Tag Archive for: Camas

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Easter Sunday ‘Camas Egg Scramble’ Creates Another Mad Dash!

Camas, WA — Join Camas Parks and Recreation for the 32nd annual Easter egg hunt, “The Camas Egg Scramble!”  This special event will take place at Crown Park, on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 1:30 pm.

All egg hunting areas start at the same time, so don’t be late! Candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in designated egg hunting areas color-marked for age groups 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12.  This Easter egg hunt is unique in that all ages start at the same time from their designated areas.

Please provide supervision, as all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should also bring a basket or bag in which to collect their eggs. Adults are not allowed in the hunting areas, except the area for ages 2-3, or to accompany a participant with special needs.  

All abilities are welcome to join us for this fun event. A designated “Egg Stroll” has been developed to prioritize accessibility and enhance this inclusive activity for all ages. If you have needs that the city may help accommodate, please contact Krista Bashaw at 360-834-5307.

Prizes in the eggs will include candy, toys and prize tokens which can be turned in at the event to claim a prize. So, make sure you open all the eggs at the event, and please return the empty eggshells so they can be used again next year. The Traditional Easter Bonnet and Contemporary Hat contest will take place at 2 pm, at the covered shelter. This event will be hosted and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cascade Park. And the Easter Bunny will make an appearance at Scout Hall in the park for photographs between 12:30-2:30 pm.

No registration is required for the egg hunt or the bonnet/hat contest.  But please note, this is one of our most popular events, so please allow time for parking, as spaces are limited. In addition, an accessible parking and a drop-off area has been arranged along NE 15th & NE Dallas St. Crown Park is located at NE Everett & NE 17th Ave.

The city could not do this without sponsors, which includes Kiwanis, VFW Post 4278, VFW Auxiliary, and WinCo. 

For details and an event map, visit https://www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/camas-egg-scramble-0 or contact Krista Bashaw at 360-834-5307.

One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office. 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.
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Events: Help Celebrate Camas Library’s Official Birthday on April 4

Camas, WA — 100 never looked so good, and the Camas Library is in celebration mode.

On April 4, 2023, the Camas Library will officially turn 100 years old, and you can help this Camas gem celebrate all-day and into the evening.

On April 4, 1923, the Women’s Club of Camas formed what is now the Camas Public library and since that date, it’s been bringing joy to this community. Now, 100 years later the Camas Library is hosting a full day of events that will include goodies, treats and a scavenger hunt for kids.

In addition to the festivities, every 100th person to enter the library will receive a special prize in honor of the momentous occasion.

At 4 pm, swing music and dancing will kick-off the evening portion of the festivities, which will also include a free raffle at 6 pm.

According to Camas Library Director, Connie Urquhart, this is a great opportunity to invite the whole community to visit the Library.

“It’ll be a fun time, plus it’s a great chance to look back at history,” said Urquhart. “It also gives the community a chance to remember the good times, and to also think about what the future could hold!”

More information at https://www.cityofcamas.us/library

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Camas Police Search for Liberty Theatre Intruder, a Homeless Man

Camas, WA — Camas Police are searching for a homeless man who tried to set up camp inside the Liberty Theatre Thursday night, according to Rand Thornsley, the venue’s owner.

Thornsley said the man, whom police identified as Victor (based on security camera footage), is a local homeless man, who found his way into the theatre after it closed for business Thursday night. He is alleged to have broken into Washougal Times restaurant earlier this week, as well.

“He was discovered on Friday afternoon when the opening manager, Avery, went into the theatre,” Thornsley said. “He was in the balcony area and the other manager, Jakob [Potter], was right behind her, and they had him detained but he got away. He appeared to have stayed the night in the theatre and kept the back door open so it wouldn’t lock. Jakob was the one who tried to detain him.”

Thornsley said the intruder looked like he planned to stay a while.

“We think he left the building after we closed, went and brought his stuff and brought it back into the theater,” said Thornsley. “There are closets upstairs in the balcony area and he moved his stuff up there. Avery and Jakob made the report, provided the security camera images to the police, and they came through and swept through the building and the basement. It looked like he planned to stay there a while. They thought they had the back door secured.” 

Then the intruder returned.

“Friday night he returned and was able to get the back door open and then he broke into the office,” said Thornsley. “He got into the lock up where we keep our cash. He took cash and keys, so we had the whole building re-keyed and put reinforcements on the doors. Jakob is handling things really well. He spent the whole day getting the theatre revamped, and made sure nothing was bothered. We are back to business as usual.” 

