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City of Camas to Begin Application Process to Fill Vacant Council Seat

Camas, WA —In response to the July 26 resignation of Camas City Council Member Shannon Roberts, the City of Camas will begin accepting applications to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat.

Interested applicants can apply for the remainder of Roberts’ term beginning upon swearing in and ending Nov. 28, 2023.  Applicants must be a resident of the City of Camas, Ward I, and must be a registered voter. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

At the Aug. 15, 2022, Camas City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Hogan will appoint Council Members to work with the City Administrator as the ad-hoc committee to oversee the appointment process, with the goal of having the position filled by the Oct. 3, Council meeting, well in advance of the Oct. 24, 2022, deadline, which per statute would require the appointment to be then made by the Clark County Council.

More information, including application instructions at https://www.cityofcamas.us/city-clerk/page/ward-1-council-vacancy

Applications are also available for pickup from City Hall, 616 NE 4th Ave.

The reason for Roberts’ abrupt resignation is unknown.

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Congresswoman Herrera Beutler Concedes Primary Race to Kent, Perez

VANCOUVER, WA – Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-3rd District) issued the following statement today after finishing outside of the top two in Washington’s primary election:

“Thank you, Southwest Washington, for entrusting me six times with the privilege of representing you in Congress. Ever since I was first elected to this seat I have done my very best to serve my home region and our country. Though my campaign came up short this time, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together for the place where I was raised and still call home.

“Many are things I set out to do: help folks who want to earn a living find good jobs right here, keep our rivers healthy and fishable for years to come, make our health system work better for those who really need care, allow the people here to manage and enjoy their land, and be a voice for those who have slipped between the cracks of government bureaucracy. When I took office, I said we could improve how health care works for Southwest Washington residents. I’m incredibly proud of getting the ACE Kids Act signed into law that helps more low-income kids get life-saving specialty medical care in this country, as well as legislation to tackle the maternal mortality crisis plaguing moms in America. And I’ll always enjoy my conversations in the grocery store with folks who want to chat about the landmark salmon preservation law I fought so hard for.

“Some were pleasant surprises, like growing my family by three wonderful children and in doing so, providing an example for other women that you can serve your country in elected office while raising a young family.

“And some were unexpected and difficult. But I’m proud that I always told the truth, stuck to my principles, and did what I knew to be best for our country.

“I’m incredibly grateful to you for this opportunity, and to my husband Dan for being a rock to me and our family through it all. Serving you in the United States Congress these past twelve years has been the honor of my lifetime.”

Herrera Beutler will complete her term in Congress, which will end on January 3, 2023.

Her concession now opens the door for a two-way race between two political newcomers: Joe Kent, a Republican, and Marie Perez, a Democrat.

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Why Horseback Riding is the Perfect Hobby

Anytime you can get outside and enjoy Mother Nature, you must take advantage of it, especially if you can do it on the back of a beautiful horse. For that and the following reasons, horseback riding proves to be the perfect hobby. 

Mental Boost

Few things are as relaxing as strolling on a trail atop a horse. Not only is it a serene setting to forget about the stresses of everyday life, but it’s nice to have a confidant along for the journey. Having a horse as a companion has a soothing effect on your mind when feeling overwhelmed. 

From staying active and spending time with a furry friend, the serotonin boost you get helps push you through any psychological obstacles in your way. Additionally, riding a horse requires a strong mental acumen, considering you must keep an attentive eye, balance and focus while on the saddle. 

Strengthens the Body

As wonderful as horseback riding is for your mental well-being, it’s just as beneficial physically—for you and the horse. Although horseback riding is a leisurely activity, it requires a lot of physical prowess to control a horse, particularly if you enjoy kicking it up a notch and cantering. 

If it’s your first ride, you’ll likely feel sore around your abdominals and lower back the following day. As you ride more regularly, those aches and pains will fade away.

Riding a horse requires excellent posture; therefore, your hamstrings and quads will feel the brunt of the pain as they keep you upright. But your posture from your strengthened core and upper leg muscles will make any schoolteacher proud. 

Teaches Responsibility 

Being responsible is an essential component of owning and riding a horse. If you are negligent in your care, the horse’s health suffers, making it impossible to ride them. For parents, this is an excellent opportunity to teach their children accountability.

Simple things like brushing their coat, feeding them and changing their water give kids a chance to prove they can put more on their plate. You can also do these tasks together as a family, giving you an opportunity for quality time. 

