Brand new -- Yakima's Holiday Inn is first of its kind in state | Yakima Herald-Republic Online

Brand new -- Yakima's Holiday Inn is first of its kind in state | Yakima Herald-Republic Online

New "Off Leash" Dog Park

The Yakima Greenway has completed a new, "Off Leash" Dog Park at Sherman Park. Walk up the trail from the parking lot, less than one quarter mile to the fenced area. Enter this area by a double gate system. Your dog can enjoy running free among the trees and rolling in the leaves, as well as meet new dog friends.

Take Nob Hill Blvd or Exit 34 I-28 E, after crossing the freeway turn left at the light, then immediate right, then left to parking area past the Humane Society building. This area is Sherman Park. The Humane Society encourages taking the dogs housed there for a walk, to enjoy this area. There is no charge and the dog will appreciate the chance to roam free, until they find new homes.

To continue walking on the 10 mile paved Greenway you must keep your dog on a leash. The Greenway paved pathway runs adjacent to the beautiful Yakima Arboretum grounds where dogs are not allowed.

Looking for Antiques & Treasures in the Yakima Valley?

Antique: (Latin: antiquus; old); an old collectable item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era in human society. Antiques are usually objects which show some degree of craftsmanship or a certain attention to design. They are bought at antique shops, or passed down as an estate. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the Yakima Valley you will find many unique antique shops, offering numerous treasure hunting finds. As you enter the Yakima Valley, Precision Fruit & Antiques off I-82E Exit 29, is a bargain shoppers delight. You will find unusual items as well as produce in season, wines and specialty food products. Precision Fruit has seasonal hours.

The city of Yakima is host to a large number of antique shops; Yesterday's Village houses over 75 separate small unique shops. Take Exit 33B to Yakima Avenue. As you drive west on Yakima Avenue, this store is located just over the railroad tracks. Turn right into the parking lot, the entrance to Yesterday's Village is on the left in the large brick building.

Continuing west on Yakima Avenue, there are four antique shops on the right side of the street between fifth and seventh avenues. Pieces of the Past, Memories on the Avenue, Attic Clutter, and Talk of the Town are the places for hours of fun searching for unusual antique items.

Churchill's Books has been in operation in the Yakima Valley since 1937 and is a must for every book lover to visit. Spend time perusing the selection of unique books at 125 S 2nd Street and don't forget to pet the resident cat.

Union Gap is a city well known by, "Shopoholics," for the Valley Mall, surrounding retail stores and those searching for antique shops. Take Exit 36 to Valley Mall Blvd, turn left onto Main Street for Gap Treasures, Somewhere in Time, and Time Travelers.

The city of Prosser antique shops are located off Exit 80, I-82 E, turn right, Bonnie's Vine & Gift Shop is on the left side of the street as you drive toward the historic downtown. Each of these shops are located on Sixth Street in the historic downtown; Dairy Farm Antiques featuring antiques and collectibles, Sixth Street Gift & Art Gallery, with local artisan created gifts, jewelry, gourmet foods and art. The Rustic Rooster is a quaint shop featuring antiques, home decor, and collectibles.

White Pass Scenic Byway is Designated as a National Byway

The National Scenic Byway Foundation announced a new national designation for the White Pass Scenic Byway. According to the Foundation, the White Pass Scenic Byway is one of 42 new designations for the America’s Byway Program from across the nation. Collectively, there are 193 such designations in the United States and only seven in Washington, including Chinook Pass Byway, Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway, International Selkirk Loop, Mountain to Sound Greenway (I-90), Stevens Pass, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Maree Lerchen, board president of the White Pass Scenic Byway, went to Washington DC to accept the official designation. She stated, “Aside from the honor and recognition of this coveted designation, we are now in a more favorable position to compete for future USDOT Federal Highway Administration grants. The White Pass Scenic Byway will also be included in the international marketing efforts from the National Scenic Byway Foundation.” Lerchen acknowledged the dedication and commitment of many partners who helped establish this byway program since 2002.

The US Forest Service is a key player on the byway. Much of the byway is on the Gifford PinchotNational Forest and Wentachee National Forest lands. The location between three major mountain peaks, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier National Park and the Mt. St. Helens National MonumentWashington state geography and geology. distinguishes this byway as one with unique character and prominence. The diverse landscape from the lakes district to river valleys into the foothills and alpine cascade mountain climate to the arid steppe of Eastern Washington provides a cross section of

In addition to the recent designation, the byway board of directors is currently working on a community gateway sign project through the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program. These funds are earmarked for constructing and erecting two major gateway signs at the east (Naches) and west (Mary’s Corner) end of the byway. This grant will also provide for signs in six locations along the byway. Communities receiving these signs are: Mossyrock, Morton, Randle, Packwood, Naches and the summit of White Pass.

Earlier this month, the White Pass Scenic Byway received notice they have been chosen to receive $82,000 from Federal Highways to install wayfinding signs in the byway communities. The grant is being matched by local funds of $20,000 for the project. These traveler signs will help direct travelers off the byway and into their communities.

