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Mother’s Day Weekend in Oregon’s Washington County

Posted on: May 3rd, 2013 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

If you’re in the area visiting your mother, or are planning to take her away for a Mother’s Day getaway, several events throughout Oregon’s Washington County will leave your mom feeling like a queen (and you will be anointed as the “favorite child” …  at least for the weekend).

Weekend-Long Events

NEW ADDITION: Alloro Vineyard winery is hosting a special chocolate and wine tasting this Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sample exotic chocolates, paired with Alloro Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Local jewelry designer Jessica Moquin will be showing off her artisan wares at a special trunk show. Cost for the event is $15 per person.

The Barefoot Quilt Festival is a Mother’s Day weekend tradition.  The historic Jenkins Estate hosts this celebration of the art of quilting with displays, demonstrations and sales of quilt-related items, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, May 11-12.

Also an annual tradition, Smith Berry Barn celebrates “Mom”  during its Mother’s Day Open House, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 11-12, with samples of gourmet foods and fine teas.

Enjoy Mother’s Day weekend with wine tastings, food and music, hosted by Garden Vineyards (to be held at a special location: 23800 NW Meier Rd. Hillsboro), Friday, May 10, from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, from 12-10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, per evening.

Saturday, May 11

Oregon’s largest all-agricultural market, the Beaverton Farmer’s Market, opens for the season at 8 a.m. More than 200 vendors, including Oregon Craft Distillers “local liquids,” where visitors can taste artisan beer, wine and spirits, and an impressive selection of flower baskets and bouquets, delicious baked goods and more. (Open Saturdays through November 23, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

Apolloni Vineyards is unveiling its new Tuscan-inspired wine cave, from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy special tastings, featuring an exclusive selection of library wines, with vintages dating back to 2012. Italian-style appetizers, gourmet cheese and charcuteries will be served. Cost to attend the event is $20 per person.

Enjoy a mother-daughter run at this year’s Hippie Chick Half & Quarter Marathon, starting at 8 a.m. This ladies-only event takes runners through Oregon’s Washington County’s flat, tree-lined streets, ending at the Gordon Faber Recreational Complex in Hillsboro.

Sunday, May 12

NEW ADDITION: Plum Hill Vineyards is hosting a Mother’s Day Wine Brunch, with delicious offerings, such as empanadas, quiche, stuffed endive leaves, Meyer lemon tarts and hibiscus caramel candies, paired with Plum Hill Wines. Bruch is $27 and may be purchased at the tasting room or by calling 503-359-4706.

NEW ADDITION: Celebrate Mom at the Mother’s Day Brunch at McMenamins Grand Lodge, in the Compass Room Theater. The menu will include sugar snap pea salad with mint and pine nuts, tortellini salad, breakfast breads and pastries, cottage-fried red potatoes, homemade biscuits and sausage gravy and a lot more. Brunch is $26 for adults; $15 for kids (5-12): free for kids 4 and under. Reservations are required, 503-992-9533; toll free, 877-992-9533.

The Holiday Inn in Wilsonville is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This traditional buffet features carved prime rib, whole round of pork, oven-roasted salmon, pan-seared chicken scallopini, omelet station, taco bar, a variety of salads, signature desserts, chocolate fondue bar and more. Guests will enjoy unlimited coffee, orange juice and punch, and champagne for the adults. Prices are $25 per adult, $22 for seniors, $13 for children under 12, and free for kids under 5. Reservations are required, 503-682-2211.

Apolloni Vineyards is partnering with Sundial Specialty Baking for a Mother’s Day Brunch at 10 a.m. This four-course brunch will feature artfully crafted dishes, such as truffled deviled eggs, smoked salmon crepes, and sangria basil mousse served in a poppy seed cookie bowl. Each course will be paired with delightful white and rosé Apolloni wines. All-inclusive cost is $29. Reservations are required, 503-359-3606.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Garden Vineyards (23800 NW Meier Rd., Hillsboro). Enjoy brunch and live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and take a stroll through the lush private gardens until 5 p.m. Cost is $35 per person. Reservations are required, 503-547-9046.

For more events and festivals happening in Oregon’s Washington County, please visit our Event & Festivals Calendar.

 

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Luck O’ the Irish

Posted on: February 25th, 2013 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

“If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.”

