The Red Caboose Getaway, located in Sequim, WA is a romantic getaway with a twist.  Once you check in at the “Station” the manager shows you to your very own caboose.  From the outside it looks like your typical on-the-tracks caboose, but once you hop aboard and open the cabin door you’ll see a warm and inviting surprise.

Each caboose has its own theme.  On track one is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad car.  Featuring items of a railway theme you’ll be ready to sport your conductor’s hat and holler “All Aboard”.  Don’t be deceived, if you look closely you can find many modern conveniences including your own refrigerator, TV/DVD, and natural gas stove to give your caboose that cozy feeling.  These conveniences along with the beautiful original hard wood floors, and fresh flowers are found in each of the cars.  It’s a great way to get away without leaving modern convenience behind.

Track two is a representation of the Orient Express, and even if you can’t tell from the outside one look through the cabin door makes it all clear.  The fabrics bear an Asian look, and the overstuffed bed and Jacuzzi tub call out begging you to come in and relax.

Track three is the circus car, but you won’t find any animals in this caboose.  Painted in sky blue and accented with bright colors this car is sure to be a hit with the kid inside all of us.  If you can’t leave the kids behind, don’t worry, this car has room for four. Steal away your own private getaway by enjoying the Jacuzzi tub also found in this car.

Then there’s the Western Car, complete with saloon swinging doors and an authentic antique claw foot tub.

No matter which caboose you stay the night in everyone comes together in the Burlington Dining Car for breakfast. With owners Olaf waiting tables, and his wife Charolette in the back cooking up breakfast you feel like a VIP.  Of course the menu is always changing, but a visit this time of year could provide a menu as delicious as baked Washington apples, and Dutch baby pancakes filled with freshly picked black berries.  Even before that you can start off with one of the many flavors of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea while enjoying a loaf of cinnamon roll bread.  Whatever the menu, you’re sure to enjoy Charolette’s fantastic cooking and Olaf’s warm and inviting personality.

Every moment from the time you board to the time you disembark will be filled with character, personality, and most of all, FUN. To book your reservation, call 360.683.7350.  Visit the website at www.redcaboosegetaway.com

 

Red Caboose Getaway
The Red Caboose Getaway is for people who love trains
and want something different for their vacation.

 

Red Caboose Getaway
 
  
Red Caboose Getaway Dining Car
The Dining Car
Red Caboose Getaway
Inside one of the train cars.
 
 
 
 

This photo was taken Wednesday, February 22 following a Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner for Pack 499 in Camas. Jefferson Jackson is wearing some of the decorations following the event. The dinner had an Olympics theme and table centerpieces were painted in gold.

Camas High School swim champions, Nick Kabel and Ian Ulmer, addressed the group, as well. They discussed what it takes to be a champion and had a five-minute question and answer session with the audience. They explained how many pool lengths equals a mile (64, if you didn’t know) and how sports can teach a child how to best manage their time.

Jefferson Jackson
Jefferson Jackson dons the table decorations
following a Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner.

 

Ian Ulmer
Camas High School Swim Champions Ian Ulmer, left, and Nick Kabel
speak to the audience and had a five-minute question and answer
session with the group, who gathered to celebrate Cub Scouts.

 

Blue and Gold Banquet
Seventy parents and children listened to the Ulmer and Kabel speak.

 

By Ernie Geigenmiller

In years past, the state of Washington has held both a caucus for each political party and a primary during the same election season.
 
That changed last year with the passage of SB5119, which cancels the 2012 presidential primary by amending RCW 29A.56.020, which was signed into law by Governor Chris Gregoire on May 13, 2011. In the last two election cycles, the Washington Democrats (2004 and 2008) nominated by caucus while the Washington Republicans nominated by caucus in 2004 and by both caucus and primary in 2008.
It’s a temporary law, says the Governor’s office, because it expires in 2013, which opens the door to another presidential primary in 2016. The reason is to save the state money. The primary system costs the taxpayer money to operate. Political parties pay for the caucus system.
 
So, Democrats and Republicans, if you’re expecting a primary ballot this election season, don’t hold your breath. You won’t be receiving one.
 
So, what does a civic-minded citizen do now? You go to caucus.
 
What’s that? Put simply, it’s the most grass-roots you can get in American politics.
 
Todd Galbraith, who recently participated in a Minnesota caucus, says it’s chaotic and can be laden with fraud, but is also a lot of fun, if done correctly.
 
 “I went to cast my vote for Mitt Romney, but his name was off the ballot,” he said. “I had to request multiple times for a correct ballot until I was given one.”
 
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, and is commonly used  in the United States and Canada. Each major political party, typically Democrats and Republicans, hold their own caucus on a separate date.
 
