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Planning Ahead: Five Tips for Traveling This Holiday Season

If you are planning a trip this holiday season, one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to plan well ahead of time. Whether you’re going to visit family at their home or planning a holiday vacation, treat it like the trip of a lifetime. After all, it’s the holidays. So, you want it to be special and, hopefully, stress-free. This means to plan, budget, and plan some more. Here are five tips to follow when traveling this holiday season.

Study Your Destination

Know as much as you can about your destination before you arrive. Use Google Maps to look up where you’re going. Determine the distance between the airport, if you’re flying, and the destination.

Find restaurants and other sites of interest near the hotel or wherever you’ll be staying. Mapping out your stay will help ensure you’ll fit in all the items on your itinerary. Plus, it will make it easier to create and stick to a budget.

Know the weather and, as best as you can, the places you’ll be visiting so that you pack appropriately. Also, be aware of any local customs that require different clothing than what you’re used to wearing.

Next, plan for an emergency by learning which hospitals are in the area, including those with trauma centers. It’s a good idea to take medical information with you, beyond what you might already carry in your wallet, especially if you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes.

Make Lists

One of the biggest mistakes people make when packing is trying to get everything ready without writing up a list first. To-do lists make travel plans so much easier.

Make a list of what to pack, everything you need to do before you leave, and the itinerary for when you arrive. Be sure to keep in mind the items you use every day because whatever you don’t have to think about are the very things you’re most likely to forget.

Next, make a pre-travel list. Include pet, plant, and house sitters, any necessary prescriptions to be filled, travel insurance, upcoming bills so that they’re paid on time, and checking luggage for damage.

Then, make an itinerary for the trip itself. Be sure to do whatever it is you want to do while you’re there.

Be Flexible, but Organized

Be flexible with your plans but stay on top of things.

If you can, work your schedule so that you can leave a few days before the holiday. This way you may be able to avoid the busiest travel days. If you’re driving, plan your trip so that you will avoid the worst of the traffic.

If you’re driving to your destination, have your car inspected. You don’t want to have car problems while traveling. Also, apply for a driver’s permit if you need to drive in another country.

As you prepare for the trip, periodically double-check everything: dates, times, arrivals, departures, etc.

Save Yourself Time

Save time where you can. This includes packing as lightly as possible while taking everything you will need. This uses less luggage.

Book what you can in advance, such as the flight, airport parking, and rental car. If you know the restaurants where you plan to eat, go ahead and make reservations. If you know ahead of time events you want to attend, see if you can buy tickets online.

Mail the presents before you go unless you’re driving to your destination. This way you won’t have to worry about losing your luggage or passing through security, assuming you have your packages wrapped. If that’s not an option, put small gifts in your carry-on bags.

Make Alternate Plans, Just in Case

You never know. Sometimes life gets in the way of the best-made plans. Maybe you’ll need to cancel a flight and drive to your destination. Maybe your transportation doesn’t show up, or the hotel makes a mistake with your reservations. Be prepared for the unexpected with a plan B, just in case. Whatever happens, go with the flow and enjoy yourself. It’s the holidays.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Edmunds

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Health & Wellness: How to Make Time For Fitness in Your Busy Life

Adults are told to aim for at least thirty minutes of moderate physical exercise per day, but many struggle to reach that goal. It never feels like there’s enough time – you’re probably busy with other things! Here are a few tips to help you fit fitness into your busy life:

1. Start Small.

The first step of a fitness journey can actually be broken into two parts, both of which require tempered expectations:

Part one is to find which physical activities appeal to you, and how to make them more enjoyable. If you hate lifting weights, you’ll always find excuses to avoid the dumbbells. On the other hand, there might be something you can change about your approach to lifting weights that will lead to you enjoying the activity more.

Following an exercise routine online or changing the location of your workouts or looking for alternatives to the exercises you dislike the most are good places to start experimenting with how to make an exercise more likable. If you want to incorporate strength building into your regular workout routine, but still can’t find a way to make lifting weights enjoyable, try substituting with body weight exercises, like pilates or calisthenics.