Saint Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us. Don’t miss out on this fun slate of events to celebrate this festive holiday weekend.  Wear your green, and raise your glass of green beer and toast to St. Patty’s Day in Oregon’s Washington County. Sláinte!

Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17

Clancy’s Family Restaurant in Sherwood will host its 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party all weekend long, featuring local Irish music, bagpipe and drum performances and door prizes. Don’t forget the traditional Irish fare; corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew will be served. Kids are welcome with parents until 9 p.m. Must be 21+ after 9 p.m.

The party doesn’t stop at the Thirsty Lion, which celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a three-day festival of live music, bagpipers and Irish food specials. The annual “St. Baldrick’s” head-shaving event to benefit Children’s Cancer Research will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Live music starts at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, all day on Sunday.

Saturday, March 16

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day without a parade, and this year Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Party will feature local businesses, car clubs, schools, motorcycle drill team and more. The parade will start and end at Hare Field at Hillsboro High School (151 Northeast Grant Street Hillsboro) and the festivities continue with a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal. Parade starts at 11 a.m. Admission is free.

Luckython 2013Kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend at the Beaverton Farmers Winter Market (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Shop for seasonal produce and artisan food products while enjoying live performances from the Sir James McDonald Pipe Band and the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance and more. Admission is free.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Luckython run (first race starts at 3 p.m.). Choose from the 5K, 10K, 15K team relay and a 5K “HeadLamp” nighttime run/walk at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club. The little kiddies can take part in the “Lil’ Leprechaun Dash,” which starts the evening of events. There’s a pot o’ gold at the finish line, with a full Irish potato bar with all of the fixings.  Registration starts at $30 For more information or to register, visit the Luckython website.

Sunday, March 17

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish style at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove and Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall in Hillsboro. All ages are invited to enjoy live music, bagpipers and leprechauns at this day-long event.  McMenamins’ Irish Stout beer, Irish coffee cocktails, Irish food specials and more will also be available. Admission is free.

The Dublin Pub hosts a day of live music starting at 12 noon. This Irish-themed pub is a St. Patrick’s Day institution, and features 59 beers on tap–including Irish beers. Must be 21+. Cover charge may apply.

Keep St. Patrick’s Day weekend safe, please drink responsibly. 

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Gluten-Free Goodness

Posted on: August 16th, 2012 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Dining out and gluten-free can go hand-in-hand in Oregon’s Washington County, particularly in Beaverton and Hillsboro, where there’s an upswing in the number of area eateries specifying gluten-free menu items. This is a sampling of the different delicious gluten-free options here:

Gluten-free buns are offered on many menus in the area.

Earth Oven Pizza – Hillsboro
Any of the pizzas on their menu can be made with a gluten-free crust, and all of their wood-fired pizzas come standard with mozzarella, parmesan, asiago, romano and fresh basil. Creative toppings range from BBQ pulled pork to thin sliced rib eye steak. Pair the pizza with a salad and a wine from their local selection–and it’s a complete gluten-free meal! Sit back and enjoy the nightly live music as well.

The Venetian Theatre & Bistro – Hillsboro
Enjoy lunch or dinner in this classic setting; choose from the gluten-free section of their menu, which offers gluten-free pizzas, gluten-free salad dressings, gluten-free pasta and creative salad and small plate options.

Gustav’s – Tigard
Gustav’s offers authentic German, European, and Northwest food–and has one of the most extensive gluten-free menus in the area. It specifies everything from appetizers to beer that is all sans gluten. Choose from rotisserie meat entrees, three gluten-free desserts and several sides as well.

Monteaux’s Public House – Beaverton
Monteaux’s offers American classics as well as worldly favorites–and their lunch and dinner menus specify which items are gluten-free. Entrees such as grilled wild salmon, flat iron steak and schnitzel look sumptuous, and their natural beef burgers (which they deem “Best Burgers in the Burbs”) all have the option of a gluten-free bun. Top off dinner with the chocolate mousse and a selection from either their red or white wine menus.

