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 Everybody loves a party, so mark your calendar now for Timberline's Lodge's year-long plans to celebrate the lodge's 75th Anniversary in all the right ways. RLK and Company, longtime operators of Timberline have dug deep into history to unfurl an inter-active multi-media page depicting a "Timberline Timeline." During "Heritage Week," (April 8 -15, 2012), the ski area will host a raft of events including a special gathering of The International Skiing Heritage Association and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Just down the hill from Timberline, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum puts on its annual Ski Historic Glade Trail Day March 3. This chance only comes once a year, so ski the historic trail with local guides and the renowned Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. The price of admission includes shuttles to Timberline Lodge, lunch, Après Ski party and prizes. Participation is limited, so sign up today for this always-anticipated event.
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 La Niña has graced Oregon with an abundance of that fluffy, fast and fun white stuff we know and love. Snow is on the ground and in the forecast, and The Resort at The Mountain's ski shuttle is warmed up and ready to transport guests - free of charge - to Skibowl /Government Camp. "Chicks on Skis" are invited to bring their BFFs to The Resort at The Mountain any Thursday for a day and night of pure winter fun. Get the party started with two lift tickets for an afternoon on the slopes. Back at The Resort unwind totally with a 50-minute treatment of your choice at The Spa and prepare to be treated to a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast at Altitude, including Mimosas. Oh yeah! The Resort at The Mountain is king of the hill when it comes to making seasonal specials über cool. If you're looking for the added value of shorter lines and discounted lift tickets, Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals sweetens the deal with stunning rates from $139, with the 3rd night half price and the 4th night FREE when you stay Sunday - Thursday nights. Looking for extreme fun? We've got you covered.
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 Plate & Pitchfork's new winter series (Forklift) kicks off at Milwaukie Kitchen & Wine just in time for this tasty holiday. Teach your taste buds a thing or two about magical culinary pairings with the Sunday, February 12 hands-on class, "Outside the Chocolate Box." Take your sweetie out to the country for St. Josef's annual Valentine's Winemaker's Dinner on Saturday, also held February 11. Raise a toast to keeping the romance alive with their new Sparkling Lilli, proseco-style bubbly. Take your love out for a night of theater laughs at New Century Players' hilarious production of Hairspray. Up the mountain, Altitude Restaurant serves an over-the-top February 14 dinner of decadence that can be chased down with a Couples In-Room Massage from the nearby Spa. And remember - there are still a few days to show the love to your favorite Secret Sweet Spots in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory. Vote here!
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Blustery days and chilly nights send me foraging for made-from-scratch soup. Tuck into cozy Terrace Kitchen, where they'll serve you one bite of deliciousness after another. For the DIY-inspired, Chef Fernando Divina shares his saucy Seafood Chowder recipe below. For the kitchen-averse or for those who look for great soup outside this fave Lake Oswego eatery, try these stops for starters:
Abella's Italian Kitchen in Wilsonville - The house minestrone inspires a second visit. First Thursday dinner, anyone?
Pho Thi on Oregon City's walkable Main Street - The reviews say it all, and rest assured - the fresh Pho Dac Biet does not disappoint.
Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood - Try the Ice Axe IPA, Fontina and Swiss Onion soup at the Blue Ox Bar. Ridiculously delicious.
If you have a super soup place, share the skinny with us on Facebook.
Fernando Divina, Chef/Owner Terrace Kitchen Restaurant & Bar Serves four as a light meal or six as a starter
This simple dish epitomizes the notion that the finished product is much more than the sum of its parts. This dish, prepared with the very freshest seafood and produce, can be wonderfully gratifying. Be certain to cook the scallops until they are just barely cooked through as they will be hopelessly dry if overcooked. The crab needs only to be heated rather than cooked because all of the cooking has been done in advance. Adding the herbs just prior to dishing will give the chowder its distinctly fresh flavor. A simple crusty bread will provide all that is needed for a light lunch or serve a crisp salad as a pleasant foil.
1 leek, white part only, sliced To prepare leeks for cooking: Trim the root end of the leek. Remove the tops to within an inch of the white base and save the tops for another preparation. Split the leek lengthwise and place in several changes of cold water to remove sand or mud.
1 T canola oil or any light, neutral oil
1 rasher smoked bacon, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
6 C chicken stock or broth
1 C water
1/2 small onion, peeled and diced (about 1/2 cup)
8-10 small new potatoes, quartered
12 ounces sea scallops, side muscle or foot removed
1 cooked Dungeness crab , shelled and picked or substitute 8 oz resh crab meat, picked to remove any loose shell
1 1/2 T fresh tarragon leaves
1 1/2 T fresh chives, minced
1 1/2 C whipping cream sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Prepare the leek for cooking. Place a heavy pan large enough to hold the contents over medium high heat. Add the oil and the bacon and cook until the bacon is cooked to your liking. Pour off most or all of the oil. Add the leek, stock, water, onions and potatoes. Bring the liquid to a boil then turn down to a very low simmer. Cook the potatoes until they are fork tender (consider that they will have a few more minutes of cooking with the remaining ingredients). Add the scallops and cook for a few minutes. Add the cream, crab meat and herbs. Taste for seasoning. (The store-bought chicken stock, bacon and crab will give over enough salt to flavor the chowder, if not, add salt and pepper to taste). Heat the crab just through. Serve in warm soup bowls or cups along with your favorite bread or crackers.
Try substituting oysters and fresh shrimp or clams and mussels for an entirely different chowder. Fresh salmon, lingcod or rockfish produce a distinct variation. Fresh corn, when in season, is a wonderful compliment to the seafood. Fresh chervil, fennel or thyme are suitable with most of these variations. |
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 Every Saturday night is a party on the snow up on Mt. Hood Skibowl's east side. By combining laser lights, strobe lights, reflective snow tubes and a new sound system, Cosmic Tubing brings it on. Laser lights shine on the slope, black lights shine from above and neon green tubes reflect the lasers as party music from dance to classic rock sets the tone. A new conveyor lift carries people and their tubes to the top of the run. Round out the weekend with a Mt. Hood Adventure moonlight excursion. Tell us your 3 favorite winter activity picks to try your luck at winning a 3 night Winter Wanderland Vacay. Wouldn't your pals be neon green with envy then!
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