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47th Annual GRO Parade of Homes Returns to Clark County Sept. 5-21

Six state of the art homes on display at a single site

Vancouver, WA — The Building Industry Association of Clark County presents the 47th annual GRO Parade of Homes, a showcase of the Pacific Northwest’s finest home architecture, design, and construction, September 5-21, 2025 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at The Nines at Camas Meadows (4700 NW Camas Meadows Drive) in Camas.

Featuring the latest in high-end home construction from Pacific Lifestyle Homes, Urban NW Homes, NW Fortune Development, and NR Construction Concepts, the GRO Parade of Homes will offer a walk-through experience of six homes. Each home boasts open-air living spaces, and state of the art home technology, appliances, lighting, plumbing, textures, and colors. Trusted builders, designers, and real estate professionals will be on-site to answer questions and offer insights. 

“This year’s GRO Parade of Homes demonstrates that the future of liveability is not relegated to square footage,” says Alexa Lee, president of the Building Industry Association of Clark County. “From condo living to expansive dream homes, we have something in every size for today’s home buyer or renovator.”

Several special events will be a part of this year’s GRO Parade of Homes.

  • VIP Night – Thursday, September 4th, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Celebrate the GRO Parade of Homes opening night with first access to the home tour. Presenting sponsor NW Natural will cater dinner. (21 and over, VIP tickets are available HERE for $80 advance purchase or $125 day of the event). 
  • Hero Day – Sunday, September 14th, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm First responders and teachers with valid ID get $3 off full price admission and active or retired military will receive free admission.
  • Designer Day – Wednesday, September 10th Industry designers will gain complimentary admission by turning in their business card and photo ID  at entrance. A special industry networking happy hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm will be held for extra purchase. 
  • Industry Day – Thursday, September 11th, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm A networking event with refreshments will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Admission is free for local builders and realtors with a business card and photo ID at entry. General paid admission for the reception is also available for $45.

Homes are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the event span. Parking will be located across the street from the Nines at Camas Meadows. Tickets can now be purchased for $15 per person at groparadeofhomes.com and on-site during the event. 

About The Building Industry Association
The Building Industry Association of Clark County is the region’s leading building industry and small business advocate. The organization promotes and protects the building industry through a multi-faceted approach to government affairs, public relations and professional development. 

Parade
Parade

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Paddle for Life Festival Brings Community Together for a Day of Racing, Wellness

Annual event raises funds and awareness for breast cancer survivors

RIDGEFIELD, WA – The Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival returns to the Port of Ridgefield this Saturday, August 2, for a full day of racing, community connection and family fun, all in support of breast cancer survivors in Clark County.

More than 50 dragon boat teams will compete in fast-paced, head-to-head heats along a 250-meter course on Lake River. The festival kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m., followed by a special breast cancer survivor heat that honors the strength and resilience of those impacted by the disease. Races continue throughout the day, culminating in an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Off the water, guests can enjoy an expanded vendor village with food, artisan goods, wellness services and cancer awareness resources.

Proceeds support the Catch-22 Ospreys, Southwest Washington’s only all breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, helping provide access to paddling and funding outreach that fosters healing, connection and early detection awareness.

Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival

  • When: Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Where: Port of Ridgefield Kayak Launch, 109 W Division St, Ridgefield, WA 98642
  • Admission: Free | Family-friendly | Free Parking Available

The event is made possible by generous community partners, including the Port of Ridgefield, the City of Ridgefield and Compass Oncology. Donations are welcome online or in person at the festival.

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Gluesenkamp Perez, Rouzer Introduce Bill to Strengthen Forestry Career Pathways

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Reps. David Rouzer (NC-07) introduced the bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act, which will connect young people with rewarding careers and training in forestry. The bill would create a grant program for nonprofit organizations, state governments, and colleges to utilize for workforce training in forestry-related fields – helping prepare students for jobs in the U.S. Forest Service and in the timber industry.

Inspired by the Forest Youth Success program in Skamania County, the Jobs in the Woods Act will provide workforce training opportunities to inspire the next generation of forestry workers. With most of the forest manufacturing industry located in rural areas, this bill will give individuals the opportunity to learn skills that can serve them and their communities.

