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Pike Art Gallery Celebrates Festive Dec. 1 First Friday Art Walk in Uptown Camas

Camas, WA — Pike Art Gallery has decked the halls for Christmas at Camas First Friday Art Walk this week. Gallery owner and local artist Liz Pike invites the public to a swanky artists’ reception – serving up conviviality with complimentary beverages and charcuterie on Friday, December 1st from 5 to 8 pm. The gallery is located at the corner of Birch Street and Sixth Avenue, occupying the lobby of Minuteman Press. The gallery features the work of both Pike and Vancouver artist Blue Bond at the popular art exhibition every first Friday of the month.

“I’m unveiling a new body of works painted in a new palette of soft shades of avocado greens and golds,” said Pike. “I’ve experienced a wonderful year of inspiration and I’m excited to share my latest body of work,” said Pike. 

She also noted the importance of shopping local during this Christmas season of giving. 

“We have so many wonderful hometown businesses that are owned and operated by local families. When we shop local, everyone wins,” she added. 

Bond also has new works of art on display at Pike Art Gallery for the month of December. Additionally, Pike keeps her gallery open late each Thursday from 5-7 pm.

Each Thirsty ART Thursday, Pike performs a live painting demonstration in oil on canvas. Discover local art and enjoy complimentary beverages and charcuterie each Thursday from 5-7 pm. 

“We invite area residents to drop into Pike Art Gallery on their way to dinner in downtown Camas,” said Pike.

Pike also shows her work at several summertime art festivals. She is a member of the Battle Ground Art Alliance, Artisans Guild of Camas, the Northwest Oil Painters Guild and Society of Washington Artists. Pike Art Gallery can be reached at 360.281.8720.

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Christmas Tree Lighting Returns for Camas’ Hometown Holidays

The City of Camas’ Hometown Holidays will return this year to downtown Camas with a full slate of activities, including the popular Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 pm-8 pm.

Residents and visitors will once again enjoy a bustling downtown Camas, filled with school and community choirs, bands and dancers, photos with Santa (bring your camera!), crafts for the kids, street food vendors, and downtown restaurants and shops open for business. The tree-lighting ceremony returns after a three-year hiatus, kicking off the event at 5 pm,, thanks to the coordination and sponsorship by the Downtown Camas Association and the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.  Hometown Holidays is coordinated and hosted by Camas Parks & Recreation and coincides with Downtown Camas Association’s First Friday.

Hometown Holidays and the events are free and open to all, thanks to the financial support of Columbia Credit Union, iQ Credit Union, Windermere Real Estate, Downtown Camas Association, Lutz Hardware and in-kind donors and volunteers. In addition, various restaurants and food vendors will be open to purchase food. Visitors can also use the opportunity to shop for their holiday gifts in Camas’ well-known historic downtown.  

“This is one of our community’s favorite and festive events, getting us in the mood for the holidays and bringing our community together to share some of the joy of the season,” said Krista Bashaw, Special Events Coordinator with the City of Camas.

The free parking shuttle, courtesy of the Camas School District, will run its easy-to-park & ride event shuttles from 4 – 8:30 pm. Four color-coded parking lots within 1-mile of downtown Camas will be incorporated into one continuous shuttle route.  The shuttle route will stop at each of the parking lots and will drop off riders on the street between Camas City Hall and the Camas Public Library. The shuttle is free; details can be found at www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec; and click on the “Special Events” tab.

A few suggestions before venturing out this year: please leave dogs at home; this event is not a good fit, as it will feature very large crowds. Visitors can now park their strollers at the Festival Information Tent, located at 4th & Cedar St.; and Journey Church will also be hosting a quiet room to allow diaper changing and nursing mothers. 

For event locations and other event details, visit https://www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/hometown-holidays-0 

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Annual Washougal Studio Artist Tour Holiday Art Market Coming Nov. 18-19

Washougal, WA – Explore the world of unique and exquisite holiday gifts by stepping inside the studio workshops of local artists during the annual Washougal Studio Artist Tour Holiday Art Market. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19, running from 10 am to 4 pm both days.

The idea for this event emerged following the success of their springtime Mother’s Day tour, where customers were captivated by the exceptional artistry they encountered. Event organizer and talented fused glass artist, Shirley Bishop, shared her insight: “Customers at our Mother’s Day tour asked if we held anything like this near the holidays. Customers were impressed with what they saw. They were impressed with the quality and uniqueness of the art. They wanted access to our local artists for their holiday shopping.”

