Speaker urges people to debunk their own stereotypes
Desmond Tutu's daughter speaks at local YWCA luncheon
The daughter of the South African Nobel Prize winner, Naomi Tutu, talks about human rights and debunking stereotypes to a Vancouver audience.
Arc slowly re-establishing PRIDE program for youth
The financially strapped Arc of Southwest Washington is making money, leasing out office space to sister nonprofits and retiring long-term debt, according to board president Justin Myers.
Children's Center fundraiser looking for a leg up from public
People can vote on favorite decorated mannequin leg
To get a leg up on all the need for social services, the nonprofit Children's Center has "legged" it all over Clark County.
Local Evangelical Christians mobilize praying events
Church members to walk together in prayer each day this week
Evangelical Clark County Christians will follow in the footsteps of Abraham -- in a sense -- as they walk in prayer this week.
Jewish congregation opens Clark County's first synagogue
Decades of gathering in church basements, private living rooms and rented Salmon Creek office space isn't exactly the same hardship as 40 years wandering in the ancient desert.
Refugee shares early impressions of U.S.
Social services prepare for influx from Iraq, Bhutan
When Salih Al Fahham says everything is different in the United States, he means everything.
Saturday morning shootings leave one dead, another injured
UPDATE: Intruder identified as 42-year-old Missouri man
UPDATE: Intruder shot by homeowner in 2 a.m. incident has been identified as 42-year-old Missouri man.
Teen suffers near-drowning at Klineline Pond
The boy was swimming at the far end of the pond — near the I-5 freeway — when he went under, family members said.
Woodland nonprofit keeps reaching
StreetReach NW helps people in prison, homeless find services
WOODLAND -- Chris Becker has been in and out of jail. Not because of blatant criminality, but because Becker's bipolar disorder triggered behaviors that brought out police. One time, he called police himself because he was getting deeply paranoid; but when the "wrong" officers showed up, he said, he protested violently and got himself tossed in the clink.
UPDATE: Florence Wager, local parks trailblazer, dies at 84
Clark County’s First Citizen of 2009 wished she could give more
Florence Wager, a beloved booster of local causes from parks and recreation to community health and classical music, died at home on Wednesday morning. She was 84. The cause was colon cancer.
A cyclist's guide to the Burnt Bridge Creek trail
For nearly a year, crosstown cyclists were crushed. If you wanted to cruise between Oakbrook and Fruit Valley, you had to decode detour signs and wiggle through traffic. Not good.
What's Up with That? Old City Cemetery in need of volunteers
I've been driving past Old City Cemetery, where my father is buried, and seeing dandelions and weeds up to your knees. I called the city and they said, because of reductions in force and so on, they don't have the personnel to take care of Old City Cemetery much. I can understand that, but the city's other cemetery, Park Hill Cemetery, looks beautiful. I told them don't be surprised if I mow the area myself out of respect for my father. Two days later, lo and behold, the cemetery was mowed -- but it still doesn't look good. If they're supposed to be taking care of two cemeteries, why is this one being forgotten?
Photo finish at the Fair
It's hot, it's sweet, it's funny, it's fragrant, it's rowdy, it's real. And it wraps up today. It's the 144th annual Clark County Fair -- summer's best party, as they say.What Columbian photographer Zachary Kaufman said is, "Let me at it!" Zach logged more hours at the fair than your average alpaca, pointing his lens at main events and peeking behind the scenes too. Here's some of what he found.
Vancouver Sikhs answer violence with kindness
Vigil draws hundreds from many faiths and across the region
Hospitality and openness are central to Sikhism. So what did Vancouver's Sikh congregation, the Guru Ramdass Gurdwara on "O" Street, do after a sister group in Wisconsin was victimized by senseless gunfire?
Sikhs plan vigil in Vancouver
Largest such congregation in the region is welcoming but worried after Wisconsin shooting
Living in the Pacific Northwest has been little but a pleasure for local Sikhs like Pawneet Sethi. At least, that's how he spins it at first.
Sikhs in Vancouver to hold Thursday prayer, vigil, meal
Vancouver congregation, concerned about security, still opens doors for public memorial
What's Up with That? Take action to discourage raccoon raves
We had a raccoon convention recently at about 10:30 p.m. At least four mature raccoons were fighting, mating or something in my neighbor's backyard. We also had raccoon problems a couple of years ago -- they were using a large cedar tree as a sleeping place and unfortunately the ground underneath it (in my backyard) as a latrine. We ultimately removed that tree; it was half-dead and posing a hazard if it fell.
Media coverage gives Arc a boost
Struggling nonprofit receives $25K donation
Rock 'n' roll may have whipped up some support, but media coverage of the struggles of the Arc of Southwest Washington appear to have done even more for the nonprofit agency's bottom line.