Thornsley said police are searching for him. 

“Now that he has some cash I think he’ll get out of the area,” he said. “Thats’s my personal opinion. This is a bummer, but it’s fortunate he wasn’t destructive.”

Police are hoping the public can help them find the intruder. Call 311 during the day, and 911 at night.

Liberty
Liberty’s security camera footage.
Liberty
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‘Little Art Camas’ Returns to Downtown Camas March 24-25

Camas, WA — Artists and art lovers will gather to admire and purchase original small-scale works of art at the Little Art Camas event on March 24th and 25th in Downtown Camas. This two-day community exhibition features “little” works of art created by artists of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, from local professional artists to promising art students. 

Each participating artist has created 3 individual pieces that can each be purchased for $20. Little Art Camas is hosted by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) and is a fundraiser to further public art efforts.

Local art collectors will also enjoy the new silent auction featured at this year’s event. The auction will be comprised of works in multiple mediums, all generously donated by local artists and galleries. Among other offerings, event goers will have the opportunity to bid on a hand painted and hand thrown stoneware bowl with a Downtown Camas theme by artist Anna Norris, a classic Corvair painted by artist Keith Russel, a patriotic piece of copper artistry by David Gerton, and a hand painted ceramic cat by budding 8 year old artist Lexie Keels.

Tickets to the event are $5 at the door and good for both Friday and Saturday. Children 12 & under are free. The ceremonial ringing of the cowbell Friday evening will kick off the art buying excitement. Art sizes include 5×5, 5×7 and 8×8. The event will be hosted in the beautiful Fuel Medical Building lobby in Downtown Camas, 314 NE Birch.

“Little Art Camas is a special event that makes art collecting and appreciation available for everyone!” says Jan Carter, Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator for the DCA. “The artists truly put their passion and heart into their artworks, and it brings us so much joy to see someone walk home with a new piece of art that speaks to them. The silent auction will be a welcome addition, and we are thrilled about the pieces that were donated to us. This event truly celebrates the diverse and thriving art scene in Downtown Camas!”

The event on Friday, 5-8pm, will have live music by jazz guitarist Bret Malmquist and appetizers and wine will add to the fun. The event continues Saturday, 12-4pm, with an “Art Refresh”. Patrons are encouraged to attend both days, as many new pieces will be added on Saturday. Purchased art can be picked up after the exhibit on Saturday or on Sunday so that all art can be enjoyed both days. See details in the Event Schedule below.

Event Schedule

Friday, March 24th, Exhibit Opens

5-6 pm Art Preview

Preview art and register for your Buyer Number and buy up to 5 “Buyer’s Buttons”. Your Buyer’s Buttons are stickers with your Buyer Number on them. The silent auction will run the entirety of the event on Friday and Saturday.

6 pm The “Cowbell” Rings

The bell rings and buying starts.

6-8 pm Exhibit Browsing and Buying

Use your Buyer’s Button stickers to mark your chosen treasures by replacing the Artwork Number sticker with your Buyer Button. That signals other browsers that this work is taken. You may start placing your Buyer’s Buttons when you hear the “cowbell” ring at 6pm. Return your Buyer’s Card with the artwork numbers on it to the registration desk before you leave for the evening.

Saturday, March 25th, Exhibit Continues with “Art Refresh”

12-4 pm Exhibit Browsing and Buying

Many new art works will be added to the exhibit that were not displayed on Friday.

4-5 pm Art Pick up (continues Sunday).

Both buyers and artists of unsold works can pick up their artwork during this time.

Sunday, March 26th

12-2 pm Art Pick up continues

Please pick up purchases and/or unsold works by the 2 PM deadline. If unable to make these times, please send a friend.

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Pike Art Gallery Features Latest Works by Bond, Pike in New First Friday Exhibit

Camas, WA — Artists Liz Pike and Blue Bond are exhibiting new works at Pike Art Gallery in uptown Camas, located at 302 NE Sixth Avenue. The public is invited to an upscale First Friday Art Walk Reception on March 3rd from 5-8pm featuring delicious appetizers and beverages. The new gallery space opened last month at the corner of NE Sixth and Birch Street.

“In addition to my own works of art, I’m honored to feature beautiful oils on canvas by the talented Blue Bond at Pike Art Gallery,” said Pike. “The public is invited to a welcoming First Friday Art reception each month.” Pike and Bond both work in oils on canvas and have been painting throughout their respective lifetimes.  This new setting is a second location for Pike Art Gallery which opened a few years ago inside a stand-alone building at Pike’s organic Shangri-La Farm in Fern Prairie.”

