I love Oregon. I really do. Recently, however, I’ve found my loyalty to the Pacific Northwest being challenged at the deepest, most visceral level. That’s right, I’m a Steelers fan. It’s a lonely place to be in Seahawks country.

We initiate our young very early in Western Pennsylvania. My best friend’s formative years were spent with a life-sized replica of Chuck Noll in her room. Likewise, her son’s nursery included a replica of Joe Paterno (her husband is a Penn State alumnus) which he kissed every night at bedtime. My nephew’s preschool class is on its second week of black and gold attire, my mother wore her new black and gold silk Steelers neck scarf to usher at church last Sunday and the entire city of Pittsburgh is being festooned in their home team’s colors as I write this. So, you can imagine my inner torment when Sallie Tanzey announced that she is a Seahawks fan. Never mind that neither of us knows much about the game itself. We are fans, and therefore foes, and when the Imnaha Store and Tavern turns on the game Feb. 5, the air will be thick with tension. My sister promised to send me a Steelers flag to wave as I march in my parade of one after Pittsburgh humiliates Seattle.

This Saturday is our annual January Birthday Party at the Store and Tavern, when we’ll celebrate 38 January birthdays! It will be Kelly Clark’s actual birthday, and the party starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 9 p.m. Happy birthday everyone!

Are tensions mounting?Are Tensions Mounting Between the Roadhouse and the Tavern?

No. For all who’ve asked with concerned expressions how relations are between the two businesses, they’re just fine, thanks. Because the menus and hours are so different (the Roadhouse serves breakfast and lunch from 6 to 3; the store serves lunch and dinner, beer and groceries from 9 to 9), both cover the diverse needs of their customers, and the owners of each are friends from way back.

Here, I wish to sincerely offer my heartfelt apologies to my friend, Roadhouse co-manager Debra (California spelling: deBra) for misspelling her name in last week’s dispatch. In a characteristic moment of maniacal rage, she challenged me to a rumble outside, which I quickly and cleverly diffused by crying and running away. I honestly, truly apologize for the transgression because I have to, or she’ll hurt me.

Wildlife reportCoyotes are in heat and driving local dogs to head for the hills in the hopes of crossbreeding. A cougar crossed in front of Grant Warnock’s school bus last week down river, near the Guthries’, and another was spotted around 3 p.m. some days ago upriver.

Chucker hunters have been doing well, and our own Hunter returned last week from parts unknown, like New York.

Steeler – I mean, Steelhead – fishing has been good from Horse Creek on down, if the winds aren’t blowing.

The lights are still flickering with the wind, and power goes out arbitrarily in the canyon. Since we’ve only had electricity for roughly 50 years, we’re still working out the kinks. Sallie can remember her father, Ken Stein, hooking up some of the first power lines to neighbors’ homes when she was a little girl.

Dave and Sallie’s Secrets to Staying Young”Sallie was around then?” you ask in disbelief. She says her secret to staying young is her grandbaby, Tabby, now 3 and a towheaded, bright-eyed little pistol. Look for more tales about her in subsequent reports. Dave credits his fresh look to Blitz beer, “Because alcohol’s a preservative, y’know.” Dave faced a terrifying accelerated aging crisis when Blitz was discontinued, which was luckily averted when he switched to PBR. When conversation turns to Dave’s youthful appearance, he’s been known to say, with his trademark dry wit, “Well, I take care of myself.”

Billie Guthrie is planning to study graphic design at the Portland Art Institute in the fall. Her work is beautiful and she shows enormous promise. Good luck, Billie!

Weldon Witherrite has a brand-new, very effective hearing aid, so we can’t whisper things like “Go Steelers!” around him anymore.

See you all at the Superbowl!