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Living: Top Three Tips for a Functional Garage Workshop

A functional garage workshop makes a difference in how well you finish projects. When your space is unorganized, cramped, or dark, it’s hard to stay focused and get motivated. 

But you don’t need a big budget or an interior designer’s mind to make your space work for you. Follow these top three tips for a functional garage workshop.

1. Select or Build Your Workbench 

Your workbench needs to be sturdy so that you can safely complete projects. And it needs to be the right size for your available square footage. Choose between wood, plastic, or steel workbenches.

Or, if you’re handy and have the tools for it, consider building your own custom workbench. Keep in mind that even when you have enough floor space, a larger workbench won’t always improve your space. Also, think about whether you want to put the workbench against the wall or away from it.

2. Light Up the Room 

In most standard garages, lighting is limited or ugly. Therefore, the next tip for a functional garage workshopis to upgrade the lighting. The better the lighting, the easier it is for you to see what you’re doing, and the less likely you are to strain your eyes. You can hang an LED shop light directly over your workbench to keep it illuminated. 

You don’t have to add lights everywhere to lighten the room either. Adding a diamond plate backsplash behind your against-the-wall workbench is a great trick for reflecting the light. And since one of the benefits of cosmetic diamond plates is durability, you’ll protect the wall from debris as you work.

3. Store Tools and Supplies Neatly

Use vertical storage space as much as possible. This will conserve your available floor area and can make it easier for you to find your tools and supplies. People commonly use pegboard to hold lightweight tools. And you can use a slatwall fitted with hooks, shelves, baskets, and bins to store larger and heavier items.

Place small items in drawers and use dividers to keep things organized. For miscellaneous small objects, consider using small storage bins. Label the bins, then keep the items you need the most often closest to you.  

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2 Rivers Bar & Grill Revamps Summer Menu w/ Amazing New Dishes

Washougal, WA — 2 Rivers Bar and Grill has completely revamped their summer menu, which includes some amazing small plates, pastas, entrees and greens. Chef Max Whitmore, under the director of owner Michelle Ford, has worked with his team to create some delicious dining options that will please your palate, and ensure many returns.

“I shut down the restaurant for a month to rethink how we did everything; we shook things up,” said Ford. “We’re committed to being part of this great community.”

Whitmore was the chef at 360 Pizzeria and he brought several new ideas to 2 Rivers. 

Lacamas Magazine sampled several dishes, all of which had new twists on traditional cuisine, along with some pleasant surprises.

Small Plates

2 Rivers offers 10 appetizers that are great to eat alone or share. You could even order several and make a fun night with small plates. I sampled the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Clam Chowder, and Charred Carrots. 

The shrimp plate is served in a bowl, can almost be eaten like a soup, and has a little bite to it. After you’re done eating the delicious shrimp, you can soak up the sauce-like broth with the toasted baguette that complements the plate.

The Clam Chowder comes with fresh clams, bacon lardon, and jalapeño, and it was a surprising and different take on a traditional soup. We’ll go back and have that again for sure.

One to love vegetables, I had to have the Charred Carrots, which comes with whipped cream, spiced green sauce, and walnuts. Delicious!

Pastas

2 Rivers offers five pasta options, of which I sampled the Fennel Sausage Ragu.

The Fennel Sausage Ragu is presented quite nicely with housemade fennel sausage, roasted red peppers, fettuccini, oregano and parmesan. There’s enough yummies on this plate to share.

2 Rivers
Ragu and Fried Chicken.

Entrees

Six new entree options are available, and I sampled the Fried Chicken, which is served with housemate jalapeño cheddar cornbread, along with collard greens and guajilo honey. It’s total comfort food. 

I also sampled the Cast Iron Flank Steak, which comes with horseradish yogurt, roasted beets, fresh herbs and olive oil. The meat is prepared to perfection.

They also offer a full bar with an assortment of wines, beer and speciality cocktails. 

Located at 1700 Main Street in the heart of downtown Washougal at Washougal Town Square, 2 Rivers opens at 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. They close at 8 pm Tuesday through Thursday and at 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays.

