Philomath residents soon to have option of local, handcrafted drinks

Philomath soon to be home for locally handcrafted drinks.

Nectar Creek, a meadery specializing in session style mead, is in talks with the city to move their existing Corvallis location to Philomath. 

Last week, commuters headed east into town by way of Hwy. 20 may have noticed the “Welcome to Philomath” log moved. The property, which has been vacant for years, is getting a facelift in preparation for Nectar Creek.

“The proposed Nectar Creek project is at the location that the log was previously located on the west end of town,” confirmed Ruth Post, city recorder.

On Sept. 22, co-founder Phillip Lorenz confirmed their interest in the plot.

“We are hoping to move there, and we’re hoping to have everything finalized about a month from now,” he said. “It’s been something we’ve been working towards for close to 12 months.”

Lorenz started Nectar Creek with his brother Nick in 2012. They plan to build the new facility to include all operations, production, and a tasting room. Customers will have the option to enjoy the product on premise or buy it to go. 

According to Lorenz, they feel Philomath is a good combination of both rural and urban areas that compliment their agriculture-based business. They also recognize future growth potential of the city, and their move from Corvallis will expand their staff and open up jobs to residents.

“We’re really excited to hopefully be part of the Philomath community,” he said. “If things go to plan we will break ground before the end of the year.”

Nectar Creek will discuss logistics of their move when negotiations are complete, hopefully next month. When that times comes, they will share details and renderings of proposed plans with the community.

Cutie and the Beast: a girl and her Doberman warm hearts around the world

All it takes is the click of a mouse, and the cuteness-factor will brighten even the darkest of days.

With 300 million people on Instagram and more joining every day, the site offers pretty much any type of account to follow. Users can view photo galleries of their favorite topics and people, and sometimes regular people become Ista-stars. So far, 187,000 people have found and follow an account featuring a 4-year-old Seattle girl and her 2-year-old Doberman Pinscher. And oh my, it will melt your heart.

Siena and Buddha are dubbed @cutieandthebeast, and while she is a beauty, he is by no means a beast. Their account name comes from the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” where a sweet girl sees behind the scary facade and gets to know a gentle-hearted beast, just as Siena has done with Buddha. The pair ooze the definition of best friends, and adore each other so completely that it’s a surprise the sounds of thousands of people can’t be heard saying “awwwww” each time a new photo is uploaded. 

If you are looking for a feel-good Instagram account to follow, these two are it. They have followers in countries all over the world, and have caught the eye of celebrity followers such as Britney Spears and Kevin Hart. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America even made them their honorary mascot last year. 

Tara Prucha, Siena’s mom, started @cutieandthebeast with the intention of showing off pictures she took to family and friends wanting to watch them grow up together. She didn’t want to overload her personal followers, so she thought an account just for them would give people the option of following. Boy did she underestimate the response they would get.

Prucha talked to the Lebanon Daily Post about her experience watching Siena and Buddha’s friendship blossom into a full-fledge love fest.

Question: How long did it take you to realize that Siena was Buddha's "chosen" human?

Answer: About a year into it I realized that it wasn't just "puppy love."

Question: Have you trained him specifically to interact with Siena the way he does?

Answer: I don't think you can train a dog to love you the way he loves her. He very rarely cuddles me or my husband the way he does with her. When he listens to her commands, they're just regular ones I've taught him for obedience.

Question: What kind of training went into Buddha and his mannerisms?

Answer: We got him from an excellent breeder, the absolute best we could find, who was known for the temperament of her Dobermans. Genetics play fair part in his demeanor, but I also spent hours every day for the first 18 months of his life training him with positive reinforcement and firm consistency.

Question: Do you think he would attack to defend her?

Answer: I definitely think he would defend her. We did not train him to do this but I think any breed of dog would jump to defend a family member. There have been three incidents, twice with the same man, when Buddha got a bad vibe and put himself between the person and Siena. He didn't need to growl or bark, you could just tell from his stance and focus that he was on guard.

Question: Do they often sleep together?