This year’s third annual tour, the Washougal Studio Artist Tour (WSAT) Holiday Art Market, will showcase the creations of sixteen artists at four unique Washougal art studios, most of whom have been part of previous studio tour events, with new ones we are also excited to share! Because this endeavor proved successful, it is sure to continue to be a cherished Washougal holiday tradition. 

“The tour provides an opportunity to invite customers into artists’ studios to better understand the process they go through to create these works of art,” explained Bishop. “People love to buy directly from the artist, see their workspace, and learn more about them. The pieces in the tour are exceptional and unique. These artists are not ‘crafters.’  They are truly artists making a living selling their art.”  

Ry Luikens
Visit www.Ry4Camas.com

Some of the artists even offer art classes for the public to learn their techniques.

Participating artists in our 2023 Holiday Tour includes: 

  • Studio #1: Linda Andrews-Riggs, specializing in watercolors; Sharon Buckmaster who creates wearable art, and Sandy Moore (studio owner) with her creative fiber art.  
  • Studio #2: Regina Westmoreland, talented mixed media artist, Phyllis Carter, celebrated for her fused glass artistry, Ellen Nordgren also known for her work in mixed media, Deborah Nagano mixed media artistry, Liz Nye specializing in mixed media art, Toni McCarthy with her boho style jewelry, and Tamara Dinius an expert in mixed media artistry and owner of the Adret’ Collective of artists.  
  • Studio #3: Kathy Marty with her hand-woven rugs and home goods from Pendleton woolen scraps, LesleyAnne Ezelle an alpaca fiber & clay artist, Roxanne Turley works in alcohol ink/mixed media, Shirley Bishop (studio owner) known for her beautiful glass artistry.  
  • Studio #4: holds David Van Zandt (studio owner) as a bronze sculptor & his oil artistry and Charlene Hale also well known for her unique glass art works.

The event is sponsored in part by a City of Washougal Lodging Tax Fund grant. For event details, artist profiles and contacts, and a map to the studio locations go to https://www.washougalstudioartists.org

Holiday art
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Events: November Downtown Camas First Friday: Focus on Pies, Gratitude

Camas, WA — All are invited to give thanks and celebrate the season at the “Thankful for Pie” themed First Friday on November 3rd, 5-8pm, in Downtown Camas. Activities include pie raffles and tastings, smore’s roasting, fall crafts and games and prizes. This event also features autumnal dining and cocktail specials, art shows, and after-hours shopping.

Pie lovers will rejoice at the many pie themed games, raffles, and activities. Participating businesses will be offering a pie raffle with a chance to win a delicious prize. The St. John’s Presbyterian Church will be giving away 4” pies and other sweet treats (while supplies last) as a part of their 140 acts of kindness in celebration of their 140th anniversary. Everyone is invited to the Pie Walk Dance Party at 7pm, where they can dance for a chance to win one of many prize pies, sponsored by Carla Edwards, a local Realtor. Attendees can also vote for their favorite pie, and enjoy a tasting hosted by the Downtown Camas Association inside Journey Church.

Additional activities include:

  • S’mores Roasting (weather permitting) sponsored by Journey Church
  • Fall Crafts for kids at LiveWell Camas, 417 NE Birch, and inside Journey Church  
  • Fill out the “Gratitude Passport” and be entered to win fall themed prizes from the downtown merchants
  • 10 Year Anniversary Celebration at 4Ever Growing Kids with music, a Shirley Temple drink bar and treats
  • “Pie or Be Pied” activity hosted by Grace Church, outside at 422 NE 4th Ave
  • Perfect Pie Chart Stem Activity hosted by The Mariposa Mission inside Journey
  • Art Shows, Receptions, and Demonstrations at the 411Art Collective, 411 NE Dallas, Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar,  Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th, Pike Art Gallery, 302 NE 6th Ave, and Silesian Stories featuring Sister City’s Stories and Art from Lloyd and Ulrike Halverson at the Second Story Gallery, upstairs at 625 NE 4th Ave.
Ry Luikens

Pick up your First Friday passport and activity list for the evening at the DCA tables in Journey starting at 5pm.

“What brings people together more than a delicious pie?” says Jan Carter, Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator of the Downtown Camas Association. “This event invites people from all ages and all walks of life to gather and share gratitude and community connection. We’re excited to help celebrate St. John’s 140th anniversary in Camas as well! Shop, dine, support local, and share your love of pie on November 3rd in Downtown Camas!”

First Fridays are Art, Activities, Dining, and After Hours Shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and bring the community together. For all the information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/november-first-friday-thankful-for-pie  and www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday . 

