February is a short month that offers a long list of activities. From quilts to chocolate, kites to Chalacha – no need to stay home.

February 1-29 – Castle Rock Quilt Show – Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Ave NW, More than 80 quilts All those tiny stitches! Don’t miss them at the quilt show.

Friday, February 3 – First Fridays in Multiple Cities!

February 3 - First Friday – Ridgefield, 5 to 8 p.m.- Alcove Art Gallery will feature nine artists for the month of February. The theme will be entitled “Passion for Art.” Shops and restaurants will be open, too.

February 3 – A Chocolate Affair to Remember – 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Camas. Sample locally made chocolates, specialty chocolate drinks and more! Plus local quilters kick off 2012 with a show of their original work at Second Story Gallery in Camas. The annual open exhibit in February will begin with a reception on First Friday and remain on view inside the Camas Public Library through the end of the month.

February 3 - First Friday Artwalk – Downtown Vancouver, 5 to 9 p.m. Always a great celebration of community and fine art and a way to stroll with neighbors and friends. Downtown shops, restaurants and lounges welcome you as well. Art is leading the way for changes in downtown Vancouver!

February 3 – Wintertide – VSO Chamber Music Group – 7 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church 309 W. 39th Street in Vancouver. The Columbia River Brass present various styles from composers including Wilke Renwick, Samuel Scheidt, Eric Ewazen, Dave Robertson and J.S. Bach. Concert is repeated on February 5 at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas.

February 3-4 – Indoor Market – Long Beach Grange, 5715 Sandridge Rd., 10am to 4pm. A variety of vendors will be selling farm fresh eggs, home-baked goods, handcrafted items, goat cheese and goat milk soaps, gift items, art, jewelry and more. Lunch will be served from the Grange kitchen.

February 4 – Stand up Comedy at the Old Liberty Theater - Downtown Ridgefield. 7:30 p.m. An evening of “honest comedy” featuring: Ian Karmel- From IFC’s “Portlandia” plus other comics. 21 and older. Tickets by phone: Don Griswold, don@oldlibertytheater.com, booking phone (360) 601-7549.

February 4-5 – Asian New Year at the World Kite Museum – Long Beach. This opening has special events to introduce the Bali Kite Exhibit. The exhibit lasts until March 25.

February 7 – Chocolate Confession by Joan Freed – Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver. This hilarious one-woman show is a fundraiser for the Pink Lemonade Project. This is a perfect warm up for Valentine’s Day!

February 10-25 – Sense and Sensibility - Magenta Theater – downtown Vancouver’s theater troupe presents an adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel in their intimate theater.

February 11 – Valentine’s Tea – Pomeroy Living History Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Noon. Reservations required (360.686.3537). Seasonal menu will include assorted tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and two kinds of tea. A tour of the historic log house can be added for a small, extra charge.

February 11-12 – Columbia Gorge Wineries Valentine’s Day Open House Weekend – Columbia Gorge Wineries in Washington and Oregon. Winery Open House Hours are 11am – 6pm. What a great opportunity to taste and purchase wine for Valentine’s Day.

February 12 – Bravo! Concert Series – Leonard Bernstein Mass – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver. 2 p.m. Leonard Bernstein’s Mass blends sacred text, human emotions and musical styles – from classical to sacred, rock, blues and jazz. The Bravo! Chorale, guest soloists, and Chamber Orchestra will perform.

February 14 – - Musical Dinner Theater – Historic Trout Lake Country Inn. Go up and play in the snow on Mt. Adams and then enjoy a dinner show.

February 16-19 – Cinderella – The Columbia Theatre presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. February 16th at 7pm, February 17th at 7pm, February 18th at 2pm & 7pm, and February 19th at 2pm.

February 17-19 – Washington State Horse Expo – Horses and equestrians come together en masse at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. Check out the full program schedule.

February 18-20 – Columbia Gorge Wineries President’s Day Open Houses – Yet another wine weekend as the Gorge wineries open up again to celebrate President’s Day. More than 30 wineries will be open with special releases and discounts. Live music at Maryhill Winery.