Answer: In the beginning, I would let them fall asleep together and then pull Buddha out of the room once Siena was completely passed out. I like to supervise both of them like a hawk. After two years, I trust both of them and let them sleep alone, as long as I have a video monitor on them. I'm never worried about either of them hurting each other on purpose but I am aware that accidents can happen. Both the kiddos are pretty darn mellow and calm, but a kid or dog can accidentally trip or get bonked—things that can happen even between same species siblings.

Question: He seems to mold his body to hers, does he choose to be so close to her? Does she like him close to her?

Answer: Dobermans are known as ‘velcro dogs.’ He still tries to crawl into her lap sometimes! Siena, like most four-year-olds, loves it most of the time but there are moments when he accidentally knocks her blocks over or nearly pushes her over when he leans against her and she gets exasperated. He is like little brother who is twice her weight and constantly needing attention.

Question: Does Siena read out loud to him?

Answer: Siena does read out loud to him and it's cute because she usually makes up her own version.

Question: Do you think Siena knows how lucky she is having such a devoted partner in life?

Answer: Siena has no clue what a devoted partner in life she has. I don't think Buddha knows that either. They just know they like to be around each other and live in the present. They're also very similar in personality; mellow, gentle and respectful. I really think that Buddha being a dog and Siena being a young child they don't have a complicated relationship. It’s a very simple and honest type of love.

Burgerville comes to Corvallis!

Corvallis is soon to have a new eatery for residents craving a burger. Burgerville has slated its 41st location to open at 2300 N.W. 9th St. this winter, in a building previously occupied by Wendy’s.

On Friday, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the company sent a team of representatives to the location for an unveiling ceremony of their sign, and invited the community to give feedback on what they want to see at the new location. 

“We don’t just shoehorn ourselves into a community, we are really connected and want to hear what people have to say,” Media Relations Consultant Sara Perrin said.

Burgerville has already pleased the palate of many locals, and was voted the “best burger” in the Willamette Valley by Linn-Benton Community College students in the 2014-15 school year. With current locations in Albany and Monmouth, the Corvallis location will be the first in Benton County. 

The company prides its self on using fresh ingredients, setting themselves apart from many fast food competitors. The company uses many locally grown ingredients and hormone-free meat. 

“We really work hard to keep our food as clean as possible,” Chief Cultural Officer Jack Graves said.

Several ingredients used for meals on the menu such as green beans, pumpkin, and hazelnuts will be supplied by local growers. With plentiful farms and agriculture in the area, Corvallis seemed a no-brainer for Burgerville to call home.

Serving over 600 free cheeseburgers—with fries, soda and cookies—Friday’s event had a strong show of support from the community. Even passing cars honked their horns. Guests were encouraged to leave comments on poster boards hung on the building windows as they stood in line to grab a bite. 

Community member Sue Mitchell gave her feedback, leaving a note on the board about her sentiment for their sauce.

“We love their sauce and it reminds me of my dad,” said Mitchell. “He passed; it’s his birthday today and he loved Burgerville.”

Christy Henderson also came to enjoy a lunchtime cheeseburger. She was excited about what she tasted.

“I’m from Texas, so this was quite different and good,” Henderson said. “It’s more natural and more old-school.”

Despite competition on nearly every corner, the company is confident of success.

“We’re the local favorite,” Graves said.

Friday’s event will not be last time Burgerville asks for community opinion before it opens. Over the next few weeks they will hold three ideation sessions led by an improv group at the upcoming Corvallis location. Attendees will be asked for input on building design, menu items, packaging, and guest experience. 

Ideation sessions are scheduled for Sept. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m., Oct. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The construction and development can be followed on the company’s website.

Tomato and Salsa Fest spices up Lebanon

The eighth annual Tomato and Salsa Fest brought all the sweet and spice it promised on Sept. 12. About 300 community members came to taste and browse the tomato-based foods on display at Timeless Gardens in Lebanon.

Owner Trudie Bason coordinated the vendors and activities. Booths ranged from garden-based research from OSU Extension Service, fresh produce for sale, tomato tasting, and 18 homemade salsas competing for bragging rights as the best.

Patrick and Rebecca Bordwell, daughter and son-in-law to Bason, oversaw the salsa tasting tables. They served guests their selected salsas on a plate paired with tortilla chips. Numbered one through 18, salsas included recipes made with fruit, shrimp, corn, and some more traditional blends using cilantro and jalapeno.

