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Camas Farmer’s Market Kicks Off Season 17 on June 5

Camas, WA — The 17th season of the Camas Farmer’s Market begins on Wednesday, June 5th in Downtown Camas. All are invited to celebrate at the official ribbon cutting with Camas Mayor Steve Hogan and founding Board President Shannon Van Horn at 3pm. The 2024 season will bring back fan favorite farmers, artisan food producers, and prepared food vendors, as well as offer free activities for kids, live music, and abundant opportunities for community connection and healthy living education. Opening day will also feature many health and wellness businesses at the Ripple Wellness Health Fair. The market runs each Wednesday, 3 pm-7 pm, from June 5th through October 2nd. Shoppers can find the market at 625 NE 4th Ave, in front of the Camas Public Library.

The market will feature over 50 unique vendors over the course of the 18-week season and highlights the wide variety of foods being grown and produced within the community. Shoppers will find sustainably harvested farm-to-table produce, flowers, berries, and honey, in addition to hand crafted foods including artisanal breads and treats, locally made wines and vinegars, hot sauces, beef jerky, and probiotic beverages. The selection of prepared food available at the market offers something for every taste, including Greek, Hawaiian, new American, Mexican, Italian, and Columbian. 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 market will host two new events in 2024. The community is invited to connect with local aid organizations on June 26th from 3 pm-7 pm at the Community Food & Resource Fair within the market. Anyone interested in finding new and interesting local volunteer opportunities will enjoy the Volunteer Fair on August 21st from 3 pm-7 pm. These events are in addition to the longtime favorite market events including Berry Days on July 10th, Veggie Fest & Veggie Derby on August 7th, and the Harvest Festival on October 2nd. For details about all the events at the Camas Farmer’s Market, visit the market Event Calendar.

Many beloved Camas Farmer’s Market vendors will return. Yacolt Farm and Nursery will be back for their eleventh year, with their fruits and vegetables produced with the aid of draft horsepower, in lieu of modern farming equipment.  Grass fed beef and pork ranchers Windy River Livestock will once again offer cuts by the pound, and in special package pricing. Family-run Melted Crumbs will return with their popular menu of handmade Columbian empanadas and lemonades made with local fruit.

This season will also bring many new vendors to the market. Mark Simpson from Wind Acres will share his love of superfoods, and selling his curated selection of microgreens, mushrooms, and heirloom tomatoes. Artisan bread lovers can take home a handmade loaf from Bakehouse Sourdough, owned by small batch baker Kendra Hofseth. Dining options in the market continue to expand, with the addition of Husubis’ Poke Shop. Founder Kim Ngyuen is looking forward to bringing a taste of Hawaii with a touch of PNW to Camas Farmer’s Market Shoppers.

Visitors are encouraged to shop, dine, and connect with their community in the market.  Live music performed by local talent is scheduled each week from 5 pm-7 pm. Kids ages 3-11 can complete a fun educational activity at the Kids Connection Booth and receive a free $2 token good for fruits and veggies from their choice of farm vendors. Community partners will offer different engagement opportunities each week including health screenings, community garden tours, and chef demos.

“We are incredibly excited to be opening our 17th season of the Camas Farmer’s Market!” says Camas Farmer’s Market President Shannon Van Horn. “Each year it continues to get better and better and this year will continue with that trend.  We will be welcoming back many long-time favorites and sure to be new favorites.  We look forward to seeing everyone again and feel lucky to be able to provide local, healthy, sustainable food directly from the farmers, as well as hot dinner options, baked goods, fresh flowers, music, kid’s activities, and our SNAP match program will be back again.  See you on June 5th!”

The Camas Farmer’s Market is generously supported by a grant from the Camas Washougal Community Chest and sponsorships by Title Sponsor Providence Health and Services, Kids Connection Sponsor IQ Credit Union, Partner Sponsors Leaf Guard, Premium Websites, Riverview Bank, the City of Camas, the Downtown Camas Association, Tranquil Tabby Mobil Vet and Washougal Times, and Community Sponsors Blossom Natural Health and Wellness, Fuel Medical, My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, Ripple Wellness, and Washougal Sport and Spine.

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 and 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.