February 21 - Volcano Views & Brews – Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro in downtown Vancouver at 801 Washington Street. Doors open at 5 pm. Speaker presents from 6:30 – 8 pm. Rick McClure, the Forest Archaeologist and Heritage Program Manager for Gifford Pinchot National Forest presents “The Place Called Chalacha – History Beneath the MSH Monument Headquarters and Chelatchie Prairie.”

What a great month! See you out there!

You would think with the cold rain arriving, there would be fewer opportunities to explore Southwest Washington in November. Not so. All kinds of events are available, both indoors and outside. Remember, as someone said, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Get out there!

November 4 – Educating for the Seventh Generation – Clark College will host a celebration of indigenous cultures. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a welcome address and a performance by Native American flutist and flute maker Isaac Trimble. Indian tacos will be served during the performance. Opening ceremonies for a powwow will begin at 6 p.m. Closing ceremonies will take place at 10 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Gaiser Student Center on Clark College’s main campus. Check here for information about Native American Heritage Month.

November 4 – Art, Women & Wine: Camas First Friday will feature the work of local women artists throughout Downtown Camas businesses 5pm-8pm. More than 20 artists will participate and some will donate art as prizes. Wine tastings will also be available.

November 4 – Vancouver’s First Friday Artwalk – Downtown Vancouver’s First Friday continues with galleries offering openings 5-9 p.m. and downtown’s many restaurants ready to welcome you. Don’t miss the Jacobsen Family Show at Art of the Boulevard in Vancouver Marketplace. The work of painter Eric Jacobsen will share gallery space with paintings by three of his children, Max (age 9), Olivia (age 7) and Owen (age 5).

November 5 – Veterans Parade at Fort Vancouver
Parade Grounds at the Fort Vancouver National Site, 612 E Reserve St, Vancouver at 11 a.m.. Veterans will be honored at the annual parade, which start with an Air Force fly-over and 21-gun salute fired by Howitzer cannons from the Parade Grounds. More than 100 military, veteran and civic organizations and 2,500 individuals participate in the parade from Officers Row to Fort Vancouver Way through the Vancouver Barracks and past the reconstructed Fort Vancouver to Pearson Air Museum, where it will end. This is one of the largest veterans parades on the West coast.

November 11-12 – Clam Digs! Get digging! Early in November, clam digs will happen at the coast IF tests are favorable at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks. Tentative opening dates and evening low tides are:

• Nov. 11, Fri. – 6:48 p.m., (-0.4 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 12, Sat. – 7:23 p.m. (-0.4 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Later in the month, razor clammers will have another opportunity. Tentative opening dates and evening low tides for that dig are:

• Nov. 25, Fri. – 6:27 p.m. (-1.9 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Nov. 26, Sat. – 7:14 p.m. (-1.8 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

From the WDFW: Clam diggers should plan to take lights or lanterns for the nighttime digs and to check weather and surf forecasts before heading out. No digging will be allowed before noon on any of the razor-clam beaches. Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website and from license vendors around the state. More razor clam digs are tentatively scheduled Dec. 10 and Dec. 22-23.

See this ZEST post about a 2010 clam dig at Ocean Park.

November 11-12 – Ocian in View - If digging clams wasn’t enough to attract you to the Long Beach Peninsula this weekend, there are plenty of other events happening in the area. The “Ocian in View” cultural event starts Friday evening at 6 p.m. with a presentation by researcher and author Dr. Douglas Deur of the PSU Department of Anthropology on Friday night at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum

The event continues on Saturday with an “O, How Horriable is the Day Event” at the U. S. Quarantine Station Museum at Knappton Cove, WA. from  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 12 with Lewis and Clark NW Living Historians.

Knappton Cove Heritage Center

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, the Columbia Confluences Bus Tour will visit historic sites, including the Knappton museum.  Call the Museum at 360-642-3446 for reservations for the $20 tour. On Saturday from 4  to 7 p.m.

The Chinook Tribe will host its Annual Salmon Dinner at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum.  The dinner will include regional seafood, salad, Indian fry bread, dessert and beverages.  Cost is $15 per person, seniors (55 and over) $13, children under 12 $5.  No reservations are required.