“Thirteen and 14 are pretty spicy,” Patrick said. “I hear people sniffling when they walk by.”

Event-goers cast their vote for their favorite in three categories: best overall, most spicy that you can still eat, and most unusual. Jason Vincent filled his plate before choosing his bests.

“Four is one of my favorites, but I keep going back to number one,” Vincent said. “Even though it’s subtle, it’s very interesting.”

Local couple Steve and Grace Christensen came hungry. Upon arrival they also got their plate of salsas and sat in the shade to pick their favorites.

“So far so good,” Grace said.

“So far too hot,” her husband joked, as he reached for a water to wash away the heat of his bite.

Attendees were able to bring their biggest tomatoes to enter in the biggest tomato contest. The winner, brought by Shelby Juhl, weighed in at a hefty 1.5 pounds.

Barbara Rowe of Rowe’s Garden had a booth with a variety of tomatoes and peppers grown in her gardens for purchase. Customers had their choice of her specialty peppers such as the padron, also known as Spanish roulette peppers for their unpredictable spiciness.

“One and 10 are hot, the rest are not,” Rowe said.

The tomato tasting booth with Master Gardener Lisa Almarode had over a dozen flavors, colors and shapes of her homegrown tomatoes. With a dry-erase board displayed at the booth, she recorded the votes from tasters of their preferred fruit. The plump Italian heirloom and bite-sized sun gold were tied for first place.

“For Trudie I’m sort of donating this because it’s fun to do and a good cause,” Almarode said.

The fest featured a passport challenge in which guests would visit each booth and have them sign off on their “passport.” Those who completed the passport and made a purchase at Timeless Gardens nursery would be entered into the drawing for the grand prize. Valued at more than $300, the gift basket contained treats and items that could make the whole family happy.

“All things were donated and at least half the things are from Lebanon,” Bason said.

The event raised $500 for Hannah’s House, a non-profit organization for women and teens with life controlling problems.

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Winners:

Best Overall: Torrey Bason (tomato, serrano peppers, onion, lime, cilantro)

Most Unusual: Lisa Ochoas (unknown)

Most Spicy: Jolene Mullenix (unknown)

Grand prize drawing: Jan Boucot

Biggest tomato: Shelby Juhl

Lebanon: Master Gardener makes salsa on TV

"Garden Time" producer Jeff Gustin films host Judy Alleruzzo looking on as Trudie Bason makes salsa for the show.

The eighth annual Tomato and Salsa Fest is days away and Master Gardener Trudie Bason from Timeless Gardens was busy in the kitchen this Labor Day giving a local TV show a sneak peek at her homemade salsa.

“Garden Time,” a Portland-based gardening show, visited Bason at her nursery in Lebanon Sept. 7. The episode will air the morning of the Tomato and Salsa Fest, Saturday, Sept. 12. The show visited Timeless Gardens two years ago in preparation for a past Fest.

“It’s a fun event,” said Jeff Gustin, owner and producer of the show. “That’s why we came back.”

The Tomato and Salsa Fest is hosted at Timeless Gardens off Brewster Road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday. It’s free to attend and features a salsa contest and biggest tomato contest. A family friendly event, there will be carnival-style games for kids, vendors, hourly door prizes, and a grand prize valued at $250. 

“I had this idea of the Salsa Fest because every time someone buys tomatoes in the spring they’re bragging about their salsa,” Bason said.

The Fest will have demonstrations and samples of tomato foods such as roasted tomato soup, fried green tomatoes, and green tomato bundt cake.

Each year the event gets bigger. Last year saw about 300 locals and this year she expects more. 

The salsa competition is open to anyone that brings $3, a minimum of one quart of their homemade salsa, and enters before 10 a.m. on the day of the event. 

There are three categories for salsas: hottest that you can still eat, most unusual and best all-around. “Most unusual” entries in the past have included oddly delicious salsas using beets, shrimp, or strawberries and chocolate. Creativity is encouraged.

Tasting tables will display entries and judging is a group effort by all attendees of the event voting for their favorite. At 4 p.m. the recipe with the most votes wins. Bragging rights included.

