Hiking

1979, Santa Barbara

     Rick and I believed that we could gain knowledge by exposing ourselves to peak experiences. We made a habit of not just being observers of life’s extraordinary and ordinary moments but being actively involved in experiencing them, searching them out and sometimes even forcing them to expose themselves to us. We were definitely not tourists.

     In 1979, during my sophomore year at University of California at Santa Barbara, Rick and I took an environmental studies class together taught by Dr. Roderick Nash, a prominent environmental studies professor and author who wrote the tome “Man and Wilderness”, of course, our ES101 textbook. Nash was charismatic, handsome and most of his classes were filled with women who fought it out for the closest seat to the lectern. It was common knowledge that “Dr. Rod” slept with many of the freshman nymphs and his quarterly three- five day hikes into the local mountains and the High Sierras were his modus operandi for ensnaring the young ladies. One of these hikes was scheduled to go into the Santa Ynez mountains about one hundred miles North of Santa Barbara where, with proper guidance, you could find ancient Chumash pictographs etched and painted in the caves and overhanging shale and sandstone cliffs. I can’t remember why exactly, I think one of us had something to do that weekend so we decided to go on the hike a couple of days early.

     We quickly packed all of the gear figuring what we would need for a two-night backpacking trek, which wasn’t much, then took off after our morning classes were out. We followed the 101 north past Goleta, El Capitan and Jalama then cutting inland North of San Luis Obisbo and through Morales Canyon to the shale oil fields that become the nascent foothills of the Santa Ynez mountain range. Oil derricks that looked like giant black dinosaurs surrounded us on both sides of the road. From afar they appeared big but as we drove off the paved road and onto the dirt access road and moved closer you realized how large and how powerful they really were; moving up and down in a slow-motion perpetual see saw. Rick and I looked at each other and instinctively knew what we were going to do. We pulled up to the biggest one we could find and proceeded to hop the chain link fence that surrounded the black iron rig. Locating the metal handholds that were welded to the center support, we proceeded to climb up the hot monolith, one rung at a time. Higher and higher we ascended until we, one in front of the other, reached the fulcrum of the beast, hopped on top of the giant metal joint and one by one on all fours holding tight to the underbelly of the I-beam scampered to the end and toward the huge head of the monster. It continued it’s slow powerful ascent as we reached the end and could both sit on the head, holding on tight. From there, some forty feet in the air, we could practically see the distant ocean. Then, arriving at its peak, it began its methodical descent and we could both feel the tingle in our groin as the machinery went down. We rode it for another twenty minutes and it was exhilarating and freeing to ride that oil derrick. I felt like Major Kong riding the atomic bomb in the Dr. Strangelove movie but we were not destroying or desecrating anything. We were building something, confirming something, our lives…and asking the question, why not? After our measured “E” ticket ride on the derrick, we got into our car and continued through the oil field, through Morales canyon and into the Santa Ynez wilderness area.

     We located the Chumash Indian trail head and parked in the dusty lot where our class was to congregate and leave in a couple days. We were alone, save the cliff swallows, and hadn’t seen a car in the past two hours; no other cars were in the lot and we liked that sense of solitude. We opened the hatch to my beat up Toyota Celica and proceeded to take inventory of our gear. With Rick, there are certain moments, like a comma in a sentence, where there is a break, a realization, a reassessment and as we were looking at our clothes, hats, flashlights, sleeping bags and pads, without words, I knew we were in one of those commas.

“ Do we really need to take our jackets…it’s not that cold.”?

Rick said looking at me with that head tilted smile. I knew where he was going.

 “ Do we really need the long pants and hats?”

I added and let Rick finish the thought off.

“Do we really need clothes at all? Let’s go native… no clothes, no packs, no sleeping bags, nothing.”

“…And no speaking!” I exclaimed.

