Tualatin Life

Tualatin Rotary Supports Peace Corps in Costa Rica

Jonathan Crane — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:52:50 +0000

Tualatin Rotary teamed up with Peace Corps to support a literacy project in Costa Rica. A donation of $500 was made to start building a library at the grade school in the village of Colonia la Libertad, in Alajuela province, Costa Rica. Andrea Welsh, 2005 Tualatin High School graduate/2009 U of O graduate, is a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Costa Rica. She has been in Costa Rica for 20 months and will finish her service in May of 2012. Home for the holidays, she visited Tualatin Rotary to receive the donation and briefly share with the ‘locals’ about the needs in her community.

Click HERE to view entire story and photos!!

The “Artist” Rachel Konty

Jonathan Crane — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:42:38 +0000

A photographer from Greek φωτός (photos), meaning “light”, and γράφω (graphos), meaning “written.” Rachel Konty is this and more. The more, in my eyes, an artist, and truly human. You may know this artist or you may not yet, but I know for certain, this is someone you will want to know in your lifetime. Born in 1981 in Arizona the story started. Being creative as a child, always designing things, being finicky about the most meticulous details of theworld around her to how her clothing coordinated. She always saw things in pictures, settings, moments to stand still so that it could be captured. And, it is her love for literature (Sherlock Holmes and Greek Mythology being her favorite) that has developed this photographer into the artist she is today. I would also note the support, investment and love of her father and mother. They are some of her biggest fans. Five things my wife will be holding at some point in the day are: a cup of tea, a book, Lily(our pup), Prince(our other pup) and a camera.

Click here to read full story!! The Artist Rachel Konty

The Journey to Achieving a Black Belt

Jonathan Crane — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:23:41 +0000

All of us have set goals for ourselves at some point in our lives and some of them are big ones, like earning a college degree, or scaling a mountain, or even cleaning out the garage. Three years ago, two Tualatin residents set a pretty big goal for themselves – to earn their black belt in Taekwondo. While they may have had different reasons to begin their training both shared similar inspirations along the way. They share their story here as they reflect on their journey together.

Click HERE to read their amazing story!!!!

Local Stroller Strides Shows New Moms Baby Steps that Can Result in New Year’s Resolution Success

Jonathan Crane — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:17:07 +0000

It’s that time again when we bid farewell to habits of old and promise to do bigger and better things in the New Year. If you are like many new moms across the country, you likely have aspirations for a speedy return to your skinny jeans or keeping daily stress at bay but aren’t sure how to manage both these goals and your new precious baby.

A successful New Year’s resolution for a new mom is one that’s in reach. When you create simple-to-adopt, attainable targets, the transition to a healthier lifestyle becomes more seamless and you’re less inclined to slip up or give up on your goals.

Click HERE to view full story and photos!!!

Welcome to 2012!!

Jonathan Crane — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:41:35 +0000

Recently I was reading how the ancient Mayan predictions of the end of the world in 2012 were taken out of context. Phew! I mean just when things seem to be coming back so nicely it would be horrible to have an apocalyptic ending to all this. I like this world and hope it’s around for a very long time.

Life does come at you fast and sometimes it’s difficult to keep pace. Serious chunks of life can pass before you know it, so if you are the resolution type, perhaps taking stock of your life and including time to smell the roses would be well advised…whether or not the Mayan’s were off base.

Tualatin is clearly on the grow. We have proud new signage adding to our unique identity. And now the Chamber, the City and the Historical Society are busily planning how to make Tualatin a fabulous tourist destination for ice-age relics, ancient glacial erratic rocks brought to us by the Missoula Floods, (read article page 3), Mastodon bones and much more. This sounds very exciting and certainly has potential for success.

I always appreciate hearing from new people with fresh ideas to feature. The front cover piece about Stroller Strides byTrishaHighlandis just such an article. There’s no end to the creativity of people and combining the elements of postnatal health, exercise and a positive mental outlook sounds like a very uplifting mix for new Mom’s. Please keep your articles coming. Local people want to hear from you.

The economy certainly seems to be perking up, both nationally and locally. Tualatin’s Chamber of Commerce has more members than ever before (350!) and many new businesses are coming to town, opening their doors. We need to support these local businesses so they keep their doors open. Frequenting locally owned businesses pays huge dividends to our local economy.

If you are willing and able, it would be great if you’d “Like” us on Facebook. I’m hoping we can communicate local happenings between issues and Facebook postings would be an excellent means of doing that.

Happy New Year to all and I hope 2012 turns out WAY better than the ancient Mayans predicted.

Like us on Facebook Here!!!

Jonathan Crane

Publisher

Tualatin Patriot “Al” Turner Passes Away

Jonathan Crane — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:18:30 +0000

Tualatin has lost a great patriot. Albert “Al” Turner passed away on December 19. He was a highly decorated World War II veteran. His medals include ex-POW, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, combat medic, WWII victory, European Theatre, Presidential Unit Citation, Jubilee of Victory (from the French government), Good Conduct and honorable discharge (known as the ruptured duck). He turned 90 on December 3.

Al had a keen wit. He asked a young friend to read the dates on his driver’s license for him. After hearing the expiration date (which was some years in the future), he looked the friend in the eye and said, “Boy, they’re optimistic, aren’t they?” But overall, he was a humble, very modest gentleman. He rarely discussed his military experiences and if he did, it was primarily with other veterans.

