One of last year's participants in "Bark in the Park." Photo courtesy of Laurel Burk Sherman.

By Scott Klepach Jr.

If dogs are our best friends, then why not take them to a party?

Believe it or not, you can do just that right here in Yakima.

The third annual “Bark in the Park” event, a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Central Washington, is Sept. 17 at the Yakima Greenway next to the Humane Society.

The event is designed to be fun for both man and Fido and includes a variety of entertainment: fashion shows, races and singing competitions for the canines, and wine tasting and lots of laughs for the humans.

“It’s nice to have the community come together on a nice, sunny afternoon for a feel-good time,” says Nikki Delorie, the event’s coordinator and a volunteer at the Humane Society. “We do have a lot of fun, and it’s good to associate with the shelter.”

Delorie urged her husband’s law firm, Delorie-Johnson, to sponsor Bark in the Park when it began in 2009, and that sponsorship continues today. Delorie’s goal is to raise funds for the shelter, increase the number of animal adoptions and give the public a better idea of the vast number of homeless animals in the area and how much it costs to house, feed and take care of them. All of the event’s proceeds go to the local shelter.

Alan Landvoy, the Humane Society’s executive director, said that events like this one not only raise funds for the everyday care of rescued animals, but help highlight those animals available for adoption and the services that the Humane Society provides, like low-cost spay and neuter.

But Bark in the Park is also a day to have some quirky fun.

One of this year’s signature events is “Ready, Set, Quiver,” a dog race featuring Chihuahuas. The Sun Dogs agility club will provide “halftime” entertainment for the crowd. Other activities include dog show classes, live music, pet-related vendors, a raffle, a dog singing competition, food vendors and a new wine-tasting garden.

Last year, dogs in the fashion show competed for the best “fancy” dress, but the costume themes this year are wide open, says Delorie. A $250 first prize goes to the dog with the best get-up.

Adoptable dogs will also be on the Greenway and ready for families who want to give them a home, as Delorie did during the first event three years ago.

It was then that she met Lily, a three-legged rescue dog from the shelter. Delorie took inspiration from the words of author Mordecai Siegal, who said, “Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.”

Lily was taken into the Humane Society with a mangled back leg. Delorie was there, locked eyes with her, and said, “I’ll take her.”

“It really does the heart good. I would have six more if I had a condo that allowed it,” she says.

The number of dog adoptions at Bark in the Park has increased over the years, as well as total adoptions from the shelter. Last year, adoptions of dogs and cats increased 6.3 percent from 2009. The number of transferred animals — those moved to shelters with additional capacity and/or demand — increased a whopping 16.7 percent. But the shelter’s intake numbers have also risen: 10.7 percent. This unfortunately means euthanizations increased, too: 12.6 percent. And euthanization is a task nobody at the shelter relishes, and why shelter staffers and volunteers such as Delorie help run events like Bark in the Park.

“The shelter dogs always seem grateful,” says Delorie. “Plenty of people would take on a pedigree dog, but many other mutts are just as worthy.”

Bark in the Park

Sept. 17 • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Yakima Greenway near the Humane Society of Central Washington

For more information, call 509-941-7475 or visit deloriejohnson.moonfruit.com.

For more information about the Humane Society of Central Washington, visit yakimahumane.org.

Bradly Johnson shows off hand-dipped ice cream. Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan.

By Heather Caro

The world would be a better place if there were more foods on sticks. There. We’ve said it.

Thankfully, we’ve found like-minded folks at the annual Central Washington State Fair. Each autumn, “fair food” makes mouths water with over-the-top treats — and many are served on sticks. So grab your cholesterol medication and prepare to eat sinfully as we taste our way through Yakima’s State Fair Park.

Young Life Barbecue – The enticing aroma wafting from meats rotating on the Young Life Barbecue spit could tempt even the most devoted vegetarian. This perennial booth is known for serving up saucy treats — including yummy barbecue beef sandwiches — and luring generations of fairgoers.

Dairy Barn – This small booth offers some of the yummiest ice cream around. Try the Mud & Cream, a Bavarian brownie topped with marshmallow cream, hot fudge, vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with crunchy nuts. The sugary treat is made to be shared, so be sure to ask for an extra spoon.

Curly Fries – Who can say no to a giant brick of deep-fried potatoes? Be sure to pick up a carton of the curly comfort food when visiting the fair — and don’t forget the ketchup.

