Bill Brennen Captures Yakima’s Beauty

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

Yakima artist Bill Brennan paints in his backyard...

By Melissa S. Labberton

Photos By Gordon King

When people ask Yakima’s Bill Brennen how long it takes him to paint one of his Eastern Washington landscapes, he answers with enthusiasm, “40 years!” His reply might sound like a joke, but this master painter is quite serious. He says it’s taken him 40 years to hone his artistic talent that so perfectly captures the beauty of the Yakima Valley and surrounding area.

A Whimsical Cottage Garden Escape

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

Photo by Chad Bremmerman

By Melissa S. Labberton

Photos by Chad Bremmerman

Marrying her passion for gardening and collecting, third-grade teacher Claudia Tabayoyon has transformed her small backyard into a delightful retreat from her busy life. Her whimsical cottage garden was featured in the Yakima Area Arboretum’s annual tour of gardens this year — and for good reason.

A River Runs Through It

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

Canyon River Ranch

By Heather Caro

Photos courtesy of Canyon River Ranch

At first glance, the Lodge at Canyon River Ranch, tucked along the Yakima River south of Ellensburg, is reminiscent of any number of luxury destinations. Sweeping architecture and an attentive staff welcome visitors to accommodations loaded with modern amenities. But subtle hints — such as a front-entry reminder to “please remove waders” — suggest this is no ordinary resort.

Runner’s High

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

Ubuntu runners Adam Hoverman and Erika Kinzer.

By Heather Caro

Photos By Jenny Dagdagan

According to folklore, the term “marathon” comes from the Greek legend of Pheidippides.  As the story goes, Pheidippides, who was fighting at the Battle of Marathon, ran 26.2 miles to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated.  Finally, after running without stopping, he reached his destination and cried, “We won!”

And then he collapsed and died.

Now if you are like me, this raises a few questions about marathons: namely, why would you ever want to run in one?

Living Art: Jim & Jenni’s Tattoo


by Heather Caro on May 6, 2011

By Heather Caro

Photos by Jennifer Dagdagan

It’s been said that there are two types of people in this world: those who have tattoos and those who are afraid of people with tattoos.

But with body art springing up on everyone from politicians to soccer moms, that distinction has become fuzzy.

In Yakima, this is due in part to the artistry of local tattoo artists Jim and Jenni Rosal.
 Behind the glowing neon signs and the glossy red Dutch door of their Yakima Avenue storefront, the husband and wife duo has led the Valley’s tattoo industry for nearly 30 years. The studio walls of Jim and Jenni’s Quality Tattoo – jammed with photographs of body art, newspaper clippings, religious icons, magazine articles and original sketches – are an eclectic reminder of the couple’s roots and the tough road they traveled to get where they are today.
 Born and raised in Valejo, Calif., Jim Rosal’s family relocated to rural Sunnyside in 1978 due to increasing crime – including the notorious Zodiac Killer murders. The culture shock of the move proved difficult for Jim, who says he missed his cousins in Valejo and the trees where they built forts in the summer.