The kitchen is the heart of every home, and renovating it can be exciting yet daunting. Adequate preparation and planning enable you to finish the project without straining. Whether you plan to renovate a modern, minimalistic, or traditional kitchen, goals, research, budgeting, timeline, lighting, and permits required will be considered. 

1. Have a Goal

Do you want to change fixtures and surfaces already in your home? Or do you want to improve the functionality of your kitchen to suit your busy family? Make a list of the goals you have in mind, be it more storage, better lighting, or more appliances. Determine the outcome of the renovation. We can get sidetracked by tile patterns and expensive appliances and end up losing our vision of our original goal. 

2. Carry Out Proper Research

Once your goals are set, do market research on what you will need. Involve a reputable interior designer to advise you on the trends in the market so that you can align them with your goals. If sustainability is important to you, be sure to research eco-friendly materials. Engage experts you find to assist you find items that fit your needs, style, and goals. Take note of kitchen layouts and designs in applications such as Instagram and Pinterest. Doing this will assist you in determining what to include in your design and make a reliable budget. Compare estimates from various contractors to find the best value for your investment.

3. Create a Budget

The best way to ensure you save money on your kitchen renovation is to create a budget before starting. This way, you can save money for the project. Liaise with your interior designer. A professional designer has insights and experiences to help you save money in the long run. Remember to include a contingency fund, about ten to twenty percent of the project’s cost. Use your research notes to help you determine which items will fit your budget. Determine your must-have and prioritize this list from greatest necessity to the least.

4. Have Proper Timelines

Are you renovating your kitchen while still living in your house, or will you move out during the project? The project’s timeline should be considered, as you will need to ensure your temporary kitchen or living conditions will suffice during the project. Know the time you will need to finish the project. Can the renovations be done in 6 weeks? Or can you stretch it to 14 weeks? Planning your timeline avoids juggling schedules at the last minute.

5. Ensure Adequate Lighting

Inadequate illumination can cast shadows on your most beautiful designs. While abundant natural lighting during the day is an asset, how does your kitchen look at night? You will need ambient lighting to generally light the kitchen and task lighting to allow you to focus on different chores. The layering of the lighting is what creates the wow factor.

6. Align Required Permits

Bear in mind that certain types of renovations require city government permits. If you want to sell or refinance your property, potential buyers and lenders might want to verify that your home’s modifications follow the relevant building laws and regulations. Adhere to local building codes and regulations to avoid legal or safety issues.

Conclusion

Establish solid ground rules and strategies to ensure your project stays manageable. With planning and adequate preparation, your project will run well, and you may finish under budget. Remember to incorporate sustainable options to go green without compromising style and quality. A functional and aesthetic kitchen is achievable by paying attention to these details!

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Garden State Tile

Camas, WA — The public is invited to see the latest works of original pen and ink and oils on canvas, glass, Yupo paper, copper, wood and clay at RedDoor Gallery (RDG) at a special First Friday Art Walk reception on Friday, September 6th from 5-8 pm featuring complimentary refreshments and delicious charcuterie.

The art gallery, located in the historic building at 411 NE Dallas Street in downtown Camas, features new work each month by artists Sarah Bang, Shirley Bishop, Matthew Clarkson, Heidi Curley, Cheryl Folkers, Dave Garbot, David Gerton, Cheryl Mathieson, Liz Pike and Tamra Sheline. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 pm to 7pm and by special appointment.

A signature piece in September titled “One Afternoon” is an original pen and ink on canvas created by Dave Garbot. The large 48” x 36” original will be on display along with several of his other works of art. Garbot is an accomplished illustrator of children’s books. He works predominantly in pen and ink on both paper and canvas.

“I wanted to convey the sense of fun and adventure that these characters were setting off into,” he said. “The drama of the boat bouncing up in the waves, makes me smile and I hope it will do the same for my audience.” 

Garbot says he wants to develop the story much further, and with more drawings. 

