The Historic Balch Hotel in Beautiful, Sunny Dufur Oregon http://www.balchhotel.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:28:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Ultimate Card Workshop – March 23-24th http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/ultimate-card-workshop-march-23-24th/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/ultimate-card-workshop-march-23-24th/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:30:55 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2555 You asked for it – so here it comes!  The Ultimate Card Workshop at the beautiful Balch Hotel.  Here are the details:

March 23 & 24th, 2012 6:00 p.m. Friday March 23rd through Saturday March 24th at 5:00 p.m. Balch Hotel Class Supply Cost $45.00 if staying overnight Class Supply Cost $60.00 if not staying overnight 25% room discount the second night using secret code words: Ultimate Card Workshop

Your instructor, Tarina Holloway, is an . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Ultimate Card Workshop – March 23-24th]]> You asked for it – so here it comes!  The Ultimate Card Workshop at the beautiful Balch Hotel.  Here are the details:

March 23 & 24th, 2012
6:00 p.m. Friday March 23rd through Saturday March 24th at 5:00 p.m.
Balch Hotel
Class Supply Cost $45.00 if staying overnight
Class Supply Cost $60.00 if not staying overnight
25% room discount the second night using secret code words: Ultimate Card Workshop

Your instructor, Tarina Holloway, is an independent consultant with Close To My Heart and will fill your weekend with the latest new products and techniques.  It’s a great time to get together with your friends and enjoy a fun-packed weekend!

Be sure to ask about the Balch Supper Club dinner night on Saturday March 24th. Jamie Snell, owner of the Lamb’s Table catering, creates a dinner menu that is always a hit!

Think about how much fun you’ll have! By Sunday morning you’ll be refreshed from an amazingly comfy bed, breakfast both mornings (if you choose the two night special pricing – remember to say the secret code words!), and a scrumptious dinner. You’ll get to learn new techniques from Tarina, play with new products, create a plethora of greeting cards to fit any occasion, and create priceless memories from a super fun weekend.

So come stay-and-play at the Ultimate Card Workshop.  Space is limited, so call the hotel today to register for the class, your room, and Supper Club! 541-467-2277.

P.S. If you have NOT attended one of Tarina’s classes you need to come to this one! You won’t believe the quality and value of product you leave with after the class concludes. She always has fun special treats too! They are a surprise of course. . . .

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/ultimate-card-workshop-march-23-24th/feed/ 0 Supper Club – February 18th – Cupid’s Special Weekend! http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-february-18th-cupids-special-weekend/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-february-18th-cupids-special-weekend/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:41:56 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2542 Treat your Valentine to a weekend away at the Balch! We’ve got your action plan ready.

During your lunch Friday stop at the grocery to pick up some indoor ‘picnic’ items (I suggest wine, cheese, some cured meats, nice pita crackers, and some chocolate). Have his/her bag packed Friday after work, kid arrangements made, and meander to the Balch. Be welcomed with warm chocolate chip cookies and homemade hot chocolate. Head to your room or . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Supper Club – February 18th – Cupid’s Special Weekend!]]> Treat your Valentine to a weekend away at the Balch! We’ve got your action plan ready.

During your lunch Friday stop at the grocery to pick up some indoor ‘picnic’ items (I suggest wine, cheese, some cured meats, nice pita crackers, and some chocolate). Have his/her bag packed Friday after work, kid arrangements made, and meander to the Balch. Be welcomed with warm chocolate chip cookies and homemade hot chocolate. Head to your room or we can set a table for you to enjoy your  intimate, relaxed, indoor picnic. The evening is yours!

Wake the next morning to freshly brewed coffee from HR Coffee Company and our plated three course breakfast. Relax here at the Balch, take a drive in the sunshine, or visit that place you’ve been wanting to see (Klindt’s the oldest bookstore in Oregon? Dry Hollow Vineyards and Winery? Maryhill Winery? the Discovery Center? a hike to White River Falls?).

Saturday evening enjoy wine tasting from 5-8 with Dry Hollow vineyards. Jamie Snell, owner of the Lamb’s Table catering, has a delicious chocolate themed dinner menu for you!

True Devotion

• Arugula salad with strawberries, goat cheese and cocoa nibs. With shallot-balsamic vinaigrette.

• Beef short rib ragu braised with wine and chocolate, served over buttered fresh pasta noodles, topped with Parmesan.

• Milk chocolate panna cotta with whip cream, cocoa nibs and chocolate shards

• Bread with dinner, coffee with dessert. Substitutions available (advance notice reqd).

