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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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Events: SW Washington Tamale Festival Comes to Washougal This Weekend

Washougal, WA — Who doesn’t love a good tamale? Well, this Saturday afternoon you will get a chance to try a whole bunch of them at the  Southwest Washington Tamale Festival, which will be held in downtown Washougal at Reflection Plaza (the Town Square), from 1-9 pm.

Hosted by the Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens, the family friendly event celebrates great cuisine and the tradition of Latino culture. General admission is free, though patrons will have to pay for their food and other purchases.

The fun event features tamale contests for two groups: Homestyle — which is for individuals to show off their own family recipes; and Professional — which is for restaurants, caterers, and food trucks.

Contest winners will be based on the following criteria:

  • Technique
  • Taste
  • Appearance
  • Quality

The festival also features a craft area for children, tamale demonstrations, food vendors, a beer garden, craft vendors, music, as well as dancing.

Entertainers include Gerardo and Nekla Calderon with a “Leyendas de Mexico” show at 3 pm; Hudson’s Bay High School’s Las Bonitas y Los Caballeros Ballet Folkloric at 4:30 pm; and Son de Cuba Quartette at 6 pm.

Proceeds and donation collected from the festival will support future scholarship stipends for local youth. To learn more, email the festival organizers at swwatamalefest@gmail.com

Tamales

Tamales cooking: beef, chicken, and pork.

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Events: 1st Annual Halloween Night Trunk or Treat @ Grove Field Airport

The Camas Washougal Airport Association (CWAA) is hosting its first annual Halloween night “Trunk or Treat” at 5:30 pm at the Port of Camas-Washougal Grove Field Airport, which is located in Fern Prairie.

“The Trunk or Treat is a concept where several cars or trucks all pull into a line or semi-circle where their trunks all line up and make an easy and quick way for people with small children to get a reasonable amount of candy without getting stuck in long lines, walking several blocks or being stuck outdoors in the cold,” says CWWA representative, Terah Brice. “It’s offered to anyone, but the basic concept is geared towards people with very small toddlers or elementary-aged children and aimed to fill candy baskets in a fun and fast manner.”

“For a lot of us residing in the Fern Prairie area, we don’t see trick or treaters at our homes because we live down unlit streets with very spaced out houses or long driveways,” she said. “So we also get the opportunity to hand out candy when we would otherwise have zero spooky visitors.”

The trunks will all be decorated with lights and spooky gear and a lot of the vehicles owners will dress up in costume, as well. The CWAA will also offer complimentary coffee and popcorn with a donation can set out. The organization is promoting this to families that are headed to the downtown area to start their trick or treating.

“We are hoping to jump start their candy bags with a good load so their parents don’t have to stay out until 10pm trying fill their children’s candy quota goals,” Brice said.

The fun starts at 5:30pm on October 31 and will go until people stop showing up or when volunteers get too cold. The festivities will occur in the nicely lit Airport parking lot, making it an easy place to pull off for a couple of minutes and hop right back on the road to downtown for the rest of the evening.

To learn more about CWAA, check them out on Facebook @cwaagrovefield

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Emergency Planning: Buy Freeze-Dried Foods or MREs?

From multiple hurricanes to major catastrophic wildfires, the United States and neighboring nations have been dealing with a string of natural disasters in recent weeks and months. Millions have been without water and/or electricity, and have had to evacuate their beloved homes. Some can never go back.

While first responders do their absolute best, government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and charitable groups, such as the American Red Cross, instruct citizens to have at least 72-hour emergency kits on hand to sustain life until help can arrive. Given the extent of these catastrophes many say one to two weeks is better for planning.

“A family that plans ahead isn’t part of the problem when disaster strikes,” said Laurie Burkons, a Portland designer. “They are part of the solution. Let’s all be part of the solution.”

So, how to do that?

Start with the 72-hour kit, which should include at least the following:

  • Water — one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food- at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, per person
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Prepared families generally store food that has a long shelf life, such a freeze dried foods, but Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are another option to consider. The U.S. military has mastered the MRE, and outdoor enthusiasts take MREs on long hikes or camping trips.

But, what’s best for you?

MRE

MRE stands for Meals Ready to Eat.

MRE’s

According to the The Ready Store, many preparedness suppliers sell the same MREs the US military feeds its soldiers. These are top quality, delicious meals that are ready to eat. You can eat them as-is, or you can use the heater included in the packaging to heat them up to eat. This makes them a great solution for short-term food storage.

Camping/Hiking- MREs have a higher calorie count (and usually protein content) so they will keep you full longer. They are also tightly packaged, minimizing space.

Bug-Out Bag- MREs are perfect for bug-out bags. For the same reasons they are good for hiking and camping, they are good for 72 hour preparedness packs. A full meal is about 15 oz and takes up minimal space, while its 1055 calories can be spread out through the day. Two full meals can feed you for a day.