“I have to find out where they’re going, and I’m anxious to see where my mind and pen will take them,” Garbot said. This is all part of his simple life, and he is happy to share it with the public.

Experience the joy and transformative power of art inside the RedDoor! The gallery’s mission is to provide a vibrant art space open to the public and foster a creative art-making community. In addition to a gallery of fine art, quality art instructional classes are offered in RDG’s professionally equipped studio. RDG also includes a small artist community within the building for individual painters who desire a private art studio on a lease basis.

In addition to hosting an upscale First Friday Art Walk reception from 5 pm to 8 pm on the first Friday of each month, RDG also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Visit RDG on the web at RedDoorGalleryCamas.com. For more information, call 360-281-8720 or e-mail [email protected]

Camas, WA — The Camas-Washougal Fire Department is hosting their Open House, Health and Safety Fair Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 am to 2 pm, at Station 42, 4321 NW Parker Street, Camas WA. 

The day’s events will include live kitchen fire demonstrations at 10:30 am and 12:15 pm, a kids interactive vehicle fire suppression demonstration at 11:15 am, a house fire simulation with sprinkler demonstration at 11:45 am, a vehicle extrication demonstration at 12:45 pm, and Clark County Sherriff’s K9 unit exhibition at 1:15. 

Local agencies and businesses will have exhibits focused on health, safety and emergency preparedness, including NW Natural who joins the event as part of their “Get Ready” emergency preparedness campaign.

Exhibits will include fire extinguisher demonstrations, emergency preparedness tips for families, and information on community support after crisis just to name a few. 

This free community event is family friendly with something for all ages.  There will be a balloon twister and face painting for the kids, and ice cream, hot dogs and treats will be provided!  

Camas, WA — Get ready for a tropically themed evening of cocktail sips and chef inspired bites as the popular Summer Nights Sips & Bites event returns on Thursday, August 15th, from 5 pm-9 pm. Hosted by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA), this 21+ event is a delightful fundraiser supporting downtown efforts. Summer Nights Sips & Bites promises live music, island flair, and festive after-hours shopping throughout Downtown Camas.

After registering and receiving your passport at the DCA tables in the Journey lobby at 304 NE 4th Ave, you’ll set off down the charming streets to explore Downtown Camas. Pop in and out of participating shops, boutiques, and eateries while savoring island-inspired cocktails and bite sized creations from local restaurants. Adding to the tropical atmosphere, Terry Baber will perform live steel drum music, creating an upbeat, vibrant feel for the evening.

This year, even more Downtown Camas restaurants are joining the fun, offering chef-curated bites with a tropical twist. Look forward to delicious treats like Tommy O’s coconut shrimp, Grains of Wrath’s arepas with pork belly and mango salsa, and Feast 316’s truffle mushroom arancini. Don’t miss out on MOB Sauces (formerly Thrive Sauces) at Papermaker Pride with their award-winning sauces.

In addition to these culinary delights, over 15 Downtown Camas merchants are participating in this event. Juxtaposition offers a Grass Skirt Cocktail and 15% off your purchase. Sweet Intention Gift Boutique has a Huckleberry Press and 20% off one item. At Runyan’s Jewelers, enjoy a Sapphire Martini while browsing a large selection of jewelry at 50% off. For a complete list of participants, visit downtowncamas.com/event/summer-nights-sips-bites.

Tropical dress is encouraged! Ticket holders will receive an entry for a special “Summer Staycation in Downtown Camas!” prize, and wearing tropical attire gives you an extra chance to win. Save your shopping and dining receipts and present them at the registration table before you leave for even more chances to win with every $10 you spend.

“We are so excited to add more bites from our fantastic local restaurants for 2024!” says Leah Nichelson, Event and Project Manager for the DCA. “With refreshing cocktail sips, enchanting steel drum music, more tantalizing bites, and sizzling summer shopping specials, it’s sure to create a memorable evening for all in beautiful Downtown Camas. Let us bring the Summer vaycay vibes to you! This is a great way for you to make some Summer memories with friends while supporting the efforts of the Downtown Camas Association, which works all year long to help Downtown Camas thrive!”

