We are OBSESSED with the Longview Grocery Outlet, AND it's owners- Mike and Michelle Casanover.

This episode we discuss the history of Grocery Outlet... the many iterations of the back room (who else remembers being dropped off in there to watch a movie while your mom shopped??), AND how the store went from being just "Canned Foods" to a place were you can get great deals on all of your groceries.

The business model make sense, the savings are real, and the family atmosphere that Mike and Michelle bring to the store is something to be celebrated.

Who knew talking about affordable groceries would be so fun?

Thank you to our sponsors, Jo Jo + Co Co Boutique, Woodford Commercial Real Estate, and the Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbie Graves, your Hometown Lender

Sometimes, when you love craft beer enough... you get approached to start a Beer Fest!

At least that's the story behind Marc Silva and Longview's Crafted Beer Fest. And Marc got even luckier when his fellow Rotarian, and member of the Longivew Rotarty (Noon Edition), Rondell Simon-Felix agreed to do the Crafted Podcast with him.

This year's Crafted Beer Fest is on August 16th, with options from FORTY breweries and while you're there, you can enjoy another of our Local Rotary's events- SQUIRRELFEST 2025, all at the Longview Civic Circle.

Listen to our full episode to hear about the birth of the beer fest, the inception of the Crafted Podcast, and how you can listen to their episode online OR in person at J Squared Barrel House.

Make sure you follow along on their socials to get updates on this year's festival and upcoming podcast episodes.

Thank you to our sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

1:30- I’ve Got a Guy

2:20- Podcasting

7:47- Crafted Beginnings

11:09- Rotary

16:50- Crafted + Squirrel Fest

25:57- Be in the Live Studio Audience

28:50- Exciting Things in this Year’s Crafted

32:31- Marc and Rondell's Hidden Gems

Introducing you to the "Men behind the Mall!"

Bob Davis and Eric Pucci are the new owners of the Three Rivers Crossing in Kelso.

They've introduced a new name, are bringing in a new look and have infused a new energy in the hopes of creating a Lifestyle Center that members of our community can use and enjoy.

In the episode we talk about their passion for the project, community excitement and their plans to highlight local businesses while also brining in the National Brands you want.

And of course, we couldn't let these two proven entrepreneurs come on the podcast without asking for some business advice!

Curious about what is happening at The Crossing? This is the episode to watch.

Thank you to our sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, you SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

00:00 - Intro

04:00 - The Nostalgia!

07:50 - Rumor Has It...

13:07 - Precisely 168 Days

16:00 - Sometimes, it's the little things

23:00 - Calling Local Entrepreneurs

28:50 - The Climb

35:00 - Why buy a WHOLE mall?!

38:18 - Be Tenacious

40:45 - Ringing Mr. Mackler

45:05 - We are Listening & Taking Notes

Good News! You no longer need to drive your kids to Vancouver for private basketball training or fast pitch lessons because Kyle and Rae Randall have opened Longview's very own Athletic Facility and have big plans for increased offerings as they grow.

Kyle and Rae both played sports at the College Level and have the passion and know-how to put it all together for your kids, while also keeping what matters most in mind- developing on and off the court.

We talked about their process of deciding to open the facility, how they came to find their location, and their offerings, like their STARS (Striving Together to Achieve Results and Success) Basketball Program.

Do you want to see what GAME Winner's is up to? Download their app- GAME Winner Athletic Facility on the app store, and make sure you follow along with them on their socials.

Thank you to our Sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Hello!

:53- "I've got a guy" Segment

1:42- Game Winner Intro

3:55- Facility Talk

10:53- Potential Mascots?

11:40- GAME Winner Training Opportunities

15:05 - Current Teams

17:48- Developmental Philosophy

19:41- A Local Option for Training and AAU Game Play

23:45- Plans for the Future

26:13- How to Follow Along

The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market is a CONSUMABLE market, with 80% of their 40-45 weekly vendors selling consumable products... produce, baked goods, garden starts, home-made soaps and hot foods..... hot sauces..and more!

Food tastes better when you know where it came from, so after listening to our episode with Laurie Kochis, Market Manager (and vendor of the ever-popular Homer Bread), you may find yourself subbing out the store for the market for your pantry staples.

We touched on the history of the market, what it takes to become a vendor, how the market has formed a community and why it's important to be in-touch with where your food comes from.

The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market has been serving our area since the 70s, its time you check them out!

Market Hours-

Saturdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cowlitz County Fairgrounds

Tuesdays 12 PM - 6:00 PM at 15th & Broadway in Longview

https://www.cowlitzfarmersmarket.com/

0:00- Intro

2:42- Consumable Market

5:04- Produce Seasonality

12:11- Non-Profit Community Booth

14:53- How to Get a Booth

16:25- The Farmers

17:47- Unique Finds

18:43- Incubation Tank

20:11- Lori’s Homer Bread

22:25- Sourdough? Yes or no??

