Earl Reilly, the “Mad Man’ of northwest radio and television, has written a lighthearted account of his colorful life and career, According to Earl: Untold Humorous Stories and Bloopers from Early Radio and TV. The book takes you through 60 years of behind-the-scenes stories of local radio and early television history and includes many names probably familiar to you such as Stan Boreson, Dorothy Bullitt, and Wally Nelskog.

In an early chapter, Reilly tells of being forced to host a country music segment during his pop tunes radio show, so he adopted an alter ego, “Spike Hogan” who spoke with a screechy falsetto twang and was known for goofy stunts. Little did Reilly know, but Spike became such a hit that the show lasted for years, and “Spike” made many special appearances at events throughout the region.

Reilly continued to play stunts and pranks throughout his career and lifetime. Always the jokester, his tradition with Christmas cards tells the story (conceived not in irreverence for the proper meaning of Christmas, but as a response to today’s secular cards). About 50 years ago when his friends started saying, “We’re not sending cards this year,” Reilly sent out plain empty envelopes marked on the outside, “We’re not sending cards this year.” The next year he sent “postage due” plain cards (with a stamp inside). And so the tradition began.

Reilly’s self-published memoir is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, or can be ordered through your favorite bookstore.

Photo Caption: Earl Reilly’s memoir – According to Earl – tells  of the wild early days of Seattle area broadcasting. Photo courtesy of The Herald, photo by Mark Mulligan

This article recently appeared in the June 2011 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

The throaty warble of a Black-headed Grosbeak sings in the evening light, the bright yellow flash of a Western Tanager flits through the branches, the unique whir of a hummingbird – wings beating 50 times per second – darts past as you relax in the morning sunlight … One need not escape to a countryside bed and breakfast to enjoy these sights and sounds of springtime. Many suburban gardeners and city dwellers are learning how to create a paradise for wildlife in their own backyards.

Pam Linder’s love of gardening is immediately evident when you enter her highly planted, lush acre along the shores of the Duwamish River. Pam’s garden is one of six properties featured on a garden tour that concludes the 11th Annual Backyard Wildlife Festival in Tukwila on Saturday, May 14. The Festival runs from 9am to 3pm; the tour of certified wildlife gardens begins at 3pm.

“Gardening is my stress release,” says Pam. When she moved in, the property was a large, flat rectangle of lawn. With her busy schedule you wonder how she found time to create this verdant wonderland. “Being able to watch the birds flock to the yard is wonderful.” The fountain and pond her husband installed for her is one reason birds love the property, along with the fact that she uses wildlife-friendly practices. “I use no pesticides, for example,” says Pam. “I am the compost queen,” she adds proudly.

Back in 1998 when Pam Linder learned that she could certify her garden as a wildlife habitat through a National Wildlife Federation program, little did she know that her efforts, along with those of a dedicated group of citizen activists, would lead her hometown of Tukwila to become Washington state’s first certified wildlife habitat community.

Since that time, Washington leads the nation in the National Wildlife Federation program, with a total of twelve certified community habitats and sixteen more on their way to achieve certification

Pam, who worked both as a Metro bus driver and as a Tukwila City Council member, helped scores (if not hundreds) of neighbors certify their yards as part of the community certification goals. “This project has neighbors talking to neighbors over the fence or through the hedge about what different birds they’ve seen lately,” says Pam. “School children and seniors alike are learning and enjoying together.” She also convinced local businesses to certify their properties and business leaders to donate generously to support the grass-roots effort. In her role with the city council, she led the city to support the annual Backyard Wildlife Festival, now enjoying its 11th year this month.

“Achieving community certification was a big deal for Tukwila,” says Pam. She made sure (usually by visiting the yard in person) that the mayor, all city council members, and the city administrator certified their properties. “Even our Sister City of Ikawa, Japan is certified!” exclaims Pam. “The city really embraced this project.”

Pam continues working on city-wide projects. And when not gardening, she watches her grandkids and other children, too, since her property is a magnet for the neighbor kids. “Our yard is their yard,” she adds.  Oh, and she is currently running for Mayor of Tukwila!

Meet Pam Linder, Ciscoe Morris, and a host of other garden and wildlife enthusiasts at the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 14.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Ciscoe Morris is the featured speaker. His talk, “Hummingbird Madness” at 1:30pm, discusses how to attract hummingbirds to your yard and garden.  Other events include a variety of speakers and demos, on-hand experts, native plant sale, a guided bird walk, the tour of certified wildlife gardens, arts & crafts, fun kids’ activities, and more. The Festival, garden tour and all activities are FREE!