     And that was the last thing either one of said for the next two and a half days. Through grunts and hand gestures we agreed to take a small stainless steel waterproof canister of matches, our shoes and the trail map. For the next two days we walked along the trails, followed the map and located the caves and rock pictographs. In the morning we looked for wild food like miner’s lettuce, manzanita berries and mesquite leaves. Midday, when the sun beat down on us, we covered our bodies from head to toe in mud from the cold water stream that cut through the narrow canyons we followed and at night we lit small fires to keep us warm and lay huddled in the dirt and grass. On the second morning we used charcoal from the spent fire to make elaborate designs on each other and we quickly became unrecognizable as college freshmen; we looked like crazed aborigines. On the third day as we were foraging for berries along-side a trail in a beautiful meadow, we heard voices in the distance. Even in the short period of a few days, because we hadn’t spoken in three days and hadn’t encountered anyone, we had a heightened sense of hearing. When we heard the voices we hid behind the manzanita bushes and, peeking through the leaves, could see our class, six girls and two guys making their way up the trail, led by Dr. Nash. As they got closer and closer we slowly came out from behind the scrub and met our class right there on the trail. They were startled and dumbfounded to say the least and were not sure who we were. One of the guys picked up a rock, the girls giggled when they saw our decorated penises. Once they realized who we were, we all just stood there on the trail laughing, cracking up. We broke our vow of silence and recounted our trek and told them of the sandstone rock Cairns we left on the trails marking each pictograph site and bid them farewell.

     Rick and I continued on the trail and hiked out, talking the whole way, reaching my car with the “Question Authority” bumper sticker about two hours later. The ride back to our apartment in Isla Vista was pretty uncomfortable. We did not realized how dirty we were until we were in the relatively clean environment of my car. We talked about how we freaked out our class, turned on the radio and heard the news about the Three Mile Island Nuclear accident, then settled in and listened to Steely Dan and the “Caves of Altamira” the whole way home, both naked in the car.

Memoir / Hopping Freight Trains / Part One

August 5, 1982
 
Drawing Tablet
Wood drawing compress
Fishing line on a stick and hook
Oil Pastels
Pick up Levi’s at Jay’s house 
Canvas Rucksack 
Find Rick in Santa Cruz 

      Left this morning with a headache. Left home to experience… (unreadable) the walk that leads away…to know the beginning…I feel sort of out of place, different. On the side of the road I stand… outstanding among them. I don’t know why I’m going on this trip- I might be trying to cap off some time zone, school, etc… but this is on the skip of the beat… It seems right but…and it also has some realness to it… vivid, scary, and awesome… It is not a dream… I am here now and I am very aware…I want very much to paint or use my pastels on this trip… all types of compositions and feelings are to be experienced. I want the paintings to be thick and globular on the surface…Rich and solid they will be…living landscape portraits. I am excited to loosen up. I feel very tense. My jaw is tight and my breath forced. I need to mold into this new style of living… it seems so strange, this close to home…. almost phony. Am I for real? Is this just some experiment or is it a true course…need I do this? Is this true? 

      I’m very hungry now and it has only been about 5 hours since I’ve eaten. This will be good discipline. Hitchhiking is a listening, observing experience. One is contemplative…people sure like to talk to me while I’m in their cars.

 July 2011

     These words were written on the worn and torn pages from the journal I kept for the first five hours of my adventure in the summer of 1982, the year Gandhi died, the year the word “internet” was first used. I left my parent’s house in suburban Los Angeles and walked the four miles to the 101 freeway onramp heading north. , I wrote those words while I sat there on a hot cement curb under the obligatory Oleander, “Santa Cruz” sign perched at my feet. They were the only words I wrote for three months, other than the birch- bark postcards I sent periodically to friends and family. I know why I stopped writing in the journal. Although I loved to write at that time, and still do, I felt it was dishonest to document each experience, each feeling as it was happening. I wanted to free myself from taking photographs, writing, even talking about what was unfolding. The point was to live each moment to it’s fullest not, in essence, to make a simultaneous documentary. I didn’t come to this monk-like conclusion all by myself. Although I have always been a purist, believing that if you are going to do something, it is important to give it your all, concentrate, focus and do the best you can. It’s a dichotomy because I’m very rigid about this, almost judgmental in my zeal for Zen. And that goes for everything… from making a sandwich, listening to music, hopping a freight train. Why just go through the motions? I tried to express myself through my doings. But when it came to living in the moment, I was a neophyte compared to my college roommate Rick.