25:08- The Farmers Market being a place for Parent’s of Special Needs Children

As always, thank you to our Sponsors-

Servpro of Longview/Kelso and Jojo + Coco Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

We've all got 'Junk.' And if you're asking what to do with yours, we've got the answer!

Cameron and Madisen Parsons aren't afraid to get their hands dirty as the owners of Cowlitz Junk Removal, and they'll take you along for the ride if you follow them on social media.

(why are junk removals so satisfying to watch??)

We talk about the gory details, and the surprising finds, plus how they got into the business and what advice they'd give to aspiring business owners.

Watch along for an entertaining and informative episode with one of Cowlitz County's up-and-coming family businesses.

As Always, thank you to our sponsors- Servpro of Longview/Kelso and Jojo + Coco Boutique

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Katie Keaton, Your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbie Graves, Your Hometown Lender

#junkremoval #satisfying #cowlitzcounty #pnw

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments is often called "The COG" but what Monica Seidl REALLY wants you to think of this organization as is the "Center of Giving"- because thats what they do- funnel money into small business start-ups in our area and provide resources for our business owners.

In this episode we go over The COG's--

Tool Kits

ACTION Classes

Business Coaching

Vendor Workshops

Basically, if you've ever thought about owning a business, THIS is the episode to watch.

But as with most of our guests, Monica's passions don't end at work. You'll want to stick around for the second half of the episode to hear the wild story of the birth of Monica's Non- Profit, Belize Blessings.

When the government of Belize gifts you multiple buildings to build out your non-profit you KNOW you're doing something right.

Monica is a force for our small business community and her small town in Belize.

We promise you'll leave this episode feeling inspired!

Thank you to our sponsors- Servpro Longview/Kelso, JoJo+Coco Boutique

0:00- Intro

2:43- Encouraging Small Businesses

7:31- Business Action Classes

19:23- SCORE Free Business Mentorship

22:47- Start-Up, Scale-Up, Succession

25:05- Belize Blessings

36:66- 100 Women Who Care

Community House on Broadway (CHOB) and Core Health are organizations in ACTION, borne out of need.

In 2024, Community House on Broadway and their extended services program saw

741 helped individuals, making up 93 families and had an 83% rate of success!

And they aren't stopping there, in 2024, the umbrella organization opened "Beth's Place," a youth shelter for unaccompanied minors, that will focus on taking our at risk youth out of fight or flight mode so they can find themselves, shed generational curses and set themselves up for a successful step into adulthood.

We covered so many topics with Chelsea Allison, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Christin Cole, Culinary Nutrition Education Specialist at Beth's Place-- Breaking down how these organizations work, how they are interconnected, what role they play in our community and how YOU can help show support.

And it wouldn't be a podcast about the CHOB without giving credit to Frank Morrison, who saw needs in our community and rose to help fix them in any way he could.

Frank....

Recognized the homelessness crisis- opened the Community House on Broadway

Realized the situation wouldn't get better without Mental Health Help- formed Core Health

Saw the need for an unaccompanied youth shelter- started Beth's Place

A reminder to be the change you want to see!

https://www.choblv.org/

0:00- Intro

2:08- Difference Between Community House and Core Health

8:48- Importance of Beth's Place Youth Shelter

18:58- Out of Survival Mode

32:57- Frank Morrison, Less Talk more Action

36:41- Addressing Mental Health and Sobriety through Accountability41:27- Success Rate

46:38-- How to Support

Do you live in Cowlitz County? Then you probably know Andrew Kiggins!

His "why not" attitude may have gotten him into some pickles..but more than anything it has opened doors and created opportunities.

Andrew has gone from googling "how to throw a rap concert" to being the Entertainment Director for RV INN Style Resorts, staring a non-profit and owning his own t-shirt company.... because WHY NOT?

Looking for some motivation to go after what you want? Watch this episode!

Thank you to our sponsors- Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

#podcast #washingtonstate #entertainment #whynot

Coached by the greats... and now passing on the passion to the next generation of Longview ballers!

Jeray Key, Head Coach of the RA Long High School Boys Basketball Team, came on to talk about the Lumberjack's winning spree and how he came to be Head Coach.

And of course we couldn't let him go without talking about his other Legendary Longview ties...... "Crown Prince" of the Cow Deli!

We all know & love the Country Folks Deli.... from the Parmesan Crusted Bread to Grandma's Famous Blackberry Cobbler... we all have our personal favs!

A big thank you to our sponsors, Servpro of Longview Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique!

0:00- Intro

1:13- Big Win

2:33- Jeray 's Basketball History

6:03- Getting the Job

9:07- Getting to know your players

13:31- Perks of a young coach

15:05- Jeray's Hundredth Win

19:04- Country Folks Deli

24:33- Gabbi loves the cobbler!

25:45- Family Business

26:25- Part Owners??

28:37- Answered Prayers

34:04- Jeray's Hidden Gem