“The Clark County Board of Health and the Clark County Council just met and approved Resolutions for the County to apply for a variance to move to Phase 2 of the ‘Stay Home Stay Healthy’ proclamation,” said Clark County Council Chair, Eileen Quiring. “We were just advised by Dr. Melnick our Public Health Officer that the application will likely be completed today. With gratitude to our Public Health Officer and staff, we are excited to move forward with this!”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072850/06BF1601-9491-42F2-8B45-34D208312166-e1590181352314.jpeg5551200Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-22 14:07:112020-05-22 14:07:18Clark County Board of Health, Clark Council Approve Phase 2 Variances
Notably we are in uncharted times — and economically speaking — very uncertain times. Statistically, the housing market in February 2020 over last year was even, however, sales will be noticeably be down during the months of April and May, which is due to the government-imposed lockdown, and not the normal economic cycle. With the economy shut down we will get negative figures on some of the activity.
Local home prices have still been rising — the economy was very strong before the COVID-19 — and unemployment has spiked, but this is temporary. Once everything is open again, you will see most businesses back at full speed and see people going back to work therefore unemployment will drop and people will get back to work.
The bigger hit like the cruise lines and the airlines will be the hardest and slowest to recover from this pandemic. People fear we are going to have a housing market crash again, and it is very easy to presume, however, when you look at the2008 situation it was completely different then.
WHY?
Well, the facts are:
The mortgage industry structure of loans is now completely different, and housing lenders are not giving the subprime loans to anyone anymore. There are strict lending guidelines in place to prevent this.
This time people must really qualify now to get a loan.
Homebuilders overbuilt back then, too, and now there is an industry shortage of homes. In fact, there has been a shortage for some time for both new homes and resale.
During the pandemic, residential construction was halted, and fewer homes were listed, which has created even more of a shortage. We do not expect the mortgage interest rates to blow up, either.
The Federal Reserve went all in back in 2008/09, and it took them eight months to reduce the rate.
This time they went in all at once and they reduced the rates altogether.
Homeowners are sitting on wealth. There has been a great appreciation for homeowners over the last three years. Even if there is a five percent price correction in the housing market, most homeowners will absorb that. If there is a decline it will be very temporary, even as we are in an inventory shortage this is still healthy for homeowners.
Buyers and sellers are sitting waiting for the economy to be opened once that happens I see a surge in listing inventory and buyers will be back out shopping for a home, then it will even back out in the following months to a steady strong Clark County real estate housing market.
Even though home prices have risen, the interest rates are historically low, so still affordable for buyers.
Buyers will continue to move to affordability, benefiting mid-sized markets.
We came into this in a strong market and I believe there is great cause for optimism coming out. I hope this gives you an insight on the real estate market. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime or visit www.clarkcountyrelocations.com
Written by Louise James
Louise James shows the new way finder signs in downtown Camas.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072858/6A1A1700-C236-46B2-AE73-029AC1055DC2.jpeg6441280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-20 20:05:402020-05-20 20:05:57The State Of Clark County’s Housing Market: Is It Boom or Bust?
During the event, Long moderated a conversation in which guests spoke about a variety of topics pertaining to local businesses, the issues they are grappling with in the face of the coronavirus crisis, and the crucial information and resources being made available to small businesses who are dealing with the impacts of the economic shutdown. The conversation centered around questions submitted by people in the community, the key issues the guests have been working on and hearing about from small businesses, and the extensive resources they are focused on connecting small businesses with.
The guests continually emphasized the strength they are seeing in their communities, the incredible resilience and adaptability of our small business owners, and the impressive, innovative steps that are being taken at every level to save companies and jobs. They also all discussed the importance of effective and constant communication with the small business community because, as John put it, “small business people are focused on running their business.”
“This has been incredibly helpful and informative. I thank you, John, Ted, and Eric for joining,” Long said. “Thank you to all the small business owners out there. As I mentioned, I really think about my experience personally growing up as a member of a family that had a small business — and knowing that the resources like the ones here, that you’ve talked about today, might have been available to us would have been reassuring. So thank you to the small business owners, who are really the backbone of our economy. I will continue to be a strong advocate for small businesses as I continue on with my bid for Congress.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072900/58169C3D-C994-49FE-97F6-C19A7DC596D2.jpeg457925Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-20 19:21:512020-05-20 19:21:56Congressional Candidate Carolyn Long Hosts Small Biz Roundtable
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), per their website, now says the novel coronavirus “does not spread easily” from touching surfaces or objects but health officials warn against not continuing current COVID-19 precautions.