$29 + gratuity

Relax that evening with your love! You might even meet some other fascinating couple to chat with. Wake casually Sunday morning to that wonderful smell of freshly brewed coffee and bring a cup to your sweetie in bed. Enjoy breakfast and bask in the renewal of your time away from distractions, work, children, etc. Reconnect with your sweetheart. It’s what Valentine’s weekend at the Balch is all about! Trust me. You’ll earn brownie points for this one.

When you call to reserve your dinner and room reservations just mention the Cupid’s Special and your second night’s lodging will be shot by that Cupid bow and arrow and bleed off 25%. We want you to enjoy the whole weekend!

Call us at 541-467-2277

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-february-18th-cupids-special-weekend/feed/ 0 Artist Chris Steinken http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-chris-steinken/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-chris-steinken/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:27:59 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2529 Chris Steinken just showed his work here a the hotel and is slated to show again this summer. He and his wife are delightful! I met Chris when touring the Portland Artists Open Studio Tour. I loved the bold expressive colors he uses and also the meticulous way in which he sets up his paintings.

He begins with a photo (most are taken by him), then creates a grid map on the canvas and . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Artist Chris Steinken]]> Chris Steinken just showed his work here a the hotel and is slated to show again this summer. He and his wife are delightful! I met Chris when touring the Portland Artists Open Studio Tour. I loved the bold expressive colors he uses and also the meticulous way in which he sets up his paintings.

He begins with a photo (most are taken by him), then creates a grid map on the canvas and the photo. He replicates the photo practically to a T! In his studio he put together a tutorial for the Studio Tour to give visitors an idea of his process. We had the sample tutorial painting here and SO many people loved it! I liked it because it spoke to my inner type A personality. Four stages to create a finished painting, a representation of each of those stages, and then descriptions of each stage to boot! Great fun.

Chris took a photo of a much beloved bus used for many a bridal photo session. I think it would be perfect for a couple to have Chris paint their wedding date at the top of the bus where there is a ‘plate’. What do you think, should we buy it for a future bride and groom to fall in love with??

 ”Out Where the Buses Don’t Run.”

 

It can be seen in person (starting this weekend January 7th) at the cooperative:
Six Days Art Co-op
2724 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211  
www.sixdaysart.com

Chris’s next show is at:
Cafe Eleven
435 NE Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97211
Jan. 15 – Feb. 19 
7:30am-3:30pm M-F
8am – 3:30pm Sat-Sun

The bus painting will be at the Six Days gallery and not at the Cafe so be sure to drop by and reminisce about one of your favorite sunny places in the Columbia River Gorge - Dufur!

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-chris-steinken/feed/ 0 Artist Beth Kerschen http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-beth-kershen/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-beth-kershen/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:51:19 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2493 Everything that I have learned throughout my adult life seems to have led me to my current art. I received a bachelors in fine art from Colorado College, where I focused on photography and printmaking. After I graduated, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts. I found myself involved in graphic design; working for design firms and individual clients. I strengthened my knowledge of manipulating and arranging images for the most . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Artist Beth Kerschen]]> My Artistic Journey
Beth Kerschen

Everything that I have learned throughout my adult life seems to have led me to my current art. I received a bachelors in fine art from Colorado College, where I focused on photography and printmaking. After I graduated, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts. I found myself involved in graphic design; working for design firms and individual clients. I strengthened my knowledge of manipulating and arranging images for the most impact. I have always been drawn to the culture of cities; from the architecture to the signage and unique graffiti to the feeling of the neighborhoods. So, I continued to practice urban photography as a side interest. After 10 years designing commercial artwork for clients, I really wanted to explore and experiment with my own work. I moved to Portland, Oregon. I fell in love with Portland and began trying to document the diverse and unique neighborhoods with my photography. Though I enjoyed photographing Portland, straight up, single, full-color images were not quite capturing the culture that I was looking for. I was experimenting with creating scenes with my photography around the same time I took a Solarplate Intaglio class. I learned the technique of making etching plates from my photographs and how to run them through a press. I had come full circle; back to the printmaking I had loved in college. I knew this was the style for me.  

My Creative Process

To start, I make a trip through the area I want to capture. I shoot with a Digital SLR (Canon 5D) with a wide-angle lens so I get really high quality detail and capture the full buildings in the frame. I take lots of photos and try to walk with a heightened awareness; staying open to all this around me. I never know exactly how I will use each photograph to create my scene, but I am taking visual notes. It usually takes 2-3 photo sessions to really capture enough images to work with.

