Chefs Rivers

Greetings from Alaska,



Sydney is now becoming one of the greatest chefs around. She watched as our friends Mike and Jen had us over for the first ever joint dinner night. Load of fun and fostering new relationships.

In weather news. The threat of snow continues. But no new snow as of yet. Cloudy and 23 today.


Love
Jason

2 new blogs

Here are 2 new blogs I enjoy:

http://jyohnka.blogspot.com/

http://www.dooce.com/

I know there is a better way to do it, then that way but oh well.;-)

To God be the Glory, Jess

Sydney is 4!!!!!

The older of my 2 daughters Miss Sydney turned 4 today!

Gosh, I can still remember seeing that first postive test.I had to have my Mom look at to make sure I wasn't seeing things. And then calling Jason at work, because I just couldn't wait to tell him I was pregnant. My how our lives have changed in the last 4 years. We of course added Meghan to the clan 2 years later. And made a HUGE move to Alaska last April.
Wow, Time sure does fly.

Happy Birthday baby, I love you

Momma

WOW!!! Winter In Alaska

Yep! Winter is here. It has been snowing for the last couple of days. Contrary to what the weather reports say. Highs have been in the low thirties and lows have been in the teens. Most people are saying " Wow your not cold?" Nope! The girls still have to get used to wearing hats and gloves outside. I personally just dress in layers. I am SMRT Smart. We wear glove and Hats and Fleeces (Thanks Gamma Sue and Granpa Jerry). The Girls LOVE there Jackets( Thanks Unc Ken, Auntie Robin and Cuz Mhari).

I am in Hockey Nirvana. I know I am probably the last one to know this. But I got to listen to the Sabres play Islanders online Saturday. Great Game though they lost. I also Caught the Cannuck Game. They won in OT. Going to try to catch some of the Avs games to online. Avs Did win on Sunday by a Whopping 4 goals in the third period 6-2 over the Sharks.

Sydney is quite the little Sous Chef. She helps me with every meal we cook. She scrubs potatoes to help me make our oven fries and helped me make our Super Secret Moose Loaf Recipe. One of the gals at work Deb gave us 50# of moose to us. All steaks and some trim for ground. they had gotten it and did not like the flavor. Yummy for us. After giving a third of it away to our dishgal Jess. We actually got it in our freezer. 4-6 Months of meat? Yep super cool.

In other news. We are officially Alaskans now. Yesterday my Buddy Jerms and I winterized the trailblazer. So all that is left is to regulate the antifreeze and we will be set for winter.


In Gods Grace
Jason

Adventures in Bunkbed Building

We had our first dusting of snow this morning. 32 degrees. We had a heck of a time getting the Bunkbeds that GPOP and GMOM sent us for Syd and Meghan Birthdays put together.But they are finished!!!! We also want to wish GPOP a Happy 25th Birthday(HA HA). Hope they are having a great time in BC.

Love
In Gods Grace
Jason

Winter Is Coming

A Chilly Greeting From Alaska,

37 Degrees and raining. Snow Tonight. The Weather right now is good. We are psyching up for those -40 Degrees in January. We had our first freeze last week. Got some cayenne pepper off my plants this year.

Yesterday was spent looking for winter clothes and pricing stuffs for Winter, Fishing, hunting and camping next year. First thing A Camp Stove and A Freezer.

Well we finally hired another cook at the Diner. OHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!. Back to two days off again.

The girls have been loving the Boots Nanna Bev gave them. They have been Playing and Splashing. THANK YOU NANNA BEV.


Love
In God
Jason

Rivers Alaska

http://riversalaska.wordpress.com/

Hey All,

Just Wanted give you a Link to my Personal Blog. It will be Filled with Political as Well as Stuff on Artic Survivial ,Fishing,Hunting, Spiritual, Primative Skill and Bushcraft. Come Check it out.

May God Bless You

Jason

Tatalina River Valley

Fall is turning very quickly into winter. Rain and 40. No frost yet. We expect snow very soon.
Alaska has become home.

In Gods Grace
Love
Jason

Syd and Meg Bananna Pancakes

From the Kitchen of The Rivers Chefs


Bananna Pancakes

This one is an easy one. Especially for the kiddos. Try it with Cooked apples

2-3 Ripe Banannas
2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 Cup White Flour or Redmill Gluten Free Mix( Just for Rob Ken and Mhari)
1 Package of you favorite Corn Muffin Mix
3 Eggs
1 TblSpoon of Oil or Melted Butter
1 TBLSPoon of Vanilla
3 TBLSpoon of Brown Sugar or Splenda
3-4 Cups of water or milk

Mash Banannas Vanilla and egg add oil. Add Milk and Dry. Mix till s a Think batter
Fry on Non Stick Skillet and a Little Oil.
Eat love Enjoy

In Gods grace
Love Jason

Fall In Alaska ?