November 18, 2011 to November 20, 2011 – Clark County Holiday Gift Fair – Get a jump on your holiday shopping at this gift fair, which will include daily appearances from Santa and a special holiday themed kid’s activity area. Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield. 10am-5pm Admission fee.

November 19 – Thanksgiving Market Esther Street in downtown Vancouver where the Vancouver Farmers Market is normally located.  Pick up local produce and other foodstuffs for your Thanksgiving dinner. Gift items and live music included. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

November 24 – 6th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run Run/Walk through Stevenson – Columbia Gorge Running Club Get exercising BEFORE the turkey and pumpkin pie in Stevenson starting at the Skamania Country Fairgrounds. Lots of random prize drawings!Bring a donation for the Food Bank. 8 a.m.

Spectacular trees and vintage planes at Festival of Trees

November 25-27 Vancouver Rotary Foundation Festival of Trees Kick off your  holidays at the multi-event Rotary Foundation Festival of Trees in Vancouver. Festival of Trees viewing plus Santa, entertainment and a scavenger hunt at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street in Vancouver. Gorgeous trees will be on display along with Pearson Air Museum’s vintage planes throughout the weekend. Holiday entertainment will be provided by local entertainers and youth groups. Don’t miss the scavenger hunt. (Pick up a scorecard, find the special holiday word on each tree and turn in your results. You could win a beautiful holiday wreath!) As always, the Talking Tree will be chatting away with Festival goers and Santa or Mrs. Claus will be available for photos. Bring your camera! The viewing schedule is:

Friday, November 25 – Noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 26 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is FREE but non-perishable food donations for Share House and financial donations to support Festival of Trees are requested.

Friday, November 25th – Community Tree Lighting at Esther Short Park, Music at 5:30 p.m., Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Come early for the music and hot drinks. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. Join the thousands who enjoy this event each year. You will want to be there when the lights first illuminate our beautiful community tree!

Friday, November 25^th – Vancouver Pops Holiday Concert at the Hilton Hotel, 6:30 p.m. Director Bert Coffman will lead the Pops through rousing holiday songs. Concert is free but non-perishable food donations for Share House and financial donations to support Festival of Trees are requested.

Sunday, November 27^th – Hot Buttered Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street, 10 a.m. – See the details below.

A Tasting at East Fork Cellars

November 25-27 – Clark County Thanksgiving Weekend Wine Tour Celebrate the fall harvest and local wine! Open all three days from Noon to 6pm.

November 25-27 Holiday Weekend in Long Beach

All ages are welcome Friday afternoon at the Neptune Theater for a complimentary showing of “The Polar Express,” hosted by Mrs. Claus and a few special guests! Saturday brings magic and Santa Claus to town including a magical show with Mrs. Claus, a craft activity, and  free pictures with Santa! Later, enjoy caroling and the City of Long Beach’s tree lighting ceremony. Sunday morning  celebrate Frosty the Snowman’s Birthday! Bring a donation of hat, scarves, mittens or other winter clothing for the needy. Enjoy more time with Mrs. Claus and Frosty as well as more craft stations and birthday cake.

November 25-27 Thanksgiving Open House Weekend at Columbia Gorge Wineries More than 30 wineries and tasting rooms will be open Memorial Day weekend with open houses featuring special releases, barrel tastings, events, live music, artisan treats and other surprises. The wineries span 40 miles of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic. On the Washington side of the Gorge, wineries span from Underwood to Goldendale.

November 26 – Wahkiakum Festival of Lights Celebration Starting at 3 pm enjoy Christmas caroling, hot cider, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at about 4:30pm in downtown Cathlamet, WA

November 27 – Hot Buttered Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5^th Street, 10 a.m. – Last year, more than 1,000 started a new holiday tradition by exercising off Thanksgiving calories at this outdoor celebration which winds through the Fort Vancouver Historic Site, along the Columbia River, through downtown Vancouver and past scenic Officers Row! Participate in Energy Event’s 12K Run, a 5KWalk.Run and Kids Kandy Kane Race. Start and Finish at Pearson Air Museum. Registration includes long sleeve t-shirt, food music and hot buttered rums (for adults) and hot chocolate. For more information and registration, visit www.energyevents.com. The Festival trees will be on view. Stop by after your run!

