http://couv.com Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:49:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. http://couv.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://couv.com/category/lifestyles/people http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/maestro-hector-garcias-inspiring-story http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/maestro-hector-garcias-inspiring-story#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 18:24:32 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=21721 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/maestro-hector-garcias-inspiring-story/feed 0 cuba,Garcia,Guitarist,Hector,Maestro,performance,Vancouver,veterans Cuban classical guitarist has deep appreciation for liberty after 2 years in a Cuba prison. Cuban classical guitarist has deep appreciation for liberty after 2 years in a Cuba prison. Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 5:23 http://couv.com/programs/originals/bill-turlay-on-city-council http://couv.com/programs/originals/bill-turlay-on-city-council#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:52:25 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=15080 http://couv.com/programs/originals/bill-turlay-on-city-council/feed 0 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:01:00 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12770 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,romelia alvarado,venezuela In the last of 10 features on Christmas around the world we visit Venezuela with Romelia Alvarado. - Romelia Alvarado: In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by El Niño Jesus (Baby Jesu... In the last of 10 features on Christmas around the world we visit Venezuela with Romelia Alvarado. Romelia Alvarado: In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by El Niño Jesus (Baby Jesus) instead of Papá Noél (Santa Claus). The unofficial start of the Christmas festivities is after the celebrations of Feria de la Chinita, second half of November. The origin of this festival is the celebration of the Virgin Mary of Chiquinquirá, when various religious activities, processions, and music in the typical Gaita style take place to honor La Chinita, (nickname of this Virgin). This event takes place in the Zulia Region, specifically in Maracaibo, the regional capital. After this, other cities join in the festivities and many activities take place including musical events and firework displays. In many cities, small rural towns and neighborhoods get together for the patinatas night festivals where children go and play with skateboards, roller blades and bicycles. These events are usually sponsored by the local church, where neighbors organize themselves and sell typical Christmas food, hot chocolate, hallaca, cookies, etc. Also, still in some neighborhoods there is the Parranda where people go from one house to house with music and Christmas songs. The singers stops at neighbors' houses to get some food and drinks. In the Venezuelan Andes there is the same tradition of this kind of event, but residents there carry an image of Baby Jesus called Paradura del Niño. Children write request letters to Baby Jesus. The presents are sent by Baby Jesus at midnight, and most people have a party, which goes on until sunrise. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Romelia Alvarado Merry Christmas, from the staff at COUV.COM! Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:24 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:30:04 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12383 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,norway Christmas Around the World is a ten-part series. This audio podcast on Norway is narrated by Ed Stortro, who created this series. His father grew up in Norway and immigrated to Canada and the U.S. Ed Stortro was born in Vancouver, Canada, Christmas Around the World is a ten-part series. This audio podcast on Norway is narrated by Ed Stortro, who created this series. His father grew up in Norway and immigrated to Canada and the U.S. Ed Stortro was born in Vancouver, Canada, and has lived in the States since he was five. Ed Stortro: According to tradition, church bells are heard chiming in all the cities of Norway calling the people to church at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when celebrations begin. Many weeks before, the familes are busy making gifts for Christmas and preparing food to be stored against the long winter. Cheese and sausages are made. Breads and animal-shaped cookies are baked. Little colored candles for the tree are finished, and the lutefisk is ready. One of the most charming customs of Norway is the remembrance of the animals and birds, since they were the only ones present at the birth of the Holy Babe. The farm beasts are carefully tended, and the cattle are given extra fodder. But the most beautiful of all the customs is saved for the birds. The especially gleaned sheaf, saved from the fall harvest, is placed on top of a tall pole in the yard – and on Christmas morning, every gable, gateway and barn door is decorated with a bundle of grain – the birds’ Christmas dinner. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription and voice over by Ed Stortro Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 2:20 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:03:19 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12369 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,France,nate foreman,nathan foreman Christmas in France is celebrated mainly in a religious manner, though secular ways of celebrating the occasion also exist, such as Christmas fairs, decorations and carols. Nate Foreman shares about Christmas in France. Christmas in France is celebrated mainly in a religious manner, though secular ways of celebrating the occasion also exist, such as Christmas fairs, decorations and carols. Nate Foreman shares about Christmas in France. Children do not hang Christmas stockings but put their shoes by the fireplace so Père Noël, Father Christmas or Santa Claus, as you might say, can give them gifts Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:52 http://couv.com/programs/wilma-doane http://couv.com/programs/wilma-doane#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:30:12 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12808 http://couv.com/programs/wilma-doane/feed 0 audio,book talk,carol doane,kailynn doane,ken doane,kindle,memoire,wilma doane Book Talk: Wilma Doane podcast Wilma Doane, a resident of Ridgefield, is an avid book lover. She reads two to three books a week and