The Jobs in the Woods Act would:

  • Create education programs for states, nonprofits, and colleges through grants of $500,000 to $2,000,000
  • Create the programs in rural and low-income areas to spur economic development, bringing thousands of dollars of investments into rural communities
  • Create a pool of talented, trained, and qualified applicants to fill job openings in forestry-related industries
  • Partner with programs that have proven to help students find forestry industry jobs and programs that engage with their local communities

“Our timber communities want to be self-sufficient, and our kids shouldn’t feel like they need to move away from home to do something of value,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act will honor Southwest Washington’s timber heritage by setting our next generation up with the skills they need to work in our woods.”

“North Carolina’s forestry industry is a driving force for our rural economy. The Jobs in the Woods Act supports the hardworking men and women who keep our forests healthy and our rural economies strong,” said Rep. Rouzer. “This bill invests in the next generation of skilled workers, revitalizing our communities, and ensuring America’s forestry industry remains competitive for decades to come.”

“The American Forest Resource Council supports the Jobs in the Woods Act as an investment in careers essential to restoring forest health, reducing wildfire risks, and creating family-wage jobs. By establishing regional training hubs and career pathways, this bipartisan bill will expand opportunities in public land management and the timber industry – empowering more young adults to stay and work in the rural communities they call home,” said AFRC President/CEO Travis Joseph. “A skilled workforce in both the woods and mills is critical to meeting the nation’s needs for healthier forests through active forest management and lumber made here in the USA. We urge Congress to pass the Jobs in the Woods Act and help grow the next generation of forestry professionals.”

“We applaud Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, Congressman Thompson, and Congressman Rouzer for introducing the Jobs in the Woods Act. This bipartisan legislation will help address critical workforce shortages by equipping a new generation with the skills needed to manage and sustain our working forests. By supporting training programs for forestry careers, this bill is a direct investment in rural communities, landowners, and the long-term health of our forests,” said Craig Anderson, Vice President of Government Affairs of the Forest Landowners Association. “We thank these Members for championing meaningful solutions for the forestry sector.”

“The forest products industry in North Carolina contributes approximately $40.5 billion to our state’s economy annually. That impact would not be possible without the 5,000 men and women working in our state’s logging sector. Their hard work bridges the gap between standing timber and wood processing facilities that make many of the products our society depends on every day,” said John Hatcher. Executive Director of the North Carolina Forestry Association. “To prepare the next generation of forestry leaders, we must continue to provide resources that foster these career pathways so that we can further strengthen our economy in NC’s forestry sector and beyond”

The forest products industry is one of the U.S. economy’s largest manufacturing sectors, supporting over 930,000 families and contributing $295 billion annually. Consumers rely on loggers, haulers, pulp and paper mills, paper packaging plants, and lumber facilities to manufacture a variety of everyday products.

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez urged the Administration to refrain from cuts to federal workers that could negatively impact timber production, wildfire readiness, and recreation in Southwest Washington. Following the President’s Executive Order to increase domestic lumber production on federal lands, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez expressed support for an approach that prioritizes small, independent logging, trucking, and mill operators.

Earlier this year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s provisions were signed into law to extend eligibility for the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) for federal forest restoration and management projects to Tribes and counties to increase opportunities for cross-boundary restoration. In March, she introduced the bipartisan Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act to improve markets for forest products.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.

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Movies in the Park to Run at Dorothy Fox Elementary for 2025

Camas, WA — The popular Movies in the Park series coordinated byCamas Parks & Recreation will be held at Dorothy Fox Elementary school starting Friday, Aug. 1, with the showing of the 2023 summer blockbuster Barbie (rated PG-13). 

This year’s free movies will take place at Dorothy Fox Elementary, 2623 NW Sierra St., with movies shown every Friday in August.  Movies are family-friendly and begin at dusk with pre-movie activities (crafts and/or games) taking place one hour prior to show time.

This year’s movie lineup includes:

  • Barbie (PG-13) – August 1, at 8:45 pm
  • Wicked (PG) – August 8, at 8:30 pm
  • Lilo & Stitch (Animated) (PG) – August 15, at 8:30 pm
  • A Minecraft Movie (PG) – August 22, at 8:15 pm
  • Moana 2 (PG) – August 29, at 8 pm

Attendees are welcome to bring dinner, snacks, or they can purchase novelty treats (i.e. popcorn, candy, etc.) on site.  Bring chairs or blankets for seating and note that, to allow fair viewing, chairs are placed in one half of the park viewing area and blankets in the other half.  Please note that alcohol and animals are not allowed on school grounds. 

