Tag Archive for: Camas

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Third Thursday Downtown Camas Events Kick Off April 15

Camas, WA — Downtown Camas is hosting its inaugural Third Thursday event on April 15 from 5-8 pm.

According to the Downtown Camas Association, these events occur monthly, like First Friday, but have a “grown up” feeling which includes after-hours shopping, dinning, sipping and special activities or menus at participating downtown businesses.

April Third Thursday activities will include:

A Creative Twist (223 NE 4th):  “MOCK” Birthday Party– a chance to see what is offered at parties hosted here and different styles to choose from.  Parties booked this night are 20% off

Allure Boutique (407 NE 4th): Jewelry trunk show

Arktana (415 NE 4th): Extra 50% off sale racks;

Clover Podiatry (405 NE 6th Ave): Pop-up with foot health and shoe fit advice and shoe insert sale

Attic Gallery (421 NE Cedar): Wine, cake and live music by John Stowel for owner Tommer’s 60th B-day

Camas Antiques (305 NE 4th): Pop up shop with Brenda Calvert from Half Moon Farm

Camas Gallery (408 NE 4th): Camas Gallery Tax Relief Day–they will pay your sales tax on all purchases

Caps N Taps (337 NE 4th):  Special Battle of the Sexes Trivia Night starting at 8pm!

Feast 316 (316 NE Dallas): A Rainer Tall Boy & a shot of Woodenville Rye Whiskey for $15 to take the edge off of ‘Tax Day’…keeping it local!

Grains of Wrath (230 NE 5th): Rolling out new cocktails for spring/summer! Cucumber Basil Smash, Gin Mint Refresher, Raspberry Lemon Drop Shot, Breakfast Shots

Jazzercise Camas(514 NE Dallas): Free class at 7:00pm to new customers; call 360-980-0022 to reserve spot

Juxtaposition (425 NE 4th): Local artist Nancy Carkin will be painting live with her art on display; sampling of spa products; featuring new relaxing “Retreat” home fragrance

Lara Blair Photography (411 NE Dallas): Showcasing BLOOM portraits and doing a model call for their next creative project.

Lily Atelier (237 NE 4th): Jewelry trunk show including: Carynn Michelle Jewelry, Amy Leiner Designs, Yedomi, Jessica Alexander, Crystal Quinn

Camas
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

LiveWell Camas (417 NE Birch): Will have three Black Women owned pop-up vendors in their space: Shoebox by Ki (clothing), Asiyah Rose Candles (luxury candles), FloraNior (plants)

Naturally Healthy Pet (335 NE 5th): Naturally Healthy Pet celebrates 12 years! Drop by and Enter to Win prizes with a “12” theme including a 12 month supply of dog treats, a 12 month supply of canned food (dog or cat), 12lb of dog food and more. See store for details. Free goodie bags (while supplies last)

Papermaker Pride (339 NE 4th): Art Pop Up with Heidi Jo Curley

Salud Wine Bar & Italian Dining (224 NE 3rd): Girl Scout Cookie and wine pairing for $12.

The Soap Chest (521 NE Everett): In keeping with the theme, they will feature their Stress Relief products made with their proprietary blend of essential oils. Sampling Stress Relief Blend Spritzer, Massage Oil and Bath Salts.

Tommy Os at the Camas Hotel (401 NE 4th): Cara Cara Orange Margarita drink special and Pan Seared Steelhead trout with Asian stir fry and black rice as food special.

Restaurants will be hosting special happy hour, food and cocktail options with more details to be announced closer to the event.

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National VFW Auxiliary President Visits Southwest Washington

Sandi Onstwedder, National President of AFW Auxiliary, was honored at a dinner on Wednesday, April 6, by members of the Camas-Washougal VFW Auxiliary 4278, the Toutle VFW Auxiliary 10882, Vancouver Auxiliary 7824 and members of other Auxiliaries within the state. Her three-day visit to Southwest Washington included meetings with members as well as a tour of the Historical Museum in Vancouver. The members of the auxiliaries are united by a common theme: Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans.  It is a concept that reflects the common goal that brings every member of the VFW Auxiliary together and supports the passion and purpose of members to serve American veterans who gave up so much not only for us, but our nation.