Lamburgers – The Lamburger booth has been fair staple since 1925. Run by the Washington State Sheep Producers Women’s Auxillary, these ladies know their lamb. Their tasty burgers topped with homemade relish make our fair food short list, and the booth’s classic signage brings nostalgic charm to every bite.

Elephant Ears – Doughy deep-fried goodness smothered in cinnamon and sugar — no visit to the fair could be complete without an elephant ear. The classic confection can be found at any number of fair booths, but we love the hand-thrown beauties made by the St. Paul Cathedral School booth. Be sure to bring your appetite — these giant ears live up to their pachyderm moniker.

Corn on the Cob – Fair food is not exactly known for being good for you, but grilled sweet corn may be a healthful alternative to the deep fryer, and one that won’t leave patrons wanting. Even when drizzled with butter and sprinkled with salt, we’re fairly certain it still counts as a veggie. Or is it a grain? Who cares!

Walla Walla Burger – Piled high with the grilled sweet onions known the world around, these burgers are so tasty they are worth the after-dinner mints required later. Not quite onioned-out? Try the battered onion rings served here … but only if you have a very tolerant sweetheart.

Cotton Candy – What’s not to love about a spun sugar beehive? Bags of the timeless carnival confection can be found hanging from plenty of booths, but true aficionados prefer the fluffy, colorful candy eaten straight from the stick.

And to wash it all down …

The Saloon – The over-21 crowd may enjoy libations from the Saloon on Rodeo Drive near the Lamburger booth. Cold beer and “cowboy drinks” are available, as well as a cool place to sit a spell and people watch. For those so inclined, The Wine Shop and Garden located in the Agricultural building annex will also feature wines by the glass, micro brews and wine slushies. The garden is open from noon to 8 p.m. daily during the fair.

The Central Washington State Fair has been an annual tradition in Yakima since 1892. From livestock to grandstand shows, carnival rides to giant vegetables, the fair celebrates the agricultural background of the Valley and serves up a heaping helping of nostalgia on the side. This year the theme is “The Fair is in the Air,” and it will run from Sept. 23-Oct. 2.

For fair details, including hours of operation, ticket prices and daily schedule, visit fairfun.com.

Read the Yakima Herald-Republic’s Sept. 22 edition of On magazine for more fair coverage as well as a daily schedule.

Terri Standfill tries out a crispy curly fry at last year's fair.

A chocolate and vanilla ice cream cone made by Laura Haufek.

Courtney Frame stretches out a huge Elephant Ear at last year's fair.

Lemons stacked at a booth at last year's fair.

Karen and Jim Gilbert raised the ceilings on their new kitchen, installed skylights, and replaced dark cabinets with white cabinets, brightening a formally dark room. (by Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)

By Melissa S. Labberton

How do you transform a 1970s house, complete with a rabbit warren of dark paneled rooms, in order to suit a 21^st century lifestyle? That was the question that confronted Karen and Jim Gilbert in 2008 when their Realtor showed them just that in Terrace Heights. The home, while dated, was close to the Yakima Country Club, where Jim works as the golf pro.

“I didn’t even want to see the house,” Karen recalled. However, when she and Jim stepped in the front door of the 2,600-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom throwback, they instantly envisioned its potential. Karen described the home as “a whole world of dark paneling and a very white fireplace.” The balcony was a selling point, with its stunning view of the mountains. The home also boasted a great location, a small backyard with a hillside of easy-care landscaping and a two-car garage tucked below the one-level living area.

The pluses convinced the Gilberts to take the remodeling plunge, and the couple bought the house.

The Gilberts hired contractor Tim Eglin for the project because of his almost 30 years of experience — and they felt that he really listened to their ideas. Eglin said he doesn’t always encourage clients to embark on such major remodels.

“If you’re putting too much money into the house, you’d like to think the people will get the most out of their money when they go to sell it,” he said. But he also could see the potential in this project, and he agreed that the remodel was very doable.

It took six months to renovate the entire house, with the bulk of the work focusing on the living room, kitchen and dining area. Along with removing the dark cabinets and paneling and taking walls down to the studs, Eglin opened up the low kitchen and dining room ceilings, vaulting them with a rustic beam and thick posts to separate the area. Karen wanted the space to have a light and airy feel, so two skylights were cut into the kitchen’s ceiling. The house also had two walls of opaque yellow glass in the living room, similar to the kind one may have seen in a ’70s era doctor’s office. Replacing these with energy-efficient clear glass created a 180-degree view.