After I get home, I download the images to my computer and then start the long process of editing the photos. I pick out the buildings, people, signage, etc, that best represents the area for me. Editing individual images is necessary to remove objects that are in the way, or to make sure I have a full building  with the correct perspective. I silhouette the objects and people (basically isolating images from the background) that I want to use in my scene.
Next, I slowly compose the scene in Photoshop. I try many different iterations; seeing which objects look best together visually. I focus on scale, depth, and what should stand out. This is one of the exciting steps for me; I feel like I am solving a complex puzzle. When I am finished, the scene just works. Once I am happy with the scene, I break up the images into different sections (each for a different plate) and print out each section onto transparency film. I am now ready to make plates.

I place the transparency film on a photo-sensitive Solarplate and shine U.V. light through it. The plate is placed in water. This etches the light exposed area and leaves grooves that match the image I want to print. I then rub ink on the plate and thoroughly, but lightly wipe off the excess. I am ready to make a print by laying damp paper onto the plate and rolling both together, under pressure, through an etching press.

I print each plate on to separate pieces of paper to make sure they are all consistent. Most of my scenes contain at least 5 different plates and so I must create a registration sheet to keep the composition together.

I lie the registration sheet down on the press and build the complete scene 1-3 plates at a time (depending on how the plates overlap each other). I place the background elements first (run them through the press) and then the foreground images. The final piece can take anywhere from 2 to 5 passes through the press.

Beth’s finished products are hanging in the Balch right now! They are truly beautiful. They are the type of art that I find myself drawn into. The more I move closer to it, the more I discover. We’re excited that Beth is working on some postcards for us! This spring they are slated to be at the Balch. I met Beth at the Portland Open Artist Studio Tour – something I’ll definitely do again next year because it was so fun. I was initially drawn to her postcards, not really to the other printmaking. However, when I saw it in person I completely changed my tune. I LOVED it. You can check out her site here. She has designed a return address stamp for herself that I’ve got my eye on!

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/artist-beth-kershen/feed/ 0 NYE at the Balch! http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/nye-balch/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/nye-balch/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:03:33 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2466 We had such fun we’re doing it again this New Years Eve! Last year we had a dinner and storytelling event (fashioned off the Moth on NPR – not familiar? Click here to read about it on the official site). It was a BLAST!

December 31st, New Years! New Years Party with Mayan-inspired menu

Appetizers 6:00-7:00 Corn cakes with Habanero Jelly and Queso Fresco   Cumin-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Red Pepper-Almond Sauce

. . .
To read more, please click the link: → NYE at the Balch!]]> We had such fun we’re doing it again this New Years Eve! Last year we had a dinner and storytelling event (fashioned off the Moth on NPR – not familiar? Click here to read about it on the official site). It was a BLAST!

December 31st, New Years!

New Years Party with Mayan-inspired menu

Appetizers 6:00-7:00
Corn cakes with Habanero Jelly and Queso Fresco
 
Cumin-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Red Pepper-Almond Sauce

Flank Steak Skewers with Tomato-Papaya Salsa

Four Course Dinner 7:00-9ish
Chicken Mole Skewers with Cabbage and Jicama Slaw.

Toasted Chile, Tomato and Cod Soup with Avocado and Black Beans.

Papadzules: Corn Tortillas Stuffed with Hard-Boiled Eggs and Pumpkin Seed Paste Smothered in Mole Verde, Jack Cheese, and Pickled Onion. Served with Chop Salad.

Black-Bottom Banana Cream Pie: Chocolate Cookie Crust, Cinnamon-Chocolate Ganache, Bananas, Vanilla Bean Custard, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate Rum Sauce.

Storytelling 9:30-midnight
This year’s theme for your story is “The Final Countdown”. Stories may be up to 5 minutes in length. No notes. No do-overs! We’ll record your great story so be sure to practice, practice, PRACTICE! We’ll have 36 Guests and we can have about 10 story tellers in the bunch. The rest of us will be rapt listeners. There will be a prize for the best story told!

Midnight
Complimentary Champagne Toast with Homemade Tacos!

45- p.p. + grat.