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TRAVEL: Experience the Rebirth of Tourism in Italy’s Art Cities

2023 marked an important turning point for tourism in Italy’s art cities. According to the Centre for Tourism Studies in Florence, the year ended with a return to pre-Covid levels, recording 445.3 million stays in accommodation facilities, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to 2022. The hotel segment saw significant growth of 9.3%, while the non-hotel segment experienced a more gradual recovery.

Italian art cities recorded an online accommodation booking rate of 38.9 percent, ranking first in the European Union, ahead of countries such as Greece, France and Spain, and welcoming tourists mainly from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Ten must-visit art cities

Italy’s art cities continue to be a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world. Not only do they preserve centuries of history and art, but they can also be easily accessed thanks to the rail connections offered by Trenitalia. So what are the ten unmissable art cities? We discover them together with True Italian Experience, a hub offering travel experiences designed to capture Italy’s most authentic essence.

World-renowned as the city of Romeo and Juliet, Verona offers a romantic atmosphere framed by medieval and Renaissance architecture. Its Roman amphitheater, the Arena, still hosts internationally renowned opera performances, attracting music fans from all over the world.

The fashion and design capital, Milan is a dynamic, modern city that is also rich in history and art. Milan Cathedral, with its impressive Gothic spires, and Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’, conserved in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, are just some of the treasures on offer in this metropolis.

In addition to its famous Leaning Tower, Pisa boasts the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Baptistery and the Cathedral, splendid examples of Romanesque architecture. It is also a vibrant university city with a history intertwined with scientific and cultural progress.

With its unforgettable waterfront and bustling atmosphere, Naples is a treasure trove of art, history and gastronomy. The city is a crossroads of civilizations that has left a legacy of historical monuments, such as the Castel dell’Ovo and the National Archaeological Museum, which houses some of the world’s most important collections of ancient art.

Unique in the world, Venice is famous for its picturesque canals, gondolas and extraordinary architecture. St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace testify to the Venetian Republic’s glorious past, while the Lido offers some tranquillity with a sea view.

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is an open-air museum with masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo and Botticelli. The magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its Brunelleschi dome, dominates the skyline, while the Uffizi Gallery houses some of the world’s most famous works of art.

Once a powerful maritime republic, Genoa preserves incredible heritage in its maze of alleyways. The historical centre is one of the largest in Europe, culminating in splendid Renaissance buildings along the ‘Strade Nuove’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Siena is world-famous for its ‘Palio’, a horse race held in the Piazza del Campo, the city’s shell-shaped heart. This Tuscan city is renowned for its medieval architecture, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Palazzo Pubblico, which houses the Museo Civico with works of art from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Turin, the elegant capital of Piedmont, is a mix of Baroque architecture, Art Nouveau and modernism. It is home to the Egyptian Museum, one of the most important in the world. The Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana, the city’s symbol, are other iconic landmarks that tell the story of Turin’s political and cultural importance in Italy.

The capital of Italy is truly a stage for living history. From its ancient monuments such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon to its Baroque squares and the works in the Vatican, Rome offers a journey through different eras, making it one of the world’s most fascinating cities.

Extensive connections to art cities by train

Italy’s art cities are not only known for their beauty and cultural richness, but also for often being chaotic and busy. Getting around by car is complicated, and finding a parking space can be a challenge. This is why tourists increasingly choose to travel by public transport, and to reach Italian cities by train. This is a convenient and fast solution thanks to the extensive network of connections offered by Trenitalia, True Italian Experience’s main partner.

Convenience and sustainability are also combined with affordability thanks to various promotions intended to make train travel even more accessible: the most attractive offers include the Trenitalia pass for foreign citizens wishing to visit Italy on board Frecce, FrecciaLink, Intercity, Intercity Notte and EuroCity Italia-Svizzera on Italy’s domestic routes, and Italia in Tour, a perfect option for those who want to explore different cities in a short time frame, enjoying unlimited travel for 3 or 5 consecutive days on all Trenitalia’s Regionale trains.