Fun With or Without Company 

When something is equally enjoyable on your lonesome as it is with a group of friends, it’s an activity worth exploring. Horseback riding falls into that category because hopping on the horse and wandering through the wilderness is as fun by yourself as it is with a company. However, if you are a novice, you should go with a guide or someone else capable of assisting you if an issue develops. 

These reasons prove horseback riding is the perfect hobby for anyone needing a mental and physical boost. There should be an opportunity to hop on a horse regardless of where you live, so take advantage of it. 

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SR 500-NE 182nd Ave: Intersection Improvements, 10-day Road Closure

Vancouver, WA — Beginning as soon as August 3, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will work to construct a roundabout in east Vancouver, between the intersection of Fourth Plain Boulevard, also known as SR 500, and Northeast 182nd Avenue. Crash data collected over a five-year timeframe between 2013 to 2017 showed that this intersection had a significant amount of crashes, most of which were rear-end or T-bone crashes. Installing a compact roundabout at this intersection will improve safety by reducing the potential for these severe types of collisions, while keeping traffic flowing through the intersection. 

What to expect

Once construction begins, travelers can expect construction noise and nighttime single lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Beginning as soon as Wednesday, Aug. 3, the intersection of Fourth Plain and NE 182nd Avenue will be fully closed for 10 days, for the installation of the roundabout. 

During the full closure, a temporary traffic signal will be used at NE 88th Street and Ward Road to help keep the traffic moving safely throughout the area. Travelers will need to use an alternate route and should plan ahead for delays. 

Why roundabouts?

A roundabout at this location offers the greatest safety benefit by reducing the potential for severe collisions, while keeping connectivity and improving travel efficiency through the intersection. 

Studies have shown that roundabouts are safer than traditional stop sign or signal-controlled intersections. The Federal Highway Administration determined that roundabouts can increase traffic capacity by 30 percent to 50 percent compared to traditional intersections. 

For more information about this project visit: 

https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr- 500-ne-182nd-ave-intersection-improvements 

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Creative Ways to Celebrate a Long-Distance Birthday

Don’t let a little bit of distance prevent you from celebrating your loved one’s birthday. Sure, you can’t be there in person, but this doesn’t mean your presence needs to be absent completely. There are plenty of ways to celebrate a long-distance birthday so that they still feel cherished and appreciated.

Send All Their Favorites

Spoil them rotten and send a huge gift basket with all their favorite items. These are the perfect gifts for when you can’t be there because it shows that you are always thinking about them. You also get to test your knowledge of how well you know them depending on what you put inside the gift.

Add their favorite snacks and beverages, but take it a step further and include some old photos inside the care package. Little mementos of your greatest moments together drive the point home that you love and care about them.

Video Birthday Cards

Instead of sending a classic birthday card from the store, add a personal touch to it. Create a video birthday card and pour your heart out. You can film yourself sitting down and talking to them, or you can combine several videos in one.

Ask a few others to join the video and have everyone share one of their favorite memories with the birthday boy or girl.

Virtual Parties for the Win

Don’t assume that you don’t have to do much planning because the party is virtual. Treat this virtual birthday party as you would an in-person one. You need to ensure everyone’s schedules match up, and if you plan on making it a surprise, you need to keep the guest of honor in the dark.

Start planning a least a month in advance, getting in touch with everyone you know who needs to be there. Start a chat with them all to see their availability. Ask the honoree what plans they have for their birthday and adjust your plans to fit their schedule.

Send out a link for everyone to join and then, at the last minute, contact the birthday boy or girl so that they can participate. Make sure everyone joins before you invite them into the call. Prepare some games for everyone to play and stories to share because you don’t want to just stare at each other all night.

Dinner Movie Date

Dinner and a movie is always a special gift. You can’t be there in person, but with this option, you can spend that quality one-on-one time that you guys miss. Make the day completely about them and have dinner ordered and sent over to their house so that they don’t need to lift a finger.

Get a meal from their favorite restaurant, and don’t forget to include dessert. You’ll need to blow out the candles with them virtually for it to be equally special. Plus, since you don’t have to worry about paying for multiple movie tickets, choose a couple of different films.

Go with some of their classic favorites, and then add a film neither of you has seen. That way, you get to share a new experience together.

Long distance doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate their birthday, and it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t make it special.