The second part of starting small is to set realistic goals. This is especially important if you’re either new to exercise or have fallen out of a routine.

Instead of trying to rush progress, remember that it takes time to build a habit. One minute of exercise will always be more than zero minutes, and if exercising for thirty sounds daunting, aim for five minutes instead.

2. Build on Progress.

In fitness, there are generally two ways to increase our progress: adding time or adding difficulty. The previous example ended with whatever amount of exercise per day sounds manageable, or “five minutes”. The goal was simply to make exercise a part of your routine, and to help build intrinsic motivation through finding activities that are enjoyable and doable.

Once that becomes routine, the next step to gaining more motivation is to build on your progress. Depending on the type of exercise, adding difficulty can mean a lot of things: trying harder variations of a bodyweight exercise or pushing yourself to take fewer breaks while running are common examples. Time should be added incrementally – if adding another five minutes is overwhelming, start by adding only one minute at first.

Any time you become comfortable with a routine, look for a way to add to it. Continue building on this routine until you’ve reached your fitness end goal.

3. Keep Equipment within Easy Reach.

Sometimes, all it takes to make the decision to put on a pair of running shoes or pick up the weights is not keeping them hidden in the back of the closet or buried under a pile of clothes. This could be as simple as setting a pair of workout clothes out a day in advance or planning to exercise ahead of time – anything to remove even one extra step can help on a day you might otherwise be too tired or too unmotivated might help.

The counterpart to this tip is to keep any temptations, bad habits, or demotivators out of reach. Make it more inconvenient to reach junk food by burying it in the back of the cupboard or storing it in a room you don’t normally use, for example.

Obstacles and inconveniences, even seemingly benign ones, have a lot of influence over the decisions most people make.

4. Recognize Opportunities.

Not all exercise needs to be rigorous. Keeping this in mind, most people have opportunities to get a little extra exercise throughout the day regardless of how busy they are. As with the previous tips, it’s simply a matter of what is and isn’t habitual yet!

Taking the stairs or walking further from your car might add a few extra minutes to your schedule at most – or none at all if you look for opportunities to take a quick walk whenever you’ve already committed a block of time to doing something.

Think, for example, about how habitual it might be to grab your phone while waiting for a mechanic to look at your car or during a lull at work. Do you park as close as possible to the entrance at the grocery store and take the elevator instead of the stairs if you’re staying at a hotel? Unless you’re in an extreme rush, what is stopping you from getting up and taking a short walk in either of those situations?

Usually, it’s just what you’re used to doing!

Put into perspective, there are almost one and a half thousand minutes in a single day. Not all of them need to be productive, but most people have a few spots throughout the day to sneak in some exercise.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Fitness19

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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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Camas Cellars Opens in Downtown Camas; Ribbon Cutting Wednesday

Camas Cellars is a brand-new boutique wine bar and bottle shop located in downtown Camas that focuses on bringing Pacific NW wines into one place for customers to enjoy and appreciate. 

Located at 602 NE 3rd Avenue, Unit C, in the recently renovated building that also houses Subway, Camas Cellars also showcases unique imports and will be hosting events with winemakers and winery owners. Additionally, they will be hosting frequent tastings and classes.

Debi Dabasinskas, the proprietor of Camas Cellars, announced, “Our inaugural tasting event is set for Friday, December 1st, in collaboration with Santa Margherita USA. We’ll begin by sampling an array of white wines from Alto Adige, then journey to Lombardia to savor Franciacorte, and conclude in the Tuscany Hills with Lamole di Lamole. My goal is to create an intimate and engaging experience. I’m excited to present opportunities for tasting novel wines and to offer new sensory adventures. In January, we will be launching a wine club with a couple of membership levels including a Founders Club, which will include exclusive tastings and events. Additionally, the club plans to feature wine tastings and possibly dinners that incorporate produce from local farms. It promises to be an exciting and enjoyable venture!”

Most customers are coming in to try a new wine, so Camas Cellars offers wine flights — a red flight and a white flight — where wine lovers may taste four different wines. Additional flights are coming in the next few weeks. 

