Come Fly With Me

by Melissa Labberton on Jan 5, 2012

When asked how he became a pilot, Ola Vestad said, “I like to be like a bird.” With a twinkle in his blue eyes, he explained how he was ski jumping in his native Norway by age 5, and as a young adult he parachuted for the military. It’s not difficult to understand why he became a pilot.
Tom McMahon, a retired captain for United Airlines, learned to fly as a teenager from Warren Anderson, a Lower Valley crop-duster. “For my 50th birthday, my family found and bought the plane I’d learned to fly in,” McMahon said. It took him six years to restore the old bird that proudly sits waiting for its next sortie in his Yakima Airpark hangar.
Vestad, McMahon, Dick Hester, John Davis and Harold Johnson were all instrumental in creating the Yakima Airpark, located on the south side of the Yakima airport’s property just off Ahtanum Road. The pilots, some retired from their careers and some still working, wanted to build more than a bunch of airplane hangars. What they hoped to achieve was a place where private pilots could enjoy every aspect of flying with like-minded friends.
But it wasn’t easy.
The first step was finding a piece of property near the airport that provided a taxiway to the runways used by the Yakima Air Terminal. Fortunately, there was some undeveloped property off of Ahtanum Road that included the end of an abandoned WWII runway. Once used by Northwest Airlines, the abandoned runway intersected the airport’s main runway, making the property a perfect fit. After jumping through more than a few bureaucratic hoops, the group eventually secured a lease from the Yakima Airport board.
Then the hard work began.
A part of the old runway was broken up in order to reclaim bare ground.
“Harold Johnson dug a mile of trenches for water, sewer, gas and electric,” McMahon said.  After analyzing other hangar complexes, the group mapped out their own with spray paint after the prep work was finished. Construction began in June 2006. It took eight months to complete the first five units, and the pilots did much of the work themselves, along with a slew of volunteers.
Today, the Yakima Airpark boasts 20 hangars and seven buildings.
The main building serves as a de facto clubhouse for those who own hangars. The first floor has a kitchen and small meeting room. “Every Saturday we put out coffee and doughnuts for the pilots,” Vestad said. The adjacent hangar is often used for large social events, like their annual Christmas party.
A spiral staircase leads up to the tower room, which provides an expansive view of the runways and the Valley beyond. “We come up here and tell lies,” McMahon joked.
But it’s the hangars that truly reflect the personalities of Airpark members. Upon entering Vestad’s, visitors are struck by the beautiful red and white plane parked in front a giant mural by local artist Rick Fuller, depicting the owner flying the same plane near the Cascade Mountains.
In a far corner of the immaculate space, a half-built fuselage sits waiting for its wings. It turns out that many of the Airpark occupants are members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and are in the process of building their own airplanes. Vestad said it’s terrific to have access to other pilots who have either built their own planes or are currently involved in the process. The myriad parts meticulously laid out are a testament to the complicated steps it takes to assemble a plane that one day will actually fly.
Local dentist Tommy Holbrook, who learned how to fly from a P51 pilot named Buck Wheat, has been instrumental in getting the Yakima Airpark pilots involved with the community. In October, the group offered 15-minute flying sessions to kids involved in YMCA’s after-school Aspire program. The local EAA has also offered free flights to children in the Valley. “Some of these kids have never seen the Columbia River,” Holbrook said.
But it’s not all community service for Yakima’s “flight jockeys.” This fall, the Airpark sponsored a Poker Run with 12 pilots participating. The aeronautical card game commenced when the planes took off from the Yakima Air Terminal and navigated to five designated airports in Eastern Washington. Upon landing, each team picked up a playing card from a bucket and flew on to the next destination. When they finally returned to Yakima, bragging rights went to the team with the highest hand. The winner got all the entry fees too, but the pilots really didn’t care. They’d won even before their planes had left the tarmac: After all, it was one more chance to fly.

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Warm Companions: Alpacas Make Fine Pets, Fine Fibers

by Scott Klepach on Jan 5, 2012

Alpacas.