A caucus is a cluster of precincts in a geographical area. For example, in Camas there are 23 precincts that comprise the 15th & 18th Legislative districts. Each precinct has a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) who operates their section at the caucus. If a PCO has an inclination to one candidate, he or she will organize their precinct to get the most supporters for that particular candidate.
It’s about organization. Supporters of a particular candidate can overwhelm a caucus.
Precinct members cluster in groups for their preferred candidate and a spokesman for each candidate makes his case and tries to persuade fellow precinct caucus voters. At the end of debate, each member in attendance casts his or her ballot for a chosen candidate. The ballots from each precinct are tallied and given to the caucus coordinator, who tallies all precincts.
Each precinct caucus chooses the precinct’s delegates (PCO is an automatic delegate) to the County Convention or Legislative District Caucuses [based on Washington State Republican Party rules 14, 15, 16]. The County Conventions will, in turn, choose delegates to the State Convention. The delegates chosen at state go onto the National Convention bound to support a particular candidate.
The Washington Democrats have similar system, but they are running on a different set of dates.
 
 
Ron Paul
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) took his presidential
campaign to Vancouver on Feb. 16.

 

Josh Romney
Josh Romney poses with Kim Jaehee Rancourt and her
family at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver on Feb. 20.
He is acting as a surrogate for his father, presidential
candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney.
 
“On the Republican side, I think Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have the best get-out-the-vote drives,” says Camas resident Susie Huckvale.
“It is grassroots politics at its best,” said Brandon Vick, Clark County Republican Chair expecting a higher-than average turnout at the Caucuses this year.
This year, Republicans will hold their caucus on Saturday, March 3.
 
Democrats will hold their caucus on Sunday, April 15, from 12:30-4 pm and exact locations have not been confirmed.
 
This cycle, Washington has a real say in the partisan battles. By April 2008, the GOP had already decided on John McCain, and the Democrats hadn’t had their caucus yet.
 
Republican Party Caucuses meet in each precinct at 10 am on Saturday, March 3, with doors opening at 9 am. Participants are required to sign a form stating they are Republicans and must confirm their address. Clark County is divided into 194 voting precincts, ranging in size from 2035 registered voters to 85.  Registered voters who consider themselves Republicans will attend Precinct Caucus Clusters.
They’re “clustered” rather than having a meeting place for each precinct, with 11 to 31 Precincts meeting in ten locations. There is no cost to participate.
Republicans who live in Camas will caucus at Camas High School, in the Commons area. The address is 26900 SE 15th, in Camas, and includes the following precincts: 606, 625, 900, 905, 910, 913, 914, 917, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 947, 950, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, and 985.
Basically, if you live in Camas, go to Camas High School to caucus. If unsure of your precinct, it’s on your voter registration card. There will also be a map at the caucus.
The March 3rd caucus is the reason why presidential candidate Ron Paul attended a rally in downtown Vancouver last Thursday at the Vancouver Hilton, and Josh Romney, the son of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, spent time in Vancouver on February 20.
 
Ron Paul’s rally had an estimated 1,500 in attendance.
 
“I’m supporting Ron Paul because I am ready for someone who takes the Constitution seriously and has a record to back it up,” said Camas resident Brian Kashas. “I think the Executive has too much power. I want an end to the interventionist foreign policy that we can’t afford and wins us no friends. He’s [Ron Paul] the only one talking about the role of the Federal Reserve system in funding the deficits and creating the booms and busts through fractional reserve lending- and wants to end this corrupt system by returning to sound money as required by the Constitution. It’s time to live within our means and get back to a principled government that stays within the limits imposed upon it.”
 
The younger Romney is acting as a campaign surrogate for his father by traveling through Washington and Alaska this week.
 
“My dad tackles things head on,” said Romney, who isn’t an official member of the campaign. “And he has more energy than anyone I know. We always have to get advance guys because Dad wears them out all the time. And he really has what it takes to turn this nation around.”
 
Romney rallied the supporters to do phone banking, take 10 people apiece to the March 3 caucus and to come visit with his father on March 1 as he campaigns in Washington.
 
“I also encourage you to respect our opponents,” said Romney. “We have disagreements but we need to be respectful.”
 
Romney spent about 90 minutes with the crowd addressing questions, shaking hands and watching a family sing.
 
The Rick Santorum campaign said their candidate will come to Washington next week and to stay tuned for upcoming announcements. The Newt Gingrich campaign hasn’t announced their intentions.

 

Competitive swimming.

As Camas High School Freshman Ryan Gunther says  “it’s not as easy as it looks.” Gunther, who recently wrapped up his first season as a Papermaker swimmer was surprised by the amount of effort it takes to be a competitive swimmer.

“I did it to stay in shape for the winter,” he says, “so I could be conditioned for track this spring. It was a big surprise. These guys all work really hard and they’re in the best shape.”

Gunther was part of a 35-member Camas Boy’s Swim Team this past season that went undefeated in regular season (8-0) and won the 3A District Championship. On February 18, eight Camas swimmers competed in the State 3A finals and several made it to the awards podium, placing ninth overall in the state.

Pretty amazing.

Especially considering the team placed 21st at State last year and the program itself is only 10 years old. And to top it off, there isn’t a lot of water around here, says Head Coach Mike Bemis. He’s referring to the lack of decent competitive swimming pools in the area.

