Six Tips, Protocols For Smoking in Public Spaces

When you head out into public spaces, it is important to be considerate of those who may be bothered by the smoky air that you are creating. Here are six tips for smoking in public that do that.

1- Follow the Regulations

Of course, if there is any legal reason for you to not light up in an area, you should follow that as doing so will result in you being considerate of others as well as avoiding legal issues. As you surely know, restaurants and bars are no longer as legally smoker-friendly as they used to be, but also be observant of other things, such as signs stating that no smoking is allowed close to a building’s entrance.

2- Ask for Permission

If you are near others and it is legal for you to smoke there, you should still ask if they mind if you do. In many cases, they will say that they do not, even non-smokers, but doing so allows you to refrain when there are those there who will in fact be upset if they are unexpectedly breathing in second-hand smoke. This is especially frustrating for them if they cannot easily move to a different area.

3- Where Is the Wind Blowing?

Even when those around you do not mind or you are in a place where smoking is expected, it is considerate to be aware of which direction any breezes are blowing so that, when possible, you can direct your smoke away from others. Also be careful of smoking near a building’s entrance as the wind may be blowing your smoke into the structure, particularly if it is a non-smoking building.

4- Be More Considerate in Parks

Consider that many go to parks and other natural settings in order to breathe in the nature-infused air that exists there and may be much more upset at breathing second-hand smoke in that type of setting than they would somewhere else. For that reason, if you do smoke in a park, ensure that there is a considerable amount of space between you and others.

5- Treat Cigar Smoking Differently

If you are smoking cigars instead of cigarettes, you should treat that situation differently. For one thing, most people take longer to smoke cigars, meaning that you will be potentially annoying others for a longer time period. Also, keep in mind that cigars tend to produce more ash, and all of that ash should be disposed of in a manner that is least disruptive to others.

6- Avoid Places With Poor Air Circulation

Regardless of whether permission is given or implied, you should avoid smoking anywhere with poor air circulation unless it is an area that has been specially designed for smokers, such as a smoking room in an airport. Examples include cars and elevators as well as many indoor spaces but especially so if they are small. If you are smoking indoors, make sure that nearby windows are opened to improve the air circulation.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Road Runner Cigars

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Living: Five Fun Hobbies That Are Easy to Pick Up

Setting time aside to unwind is just as important as working hard. That is why medical practitioners emphasize the need for a person to have at least one hobby. These are five hobbies that are easy to pick up and start:

Painting

Remember how fun and calming painting was when you were in kindergarten? You can go back to these stress-free times by picking up a brush every so often. Time flies by with each stroke, and you’ll soon be lost in your world as you create beautiful paintings.

You can take some inexpensive classes online or use different social media platforms. The great thing about taking up painting as a hobby is that you can be good at it later. To get the maximum benefits, you can play music and sip your favorite drink. All you need is a painting kit and canvas, and you are ready to go.

Embroidery

Who doesn’t love a hobby that produces useful gifts in the end? No one. That is what you’ll have once you get into embroidery. This hobby allows you to create beautiful patterns and liven up old clothes and bags.

Using a needle and string requires a steady hand and great concentration. This means you will have to forget all your troubles as you focus on the task. This is one of the fastest-growing hobbies bringing back the sewing era. Different stores have curved-out serene spaces where people can sit and embroider for hours. You can join such clubs and make friends while at it. What was once a pass time reserved for grandmothers is now significant for the young and young-at-heart.

Gardening

There is something quite calming about getting in touch with nature. You don’t need a large area to get your gardening hat on. A small portion where you can plant herbs, vegetables, and flowers works well. You get double the benefits because you relax and enjoy healthy home-grown vegetables.

If you live in an apartment, you can develop your green thumb by planting and caring for potted plants. Be sure to leave the pots on your window so they can get the sunlight they need. Beginners are advised to start with plants that only require a little attention to thrive. This will ease you into the gardening world, and soon you’ll be able to nurture and grow complex houseplants. It is advisable to research the plants that do well in your region. Doing so ensures you will see the literal fruits of your labor. So get your gardening tools and boots on and get started.

Journaling

Old is gold, and nothing quite compares to the relief you get when jolting down your thoughts, hopes, fears, and dreams. Pen to paper is one of the oldest forms of unwinding and is encouraged now more than ever.

When journaling, you can plug off all your electronic gadgets and free your mind by simply writing. Journaling frees up your mind; this way, you can come up with new ideas and solutions for your problems. It is no wonder therapists highly recommend journaling for everyone. Journals now have many features that can help you start and allocate time each day to write.

Cooking Classes

There is no one who doesn’t enjoy a scrumptious meal. This is what makes cooking classes such a great idea. If you love getting in the kitchen and using different ingredients to create delicious recipes. In that case, this is the hobby for you.

After attending a few cooking lessons, you’ll make restaurant-quality meals right in your kitchen for a fraction of the cost. A common trend with cooking classes is frugal meals. The idea behind frugal cooking is to use inexpensive ingredients to make mouth-watering dishes. You get to save money and enjoy a unique meal. You can find night-time cooking lessons that you can attend after work. Virtual classes are also a great idea if you want to cook in the comfort of your kitchen.