They’re cute, fuzzy and exotic. And they’re in your neighborhood.

The domesticated animals are raised in most parts of the country, including several farms right here in the Valley.

Silbury Hills in Sunnyside allows visitors to come by appointment to visit alpacas and other animals, including llamas. Danise Cathel, who runs Silbury Hills with her husband, Bob, says visitors can learn about animal care and agriculture, too.

Danise says that while alpacas and llamas are very similar, their distinctions cannot be overlooked. Llamas are used for packing while the smaller alpaca is used for its wool, which is similar to sheep’s wool. But alpaca fiber is warmer, stronger and lighter.

Llamas also guard alpacas from predators, mainly packs of dogs or coyotes. At 130 to 160 pounds, alpacas are often unable to defend themselves. Several years back, Chuck Uber, who breeds and sells alpacas at his ranch on Cottonwood Canyon Road in Yakima, lost nine of his alpacas in one night to four roaming dogs. He has since guarded them with llamas and trained dogs.

As useful as llamas are, Chuck recognizes the alpaca’s prized attribute: their fiber.

“Llamas didn’t really have the fiber, and my dad could see that’s where things were going to go,” Chuck says, adding that back in 1982 his father, Dr. Ralph Uber, was the first person in the state to begin raising alpacas. Ralph Uber started out with cattle and llamas for several years before getting alpacas, and Chuck bought the herd in 1990 after his father died. Chuck’s sister, Julie, helps him on the farm.

Chuck shears the animals once a year and sells the fiber to mills, where the material is processed, spun and turned into yarn for socks, gloves, hats, sweaters and blankets. Others do felting with alpaca fiber, he adds.

“People are doing a lot of different things with that fiber,” says Chuck. “It’s pretty good to work with, and very warm.”

Shearing the fiber occurs once a year when the climate is milder, typically between April and June, Chuck says.

“We gotta get ’em through the winter,” he says. “We don’t want them freezing.”

The Cathels also sell sweaters made from alpaca fiber at their farm, which they have owned since 2008 after living in England for a brief stint. (Silbury Hills is named after the actual location in England.) They now own 37 alpacas and three llamas.

Though alpaca fiber was once reserved for Incan royalty, Danise says customers enjoy its soft, hypoallergenic qualities. Because of the fine material, socks are usually blended with other wool to ensure warmth and durability. Nylon, bamboo and other materials are often mixed in with alpaca fiber to avoid excess shrinking in a dryer.

Alpacas come in two breeds. The Suri breed is known for having a fiber similar to satin – Danise says some brides have chosen this slick material for wedding dresses – while Huacaya fiber is used for sweaters and jackets. Both breeds produce up to 22 shades of white, brown and gray, she says.

Chuck Uber sells alpacas all over the country and takes some of his herd to various shows held in the Northwest. And now appears to be the time to buy.

The price of an individual female alpaca has come down in recent years due to the ailing economy. Once priced at $10,000-$20,000 for a high-quality alpaca, a female now ranges between $1,000 and $2,500. Chuck notes that potential buyers do not need an extensive amount of farmland to raise alpacas, and 2 1/2 acres is sufficient for a dozen animals.

Native to South America, alpacas can graze on somewhat sparse hills. They primarily eat grass and hay, with some alfalfa mixed in to add protein to their diet.

“My dad always said you can feed 10 alpacas for one horse,” Chuck says.
Alpacas live in most states, Chuck notes, and are adaptable to many types of weather and maintain a friendly demeanor.

“They’re fun to be around, and pretty gentle. The kids like being with them,” he says. “Like any animal, they’re all types. There are some that are not real comfortable with you, and others can walk up and want to be petted.”

Alpaca feces makes great fertilizer, Danise says, because it doesn’t have to be composted.

And yes, they can spit. Alpacas, like llamas, are part of the camelid family and produce spit that consists of whatever they are chewing on, which is usually grass. But the spitting isn’t as frequent as some may think, Chuck says.