“I am really proud of the boys,” he said. “Most of them are here twice a day four or five times a week and swim the equivalent of 3.5 miles during our 90-minute practices. They work very, very hard, and it’s paying off.”

Outgoing Senior and co-captain, Ian Ulmer, says “I’m pleased with the effort so many of our players have put into the season.”

Team warms up before State Prelims.
The team practices at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club in Camas and the numbers are impressive. The practices consist of a hodge-podge of several schools (Camas, Hockinson and Prairie) simply because the other schools lack the numbers and “water” to accommodate the swimmers. Basically, the support isn’t there, so Camas takes the leadership.Jaron Hamlik, who is Prairie’s lone swimmer, impressed the viewers at State with his results.

“Jaron has a strong work ethic,” says Ian. “He comes to work at practice every day, and works hard to make himself better, to improve his times.”

Lacamas Magazine came along late to the party this season, but got to spend multiple practices and three separate events with the Camas High School Boy’s Swim team that very recently made it to the podium at the 3A Divisional Championship Games.

It’s a sport that sometimes gets a bad wrap, and too often lacks the coverage or recognition it deserves.

Shaved heads, shaved legs, chlorine, tiny suits, expensive suits, leg suits, all contribute to a perception that things are sort of well, odd. There’s swimmer humor, swimmer jokes – you get the picture. Then you hear guys from other sports say “oh, those swimmers, they’re wimps … we’re way stronger …”

Nothing could be further from the truth.

At our first covered event, the team had just completed their last regular meet at Lacamas and went undefeated. Impressive.

My own sons saw the competition and were amazed at the speed, technique and agility they saw. The 11 year-old said to his younger brother, “dude, look at the muscles on that guy!” while flexing his own biceps.

“Swimmers are the best-conditioned athletes out there,” said Camas resident, Susan Neff, a former swimmer herself. “All the muscles get worked out, the lung capacity increases, and the endurance a swimmer has would beat any football player. Swimmers have it all.”

Bemis agrees.

“These boys get an amazing workout,” he says. “They are in the best shape of their lives.”

Bemis and Co-Captain Nick Kabel said breathing techniques are a big part of competitive swimming. “We train the boys to take one breath along the first leg of any swim. We teach them how breathing properly will help them get through the race. We practice as we would compete. It’s intense.”

Yes it is.

Freshman Kasey Calwell, said “the 6 am practices are grueling and have made for a challenging season.”

It’s no fun arriving at 5:45 am to a cold pool and then swimming for 90 minutes, says Freshman Lucas Ulmer. He along with brother, Ian, generally attend two practices a day. The schedule makes staying awake during the day a challenge at times.

Once you realize what these swimmers go through, you find the meets much more interesting. It’s more than a body gliding through the water. It’s about technique, diving in correctly, breathing correctly, flipping correctly. It’s about properly synchronizing the entire body. It’s about inches and centimeters of space between the water and the wall. Seconds and milliseconds separate champions. For these guys, times are the focus of entire discussions.

Nick Kabel
Anxiety. Awaiting results.

“I want to get under a minute,” says Jake Yraceburu. “If I can just get it under one minute.”

Again, it’s impressive.

And then there are the emotions.

“Seventy percent of swimming in my opinion is mental,” says Calwell. “From the suit to shaving to the meet itself and the competition. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.”

Calwell himself experience trouble with his high-tech suit at State. “It kept bubbling up on me – it was frustrating,” he said. The fabric on his suit fits like a second skin as it repels water, and can cost several hundred dollars.

We watched the swimmers at several practices, and then at three events: 1) The final regular season game; 2) The District Championships; and 3) The State Finals.

The boys worked hard at each practice, paying close attention to their coach’s instructions and then competed with the same level of intensity. Confidence exuded at the regular season closer and again at the District Championship meet in Kelso, where they won handily. Smiles were on many faces.

But at the State Prelims you could sense the nervousness on many of their faces. Exuberance and energy a week earlier had turned into edginess and bickering.

For several, it was the first time competing at State. And it is daunting. The King County Aquatic Center is a massive structure, and the boys were in the presence of dozens of other schools whose goal it was to simply crush everyone in their way.

It was sea of athletes, literally. It’s amazing how a swim cap and goggles changes a person’s persona. They’re competitors, and it’s their job to intimidate you.

Swimmers from Shorewood could be overhead talking smack about a particular Camas swimmer.

At prelims, one Camas swimmer was eliminated, and another was disqualified for not touching a wall sensor.

Bemis had several one-on-one’s with his team, and you could see the disappointed faces on several of the athletes.

Times at the heats weren’t as good as expected and the top 8 finishes, in many cases, weren’t happening.

Frustration set in, but eventually most tried to shake it off.

Calwell said at the end of prelims: “You have nothing to lose if you’re in 8th place — I can shake this off.”

Kabel, who a week earlier set a pool record in the 50 Free at Districts struggled at State.

“I didn’t do my best today and I’m really disappointed,” he said.