Following a short welcome and presentation of a City Proclamation by Molly Coston, Mayor of Washougal, at the Black Pearl dinner, Onstwedder spoke to the members of the various auxiliaries.  Onstwedder stated that one of her personal goals this year is to listen to members.  “They are the backbone and reason the organization is still in existence today.  Members know what works and what doesn’t at the Auxiliary level.  They want their voices heard and I believe that National Headquarters has made great headway in opening those lines of communication for every member.  I will be the public relations ambassador and help to connect those entities even more.”

VFW
www.gevurtzmenashe.com

For her personal special project this year, Onstwedder’s has organized a Stars, Stripe and Support focus on combating food insecurity among veterans, service members and their families.  This project was necessary due to the fact that 25 percent of our nation’s total active duty and reserve personnel are currently seeking aid from food pantries across the nation.

To achieve this goal, Onstwedder implemented the Auxiliary’s Community Outreach Program, encouraging auxiliaries to take active roles in their local communities and to partner with other community service organizations on projects for the betterment of their community.  This brings awareness to communities about the Auxiliary mission and provides much-needed services to communities while creating a stronger bond between auxiliary members and local military families.  Onstwedder stated, “Respecting all veterans while Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans should be our number one priority.”

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Chamber Eats Networking Series Kicks Off Thursday at Salud! Wine Bar

The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its first Chamber Eats event this Thursday, April 8 at 5 pm at Salud Wine Bar in downtown Camas.

The twice-monthly Chamber Eats series is an informal networking event for Chamber members and the general public encouraging people to support local restaurants and reignite business connections.

“This is a step toward normalcy to begin networking in person and to support local restaurants,” said Jennifer Senescu, Executive Director of the CW Chamber. “We also think the food at Salud is fantastic.”

The Chamber Eats networking series is held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. The second one will be held on Thursday, April 22 at A Beer At A Time in downtown Camas.

“We hope to see you at Salud on Thursday,” said Senescu. “The fun begins at 5 pm, but you’re welcome to attend at a time that’s convenient for you.”

Salud Wine Bar is located at 224 NE 3rd Ave, Camas, WA 98607.

Salud Wine Bar serves Italian cuisine and offers a deep selection of wines. Its members are able to store their favorite wines in climate-controlled lockers and can enjoy outdoor dining in their back patio. Prior to the pandemic they offered live entertainment. The restaurant follows all COVID-19 safety protocols and recently expanded their kitchen.

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Local Groups Unite To Bring Awareness For Prevention Of Child Abuse

Washougal, WA — April is “Child Abuse Prevention Month” and General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Camas-Washougal (GFWC) has a list of events that they will be participating in. GFWC will be planting pinwheel gardens in Camas and Washougal. Both Cities of Camas and Washougal have signed proclamations to help raise awareness about child abuse prevention.

“This is such an important issue that I feel passionate about raising awareness and getting the word out to our communities.” said Susan Bennett, Vice President of the GFWC Camas-Washougal. “We want families to know that there are resources and places to find help. We want families to feel supported in the important work of raising their children,” added Christine Kamps, President of GFWC.

Bennett serves as the Pinwheel Projects Committee Chair. In an effort to increase the reach and impact of the project this year, she reached out to Unite! Washougal Community Coalition to partner on this project and invited Unite! to plant gardens with the GFWC. “I was so excited to partner with the GFWC on this project!” said Ann Stevens, Unite! Washougal 501c3 President. “GFWC is such a hardworking and dedicated organization that really contributes to the good of our communities! In addition, improving the health and wellness of our youth, families and community is the core mission of Unite!, so this is a perfect project to partner together.”

GFWC, a 501c3 organization, has been serving the cities of Camas and Washougal since 1947. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s volunteer service organizations. GFWC is a vibrant and connected sisterhood of women who are creating better communities, expanding their own possibilities, and extending friendship and support to women near and far.

Child
www.gevurtzmenashe.com

Unite! Washougal Community Coalition is a substance misuse prevention coalition that works with all sectors of the community to increase community connections and promote health and wellness. “We are always looking for community partners that want to promote connection, health and wellness in our community, remarked Angela Hancock, Unite! Vice President. “We also have other resources for parents and our community including parenting classes such as Incredible Years, and our semi-annual Drug Take Back on April 24th from 10 am to 2 pm.”