Can it really be the second half of the year? Where did the first half go? Now that the weather is drier and warmer (we hope), there are LOTS of opportunities to celebrate the summer. Here are a few to consider for the FIVE weekends in July:

July 4 - There are WAY too many events happening to cover the 4th of July celebrations. Vancouver is famous for its massive 4th at the Fort. Just about every Southwest Washington community has an event. Pick one!

Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts

July 8-9 – North Bonneville Gorge Days Head out SR14 to North Bonneville for a Friday Night Sock Hop, Hot Rod Cruise and BBQ. Saturday features a Pancake Breakfast and is followed by a full day of food, arts & crafts and a free concert in the park featuring Johnny Limbo & The Lugnuts.

July 8-10 – Amboy Territorial Days Celebration – Three days of everything from pancake breakfasts to lawn mower races to a community parade to a logging show and more. Visit the Web site for a complete schedule.

July 9th – Magenta Improv Theater (MIT) presents its own version of “Whose Line is it Anyway…” This downtown Vancouver theater group really knows how to have fun with family-friendly events.

July 15-17 – Battle Ground Harvest Days - The event features a parade, lawnmower races, carnival rides, a beer garden, a root beer garden, musical entertainment, dances, bingo, talent show, chili cooking contest, ballroom fest, food. What more could you want?

Hot rods and classic cars line Main Street

July 16 – Cruisin’ the Gut – Classic cars and their passionate drivers cruise from the Dairy Queen in Uptown Village to 6th and Main in Downtown. Take a lawn chair and stake out a viewing point along the route.

July 16 – “Nights in White Salmon” Art and Wine Fusion – Downtown White Salmon will be transformed into a car-free, lively Street Fair with artists, local wines and beers, kid friendship activities, a salmon cook-off, five regional bands and lots of shops and galleries.

Trout Lake Festival of the Arts - Photo by Kira Fogerty

July 16 – 17 – Trout Lake Festival of the Arts - Fifty-five artists are jury selected to display fine art in the rustic barn, outdoors, or garden setting. In addition to the art, visitors enjoy continuous live music, an outstanding variety of foods, local brews and wine. There is no admission fee and plenty of free parking. And Mt. Adams will provide a stunning back drop!

The new Vancouver Community Library photo © 2011 Benjamin Benschneider All rights Reserved.

July 17 – Grand Opening of the Vancouver Community Library - Be still, my heart, our new Vancouver Community Library is opening! The event starts with speeches at 1 p.m., following by the ribbon cutting at about 1:40 p.m. and a fabulous library to explore, including an amazing 4,000 sf Early Learning Center, until 6 p.m. This is a WONDERFUL addition to downtown Vancouver and will be open seven days a week!

July 20-24 - SandSations Sand Sculpture Contest - Long Beach. Free lessons on Friday followed by a beach bonfire. Four hours of sculpting on Saturday.

July 22-23 – Camas Days – Games for kids, arts and crafts booths, and the famous Wine & Microbrew Street with live, musical entertainment.

July 23 – Sip and Stroll – This great walking wine tour will feature local wineries and microbrews, served in the shops of Uptown Village. Hough Foundation is the beneficiary. Fun event!

July 28-30 – Ho`ike and Hawaiian Festival - “Three days of aloha,” sponsored by Ke Kukui Foundation. A special performance of the historical drama”Ka Lei Maile Ali`i: The Queen’s Women” will be offered at 10am. Thousands attend this colorful festival for the Hapa Haole music, competitions, dancing, food and more.

Girls rule the roost on the Coop du Jour Tour

Spring is kicking in with LOTS of activities and events in Southwest Washington. Here are a few ideas to get you moving:

March 18-April 24 Spring break is FIVE weeks long at the World Kite Museum in Long Beach. Make a kite, get coupons for local businesses at a museum treasure hunt, participate in themed weekends at the Spring Fling.