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2011; 9am–3pm

WHERE: Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila

For additional information, visit www.backyardwildlifefair.org or call 206-768-2822.

Photo Caption: Pam Linder’s garden, and five other certified wildlife gardens, are on display following the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 14

This article recently appeared in the May 2011 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

…by Diann MacRae…

2011 is Seward Park’s one hundredth year: its Centennial. This Seattle park has a long and interesting history. It has been a haven for wildlife in the midst of a large city and a place for people to walk, run, swim, study, and relax.

The 300-acre Bailey Peninsula on Lake Washington’s west side became Seward Park in 1911 named after William H. Seward, Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, the gentleman who also managed the purchase of Alaska for the United States. The area was once an island, but when the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built in 1916 the water level dropped nine feet creating the peninsula.

While there are open spaces and pathways designed by the Olmsted Brothers’ landscape firm of long ago, the park is heavily forested. 120 acres of remnant old growth forest, the Magnificent Forest, is the largest grouping of ancient trees in Seattle. Some trees are older than 250 years and many line the park’s three miles of Lake Washington shoreline. The dominant tree is Douglas-fir, with western hemlock, western red cedar, madrona, and bigleaf maple well-represented.

Once a road for cars, a 2.4 mile path for walking and biking encircles the park now and beckons enthusiastic outdoor people.

The Friends of Seward Park have planned several interesting events for this Centennial year including new trail dedications and signage and movies in the amphitheatre after dark.

On April 23rd, between Earth Day and Easter, there will be activities such as prairie walks to view the flowering blue camas, a native plant sale, and cultural events around the blooming Japanese cherry trees.

The weekend of July 16th and 17th an art festival hosted by the Clay Studio will be held. A 5K walk, classic car parade, a display of older hydroplanes in Andrews Bay, and a vintage fashion show are also in the works. During the coming fall a judged art show is planned and there will be the release of a book on the history of Seward Park.

The Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center is also celebrating a birthday: its third. The Center is located in the renovated Annex and Hatchery buildings. In 2003, the Tudor-style Annex was declared an historic landmark building by the Seattle Landmarks Board. The Center includes exhibits, library, and gift shop, and has programs for school, youth, community, and special events.

The Audubon Center will offer bird box building, a celebratory birthday cake, and bird walks. There will be Eagle Walks on April 23rd to view the park’s nesting Bald Eagles along with an Owl Prowl that evening to see the park’s owls: barred, great-horned, saw-whet, and screech owl are possibilities. There once was a large flock of wild conures (parrots) in the park, and even though their numbers have declined, you may hear their loud calling. Birdbanding and Toddler Tales and Trails will also be featured throughout the summer.

Bring your grandkids! The park is a wonderful place to teach youngsters about nature. Join in the interesting array of events that have been planned and help celebrate one of Seattle’s great parks.

•   Seward Park is located at 5895 Lake Washington Blvd. South

•   Park information: 206-684-4396; Open 6am–11pm; www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/seward.htm

•   S.P. Environmental & Audubon Center is open 10am-5pm, Wed-Sat; 206-562-2444, http://sewardpark.audubon.org.

•   To read up on the very interesting background of the Seward Park area, visit www.sewardpark.org/

•   Other activities available in the park include concerts at the park amphitheater, Bicycle Sunday, picnics, walks in the woods, throwing pots at the Clay Studio, and much more.

Photo Caption: Celebrating its 100th year, Seward Park has long been a haven for wildlife and people in the midst of the city

This article recently appeared in the April 2011 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

…by Deborah Stone…

When most people think of an island paradise, they imagine a tropical destination such as Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean, or maybe an even more exotic port of call like Fiji, with white sand beaches, spectacular sunsets and colorful frou-frou drinks.

I probably would have envisioned the same – that is until I spent some quality time with our neighbor to the north, Vancouver Island. It’s hard to believe that such an idyllic locale is so close and yet so unfamiliar to many Seattle area residents who usually venture only as far as Victoria for a dose of British charm. I was delighted to discover that there’s so much more to Vancouver Island than its provincial capital. On a recent trip, a friend and I set off to explore the central island and the Pacific Rim region (the island’s West Coast). The former includes Nanaimo and the communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, often regarded as “Canada’s Riviera” for their mild climate, sandy beaches and oceanside resorts. Home base for us was the comfortable and elegantly rustic Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort & Spa in Parksville. Despite having a stellar reputation within Canada, this gem of a property is relatively unknown outside of the region.