2 Rivers

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Camas Days Parade Features Marquita Call as Grand Marshal on July 23

Following two years of pandemic related restrictions, the Camas Days Hometown Festival is roaring back to life on Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24th. One of the highlights is the Camas Days Parade which attracts more than 10,000 spectators. This year, Marquita Call will serve as Grand Marshal. Marquita was named business person of the year by the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce in 2021. 

Marquita Call was raised in Camas and has deep roots here. Her dad, Art Gaiani, built more than 50 homes in Camas. Her grandmother Marie Eymer played piano at the Liberty Theatre when it opened in 1927. Marquita graduated Camas High School in 1962. Her first job was at the Ideal Corner Cafe at the age of 15. She also worked at Dairy Queen with classmate Denis Hayes, the International Chairman of Earth Day. She and her friends started the first recycling center in Camas in the late 60s. She taught Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Church for 20 years, where her mother Lenora Gaiani served as superintendent. 

Marquita has owned Camas Gallery for the past 12 years. Her gallery has been voted Best of Clark County for seven years in a row. In 2012, the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) honored Marquita with its “Something New” award and then in 2013, the DCA presented her with its “Spirit Award.” 

Marquita is known for her infectious personality. She welcomes visitors to her gallery with warmth and enthusiasm and freely shares her historic knowledge of Camas. One visitor claimed Marquita is to Camas what Dolly Parton is to Pigeon Forge, TN.

“One thing that will never change about Camas is its sense of wellness,” says Marquita. “I love this very special town,” she said. 

In addition to the popular Saturday Camas Days parade, a children’s parade is on Friday, July 22 at 12:15 pm. Most of the events continue over two days, Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23. Two day events include a beer and wine garden with live music from 5 pm to 11 pm along with a street festival featuring more than 80 artisans and vendors, and family fun on Kids’ Street, open from 11 am to 8 pm. Visit CWChamber.com to download full schedule of events. For more information, contact Camas Washougal Chamber at 360-834-2472. 

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Camas Days: ‘Experience The Magic of Camas’ Schedule of Events

The annual Camas Day celebration is returning Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23, with extended events on Sunday, July 24. There will be a special concert on July 21.

Sponsored by Georgia Pacific – Camas Mill, Waste Connections, Wafertech LLC, Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver Clinic, The Columbian Newspaper, You Move Me, Minuteman Press Camas, Sip & Paint for Fun Art Farm, Camas Boutique Hotel, The Camas-Washougal Post Record, City of Camas and the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, July 21

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm CONCERT IN THE PARK @ Crown Park featuring Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes (Blues)

FRIDAY, July 22nd

10:00 am – 8:00 pm VENDOR BOOTHS OPEN Six City blocks, downtown Camas. Handmade crafts, gifts, food and more!

10:00 am – 8:00 pm FOOD BOOTHS Birch between 3rd and 4th Avenue. Food from all over the world, and your classic festival favorites!

11:00 am – 8:00 pm KIDS STREET: 50ft inflatable slide, obstacle course, games and more on Dallas & 4th.

11:30 am KIDS PARADE LINE UP & JUDGING: In front of City Hall, 4th & Franklin. 12:15 pm KIDS PARADE BEGINS

5:00 pm – 11 pm (Gates close at 10:30) BEER & WINE GARDEN. On Birch Street, between 4th & 5th. Live Music! Blues rock & classic rock all evening long! $5 entry at the door, 21 and over only.

Entertainment: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm The Beth Willis Band & 7:00- 10:30: The Caddies

Camas Days

SATURDAY, July 23

10:00 am – 8:00 pm VENDOR BOOTHS OPEN Six City blocks, downtown Camas. Handmade crafts, gifts food and more.

10:00 am – 8:00 pm FOOD BOOTHS Birch between 3rd and 4th Avenue. Food from all over the world, and your classic festival favorites.

USED BOOK SALE at the Camas Library Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm.

11:00 am – 8:00 pm KIDS STREET: 50ft inflatable slide, obstacle course, games and more on Dallas & 4th.

11:00 am CAMAS DAYS GRAND PARADE – “Experience the Magic of Camas” themed parade.

4th Avenue, Oak to Adams.

Immediately following the grand parade – SENIOR ROYALTY LUNCHEON honoring Camas Days’ Royal Queen, Molly Coston, at Zion Lutheran Social Hall 3rd and Garfield.

