The publication features articles on our regional lifestyle, wine industry growth, health care, local philanthropy, and special homegrown festivals and events.  New Vision plans to use overprints of the magazine insert as marketing pieces.  We can use them with some of our business prospects, but the piece is also great information for people considering a move to our community.    

The magazine can be found at grocery stores, bookstores and other local news outlets.

Making Room and Opening Doors

In the 10 years since Children’s Village began providing services to Yakima Valley children with special healthcare needs, demand has more than tripled and Diane Patterson, executive director, only expects the need to grow.

Yakima's Children's Village Expansion

Thankfully, community support is making an extensive remodel and expansion possible. Current construction will take Children’s Village from 24,645 feet to 37,745 feet, housing additional pediatric medical specialty exam areas, additional speech, occupational, and physical therapy rooms and expanded areas for family support and community services.

“We’re bringing more physicians over from Seattle Children’s Hospital, more specialists,” says Patterson. “We’ve added more speech therapists and are increasing capacity.” While progress continues, the need for support persists. “We have the space now, but we need the professionals and the funding to provide the services,” says Patterson.

Making the most of community talents and resources, Children’s Village has launched exciting partnerships with local organizations. With Children’s Village, the YMCA hosts a music therapy program called Munchkin Music. Partnerships with local schools facilitate programs in several formats, including a collaborative training classroom, a new social skills group, and autism programs. Through a new collaboration with EPIC, a birth-to-three program called Nurturing Pathways will launch in the fall.

Yakima's Charlie being Charlie

On the horizon, Patterson also sees an increase in the range of therapeutic services provided at Children’s Village, “allowing more bridging of modalities,” she says, as well as more collaboration with the school districts to apply the latest research to meet the emotional, social, and behavioral needs of all children with a customized therapeutic program. “Each child is completely different and their program needs to be different,” says Patterson. “No single, set modality works for any child.”

For more information, visit www.yakimachildrensvillage.org.

The Hot Shots 3-on-3 basketball tournament is organized by the Yakima Valley Sports Commission, in partnership with area sponsors, and as Director of Sports Rich Austin puts it, “Yakima h embraced this tournament and it’s exciting to watch it grow over the past several years.  Our downtown merchants roll out the welcome mat and our area hotels ensure our out of town competitors are well taken care of.  We see folks from around the Northwest compete year after year so we must be doing something right.”

Hot Shots teams range in age from six years old to the over 45 competitor and categories are available for the truly amateur to both men’s and women’s open brackets.  With nearly 350 teams competing and over 6,000 people expected to hit Downtown Yakima, this event not only brings excitement to town but tourism dollars as well.  The Hot Shots 3-on-3 basketball tournament is just another reason why the Yakima Valley is the Sports Capital of Washington state.

The Yakima River is the largest and longest river at 214 miles.  It bisects the heart of the Valley and through the cities it serves then converges into the Columbia River 75 miles to the southeast.  This river is a haven for rafting, kayaking, and fishing in addition to being a sanctuary for bald eagles in the 28-mile Yakima River Canyon with connects Yakima with Ellensburg, 35 miles to the north. Folks can enjoy several annual sporting events on or near the river provid0ng athletes with plenty of challenge and competition.

The 75-mile Naches River originates from Bumping Lake and the American River off of Chinook Pass. The Naches merges with the Tieton River then flows past the Town of Naches until it finally converges into the Yakima River just outside Yakima.  The Naches not only supplies local municipalities with water but also boasts some of the region’s most breathtaking landscapes and plenty of door adventure.

The Tieton River, at 33 miles, begins its journey from two separate glaciers in the Cascade Mountains. The North Fork hails from McCall Glacier and flows down into Clear Lake then eventually into the man made Rimrock Lake at the west end.  The South Fork hails from Meade Glacier and flows into Rimrock Lake at the east end.  In addition to the usual outdoor activities, rock climbing enthusiasts find the Lower Tieton River Cliffs three climbing areas provide even the most experienced climber with challenge and beauty. The Tieton ends its journey into the Naches River.

