Clark County has many talented artists, crafters, photographers and cooks; and many of them are showcasing their talents and treasures at local Holiday Bazaars. We’ve put together a list of some local bazaars and unique shopping opportunities around Clark County and also included them on our Calendar page for ease in finding one that is convenient for you. Update: Please note that not all of the events are free admission. We have complied the information to the best of our ability, but some events may have an entrance fee that is not listed here.

Consider this a work in progress, as we will add more locations as we find out about them. So, please, if you know of a bazaar or holiday event that is not listed, send us the information and we will be happy to add it!

10/29/2011
Harvest in the Vineyard Festival: Confluence Winery, 19111 NW 67th Ave, Ridgefield; 12pm-5pm. Local artisan vendors, Farrar’s Bistro, music by Matt Brown and Gunnar Roads Bands and wine!
Handmade for the Holidays: Summit View Church (7701 NE 182nd Ave) 9am-4pm. Hand-made only gifts, jewelry, woodwork, toys and home decor.
10th Annual Bethel Lutheran Church Bazaar: 12919 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie; 9am-4pm

10/30/2011
Harvest in the Vineyard Festival: Confluence Winery, 19111 NW 67th Ave, Ridgefield; 12pm-5pm. Local artisan vendors, Farrar’s Bistro, music by Matt Brown and Gunnar Roads Bands and wine!

11/5/2011
LadyBug Bazaar: Battle Ground High School Gyms, 9am-4pm. 151+ tables.
York Elementary School Holiday Bazaar: 9301 NE 152nd Ave 98682
Market Affair Gallery of Gifts: Danback Hall, 515 NE Dallas St, Camas; 10am-4pm
7th Annual Homespun Market Bazaar: Manor Grange on 72nd; 9am-4pm
Glenwood Place Annual Holiday Bazaar: 5500 NE 82nd Ave, Vancouver; 12:30pm-4:30pm
Harvest Fest: Moose Lodge, 11018 NE 18th St, Vancouver; 9am-4pm
Clark County Quilt Guild Bazaar: Manor Evangelical Church, 17913 NE 72nd Ave; 9am-3pm
Crossroads Bazaar: Crossroads Church, 7708 NE 78th St; 9am-4pm

11/6/2011:
2nd Chance Companions Holiday Bazaar: Cascade Park Animal Hospital, 16820 SE McGillivray Blvd; 9am-2pm
Market Affair Gallery of Gifts: Danback Hall, 515 NE Dallas St, Camas; 10am-4pm
Third Annual Harvest Cafe and Bazaar: Salvation Army, 1500 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver; 10am-4pm

11/11/11
Prince of Peace Church Mouse Bazaar: 14208 NE 249th St, Battle Ground; 1pm-7pm
Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale: Washougal United Methodist Church, 39th and M, Washougal; 5pm-8pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

11/12/2011
Hope for the Holidays – presented by Vancouver Relay for Life: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 11005 NE Hwy. 99, 9am-4pm (please do not call the Church for information, this is coordinated through Vancouver Relay for Life)
Check ‘Em Off Green Holiday Event: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd, 10am-3pm
Crystal Plum Bazaar: Alki Middle School, 1800 NW Bliss Rd, Salmon Creek; 9am-4pm
Firstenburg Holiday Bazaar: Firstenburg Community Center, 9am-4pm
LakeShore Holiday Bazaar: 9300 NW 21st Avenue, 10am -4pm
Mountain View High School Band Bazaar: 1500 SE Blairmont, Vancouver; 9am-4pm
Prince of Peace Church Mouse Bazaar: 14208 NE 249th St, Battle Ground; 1pm-7pm
Follow That Star Bazaar: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 16001 NE 34th St, Vancouver; 9am-4pm
Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale: Washougal United Methodist Church, 39th and M, Washougal; 9am-4pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

11/17/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

11/18/2011
Clark County Event Center Holiday Gift Fair: 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgfield; 10am-6pm
Unit 14 Christmas Bazaar American Legion Post 14: 4607 NE St. James Rd, 9am-4pm.
Safe Harbor Church of the Nazarene Annual Holiday Bazaar: 8100 E Mill Plain, Vancouver; 9am-5pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm
Sarah J Anderson Holiday Bazaar and Used Book Sale: 2215 NE 104th St, Vancouver; 4pm-8pm

11/19/2011
Clark County Event Center Holiday Gift Fair: 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgfield; 10am-6pm
Fort Vancouver High School Holiday Bazaar: 5700 E 18th St, 9am-4pm.
St. Joseph School First Annual Holiday Bazaar: 6500 Highland Dr, 10am-7pm
Unit 14 Christmas Bazaar American Legion Post 14: 4607 NE St. James Rd, 9am-4pm.
Lincoln Elementary Holiday Bazaar: 4200 NW Daniels St, Vancouver; 9am-4pm
Safe Harbor Church of the Nazarene Annual Holiday Bazaar: 8100 E Mill Plain, Vancouver; 9am-5pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