Both organizations are seeking new members who want to volunteer, learn new skills and serve their communities. For more information and resources to help prevent child abuse visit: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/resource-guide/  For more information about the General Federation of Women’s Clubs please email GFWC Camas-Washougal at GFWC_CW@Frontier.com, contact Susan Bennet at (916) 330-7932 or visit their Facebook page GFWC Camas-Washougal.  For more information about Unite! contact Margaret McCarthy at washougalunite.com or call (360) 954-3203. Unite! meets the 4th Thursday of every Month at 3 PM. Currently, meetings are by zoom. Check out our Facebook page or Website for more information. http://unitewashougal.org/

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Thriller Novel ‘Penance: Unredeemable’ by Camas Author Launches in April

Seth Sjostrom’s Latest FBI Thriller Tackles the Horrors of Human Trafficking

Author Seth Sjostrom releases his latest FBI thriller this April, Penance: Unredeemable.

FBI Agent Alex Penance chases after a cartel’s human-trafficking ring, uncovering horrific scenes as the gang’s safe houses are found throughout abandoned farmhouses of rural Mississippi and swamps of Louisiana. Each location he uncovers reveals a more sinister treatment of a group of missing girls who find themselves in the middle of the cat-and-mouse chase. Working alongside Assistant District Attorney Annie Hunt, Penance zeroes in on the cartel’s headquarters outside of New Orleans.

Complicating Penance’s work on the case and his budding relationship with Annie, the agent is tasked with providing security for beautiful and flirtatious country music star Marla Hendricks. A promotional concert to benefit the beleaguered town of Sawyer, Mississippi, the star proves to be a distraction Penance doesn’t need as lives are on the line.

As kidnappings devolve into murder scenes, the race is on to save the girls before it is too late.

A serial entrepreneur, adventurer and author, Penance: Unredeemable, is Sjostrom’s tenth published novel. The thrillers Blood in the Snow, Blood in the Water, Blood in the Sand, Penance, and Dark Chase, as well as the romances, Finding Christmas, The Tree Farm, The Nativity and Back to Carolina were his first books published. All of Seth’s books are available through Ingram.

View the video trailer for Penance: Unredeemable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1qxF90iOyg.

For more information or to order his books, visit www.sethsjostrom.com.  

Penance
Camas author Seth Sjostrom.
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Health: Clover Podiatry Opens Its Doors In Downtown Camas

Camas, WA — Clover Podiatry, owned and operated by Dr. Tek Fish, a foot and ankle surgeon, recently opened it doors in downtown Camas. 

A foot and ankle surgeon, as well as a foot and general physician, Dr. Fish treats any issues and ailments from the knee down, which includes skin, muscles, bones, and tendons. 

“We’re happy to be here,” said Dr. Fish. “Clover Podiatry treats ingrown toenails, warts, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, and diabetic foot care.”

He said heel pain is the same as plantar fasciitis — it’s an overuse injury of the heel, usually from tight calf muscles. 

“It happens when you puts too much stress on the tissue on the bottom of your foot,” he said. “It comes from being on your feet too much and not having the right support. Orthotics and stretching are some of the best ways to prevent it. Shockwave therapy is one way to treat it.” 

His clinic also treat ailments that require surgery, such as ankle fractures, bunions, hammer toes, wound care, and trauma. Hammer toes is an imbalance in your foot muscles and results in your toes curling up. People with diabetes get it, too, and it’s corrected through surgery. 

“It’s a fairly simple surgery,” he said “Almost all surgeries I perform are at PeaceHealth.”

He also treats sports injuries like turf toe or ankle sprains, fractures, and shin splints, “which we try to manage with conservative care.”

Most of the time Clover Podiatry doesn’t require referrals. The clinic accepts most insurances: Medicare, Medicaid, Premera Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Regence, United Health Care, Lifewise, Molina Healthcare, etc.

Dr. Fish also encourages patients to wear medical grade orthotics, which are pre-fabricated and available at his practice for 1/3 of the price. 

The move back to the Pacific Northwest in July with is wife Kimberly Fish, a Physician’s Assistant, and his toddler daughter, Devri, was a homecoming for Fish, who grew up in Hockinson.

“We moved back to the Pacific Northwest in July, bought the building on September 1 and spent a couple months renovating it. I grew up in Hockinson, went to Heritage High School, attended BYU (competed on their track team and studied landscape management), then I went to podiatry school at Kent State U, College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated in 2017.”

Dr. Fish stayed in Cleveland for three years of surgical training, and then decided plant roots once again in the Pacific Northwest.