1:00 pm BATHTUB RACES 4th & Franklin. Sign up sheet is on the Chamber website.

5:00 pm – 11 pm (Gates close at 10:30) BEER & WINE GARDEN. On Birch Street, between 4th & 5th. Live Music! Blues rock & classic rock all evening long! $5 entry at the door, 21 and over only.

Entertainment: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: The Beth Willis Band & 7:00- 10:30: The Hot Shots

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm STEAK FEED AT GROVE FIELD: Flyit Hangar, Grove Field Airport CWAA Steak Feed!

$30.00 per plate!
A 12 oz. top sirloin steak barbecued to how you like it!
Baked potato, salad, and rolls.
Cake for dessert.
Barbeque Auction!!
The Ever Popular Pie Auction!!!
First 100 Steaks to sell, first-come, first-served!

Proceeds benefit CWAA scholarship fund. Bring your own steak knife!

SUNDAY, July 24

8:00 am – 7:00 pm ANNUAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT, contact George Eckman (360) 713- 2510.

11:00 am – 4pm PICNIC IN COLOR: Held in downtown Camas on Cedar between 4th and 5th Avenue.

12:00 pm DUCKY DERBY drawing at the Picnic in Color!

Camas Days

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Events: Camas Summer Concerts in the Park to Kick Off July 7

CAMAS, WA — For the 28th year, Camas Parks & Recreation is set to host the popular Summer Concerts in the Park series in Crown Park. This free concert series offers family-friendly performances in a variety of musical styles.

The free Summer Concerts in the Park will take place every Thursday in July from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, at Crown Park, located at 120 NE 17th Ave.

This year’s first act will be CJ Mickens, July 7, featuring his iconic Pop/Urban/Contemporary style. 

The 4 Kings with their amazing Soul-Jazz groove follows July 14. On July 21, Kevin Selfe & 

The Tornadoes bring award-winning Blues music to the stage. 

Finally, Shades of Huey will wrap up the series July 28, featuring the well-known cover songs of Huey Lewis and the News.

Food concessions will not be available this year, however, you can support your local restaurants by purchasing take-out meals from a variety of Downtown Camas restaurants or from Top Burger, located across the street from the park. Picnic dinners are always welcome.

The Summer Concerts in the Park series is coordinated by Camas Parks and Recreation. The concerts are offered to the public for free due to the generous support and sponsorships from Riverview Community Bank and Camas Parks Foundation. No alcohol, dogs or other animals are allowed in the park. 

For the concert details, closer to the events, visit www.cityofcamas.us/parks and click on “Special Events.”

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Market Place: Top Considerations Before Selling Your Boat

Being able to entertain friends and family on a boat has its benefits. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your vessel or make a few bucks, learning the top considerations before selling your boat provides you with the best strategies. 

Understanding the Current Market

Before listing your boat, you may have a target price in mind, but it may not match what the market dictates. The state of the market always trumps the boat’s condition, no matter how immaculate it is.

Thanks to all the resources shoppers have at their disposal, they are more knowledgeable than ever. It’s easy for them to look at similar vessels and compare prices, giving them possible leverage in a negotiation. 

Make a Listing That Stands Out

Considering the multiple avenues that potential buyers can view, you need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. For starters, any listing must have an enticing title. If you don’t feel confident in your writing skills, speaking to an experienced copywriter can help.

Additionally, several listings have pictures of the vessel, but you should go the extra mile and produce some high-quality photography content. Regardless of the product, making it look good pays. 

While a picture can say a thousand words, informing buyers of your boat’s specifications helps answer any questions they may have. Buyers will want to know about the service records, how old the boat is, and if there are any substantial upgrades you made. 

Get a Professional Inspection

Nothing is more frustrating than arranging a trip to the coast only for the boat to have mechanical complications, stranding you in the middle of the water. To prevent selling a lemon that angers the buyer, get a professional to inspect all components of your vessel. 

A thorough inspection alerts you of any underlying concerns that may rear their ugly heads in the not-so-distant future. Upon completion of the inspection, you can repair and fine-tune anything on your boat. Consider adding a new outboard motor—just make sure you understand how the motor works!

Let Your Vessel Give an Excellent First Impression

Whenever someone wants to sell their house, they stage it to provide a vision for the buyer of what their home could be. You can use that same strategy for your boat because first impressions mean everything. 