Bond is known nationally as a prize-winning portrait artist. Pike has been juried into Clark County Open Studios Tour each year since 2017. Pike also shows her work at several regional art festivals including the Fern Prairie Art Fest, Washougal Art Festival, Battle Ground’s Art in the Park, and Camas Vintage and Art Faire. Pike Art Gallery can be reached at (360) 281-8720. Visit LizPike.art on the web.

Pike
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Camas School District: Hayes Freedom High School Not Closing

Camas, WA — In response to social media posts about local teachers, parents and supporters rallying to save Hayes Freedom School from the chopping block, Camas School District (CSD) Superintendent, Dr. John Anzalone, issued a clarifying statement Wednesday afternoon to parents. 

The Camas Education Association (CEA), the local teacher’s union, rallied supporters beginning Tuesday night to meet at next Monday’s CSD School Board meeting to express their support of Hayes and the work they do there. They had received credible information that closing Hayes was part of a broader cost cutting measure to save the district $6 million.

“I was able to get more information and the proposal was to move Hayes and merge it with Discovery, not ‘close’ the program,” said Marci Zabel, CEA President. “While I understand that is good for business, that would not be good for the population of students served at Hayes Freedom HS. No decision has been made as of yet, it is an option they are considering. We will continue to push our members and community members to urge the CSD School Board to keep HFHS where it is and come up with another solution that does not have such a negative impact on students.”  

In today’s statement, Anzalone said the following:

“We are aware of posts and comments on social media implying that Hayes Freedom High School will be closed due to impending budget cuts. This information is false, and I’d like to clarify our process and outline our budget development timeline. 

“We mentioned in our communication on February 1, 2023, that our leadership team is examining ways to reduce our budget by a target of $6 million, representing 5% of our budget. One of many options under consideration is looking for ways to share staffing among our smaller, choice high schools: Camas Connect Academy, Discovery High School, and Hayes Freedom High School. I want our community to know that we will not eliminate any of our high schools during this arduous budget process, and Hayes Freedom High School will not be relocated. 

“Our exploration and planning, which are still in development, will include reductions at the central office, building administration, classified staff, and certificated staff. In order to minimize impacts on students, we will first focus reductions on district office personnel and building administration.

“As we continue to examine possible areas for reductions, these principles will help guide decisions, including reducing staff positions and programs. Each principle is just one lens; we acknowledge that some may create tension when put up against others.

  • We will continue to use Seeing and Serving EACH Student as a guide and filter.
  • We will reduce or delay non-employee-related costs first.
  • For each reduction, we will consider the impact on students, particularly those with the highest needs.
  • Whenever possible, we will use attrition and consider not filling vacant positions.
  • We will look at our current initiatives and consider which are having the most impact on learning.
  • We will consider reductions that create closer alignment with the state’s prototypical school funding model.
  • We will focus on additional operational efficiencies and consider what the impacts would be.”

The following represents a general budget and staffing timeline, said Anzalone:

  • Late February to early March – Possible board resolution to reduce the budget by $6M. There would be no specificity regarding how the reductions are made. This is the formal first step in the budget reduction process.
  • Mid-March – First round of staffing cuts announced
  • End of March – Target date to notify all impacted staff
  • May 15 – Contractual deadline to notify impacted certificated staff
  • June 1 – Contractual deadline to notify impacted classified staff
Hayes
This is the graphic used in social media posts to support Hayes Freedom.
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Jennifer Senescu Appointed to Camas City Council Following Candidate Interviews

Camas, WA — Jennifer Senescu, Executive Director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, was appointed to the Camas City Council Friday night with a 4-2 vote following a formal interview process with six candidates, which was conducted by Mayor Steve Hogan and council members.

The following Council members voted for Senescu’s appointment:

  • Tim Hein
  • Leslie Lewallen
  • Don Chaney
  • Marilyn Boerke

She will be sworn in on Tuesday, February 21.

Senescu ran for mayor in 2021, and has been running the Chamber since 2020.

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Grand Opening Friday: The Readiness Group Offers Emergency Preparedness Solutions

Camas, WA — The Readiness Group is officially opening its doors on Friday, February 17 with a major Grand Opening event and ribbon cutting from 5-9 pm.

The facility, which is located at 3316 NE 3rd Ave next door to Walgreens and Grocery Outlet, is a store that helps people prepare for emergency and disaster planning. 