      I had never met anyone like Rick, before or since. Every moment was an opportunity for adventure and not just for adventure’s sake but a search for the “truth”, the true course. He looked at the world through different lenses, obscuring the norm, focusing on an intense childlike curiosity. He was tall and lanky and strikingly handsome. He looked like Gary Cooper if Gary Cooper were a beautifully tanned existential surfing beatnik. He had an omnipresent smile that when focused on you, seemed to affirm what you were thinking. He had dark brown eyes and a gaze that would attract many followers… and lovers. And, contrary to my wife’s beliefs, Rick and I were not lovers but he was the first person I had ever truly fallen in love with.

By Joseph Wahl, 2012

Our Furniture has Soul

The term animism is derived from the Latin word anima meaning breath or soul. From its earliest beginnings it was a belief that a soul or spirit existed in every object, even if it was inanimate. This spirit, therefore, was thought to be universal.

I feel that the furniture I build has this spirit. From the designs I draw to the lumber I handpick and cut into the wood that will eventually become your furniture. Every piece is handmade, hand sanded and hand finished. At every stage of building I care for each piece and am thinking of whom it is being built for. This imparts a spirit to every piece that is built in my wood shop. The furniture feels and looks different because it is different.

You might be able to find cheaper furniture made by computer controlled machines and spray finished in huge factories but you cannot find better furniture handmade here locally with love.

From my custom furniture to the antiques and vintage treasures that I find…bring things into your life and home that have a life of their own, a spirit of their own, and you will cherish them all the more.

Come in and find something unique!


Joseph Wahl

Cool New Cribs, Chairs and Dressers!

Come on in and check out some of our new baby products including the Little Nest line of modern children's chairs, tables and accessories.





We are also now carrying the award winning Bloom "Alma" folding crib, "Luxo" oval crib and matching dresser!




Come in to Joseph Wahl Arts/ joeybaby and find something Unique!

Toys and Gifts for the Holidays !!!

COME IN AND SEE OUR UNIQUE
COLLECTION OF VINTAGE STYLE TOYS & GIFTS.

Aside from our fantastic furniture and decorative accessories, we have a great selection of fun, nostalgic vintage style toys and gifts....

Gifts Starting As Low As $5.00
!!!

Something for everyone!





Get out of the mall and find something unique!





Perfect for a stocking stuffer or... just
because.





Now is also a good time to place an order for a
bed , bookcase, desk or anything from our great selection of children's
furniture and accessories!

Order during the month of December and receive a 10% discount on all furniture orders!!!

Also...The Shoebox, fine children's shoes, is offering a December discount of 15-20%... just mention this email!!!!