Calwell provided his perspective on State: “Well for me prelims is just a warm-up to the big event for finals. Sometimes, for some people, there’s more pressure for prelims than for finals because they need to lock a certain place in an event. I really wanted championship finals in the 100 breast and 200 IM but didn’t get it in prelims. Still I barely got some best times and came out of the meet feeling good.”

Calwell continued: “As Jake said, I sometimes feel really ready to take it on and sometimes I just don’t feel in the groove. Today, I felt really good and ready to take on anything. I don’t know but on prelims I was very frustrated as you saw, and I just was tired and couldn’t get momentum. But I got a little momentum at the end of yesterday and was able to ride the wave coming into today.”

Lucas Ulmer, though, was calm about everything. “I’m totally confident about finals, no worries, we’ll be fine,” he said.

Everyone turned it around the very next day. They really wanted to get Top 8 in their events.

And they did it in two of three relays – placing eighth in the 200 Medley Relay and 7th in the 200 Free Relay. Here were the teams:

  • 200 Medley Relay: 8th place, consisting of Lucas Ulmer, Jake Yraceburu, Nick Kabel, and John Utas.
  • 200 Free Relay: 7th place, consisting of John Utas, Kasey Calwell, Jake Yraceburu, and Nick Kabel.

And Jake Yraceburu tied for 5th place in the 100 Breaststroke.

All are amazing feats.

Kabel was happy with the overall season and how well his teammates performed.

Now that the season is over, the boys can contemplate on the experiences, on what they learned and on what’s next.

For Kabel, Ulmer and several other teammates, it’s the end of the line for high school. In the fall, they’ll report to their chosen colleges, and look back on the years they had together building a swimming program.

“It’s been a blast,” said Kabel. “We’re leaving the program in good hands with such great Freshmen swimmers. Look at what they can do.”

For the Freshmen and others, it’ll be, says Calwell “about I think I can improve on turns, starts, and little innuendoes on my swimming. I need to clean up on the little stuff. They all add up after a while.”

And they do.

The Camas Swim Team ended their season Saturday feeling a lot better than they did at Prelims on Friday, and placed ninth overall in the Washington State 3A Division Championships at the King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way.

“Overall at state I was very pleased by prelims but I was a little disappointed at finals as far as times go,” said Jake Yraceburu.  “But as far as placing on the podium in three of my races I am very excited about that.”

Yraceburu feels he did as much as he could have done at state.

“I gave everything I had in every race I swam,” he said.


Swim1
The state medal the Camas swimmers received
in the 200 free relay for 7th place!

 

Swim2
200 Free Relay: 7th place, consisting of John Utas, Kasey Calwell, Nick Kabel and Jake Yraceburu. 

 

Swim3
200 Medley Relay: 8th place, (far left) consisting of Lucas Ulmer,
Jake Yraceburu, Nick Kabel, and John Utas.

 

Swim4
Camas Freshman Lucas Ulmer competes in the 100 Backstroke
at the State 3A Division Championships in Federal Way, WA.

 He was one of seven Camas swimmers to compete in Saturday’s finals.

“Today went really well,” said Junior Trent Harimoto. “The relays did really well and I got a personal best time in the 400 free relay. I think 100 free might be my event next year because I have gotten really good at it this year. Considering last year we were in 21st place and now we are in ninth it is pretty awesome. Next year we will probably be in the top 8 easily.”

Here is how things shook out:

  • 200 Medley Relay: 8th place, consisting of Lucas Ulmer, Jake Yraceburu, Nick Kabel, and John Utas.
  • 200 Free Relay: 7th place, consisting of John Utas, Kasey Calwell, Jake Yraceburu, and Nick Kabel.
  • 400 Free Relay: 10th place, consisting of Lucas Ulmer, Ian Ulmer, Kasey Calwell, and Trent Harimoto.
  • 200 IM: Lucas Ulmer, 10th; Kasey Calwell, 11th.
  • 100 Backstroke: Lucas Ulmer, 12th place.
  • 100 Breaststroke: Jake tied for 5th place; Kasey Calwell tied for 12th.

Camas placed just five points behind archrival Mountain View, who they handily beat a week earlier at Districts.

Stay tuned for a seasonal wrap up video on the CHS Swim Team.

 

Did you know that every 80 minutes a patient passes away due to the shortage of available organs for transplant? Camas High Senior, Rachel Grant, found that out recently and decided to teach others about organ donation.

Camas High School requires it seniors to complete a “Senior Project,” which can involve shadowing a professional in a given career field, community service, inventions, and anything that challenges the student.

Rachel Grant

Senior Rachel Grant

Seniors submit projects for approval, and once approved, the senior embarks on his or her given project.

So Grant decided to pursue a project focused on organ donation.

She said she had a few experiences that solidified her choice for a Senior Project.

“I was away from home over the summer and had very little to do, so my mind was clear of deadlines and things to remember,” she said. “I was watching TV and retaining just about everything because of the space available in my mind, when a commercial came on, detailing the facts about organ donation. I was touched by the stories of selfless people who simply said ‘yes’ while at the DMV.”

According to LifeCenter Northwest, each ‘yes’ has the potential to save over eight lives and improve the lives of over 100 people.