The South Store Café – Hillsboro
This historic landmark cafe specializes in breakfast and lunch with fresh-made soups, salads and entrees. All sandwiches–which include meatloaf, chicken salad and club–have a gluten-free bread option. Pair these options with a drink from their full espresso bar. Directly across the street is Smith Berry Barn, where fresh berry milkshakes are always gluten-free.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro – Hillsboro and Tigard locations
Enjoy ordering from a gluten-free menu featuring favorites such as crab fried rice, Mongolian beef and lettuce wraps. Several desserts are listed as well.

McMenamins – Nine locations throughout Washington County
All McMenamins pubs offer gluten-free buns for their naturally grown burgers, including the “Communication Breakdown” burger loaded with cheddar, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers. Dinner specialties such as flat iron steak and grilled rib-eye are also gluten-free.

Blue Moon Bakery – Hillsboro Saturday Farmers Market
Eena Kadeena – Beaverton Farmers Market
Gluten-free treats and mixes are the specialty of both of these vendors.

Easy, Breezy, Peach Cobbler Recipe

Posted on: August 9th, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

August is peach season in Oregon's Washington County (photo: Melissa Hay)

It is peach season here in Oregon’s Washington County, which means it’s time to dust off the ol’ cobbler recipe.  Peaches can be found at many of  Washington County’s farmers’ markets, including  the state’s largest all-agricultural market, the famed Beaverton Farmers Market (pictured).

For those who like their cobbler cakey, not crumbly (like the biscuit recipes), this is the recipe for you.  It’s 100% fool-proof, uses simple ingredients, and doesn’t take too long to bake.

Peachy-Peach Cobbler

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees (F)

BOIL 2 cups fresh peaches
(Optional: Add ¼ cup of sugar to peaches to sweeten)

MELT 1 cube (3 tablespoons) of butter in an 8×8 or 9×9 non-stick baking dish

MIX:

  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoons of vanilla (to taste)

POUR mixture into baking dish on top of the melted butter

TOP with berry mixture

BAKE @ 375 until golden brown (approximately 20- 25 minutes)

SERVE warm with dollops of whipped cream or ice cream

This recipe serves 6-8, and can be easily modified for larger (or smaller) servings. It keeps well and is even better the next day, warmed up in the micro.

Bon appétit!

Make Mother’s Day Memorable

Posted on: April 28th, 2011 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Mother’s Day weekend is approaching–but don’t let the mention of this holiday turn to panic. There are gifts as well as special events locally, and any one of these is sure to impress. Take it from me, a mom who is dropping hints about this holiday, you just can’t go wrong with a little planning ahead to show a lot of love.

Mother’s Day Special Events

Beaverton Civic Theatre is presenting a gala on Mother’s Day, which includes: a noon luncheon with wine tasting by Ava’s Catering, an 8×10 family photo, goody bag and two tickets to the production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” The cost for this package is $50 for Mom and a guest.

Lavender Tea House in Sherwood is presenting a “Springtime in Paris” tea that includes French pastries, scones, tea sandwiches, fruit, teas and sparkling cider. This special French event will be Saturday, May 7, with seatings throughout the day; reservations required, $27 per person.

Plum Hill Vineyards in Gaston is offering a five-course, small plate luncheon with each course paired with one of their wines. This event begins at noon on Mother’s Day and cost is $20 per person; luncheon reservations are required.

Jenkins Estate in Beaverton presents its Barefoot Quilt Festival on both Saturday and Sunday, May 7 &8. Enjoy quilting displays and demonstrations, as well as quilting items for sale.
- On May 7, this event features “A Tea to Remember” at 12:30 p.m. for $30 per person, reservations required.
- On May 8, a dessert cafe will be available at the event from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Cooper Mountain Nature Park in Beaverton welcomes a naturalist to lead a hike, “Mother’s Day Birds and Blooms” on May 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more about about wildflowers and songbirds while enjoying the Tualatin River.

Area farmers' markets offer fresh bouquets Mother's Day weekend.

Area farmers' markets offer fresh bouquets Mother's Day weekend.

Mother’s Day Gift-Buying Opportunities

So many local farmers’ markets are open Saturday, May 7th, that you’ll have an array of fresh choices ranging from hanging flower baskets at Beaverton Farmers Market to seasonal bouquets and herb pots at Sherwood, Hillsboro or Cedar Mill Saturday Market. The Tigard Farmers’ Market kicks off the very day of–Sunday, May 8–so stop by between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for gifts ranging from garden art and plants to bakery goods and jewelry.

