Live Theatre Returns to Tualatin: “String of Pearls” Opens January 13th

Mike Antonelli
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Live Theatre Returns to Tualatin: “String of Pearls” Opens January 13th

SUBMITTED BY: GARY ROMANS

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre has its own inauguration this coming January: the first show in its new Mask & Mirror UnMasked series of plays which bring live theatre back to the City of Tualatin. “String of Pearls” by Michele Lowe opens January 13, 2017 for six performances at The Tualatin Heritage Center, playing Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are only $10 each and are available online at www.MaskandMirror.com/box-office. The theatre is small and advance purchase of tickets is recommended.

“String of Pearls” is a radiant play that explores the possibilities that open up in the lives of an array of women as they come into contact with a certain strand of pearls. While the pearls are stolen, bought, bestowed, unstrung and nearly lost, four actresses play 27 characters in this deeply moving drama that is as fresh as it is funny. Spanning 35 years, the pearls touch the lives of mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, even husbands and wives as they weave a deeply affecting story of love and loss.

Gary Romans, a Founder of Mask & Mirror and the Director of “String of Pearls” says, “I saw this play performed professionally in Portland a few years ago and I knew it would be perfect for our UnMasked series. We had the talent available to cast the show and, with our partnership with The Tualatin Heritage Center, the venue suitable to produce the play.”

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre has been producing family focused comedies and dramas on their stage rented at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tigard for the past 6 years. The all-volunteer, non-profit Community Theatre was formed in 2011 to present live theatre productions for the cultural enrichment, entertainment, and inspiration of the residents of Tigard and Tualatin. As audiences have grown the group has been searching for the right time and place to expand into Tualatin.

Pat Romans, President of Mask & Mirror says, “Although our relationship with Calvin is excellent and we will continue to stage our major productions there, there are many high quality plays that have content that we are uncomfortable presenting in a church environment. ‘String of Pearls’ has adult language and themes and is not recommended for children.”

The Cultural Coalition of Washington County and the Oregon Cultural Trust recently acknowledged Mask & Mirror’s efforts to bring live theatre to Tualatin by awarding the theatre a grant for 2017 that will partially fund the production of “String of Pearls” and a second play, yet to be selected, that will be produced at The Heritage Center in July, 2017. This support allows Mask & Mirror Community Theatre to provide the UnMasked series at a $10 per ticket admission.

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre is now in its 6th season of presenting high quality and affordable (no tickets are more than $15) live theatre to the citizens of Tigard and Tualatin – using all-volunteer actors, stage crew and administrators.

Participation and membership is open to all. We welcome experienced performers and theatre “wannabes” – we’ll train you!

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing company. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.MaskAndMirror. com or contacting Gary Romans at Info@MaskandMirror.com.

Gary Romans

Mike Beason: From PTSD to Freedom

Mike Antonelli
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Mike Beason: From PTSD to Freedom

BY REID IFORD, TUALATIN LIFE

Mike Beason is a dynamic, outgoing bodybuilder filled with vibrant, positive energy. He is a motivational speaker, has started a charity to raise money to help veterans dealing with PTSD, and will be appearing in an upcoming movie.

As hard as it is to believe when you meet this lean, confident and physically fit human dynamo, just a year and a half ago Mike was 85 pounds overweight, deeply withdrawn, and crippled by depression. Mike, an Army veteran, has suffered from PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder – for a quarter of a century. At his lowest point, he held a gun to his head and squeezed the trigger. The weapon misfired.

But today Mike has turned his life around and now is on a mission to help others suffering with PTSD, particularly veterans. He has gone from shy and withdrawn to an outgoing public speaker, and in April will compete in his first body building tournament. So how did he make this miraculous change and become a motivating symbol of success for others?

“I believe from the bottom of my heart the way to change is physical,” explains Mike. “If we just start taking care of ourselves, our lives become so much happier. It is a whole new world for me, and I achieved it in just 15 months. Of course, I worked my butt off.

“Everyone needs a win. You need to set a goal and master something. You can be a bodybuilder, a mixed martial arts fighter, or even master using a yo-yo. I’m serious. Doing something for yourself, big or small, whatever you choose will aim you in the direction of pure happiness. People struggling with PTSD have lost control of their lives. Their self-esteem has gone away, and they’ve lost control of their body and mind. They need a win to get back on track. You can open yourself up to new experiences, but to do that you must challenge yourself. You need to be physically healthy. You don’t have to do what I do, but you have to do something,” Mike says.

Mike had such positive feedback from veterans dealing with PTSD who say he has helped them, that he formed a nonprofit charity to better meet their needs. “From PTSD to Freedom” is the name of his charity, a name inspired by his own journey. He already has a lengthy and ever-growing list of veterans interested in participating in the program he designed, and local gyms willing to participate. It is Mike’s goal to help every veteran he encounters who is dealing with PTSD.

But Mike hasn’t done it alone. Reginald Lee, owner of “Nutrition by Max Muscle,” is sponsoring Mike in his first bodybuilding competition.

“I don’t sponsor many athletes,” explains Mr. Lee, “but Mike’s story reached me, and I wanted to help him reach his goals. He walked into my store one day and started telling me about his history, and about his journey in getting into bodybuilding, and competing in an upcoming event. My brother was in Vietnam, and something about Mike touched me. We are providing our products to him, quite a variety which will support him as he prepares for the April competition.”

