Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

(360) 735-4556

Monika.Spykerman@columbian.com

Arezoo Rabbaninn draws circles on her art project at the Camas Public Library’s Feb. 17 Bad Art Night. The next Bad Art Night is May 18.

When it’s good to be bad: Camas library’s Bad Art Night unleashes adults’ creativity

May 4, 2024, 6:13am Clark County Life

Jagged, empty eye sockets stared blankly from the hideous mask. Each cheek sprouted a mass of cotton balls, pompoms, tissue paper, buttons, coffee filters, plastic stars and deconstructed silk flowers. One ear — or where the ear should have been — was pierced with a silver Christmas tree brooch. “Death… Read story

Washougal artist Kathy Marty creates a rug using Pendleton Woolen Mills scraps on her home loom.

Try this: Washougal Spring Studio Tour; ‘Steel Magnolias’; Science on Tap

May 2, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Drawn to art Read story

With shredded chicken and a whole can of salsa verde, this casserole is a comforting weeknight meal.

Comforting casserole: Classic mom food casserole with tangy salsa verde tastes like home

May 1, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

After several weeks of recipe wrecks (meh matzos, cayenne pepper doughnuts and Greek salad wraps that didn’t wrap), I was ready for something that couldn’t fail. I’m talking about the most basic of meals, the tried-and-true, handy-dandy rice-and-chicken casserole. Since Monday is Cinco de Mayo, I thought I’d do something… Read story

Nighttime pavement work set on ramps for interstates 5, 205, Highway 14, Highway 500

May 1, 2024, 5:57am Clark County News

Beginning today, more than 40 ramps along Interstate 5, Interstate 205, state Highway 14 and state Highway 500 in Clark County will see intermittent closures for roadway improvements. Read story

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is working to take almost 60 acres east of Interstate 5 near La Center into its sovereign jurisdiction.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe expands reservation near La Center by about 60 acres

April 30, 2024, 8:07pm Business

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is expanding its 152-acre reservation near La Center by about 60 acres. Read story

Library Con: Free Comic Book Day meets Star Wars Day in one giant celebration in Vancouver

Darth Vader makes his entrance in the 1977 movie "Star Wars." Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries will celebrate Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day (May 4, as in "May the fourth be with you") in one giant event on Saturday.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries will celebrate Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day (May 4, as in “May the fourth be with you”) in one giant event on Saturday: Library Con, a celebration of fan culture with activities at all local library branches. Read story

Can you make your own cake doughnuts at home? Better question: Should you?

These cake doughnuts have cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and vanilla — things that would theoretically make them good.

I don’t like doughnuts that much, especially cake doughnuts. I know, I know — I might as well say I don’t like sunshine and money. I mean, I’m not crazy. I have reasons. Cake doughnuts just aren’t that exciting. They’re simply round pieces of cake. And cupcakes? Don’t get me… Read story