During the visit from “Garden Time,” hosts Judy Alleruzzo and William McClenathan sampled a recipe with Gustin that won several years ago. It included cucumbers, tomatoes, cantaloupe and mint. The crew was silent between their “yums,” surprised by its flavors, and asked for more. 

“It has no gluten. It has none of the things you can’t have,” Bason said proudly.

All proceeds from the event will go to Hannah's House, a non-profit faith-based program helping women and at-risk teens with life controlling problems.

To find the local time Bason’s episode of “Garden Time” will air, visit their website gardentime.tv. The site includes a plant of the week, tip of the week, how-tos, and a blog for all things relevant to gardeners in the Northwest.

Get off my TV, Senator Ted Cruz

I just watched an interview on FOX with Sen. Ted Cruz about the fundamental wrongness of gay marriage. Despite what the people of this land have voted into the law, Sen. Cruz is a supporter to Kim Davis, the now infamous Kentucky clerk who is jailed for her refusal to issue gay marriage licences regardless of legality, citing the Constitution. 

Without going on a rant about how people in public office are supposed to uphold the law, because we all know those lines are blurred as much now as they were then, I think it’s best to remind them that this country is not the country it was when our forefathers wrote the Constitution in 1787. 

The Constitution had its first 10 amendments in 1791, the Bill of Rights. In 2015, there are now an additional 15 of them—proof that things have changed as society has progressed. There were 13 states back then, not the 50 we have today, and the country was still two years away from electing George Washington as its first-ever president.

When the Constitution was signed, the men who wrote it wore those silly white wigs. They wore clothes we wouldn’t see at the grocery store or mall today. We would chuckle if we did, I’m sure. 

They arrived to the Philadelphia Convention to sign the Constitution by horse and carriage, not by car. They worked at night by candlelight, not by the flick of a switch. They knocked on each other’s doors when they needed to talk; not by phone, email or social media. Samuel Morse wouldn’t even invent the telegraph for nearly 100 years.

When the Constitution was created slavery was legal, and blacks had no right to declare themselves citizens. Today, a black man sits in the most powerful position in the country. I wonder what George Washington would think about that.

Back then, people were condemned in public regularly as a spectator sport at the drop of a hat. The West was certainly still wild. The country wouldn't see their first multimillionaire, John Jacob Astor, or the world's first billionaire, John D. Rockefeller, for over a century.

Back then, welfare didn’t exist. It was each man for himself. Women didn’t vote. They rarely had a job. Healthcare for citizens was a distant conversation. It wouldn’t be until 1954 that Dr. Joseph E. Murray would perform the first successful kidney transplant. I’m sure many people in 1787 would tell you it was impossible to do so. Man had yet to fly. We certainly hadn’t gone to the moon. 

Back then, a woman was ready to wed and start a family at the age of our middle-schoolers today. Statutory rape wasn’t even a concept to the men they often married. Jared from Subway wouldn't have been jailed for relations with a minor. Marriages were arranged by families, and personal choice was not often a consideration.

Gay marriage wasn’t even on the radar. Procreation and lineage were important to the survival of the country and to a family tree. Most people wouldn’t consider not finding a person of the opposite sex to create their legacy with because that’s what you were “supposed to do.”

Sperm banks didn’t exist. Artificial insemination was in its infancy. Scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani had only just performed the first successful artificial insemination on a dog three years before the Constitution was signed. The procedure in humans wouldn’t come for almost a century. Today, people have options.

With 319 million people in the U.S., the possibility of our country not surviving is minimal, except for us destroying ourselves with the technology we’ve developed since the birth of the Constitution. At the time, flintlock on guns had just been introduced - automatic or nuclear weapons...forget about it. Our forefathers had no idea of the progression to come.

So I say to you Sen. Cruz and Kim Davis: referring to the Constitution as “proof” that gay marriage is fundamentally wrong and “illegal” under its words is bogus. You are living in the past. The future is now. The people have spoken in the same way our forefathers did. If you insist that we must live as our forefathers did then get off the TVs, which didn’t exist back then, put on your silly white wigs, sell your car and buy a horse, and relinquish your use of electricity. Go out and pound the pavement with your words like our forefathers did - oh wait, there wasn’t pavement back then either. Get off my TV, I’m living in 2015, you are not.