Cons of MREs

  • MREs are not as shelf-stable as freeze-dried foods. They have a shelf life of only 1-5 years, making them unsuitable for long-term storage.  (The cooler and drier the environment, the longer the shelf life.)
  • MREs are packaged to feed one person instead of multiple servings in freeze-dried packaging.

MREs are a smart emergency preparedness option that requires some rotation.

Freeze-Dried Foods

Freeze-dried foods are healthy and full of flavor. Fruits and vegetables are freeze-dried as they are picked. Meats and entrees are freeze-dried as soon as they are cooked. When freeze-dried, the foods retain almost all of their nutrition and flavor.

Where Does Freeze-Dried Food Belong in Emergency Preparedness?
Freeze-dried foods are made for long-term storage. With a shelf life of up to 30 years (in optimal cool, dry conditions), they are perfect for building an emergency reserve. However, freeze-dried foods don’t have to be used solely for long term food storage.

Daily use– A #10 can (about the size of a large coffee can) or a pouch of freeze-dried food, once opened, will actually stay good for 6-12 months, if stored covered and in a cool, dry place. That means you can use your storage food for every-day recipes.

Convenience Meals– Freeze-dried foods are just-add-water convenient. For instance, breakfast can be as easy as adding hot water to freeze-dried bacon and eggs.  Entrees, fruits, and vegetables are easy to reconstitute, making mealtime easy and fast.

Cons of Freeze-Dried Foods

The main con is that freeze-dried foods requires hot water to hydrate. While you can eat the food without the water, it is dry. Also, some foods don’t constitute back to their original form (although they constitute to original nutrition).

MREs and freeze-dried foods both have important places in your emergency preparedness. But, the key is being prepared for any emergency, and how you choose to do that is up to you.

To learn more, visit www.ready.gov

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Camas High School Drama Students Take On “The Laramie Project”

Camas Theatre students are in the middle of daily rehearsals for “The Laramie Project,” which director Sean Kelly says is the “most in-depth play we’ve ever produced here.”

The play, written by Moises Kaufman, and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project, is about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student, Matthew Shepard, in Laramie, Wyoming. The three-act play is based on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, interviewer journal entries, and published news reports.

The cast of 19, each of whom takes on multiple characters, spends their afternoons rehearsing their lines, and preparing themselves for a play that is causing most of them to look deep into human nature and behavior. We spent 90 minutes with the actors as they listened closely to instruction, and then had their own in-depth discussion about what causes people to behave badly.

“The play is about how people can rationalize, in general,” says Kelly. “The students are taking on some really deep material. It’s stretching them.”

Armita Aziza, who plays Zubaida Ula, among other characters, says the play addressed how the incident affected the town.

“Our characters address prejudice, hatred, and community,” she says.

Omar Shafiuzzaman is playing four characters: Dennis Shepard (Matthew’s father), police detective, Rob Debree, a news reporter, and playwright, Moises Kaufman.

“We’re all on stage for the whole show,” says Shafiuzzaman. “It’s very challenging to switch between these characters, and we’re learning a lot.”

Skylar Derthick plays Jeddidiah Schultz, Dr. Castaway (who operates on Matthew), and Reverend Fred Phelps, of the Westboro Baptist Church, who lead a protest at Shepard’s funeral.

“It’s tough to play all these roles,” says Derthick, who appreciates the work going into this production.

Kelly encourages the local community to turn out for their play, and welcomes a broader discussion about prejudices and attitudes. Following the play, there will be an open question-and-answer period. And, it should be known the play does contain profanity, as it reflects on real-life accounts and interviews.

“It’s easy to hate an idea,” says Kelly. “But, it’s a lot harder to hate a person once you get to know them.”

The Laramie Project Play Dates

  • November 3 @ 7 pm
  • November 4 @ 2 pm (matinee) and 7 pm
  • November 10 @ 7 pm
  • November 11 @ 2 pm (matinee) and 7 pm

Location: Camas High School Theatre

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

Photo Gallery

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Images: “Sillyheart” Play Focuses on Joy During Turmoil

Camas Theatre premiered “Sillyheart” Wednesday night in conjunction with Compass Oncology and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a fundraiser to help cure cancer.

Before the touching play began, the audience heard from Brianna Barrett, who was named “Portland’s Best Storyteller” by Willamette Weekly. She discussed being a cancer survivor and how she documented her cancer battle. Dr. Kathryn Kolibaba, who practices hematology/medical oncology at Compass Oncology in Vancouver, WA, talked about how everyday heroes find ways to raise and apply needed cancer research funds. Megan McDonald talked about her daughter’s ongoing fight with leukemia, and Janelle Hayden also shared her family’s story of how they battle the disease.

Featuring a talented youth cast, “Sillyheart” is a one-act play where tragedy meets fantasy, and myth meets reality.