PIe
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Tales of the Oregon Trail to be Presented at Historical Society Annual Meeting

Camas-Washougal, WA — Local storyteller Pepper Toelle Kim will recount the real events of her ancestor’s 1844 wagon train journey along the Oregon Trail at the annual meeting of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society.  The free CWHS program is open to all on Saturday, November 4 at 2pm at the Washougal Community Room at 1681 C Street, near City Hall.

“Like many Oregon Trail journeys, the saga of my ancestors’ wagon train seems like a novel, with its array of trials, sorrows, and triumphs,” said Kim.

Kim’s ancestors traveled alongside historic settlers David C. Parker, Michael Troutman Simmons, and George Washington Bush in their seven-month passage. Parker was the first permanent American settler in Washington and present-day Washougal.  He created a dock, ferry service, and the town of Parkersville on the north bank of the Columbia River where the Camas-Washougal Port is now located.

Kim hopes her presentation will provide the audience with a deeper understanding of pioneer experiences in general, and the particular challenges experienced by David C. Parker and other early Washington settlers. 

“Hearing the tale of a particular group engages one more, especially if the storyteller has a personal connection,” she explained.

Dabasinskas
Visit www.stephen4council.com

The sheer courage that pioneers demonstrated moving to an unknown area is impressive to Kim.  

“Especially if you had children to care for,” she said. “To me, the most difficult times were the deaths of fellow travelers, especially the Sager parents of seven children.”

Kim is a retired alternative high-school teacher who taught at Evergreen ALC/Legacy High School from 1986 to 2011. She earned her BA in English and teaching credential from Mills College, and her MS in (Alternative) Education from Western Illinois University. She is a member of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington, Ft. Vancouver Chapter #19.

In 2004, Kim also was awarded a Confluence Project in the Schools grant. Her community liaison for that project was the Clark County Historical Museum, where her students’ art creation was displayed. She has volunteered for CCHM ever since.

As a grandparent, Kim is inspired to bring her ancestors’ stories to life. 

“I am a Portland native, yet I had no idea I had connections to SW Washington until I started learning local history,” Kim said. “We are all more connected than we realize!”

The CWHS operates the Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street in Washougal. It is currently closed for winter maintenance and will reopen March 2, 2024.  Private group tours, for more than eight people, can be arranged by contacting the museum.  Prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and just $2 for students.  

CWHS members can visit for free. 

Join the CWHS to help support additional historic presentations and preservation of local history. Membership information will be available at the presentation.  Learn more about the museum and volunteer and membership opportunities, visit www.2rhm.com and follow them on Facebook.

Oregon Trail
Pepper Kim
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Liberty Theatre Welcomes Filmmaker Signet Baumane For Saturday’s Screening

The Liberty Theatre will welcome filmmaker Signet Baumane to host a screening of her new film “My Love Affair With Marriage,” on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 pm.

Signe Baumane is a Latvian-born, Brooklyn-based independent filmmaker, artist, writer, and animator. She has made 16 award-winning animated shorts and is best known for her first animated feature “Rocks in my Pockets”.

The film covers a 100-year history of depression and suicide of women in her family, including herself. It premiered at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2014 where it received a FIPRESCI Award. “Rocks in my Pockets” went on to over 130 international festivals and opened theatrically in the U.S. through Zeitgeist Films.

Signe’s new animated feature “My Love Affair With Marriage” fuses animation with music, theater, science, photography, three-dimensional sets and traditional hand-drawn animation to tell the story of a spirited young woman’s quest for perfect Love and lasting Marriage.

“My Love Affair with Marriage” premiered at Tribeca Festival 2022.

Liberty

Premiere

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH MARRIAGE  NR $8, $9 on Saturday at 7:30, $7 on Tuesday.

Official website: https://www.myloveaffairwithmarriagemovie.com/

RottenTomatos: 88% Fresh https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_love_affair_with_marriage

October 20 Fri at 7 pm. 

October 21 Sat at 3:15 pm – (7:30 pm filmmaker Q&A)   

October 22 Sun at 5:30 pm 

October 23 Mon at 4:30 pm 

October 24 Tue at 6:35 pm 

October 25 Wed at 4:30 pm 

October 26 Thu at 4:30 pm 

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Sunshine Forecasted for Sunday’s Autumn Flower Festival at Shangri-La Farm

Lizzy Jane’s Flower Market, located at Shangri-La Farm, is hosting its first ever Autumn Flower Festival on Sunday, October 22 from 11 am to 4 pm in Fern Prairie. The event is free to the public and Mother Nature promises mild temperatures without rain in the forecast! 

