When Ron Jones, artistic director at Starting Grounds Church in Battle Ground, approached artists showing at the combination coffee shop, church and art gallery about contributing 10 percent of their sales to Haiti relief, Traci Donahue was quick to respond. But the Vancouver painter and sculptor decided to give 40 percent from her March sales at Starting Grounds to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries’ aid efforts.
“It’s just a way I can help out,” said Donahue, a 40-year-old art teacher at Sixth Street Gallery and River HomeLink. “These people are in great need, and art can be a healing tool used in so many ways.”
The church also is donating its 10 percent commission on gallery sales to Haiti relief, said Jones, 41, of Orchards. The coffee shop doesn’t charge for drinks but instead relies on donations. Those too are being donated to the cause. There will be a reception with live music March 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Words flow for Vancouver writer
J.D. Tynan will celebrate the release of her two most recent books at a public party 6-9 p.m. March 2 at Blackstone American Grill in east Vancouver. Tynan’s third book in the Charlie Ford Series, “Charlie Ford Meets the X,” came out in January. So did her first hardback suspense novel, “Good Gossip,” which takes place on Hood Canal in Washington and mentions places like Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Olympia.
But that’s not all Tynan has to celebrate. Her book, “Figuring it out with Grace,” was a finalist in the Aspen Gold 2009 and 2009 Beacon Award contests.
Tynan said she feels blessed.
“I make time every day to get up, write a little bit, edit a little bit,” the 38-year-old Vancouver resident said. “(Writing) comes pretty naturally to me. Sometimes it can be annoying, like when I wake up in the middle of the night with dialogue running through my head.”
Battle Ground youth honored for leukemia awareness efforts
Firm Foundation Christian School fourth-grader Jayden Ackerman doesn’t usually attend city council meetings, but last week was a special occasion. Battle Ground Mayor Michael Ciraulo honored the 9-year-old with a certificate of recognition for his contribution to leukemia awareness. Ackerman, who lives in Battle Ground, has been passionate about the cause since learning about Luke Jensen’s battle with the disease several years ago. He was touched that a kid his age could be so sick, and decided he wanted to help.
Ackerman recently grew out his hair and donated eight inches to Children With Hair Loss, which provides wigs for youths with medically related hair loss.
Having his good work validated made Jayden happy, he said.
“It was cool,” he said.
It meant a lot to his parents, as well.
“I guess it just made me really proud because I really try to teach my kids to be selfless, to think about others and make the world a better place. To have other people recognize what he’s done makes me feel like I’m doing something right,” said Jayden’s mother, Laura Ackerman.
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