This weekend is loaded with events, starting with today’s “A Wedding to Remember” in downtown Camas, which begins at 2 pm with the wedding, and then a slew of festivities from 5-8 pm.

Boys Varsity Hoops

The boys play Battle Ground at Evergreen today at 5 pm. A Papermaker win will open the door for the boys to enter the playoffs.

Boys Wrestling — District Tournament

The boys will compete for the 4A Greater St. Helens League title on Saturday at Camas High School. The doors open at 8 am, with competition beginning at 9 am. The Papermakers won Districts in 2016.

“We’re looking forward to a great competition,” said Camas Head Coach, Cory Vom Baur.

General admission for District Wrestling is $10 for adults, and $7 for students with ASB. $4 for senior citizens and elementary students. Doors will not open to the public until 8 am. Public entry is at the North Commons.

Science Olympiad

The Camas Science Olympiad team hosts the annual Camas Invitational. The 23 events for the day begin at 9, with most students competing in three to four events. Awards will be presented late in the afternoon. To learn more about Science Olympiad, click here: Camas Science Olympiad

Olympiad

Robotics

Girls Wrestling — Sub Regionals

The competition begins at 10 am at Washougal High School.

Unified Basketball

The Unified Basketball tournament continues on Saturday at Mountain View High School — beginning at 9 am. This is a great experience for all involved.

Dance Invitational

The girls will dance the day away at Mt. View High School — beginning at 9 am.

Gymnastics — District Tournament

The girls compete for the District title at Battle Ground High School on Saturday — beginning at noon. The team hasn’t lost a league meet for the past five years.

 

Gymnastics

Camas HIgh School Gymnastics team.

 

Everyone loves a wedding so we are especially excited to announce that for the First Friday in February, 2018, we will be hosting a wedding in Downtown Camas where everyone gets to be a part!!

It will be a “Wedding Affair to Remember”! Nick Calais and Tami Weidert—who are big First Friday attenders and ambassadors—will say “I do” in front of friends and family and the community is invited as well! Nick and Tami have been to each First Friday since April 2015 and have made so many friends and connections over the years. They have a true heart for our community and what First Fridays bring and they want to share the First Friday experience with all their friends and family—and want you to come, too!

The theme each February traditionally has been “A Chocolate Affair to Remember” so for Feb 2018 it will be “A Wedding Affair to Remember!”

It will be a giant downtown wide wedding celebration! The ceremony will be held at the Liberty Theatre at 2pm (community is invited!). Our Camas Mayor Scott Higgins will marry them. Tami will carry a paper bouquet (including toilet paper of course!) in honor of our town’s heritage. Cake Happy will provide the wedding cake and food from all the downtown restaurants will be served at an outside celebration with lighted tents, music, dancing, games and more! Your Party & Event Center is generously sponsoring the event. There will be wedding themed specials and activities all through town.

Wedding

Photo courtesy of Downtown Camas Association.

A Wedding Show with local vendors will be set up in Journey Church, 304 NE 4th, from 5-8pm as part of the theme including Your Big Day (wedding dresses, tuxedos, honeymoon travel planning), truly scrumptious (wedding cakes and treats), blu box art (photography), Whispering Waters Farm (wedding event venue), Chickabloom Floral Studio (wedding bouquets and flowers), Whimsy Chocolates, Mandi MOON artistry (certified makeup artist), Your Party & Event Center (wedding rentals), Formal Flush (luxury portable restrooms) and more.

Even more amazing fun in the works for the Nick & Tami – The Wedding Affair to Remember!! Not only will there be the wedding, there will be treats too! truly scrumptious will provide an array of deliciousness throughout town. There will be four locations to choose from, the tent(which will be located on Cedar Street), Attic Gallery, Arktana and Journey Community Church – Brownies, cookies, rainbow krispy treats, marshmallow pops, Mini pies, Sea salt caramel apple pie, mini cupcakes and snack station and more! We can’t wait! #downtowncamaslove #hiphipcalais

For the passport activity in the evening from 5-8pm, merchants will have their wedding pictures in their shops and you get to guess the date of the wedding! There will be chocolates throughout town at merchants as well. The Liberty Theatre will show the classic film An Affair to Remember that weekend as part of the theme.

