STORY & PHOTOS BY LAURA BAIRD • Downtown Castle Rock has quite a bit to offer shoppers, and though I hate to overuse the word "quaint," it really is appropriate. One shop I had the pleasure of visiting is Focus Art & Frame, near Hattie’s restaurant.

By Chere Weiss • Mardi Gras is coming. The day before Ash Wednesday in the Lenten calendar is known as "Fat Tuesday." This special day is a way of having one last celebration before the beginning of Lent when believers sacrifice over indulgences in spiritual preparation for the Easter season. "Fat Tuesday" means you can eat rich foods, drink and be merry, traditionally often incognito wearing a mask so you can be naughty and no one will know who is behind that disguise.

BY CHERE WEISS • Off the beaten path in SW Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood, Salvador Molly’s sneaks up on you. I happened upon this place during a local weekend of dancing and hiking. Great food, reasonable prices, a creative décor, and an attentive wait staff await you. The venue and menu serve up primary influences of India, Hawaii, Mexico and kitsch.

BY JOHN FREEMAN. Regularly wandering the foot path at Lake Sacajawea lets me observe the passersby, some with their dog or two, or others with a coffee in their hand. Those of us who usually walk at a certain time of day either nod or wave, sometimes saying “Good Morning.” As the days grow shorter and a little colder, there seem to be fewer of us out. . . Walkers at the lake so far this fall and winter have been very lucky. I am OK with walking in the rain, but not rain with wind. There have not been many days of heavy wind or rain, and no snow. I hope all who wend their way around the lake will take time to look at the trees and animals, as I do, adding a bit of zest to their winter musings.

Story by Michael Perry, with assistance from Mike Clark ..... In the early 1900s, the only way to move automobiles across the major rivers was by ferry. History tells us there were many such ferries in the 1800s that transported horse-drawn wagons and, later, automobiles. One of the most amazing ferries carried an entire train from Goble, Oregon, across the Columbia to Kalama, Washington; the train ferry operated from 1883 until 1908, when a railroad bridge was built across the Columbia from Portland to Vancouver.

I discovered zydeco 10 years ago during my annual pilgrimage to the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. The 4th of July weekend festival hosts ‘Swamp Romp’, a showcase of zydeco and Cajun bands featuring a dance floor and shade. I jumped around in my seat for several years before I got the nerve to try it out on the dance floor.

As Christmas week unfolds, dear readers; slow down, take a deep breath and make time to enjoy the wonderful opportunities that are outside your doorstep or inside your home. . .

There are . . . many venues for entertainment — all year long. Right here in Longview, the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts is a treasure. . . I plan to attend the Tartan Terrors Christmas production this Sunday with my family. We’ll enjoy Scottish music, dance, and comedy. There’s also The Nutcracker, presented by the Evergreen Dance Studio, Friday and Saturday.

Slow down, take a deep breath and make a time warp visit to an old fashioned Christmas at Fort Vancouver . . . You will be touring through the fort buildings and enjoying hot cider with the costumed interpreters! I have a wonderful memory of the time my family did the tour when they were little ones, pure magic.

For many, the Christmas decorating has begun, possibly even is completed . . . You may decorate just for yourself, or for the entire town to view. There are many inspirations to choose from, and yours just might be the spark in someone else’s season.