Its amenities are extensive and activity-inspired individuals will find everything from on-site tennis and basketball courts, fitness room, beach volleyball, bicycle rentals, indoor pool, yoga classes on the beach, wine tasting and a comprehensive kids’ recreation program.
And then, of course, there’s the Grotto Spa, recently voted the #1 Spa in Western Canada. It’s 20,000 square feet of bliss, featuring a mineral pool, fed by a two-story cascading waterfall. Designed to emulate a natural stone grotto, this warm water pool is infused with natural minerals and trace elements which are said to help detoxify the body and rejuvenate the spirit.

I discovered that relaxation takes on a whole new meaning after spending an afternoon soaking in the pool, followed by a coconut sugar scrub, mango enzyme body wrap and watermelon papaya body butter massage. To complete your spa experience, head upstairs to the Treetop Tapas & Grill and indulge in a unique dining experience – in your robe!

The spa is a definite highlight of the property, but the beach is its focal point. When the tide goes out, there are dozens of tide pools full of tiny treasures from the sea. It’s a delightful place to stroll, make a sand castle, dig for clams, fly a kite, take a dip in the water and even witness a wedding ceremony. You’ll find everyone from extended families with young kids to couples looking for a romantic escape.

From there, you can set off to explore the surrounding area in more depth. Head for Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park for some hiking, rock-climbing, canoeing, or my favorite – spelunking (cave exploration). The caverns are a magical underground world where you’ll find beautiful crystal formations and ancient fossils. A good stop for lunch is at Coombs, a village dotted with several heritage buildings where you can find funky buys in clothing and souvenirs and get a look at the world-famous goats on the roof of the Coombs Old Country Market.

Cathedral Grove should also be on your list of special places to visit in this region. It’s a well-known stand of ancient Douglas-fir; some are over 800 years old and measure 29 feet in circumference. Another Edenesque spot is Milner Gardens, an ancient coastal forest and garden oasis perched on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Georgia.

After wandering through the peaceful woods, make a beeline for the historic Milner House where you can enjoy a traditional afternoon English tea in the Camellia Tea Room, while taking in the picturesque ocean views. The home has had many celebrated guests, among them Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

Rivaling the Central Island in natural beauty is the Pacific Rim region, a rugged outdoor playground, home to some of the best surfing, whale watching, fishing and kayaking in the region. Just getting to this area is an adventure that involves an enchanted journey on the Pacific Rim Highway, through twisty, often misty, roads, with some of the most striking scenery you’ll ever see, from craggy bluffs and roaring rivers to majestic lakes and verdant forests. One of the main communities in this region is Ucluelet, which is where my traveling companion and I elected to stay. Our digs were at Black Rock Resort, a property that truly redefines West Coast luxury. You may never want to leave the place and simply decide to stay put watching the ocean from your private balcony and keeping an eye open for whales, soaking in one of the water’s edge hot tubs, getting pampered at the Drift Spa and dining on sumptuous West Coast cuisine in the resort’s famed Fetch Restaurant. But, if that’s not enough for you, then I suggest stretching your legs with a hike on the Wild Pacific Trail, which conveniently passes right by the property. It’s a magical experience that connects you with Mother Nature in her rawest and untamed state.

For another up close and personal encounter with this spectacular environment, opt for a kayak tour. You don’t need to go far. The Ucluelet Harbor teems with wildlife and you’re guaranteed to spot bald eagles circling overhead, herons feasting on fish and seals and otters playfully popping their heads up near your boat as you paddle by.

To complement this excursion, make sure to visit the Ucluelet Aquarium, which may in fact be the world’s smallest public aquarium. Despite its tiny size, however, there’s an amazing variety of marine life, all found in local waters within a 3-mile radius. Operating on a catch and release program, the facility employs divers to bring up specimens during the spring and summer months. Come October, there’s a release party and all the creatures are returned to their original locales.

Continuing on the Pacific Rim Highway, you’ll pass a stretch of spectacular beaches called the Long Beach area. At its terminus is Tofino, another eco-adventure playground that is known for its sub culture of hippies, environmentalists and surfers. The area is also home to many artisans, whose eclectic work can be seen in the numerous galleries and shops that line the main streets. Although summer is prime tourist time in both Ucluelet and Tofino, the winter also draws visitors with promises of incredible storm watching opportunities. And then there’s spring, when one of the grandest processions on the planet, the Grey Whale migration, takes place. Vancouver Island is the ideal setting to escape the crowds and experience nature in its pure, untouched state. It’s my idea of paradise.