The federal health agency changed its guidelines from early March that said it “may be possible” to spread the virus from contaminated surfaces. The CDC also said the virus does not easily spread from animals to people, or from people to animals.
“COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads. It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads,” according to the CDC.
The CDC said the virus that causes a COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2, “is spreading very easily and sustainably between people.”
The CDC did, however, did say the coronavirus does spread person-to-person, noting the virus that causes a COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2, “is spreading very easily and sustainably between people.”
On their website, the CDC says the virus primarily spreads between people:
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs
COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms
OLYMPIA — Governor Jay Inslee on Tuesday said expanded criteria likely will allow 10 more Washington counties to reopen more quickly under his four-phase recovery plan.
It likely will greatly expand the number of Washington businesses able to re-open in Phase 2, as well, under COVID-19 safety guidelines. Those businesses — from hair salons, restaurants and retail stores, to personal and professional services — have been restricted or completely shut down since March 23, when the “stay home, stay safe” order when into effect.
Inslee said today the move “obviously is happily going to allow more economic opportunity” for counties to move up their reopening, “while still really providing the protections we need for the health of our citizens.”
The expanded criteria allow counties with fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents across a 14 days to apply with the state Department of Health (DOH) to reopen ahead of other counties in the state.
The new counties now eligible to apply with DOH are: Adams, Spokane, Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Clark, Clallam, Kitsap, Island and San Juan counties.
Under this second phase, restaurants will reopen with some sit-down dining, retailers can proceed with in-store purchases and pet groomers can resume work. Many professional and personal services from barbershops, hair salons, and tattoo artists to attorneys, architects and IT professionals — can resume with safety protocols in place.
Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring said: “After our meeting of the Board of Health tomorrow morning I will know more, but Clark County is anxious to move into Phase 2 and we are preparing for it. We have to apply, of course, but it appears that we will do that expeditiously!”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072909/238E7E1A-F982-49D7-85DC-E2D7FE6CCF13-scaled-e1589946062502.jpeg8251824Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-19 20:46:272020-05-19 20:46:36Inslee: 10 Counties Eligible To Apply For Phase 2 of COVID-19 Recovery Plan
The Camas Washougal Business Alliance has altered their 12th Annual Stuff the Scholarship event, which is now all online. The event, originally scheduled for mid-March, will be held on Saturday May 23, from 6-8 pm. Register now for detailed instructions.
This year, the Stuff the Scholarship team had planned to host the event at Lacamas Lake Lodge surrounded by friends and community. But, they can still make these scholarships happen for the very deserving senior class of 2020 (at Camas and Washougal High Schools) with your help. The event raises money to provide ample scholarships for several deserving local seniors.
The two-part event will include a Facebook Live presentation, hosted by Lacamas Magazine, Tabitha Shaffer, Angie Cherry, Linda Holmes and special guest, Tony O’Berio. While you listen to or watch us on your phone, you can have your computer open and ready to bid on your favorite silent auction items. The silent auction will be open from 6-7:30 pm and the Live Auction and farewell will run from 7:30 to 8:00 pm
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072917/DA653EC0-C463-4145-A1C7-DF3B12201138.jpeg6371280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-18 20:57:562020-05-18 20:58:0512th Annual Stuff The Scholarship: A Facebook LIVE Event This Saturday
Washougal, WA – The IMPACT CW (Camas-Washougal) food drive, organized by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal, which helps hundreds of Camas and Washougal families with summer food boxes, is going digital this year.
“With the current COVID-19 environment, we know that now more than ever, our local communities have families in need of food,” said Susan Klemetsrud, IMPACT CW Volunteer. “Also, to support our donor’s safety and the safety of our community, the food drive will be held online this year and is limited to monetary donations. Those funds will be used to purchase gift cards from local grocery stores to be distributed to families in need.”
This annual community food drive for Camas and Washougal school district families has been growing for the past five years, distributing hundreds of food boxes to those in need.