A pristine, well-kept boat should allow buyers to envision themselves with their hands on the throttle. Neglecting your boat is off-putting, causing others to look for a boat elsewhere. You should get the return you are seeking by waxing, painting, and cleaning the vessel, inside and out. 

Knowing the top considerations before selling your boatpoints you in the right direction before putting it on the market. Putting in all the effort to appeal to multiple buyers may create a bidding war for your impeccable boat, bringing a smile to your face.

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Practical Ways to Reduce Your Toddler’s Screen Time

Smart devices and large electronics have a unique way of capturing your little one’s undivided attention. The downside to this situation is how easily they zone in for hours on end. If you’re grasping at straws to get your little ones to do more activities and focus on the moments in front of them, there are various practical ways to reduce your toddler’s screen time. 

Create Tech-Free Spaces 

More than likely, your little one has a designated space at home where they can freely play with their toys and gadgets. If you denote that space as tech-free, you encourage them to play with their toys rather than a device. There may be some initial pushback regarding a lack of tech time, but this is an effective way to reduce overall screen time through enough time and support. 

Consider Open-Ended Activities 

Open-ended activities are an excellent way to encourage a larger block of time dedicated to something developmentally friendly. Things like building blocks designed for your child’s age group are an affordable and creative way to introduce this playing style. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find a set of blocks that speaks to your child’s interests. 

Parental Control Features 

Every smart device has the option to control or monitor the activity. This is an excellent solution for those who prefer their children to use their screen time wisely. Setting these boundaries can create a sense of balance around their viewing content, exposure and accessibility. Additionally, this can enable you to teach them healthy use of technology without replacing it altogether. 

Model Healthy Tech Use as a Parent 

Much of what children learn is through watching it happen. Generally, children will emulate their parents’ behaviors and actions, and because of this, it’s vital to establish and model healthy tech use. If they see you on your devices 90 percent of the day, they will think this is acceptable and do it, too. 

Support Hobbies 

When children begin to show interest in one activity, it can quickly turn into a hobby. The challenge of young children picking up a hobby is that they tend to lose patience relatively quickly. 

If you can support these hobbies and interests at a young age, you can foster their curiosity and divert their attention from their other distractions. Most hobbies require a little bit of background work to enjoy fully. So this is a practical way to reduce your toddler’s screen time and help them showcase new talents and interests.  

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Key Tips for Starting a Successful Pizza Shop

Opening any business is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a pain if you start on the right foot. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having the right information. Read on to explore seven key tips for starting a successful pizza shop so you can get your shop up and running before you know it!

Design Your Menu

Have a solid menu to start with. Consider menu items that you know they will love and that you’re passionate about making. All your food must complement each other and work to have a general theme.

Have a Business Model

Before you open, you’re going to need a business plan so that you can know what is coming in and going out financially. You’ll need to keep track of your finances of how much you pay everyone, what inventory will cost you, rent for the property, taxes, etc. Once you have these aspects figured out, you will be well on your way to starting that pizzeria of your dreams.

Make a Brand

The key to any successful restaurant is in the name and logo, as these allow people to visualize your restaurant and remember your brand. Some companies even go so far as to have personal mascots!

Choose a Good Location

Location is everything with any business, but especially restaurants. Talk to any entrepreneur, and they will tell you the same thing. If you have a location with heavy traffic, you will know that locals will see you. If it’s not a friendly environment, people may not give you a chance. Your location must strike a balance between the right place and the right price before you deciding to invest.

Purchase Your Equipment

You will need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment to successfully run your pizzeria, such as a proper oven, inventory shelving, a walk-in cooler, etc. If you want to get food out quickly, consider investing in machinery too. For example, you can rapidly achieve the perfect pizza crust with a dough press machine. Planetary mixers and dough sheeters also allow you to get delicious food in front of your customers faster.

Employee Quality Staff

Another factor to be mindful of is who you hire. You’ll want to put potential candidates through the proper vetting process to ensure that you have the right staff. Your team is everything when you first start a business.

Sell and Market

The last thing left to do after you open is to sell and advertise your food. You might put your contact information on the napkins you give out or create business cards that you put on the front desk where people come to pay. You could even pay for extra advertisement methods to really get your name out there.

