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Events: Washougal Lights Up with Christmas Holiday Parade

Washougal, WA—City of Washougal and the Downtown Washougal Association (DWA) are teaming up to kick off the holiday season with the annual Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 7. This year’s parade is dedicated to the memory of Scott Campbell. The parade will run along Main Street and begin at 6 pm. It will end at Reflection Plaza where the tree lighting will take place at 6:30 pm.

The City is now accepting applications for parade participants. Entry is free and all entries must be lighted in some fashion. Awards will be given for Best Use of Lights, Santa’s Choice and, for the first time this year, Best New Entry. “Entries include local clubs, businesses, organizations and others throughout the community,” said Rose Jewell, Assistant to the Mayor and parade organizer. “Being a part of the parade is a wonderful way to let people know about your group and show support for our community. Enjoy the festivities with family and friends in Washougal’s downtown living room.” Applications are due by Monday, December 4 and can be found at City Hall and online at http://www.cityofwashougal.us.

During and after the parade, the City is serving complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and coffee. Entertainment will include musical and dance performances by high school students. “The Downtown Washougal Association encourages everyone to come early and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant, or shop at one of the local businesses, before and after the parade. By supporting our local businesses, you help the business and our community thrive,” says Heena, DWA Board President.

Santa Claus is always the very special guest and will bring up the end of the event. He will be passing out candy canes and will be available for free photos with kids of all ages, compliments of Windows on Life Photography.

Other sponsors include Waste Connections, Riverview Community Bank and Starbucks.

“This community holiday event is a great way to get into the spirit of the season!” Heena added. “I hope everyone will come and join us!”

Parade Image Gallery

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Local Girl Scouts Use Own Money to Help Out Kids at VA Fisher House

In order to earn their Girl Scout Bronze Award, local twins Julia and Grace Hines decided to help out the Portland VA Fisher House by donating board and video games to ensure children of Veterans and active duty service members have something to do, and to life their spirits during their temporary stay.

“Thank you to local Girl Scouts and sisters Julia and Grace who donated board games and video games to the Portland VA Fisher House last week! The sisters raised their own money to purchase the games …,” said Fisher House in an official statement.

The VA Portland Fisher House, located on the Vancouver Campus, is “a home away from home” for families of Veterans and military service members who are hospitalized. It may also serve family and caregivers of Veterans who are receiving extended outpatient specialty care, such as oncology care, at our various specialty clinics.

Julia and Grace are 11 year-old twins and have been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. They developed a plan to help Fisher House to earn their Bronze Award, which is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can receive.  The goal of the Bronze Award is to make a lasting impact in an area of need in the community. The girls had to identify a community need, make a plan to help, put that plan into motion and then spread the word. They identified Fisher House as having a need.

“Fisher House is a ‘home away from home’ for families of Veterans and military service member who are hospitalized,” said Gina Hines, the twins’ mom. “It may also serve family and caregivers of Veterans who are receiving extended outpatient specialty care, such as oncology care, at their various specialty clinics.”

Julie and Grace contacted Fisher House and found out they needed board and video games for the young residents ages 8-15 as they didn’t have many games to play. The girls raised all the money themselves by organizing, cleaning, tagging and selling their toys and clothing at the local JBF sale. They then took all that money and shopped stores, garage sales, and thrift stores looking for the perfect games for older kids who stay at Fisher House.

The goal was to buy as many engaging games as possible that would provide entertainment, stress relief and lift the spirits of children of Veterans and active duty service members who stay at the Vancouver Fisher House. Julia and Grace plan on starting their Silver Award next year. They also plan on starting a charity project (or two) and a business to help pay for their Girl Scout projects.

Their participation in Girl Scouts has helped them build courage, confidence, and has given them a desire to help give back and improve not only their community, but the world around them, said Hines.

Fisher

Julie and Grace presented the VA Fisher House with new board and video games.

 
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Events: Downtown Camas First Friday – Thankful for Pie!

This month’s Downtown Camas First Friday, to be held November 3 from 5-8 pm will be filled with fun activities centered around being “thankful for pie!”

Start the evening at the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) tables at Journey Community Church at 4th and Birch for your pie passport and activity list.

First Friday activities include:

  • Pie tastings in participating businesses — vote for your favorite pie and be entered to win prizes from the merchants, which include the pies themselves.
  • Pie Walk parties start at 7 pm at Journey Church — you can win a delicious pie, some other treats and have fun dancing. Truly Scrumptious and Cake Happy are donating some of the pies.
  • There will be a pie raffle at the DCA tables inside Journey Church, which is sponsored by Carla Edwards from allclarkcountyhomes.com
  • Kids’ autumn crafts at the DCA tables and painting with The Paint Roller.
  • Family friendly gratitude activities
  • Art shows at Camas Gallery, located at 408 NE 4th Avenue; Second Story Gallery, located at 625 NE 4th Avenue (featuring Annette Jackson); and Attic Gallery, located at 421 NE Cedar, featuring Mike Smith and Terri Axness.
  • S’mores roasting at Journey (weather permitting).