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Eventbrite. This event has limited capacity, so be sure to get your tickets ahead of time. Summer Night’s Sips & Bites is a fundraiser for the DCA, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to strengthening and promoting Downtown Camas through partnerships, events, beautification, historic preservation projects, public art engagement, economic development, advocacy, and tourism functions. For more information on the DCA and other downtown events, visit downtowncamas.com

Julie Beeler Creates Pigments & Dyes from Mushrooms in the Columbia River Gorge

Stevenson, WA — Using 40 varieties of fungi to create 825 vibrant natural pigments, dyes and paints, Julie Beeler expresses and educates using mushrooms for color. Layering on natural fibers, Beeler draws on the history of natural dyes to make textiles that are cut, sewn, stitched and constructed to reflect our relationship to the natural world. She shares her process, from foraging and identification to dyeing natural fibers through her studio Bloom & Dye in Trout Lake, Washington and through workshops, retreats and demonstrations.  

Beeler’s journey into the world of mushroom color began with a fascination for the vast and mysterious network of fungi beyond the commonly known edible and medicinal uses. Beeler describes herself as a self-taught mycophile, having spent the past decade delving into uses for these natural pigments. In addition to her studio and educational programs, Beeler developed an online resource The Mushroom Color Atlas to share the colors found in these mushrooms.  

“The universe of colors lurking inside mushrooms mirror the vast array of hues we see in the natural world, yet they are invisible and hidden in an immense underground fungal network of life that represents a new frontier,” expounds Beeler.

Through her work, Beeler was offered an opportunity to collaborate with award-winning publisher, Chronicle Books to create a comprehensive guide to her entire process. The Mushroom Color Atlasbook, written by Beeler and Illustrated by Yuli Gates, releases September 3, 2024.  As an art book, field guide and color distillation workshop, The Mushroom Color Atlas features botanical mushroom illustrations and clear instructions on how to find and positively identify more than two dozen color-filled mushroom species in the wild.

For those looking to experience her work, Beeler will be exhibiting at the Columbia Gorge Museum in Stevenson, Washington October 12 through November 22, 2024.  Her show, Symbiosis, will transport visitors through large sale, immersive ‘tree totems,’ each displaying the chromatic interplay of hues created from regional fungi. A series of textile pieces, mono prints, and photographs visualize their relationship to the environment and create a portrait of our local ecosystem. 

Beeler will also be conducting a demonstration at the Columbia Gorge Museum entitled Mushroom Pigments, Paints & Inks on October 19 from 1-2 pm as a free event for ticket holders in conjunction with The Stevenson Mushroom Festival.

About The Stevenson Mushroom Festival
The Stevenson Mushroom Festival is presented by Traverse PNW Market in Stevenson, Washington. The festival is designed to captivate attendees of all ages with an array of festivities to celebrate the enchanting world of mushrooms. Located throughout Stevenson, Washington, October 18-19, 2024. More at: stevensonmushroomfestival.com

Camas, WA — The popular Movies in the Park series, coordinated by Camas Parks & Recreation, will be held at Dorothy Fox Elementary school starting Friday, August 2, with the showing of the exciting Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (rated PG-13). 

Due to the construction taking place at Crown Park, this year’s free movies will take place at Dorothy Fox Elementary, 2623 NW Sierra St., with movies shown every Friday in August.  Movies are family-friendly and begin at dusk with pre-movie activities (crafts and/or games) taking place one hour prior to show time.

This year’s movie lineup includes:

Dungeons and Dragons – Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) – Aug. 2, at 8:45 pm.

Wonka (PG) – Aug. 9, at 8:30 pm.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (PG) – Aug. 16, at 8:30 pm.

Wish (PG) – Aug. 23, at 8:15 pm.

Shrek (PG) – Aug. 30 at 8 pm.