Starting a successful pizza shop takes plenty of hard work, but for those who love what they do, the process is often worth it. Follow this guide to get you started with the restaurant of your dreams!

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Preparing for Full-Time RV Living: What you Need to Know

Living the RV lifestyle full-time is an exciting adventure! That said, there are a lot of preparations that you need to make before you hit the road and start your new life. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of things to do before you begin this exciting new chapter of your life.

Set a Date

It’s best to set a date for departure before you dive into the finer details of preparing for full-time RV living. We understand – doing this first might seem premature. After all, there’s no way to know when you’ll be ready to hit the road. But it helps to give yourself a deadline.

If you’re a homeowner, account for the time it takes to sell or rent your home and move out. In any case, setting a deadline for yourself will make your need to plan real and urgent. Plus, it’ll help you develop each milestone you need to hit along the way to set out for a new life on the road.

Make a To-Do List

An integral part of preparing for full-time RV living is making a to-do list. When you sit down to make this first list, consider adding the following things to it:

  • Find an RV
  • Start decluttering and organizing a garage sale
  • Research earning mobile income and health care
  • Discover where to camp
  • Choose a mail service and cancel utilities

Checking all these things off your list will ensure that you’re well prepared when the time comes to leave your brick and stick home behind. Plus, you can glean a loose picture of what those first couple of months to a year on the road will look like.

Simplify Your Life

After you make your big to-do list, it’s time to pay close attention to one bullet in particular: start decluttering and organize a garage sale. RVs are compact mobile homes with only so many appliances and unique features.

So there are a few things you’ll have to give up once you’re ready to take your life in this new and exciting direction. And it’s up to you to decide what those things are. But there are a few helpful strategies you can use to try and sort through it all, including:

  • Make time for daily decluttering
  • Focus on one area of your home at a time
  • Be decisive about your giveaways

Of course, you can hold onto anything that might help you make your RV feel like home. But the point is to get rid of any clutter that will complicate RV life rather than make it easier.

Outline Your Necessities

Lastly, it’s essential to outline your necessities. Once you declutter and figure out the logistic side of taking your life on the road full-time, knowing what your actual needs will be is much simpler. You’ll need clothes, kitchen supplies and basic toiletries. You’d also need groceries, first aid kits, bedding and cleaning supplies.

Later on, you can figure out which extras you might have room for. Regardless, prepping for a life on the road means planning and knowing how to let go of certain things to have the simple life you desire. Hopefully, we provided some valuable information on how you can do that.

Backyard
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Four of the Most Beneficial Motorcycle Modifications

There are plenty of modification options when it comes to motorcycles, but not all of them are worth considering. Riders need to be a bit more careful when modifying their bikes because the small size of the bike makes it easier for things to go wrong. However, here are four of the most beneficial motorcycle modifications and why you should consider them.

Fender Eliminator Kit

Many riders don’t like the way natural motorbike fenders look, so they invest in a fender eliminator kit to give the back of their bike a bit of pizazz. When installing a new fender, the most important thing is ensuring that you hook everything up correctly. Less expensive models or ones that installers neglect to put on correctly often have issues with rear lighting. It’s good to install your fender elimination kit properly to avoid getting into any potential trouble with authorities over a faulty taillight.

Fuel Tuner

The two things many people think about when they hear the word “motorcycle” are power and speed. Modifying your bike to have a fuel tuner ends up improving both. Fuel tuners adjust the air/fuel ratio in your bike for increased power and a few other helpful benefits.

Battery Tender

Some of the most beneficial motorcycle modifications aren’t the most glamorous to look at, but they’re the most practical. A common annoyance with motorcycles is that their batteries tend to die off quickly. The cold winter months, when many bikes sit idly in a garage or shed, are especially tough on the battery. Battery tenders are easy to install, and you plug them in when you’re not using your bike. With this, the battery should last for several years and won’t die on you in about 18 months.

New Tires

This one is entirely up to you, but most manufacturers put the most generic mid-range tires onto a motorcycle unless you’re getting a custom bike. Depending on the terrain you plan to drive on, or how regularly you drive, it’s good to invest in a new set of tires to fit your personal riding needs.

Motorcycle

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