Yes Folks it is true. There is a Fall In Alaska. It is Just Beautiful. The Hillsides are ablaze with the Aspen and Alder. The Moose and Hunters abound. Two guys that came into the diner said They floated 120 Miles of the Yukon River and got Three Caribou and a Moose. No that is Not Poaching. People need to remember that Moose and Caribou are a Major food source in Alaska. Because of the cost of some good Like beef (2.79 for Ground on sale) People use the natural Resources to live on.

In other News

Meghan has become quite the talker as of late as well a Sydney bieng My Little Sous Chef. She loves to cook. We are now getting Ready For winter which should be here by October.

Alaska Is an Amazing Place

May God Bless You

Love

Jason

The Hunt

Alaska is a wild Place. Yesterday we Got to try BBQ Moose and It was Wonderful. First day of moose Season was Saturday

God Bless You

Jason

Finding Home

Have you ever been at a place and found that moment Life and Love Meet. Alaska Is that place for me. The more I travel around this state the more I love it. Though As many people have pointed out I am a yet to experience winter here. I say bring it on. People at the diner I talk to say that is a great attitude. I say that is the only attitude I can have. People Have many misconception about up here.

1. There is more than 4 weeks of summer. Try 12 weeks.
2. Good and service are only slightly more than the Seattle Area. Gas has stayed around 2.70 - 2.89 pert Gallon
3. The Average snowfall is around 4 feet Per year. It just Stays.
4. It Does get to -45 Degree in January Febuary and March
5. There is a Spring and fall Season.
6. You can get fresh vegetables up here.
7. There is No State Income tax. Though Car tabs and other fees are Higher.
8. People Tend to be very community oriented . But Like to keep to themselves.
9. Alot of people do live subsistently(Hunting Fishing and Farming). But I would say no more that 1/3 of the people.
10. Time is different up here. People look at seasons rather than months. Winter is a time getting ready for summer and Summer is used to get Ready for Winter.

I love the fact that we are in a Place where animal population are greater than People. No traffic Jams. The pace is constant Not Hurried. It is Home

In Gods Grace

Jason

Rivers Rats On The Tanana River

On The Way Home I had to stop and grab some Pictures of the Tanana River. The Tanana River is a Silt Bottom River and so it always is Muddy.

God Be with You
Jason

Butterflies on The Salcha River

Today We went south to the Salcha Rivers. It is about 30 minutes on the Richardson Highway. I have to say it was a beautiful day on a beautiful river with my River Rats. Also Grandpa Rivers made his appearance on the river as the Butterflies were everywhere.

God be with you
Jason

A birthday wish

Well,It's a bit belated.( For some reason it thought it was tommorrow)But we wanted to wish Mhari a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Hope it was fantastic. We love you!

The Steese Highway

We are really loving Alaska These Days.

The Alaskan Princesses

In all things, excellence has no competition -Randy Jones

John R. Jones John Randolph Jones, 64, joined his Father in heaven on July 10, 2007.


Randy was born in Myrtle Beach, S.C. while his father was in the Army during World War II. Randy lived an amazing life. He was raised in Longview, Wash., and began his restaurant career at age 14.

Upon leaving the Navy in 1965 as a cryptologist, he followed his dream in the Canadian Pacific Hotel chain learning culinary skills long before culinary schools were popular.

Randy later took a chef's position at Port Ludlow Resort in Washington where he met his future and adventurous wife, Colleen Coulter, of Irondale, Wash. Randy invited his girlfriend to Alaska and promptly proposed when she departed the plane in Juneau. They married in Auke Bay in 1976.

Yancey Derringer Restaurant in Juneau was his first restaurant in Alaska and became Alaska's standard in culinary cuisine. He also opened the Great Alaskan Sandwich Co. in Juneau. Mentoring young persons in the culinary skills was Randy's forte. During this time, they had two sons - Brian and Brad. He also owned Jones & Jones, Ltd., a fine china and crystal shop.

In 1985 Randy moved his family to Washington where he opened Pellagrino's Italian Restaurant in Sequim. This restaurant was later moved to Silverdale, Wash., and named CafÉ Milano. "In all things, excellence has no competition," was Randy's motto. When the restaurant closed, Randy became chief steward on some of the largest fish processors in the Bering Sea and at fish processing camps around Alaska.

Because he loved Alaska, the family moved to Fairbanks and in 1999 he opened 2 Geeks Computers.

Having one last dream, Randy created, designed and opened Harley's Diner Motorcycle Cafe in March 2007. Randy's dream for Harley's Diner will remain strong as a family business. His prized meatloaf will forever be remembered and eaten by all.

Randy's hobbies included cooking, riding motorcycles with his wife, Colleen, fishing and being host to his many friends. His storytelling is renowned as being the best in the business.