“So, my Senior Project is based around organ donation,” Grant continued. “I have done extensive research and talked with people who are living donors. I’ve talked with the majority of the Freshmen English classes at Camas High School, informing them of the facts about organ donation, so they could choose, upon receiving their license, to be or not to be an organ donor. I always thought it was strange that people are asked to make a decision that isn’t taught
in driver’s education or any kind of class taught at school. I want people to be informed and make an educated decision.”

Grant worked for months to plan and execute her project, which culminated in a two-day event on February 13-14 at Camas High School. She provided students with all the facts she had available about organ donation.

She had two large posters on which students signed, indicating that they were organ donors. When the students signed the poster, they were given a treat. Dairy Queen donated 10 ‘Free Treat’ coupons, knowing the importance of her project.

As the event concluded, the posters were full of signatures, and the event exceeded her expectations.

“I’m pleased with the overall success and I felt enlightened to know how many students at Camas High School are organ donors,” said Grant.

Organ Donation Facts*:

Fact: The number of individuals in need of transplants continues to grow but the number of people who register to be a donor is not keeping pace.

Fact:
 Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact:
 Every 80 minutes a patient passes away due to the shortage of available organs for transplant.

Fact:
 Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of similar ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic minorities wait twice as long as white Americans for kidney transplants.

Fact:
 Most major religions in
the United States support organ, eye, and tissue donation, seeing it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact:
 If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is saving your life. Organ, eye, and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact:
 There is no discrimination due to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, occupation, social status, financial status, or any other factor when determining who gives or receives an organ.

Fact:
 An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye, and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect, and dignity.

Fact:
 There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Fact:
 Agreeing to donation for research when registering donation wishes for organ, eye, and tissue donation, does not include whole body donation.

The Numbers:

As of February 14th, 2012, there are 112,995 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
There were 12,958 donors in 2011, not nearly as many donors as people waiting for an organ.

*Facts from LifeCenter Northwest and United Network for Organ Sharing

 

Grace Harker
Grace Harker and Paige Jackson sign a posted indicating
they are organ donors. 
Cait Peterson
Cait Peterson is all smiles.

 

Organ Donor Poster
A Camas High School students sign an organ donor poster.

Meet Colleen Hord: Teacher, Writing Specialist, and Book Author.And during the last two years, she’s been extra busy writing 12 books, five of which have been published, with the remaining seven being released later this year. The books cater to grades K-3 and have simple but meaningful titles, such as “My Green Lunch” or “My Safe Community.”  Other titles are: “Clean and Green Energy,” “Need it or Want It? and “What’s my Role?”

“I absolutely love to write,” says Hord. “It’s my passion.”

The books are fun and teach children about recycling, re-using material goods, conserving energy, and being safe. Hord currently teaches second grade at Grass Valley School in Camas, and it’s clear from spending time with the class, they enjoy her books, too.

Student Tyler Vanderwood, 7, says he thinks “the books are good, and they’re good for the earth.”

Kennedy Linton, 8, calls Hord her “favorite person” and loves to read Hord’s books. “She teaches us how to write better,” she adds. “And I like that.”

Hord has cultivated her 30 years of teaching experience and love for writing into a mission. “I want all these kids to learn how to write properly,” she said. “And I get so much joy from that.”

Hord’s teaching career began in 1982 at the Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana.  Her career took her to Wyoming, Arizona and ultimately, Camas, where she started teaching in 1990 at Lacamas Heights.

 

 
Colleen Hord
Colleen Hord is a teacher, writing specialist and author of 12 books.

Since then, she has taught at Helen Baller and Dorothy Fox, where she served as a writing specialist. She spent three years in Washougal, and then returned to the Camas School District. She is in her second year at Grass Valley.Grass Valley is a green school and Hord serves on the Eco team, which helps the school maintain its green certification. “It’s fitting given some of the books I’ve written,” she says.

Rourke Publishing, based in Florida, approached her several years ago to write children’s books. She started the process in 2010. During the course of 18 months, she wrote the 12 books in collaboration with Rourke’s Editor-In-Chief, Luana Mitten.

“Colleen is just wonderful,” says Mitten. “We work well together, and she really has a way of getting content to the right reading level.”

Mitten says Colleen’s experience suited her for the writing projects.

“We choose writers who know the content we seek,” says Mitten. “So we frequently work with teachers who specialize in a given subject area.”

Book production begins in the fall, says Hord, so “I work pretty hard on the weekends between September and December writing the books.”

By Christmas, Hord’s books go into a final manuscript, and then Rourke’s artists go to work on photos and illustrations. The design process lasts until May and the book goes to the printer by July.

“It’s a fun process,” says Hord. “I really get into it and do a lot of research.”

Hord says her experience in the classroom teaching the beginning reader is very helpful to the book writing process. “I can see where the needs are and I address them in the books,” she says.

The exact content of her seven books in production is hush-hush, but we can say four are children’s stories and three are biographies.

