Day 268: Public House 124

Public House 124, a new full service bar in Walla Walla opened last week. Public House 124 is located at 124 E Main Street. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. The full service bar has a nice variety of beers and wines on tap as well as by the bottle. Their menu offers small plate items and entrees such as steak and chicken. They also offer a foot long house made hot dog, a hamburger on ciabatta bread, and a pork sandwich seasoned  with pickled jalepeno. These sandwiches include a choice of house made BBQ chips, fries, or green salad. The serving sizes are generous and the flavors are great. Public House 124 is open Tuesday-Friday, 2pm to 12am and Saturday, 11:30am-12am.

Day 267: Frog Hollow Band at Kelly's

It's a Summer Parking Lot Party. Dance to the sounds of Frog Hollow Band Saturday, July 30th, from 8pm-midnight at Kelly's Restaurant and Lounge. BBQ Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Brats will be available for purchase. The frog Hollow Band plays Country with some Rock and Roll flavor thrown in. Everything from Tom Petty, to George Strait, to AC/DC. Kelly's is located at 84509 Highway 11in Milton-Freewater.

Day 266: Ladies Night at PGG

 Ladies are invited to bring a friend and head on down to PGG in Milton-Freewater on Thursday August 4th for a night of food, prizes and savings. Ladies night goes from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be refreshments by Decadence, Prizes & Big Sale Savings! PGG is located at 217 E Broadway in Milton-Freewater.

Day 265: Barnes & Noble in College Place

Barnes and Noble now owns the Walla Walla University Bookstore in College Place. Stop by to see all they have to offer. Choose from a variety of books, gift and apparel items, or  just relax and enjoy their outdoor seating area. Barnes and Nobles is located at 295 South College Avenue. The store is open 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday and Friday 8am til noon.

Day 264: Black Cup Coffee Co.

Black Cup Coffee Co. is a cozy coffee shop located at 615 South College Ave. in College Place. The coffee shop serves a wide variety of iced coffee, hot coffee, espresso, teas, bagels, pastries, treats, and soups. For a cool drink try the Iced Tuxedo iced coffee that is mixed  with espresso, cold milk, plus white and dark house chocolate, or the Snicker doodle mixed with cold milk, cookie dough, cinnamon, and espresso. Black Cup is open Monday-Friday: 7am-noon Sunday 8am-noon.

Day 263: El Sombrero Restaurant

Hungry for authentic traditional Mexican Food? Try one of the El Sombrero Restaurants. The original El Sombrero is located at 4 West Oak Street, just blocks from downtown Walla Walla. The 428 Ash Street location is on the east side of town and has a cantina (Mexican Bar) plus a private party room that can fit a crowd of 60 people. The cantina has a nightly special from 4-6pm. For those who purchase a well drink for $4 or more, they will recieve a taco dinner, enchilada dinner, or tostada dinner free. These single item entrees include rice and refried beans. El Sombrero's newest location is 190 South Main Street in Milton-Freewater where there is a fresh all you can eat mexican buffet available every Sunday from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The restaurants serve lunch and dinner from 10am-9pm.

Day 262: Bicycling in the Walla Walla Valley

Like to ride your bike? Walla Walla has paved trails that run throughout the city from Rooks Park, east of town to the College Place city limits, near Fort Walla Walla Park. Many riders enjoy riding in the valley to see the rolling wheat fields and views of the Blue Mountains. A local bike club, Wheatland Wheelers, organizes a variety of bike riding events such as Ice Cream Social, Tour de Frog, and Grand Fondo rides. For maps on some of the local bike riding routes see the following links: Valley or City.


For information on how to participate in the Wheatland Wheeler rides see their web site at wheatlandwheelers.com

Day 261: Walla Walla YMCA Peach Classic

The 18^th Annual Walla Walla YMCA Peach Basket Classic will be on August 6^th and 7^th.  This tournament is designed around the 3 on 3 pick-up style game played in athletic clubs, recreation centers or driveways at home. The competition has 31 divisions from youth to corporate cup. The Peach Basket Classic takes place on the streets of Downtown Walla Walla. For  more information on the event or to sign up as a competitor see the web site at  www.peachbasketclassic.com.

Day 260: Dance Rehearsal at Power House Theater

A special event for our community is scheduled for July 23 at 2:00 PM -- a free Open Rehearsal featuring Peter de Grasse of Staatstheater Darmstadt and Allie Keppel of the SDL faculty held at the new Power House Theater, 111 N. 6th Avenue in Walla Walla. Students and dance aficionados of every age are encouraged to attend this rare intimate look into the creative process of the dance. Enjoy watching the best of professional dance with a large variety of styles, such as Classical Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, American Theater and more.