Truly his family and friends will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Jones; and sister, Merrie Rieke.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen and sons, Brian and Bradford, as well as Sean from a previous marriage; grandchild, Riley; mother, Betty Jayne Jones of Tucson, Ariz.; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Linda Jones of Arizona; sisters and brothers-in-law, Candice and Robert Moe of Virginia and Suzie and Michael Curtis of Japan; and aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews in the Lower 48.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to a scholarship fund for UAF culinary art students in the name of Randy Jones at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:30 p.m., Monday, July 16, at Friends Community Church, 1485 30th Ave.

Pastor Darryl Carnley of North Pole Worship Center will officiate. A reception will follow. Please bring written memories for the family to collect.

Condolences may be sent to Colleen Jones, 910 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home

We miss you Randy

This was published in the newspaper this morning. If only the internet version had the pictures that went with it.


Crash claims life of Randy Jones, popular N. Pole businessman
By Eric Lidji
elidji@newsminer.com
Published July 12, 2007


Randy Jones — devoted family man, expertly trained chef, man of the people and avid motorcycle enthusiast — died Tuesday night after a motorcycle accident at the intersection of University Avenue and the Johansen Expressway.

He was 64.

Jones became known around the Interior for two successful business ventures. In January 2000, he founded the Fairbanks computer store Two Geeks, now known as Geek City Electronics, and this spring he opened the distinctive Harley’s Diner MC in North Pole.

Jones died after a collision with his wife, Colleen, who had been riding on a motorcycle along side him. Colleen Jones is receiving treatment at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

The two were returning from dinner with friends.

Food and friends both played an important role in Jones’ life, his youngest son, Brad, said.

“He loved cooking anything and everything, as long as there were people to eat it,” Brad Jones said.

Born in Virginia and raised in Washington state, Randy Jones traveled around the country in his youth by nature of his military upbringing. He began a cooking career at 14, and over the following four decades became one of the last of a breed of students to complete a vigorous training and apprenticeship program that had him working under head chefs at four and five star hotels.

Randy came to Alaska in the 1970s to begin restaurant consulting work in Juneau and eventually opened Yancey Derringer’s, a popular restaurant along the wharf.

Randy and Colleen Jones married in December 1976 and had two boys, Brian, 28, and Brad, 25. The Joneses left the state in the mid-1980s, but returned to Alaska a decade later when Jones continued his restaurant consulting career in the Denali area.

Doctor’s orders to stay off his feet and a personal fascination with computers lead Jones in 2000 to start Two Geeks, named in anticipation of running the shop with Brad, who graduated from high school that year. Randy took classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to learn more about the computer world and envisioned the store as a locally owned business with a huge retail capacity.

“He wanted to show people that a computer store could be more than a little hole in the wall. That it could be a big venture,” Brad Jones said. “He always thought big.”

Jones grew up in a church family, but returned to the faith more fervently in adulthood, according to Darryl Carnley, pastor of the North Pole Worship Center where Jones attended services.

Jones would often call Carnley during the week to contemplate or discuss elements of the weekly sermon. Jones saw church as another avenue toward building community, Carnley said.

“Community to him meant that no matter what stage of life you’re in … you felt you were needed,” Carnley said. “Everyone had equal access.”

That attitude is what fueled Jones’ love of motorcycles, according to Thomas McGhee, who owns Cherokee Riders and taught Jones how to ride.

“Motorcycling is an uncommon world of camaraderie. Motorcycling brings people together on the street, in the world,” McGhee said. “That’s what Randy stood for; he stood for that brotherhood.”

Jones helped Enola Bowers and her husband, Robert, start the local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, the Arctic Servants No. 886, and frequently went on rides around the state wearing a black leather vest with a yellow cross patched over his heart.

“Randy was a lot of different personalities rolled into one big ball of human vitality,” Enola Bowers said. “He was the most successful entrepreneurial businessperson I ever met, and he was the brother who would give you the shirt off of his back.”

The Bowers spent part of the day on Wednesday designing a special patch to help fellow riders memorialize Jones.

Jones’ various passions united this spring with the opening of Harley’s Diner MC along the Richardson Highway.

The restaurant combines his love of food, friends and motorcycles, and showcases Jones’ meticulous attention to detail.

In addition to the shiny chrome exterior and checkered black and white floors, Jones spent six months combing through catalogues to find all of the accouterments that decorate the walls inside. Over the months spent planning the restaurant and its menu, Jones invited friends over for dinner parties where he presented test batches of meat loaf, beans and biscuits.

Jones’ friends and family said that in the few months the diner has been open, Jones could always be found sitting with customers, talking with friends and even inviting his competition over for a meal.

In Memorium For Randy

Tonight Jess Called Me From work to tell me that our owner Randy Jones was in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident. I did not know Randy For long, But in that time he was a mentor and Most of all a friend. Sean The chef said that the diner will continue on. It is a Memorial to Randy's Legacy. My words cannot express the greif I feel. For when a connection is made with a person well. You Just Know.
Jason