Posted by: Andrew Holt in Events, Art on
Aug 23, 2010
Sitting midway up the grandstands, the open stage and the backdrop of trees and the Blue Mountains before me, a balmy day having turned into a comfortable night, I couldn't imagine being in a better place at that moment than the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater readying to see the Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of "Much Ado About Nothing."
It was the final performance of Shakespeare Uncork'd, a young annual event in its third year. Many of the patrons had consumed gumbo, salad, a tasty dessert and a glass of wine in preparation for taking in the classic comedy.
The Seattle Company decided that its adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy would be set in the Louisiana Bayou. A rather sparse arrangement of a door sandwiched by two Victorian columns, two small white tents, a clothesline, several wicker chairs and a bench, sat in the center of the concrete stage.
The production began with a burst of energy that it would maintain throughout. The opening scene started with much of the cast singing the old Mardi gras anthem "Iko Iko" accompanied by an accordion and guitar.
Tonight's version of "Much Ado" stayed true to the plays original storyline, outside of references to the Bayou setting and modern interpretations of the old Bard's lines. The success of "Much Ado" always seems to hinge on the performances of the two players portraying Benedict and Beatrice - Benedict the fast quipping independent and garrulous right hand man of Prince Don Pedro, and Beatrice, the quick tongued, stubborn and ,also, independent thinking daughter of Leonardo.
Posted by: Sam McLeod in Fishing on
Aug 16, 2010
I went fishing on Rock Creek yesterday-near Missoula, Montana. It's a world-famous trout stream full of colorful cutthroats and feisty browns, or so they say.
Before I made the six-hour trek from Walla Walla, I checked in with my Montana fishing consultant, Matt. He always catches fish, or so he says.
"Fished Rock Creek a few days ago," Matt said. "Caught fish all day. They're eating gold-ribbed, pink-flossed flipsy doodles in sizes 10 and 12."
"Gold-ribbed flipsy doodles? I don't think I have any of those."
"They're the latest. Stock up before you come over to Missoula. You won't find one in a fly shop over here. All sold out. They're killer flies! And check out the new flexi-fluorocarbon leaders. They're killer! And get that new fast-action fly line with the kryptonite imbedded in the butt section. That line almost casts itself. It's killer!"
"Really?"
"Water's come down on Rock Creek. The stream is wading easy. Temperatures have finally warmed up. Those fish are hungry. You can't miss, Sam!"
Why did he have to say that?
Posted by: Catie McIntyre Walker in Wine on
Aug 09, 2010
Recently I visited the estate vines of Three Rivers Winery and Tertulia Cellars, here in the Walla Walla Valley. And as like the theatre master exclaims, "The stage is set" - - indeed the stage is set in the vineyards awaiting veraison and later the fall harvest.
The fruit has been set amongst the vines of the Walla Walla Valley. Many of the vines show a uniformed fruit zone of little green grape berries that are hard to the touch. These typically low-yielding vines will eventually produce clusters of purple and gold berries showing intense concentration of flavors. But for now, these little green berries have very little sugar and are high in organic acids.
Being out in these vineyards is a reminder to me that summer is almost over and autumn is on its way. The fall season in the Walla Walla Valley is my favorite time of year. Don't get me wrong, as there are things about the summers in Walla Walla that I love, as well. Summers mean to me the harvest of Walla Walla Sweet Onions, fresh berries and stone fruit and other freshly picked produce. While the high temperatures throughout the days can be difficult for me, it's the summer evenings that I tend to live for. They are cool with a light warm breeze leaving reminders of the earlier heat. It is these warm days and cool nights of the area that also help retain the balance of acid and sugar levels in the wine grapes that overall give Washington wines their distinct characteristic balance in flavors. The evenings are perfect for porch sitting while enjoying a glass of a chilled Walla Walla white wine or rosé.
Living in the Pacific Northwest has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I probably wouldn't otherwise have thought of. Being this close to Portland, Ore., which is probably one of the "green"-est cities in the country, makes it difficult to not consider the environment in nearly everything I do. And fortunately, the residents of the Walla Walla Valley do a fabulous job of following the larger city's example.
I've written in the past about the wind turbines that have made the hills to the west of the valley iconic. While it is of course on a much smaller scale than Portland, the Walla Walla Valley is continually taking steps toward becoming as "green" as it can be, and this is just one more reason I love being able to call this valley home.
With the warmer weather in the spring and summer come not only lovebirds and lilacs, but also bicycles on nearly every artery and side street in the valley. I frequently see parents pulling kids in bike trailers, couples biking down a country road, groups of street bike racers in colourful jerseys, and college students with Wal-Mart bags swinging from their handlebars. I also know several people who regularly opt for the two-wheel option when headed to work, leaving their cars at home.
Wind turbines, public transportation, green space, recycling programs, an environmentally conscious public... We may not be a big city, but we can make a big difference by the choices we make. Walla Walla, you're doing it right.