Attendees are welcome to bring dinner, snacks, or they can purchase novelty treats (i.e. popcorn, candy, etc.) on site.  Bring chairs or blankets for seating and note that, to allow fair viewing, chairs are placed in one-half of the park viewing area and blankets in the other half.  Please note, alcohol and animals are not allowed on school grounds. 

This is a free event with no registration required.  Camas’ Movies in the Park series is sponsored by Camas United Methodist Church, Discovery Dental and Queer Youth Resource Center. 

For more information on the annual Movies in the Park series, visit www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec and click on the Special Events button or call 360-834-5307.

Maybe you’re in a major life transition or you’ve just experienced a deep loss. Perhaps the kids are all gone and the house feels empty or the kids and their schedules are so busy that it’s been a long time since you’ve experienced some quiet. All you know is that you feel: 

  • unsettled,
  • overwhelmed, and
  • uncertain.

“Trust me. I’ve been there,” says artist Elida Field. “I know what it’s like to be in a place you never thought you’d be and wondering … 

Who am I now that …?

What am I supposed to do next?”

Field has led hundreds of women through the process of finding their mojo again by helping them connect to their creativity. 

“Edenwild Retreat will give you the rest you deserve, the spark you’ve been lacking, and the friends you’ve been wanting. When the days get darker, this retreat will be a bright spot to look forward to,” said Field.

All you need to do is:

  1. Register for the Edenwild Retreat.
  2. Pack your bags.
  3. Prepare for painting, hikes, bikes, wonderful dinners and deep conversations.

https://www.elidaart.com/tours

Summer 2023 turned out to be a highly successful season for Italian museums, with exponential growth in visitor numbers and record ticket sales, confirming Italy as one of the world’s most popular cultural destinations. According to data presented by the Digital Innovation Observatory for Culture of the Milan Polytechnic School of Management, the number of visitors to Italian museums, monuments and archaeological sites rose by 16 percent last year compared to 2019 and ticket sales were up 27 percent in the same period.

Record-breaking Italian museumsAmong the world’s most popular museums, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence had more than 5 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 27.8 percent from the previous year. The Vatican Museums in Rome also continued to welcome huge numbers of tourists from around the world, and Turin recorded very positive figures too. The Turin Cinema Museum was seen by more than 800,000 people, attracted in part by the blockbuster exhibition on movie director Tim Burton, while the city’s Egyptian Museum saw an increase in ticket sales thanks to innovative exhibition projects and the newly re-opened Writing Gallery.

Museums and hidden treasures: a heritage just waiting to be discoveredBesides its most famous museums, Italy also boasts an extensive network of less well-known but equally fascinating cultural institutions. The increasing frequency and range of the services run by the FS Group’s Passenger Hub have had a decisive role in facilitating tourism even in the country’s smaller towns. Partly as a result of Trenitalia’s reduced rates and special offers, growing numbers of people have easily been able to reach museums and cultural events across the country. This is also an objective of True Italian Experience, a digital hub that offers sustainable and genuine travel experiences for visitors to savour the essence of Italy, and whose Main Partner is Trenitalia. 

The range of Italian museums extends from large cities to lesser-known treasures scattered around the country. Starting in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, places like the Diocesan Museum in Vicenza have attracted attention with their unique collections of sacred art and ethnographic items reflecting the region’s rich culture. Not far away, in Desenzano del Garda, the Museum of the Battle of San Martino opens a window on Italy’s Risorgimento, with its collection of memorabilia and documents on the historic battles fought for the unification of Italy. 

In Parma, the Magnani Rocca Foundation, also known as the “Villa of Masterpieces“, is another jewel in northern Italy. Its collection, with works by artists of the calibre of Goya, Monet and Titian, attracts art lovers from around the world keen to admire the paintings in a unique setting.