Attendees will park at the rented Grove Field Airport parking lot, located around the corner from Shangri-La at 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas. From the airport parking lot, follow the meandering trail 1/4 mile through the woods to Shangri-La Farm or take a fun ride on the free Electric Sunflower Mobile shuttle to the farm.

Shangri-La Farm is currently growing about 350 dahlias, encompassing about 70 different varieties. 

“This year’s warm temperatures and mild autumn weather has made for one of the most brilliant dahlia seasons on record,” said Liz Pike, owner of the farm. “I’m thrilled to share the beauty of these flowers with our community. Be sure and bring the kids to this family friendly event!” 

Children will have an opportunity to feed the free-ranging chickens of Shangri-La Farm during the flower festival.

Flower arranging demonstrations will be provided hourly by Pike, who is also a local artist, Clark County Master Gardener and beekeeper. 

“Arranging flowers is a lot like painting in oils on a canvas,” said Pike. “Dahlias offer so many textures and colors in which to work with. One of my favorite times of the day is when I get to design beautiful bouquets of dahlias for my farm stand customers.”

In addition to hourly floral arranging demonstrations between 11 am and 4 pm, Shangri-La Farm is also hosting guided tours throughout the gardens. The public is invited to see organic flower gardens, vegetable beds, a fruit orchard, berry patches, herb gardens, and a brand new 50 plant rose garden and 50 plant English Lavender garden. View the farm’s apiaries and see busy honeybees in action.

Liz’s son, Richard Pike, will also be leading an apple cider press demonstration throughout the day at the Autumn Flower Festival. 

The public is invited to see Shangri-La Farm’s organic apples turned into fresh and delicious apple cider on a turn-of-the-century cider press. 

“We want to share our knowledge about the age-old tradition of pressing apples into cider,” said Richard. 

Free samples of apple cider will be offered to the public.

Several Plein-air artists from the Northwest Oil Painters Guild will also be making art in real time at the Autumn Flower Festival. The public is invited to see artists painting what they see, in and among the lush organic gardens at Shangri-La Farm.

Lizzy Jane’s Flower Market offers custom order dahlia bouquets in season for wedding flowers, all occasion celebrations or bouquets for your home or office. 

“All our flowers are 100% organic. Bouquets of roses, peonies, lilies and hundreds of perennials are also available in season,” added Pike. 

A country style farm stand is open every day of the year. Local residents stop in to purchase farm fresh eggs, flowers, farm-house pastries, raw honey from Shangri-La Farm honeybees, jams made from organic berries grown on-site and seasonal produce. Liz, together with her husband Neil Cahoon, established Shangri-La Farm in 2010, transforming a derelict property into a garden oasis for birds, bees and people. 

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

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Perfect Harmony Music Academy Organizes ‘We Love The ’90s’ Halloween Event

Camas, WA — Perfect Harmony is a music academy in Camas, Washington, with youth and adult rockstar programs where students are taught music, how to play instruments, how to play in bands, and then play live concerts. They will be performing hits of the nineties, such as the Goo Goo Dolls, No Doubt, Sublime, etc., at the Fern Prairie Grange on October 28th for a Halloween spooktacular where costumes are encouraged.

About Perfect Harmony Academy of Music


Perfect Harmony Academy of Music has been teaching students for close to 10 years. It is located in Camas, Washington and serves students in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver. Three time Best of Camas award winning music education. We also have programs where instruments are donated and scholarships are given.

You may learn more at https://camasmusiclessons.com

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Shangri-La Farm Announces September 30th Hootenanny for Lahaina Fundraiser

Fern Prairie, WA — For more than a decade, Shangri-La Farm has hosted an end of summer celebration known as its famous annual Hootenanny. But this year, the event will transform into a fundraiser on Saturday, September 30th from 5-9pm to benefit the Maui Strong Fund. This fund provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the Maui wildfires. 

As of September 14th, $120,730,844 has been donated to the Maui Strong Fund which is administrated through the Hawaii Community Foundation.

“The public is invited to attend this event at our Shangri-La Farm,” said organizer Liz Pike. “Attendees will be treated to a delicious western BBQ dinner and homemade pie. We encourage folks to wear their cowboy or Aloha attire for an evening of fun, music and dancing.” 