So long as an activity allows you to come down and ease your mind and body, you can do it as a hobby. The list above can direct you in the right direction. Pick one that you enjoy and embrace the relaxation.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Southern Sketch Designs

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Jurassic Retreat: One of America’s Most Unique Getaway Destinations

“Jurassic Park” movie fans are coming from all over the country to experience the Jurassic Retreat in Washougal, WA. Since its opening two years ago, guests are turning back time to 65 million years ago when dinosaurs ruled the world. This charming getaway, nestled in the Cascade mountains, isn’t far from the Columbia River, and is only a 25-minute drive from Portland International Airport, with access to many local amenities and sites. 

Guests that visit this prehistoric haven are greeted by a life-size T-rex, and his friends — a brachiosaurus, velociraptor, and triceratops companions — who stand watch over this 4-bedroom, 2,100 square foot vacation residence that’s filled with artifacts and decorations that take you back to the “Jurassic Park” movies while boasting modern conveniences, like WiFi, a giant smart TV, a hot tub, and a state-of-the-art kitchen in a comfortable ambiance. 

Featured on The Drew Barrymore Show, the Jurassic Retreat stands as one of America’s most unique getaway destinations. The Jurassic Retreat hosts a curated collection of authentic movie industry props, that immerse you in the heart of the prehistoric world. 

It’s a great place to host a party, a holiday event, a family reunion, a graduation, wedding, or to simply get away. It can accommodate up to 12 guests. 

Some of the retreat’s features include:

  • Bedroom 1: Queen Bed
  • Bedroom 2: Queen Bed
  • Bedroom 3: Twin/Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle Bed
  • Bedroom 4: Twin/Twin Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle Bed
  • Private hot tub, a retreat within a retreat.
  • Immerse yourself in cinematic splendor with a 75″ Smart TV and the entire collection of Jurassic Park movies.
  • Seamless flow of the open-concept interior, inviting shared moments and cherished memories.
  • Fully equipped kitchen w/ cooking basics, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, full service setup for 12.
  • Propane bbq with an outdoor picnic table to enjoy your culinary fare.
  • Bring your fur babies along – pets are allowed, free of charge.

Guest reviews:

“If you’ve read the description, and any of the other reviews, you probably don’t need to look at this review. Jurassic Retreat is definitely a very unique property and promised a unique experience and definitely delivered. Beautiful home In the woods with life-size dinosaurs, what more can you ask for. The youngsters had an experience they will never forget.If you’ve read the description, and any of the other reviews, you probably don’t need to look at this review. Jurassic Retreat is definitely a very unique property and promised a unique experience and definitely delivered. Beautiful home In the woods with life-size dinosaurs, what more can you ask for. The youngsters had an experience they will never forget,” said David, from Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

“We had such a wonderful stay. Our 3 kids absolutely loved their time here. It was clean , relaxing and had everything we needed plus some. Cottonwood Beach is about a 20 minute drive, it is a nice place we stumbled upon for the kids to play in the water and sand. Hot tub, games, movies , toys , fresh air, & DINOS . Definitely memorable for the entire family,” said Jessika, Great Falls, Montana.

The retreat is owned by Investor Residences, a premier vacation rental company with a portfolio of more than 80 properties.

To book your stay, visit https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/848357161561531844?source_impression_id=p3_1702066380_%2F69N5hnKipEOOM1r or call Jenn Meyers at 808.987.7219.

Jurassic
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Areas of Your House That Are Commonly Forgotten When Cleaning

House cleaning is one of those tasks that can simply be done on autopilot. The automatic nature of house cleaning makes it feel easy, but it can also mean that you get into a rhythm that is hard to break. This leads to several areas being perennially overlooked. Sometimes areas of the home are ignored in seasonal or annual cleaning because they are too difficult or because homeowners don’t know how to clean them properly. Whatever the reason, the next time you take on the task of deep cleaning your home, take a closer look at these areas of your home. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Outdoor Furniture Pieces

A lot of people have outdoor furniture pieces such as:

  • Patio tables, chairs, and umbrellas
  • Hammocks and frames
  • Suspension chairs
  • Awnings

These items should be regularly sprayed down and properly treated if mold and mildew are suspected. Cleaning your outdoor furniture at the beginning and end of seasonal use is best. In most cases, water and dish soap are adequate for getting these items clean. Use a stiff bristled scrub brush to remove any areas of stubborn dirt, then rinse grime away with the help of a hose and spray attachment. When you take the time to clean your outdoor furniture regularly, it becomes easier to do each time. You’ll also find that using your outdoor furniture is more comfortable and enjoyable. Everyone likes having a clean place to sit.

Throw Pillows and Other Accents

Did you know that most throw pillow covers can be removed? Nearly all throw pillow covers can be removed with the help of a zipper. Other covers are simply tucked tightly around the pillow form beneath. This makes it easy to toss covers and pillow forms into the washer and drier. Follow the washing instructions on the tags to preserve the quality of the items.

