Tag Archive for: Camas

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Annual IMPACT CW Food Drive Goes Digital; Helps Local Families

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.

Food
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“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.

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From The 411 Studio: Covering Open Camas Rally, Events in General

Lacamas Magazine editorials are rare, but given the reaction (over 1,000 comments on the Lacamas Magazine Facebook and Instagram sites) from our coverage of Saturday’s Open Camas Rally, I’d like to lay out a few facts:

1) A reporter’s job is to report the news, so reporting an event isn’t necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with the event or the news itself. It is the news. Why is this rally/protest news? When a group this large (160+ people) peacefully assembles — during a pandemic — to speak out, have their say, and march the streets in front of shuttered businesses, it is newsworthy. I would have covered it had it been a group of environmentalists, teachers, mill workers, students, or even Boy Scouts.

2) Don’t begrudge the reporter. The report is simple and straightforward, and reflects the opinions of a segment of our local population. Lacamas Magazine has provided for months ample, factual, and objective COVID-19 reporting from Governor Jay Inslee, state and local health officials, and first responders. We will continue to do that. Saturday’s rally provided another perspective.

3) This was NOT a collective local business owner-driven event. What do I mean by that? One local business owner helped organize it to demand leaders re-open society; it wasn’t planned as a political event espousing an ideology or particular candidate, though some people brought political signs.

4) Downtown Camas business owners did not organize this rally. They are doing their best to survive right now. Don’t aim any of your anger towards them as that would simply be wrong.

5) The police were present and provided guidance to the demonstrators on how to best conduct themselves, which included staying on the sidewalks and not blocking traffic.

6) I was with the rally participants from 1 pm until approximately 2:30 pm and during that time I did not see any malicious traffic blockage, profanity or anything overtly disrespectful. With that said, watch the video and make your own conclusions: https://youtu.be/8B0306z8hxA

And, one more important matter: Local businesses are preparing to reopen under guidelines that keep changing. They are doing their best to prepare for customers to feel comfortable — and welcome. What are things you suggest they do to help you feel comfortable?

People in a free world are at liberty to express their opinions, and freedom of the press is in our Bill of Rights. I invite you to submit letters to the editor, or even draft opinions, if you’d like.

Thank you for reading,

Ernie

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Norris Painting: ‘We’re Not In Camas Anymore’ Captures History

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.”

Norris
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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

Norris
Wendy DelBosque, left, and Anna Norris, right, show Anna’s painting “We’re Not In Camas Anymore.”
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COVID-19: Inslee Issues Guidance for Resuming Dine-In Restaurant Service

Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance today for partially resuming the dine-in restaurant and tavern industry for counties granted variance under the Safe Start Phase 2 recovery plan laid out last week.

Through the Washington “Safe Start” plan, more businesses and activities will re-open in subsequent phases with adequate safety and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three weeks — metrics and data will guide when the state can move from one phase to another. 

Through the Safe Start approach, counties with a population of less than 75,000 that have not had a new case of COVID-19 in the past three weeks can apply for a variance to move to Phase 2 of “Safe Start” before other parts of the state. County variance applications will be approved or denied by the secretary of the Department of Health. Eight counties have received the variance. 

For counties granted variance to move to Phase 2, restaurant operations may resume with limitations after meeting specific criteria, effective May 11, 2020.

“No restaurant or tavern may operate indoor or sit-down services until they can meet and maintain all requirements, including providing materials, schedules and equipment required to comply,” the guidance states. 

Guidance documents: 

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COVID-19 Effect: CW Chamber of Commerce Cancels Camas Days 2020

After careful consideration and in compliance with current restraints on public gatherings, the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce is canceling Camas Days 2020 and recognition of the Businessperson/Citizen of the Year. 

“This was a difficult decision to make; however, our upmost concern is the health and safety of everyone in our communities,” said CW Chamber Executive Director, Brent Erickson.  “Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold these events, but we know it is the right decision based on the information we have today. We will be reaching out directly to vendors with information about providing full refunds. We encourage everyone to continue physical distancing as a preventative method to slow the spread of Covid-19.”

The annual Camas Days celebration was scheduled for late July, and includes a parade, vendor exhibits, games, music, and great food. This announcement comes a day after organizers announced the cancellation of the annual Clark County Fair.

The Port of Camas-Washougal also cancelled their summer events through the end of August.  

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COVID-19: City of Camas to Reopen Parks Facilities in Phases

CAMAS, WA – In accordance with Governor Jay Inslee’s easing of outdoor recreation restrictions announced April 27, the City of Camas will begin a phased approach to reopening its park system.