For more information about the National Byways Designation and grants as well as the National Scenic Byway Foundation visit:

www.byways.org/learn/

www.byways.org/press/

For information regarding the White Pass Scenic Byway visit: http://www.whitepassbyway.com/

The Yakima Valley "AVA's", American Viticulture Areas.

The American Viticulture Areas or AVA's, is the term for the vineyards in a certain geographic area where the grapes are grown and the characteristics of the climate, soil, elevation that affect the wine produced from those grapes. These are federally designated regions recognized by the Alcohol, Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. When a wine bottle label designates an AVA, 85% of that wine must come from the AVA.

There can be AVA’s designated within a larger AVA. The Columbia Valley is an AVA, and includes areas that are also designated AVAs. For example, the Yakima Valley is within the Columbia Valley AVA while the Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA and Snipes Mountain AVA are all smaller geographic areas located within the Yakima Valley AVA.

The Yakima Valley is Washington State's first AVA established in 1983 with over14,000 vineyard acres and more than 65 wineries. The Rattlesnake Hills AVA, established in 2006, has 1500 vineyard acres and over 20 wineries. The nearby Horse Heaven Hills AVA, established in 2005, is over 8,000 vineyard acres and has 20 wineries. Red Mountain AVA established in 2001, features over 710 vineyard acres and 15 wineries. The most recent AVA is Snipes Mountain. It was recognized in 2009, has a mere 145 acres and is located above and between the towns of Sunnyside and Granger in the Outlook area. (video interview on history of Snipes Mountain AVA)

The vast acreage of vineyards in the Yakima Valley and numerous wineries make this the premier area in Washington State to both taste wine and enjoy the changing views of the vineyards from spring to harvest. Special celebrations take place each year, Spring Barrel Tasting to Thanksgiving in Wine Country, where on can enjoy the fruit of the vine at the source.

October-National Pasta Month

The harvest time and cooler weather calls for a hearty pasta dish to warm the soul.

A warm, comforting food, pasta is celebrated month long by the National Pasta Association.

The Yakima Valley offers choices to fill your pasta cravings. You can dine out or take home this comfort food. In downtown Yakima, the Olive Garden features the new, Stuffed Mezzaluna with Shrimp or Sausage Crescent-shaped ravioli filled with four Italian cheeses, tossed with sauteed herb-marinated shrimp and Roma tomatoes in a white wine cream sauce or choose the grilled Italian sausage and Roma tomatoes in a creamy homemade tomato Alfredo sauce, topped with melted mozzarella. A fine way to enjoy this food that is a staple all over the world.

901 Pasta, celebrating 23 years in the Yakima Valley has a wonderful selection of uniquely prepared adventuresome dishes, such as Cajun chicken linguine, chicken and rosemary ravioli and so much more. Enjoy the comfortable, eclectic atmosphere of this neighborhood cafe.

Looking for a quick "drive through" pasta place. Yes, just drive though and pick up your lunch to go or have it delivered and save the trip. You will enjoy the generous portions from Pasta Express on North1st Street, Yakima. Pasta Express offers daily hot pasta specials such as Tortellini with Marinara, lasagna, spaghetti & meatballs and every day garlic chicken or shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo are available. Call 248-2577 or Fax 249-0838 your order in for delivery, open Monday through Friday from 6am-4pm. Pick up a menu along with your morning latte' to peruse your pasta choices.

Don't forget to celebrate World Pasta Day, October 26. Acknowledge the fact that pasta is a staple all over the world, with your favorite pasta dish. A fun food that people equate with a good time.........sitting around a big table, sharing a meal. Pasta is a great dish to pair with a fine Yakima Valley Wine.

Fall Family Fun in the Yakima Valley

The Yakima Valley is known for its healthy, family friendly, down on the farm activities. Fall is an special time to visit with the apples ripening on the trees and the family jack o lantern pumpkins in the fields ready to be chosen.

The Big Red Barn at Washington Fruit Place, Barrett’s Orchards offers farm fresh fun every day with apple tasting, a self guided orchard trail, hay maze and pumpkin patch. On weekends your family can experience a hay ride through the orchard and watch old fashioned cider pressing.

A haunted corn maze, hot spiced donuts and pumpkin cannon fired on the hour every weekend in October, Thompson Farm is the place to go. While your family is there check out the farm animals and help feed the chickens.

Jones Farm in Zillah offers a wide array of apple varieties. The fruit stand is surrounded by orchards and the hay maze is nearby, feed the ducks in the pond located on the country lane and visit the pumpkin patch for Jack-o-lantern possibilities.

Unique Halloween celebrations:

Don’t forget the unique Northern Pacific Railway Museum Haunted Train Run the weekends of October 23, 24, 25 and October 29, 30, 31, 2009 from 6pm – 9pm and will feature ghosts, goblins, and all kinds of scary things as you tour the haunted depot and 2 haunted railroad cars. Admission is $5 per person. Ages13 and older please.

Halloween Pumpkin runs are offered for families with younger children at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum on Saturday, October 31 only. This event features a caboose ride, museum tours, and free pumpkin for each child. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under

All Aboard the Halloween Trolley in Yakima on October 31. The 102 year old street car will leave the Trolley Powerhouse every ½ hour from 11a.m.-4p.m. Fun, treats and the first 100 children visiting receive a free pumpkin.