The Summer Dance Lab at Whitman College is in it’s 41st year of operation. They are inaugurating the annual Walla Walla Summer Dance Festival scheduled for July 29th. This year the Festival will feature the Oregon Ballet Theatre, principal dancers from Eugene Ballet Company, Spectrum Dance Theater and special guest, Peter de Grasse of Staatstheater Darmstadt, Germany.

Day 259: Mike Wagner at Three Rivers Winery

Looking for something to do to start off your weekend? 3 Rivers Winery will be hosting an event that includes live music by Mike Wagoner and dinner available through Crossroads Steakhouse. The event kicks off Friday, July 22nd, at 6:30 PM and goes until 9:00PM. Cost for the event is $5 per person for lawn seating, $30 to reserve a table of 4 on the deck, or $40 to reserve a table of 6 on the deck. For more information visit 3 Rivers Winery's website at http://www.threeriverswinery.com/.

Day 258: Blue Palm Frozen Yogurt Shop

Blue Palm frozen yogurt shop offers 10 flavors that rotate weekly, from a product line featuring over 75 flavors. Each customer gets the opportunity to personalize their frozen yogurt with choices of over 30 toppings. The cost of the yogurt is determined by the weight of the purchase. This way customers can choose the amount they would like. Blue Palm is located at 1417B Plaza Way in Walla Walla. They are open Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday 5pm-11pm and Sunday 10am-9pm.

Day 257: Jefferson Pool

Jefferson Pool in Walla Walla has open swimming for kids 10 years of age and under. The pool is open 7 days per week from 12:30-4:30pm. The cost is $1. per swimmer. Parents are free. Older siblings are allowed when swimming with their brothers or sisters. Saturday there is no charge for swimming at the pool. Jefferson Pool is open until the last Sunday before the School year starts up again. The pool is located at 750 Sprague Street behind the Senior Center in Walla Walla.

Day 256: Frosted A Cupcake Shop

A new cupcake shop has opened in Walla Walla at 7 S First Avenue. Frosted is a cupcake shop that bakes and decorates cupcakes of many varieties. There is an extensive cupcake flavor list on their menu. To mention a few are  the Chocolate Cheese Cake with moist chocolate cake frosted with a special white chocolate cream cheese frosting and topped with Belgian chocolate shavings, the Strawberry Delight with moist white cake and frosted with strawberry butter cream topped with a chocolate covered strawberry, and the S'mores Please! made with chocolate cake that has a graham cracker bottom layer and frosted with marshmallow butter cream and topped with mini Hershey's bar then sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs. Frosted also serves breakfast cupcakes. Currently on their menu is Maple Bacon, Cinnamon roll, Blueberry Cake-in-cup, and Apple Jack Jack. The Cupcake shop will also bake cakes for Birthdays, Showers, Weddings, or Special Occasions.  The shop is open Monday through Saturday 10am to 8pm and on Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Day 255: Tietan Park

Tietan Park located on the corner of Howard Street and Tietan Street in Walla Walla offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Local youth soccer and baseball games are played at the park through out the warm months. Bring your picnic basket and sit at a picnic table amongst a canopy of trees. Tietan also has a great playground area with a fun electronic game that can be played with multiple players.

Day 254: Blue Valley Meats

A new butcher shop has opened up in Walla Walla. Blue Valley Meats offers 100% grass fed Washington grown beef and poultry. The full service butcher shop also sells locally grown eggs and Pure Eire organic milk.  The grand opening for the shop will be on July 21 from 4-7pm. There will be a BBQ as well as a ribbon cutting using a string of sausages. Blue Valley Meats is located at 1162 Pine Street in Walla Walla. It is across the Street from Tommy's Dutch Lunch. They are open 9am-6pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9am -4pm.

Day 253: Logs to Frogs

Logs to Frogs is a chain saw carving event that takes place in Milton-Freewater. 15 carvers from all over the western states will be competing in a carving contest with a theme of Wild Wild West. Quick carve pieces will be auctioned off each day and the main carvings will be auctioned on Sunday. The competition is Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17th. Saturday's contest starts at 8am and ends with an auction from 7:30-9pm. Sunday's begins at 8am and finishes with an awards ceremony at 4:30pm. This event will also feature various wood vendors. Food and cold beverages will be available. Logs to Frogs will be held in the vacant parking lot behind Ace Hardware on Hwy 11.