It is because of their heart and downtown engagement that we decided to do this for a First Friday event. An amazing way to celebrate two of our favorite downtown visitors and include the community in a big way! It’s going to be a First Friday to top all First Fridays and all are invited.

Information provided by Downtown Camas Association. Visit www.downtowncamas.com

 

VANCOUVER, WA — After three full days of outstanding big band jazz, the outstanding musician awards and the evening finals results for the 56th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival have been announced. For 2018, the Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy was awarded to Mead High School Jazz Band I, Spokane, WA.

Thursday, January 25, 2018 Middle School Silver division jazz ensemble finals results:

  • 1st place – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA
  • 2nd place – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
  • 3rd place – Chief Umtuch Middle School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA
  • Blue Division Judge’s Award – Chief Umtuch Middle School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA

Outstanding Middle School Jazz Musician certificates were presented to:

  • Parker Bruning – Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson, WA
  • Adam Haunreiter – Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson, WA
  • Connor Cuff – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
  • Deitrich Vu – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
  • Tai Beaulieu – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
  • Mireia Pujol – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
  • Mason Calaway – Wahluke Middle School, Mattawa, WA
  • Isaac Moroshan – Laurin Middle School, Vancouver, WA
  • Justus Jones – Carmichael Middle School, Richland, WA
  • Shelby McCombs – Pleasant Valley Middle School, Vancouver, WA
  • Dominic Mendoza – Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Reagan Speakman – Skyridge Middle School, Camas, WA
  • Grady McHenry – Tukes Valley Middle School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Chris Moore – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
  • Nate Moore – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
  • Parker Casazza – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA
  • Lacy George – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA

Friday, January 26, 2018 A and AA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

A Division:

  • 1st place – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
  • 2nd place – Petersburg High School, Petersburg, AK
  • 3rd place – Woodland High School, Woodland, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the A Division were presented to:

  • Jesse Weaver – Douglas High School, Winston, OR
  • Noah Pratton – Mcloughlin High School, Milton Freewater, OR
  • Ciaran Healey – University Prep, Seattle, WA
  • Ursula Sargent – University Prep, Seattle, WA
  • Adam Kennedy – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
  • Tristan Lowman – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
  • Isaac Hall – Woodland School District, Woodland, WA

AA Division:

  • 1st place – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
  • 2nd place – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
  • 3rd place – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AA Division were presented to:

  • Kara Stella – RA Long High School, Longview, WA
  • Saunder Borst – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA
  • Elaine Scott – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
  • Meggie Rodewald – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
  • Kaylin Woods – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
  • Grant Hobbs – Columbia River High School, Columbia River, WA
  • Cade Lilley – Fife High School, Tacoma, WA
  • Kaelyn White – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Emily Johnson – Washougal High School, Washougal, WA
  • Jack Broer – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
  • Riley Lyons – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
  • Erik Hawkins – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
  • Zeke Dodson – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA

Saturday, January 27, 2018 AAA and AAAA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

AAA Division:

  • 1st place – Mead High School Jazz I, Spokane, WA
  • 2nd place – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
  • 3rd place – Mt. Spokane High School Jazz I, Spokane, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAA Division were presented to:

  • Ashton Hemming – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Dominic Mendoza – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Jacob Khawaja – Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego, OR
  • Penelope Tharp – Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego, OR
  • Isaac Ford – Kelso High School, Kelso, WA
  • Tony Brence – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
  • Ericka Mecham – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
  • Josh DeQuiroz – Mountain View High School, Vancouver, WA
  • Ricky Gagliardi – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
  • Connor Brennan – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA
  • Chris Ramirez – VSAA Focus, Vancouver, WA

AAAA Division:

  • 1st place – Bothell High School Jazz I, Bothell, WA
  • 2nd place –Battle Ground High School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA
  • 3rd place – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAAA Division were presented to:

