By CHRIS THORN

There is a simple theory behind a good business, treat your customers well and they will keep coming back. At Owens Cycle that philosophy has been their foundation and it has made for a great business model.

“This is [Dean Owens] passion,” said Duane Worrell, general manager.

The business began as a small shop with a few employees more than three decades ago when Owens was 19 years old. With business picking up the business expanded to a 6,500 square foot location. In 2006, Owens Cycle decided to go even bigger, more than 600 percent, to a 40,000 plus square foot building.

By Shawnee Olson

Ruggles Auto Repair, owned by Lynn and Bobbi Ruggles, began servicing Yakima Valley automobiles in 1988.  At the time they were renting several service bays at Curfman’s from Lloyd and Dorothy Curfman.  Six months later Mr. Curfman sold his business to the Ruggles upon his retirement.  

In 1989 Ruggles Auto Repair moved across the street to the former Buckingham Richfield Building, enabling them to expand from one technical employee to three, adding four new service bays and two storage areas.  The owners also updated their computer equipment and technical support systems.

Late December winter storms add tons of powder for visitors.  White Pass Ski Area is open from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, conditions permitting. Photo by Matthew Poppoff

By CHRIS THORN

Many people who live in the Yakima Valley cherish that we get to experience all four seasons of nature. Although we didn’t get the gift of a white Christmas this year during our winter season, White Pass Ski Area received a late present, more than two feet of snow.

Just two weeks before the storm hit, White Pass spokesperson Kathleen Goyette, was hoping for Mother Nature to kick in a give the mountain some fresh powder.

“It’s a challenge right now,” she said in mid-December. “We’re making the best of it.”

At the time, Goyette said the crew at White Pass was doing a fantastic job creating snow and keeping runs well groomed.

From the vine to the bottle. Colorful labels give distinction  and add an elegant touch to their presentation. Photo by Chris Thorn

By CHRIS THORN

Matt and Patrick Rawn have a wealth of experience when it comes to knowing the soils in the Yakima Valley, due to four generations of farmers in their lineage. The duo has used their knowledge to expand and establish Two Mountain Winery in Zillah.

According to their website, in 1951 Matt and Patrick’s grandfather, Phil Schmidt, established Schmidt Orchards with 40 acres of peaches, apricots, prunes, and apples. Matt and Patrick planted Copeland Vineyard in 2000 with their uncle, Ron Schmidt, and crushed their first vintage in 2002.

Ron passed away a few years later and Matt and Patrick took over the family winery in 2006. They began their ownership by narrowing their focus because the acreage owned by the family included not only the vineyard, but also many acres of other fruit.

“We decided to only focus on grapes and wine,” Matt said. “Our goal was to grow the brand and product.”

By CORY BEMIS

There are 3 primary reasons why a home hasn’t sold within the average amount of time for a given market.  This month we’ll review the first reason: “Presentation and Depersonalization”.

Properly preparing a home for marketing involves much more than cleaning, decluttering, and making minor repairs.  The optimal solution is to neutralize the home completely.  The first step is to remove all personal items from the home.  It’s much more difficult for a buyer to make an offer on a home if it feels like someone else’s home.  Personal items include family photos, religious items, and anything else that could distract the buyer from imagining their own personal items in the home.  The second step is to freshen up and revitalize the home.

Pictured from left to right are Yakima Parks & Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson, community funding partners representatives Greg Luring and Gene Rostvold, and Stephens and Sons Construction Project Supervisor Dennis Bickel. Photo by Jo Miles

Even though winter weather has brought with it gray skies, cold temperatures, and a little bit of snow, it has not deterred crews from continuing to make progress on construction of the new Kiwanis Park ballfield complex. 

The multi-field complex, which is expected to be completed by summer of 2012, will include three lighted ballfields, bleachers, restroom facilities, a concession stand, a new parking lot, and playground improvements.  The complex will be used primarily for girls’ and women’s fastpitch and slowpitch softball and little league baseball.

A photo of the Yakima Area Arboretum Luminera pathway after being lit during a clear winter night. Dale Gress photo

By CHRIS THORN

People have many different traditions when it comes to celebrating the holiday season. The Yakima Area Arboretum Lumineria celebration is one of the many ways the holiday season can be enjoyed here in Yakima, but Lumineria is rare because there aren’t many events like it.

“It’s kind of magical out there,” said co-executive director Colleen Adams-Shuppe. “It’s a good family event.”

The Yakima Area Arboretum Lumineria is celebrating their 20th year with this year’s event and it all began with the Arboretum board deciding to host a special event during the holiday season.

“The board wanted to do a winter event and they approached the Cascadians,” Colleen said.

The Cascadians, being an outdoor recreation and conservation club with local members who truly love the outdoors, teamed up with the Arboretum and have created a great local event.

By CHRIS THORN

It has been 96 years since the Camerata Club Men’s Chorus established themselves and they are still going strong, most recently performing at the Capitol Theatre.

Their concert this year had three sections with three or four songs each. The Camerata Club finished the evening with their them song, “Friendship,” written by W. F. Haesche. The group said the tradition of ending with that song began at the hand of conductor Stan Lebens, in 1943. Former members of the club were invited on stage to perform with the group.

There is quite a bit of history to the group, aside from their annual concerts. They began in the summer of 1915 with Thomas Toll, Jess Barber, and Carl Talcott.

According to the club, the name “Camerata Club Men’s Chorus” came from the 15th century Florentine opera group and was suggested by Professor A.B. Dow.

Goal of Tree Top is to serve the community better

By CHRIS THORN

Tree Top has grown by leaps and bounds over its many years in Selah and about a month ago they continued their expansion, this time by creating a 2,640 square foot store and visitor center.

“For nearly two decades, employees and growers have purchased Tree Top products at the company’s 400 square foot outlet store which was housed in single wide trailer on the main campus,” said Sharon Miracle.

Now, Tree Top established a new building, increasing the size by more than 600 percent, to house the Tree Top products and give insight into the background of the company.

“The Tree Top Store and Visitor Center not only provides badly needed retail space for additional product displays and merchandise to better serve consumers, employees and growers, but provides a front face for Tree Top to the general public and invited guests,” Miracle said.