“We plan to be active in the community, and we’re just really happy to be here,” he said.

He also has his own blog, which you can read at his website: www.cloverpodiatry.com

Fish
Clover Podiatry offers high quality orthotics at 1/3 the price.
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April’s Downtown Camas First Friday: Spring Into History

Camas, WA — April First Friday in Downtown Camas brings an appreciation for the strong history of Camas and a celebration of the coming of Spring, the Downtown Camas Association said in a statement today. The theme is “Spring into History!” and you can take part in a self-guided historic walking tour, art shows, history info, Easter activity bag giveaways, after-hours shopping and dining along with family friendly themed activities and prizes. Virtual activities for the week start on Monday, March 29th and in-person First Friday activities are on April 2nd, 5-8pm. 

First Friday Activities include:

  • Play the “Guess About Camas” history passport game in participating businesses and be entered to win a Camas themed prize package.
  • Easter activity bags for kids compliments of Camas Parks & Rec will be given out in these participating merchant locations starting at 5pm on First Friday: 4Ever Growing Kids (440 NE 4th), A Creative Twist (223 NE 4th), Cake Happy (340 NE 4th), Juxtaposition (425 NE 4th) and Papermaker Pride (339 NE 4th).
  • Each merchant will also have a basket of eggs filled with discounts or goodies and somewhere in the basket will be an egg with an extra special prize.
  • The Easter Bunny and his sidekick “Carrot” will be giving out spring goodies throughout town from 6-7pm.
  • As an additional nod to Camas’ paper history, local artists are creating beautiful Paper Dresses that will be on display throughout downtown.
  • Learn all about Camas mill town history starting at the Historic Mill Photo Collage at 4th and Adams (across from the mill in the US Bank parking lot). Scan the QR code on the legend and go on a self-guided Historic Walking Tour of downtown. Learn about the notable people, buildings and events that have made Camas what it is today. This can be done at any time.
Camas
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

The in-person Guess About Camas passport activity will be on Friday ALL day and into the evening 5-8pm. Passports will be available on the First Friday event webpage, Facebook page and in the shops.  

Post your completed in-person passport on the First Friday FB page post by Saturday the 3rd at noon and be entered to win a Camas prize package–the more locations you go, the more chances you have to win.

Virtual activities on the First Friday Facebook page for the week starting on March 29:

Monday: Spring into History Word Matching Game
Tuesday: Show us Signs of Spring!
Wednesday: Seek & Find in Downtown Camas
Thursday: Pick & Pic!
Friday: History Trivia Fun

Watch LIVE at 5pm Friday as the winners from the week are announced and you can win for watching and participating.

“We truly love our town’s history as it shows why our town is the incredible one it is today,” says Carrie Schulstad, Executive Director for the Downtown Camas Association (DCA). “You can do the history trivia game and learn a lot and also go on the historic walking tour and learn even more. This year we have added Easter activity bag giveaways compliments of Camas Parks & Rec and you might even see your friends Bunny & Carrot handing out goodies. We also have local artists creating paper dresses that models will be wearing in select locations. There will be a lot going on so come celebrate our amazing Camas history and spring in Downtown Camas!”

First Fridays are Art, Activities, Dining, and After Hours Shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and develop community and are being held both virtually and in-person until fully in-person First Friday events are again possible.

For more information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/april-first-friday-spring-history or the Downtown Camas First Friday Facebook page.

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Camas Schools: In Solidarity With Our Asian and Pacific Islander Community

Camas, WA — Camas Superintendent Dr. Jeff Snell released this statement Friday about local solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

Dear Camas Community,

We are devastated by the heinous attacks targeting Asian Americans including the murders that took place on Tuesday in Atlanta. We want every member of our Asian and Pacific Islander community to know we see you; we mourn and stand with you.  We remain committed to lifting up the voices of Asian American students and families as they combat this wave of violence and all acts of racism. We know six of the total eight victims are women of Asian descent. We only know four of the names of victims so far: Delaina Ashley Yaun Gonzalez, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng. 

Chung Ho, Juanito Falcon, Yong Zheng, Vicha Ratanapakdee, Christian Hall, Angelo Quinto, and others have also lost their lives in the last three months because of racist hate that our country and community has far too often allowed to fester. 

