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Sip&Paint For Good Event August 14 at Washougal’s Reflection Plaza

Budding artists are invited to learn to paint with oils on canvas with local artist, Liz Pike, at the upcoming “Sip&Paint for Good” event at Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal.  It’s scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 and will support the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance. It will run from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at a cost of $45 which includes all art supplies.  Space is limited to the first 25 participants who sign up and advanced registration is required.  Register by calling or texting 360-281-8720 or email pikeadvertising@comcast.net.  Participants will be invited to sip on lemonade and coffee as they create their masterpieces. 

“I am excited to partner with the City of Washougal to provide Sip&Paint for Good events,” said Pike. “Washougal is a very special place.  I love that they are leading the charge on all things art in east Clark County with their murals, public art pieces and the events that promote local artists.” 

As an artist instructor, Pikes says she has just three rules: 1. Relax, 2. Have Fun, and 3. Learn Something. “I teach in oils on canvas because it’s the only medium I chose to work in,” she explained.  “I love the unmatched textures of oil paint. My students learn a little bit about composition, how to use their light source effectively on their canvas, and basic brush stroke instruction for various techniques.” 

Participants will work on small format canvases which is ideal for beginners who have not painted before. According to Pike, within a two-hour period, everyone is able to successfully complete their painting.

“They leave the event with a painting and a smile on their face,” she said.

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Pike’s students appreciate her relaxed teaching style and how with just some basic instruction, they can create a beautiful painting in their own unique style. “Most people also comment on how relaxing it is to paint,” she said “They are able to clear their mind and recharge. It’s a great way to leave the hectic world behind in exchange for some peace of mind.”

According to Pike, many people simply think they cannot paint, or perhaps someone along the way discouraged them or they’ve just been afraid to try something new.

“I believe everyone is an artist,” she said.  “Several friends of mine have started painting with me and they are wonderful artists. All they needed was a little nudge. I encourage the public to roll up their sleeves and come paint in the Plaza with me in beautiful downtown Washougal. I promise they will have fun and learn something new. Come to Sip&Paint, you’ll have lots of fun!”

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Washougal Art Festival to Showcase Local Performance Artists

The 2019 Washougal Art Festival not only brings nearly 30 professional artists to show and sell their works, but proudly features an exciting line up of music and dance performances.  The fourth annual event will be held Saturday August 10 from 9 am to 4 pm at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal and is presented by Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) to raise funds to bring public art to Washougal.

The entertainment kicks off with the duo of Jay “Bird” Koder and Al Perez at 10:30 am  Each bring energy and soul to their music. At noon, a dance performance will be presented by Daniel and Lindsay.  Daniel Martinez is a dance instructor who loves to connect to his community through dance.  At 12:15 pm, local boy and crowd favorite, Wayne Havrelly will bring an upbeat mix of original music and creative covers with his show.  Capping off the afternoon is Rain or Shine trio specializing in vintage swing, blue grass, Brazilian and much more. Jeffree White, of the Washougal School of Music, is joined by Flauren Ricketts and Steve Cleveland.  

A portion of the funding for the performances was donated by the Washougal Business Alliance. 

Other event sponsors include Washougal School of Music, Camas Gallery, Joyce Lindsay, Susan Tripp, City of Washougal Lodging Tax Fund and The Paint Roller-Mobile Paint Party. Proceeds from this year’s festival will help fund an original Heather Söderberg casting of a life-sized bear to add to the public art of Washougal. 

Washougal Art

For a preview of participating Washougal Art Festival artists and their work, visit the WACA website at www.WashougalArts.org. 

While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map http://washougalarts.org/local-art/ which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 30 installations around town.  Maps will be available at the event.

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Generation Headstrong — 4 Member Youth Band Off to Great Start

Generation Headstrong. They’re new. They’re young. And, they’re bold.

The rock and blues band (that plays a little metal, too) formed just months ago, but the four boys – Jameson Reese Fyfe, 9; Aiden Baird, 14; Grayson Much, 14; and Bennett Fyfe, 11 — are moving pretty fast in the music world with regular performances in the region, and their eyes on an international competition.

The SW Washington band members knew other over the last three years, thanks to the Hammersmith Rock Institute in Vancouver, where they learn about music and practice. Eventually, the the stars aligned, and in February 2019 Generation Headstrong was born.