And, be sure to stop by at the fine restaurants in downtown Camas.

To learn more, visit www.downtowncamas.com

Pie

Summer berry tart with custard cream, food

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Events: Camas Travels to Auburn For First 2017 Postseason Game

The Papermakers (8-1) will load up and head north to Auburn at noon tomorrow, says Camas Varsity quarterback, Kyle Allen, to begin what the team hopes is a five-game winning streak to the State Championship.

Everyone is invited to the game Friday at 7 pm. The address is 801 4th Street, Auburn, WA 98002.

After losing the District Championship game to Union 14-13 last week, the team has been busy getting prepared.

“We’ve been doing the same thing we do every week,” said Allen. “Watch a lot of film and practice hard knowing that next week is not a guarantee.”

“They (Auburn) are a strong competitive team with a lot of good athletes,” said Allen. “Should be a fun one.”

Path to State Championship

Auburn

Reflections on the Season

“It has taught me about how I can be the best football player I can be and the best person I can be,” said Allen. “I’ve learned how to better deal with pressure and how it doesn’t just take individual athletes to win, but a united team to win. Also, I’ve made many great friendships with teammates and coaches along with memories I’ll remember forever.”

Homecoming Images

Photos by Jon Pugmire

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Health: Sharing Isn’t Always Caring When It Comes To Germs

The close quarters of workplaces and school classrooms can be a great breeding ground for germs that have the potential to spread illnesses. But you can fight back.

Stay Healthy

Thing simple first. The best way to overcome health challenges of working in shared spaces is to focus on your own personal hygiene.

Wash your hands regularly, and especially after touching potentially germy surfaces.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs make you sick when they get transferred from your hands into your body. Your eyes, nose and mouth are the doors those germs want to go through.

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Stay home when you’re sick. Your colleagues and classmates will thank you for it.

Boost Your Immune System

You can strengthen your immune system by striking a healthy balance in your life. Help your body stay strong by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Love the Lather

Many diseases spread because people do not wash their hands with soap and clean, running water. If water is not accessible, use and alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Wash your hands:

  • Before preparing and eating food
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick
  • Before and after treating a wound
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing diapers or helping a child who has used the toilet
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After touching an animal or handling animal waste
  • After handling pet food
  • After touching garbage
  • After riding public transit

The Dirtiest Places

Some surfaces attract more germs than others. Usually, those are shared spaces that many people touch, including:

  • Faucet handles
  • Microwave and refrigerator doors
  • Copiers
  • Elevator buttons
  • Break room tables

You have two options to deal with germy places: Avoid these things altogether, or dominate them by sanitizing them on a regular basis. And, wash your hands after touching these germ-friendly places.

Germs

A woman coughing.

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Events: CHS Sports Medicine Fundraiser Tonight at K&M Burger

Camas, WA — Tonight, K&M Burger, which is located on 3rd Avenue near Walgreens, will be hosting a fundraiser today to aid the Camas High School’s Sports Medicine team pay for their WCTSMA State competition in Kennewick.

The team has been working hard all year so they can apply their classroom knowledge into a statewide symposium with other SM students — from all over Washington state. The Sports Medicine team is on-hand at many school events, and are always ready to aid and support local athletes.

K&M Burger is located at 3414 NE 3rd Ave, Camas, WA.

Present this flyer November 1, 2017 between 3-8 pm and K&M will donate 15% of your purchase to assist the sports medicine team.

Sports

Present this flyer so that 15% of your purchase goes back to the CHS Sports Medicine team.

K&M features fresh and local ingredients, and they work with local vendors and suppliers for their business needs. Their restaurant frequently holds fundraisers for local causes.

To learn more, visit chs.camas.wednet.edu

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Events: Clark College Jazz Band Fall Concert Features Prairie HS

VANCOUVER, WA.  The Clark College Jazz Ensemble performs their Fall Concert on Friday, November 17, with special guests, the Prairie High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Ryan Messing.  The concert begins 7:00 p.m., in the Gaiser Student Center on the Clark College Campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.  The concert is free to the public.

“Last year the Prairie Jazz Band received numerous outstanding musician and soloist awards throughout the area jazz festivals, most notably winning the AAA division at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival ,” says Richard Inouye, Clark’s Director of Bands. “We are extremely excited to have them as our guests this year, so we hope folks can come and listen to the swingin’ big band jazz our local students are creating!”

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

About the Clark College Music Department

Clark College offers an Associate in Music DTA/MRP degree with courses in music theory/ear training, instrumental and vocal performance training, and ensemble experience. Classes 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.

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Events: 4:30 Parade Kicks Off 2017 Camas Homecoming Festivities

Camas, WA — The 2017 Camas Homecoming festivities begin at 4:30 pm today with the traditional parade that begins at Garver Theatre. The parade will feature this year’s Homecoming Royalty Court. Following the parade, Doc Harris Stadium will open its gates at 5:30 pm for the annual Homecoming Football game as the Papermakers host arch-rival, the Union High School Titans.