“My husband and I spend a lot of time in Sun Valley,” Karen said. “I took some of my decorating ideas from large homes there and brought them into the ‘real’ world.” The gorgeous red oak flooring, lovely area rugs and two gas fireplaces faced in rustic Eldorado Stone reflect the style of a weekend resort home.

The raised panel kitchen cabinets, painted sweet cream with chocolate brown accents, are reminiscent of a cozy English kitchen. The idea for the cabinets came from a picture Karen saw in a decorating magazine and was part of the portfolio of ideas she collected before the remodel.

From the large kitchen and the dining room to the cocktail-worthy tiled balcony and comfortable living room, it’s obvious that Jim and Karen love to entertain. After the remodel was finished, Karen wanted a place where her guests could eat, drink and make merry. The new kitchen’s oversized oak-topped island fits the bill perfectly.

“I had 14 gals here last Friday night and no one moved from the island,” she said with a giggle.

Marissa Teggen, a decorator with Standard Paint in Yakima, advised the Gilberts on tile, paint colors and window coverings, which helped them transform the master suite and two bathrooms from antiquated to glam. Eglin’s design sense made it possible to remove and reposition walls in the master bedroom, creating a large walk-in closet with floor to ceiling mirror, and a full-size shower and double vanities in the couple’s large bathroom. The bathroom’s luxurious, freestanding, footed tub was Karen’s idea, because she loves a hot bath during Yakima’s chilly winters.

Three years have passed since the Gilberts remodeled their ’70s house, and they still love it. About the only project they have left is updating the small patio off the kitchen. They’ve already pulled up the green outdoor carpeting, but more work is being planned. When it comes to the future, Karen would love to organize a few Bocce ball tournaments on the strip of grass that makes up the backyard. And with retirement looming large for Jim, the party possibilities are endless. One thing is for sure — the Gilberts have created the perfect home to share with family and friends.

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.
“One thing that is fun about her garden is that you can take your time looking at
everything,” said Colleen Adams-Schuppe, co-executive director of the arboretum. “We always look for a small garden, because it appeals to a lot of people.”
Fifteen years ago, Tabayoyon moved to the old five-bedroom farmhouse that sits
on a block with smaller, older homes off a busy Yakima thoroughfare.
“The home’s garden was nothing but weeds when we moved in,” she said. “All of the
bricks were here, but I relocated them.” A contorted willow, which over the years has grown to majestic proportions, now makes a magnificent centerpiece for the fanciful garden.
“We really didn’t have a plan, but piece by piece it came together.”
Although small, Tabayoyon’s garden offers surprises at every turn. She recently turned her ho-hum single-car garage into a sparkling white, red-trimmed potting shed adorned with black shutters and window boxes dripping with flowers.
A talented gardener, she enjoys cultivating different varieties of bonsai trees. In the spring and summer, her collection ranges from the traditional green mound juniper to a lilac plant, which even in miniature actually blooms. In the fall, she tucks the small trees into the potting shed to weather Yakima’s winter.

Tabayoyon’s garden offers surprises at every turn.

Tabayoyon can transform the most common household castoff into a prized piece of garden art, like the antique 1930s stove that sits proudly in her driveway or the bentwood chair that’s become a flowerpot. She says that much of her creative inspiration is from magazines such as Country Living and Country Sampler. What some people would describe as fodder for the landfill, Tabayoyon considers a treasure to which she can give new life by adding to her backyard retreat.
She also admits to a penchant for collecting garden art. Whether it’s bunnies, ceramic suns, roosters, turtles, birdhouses, teapots — even flying pigs — each of these collections have a special meaning for Tabayoyon. Her roosters, she explains, are signs of welcome in Germany.
The fun of her garden is in the exploring: every nook and cranny includes thoughtfully placed collections.
The sound of a flagstone waterfall that spills into a koi pond adds to the garden’s ambiance. She built the pond 14 years ago, and Tabayoyon’s koi have doubled in size about every two years. A wooden pergola near the back door makes a beautiful summer show of trumpet vine, wine grapes and clematis, and the koi love to feast on the trumpet vine petals when they fall into the pond.
As avid gardeners will tell you, keeping up with even the tiniest plot of land takes time and a great deal of commitment. With Yakima’s unexpected amount of rain and cold this spring, many gardeners have waited to get out and start their annual cleaning and bed preparation. But Tabayoyon has learned over the years that her garden will grow despite the wind, rain or hail. She says she spends at least one hour every day, and approximately eight hours each weekend, tending to her garden. Her passion has led her to create a magical sanctuary, filled with things she loves.