Downtown abbey tests limits
Electric bike sales, property use questions bring Anglican leader into conflict with city
They use no gasoline. They don't require insurance or a license. They're inexpensive to buy and maintain. And, in an interesting twist, they're helping to underwrite an unusual Anglican congregation in downtown Vancouver.
Whats Up with That? Wal-Mart's county plans remain mystery
There was an article a while back about Wal-Mart putting in a grocery-only store in the old Fred Meyer building on Grand and Fourth Plain boulevards. We very badly need a grocery store in that area. What's up with that — and when?
New life for Summit lodge
North Clark County historian put to work family connections to buy, restore, expand the iconic structure and its property
RIDGEFIELD -- Margaret Colf Hepola grew up listening to rain patter on a doomed roof.
What's Up with That? Officials: Clean up your own fireworks debris
In the aftermath of the Independence Day fireworks, my street looks like a war zone. Who is required to pick up the toxic litter? Can code enforcement, or somebody, get involved?
Friends help friends at church's Hazel Dell food bank
Nothing gives Vicki Koffel a greater thrill than throwing open the door at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and beaming at all her queued-up friends. They tend to beam back, she said.
Rock rides to the rescue for Arc
Music festival to benefit struggling nonprofit that advocates for disabled
They say rock 'n' roll can save your soul. Can it save the Arc of Southwest Washington?
What's Up With That? Effort to find new homes for houses leaves them on blocks
What is going on with the old, boarded-up houses that were moved to land in the 3000 block of Northeast 172nd Avenue? There are multiple homes that were moved to this location and they are all sitting on blocks with boarded-up windows and doors. Has this property become an old home dumping ground?
Speaker: Connections key to greener cities
Park Foundation awards nearly $80,000 to local jurisdictions at luncheon
Growing a greener future is a matter of making connections.
Y cares for kids at risk
Seeds of Empathy program helps them get ready for kindergarten
Children who've known hunger, fled domestic violence, lived on the street and suffered other hard knocks often reflect those formative experiences. Poor impulse control, raging emotions, or lack of social skills or empathy for others are common, according to Leah Reitz, who directs the child care program at the YWCA Clark County.
Foundation aids parks facing cuts
Organization to award $74,000 in grants
Camas children will get a new playground. River rafters will get a new waterways trail map of the Lewis River and Vancouver Lake. And several local summer recreation programs will survive public budget reductions -- thanks to the Parks Foundation of Clark County and more than $74,000 in grants it will distribute this month.
Three Creeks community group rising up
It aims to expand services beyond holiday party to aid Heritage Farm, seniors
Children need holiday cheer. Senior citizens need medications. And Hazel Dell's agricultural past needs preservation.
Bits and Pieces: Clark County woman pens book about spouse's mental health battle
Monique Colver loves to write. Her ex-husband, the late Stewart Young, did, too.
New leaders for persistent problems
Improved services, continued cooperation aim of food bank, homeless council directors
Even if you've never experienced them, it's not hard to grasp something of the misery of hunger and homelessness.
What's Up With That? Embedded, broken crossing lights waiting for change
There are "Crosswalk Closed" signs attached to saw horses on the east and west sidewalks of 29th Street as it crosses Main between Shumway and Carter Park. They have been there for a few months now. This crosswalk is used frequently by residents and students. Will it be opened soon? Any plans to upgrade that crossing to make it safer? Cars usually speed through it, ignoring the flashing lights in the street.
Run Like a Girl helps women step toward health, housing
5K raises funds for program that caters to homeless women, helps get them fit
Homelessness and a drug habit made it easy -- too easy -- for Patti Faulkner to get skinny. When she got off drugs and found a home, the pounds piled back on.
Bits 'n' Pieces: Vancouver man proves Legos not just kid stuff
A 52-year-old man who plays with Lego bricks? Sure. "I do it every day," said Bob Day.
Gates Foundation gives $700,000 to Vancouver philanthropic clearinghouse
The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has received a $700,000, four-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combat intergenerational poverty.
What's Up With That?: Shooting animals in city absolutely illegal
My dad is 86 years old, and he’s been feeding pet squirrels in his yard for years. Two of his little pets went missing. And then we discovered one of the poor things had been shot -- right in his yard, inside Vancouver city limits. We figure the other one has been shot, too. It’s really hard to see Dad lose his animals, and they’re not doing anybody any harm. I want to get the word out: Are you allowed to shoot animals inside the city of Vancouver?-- KarenGood question, Karen. The answer is, absolutely not.