Tickets go on sale at the Doc Harris gate at 5:30. Please note that no backpacks or open containers are allowed.  Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for visiting students with ASB and CSD Middle School students with ASB, $1 for senior citizens and elementary students – CASH only.  No elementary students are allowed without an adult.  CSD employees please have your school badge for entry at the gate.

Camas (8-0 overall) and Union (7-1 overall) compete tonight for the 4A Greater St. Helens League (GHSL) District Championship title. This will be the first time since 2009 the two teams squared off for a league title in the regular-season finale. Camas has beat Union the last contests, and there’s a lot at stake.

Tonight’s winner earns the GHSL No. 1 seed, which keeps them at home for the first three postseason games. The loser of tonight’s game must travel for the first two playoff games, which begin next week. The undefeated Camas team, ranked No. 1 all season, has kept on pace after winning the State title last December. A Papermaker win tonight will bring Camas six straight 4A GHSL titles.

The game will be broadcast live at  www.nfhsnetwork.com

Homecoming

This is the Camas Homecoming 2017 Parade Route.

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East End of Gorge Unaffected by Fires — Go Explore, Have Fun!

The recent Eagle Creek Fire and the resulting trail closures in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have many people wondering where and how to get their Gorge fix. The answer is simple: They can come to The Dalles and the eastern end of the Gorge, where there is an abundance of beautiful hiking trails, plus unparalleled cycling routes, unique museums, world-class fishing and more.   At the end of the day, visitors can relax at one of the new breweries and pubs, or enjoy a glass of wine at a local tasting room. And with 300 days of sun and only 14 inches of rain a year (compared to 37 inches in Portland), The Dalles is the perfect fall and winter escape.

Some Fun Gorge Escapes

Hike amongst petroglyphs. Head across The Dalles Bridge to Horsethief Butte. For age-old petroglyphs and stupendous views of the Gorge, this hike can’t be beat. Though the trail is just two miles long, the hike can take all day, given the seemingly endless rock labyrinths and basalt mazes within the butte.

The Friends of the Gorge website is a great resource for more hikes in the Eastern Gorge and beyond. For post-fire hiking suggestions, visit gorgefriends.org/hike-the-gorge/columbia-gorge-hiking-opportunities.html.

Gorge

Hike amongst the Petroglyphs. Photo by Michael J. Horodyski.

 

Hit the road on two wheels. The Dalles is a cyclist’s paradise, with rides ranging from the family-friendly Riverfront Trail to a gorgeous spin on the Historic Columbia River Highway (which is still open east of Hood River) to an all-day, 100-mile epic to Mount Hood and back. Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of the area’s dry climate, and the newly updated “Explore The Dalles Scenic Bikeways” bike map includes six of the most popular local routes, which vary in length and intensity. The map is available online and for free at The Dalles Chamber’s headquarters (404 W. Second St.), Dalles City Cyclery in downtown The Dalles and Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, which is located at the west end of the Riverfront Trail.

 

Gorge

Go out on two wheels! Photo by Justin Yuen.

Explore downtown. Historic downtown The Dalles is beautifully preserved and offers a plethora of shopping experiences, including Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers, Oregon’s oldest bookstore (founded in 1870); Yesterday & Today Records (vinyl, CDs, DVDs and an awesome collection of Beatles paraphernalia), clothing stores, antique and second-hand shops, great restaurants and cafes, Dalles City Cyclery, Flyfishing Strategies Fly Shop, wineries and more. For a complete overview, see the downtown shopping map. And don’t miss the unique historic mural artwork while strolling downtown.

Gorge

Explore downtown. Photo by Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers

We will feature three more east Gorge escapes soon.

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Camas Girls Swim Team Finishes 2nd at SW WA Invitational; Diver Purwins Wins

The Camas Girls Swim and Dive Team had a successful weekend in the pool — at two locations. The swimmers competed at the Southwest Washington Invitational at Mark Morris Pool (in Longview, WA), and the team’s divers attended an 11-dive meet in Bainbridge, WA.

Diver Jax Purwins won the diving contest with a final score of 406 points.  Lynne McGee earned 292 points, and Shaye McGee earned 268 points. Thirty-eight divers from the Seattle area participated in the meet. The diver compete again this Friday in Moses Lake. This is the first time in more than 15 years that Camas has featured diving events as part of their program.

“It’s something new this year,” said team coach, Mike Bemis. “It’s logistically challenging because SW Washington had abandoned diving many years ago.

The swim team finished second at the SW Invitational. Camas won the 200 Free and 400 Free relays. Paeton Lesser won the 200 Free, and was second in the 50 Free. Bailey Segall placed third in the 200 Individual Medley (IM) and 100 Fly. The next meet for the girls is Sub Districts, which is this Wednesday at Mark Morris Pool, in Longview, WA.

The girls have been trying to get as many State time cuts as possible to exceed last year.

Here’s a Spotlight Video on the team:

To learn more, visit www.chs.camas.wednet.edu

 

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