If you go:
To get to Vancouver Island, take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Sydney (12.5 miles north of Victoria) or the Black Ball Ferry Line from Port Angeles to Victoria. Parksville is approximately 91 miles northwest of Victoria by car. From there, it’s another 90 miles west to Ucluelet. And from Ucluelet to Tofino is 26 miles. To make the trip easier, an overnight stay in Victoria on the return is recommended.

Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort: www.tigh-na-mara.com
Oceanside Tourism Association: www.oceansidetourism.com
Pacific Rim Visitor Center: www.pacificrimvisitor.ca
Black Rock Resort: www.blackrockresort.com
Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa (a new urban resort hotel in Victoria, featuring “Green Building” sustainable design and tasteful décor): www.ParksideLifestyle.com

Photo Caption: Searching for nature’s treasures on a kayak excursion around Ucluelet Harbor.

This article recently appeared in the February/March 2011 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Local author Ron Reagan, son of Ronald Reagan, will be discussing and signing his new book “My Father at 100” (on sale Jan 18). The book’s publication coincides with the centenary of his father’s birth. Join Ron Reagan at these Seattle events: Jan 20 at 7:30pm, Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave; Jan 21 at 7pm, Magnolia’s Bookstore, 3206 West McGraw Street; Feb 5 at 2pm, Barnes & Noble at University Village.

…by Jerome Richard…

“The town is a museum.” That’s how architect Victor Steinbrueck described Port Townsend. Located on a strategic corner of the Olympic Peninsula, the town’s boosters once expected it to become the biggest city on Puget Sound. Growth depended on a railroad connecting Port Townsend to Portland, Oregon, and  in 1889 the Union Pacific announced plans to complete the route. That inflated a bubble of land speculation. Fortunes were made and mansions built. Several European countries opened consulates in the bustling town.

But the Union Pacific changed its plans. Rumors of a railroad continued, but the depression in 1893 burst the bubble and Port Townsend, like a jilted bride, remained in a state of shock that only its rediscovery in the late 1960s could change.

In the 1960s Port Townsend was rediscovered by people looking for an alternative to mainstream America. Relative isolation, charm, beautiful scenery, and cheap rents were all part of the attraction. As far apart in their culture as Hippies and Victorians were, you can see in any stroll around town how they shared a taste for exuberant shapes and colors. The main difference is that where the American Victorians dreamed big, the Hippies yearned for small.

Even without a railroad, the location was still strategic, so in 1902 Fort Worden was established on a finger of land called Point Wilson. In 1953, however, Fort Worden was decommissioned and in 1973 it became an unusual state park.

Lodging is available in the old dormitories, the Victorian style officers quarters, or the campgrounds. Meals are served cafeteria style and recreation includes tennis, outdoor playing fields, and a boat launch.

Centrum, a non-profit center for the arts, is headquartered at Fort Worden where it presents a year-round series of events that include a writers’ conference, music festival, and much more.

Today, Port Townsend is a National Historic Landmark with more than 70 buildings on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. The grandest of these is the Ann Starrett Mansion. A 4-story octagonal tower with steeply pitched roofs, the whole is busy with cornices and windows in the late Victorian style. Inside, the ceiling is painted with a fresco alternating four scantily clad “Seasons” with four “Virtues.”

Less spectacular but more imposing is Manresa Castle, built by Charles Eisenbeis to resemble a castle on the Rhine for his homesick wife. The 30-room mansion is on a hill just outside the downtown area and commands a striking view of town and harbor. Now it is a hotel with modern conveniences and Victorian comfort.

Other 1890-era mansions that are now B&Bs include the Hastings House, the James House which overlooks the bay and was the first B&B in the Northwest, and Lizzie’s which is less ornate than the others and farther away from the business district but which still provides the kind of opulent interior that announced to the world of the 19th century that someone had made it.

You can see most of these and other notable homes in a day’s walk around town. Organized tours take place in May and September at which time many private homes are also open to the public. Several office buildings and a couple of hotels in the downtown district also reflect the period of wild optimism.

The most imposing building is the Jefferson County Courthouse, opened in 1892. The brick fortress-like building features a clock tower that is still a landmark for mariners. There is also an excellent historical museum, a couple of lively taverns, a restored 1920s movie theater, and a drama company.

On a stroll through Port Townsend, the scene constantly shifts between the 1890s, the 1960s, and the present. Often all three appear in a single glance.