Rourke Publishing has been in business for 33 years and caters to both US and international markets. Consumers can buy directly from www.rourkepublishing.com or www.amazon.com (with individual books or collections) and schools can purchase collections by going to www.rourkeclassroom.com, which sells the paper back versions. They come out simultaneously with the hardcover versions.

Mitten wasn’t able to provide exact sales figures, but did say Hord’s books have been re-printed several times already. “They’re good sellers,” she said. “She does an excellent job.”

Scott McCoy, one of Hord’s Grass Valley School colleagues, agrees. “I’ve been impressed with her books and what they teach the children.”

As for what’s next? “More writing,” she says. “And more teaching – I love it!”

By Dr. Marc Davis, DC

A crucial tenet of chiropractic is that the body works as a whole and should be treated as such, not as a series of isolated parts.  Doctors of chiropractic, like Dr Davis, understand that dysfunction in one area of the body will affect function in other areas.  The relationship between whiplash injury and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a clear example of this premise.

Marc Davis

Dr. Marc Davis

Many people don’t realize that sustaining a whiplash injury can affect more than the neck – and that the injury can be long-lasting.  Any accident, even a minor fender bender, may trigger serious conditions.  Vertebral subluxations are areas in the spine where movement is restricted or vertebrae are slightly out of place.

Whiplash injury frequently causes vertebral subluxations, which can, in turn, lead to temporomandibular (or jaw) issues.  Dr. Davis uses gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments to remove vertebral subluxations.

The Whiplash/TMD Link

Many studies link whiplash injury to temporomandibular joint dysfunction – or a dysfunction in the jaw joint.  One 2008 investigation specifically reviewed whether a whiplash injury can lead to TMD.  In the study, researchers examined 187 patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

The investigators found that “TMD could be verified in all patients with WAD.  According to these investigations a craniomandibular disorder (CMD) [disorder of the head and face muscles] was regularly found in patients with WAD and relief from suffering can often not be achieved without treatment of the CMD.” (HNO 2008;56:1114-21.)

Another 2004 analysis compared the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders between individuals with chronic WAD and a control group.  Researchers found that 89 percent of the individuals in the WAD group had severe symptoms of TMD, compared with 18 percent in the control group.  The researchers concluded that “the prevalence of TMD was higher among individuals with chronic WAD. …The results indicate that trauma to the neck also affects temporomandibular function.” (Swed Dent J 2004;28:29.)

Another study found that whiplash injuries often lead to impaired jaw function and eating difficulties.  The investigation compared 50 WAD patients with pain and dysfunction in the jaw-face region with 50 healthy age and sex matched controls without any history of neck injury.

The researchers found that before the accident, study participants in both the healthy and the WAD group reported no or few symptoms.  After the accident, the WAD patients complained of pain and dysfunction during mouth opening, biting, chewing, swallowing and yawning.

They also felt fatigue, stiffness and numbness in the jaw-face region.  In addition, a majority also reported avoiding tough food and big pieces of food and taking breaks during meals.

The researchers concluded that “these observations suggest an association between neck injury and disturbed jaw function and therefore impaired eating behavior.  A clinical implication is that examination of jaw function should be recommended as part of the assessment and rehabilitation of WAD patients.” (Swed Dent J 2008;32:171.)

Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

If you suffer a whiplash injury, it’s essential to schedule a chiropractic evaluation right away, even if you don’t have symptoms.  The doctor will examine not only your neck and spine for signs of injury, but also other areas, including the jaw, that could also be affected.  The doctor will work to correct any related problems, and to prevent any from emerging later.

Research shows that chiropractic care is highly effective in alleviating the pain and discomfort of whiplash injury.  According to a report in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine, chiropractic is “the only proven effective treatment” for chronic whiplash injury.

Investigators pooled data from telephone interviews of 93 (68 female and 25 male) chiropractic patients with chronic whiplash.  Patients were divided into three groups.  Group one suffered neck pain and restricted range of motion.  Group two demonstrated nervous symptom problems.  Group three reported severe neck pain and an “unusual complex of symptoms,” such as blackouts, visual disturbances, nausea and chest pain.

Each participant received an average of 19 chiropractic adjustments over approximately four months.  Altogether, 74 percent of patients improved following chiropractic care.  Specifically, 72 percent of group one, 94 percent of group two and 27 percent of group three benefited from chiropractic adjustments.  Even better, 24 percent of group one and 38 percent of group two became symptom free following chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care for TMD

Receiving regular chiropractic care after sustaining a whiplash injury can keep TMD at bay.  But if you suspect you already have TMD, chiropractic can help get to the source of your discomfort and stop it for good.

In fact, research shows that more and more people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including chiropractic, for relief of TMD.  One recent study examined the use of CAM therapies among 192 patients with TMD.  Nearly two-thirds of the respondents reported using CAM therapies for TMD or a related condition.  In general, respondents who used CAM for their TMD reported being most satisfied with “hands on” CAM therapies, such as chiropractic care (J Orafac Pain 2003;17:224-36).

In another report, a doctor of chiropractic cared for patients suffering from TMD.  Patients were seen three times a week for two weeks and received adjustments to the spine and jaw.  At the end of two weeks, 90 percents of the patients reported significant improvement (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003;26:421-25).