Another Tualatin business helping Mike is Boom Fitness, a gym located at Bridgeport. He works out in the gym, and they provide him with a trainer as he prepares for the April competition, which also helps him develop his program for veterans.

“Mike is a hard worker,” says Shea Cummings, a spokesperson for Boom Fitness. “I see him here for hours almost every day. As a veteran myself, I think his organization ‘From PTSD to Freedom’ is a great cause, and it really helps the community. It is good the way he ties it into fitness as a means for positive change for military members dealing with PTSD and depression. You are helping yourself by improving your body. Mike has helped a lot of veterans, and that’s what we need in our community.”

“Looking good is a critical part of feeling good,” says Mike. “Improving your physique, getting in shape, or even just getting a haircut and putting on some nice clothes will improve how you feel about yourself. When you look in the mirror and say to yourself ‘that person looks pretty good,’ you can’t help but feel good.”

Ms. Jillian Bullock is writer, producer and director of “A Sense of Purpose: Fighting for Our Lives,” the movie in which Mike will appear. An independent film producer located in Pennsylvania, Ms. Bullock decided to create the movie after learning about the staggering levels of sexual assault in today’s US military, and the subsequent problems caused by PTSD.

“Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day,” explains Ms. Bullock, “and a lot of that is a consequence of PTSD, which in turn often is brought on by sexual assault experienced during their service. The purpose of the film is to shed more light on the aftermath for these people when they don’t get the respect and support they need, and hopefully to change the way the military handles these problems in the future.”

People who report sexual assault often are victimized again by the system and the military brass – even other soldiers. So much so that less than a quarter of assault victims ever file a report. And while it may surprise people that Mike, a male, was a victim of sexual assault in the military, in fact more than half of all sexual assault victims are men. Yes, Mike’s PTSD was brought on by a sexual assault which occurred when he was a teenager in the Army. But after 25 years of misery, Mike decided to reclaim his life.

“It was getting physically fit that started me on the road to recovery and self-improvement,” says Mike. “It took time. When I first went into the gym I was withdrawn and angry, but I knew I couldn’t go on like this, that I had to change. I learned that taking control of yourself physically leads to gaining mental self-control, which in turn builds confidence and creates a pathway to a healthy life.

“Now I am so excited about life,” Mike says. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘Mike, you saved my life today.’ And that is a powerful feeling. I’m tired of people not getting what they deserve, especially veterans. I love doing this. I’d go through it all over again, every negative experience in my life, to be where I am today. It’s still hard, and I still have nightmares and flashbacks, and yet I feel that my life is a blessing.”

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Raising Self-Disciplined Children

Mike Antonelli
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Raising Self-Disciplined Children

BY KIM DEMARCHI

Parents ask me frequently what they can do so that their children have self discipline. Parents need to provide opportunities for meaningful roles and contribution in the family for children to develop the skills toward self discipline. Parents usually have great intentions, and sometimes they do things that support the development of self discipline, and sometimes they do things to actually discourage self discipline.

What IS self discipline and why is it important to develop it in children? Self discipline is an important skill, habit or muscle for our children to have in life for success. It’s:perseverance, restraint, endurance, thinking before acting, finishing what you start, having the ability to carry out your plans despite the obstacles, delaying instant gratification, and knowing what is right and wrong for yourself.

There are Barriers and Builders to communication. As parents, we want to focus on using the Builders, but we should also understand how we might be using too many Barriers, which can hinder the development of self discipline.

BARRIER 1: ASSUMING

Assuming we know what our children are capable of (or not capable of)

And

Acting on limiting assumptions (about what our children can or can’t do, say, think, etc…)

Say things like:

“I didn’t tell you because you always get upset.”

“You always think that _________.”

“You’re too young to try that!”

Builder 1 Checking

Check out what our child knows, is ready to learn or can do

And

Giving people a clean slate.

Say things like:

“How do you want to deal with this?”

“What are your thoughts about ______?”

“What will you need to have ready for ________?”

Examples – A child gets into his carseat. Instead of just buckling him up and saying something about him being too young to do it, you could just say, “Do you need me to do anything?” We often make assumptions with foods. “She doesn’t like anything with mushrooms in it.” There is a chance that she will feel this way for the rest of her life, but it is a limiting world view that what I preferred yesterday is what I will prefer today. Give your child freedom to learn, to try new things.

BARRIER 2: RESCUING or EXPLAINING

Parents often step in prematurely to take care of problem solving for their children without letting them discover the meaning on their own.

And

We don’t let them think through a problem and we just give them the answer which robs them of their learning opportunities by rescuing.

Say things like:

“______ is what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how to deal with it.”

“Do it this way.”

“You’d better fix it by doing _____.”

Builder 2 Exploring

Parents ask questions and encourage their children to work on things, discover and problem solve which conveys a belief in their ability to solve their problems.

And

We allow their solutions, even if they’re not what we would do, because they will learn from the consequences.

Say things like:

“What did you experience in that situation and why is that significant?”

“What is your understanding of what was happening and what may have caused it to happen?”

“How might you apply what you have learned in the future?”

Example – A child doesn’t want to eat lunch. We know that when she doesn’t eat, she gets crabby. Rather than forcing her to eat, or being a short order cook, we can help her to learn the lesson for herself and let go of the outcome. It is more important that she learn the lesson and that it is HERS, than that a few afternoons go smoothly. “I’ve noticed that in the past when you don’t eat lunch, you seem to get grumpy and really hungry later. I’m wondering what the rest of the afternoon is going to look like if you choose not to eat lunch now.” Then, if she chooses not to eat and gets crabby, EXPLORE, don’t EXPLAIN or say “I told you so” or “see what happens when” or “you should have listened to me”.

BARRIER 3: DIRECTING (tell)

Parents micromanage by telling their child what to do.

And

It’s much easier and efficient to take over or do it myself.

Say things like:

“Pick up your shoes, put that away, be sure to drink your OJ before you leave, don’t forget your lunch.

And then we wonder why they aren’t following our orders or they alter them ever so slightly to assert their independence.

Builder 3 Encouraging/Inviting (ask)

Parents ask for participation or assistance.

And

Invite them to contribute and think through problems.

Say things like:

“I would appreciate any help you could give me in straightening up the room.”

“How do you plan to _________?”

“What will you need to do in order to _______?”

Example – Adults in a meeting and at the end the person in charge says something about remembering to throw their cup in the garbage. People don’t like to be directed on what to do, especially on the simplest of tasks. Most left their cups on the tables. On the flip side, if the person in charge says something like “If you have an extra minute I’d really appreciate anything you can do to help prepare the room for the next group, thank you.”Guess what they did?

BARRIER 4: EXPECTING PERFECTION (too much too soon)

Parents set high standards for their kids, demand that they meet them, and then point out when they don’t.

Say things like:

“I was expecting this room to be spotless.”

“You should know how to do that already.”

“I appreciate _______, but you forgot ________.”

Builder 4 Celebrating Progress

Parents focus on effort, progress and what was gained by trying.

And

Celebrate any movement the child made in the right direction- will get more results.

Say things like:

“I appreciate the effort you have made to clean up this room.” (NO BUTS)

“What did you learn from trying to do that?”

“What progress do you see yourself making?”

Example

I really appreciate that you sorted your laundry into the three colored piles in the hallway ~ thank you. Leave it at that. Keep it at recognizing the progress and improvement from just having one mixed pile. Another time, you can say something about the piles in the hallway are getting stepped on…..what is your plan with them now?

BARRIER 5: ADULTISMS

An adultism occurs when parents forget what it is like to be a child and then we expect, demand, and require the child, who has never been an adult, to think, act, and do as an adult.

Say things like:

• “When will you ever listen? How many times must I tell you?”

• “Why are you being so childish? Grow up!

• “What were you thinking?!? Did you THINK that was a good idea?”

Builder 5 Respect

Parents allow for their child’s uniqueness and individuality.

We get on our child’s level and understand their thought process and respect it.

Say things like:

• “What is your perception of ________?”

• “What was your understanding of what needed to be done?”

“In what way do you think that contributed?”

“What do you think would happen if…”

Example – Cleaning up toys. Instead of “How many times do I have to tell you to clean up your toys?! Geez…. grow up already!” Try: “What was your understanding of what needed to be done with your toys? What do you think might happen if your baby brother gets ahold of those little farm animals? Maybe we can do a room check to see what toys aren’t in their homes.”

When parents do nothing but cut down on or remove the communication Barriers, the relationship with their children will improve greatly. Can you imagine then learning how to use the positive and respectful communication Builders? Consider all the the Builders “on the job training for in life”! By using the Builders, you will be setting your child up on a successful road to self discipline.

Kim DeMarchi Kim DeMarchi, M.Ed., Certified Parent Educator and Certified Family Coach, is a Tualatin resident, married with 15 year old boy/girl twins, and has been an educator for more than two decades. Kim is trained and certified through Positive Discipline, as well the International Network for Children and Families in a program called Redirecting Children‘s Behavior. Kim is active in supporting her local parenting community by providing workshops, coaching families and writing articles for our newspaper. Kim is a monthly guest on KATU’s AM Northwest. She also blogs twice a month for Knowledge Universe’s Kindercare online community. Kim’s goal for you is to help reduce conflict, foster mutual respect, and create deeper communication and connections with your loved ones. She can be reached through www.EmpoweredParenting.com.

Rosie’s Kitchen: Tualatin’s Best Kept Secret

Mike Antonelli
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Rosie’s Kitchen: Tualatin’s Best Kept Secret

BY MARÍA ANTONIÉTA REYES

Rosie’s Kitchen quietly opened in October, but it’s authentic Mexican food is starting to draw a crowd. Since opening its doors, Rosie’s Kitchen’s lunch hours have been stocked full of hungry professionals. I have admittedly become a junky for their traditional food. The food has a true, authentic flavor from Mexico, a flavor that keeps me coming back.

I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to Mexican food. Growing up in Downtown Los Angeles, I grew to love the cuisine. I remember visiting my friends’ homes, I would patiently sit at the kitchen table and wait for their mother or “abuelita” (grandmother) happily prepared the most delicious homemade tortillas, carne asada, rice and refried beans—they will spoiled me with delicious traditional dishes from their little towns of Mexico. Now, wherever I’ve lived, I have gone to great lengths to find the perfect “sazón” (flavor) that my taste buds became used to. Until Rosie’s Kitchen opened, I would frequently travel as far as Woodburn for tacos. Trust me, it is very difficult to find good Mexican food.

Rosie’s Kitchen is a game changer for residents of Tualatin. Rosie Lopez and Luis Alfaro started the restaurant with the goal of making meals from scratch. “Our food is fresh and prepped as you order. We want you to feel like you’re in our dining room, eating with us,” explains Luis. Bucking the trend of reheating food, Luis is betting customers will like the artistry of handmade tortillas, never-from-a-can beans, and the generational recipes from Rosie Lopez’s family. So far, that bet is paying off.

In just its second month, Rosie Kitchen’s sales have doubled. Although much of the success is attributed to its great food, the customer service is intimate and always thoughtful. Like most start-up restaurants, Rosie’s Kitchen is a family affair. Luis and Rosie have been married 9 years, and their three children often help at the restaurant during busy hours. “Getting to know Rosie and her family has been as good as the food. They have a great story, and it’s heart-warming to see the family work together to achieve a dream,” says Jordan Berriér, a frequent customer during the lunch hour.

Jordan is not the only frequent customer. Rosie’s Kitchen boasts a high retention rate among its customers. Their customer base is very diverse in cultures, ethnicities, and age. Most people are familiar with tacos and burritos when it comes to Mexican food; however, one recommendation is the Torta de Milanesa, which is a sandwich with breaded meat fillet, cheese, avocado, refried beans, cream, lettuce, and Rosie’s own recipe – delicious! Try the entrées as well, like the Camarones (shrimp) a la Diabla (spicy sauce) or Beef Stew. Each entrée is a generous portion, so make sure you’re hungry.

Rosie’s Kitchen’s Yelp! Profile already has 16 reviews, averaging 4.5 stars out of 5. One review exclaims, “I was recommended by a coworker and have eaten there every single day since.”

When asked why customers return so often, Luis responded, “They found the real thing.” Luis and Rosie have been bent on providing the real Mexican experience. And while that experience requires more effort, the loyal following has vindicated their approach.

As a Mexican food aficionado, I have found my local sazón. I recommend that you visit Luis and Rosie – get to know them and try the food. You might just be their next Yelp! review.

Rosie’s Kitchen 8145 SW Nyberg St., Tualatin • 503-563-6890 Open Mon. – Fri. 11am–9pm, Sat. 10am–10pm, Sun. 10am–9pm

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Maria Antonieta Reyes María Antoniéta Reyes is Honduran- American. Currently, she is the Director of Donor Relations for the Salvation Army in Oregon. She has been a resident of Tualatin for 4 years. You can reach María at Reyesmaria213@gmail.com.

TuHS’s ‘Shrek The Musical’ Puts a Twist on the Popular Fairy Tale

Mike Antonelli
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TuHS’s ‘Shrek The Musical’ Puts a Twist on the Popular Fairy Tale

BY STAN CARLBERG

We all know the story of the lovable, big green ogre who, along with his chatty donkey friend, rescues Princess Fiona to break her spell with true love’s kiss. But if you’re interested in seeing a fresh musical twist to this hilarious fairy tale, don’t miss Tualatin High School’s live production of “Shrek The Musical,” Jan. 20 through Jan. 29.

All performances will be held at the Tualatin High School Auditorium, located at 22300 S.W. Boones Ferry Rd. Tickets are $10 each.

The live production includes 52 student cast members, with supporting musical arrangements by more than 40 students in the orchestra pit.

This year’s production is directed by Dan Murphy from the Broadway Rose Theatre Co. with musical direction by TuHS choir teacher, Kim Kroeger. This is Murphy’s 15th show at Tualatin High School.

The support of our wonderful community is what allows us to continue year after year. Please come see this enchanting musical and you will definitely be impressed by the talents of these hard-working young performers.

“Shrek The Musical” opens Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances over the two-weekend run begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees starting at 2 p.m. The Sunday, Jan. 29 matinee will be the closing performance.

Tickets are available at the door and online at webstore.ttsd.k12.or.us/lite/.

Elijah Shumway
Elijah Shumway (who plays Shrek) and Mason Siebers (Donkey)

Glass is His Canvas

Mike Antonelli
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Glass is His Canvas

BY REID IFORD, TUALATIN LIFE

Steve Weichold, Window Painter. In one respect, the name says it all. But if you look for deeper meaning, it barely scratches the surface. Yes, the Tualatin artist paints on glass. But his story, like his work, is so much more complex.

You may not know it, but you’ve seen Steve’s work. It is all over Tualatin and all over the region, from Salem and McMinnville, reaching into southern Washington, and as far away as the coast. And with so much Christmas-themed demand for Steve’s art, it is especially prevalent right now. Yes, a fair share of those Santas and sleighs you see adorning local business windows were painted by Steve.

He’s been painting windows professionally for 40 years, and while he works year-round he still refers to it as his part-time job. Why part-time? Because, he says laughing, “I do it part-time, but all year round.”

Any artist will tell you it takes time, commitment and hard work to create and develop their style, but if there is such a thing as natural talent, Steve has it in spades. He began painting on Windows which he was around eight or nine years old. He explains that his career started entirely by accident.

“It wasn’t anything I planned on doing for the rest of my life,” Steve says. “I started painting my mom’s Bay Windows for Christmastime. Back in the late 1960s, when I was 14, a lady came over and asked if I would do her business window. I said I wasn’t interested, but then my mom said she would pay me five dollars! It grew from there.”

Unlike many artists, Steve (assisted by his wife Sharron) has a good sense for business. He has identified the types of businesses most likely to benefit from his services, and also the geographic factors which play into successful window advertising. One reason he’s been successful during the last 40 years is because he focuses on meeting the needs of his customers, he explains.

“There is a method to it,” says Steve, “and it is a matter not only of creating the right message, but identifying what sort of image will best convey that message.” He studies the economy, develop a marketing plan and budget suitable to their community. “It is great to help people with their businesses. I like to make a difference.

“Given the right circumstances, it’s very cost effective advertising,” he explains. “This is a good way of advertising for smaller businesses. I have about 300 regular clients I work with. I used to solicit a lot, but I don’t anymore. I have a Craigslist ad, which does a lot for me, and I get a lot of word-of-mouth business.

“Window painting says to drive-by traffic: something is going on here. The average driver might look for three seconds, so you have that much time to catch their eye and convey a message. It’s a very viable marketing tool, if you have the right exposure,” says Steve.

Steve has developed his own unique characters, which give his work a very distinctive look, reflecting his style. When he draws female characters they are frequently inspired by his wife Sharron’s eyes and face.

“In one picture, I made the girl character’s eyes brown, but Sharron’s eyes are green. Sharron noticed this, and asked me ‘who is that girl?’ I said, don’t worry, that is you. I just changed the eye color.”

If it sounds to you like Steve enjoys his job, then you’re absolutely right.

“The creativity aspect is wonderful,” Steve says. “It’s just awesome. I’ve loved the last 40 years. It’s been a wonderful run. I consider my skill a God’s gift. I was blessed with this ability to draw, and work on glass. It’s truly been a blessing.”

Steve has a Facebook page, listed under Steve Weichold. He can be reached at 503 692-1245.

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A Few of my Favorite Things

Mike Antonelli
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A Few of my Favorite Things

BY LOYCE MARTINAZZI

As we proceed into the new year, with our usual winter weather; snow, ice, rain and more rain, I like to hunker down and reflect on the past. The cold of winter, the hope of spring, heat of summer and beauty of autumn are still with us, each in it’s own time. Growing up in on a farm on the outskirts of what was a small village, starting first grade in the new brick school, attending the Methodist church, singing and dancing at the Winona Grange…they were good times for my generation.

Everybody knew everybody else, and everybody else’s business. Telephones were on party lines, each home having a different ring. But one could quietly pick up the receiver and listen in on a neighbor’s conversation. Often as not though, the neighbor heard the click and told the eavesdropper to “hang up the phone!”

When I was growing up, kids worked. Even if you didn’t live on a farm, there were chores to be finished before going to school or outside to play. Feed the dog and cat, bring in firewood, wash the dishes, sweep the floor etc. And if you were lucky enough to live on a farm, with no brothers, you would be rousted out of a warm bed into a cold room, dress in jeans and last year’s shoes, and shiver as you scooted out to the barn to feed the pigs and milk the cows before a breakfast of hot cereal. Then changing into a homemade dress, bobby sox and saddle shoes, and hurry down to the end of the road to wait for the school bus.

The “good old days,” were just reality for us then, and life was okay. People actually talked to each other as they walked down the street. No looking at cell phones. No earbuds. Imagine that!

The photos this month are just some of my favorite from the Tualatin Historical Society archives.

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Loyce Martinazzi Loyce Martinazzi was born and raised in Tualatin and is passionate about Tualatin History. She is currently Lecturer of the Winona Grange, Co-Founder of the Tualatin Historical Society and Co-Author of Tualatin… From the Beginning.

TuHS Music Program Seeks Public’s Help in Purchasing New Piano

Mike Antonelli
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TuHS Music Program Seeks Public’s Help in Purchasing New Piano

BY JENNIFER BOSKET, TuHS CHOIR BOOSTER PRESIDENT

Besides a dedicated choir director, can you guess what a high school music program needs in order to be successful each day? Yes, a piano! The Tualatin High School vocal music program is asking the generous Tualatin community to help us close the gap in our endeavor to purchase a new piano.

TuHS choir director, Kim Kroeger, says that our current piano is 25 years old and has played a significant role in the vocal music education for approximately 7,000 – 9,000 high school students over that time. Unfortunately, this piano regularly goes out of tune due to heavy use and changes in temperature and humidity. As you can imagine, this has taken its toll over 25 years.

This piano is used for 3-4 music classes each day as well as personal vocal lessons after school for students preparing for recitals, competitions, or one of our four annual concerts. In addition, our piano gets used to prepare our students for the musical each year. This year’s TuHS musical is “Shrek”, which will run six performances over two weekends, Jan. 20, 21, 22 and Jan. 27, 28, 29. The community is invited to purchase tickets at webstore.ttsd.k12.or.us/lite.

Past and current choir students and the TuHS Choir Boosters have been fundraising for this piano for several years and have decided to allocate $25,000 to the project. We are asking for your help in raising the additional $15,000 needed to purchase our next piano that should last another 25+ years.

For those of you who are curious, we are looking at a new Yamaha model C3X (6’01”) grand piano with a polished ebony finish. The retail price is $60,229 but we can purchase it for $39,800. This is an amazing piano, an amazing price and an amazing opportunity.

The piano is an investment for our current and future talented singers. When you donate, you will receive a receipt and information regarding our non-profit 501 © (3) status.

If you would like to donate, please go to youcaring.com and search Tualatin Choir Piano Fund.

Thank you, Tualatin, for always being a great supporter of our schools and our efforts to make the arts an important part of your students’ lives and a part of this great community.

