FREE Community events planned in honor of Historic Preservation Month in Longview, WA

Members of the Longview Historic Preservation Commission have helped to organize four different events for community members to celebrate and learn about Longview’s history. All events are free and everyone is welcome.
“The object of all of these activities is just to offer some good, free fun to the community at no cost to taxpayers. We’ve been running this for four years now, and people really seem to enjoy it,” said Bill Kasch, one of the major organizers and spearheads of the events.
On Saturday, May 5th,The event will begin with the Presentation of the RA Long award and then the tour will commence.
A historical tour of the high school will take place led by Mayor Dennis Weber. Tour begins at 10am and will end with the Presentation of the RA Long award after the tour.
(Paid event) Friday-Saturday, May 11th & 12th: “Our Town” presented by Mainstage Theatre at RA Long High School Auditorium. All seats $5.00 and shows begin at 7:30pm.
On Saturday, May 12th, meet at Kessler and Maple at 10 a.m. for a walking tour of Old West Side homes. The tour will be led by City Mayor Dennis Weber, and will cover about half of the homes included in Doris Disbrow’s guide book of Old West Side homes. Meet at Kessler & Maple. Should prove to be very interesting for locals and tourists alike.

Thursday, May 17th & Saturday, May 19th: “Our Town” is showing.

Saturday, May 19th, you can enjoy walking tours of Japanese Gardens at Lake Sacajawea Park, led by former Park Superintendent Al George. Meet at 10 a.m. at Kessler and Hemlock at the children’s playground.The event is expected to last about 1 and ½ hours, and dress for the weather…
Finally, on Sunday, May 20, join us for a family bike ride around historic Lake Sacajawea. This leisurely, family-friendly ride will begin at 2 p.m. in front of the Monticello Hotel.
City Councilman Don Jensen will greet everyone and then lead the ride down Larch Street to Lake Sacajawea Park. Owners of Highlander Cycling Scott and Janice Forbes, will be participating and directing riders along the way. (Everybody, please wear your helmets).
For all of these fun activities, prepare for some good, ole fashioned chatting and potentially beautiful weather! If you’re new to the area, visiting or lived here fifty years – you will learn something new and have fun at the same time.

For more information, call Bill Kasch at #423-6704.

How do you spend Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration of mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and greeting cards that say “I Love You”.
One the best ways to celebrate Mother’s Day is to give your mom the day off. Let her take it easy while you do the work.
Many families begin the day with breakfast in bed. Usually, dad and the kids will let mom sleep late as they prepare her favorite breakfast.
After the food is cooked, it is arranged on a tray. Children can pick a flower from the garden and put it on the tray in a vase. When everything is ready, the tray is carried, along with her favorite sections from the newspaper, to her bedroom.
Many families take mom out to eat at her favorite restaurant. It lets her see what a wonderful family she has. If you go, wear a traditional red rose. Give your Mom a red rose if her own mother is living and a white rose if her mother has passed on.
If your mom lives in another city, be sure to call her on Mother’s Day. It’s also a great day to visit grandmothers and great grandmothers in their homes or nursing homes.

Happy Birthday Sandy!

First Thursday Activities May 3rd

First Thursday Activities happen in Downtown Longview and the surrounding area, including the Cowlitz County Historical Museum. Mark it on your calendars and make it a monthly event for the whole family.
Stroll the galleries and view the wonderful artwork of local artists, taste delicious food and potentially win some fun door prizes.
Make it a fun and enjoyable Thursday evening with those you know and new ones you don’t!

*Broadway Gallery 1418 Commerce, Longview
www.the-broadway-gallery.com
Music by Dian McCracken
Featured Artists:
Marisa Mercure (paintings)
Joan Hitchcock (fish sculptures)
Gini Smith (paintings)
Vicki Brigden (jewelry
Reception 5:30-7:30pm.
Door Prizes.

*The Gift Cottage
1414 Commerce, Longview
Local artists and gourmet food.
Door prizes. Open until 7pm.

*Longview Public Library
1600 Louisiana
longviewlibrary.org
Barbara Matkowski
(paintings, mixed media).
2012 Featured Artist.
Open until 8pm

*Lord & McCord Art Works,
1416 Commerce, Longview
www.lindamccord.com
June Trusty (jewelry)
Leon Lowman (paintings)
“Everything Coming up Flowers”
Reception 5:30–7:30pm
Refreshments provided.

*Teague’s Mezzanine Gallery
1267 Commerce, Longview
www.teaguesinteriors.com
Spring Social! Letip of Longview
Reception 5:30-7pm.

*The Bistro
1329 Commerce Ave, Longview
www.thebistrobuzz.com/
Wine tasting. Live music.
Door prizes.
Reservations recommended.
Hours: 5-8pm.

*Cowlitz Cty Historical Museum
405 Allen St, Kelso
www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum/
“Photographer Jan Fardell – His Career in Pictures”.  Tony and Kim Fardell, sons of Jan Fardell, will review their father’s prolific career as virtually the sole photographer for the Longview Daily News photographing much of Cowlitz County’s history from the 1950s into the 1990s.
Program begins at 7pm; museum open until 9pm.

* The New Earth Gallery
Suite 204 on mezzanine level, Longview
4 to 6 pm.
Featuring vintage Asian Art, pottery, jewelry, water colors by Mary Miyakawa and photographs by Edward Miyakawa.
‘Sushi’ refreshments. Each month there will be a featured Asian artist and art from a specific Asian country or region.

**Please submit your arts and First Thursday activities to the Valley Bugler.

Rainier Garden Club Plant Sale!! 9am – 3pm J&R Parking Lot On Hwy. 30 in Rainier

Free meals served

Mary’s Meals:
The Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church serves a free meal to those in need on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:30pm.
Address: 204 East C Street, Rainier Oregon
Susannah’s Supper:
The Rainier United Methodist Church serves a free meal to those in need on the 4th Friday of each month at 6:00pm.
The church is at the corner of 1st and C Streets in Rainier, Oregon

Expert Gardeners coming to town

Swanson Bark & Wood Products of Longview, WA is hosting the Landscape Discovery Event, where you can enjoy a FREE Hamburger/Hot Dog lunch and learn from the masters of gardening at the same time!
One of the Gardening Experts is Gisele Schoniger, AKA “G,” the Category Manager and Organic Gardening Educator at Kellogg Garden Products.
“G” will be at our Landscape Discovery Event on May 19th, sharing her expertise on organic gardening.  Don’t miss out on your chance to get all your questions on organic gardening answered by the expert!
In her 30 years in the Garden Industry, Gisele has accumulated a wide range of experience and knowledge. Earning her degree in horticultural science from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.
Gisele will share her wealth of gardening wisdom as an educator to the industry and consumers all across the West. Her workshops are upbeat, educational and entertaining.
This is the perfect day to come and get ideas and questions answered for all your outdoor projects!

Surf Perch Fishing

Spring is here and that means it time for surf perch fishing on the Long Beach Peninsula. Surf perch congregate along sandy beaches and you can easily catch them using light gear.  With 28 miles of sandy beach, the Long Beach Peninsula is the perfect place to fish for surf perch.  If you haven’t tried surf perch fishing, now is a great time to head to the Long Beach Peninsula.
On Saturday, May 19th, the 12th Annual Surf Perch Derby will be held at the Bolstad Beach Approach in downtown Long Beach.   Start the day with a hearty breakfast (included with your registration fee), then fish your heart out!   In the afternoon, weigh in for great cash prizes.   Both individuals and three-man teams can join the fun which also includes a raffle and door prizes.
By concentrating on the slots that run perpendicular to the beach and troughs and holes that are parallel to the beach, you should be successful in catching surf perch.   Just look for rips and cast inside the first line of breakers.
For more information about the Surf Perch Derby, please visit:   http://www.surfperchderby.com

Fashion Week Plus- May 4-12

Downtown Live! presents Fashion Week Plus – NINE DAYS of activities in downtown Longview focusing on fashion. A Vintage Fashion Show and High Fashion Bazaar will open the week and Fashion and Art Demonstrations will close the week. A wedding dress passport program and special sales and activities by downtown businesses will take place all week. This is the week to celebrate Mother’s Day!
Over 20 downtown businesses sell new and vintage clothing and accessories. More than 30 hair and nail salons and spas are also located downtown. Fashion Week Plus is the opportunity for the community to discover these hidden treasures.
In keeping with other popular Downtown Live! events, Fashion Week Plus will include a passport program, “Walk Down the Aisle Again.” Participating businesses will display a wedding gown. The first 100 completed passports will receive a gift bag and all passports will be entered into a drawing for gift baskets.
“I love wedding dresses because they tell wonderful stories,” said Laurel Murphy, a volunteer for the Longview Downtown Partnership. Businesses will be displaying handmade gowns, a gown made of balloons and a fully-costumed Zombie bride.
Other activities include:
Fashion Show Plus – May 5, 12:00pm-1:30pm, at Las Rocas Mexican Restaurant found at 1260 Commerce Ave. Vintage fashions from Captured Treasures, The Red Hat and Hospice Thrift Shop.
Fashion Bazaar- May 4 and 11, 12pm-5pm, May 5 and 12, 10am-3pm, located at The Merk Mezzanine found at 1339 Broadway.
Designer handbags, scarves, tea and specialty cards for Mother’s Day hosted by the Free Clinic Auxiliary.
Mary Kay Makeover Demonstrations- May 4 & 11, 12pm-3pm. Call for your appointment  360-430-0206
Fashion and Art Demonstrations May 12th from 11am-5pm found at Lord & McCord Art Works 1416 Commerce Ave. Knitting, sewing, beading and fabric painting
Many downtown businesses will feature activities emphasizing fashion: decorated windows, open houses, special exhibits and sales, drawings and contests. Business activities include Teague’s Interiors showing a shoe collection and Lord & McCord Art Works featuring handmade accessories. Owner Linda McCord reports, “People seem to love the fact that our items are all handmade originals and are for sale at such reasonable prices.”
The Longview Downtown Partnership, formerly the Longview Downtowners, is sponsoring this Downtown Live! event. Its goals are mission is to encourage vital business activities, enrichment of business establishments and a sense of commercial well-being in the Downtown Commercial District of Longview, Washington. The Partnership will also host nine Friday night events starting on June 29.
Keep your eyes peeled for more information of upcoming events.

Annual Food Drive: Postmasters Unite!

Castle Rock, Longview, Rainier Oregon and Woodland Post Offices are participating in this years Letter Carrier’s Food Drive. This May 12th, you can leave food in a bag at your mail box, or leave it at the Post Office. Please leave any non-perishable food donations before the  normal time your carrier arrives at your box. Check to see if your Post Office will be open for donations on Saturday, most usually are.
All donations stay in their own communities and are distributed through local food banks and charities. This year, all donations are especially needed and appreciated. Let’s all join together and put a little something in the bags that are provided to us – and help feed the community!

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