This is a free event with no registration required. Camas’ Movies in the Park series is sponsored by Camas United Methodist Church.

For more information on the annual Movies in the Park series, visit www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec and click on the Special Events button or call 360-834-5307.

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New Book Camas Pioneers Shares Untold Stories of Early Camas Families

A newly published book, Camas Pioneers by Sally Alves, offers a heartfelt and meticulously researched look at the families who helped shape early Camas. Alves, who lived in the historic John Roffler house across from Top Burger Drive-In in the 1990s, first developed her passion for local history while researching her home for the county historic register. That work led to the publication of John Roffler, Camas Craftsman by the historic commission, inspiring her to delve deeper into the stories of Camas’ earliest settlers.

For five years, Alves visited local museums, libraries, county courthouses, and historical societies across Washington and Oregon. She pored over old newspapers, census records, land deeds, graveyards, and oral histories, building detailed files on dozens of pioneer families.

“Researching a book of this kind can take years, and in my case, it did,” said Alves.

She even tracked down and interviewed living descendants, ensuring each family’s story was accurate and approved. Alves completed the manuscript in the late 1990s and then she rewrote and edited it in 2010. But challenges in funding and a computer crash kept it from publication, until now.

Volunteers Madeline Mesplay and Rene Carroll of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS), lightly edited the manuscript and located replacement images. They also worked with April Pereira of Lymantria Press to prepare the manuscript for print. 

“At long lastCamas Pioneers has finally come to life,” said Carroll. “Sally’s research and storytelling are excellent. It’s very well written and fascinating to read.”

Now living in Arizona and turning 90 this September, Alves shared that she complete much of the book while working full time and undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 

“It only made me more determined to finish it,” she said. “This book was written with love of Camas.”

In appreciation, Alves donated the copyright to the CWHS, which now receives all proceeds from sales. 

Camas Pioneers

“As someone Camas-grown, it was amazing to learn about the people behind familiar names like Leadbetter, Stoller, Farrell, and Tidland,” said Julianne Lawrence, director of the Two Rivers Heritage Museum. “Sally’s writing style brings local history to life.”

Camas Pioneers is available for $19.95 plus tax at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum (1Durgan Street, Washougal. Open Saturdays noon–4 pm through October), on Amazon, and during Downtown Camas First Friday events at the museum table.

“Sally has done an incredible job of preserving the stories of these families who made such a difference in the formation of Camas,” Lawrence added. “Whether your family has lived in Camas for many years or even generations, or you’re new to the area and interested in the rich history of the Pacific Northwest, you will enjoy this book.”

Families Featured in Camas Pioneers

Henry Monroe Knapp, Joel Coffey, Lewis Van Vleet, Dr. Louisa Wright, Horace Belding, D. Montgomery Payne, Henry Pittock & Fred Leadbetter, The Tidland Family, J. J. Harrington, Lorenz & Karnath Families, Archibald Duncan McKever, Charles Farrell & James Farrell, J. T. Self & Nora E. Self, Robert Stoller & Fred Stoller, Wilmer Swank, O. F. Johnson, Aeneas MacMaster, Allan Duffin, Richard Cowan & John Cowan, Hugh MacMaster, Albert M. Blake, Robert N. “Bob” Gaines, Robert W. Carmack, Wilber E. Farr/Farr Brothers, Jessie D. Belknap, Archie E. Bird, M.D. and William Baz.

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CWFD Nationally Recognized for Quality Care for Heart Attacks and Strokes

Camas, WA – The Camas-Washougal Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS SilverAchievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

This award recognizes CWFD’s excellent care for STEMI and Stroke patients through seven metrics measured in the 2024 calendar year. The metrics are listed below with the CWFD’s percentage listed in bold.

