Valentine ’ s Day Tea at PORT OF PLAY
F rid a y, F eb . 12th, 2016
11:00 a .m . - 12:30 p.m .
GRAB BAG book shelf • glimpse • wildlife • q&a
$10.00 per cou ple!
Ca ll (503) 325-8669 to register, or visit
w w w .a storia pa rk s.com
Father/Daughter Valentine ’ s Day Dance
Sa turd a y, F eb . 13th, 2016
5:30 p.m . - 7:30 p.m .
Pre-registra tion is stron gly en coura ged!
$20.00 per cou ple an d $10.00 for addition al child.
Ca ll (503) 325-7275 to register, or visit
w w w .a storia pa rk s.com
Photo by Matt Love
Rod’s Lamplighter in Seaview, Washington, is old, spacious and comfortable.
A G LIMPSE I NSIDE
An occasional feature by MATT LOVE
Rod’s Lamplighter
I walked into the lounge
of Rod’s Lamplighter in
Seaview, Washington, and
couldn’t believe its spa-
ciousness. Booths, tables,
dart board, machines,
games — this place is truly
huge.
At the bar, two locals
discussed firewood, am-
putations and Alzheimer’s.
A ridiculous game show with
young men wearing tank tops
and young women wearing
cheerleading outfits played on
television. What ever happened
to Gene Rayburn, “The Match
Game” and boozy double en-
tendres? Where have you gone
Paul Lynde, our nation turns its
lonely eyes to you?
“How old is this place?” I
COLUMBIA BAR
Absinthe Afternoon
By RYAN HUME
I wasn’t the only one to stop by Pilot
House Spirits’ Astoria tasting room the last
Saturday in January. This was immediately
following news that the local, award-
ing-winning distillery, known
for producing popular brands
Bar Pilot Vodka and Uncle
Scary’s Moonshine, was being
sued for trademark infringe-
ment for the second time in
as many years.
Beginning as North Coast
Distillery in 2013, owner Larry
Cary was forced to adopt the
Pilot House moniker in 2015
following a trademark challenge from the
North Coast Brewery in Eureka, California,
only to find himself facing similar heat from
Portland’s House Spirits Distillery, makers of
Aviation Gin and Oregon’s largest craft distill-
ery, a year later.
This time Cary has decided to fight the
allegation in court. People were stopping
by in droves to offer an encouraging word,
an opinion, and, of course, to pick up a few
bottles of handcrafted booze.
Cary expressed how much he appreciat-
ed the outpouring of support
from the community and
offered up a cocktail recipe
featuring two of his popular
spirits: Painted Lady Gin, a
floral-forward English-style
gin named in honor of Asto-
ria’s many historic Victorians,
and his newest concoction,
the award-winning Columbia
Absinthe Verte — a real-deal
absinthe, 140 proof, led by wormwood, an-
ise and fennel.
Thanks to the extra punch of lav-
ender and chamomile and the other
botanicals lurking in the Painted Lady,
this cocktail — dubbed the Absinthe
asked the bartender.
“Very old,” she relied.
Enough said. What else
do you need to know?
I ordered a fish sandwich
with tater tots even though
it was Taco Tuesday. I also
ordered a Buoy Beer cream
ale to wash down my lunch.
Around me, everything
moved slowly, in mono, and
I like it that way. Quietude is
good for the soul and mind.
I thought to myself: I
don’t spend enough time on
the Long Beach Peninsula.
There is much to investi-
gate in the area, such as the
sign I passed on the drive to
Ocean Park that read, “Goat
paintings” or “Painting by
goats.” I can’t remember
which. It doesn’t matter.
Either way, there’s a great
story there. I have a feeling
many great stories lurk in
this part of Washington.
I’ve got to get out of Or-
egon a bit more often.
Matt Love is the author/editor
of 14 books about Oregon.
Afternoon — runs its herbs all over the
palette and closely resembles an ab-
sinthe martini drink called the Absinthe
Minded, minus the splash of dry ver-
mouth. Though, who needs vermouth
at the party when you are dancing with
the green fairy and the Painted Lady? In
the afternoon no less?
Ingredients
3 parts Painted Lady Gin
1 part Columbia Absinthe
Verte
1 part Grand Marnier
Ice
Orange wheel for garnish
Directions
Pour the gin, absinthe and
liqueur over ice into a cocktail
shaker and shake until cold.
Strain into a chilled martini
glass and garnish with the
orange wheel.
—Recipe courtesy of Larry Cary, owner
of Pilot House Distillery, with tasting rooms in
both Astoria and Seaside
February 11, 2016 | coastweekend.com | 23