Finally, a case study followed a 30 year-old woman with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.  The patient suffered from nonstop jaw pain for seven years.  The researchers report that “pain radiated from her TMJ into her shoulder and was accompanied by headache, tinnitus, decreased hearing, and feeling of congestion in her right ear.  Symptoms were not reduced by medication or other dental treatments.”

The patient underwent chiropractic care and improved significantly.  During the first five months, her jaw pain decreased; her ability to eat solid foods increased; her headache intensity and frequency diminished; and her ability to open her mouth without pain improved.

After 20 months of chiropractic care, she was symptom-free beyond some fullness of the right cheek.  The researchers concluded that chiropractic care “was beneficial for this patient and merits further study in similar cases” (Altern Ther Health Med 2005;11:70-3.)

Dr. Marc Davis adjusts patients at Davis Family Chiropractic, a thriving wellness-oriented office located next to Fred Meyer in Fisher’s Landing. For FREE monthly tips and community events subscribe to Dr. Davis’ blog “Health Naturally” by going to www.davisfamilychiro.com and clicking on “Blog”.  To schedule a time to meet with Dr. Davis call (360) 823-2225. Mention “Lacamas Magazine” and “Free Scan” to get a free computerized Back and Neck Scan (regularly $210).

DAVIS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC

“For a Lifetime of Standing Tall!”

2415 SE 165TH Avenue, Suite 103

Vancouver, WA 98683

(360) 823-2225

The Camas High School Boy’s Swim Team made waves at Saturday’s 3A District Championship game winning the meet and breaking some records along the way.

The swimmers competed in 11 events against several other schools, including Hudson’s Bay, Columbia River, Mountain View, Kelso, Ft. Vancouver, and Prairie, and won enough points overall for their efforts to capture the District title for their second consecutive year.

District team results are as follows: Camas 409, Mountain View 248, Columbia River 230, Kelso 114, Hudson’s Bay 82, Fort Vancouver 54, and Prairie 32.

During Districts two new CHS school records were set in the 200 Medley Relay and by Jake Yraceburu in the 100 Breastroke.  Kelso High School Pool Records were also set by Senior Nick Kabel in 50 Free, the 200 Free Relay and the 200 Medley relay.

“It feels so good to win the last one!” said Co-Captain and Senior, Ian Ulmer. “Everything was awesome, and the number of people who made state cuts really surprised me.”

 
Kelso Pool
Kelso High School Pool

 

District Champions
Camas High Boy’s Swimming is No. 1!

Swimmers who take the top two spots in every Finals event, or who have previously qualified for state times, will travel to Federal Way next week to compete in the high school State swim meet.

Swimmers are allowed to only compete in four events and only up to three relays. Relays are four-member races. The meet lasted a little less than three hours.

“The meet went perfectly according to plan,” said Kabel. “Swimmer placement was spot on, and the 200 free was great!”

Here’s how Camas did, by event.

200 Yard Medley Relay: Camas placed second with a time of 1:41.00. The relay team consisted of Junior Jake Yraceburu, Ian Ulmer, Freshman Lucas Ulmer, and Freshman John Utas. These four swimmers made state cut.

200 Yard Freestyle: Camas Junior Seth Albert secured placement at state with a second place finish and a time of 1:57.17. Fellow Camas swimmers Max Urbanek placed third, 1:59.65, and Nick Panebianco placed fourth, 2:01.97.

200 Yard Individual Medley (IM): Prairie High School swimmer Jaron Hamlik, who practices daily with the CHS swimmers, placed first. Freshman Kasey Calwell placed second, 2:01.99, and both will compete at state. Lucas Ulmer placed third, 2:02.95, and Ian Ulmer placed fifth, 2:10.10. Jeffery Lee, 2:20.11; Nicholas Burton, 2:32.64; and XinYang Chen, 2.33.45.

50 Yard Freestyle: Kabel handily won this event with a time of :22.32, and broke a pool record. Utas placed third, :22.92,  and Yraceburu placed sixth, :23.17. Other times include: Trent Harimoto, :23.87, Alastair Graham, :24.37, and Joey Stitzel, :24.53.

100 Yard Butterfly: Kabel placed third with a time of :55.67 and Trent Harimoto placed fourth, at :56.70.

100 Yard Freestyle: Utas placed fifth, :51.28, and Co-captain Alastair Graham placed sixth, :53.53. Joey Stitzel, :54:13, and Alec Geenty, :55.74.

500 Yard Freestyle: Max Urbanek placed fifth, 5:19.74, and Nick Panebianco placed sixth, 5:19.62. Other times include: Seth Albert, 5:36.06; Austin Alling, 6:15.32; and Xiangyang Yan, 6:26.38.

200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Camas won this event with Kabel, Harimoto, Calwell and Utas setting a pool record of 1:32.02. These boys are state-bound!