Highly regarded in Tualatin and Wilsonville for his patriotic activities, he was responsible for several businesses along Hwy I-5 deciding to display large American flags. Also for the placement of American flags on the previous “Tualatin wall” located on the island between K-Mart and Fred Meyer; personally putting up the flags in the morning on patriotic holidays and taking them back down in the evening. The Tualatin City Council proclaimed him as “Mr. Patriot” on May 26, 2009

Click Here To Read Full Story and View Photo’s

ORPAT

Jonathan Crane — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:45:14 +0000

Tualatin’s Police Officers Annual Physical Fitness Test: ORPAT Written by: Jonathan Crane
i was talking to officer Eric Hermann a few weeks ago and he mentioned that Tualatin Police officers were going to do their annual physical fitness testing the following week, so I asked the Chief if he’d fill me in on the details and perhaps allow me to participate. Officer Eric Hermann was also kind enough to take
some great photos.

The course was set up at Hazelbrook Middle school November 9-13 for officers to test. Chief Barker’s description to me of the event, its practical function and the results it produces, was so clear I thought I’d run it virtually the way he sent it to me. Officers not only compete for bragging rights, but also earn a pay incentive for successfully performing the test in less than 5.5 minutes. It’s just
another example of how our Police force stays prepared to keep Tualatin safe. Click here for Full story and Photos

Murder and Intrigue in Old Tualatin

Jonathan Crane — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:33:37 +0000

Murder and Intrigue in Old Tualatin by: Loyce Martinazzi
Deputies were gathered. Dad saw one of the deputies come out of the brush vomiting. It was typical May weather and Ristman had been dead 10 days. His skull had been crushed.

The story was front page news for weeks. Thompson was tried on second degree murder charges (there being no penalty set for first degree as the State at that time had abolished the death penalty). The courtroom in Hillsboro, the seat of Washington County, was packed.
Thompson was convicted on circumstantial evidence. Stains on his undershirt were an exact match to a shirt found on the trail down to the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Thompson was sentenced to life in the state pen, and he died there in 1940, still claiming he was innocent. Click here for Full Story and Photos

Come Join the Tualatin VFW Men’s Auxiliary

Jonathan Crane — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:39:08 +0000

Come Join A Great Group of Men Whose Sole Purpose is to Help Our Veterans Submitted by: Terry Pennington

The Tualatin VFW Men’s Auxiliary exists to provide support to local veterans and their families in times of need. They were there forus and we do our best to be there for them.

Many people believe that you must be a veteran in order to belong to the VFW and that’s true. That’s why the VFW Men’s Auxiliary was formed because a lot of us realized that the need keeps growing and OUR VETERANS DESERVE ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET.

In order to be a member of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary all you need is proof that you are directly related to veteran of a foreign war. Any of the following qualifies you for membership: a son or a daughter, father or mother, a brother or sister, grandparents, great grandparents, uncles or aunts, even cousins in any of those generations.

Our current activities include a Benevolence Program for emergency needs of Veterans and their families; participation in the Regatta Run; the Tualatin Crawfish Festival; and distribution of Buddy Poppies on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day and at other appropriate events.

“Serving Those Who Have Served is our Mission Statement. You too can give back to those who have given so much”

You can help us expand our service by joining with us. For more information visit our website www.tualatinvfw.com Please joinus at our next meeting, Thursday Dec 15th, 6:30pm at the VFW Post above Mashita’s in Tualatin. Ring the door bell for entry.

Click Here for Full Story with Photos

Happy Holidays

Jonathan Crane — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:55:16 +0000

By: Jonathan Crane Each month I tend to feature feel-good, pay-it-forward types of stories not because I seek them out, but because that is what is sent in. I am truly amazed at the general goodness of people and their willingness to step up and rise to the occasion when needed.

When Gabe Karapando had his snowboarding accident, people rallied. When the Food Pantry needed additional donations, they received them. When our local charities needed additional funding, we supportednthem. There are dozens of examples I could list, but I think you get my point.

It is typical to have such stories during the holiday season, but we have them every issue because people needing people is a year round event.

In this issue there are two stories that ask you to think differently. They offer a means to make subtle changes which can translate into major impacts on other peoples lives.

The first such story (page 21) was written by a very close friend of mine who was weeks away from losing his life to liver failure, but through a transplant was able to get well and has a new lease on life. He discusses organ donation and how it saved
his life.

The second is the front cover story. Susan Saari received an e-mail that she passed on which empowers us to make some simple adjustments in our shopping patterns which could have profound effects on our local economy. Just raising our consciousness of this topic is a great start.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Tualatin Life. There are many features which highlight what a vibrant and engaging community in which we live. Tualatin’s Gateway Feature is being constructed which will dramatically change the look of our main road. The CIO’s (Citizen Involvement Organizations) are in their infancy but seem to be taking root. The Tualatin Police had their annual physical testing which I’ve highlighted on page 7. Softball teams and other spring sports are forming. There is a lot going on.

Please make every effort to shop locally during this peak retail season. The impacts will be felt all year long.

Have a safe and happy holiday and please keep your stories rolling in.