From the playbook: “The fairy tale world winds itself around the real drama of one little girl’s battle with cancer and her family’s anguish. As they struggle to cope with her prognosis and desperate treatment, the fairy tale characters from the little girl’s book play out in their own drama. Will an evil sorceress and her dark creatures succeed in pulling Princess Caroline (played nicely by Genesis Martinez — on this first night) away from her beloved family and prince? Will little Cora’s experimental cancer treatment save her?”

Sillyheart

Actors Wyatt Hodgson and Genesis Martinez in the opening scene of “Sillyheart.”

“In our imaginations, the villain is always slain, the good win out, and even happily ever after is truly possible. Our fantasies, like so many blankets, can keep us warm in time when the real world is simply too dark, cold and cruel to bear. At the end we are reminded it’s not just children who need fairy tales.”

The play is written by Billie W. Boone, and directed by Sean Kelly. The stage manager is Lily Haddan; costumes and makeup and by Carol Babilon. The event is coordinated by Kylee Shafiuzzaman.

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

Photo Gallery, by Jon Pugmire

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Songs for Autumn, A Spotify Playlist by Veronica Beth Whitney

Regardless of what season you claim your favorite to be, it is hard to deny the special kind of wonderland that the Pacific Northwest becomes once autumn kicks itself into gear. I may personally be biased because October is my favorite month – but to me, there are few things lovelier than driving the backroads on a chilly autumn day, encapsulated by trees that have clapped their hands and littered the ground with gold and maroon leaves. I’m a sucker for a sunny pumpkin patch outing, a warm cup of apple cider, divine-smelling candles, and every other fall cliché there is out there. I also find autumn to be a time where the right kind of music can be so poignant and fit a mood like your favorite chilly-weather sweater. This song list includes tunes that are prone to fit any weather that this glorious season throws at us, and the moods that shift along with it. So, grab your pumpkin spice-flavored drink and enjoy this autumn playlist!

“Oh the bitter winds are coming in
And I’m already missing the summer
Stockholm’s cold but I’ve been told
I was born to endure this kind of weather…”

The opening lyrics to “Emmylou” by First Aid Kit go. A band of two sisters from Stockholm, Sweden, I believe First Aid Kit are one of the greatest folk groups of our modern day. One of the first concerts I ever attended was a show of theirs on their Lion’s Roar tour, and it remains one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever seen.

“…But when the leaves fell on the ground
And bully winds came around pushed them face down in the snow
He got the urge for going and I had to let him go
He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown

And summertime was falling down and winter was closing in…”

 

Joni Mitchells sings in “Urge For Going.” Definitely a more melancholy song for when autumn starts drawing to a close and the weather grows colder – especially for the people who annually dread to see the warm weather disappear for a while. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful tune and one of my favorites of Joni’s.

Included also are a couple of live acoustic versions of songs – “New Test Leper” by R.E.M., and “Kooks” by David Bowie – a song featured on Hunky Dory that Bowie had written for his newborn son, Zowie (which famous English disc jockey, John Peel, discusses briefly at the end of the 1971 recording).

Finally, this playlist also features upbeat tunes that are perfect for those beloved sunny autumn day drives – including “Oh, Mojave” by The Ruby Suns, a dreamy cover of John Lennon’s “#9 Dream” by José González (featured on the soundtrack for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – one of the better movies I’ve seen in the past few years), and “Team Zissou” by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge from The Life Aquatic soundtrack – another fantastic film.

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Events: Downtown Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival Changes Date

Washougal, WA – Local families are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and receive a free pumpkin at the annual Downtown Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 28, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street.  The event has moved from its previous Wednesday afternoon to Saturday in hopes this will be a more convenient time for families. The event will take place rain or shine.

More than 300 pumpkins will be harvested from the City garden plot behind City Hall for the event.   An additional 800-900 pumpkins will be purchased with a generous donation from Columbia River Realty.  All pumpkins will be handed out free, one per child, while supplies last.

“The Pumpkin Harvest Festival is a culmination of the work of many in the community,” said Rose Jewell, event organizer and City of Washougal Assistant to the Mayor & City Administrator.  “Second grade students from Gause Elementary planted the pumpkin seeds last spring during a field trip to City Hall and the seeds were donated by Washougal True Value.  Representatives from the Washougal Library, City of Washougal, Unite Washougal, Downtown Washougal Association, Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance and Washougal Round Table each cared for a portion of the patch to ensure a bountiful harvest of pumpkins for the event.  DWA volunteers and City staff have worked together on planning.”

“It is so fun to see all the kids and parents in downtown,” said Heena, DWA president.  “After they enjoy the activities at Reflection Plaza, many stay to explore downtown Washougal.” Many merchants will have candy on hand so the kids can get a jump start on their holiday trick or treating with the popular “Halloween Hunt.”

The event is completely free and will also feature carnival games run by student volunteers, balloon animal makers sponsored by IQ Credit Union, apples donated by Washougal Family Dental, popcorn from the Washougal Fire Department, a selfie station and more.

Volunteers are still needed.  If you would like to help please contact dwavolunteers@gmail.com.

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