makes a point to indulge in “cheap entertainment,” buying a hardback book when it includes an event with the author. - Book Talk: Wilma Doane podcast Wilma Doane, a resident of Ridgefield, is an avid book lover. She reads two to three books a week and makes a point to indulge in “cheap entertainment,” buying a hardback book when it includes an event with the author. Last year, she received a Kindle for Christmas. She hasn’t completely warmed to the concept of electronic books, saying that it’s not that “easy to share books in the same way it is when you can hand off a paperbook or a hardback.” She also laments the difficulty of knowing how close you are to the end of a good book. But she laughs at her transition between the paper and electronic world. "When I first started using it (the Kindle), I found myself getting my hand ready to turn the page.” After reading all those books, Doane noticed a trend in authors that she appreciates, combining research of current events to create suspense novels. One of her recent favorites underscored the unsupervised, yet federally funded, wind farms in Wyoming. “The mystery was woven around all this very relevant, current information, which makes those kind of books interesting to read, besides the mystery [and] wondering what will happen at the end.” Doane wouldn’t call herself a writer, but during her career as an escrow officer in the title insurance industry she had plenty of opportunity to write. Her development of the company’s first escrow manual became an important training resource. “When I worked, a lot of my writing was technical writing – writing something so somebody else could understand about something.” Outside of work, her writing was more inward focused. “When you have something that's troubling you, if you can write it out, it's very therapeutic.” While Doane says she never thought about writing a book, she did compile a spiral-bound notebook of her life’s journey and shared her memoir with family members as a holiday present. Today, Wilma Doane is retired and loves the freedom of not having deadlines, she says, "Except the ones I create for myself.”     A podcast of our interview with Wilma Doane is at the top of this post. Book Talk is new audio program from COUV.COM. It’s a conversation about books and people who love them. COUV.COM asks: Has anyone in your family written a memoir? Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:37 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:40:32 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12351 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,Germany,igor schlidt Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast on Germany is narrated by Igor Schlidt. Igor Schlidt grew up in Paderborn, which is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Today, he lives with his wife in Vancouver. Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast on Germany is narrated by Igor Schlidt. Igor Schlidt grew up in Paderborn, which is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Today, he lives with his wife in Vancouver. Igor Schlidt: In Germany, Christmas traditions vary by region. On Saint Nicholas' Day, the 6th of December, Saint Nicholas puts goodies in children's shoes. Sometimes, St. Nicholas visits children in kindergartens, schools or at public events. They have to recite a short poem or sing a song in order to get sweets or a small gift. The actual Christmas gift-giving (Bescherung) usually takes place on Christmas Eve. This tradition first began with the Reformation. Gifts may be brought by the Weihnachtsmann, (Christmas man), who resembles either St. Nicholas or the American Santa Claus, or by Christkindl. The children often stay up as late as they like, often till the early hours of the morning. The Christmas Tree is first put up and decorated on the morning of the 24th. The gifts are then placed under the tree. Often after Christmas Vespers in the church and an evening meal, the father usually goes into the room where the tree is standing, lights the candles and rings a little bell. It is still a custom to sing Christmas songs around the tree before opening up the presents. The feast either takes place at supper on Christmas Eve or on the first day of Christmas. Carp is eaten in many parts of the country. Potato salad with frankfurter or wiener sausages is popular in some families. In all parts of Germany you find a wide variety of Christmas cookies baked according to recipes typical for the family. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Igor Schlidt Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:11 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-ukraine http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-ukraine#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:00:25 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12326 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-ukraine/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,konstantine goldinov,ukraine Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Konstantine Goldinov. Goldinov spent the first 15 years of his life in Kazakhstan, then moved to the U.S. He now lives in Vancouver. - Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Konstantine Goldinov. Goldinov spent the first 15 years of his life in Kazakhstan, then moved to the U.S. He now lives in Vancouver. Konstantine Goldinov: Sviata Vecheria or "Holy Supper" is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes, and takes place in most parts of the country on 6 January. In Western Ukraine, especially in Carpathian Ruthenia, due to historical multi-culturism, Christmas can be observed twice — on 25th of December and 7th of January. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vechera may begin. In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat, called the didukh, which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. A prayer is said and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting, Chrystos rodyvsya!, which is translated to "Christ is born!" -- which is answered by the family with Slavite Yoho!, which means "Let us glorify him!" In some families the Old Slavic form Сhrystos rozhdayetsya! is used. At the end of the Sviata Vechera the family often sings Ukrainian Christmas Carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churches calling at homes and collecting donations. Traditionally, Christmas Day opens for Ukrainian families with attendance at churches. Ukrainian Churches offer services starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as many traditions connected with it as Sviata Vechera. The old tradition in Ukraine of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date. In Ukraine, at Christmas Eve when everyone is at the table, angels bring presents which they leave near the Christmas tree. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Konstantine Goldinov Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:41 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:35:04 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12317 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,russia,tanya ivanov,tatyana ivanov Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Tatyana (Tanya) Ivanov. Tanya Ivanov was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the U.S. when she was five. She now lives in Vancouver. - Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Tatyana (Tanya) Ivanov. Tanya Ivanov was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the U.S. when she was five. She now lives in Vancouver. Tanya Ivanov: As in other Eastern Orthodox countries, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. Unlike its Western counterparts, Christmas is mainly a religious event in Russia. On Christmas Eve, 6 January, there are several long services, including the Royal Hours and Vespers combined with the Divine Liturgy. The family will then return home for the traditional Christmas Eve "Holy Supper," which consists of 12 dishes, one to honor each of the Twelve Apostles.   Devout families will then return to church for the всеночная, All Night Vigil. Then again, on Christmas Morning, for the заутренняя, Divine Liturgy of the Nativity. The tradition of celebrating Christmas has been revived since 1992, after decades of suppression by the Communist government. Christmas is now a national holiday in Russia, as part of the ten-day holiday at the start of every new year. While Christmas is increasingly important, many Russians continue to focus on the New Year's celebration. During the Soviet period, religious celebrations were discouraged. However, a number of Russian Christmas traditions were kept alive by shifting them to the secular New Year celebration. These include the decoration of a tree, or yolka, festive decorations and family gatherings, the visit by gift-giving Дед Мороз, Grandfather Frost, and his granddaughter, Снегурочка, The Snowmaiden. Many of these were brought to Russia by Peter the Great after his Western travels in the late 17th century. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Tanya Ivanov Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 2:50 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:15 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12271 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia/feed 0 audio,christmas,Columbia,ed stortro,romelia alvarado Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Romelia Alvarado. She lived seven years in Guatemala with her missionary parents before moving to Louisville, Ky. Today, she works in Vancouver but returns often to visit... Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Romelia Alvarado. She lived seven years in Guatemala with her missionary parents before moving to Louisville, Ky. Today, she works in Vancouver but returns often to visit her family in Kentucky. Romelia Alvarado: Columbia. Christmas is a public holiday in Colombia and is primarily a religious celebration. Presents are brought by El Niño Jesus or Niño Dios which means Baby Jesus instead of Papá Noél (Father Christmas), whose gift giving role has been downplayed some by the Church. However, Santa Claus is still an important Christmas figure, as Santa decorations are common, and Santa can be seen posing for pictures at shopping malls. While Christmas decorations may be put up as early as the beginning of November, the unofficial start of Colombian Christmas festivities takes place on December 7, Día de las Velitas, or "Day of the Candles." At night, the streets, sidewalks, balconies, porches, and driveways are decorated with candles and paper lanterns, which illuminate cities and towns in a yellow glow to honor the Immaculate Conception on the following day, December 8. In many cities, and even in small rural towns, neighborhoods get together and decorate their whole neighborhood or street, turning streets into virtual "tunnels of light." Activities such as musical events and firework displays are planned by cities and held during this time. Individually launched fireworks were a common item during the Christmas season in Columbia. December 16 is the first day of the Christmas Novena, a devotion consisting of prayer said on nine successive days, the last one held on Christmas Eve. The Novena is promoted by the Catholic Church as a staple of Christmas, and is very similar to the posadas celebrated in Mexico. It is a call for an understanding of the religious meaning of Christmas, and a way to counter the commercialism of the Christmas season. Individual traditions concerning the Novena may vary, but most families set up a pesebre (manger scene), sing religious Christmas carols called villancicos accompanied by tambourines, bells, and other simple percussion instruments, and read verses from the Bible, as well as an interpretation which may change from year to year. Novenas serve as beautiful religious gatherings as well as learning environments for young children since kids have a central and active role in the celebration of the Novenas They read prayers, sing, and play instruments guided by their family. From December 16 to 18, games called aguinaldos are played after having made a "pinky promise" deciding the prize for the winner and the punishment for the loser. The games include Hablar y no contestar (Give but don't receive), Pajita en boca (Straw in the mouth), Tres pies (Three feet), Beso robado (Stolen kisses), and Si y al no (Yes or no). Churches offer dawn and nightly masses during the nine days of the Novena, culminating with the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) on Christmas Eve at midnight. Christmas Eve is the most important day of Christmas in Colombia. Families and friends get together to pray the last Novena and wait until midnight to open the presents. Parties are held until sunrise on Christmas Day. Kids stay up late playing with their new presents, and fireworks fill the skies. Families gather around meals, music, and singing. Because Christmas Eve is the most important day, little occurs on December 25. Families join Christmas Day mass although it is not nearly as festive as Christmas Eve. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Romelia Alvarado Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 4:16