THINK GLOBAL, BUY LOCAL AND SUPPORT
YOUR LOCAL CRAFTSMAN! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

My Zayda

The earliest memories of my Zayda are of him playing with my brother, sister and I in our backyard in Chatsworth. He always played with us and I remember him laughing and smiling and holding me upside down . I used to stand on my head a lot when I was a kid... I think I stood on my head for two years straight. Zayda told me my head would be flat if I kept on doing it and he was sort of right about that. I remember how strong I thought he was ... I thought his arms were so big and I couldn’t believe that he never beat me at arm wrestling. That was one our favorite things to do. Of course, I never lost. When we got a swimming pool, I would pay Zayda a dollar to dive off the diving board and make a huge splash. He really didn’t like to dive off the board, in fact, I don’t even know if could swim that well.... but he did it anyway. He would have done anything for us. As we grew up and got into sports I remember Zayda and Bubbie coming to many of our track meets, baseball games and soccer games. They were there, always...and we wanted them to be there. Zayda used to tell me that he was a catcher when he played baseball in Duluth. He told me that he was so poor he didn’t have a mitt and used to catch the ball with his nose and that is why his nose was so crooked. He had a great sense of humor and I can only imagine the real reason his nose was so crooked. Although Zayda was the sweetest guy in the world.... he wouldn't take crap from anyone. Zayda was a survivor, the toughest of the tough. I never heard him complain once in his life. When times were the toughest he would smile and tell me a joke or tell me that the nurse was after him. He had so many nurses after him, all the other patients were jealous. Everyone loved Zayda but Zayda loved Bubbie... and he told me every time I saw him. He loved her so much that it kept him alive. He took much of his strength from Bubbie who if Zayda was the strongest man alive, Bubbie is the strongest woman. And their Love, the strongest love.

I will miss Zayda very much. He was a good, simple, humble man. He was strong, loving and caring. His sense of humor pulled him through many tough times, more than his fair share. When times are difficult for me I will draw strength from my Zayda’s life.

A Tribute to Julia Child by Joseph Wahl

Julia’s Child

i remember her voice
marbles and new words
from france

watching her
every move
how she flipped
and folded her omelette

butter and sugar
flour and cream
brie, blue and cheese dreams

crepes and frois gras
pate and baguettes
hollandaise, bechamel and poivre

hot copper pans
stainless steel cups
whisks and measuring spoons

cooking for my family
watching their faces
and smiles

The Courage to Create

Decorating your Child’s Room with Confidence

What I have found out about being creative whether it be singing, cooking, painting, gardening , decorating or pretty much any artistic endeavor, it is always done better with confidence. When anything is done with confidence the viewer/audience can really feel the positive energy. Even when something goes wrong, it still can be a ‘tour de force’ if done with zeal. It reminds me of the scene in the new movie about Julia Child where she says, and I am paraphrasing, “ Never make excuses to your guests about the food you serve”. What she means by this is, and I am a firm believer, be confident! What you might think is a mistake or you might have done differently, nobody will notice or care.

When it comes to decorating your child’s room, the formula is no different. Have courage, be creative. do whatever you want. There are really no rules! Try to look at the room like a movie set and take it step by step as you layer the room first with paint colors then furniture placement, lighting, art and finally accessories. When I begin decorating a child’s room I usually start with the wall color scheme. I consult with the child, depending on their age, then look in a color deck and go for it. My advice here is just be a little careful about colors that are too bright or very dark and always paint the ceiling white. Put sample patches of colors on the walls to try it before you buy it. Maybe you want to paint several colors in the room. Sometimes it’s a good compromise to paint one wall that bright lime color your little girl is begging for with softer tones on the other walls. Maybe choose one wall to be painted with chalkboard paint. Another idea is to drape inexpensive fabric like scrim on one wall. It is so important to inspire your children to be creative.

When placing the furniture, try unique arrangements. Usually there are only one or two places the bed with fit. Start with the bed and then go from there placing the side table, dresser, bookcase, desk etc… Another good idea is putting glass on top of a dresser or desk. This gives your child a place to put photos, art, and anything that is important to them while maintaining a clean look. Most rooms are very angular and because of this, I often like to put bookcases on the diagonal in a corner. This helps break up the monotony of a square room. Also, consider using unique items that are not typically used as furniture for the side tables. I have used small toy pianos, rolling tool bins, earthy tree stumps, upside down galvanized trash cans… have fun!

When it comes to lighting, it is most important to have sufficient overhead lighting, preferably canned lighting, especially over the bed so your child can easily read at night. Next is finding some cool lighting fixtures for the side table lamp and the desk lamp and maybe a chandelier or overhead fixture. My experience tells me that these are all best used for mood lighting. A lot of great inexpensive lighting can be found at flea markets. Look for the fixture that is more art than lamp, something with a fun base and a funky shade or vice versa!

