Have You Been To Ellen's Lately?

Ellen in the studio

2009-03-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful visit at the studios of 88.1 The Burg, on the campus of Central Washington University, and recorded a radio commercial inviting all to come enjoy our first-ever Ellensburg Wine Festival. If you have enjoyed Brewfest, and like to taste wine, call the Chamber of Commerce NOW for tickets, as this first time out we will only be selling a limited amount, and they will go fast. 509.925.2002

Spring in Ellensburg

2009-03-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

I know it's Spring here in my town today, because the wind is blowing. That means no clouds, bright sunshine and our beautiful wind turbines spinning on the hills east of town, creating green energy!

Here's some other signs: crocuses coming up, and stunning storms moving along the north edge of our valley...

What are Ellensburgers up to in this season? Taking advantage of the options, like skiing in the morning, and fly fishing in the afternoon. Having their road and mountain bikes tuned up and getting out to stretch their legs. Lots of runners are training for the Canyon Marathon and the Whisky Dick Triathlon.

I'm getting excited for the month of May, especially becuase we have a new event this year: the Ellensburg Wine Festival! It will be held May 9th, and follows the same idea of our wildly popular Winterhop Brewfest. Thirty wineries will be represented at 8 venues, with live music and a commemorative glass!

For ticket and lodging information, call the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce at 888-925-2204. The friedly folks there will get you hooked up.

Also in May, our weekly Farmer's Market will get cranked up for the season, and every Saturday morning, I'll ride my bike downtown, visit with friends, and load my baskets with fresh, local goodies.

On your next visit, be sure to take a walk up Main Street, especially between Third and Fourth Avenues, where a host of cool new shops have appeared like the crocuses!

Winter Wrap-Up 08-09

2009-02-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

So, what else has Ellen been up to?

In September, she met Keith Lee Morris, a wonderful author who was on a book tour, reading from his new novel, "The Dart League King". Ellen got five signed copies!

Snow came to Ellensburg, along with most of Washington State, in time for a white Christmas.

New Year's Eve was celebrated at a festive house party, with good friends, good food, champagne and fireworks.

A nice winter drive in the Yakima Canyon, spotting bald eagles, big horn sheep and great blue herons. The January flood heaved up huge chunks of river ice onto the banks.

A couple weeks later, the 39th Annual Peace & Gourmet Float took place on the upper canyon of the Yakima River, with gorgeous weather and great food enjoyed al fresco. One of the best things about our valley is enjoying the outdoors, anytime of year!

The Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce and Central Washington University hosted a "Business After Hours" event, where community members had a chance to meet Jim Gaudino, new CWU President, and network with other business owners. Some lucky folks even won tickets to the "Chanticleer" performance at CWU. Here's Ellen with Mr. Gaudino and Ron Cridlebaugh of the Chamber.

The month of February was drawing to a close, and a promise of spring showed in a lovely sunset over Manastash Ridge.

Don't despair- I have returned!

2009-02-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hello, world!

Ellen is back, and having more fun in Ellensburg than ever. So much has happened in my town since my last post:

I (along with my alter-ego, Robyn Hull) was appointed to the City of Ellensburg Arts Commission last summer. The Commission is busy bolstering awareness of their existence and beefing up with some new and diverse members. This six member entity oversees funds for local arts endeavors. Recently, we have helped out after-school programs at Gallery One, the Ellensburg Film Festival, and Stage Door Dance, among others. We are also in the planning stages to recognize an Arts Treasure this year, which promises to be a great event.

One of Ellensburg's greatest assets is it's arts community. Thanks to the incredible program at Central Washington University, we have a wonderful array of artists in all genres working here, and alums across the world. Our community gallery is top-notch, with an energized board of directors and numerous volunteers who make events like the First Friday Art Walk a treat for citizens and visitors alike. Speaking of the First FridayArt Walk, one of the newest venues is Hanna Marchel The Salon, 404 N. Anderson St. Their artist for February through April is Mark Berry.

Lots of cool people visit Ellensburg. One of my favorites this past year was Keith Lee Morris, an incredible author who is originally from Northern Idaho. He gave a reading from his latest novel, "The Dart League King" at Jerrol's Book & Office Supply Co. I loved the book so much, I got autographed copies for all the guys in my family!

The New Ellen Commercial!

2008-04-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

The new commercial "Advice from Ellen", is now airing on KING-TV in the Seattle area and KREM-TV in Spokane.

Here's some pictures from our day of filming. I had my makeup done by Jessica Marchel, of Bahama Bronze on Main Street. Jessica is a model, and (lucky for me) I think some of her beauty comes through in her work. Thanks, Jessica!

In the ad, Ellen is pointing out to Western Washington folk that there seems to be a lot of bad news to escape from these days: Boeing, Starbucks, freeways, and of course, rain ("You need more Vitamin D!", she warns.)

It was great fun to film this ad. As a proud auntie, I'd like to point out the handsome young man in the photo on the desk: Theron Gilbert Hull-Walton, my 2-year-old nephew. If Oak Harbor ever needs a tourism mascot, I think Theron might fit the bill (it's in the genes!)

The ad also features a cameo by Ellensburg's own Stewart, a five-year-old who was lucky enough to win a "be in Ellen's next ad" contest. He brought his family along, so his sister was able to be a part of the shoot, as well. Despite promises of ice cream ("with sprinkles!"), I think Stewart may have been a little underwhelmed by the "cinematic process". He may be more of a method actor...

I think the ad captures a lot of what makes Ellensburg so nice to visit: blue skies, the Yakima River, friendly people. Right now is a wonderful time for wildlife viewing: bald eagles and big horn sheep in the Yakima Canyon, and elk and deer in the Upper County. I even saw two deer browsing their way through the shrubbery in front of the new Lodge at Suncadia!