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Speedo Sectionals Returns to Mt. Hood CC; 4 Make Olympic Trials Times

Gresham, OR – Nearly 600 athletes from all over western part of the United States returned to Mt. Hood Community College this past weekend to compete at the Speedo Sectionals swim meet.

It’s the first time in three years that Mt. Hood CC hosted the event due to COVID-19 shutdowns and massive facility renovations. And, the meet didn’t disappoint: FOUR athletes made Olympic Trials times, with many other making Nationals and Future cuts.

“We were closed for more than two years,” said Andrew Jackman, Aquatics Manager for the Mt. Hood CC Long Course pool. “And, we just re-opened in May.”

Jackman said the pool renovations were extensive, which included new pumps.

“We were ready for Sectionals,” he added. “The total count according to my records was 59 total teams, representing 594 student-athletes, from seven states. The meet went great! We were so excited here at MHCC to be able to host a large national-level swim meet after the long closure from March 2020-May 2022. It was very successful and everyone seemed very pleased with the results. We are also looking forward to hosting OSI Championships this coming week from 7/21-7/24 as well with over 700 swimmers expected to be in attendance.”

Four swimmers made Olympic Trials qualifying times: 

  • Michael Hochwalt, SWAT (Spokane), 400 IM (4:23.8)
  • Diego Nosack, Tualatin Hills Swim Club (Beaverton), 400 IM (4:22.00)
  • Katherine Adams, Tualatin Hills Swim Club (2:29.41)
  • Helen Noble, Phoenix Swim Club, 100 Back (1:01.24)

“I’ve been swimming for 10 years,” said Hochwalt. “I’ve been working three years to get that cut. Driving to practice every day, working hard. Putting all that effort in, and it feels nice that it pays off. I’m happy but not satisfied with it.”

He explained that he needs to qualify for the Olympic trials beginning in November (when the 2024 qualifying period begins), so this time doesn’t guarantee a spot.

Video Report

Click here to watch the video report: https://youtu.be/Q6miUkI2WG0

“I have to get the cut again, but considering I got it now, and I have two more years to get it again, and I’m dropping pretty rapidly right now I should continue to get even more than that cut,” he said.

Sectionals
Diego Nosack completes an event. He made an Olympic Trials cut in the 400 IM.
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Camas Days Parade Features Marquita Call as Grand Marshal on July 23

Following two years of pandemic related restrictions, the Camas Days Hometown Festival is roaring back to life on Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24th. One of the highlights is the Camas Days Parade which attracts more than 10,000 spectators. This year, Marquita Call will serve as Grand Marshal. Marquita was named business person of the year by the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce in 2021. 

Marquita Call was raised in Camas and has deep roots here. Her dad, Art Gaiani, built more than 50 homes in Camas. Her grandmother Marie Eymer played piano at the Liberty Theatre when it opened in 1927. Marquita graduated Camas High School in 1962. Her first job was at the Ideal Corner Cafe at the age of 15. She also worked at Dairy Queen with classmate Denis Hayes, the International Chairman of Earth Day. She and her friends started the first recycling center in Camas in the late 60s. She taught Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Church for 20 years, where her mother Lenora Gaiani served as superintendent. 

Marquita has owned Camas Gallery for the past 12 years. Her gallery has been voted Best of Clark County for seven years in a row. In 2012, the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) honored Marquita with its “Something New” award and then in 2013, the DCA presented her with its “Spirit Award.” 

Marquita is known for her infectious personality. She welcomes visitors to her gallery with warmth and enthusiasm and freely shares her historic knowledge of Camas. One visitor claimed Marquita is to Camas what Dolly Parton is to Pigeon Forge, TN.

“One thing that will never change about Camas is its sense of wellness,” says Marquita. “I love this very special town,” she said. 

In addition to the popular Saturday Camas Days parade, a children’s parade is on Friday, July 22 at 12:15 pm. Most of the events continue over two days, Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23. Two day events include a beer and wine garden with live music from 5 pm to 11 pm along with a street festival featuring more than 80 artisans and vendors, and family fun on Kids’ Street, open from 11 am to 8 pm. Visit CWChamber.com to download full schedule of events. For more information, contact Camas Washougal Chamber at 360-834-2472. 

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Kelly O’Rourke Hired as New Camas High School Principal

Camas School District (CSD) Superintendent Dr. John Anzalone announced today the hiring of Kelly O’Rourke as the next principal at Camas High School. 