Tickets are $40 per person and advance registration is required by September 25th. A limit of 200 tickets will be sold. To RSVP, please text or call Pike at (360) 281-8720 or email: [email protected] . Pre-pay $40 per person with Venmo to Shangri-La Farm or pay $40 at the door. All net proceeds from the event will be sent to Maui Strong Fund.

The Hootenanny features live music by Kista Roberts and Whiskey Blue Band. Guests are also encouraged to bring $5 and $20 bills to play Chicken Poop Bingo.

“My ties to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands run deep,” said Pike. “I lived on the Island of Oahu for about ten years and my twin children were born in Honolulu in 1989. Like most Americans, my husband Neil and I have enjoved vacations in the Hawaiian Islands. When we heard about the horrific wildfires on Maui, we decided this year’s Hootenanny should be about helping those in need.”

Guests will park at Grove Field Airport, 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas. The Port of Camas Washougal is contributing the use of the Grove Field airport parking lot for this fundraising event to partner with Shangri-La Farm to benefit Maui Strong Fund. From the airport, follow the meandering trail 1/4 mile through the woods to Shangri-La Farm or take a fun ride on the free Sunflower Mobile shuttle to the farm.

For more information, contact Liz Pike at Tel. (360) 281-8720 or email

[email protected]

Downtown Camas
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Harvest Festival Celebrates End of 16th Camas Farmer’s Market Season

Camas, WA — The community is invited to celebrate the bounty of the season at the Camas Farmer’s Market Harvest Festival on Wednesday, September 27th from 3 pm-7 pm. This event marks the end of the 2023 season for the market, hosted in historic Downtown Camas. The festival features fall themed games, décor and photo ops alongside local farmed produce and flowers, artisan foods, and diverse dinner options. The Harvest Festival is located at 625 NE 4th Avenue, in front of the Camas Library.

Shoppers have shown their affinity for shopping local and supporting local food systems throughout this year’s 18-week market season. The Camas Farmer’s Market saw record highs for attendance and many vendors enjoyed record sales, despite multiple days of high temperatures. The sustainably harvested farm-to-table produce, flowers, and honey, in addition to hand crafted artisan foods including pasta sauce, nut butters, kombucha, and wide variety of international cuisines, have been a winning combination for vendors and shoppers alike. 

All vendors accept cash and credit cards at their booths, and participating farms also accept WIC/Senior benefits cards. SNAP beneficiaries can start their shopping trip at the Information Booth at the corner of 4th and Everett, to take advantage of the SNAP Market Match Program, where they can receive up to $25 additional match dollars for fresh market produce.

The festival will feature market favorite musician Terry Baber from 3 pm-7 pm. Terry has been playing steel pan drum for nearly 20 years. Listeners will enjoy his relaxed island-inspired steel drum classics. The market will feature a variety of delicious dinner options, including Greek options from Getta Gyro authentic Mexican inspired fare from Razo’s Tacos, empanadas from Melted Crumbs, and hot pretzels from XYZ Baked Goods. Festival Goers looking for a sweet treat will find no shortage of artisan baked goods, such as European baked goods from Camas Market and Bakery, finely decorated cookies from Blue Gem Bakery, and rice crispy treats and other goodies from truly scrumptious. Games and activities for all ages will be offered, including a raffle for a grand prize of a wagon full of local produce and treats, donated by Camas Farmer’s Market vendors. Kids can enjoy free face painting from Mandi Moon Artistry. Games include pumpkin bowling, corn hole, and a harvest spinning wheel.

Downtown Camas

At its core, the Harvest Festival is a celebration of local farmers. The market hosted over 20 unique farms in 2023. Some farmers, like Dan and Caroline Swansey from Yacolt Farm, have been in the market for over 10 seasons. This year also brought opportunities for vendors that are new to farming, including artisan mushroom grower Rod Seal from Shroom’n 2 U. Visitors are encouraged to shop, dine, and connect with their community at the final market of the season.

“We are so excited to celebrate the end of the Market and harvest season with the community!” says Shannon Van Horn, President of the Camas Farmer’s Market Board of Directors. “We are very grateful for all the support from our sponsors, the City of Camas, and our customers! It was wonderful to see how many people still braved all weather conditions to support all their local farmers and other vendors!  Please join us for a fun celebration to round out our 16th season, and we look forward to seeing you again in Spring 2024!”

The Camas Farmer’s Market is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides local and sustainable foods to the community of Camas and beyond. For more information, visit camasfarmersmarket.org. Follow the market on Facebook or Instagram. Get up to date information about events and vendors from the Camas Farmer’s Market newsletter, click here to sign up.

Written by Downtown Camas Association.

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