By Ashley Lodato
While the rest of us have been enjoying the glowing autumn light and golden larches in the mountains, the brew crew at Old Schoolhouse Brewery have been busy winning some more awards, most recently at the Fresh Hop Ale Festival in Yakima over the past weekend, where they won “Best in Show” for OSB’s Fresh Hop India Pale Ale, which, conveniently, is available only in the fall. Congratulations, brewers!
I heard from Gay Northrup and other organizers of Represent Okanogan County (a non-partisan group concerned about the lack of responsiveness and transparency in county government) that their booth got a surprising amount of attention at the Okanogan County Fair, with residents from around the county stopping by to learn more about the newly formed organization and its main objective, which is to elect county commissioners who will truly represent the people in the next election.
Represent Okanogan County (ROC) members — who do not stand for any political party and remain committed to the election of strong, representational leaders at the county level — say they are concerned with the increase in wildfires, drought and limited water supply, economic uncertainty, and scientific research, and they want to support leaders who are “well-informed, committed to the welfare of the county’s citizens, and willing to include the public in a meaningful way.” For more information visit www.ROCon2016.org or email ROCon2016@gmail.com.
The names of the people featured in this next paragraph have been eliminated to protect their privacy regarding their personal grooming choices. I was talking with a male friend at the Phoenix Festival, and we were discussing the stage line-up, which included both local and Seattle bands. Wild Mountain Nation had just finished, and the next band on the schedule was to be Show Brazil, who would take the stage in just a few moments. As Friend A and I chatted, a mutual friend — another male — approached and greeted us. “Hello Friend B,” I answered back (I actually used his real name, but remember, I am being discreet here), “You’re just in time for the Brazilians.” Friend A — who knew that I was referring to the band — laughed as we watched the eyes of Friend B go wide with terror. He must have thought we were going to throw him down on a hay bale and get the wax kit out.