Port Townsend, in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains, gets less rain than Seattle, and there are few extremes of weather, so any time is a good time to visit. January is the slowest month, but the month-long Victorian Christmas celebration is popular. A tree lighting takes place December 4, the day Santa comes to town. There is also a home tour and a craft and gifts fair that day.

Port Townsend is about 2 hours from Seattle by car and ferry. The state’s newest ferry, the Chetzemoka  leaves from Coupeville (Keystone) on Whidbey Island. You can walk to downtown from the ferry terminal, or take a free bus. Pick up a ferry schedule, or call 206-464-6400 for recorded information.

Photo caption: The holiday season is a great time of the year to visit the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend

Websites:
• www.ptguide.com
• www.centrum.org
• www.centrum.org/fortworden

This article recently appeared in the December 2010 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

…by Ginger Dingus…

Yahoo! I’m soaring like an eagle over an alarmingly deep gorge in Canada’s rugged Rocky Mountains, summoning the courage to flip upside-down on the zipline and let it all hang out. That night, I’m indulging my taste buds at a hip mountain bistro.

The next morning, I’m looking for black bears in the forest and snapping photos of cubs perched on tree limbs.

For my grand finale, I dress in full leather gear and hop on a Harley. Just call me “Biker Chick.”

Who says train travel is boring?

OK. All my adrenalin rushes didn’t happen on the train. They did happen during a train trip, one linking western Canada’s adventure destinations together the way a cruise ship links ports. You could call my three-day rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper a cruise on land.

The adventure began the moment my companion and I boarded the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb in North Vancouver, British Columbia and traded fast-paced city life for the laid-back mountain resort of Whistler, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The transition via train took a mere three hours, traveling along one of the planet’s most scenic stretches of railroad track. Edging along the shoreline of Howe Sound, a striking fjord flanked by fir-covered cliffs and splashed by tumbling waterfalls, it was obvious why this is called the “sea to sky” run.

The Whistler Sea to Sky Climb offers two classes of service. Passengers in Whistler Classic enjoy waterfront views from coach seats. Those riding in Whistler Dome are surrounded by a glass ceiling while enjoying their breakfasts of omelets. Did I mention the welcome aboard mimosas?

Our train pulled into the spotless Whistler station around noon, leaving the afternoon free for a genuine Rocky Mountain high. It’s amazing how different the forest and creeks look when you’re dangling from a zipline. Ziptrek Ecotours’ crisscrossing network of steel ziplines soars up to 200 feet above the canyon floor. We tested our resolve on the bunny wire before zipping down five progressively longer and higher cables. As a bonus, our guides gave us an informative nature tour.

We celebrated our high-wire stunts with dinner and wine pairing at the Bearfoot Bistro. The dinner was exquisite, but every head in the place turned when Nitro Man showed up. With the help of smoldering wisps of liquid nitrogen, he deftly turned liquid cream into vanilla ice cream.

Early the next morning, we returned to the station, this time to board the Rocky Mountaineer and experience the Rainforest to Goldrush route. The two day, 642-mile trip between Whistler and Jasper, Alberta was introduced in 2006.

We kicked back in the GoldLeaf dome’s comfy seats, sipped mimosas and watched the world roll by through seat-to-ceiling glass. Then the attendants, three charming young women, called us downstairs to breakfast. We feasted on scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and eggs Benedict. Lunch menus offered choices of aged Canadian top sirloin, tiger prawns or wild Pacific salmon, all made-to-order.

Only the spectacular Rockies scenery could top such dining delights. Throughout the Rainforest to Goldrush trip, views alternate between lakeside, riverfront, forest and mountain peaks. Long stretches of the track run beside the fast-flowing Fraser River, named for the early 1800s explorer Simon Fraser. When the train rolls through the Rocky Mountain Trench, the Rockies jut up on one side, and the Columbia Mountains loom on the other.

“Bear! On the left. In the tree.” As if stunning vistas weren’t enough, a British passenger started a game of “Who can spot the most bears?” She was shouting and pointing out the window as the train chugged past. I missed that furry critter, but by the end of the trip I had clearly seen five black bears on the ground, one cub in a tree and one grizzly.

Everyone saw the grizzly. It was calmly munching grain spilled on the tracks. The engineer stopped while we grabbed our cameras and raced to the open vestibules and rear platform for photos. Even the train attendants were caught up in the moment. “I’ll remember that bear forever,” one exclaimed.