It is important when choosing your art and accessories that you are not “decorating” with them. Everything you put on the wall should mean something to you and your child. It could be an old photo of Grandpa or Zayda blown up or something you saved from your childhood room, a framed letter or poem that you love. My wife and I just found the list of prospective boy and girl names we made before our first child was born (we decided to name him Emerson). We are framing it right now. The key to loving the room you decorate is loving the things you put in it. I can honestly say everything in our house I love...everywhere I look is something that has meaning to me.

Be creative, be confident and be honest in your decorating and you and your child will love the room you end up with for many years to come.

FLEA MARKET, ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE SALE

Mark Your Calender The 3rd Saturday of Every Month!

FLEA MARKET ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE SALE!
The Flea Market is behind Joseph Wahl Arts in our new gravel parking lot!


Desks, Dining Tables, Chairs, Side Tables, Lockers, Vintage Toy Trucks, Weathervanes, Iron beds, Vintage Dishes and Silverware, Oil Paintings, Chandeliers, Cafe tables and chairs, Collectibles, Lamps and Lamp Shades, Cast Iron Containers, Decorative Wrought Iron, Silverplate Hotel Teapots, Vintage Fabric Pillows and More...

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 8AM -4.00PM
Rain or Shine
First Come, First Served!
All reasonable offers will be accepted!

Get out of the mall and find something unique!

Now is also a good time to place an order for a bed , bookcase, desk or anything from our great selection of custom children's furniture and accessories! Order any stock item now and receive a 10% discount


We are now buying antiques and vintage collectibles. Please email me images of anything you would like to sell!

Going Mobile...

Check out our new line of mobiles...I love these charming silhouette mobiles from Los Angeles–based Helene Ige. They are available in black or ivory.

We Now Stock Bloom Baby !

bloombaby Coco Cappuccino Stylewood Baby Lounger (6 colors!)

lounge · rock · relax

Coco Bloom belongs in contemporary living spaces with its iconic form and comfortable nest for baby.

bloombaby Mocha Otto Chair and Table Set

play · party · store

otto bloom brings play into your contemporary living space

formed in patented stylewood, otto’s modern silhouette and space-saving design make playing, learning and exploring fun in a style that fits the contemporary home.



Winner of the Best Baby & Infant Product 2009 in the Netherlands Gold Award!

Check out the Bloom Demo-Instructional Video on YOUTUBE.

Engineered to integrate advanced functionality, such as 360° rotation and exclusive easy-lift™ height adjustment with unique cocoon-like form, the fresco bloom revolutionises baby chair design and brings premium quality infant fashion into the contemporary home for the first time.

We're in the news!

Free in-home 1 Hour Design Consultation

Free in-home 1 Hour Design Consultation
By Joseph Wahl During The Months of October & November!


If you have a nursery, kids room, teen lair or any room that you're just not sure how to decorate, give me a call and I'll help you sort it out. From choosing the perfect wall color to custom furniture design and placement, from accessorizing to wall art, I can help you make the room you've been dreaming of.

Many rooms just need to be updated from nursery to big boy or girl... from big boy or girl to tween... from tween to teen. I have tons of cost effective ideas to make the transition smooth. I can also incorporate your existing furniture and use refinishing to create a fresh look.

During the months of October and November, I am offering a 1 hour design consultation for free ( a $150.00 value!) Call or email now to schedule your appointment, time slots are limited.

PASS THIS ON TO A FRIEND TOO!


THINK GLOBAL, BUY LOCAL AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTIST!