11/20/2011
Clark County Event Center Holiday Gift Fair: 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgfield; 10am-5pm
St. Joseph School First Annual Holiday Bazaar: 6500 Highland Dr, 9am-3pm

11/22/2011
Little Acorn Bazaar and Bake Sale: Little Acorn Pre-school, 401 E 33rd St, Vancouver; 9am-3pm

11/25/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

11/26/2011
Prairie High School Bands Yuletide Bazaar: Prairie High School, 11500 NE 117th Ave, Brush Prairie; 9am-4pm (Over 200 tables!)
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/1/2011
Studio Eight Salon Holiday Open House: 113 E 8th St, Vancouver; 5:30pm-8:30pm. Benefiting the Share House
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/2/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/3/2011
Holiday Open House and Artisans Market: Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St, Vancouver; 10am-4pm
Image PTO Holiday Bazaar: Image Elementary School, 4400 NE 122nd Ave; 10am-4pm
Tukes Valley Candy Cane Express and Holiday Bazaar: 20601 NE 167 Ave, Battle Ground; 10am-3pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm
Barberton Grange Christmas Bazaar: 9400 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver; 9am-3pm
Hockinson Holiday Bazaar: Hockinson High School, 16819 NE 159th st, Brush Prairie; 9am-4pm

12/4/2011
Pleasant Valley PTA Holiday Bazaar: 14320 NE 50th Ave; 10am-2pm

12/7/2011
Let’s Toast to the Holiday: Confluence Winery, 19111 NW 67th Ave, Ridgefield; 6pm-9pm

12/8/2011
Clark County Title 3rd Annual Christmas Bazaar: 1400 Washington St, Vancouver; 4pm-7pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/9/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/10/2011
Five Star Bazaar: Marshall and Luepke Center, 9am-4pm
Chief Umtuch PTA Winter Bazaar: 700 W 9th, Battle Ground; 9am-4pm
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm
Rusty Grape Vineyard Winter Market: 16712 NE 219th St, Battle Ground; 12pm-5pm

12/11/2011
Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market: Vancouver Hilton, 301 W 6th St, Vancouver; 10am-4pm

12/15/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/16/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/17/2011
Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar: 1207 SE Rasmussen, Battle Ground; 10am-4pm

12/18/2011
Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market: Vancouver Hilton, 301 W 6th St, Vancouver; 10am-4pm

Join the American Red Cross at the Historic Red Cross Building (E. B. Hamilton Hall) for their first Memorial Day blood drive. They’re even passing out free Krispy Kreme coffee and donut coupons to donors!

Honor the memory of fallen service members by donating blood this Monday, May 30, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Historic Red Cross Building (605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, Wash.).

Schedule an appointment with or find more information from Darren Goan at goanda@usa.redcross.org.

And if you haven’t already seen them, we have a batch of pictures from the event… take a look.

Click here to view the embedded video.

STRESS! We all feel it, and believe it or not, we all need it…to a certain degree. Stress can make us more productive, to a certain point. After that point, which differs for each of us, things can deteriorate quickly! “It’s much like the stress or tension on a violin string. Not enough produces a dull raspy sound and too much an irritating screech or snaps the string – but just the correct degree of stress creates a beautiful tone.”

Good Health Naturally is hosting a short workshop, “Stress and What To Do About It”, on November 18 beginning at 6:45. The workshop will last about 15 minutes, and be followed by a movie, “Food Matters”. This movie helps to answer pertinent questions about foods, healing, the pharmaceutical industry, and “how to get and stay healthy.”

You are welcome to come to either, or both, presentations. There is no charge for this event, but they ask to please RSVP so they know how how many chairs to set up and how many refreshments to have ready.

For more information, visit Good Health Naturally on the web, or call 360-693-7781.

Okay, I have to admit, I did not know there was an “International Credit Union Day”, or most of the other obscure Holidays I came across when looking it up (like “Moldy Cheese Day“).

But there is, and to celebrate International Credit Union Day, the SW Chapter of Credit Unions has teamed up with our Clark County Food Bank Coalition to host a non-perishable food drive going on now through Saturday, October 23 (which is also “Make a Difference Day“), and ending with a Shred Event at TwinStar Credit Union, Van Mall Branch, from 2:00-5:30 pm (also on Saturday the 23rd).

All this week, bring your non-perishable food items to food collection bins at your local Credit Union; then on Saturday, bring up to three (10 ream) boxes of papers to shred and have them shredded securely and professionally for free. Food donations will be accepted at the shred event as well.

The “Check ‘Em Off, Green” Holiday Gift Event will take place Saturday, November 13, at the Marshall Center (1009 E McLoughlin Blvd) between 12 and 5 pm. This is shaping up to be a truly unique event that will be a one-stop shop for all holiday gift needs for the green-minded consumer.

