in our office, but in our community. Going out to schools and other venues, we can reach out to kids, in an environment they are familiar with, to educate them.  It’s a community effort and that is really just part of who we are.”

Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry

222 Lilly Road

Olympia, WA 98506

360.459.5885