Community Foundation honors seasoned, new philanthropists
Awards presented at annual luncheon
Some philanthropists are blessed with the means to give a lot, all at once. Others, with pockets not quite so deep, manage to give a lot, too — but in a steady stream, across a lifetime of measured generosity. Some have a wealth of knowledge about financial markets and community needs. Others are just getting started, and can use expert guidance.
Mail carriers to carry off food Saturday
Effort to collect nutritious items for needy took in 1.4 million pounds regionally in 2011
If you set some nonperishable food donations out by your mailbox on Saturday, you won’t just be helping to stamp out hunger in Clark County -- you’ll also be taking part in what’s billed as the largest one-day food drive on the planet.
Former resident of Share shelter in Orchards repays kindness
Effort provides financial support, resources to local agencies
Open the door to room No. 4, and you’re met with fresh paint and colorful curtains, a comfy shag area rug, quilted bedspreads, new lamps, dressers and end tables, and some cheerful hand-drawn artwork on the walls.
Revisiting acclaimed ‘Blue Highways’
Author to visit as part of historical society event
Not long after he drove east through Clark County and out into the Columbia River Gorge, author William Least Heat-Moon had an epiphany. His eye was caught by a curious assemblage of tall stones that “looked like Stonehenge,” so he went for a closer look.
What's Up with That? Who mails real dimes back to March of Dimes?
I want to know what the March of Dimes is thinking when they send dimes to people. How many people do they mail dimes to, and how much does that cost? How much money could they put to work on their real mission versus this cheap (expensive?) stunt. I might consider giving to March of Dimes, but this gimmick seems to say March of Dimes is just playing games with funds, not helping kids.-- Annoyed ParentThis reporter must be on that same March of Dimes mailing list, A.P. And when that coin arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, the same thought occurred: Can March of Dimes, with its track record of effectively eliminating polio and its ongoing crusade to support healthy babies, figure out no better use for 10 cents than mailing it back and forth with me?
Group aims to mend a ripped safety net
Nonprofit sees needs in unincorporated urban areas of county
Children, senior citizens and the 78th Street Heritage Farm are important elements of urban, unincorporated Clark County that aren’t getting their due.
Foster mom makes a home for hundreds
Carol Springer has been a foster parent to hundreds of children, many wounded or fragile
Carol Springer occasionally runs into a child of hers on the street, all grown up and glad to reconnect. They tend to recognize her more than she recognizes them, she said, because they’ve changed so much since the childhood years when Springer was their mom.
Baird speaks at fundraiser for program that aids youth
Children's Center helps mentally ill, low-income young people
When Brian Baird was 12 years old and attending summer camp, he watched his older, fully clothed brother swim across a lake and start to tread water for five minutes -- as per the camp’s swim challenge.
Puppy club preps guide dogs for training
Group always looking for volunteers to help prepare canines for work with blind owners
Angelina is one cool pup.
Foundation will honor generosity
Local philanthropists will be saluted at luncheon
The return of Catholic high school to Vancouver and an unwavering commitment to such charities as Share, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Clark County Food Bank and the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington are among the reasons Steve and Jo Marie Hansen will receive the Philanthropists of the Year Award.
What's up with that? Thunderbird Hotel on Jantzen Beach in limbo
I’m very concerned about the empty former Red Lion Hotel on Jantzen Beach in Portland. It’s a huge building and it’s empty. This is one of the biggest fire hazards in the metro area. I’d like to know the status of this huge vacant hotel. Who’s securing it? Are there squatters? It just sits there. You don’t hear anything about it. I see a potential here for a massive fire. I’d just like to know that this place is safe and secure.For one thing, Paul, you alerted us to our own confusion about riverside hotels -- which is which? which is closed? -- so we’re glad to get this straight.
Skating on the edge of trouble in La Center?
City prepares small, very visible skate spot for tweens and younger teens
LA CENTER -- When the city of La Center announced plans to include a miniature stake park -- a “skate spot” -- in its upgrade of Holley Park, nobody much objected.
"Last Supper" play is act of faith
With sight gone and sound fading, a local actor-director finds live religious theater stimulates his sense of spirit
So these 13 guys show up at an artist’s studio to model for a big painting. The painter, a dude named Leo, has the requisite looping mustache and a slightly impatient manner. Maybe his models find him a little bit intimidating. Most of them aren’t so happy with their parts to begin with.
What's Up with That? Long-delayed 88th street upgrade slated this year
I am wondering whether the long awaited and delayed reconstruction of Northeast 88th Street from St. Johns Road to Northeast Highway 99 is planned for this upcoming construction season. When the segment of 88th from St. Johns to Northeast Andresen was completed, now three years ago, an article in The Columbian stated that both segments were already funded. But, the remaining segment has been postponed for the last two seasons. Any information will be appreciated.