“For example, we can do a Washington reds flight, Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and describe the nuances between them,” said Dabasinskas. “We also offer cheese and charcuterie plates and have fresh flowers for sale from a local master gardener. We also feature art from local artists which are offered for sale and the artists will rotate based on a set calendar.” 

If you would like special orders for the holidays, or any time, Camas Cellars can help with this. 

“Let Camas Cellars be your local wine concierge!,” she said.

On Sunday, November 19th, Dabasinskas is hosting a Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Class. Stop by the shop this week to sign up!

“If you’re looking for a specific wine, I can find it for you,” said Dabasinskas. “For specials we will have 10 percent off bottles “to go” on First Friday. On Holiday Sip N Shop, Camas Cellars will offer 20 percent off wine flights and 10 percent off bottles for 21 and over.”

Dabasinskas worked as a District Manager for a very well known Napa Valley winery with properties in Washington, and has 30 years experience in the industry.  She has many certifications including WSET Level 2. 

For customers who want to try something other than wine, Camas Cellars carries Grains of Wrath in cans,” she said. “Camas Cellars is also available for private parties day and evening.”

Please join Camas Cellars this Wednesday, November 15th for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting from 4-6pm! Camas Cellars is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3-9 pm, and will continue to expand its offerings and changes up the glass list frequently. So, if you’re looking for a quiet escape from the stress of daily life, pay them a visit. Visit www.camascellars.com (it’s under construction). Camas Cellars is a 21 and over establishment. 

Camas Cellars
Camas Cellars
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About the Artist: David Gerton and His Exquisite Copper Works Art

Camas, WA — Known for his exquisite copper works, David Gerton grew up in Colorado until the age of 16 when his family moved to the Bay Area in California. Many happy hours were spent fishing with his dad, his grandfathers, and cousins.  They fished all over the state with occasional forays into Wyoming and Montana. They were always chasing the wily trout, and these adventures formed the foundation for his love of the natural world. 

David’s father, mother and grandparents taught him to love his country, freedom and how fortunate he was to be a citizen of the United States, and that patriotism often shows in his works.

David’s professional career was spent in the commercial and industrial lighting industry, but his avocation and passion were always in design and art. His goal is to produce patriotic works of art and works celebrating the wild things found in nature. Included are wild critters, wolves, cougars, bears, fish, turtles, eagles, owls and raptors, and landscapes. A number of pets have been memorialized in copper.

Gerton

Mixed Media Copper is the Medium

So, how does it work? An image is drawn on thin copper sheet with a marker, then by use of a series of small hammers and embossing tools the copper is shaped into the likeness of what Gerton is trying to depict. Once the three-dimensional image is complete, a variety of paints, patinas and washes are used to “antique” and color the copper. A torch is used in concert with color mediums to create subtle colors. A variety of transparent alcohol inks and a couple of special coloring techniques create the final color palette.  

The result: the flat copper is turned into three dimensional “paintings” appearing to have much more depth than they do. The goal is to make the works look like art but as life-like as possible. Each work is signed twice, one visible and one hidden. A wax seal of an American Eagle is applied before pouring a layer of crystal-clear epoxy resin over the finished piece. The resin provides a finish which is clearer and tougher than glass.  No glass is used when framing the art.

Each work contains a hidden heart.  It is up to the viewer to find the second signature and heart hidden in each piece.  

Most works, including the largest, are made of single sheets of copper. High Definition Giclée images of the original copper are available on aluminum in several sizes up to and including 4’ by 8’.  Many large pieces have left the studio with the largest being 5’ x 10’.

Copper Works Art can be found in collections around the country with pieces being acquired by collectors in Europe and the Middle East. Copper Works has participated in many shows, festivals, and Plein-Aire events, and has been honored to receive People’s Choice, Artist of the Month and Best in Show awards. 

The Copper Works Art studio is in Southwest Washington overlooking the Columbia River. To learn more, visit: https://www.copperworksart.com

Gerton
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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 . 

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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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