Not long after, the band heard about the International Blues Competition, and were approached by the Cascade Blues Association to represent the Pacific Northwest at the annual event in Memphis, Tennessee next January.

And in this short amount of time, they’ve quickly learned to connect and combine their talents to create their own style.

Aiden, a Camas resident, plays guitar and does backup vocals. Grayson, of Vancouver, is lead guitar player with vocals and background vocals. Bennett, the band’s deep thinker and organizer, plays bass and is the lead vocalist, and his little brother Jameson does drums and backup vocals.

“I have to do drums,” said Jameson. “It gets the hyper out of me!”

His older brother, Bennett, just shakes his head.

“We’ve connected to the point where our playing is meaningful as we connect onstage and offstage,” said Aiden. “We know what to do to make our playing a little bit better each time. We’re playing at levels some adults don’t play yet. It’s some complex stuff. One of the songs is ‘A Cult of Personality’. We’re starting off as a cover band. It was a hard song to learn. It’s faced-paced. It came along and it’s a really, really good song. We rehearse it a lot.”

Generation Headstrong
From left: Grayson Much, Aiden Baird, Jameson Fyfe, and Bennett Fyfe.

Rehearsals happen twice weekly at Bennett and Jameson’s house, and sessions typically last three hours. They’re also beginning to write their own music.

They continue to perform all over the area, including at A Beer At A Time in Downtown Camas. So, what can audiences expect when they perform?

“Usually we have two sets: one is a set of songs, then we do a second set,” said Aiden. “The first set is a little bit more low key. Sets are 45-50 minutes with 10-15 songs per set. We’re playing 2-3 hour shows right now.”

Leon Fyfe, who has his own history in music, manages the band, which has played at a lot of local youth jams.

They get paid for the gigs and each boy is a paid a little money, and the rest is being used to cover the Memphis trip.

“We have to cover all the costs to get there,” said Grayson. “It’s the last week of January. All of this brings us together and makes us feel comfortable. We want to be bigger. We play at the zoo, A Beer At A Time, Billy Blues, and we did a road trip to Enterprise, OR. We played two shows there. One place called Terminal Gravity and then the other was at Embers.”

A Rich History in Music

Grayson’s roots started with the piano, and 2.5 years ago he picked up the guitar.

“Mom found a place called Hammersmith Rock Institute at 1st and 172nd in Vancouver,” said Grayson. “Then mom asked me if I wanted to play guitar. I really liked it and learned from John Guffey. Shout out to him! He taught me for two years, I started at 11. In 2017, I met Aiden, and we started getting close.”

Aiden started out liking music because his family had a musical background.

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“Mom likes singing,” said Aiden. “I would play air guitar to songs on the radio. Grandpa and mom bought me a guitar when I was 5, and I took lessons for two years, then moved onto drums for a while then I was introduced to Hammersmith. We walked in and talked to the people there and I was enrolled in drum lessons. We’d play shows with Grayson and Bennett. We did rehearsals and shows together.”

The Fyfe boys also have a rich music heritage. Their mom, Trisha Fyfe, grew up with music and played piano while her father and grandfather were both in bands.

Jameson was the last to join the budding band, and he’s glad he did.

“It’s just so much fun,” he said.

So, where did the name ‘Generation Headstrong’ come from?

“The whole band and parents discussed it,” said Aiden. “We had multiple ideas and it stuck. Generation was something we all picked out. Headstrong means we’re smart. It means we’re determined.”

Their next performance is Friday, August 2 at 6 pm at A Beer At A Time.

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Steampunk Artist Has Unique Style ; Debuts Work at Camas Gallery

Steampunk artist Russ Ray can’t sit still. When he’s not working in his landscape design and construction job, taking care of his family, or joyriding on his motorcycle, you can find him in his shop creating brilliant works of art.

“Steampunk industrial ideas have always been in my head, but now it’s really happening,” said Ray. “Maybe it’ll turn into my full-time job? My very first one was a table that has raw metal with heavy beams and it was turning into this steampunk. I didn’t design anything on paper, it was just in my head.”

That was just last winter. To date, Ray has completed 10 tables and nine lamps.