Photos by Stephen Stokesberry

I’m pretty sure I was in primary school when I became aware of my fascination with color. Mrs. Evans was passing out the solid sheets of colored poster paper and the last sheet had a cloudy effect of all the colors blended together. Right then and there I was transported. Fortunately, she was a tenderhearted soul and gave me the sheet, but I wouldn’t fulfill the required craft project and ruin such perfect beauty. Needless to say, I was profiled “day dreamer” on that tiny report card.

Fast-forward to charming, sunny Yakima with my husband, Stephen, of 25 years and I’m still a day dreamer. The view outside my window is the chicken coop that Stephen is building for our four very fat hens. There, a shocking yellow forsythia branch bends gracefully toward a weathered blue window. The two colors complement one another and I grab Stephen’s camera. He has a knack for finding and fixing all sorts of things and I take full advantage of his many talents. Part cabinetmaker, part artist, part historian and photographer, I thank the fates daily for pairing us. We feed each other’s need for creativity.

Born scavengers, we can be serious junk-yard and salvage hunters. For six years we ran an antique and home décor store in Seattle. We learned together and still cherish that stage of our lives. It was exhausting, exhilarating and the learning curve was steep. We were featured in a national magazine, won awards and made many new friends. I fine-tuned my furniture placement skills, played with color and learned that retail is a tough and exciting business.

A student of color, I never cease to be amazed by its many ranges. How many shades of green are there, anyway? I googled that and the answer is: infinite. Green, blue and yellow are my current favorite “neutrals” along with their parents, cream and ivory. Just don’t be too shocked by the coral and hot pink pillowcases peeking out under a mountain of my neutrals. I am so easily led astray …

My workweek allows me creative diversity as I have the pleasure of managing the Gift Shop at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. There I can play with product and color, creating small vignettes, one of my favorite pastimes. When customers ask me what style and colors I use in my home, there is no easy answer. The whole house is a “studio” where I stage collections. I start out creating a minimalist, modern country corner and in creeps layers of fabric, pillows and paintings in a riotous mix of color.

Understated and serene, modern country is one of my favorite styles, and I try to have a couple of areas in the main living spaces where this is achieved. It gives the eye a chance to rest before scanning up to the new accent color adorning the stairway wall. The real beauty of modern country is its simplicity. An old dresser with beautiful lines holds a vase. No catchall for coins, keys or crammed with family photos; the dresser takes center stage and the opposite wall can be festooned with the botanical prints you adore. Certain pieces of furniture need space and breathing room. Why can’t that pine dresser with hand-carved details (hiding in the basement) live upstairs? Just remember that this look is all about keeping it simple and comfortable. Modern and country live together harmoniously with a turquoise dresser found somewhere in Iowa, if memory serves me right!

Color can and will enhance your mood. Find the colors that “transport” you and you will have found what I like to call, your “color core.” It takes time, patience and a quiet place to reflect about what truly makes you happy.

I’m not an expert on design or color; but more like a student. I have the oil pastels but lack the discipline to read the book on blending colors. Darn daydreamer! Darn report cards!

Photo by Jennifer Dagdagan

Style Freak is a new column — devoted to home and fashion that’s beautiful and trendy — that will publish in every other issue of Yakima magazine.

A variety of performers travel from all over to entertain the crowds.

By Christina McCarthy

File Photos by Andy Sawyer

Quick! No thinking about it. Just say what comes to mind when someone says the words … FOLK MUSIC.

Is it acoustic guitars and harmonicas? Hippies and flower children? Voices with a quaint Southern twang?

If you said yes to any or all of these, that’s not surprising. Folk music’s roots lie in the songs that tell the tales of courage … the music of singer-songwriters, whose souls are just begging to be made into music that must be shared.

But folk music goes even deeper than that, touching on nearly ever other genre of music, as well as other areas of life. For evidence of that, one need go no further than Franklin Park, where the Yakima Folklife Festival has celebrated the wonder, joy and art of — well, all that is folksy, for most of the past 30-some years.