  • Justin Foley – Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA
  • Amy Boedigheimer – Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA
  • Mairead Rising – Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, WA
  • Galin Hebert – Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, WA
  • Hannah Whitlow – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
  • Cameron Roche – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
  • Anthony Bolden – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
  • Mario Esquivel – Chiawana High School, Pasco, WA
  • Benito Ramirez – Chiawana High School, Pasco, WA
  • Gabe Aldape – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA
  • Manuel Aldape – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA
  • Chase Williams – Union High School, Camas, WA
  • Sean Grimm – Union High School, Camas, WA
  • Gary Hobbs – Union High School, Camas, WA
  • Gabe Bradley – Mountain View High School, Vancouver, WA
  • Nick McClatchey – Bothell High School, Bothell, WA
  • Preston Lee – Bothell High School, Bothell, WA
  • Laney Pham – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
  • Shane Walz – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA

Congratulations to all the fine bands who participated!   Please join us next year on the last weekend of January for the 57th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival!

Hood River, OR — This February kicks off the inaugural Hood River County Foodie February, a month-long celebration of the area’s outstanding dining scene that gives visitors and locals alike the chance to support local restaurants and discover some of the best food and menus in the region.

Located in the agriculturally rich Hood River Valley, Hood River has an innovative, regionally inspired food scene that rivals its big-city neighbors but is infused with small-town charm. (Heads-up on great Valentine’s Day destination idea!)

Foodie February specials include:

  • Camp 1805: Taco Tuesday! Happy-hour tacos all day, along with $6 Mt. Hood Mules and $6 margaritas
  • Full Sail Brew Pub: On February 8 (5-8 PM), join the February Brewmaster Dinner, which features five courses paired perfectly with five tasty beers. $45 per person, limited seating. Reservations: 541-386-2247.
  • Riverside: 2-for-1 Winter Pasta Special, Sunday-Thursday
  • Hood River Farmers’ Market: Go right to the source every first and third Saturday of the month (1-4 pm), when the winter farmer’s market is held indoors at Springhouse Cellars (1st and Cascade Streets). The market features a variety of local food, including local produce, veggies, meats, eggs, cheese, baked goods honey and other artisanal food stuffs. Customers can also shop for unique products from local artists and makers. Foodie February live music: Feb. 3 – Henry Schifter; Feb. 17 – Ole Rusty
Foodie

Come join the fun!

VANCOUVER, WA — Clark College will host the 56th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival with three full days of exhilarating big band jazz on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 25-27, 2018 in the Gaiser Center, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver WA 98663. Admission is $5 per day. Clark College students and children under 12 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Sixty middle and high school jazz ensembles from throughout Washington and Oregon are scheduled to perform in this year’s competition with trophies presented to the top three jazz ensembles for middle schools and A through AAAA division high schools. Individual outstanding musician awards will also be presented at the end of each division’s preliminary competitions. At the end of Saturday evening, the Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes Award will be presented to one outstanding band selected from the entire festival.

Preliminary competitions for the 2018 festival will start on Thursday with middle schools from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with middle school finals starting at 5:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, competition will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the A and AA division jazz bands performing on Friday and AAA and AAAA jazz bands taking the stage on Saturday. Finals competitions will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings ending with the trophies presentation.
The Clark College Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Festival Director Richard Inouye, will perform at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, noon and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday. The 2017 Sweepstakes Band, Garfield High School Jazz Band (Seattle, WA), under the direction of Clarence Acox, will hold the spotlight on Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m.

For complete information about the Clark College Music Department concerts featuring the orchestra, band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/index.php

The History of the Clark College Jazz Festival

The heritage of the Clark College Jazz Festival dates back to 1962 when Hud­son’s Bay H.S. band director, Don Cammack, began organizing a one-day high school stage band invitational for schools from Clark and Skamania coun­ties. Organized by the Vancouver and Evergreen public schools, Fort Vancou­ver H.S. and Evergreen H.S took turns hosting the festival each year. Sponsors of the festival included Southwest Washington Music Association and Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association.

In the early years, the trophies were made by middle school band director, Jack Ager, creatively construct­ing musician figures from miscellaneous hardware and car parts! In 1970, Dale Beacock, then the band director at both Fort Vancouver H.S. and Clark Col­lege, held the invitational “Clark Stage Band Contest” for the first time at its current home, Clark College. This inaugural event hosted 17 high school jazz bands with preliminary competitions held in what was then known as the Gaiser Hall dining area, with finals in the gymnasium. Dale’s vision of a competitive jazz showcase for schools throughout Washington and greater Portland pro­moted the growth of the festival and in 1971 the festival grew to 32 bands held over two days on Friday and Saturday.