“Steampunk just happened,” he said. “I saw a few things on the Internet that amazed me. I love to work with metal, which is why I work with so much with it. For the antique tables I was using the old barn wood. I just sand it and apply a light layer of stain and oil.”

He finds the gears, scales, and old things at swap meets, antique shows, and all over the Internet. They bring materials from all over Portland to these venues, and to Ray, they’re treasures.

“The parts are not cheap,” he said. “The old wood isn’t cheap. A lot of these things are hard to find. Nothing can be built exactly the same. They’re one of a kind. It’s really hard to find exactly the same parts.”

So what is steampunk?

Officially, it’s a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

Wikipedia says “It is a mixture of the Victorian era’s romantic view of science in literature and elements from the Industrial Revolution in Europe during the 1800s.”

“It’s just what I do,” said Ray. “Steampunk.”

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Ray, 42, a husband and father of 5, also refers to his work as industrial art.

“I got started last winter designing the work,” he said. “I have more time during winter and just keep building. Landscape work is seasonal.”

“This guy cannot sit still,” said his wife, Elena Bogomaz.

It’s true, he says.

“I cannot just sit still and watch TV. When we got snowed in he went into full panic mode. It pushed me to do something in the garage.”

Ray was born in the Ukraine, came to the United States in 1997, and has lived in Camas for past 17 years.

“We’re so glad he’s here,” said Marquita Call, curator of the Camas Gallery. “He’s our featured artist on August 2 during the Downtown Camas First Friday. We can’t wait!”

Since meeting with Ray, Call has added an entire steampunk section in the gallery, which is where you can view much of his work.

He says each piece gets better, and that he now builds two types of tables: Antique and industrial rustic. He started with industrial rustic and then moved into antiques.

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“This is how it always works: I find a piece and then I work around it,” he said. “I just envision it in my head. I will start to build and then put it on paper but the final product will change a lot. The cool thing with steampunk is I build pieces with themes like Marines or Air Force. I pretty much stay with antiques now. I’m fine to build any of these tables for people who want them.”

Reception desks can be built for a particular location, and he also sees an increased demand for modern styles.

“The electrical work is something I learned from my construction experience,” he said. “For residential and commercial they’re different. Residential lamps are 2-wire.”

How long does it take to build a lamp?

“A simple one will take two days to build,” he said. “I spend 80 percent of my time scavenging for pieces. I call myself an American Picker. Mostly I look for gauges to put in all lamps. Gauges, water meters, different valves. Most of the pipes are old ones mixed with new ones. Some of the pipes are really old. The wood comes from old barns or schools that are 100 years or older. For industrial rustic most of the wood is newer. The antique tables are old wood. Older wood has thicker cuts.”

He invites you to attend his reception at Camas Gallery on Friday, August 2 from 5-8 pm. You can also find his work at www.OldBarnCustom.com

Camas Gallery is located at 408 NE 4th Avenue in Downtown Camas, Washington.

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Journey Theater Preparing For Disney’s ‘Newsies’ Debut This August

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

PAMTA winner, Chelsea Nicole Lapp, returns to choreograph, alongside Skylar Derthick, PAMTA nominee and 5th Avenue Award winner, as Crutchie, and two time 5th Avenue Award nominee, Clayton Lukens, staring as Jack Kelly.

Parent Advisory: mild language and brief physical violence.

Performances are August 2 – 11, 2019 at Heritage High School, 7825 NE 130th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98682.   Tickets are on sale now at journeytheater.org or by calling 360.750.8550.  Pre-sale adult tickets are $18.  Youth and senior tickets are $12.  

  • Newsies

Public Performances

Tickets for all performances are $4 more at the door.

Friday, Aug 2 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, Aug 3 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, Aug 4 – 2:00 pm

Friday, Aug 9 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, Aug 10 – 2:00 pm

Saturday, Aug 10 – 7:00 pm

Sunday, Aug 11 – 2:00 pm

Newsies

About Journey Theater  

Their mission: “Journey is a Christ-centered theater arts program that exists to grow youth and their families in character and purpose to be difference-makers in their world.”  Throughout the Portland/Vancouver area, Journey offers dozens of classes for ages 6-18, in drama, dance, voice and more.   In addition, we produce Broadway style shows in four locations during the school year, improv competitions, multiple summer camps and professional-level community theater musicals for all ages in summer.  Journey is a nonprofit educational organization, with offices located at 1400 NE 136th Ave, Suite 201, Vancouver WA, 98684.  Contact at 360.750.8550 or www.journeytheater.org.  