Soccer and Politics

I wrote this after my junior year abroad in Venice, Italy. 1981

The bus violently pulled close to the curb and flung its
doors open with a burst of loud air. I jumped up the two stairs and
swung around the shiny steel post, planting my feet firmly, in front
of the ticket man. “Five hundred Lire,” he repeated, and I slid the torn
bill from my right pocket and placed it in his long soft hand.

The bus lurched forward and everyone grabbed for a strap.
We were pressed together, moving as one. An old armpit pressed
softly into my face. Hot pungent air filled the bus. Damp shirted men
with lazy ties dropped their faces into wet palms only occasionally
lifting them to take some air and look at young women. Patient old
ladies sat dry and calm, missing the point. The heat no longer reached
them. They wore coats and felt hats.

I stepped down onto the cement curb and the bus sped away. I
walked straight down the sidewalk counting out five long strides
between every tree. I reached Flavio’s bar on the third stride after
the twenty-second tree. Franco stood, old, cane in hand, waiting
out front.

“I’m sorry to be late Franco”, I said, pointing to the traffic and
then the sky. We sat down. Franco ordered a bitter campari for me.
He drank beer from a shot glass. “When are you leaving us”, he
asked me knowingly. I told him again, “I must leave tonight .
School starts Tuesday. I will miss you Franco, you have been
good to me.” “You go, and do well”, he said. Go and see everything
you can and one day you will like a place and just stay there. It will
happen. You’ll get tired of leaving those you love.”

The waiter brought my drink and Franco and I just sat
there, as we had almost every Monday afternoon that summer,
watching the groups of old men talk soccer and politics

Portraits!

As many of you may know, I am an artist, a painter. For years I have been asked by my friends and clients to paint portraits of their children, loved ones and even their pets. Now, I am taking commisions!





Aidan Wahl, " A Day at the Beach ", age 2



A hand-painted portrait is a meaningful gift for your wife, husband, grandparents or just as a wonderful family keepsake.



Each portrait is hand-painted with acrylic paint on wood panel measuring 12" x 16" and can be framed with your choice of many beautiful frame styles. Just bring in your favorite photograph and I will do the rest.

Prices are as follows:
Single Portrait $1000.00
Double Portrait $1500.00
Triple Portrait $2000.00
Pet Portrait $750.00
Frames $200.00
Custom Portraits By Quote


Place your order now and be first in line!

For My Father

My Father, My Hero


“ It is a wise father who knows his child.” __Shakespeare


My father has always been my hero, a hero to my cause. For as long as I can remember, no matter what outrageous idea I had come up with, he has truly supported me and tried to help me move forward. From my early interest in art to my college idealism, European adventures and cross-country travels on freight trains to opening my business, I cannot recall a time where he did not offer his complete support, love and guidance. It is a wise father who knows his child and… my father has let me be me.

Generous, gracious and good… these are the words that best describe my father. Anyone who has ever met him, even for a moment, can sense there is something special about him. He is a kind soul, an island of calm in a sometimes difficult and frantic world. To know I can always turn to my dad to share my ideas, thoughts and concerns and receive warm and sound counsel is priceless to me.

The love my father has for my mother may be the most important and beautiful quality he has shared and bestows upon his children, family and friends. To have grown up and experienced a fifty-year love affair between my mother and father will forever give me something to learn from and strive for. It is and continues to be a romance for the ages.

My father is my hero. I love him very much and his life, his love, is imprinted on my life and on the lives of the people he has known. How lucky I am to have been blessed with my father as my father.

Happy 75th Birthday.

Love, your son, Joey

Bedding,bedding,bedding!

WE NOW CARRY THREE BEAUTIFUL LINES OF BEDDING INCLUDING BELLA NOTTE LINENS FOR BABY THROUGH ADULT, DWELL FOR BABY AND KIDS AND HOUSE FOR BABY THROUGH ADULT!


Bella Notte Bedding is known for it's high quality fabrics and rich hand dyed colors.


House Bedding mixes beautiful soft pastels in floral and stripe patterns to create a fresh and clean vintage look.



