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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2017)
INSIDE JOHN WAMBEKE AND FRIENDS PREPARE THEIR 10TH CABIN FEVER SHOW IN JANUARY » PAGE A4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017 HermistonHerald.com $1.00 INSIDE AUTO ATTACK A UMATILLA MAN WAS STABBED IN A FRIEND’S CAR AND THEN THROWN OUT OF IT. PAGE A3 COUNCIL CONTROVERSY AN ECHO CITY COUNCILOR WAS CONFRONTED OVER A PAST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION. PAGE A8 HOMELESS HOLIDAY HERMISTON ADULTS AND YOUTH FACE HOMELESSNESS AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH PAGE A11 BY THE WAY STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS By the way: Indian buff et coming to Hermiston The former Stock- man’s Steakhouse build- ing won’t be empty for long. A combination steak- house and Indian food buf- fet is planned for the build- ing at 1530 N First St. in Hermiston. Owner Gaurav Bha- tia said the restaurant, India Steakhouse and Kitchen, should open near the beginning of January. He admitted the combina- tion of foods was unusual but said it should provide something for everyone. Bhatia also owns East- side Market in Hermis- ton. He said he has heard from many people in Hermiston that they would be interested in a local restaurant serving Indian cuisine. • • • Don’t be alarmed if you see a man in a tent on the roof of Fiesta Foods in Hermiston — it’s for a good cause. Gaudencio Felipe, sta- See BTW, Page A16 People queue in a line with their children to see Santa Claus underneath the Christmas tree at the tree-lighting festival on Thursday in Hermiston. Your guide to enjoying a Hermiston Christmas The holidays come and go so fast it can be hard to catch your breath long enough to enjoy them. As our gift to you, we’ve pro- vided a day-by-day guide with pointers for getting the most out of Christmas week without packing too much in. We’ve also asked people in the community about their own holiday traditions, which we’ve included with each entry. We hope you have a merry Christmas. 4 5 Thursday: Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas Friday: Popcorn, hot chocolate and a Christmas classic As the weather gets chilly (temperatures expected in the teens this week!) Friday is a per- fect day to settle in and enjoy a movie. We did an informal poll of Hermiston Herald Facebook users to fi nd out your favorite Christ- mas movies, and of the 20 or so mentioned, fi ve were the over- whelming favorites. Here’s a look at what’s playing in your home this week with a suggestion of which one fi ts you. • “It’s A Wonderful Life,” for the soul searcher. What bet- ter way to refl ect on the holiday spirit than with a story about a man burned out, depressed and questioning his purpose on Earth? As George Bailey (played by James Stewart) works through his personal crisis with the help of an angel, the audience is given the perspective to face their own doubts and fears and remember what’s truly important. PHOTO BY JADE MCDOWELL A drive around town to look at all the holiday lights can serve as Christmas decorations light up a a free way to keep the kids enter- yard on Southwest Seventh Street tained or an easy date night idea in Hermiston. as anticipation grows for Christ- mas Day. canes 15 times.” One of the most popular dis- If you’re looking to hit up a plays in Hermiston is at 629 East few of the more well-lit neighbor- Newport Avenue, where Denise hoods on your drive, try the High- and Bill Medlock have added land Summit neighborhood, sur- strand upon strand of light across rounding Highland Park at 134 NE trees and fences and rooftops. 13th St. A loop around the park The Medlocks hand out candy and some of the side streets reveals canes to children who come see several large houses decked from the lights with their parents, and roof to ground level in lights. last weekend Santa Claus even Next, try driving down South- made a couple of visits. west 7th Street heading south from “We’ve had 700 to 800 kids so Highland Avenue. The street fea- far,” Denise said on Friday. “I’ve tures a number of colorful houses gone to the store for more candy and several of the side streets • “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” for the cyni- cal. Everyone has a little Grinch in them sometimes, and the best way to get it out can be to revel in the mayhem. Be honest: Watch- ing the green anti-Santa sneak from house to house to ruin Who- ville’s holiday does something for you, doesn’t it? Whether it’s in the original book by Dr. Seuss or the 1966 television special or the 2000 adaptation starring Jim Car- rey, watching the Grinch’s heart swell with love is all the payoff you need. • “Elf,” for the inner child. Will Ferrell, at the height of his comic powers, brings the child- like wonder of Christmas into the ultimate fi sh out of water story. Endlessly quotable and pure of heart, this movie brings Christ- mas cheer as well as singing loud for all to hear. • “A Christmas Story,” for the nostalgic. Whether you grew up in the 1940s when it was set, the 1980s when it was released, or any other generation, the fi lm precisely describes the struggle between good and evil, played out in the mind of a boy. And of course there’s the major award, the frozen fl ag pole, the pink nightmare and many more relat- able and memorable moments that feel like they could be pieces of your own life. • “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” for the dysfunctional. If Ralphie is the kid every American can relate to, Clark Griswold might just be his future self. His drive to cre- ate a perfect holiday for his fam- ily is constantly derailed by both them, his own ineptitude and pos- branching off are also particularly well-lit this year. To liven up the tour, consider passing around Christmas cookies or peppermint bark in the car and singing carols together or listen- ing to Christmas music while you drive. For more pictures of decorated homes, see our Features on Page A15. ——— “We have the annual holiday football game. All the kids and all the adults, anyone who’s over, we go out and throw around the ball.” — Annette Kirkpatrick, Hermiston Irrigation District manager, on a favorite family Christmas tradition that plays out in their backyard. sibly the gods themselves. It’s a reminder that the chaos of Christ- mas is sometimes what it’s all about. ——— “I don’t know how it started, but on Christmas Eve we all sleep in the living room around the Christmas Tree together and then wake up together on Christmas. (My wife) Heather may have boycotted it a few times, but we’ve always done that as a family.” — Tim Beal, family ministries pastor at New Hope Community Church. He and his family also read the Jesus Storybook Bible each night from Dec. 1-25.