In 1976, the number of participating bands grew to 52, welcoming bands from Oregon and Idaho. In 1985, Chuck Ramsey took over the reigns as Festival Coordinator successfully organizing the festival for the next 22 years. Chuck’s achievements bringing consistency in the operations of the festival and increased student involvement set the ground­work for the educational enhancement, leadership, teamwork, and a sense of ownership the Clark student volunteers experience today. In 2008, Richard Inouye came onboard as Festival Director. His professional and educational experience has brought a new dynamic to the festival by encouraging a focus on jazz education and utilizing technology to promote community awareness, public support, and streamline festival operations.

In 2012, the Clark College Jazz Festival celebrated its 50th Golden Anniversary. Highlights of this milestone included the Clark College Alumni Band directed by Chuck Ramsey which fea­tured Clark band alumni from three generations of Clark band directors. Dale Beacock and Chuck were also presented Legacy Sweepstakes Awards for their historic contributions to the festival.

Today, the Annual Clark College Jazz Fes­tival welcomes 60 middle and high school jazz ensembles, over 1,200 student jazz musicians to the campus, and over 3,000 people to the Vancouver com­munity throughout the three-day event. In 2013, the festival went international welcoming two bands from Tsawwassen, British Columbia!

About the Clark College Music Department

Clark College offers a two-year Associate in Music Degree (DTA/MRP) that includes music theory/ear training, instrumental and vocal performance training, and ensemble experience. Classes are designed to prepare the music major for advanced studies at a four-year institution while providing the non-major with the skills and background to fully enjoy music as a cultural pursuit. Ensembles on campus include three choral groups, orchestra, concert band, and jazz ensemble. Three tenured and several adjunct faculty, provide professional instruction to the 500+ students that pass through Beacock Music Hall each year.

Photo by Andy Bao Clark College Independent

WASHOUGAL, WA — Dayley Dance Academy Northwest is hosting a fun holiday event this Saturday, December 16th with the presentation of “Before We Turn to Stone,” which is an original dance performance based upon Walt Disney’s Heros and Villains.  The show is a perfect outing for the entire family! The academy will present three show times at the Washougal High School Auditorium — at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm. Tickets are $12.

You may also delight your little princess before the show by joining Dayley Dance Academy for a Princess Tea.  The Tea is from 9:30-10:30 am (also on Saturday) and the cost of the tea includes a ticket and VIP seating to the 11 o’clock show of “Before We Turn to Stone.” Your little princess will love meeting her favorite princess, autographs, eating dainty treats, and watching performances by our princesses.  Tickets are $45 for an adult and child ticket and additional children tickets are $20.

Later that evening, Dayley will host an Auction (live and silent) and Raffle. You may join the group before the auction for dinner ($3) starting at 4:30.  There are some wonderful items up for auction — as well as a raffle. All proceeds will go towards the DDANW Non-Profit mission for developing young artists in our community and providing performance opportunities. Auction and dinner will end promptly at 6:30 pm so our guests can enjoy the 7 pm show.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.DDANW.org or by calling 360-210-5981

CAMAS, WA — Local leaders are asking for volunteers to place wreaths for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 16, 2017, 11 am, at Camas Cemetery, where 847 veterans have been laid to rest. No signup needed. There will be a brief ceremony followed by the laying of wreaths, and finally cookies, coffee & cocoa for all.

More about the event: Each December, the Wreaths Across America organization carries out its mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

The organization encourages every volunteer who places a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive.

“We are not here to decorate graves. We’re here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” says Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. “A person dies twice: once when they take their final breath, and later, the last time their name is spoken.”

To learn more, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Camas Cemetery is located at 630 NE Oak St, Camas, WA 98607.

Downtown Camas brings in the Christmas season with their annual “Hometown Holidays” event Friday night from 5-9 pm, and features the tree lighting, photos with Santa, crafts, hay rides, entertainment, and hot cocoa provided by Journey Church.

