Community

Neighbors calendar

A list of neighborhood association meetings and events

Everybody has a story: Rooster ruled the yard on family's farm

In 1932, when I was 3 years old, Mama's garden at our Nebraska farmhouse was important. Laid out in rows and plowed free of weeds and crabgrass, it was planted with a selection of vegetables. The yield meant my family rarely bought food. The bounty grew, poured into the kitchen and was canned, preserved and sometimes given away. Since my siblings, Hobart and Sara Ann, did lots of the work, they had an interest in the harvested crop. Hobart and Sara Ann kept a watchful eye, and anything amiss inside the garden's tight fence was attended to.

Group cooks up a food swap

Clark County mothers prepare, trade meals to save money, cut time spent preparing food while ensuring participants enjoy healthful, homemade dinners

Planning and preparing a family dinner can be a challenge, especially in homes with a new baby or a mobile toddler.

Seeking students, educators to share adventures in blog

Local pianist opens for Dalai Lama

Hazel Dell — How do you warm up a crowd that came to hear the Dalai Lama? Melinda Dishaw of Hazel Dell went for light classical melodies and spiritual Beatles tunes like "Here Comes the Sun," "The Long and Winding Road" and "Imagine."

Walkers, runners raise $58,000 for animal rescue

Esther Short — Supporters of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington raised $58,000 during the annual Walk/Run for the Animals on May 4.

Women, Lowe's help build Habitat home

West Minnehaha — Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's 27th local home construction project, this time on Northeast 49th Street, got a boost when 17 women volunteered May 11 in honor of National Women Build Week. The property is the future home of Kathy Murphy, a teacher, and her four children, who will probably be able to move in this summer. Lowe's donated a $5,000 store gift card to Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and $1.75 million to Habitat's 2013 National Women Build program, supporting 300 Habitat affiliates.

Mountain View wraps up 'Oklahoma!'

Mountain View — Mountain View High School wrapped up its production of "Oklahoma!" on May 11. The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical tells a love story set in the pre-statehood Oklahoma territory. During two weekends in early May, students sang and danced to classic numbers, including "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," and the titular song. The production was directed by Paige Oppenhagen and Jeanette James.

Battle Ground Rotarians adopt part of Highway 503

Battle Ground — Members of the Battle Ground Rotary Club gathered on May 11 to scour garbage from state Highway 503, from Main Street south to Eaton Boulevard (Northeast 199th Street).

Islamic Society visits Church of Christ

Hazel Dell — The Islamic Society of Southwest Washington is a short stroll across Northeast 68th Street from the First Congregational United Church of Christ. On April 28, three members of the Islamic Society visited the church to talk about Islam in Vancouver.

Downtown boosters do spring cleaning

Esther Short — Girl and Boy Scouts, baseball teams, business leaders, downtown residents and others all gathered on May 4 to dig into downtown's dirt. Vancouver's Downtown Association led the effort to spruce up the city's center "after a long winter of neglect," said a statement from the group. "Volunteers came out with big smiles and real determination to make something wonderful happen," said project chairwoman Christie Rust. "It was great to see families out together."

Visitors show up in force for Camas library birthday bash

Camas — A decade after the Camas Public Library opened its expanded and remodeled library, patrons have checked out nearly 3 million items while about 2.3 million people have come through its doors.

Sports can flourish at Camp Wa-Ri-Ki thanks to grant

Washougal — New sports equipment is headed for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki thanks to a $2,080 grant from the TODAY (The Organization Dedicated To Athletics And Youth) Foundation, which is based in Brush Prairie.

Expert will speak on behavior of people with disabilities

The Arc of Southwest Washington will host developmental disability expert David Pitonyak, Ph.D., on the evening of May 30 at Vancouver City Hall.

Everybody Has a Story: Couple found their perfect dance partners

It is hard to imagine a kinder, gentler man than Mr. Melton. I became acquainted with this fine man when he accompanied his wife, Ester, to her appointments at the medical office where I work. They were always impeccably dressed, handsomely groomed, and you could almost feel the love emanating from Mr. Melton as he guided his wife through our halls.