By Stacy Swenson
Tiffany Fawn Walker will have her photography featured Feb. 10-March 9 at Guerra’s Coffee Company, 1829 S. 1st St Number B in Sunnyside. An artist reception will be held at Guerra’s on Feb. 10 from 5-9 p.m.
Tiffany was born and raised on the Satus. Her parents are Kevin and Pamela Walker and she has two brothers Kevin and Ryan. “God and my family are the two things I attribute my talent and any success to, “Walker said.

By Stacy Swenson
As a horse drawn carriage leaves the Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah, family and friends pull in behind it for the short ride to the Zillah cemetery. One family member comments, “He was a wonderful man and deserves this fitting tribute with the horses and carriage.” This is exactly why David Humpherys Jr., a third generation funeral director, had a carriage custom built.
“I thought the horses and carriage would be a way to give something back to the communities we serve. It’s something special we have available when families come in to make funeral arrangements, Humpherys explained. “The cost of the carriage is included in packages we offer, it’s not an added fee. It is available at our three locations, Yakima, Zillah and Sunnyside.”

By Bethany Carpenter
Director Toppenish Chamber of Commerce/Toppenish Mural Society

Get to know one of the Chamber’s newest board members Derrick Yu.

-Where do you work and what is your job title?
I work at Toppenish Community Hospital as the hospital’s administrator

-How long have you worked in Toppenish?
About one year

-Where did you move here from?
New Mexico

-What are some of your hobbies and things you enjoy?
I read a lot. I also enjoy cooking and creating new recipes.

-Why did you decide to join the Toppenish Chamber?
I am very interested in the economic development of Toppenish and the growth of small businesses. As a Chamber board member, I would like to see local business leaders come together to plan and encourage growth.

 -What do you like most about Toppenish?
The people of course! The valley is beautiful. The weather is great. But the people are kind, generous and most considerate.

-What would you like to see the Chamber accomplish in this new year?
I would like to see more local business join the Chamber. I am surprised that several large local businesses are not yet Chamber members. To me this is discouraging because the Chamber does a great job in promoting the community and local businesses to all who visit or live here. 

By Adam Smith
Toppenish City Councilman Zachary Dorr is a natural leader. He is an idealist. He is an altruist. Although some of these attributes might be due to his 26 year old age and the possibilities of his very bright political future, he clearly holds fast to the notion that he is a realist and knows how to take on issues large and small, all important to the constituents of his community.

A group of MLK Peace March supporters hold up their sign as they head downtown.

By Joe Hampton
On Monday, a group of around 100 people got together and bundled up for the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March in Toppenish.  The walk started around 10:30 a.m. as supporters of all ages lined up in the Market Place parking lot before they started the trek toward downtown Toppenish, ending at the high school.

You could sense the support and feel the pride among the group for MLK as they waved a plethora of signs covered in pictures and quotes from Martin Luther King. 

The group was guided through town by police patrol cars, and they were not to hard to recognize as the Top-High marching band played a tune to the number of flags leading the way.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout on such a cold day.

The march ended at Toppenish Middle School, where there was a presentation to honor King’s legacy and vision.

Carlos Olivares of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic was the keynote speaker, and there were performances by Toppenish school district students.

By Stacy Swenson
Driving along the dirt roads crisscrossing the Yakama Nation reservation one thing becomes apparent, small groups of feral horses are everywhere. They cross the road in front of our vehicle, hard hooves pounding the bare dirt, kicking up tufts of dust as the ground underneath them vibrates in applause. On the ridges above us they stand at alert, ready to flee, driven by their distinctive prey animal instinct to take flight when a scan of the horizon alerts them to possible danger.

An estimated 12,000 plus feral horses roam on Yakama Nation land which is ill-equipped to support their growing numbers. A quick scan of the terrain paints a picture of land decimated by overgrazing. The overpopulation has grown to epic proportions and is one that needs attention now before it’s too late for the horses, the land, the fish and the other wildlife that share a fragile eco-system.

Uncharacteristic weather so far this winter has kept the snow at bay in the valley. This snow was found on White Pass New Year’s Day. Stacy Swenson photo

By Stacy Swenson
Let’s take a look at the stories that shaped our communities in 2011.

The White Swan fire in February destroyed 14 homes as crews battled flames urged on by 50-60 mph winds. It also brought out agencies and volunteers who quickly mobilized to assist the displaced homeowners. Fundraisers were held and donations accepted to help those who lost everything. In December, some of the families were able to move into new homes in a new trailer park close to the school. The Yakama Nation will continue it’s efforts to get all displaced families into homes. New single-wide mobile homes, 21 in all, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be placed at the park. They are fully finished.

In April 17 year-old Gaby Rodriguez made national headlines by faking a pregnancy for over six months as part of her senior project at Top-hi. She titled the project “Stereotypes, Rumors and Statistics.” Her goal was to collect data on criticism teen moms receive. A film titled “The Pregnancy Project” will make its world premiere on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 8 p.m on the Lifetime channel. Rodriguez appeared on the Today show and has book deal with Simon & Schuster Young Readers.

By Stacy Swenson
When Michael Rocha was growing up in Toppenish someone he knew opened his eyes to life outside the geographic confines of the lower valley. His parents were farm workers and Rocha wanted to find a career that would bring meaning to his life. The Toppenish High School graduate moved from this area and worked as a motivational speaker. His message was enhanced by illusions he performed during his presentations.

The Toppenish area was always on his mind so four years ago Rocha returned to the valley. He saw the continuing need to help kids and adults succeed and began working to pay-forward the support he had received as a young man.

One corner of a room filled with toys waiting to be bagged and delivered by DCFS workers to area foster children. Many of the items were donated by Toppenish residents.

By Stacy Swenson
Tables filled with toys ready to be distributed to area foster kids was the culmination of weeks of hard work and the generosity of the Toppenish community. The Review Independent sincerely thanks all of you that brought in a gift or gave money to buy toys for the kids.

The Toppenish and surrounding communities have once again come through in a big way to lend assistance for those less fortunate.

The party held for the kids last week was a wondrous sight as kids of all ages played games, collected prizes, visited with Santa and enjoyed a great meal. It’s hard to be away from family during the holidays but the foster parents work hard to assure their kids have a Merry Christmas.

Hats off to the DCFS workers who spent many hours shopping for gifts and gathering donations.