Constantly alert to the evolution of tourism and to travelers’ needs, the Passenger Business Unit of the Italian State Railways Group therefore continues to be a point of reference for those wishing to discover art cities in a comfortable and sustainable way. This is also the mission of True Italian Experience, whose main partner is Trenitalia.

https://trueitalianexperience.it/en

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Walking Man Brewing in Stevenson Announces New Head Brewer

Stevenson, Washington — Bringing over a decade of industry experience as a true journeyman, Ryan Blasquez joins Walking Man Brewing.  Beginning in the cellar at Three Creeks Brewing, Blasquez’s career led to four years as Lead Brewer at Bend Brewing Co., to large-scale production during his time with Sierra Nevada Brewing. Ryan’s path ultimately returned him to the Pacific Northwest, where a stint at Double Mountain led to the opportunity to become Walking Man’s Head Brewer.  

In his new role, Blasquez will continue crafting Walking Man’s award-winning classics, including their flagship, Walking Man IPA, Homo Erectus Imperial IPA and the fan-favorite Cherry Stout in addition to developing and brewing his own recipes. With small-batch, hands-on production, focused primarily on producing beer for the Stevenson brewpub, Blasquez will manage brewhouse operations, from procuring raw goods to having finished beer ready to be enjoyed. 

“I hope to honor the legacy of the brand,” Blasquez shares, “while focusing on my love for hoppy, west coast IPAs, well-crafted lagers, and classic Pacific Northwest and English-style pub beers.”  

Walking Man Brewing began with the vision of founder and original Brewmaster, Bob Craig.  He wanted to create a place that embodied the old-world essence of a small community brewpub. Beginning with a three-barrel batch of what became Pale Strider Pale Ale in 1999, Walking Man Brewing became the first microbrewery in Washington State’s Columbia River Gorge.  

International recognition donned in 2006 when awarded two World Beer Cup Gold Medals, including one for Walking Man IPA.  Industry awards continued and popularity of the brand grew, making Walking Man a destination for beer enthusiasts. Walking Man remains the quintessential small-town pub for locals and visitors to enjoy. 

“Over the last twenty-four years, we’ve seen the craft beer industry change tremendously.  While we continue to adapt and evolve, Walking Man remains true to its roots. We’re a small pub in a small town with a small team, striving to craft great beer and create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to share what we do.  We are thrilled Ryan is joining us on this journey,“ said Tabatha Wiggins, Co-Owner of Walking Man. 

WALKING MAN BREWING opened the Stevenson brewpub and beer garden to guests in the fall of 2000.  With a 17-barrel brewhouse they produce small batches of hand-crafted beers to serve to guests and distribute in Washington and Oregon.  Open year-round, the pub offers a full menu, seasonal events and a welcoming atmosphere for families, friends and travelers from around the globe. 

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Camtown Youth Festival Moves Event Venue to Dorothy Fox School

Camas, WA — Camas Parks & Recreation and the Camas School District will host the 21st annual Camtown Youth Festival, Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 11 am-4 pm. Due to upcoming renovations to Crown Park, this year’s event will be held at a new site, Dorothy Fox Elementary School, at 2623 NW Sierra St.

The Camtown Youth Festival is a free community event offering a variety of games and interactive amusements, arts & crafts activities, entertainment, food, petting zoo, puppet and reptile shows, a kids’ craft & flea market, and youth-related information tables – all devoted to kids (ages 3 – 17) in our community. 

The Camtown Youth Festival is a partnership between the City of Camas and the Camas School District, and supported by numerous organizations, businesses and individuals. Please note, the Camtown-Forgey Art Show will return to Crown Park in 2025.

For questions or more information: Krista Bashaw at 360-834-5307 or [email protected]

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Artist Liz Pike Invites Public to Celebrate New Art Unveiling at Camas Cellars May 18

Camas, WA — On the 44th anniversary of the Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption, local artist Liz Pike invites art patrons to view an explosion of new art at Camas Cellars. The event marks her second installment of Artful Intersect; titled “Vineyards” – featuring an unveiling of her latest original work in oils on canvas from 5 pm to 7 pm at Camas Cellars, 602 NE Third Avenue, Camas, WA. Guests will enjoy complimentary vineyard inspired appetizers, delicious wines and decadent chocolate truffles. Reservations are required; call or text Pike at 360-281-8720 to attend the 5 pm unveiling.

Earlier this year, Pike launched her first “Artful Intersect,” which is part of a series of art unveilings in local businesses. 

“Beautiful art in local shops is good business,” said Pike. “Camas has always been a great city for art.” 