April 1-3 – Passport Weekend to a World of Wines in 40 Miles -Start the month with a trip to Columbia Gorge wineries with this special event, which takes place on both sides of the river. Details here on where to purchase your $15 passport, which will give you special offers including lodging deals.

April 1 – First Fridays. Both Vancouver and Camas have first Friday events. Enjoy art, meet the artists, have dinner and celebrate with friends. Camas even has “Will you pick the golden egg?” contest happening at various shops. Details are at Vancouver Art Walk and Camas First Friday.

April 2 – 30 – Woodland Tulip Festival No need to travel to The Netherlands to touch tulips. Tour the bulb fields and display gardens of Holland America Bulb Farms. This annual event includes crafts, music, children’s activities and more. Check here for details.

April 4 – Guitarist Greta Pedersen performs a matinee concert at the Columbia Theatre in Longview as part of the Rainy Months Series. Information and tickets are available here.

April 9 – International Discovery Walk Festival This beloved event attracts walkers from all over the world to Vancouver. It is such a delight to see the flags of the countries represented. Biking and swim events are offered, too. Admission charge. Go to the Festival Web site for more information.

April 16-May 8 – Lilac Days Festival We have plant hybridizer Hulda Klager (plus MANY volunteers) to thank for this fragrant festival, which is held on the Klager homestead in Woodland each year. All things lilac are offered at a special store (including lilac starts) and Hulda’s home is open for tours. The Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens are located at 115 S. Pekin Road, near the Holland America bulb fields. Admission. Click here for more details.

April 23 – Easter Tea Tour the historic house at the Pomeroy Living History Farm and enjoy tea with scones, sandwiches and desserts. Admission. Visit the Pomeroy Web site for more information.

April 27 – What do I do now? A financial summit for women will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Red Cross Building at the Fort Vancouver National Site. Financial writer (www.sixtyandsingle.com) Julia Anderson will moderate a panel of experts. Admission. Details and tickets are available here.

There is so much to do this month. See you out there in Southwest Washington!

My favorite gifts are experiences — presents that get me moving, seeking, learning, growing or relaxing. The memories of those experiences WILL fit on the boat.

Here is a short but fun list of experiences (with gift certificates available) in Southwest Washington (of course!) that you can give this holiday season, or year round, to friends, family or to yourself:

Pacific County
Give a gift certificate to one of my favorite places, Shakti Cove Cottages. These cute little cabins are within walking distance of the beach at Ocean Park, include kitchens and are near some of the best areas of the Long Beach Peninsula including Oysterville and Nahcotta.

Entrance to Shakti Cove Cottages

Consider including a gift certificate to Nanci and Jimella’s Klipsan Market Café just down the road. Remember the famous and fabulous Ark restaurant? That was Nancy and Jimella’s before they sold it. Their tradition of wonderful food continues in Klipsan Beach. Call 360.665.4847 for details.

Clark County
The beautifully restored Camas Hotel offers a relaxing getaway that is surrounded by shops and restaurants including Oliver’s at the hotel. Call for details and reservations.

The charming Camas Hotel

How about a gift certificate to Magenta Theater? Their 2011 plays include classics Life with Father and You Can’t Take it With You. It’s a sweet deal to have dinner in one of the many restaurants in downtown Vancouver and then stroll down to Magenta’s space on Main Street, near 6th.

Cowlitz County
Speaking of theater, do not overlook the recently restored Columbia Theatre in downtown Longview. Upcoming events include ‘S Wonderful, The Fab Four, 39 Steps (4 actors doing 150 characters!) and more including performances for children. Call for a gift certificate!

The Columbia Theatre

What about a pre-show dinner? Consider a gift certificate to JT’s Steak & Fish House, which comes highly recommended. Call 360-577-0717 for a gift certificate.

Skamania County
A night or two in the beautiful Skamania Lodge would make anyone happy. You could include a gift certificate dinner or brunch at the lodge or Big River Grill in downtown Stevenson.