100 Yard Backstroke: Hamlik won this event; Lucas Ulmer placed third but already had a state qualifying time at Thursday’s races; and Freshman CHS swimmer Nick Langer placed fifth, at 1:03.46. Other finishes include: Jeffery Lee, 1:04.42 and Nick Burton, at 1:12.11.

100 Yard Breaststroke: CHS swimmers snagged the top four spots in this event. Yraceburu won the event with a time of 1:01.02; Calwell, second with a time of  1:03.10; Ian Ulmer, third with a time of 1:06.91; and Joey Wunderlich placed fourth with a time of 1:10.02.

400 Yard Freestyle Relay: CHS swimmers Harimoto, Ian Ulmer, Lucas Ulmer and Calwell made state cut with a second place finish, and a time of 3:24.33.

The seniors faced their last District competition of their high school careers and have enjoyed their experience. The team is losing several top competitors, but they are also confident of the team’s future.

“Kasey [Calwell] is an incredible swimmer,” said Ian. “With the times he posted today, I’m pretty sure that over the rest of his high school swimming career, he will continue to improve in all of his events.”

He is also impressed with his brother, Lucas, as well as Utas, Langer, Urbanek and Freshman Ryan Gunther, who competed in his first season of swimming.

“This year we are definitely losing many solid senior swimmers,” said Urbanek. “But I think we have an incredibly strong freshmen team. Kasey is a great breaststroker, Lucas is a really good backstroke and butterfly swimmer, and John Utas is a super fast freestyle sprinter, and me being a distance swimmer, we have some strong freshmen in every event. Along with the freshmen there are many juniors and sophomores this year that are fast and I’m looking forward to some relays in the following years. I really hope that my senior year I can be a part of that fast relay.”

The team has been working hard for months, with many practicing twice daily. It’s a major commitment.

The following is a list of all CHS swimmers who qualified for Districts:

  • Seth Albert
  • Austin Alling
  • Nick Burton
  • Kasey Calwell
  • Jake Charters
  • Xinyang Chen
  • Alec Geenty
  • Alastair Graham
  • Ryan Gunther
  • Trent Harimoto
  • Nick Kabel
  • Nick Langer
  • Jefferey Lee
  • Nick Panebianco
  • Joey Stitzel
  • Ian Ulmer
  • Lucas Ulmer
  • Max Urbanek
  • John Utas
  • Joey Wunderlich
  • Xiangyang Yan
  • Jake Yraceburu

“As much as I like to complain about how long and hard the race (500 Yard Freestyle) can be, I actually like the longer races, said Urbanek. “There is a lot more strategy to the longer races because you have to pace yourself and spread your energy throughout a longer distance. Training for distance races often includes just lots of distance and stamina work in the pool.”

State-bound swimmers will continue to practice, said Coach Mike Bemis, who is assisted daily by Leslie Dahlen.  The swimmers are grateful for their commitment to coaching and making the team better.

Trophy
Co-Captains Ian Ulmer, Nick Kabel and Alastair Graham savor victory.
 Trophy

 

The Papermakers had a great first day at the District Swim Meet on Thursday at Kelso High School as their efforts paid off with qualifying times heading into Saturday’s finals in Kelso.

Camas has qualified 18 out of 22 swimmers for finals. The 200 Medley Relay set a new pool… record and qualified for state going 1:41.28. Relay members were Lucas Ulmer, Jake Yraceburu, Nick Kabel & John Utas. Nick Langer, Nick Panebianco, Max Urbanek and Seth Albert also qualified for finals in the 200 free.

In the 200 IM Kasey Caldwell, Lucas Ulmer, Ian Ulmer, Jeffery Lee, Nicholas Burton and Xinyang Chen qualified for finals. Kasey Calwell qualified for State, as well. In the 50 free qualifying for finals and State were Nick Kabel, John Utas, Jake Yraceburu. Also qualifing for finals were Trent Harimoto, Joey Stitzel & Alistair Graham.

Kabel set a new pool record in the 50 free.

In the 100 butterfly Nick Kabel qualified for state, and also qualifying for finals were Trent Harimoto, Xyangyang Yan, Joey Wunderlich. In the 100 free John Utas, Alistair Graham, Joey Stitzel, Alec Geenty qualified for finals.

In the 500 free qualifying for finals are Max Urbanek, Nicholas Panebianco, Seth Albert, Xiangyang Yan, & Austin Alling. In the 100 back Lucas Ulmer, Nick Langer, Jeffery Lee & Nicholas Burton qualified for finals. In the 100 breast Jake Yraceburu and Kasey Calwell qualified for State; and Ian Ulmer, Joey Wunderlich & XinYang Chen qualified for finals. Camas 200 free & 400 free relays are seated first.

Information provided by Marcia Johnson, of CHS Athletics.

This story is developing …

Relay Team
In the above photo, from left to right: John Utas, Lucas Ulmer, Jake Yraceburu, and Nick Kabel
set a new pool record in the 200 Medley Relay and qualified for state going 1:41.28.

 

Alastair Graham
In the 100 free John Utas, Alistair Graham (pictured above), Joey Stitzel, Alec Geenty qualified for finals.