Pike notes that beyond beautiful galleries, having art on display in local businesses provides an expanded opportunity to wider audiences. 

“It’s a good thing for artists and business owners, and a great way to bring more art to more spaces in our community,” said Pike.

“We love Liz Pike’s vibrant art,” says Debi Debasinskas, owner of Camas Cellars. “We are honored to host this unveiling of her new works in our popular wine bar and bottle shop.”

Pike is a member of Artisans Guild of Camas, Battle Ground Art Alliance, Northwest Oil Painters Guild, Ridgefield Art Association, Society of Washington Artists, Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Camas Association. She is also an artist/partner at the newly opened RedDoor Gallery, located at 411 NE Dallas Street, in downtown Camas. 

RedDoor Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 7 pm and by special appointment. The new gallery features works by Pike along with nine other artists and premiers new works at a swanky artist reception every First Friday from 5-8 pm. Pike also shows her work at several summertime art festivals and has a mini art gallery located at her Shangri-La Farm, a popular destination in Fern Prairie, located at 26300 NE Third Street, Camas, WA. Visit her website at LizPike.Art to view her summer art festival calendar of events. Pike can be reached at (360) 281-8720.

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Clark College Orchestra Spring Concert Features Kreston in Lark Ascending

The award-winning Clark College Orchestra performs their Spring Concert of the 2023-2024 season under the baton of Music Director/Conductor Dr. Donald Appert on Friday, June 14, 2024, 7:30 pm at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 805 Columbia Ridge Dr. Vancouver, WA. The program features violinist Anthea Kreston as soloist performing Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending and Ravel’s  Tzigane.  The concert will conclude with Dvorak Symphony No. 9 “ From the New World”. The admission is free and open to the public.  

For complete information about all the Clark College Music Department concerts including the orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts.

Donald Appert has appeared as a guest conductor in Japan, Australia, Central America, and throughout Europe.  In Italy La’ovadese wrote, “…the performance of the ‘Serenade in C Major’ of Tchaikovsky, under the exceptional direction of Appert, was in such a style that it brought out the elegance and grace of the melodic lines with Mozartian inspiration.  …The L’Orchestra Sinfonica Città di Grosseto… performed the Barber ‘Adagio’ with rare effectiveness, emphasizing its intrinsically rich melody.”  Giornale di Sicilla praised his interpretation of Nielsen’s First Symphony as “lyrical with an airy freshness,” and his conducting as “precise, painstakingly accurate, and diligent.” He has guest conducted orchestras in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, El Salvador, and Japan.He currently serves as the Music Director/Conductor of the Oregon Sinfonietta and the Jewish Community Orchestra of Portland.

Dr. Appert was awarded the 2020 Winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Programming. He won this same award in 2011 and in 2015 was named an Honored Artist by The American Prize Competition.  He is a recipient of the 2019 – 2020 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards, several ASCAPLUS Awards in recognition of his performances of his own compositions in Italy, Qatar, Europe, Central America, Japan, and the United States.  In 2014, Dr. Appert received the Clark County Arts Commission Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award, and in 2009, he received the Washington Community College Humanities Association Exemplary Status Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Humanities.

Violinist Anthea Kreston enjoys varied musical career. She has performed as a chamber musician in concert halls throughout Europe (from London’s Wigmore Hall to Berlin’s Philharmonie), through Asia, and the United States (Carnegie to the Herbst Theater in San Francisco). She was a member of the internationally renowned Artemis String Quartet, based in Berlin, Germany.  As a recording artist for Warner Classics, she has received both the Echo Award, Europe’s Grammy Award, and the Diaspason D’Or, France’s highest award from music critics. 

Anthea also enjoys writing, penning a popular articles for the London-based Slipped Disk, and as the curator of the Fortnightly Music Book Club.  She is the executive and artistic director of Majestic Chamber Music Series, and has taught at the University of the Arts Berlin and as a Master Teacher, the Queen Elizabeth Chapel in Brussels, and  the Curtis Institute of Music. Her teachers include Ida Kavafian, Shmuel Ashkenasi, the Emerson Quartet and Isaac Stern.   