Moving into central Italy, the museum offer includes many other exceptional sites examining the historical and archaeological roots of the area. With its history-rich towns, Umbria provides fascinating underground experiences in Orvieto and Perugia. Here, visitors can journey through a maze of tunnels and caverns excavated over the centuries beneath the old cities, for a unique opportunity to see the life and construction techniques of the past. In Tuscany, between Grosseto and Orbetello, the Archaeology and Art Museum presents the history of this stretch of coastline through a vast collection of artefacts ranging from the Etruscans to the modern age.

Italian Museums
Museum at Perugia.

In the Marche region, the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona is an example of an historic building that hosts cultural events and art exhibitions, but it is just one of many museums, like the Rossini Museum in Pesaro or the Augusto Capriotti Museum of the Sea in San Benedetto del Tronto, which houses one of the largest collections of Mediterranean fish.

Travelling south to Puglia, the Sant’Anna Synagogue Museum in Trani looks at the history of the local Jewish community, illustrating its heritage and traditions through collections of artefacts and historic documents. Close by in Polignano a Mare, the Pino Pascali Museum Foundation is dedicated to contemporary art, with works from some of the most innovative artists of the 20th century and temporary exhibitions that attract an international public.

In Naples, the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa tells the history of the Italian railways with its extraordinary collection of locomotives and carriages illustrating the country’s technological and industrial evolution.

Finally, in Palermo in Sicily, the Palazzo dei Normanni and the GAM – Gallery of Modern Art are just two locations that not only hold artworks of inestimable value, but also host cultural events exploring contemporary artistic movements.
From North to South, Italy is a never-ending succession of art, culture and tradition that goes far beyond its best known and most popular destinations: with treasures of incalculable value, the country is a great museum waiting to be discovered step by step.

Learn more: 

https://trueitalianexperience.it/en

Taco lovers, rejoice! The third Annual Camas Taco Fest at A Beer At A Time is almost here! Get your tickets now and enjoy a day filled with tacos, burritos, margaritas, and live music from The Playlist, Northwest Transit, The Southern Sons, and Tacos In Hell! 🎶🥳 

Fans have really enjoyed this event, and the hosts are looking forward to another day filled with fun, good food, drink and music.

Click the link to join the fiesta and grab your free entry, drink, and food tickets by volunteering!👇

Ticket Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camas-taco-fest-2024-tickets-942533582317?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Volunteer Sign-up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BABAB2FA2F8C43-50292346-camas

Taco Fest

Fern Prairie, WA — The fifth annual Fern Prairie ART FEST is a two-day event connecting local artists and the community on Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th from 10 am to 4 pm. The ART FEST is staged in the peaceful and tranquil setting of Shangri-La Farm, located 1.5 miles north of Lacamas Lake just outside the city limits of Camas, Washington. A total of nine artist booths will be featured in the juried show.

“These fine artists are excited to show and sell their work at ART FEST,” said organizer and local artist Liz Pike. 

Pike will be joined by artists Bev Birdwell, Matthew Clarkson, Cheryl Folkers, Dave Garbot, David Gerton, Charlene Hale, Gail Haskett and Keith Russell. Original work includes paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolor, pastels, mixed media, hand-built pottery, fused and enamel glass, jewelry, pen and ink, and copper mixed media.

The public is invited to take in original works of art surrounded by the beautiful gardens at Shangri-La Farm. Attendees will park at rented Grove Field Airport parking lot, 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas, WA. Guests may either walk the 1/4 mile trail through the woods to Shangri-La Farm or take the free “Sunflower Mobile” shuttle service. The Sunflower Mobile is an art piece all on its own, hand painted by Liz Pike in oils on fiberglass in her signature sunflower motif. The free shuttle will be available to transport attendees from the airport parking lot to Shangri-La Farm on both days, Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th between 10 am and 4 pm.

The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce is operating a beer and wine garden starting at noon both days with proceeds benefitting Chamber programs. Diamond Dogs will be selling its gourmet dogs and snacks next to the Chamber’s beer and wine garden.

For more information, contact Liz Pike at 360-281-8720 or email [email protected].