Guest seating is limited to 36 so call to get your reservations today! 541-467-2277

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/nye-balch/feed/ 4 December 10th Supper Club! http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/december-10th-supper-club/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/december-10th-supper-club/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:49:19 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2454 • Steak and Arugula Salad with Stilton Cheese and Apple Tarragon Vinaigrette

• Smoked Trout and Clam Chowder

• Pippin Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce  served with a slice of Quicke’s Oak Smoked Cheddar from England (Jamie’s current favorite cheese!)

• Sourdough Bread and Butter Flake Rolls with dinner.

• Iced tea and coffee with dessert!

Sorry, but no substitutions on this one

. . .
To read more, please click the link: → December 10th Supper Club!]]>  The Balch Family

• Steak and Arugula Salad with Stilton Cheese and Apple Tarragon Vinaigrette

• Smoked Trout and Clam Chowder

• Pippin Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce  served with a slice of Quicke’s Oak Smoked Cheddar from England (Jamie’s current favorite cheese!)

• Sourdough Bread and Butter Flake Rolls with dinner.

• Iced tea and coffee with dessert!

Sorry, but no substitutions on this one

Call for reservations 541-467-2277

$31.00 p.p. and B.Y.O.B!

There will be one seating only at 6:00 so call right away! Be sure to check out all the fun happening in town December 10th for Home Town Christmas. Click here to see the schedule!

 

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/december-10th-supper-club/feed/ 0 Celilo Catering http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/celilo-catering/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/celilo-catering/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:07:04 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2439 Celilo Catering if one of our participating vendors in the Primp My Bride Sweepstakes. Their commitment to quality is reflected in Ben Stenn’s (executive chef) thoughts on weddings! To tantalize your tastebuds click on the link above and explore their catering site. You’ll be inspired!

What makes your business unique? I feel there are many things that set Celilo Restaurant and Celilo Catering apart, but what it boils down to is this- we have a true commitment . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Celilo Catering]]> Celilo Catering if one of our participating vendors in the Primp My Bride Sweepstakes. Their commitment to quality is reflected in Ben Stenn’s (executive chef) thoughts on weddings! To tantalize your tastebuds click on the link above and explore their catering site. You’ll be inspired!

What makes your business unique?

I feel there are many things that set Celilo Restaurant and Celilo Catering apart, but what it boils down to is this- we have a true commitment to being conscientious about everything we do. Celilo Restaurant is made of a group of food service professionals who have been in the industry for more than two decades. Many of us have been working together for over 15 years. We have been practicing and developing sustainable food purveying methods and responsible recycling and composting management for all of that time. Of course, this is the responsible way to run a business, but for us, it goes beyond marketing and strategy, this is the way that we choose to live our lives.

Share a story about one of your favorite weddings.

I feel like every wedding I work on has elements I love, but one bride always comes to mind when I look back on our events. She wore a Vera Wang dress and a pair of worn in cowboy boots. She was absolutely beautiful. I think she always comes to my mind because I feel like she summed up our philosophy, our aesthetic- simple elegance, high quality but also comfortable and real.

What’s the “special thing” that you choose to do for your customers?

I honor them. A wedding is an event that happens over the course of one day, but preparing and planning for a wedding is a process that takes place over months, or even years. A bride and groom and their families deserve to be honored throughout this process. I do my best to make their entire planning experience something to be enjoyed and respected. It is a personal goal of mine to make my client’s weddings as stress free as possible so that they can truly revel in their day. They should feel like newlyweds well before and well after their actual wedding day.

Based on your experience as a wedding vendor, what’s the one piece of advice you wish you could share with every bride?

Relax. A wedding requires a lot of pre planning and involves many details, but a great celebration happens when the hosts and those around them are truly having a good time.

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/celilo-catering/feed/ 0 This Weekend Special! http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/weekend-special/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/weekend-special/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:51:27 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2424 This is the last weekend we’re open for November AND tomorrow is Samantha’s 42nd birthday. So, we decided November needed something special!

This Friday, November 18th, and Saturday, November 19th, ANY room you like is 42% off.

Just call the hotel at 541-467-2277 and say “Happy Birthday”!

Guys, this is a great gift for you to give to your sweetie. She will love that you thought of giving her . . .
To read more, please click the link: → This Weekend Special!]]> This is the last weekend we’re open for November AND tomorrow is Samantha’s 42nd birthday. So, we decided November needed something special!

This Friday, November 18th, and Saturday, November 19th,
ANY room you like is 42% off.

Just call the hotel at 541-467-2277 and say “Happy Birthday”!