A Shout-Out for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue

Mike Antonelli
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A Shout-Out for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue

BY WENDY JANE HENSON

We all have seen the ad. A woman sprawled on a floor moans, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Never again will I chuckle at that cornball ad. Not since 4 AM the morning after Christmas when I got up to use the bathroom.

With a bizarre twist, I tripped, slipped and hit the floor. Caught in a narrow space between my bed and a wall, somehow I had jammed my head and shoulders under my beside table. I bellowed. One of my sons appeared. He is a strapping six footer, and the tight space gave him no room to help me. I have a bad back, so grabbing my legs to pull me free was not an option. Inch by inch, I wormed my way out from under the table and turned around. On my stomach, I dragged myself to the foot of the bed. But still there was not enough room for my son to maneuver. We needed help. He called 911.

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrived within minutes. Suddenly the room filled with calm, patient people. (Having grown up when Women’s Rights were just a gleam in Gloria Steinem’s eye, I was pleased to see a woman among them.)

They checked me for damage. Next they considered my absurd position. Carefully stepping over me, keeping my bad back in mind, they improvised a sling and managed to get it under me. Lifting me off the floor, they got me onto my bed, and from there to a gurney. All without giving me a twinge of pain. Then I was whisked to Meridian Park Emergency.

Ultimately, I had only a few abrasions and bruises, I believe because of the skilled people who responded. It is good to know the professionals who serve our community show the same concern and respect for an old gal who falls on her fanny as they would for victims of more serious circumstances.

Thanks, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. We are lucky to have you.

Wendy-Jane-Henson Wendy Jane Henson has been a Tualatin resident for 25 years and contributes the Now Playing! monthly movie reviews for Tualatin Life.

B-17 co-pilot Bradley Summers’ Memoirs provide details about his 22 month captivity as a POW in German Stalag 111 Prison Camp. Fortunate to receive humane treatment

Dale Potts
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B-17 co-pilot Bradley Summers’ Memoirs provide details about his 22 month captivity as a POW in German Stalag 111 Prison Camp. Fortunate to receive humane treatment

My previous two columns covered Army Air Corps Major Bradley Summers’ two B-17 crashes in WWII; the second being shot down over Germany, resulting in him becoming a POW with 22 months of captivity, primarily in Stalag 111,  located 100 miles southeast of Berlin. The site had sandy soil, selected to hinder tunneling escapes. Tualatin’s Heritage Center has his memoirs, over 50 transcribed pages from interviews with him.

Liberated Allied POWs.
Liberated Allied POWs.

Summers said the Germans had respect for officers and “didn’t believe in making them work”. The officers were put in different camps than the enlisted.  POWs called themselves Kriegies, short for Kriegesgefaugnen. the German word for prisoner of war. He said that Stalag III was staffed by non-flying Luffwaffe (German Air Force) officers; and enlisted personnel, generally not qualified for frontline duty. Many guards were older or had been wounded in combat. Enlisted preferred this duty for safety and living conditions but it was the least desired position for officers seeking promotion. POWs were subject to the whims of the guards and the orders of the madman who ran the country. But there was mutual respect with some of the guards, including two invited as guests to the 20-year reunion of the American Former Prisoners of Stalag  III.

British Officer Roger Bushell who organized the great tunnel escape.
British Officer Roger Bushell who organized the great tunnel escape.

Internally each camp was run by the highest ranking allied officer who organized duties in military fashion. Summers was assigned as the Red Cross Parcells Officer for his block.  They lived in barracks but “the limeys called them Cellblock, so everybody called them blocks.” At his first camp in Stalag 111, the Germans built a latrine with running water.  Summers said that there were gardens and flowers planted outside the blocks. “all of a sudden, all the kriegies around the camp were watering their flowers all day ’”carrying water from the latrine facility. “Mysterious thing was that the ground in the flower beds kept rising.”  An enclosure fence was near the latrine and the POWs were digging a tunnel underneath the fence to escape. “They’d gone inside there and built a tunnel. These people that were carrying water out, they would have a can almost full of sand with a little water on top. The flower beds kept getting bigger and bigger…as they watered them all day long”  Unfortunately, as the tunnel reached the fence, the “ Germans came with a wagonload of coal and caved it in”

Each camp had a Committee Z, in charge of anti-German activities. The Germans used what the POWs called Ferrets. “They would crawl under the barracks and up in the attics and everywhere around” to check for anything going on that shouldn’t be”. When POWs lookouts saw them, as a warning for Committee Z activities, they would yell “tally ho”. So the Germans would not figure out the lookout system, POWs called out “tally ho” every time they saw a guard. The German guards were called “Goons” and willingly accepted the nickname after being told it stood for “German Officer Or Non-Com”. With concern about German infiltration, newcomers to each camp had to be vouched for by two POWs who knew the prisoner by sight. Those failing were severely interrogated and had several POWs assigned to escort them everywhere until deemed to be legitimate. Several infiltrators were identified through that system.

Stalag III had the best-organized recreational program of any POW camp in Germany. Each compound had athletic fields and volleyball courts. With 1,900 men in each compound, “you could find people that can do anything. Had guys with premed who ran a First Aid Station”. Had talented musicians, and actors who put on performances in a theatre the POWs built. POWs enjoyed doing pranks. Summers told about a bunkmate was known for scuffed up shoes.  He and a buddy shined them up one night and put them under his bed.  His friend did not recognize them and looked all over their block for them. Summers said that story was shared throughout their compound by the time the morning muster was over.

