Community

Schools foundation receives record donations

Esther Short — The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools brought in a record $133,000 in donations during its 11th annual fundraising lunch May 30. That's the most ever collected during the event, held this year at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. In addition to serving as a significant source of income for the nonprofit, this year's gathering marked the 25th anniversary of the foundation. Nearly 450 guests dined on food prepared by culinary students; retired superintendent Jim Parsley gave the keynote address.

Students learn holiday's meaning

Ridgefield -- Before Memorial Day, thousands of young students learned about the significance of the holiday through civics lessons and flag presentations by local Lions Clubs. Lions members and volunteers distributed more than 6,000 small American flags to first-graders at 75 schools in Southwest Washington. Many classrooms, including in Union Ridge Elementary where teacher Jody McDonald taught facts about the flag, participated in Memorial Day-themed activities. "Understanding the significance of a holiday means students will appreciate that day for more than just time off school," McDonald said in a press release.

Kids bike to school en masse

Hazel Dell -- Several local schools took part in National Bike to School Day on May 8, when children rode to class with family and learned about bicycle safety. Clark County Public Health coordinated the events with help from other local agencies. The local Bike to School Day efforts involved hundreds of students and volunteers at Anderson, Washington, Roosevelt and Walnut Grove elementary schools. In addition to the special ride, many kids were fitted for and given new bike helmets.

$15,000 raised for animal group

VanMall — Battle Ground pet rescuers Second Chance Companions raised more than $15,000 last month to further their efforts to find animals a loving home. The nonprofit's 20th annual auction and dinner -- the "Great Balls of Fur Fundraiser" -- was held May 18 at the Heathman Lodge. This year's theme was "MEOWgaritaville." Learn more about the pet adoption organization at http://www.sccpets.com.

Sports park, rain gardens honored

Esther Short -- Luke Jensen Sports Park and the Mount Vista Rain Gardens were recently named "Projects of the Year" by the American Public Works Association's Washington chapter. The sports park, 4000 N.E. 78th St., was the top pick in the structures category for projects between $5 million and $25 million. The 15 rain gardens, in the Mount Vista area near Washington State University's Vancouver campus, won in the environment category for projects less than $5 million.

Winery one of best at awards

Arnada -- Vancouver winery Burnt Bridge Cellars hauled home six medals, including four golds, from the 2013 Seattle Wine Awards, announced June 1. The downtown winery won the gold medals as well as two bronze awards for their six wines released this spring. It has sold wine since 2010 and opened a tasting room last year.

Student in safety Hall of Fame

Image -- An Image Elementary fifth-grader's dedication to safety was heralded as she and nine other Washington kids were inducted to the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. Image's Payton Zitterkopf and the other young traffic patrol helpers were recognized at a May 24 awards ceremony at Seattle's Safeco Field before a Mariners game. Students involved in the AAA program are judged each year on their leadership and desire to help others. AAA created the School Safety Patrol more than 90 years ago.

Students get top honors

Skyview High School reports three additional students to its Top 5 percent seniors: Tana Alise, Kailynn Doan and Teresa Johansson. Mountain View High School reports one additional student to its Top 5 percent seniors: Danial A. Chowdhry.

Ridgefield teen earns Eagle Scout award

Ridgefield — Dean Millett will receive his Eagle Scout award at 7 p.m. Friday at CDM Services, 2409 Broadway. He is a member of Troop 310 in Ridgefield, led by Scoutmaster Patrick Bartos.

Jazzy Lamb plays with kids

Camas — Portland jazz saxophonist Patrick Lamb visited Grass Valley Elementary School in May for a performance, trading solos with young musicians before leading them in a "Pied Piper" conga line through the auditorium.

Everybody Has a Story: Humble family heirlooms inspire cherished memories

My oldest daughter was helping me to go through some of Mother's keepsakes recently. Mom left numerous little notes and instructions, but the real work came when items were set aside and readied to go to one specific person or another. These were some of the thoughts that I was left with.

Neighbors calendar

Association meetings and events

Kickball league brings fun, camaraderie to West Vancouver

Neighborhood associations also vie for bragging rights

Usually when neighborhood associations get together, it's to talk about such issues as the need for stop signs or speed bumps.

Camas violist wins youth orchestra prize

Camas — Skyridge Middle School sixth-grader and violist Sophia Hansen has won a James Eoff Award from the Portland Youth Philharmonic and its conductor, Carol Sindell. The award is a full orchestra scholarship for one year for a musician who demonstrates "noticeable improvement, outstanding effort and commitment to the orchestra." Sophia also plays for students at the Washington State School for the Blind and has spent three summers busking for the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society at the Camas Farmers Market. She is studying with Joel Kennedy of Kennedy Violins in Vancouver and hopes to play with a professional orchestra one day.

Pleasant Valley honored at state PTA convention

Pleasant Valley — The Pleasant Valley Parent-Teacher Association, part of the Battle Ground district, won top honors in several categories at the Washington State PTA convention, in early May in Bellevue. The Pleasant Valley PTA won for its website, its electronic and paper communications and its excellent standards, and was named an "Honor Unit." It even received the first mentoring award for assisting the PTA at Roosevelt Elementary School in Vancouver.