The store offers the following services:

  • Emergency preparedness and disaster planning.
  • Smokeless range training
  • Classroom for firearms
  • Taser training
  • Self defense classes
  • Laser training
  • Community classes on first aid and fire safety, trauma, surviving a car accident, how to pack a go bag.
  • Foraging class

The veteran-owned and operated business offers a variety of products, as well: 

  • Ammunition
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Range supplies
  • Eye protection
  • Targets
  • Target stands

The Readiness Group also offers medical supplies, which include first aid, trauma kits, a la carte features with individual kits that are customized. 

They will also sell gun holsters and conceal devices like purses, as well as firearms parts, apparel, body armor, carriers, range bags, sunglasses, watches, belts, etc.

“We are getting in with a lot of phenomenal product,” said co-owner Daniel Stanton. “We have a couple distributors that are new to the Pacific Northwest. We’re not trying to be a run of the mill store. It’s a high quality store. We have a custom holster manufacturer that makes holsters for us. We put a lot of thought in the knives and equipment we sell.”

The company is a partnership with multiple entities, with a division that offers defensive construction, such as safe rooms, home security camera systems, bars on windows, and landscaping to deter criminal activity. 

“Criminals look for ease of access for the haul,” said Stanton. “Make your ease of access look difficult and ensure your appearance deters criminal activity. Keep an eye on your neighbors, which is part of security training.” 

Their Gun Fighting Systems division offers consulting. Their training classes run at night: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

And they plan to offer some self defense and weapons detection courses. It’s really the whole gambit of defense, preparedness and security. 

Website: TheReadinessGroup.org

Find them on Facebook: The Readiness Group

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Camas Police Chief Search: Finalists Not Good ‘Fit’ for City, Says Mayor

CAMAS, WA –- Following the interviews for the City of Camas Police Chief position, officials with the City of Camas announced Thursday that the search for the next Chief will continue for the time being.

City of Camas Mayor Steve Hogan said that the initial candidate pool was trimmed down to two finalists, however, he’s interested in finding candidates to better fit for Camas’ needs. 

Mayor Hogan acknowledged that the finalists were both excellent candidates, each with unique strengths they could bring to the position.  However, the decision was made to continue the search.

“While it’s unfortunate the position was not filled, it will be reopened as Camas continues to search for the City’s next Police Chief,” said Hogan.

In addition, current Camas Police Chief Mitch Lackey has agreed to push back his retirement date to provide support to the City while the process to hire his replacement continues.

City of Camas Communications Director Bryan Rachal acknowledged hiring for public sector positions is challenging.

“It’s difficult to hire for any position lately, but especially difficult to hire Police Officers,” he said. “There are numerous factors that play into that, including availability of positions and varying levels of pay. In addition to recruiting for the Chief, we’re also recruiting for Officers currently.”

 Citing privacy measures, the city will will not release the names of the top finalists.

Rachal said the city is using The Bob Murray recruiting firm to help fill this position, which is a contract that costs Camas $18,500 plus expenses, not to exceed $25,000. 

“As mentioned, since we were not successful this round, they are performing the next recruitment process at no additional cost to the City,” Rachal clarified. “We will NOT pay anything additional for the recruiting services.”

Background checks for both finalists cost about $6,000 for full investigations. Background checks are required at a certain level for Police Chief applicants and certain requirements must be met when doing them, which is why that cost is higher than a standard background check.

At this time, Hogan hasn’t made clear exactly why the candidates weren’t a good fit. All five candidates attended a public meet and greet last year at Camas Public Library.

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CW Chamber Accepting Application for Business Person, Citizen of the Year

Camas, WA — The Camas Washougal Businessperson and Citizen of the year applications for nomination are now available. Your participation in the nomination process is necessary in order to honor individuals who truly deserve this honor within our community, said Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce today.

Here are the specifics:

Who: Citizen of the Year must live in the 98607 or 98671 area codes and have performed volunteer services in the community, which have contributed to an overall positive impact on Camas and/or Washougal. Business Person of the year must work in the 98607 or 98671 area codes and have shown a positive business influence on the Camas-Washougal area. Also, the businessperson must promote the community through any combination of the following: length of service, image, reputation, activities, promotions, growth, or participation in the business organizations. 

When: Application deadline is May 1st at 5 pm in the CW Chamber office at 422 NE 4th Avenue. Email to info@cwchamber.com   A banquet to honor the recipients will be held the first week in June. Date and Location to be announced.

Where: You can pick up applications at either the Camas or Washougal Riverview Community Bank branches, or at the Chamber Office. They are also available for download at www.cwchamber.com 

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