A few months ago I wrote about one of my favorite signs of the coming of spring: the opening of local farmers’ markets. Throughout the growing season, we make it a point nearly weekly to stop by one of these purveyors of locally grown produce, plants and other food stuffs to take advantage of this source of the  freshest, often organically produced makings for a great meal. This weekend we are visiting family in Portland, and so we were sure to schedule time Saturday morning to visit one of our favorite of these, Beaverton, Oregon’s Farmers’ Market. Located on a large city parking lot adjacent to the beautiful city library and tree-filled park in the heart of the historic old town, the market is a feast for the senses every Saturday from early May to the end of October (and Wednesday afternoons, as well).  I always encourage visitors to Portland to stop in and check it out. Located in what was once a sleepy farm town but is now better known, among other things, as the home of Nike’s world headquarters, the market is easily reached from downtown Portland on TriMet’s Max Red Line light rail train. Although yesterday was the morning of the Fourth of July, all of the usual vendors were in place, and the aisles between their booths and tables were filled with appreciative buyers. As we arrived, the sounds of Beaverton’s Community Band playing a rousing version of “Bill Bailey” floated towards us. A different musical group is booked each Saturday, and one can enjoy everything from a classical string quartet to a country-western band as one strolls the aisles. The kettle corn announced itself to our nostrils well before we spied the big copper kettle popping the stuff. The delicious aroma of freshly picked strawberries tempted us to stop at several farm booths, and their displays of raspberries and blueberries as well created a colorful and patriotic reminder of the holiday. Between the tables piled with all manner of fruits and vegetables, the buckets of bright blooms and planters bursting with common and unusual annuals and perennials,  every color imaginable was represented. Unlike some weekend markets, the focus here is on regionally grown, raised, harvested and produced food and drink and plants (both ornamental and edible) — no sharing of the space with sellers of jewelry, pottery, photographs or woodworking. But if you want wild mushrooms, a nice Merlot, organic milk in glass bottles, sheep cheese, herbs, unique perennials, salmon or halibut, walnuts, hazelnuts, dozens of varieties of vegetables and fruits (picked early that morning), a lovely mixed bouquet of flowers, wonderful fresh bread and pastries, preserves, goat meat, clams and oysters, honey — then you’ve come to the right place.  It’s always hard to limit our purchases to what we truly need for just the next few days or what I can reasonably squeeze into my remaining garden space. On this day I did succumb to the siren’s call of several gallon-sized perennials at a bargain price and one unique hydrangea for the flower beds at my new home. We also chose an enormous head of lettuce without a single bruised leaf, a bunch of tender green onions and a pound of rhubarb for less than four dollars. Thankfully, we can look forward to several more visits to this market in particular and similar (though smaller) markets in our own town from now until late fall in order to satisfy our yen for such wonderful treats. Be sure to check out the farmers’ markets in your area soon; you’ll be supporting sustainable agriculture and providing yourself with a treat for your tastebuds and your other senses as well. –Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader