Camas, WA — The January 12th fundraiser for Camas resident Mariah Corbin, who is fighting a rare form of brain cancer, brought in $1,040, which represented 20 percent of Champ Pizza’s Tuesday’s sales.
Tyson Cook, Champ Pizza’s managing partner, presented the check, along with some pizza and breadsticks, Thursday night to Mariah’s father, Derrill.
“We just received another bill today and so these funds already have a place to go! THANK YOU,” Derrill said. “Mariah is in a reprieve right now, not in a lot of pain, but she is having some vision issues. We were able to have an enjoyable Christmas.”
Mariah’s health issues surfaced last summer and in September she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that’s only affected 35 people in the United States. Derrill said 34 of those 35 people have died.
“The community has been amazing,” Derrill said. “We are so grateful for the love and support you’ve shown us.”
Derrill said each day is challenging as new issues arise, and as bills mount. He said one of the latest treatment options has a $5,000 copay.
Cook saw the previous fundraisers by Grains of Wrath and Natalia’s and decided to step in.
“We are happy to help,” Cook said. “And, we want the community to know we can do other fundraisers when the need arises.”
Camas, WA — To assist longtime Camas resident, Mariah Corbin, who is fighting a rare form of brain cancer, locally owned and operated Champ Pizza is donating 20 percent of their sales on Tuesday, January 12.
“We will donate 20 percent of all revenue on January 12 at all three of our locations — Camas, East Vancouver, and Salmon Creek,” said Champ Pizza’s managing partner, Tyson Cook. “We hope everyone orders a pizza, some wings, and desserts so we can raise as much money as possible for this Mariah and her family.”
You can order by phone (see the list of phone numbers) or at www.champpizza.com
Champ Pizza phone numbers:
Camas: 360.210.5262
East Vancouver: 360.828.7029
Salmon Creek: 360.573.8569
Update on Mariah
“Mariah has been recovering super well from her second brain surgery which took place just over 3 weeks ago,” said her father, Derrill. “She’s more tired than she was in her recovery from the first surgery. However, with all she’s been through over these months, it’s completely understandable.”
“She’s been relatively pain-free for more than 2 weeks, only needing Tylenol, which is nothing short of miraculous! One significant point to note is that this last surgery caused a permanent field cut in her right eye. This means that she lost a major part of her sight on the right side. And while we knew it was probable, it is disappointing and something we’re praying for recovery from.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/04195110/F782A8A6-CDDC-4EBF-92C2-0A9CAE49495A-e1609819946702.jpeg5281600Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2021-01-04 20:15:062021-01-04 20:15:14Champ Pizza to Donate 20% of January 12 Sales to Mariah Corbin’s Family
Camas, WA – The City of Camas has selected two new department heads: former City of Boulder Deputy Communications Director Bryan Rachal will become Camas’ first-ever director of communications and current University of Portland Associate Vice President for Land Use and Planning Trang Lam will become the director of Parks and Recreation.
“Today I am pleased to announce two wonderful additions to our City of Camas staff,” said City Administrator Jamal Fox. “I am certain they will not only carry on a legacy of excellence within the organization but also bring new ideas for enhancing our commitment and connections to Land, People and Honesty throughout the community.”
Director of Communications: Bryan Rachal
“Bryan’s energy, positivity and overall experience in communications make him the perfect choice for our first director of communications. He is excited to bring his family to Camas and make it their home,” said Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell.
Rachal (pronounced ra-SHALL) has over 12 years of experience and earned his accreditation in public relations (APR) in 2016. As deputy director of communications for the city of Boulder, Colorado, Rachal served as a spokesperson and worked closely with city leaders on cohesive communications strategies.
Prior to joining the Boulder team, Rachal served as the director of university communications for the University of North Alabama. There he managed a team of award-winning professionals in the Office of Communications and Marketing, helping to rebrand the institution. During his time in Alabama, Rachal was a member of Rotary International and served as a board member for Downtown Florence Unlimited.
A storyteller at heart, Rachal has also worked as a reporter for NPR affiliate KUAF in Northwest Arkansas, and as a reporter and news producer for ABC and NBC affiliates in Colorado and Arkansas. Rachal’s credentials include a B.A. in journalism from the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Rachal has been married to his high school sweetheart, Andrea, since 2006; they have two children, Alex (12) and Annabelle (9). The Rachal family is an outdoors family, enjoying hiking and evening walks with their two Brittany Spaniels, Lolli and Cocoa. They are also a foodie family and look forward to experiencing all the restaurants the area has to offer. Rachal is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fly fishing and skiing.
A graduate of the of the University of Arkansas, you can usually hear Rachal cheering on the Hogs most weekends in the fall. Rachal is a voracious reader of news and books alike and also a movie buff. He’s even named his cat Fredo in honor of his favorite movie of all time, The Godfather.
“Trang has a true passion for parks,” said McDonnell. “Her leadership and experience combined with her energy will help us take our parks and recreation department into the future.”
Lam comes to the City of Camas with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles at the University of Portland, Portland Parks & Recreation, and Prosper Portland, and as an entrepreneur.
She has led high-performing teams focused on outcomes that promote people’s health and wellbeing through connection to nature and recreation; community development that centers on economic opportunity and prosperity for small business and underserved communities; and, at the University of Portland, the creation of campus spaces that foster a complete learning environment for future leaders, across academia.
Prior to her work as a civil servant and in higher education, she led her family’s fledgling food manufacturing company and grew the company to a traded sector business.
Lam immigrated to Portland when she was four, and her family has called the Pacific Northwest their home ever since. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Portland State University. On her time off, you can find her and her husband in the great outdoors hiking and kayaking.
Timing and Selection
Rachal will begin his communications post Jan. 11. He was selected from a pool of 130 candidates from across the country.
Lam will fill the former role of Jerry Acheson, who retired October 31 after 30 years of service, starting Jan. 25. The city received 60 applications for the parks and recreation position from candidates nationwide.
Both positions were advertised on local, regional, national, and diversity job boards. Prior to selection, each candidate went through a multi-week process that involved input and involvement from all staff levels as well as an initial round of video interviews followed by multiple virtual interviews with a variety of panels.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/28155810/2A212C70-9F06-4A56-BDAA-4EC874DB64AC.jpeg7991280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-28 16:15:582020-12-28 16:16:06Camas Names Director of Communications, New Director of Parks & Rec
Clark County, WA — As parents and students of the Class of 2021 in Clark County and throughout the region navigate a school year without in-class instruction and the normal activities that come with a senior year one Vancouver parent sprang into action and created a fun and innovative Facebook group called “Adopt a 2021 Senior Clark County, Wa”
“Essentially, this is a way to provide seniors with something special so they can have some positive memories,” said Dionna Hickox, of Vancouver. “It’s a way to make it special. It’s not an ideal year for them. It stinks they are missing out on their senior year, and a friend in the mid-West asked if our county has this adopt-a-senior program. They can be adopted and supported. My son (a senior at Skyview) just received two cards in the mail.”
How does it work?
A parent, guardian, or even a senior will make a post on this Facebook group on what they’re like, what they want in the future. The original post will say “not adopted” and if a member of the group wants to adopt the child, and if you’re comfortable with the person you can give them your address to send cards or words of encouragement. Then once the senior is adopted, they will have a sponsor, and the post will change to “adopted.”
“I’m finding that people are getting adopted quickly, they’re finding a match to support,” said Hickox.
What are people doing?
“I just started it last week,” she said. “My son got a gas card, and a Subway gift card with words of encouragement. We’re in the infancy stage so it’s early to tell what will really happen.”
It’s a public group. The parent or student is the gatekeeper and they will be able to make decisions on who they communicate with.
“I find a lot of Camas people enjoying the group, but there’s a lot of support at Skyview, as well,” she said. “We are encouraging the students to get the word out. I have another friend whose daughter attends Fort Vancouver, so we’re trying to expand.”
To participate, go to Facebook and search for ‘Adopt a Senior — Clark County, Wa’ to join.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23202914/23569E98-3F48-4DCE-BD62-29BF9024BD76.jpeg508960Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-23 20:40:372020-12-23 20:40:45Vancouver Parent Starts ‘Adopt a 2021 Senior Clark County’ Facebook Group
Camas and Washougal have varying New Year’s Eve fireworks ordinances that the public needs to know about, says Camas Washougal Fire Marshall, Ron Schumacher.
“This year like in the last three years, the city limits of Washougal doesn’t allow mortars that explode in the air,” said Schumacher. “Washougal only allows the ‘safe and sane’ fireworks that travel vertically nor more than a foot, and horizontally no more than 6 feet.”
Camas, however, does allow the mortar fireworks.
You can purchase these products at any fireworks stand, which will be on sale December 29-31 in Camas and Washougal. You can only use them on December 31 — in both cities until 1 am, says Schumacher.
In Washougal, you can be fined $250 on the first offense, which is a civil fine. Camas will not fine residents for using mortars.
“Safe and sane” fireworks are those that are neither projectile nor explosive—basically anything that doesn’t leave the ground.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23182534/3676393F-9BE7-406E-BDC8-303AB6CF7C38.jpeg6021200Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-23 19:30:442020-12-23 19:30:52Camas, Washougal Have Varying New Year’s Eve Fireworks Ordinances
Camas, WA — The new Camas Info App, which is currently in beta testing, was built to help connect Camas businesses, residents, and visitors. Designed as a local business directory and news aggregator, it offers perks for users and benefits for local businesses.
“The Camas App is a simple business directory that provides users with useful information about local businesses and makes it easy to discover new ones they may not be aware of,” said Joseph Graves, Owner of Workshed.
Workshed and Lacamas Magazine shared several clients and were discussing ways to help more businesses when the idea for a Camas App came up in conversation.
“I had an idea about a cool local business directory app, and Joe said he was already working on it,” said Ernie Geigenmiller, Editor & Publisher of Lacamas Magazine. “So, we’ve been working like crazy to get it built.”
“It’s a great way to leverage the power of the Lacamas Magazine audience to further strengthen our local economy” said Graves. “We’re working hard to make the app super easy to use and give local businesses a powerful way to connect with new customers for their products or services.”
At launch, Camas businesses will have several in app marketing opportunities including standard listings, premium listings, and Daily Deals, with more planned for the future. A portion of the revenue will be shared with local nonprofits — Community Chest, Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Camas Association.
“Users will be able to see what’s happening with their favorite stores and businesses in one place,” said Geigenmiller. “It’s a win-win for residents, visitors, and businesses. Companies are signing up very quickly, and the waiting list is growing.”
To register for early access to the app, visit www.camas.info.
Invitations will go out when it’s ready for general use, and Lacamas Magazine will provide regular updates.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/17203037/38F1CF28-D165-4D66-8A6B-6E29EFEB1B3B.jpeg7152528Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-17 20:44:282020-12-17 20:45:19Tech Scene: Easy-to-Use New Camas Info App Goes Into Beta Testing
Camas, WA — Late Wednesday night, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they found the body of Tyler Schmidt, 15, a Camas resident who has been missing since Monday.
Deputies on the scene said they went searching for Schmidt in the woods near Discovery High School, and about 200 yards from the road — Nan Hendricksen Way— is where they discovered his body. The deputies said it appears to be a suicide, and don’t suspect foul play.
Schmidt went missing Monday at 11 am after leaving his home in the Winchester Hills neighborhood in Camas. The report said he threw his cell phone in a moment of anger, and left the residence.
This story will be updated.
Tyler Schmidt flyer.
Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies near the site where Schmidt’s body was found.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/17002417/70BBD49A-05F5-4A87-ABF8-41BD26B15E92-scaled.jpeg19202560Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-17 00:41:102020-12-17 00:43:23Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies Find Body of Missing Camas Teen
Camas, WA — Parents and students in the Camas School District are holding their second rally along with a ZOOM classroom blackout December 17 to once again ask the district to open Camas Schools to wider in-class instruction.
Andrea Seeley, one of the event’s organizers, said “the group is gathering in a safe, socially distanced manner aimed at sending a message to the Camas School District that we want our students to have the choice to be back in school, in person. We are marching in solidarity with other Clark County school districts (Hockinson, Ridgefield, Evergreen and Vancouver) on the same day to their respective district offices.”
Seeley added: “We believe our teachers and our schools are essential and that kids need and deserve the option to return to in-person learning. On this day, December 17, our students will not be engaging in any classwork, attending any ZOOM classes or doing homework.”
Heather Deringer, who is also helping with the rally, said parents and students of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, wearing masks and with their own homemade signs.
The group has partnered with several local businesses to set up stations to sign petitions for a return to a broader in-person learning option. Currently, Camas School District has about 600 students in the classroom. Petitions will be set up at Hidden River Roasters (536 NE 5th Ave), A Beer at a Time (216 NE 3rd Ave), Camas Barber Shop (214 NE 4th Ave), Squeeze and Grind (537 Cedar St) and Salud (224 NE 3rd Ave).
“We encourage the community to sign the petition and order takeout at these businesses at the same time, supporting our local community during the recent extension of the shutdown in Washington State,” said Seeley.
The Open Camas Schools group cites a growing body of evidence at the national and state levels, including the Director of the CDC, UNICEF and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who have all stated that schools are the safest place for kids to be.
“Washington State School Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, recently acknowledged the failure of distance learning to appropriately engage students,” said Seely. “Numerous research studies around the world have documented the alarming rise of depression, anxiety, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse as a strong driving factor that support the return of children to in-person learning. The skyrocketing number of failing kids is a trend that needs to be addressed differently and immediately. Other Washington state school districts and private schools within the state where COVID case numbers are similar are open to in-person learning and are providing good models for moving ahead safely and effectively.”
Today, Governor Inslee encouraged school districts statewide to start re-opening.
“Now that we have a better understanding of how the disease spreads and have developed health and safety protocols specific to schools, we are in a better position, we have more confidence when it comes to phased-in, in-person learning,” he said.
Inslee said that while he does have the ability to close schools for emergencies, he does “not have the statutory authority to make them reopen.”
He is, however, hoping that these new recommendations will give school districts the confidence to begin in-class instruction.
Open Camas Schools rally on Everett several weeks ago.
Inslee’s new reopening guidelines include the following:
Districts where COVID cases are less than 50 residents per 100,000 people: In-person learning should be made available to all students.
Districts where COVID cases are between 50 and 350 residents per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to phase in in-person learning, starting with elementary and middle school students.
Districts where COVID cases are greater than 350 per 100,000 people: Districts are encouraged to bring elementary students “and those with the highest needs” back into classrooms in small groups of 15 or fewer.
Clark County has 450 cases per 100,000.
The Washington Education Association (WEA) issued a statement following Inslee’s announcement that said:
“The trust and confidence that we can safely return to school is something that must be earned. It would have been easier to build that trust with educators with more communications in advance from the Governor about these pending changes.
“We agree with the Governor that the spotlight should be on L&I safety requirements, which are key for building trust with educators, students and families. Districts must meet those requirements on day one. We need to know that there is adequate PPE, distancing, ventilation, an active and trained safety committee in each building, effective plans for contact tracing, testing and clear communications regarding protocols for what happens when a case is detected in school.
“Implementing these guidelines in areas where school is still remotely operating will take time. We are concerned that the way these changes were rolled out implies that school can resume before there is time to put these safety measures in place.
WEA’s focus will be to advocate that these requirements are fully in place before any expansion of in-person teaching and learning.”
The Open Camas Schools group feels they represent many students.