Day 252: Pioneer Posse Summer Series

Pioneer Posse season is here. This is a great opportunity to watch some local rodeo events at the Posse Grounds in Milton-Freewater. The August mini series starts August 3^rd-August 17^th, on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Posse members will be competing in Barrel Races, Goat Tying, Stake Races as well as other rodeo events. There is no admission fee to come and watch. A concession stand is on site for dinner and snacks.  The Posse Grounds are located behind Bordertown Feed and Supply off of Hwy 11 in Milton-Freewater.

Interested in becoming  a member of Pioneer Posse? Go to their web site at www.pioneerposse.org for membership information.  

Day 251: Rotary Salmon Bake

The Rotary Salmon Bake is Saturday, July 16th in the air conditioned Community Center building at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds. The salmon is baked using an authentic indian method, on sticks over open flames. The meal will be served with plenty of fresh and local food. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Funds raised from the event will be used to benefit local youth and to provide scholarships at local colleges. The cost for tickets is $20. and can be purchase ahead of time from a Rotarian or at the door. The Feed starts at 4pm and goes until 7:30pm.

Day 250: 3rd Annual Sweet Skip

3^rd Annual Sweet Skip takes place on Saturday, July 16^th at 4pm. The Sweet Skip is a self guided tour sampling Walla Walla Sweet Onion inspired foods in the heart of downtown Walla Walla. Participating eateries include the Colville St. Patisserie, Cross Roads Steak House, El Sombrero, Graze, Jacobi’s, Marcus Whitman, Onion World, Red Monkey, Sweet Basil Pizzeria, Vintage Cellars, Walla Walla Bread Co., Salumiere Cesario, and Sapolil Cellars. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the WWV Chamber of Commerce for $25. Tickets at the event cost $35. For more information call 509-525-1031.

Day 249: The Garden Vegan Café

The Garden Vegan Café is now open. This new café is located at 36 South Colville Street in Walla Walla. The  Café offers affordable vegan specialties in a casual atmosphere. The menu is a healthy alternative to fast food with quick service and delivery. Besides sandwiches, salads and rice bowls, they offer a selection of vegan baked goods, smoothies, raw juice and more. There are offerings to suit all tastes as well as options for vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and raw foods diets. The Garden Vegan Café is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-8pm and Sunday 10:30am-6pm.

 

Day 248: Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival

The 2011 Sweet Onion Festival is the weekend of July 16-17th in downtown Walla Walla. This event kicks off at 7am Saturday morning with registration for a Fun Run at 3rd and Main. The Festival begins at 10am with the opening of the Farmers Market. Kids will have the opportunity to participate in onion sack races, onion bowling, and a Mr. and Mrs. Onion decoration contest from 10:30am to 3pm. The Grass Roots of Walla Walla Salad Slawter begins at 11:30am with hands on demonstrations. Live music will be playing throughout the day at the bandstand. A beer and wine garden will be set up at 5th and Main. A street dance will take place at the same location from 5-11:30pm.


On Sunday the festival continues at 9am. Childrens games and activities start at 10:30am. Live music and dance performances will take place through out the day until 4pm.

Day 247: Mule Mania in Dayton

Bring your donkeys and your mules to Dayton's Mule Mania July 14-17th. The Mule Show is offered to riders of all ages and abilities to get together and have fun with their mules and donkeys. Join in the many events including riding and driving competition for all ages and skills, and a walk-trot division for the new mules and riders. There is an authentic chuck wagon feed on Friday and Saturday evening along with high-quality authentic western vendors of all types. A parade will take place at 10am on Saturday.




The Dayton Mule Rider Golf Tournament is the first ever golf tournament to bring mule riders and local golf enthusiasts together, with a 3-person scramble on 7 holes at the golf course next to the Fair Grounds on Thursday. Teams will consist of 2 golfers and 1 mule golfer. Cost is $25 per person and proceeds go to support Dayton Food Bank. On Wednesday mule golfers will be auctioned off to the teams. On Saturday, the teams will compete with golf carts and mules in the main arena.

Cowboy Church will be held on Sunday 7:00 am in the main arena, with the Cowboy Miniseries and Live Music. Admission is free to the Fairgrounds and show. For more information call  509-382-4825.