The tree lighting happens at 6:30 pm, and will be accompanied by fireworks.

The city has already gotten festive as the city streets are lined with bows and Christmas bells to ring in the fun season.

First Friday’s entertainment will be provided by each school in the Camas School District.

This year’s tree is provided by Majestyk Mountain Tree Farms of Bear Prairie.

Come with empty stomach as the downtown restaurants will be open, along with vendors such as Getta Gyro, Papa Murphy’s, and the Tequila Mexican Grill.

There will also be many crafts and activities for children at the Journey Church, which is located on 4th Avenue directly across from Liberty Theatre.

You may also enjoy a special showing of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at the historic Liberty Theatre. The show begins at 8 pm, and admission is $6.

To learn more, visit www.downtowncamas.com

The Portland Choir and Orchestra will be ringing in the Christmas season this Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday, November 25 at 2 pm and 7 pm at the Newmark Theater in Downtown Portland. This year’s event features special guests Edmund Stone of All Classical Portland Radio, and Bells of the Cascades.

Tickets may be purchased directly from the Newmark Theater by phone (503-274-6551), ONLINE, at the box office, or from choir members. Newmark fees may be lower at the box office, and specific seat choices can only be secured directly from Newark.

Newmark Theater address:

1111 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205

“The choir currently has 100 members, and the orchestra has 45,” said choir member, Curtis Bedont. “We have two to three concerts a year. One is the Christmas concert, and then we have one in the late spring. This season we will have three concerts — in November, March, and June. There are many members that have been singing with them since its inception. Others come and go as their schedules and life circumstances permit. We are always recruiting new singers! We would actually like to be a little bigger, at 110-120 choir members.”

The Portland Choir & Orchestra has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City in February to perform Durufle’s Requiem, and they are also preparing for that event.

Choir

Portland Choir and Orchestra.

About Portland Choir & Orchestra

Since its founding concert in 2005, the organization has been delighting audiences with excellent, inspiring choral and orchestral music.  Each year, thousands of Oregon and Washington residents turn out to hear PCO’s wide variety of concert programs including the annual Celebration of Christmas, master works for choir and orchestra based on sacred texts, and patriotic and pops-style concerts that celebrate humankind’s rich heritage of Faith, Music, Family and Liberty.

Portland Choir & Orchestra has performed the Star Spangled Banner at multiple Portland Trail Blazers’ Games and has also performed with the Newport Symphony Orchestra, the Willamette Falls Symphony, and with national stars like Grammy-nominated and acclaimed concert violinist Jenny Oaks Baker,  renowned Mormon Tabernacle Organist Clay Christiansen and Broadway actor and recording artist Dallyn Vail Bayles.  Local celebrities such as Bill Schonely and Ray Summers have also collaborated to provide inspiring collaborations of music and narration like Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.

To learn more, visit www.musicinportland.org

Join the fun this Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in downtown Thanksgiving. In celebration of shopping locally, many downtown Camas  merchants will each have a little box of coupons, special gifts, and other surprises for you to draw from.

The event goes from 10 am to 6 pm on November 24.

It’s their way of giving you a little something extra for supporting local businesses.

You will also receive a free raffle ticket in each location and an extra ticket with any purchase to be entered to win a gorgeous holiday merchant basket.

If you spent $100 in downtown on Little Box Friday, you will receive two free regular movie tickets from the Liberty Theatre. You will need to turn in receipts to the theatre on November 24 by 8 pm. The free tickets are good for any regular show through December 31 — one set per person.

It’s a great way to kick off your Christmas shopping.

Participating merchants:

  • 4Ever Growing Kids
  • Allure Boutique
  • Arktana Shoes
  • Attic Gallery
  • Caffe Piccolo
  • Cake Happy
  • Camas Antiques
  • Camas Beauty Bar & Boutique
  • Caps N’ Taps
  • Lizzabeth A
  • Navidi’s Olive Oils and Vinegars
  • Salon Magnolia
  • Salud Wine Bar – Event Center – Wine Storage
  • The Soap Chest
  • The Wild Hair Camas

To learn more, visit www.downtowncamas.com