Summers generally received humane treatment as accorded by Geneva Convention.  But, at Hitler’s orders, over 10,000 Staling 111 POWs were marched South in the middle of a winter storm in the middle of a blizzard in near zero temperatures as Allied Armies neared their camp. This kept them under German authority as the war ended, giving Hitler a negotiating chip. Summers’ obituary says he died on April 15, 2002, at age 82, with 44 grandchildren among his survivors. He is buried in Winona Cemetery along with his wife Rachel, brother Johnny and his wife, and his parents. Winona has 73 known veterans interned; from the Civil War, Indian wars, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

  • Aerial reconnaissance photo of Stalag 111.
  • Monument for the 50 great escape tunnelers who were executed.
  • Map showing evacuation route from Stalag 111 so Hitler could use POWs as negotiating pawns with allied forces.
  • Guard tower drawn by POW Arthur Gilker.
  • POWs in Stalag 3 moved Northward as Russian troops close in.
  • Warning sign drawing by POW Arthur Gilker.

Give the gift of preparedness this year, and shop locally while you’re at it!

Mike Antonelli
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Give the gift of preparedness this year, and shop locally while you’re at it!

BY CATHY HOLLAND, COMMERCIAL CIO PRESIDENT

Your Tualatin Citizen Involvement Organization (CIO) volunteers want you to be aware that the Holiday season is a great time to “Rock the Sock” with handy emergency preparation items for those hard-to-buy-for adult friends and family.

Here are just a few ideas for the gift-giving season. You can find most of these items at our Commercial CIO local retail members including REI, Dicks, Cabela’s, Fred Meyer, Safeway, or nearby hardware stores. Try to shop locally, if you can!

Full Article

December Events

Mike Antonelli
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December Events

Enjoy these upcoming events in our hometown, compiled by Tualatin Tomorrow, the citizen long-range vision committee where arts and culture-related goals identified by residents are monitored. To submit an item, email larry.mcclure@gmail.com.

Full Article

Bob’s Auto Cafe: So Much More than just Auto Repair

Mike Antonelli
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Bob’s Auto Cafe: So Much More than just Auto Repair

BY REID IFORD, TUALATIN LIFE

Bob’s Auto Café might not be what you would expect from the name. There’s no one named Bob, and it’s not a café, but it’s very much about automobiles. It’s a school, but not your typical school. It fills a serious need in the automotive industry for mechanics by offering an intensive training program to people interested in becoming ASE Certified mechanics and entering the field. But there’s another unique angle which is rarely found in technical training schools.

“Bob’s Auto Café is a Christ centered organization,” explains Daniel Lacy, who developed the concept and now serves as executive director. “We believe in teaching with morals and ethics in place, foundational to building good employees. We want to train the full employee, not just a partial employee. We want them to respect themselves, their customers, and their employer.”

Full Article

Longtime Tualatin Gaming Shop Closes Abruptly

Mike Antonelli
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Longtime Tualatin Gaming Shop Closes Abruptly

BY REID IFORD, TUALATIN LIFE

When one door closes, another opens… hopefully. Longtime Tualatin fixture Ancient Wonders, a board game and comics shop which for 21 years occupied a small building near Clark Lumber, closed it’s doors towards the end of November. However, it may be too early for its loyal customers to mourn the loss of their favorite location for buying comics and gathering to play fantasy board games.

Tony Rains, Ancient Wonders manager for the last 8 years, has formed a new corporation and made an offer on a Tualatin location in which he wants to open a similar business. Like Phoenix risen from the ashes, Tony plans to resurrect the spirit of Ancient Wonders under a new name.

If all goes according to plan, “Legends of Gamers” will be Tualatin’s new go-to place for fans of Ancient Wonders.

“I’ve done all the state and federal paperwork, and sent in my financials to the property company which manages the building I want,” explains Tony. “Now I’m just waiting to hear from the management company. I want to keep it in Tualatin, if possible.”

Full Article

Aging in Place

Mike Antonelli
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Aging in Place

BY SUSAN NOACK, CHAIR, TUALATIN AREA AGING TASK FORCE

The holiday season has begun and social isolation becomes magnified to those less fortunate, in need or alone. As a community, let us not forget how we can help our senior citizens and families who may be struggling.

First, we can help each other in a personal way – be aware of your neighbors, especially if they are alone or elderly. Watch for lights to come on in the evening, activity in and out of the home. If anything looks amiss, check it out. Are newspapers still in the driveway, mail in the mailbox? It’s not interfering to knock on the door to check on someone. It is a show of kindness. It only takes a minute to keep your eyes open. If you have concerns, you can always call the Police Department at 503-691- 4800 to ask for a wellness check. Our police officers are trained and prepared to do this.

Second, Tualatin is very lucky to have several non-profit organizations that can help us help others whether they are our seniors or families and children in need. When you are grocery shopping for holiday dinners, pick up extras for the School House Pantry. When you are cleaning out your closets, donate your gently used clothes to the Caring Closet for our homeless children and children in need. When you buy a new piece of furniture, new pots and pans or kitchen items, or a new bed, donate your old ones to Community Warehouse.

Full Article

Tualatin’s Mobile Makerspace Hitting the Streets in January!

Mike Antonelli
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Tualatin’s Mobile Makerspace Hitting the Streets in January!