“Students are not being heard,” said Seeley. “Their pleas to return to school and resume extracurricular activities fall on deaf ears as administrators from school districts to teacher’s unions to health districts all seem to want to point fingers in other directions without taking responsibility. Nobody is asking students what they need or listening to their voices. Open Camas Schools believes that the district needs to put the students first. We are hopeful that Dr. Snell will renew his focus on the Camas School District and its students, teachers and staff. Our hope with the event is to keep the focus on putting ALL kids first.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/17200328/AECEC0D2-0C1A-44EB-836B-49CDA0A64174.jpeg6581280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-12-16 19:44:352020-12-16 19:53:27Open Camas Schools Group to Hold 2nd Rally, ZOOM Blackout Thursday
Camas, WA — Natalia’s Cafe is hosting a fundraiser and silent auction this week for Camas resident Mariah Corbin and her family. Mariah was diagnosed with Stage 3 anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (an extremely rare brain tumor) in September and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments following two brain surgeries.
The purpose of the fundraiser, said Wendy DelBosque, is to help the Corbin family through the financial burdens associated with Mariah’s treatment, including medical and travel expenses, as well as employment income loss. Mariah’s mother, Michal, is a yoga instructor and owner of Camas Yoga & Co. While Michal fights for her daughter’s life, she is also trying to keep her business afloat during the pandemic.
“We are coming together as a community to try to raise money that will allow Michal to focus on her daughter, her treatments, and God willing, her recovery instead of worrying about her business and the overhead she continues to have while she is shut down due to the pandemic,” said Samantha Horner-Boucher, who is organizing the silent auction. “Your generous gift will make this happen.”
The silent auction begins this Thursday, December 17 at 10 am and runs through Sunday, December 20 at 8 pm.
Camas, WA — The Camas City Council has approved the acquisition of 115 acres of land on the west side of Green Mountain adjacent to Ingle Road in Camas with the intent of preserving it as open space.
The acquisition includes 60 acres of donated land and 55 acres for purchase, including the top of Green Mountain itself and the area north of the former Green Mountain Golf Course. The land is currently zoned for residential development and includes 159 preliminarily approved property lots near Ingle Road. Construction of the lots had not yet begun and, as a result of the acquisition, will not move forward.
The city plans to engage the community and explore possibilities for the land’s use that are consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.
The city will acquire the land, which has been valued at $20.1 million, for $3.8 million. The purchase price of the 55-acre parcel will be paid in October 2021 to allow leaders the option of securing grant funding.
“The advantages of acquiring this Green Mountain land are tremendous,” said Mayor Barry McDonnell. “By securing this property, the City of Camas will preserve more forested areas, ensure public access to green spaces, and provide connections to recreational amenities in the region for the foreseeable future.”
The acquired land has been part of the community vision for over 20 years due to its importance in linking existing and proposed public trails, viewpoints and recreational opportunities around Green Mountain, Lacamas Lake and Camp Bonneville. The existing Lacamas Lake recreation and conservation corridor includes nearly 1,000 acres on the south, east and west sides of the 320-acre Lacamas Lake.
The acquired land also preserves significant open space in Camas, as requested by the Camas community. It is positioned in an area where considerable open-space acreage is owned by other public agencies, including Clark County, Camas School District and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The current owners of the property, who applied and received approval from the City for the Green Mountain Planned Residential Development, recently approached the city with this opportunity. The appraised value of the 60 acres of donated land is $15.5 million and the appraised value of the additional 55 acres has been estimated at $4.6 million. The timing of the acquisition is connected to year-end charitable gifting rules, as represented by the developer.
The vision for the city’s open spaces has been developed over several years with substantial input from citizens, stakeholders, city staff and key conservation partners. It reflects a variety of city, county and regional plans, including the Clark County Conservation Areas Acquisition Plan; the City of Camas Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan; the Lacamas Corridor Master Plan and the City of Camas Strategic Plan. The council considered the details and impacts of the acquisition at the Dec. 7 workshop and regular meeting before formally approving the acquisition.
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