The view from Skamania Lodge

Dinner at the Big River Grill

Klickitat County
Maryhill Winery offers a beautiful tasting room overlooking the Columbia River. A gift certificate to the winery can be used on their wines and items in the retail store. It’s a wonderful drive out to the winery and can easily include the remarkable Maryhill Museum.

The stunning terrace at Maryhill Winery

One more suggestion
Okay, after purchasing “experiences” for your loved ones, you may still feel the need a gift in hand to fill a stocking or to wrap for under the tree. Stop by or shop online at the Fort Vancouver Bookstore for the 2010 ornament – Fort Vancouver Village by Paul Lanquist. You’ll find lots of other gift ideas related to Southwest Washington, too.

The Fort Vancouver Village 2010 Ornament

And please HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

The lovely Camas Hotel

Friday Night 7 p.m. K’Syrah Catering Wine and Bistro 212 NE 4th Avenue. K’Syrah is offering a tasting of Thanksgiving wines – perfect for the Friday night before the all the holiday gluttony begins. For $10 per person, we taste five excellent wines – Mercer Pinot Gris 2008, Primarius Pinot Noir 2007, La Quercia Montepulciano 2008, Ridge Three Valleys 2007 and Terre Gaie Sparkling white wine. We like them all but, darn, have to make a choice. We select the sparkling wine to offer with the dessert course on Thanksgiving. K’Syrah also offers three-course fixed price dinners on Friday nights. Menus are posted in the Web site.

Saturday Morning 10 a.m. There are a LOT of shops to explore so we start with a hearty breakfast at Natalia’s Cafe, 437 NE 4th Avenue. My veggie scramble with home potatoes is very good but Gary’s strawberry blintzes with whipped cream wins the best breakfast prizes for taste and presentation. Don’t miss the photo.

11 a.m. Amply fed, Gary excuses himself to do his own errands (versus shopping) while I start my exploration of the downtown stores. First stop is The Uncommon Gift 407 NE 4th Avenue is well-named. It is full of unusual jewelry, cards, candles, and other décor.

Chateau Lauren 339 NE 4th Avenue has wall-to-wall decorating ideas, beautifully set tables, home accessories and adorable children’s clothing. It’s an interior design store that must be one of the most photogenic shops in the area.

Fore! Golf 426 NE Cedar Street. Who says that downtown Camas only has boutiques for women? Fore! offers new and used golf clubs plus apparel, balls, sunglasses and other golf accessories.

T3Sixty and Clothes Time 321 NE 4th Avenue provide a unique combination of skate boarding equipment and apparel in the front of the store plus a resale shop of name brand and designer clothing.

Camas Antiques 305 NE 4th Avenue. This is a store that could take a day to explore. Fifty+ booths with beautifully displayed antiques and other collectibles are features. Just when you have seen all the treasures, you will find the stairs to the lower level which is equally filled with collectibles. I could spend the day in here with the camera. Allow plenty of time for this shopful of shops.

Lily Atelier 237 NE 4th Avenue. Clothing shoppers won’t want to miss Lily Atelier and the adjacent Luxe shoe boutique. Both offer beautiful, high end apparel.

Around the corner from Lily Atelier, Lizzabeth A 415 NE Birch Streetis charming home décor store with linens (one of my weaknesses), jewelry, Marie Osmond bags and many other unique items. Owner Beth has chosen some fine signs like “Well-behaved women rarely make history.”

Camas Bike and Sport 240 NE 3rd Avenue.  Katina and Ed Fischer opened this great, full-service bike shop in July. They carry road, mountain, street and other bikes and offer bike repairs and rentals.

Afternoon –After all this exploring (and more to come), I’m ready to check into the Camas Hotel 405 NE 4th Avenue. Karen and Tom Hall have transformed this former residential hotel, built in 1911, into a charming European-style inn with luxurious beds and linens. They have done a marvelous job of renovating the hotel. Vintage photos of Camas throughout the building artfully tell the story of the community. It’s a wonderfully relaxing place. A new restaurant and martini bar,  Harwood’s, will soon open on the first floor of the building. (Update: Harwood’s closed. The restaurant is now Oliver’s Restaurant at the Camas Hotel.)