If you don't catch the new ad some morning soon on TV, it will be posted at my website soon http://www.visitellen.com/

My "gym buddy" Ed

2008-04-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

At 5:00 am on almost any weekday, I can find my friend Ed Hashim working out at The Gym. Even at that early hour, we "regulars" are a lively bunch, with much good-natured teasing and camaraderie.

Ed holds a senior-class record in Washington for the bench press, and you can see his "guns" are pretty impressive!

Ellen can definitely thank Israel Valencia, owner and Angie Wing, personal trainer, for keeping her in tip-top tourism shape...you guys rock!

First Friday in Ellensburg

2008-03-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

Every First Friday in our town is Art Walk night. Downtown venues, from galleries to restaurants, salons to the funeral and tribute center feature new exhibits every month. We also have a First Friday Dance at the Moose Lodge, showcasing local bands and great acts from around the Northwest.

This Friday, my friend and I checked out a mixed artist, mixed media exhibit at the local Edward Jones office, and Colleen was especially knocked out by a painting by my mom, Sharon Hull, titled, "Cowboy Blues". I really liked the Yakima Canyon paintings by Edna Bjorge.

We walked next door and dined at the Dakota Cafe. We started with a mussel appetizer, then Colleen enjoyed the Brandied Scampi, while I had the Tortellini and Squash with Hazelnuts...mmmm!

I definitely recommend a stroll downtown on First Friday...locals will meet friends and neighbors, and visitors will meet new friends, while seeing so much of what our downtown has on offer.

My Friend Brady

2008-02-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

In December, I was glad to meet my new friend, Brady Duros, who is a student and Residence Advisor at Central Washington University, here in Ellensburg.

When Brady first came to Central, his mom Mary heard one of my radio ads, and ever since, has been teasing him about me: "Did you see Ellen today? What is Ellen up to?"

Finally, we connected, and now Brady can say, "Yes, Mom, Ellen and I had coffee!" Brady and I got together in the SUB-REC building for an espresso and a photo by the Christmas tree, which he framed for his mom.

Mary has obviously done a great job of parenting, as Brady is such a wonderful gentleman: smart, gallant and fun. He is an asset to the University and to our community.

After Christmas, I got a darling card from Brady's mom, inviting me to have lunch at her Firestation Deli, in Mill Creek, whenever I next get a chance to visit the West Side of the state.

Truly one of the best things about being Ellen is meeting cool people, like Brady!

Wow, My Own Blog!

2008-02-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I'm so excited to be able to connect with folks who know me, folks who have seen me on TV, and those who wonder, "Who the heck is Ellen from Ellensburg?"

I have had the honor of representing our cool, little town for just over six years now. In September of 2001, "Ellen" was born, with some primping, and an eight-hour photo shoot detailing Ellen enjoying all the great things our town has to offer.

I traveled to Spokane, WA that fall to shoot our first commercial, which can be viewed on the Ellen website. It shows Ellen exhaustively carting in all the equipment one might need to have fun in and around Ellensburg, then letting people know that "we're on the way to anywhere!". This is a reference to our town being located almost in the exact geographic center of Washington State, at the intersection of two major interstate highways. That "fast-motion" 30-second commercial actually took six hours of walking VERY slowly (but naturally!) back and forth with each item...which was complicated halfway through when the skis fell over!

The highlight of that day was experiencing airbrush make-up (I felt like a fender in the body shop!) and the incredible vision of seeing my teeth electronically whitened in post production.

In 2002, Ellen got some big exposure in the media when the Seattle Times travel editor came to "The Burg" to spend a day with me, and wrote about our ad campaign that involves a real-life person. He mentioned that Ellensburg would have an "Ellen" float in Seattle's famed Seafair Torchlight Parade. When our parade application was rejected, the Times was outraged, and, it being a slow media day, the story somehow became national news, with a front-page blurb in USA Today. I spent the day doing phone interviews with many radio and print outlets, and was thrilled when a representative from "The Daily Show" called from New York!

Regrettably, knowing how the "fake news" I love so much can make small-town folk look foolish, we declined.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to meet lots of people around our state, as I made appearances at various venues and trade shows. One year, we set up a booth at a nearby highway rest area, and while Seattle-area folk were headed to an Eagles concert at the Gorge Amphitheater, I handed out cold drinks and signed people up to win a float trip on the Yakima River with Ellen.

The float trip was wonderful experience, with 10 guests, and my husband, John, and my good friend Zane as boat captains and river guides. We swam, had water fights, raced and picnicked in the beautiful upper end of the Yakima River, between the Teanaway and Thorp.

In 2006, I was invited to be an ambassador for our Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering, which features cowboy music, poetry, dutch oven cooking, mounted shooting and many more activities throughout the weekend. I had the opportunity to meet Baxter Black, my favorite all-time cowboy poet (often featured on National Public Radio) and to hear artists like Wylie Gustafson. Check out the Ellen website, as this year's gathering takes place next weekend...you can still get tickets!

Three weeks ago, I worked at our Chamber of Commerce booth at the Puyallup NW Sportsmen's Show, held at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. It was a great time! I started out by shopping for cool new camouflage pants, and ended buying a beautiful, custom-made duck call for my brother-in-law, who is recently returned from serving in Iraq. In between, I met so many nice folks, those who had seen our commercials and wanted an autograph, and those who wanted to know more about Ellensburg, and the fun to be had here.

We are planning a new commercial soon, so stay tuned, as I will keep you posted on Ellen's activities and outlook on life in Ellensburg...