Grass Roots
Back in the early 1970s, when it all began, the event didn’t happen annually. There was just too much going on, and the dedicated volunteers couldn’t quite pull it off every summer. But since the 1980s, the Yakima Folklife Festival has been going (and growing) strong, and this year, from July 8-10, the event celebrates its 29th birthday.

Brian Felix is the current president of the Yakima Folklife Association, and one of the last founders still serving on the association. He’s quick to share what makes this Franklin Park event so special to the area.

“It’s the community,” he maintains, “and the community-driven nature of the organization that has kept the festival — as well as our Winter Concert Series — alive and well.”

The original group just wanted some “good, clean fun for families.” The first festival, held in 1974, “was free to the public and the musicians didn’t get paid,” he says. “People brought food to share, and made sure that everyone was fed. It was a good time, and a pretty good definition of a ‘community event.’”

Today

Crowds of people enjoying the food choices at the festival.

Felix says it’s that kind of thinking that has kept the festival alive over the years, and many of those original ideas still exist today. The Folklife Festival remains free to the community. Musicians still receive no artist fees (though they do get to sell CDs). Even the Folklife Association remains completely voluntary. “Our theory has been: do the best we can for the musicians, do the best we can for the audience, and everything else will pretty much fall into place. It’s been working now for almost 30 years.”

In other ways, though, the Folklife Festival has grown just as the community has, and it now offers experiences that are sure to please everyone, from music junkies to business people to the kids.

Music and dance now span five separate stages, each carefully designed with professional sound equipment that maximizes music potential, without bleeding sound into the other staging areas. Musicians come from across the U.S. and Canada. Everything from blue grass to salsa to high school rock bands perform, and on Friday and Saturday evenings, seven to 10 downtown Yakima venues are added, each offering free performances with changing performers every hour.

“Truly,” Felix explains, “you can sit at North Town Coffee(house) or Bob’s Keg ‘n Cork and hear five or six different acts for the price of a drink or two. There aren’t many other places around where you can do that. What we have here is really special.”

But That’s Not All!
Today’s Folklife Festival is more than just music. Each year, vendors come from far and near to sell their wares: cookies or ethnic foods, handmade jewelry or pottery are among the items for sale.

Original artwork created by Duane Heilman for the Folklike Festival poster.

Hunger is not an issue at the event. If you’re craving something sweet, there’s baklava, candied apples and homemade scones. For those in need of something a little more savory, the Greek gyros are a hit and are made fresh on the spot. It’s easy to find a cool respite from the July heat, too — with iced espresso drinks, fresh-squeezed lemonade and root beer floats.

Once tummies are topped off, kids can try their hands at many of the activities designed just for the younger set. Ride the kiddie train around the park, cool off with the Yakima Fire Department’s giant water slide, or head inside the Yakima Valley Museum to hang out in the (air-conditioned) Children’s Underground for a spell.

Of particular interest is the Society for Creative Anachronism’s Medieval Faire demonstrations. Chain mail-clad “knights” duel with huge, heavy swords. The society also operates a real forge, where passers-by can watch in fascination as red-hot iron is slowly pounded into fighting weapons.

Though pushing 30, the Yakima Folklife Festival continues to shine as one of the region’s longest lasting, family-friendly events. It continues to improve with age. Whether you enjoy the music and festivities in Franklin Park, or take in the tunes downtown, you’ll want to make sure that you join the party.

Yakima Folklife Festival
July 8-10, 2011
Franklin Park and various downtown Yakima venues
yakimafolklife.org

Colorful wares on display at a Festival booth.

Here’s just a sample of the live entertainment at this year’s festival:
Stroughmatt Creole Band
Reggie Garrett and the Snake Oil Peddlers
Bye Bye Chinook Band
Pat Moss Blues Band
Wild Coconuts
The Southern Blue Grass Band
The Rod Giles Band
Reggae Allstars
Tracy Spring
Aloha Hawaiian Band
The Irish Green Celtic Band
Locust Street Taxi
Brandan Wise
Dan Mahre on Inland Folk

…and a list of the downtown venues for 2011
Bob’s Keg n Cork
Kana Winery
Bill’s Place
Sports Center
North Town Coffeehouse
Russillo’s

Photos by Jennifer Dagdagan

Pop quiz, Yakima.