The San Diego Reader said of her “… Anthea is a soloist of the Heifetz- Shaham-Vengerov caliber, whose musical instincts could make even a mere bagatelle thrill the soul and stir the senses to a frenzy.” 

https://www.antheakreston.com

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How Luxury Candles Elevate Your Home’s Ambiance

Throughout history, people used candles to light their homes, from a single candle for a small room to multiple candles in chandeliers that bathe a ballroom in light. Although electric lights have replaced candles for illumination, these waxen wonders still grace many modern homes for other purposes. Their soft, flickering lights set a tone and mood for whatever room they occupy. They can transform an ordinary bathroom into a spa getaway or turn an intimate dinner for two into a romantic event.

Unfortunately, since so many candles are made of paraffin wax, they contain ingredients that can cause pollution in the house or release toxins in the air. That is where luxury candles come in.

Unlike ordinary candles, luxury candles are made of high-quality ingredients such as coconut wax, beeswax, or soy. Because of this, they don’t contain any toxic ingredients. With their various colors and elegant packaging, they are also as beautiful to look at as well as beautiful to smell . Pure essential oils give them their rich, lovely scents and, because they burn more slowly, they last much longer. The experience can be savored even more.

Luxury candles elevate your home’s ambiance in so many different ways. They can bring about a feeling of relaxation and tranquility through the soothing scents of lavender and vanilla, chamomile, or sandalwood. They can help you sleep and help lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels.

They can also help boost your mood and energize you with smells of peppermint, citrus, ginger, or eucalyptus. These scents can also help you focus while studying or working, even boost your productivity and creativity. As mentioned before, luxury candles can also create an ambiance of romance and intimacy with the seductive scent of jasmine, rose, or musk.

How scents influence our moods

Scent is a powerful mood-setter. When you walk into a room where a luxury candle has been burning for a while, the first thing you notice is the scent filling that room. Our sense of smell is so closely connected to our emotions because sensory neurons in our noses transmit scents to the olfactory bulb in our forebrain, where smells are initially processed.

The information is then sent directly to the limbic system in the brain that controls memory and emotions. That’s why the smell of vanilla may remind you of being in the kitchen with your mother as the two of you bake sugar cookies. The smell of flowers causes you to reminisce about walking through a garden after a spring rain with someone you love. We associate certain smells with specific memories.

Importance of having a peaceful space

The use of luxury candles can also contribute to a calm, peaceful home. The importance of the latter cannot be overstated. When coming home from a stressful day at work, the last thing you want greeting you is more stress and chaos. We desperately need a quiet, tranquil place to unwind and decompress. Without a peaceful, soothing place to heal from the noise and confusion of everyday life, our health would take a turn for the worse.

A calm, tranquil atmosphere benefits us in so many ways. We sleep better, allowing our bodies to replenish themselves. It gives us a chance to balance ourselves and clear our heads.

We can focus more on our loved ones and enjoy the time we spend with them, which helps improve our relationships. A stress-free home is like a hug that comforts and makes us feel safe to be ourselves. When we go back out into the world, we feel more refreshed and energized, ready to face anything. Our thoughts are more coherent. We become more productive and creative.

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What Are the Top Backyard Renovation Trends for 2024?

Winter gives way to spring slowly in many parts of the country, but a new year still means new trends. You might not have thought much about your backyard in recent months, yet that should change as the days get warmer and longer. Get your backyard ready for spending time outdoors by knowing the top trends for outdoor landscaping in 2024, the advantages of having an outdoor space you can use, and the best times of year to get your yard refreshed.

Top Backyard Renovation Trends for 2024

Having a desire to improve your yard is one thing, but having the inspiration to make the right choices is another. Knowing the top outdoor living trends this year is a great place to start.

  • A Bonanza of Colors: Two competing trends seem to be moody versus bold plant colors. Dark, purple foliage sets a dramatic mood, but bold, vibrant colors bring a bright texture to your outside space.
  • Eco-Friendly Options: Herbaceous plants, clovers, and drought-tolerant greenery other than grass minimizes your need for water usage, and smart sprinkler systems help you conserve even more.
  • Leaving the Topography Alone: Instead of having professionals excavate your landscaping, work with what you already have for topical changes.
  • Low-Maintenance Plants: Ornamental grass and evergreen shrubs bring life and color to your yard without needing much upkeep.
  • Outdoor Living Spaces: Whether it’s a gazebo, fire pit, or outdoor kitchen, you should have a space where you can sit and read while sipping a beverage or share a conversation with a friend.
  • Smart Tech: In an age of remote-controlled lawnmowers and exterior lighting with Wi-Fi connectivity, you can use apps to connect many of your outdoor essentials.
  • The Edimental Bandwagon: Edimentals are a popular trend for modern growers who enjoy low-maintenance produce, be it herbs, asparagus, cabbage, and kale.
  • Vertical Spacing: Vertical planters or trellises can let your gardening go up without taking up much ground space for upward color.
  • Welcoming Pollinators: Bees and butterflies are struggling to survive, but borage, butterfly weed, and milkweed can give them haven while filling your yard with life.