See the Photos!

New Vision wants to thank our contest judges:

Ken Whitmire, Whitmire Associates
Gordon King, Yakima Herald-Republic; and
Martha Goudey, Freelance writer and photographer

With over 40 entrants and 200 photos the judges did a great job selecting the best photos.  They ultimately awarded prizes for photos depicting scenic landscapes, culture, and food/entertainment.

Here are the winners:

Scenic Landscapes
1st Place – Snowmountain Ranch by Mike Dawson
2nd Place – Clear Lake at Dawn by Mike Dawson
3rd Place – Naches Valley Fog by Brian Durr

Culture
1st Place – Cinco de Mayo Dancers by Elijah Alfred
2nd Place – Scottish Highland Calf by Kate Green
3rd Place – Larson Building by Tim Hull

Food/Entertainment
1st Place – Capitol Theatre at Night by Elijah Alfred
2nd Place – Bee and Peach Blossom by Kate Green
3rd Place – Miner’s Drive In by Ron Livingston

Our thanks go out to everyone who participated in the contest.  If the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words is true, we have a bunch of great stories to tell.

Families and Fun with Parent to Parent:

Alex Johnson

Every Friday for six weeks, a group of kids gathered at Yakima School of Karate (YSK) for a unique opportunity, thanks to a program called One 2 One. They learned the same punches, kicks, and defensive techniques that any karate student would learn in an introductory class despite the fact that, without the support of volunteer teen mentors, they would have been unable to meet the physical and emotional demands of a standard martial arts class.  “They learned all the karate basics, they really loved the obstacle course and they practiced a kata,” says Tracie Hoppis, coordinator of the Yakima chapter of Parent to Parent, an international, nonprofit organization offering support, information and programming to families of children with special needs.  Two instructors from YSK volunteered their time to teach the class. Both Yakima teens, Alex Johnson and Elise Holbrook earned their black belts at YSK.

One 2 One, one of many programs provided by Parent to Parent, trains teen mentors to support children, ages six to 21, with developmental challenges, allowing them to participate in recreational activities they may otherwise not have access to. Whether it’s swimming lessons or softball, they have a chance to be a kid like any other, making friends, learning new skills and gaining self-esteem.

In addition to karate classes, One 2 One offers other year-round, organized recreational activities such as soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, and a summer kids’ club. Mentors can also support kids during recreational activities not sponsored by One 2 One.

Parent to Parent provides a wide range of programs in addition to One 2 One, including individual and group support for parents, information, and education and social activities. Brothers and sisters of children with special needs can participate in Sibshops, monthly meeting to connect with others who relate to their unique perspectives. From scrapbooking and socials to support groups, parents find a chance to connect with others who share their concerns, challenges, and joys. “Just last week, a mom and her son, new to Yakima, came to one of our groups,” says Hoppis. “It can be such a relief to make that connection with other parents who understand your needs, who get it.”

Hosted by Children’s Village, Parent to Parent provided support and information to 557 Yakima Valley families last year, both English and Spanish speaking. With newly expanded space at Children’s Village, Hoppis looks forward to what the program can become. “In the new Parent to Parent office, we’ll have a separate ‘family room’ where we can meet with parents and caregivers individually to provide support and information; this room will also allow us to facilitate smaller more intimate parent gatherings” she says.

For more information about Parent to Parent, email Tracie.Hoppis@yvmh.org.

Yakima Valley Technical School

YV Tech is also leading the region’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative.  Fifteen local school districts are partnering the YV Tech to integrate these disciplines and ensure that local students gain the interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed within modern manufacturing operations.

Earlier this year YV Tech students moved into a brand new modern building that is almost twice as large as their old facility.  With modern classrooms and equipment the school has the capacity to increase enrollment from 800 to 1200.  A second phase expansion to the building is planned that would bring the total square footage to over 100,000 square feet of new complexes and classrooms.