What do you get when you combine five models, two hair and makeup stylists, two clothing stylists, talented local jewelry artists, a photographer and one (moderately overwhelmed) writer?

Got a visual yet?  Now let’s move the whole bunch down to the river…add marshmallows on sticks,wine, a sweet vintage trailer and a whole lot of laughter…

Give up?  A camp-inspired photo shoot with a glamorous twist which will run in our May/June Art Issue – otherwise known as “just another day at the office” here at Yakima magazine.

The outdoor shoot lasted an entire day and the weather was not as warm as the golden hues of the photos suggest. But at the end of the day, I think each of us left with renewed appreciation for friendship, laughter and some of the talented locals that live in this Valley of ours!

Special thanks to Buffy Smith and Molly Wamsley from Belu Design Salon who provided the hair and makeup for our models.  Especially Buffy – who tromped through the underbrush to ensure our girls looked amazing in each shot. Also, thanks to Winter Kennedy and Joy Meils.  The talented sisters own the vintage boutique Patina and not only supplied the wardrobe for our shoot but also fit our models on site and made the day more pleasant for everyone.  And also to Mel and Craig Edgar who graciously allowed us to have the run of their beautiful property.

Thanks to our featured jewelry artists Brianna Gutierrez, Janine Kingsley, Lisa Souers, Robbie Bustos, Winter Kennedy, Joy Meils and Ed and Linda Simpson.  Special thanks to Linda Simpson who spent the day with us keeping track of the baubles and assisting our models.

And of course, thanks to our models Brianna Gutierrez, Amenda Dillman, Nami Oxford, Yeimy Ball and Katie Wilkerson- who braved the cold, worked for marshmallows and put up with seemingly endless poses, wardrobe changes and spritzes of hairspray – the results are stunning, ladies.  We can’t wait to share them with you.

Nice job.

When it comes to entertaining, green is the new black.  And recycling vintage buttons into glam napkin holders (like these creative pieces by local artist Robbie Bustos) may be an easy way to cut costs and customize your table.  Here’s how to get the look.

Vintage buttons and craft wire are all that is needed to create eco-glam napkin rings like these.

Step 1.  Get the goods.

12-gauge jewelry wire, a pair of pliers, super glue and a collection of vintage buttons are all you need to get started.

2.  String it up

Thread the wire through your button and secure with a dab of superglue.

3.  Finishing Touches

Choose your length of wire and with pliers curl wire ends. Then simply mold wire into a loop large enough to thread desired napkin through.

Delicate wire tendrils add a finishing touch to eco-glam napkin rings.

Want to see more by Robbie Bustos?  Check out her website at RubyVegasDesigns.com

Photo by Gordon King

By Christina McCarthy

Affairs of the heart take many forms: young lovers, a mother and her baby, even the comfortable silence of an old couple after 50 years of marriage.

But not all love affairs are between people, and David Childs’ passion for shoes — now on display at the Yakima Valley Museum — presents a perfect example.

Head Over Heels Over Heels is a fitting name for both the exhibition and Childs, a retired Nordstrom shoe salesman who lives in Yakima and has a real penchant for fancy footwear. The museum exhibit features more than 600 pairs of shoes, dating from the early 20th century to the present. And that’s only half of his collection.

“I picked the best representations of the various ‘style trend eras’ … and then about 30 of my very favorite shoes from the entire collection,” Childs explained just prior to the Feb. 11 grand opening of the exhibit.

“It’s not really meant to teach you the history of shoes, but rather to offer a peek at the wild and over-the-top heels that women of wealth and royalty have worn.”

Entering the exhibit, one can’t help but feel “wowed” by the sheer number of shoes, as well as their beauty and outrageousness. One pair holds a tiny red bird in each of the cagelike heels. Another sports the skyline of Seattle — in rhinestones — around the heel. Scrapbook panels accompany the shoes, giving a glimpse into why and how Childs acquired them.

Starting Young

Photo by Gordon King

Childs was only 4 or 5 when he, with the help of a brother, discovered the entertainment value of high-heeled shoes. The two found their mother’s dress shoes and, putting them on over their oxfords, began clomping around the hardwood floors of their home. Mom heard and quickly put an end to the shoe abuse, but Childs was hooked.

