Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Page A-7
Carlos’ Restaurante celebrates 15 years
By Darcy Wallace
IVN Staff Writer
Fifteen years ago, Carlos’ Restaurante
came to Cave Junction followed by a second
location in Winston, Ore. a year later.
In 2011, the Mexican restaurant is still in
business, with many cooks and staff staying on
for nearly ten years. According to restaurant
owner Carlos Jaime, the eatery is still modi-
fying and refining its menu, trying to keep its
original recipes fresh.
“We don’t stop; we always try to keep
improving [our recipes],” Jaime said. “It’s the
same with our business when we remodel the
restaurant during the winter. We try to keep up
with things.”
Along with a familiar menu, Jaime said
the Zircón Azul tequila, distributed at the Cave
Junction liquor store, is locally owned and reg-
istered organic. He called this part of the “team-
work” between the restaurant and local busi-
nesses that have supported the employees.
“It’s not just us; it’s the whole town that
has helped us for 15 years to stay in business,”
Jaime said.
One of the differences Jaime highlighted
was the fact that after 15 years, the restaurant
has retained many of the same employees who
have become permanent Illinois Valley resi-
dents.
“When you come from a big city to a
small town…you make a lot of friends,” Jaime
said. “They become your friends. They’re not
customers anymore. We see them every day, we
know their names and we know who they are.”
Jaime said one of his main cooks, Raphael
Martinez, has been with the restaurant for the
entire 15 years. Bartender Sherry Patton, he
said, is another 15-year veteran at Carlos’ Res-
taurante. Others have stayed on for nine or ten
years, sometimes starting out as dishwashers
and graduating to higher positions.
“We have a lot of stories,” Jaime added.
“But mainly I want to thank everybody. It’s a
never-ending business. You’re always learning
something. You have to keep coming up with
new ideas.”
(Photo by Stacy Byrne, Illinois Valley News)
Carlos Jaime of Cave Junction has been serving the Valley since 1996.
Commissioners cover range of
topics from Frontier, Perpetua
and mass gatherings
Continued from A-1
(Photo by Dan Mancuso, Illinois Valley News)
Bob Ziller presents a slide show during the the joint meeting Monday, April 25 at the
county building. Due to frustration with the service levels of Frontier’s internet and
phone service, Ziller is leading a campaign to improve service.
After
the
Frontier
presentation, many residents
focused on the proposed mass
gathering ordinance, which
would increase regulations on
mass gathering with events
having between 100 and 3,000
people. A separate proposal
concerning structure fees is
also under consideration.
Most remained calm
when asking about proposed
new restrictions that they felt
would make it more difficult
for organizations hosting
annual large events, such as the
Hope Mountain Barter Faire,
an annual event produced by
an independent nonprofit.
The
Barter
Faire
website,
www.
hopemountainbarterfaire.
org,
includes
safety
recommendations
and
requirements for guests.
Valley resident Cathy
Backstiegel said she already
Selma cleans up, shows pride
Continued from A-1
“I was from a community where the chamber was very
effective,” Bryan said. “They were proactive in getting grants
to [build] tourism, bring in businesses, create jobs and clean up.
I think there are a few reasons why that hasn’t happened here,
a culture or mind-set that people don’t want things to change or
grow. Others who moved here probably didn’t want a community
bringing in so many tourists.”
Bryan said she has seen many people spending time raising
awareness for one specific charity or nonprofit, only to ignore all
the businesses and nonprofits as a whole.
Some nonprofits have applied for grants or other funding,
but missed out on funding that could have directly benefited
received a new application for
the Barter Faire with much
more stringent requirements
in place. Yet Commissioner
Hare said the mass gathering
ordinance had not yet been
drafted.
Backstiegel
worried
that the 1,000-feet provision
could unfairly hinder the many
guests who come from outside
the area and need to camp
overnight during the three-day
event.
“We work hard to make
sure this is a safe event,”
Backstiegel said. “We want to
work with [the county]. I think
we can comply with safety and
health concerns without more
regulations.”
Valley
residents
in
support of the Barter Faire
said they wanted public input
before any new requirements
were put in place, but noted
that they would work with
the county to find common
ground.
But soon things became
heated when resident Mark
Seligman strongly questioned
Hare about the proposed
restrictions, to the point Hare
could not finish sentences. Hare
left the meeting as Seligman’s
tone escalated.
Other audience members
supporting the Barter Faire
stressed that they wanted
to work together with the
county to help the board of
commissioners understand the
Illinois Valley.
“I agree we need to
address noise complaints,”
said
resident
Mary
Birmingham. “We should look
at community standards and
establish a friendly community
dialogue.”
Other residents brought
up recent pesticide use by
Perpetua Forests Co. and
hoped commissioners would
bring up their concerns at the
state level.
Library Landscape
Work Day
Selma. Bryan said the business alliance was discussing whether
it was possible to incorporate the town of Selma for future grant
applications.
“Very little of the funding has actually gone to Selma,”
Bryan said.
But some minds may be changing; before the Selma clean-
up, business owners agreed on possible solutions, such as putting
out signs along Hwy 199 to let people know what’s available.
In meetings, other Selma business owners shared what they
needed and how they could fill each other’s needs.
“What’s interesting is the sense of urgency businesses have
felt,” Bryan said. “There were no egos, posturing or power trips.
They understand the priority is, let’s get this community cleaned
up and help each other out.”
Please mark your calendars for
Saturday April 30th and plan
to join us as we complete the
Library Landscape. We will be
planting and spreading mulch.
Bring your favorite garden tools.
Wheel barrows, rakes and shov-
els. Wear sturdy work shoes and
gloves. Lunch will be provided,
so please RSVP to 592-3289.
Free Movie Night Sponsored by the IVLL
MAY 6TH AT THE COUNTY BUILDING
Show Times are 5:00pm & 7:00pm
Donations are welcome at the door.
Snack Bar will also be available
0501
Any questions call Shelly Davis 541-415-1718
or Karen L. 541-592-9427
Come Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
at the Official
Grand-Opening of Dos Gringos
featuring Altered States
Food & Drink Specials ALL DAY
Music begins at 6:30
0126
0494
0297
541-592-2200 • 131 N. Redwood Hwy