Mission: Lifeline EMS Award Stats:

  • American Heart Association EMS1: Pre-arrival notification for suspected stroke – 100%
  • American Heart Association EMS2: Documentation of last known well for patients with suspected stroke – 99.25%
  • American Heart Association EMS3: Evaluation of blood glucose for patients with suspected stroke – 90%
  • American Heart Association EMS4: Stroke Screen Performed and Documented – 100%
  • American Heart Association EMS5: 12-lead ECG performed within 10 minutes for suspected heart attack – 77.5%
  • American Heart Association EMS6: Aspirin administration for STEMI-positive ECG – 100%
  • American Heart Association EMS7: Pre-arrival notification ≤ 10 minutes for STEMI positive ECG – 100%

“This recent award is a testament to our team’s commitment to providing the highest level of care to those we serve,” said CWFD EMS Division Chief, Shaun Ford. “I’m thankful for the dedication our First Responders bring every day, and I know the public is too.”

Silver was the highest-level award CWFD could receive this year, as this was their first year submitting the data. If the CWFD can maintain this level of care, next year they will be eligible for a Gold award.

Mission: Lifeline EMS® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems.

About Mission: Lifeline

Mission: Lifeline EMS® recognition is the American Heart Association’s program that recognizes prehospital emergency agencies for their quality of care for heart attack and stroke patients. The recognition program focuses on transforming care quality by connecting all heart attack and stroke care components into a seamlessly integrated care system. Key tenets of these systems of care reinforce evidence-based guidelines and measure performance, identify gaps, and engage in quality improvement.

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Annual Camas Days Festival Coming July 25-26

Camas, WA — The 49th Annual Camas Days Festival is coming July 25-26! The C-W Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce some fantastic new additions! Beginning with the Beer and Wine Garden. This year, the Camas Days Beer and Wine Garden will look a little different than previous years. There will be five new musical acts gracing the stage over the weekend. The C-W Chamber is pleased to welcome the opening band, The Sarah Lodge Band, and their headliner, Freight Train Jayne. Both bands will be performing on Friday evening. Saturday, The Beer Garden will open to all ages from 2 pm to 5 pm, with musical guests, The Light Fantastic. After the little ones leave the garden, the opening band, The Andrew Matthews Band and the Headlining band, River Divide will take the stage. 

The C-W Chamber is also excited about their new collaboration with The North Bank Brewers. In addition to the usual offerings provided by C-W Chamber partners at The Odom Corporation, North Bank Brewers will be hosting several local breweries including C-W Chamber of Commerce Members Trap Door Brewing. 

On Friday, the Kid’s Parade will march down 4th Avenue at 12:15 pm. and on Saturday, the Main Parade, “Broadway Comes To Camas, It’s Showtime” will start at 11 am.  There will be bands, dignitaries, drill teams, floats, animals, the beloved toilet paper tossing hosted by Georgia Pacific, and more. This year the parade Grand Marshal is Camas High School Band Director, Richard Mancini, in honor of his decades of service at Camas High School. 

Immediately following the grand parade is the iconic Bathtub Race located between the Camas Library and City Hall. Firefighters are on hand cooling the crowd down with water hoses!  Come watch as Camas Police Chief, Tina Jones Kicks off the races as the Camas Days Flag Woman. Bathtub Race Registration is available here:  www.cwchamber.com. The first 14 teams to sign up will get to participate.

Kids Street is going to be a blast this year. The C-W Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with Mikes Party Rentals. Mikes will be bringing out the largest inflatable obstacle course in Clark County as well as some other bouncy favorites. Shoot 360 will be there hosting some fun basketball contests, Drop the Mic will be hosting Karaoke on Kids Street all day long both Friday and Saturday, come by, sing a song with them and get a free Drop the Mic T-Shirt. Big Als, and Hops N Drops will also be on Kids Street with some fun activities and giveaways. Wrist bands for the inflatables and games are $8 each and they are good for the entire day. 

The Camas Days Festival is a two-day block party of fun, craft vendors, informational vendors, food, drinks, and entertainment for everyone.  More than 115 craft and commercial vendors, 13 food vendors in the food court, and a new section will be available for young entrepreneurs.   

Another new collaboration with C-Tran will make getting to Downtown Camas for the Camas Days Grand Parade just a little easier. This year you can park at Camas High School and take a shuttle provided by C-Tran to Downtown Camas. The Shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes on Saturday July 26th from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Columbian’s Best of Clark County rated Camas Days Hometown Festival the second-best festival in Clark County, second only behind the Clark County Fair. We are honored to receive this recognition!  