Beginning May 5, the first phase will open the parking lots at all City-run parks and trailheads, which were closed on March 31. Additionally, the bathroom facilities at Heritage Park, located at Lacamas Lake on Northwest Lake Road with access to Heritage Trail, will reopen. The restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized daily; however, to minimize contact with high-touch surfaces, patrons should use restrooms sparingly and with COVID-19 safety precautions in mind.

All other City-run restrooms and parks facilities, including play structures, sports fields, sports courts and picnic shelters will remain closed at this time to reduce crowds, limit group interaction and encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Future openings will be enacted based on guidance from local and state health officials.

“Enjoy the open areas and trails while staying close to home to exercise, get fresh air and recreate with family members,” urged Parks and Recreation Manager Jerry Acheson. “Please practice appropriate physical distancing or wear a face covering when participating in outdoor activities. Together, we can keep our community healthy and safe.”

Individuals should not call 911 to report others in noncompliance and should avoid confrontations over enforcement. Instead, individuals are asked to adhere to the following guidelines for responsible outdoor recreation.

Before you go:

  • Recreate with immediate household members only. Recreating with those outside of your household creates new avenues for virus transmission.
  • Come prepared. Visitors may find reduced or limited or no restroom services. You are advised to bring your own soap, water, and hand sanitizer, as well as a mask or bandana to cover your nose and mouth.
  • Enjoy the outdoors when healthy. If you have symptoms including fever, cough or shortness of breath, stay home and save your outdoor adventure for another day.

When you get there:

  • Avoid crowds. Be prepared to go somewhere else or come back another time if your destination looks crowded.
  • Practice physical distancing. Keep 6 feet between you and those outside your immediate household. If possible, leave at least one parking space between your vehicle and the vehicle next to you.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Pack out what you pack in. Take any garbage with you, including disposable gloves and masks.

Unrelated to the order, Clark County Public Health closed Lacamas Lake and Round Lake on April 24 due to elevated toxin levels and is advising against all lake use, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing. For details and updates, the public is encouraged to visit www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches

The City will continue to monitor newly released information to determine additional modifications.

  • To see up-to-date programming and operations changes, the public is encouraged to visit www.cityofcamas.us/ourcommunity/covid-19
  • For access to City services, patrons can visit www.cityofcamas.us, call 360-834-6864 or use the CamasConnect app.
  • For support or someone to talk to, call the Camas Resource Helpline at 360-382-1300, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6 pm.
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The Camas Shirt Project: Helping Out Downtown Businesses

In an effort to help Downtown Camas businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, several local businessmen banded together to create The Camas Shirt Project.

Mel Locke, owner of Universal Martial Arts, and Joseph Graves, Founder of HYVÄ SPC, are working hard to do what they can to help out. The shirt was designed by Tolo Tuitele, of Fuel Medical, and printing is being handled by David McCalib’s team at Printforia at the Port of Camas-Washougal.

Their goal is to sell 20,000 T-shirts, with profits to be distributed to downtown businesses.

“Mel wanted to do something to help out downtown, which is the heart of Camas,” said Graves, who lives in Washougal, but was raised in Camas. “This all came together very quickly after that first conversation.”

To get your shirt, visit www.shirtsforcamas.com

To have your business included in the profit sharing, join at: www.shirtsforcamas.com/signup

Program Overview

  • The shirts will be printed on demand so there is no need for pre-ordering or buying a large amount of inventory
  • They’ll add up the online sales, subtract the cost and divide by the number of participating businesses
  • To be considered a participating business and receive an equal portion of the profit, a business only needs to do two things:    
    • Help get the word out, this can be done through: 
      • social networks
      • email lists
      • physical displays 
    • Let them know who you are and that you want to participate at www.shirtsforcamas.com/signup
  • Buy shirts at cost and sell directly to your customers:
    • Let them know you want to resell on your sign up form
    • This provides more revenue to you as a merchant
  • Shirts can be purchased at www.shirtsforcamas.com  
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Camas Author Prepares for May Release of ‘Back to Carolina’ Novel

Back to Carolina is a cozy beach romance set in coastal North Carolina. 

Dean Taylor is excited to tackle the final assignment before officially making partner at his firm, that is until he learns he must return to his hometown to close the deal. Driving past road signs and ball fields, he is overwhelmed by images from the past he had run away from a decade ago and of which he had no desire to return. 

Dean’s plans to get in, grab a signature, and get out quickly are abruptly dashed as the CEO of Cape Fear Commercial demands that Dean spends a week getting to know each of the company’s facilities. Compounding Dean’s challenge, Cape Fear’s Public Relations Director assigned to take him on the tour is a college ex-girlfriend, a relationship that he acknowledges he did not end in particularly gallant fashion. At every turn during his stay, Dean runs into people from his past. Unresolved relationships weighing on him, he launches into an ill-advised apology tour. 