There will be over 30 local artists ready to dazzle you with their creativity and are bringing consumers experiences and gifts that are local, recycled, reused, hand-made, etc.-this is the place to check off everyone on your list. So, what types of items could you expect to find? Purses and other items made from chip bags and juice pouches, guitar picks made from recycled gift cards, “experiences” such as guided tours, tickets, etc, gift cards to local, sustainable businesses, candle holders and other nifty items made from recycled wine barrels, jewelry made from recycled computer parts, jewelry organizers using all thrifted and recycled materials, and more…

Remember the Vancouver Green Drinks Clothing Swap that took place the end of August? (it was a hoot!) Well, there will be a Holiday Decoration Swap at this event! Just bring in any holiday/winter decorations you are no longer using, and swap them out for others; all for free!

This event is made possible by Vancouver Green Drinks (thanks, Terra and Laura!) and the Marshall Community Center. Visit Vancouver Green Drinks or Terra the Reuser for more information about this event; and any other “Green Themed” events they can think of!!

With the cold, wet, Pacific Northwest winter just around the corner, Share Vancouver is holding its Third Annual “Operation Sole Mates” Sock Drive during the month of October. “Socks are one of the least donated, yet most needed items,” said Diane McWithey, Executive Director of Share, adding, “They are a ‘renewable need’ that is constant for our clients, year-’round.”

Clean socks are a staple of health care. Rain-soaked feet, ill-fitting shoes, constant standing and disease all take their toll on the feet of homeless people. One of the most basic ways to keep feet healthy is to keep them warm and dry – a sometimes daunting task if you spend your days outside.

Share is asking for donations of new athletic socks for both men and women. All donated socks will be distributed to clients of Share’s Outreach program, which provides services to individuals living on the streets, as well as to clients currently in shelter. Donations of new, athletic socks for men and women can be dropped off at any Share Shelter or at the Volunteer Center, 1708 Main Street.

Shelter Locations:

Share House, 1115 W 13th St.

Share Homestead, 4921 NE Hazel Dell Ave.

Share Orchards Inn, 5609 NE 102nd Ave.

Visit Share Vancouver online or call 360-896-2130 for more information.

No, you don’t have to take a trip to the Coast to see glass blowing demonstrations, just check out Firehouse Glass right here in our very own downtown Vancouver, WA (518 Main Street).

“Rebecca Seymour and Greg Lueck created the Firehouse Glass Gallery to support their mission: “To provide an environment for furthering the community’s exposure to and education in glass art, and to provide a collaborative forum for artists working in the glass medium.” The spectacular gallery provides exquisite exhibit space for works by both emerging glass artists as well as nationally acclaimed masters.

Each First Friday night of the month from 6:00-10:00 there is a public glass blowing demonstration in the Firehouse Glass hot shop which is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists and mingle with the local and regional glass working community.  There is also an open studio each Saturday from 1:30-5:30.

Work for sale in the gallery represents a balanced range of emerging and established glass artists with an openness to experimentation and exploration.  Work made during the public demonstrations each week can be seen in the gallery space for up to a month after it was made.  Artists at Firehouse Glass are happy to discuss commission work if the special thing you are looking for isn’t in our gallery.”

via Firehouse Glass Studio and Gallery – Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR area glass studio rentals.

Big Mike’s Shake Shack in Hazel Dell isn’t just about great tasting smoothies, or losing weight. They are all about being healthy, and staying that way. For a lot of us, that means dropping a few pounds, along with better nutrition, and so they are having a Biggest Loser Individual Weight Loss Challenge starting this Saturday, September 18, or Wednesday, September 22 at 6 pm

Here’s the scoop: It’s a $40 entry fee, which includes a private appointment with a Wellness Coach, body scan, measurements, weigh-in (remember, I said it’s private, you don’t have to stand on a scale in front of a group!) and an individualized meal program to help you reach your goal. There are weekly meetings which participants are encouraged to go to, but there is no requirement to do so. The weekly meetings offer support, inspiration, recipes, menu planning, and just a fun get together with like minded people. They also have a Wii system hooked up and ready for some fun (wi-fi, too). Then, at the end of 6 weeks, there is a 100% cash payout to the top winners (or losers ).

I had the Caramel Apple Shake the other day, and it was delish! (and filling), and only 200 calories, AND good for me! Big Mike’s Shake Shack is located in Hazel Dell at 7017 Hwy 99, Suite 100 (Collins Plaza), and you can contact them at 360-635-4371. They are open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays between 9 am and 2 pm.

Give ‘em a try, “What do you have to lose?”

The 7th Annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair is this Saturday, September 11, 2009 at Esther Short Park from 9 am to 5 pm. The fair is a project of Vancouver for Peace.

“The 7th annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair will showcase the hardwork and creative spirit of individuals, social justice groups, peace organizations, faith communities, performers, artists, businesses, and environmental activists who are making the world a better place.” Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair

A full day of events including music, poetry, skits and games, exhibit tables and children’s activities. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair website.