Day 200 of 365…

THIS coming Friday, September 10th kicks off the 39th Annual Vancouver Sausage Festival! It runs Friday night and all day Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. Here’s what I said in last years Sausage Fest blog post…

Born and raised in Vancouver, this annual event has a special place in my heart. People who aren’t from around here don’t really get it. As a kid, it was THE place to hang out for the entire weekend. You got to ride rides, hang out, eat great food, cause trouble, play games and just be kids.

As we got older, it became more of a reunion place. A place to reconnect with some childhood friends that you may not see on a regular basis. But, you always know you’ll run into someone you know at the Vancouver Sausage Fest. It’s a place to watch local talent perform. Dancers, singers, drummers, cloggers, groups… Just plain old fun.

This sentiment hasn’t changed. I look forward to this annual event. The great thing is we are now incorporating and introducing new friends into this old tradition. Admittance this year is $2 per person or only $1 if you donate a non-perishable food item. You can also get Family Pack Admission Bracelets and Discount Ride Tickets online.

This years entertainment schedule is as follows:

Friday, September 10
7:00 – 7:45 Opening Ceremonies
8:30 Merrill
Saturday, September 11
10:00 – 10:45 Dance Fusion
11:00 – 11:45 River City Cloggers
12:00 – 12:45 Westside Dance Academy
1:00 – 1:45 Kara’s Dance Studio
2:00 – 2:50 Julia’s Misfortune
3:00 – 3:50 Molly Malone Irish Dancers
4:00 – 4:50 Claudette Walker Dance
5:00 – 6:00 Gospel Mass
5:45 – 7:15 Ruby Hill
8:30 Hit Explosion
Sunday, September 12
12:00 – 12:45 Stardust (An A Cappella Quartet)
1:00 – 1:50 Virtuosity Performing Arts Studio
2:00 – 2:50 Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy
3:00 – 3:30 Hula Hoop Contest
3:45 – 4:30 Schell Dance Studio
4:45 – 5:30 Solo Vocalist
6:00 Southwest Washington’s Got Talent Finale

Vancouver Sausage Festival is located at St. Joseph’s at 6500 Highland Drive, Vancouver, WA 98661. You can also connect to Vancouver Sausage Festival on Facebook.

Day 199 of 365…

I often have people ask me where in town you can find natural and organic products and the answer I share is always the same… Whole Foods Market out in the Cascade Park and Fishers Landing area. This 27,000 square foot store offers an amazing selection of just about anything you can think of. They also support and carry locally grown products in their store which is great for us and for local providers. Let’s wander around the store a bit.

They have an incredible produce section for all your fresh products.

Their meat and deli section is amazing.

Whole Foods Market features a very diverse selection of wines and beers.

In addition to all of these things they have tons of other sections with wonderful selections of natural and organic products. The best thing for you to do is just go in and explore for yourself. I know I always discover something new and different each time I venture in.

Whole Foods Market is located at 815 SE 160th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98683 and can be reached at 360-253-4082. You can also connect to Whole Foods Market on Facebook and Twitter.

PLUS, they have their very own “365“! How cool is that?!?!

Day 198 of 365…

Have you ever wanted to brew your own beer but didn’t know how to start? Perhaps the idea of creating your own wine sounds romantic but you haven’t a clue. Does making your own whiskey, vodka or gin sound like fun? Maybe you want to jump on the Kombucha kick or homemade soda is appealing. If you can relate to any of these questions then you need to go to Bader Beer & Wine Supply! Since 1992 Steve Bader and his great staff have been educating and providing beer and wine making supplies to our community.

If you are already doing it yourself and you’re in need of materials and supplies then this is the place to go. They also hold a ton of classes for making the different beverages. The classes range from beginner to advanced level. Plus, all of Bader Beer & Wine Supply staff are well versed in all the different aspects so you can get good old fashioned customer service with whatever question you may have when you go in.

Bader Winery is part of this business. At Bader Winery you can buy from their own wine selection or if you’d like you can make your own batch. You don’t even have to take it home and mess with all the process. You can be there to get it started, let them handle the storage and processing and you come back when it’s time to bottle it up and then take it home. How simple is that?

Bader Beer & Wine Supply is located at 711 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA, 98661 and can be reached at 360-750-1551 or 800-596-3610. You can also connect to Bader Beer & Wine Supply on Facebook and Twitter.

Day 197 of 365…

Today I was driving past through the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and felt like stopping in at The Marshall House for a few minutes and check it out. It had been years since I’ve wandered around this amazing home. This 1886 home boasts more than 8,200 square feet of beautifully restored charm. Gorgeous trim and finish work abound in this home.