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Camas Gallery Features Liz Pike’s ‘Field of Sunflowers’ on First Friday

Camas Gallery is featuring “Field of Sunflowers,” which is a brand new body of work by Liz Pike in oils on canvas throughout the month of July.

The gallery, located at 408 NE 4th Avenue in Downtown Camas, will host a special reception this Friday, July 5 from 5 to 8 pm, during which Pike will do a live painting demonstration in oils on canvas. Visitors will enjoy complimentary wine, cheese, and Liz’s famous chocolate truffles.

Friday’s reception will be like no other as the public is also invited to view the new “Sunflower Mobile,” which is Pike’s latest creation — a moving original oil on fiberglass. The sunflower mobile is a renovated six-passenger golf cart decorated in Pike’s signature sunflowers.

“All of this work in the studio is totally new, since the middle of June,” said Pike. ”I’ve been in here day and night since then. I had to finish the sunflower mobile first. I’ll be the studio from noon until 8 pm after my farm work. I hand painted my sunflowers on the fiber-glass body, and there’s a sky painting on the inside of the roof, so it’s always sunny at Shangri-La Farm. The reason I wanted it is to have people ride from the airport through the trail when we have events.”

“I’ve been eying the golf cart at Sundance Rockery for quite some time,” she said. “Every few months I’d tease the owner there about the golf cart and then in March I went in there to get gravel for my paths. He offered to sell it to me for $900. It needed lots of work. I had to spend $1400 in new batteries. There are eight batteries that are 6-volts. You have to link them to get to 48 volts. Neil [her husband] was totally skeptical of the idea but now that it’s done he loves it. He shows it off to his buddies at the airport hanger [he’s a pilot with planes at Grove Field airport in Fern Prairie].”

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Why doe she paint?

“Why do I paint? Well, it’s just really fun and relaxing and I get to go somewhere else,” she said. “It’s an expression. I get to paint happy things, too, which I guess you can tell I like to paint happy things. That’s why I like sunflowers so much, and I paint them at different stages.”

“I really like bright colors and I really like nature. I love being outside so I guess painting things that are inspired by the outdoors is who I am. I have this working two-acre farm and it requires a daily commitment. So, I balance the farm commitment and my promise to myself as an artist. My whole life I’ve had to take care of things, you have to make a living. I had to focus on raising my kids and now I can just be a farmer and an artist. And I have the support of my husband.”

After leaving the State Legislature following three terms, Pike is able to balance these two loves: Farming and art, which led to last year’s creation of Art Farm — an art class with the slogan “we grow artists.” She holds regular classes in a converted studio at her Fern Prairie farm.

To learn more about Art Farm, visit LizPike.art

The mostly self-taught artist feels like her work is evolving.

“It’s getting better,” she said. “There’s more detail with the oils. I love doing this!”

Sunflowers
Artist Liz Pike on her newly renovated “Sunflower Mobile.”
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Washougal Art Festival Features Regional Artists — Set for August 10

The Washougal Art Festival will once again transform Washougal’s Reflection Plaza into a gallery of fine works of art.  The event, presented by Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA), will feature 29 professional regional artists, Saturday August 10 from 9 am to 4 pm at the plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal.

“More than 50 artists applied to be a part of the festival this year,” said Janice Ferguson, WACA Board Member. “A jury of local art professionals selected the individuals who were invited to participate.  We are delighted with the high caliber of art that will be on display and for sale and excited to showcase these amazing artists.”  This year the festival increased the number of artists from 25 to 29.