The Quilt Festival at Jenkins Estate on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, also incorporates both an artisan craft fair and a plant sale from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sponsored by the Jenkins Estate Advisory Committee, the plant sale features colorful blooms for your yard and many plants grown on the estate. Jenkins Estate is located at 8005 SW Grabhorn Road in Beaverton.

Pumpkins, Corn and Apples: Autumn Has Arrived in Washington County!

Posted on: October 5th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

gourdsAutumn is by far my favorite season:  the crisp, cool air; rust-colored leaves falling from the trees; the bright orange and green hues of the pumpkin patches. Indeed, ’tis the season to get out and explore fall in Washington County, Oregon. On Saturday, my family and I hopped into the car and did just that.

First stop was the Beaverton Farmers’ Market, a cornucopia of fall vegetables, colorful gourds, scrumptious apples and pears, and hearty potatoes and onions, all awaiting shoppers who ventured out on the brisk Saturday morning. Free coffee and fruit samples provided us the energy – and warmth – needed to navigate the market.  

With our newly acquired produce in hand, we ventured off to our next stop, the Smith Berry Barn in Hillsboro. Each year, I make the pilgrimage to the Smith Berry Barn to stock up on apples, and this year is no exception. I loaded up my basket with freshly picked Macintosh apples, perfect for making caramel apple treats.

On a whim, we decided to head over to Baggenstos Farms in Sherwood, to check out the corn maze. Growing up in the desert, corn mazes were something I had only seen on television, or in scary movies. In reality it was not scary at all. Granted, it was a bright and sunny mid-afternoon. (However, my ever-adventurous daughter suggested we return and try the maze at night.) About a half hour after we entered, we mastered the maze, which, visible from the sky, is carved to look like Abraham Lincoln.

Before we left, we decided to try our hand at pumpkin bowling. This was a blast. We each had three tries to knock down the pins while throwing a ripe, orange pumpkin down the makeshift lane. On my second round, I threw a spare!

After our day in rural Washington County, we were exhausted; but, it was worth it to spend a memorable and fun day with my family. (And, yes, we will be going back to the corn maze … at night.)

So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your own autumn memories this October. The Beaverton Farmers Market, as well as the pumpkin patches and corn mazes at farms throughout the county are open through October 31. And don’t miss this year’s Apple Fest at Smith Berry Barn, Oct. 18. For a list of other autumn-inspired events, check out our event calendar.

Festivals & Celebrations Galore

Posted on: September 23rd, 2009 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Get out and enjoy unique events this weekend!

SATURDAY, Sept. 26:

Medieval Market Daymedieval2

The Beaverton Farmers’ Market hosts a one-day celebration of a time when all markets were open-air markets. So put on your medieval garb and join in the fun, including artisans demonstrating medieval crafts, children’s activities, music, cooking demos and sword tournaments.

This event is held in conjunction with the Washington County Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism – The shire of Dragon’s Mist, and is from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Oktoberfest at McMenamins Grand Lodge

grand-lodge_scaledJoin in a free gathering at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, complete with bands, beer, bratwurst and more in celebration of Oktoberfest!

Live music performances begin at 2 p.m.:

o CHERVONA (party troupe) 2 p.m.

o TRANSCENDENTAL BRASS BAND (marching jam band) 4 p.m.

o GYPSY CARAVAN (belly dancers) 5 p.m.

o DEER TICK (rock) 7 p.m.

o JACK McMAHON (folk/blues) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 27:riverfront_music09_360

Tualatin Riverfront Music Festival

Enjoy the unique bluegrass and gospel sounds of the Misty Mamas band at this new annual event in Tualatin’s Browns Ferry Park.
Paddle your boat to the festival or borrow a boat on site from Tualatin Riverkeepers, the beneficiaries of the event.
A special Tualatin River Oktoberfest beer, brewed by Fanno Creek Brew Pub, will be available, along with Oregon pinots, sausages, veggie dogs and dessert.
Cost is $20 for adults; kids are free. The event is from 3 to 7 p.m.

Both SATURDAY & SUNDAY:

Festival Japan

uwajimaya

Uwajimaya at 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton, again hosts its annual free two-day festival, which includes Japanese food, music and art for all ages! It ranges from taiko drumming to martial arts. The fest is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.