This home housed the commanding officer of the Department of the Columbia. The most famous of these commanders was General George C. Marshall whom the house has been named after. General Marshall lived in this Queen Anne Victorian from 1936-1938 while commanding the Vancouver Barracks. This home was the “happening place” for social activity. Interestingly, this home is still the place to have an event or wedding in today’s modern era. I’ve attended weddings and parties here and they are always beautiful.

The Marshall House is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and also on Saturday’s from 11am to 6pm when it isn’t being rented out. The Marshall House is located at 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA and they can be reached at 360-693-3103.

Day 194 of 365…

Looking for some great Hawaiian food in the Cascade Park area of Vancouver? Let me suggest you stop in and enjoy a meal at Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe. Patrick comes to us from Honolulu and desires to bring us his “Home Cooked” meals and also the “Spirit of Aloha“. I wasn’t quite sure what this phrase means so I decided to look up the word “Aloha” and here are a few definitions I found:

“Aloha” in the Hawaiian language may mean love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness or grace.

“Aloha” is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. “Aloha” means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.

“Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.

“Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

How very cool! I’ve always thought of the word Aloha as a hello or goodbye and I just found out it is so much more. Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe’s food is also so much more. My daughter and I shared the Luau Special of Teriyaki Chicken and Kalua Pork with macaroni potato salad, rice and a side salad. Let me tell you, we were both stuffed and very happy. The teriyaki sauce is wonderful and everything had terrific flavor. This photo only represents my half of our shared meal.

Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe is located at 316 SE 123rd Ave. #D1, Vancouver, WA 98683 and can be reached at 360-885-0881. Patrick’s features live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings after 6pm with no cover charge. They also offer catering if you’d like to bring a little “Spirit of Aloha” to your party.

Day 192 of 365…

Once upon a time in a world years and years ago, kids played with toys that made them think and interact. They didn’t involve screens, monitors and controllers. Electricity wasn’t necessary. They engaged with whatever they were playing with.

Guess what? There is still a place right here in Vancouver, WA where these toys still exist and flourish. Actually, there are two locations where you can find these items. Kazoodles is this magical place. Kazoodles is the place of kid-powered toys. From newborns to toddlers all the way to the oldest of “kids” you’ll find it here.

I love this statement from their website…

Looking for high quality, fun, safe toys in Vancouver, Washington? You’ve found them at Kazoodles, where kid-powered toys are what we’re all about.

This locally-owned, independent toy store is chock-full of unique toys, books and games for kids from birth through preschool, grade school, the teen years and beyond. From the educational to the whimsical, the classics to the coolest, you’ll find loads to explore at Kazoodles.

Kazoodles has two locations to serve our community. The original store is just West of Esther Short Park at 575 W 8th St., Vancouver, WA 98660 and can be reached at 360-699-9200. Their newest Cascade Park location can be found at 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd. #B-3, Vancouver, WA 98684 and can be reached at 360-823-0123. You can also connect to Kazoodles on Facebook and on Twitter.

Even BIG “kids” can play here…

Day 180 of 365…

Goldies BBQ serves BBQ I’ve enjoyed for years! Going way back to when they ran their food stand on NE 117th Ave just north of Fourth Plain. Since those days Charles and Goldie Bibens have come a long way. They now are open in two locations and thankfully are still serving their mouth watering, smoky BBQ goodness.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Charles, Goldie and their family for almost 20 years and I can tell you that in addition to making some of the best BBQ you’ll have you’ll also not meet a nicer family. When you meet them you’ll feel like you’re part of the family.

Most recently I had their brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and they did not disappoint! The brisket was smoky and tender, the sauce was amazing and the fries were oh, so good. I’ve also had their pulled pork, ribs and all sorts of sides. Love them all! Look at the huge variety Goldies BBQ menu provides. In addition, Goldies BBQ does catering.

Goldies BBQ is located at 11200 NE 4th Plain (inside the Shell Station) and their newest full restaurant is located at 15640 NE 4th Plain, Vancouver, WA 98682 and they can be reached at 360-909-3454 or 360-253-2836. You can also connect to Goldies BBQ on Facebook!

Day 179 of 365…

Out in the Orchards area and in need of some caffeination? Maybe you’re looking for a sweet treat or some tea? I’d love to recommend you stop in at Coffee Villa and get treated like you’re part of their family. I mean that, this family owned and operated coffee house is like being in their kitchen and family room. Very warm and comfortable.