It takes a village…or a whole community to get these wheels in motion! The Tualatin “America’s Best Communities” (ABC) Team is excited to launch the Mobile Makerspace (MMS) next month thanks to the work of so many volunteers, businesses and community partners who have given countless hours, donations and more to get this trailer ready to roll out to schools, community events and neighborhoods to bring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education to youth in Tualatin. The trailer will house equipment and hands-on activities that will make STEAM learning fun and engaging, and will inspire kids to consider STEAM careers.

Full Article

Tualatin Rotary Presents Check to School House Pantry

Mike Antonelli
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Tualatin Rotary Presents Check to School House Pantry

BY DIANE BONICA, TUALATIN ROTARY

What happens to people of limited means when they have a toothache? If they are lucky, they will be treated at one of the dental vans operated by Medical Teams International, a Christian-based organization which provides emergency dental and medical care both locally and globally. And if you live in Tualatin, your chances of receiving needed dental care are better, thanks to the Rotary Club of Tualatin.

Tualatin Rotary presented a check for $6,000 to Mike Shiffer from the Tualatin School House Pantry. The funds provide two dental van visits per month at our local community food bank, located in the basement of Rolling Hills Church.

Full Article

“Pairings” – A Silent But Loud Art Show of Sue Parman at the Tualatin Public Library

Mike Antonelli
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“Pairings” – A Silent But Loud Art Show of Sue Parman at the Tualatin Public Library

Sue Parman at the Tualatin Public Library

BY ANGELA WRAHTZ

New and exciting artwork full of conversation and created by award winning artist Sue Parman are on now on display in the Living Room Gallery at the Tualatin Public Library from December 2016 through the end of February 2017. An anthropologist, Parman has always been an observer of human relationships and has taken interest in stories told by faces. A special feature of this art show comes in the pairing of paintings which speak to each other, encouraging conversation as they bounce off each other.

Full Article

Update on Jessi Thorne

Mike Antonelli
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Update on Jessi Thorne

BY JONATHAN CRANE, PAST PUBLISHER

JC – So how about an update as to your health? Are you 100% at this point or do you have lingering issues?

Jessi – As far as my health goes, I feel abundantly better than I did before. Sometimes, when I push myself too hard, my head will start to hurt, but feels more like a normal headache, and it is just my brain warning me that I may be doing too much and to take it down a notch. As time goes on, I do think this will improve, but the headaches are by no means debilitating. The biggest issue I would say is my neck. They had to cut through my muscles for the surgery, and that has been giving me problems, but I would happily live with this the rest of my life, compared to what I was feeling like before.

Full Article

Open Enrollment: What’s Stopping You?

Mike Antonelli
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Open Enrollment: What’s Stopping You?

BY CYDNI KLAUSS & KATHLEEN KARAPONDO

It’s that time of year… time to choose the best health care plan for you and your family. Open enrollment launched November 1st and runs through January 31st. What does that mean for you? It means that, if you don’t have coverage through an employer, you can sign up, renew, or change your current health insurance plan. As you may be aware, insurance rates are going up; in Oregon, the average rate increase is about 27 percent – although many consumers will see higher rate increases. But there is financial help available, so don’t let that stop you. Talk to a health insurance agent and learn all your options.

Knowledge is Power

For many, the process of finding health coverage is a like navigating a minefield; we’re all afraid of taking a wrong step. Is uncertainty keeping you from getting health insurance? Here are some common roadblocks that keep consumers from getting the health insurance they need.

“I just can’t afford the premiums.”

Of the nearly 132,000 Oregonians enrolled in individual coverage on the marketplace in 2016, about 95,000 of those consumers received financial help. The average premium tax credit they received was $250 per month. And, federal data shows that 62 percent of current Oregon marketplace consumers could obtain coverage for $100 or less after applicable tax credits in 2017 – regardless of the health plan selected.

“I’m very healthy; I never go to the doctor.”

Health insurance protects you from unforeseen medical bills, which can be very expensive. For instance, if you have a nasty fall on your bike and need surgery to repair a complex bone fracture, you could expect to pay as much as $38,945 or more for your hospital stay alone. Additional charges for the surgeon, anesthesiologist and ambulance would be billed separately.

“It’s so complicated. I’m out of my element. I don’t know where to find help.”

There are multiple ways to get FREE help from experts in Oregon. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov. You can:

• Find an enrollment center. Oregonians can get free, local help to answer their questions and enroll at Oregon’s agent storefronts.

• Use helpful online tools such as live chat and a search tool to find an agent or community partner near you.

• Get free help in your language and to fit your unique needs with an expert in your community.

• Learn about local enrollment events that help Oregonians get connected with free experts.

“I’m worried that everything will change now that Donald Trump has been elected.”

Post-election, Donald Trump stated that there are many positive aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) which he may chose to keep. While no one knows what changes will eventually occur, the time-consuming process of dismantling the entire program is unlikely to happen in the first year of the new administration. If you decide not to enroll before January 31st, you will likely find yourself without health coverage for all of 2017. That could be catastrophic if you or a family member require hospitalization, and you could find yourself facing mounting medical bills that you would solely be responsible to pay.

Ring in 2017 with peace of mind. Know that you got the information you need to make good health insurance decisions and avoid the tax penalty for not having coverage. Expert help is absolutely free; insurance companies pay agent commissions so there is never a fee to you. Invest as little as 30 minutes to understand your options and another 45 if you chose to enroll. You’ll be glad you did.

Cydni Klauss is owner of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise and has resided in Tualatin for 25 years. You can reach Cydni at 503-704- 0926 or cklauss@live.com.

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