“In the past, we have collected monetary and food donations during the month of May,” said Beth Raetz, St. Matthew Lutheran Church Office Secretary. “We then held a community event on the second Sunday of June where community volunteers helped us sort food, assemble food boxes, and load the food boxes for delivery to the schools. We even hosted a free community BBQ and entertainment from the Camas-Washougal Orchestra. With current Stay at Home orders in place, we just won’t be able to do that this year even though the need is great.”
This is a time for us to come together as a community. If you would like to help meet this need, IMPACT CW is asking donors to consider giving in two ways: either online through a Go Fund Me page https://www.gofundme.com/f/impact-camaswashougal-2020 or by sending a check payable to St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 716 Washougal River Road, Washougal, WA 98671, and include in the memo line Impact CW.
“We are truly grateful for any donation size; however, this year we will create an insert to be given out with each gift card highlighting our wonderful local businesses that have contributed at specific levels,” Klemetsrud said.
Donations starting at $250 will include the business name/logo on the inserted card. For a donation of $1,000 or greater, there will be a larger version of the business name/logo at the top of the card. The names of these donors will be placed on the church Facebook page, pamphlets, and advertisement of the event for next year.
“We would like to receive donations by Monday, June 1 to be included on the insert,” she said.
Schools will again partner with IMPACT CW to identify those families who could use some help. “Last year we made more than 140 boxes,” said Raetz. “This year, with so much increased need in our communities, we anticipate the need may be in excess of 200 families. If your family could benefit from a local grocery gift card, please contact your school counselor or principal.” For more information, contact Raetz at the church office at 360-835-5533.
SALEM, OR — An Oregon judge today invalidated statewide novel coronavirus restrictions mandated by Governor Kate Brown, saying she didn’t receive approval from the state Legislature to extend those orders, which expired after 28 days.
Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff issued his opinion as his official response to a lawsuit filed by 10 Oregon churches that argued the government’s directives were unconstitutional.
Brown is seeking an emergency review by the Oregon Supreme Court. Her attorneys asked the judge to stay his ruling pending the high court’s review, but he declined.
“It is irresponsible to dismiss the health risks and science behind our measures to stop COVID-19,” said Brown. “We would be faced with the prospect of another mass outbreak without the tools that have proven to be effective in protecting our families, neighbors & loved ones from this disease.”
Legislators in Washington have been saying something very similar: That Governor Jay Inslee’s “stay home, stay safe” orders only had a 30-day limit, and have to be renewed by the Legislature. Inslee’s office counters that argument by saying he’s within his authority given the governor’s emergency powers inherent in the Washington Constitution.
For more than 60 days now, Washington state has been dealing with the realties of Governor Jay Inslee’s “shelter in place” orders, which have limited mobility in an effort to slow the spread of novel corona virus.
Once the order to close theaters, gyms, restaurants to dine-in services, hair salons, retail stores, etc. went into effect in mid-March, it turned once-thriving cities into eery ghost towns, and initiated a crushing blow to the incomes and cash flow of many businesses and employees.
Local artist, Anna Norris, saw the impact it had on downtown Camas, and decided to capture this moment in history through art.
The streets were empty, along with restaurants, stores, and even banks.
“I’ve had trouble wrapping my head around this pandemic and I was looking for a metaphor about what could represent it,” said Norris. “I met with Wendy DelBosque at Natalia’s Cafe and asked ‘what are we gonna do?’ She was looking at an empty restaurant that’s normally bustling with people. So, that inspired it.”
Painting is how Norris best copes with the pandemic.
“Then as I started working on the painting, the Wizard of Oz came into it,” she said. “It was like when the house dropped. It changed everything in our lives, and it was just right. It was bright and sunny that day. There was no one in town. And there she was standing there. She was like Dorothy. I wanted to open the door and be outside. I wanted all the outside to be in color, given the chromatic colors at Natalia’s.”
Although DelBosque has seen work-in-progress photos, the big unveiling came on Thursday, May 14.
“She brought it in and I was awestruck,” said DelBosque. “I love having the muted interior colors and then I saw the outside colors. Anna and I have for years talked about making paintings true to Camas that were based on famous paintings. She has painted the outside so many times, and she wondered what she could do to portray this pandemic. We talked about how the streets were so empty and how it looked from the inside out.”
Everybody that sees the painting has a moment, said DelBosque.
Norris said people cope in their own way, and she continues to take photos of all this emptiness — for future art projects.