The decor is beautifully done and the furnishings are comfortable and relaxing. With the free WiFi you could make this your office away from the office. In addition to the espresso drinks you’ll also find a huge variety of blended drinks, smoothies, Italian sodas and they also have quite a few kids drinks. If you’re in a hurry you can always head through the drive-through and keep moving with your day.

In the front end of the shop you’ll find the front counter and some taller bistro tables with a few lower chairs. It may appear that this is all the seating but that isn’t true. There is a hallway that takes you back to another much larger room filled with super comfortable furniture and a cozy fireplace. This is a great place to escape away or have a meeting. You could easily have 20 or 25 people in this. I know because I was there with about 20 friends and we were very comfortable.

Coffee Villa is located in the Palms Plaza at 13011 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, #106, Vancouver, WA 98682 and can be reached at 360-892-0233. You can also connect with Coffee Villa on Facebook!

Day 176 of 365…

DISCLAIMER: I like buffets

All kinds of buffets. I know this isn’t for everyone but I just enjoy them. They don’t freak me out or scare me. I like the variety and selection a buffet offers. I enjoy Indian buffets, “homestyle” buffets, Vegas buffets (except Excalibur), and Chinese buffets. With this said, today I’d like to share with you one of my personal favorite Chinese buffets…

Canton Chinese Buffet is the place. They are out in the Hazel Dell area and I’ve been consistently impressed with their variety and freshness of food. They have a wonderful amount of seafood which is important to me. See for yourself…

Canton Chinese Buffet is located at 1118 NE 78th St, Vancouver, WA 98665 and can be reached at 360-576-8699.

Don’t forget…

Day 175 of 365…

Today I had an absolutely wonderful lunch. I was north of Vancouver in the City of Battle Ground and ate at Galeotti’s Restaurant for the first time. I’ll tell you, this will not be my last! The interior of Galeotti’s is very well done and the ambiance is just right. I’d call it casual elegant.

The lunch menu had a wonderful selection and I chose the Portobello Mushroom on focaccia with the Tomato Basil soup. The soup came out first and it was awesome. My friend I was with ordered the Caesar Salad to go with his Reuben. He informed me that the Caesar was one of the best he’s ever had. My Portobello Mushroom sandwich was so flavorful and good. The homemade focaccia melted in your mouth and I ate every bite.

Somehow my friend even managed to save room for dessert and decided on the Italian Cheese Cake (the secret to Italian Cheese Cake is they remove all the calories). This decadent dessert came out and I couldn’t resist. I stole a little corner of my friends dessert. The crazy thing is… I don’t eat cheese cake! I would eat this Italian Cheese Cake though. I loved it!

In addition to serving some amazing food and dessert with a wonderful ambiance there is a little celebrity to this small town establishment. One Tree Hill’s Haley James Scott is played by Bethany Joy Galeotti who is married to Michael Galeotti. Michael is part of the band Enation with fellow actors Jonathan Jackson and Richard Lee Jackson who are also from Battle Ground. The Galeotti’s vision was to bring an excellent restaurant with a cozy family feel to Battle Ground, WA and I’d say they have certainly succeeded.

Galeotti’s Restaurant is located at 801 East Main Street, Battle Ground, WA and can be reached at 360-666-4877. You can also connect with Galeotti’s Restaurant on Facebook. I almost forgot to mention, Galeotti’s also has created an iPhone app! Search for Galeotti in the App Store and download it. You’ll find discounts, specials and all sorts of cool information.

Day 174 of 365…

I LOVE the Extreme Big Air Motorcycles. I’m amazed at the fearlessness and insanity these riders possess. For them to race toward a ramp and fly well over 50 feet through the air boggles the mind. Then you incorporate tricks where they flip completely upside down, do headstands over their bike while in the air and sometimes leave the bike completely when they are at the height of the jump. Yes, you read that correctly, these extreme motocross riders will be flying through the air along side their motorcycle but not touching it.

It’s actually quite heart stopping to watch. Exhilarating and intensely fun but heart stopping… Every year a few of these insane crazy nuts wild entertaining riders put on a most amazing show at the Clark County Fair. This year they will be performing on Wednesday, August 11th at 2PM and again at 7:30PM. Every year I try to get to at least one of the shows if not both. This spectacular show is included with your admission to the fair.

If you are familiar with this show I don’t need to tell you how great it is. If you’ve never experienced it I highly recommend it. In addition to all the high flying action there are also moto-x track races. They run a ton of different heats ranging from the little kids to the “big kids”. It’s always a ton of fun. Hopefully I’ll see some of you there.

Multiple riders doing tricks at the same time…

Yes, he is UPSIDE DOWN and only holding with one hand…

Racing around the track…