For a preview of artists and their work, visit the WACA website at www.WashougalArts.org.  Artists are Linda Andrews-Riggs, watercolor; Mark Amerman, acrylic & mixed media on canvas; Kathy Beckman, acrylic & mixed media on canvas; Eric Berlin, hand sculpted animal porcelain; John Broughton, photography; Marilyn Estenes, fiber and photography; Anni Furniss, acrylic on canvas; John Furniss, wood work; Katy Fenly, jewelry; Chrissie Forbes, recycled robots, oils; Josh Hancock, blown and sculpted glass; Beck Lipp, wooden boxes & spoons; Brenda Lindstrom. oils and acrylic; Toni McCarthy, jewelry; Glo McCollough, acrylic on canvas & prints, Savannah Mendoza, photography; Annette McCabe, oil on canvas; Nokes Anderson, custom leather work; Liz Pike, oils on canvas; John Reylea, reclaimed wood art; Karen Reule, silver filigree jewelry; Pam Sharp, watercolor; Faun Scurlock, photography; Gary Suda, ceramic pottery; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Patricia Thompson, mixed media fiber; Ray Tufts, wood work; Erskin Wood, photography; Barbara Wright, pen, pencil, water color, graphite.

Washougal Art Festival
At one of the festival’s booth.

Performance artists are also being welcomed back to the festival this year.  The line-up features Jay Koder and Al Perez, performing from 10:30am -11:45am, Daniel and Lindsay will present a dance performance at noon, Wayne Havrelly plays from 12:15-1:30pm and Rain and Shine Trio will perform from 2:00-3:30pm.

The work of prolific local muralist, Travis London was selected as the image for the 2019 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising.  “We love how this stunning watercolor image features the beauty of downtown Washougal,” said Jim Cooper, WACA president. “Each year our festival committee seeks out a work of art that is ‘Washougal inspired.’  We are thrilled that Travis created this for us!” London’s local mural work includes the WACA-funded “Historic Lager” on the side of the Big Foot Inn in downtown Washougal.  A limited number of signed 2019 WAF posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation.  He will also have a booth at the festival. 

The festival is family-friendly and features The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party who will be offering free, fun, artistic projects for children.  “This has been a very popular part of our event,” said Ferguson. “We love providing kids a chance to explore their creativity and leave with artwork of their very own.”

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New this year will be a silent auction for works of art donated by participating artists.  “A goal of the festival is to raise funds to bring more public art to our city,” explained Chuck Carpenter, WACA board member.  “This auction is one way we do that.  We appreciate the generosity of our festival artists for their donations and the participation of festival attendees to bid generously on these wonderful items.” 

Proceeds from this year’s festival will help fund an original Heather Söderberg casting, “Dreaming,” to add to the public art of Washougal.  “This life-sized bear is amazing in its character and detail and is certain to become a community and visitor favorite for taking pictures with,” said Carpenter.  “Like the bronze Seaman sculpture in Reflection Plaza, this too will be large enough for people to sit with for pictures and will add more charm and interest to our downtown.”

The festival welcome back local restaurant, Alex Smokehouse, as the main food vendor at the event.  They will be serving their popular barbeque items and other fare.  The Washougal Lions will also be on hand selling delicious root beer floats with proceeds benefitting their community work.

While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map http://washougalarts.org/local-art/ which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 30 installations around town.  Maps will be available at the raffle table.

WACA Board Members and Festival Committee members working alongside Cooper, Ferguson and Carpenter are Joyce Lindsay, Rene Carroll, Suzanne Grover, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Alex Yost.  The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.  Other event sponsors include The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party and Camas Gallery.

“Our past festivals have been such a success for us, our artists, and the community that we are excited to host the event again,” Ferguson said. “We are pleased to provide accessibility to original art in such a fun, festival environment.”

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Camas Author Gary Corbin Releases ‘A Woman of Valor’ — His 6th Novel

Award-winning Camas author and playwright Gary Corbin has announced the release of his sixth novel, A Woman of Valor, with launch events and book signings in venues around the greater Portland/Vancouver area.

A Woman of Valor will be released to bookstores on June 27, 2019, although it is available for pre-order on Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, and on the author’s web page (www.garycorbinwriting.com).

About A Woman of Valor

In this exciting, character-driven police procedural by acclaimed author Gary Corbin, rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes has a mission: take serial child molesters like Richard Harkins off the streets of her small hometown of Clayton, CT—for good.

But Valorie’s past includes childhood abuse trauma of her own, and her battle with this cunning, vicious criminal awakens memories and emotions she’d rather forget. Battling sexism within the department and vilification in the media as a reckless incompetent, Val finds few allies in the pursuit of this elusive, cruel criminal, even as he continues to victimize women and girls in the community. 