As the Rocky Mountaineer neared Jasper National Park and the end of the line, we turned our attention to elk, farewell cocktails and snacks.

It was during our overnight stay at the historic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge that we met Bowen Dolhan and Kevin Keldson of Jasper Motorcycle Tours. Owners of two gleaming Harleys, the two claim to have the first-ever chauffeured motorcycle sidecar tours. Little did we realize one of the best parts of the ride (Kevin drove) was dressing in full black leather gear—jacket, chaps, gloves, red bandana for color and helmet. Looking biker chique was a kick. Though it was a drizzly grey day in Jasper National Park, we got up close to big-eared mule deer and passed plenty of elk. I thought about the train and wondered if that hungry grizzly was back on the track.

Photo Caption: Afternoon Tea in Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Dome Service

If You Go:
The trains: Rocky Mountaineer operates both trains from May through mid-October. Rail-only fare on the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb begins at $135 one-way and $235 round-trip in Whistler Classic. Prices are $235 and $335 in Whistler Dome class. On the Rocky Mountaineer’s two-day Rainforest to Goldrush route, rail-only fare begins at $789 per person, double occupancy in RedLeaf class and $1,589 for GoldLeaf service. GoldLeaf includes dining car meals, snacks and beverages on board and a hotel stay with dinner in Quesnel. Contact Rocky Mountaineer at 800-665-7245. www.rockymountaineer.com.

Activities: In Whistler, Ziptrek Ecotours’ three-hour zipline tour costs about $99 per adult. Phone 866-935-0001 or 604-935-001. www.ziptrek.com. Scenic rides with Jasper Motorcycle Tours begin at about $75 per person for one hour. Call 780-931-6100. www.jaspermotorcycletours.com.

Dining: The Bearfoot Bistro is located in Whistler’s Listel Hotel. Call 604-932-3433. www.bearfootbistro.com

This article first appeared in the November 2010 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.northwestprimetime.com

…by Andrea Gross…

Before we get on the bus, we have to provide proof of United States citizenship. En route to the graphite reactor, we’re told to put away our cameras. I look out the bus window. Some buildings, some pipes, a few refuse bins. They look innocuous. Why can’t I take pictures, I ask the guide, but he just smiles.

I’m in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, now a small town with a population of 28,000 near Knoxville. During World War II, it was home to more than 75,000 folks, yet almost no one knew it existed. It was such a well-kept secret that it never appeared on a map.

In 1939 President Roosevelt learned that the Nazis were developing nuclear capabilities. Realizing that the United States had no choice but to do the same, he launched the Manhattan Project, a massive, top-secret, all-out effort to develop an atomic weapon. Three sites were selected to be part of the project.

In Tennessee the new city of Oak Ridge sprang up almost overnight. Homes, schools, stores and dance halls were built so quickly that children went to school in the morning and got lost going home because the landscape had changed so drastically in just those few hours.

Billboards based on the folkloric trio of monkeys — see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil — reminded people to mind their own business. In three short years they figured out how to produce highly enriched uranium (a necessary ingredient for an atomic bomb), but most of them didn’t realize what they’d done or why they’d done it.

At the same time, 51,000 people in Hanford, Washington were racing to produce plutonium and develop a production-scale nuclear reactor. Another group of people, this one comprised of 3,000 highly educated scientists, were working in a lab at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Los Alamos group was responsible for turning the enriched uranium and plutonium into a nuclear weapon. Their work was so secret that they couldn’t tell anyone where they lived. All mail had to be sent to one address — P.O.  Box 1663, Santa Fe, NM — and was later distributed to the proper recipients.

Many of the Manhattan Project sites still exist. In Oak Ridge, which advertises itself as “The Secret City,” visitors can see one of the original prefab Secret City houses in the American Museum of Science and Energy, walk around Jackson Square where the people who worked on the project spent much of their free time, and tour the X-10 graphite reactor, now a National Historic Landmark. (www.oakridgevisitor.com)

Tours at Hanford last about five hours and include stops at the Cold Test Facility, the historic B Reactor, and the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility. (www.hanford.gov/page.cfm/HanfordSiteTours)
In Los Alamos, people can tour the old Fuller Lodge that served as a mess hall and guest quarters during the Manhattan Project, see the house of J. Robert Oppenheimer (scientific director of the project) and, best of all, explore the Bradbury Science Museum. (www.lanl.gov/museum/)

Less than 100 miles away, in Albuquerque, an exhibit at the National Atomic Museum shows the after-effects of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (www.nuclearmuseum.org)

All of the sites explore, in one way or another, the issues surrounding the dropping of the bomb. Was it the right thing to do? Although visitors disagree over the answer to that question, they are nearly unanimous on another point: They’re glad they didn’t have to make the decision.