“In all my years handling, I rarely get spit on. They usually spit on each other in line; I think it’s more like a pecking order,” Chuck says. “Most of the time it’s almost like clearing their throats — a warning, until one other alpaca backs down.”

Happys Alpaca U Ranch – Chuck Uber

521 N. Cottonwood Road

Yakima

509-966-3824

Silbury Hill Alpacas

2361 Scoon Road

Sunnyside

509-837-8012

silburyhillalpacas.com

 

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The Lure of Elk Camp

by Jill St. George on Nov 9, 2011

For the past 20 years, Yakima’s Doug Headley, 50, and his hunting pals plan for an annual eight-day stay in the wilderness, with hopes of conquering the almighty bull elk. Elk camp has become an autumn tradition among area hunters. But it’s more than camo and guns. Elk camp is about a bond between friends.

Six members of Headley’s group have been making the trek the longest: Headley and his brother Joe, Perry Page, Mike Haggerty of Kennewick, and Tim Morris, who lives in Redmond. Headley’s late cousin, Mike Ehlis, was with the original group until he died seven years ago. When a spot opens, it’s usually reserved for family.

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Helping Animals is a Bark in the Park

by Robin Salts Beckett on Sep 8, 2011

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.

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Salsa Thursdays!

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

 

By Andrea McCoy

Photos By Chad Bremmerman

On Thursday nights, the basement of Gilbert Cellars transforms from chic wine room to upscale dance hall. Known simply as Salsa Thursdays, the weekly event is hosted by the newly formed Yakima Salsa Dance Company. The company is made up of local salsa enthusiasts, including new-to-town television reporter Karma Dickerson and David Blancas, who serves as the group’s DJ.

The salsa dance originates from Cuban and other Afro-Cuban folkloric dancing. Today’s salsa dancing is a rich blend of Latin American and Western influences.

“Myself and a few other people who love to dance got together and brainstormed how we could grow an awareness for the sport and create a fun environment for dancing right here in Yakima,” Dickerson said. With an average of 50 people — and sometimes as many as 80 — coming to dance each week, the founders and organizers are thrilled to see interest build.

“We see new faces every week,” Dickerson said. “People are driving from Ellensburg and the Tri-Cities to come and dance on Thursdays.”

The event is typically held at Gilbert Cellars in downtown Yakima (although it’s moved to Seasons Performance Hall as an

alternate location as well) where the basement is a terrific venue with its elegant decorations, tasty wines and availability of food.

Each Thursday begins with a half-hour dance lesson taught by salsa experts and teachers Sal Castaneda and Eva Valdivia. With classes open to anyone who wants to try, the organizers are committed to making salsa dancing as nonintimidating as possible. Castaneda and Valdivia give students lively and inspirational instruction: “Ladies – fingers like you’re holding an egg!” says Valdivia during a recent session. To the men Castaneda says, “Look macho!”

“Anyone can join us,” Dickerson said. “A lot of times people having a glass of wine upstairs will hear the music and come downstairs to see what’s going on … After a glass of wine and a little instruction, they are out there dancing, having a great time.”

An estimated 70 percent of attendees are beginners, with teachers, experts and a few intermediate dancers rounding out each week’s group. “We are really focused on growing the community,” Dickerson said.

Before Salsa Thursdays, she said, there were places in town to take lessons, but nowhere where you could practice your moves on the dance floor. But now that’s changed.

“Salsa Thursdays have grown so much that I spend most of the night hosting, teaching, running around making sure everything is in order,” Dickerson said with a laugh. “But I love it and I still get at least five songs in.”

Salsa Thursdays

Gilbert Cellars

5 N. Front St.

yakimasalsadance@hotmail.com.

Free salsa lessons start at 7 p.m.

Open salsa dancing ($5 cover) begins at 7:30 p.m.

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A River Runs Through It

by Heather Caro on Jul 8, 2011

 

 

 

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.

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