He began cutting pictures of shoes from Montgomery Ward catalogs, and kept his “first shoe collection” in a cigar box in his room. Like any collector, Childs would view, sort, label and play with his collection frequently.

During his college years, Childs was fortunate to become employed at a shoe store, where he learned how to properly fit shoes — a skill that served him quite well for the next 40 years. In the late 1960s, he secured his second shoe job in Iowa, and shortly thereafter, began researching and collecting vintage high-heeled shoes. In 1970, he began a job in the women’s shoe department at Yakima’s Nordstrom (making it into the top 10 percent of the sales force 20 times) and worked there until the store closed in March 2001.

Photo by Gordon King

An Eye for Quality

Childs’ passion has taken him to vintage shops across the country. He can spin tales about finding his favorite style — 1940s era, ankle strap platforms — from Chicago to Salt Lake City to Montana, but most frequently he can be found perusing his favorite shops in Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. “I travel to attend professional organ performances,” explained Childs, who is also a member of the American Guild of Organists. “While I’m visiting, I always look up the vintage shops in the area and often come away with some real treasures.”

Childs’ collection falls in two broad categories: high-quality heels, typically worn by well-dressed women over the past century, and pristine examples of unusual or trendy special-occasion high heels. Over the years, as the number of shoes in his collection increased, so did his standards. “I used to buy shoes if they caught my eye,” he said, “but now I’m a bit pickier. They have to be smaller sizes — nothing over a 7, unless I’m just crazy about it,” he said, grinning. “But the condition must always be pristine.”

Yakima Valley Museum Director John Baule agrees that Childs’ taste is spectacular.

“When I first went to see his collection, I was absolutely amazed at the quality and the research behind the shoes. David is a serious collector, and his love and appreciation for fine high-heeled shoes creates a top notch collection.”

The Head Over Heels Over Heels exhibit displays every decade, era and important fashion phase in women’s high-heeled shoes, from the early 1900s to today. The display was created by Andy Granitto, the museum’s Curator of Exhibits, who spent more than a month designing the gallery space before he even began building it.

Granitto’s goal was not just to display shoes, but to tell the story of Childs’ passion in a way that others will understand. “This exhibit isn’t just for women who like nice shoes,” Granitto said. “It has a personality of its own, and everyone who visits will come away with a sense of awe and admiration for the art that these shoes are.”

Felipe Hernandez at Los Hernandez Tamales. Photo by Gordon King

By Heather Caro

With layers of cornmeal masa and rich, seasoned fillings tucked into a softened husk, tamales might be the ultimate comfort food. And though enjoying renewed interest among the “foodie” crowd because it’s handmade and has versatile fillings, tamales are far from a novel creation.

In fact, tamales were probably conceived out of necessity — more than 7,000 years ago. The hearty, portable food was able to be filled with “whatever was on hand” and may have fed ancient Aztec and Incan warriors. From humble beginnings, tamales later went on to become a favorite dish perfected by generations of Latin American cooks. Today, more than 500 tamale variations can be found throughout the United States as well as Central and South America, but the tastiest tamales are those that are hand-prepared using time-honored and labor-intensive methods.

To make tamales from “scratch,” yellow corn is cooked in lime water, then stone-ground and dried to make masa. The masa is then combined with shortening and spread on a softened corn husk before adding spicy fillings such as peppers or seasoned meat. Finally, each bundle is carefully folded and boiled or steamed. Thanks to the husk, tamales can stay warm for hours — perhaps the original “fast” food — but are tastiest when eaten straight from the steamer.

Even for veteran cooks, the steps to prepare the tamales can take days and are often reserved for special occasions and holidays. But if a weekend of laboring in the kitchen sounds daunting, don’t worry. The Yakima Valley is a hot spot for authentic Latin American cuisine, including the tamal (singular for tamales). Here are a few of the local experts who have stepped up to satisfy tamal cravings throughout the Valley — and beyond.

Los Hernandez Tamales

Nestled between used-car lots and antique stores in Union Gap, the boxy, white storefront of Los Hernandez Tamales appears unassuming and quaint. But step inside the simple brick building and diners will find an authentic culinary gem that’s earned a reputation for its delicious fresh tamales.

In fact, says owner Felipe Hernandez, the tamales are in such demand that Los Hernandez has served more than 2 million of the handmade delicacies since first opening its doors in 1990.