Guys, this is a great gift for you to give to your sweetie. She will love that you thought of giving her some time just with you (or girlfriends, or by herself!) before the big holiday rush. It’s important to relax a little. Come on and enjoy the hot chocolate and cookies!

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/weekend-special/feed/ 0 Supper Club – November 12th http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-november-12th/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-november-12th/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:32:36 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=2397 Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Cream of tomato-orange soup with a grilled fontina cheese sandwich.

Pork Chops and Applesauce 1/2 rack of pork baby back ribs with apple cider sauce, served with smashed red potatoes, sour cream and green onions.

Ding Dong Homemade chocolate buttermilk cake with marshmallow filling, iced with bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Sourdough baguette and butter served with dinner.

. . .
To read more, please click the link: → Supper Club – November 12th]]> November 12th, 2011

 ’The Brady Bunch’

  • Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
    Cream of tomato-orange soup with a grilled fontina cheese sandwich.

  • Pork Chops and Applesauce
    1/2 rack of pork baby back ribs with apple cider sauce, served with smashed red potatoes, sour cream and green onions.

  • Ding Dong
    Homemade chocolate buttermilk cake with marshmallow filling, iced with bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Sourdough baguette and butter served with dinner.

Iced tea with dinner and coffee with dessert.
 

Sorry, but no substitutions on this one

Call for reservations 541-467-2277

$29.00 p.p. and B.Y.O.B! 

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/general/supper-club-november-12th/feed/ 2 Bridal Tips from Columbia Laser Skin Center! http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/weddings/beauty-skin-columbia-gorge-wedding-photos/ http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/weddings/beauty-skin-columbia-gorge-wedding-photos/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:13:59 +0000 Samantha http://www.balchhotel.com/?p=1962 We know this list is only a tiny representation of what is on a Bride’s To Do list. As skincare experts we have seen over the years of working with brides that they put themselves (and their skin) last on the list – if at all.

We see it every year, a panic-stricken bride a week before her big day desperate for picture perfect skin. Yes, makeup can . . .
To read more, please click the link: → Bridal Tips from Columbia Laser Skin Center!]]> Wedding Venue…..check
Florist…..check
Caterer…..check
Photographer…..check
Dress….check
Honeymoon…..check

We know this list is only a tiny representation of what is on a Bride’s To Do list. As skincare experts we have seen over the years of working with brides that they put themselves (and their skin) last on the list – if at all.

We see it every year, a panic-stricken bride a week before her big day desperate for picture perfect skin. Yes, makeup can camouflage a lot. However, our philosophy is to start with healthy, radiant skin so that the makeup enhances your natural beauty rather than cover up what you are trying to hide.

Picture perfect skin should start a year before your wedding. To help our brides we, at Columbia Laser Skin Center, have created a time line to get you ready for your big day. (This time line is also perfect for the Mother of the Bride who may be experiencing some angst over having to face an ex-husband’s new partner at the up-coming wedding. Even though we know the Mother of the Bride is focused on graciously supporting her daughter during the planning process and on the big day, let’s be honest – mom wants to look smokin’!) 

Six-twelve months before the wedding:

□ Complimentary consultation with skin care specialist.

Begin Treatments For: • Acne • Rosacea • Sun damaged skin • Excess brown pigment (melasma, sun & age spots) • Laser hair removal • Skin tightening procedures (Titan)

Four months before the wedding:

□ First Botox treatment to relax those fine lines and wrinkles

□ Laser facial and leg vein treatments

□ Begin Latisse treatment for longer, darker & thicker lashes

Two-Three Months Before The Wedding:

□ Juvederm: fills deep lines & wrinkles; enhances lip volume; corrects under eye circles

□ Begin series of 6 facials (includes microdermabrasion & chemical peels)

□ Brow wax, shape and tint

One Month Before The Wedding:

□ Pre-wedding Botox treatment

Two Weeks Before The Wedding:

□ Pre-wedding facial

Three- Four Days Before The Wedding:

□ Book final waxing and/or tint appointment

□ Massage and body polish

One-Two Days Before The Wedding:

□ NovaLash Lash Extensions

□ Mystic Spray-On Tan

Day After Your Wedding:

□ Relaxing couples massage for the Bride & Groom at the Balch!

Columbia Laser Skin Center is one of our fantastic Vendors participating in the Primp My Bride Sweepstakes. Be sure you enter on Facebook for your opportunity to win!

]]> http://www.balchhotel.com/blog/weddings/beauty-skin-columbia-gorge-wedding-photos/feed/ 0