Why Having a Nice Outdoor Space Is Important

Stress relief is very important in modern life, and spending time outside can minimize this and its negative impact on your life and health. Spending time in nature is known to directly benefit individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. If you enjoy particular activities outside, you can cater your yard to make them a regular part of your lifestyle.

The benefits of spending time outdoors extend to your rest and sleep. You’ll enjoy improved sleep patterns at night, which can prevent or minimize vision issues such as nearsightedness and eye strain. The vitamin D you get from sunlight exposure is a definite health boost.

Most people find that time outdoors improves their creativity, and it’s always a chance for a family to bond. An outdoor space is also a place to entertain friends and family you invite.

When Is the Best Time To Renovate Your Backyard?

If you’re reading this while it’s still winter in your part of the world, you can probably rule that out. The days are short and cold, and the ground might be hard; planting anything is close to impossible in many places. Summer could be better, too, as the heat can damage anything new that you plan at that time. Fall, however, can be a great time for a major makeover of your landscape. Cooler weather means pleasant planting, and it’s easy to water things.

Spring is a season that can be hit or miss, based on what you plan on doing. It’s great for planting larger perennials and many shrubs or trees, but seasonal temperature fluctuations might not be ideal for a huge landscaping overhaul. However, it’s a great season for evaluating what you’d like to have in your upcoming outdoor activities and environment and then refreshing the landscaping to match. Spring is a great time for mulching flower beds, sowing seeds, fertilizing, and transplanting. It’s also ideal for planting summer annuals and summer flowering bulbs.

In many cases, the best time to renovate your background is a simple combination of when your budget permits it and your landscaper is available to help you unless you’re doing it all yourself.

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Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline — Dedication Planned

Camas-Washougal, WA – Two Rivers Heritage Museum (TRHM) and Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) partnered to create an historical outdoor timeline exhibit that represents Camas and Washougal history and highlights the artifacts cared for at TRHM. “Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline,” is filled with stories and images recounting monumental moments and everyday events in these neighboring communities. The timeline can be viewed at the TRHM at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, Saturdays from 11am-3pm.

CCHM Public Historian, Katie Bush, served as the project manager for this work. She collaborated with TRHM Display Committee members Karen and Richard Johnson and Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen, to research and select important historic information to be featured.

“Katie provided a long list of items and dates she identified from our collection and had us rate their importance to the timeline,” Karen Johnson explained.  “We whittled that list down over and over again. It was a difficult process to narrow the information with so many fascinating stories to tell.”

After repeated and thoughtful analysis, the final historic events and dates were decided.  The team then worked to identify exactly what object from TRHM archives would represent the timeline captions. “Selected events are memorable, personal and unique to the local community and represent major, minor, and micro moments in our history,” Karen Johnson explained.

History

Local photographer, Missy Fant, captured images of each object and Vancouver graphic designer, Masako Brachmann married together these elements into the sprawling timeline that stands 34-feet long along the back fence of the museum.  “The panel design and style match the historic street panels in Historic Downtown Camas,” said Karen Johnson.  “We are trying to stay consistent with historical signage for our cities.” 

“I’m excited to be a part of this collaborative timeline for the Two Rivers Heritage Museum,” said Bush.  “Community centered projects, such as this, offer great opportunities for heritage institutions to share local stories in engaging ways. I look forward to collaborating with Two Rivers and the Camas-Washougal community on future projects.”

While the building is in Washougal, TRHM represents two cities. “I would say our museum collection is divided pretty evenly between Camas and Washougal artifacts, photos, research, and archives,” said Karen Johnson.  “Our two towns, with totally different beginnings, melded into one awesome community.”