We continue to witness and experience acts of violence and harassment toward marginalized groups across this country and locally.  This is why we will not relent in our pursuit of equity and social justice.  We must continue to uproot and condemn all racist, xenophobic, and other hate-based behaviors. Each and every person deserves the right to exist, learn and thrive in our community.  

We will continue to support our students in discussing and learning from what they are seeing and experiencing. Our state education agency makes the following commitment in their Reopening Washington Schools publication: “The impacts of fear, hatred, and systemic and structural racism within institutions cannot be ignored, and they yield tragic outcomes. Washington’s public education system must engage in anti-racist capacity building, leadership, and resource allocation. Dismantling systemically racist structures will make progress on inclusivity and will better serve students of color, students with disabilities, students who are English learners, students who are migratory, students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, students experiencing intergenerational poverty, and students who identify as LGBTQ+.” 

In the Camas School District, we will continue to amplify this commitment through our policies, resolutions, and practices.

Our students and staff should know that in our schools, in our hallways, and in our community, it is a shared responsibility to call out injustice and racism. We will continue to stand up for equity in learning and teaching and work towards accepting and understanding the differences that contribute to our rich tapestry of community. This work has never been more important than it is now and in Camas, we will continue to support one another and stand up for what’s right and against injustice, inequality, and all forms of systemic racism.

To learn more on how you can stand in action, visit stopaapihate.org.  Join us at our next Community Equity Forum on April 14, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM as we engage in conversation around how to support our AAPI students and families. 

Thank you,

Jeff Snell, Superintendent

Asian
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CW Community Chest, CW Rotary Foundation Announce 2021 Grant Awards

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest is celebrating its 75th anniversary by announcing the award of 28 grants totaling a record $127,671 to local non-profit organizations delivering services, exclusively, to children and families in Camas and Washougal. CWCC is also excited to announce a partnership with the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation to help fund additional grants each year.

“We are pleased to join forces with the Community Chest. Together we can do more good in Camas and Washougal. The Rotary commitment to Service above Self will also add volunteers to the mix as we work to make a difference for many families,” said Rotary Foundation President Kathy Bussman.

The grants will fund such diverse services as emergency food assistance, aid to families in crisis or needing emergency services, safe temporary shelter for at-risk youth, a severe weather shelter program at the Washougal Senior Center, a homeless family day center located at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Camas or enhancing the habitat of Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. New organizations receiving grants for the first time are offering services such as financial support for low-income cancer survivors, helping low-income families pay for their pet’s veterinary bills and scholarships for children in need to use a local indoor skatepark.

Some of the non-profit organizations being funded in 2021 include Inter- Faith Treasure House, Children Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center, Janus Youth Program, Pink Lemonade, Family Promise of Clark County and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. For a complete listing of the grant awards see the grant summary below.

Community
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

Thanks to CWRF and to major donations from the GP Foundation, GP employees, Camas School District employees, City of Camas employees, Port of Camas-Washougal employees, Windermere Foundation, Columbia Technology Manufacturing Center and Watercare Industrial Services. CWCC is well on the way to funding these grants. To reach its 2021 fundraising goal of $127,671, however, the CWCC needs additional donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at www.CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org. 

The CWCC and CWRF are registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. Says CWCC Co-President Joelle Scheldorf, “we are excited that our partnership with the Rotary Foundation will help more local charities thrive by supporting much-needed programs and services for residents of Camas and Washougal financially and with volunteers”.

2021 Grant Program Summary

Total number of grants awarded – 28

Total value of grants awarded – $127,671

Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 19,500

Community
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Go Green! This Is The Theme For Tonight’s Downtown Camas First Friday

Camas, WA — Go Green is the theme for Camas First Friday! Art shows, after-hours shopping, activities, prizes, and more will all be a part of the First Friday event in Downtown Camas tonight beginning at 5 pm. 

Virtual activities started on Monday, March 1st and in-person First Friday activities kick in this evening. Downtown businesses will be open and have special offerings, as well.

The “Find the Leprechaun” in-person passport has been happening all week and continues during First Friday. When you find the leprechaun in the shops, you get entered to win a great “green” prize from that location.

Plus, participants may post completed in-person passports by on the Downtown Camas First Friday page post by Saturday, March 6 at noon and be entered to win a fabulous “green” prize basket from downtown. The more locations you visit, the more chances you have to win.

Passport lists will be available here and in stores on First Friday. Go Green with us!

Camas
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

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