Day 246: WWVC Business Golf Classic

The WWVC Business Golf Classic is Tuesday, July 12^th at the Wine Valley Golf Club. There will be a noon tee-off with a shotgun start. Entry fee of $100 per player includes a bagged lunch, cart, green fees and awards banquet, plus a chance to win some fabulous prizes. The Tournament is a four-player scramble (each player plays their ball from the position of the ball of their choice) with team awards for low gross, low net, and numerous other prizes. For registration information call call 509-525-0850.

Day 245: Milton-Freewater Farmers Market

The Milton-Freewater Farmerst Market takes place every Wednesday from 4 to 7pm June through September. Your will find the market at 1221 S Main Street in Milton-Freewater at the former Oregon First Community Credit Union location. This Wednesday, July 6th the market will have fresh berries and cherries. The Bobbilynn Band will be performing at 4:30pm. Bobbilynn recently recorded a new CD, Bobbilynn, Halfway Home. It is filling the airwaves with her original Country Music.

Day 244: Prenatal & Gentle Yoga

Looking for some yoga classes? Try these classes that are available for both kids and adults. No experience is neeeded.  Parks & Recreation has yoga for the young and the young at heart. The Yoga classes are instructed by Anne Hair. There are several new classes to try:


· Prenatal Yoga (12 & up) – Tuesdays, July 5-26 at 5:30-6:45 p.m. $32

· Vinyasa (12 & up) – Sundays, July 10-31 at 11:30-12:45 a.m. $32

Classes are held at Carnegie Center, 109 S. Palouse St. and have limited space. Pre-Registration is a MUST for all classes taught through Parks & Recreation. For more information or to register visit the City of Walla Walla website at www.ci.walla-walla.wa.us. Registration is also available at the Parks & Recreation office, 55 Moore St.

Day 243: Local 4th of July Celebrations

Celebrate the holiday with Walla Walla’s annual 4th of July in the Park celebration at Pioneer Park! From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Pioneer Park, (bordered by Alder, Division and Whitman Streets) will be filled with arts and crafts, culinary delights, activities for children of all ages, and nonstop entertainment. The community celebration will once again conclude with a rousing fireworks display. Fireworks will be launched at dusk from the baseball fields behind Blueridge Elementary school. The show will include around 20 minutes of fireworks ending with a grand finale fireworks display.


Enjoy a 4th of July Fireworks display at Shockman Field in Milton-Freewater. This fireworks extravaganza begins at dusk

Day 242: Klicker Strawberries

Klicker strawberries are here! Klicker strawberries are grown in the foothills of the Blue Mountains by the Klicker Family. They have the reputation for having excellent quality and rich in flavor. The Klickers have raised strawberries in the Walla Walla Valley since 1918. The Klickers employ 250 local youth, 12 years and older, to harvest their 35 acres of strawberries. To purchase strawberries and other fresh fruit and vegetables stop by the Klicker Antique and Fruit Store, located first driveway on the right off of Mill Creek Road on the east end of Walla Walla. At the store you will also find a nice selection of antiques, gift items, and delicious ice cream.

Day 241: Va Piano Vineyards

Va Piano Vineyards is a Tuscan themed winery and tasting room located on JB George Road in Walla Walla. The 20-acre estate property, located in the Southeast corner of the Walla Walla Valley, has been producing grapes since 1999. Red varietals are Va Piano's primary focus; Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc & Petit Verdot. The Va Piano wines display intense flavors, fine tannin structure and intense aromas: there’s are quintessential Walla Walla wines.


If you are looking for a great picnic spot, bring your lunch with you to the winery. They have a large grassy area with picnic tables to sit and enjoy their wine and the great views of their vineyard and the Blue Mountains. Va Piano is open daily 11am-5pm. They will be closed on the 4th of July. See more information on this winery at www.vapianovineyards.com

Day 240: Pioneer Kids Camp

Pioneer Kids Camp at Fort Walla Walla is designed for kids ages 9-11 years old. This is an opportunity to learn about Pioneer Life with hands on experiences. The day camp is July 19th at Fort Walla Walla's Pioneer Village. Some of the activities included with the camp are: playing old time musical instruments, gold panning, building a log cabin, making a quilt, black smith chores, and playing old fashioned games.


Cost for the camp is $30 per child ($25 for Museum members), with some financial aid available. The registration fee includes a pizza lunch and official camp T-shirt. Contact the Museum for more information about enrollment. Registration closes on July 16. Call (509) 525-7703