As Dean confronts his past, he finds himself unwittingly smitten with Shelby James, a wary military widow struggling to move past the heartbreak of losing her husband. Life’s turns continue to pit the two together as they begin to build a fragile, reluctant relationship unlocking hearts and healing wounds of the past, cultivating a warm, coastal Carolina romance.    

A work trip inspired Sjostrom to write Back to Carolina.

Carolina
Seth Sjostrom.

“I left my hometown at such an age that my tail was on fire, ready to conquer the world. There was surely scorched earth in my wake. As I drove through my old college town, I couldn’t help but to consider friends and relationships that I either left behind or were simply overwhelmed by the overgrown weeds of time,” Sjostrom shares. 

Back to Carolina follows Dean Taylor as he struggles to overcome the fears of facing his past and rebuilding relationships that were once dear to him. In doing so, he finds his mature self finally ready to accept present day relationships, such as his budding romance with Shelby.

Seth is a Camas, Washington resident. A serial entrepreneur and author, Back to Carolina, is his fifth novel. The thrillers Blood in the Snow, Blood in the Water, Penance, as well as the holiday romance Finding Christmas were his first books published. 

For more information or to order his books, check out www.sethsjostrom.com for pre-launch discounts. Back to Carolina goes to print May 1st.

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COVID-19 Effect: Camas Parks & Rec Cancels June’s Camtown Youth Festival

Camas, WA — Camas Parks & Recreation is cancelling the annual Camtown Youth Festival at Crown Park in Camas on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and considering the health and safety of our event participants, the decision has been made to cancel this year’s on-site park event.

“We know that our community is eager to gather and engage in many of the wonderful events and activities (such as Camtown) that our city has to offer. We also know that it will only be a matter of time until we can come together for enjoyment, whether it’s to attend a concert, sporting event, festival, or a fundraiser,” says Krista Bashaw, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Camas Parks & Recreation. “We have future events in our sights and continue to plan for those, so that when the gathering green light is given, we’ll be ready to go with many of the great events our community is used to and ready for.”

Stay home. Stay healthy.

For information on any of the City of Camas events, contact Camas Parks & Recreation at [email protected]

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Camas Launches ‘Support Local & Save’ to Support Residents, Merchants

CAMAS, WA – Earlier this week, the City of Camas Finance department rolled out new ways for residents in arrears and small businesses of fewer than 50 employees to ease the burden of utility payments. Today they announce an additional COVID-19 promotion called “Support Local & Save,” aimed at lowering residential utility bills while supporting Camas merchants.

The new program, which begins April 11, is based on the City of Newberg, Oregon’s Support Local Challenge. Here’s how it works:

  • Residents are encouraged to make purchases from Camas merchants in the downtown area and throughout the city.Eligible purchases include gift cards, food, goods and services.
  • Residents save their receipts showing the business name, date and amount of purchase.
  • Residents may submit to City of Camas a total of $125 in receipts for a total savings of $75.
  • When they have a total of $25 in receipts (this could be one receipt or multiple), they are eligible to receive $15 off their utility bill.
  • Residents can then email a scan or photo of the receipts to [email protected]; mail them to City of Camas Finance Department, 616 NE 4th Ave., Camas WA 98607; or drop them in the City Hall drop box.
  • All receipts must be accompanied by the name on the utility account, account number, address and contact phone or email.
  • Support Local & Save will begin on Sat., April 11, and run through May 4, the current end date of Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation; the City will reassess the program’s duration as the COVID- 19 situation evolves.

“I challenge everyone who can to ‘Support Local & Save,’” rallied City of Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell. “Camas merchants are doing a great job of coming up with inventive ways to offer gift cards, food, goods and services that allow residents to stay home and stay healthy. Now we can shop, dine and save on utilities.”

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The City will continue to monitor feedback from residents and businesses, as well as the guidance of public agencies, to determine future modifications and support mechanisms. For an up-to-date listing of changes to city programming and operations during the COVID-19 crisis, the public is encouraged to visit www.cityofcamas.us/ourcommunity/covid-19.

Members of the public who have a need or concern may contact [email protected] or 360-834-6864. For assistance with errands, food, supplies, and more, residents may call the City of Camas Resource Helpline, 360- 382-1300, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For questions about the program, please visit www.cityofcamas.us/supportlocal or contact the City of Camas Finance Department at [email protected] or 360-834-2462, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Finance staff will also be on hand to answer questions and enroll residents currently in arrears and small businesses in incorporated Camas with fewer than 50 employees.

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