This article first appeared in the October 2010 issue of Northwest Prime Time, The Puget Sound region’s publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.northwestprimetime.com

Photo Caption: The International Friendship Bell in Oak Ridge was the first monument to recognize the relationship between a U.S. Manhattan Project city and Japan. It serves as an expression of hope for everlasting peace. ©Irv Green

…by Theresa Crater

A couple of years ago I reconnected with two long-lost bosom buddies from those rollicking high school days of oh, so long ago. It is hard to imagine how such close friendships could have faded away over the years, but somehow career, family and relocations brought an end to ours… until Facebook stepped in to help, that is.

I had reluctantly joined the social network I’d heard so much about for the sole reason of viewing family photos—but now I’m a true believer. The “techie” in our group rounded us up through Facebook, which gave these “forever friends” a second chance.

I found myself to be a little nervous before our first meeting after decades apart, but no sooner did we set eyes on each other than the air was filled with cries of delight. We had a lot of catching up to do. A familiar banter soon returned and we found ourselves laughing to the point of tears as we recalled the antics we survived in high school and beyond. The closeness of girlhood bonds is difficult to replicate in adulthood, and that unique connection sparked easily to life again.

We all still live in the Northwest, though each in a far corner of the Puget Sound area. But not so distant that we can’t have lunch every couple of months. Still, each time we lingered over meals and said our slow goodbyes, there was still so much to talk about. Finally, one of us suggested, why not take a trip together? Great idea! Since each of us had attended Western Washington University in Bellingham and we also had ties to nearby Samish Island, we planned a single trip to both locations.

First stop: Quaint, picturesque Samish Island, a driveup island in Skagit Valley with a lazy, quintessential beach-vacation quality. We stayed at the Stone Cottage, a fairy tale of a place that looks out over the bay and San Juan Islands. It has been lovingly restored yet retains a perfect, rustic charm. Although it has a fully equipped kitchen, we found ourselves traveling twice a day the short distance to Edison, a tiny jewel of a town that has an unbelievably extensive array of mouth-watering eateries. During our numerous walks, we found ourselves lingering in front of the Stone Cottage’s sister establishment, the equally wonderful Beach House. We agreed that should we come back with our husbands, The Beach House (which sleeps two), would offer the perfect place for a romantic getaway.

Then we were off along scenic Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham. Where to stay while there? It was a no-brainer. We chose the historic Fairhaven Village Inn, located in the heart of Fairhaven, Bellingham’s ultra charming neighborhood. It was interesting to learn that the Fairhaven Village Inn is also a favorite of groups visiting from retirement communities—its location combined with historic charm and all the comforts of today (along with a great breakfast!) makes it a popular destination.

We toured our alma mater; we talked; we laughed. We toasted our irreplaceable friendship, and finally, FINALLY had enough time to truly catch up.

MORE INFORMATION

• The Stone Cottage, Samish Island, 360-757-8771, www.samishislandgetaways.com/stonecottage.html
• The Beach House, Samish Island, 503-895-7620, www.samishislandgetaways.com/beachhouse.html
• Fairhaven Village Inn , 1200 10th Street, Bellingham, WA, 1-877-733-1100, http://fairhavenvillageinn.com
• Curious about Facebook.com or Classmates.com? Try it, you might like it!

This article first appeared in the September 2010 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

…by Suzanne G. Beyer…

Emanuel “Manny” and Leonore Vardi have delighted the world with their classical and jazz musicianship. Violist Manny and violinist Lenore have performed and recorded with greats like Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, and Louis Armstrong.

Having lived in New York City, Westchester, and different places along the way westward, on one stifling hot day in Texas, Lenore said, “How would you like to move to Washington?”

Manny and Lenore Vardi knew the Seattle area offered a prolific music and artistic atmosphere. They chose North Bend because of the beauty and easy commute to Seattle.

And now, this August, the Vardis will host a new musical event, The Snoqualmie Valley Festival of Music. The outdoor festival, with its country setting and spectacular backdrop of Mt. Si, will feature the Cascade Jazz Quintet, Voices of the Valley, and The Vardi Chamber Players featuring Lenore Vardi.

The Vardis reflect on their successful careers, steeped in musical role models.

