Stories by Monika Spykerman

Jam session: Columbian’s 1993 cookbook features delicious, easy-to-make Frosted Jam Bars

It’s like a fruit cobbler in cookie form! These Frosted Jam Bars have a sweet layer of jam between two layers of soft shortbread, topped with a drizzle of icing.

We’re right on the cusp of berry season, and that means jam. I’ve made my own freezer jam every year for the last 15 years or so, ever since I realized I could use strawberry Jell-O in place of pectin (and, ahem, strawberries) to make strawberry-rhubarb jam. Read story

Shoo fly: Invasive Houdini flies have found their way to Clark County, threatening mason bees

Gardeners love native mason bees, which are solitary and nonaggressive.

May 17, 2025, 6:12am Clark County Life Subscriber ExclusiveUpdated 1 day ago

Gardeners love mason bees, the nonaggressive, super-pollinator cousins of the honey bee. It’s easy to find adorable mason bee “hotels” with stacked, bee-sized nesting tubes hanging in yards around Clark County, where busy mason bees can lay their eggs for next spring’s generation. Read story

Dip chicken breast filets in butter and garlic, dredge them in Parmesan and fresh rosemary, bake until crispy, and enjoy.

Easy-breezy Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Chicken doesn’t require any frying

May 14, 2025, 6:01am Clark County Life

I’ve had a hard time concentrating for the past six months or so and haven’t been able to keep up with my usual regimen of reading a novel every three or four weeks — that is, until someone gave me a copy of Ruth Reichl’s “Garlic and Sapphires.” Read story

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District patrons voted for this library card design in 2005. The district is accepting submissions for a new, limited-edition design until June 30.

FVRLibraries wants a new look for library cards — and wants the public to be the designer

May 9, 2025, 6:05am Clark County Life

As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District is inviting both children and adults to submit designs for new library cards. The theme is “Our Stories, Our Communities” and designs will be accepted in four age categories: 8 and under; 9-12; 13-19; and 20 and… Read story

One person was killed in a two-alarm fire at Evergreen Pointe Apartments in central Vancouver early Friday morning.

Victim in fatal apartment fire in Vancouver identified

May 8, 2025, 12:03pm Clark County News

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim of a May 2 apartment fire in central Vancouver as Megan Peterkin, 38. Read story

Lush trees and other foliage line Burnt Bridge Creek in central Vancouver.

Try This: Artists Spring Show and Sale, Birds and Blooms. ‘Vancouver’s First Black Families’

May 8, 2025, 6:05am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

This rhubarb sour cream cake has a buttery, crunchy brown sugar streusel topping.

In the pink: Fresh, seasonal rhubarb heart of moist, tasty cake that gets sweet kick from streusel topping

May 7, 2025, 6:07am Clark County Life

I love rhubarb. I love the pretty pink-and-green color, I love the scent, and I love the sharp flavor of this herbaceous, perennial vegetable. I’ve gone kind of nuts for rhubarb this year — not just as a flavor but also as a concept. I recently painted my nails a… Read story

Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff reporter