Can Valorie overcome the trauma she suffered as a child and stop Harkins from hurting others—or will her bottled-up anger lead her to take reckless risks that put the people she loves in greater danger?

Book Launch and Signings: Caps ‘N Taps, Vintage Books, and more

To help promote the book, the author will kick off a series of release events and book signings. The first event is a launch party at Camas’ popular taproom, CapsN’Taps, on June 28, from 6-8 PM. Corbin will sell and sign books directly, and CapsN’Taps will offer $2 off any beer to customers who purchase a copy of the book at the event.

“CapsN’Taps hosted the launch party for my very first novel, Lying in Judgment, which was a blast,” Corbin says. “Beer and books—what a great combination!”

On July 13, Corbin will read from the new novel and sign books at local favorite Vintage Books, 6613 E Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver, at 2 PM. Copies of all books will be available for sale at the event.

“Vintage Books has been amazing at finding readers for my books, and they’re incredibly supportive of local authors,” Corbin says.  “Vintage was one of the first to put my books on its shelves. It’s a great local bookstore with great selection and terrific event programming. I can’t say enough good things about it.”

Another “Beer and Books” event will take place Thursday, July 18 at Portland’s new books-and-beer tavern, the Rose City Book Pub.

“I’m very excited to hold an event in Northeast Portland, the area where I lived for 15 years before moving to Clark County,” Corbin says. “Rose City Book Pub’s informal atmosphere is perfect for hosting an event, and since they’re also a bookstore, they’ll also be stocking the book for sale. I don’t know if I’m more excited about the beer or the books!”

Other events include book signings at Jan’s Paperbacks in Aloha, OR on July 28, and participation on Cascade Library’s 2019 Words and Pictures Festival in October.

Full details of all events are available on the author’s website, garycorbinwriting.com.

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SW Washington Tamale Festival Returns to Washougal Saturday

Tamale Festival lovers — this is for you! The Southwest Washington Tamale Festival is returning to downtown Washougal on Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 1 to 9 p.m.  Presented by the Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens (SW WA LULAC Council 47013), the family-friendly event will celebrate the richness of Latin culture and is free and open to the public. It will be held in Reflection Plaza located at Main St & Pendleton Way, Washougal.

The history of the tamale is as old as the Aztec and Mayan cultures and played a significant role as a food staple that traveled well.  Becoming a traditional food for celebrations in more modern times, they are now an important part of Central and North American indigenous culture.

“We are very excited to host the second annual SW WA Tamale Festival in partnership with the City of Washougal,” said Hector Hinojosa, SW WA LULAC Council president and festival organizer.  “It will be wonderful to share our heritage with the community through delicious foods, a beer garden, exciting music and dance entertainment, tamale cooking and eating contests, a children’s activity area, information booths from local businesses and organizations and handmade crafts for sale.”

Last year’s festival was overwhelmed by large attendance and suffered long lines to purchase tamales.  “This year we will have many more food vendors so lines will be shorter and there will be plenty of tamales for everyone,” Hinojosa assured.  “In addition, pre-orders for frozen tamales to take home with you will be available for pick up at the festival.”  Orders must be placed online at www.swwatamalefest.com.  There is a June 10 deadline for tamale pre-orders and all must be picked up during regular festival hours.
Act now!

Tamales Festival
Tamale Festival
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“There is an amazing line up of musical and dancing entertainment for the festival,” said Monica Rech, festival entertainment coordinator.  “One of a Kind Drumline starts everything off with a dynamic performance at 1:00pm. Son de Cuba Quartette will perform at 3 pm and then again at 3:50 pm. Gerardo Calderon will be playing traditional Mexican/South American/Peruvian folk music starting at 6:30 pm.

Throughout the afternoon beautifully costumed and energetic dance groups will also perform.  “We have several Middle Eastern dance groups performing six to eight-minute routines each,” said Rech. “They will feature traditional dances from Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Persia. There will be dances from Vancouver Ballet Folklorico and Flamenco/Belly Dance Fusion as well.”

Adding to the fun, the event will feature a tamale contest that is open to restaurants and homestyle cooks.  