When asked which featured timeline events were most significant to the growth of the community the answers varied. Gayle Godtlibsen feels it was the year 1905 when the SP&S Railroad began operation on the north bank of the Columbia River.  “We hope that visitors come away from the timeline inspired to share their experience with others and, hopefully, that will help create more traffic to the museum,” she said. 

Richard Johnson identified 1886 and the start of the Camas papermill as the most impactful year. “I feel interacting with the timeline exhibit is the grand finale to a visit to the museum,” he said.  “I want people to feel they had a ‘complete’ experience here.”

The timeline creation and installation were completed by a team of dedicated people. TRHM Display Committee members Karen and Richard Johnson and Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen; Masako Brachmann, graphic design; Katie Bush, CCHM public historian; Kevin and Curtis Barber of Core Powersports; Missy Fant Photography; J2 Blueprinting printed the panels; local historian Pepper Kim was editor and proofreader for the timeline narrative; John Kimbrough designed and fabricated timeline stand and helped with installation; Tommy Miller of Pomeroy Living History Farm helped with installation; and Bradley Richardson, Executive Director of CCHM helped on many aspects of the project. 

“Over the past six years, Two Rivers and the Clark County Historical Museum have fostered a deep and mutually beneficial relationship,” Richardson, a Camas-Washougal area native, said. “Through this project and other collaborative work, our organizations are demonstrating how communities are better served and more history is shared and saved when we come together.”

Funding for the timeline came from generous donations from the Tidland Family, Beales Foundation, and the Smead Family, who made their gift in memory of longtime teacher and historian Bernice Pluchos.

The new exhibit will be dedicated at a ceremony on Friday, May 31 at 5 pm at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum.  City leaders, museum volunteers, staff, historical society members and community history lovers are invited to attend.  It can also be viewed any Saturday during regular museum hours from 11 am-3 pm.

“We are extremely proud of what we have created at Two Rivers,” said Dick Lindstrom, CWHS president. “Its purpose is to collect, research and preserve the history that tells the story of the development of the Camas/Washougal area.  We invite our community to take the time to experience what a treasure this place is.  And if people like what they see, we hope they become a member of CWHS or a volunteer to help us continue to tell the stories of our communities.”

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Camas Plant & Garden Fair: Celebrates 25 Years, Coming May 11

Camas, WA —The 25th annual Camas Plant & Garden Fair returns to Downtown Camas on Saturday, May 11th from 9am-4pm. Local nurseries, growers, and garden artists will line the streets, offering a diverse array of fruiting trees, vegetable starts, herbs, flowers, garden art and furniture, planters, birdhouses and feeders, pottery, metal art, hanging baskets, stone art, sculptures and more. This event, organized by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA), offers family friendly fun and shopping in the heart of the charming and historic Downtown Camas.

Fan favorite returning vendors promise shoppers a vast selection of plants and garden products. Shoppers looking for dahlia tubers and growing advice should checkout Sweet Bloom Farms from Battle Ground. Anyone interested in adding some whimsical touches to their garden may want to see the birdhouses and colorful garden art fromOne Little Blackbird. Event goers looking for a major landscape overall can find all the ornamental trees and hardy perennials they need at Alicia’s Nursery, as well as the colorful annuals from Arai Nursery. Prairie & Fern Farm will be returning for their second year with a selection of dried flower arrangements and plant starts, grown in Camas.

The 25th year of the Camas Plant & Garden Fair features over fifteen new vendors bringing new and hard to find offerings to the event. Three not-to-miss vendors are Blue Gem Bakery, Bell Flower Farm, and Rhythm Seed Farm.  

Blue Gem Baking Co. – This woman owned micro-business features artisanal cookies and cupcakes, in plant and garden themed designs. Owner Mikenzie Drew was also a vendor at the Camas Farmer’ Market where she gained a following for her intricate piping work and fun themed items.

Belle Flower Farm– Vancouver resident Pam Richey Curtis will bring her curated selection of vintage vessels planted with homegrown succulents, as well as an array of gardening books, vintage tools and patio styling items. Curtis has been a favorite Camas Vintage & Art Fair Vendor since 2022. She also offers seasonal bouquet subscriptions with locally grown blooms.