“I’ve painted to cope with all this,” said Norris. “I paint every day, and I paint all day. Before that I baked a lot, and cooked a lot, and the only constant these days is change. I can’t sleep. I lay there and worry about things I can’t fix. I worry about health care workers who don’t have proper PPE. I’ve only had a few times where I thought ‘Anna, you could die from this.’ My father is 92 and he could die, but he’s doing well, but he’s bored out of his mind.”
DelBosque hopes the art continues.
“Anna’s ‘We’re Not in Camas Anymore’ is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen,” said DelBosque. “We have to put things into art. It’s the best way to document history.”
The painting will be on display at Natalia’s temporarily, and will then be moved to the Attic Gallery in downtown Camas. To learn more about Norris, visit: https://www.annanorrisfineart.com
Wendy DelBosque, left, and Anna Norris, right, show Anna’s painting “We’re Not In Camas Anymore.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072942/F82EAA25-7D58-41CB-87D4-AAC66E1D40E5.jpeg6251280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-15 15:24:442020-05-15 15:24:53Norris Painting: ‘We’re Not In Camas Anymore’ Captures History
Washougal, WA — Hillary Marshall, Library Media Specialist at Washougal High School, is one of six teachers from throughout Washington and Oregon who were recently named OnPoint Community Credit Union Circle of Excellence winners. Each winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and $1,000 donation to their school.
“Hillary is an exceptional educator and this recognition from OnPoint Credit Union is very well deserved,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent, who nominated Marshall. “This award highlights what we in Washougal already know, that she is an incredible teacher, librarian, and technology enthusiast, helping the entire field of education better understand the role of information literacy and critical thinking skills in the 21st century classroom.”
Marshall has been at Washougal High School for seven years. In addition to her work as the WHS Library Media Specialist, she is the Washington Library Association School Library Division (ScLD) Chair, WHS Advanced Placement Coordinator, and Microsoft TEALS Partnership Coordinator.
“I am so honored that I’ve been selected for the OnPoint Circle of Excellence,” said Marshall. “Librarians are lifelong teachers!”
“Hillary brings passion for literacy, love of technology, an ability to quickly establish rapport with students, value for student voice in planning activities, and a positive, friendly demeanor to her work. It makes her library a place that students want to be,” said Les Brown, WSD Director of Communication and Technology. “Hillary continually searches for a fresh set of ideas and activities to enhance our library system, and created initiatives to modernize the facility, the collection, the technology tools, and the day-to-day business processes in the library.”
Marshall’s inclusion of students in creating and refining programs has resulted in a great makerspace at Washougal High that is utilized by students and teachers in cross-curricular lessons. She has been a guest presenter and regional and statewide professional development opportunities for librarians and teachers, championing new ways to engage students in authentic lessons that involve developing an engineering mindset that help students solve real-world problems with hands-on activities.
“Hillary’s passion for education and her love of teaching is evident every single day,” said WSD Assistant Superintendent Aaron Hansen, who supervised Marshall in his former role as WHS Principal. “Every time I worked with her or saw her in action, it is her passion, energy, and enthusiasm that stands out. She shares her appreciation for learning with her students and colleagues. She has a positive attitude and because of that, she has had a positive impact on our students and staff.”
Hansen added that the moment a person walks into the library, they get an immediate sense for her energy and her priorities. “Hillary has made an enormous difference not only within the library, but the entire school,” he said.
ABOUT OnPoint Awards
In a May 12 2020 press release, OnPoint also announced the four finalists for the 2020 Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year. The contest, which runs from February 18 to May 27, awards two remarkable teachers by paying their mortgages for one year and donating $2,500 to each of their schools. In addition to the Educators of the Year and Circle of Excellence awards, four schools were also honored with the Community Builder award and will receive $2,000 for a special project of their choice.
“The COVID-19 crisis has underscored the vital role teachers play in the daily lives of children,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “The nomination process inspires OnPoint every year, but this year was particularly moving as we heard stories of teachers distributing meal boxes to students, offering regular remote story time, and simply being a support system for families as they navigate COVID-19.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072946/9AF6A3F5-0E5A-48D6-B0E1-6ADA9F321D8E-e1589409824209.jpeg6831439Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-05-13 15:49:532020-05-13 15:50:00Washougal’s Marshall: OnPoint Credit Union 2020 Circle of Excellence Winner
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