“We are inviting contestants to show off their tamale cooking skills,” said Hinojosa. “Tamale recipes are a big source of pride among families. The tamale contest will be a lot of fun and give some bragging rights to the winners!”  Entries will be judged by a celebrity panel in three categories; Meat, No-Meat/Veggie and Sweet/Dessert.  Winners will be determined based on taste, technique, appearance and overall quality. A $100 prize will be awarded for the winning entries. For contest rules and entry form, go to the event website.  There is a $20 entry fee per category. The deadline to enter is June 10, 2019.

Are you hungry for tamales?  You may want to enter the Tamale Eating Contest sponsored by Javier Navarro, State Farm Insurance. The challenge will be to consume as many tamales as possible in two minutes.  Contest will be limited to the first 10 participants to register, 18 and over only.  Registration is $20 and can be done online on the event website. Prizes provided by Navarro are $200 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.

For more information about the SW WA Tamale Festival go to www.swwatamalefest.com.

Proceeds, entry fees and donations collected from the event will support future scholarships and stipends for local youth programs.  Contact the festival at swwatamalefest@gmail.com for more information and follow them on Facebook.

Event sponsors include SW WA LULAC, Javier Navarro State Farm Insurance, Riverview Community Bank, Law office of Eulalia Soto, Vancouver Brewfest, Molina Healthcare, Uniweb Digital, Remax Equity Group and Cleanpot Portable.  It is also funded in part by City of Washougal Lodging Tax Funds.

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Today’s Camas First Friday Brings Out a Gnome and Fairy Gala!

For First Friday, May 3rd, we will have a “Garden Gnome & Fairy Gala” in honor of the Camas Plant & Garden Fair the next week! 5-8pm with so much going on!

Find those mischievous gnomes and cute fairies in each participating location and see what kind of fun each is having! You’ll earn tickets to win great prizes for each location you go to!

Other activities will include:

  • Find the fairy houses through town and feed the fairies! (get the fairy food at the DCA tables in Journey! :))
  • Find the Toadstool Game sponsored by Carla Edwards, Realtor! Mini toadstools will be posted around town.  Find up to 5 and get free raffle tickets to win the Garden gnome and Fairy-inspired baskets donated by Carla Edwards. So much FUN!!
  • S’MORES with IQ Credit Union
  • Mini-pots are coming this First Friday (May 3rd) to downtown Camas businesses compliments of Norris Arts. So far, (in semi-geographic order) Hidden River Roasters, Natalia’s Cafe, Arktana, Attic Gallery, Caps ’n Taps, GOW, Lily Atelier, Nuestra Mesa, The Artful Attic, One Beer at a Time, Mill City Brew Werks, Cafe Piccolo, Camas Gallery and the Soap Chest have all agreed to hide some pots. Each will have a $5 coupon for classes or retail items at Norris Arts studio AND you get to keep the mini-pot!
  • Free May Day Baskets from Camas United Methodist Church!
  • Art gallery shows and receptions with refreshments:Attic Gallery: 421 NE Cedar St.
    Camas Gallery: 408 NE 4th Ave.
    Second Story Gallery: 625 NE 4th (upstairs library)
    Free gnome and fairy airbrush face painting by Mandi Straub and Ian Needham of mandi MOON Artistry in front of Journey. They’ll be dressed as garden gnomes for photo ops as well.
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  • Have a talent? Come share at Journey’s very first “Open Mic Night” during First Friday. Sing a song. Play guitar. Do a comedy skit or stand up. Doors open at 5:30pm, performances between 6 – 8pm.  Performers will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Signups begin when doors open at 5:30pm.  This is a family-friendly event – kids/youth welcome to participate!
  • Three ribbon cuttings:
    • Coventry Gardens of London, 602 NE 3rd Ave. at 5pm – Coventry Gardens will have a drawing for a floral bouquet and a British Tea Basket, too!
    • Envyago, 602 NE 3rd Ave. at 5pm
    • Fuse at Flow Hot Yoga (Cycle and Barre), 321 NE 4th Ave @ 5:30pm
  • Gnome and fairy kids’ crafts, games and fun at the DCA tables in Journey
  • Painting with the Paint Roller in front of Journey!
  • After Hours Shopping–get a ticket to win for every $10 spent in downtown!
  • Much more!

Join us! Start at Journey, 304 NE 4th, and pick up your passport and activity list. May 4th, 5-8pm. Let’s have fun together in our downtown!

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