2 p.m. You can only shop so long without coffee. I am grateful for Caffe Piccolo Paradiso, 309 NE Birch Street, which is playing Van Morrison and serving high quality caffeine, Caffe Umbria.  All ages stop by to re-energize.

Next door, Painless Ric’s Tattoo Studio 315 NE Birch Street is busy. I want to chat but DO NOT want to distract the artist. I settle for reading all the awards Ric has posted in the front window. I’ll come back later.

3 p.m. I have always admired the comfortable Camas Library 625 NE 4th Avenue. I wander in to see what’s happening and hit pay dirt. The Friends of the Library are holding a book sale!  Even though it’s the last two hours of a two-day sale, there are lots of good reads left and the prices have just dropped to $8 per grocery bag. I quickly fill my sack.

4 p.m. I think I have found the busiest place in town. Shoppers are zipping in and out of Camas Produce 2940 NE Everett Street, which is just about 10 minute drive north of downtown Camas. Considering the market’s variety, displays and prices, I’m not surprised.  I pick up some beets, rutabagas and a large turnip to roast for Sunday night dinner.

4:30 p.m. Back downtown at Safeway, a brass ensemble of Camas High school students are playing Christmas carols and gathering canned goods for a food drive called “Stuff the Bus.” Proud parents are taping the event. Across the street from Safeway in a bungalow, Déjà vu 726 NE 2nd Avenue is taking advantage of my passion for consignment shops. Owner Sherrill Traviss offers an upscale selection of women’s fashions including bridal gowns and formal wear. My find is a knit Weekender outfit.

Back on 4th Avenue, Accentuate , 500 NE 4th Avenue, has an excellent selection of scarves, jewelry, handbags plus clothing.

6 p.m. With all this exploring, I’ve forgotten to eat lunch and Gary, always ready to skip the shopping but enjoy dinner, has joined me. We walk a short two blocks to Around the Table 316 NE Dallas for a delightful dinner of small plates – warm cabbage salad and dumplings, a rich gnocchi gorgonzola (my favorite), a farmhouse salad and fig-stuffed turkey breast with port sauce. Glasses of Riesling and Pinot Grigio complete the feast. Is “delightfully stuffed” an oxymoron?

10 p.m. We are very well-fed, warm and comfortable in our room but I coax Gary out of the hotel one more time, into the pouring rain, to see what is happening. Down the street, the paper mill is steaming along. Nearly all the restaurants are closed but, aha!, Painless Ric’s is open until midnight. Millworkers stop by after their shift, the tattoo artist explains. We are impressed with the thousands of available designs ranging from delicate flowers and Chinese characters to voluptuous women. I ask Gary if he wants a tattoo. He declines, quickly.

Around the corner, the taverns will be busy until 2 a.m. Down the block, Chateau Lauren’s illuminated display window is shimmering in silver and white for the holidays. For the most part, Camas is tucked in for the night, a good thing on a very rainy evening.

Sunday Morning 9 a.m. Camas Hotel We enjoy a substantial continental breakfast of muffins, bagels, fruit and coffee in the 2nd floor breakfast room. In warmer weather, a roof top terrace outside the room is available. Other downtown options for breakfast include Natalia’s (with the fabulous strawberry blintzes) and a new weekend brunch, which is getting good reviews, at Twilight Pizza Bistro across the street. We’re happy to stay in, read the Sunday paper and enjoy the coffee.

11 a.m. Check out time. We hate to leave this very cozy hotel. Many of the downtown shops are open on Sunday but it’s time to head home, blessedly only a short drive away. It’s great to enjoy a getaway so close to home.

Camas is a welcoming community and obviously a first-class destination for serious shoppers and diners. More than the great shops and restaurants, Camas is also a gateway to the Columbia Gorge and recreation opportunities like hiking, birding and kayaking. But that’s another trip, when the rain stops…

UPDATE: Harwoods, a martini bar and restaurant opened next to the Camas Hotel in early January 2010. Check out Harwoods Facebook page for more information.