Gap2Gap Kids Relay Team

Competitors experience everything from churning rivers to the Valley’s defining ridges and farms.  Teams and individuals complete two running and biking legs and then choose between a kayak/canoe segment or an in-line skating leg.  The sights, sounds, smells, and warmth of the sun are enjoyed by both participants and spectators alike.  “Seven hundred plus athletes participate – some to compete for the medal, some to just finish as an affirmation of life.  One hundred percent are here to experience the excitement and camaraderie that only an event like this can generate,” notes Al Brown, the Yakima Greenway’s executive director.

The Gap2Gap relay race is held annually on the Saturday after Memorial Day and takes place between Selah Gap to Union Gap.  Ages from six years old on up can compete making this event fun for the entire family.  In fact, the Junior Gap2Gap now has more teams participate than adult teams.  For more information about this event click here.

Pegasus Project: Taking the Reins

For the past year, Thursday has been Cole’s favorite day of the week because it’s “Pegasus day.” At six years, Cole is unaware of the benefits to his motor development, coordination and balance or improvements in communication skills and self-esteem as he begins to use his reins and ride independently. He knows only that, for one hour, he gets to ride Rebel.

Founded in 2003 as a pilot project serving only seven riders with one instructor, Pegasus Project now serves more than 40 riders each week and has been certified as a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Premier Accredited Center.

Thanks to the generosity of the Yakima Valley community and the work of dedicated volunteers known fondly as “Pegasus Pals,” an indoor riding arena and newly expanded trail system at Tumbleweed Ranch in Naches allow riders to participate in therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities year-round.

Community support has helped provide new instructors and new horses. “There’s no waiting list right now,” says Leo Craven, Executive Director. “We’re able to put riders on horses as the applications come in.” In the past, potential riders sometimes waited months to find a spot on the schedule.

A new class on the horizon will provide equine therapy “to youth who it might not be an appropriate fit to engage in riding, whether because of fear or other challenges,” says Craven. The new class would still allow participants to work on horsemanship through handling and leading.

Pegasus Project serves all ages, youth to adult, and provides services to meet a variety of different needs, including physical, emotional and developmental challenges. Riders come from throughout the valley. Pegasus currently serves riders from Naches to Hera and Mabton.

Volunteers make Pegasus Project programs happen. More than 75 volunteers join riders on the trail and in the arena each week, leading horses or walking alongside riders to offer physical and emotional support as needed. “Even after a long day when you feel you don’t have the energy to give, the kids fill you up with their energy, with their joy,” says Judie Brown, Pegasus Project Volunteer. “That’s the gift they give to you. Sharing their joy makes it worthwhile.”

For more information about Pegasus Project programs, for rider applications, to volunteer, or for the latest information about fabulous fundraisers, visit www.pegasusrides.com.

Lawrence Golan

This September the Yakima Symphony Orchestra will be led by only the second maestro in its 43-year history.  Lawrence Golan officially takes the reins this summer from the retiring orchestra leader, longtime Yakima resident, and the orchestra’s founder, Brooke Creswell.  “I’m ecstatic,” Creswell said.  “I think it’s wonderful.  Lawrence has been in the orchestra business since he was born.  He’s an accomplished string player, he knows the industry, and he knows the music.”

Golan, whose father played the violin in the Chicago Symphony, was awarded his first conducting job at 23 with the University of Southern Maine.  He has been the resident conductor in Phoenix since 2006 and music director and conductor of the symphony at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music since 2001.  He’ll continue with his Denver post via commuting from Yakima.  Golan was chosen over three other candidates and earned high marks from the YSO search committee, the orchestra musicians, and local music aficionados.  “The Yakima community can expect someone who is passionate about music, passionate about the orchestra, and passionate about sharing music with the entire community,” says Golan.

In addition to the main stage Capitol Theatre performances, the smaller chamber orchestra shows, and youth concerts, Golan plans to conduct pops performances and family-oriented music events.