O’Rourke joins Camas from Clark County School District in Nevada, where she served as principal at elementary, middle, and high school levels. In 2019, she supported schools at the district level and oversaw assessment, accountability, research, and school improvement.

“Kelly O’Rourke’s values and experiences are a wonderful match for the Camas community. She will bring a spirit of collaboration and rich experience leading inclusive, welcoming school environments,” said CSD Board member Tracey Malone.

Superintendent Anzalone stated, “We are excited to welcome Kelly to Camas and have staff, families, and students learn more about this engaging leader known for her leadership that promotes organization, discipline, focus, and flexibility.” 

O’Rourke is adept in many diverse areas of leadership. Specifically, areas of administrative collaboration that lead to increased student achievement, school improvement, data analysis, professional development and instruction, and designing systems and structures that build effective professional learning communities. She also has a proven track record of unifying diverse school communities through genuine collaboration with students, staff, and parents.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Camas High school alongside a dedicated staff, spirited student body, and supportive parent community. I look forward to learning about the rich traditions that have proven to build excellence in education and work to increase the trajectory of success,” stated O’Rourke. “I advocate for hard work, accountability, transparency, and clear communication.”

Anzalone’s previous position was Assistant Superintendent of Clark County School District in Nevada. He started his new role leading CSD on July 1, 2022.

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CSD Asst. Superintendent Williams Accepts Position at Evergreen Public Schools

Camas, WA — On Wednesday, Camas School District (CSD) Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Charlene Williams, a champion of student equity programs, announced via email she has accepted a position as Deputy Superintendent at Evergreen Public Schools. She has been employed by CSD since 2016.

This is her email: 

Dear Camas Family,

“It has been my honor and pleasure to work and serve alongside you these last few years. I have learned so much with and from you. I will be serving as the new Deputy Superintendent for Evergreen Public Schools and wishing the best for each of you as we continue on our journey to see and serve each and every student.

With love and gratitude,

Dr. W

Williams received WASA’s 2022 Columbia River Region Award of Merit for effective leadership.

“Dr. Williams has been a tremendous champion in the Camas School District, as well as Clark County, ensuring that our students and families experience equity in access and opportunities,” Camas School District Interim Superintendent Doug Hood said in a news release. “She understands the power of coming together to learn by listening to our students and families who have been historically marginalized, and by engaging our community in a dialog to reflect on our own beliefs, deepen understanding, and work together to create equitable systems and practices.”

Camas High School is also seeking to replace its principal, Tom Morris, who is returning to his role as Associate Principal at CHS.

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The Most Common Uses for Aluminum Extrusions

Many people don’t realize just how widespread and dependable aluminum extrusions are in their everyday products, appliances and even vehicles. To help you better understand how and why aluminum has become so pervasive, here are some of the most common uses for aluminum extrusions throughout a variety of industries.

Construction

As you may have expected, aluminum extrusions are a very effective and popular building material. They provide superb internal structural support, and you can find them around buildings in the form of handrails, door frames, windows and other various details. In fact, people often use aluminum extrusions for aesthetic design simply because they provide a sleek and modern appeal. Thanks to their strength and lightweight attributes, aluminum extrusions can be incorporated practically anywhere.

Transportation

The transportation industry has adopted extrusions in the creation of as many vehicle models as possible, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most common uses for aluminum extrusions. The strength of aluminum matches those of other metals traditionally used in cars, trucks and more. But more importantly, the lightweight trait of these extrusions makes them far more efficient. The lighter a vehicle is, the more fuel-efficient it can be since the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to move the entire vehicle. Think about how older cars used to be so much heavier because they used materials like stainless steel.

Industrial

Any industrial facility will also make use of aluminum extrusions as a practical and efficient material. Aluminum extrusions are very easy to craft and mold into specific designs, allowing for quick and effective construction of applications like tables, carts, manufacturing equipment and more. Furthermore, aluminum extrusion machine guards make heavy machinery so much safer for operation by reducing the likelihood of workers coming into contact with dangerous components.

Home Décor

Where you may least expect aluminum extrusions is in home décor. You may own indoor and outdoor furniture that uses aluminum extrusions in its construction. This helps ensure furniture is long-lasting but not too heavy to move around as you see fit. Extrusions are also used in art pieces or picture frames for that sleek and modern appearance the construction industry also takes advantage of.

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