Rhythm Seed Farm – This unique 501c3 nonprofit was born during the Covid era seed shortages of 2020. Founder Nick Canino had been growing hundreds of pounds of food in his yard for many years. He pivoted from food production to seed breeding and has now produced millions of seeds from over 50 different crops. With a commitment to donate half the seeds they produce, they have now given 3,000 seed packets to BIPOC and low income families in the Portland Metro area. Nick will be bringing his wide variety of hand harvested seeds, as well as rare native plant starts.

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The fair will feature nearly 20 designated vendor experts available for shoppers to consult on plants, effective gardening techniques, and related topics. Look for the “yellow sun” signs indicating expert booth locations. The full list of Plant Fair Experts and vendors is available at www.cwplantfair.org/vendors. Visit the DCA info booth at 4th & Cedar during the fair to pick up the Expert List and booth locations. Expert topics include:

  • Attracting pollinators
  • Attracting birds
  • Annuals
  • Carnivorous plants
  • Container gardening
  • Composting
  • Dahlias
  • Deep Mulch Dry Farming
  • Evergreens
  • Fuchsias
  • Fruit Trees
  • Herbs
  • Houseplants
  • Japanese maples
  • Landscaping and Garden Styling
  • Lavender
  • Olla Watering Systems
  • Organic Gardening
  • Perennials
  • PNW native plants
  • Rhododendrons
  • Roses
  • Seed Saving and Gathering
  • Succulents
  • Tomatoes
  • Transplanting

“We’re so excited to bring you the 25th year of the Camas Plant & Garden Fair!” says Jan Carter, of the DCA. “It takes a village to host an event of this size. We are so appreciative of all of our plant and garden art vendors, our dedicated volunteers, and of course all of the shoppers that come together for this pre-Mother’s Day plant and garden extravaganza! There’s truly something for everyone, and we can’t wait to keep bringing the Camas Plant and Garden Fair to Downtown Camas each Spring for years to come!”

The Kids’ Zone, open from 10am-3pm on Dallas Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues, will offer free activities for children and families including the beloved hands-on rubber duckie flume from the Camas-Washougal Rotary, an obstacle course from My Gym, a planting and sensory station from Camas Washougal Parent Co-Op Preschool, and a take home seed sprouting activity hosted by the Camas Farmer’s Market. This area will also feature a free petting zoo with goats, bunnies, and more, hosted by the 4-Seasons 4-H Club. Many event sponsors will also be hosting activities for kids at their booths.  Children and theater lovers will enjoy Rhys Thomas who is returning with his Strolling Jugglemania Show including a giant rose puppet, themed juggling, performances on stilts and other activities.

Live music at 4th & Cedar will include Bret Malmquist playing acoustic jazz guitar from 10am-12pm and local singer songwriter Brenna Larsen performing from 12-3pm.

Scout troop #565 will be on hand with their trusty wagons to help citizens transport their purchases as needed. Donations welcomed.

The DCA will host the annual “Wheelbarrow Raffle Prize Drawing” with a large assortment of plants, trees, flowers, and garden art generously donated by fair vendors in a sturdy wheelbarrow donated by Lutz Hardware as well as a “Downtown Gift Card Raffle”. The items will be on display and tickets can be purchased at the DCA table on the corner of 4th and Cedar on the day of the event. The winner will be drawn at 3:00pm.

The DCA thanks the generous sponsors of this event which include our Signature Sponsor Waste Connections of Washington-Clark County, as well as Partner Sponsors Edward Jones, Robert Barber;  Clover Podiatry; NW Natural; tsmc Washington, Papermaker Pride; Renewal by Andersen; Hampton Inn and Suites; Lendor Home Solutions/Gutter Helmet, State Farm; Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, Minuteman Press; and our Community Sponsors NW Natural, Blossom Natural Health and Wellness; Dr. Jared Bowyer, DDS; City of Camas and 4 Seasons 4H.

The DCA is a 501c3 nonprofit Main Street Program and works year round to strengthen and promote Downtown Camas through partnerships, events, beautification and historic preservation projects, economic development, advocacy, and tourism functions. For more information on the Plant Fair, see www.cwplantfair.org or www.fb.com/CamasPlantAndGardenFair. For information on the DCA and other downtown events and initiatives, visit www.downtowncamas.com. 

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