Throw pillows and similar accent items get very dirty because they are touched and used so frequently. They also attract food stains, pet stains, and bad odors. These items should be cleaned at least once a year because they are highly visible parts of your home and because they are so prone to soiling.

Air Ducts

The air ducts in your home channel warm and cool air all year long. This is an important system that keeps your home running comfortably. There are filters along the way to help prevent mold, pollen, and dust from settling where they shouldn’t. Dirty air ducts can make your home dusty, which makes cleaning harder in the long run. However, air ducts have to be kept clean in order to function at peak efficiency.

Unlike most areas of your home, air ducts can’t be cleaned on your own. You will need to partner with special service agents for this task. It only takes a little bit of planning to have this service taken care of. A quick call to a local agency is all it takes and you can enjoy a cleaner, nicer home.

Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, but it is also one of the most overlooked. Bad kitchen odors often have their origin in the garbage disposal. Because so much food waste is run through the garbage disposal, it can be a site of mold growth. Mold as well as excess food pieces can be the source of those bad smells. Decaying food can also lead to clogs, preventing the disposal from working correctly.

Equal parts baking soda and vinegar are usually sufficient to clear a garbage disposal. Start by running hot water, and then pour the mixture down the disposal. Doing this once a week will keep everything running smoothly.

A Clean Home Is a Pleasant Home

Cleaning these overlooked areas will help you feel more at home in your living space. You can relax knowing you’ve done this job well. Most of these overlooked areas don’t need to be cleaned frequently, but they make a big difference in how your home looks and functions.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Duct Doctor

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What You Can Do to Ease Your Pet’s Moving Anxiety

Pets experience anxiety about a move, just like the other members of their family. While you can talk to young children to prepare them for an upcoming move, your favorite canine or feline simply can’t always understand your words. The good news is that you have many ways to help soothe your pet’s worries. Implementing these strategies as soon as you know you’re moving can ease your pet’s anxiety and help them acclimate to their new home faster.

1. Hire Professional Movers to Free Up Time for Your Pet

Similar to children, pets need more supervision during a move than you might be able to give if you are constantly shuffling boxes around. Hiring professional movers allows you to delegate major tasks that take up your attention. As the movers work, you can tend to your pet, which helps to alleviate their anxiety. Whether you play with your pet in the backyard while the movers do the packing or take them to a special part of the house while they load boxes, you’ll be able to keep your attention directed towards your favorite animal.

2. Try to Stick to Your Normal Routine

Your pet depends upon their routine to feel safe in the world, and nothing fuels anxiety like wondering when they will get their next meal. While it might be difficult, sticking to a routine during the move helps your pet feel secure. If necessary, recruit help with making sure your pet gets their daily walk or assign another family member to feed them on time when you’re signing paperwork for your new home.

3. Visit Your New Home Before the Big Move

Animals prefer familiar places, and you can bet that your pet will want to explore their new environment. If possible, take your pet to the new house before the main moving day. If you cannot go inside just yet, then you might still be able to let them sniff around the front yard and neighboring areas.

4. Keep Treats and Toys Accessible

Many pets are territorial regarding their toys, and seeing their favorite ball or chew toy get tossed into a box is upsetting for animals. Plus, having a ball to play fetch with is a great way to help your pet burn off any anxious energy they develop. Try to make sure that your pet’s favorite toys stay close by, and let your movers know that you prefer to keep them around until the move is complete. You might also opt to pack your pet a special box of new toys that you can bring out anytime they are especially anxious. Distraction is a wonderful method for keeping pets calm as new people work around the house.

5. Stay Close to Your Pet During Moving Day

On the big day, you’ll find that your pet is happier when you are able to stick by their side. You might decide to designate a special room where you and other family members can hang out with your pet while the movers work. Or, you could opt to take your pet to their favorite dog park while the bulk of loading up the truck is completed by professionals. Where you hang out with your pet is up to you but making them a priority helps to eliminate potentially challenging behaviors such as excessive barking or trying to run away.

6. Give Them a Safe Space While You Set Up

Once you get to your new home, you’ll want to establish a safe space in the area where they can rest and play while you unpack all your boxes. If your pet is crate trained, then you might put them in the same room where most of the action is happening. If they tend to roam more freely, then you can set up a pet gate to block off a safe area where your pet won’t be in the way of people carrying heavy boxes or furniture. Soon, you’ll be able to let them roam free and explore their new environment. Most pets quickly adjust to their new home once it’s set up, but you might still need to give your favorite animal a little extra love and care for the first few days.

Throughout your move, you might notice that your pet’s anxiety comes and goes. Taking the time to stay attuned to their mood can make it easier to know when to give them a little extra love and care. Once you’ve all settled into your new home, you’ll love watching as your pet begins to explore their new surroundings as they return your efforts to keep them calm with plenty of affection.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Allied Van Lines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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