Neighborhood briefs

Rose Village

Gingerbread House day care celebrates 60th

Local day care center The Gingerbread House is holding an open house Sunday to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

All former students and families are welcome to the event, which will feature photos dating back more than 50 years.

The center was opened by Eve Mitchell in 1948, making it one of the longest-running centers in the county. It was purchased by her daughter, Rosalee Johnson, who is the current owner.

The open house will run from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at 1714 E. 29th St. Call Rosalee Johnson, 360-693-9376, for details.

Ridgefield

Raffle to raise funds for wildlife refuge programs

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is holding a fundraising raffle in conjunction with the annual BirdFest event Oct.11-12.

Raffle items include a pastel painting of a great horned owl by artist Malissa Myers and a hand-made quilt featuring embroidered state birds from six Western states. Macia Myers created the design and embroidery, and Lorainne Thornberry did the quilting.

The items are on display at the First Independent Bank at 228 Simons St. in Ridgefield until BirdFest. During BirdFest, they will be on display in the Birder’s Market Place.

Tickets are $3 each or four for $10 and can be purchased at the bank and during BirdFest. Tickets may be purchased until Dec. 7. Winners will be notified.

Proceeds will help benefit nature and cultural education programs at the refuge. Visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org.

Landover-Sharmel

Church giveaway on Saturday shows charity

You can’t buy anything at this garage sale on Saturday. Everything will be given away for free.

“Many people seem to have the impression that churches are always asking for money,” said the Rev. Rick Cook of the Faith Community Church. “So we decided to demonstrate God’s love in a practical way by giving the merchandise to those who need it, instead of selling it.”

Toys, clothing, tools, furniture, books, household items and more will be offered to anyone who needs them. A hot dog lunch will be offered to the first 250 attendees.

The items at this free-for-all sale have been collected from church families, friends and neighbors. Donations of clean items in good condition are welcome at 8 a.m. on the day of the event.

The free-for-all sale is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Faith Community Church, 11013 N.E. Burton Road, just west of the Arco at 112th Avenue and Burton.

For more information, call the church office at 360-883-4809.

Brush Prairie

New dog park needs helpers starting Sept. 27

Dog lovers are getting ready to break ground on Clark County’s newest off-leash area.
It’ll be near the Center for Agricultural, Scientific and Environmental Education, or CASEE, off of Northeast 149th Street and 101st Place, west of N.E. 117th Avenue.

The site is approximately 7.5 acres of open fields with plenty of space to run, jump and fetch. It’ll be fully fenced with a double-gated entrance accessible from the parking lot on 149th. The land is county-owned and part of Brush Prairie Regional Park. DOGPAW, the Dog Owners Group for Park Access, won a $4,000 grant from Purina to help with fence construction.

Volunteers and donated materials are welcome during the next four Saturdays.
DOGPAW needs people willing to paint, drill post holes, set posts, build a kiosk and spread wood chips, paint and provide snacks and drinks for other volunteers. Also needed are a gas-powered hole driller, a cement mixer, water, buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, rebar rods, post pounders and other construction tools.

Call 888-899-0025 or e-mail construction@clarkdogpaw.org if you’re interested in donating labor or equipment. Visit www.clarkdogpaw.org to learn more.

The park is set to open in November.