“Manny is an aristocratic player influenced by Jascha Heifetz”, says Lenore of her husband.

“He’s also a rebel who taught himself, always looking for a better way.”

She describes Manny, not only as a world famous violist but also as “a superhuman viola player with a unique sound.”

Lenore, a violinist, admits, “The violin is always the star.  The viola is the neglected instrument, considered secondary…”

However, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt heard one of Manny’s recitals for viola and piano and noted his artistic abilities, anything but secondary! When she invited him to play at the White House for the President, Manny accepted.

Lenore said of this event, “Everyone was there – Churchill, and all of our generals!”

Manny didn’t get his start at the White House, but was a virtuoso at a young age. At 12 years old, he was too young to be accepted at Juilliard. When his father brought him in for an audition, the prestigious music school thought it was Manny’s father, a violinist, who was auditioning.  Manny wound up at the Walden School in New York, now Juilliard Prep, from 12 through 16 years old, and continued on at Juilliard for college. At that time, his playing caught the eye and ear of world-renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini who asked him to join New York’s NBC Symphony Orchestra.

Lenore graduated from Oberlin College and earned her masters degree from Sarah Lawrence under the direction of Dorothy Delay, one of the world’s most famous teachers of the violin.

Like Manny, she performed at landmark New York City venues.  She recalls her first solo recital at Merkin Hall in 1982.

“I was terrified,” she said before her debut concert.

But the New York press lauded her performance, raving…a violinist of amazing elegance and musicianship – a natural performer!

Among her many accomplishments, Lenore founded New York’s Westchester Chamber Music Festival. Today she vividly remembers sailing up the Hudson to the event.

“I played a Bach cello suite on the violin on the boat ride up the Hudson River,” she said, adding, “I closed my eyes and I’d get seasick, then opened them to see the waves, which was disconcerting.”

Lenore has played recitals and in chamber groups in London and Canada as well.  She’s performed on radio stations in New York, Canada and England and has recorded with Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and world famous violinist, Itzhak Perlman.

“Itzhak Perlman is what a violinist should be,” says Lenore. “He plays so much from the heart and exudes joy when he plays.”

While Lenore was in graduate school, her quartet needed a viola player.  The cellist in the group suggested she take viola lessons from the best….his friend, Manny!  After lessons, then courtship, they married in 1984… a marriage not only of love, but also of musical and visual arts talent.

Manny’s father once said to him, “If you want to play viola, you should know other arts as well.”

This advice served him well, as in 1993 he endured a life-changing accident that took away his ability to play viola ever again. With a broken wrist in a cast due to a fall, he slipped on the ice injuring his shoulder, which resulted in a torn rotator cuff.

With the emotional pain of not being able to play viola, he turned to painting. What used to be landscapes and portraits now featured musicians playing their instruments with colors carefully chosen to reflect the musical pieces being performed. Manny’s emotions flow to the canvas, painting a subject he knows so well.

Lenore, who has been painting on and off for her entire life, paints musical instruments in an abstract form. Her paintings have been displayed around the country.

Manny and Lenore make a good team who, fortunately for us, have found their way home to our area. Together, they strike a rich, harmonious chord.

MORE INFORMATION

Snoqualmie Valley Festival of Music

August 7-8, gates open at 3:30pm

4:00 p.m.  Cascade Jazz Quintet with John Chmaj

6:00 p.m.  Voices of the Valley with Harley Brumbaugh

7:00 p.m.  Vardi Chamber Players with Lenore Vardi

Outdoors at Mountain Meadows Farm, 10106 422^nd Lane SE, North Bend

Directions:  Take Exit 31 off of I-90. Drive one mile to North Bend.  Turn right on West 3^rd Street, left on Ballarat Avenue N., slight left onto 420^th Avenue SE, right onto SE 102^nd Street, left onto 422^nd Lane SE.

Limited chair seating in proximity to the performers $20-$45

General lawn seating $10-$20 (bring blankets and cushions—no chairs please)

Parking is free.

Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com

Info: 425-888-4045 or info@snoqualmie-valley-arts.com

The Vardi’s Artwork:

The Vardi’s artwork is displayed at the following places:

Laurel Tree Gallery, Duvall; Revolution Gallery, Gilman Village, Issaquah; Reception room gallery at 2002 E. Union Street; and for those Northwesterners trekking to Arizona:

Rene’s Restaurant , Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Sedona

This article first appeared in the July/August 2010 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com. Copyright 2010 Suzanne G. Beyer