One taste of the melt-in-your-mouth treats — which come in varieties such as pork, chicken and the seasonal asparagus and pepper jack cheese — and it’s easy to see why this modest eatery has become a local favorite. With tamales this tasty, it was only a matter of time before the word would get out.

Audrie Martinez dishes out just-cooked tamales at Los Hernandez Tamales. Photo by Gordon King

While relying almost exclusively on word-of-mouth advertising, Los Hernandez Tamales has been featured on an episode of the PBS hit Northwest Backroads and even mentioned in Sunset magazine — twice. They’re also a regular stop on many wine country tours and frequently welcome visitors from around the country.

“It is crazy the people that come through here,” says Hernandez’s daughter, Rachel Wilburn, who works at the primarily family-run establishment. “We have a guy that comes from Portland and buys 30 and 40 dozen at a time. My dad always says you never have enough.”

As if to illustrate her point Wilburn pushes the play button on a blinking answering machine and a gruff voice places an order for dozens of tamales to be shipped — to France. She grins while looking for an order slip — apparently these requests are not uncommon.

But the success of the popular eatery has not come without sacrifice for the Hernandez family.

Los Hernandez Tamales was born out of necessity when owner and namesake Felipe,  62, was fired from a 19-year sales position at Montgomery Ward. Suddenly out of work and needing a way to support his wife and two young daughters, Hernandez looked to tamales. Specifically, he looked to his sister Leocacia’s Texas-style tamales, which had long been a favorite among family and friends. With her help, Hernandez refined the recipe and adapted it for commercial use. With the aid of Washington state’s SEED program, which once provided startup assistance and training for small business owners, Hernandez decided to take the leap to entrepreneurism.

“It was not easy,” says Hernandez, who has lived in the Yakima Valley since 1957 and credits the eatery’s success largely due to the support and acceptance of his family.

Today, to keep up with demand, 60 dozen to 80 dozen tamales are prepared daily using traditional methods at a separate location in Union Gap. “I cook and grind corn the old-fashioned way,” says Hernandez, who in addition to tamales and fresh salsa, also sells his yellow, stone ground masa and corn husks for DIY-ers.

And Los Hernandez’ busiest season — spring — is just beginning. The popular asparagus and pepper jack cheese tamales are available only during the Valley’s asparagus season — March through mid-July — and advance orders have been piling up since December.

Though the business is growing at a rate that an expansion may soon be in the works, Hernandez insists he will never cut corners when it comes to making tamales.

“We go through a little more because that’s what got us here.”

Los Hernandez Tamales

3706 Main St., Union Gap

509-457-6003

Lupe Gutierrez re-loads her tray with masa while making tamales. Photo by Andy Sawyer

Lupe Gutierrez

In a valley filled to brimming with talented cooks and authentic Mexican fare, singling out the “best” tamales may seem an impossible feat. But if the judges of the annual Wapato Chamber of Commerce Tamale Festival are to be believed, those tamales might come from the kitchen of Toppenish resident Guadalupe Gutierrez.

Since the annual fall festival and cook-off competition began six years ago, Gutierrez, 61, has pitted her homemade tamales against some of the Valley’s best — and has won first or second place each year. In addition to the competition, Gutierrez also sells her tamales at the event. Last year, with the help of Elsa Estrada and other friends, Gutierrez sold more than 250 dozen tamales before running out of the crowd-pleasing dish.

The award-winning recipe was passed down from her mother. “It’s a family tradition,” says Gutierrez. “Every year at Christmas, my mom would make 100 pounds of masa.” Gutierrez explains that she and her sisters would eventually turn the stone-ground masa into dozens of tamales to be given away as gifts to holiday visitors. And though Gutierrez no longer makes her masa from scratch (she uses Los Hernandez Tamales’ masa instead), the years of hard work are evident in every bite of her perfected delicacies.

Though the recipe was passed down, the tamal fillings are original. Gutierrez fills her celebrated tamales with everything from pork and chicken to cheese and jalapeno, or spinach and cheese. “You can stuff them with anything you want,” Gutierrez grins.

When not preparing for the festival, Gutierrez keeps her skills honed by cooking fresh tamales for lucky friends, family and co-workers. But locals may not need to wait until October to sample the tasty fare — Gutierrez is busy making plans to open her own “tamales-to-go” eatery in downtown Toppenish, which may open as early as late summer or early fall.