Camas Days
Camas Days
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First Annual CHS PAPERMAKERS Alumni Swim Meet a Major Success

The Camas High School swim team organized their first annual Alumni swim meet this past weekend at Gold’s Gym. Thirty-five Papermaker alumni ranging from the Class of 2011 to the Class of 2025 came back with their friends and families. 

The Alumni were incredibly competitive with current CHS swimmers winning more than half of the events, but the CHS team ended up winning the meet: 1608.5 points for CHS to 1304.5 for the Alumni.

Kayla Yraceburu got the Oldest returning Alumni award. Callum Brown got the award for the alumni who traveled the farthest (he is going to college in Scotland). Nathan Kim won the Alumni MVP award, and CHS boys assistant coach Jake Yraceburu got “stand out performance” “still fast for at least one swim.

The swim team also presented the first CHS record board and honored two current record holders who attended the meet: Campbell Deringer (Class of 2023 and Lila McGeachy Class of 2025).

“We had a ton a fun races and relays including an impromptu canon ball entry- corkscrew relay where all 12 relays of guys and girls decided to do cannonballs instead of dives and a combo of freestyle and backstroke for the swim,” said CHS Swim Coach, Kelly Dean. “It was a ton of fun, a great fundraiser and the start of a new tradition to celebrate the incredible community of Camas swimming!” 

Swim
Photo credit: Hollianne Yraceburu.
Swim
Photo credit: Hollianne Yraceburu.
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FISH Vancouver Receives Over 30,000 Pounds of Food From LDS Church

Vancouver, WA  — FISH Vancouver received over 30,000 pounds of food and household supplies Thursday from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The donation comes at a time of high need for many individuals and families due to school letting out for the summer. For more than 50 years, FISH Vancouver has provided food to the Clark County community, growing from operating in a garage, then later to a rented church space and now to their own large warehouse in Downtown Vancouver. The organization serves thousands of individuals every year.

“We are grateful to be able to make this donation to FISH, as they do so much to help individuals and families in the Clark County community,” said Ryan LeBaron, Vancouver West Stake President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “As followers of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are pleased to join FISH in striving to live the Second Great Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are thankful for generous donations from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who made this particular donation possible, and for other friends and neighbors who also give of themselves to lift up those in need. We hope and pray that the food and items in this donation will sustain those who need it most.”

What: Over 30,000 pounds of food were delivered to FISH Vancouverfrom The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, to benefit families in need. The food donation includes mixed canned goods, dry pasta, flour and other necessary household staples such as liquid dish soap and automatic dishwasher detergent.

Where: Food was delivered to FISH at 906 Harney St., Vancouver, WA 98660

When: Thursday, June 12, 2025

Fish
Photo credit: Karl Stum.
Fish
Photo credit: Karl Stum.
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Copperworks Artist David Gerton Presents ‘War Bonnets’

Hello Art Lovers. Sure Happy It’s Thursday which is kinda like TGIF except different letters. 

Continuing with the Native American Art Series, here is the first WAR BONNETS piece by Copper Works artist David M. Gerton! 

War Bonnets are feathered headdresses traditionally worn by male leaders of the American Plains Indians Nations, who have earned a place of great respect in their tribes. In old times they were sometimes worn into battle, but primarily used for ceremonial occasions. They are seen as items of great spiritual and political importance, and should only be worn by those who have earned the right and honor through formal recognition by their people. There are no formal rules as to design, which can vary from tribe to tribe and contain different materials. In the 19 century many contained trade beads, Eagle feathers, animal bones and pelts, shells, turquoise and gemstone embellishments, and stroud cloth a material made from heavy wool used in blankets such as the Hudson Bay blankets that were traded with the Native Americans of North America. 

Prior to European contact, there were no horse cultures, but they flourished after the introduction of horses in the 17th century and through the late 19th century. This was when their historic nomadism became an armed resistance to domination by the governments and military forces of Canada and the United States.

This piece is a mixed media, Copper, alcohol ink, acrylic, and Crystal resin. It is a Diptych simply titled “WAR BONNET”. 19” high by 25” wide in an antique gold shadow box frame. On the left is Chief Redfeather, who may have lived on or around Red Feather, Lakes, and the Village of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. On the right is “CHIEF”. CHIEF could be from any number of tribes on the plains but is most likely Lakota Sioux. 

THIS IS THE ARTIST’S FAVORITE WORK’.

FIND THE HEARTS!  There are two of them.

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