Dwell Bedding's modern and bold designs are perfect for that crisp new look you desire!


COME IN AND FIND SOMETHING UNIQUE!

Joseph Wahl Arts &
joeybaby


COME IN AND SEE OUR NEW
COLLECTION OF VINTAGE STYLE TOYS & GIFTS.


We have a great selection of
fun, nostalgic vintage style toys and gifts. Perfect for a stocking
stuffer or just because!


Gifts Starting As Low As
$8.00!!!


COME IN AND CHECK IT OUT! WE ARE OPEN EVERYDAY TIL CHRISTMAS DAY!



Some of the Items include: Cool
vintage tin toys including robots, Fun red and silver race cars, Baseball,
soccer and basketball themed toys, Tin trains, Colorful bouncing balls,
Flower power nesting play suitcases, Silver plate piggy banks, Old fashioned
kid's safes, Mini grand pianos, Floor puzzles, Ugly dolls, Jewelry boxes,
Chinese checkers, Pinball games, Baby gifts and More!!!!




Holiday Hours! We are Open Through Monday the 24th, 10:30a - 5:30p


THINK GLOBAL, BUY LOCAL AND SUPPORT
YOUR LOCAL CRAFTSMAN! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

One of my favorites!

Linguine alle Vongole Veneziano

This is the quintessential summer dish of Venice. I was taught this dish by a friend whose father was a clam fisherman in the outer lagoons of Venice. Every week during the summer months we had this dish with a fresh loaf of crunchy italian bread and wine of course. The clams of Venice are very small and sweet. They are unavailable here but they can be replaced with any small shelled clam.

Ingredients
2-3 lbs of fresh small clams, tightly closed, scrubbed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch of Italian parsley, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cube salted butter
3 ripe roma tomatoes, minced
1/3 cup of white wine
1 lb Linguine pasta
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Salt to taste

Scrub clams with your hands while running fresh water over them in a colander. Place the clams in a pot of cold salted water for about an hour to let them purge themselves of sand. Rinse with cold water in a colander.

Heat a pot of salted water for the linguine. Start cooking linguine when you are about 5 minutes into the clam dish. When the pasta is done, drain the water out in a colander and put the linguine back in the pot. Add some olive oil, butter, minced garlic, salt and fresh pepper to taste.

Using a large deep skillet, heat olive oil and butter under high heat. Just before the butter burns add the minced parsley. Stand back because there will be some splattering and steam. Stir parsley around then add salt, pepper and garlic and stir together. Reduce heat to medium and add clams and tomatoes. Cover and let cook for 6 or 8 minutes. Add white wine and recover stirring once in a while. When the clams are all open it is done. The whole process shouldn’t take more than about 15 minutes from start to finish. You do not want to over cook the clams because they can become tough. If any clams have not opened at all, throw the unopened ones away.

Mix in seasoned linguine with the clams and serve. I frequently use the skillet as a serving pan but you can pour the whole mixture in wide serving dish. You don’t want the dish too deep because people will want to get to the clam juice for bread dipping! Garnish with fresh parley sprigs, and lemon wedges. Serve with a warm loaf of Italian bread. Enjoy!

Joseph Wahl Arts New Collection

The La La Collection….Sophisticated, Funky and Fun.

Our combination of patent leather, mirror and glass make this furniture collection a teen’s dream! The furniture can be finished in any color and the ulpholstered patent leather pieces are available in white, pink, chocolate, black and many other colors.

The La La collection includes:
Standing Upholstered Mirror $795 , Mirrored Side Table $395 , 48” Desk $1250, 60” Desk 1850 , 36” Upholstered Bench $495 , 48” Upholstered Bench $595 , Highboy Dresser $ 1450 , 40" Wall Shelf $295 , TW Upholstered Headboard $995 , FL $ 1195 , QN $1495 , KG $1795....and featuring DWELL Bedding

Come in and check it out!