Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

(360) 735-4556

Monika.Spykerman@columbian.com

Francisco Flores of Amazon, center, joins fellow volunteers as they plant native trees on Monday morning during the Martin Luther King Day of Service at Meadowbrook North. Over 50 volunteers came out to the event hosted by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, which was aimed at restoring native habitat and improving water quality of Burnt Bridge Creek in Vancouver. Over 300 trees were planted.

Try This: ‘Shrek the Musical,’ MLK Jr. Day; Portland Boat Show

January 13, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week. Read story

This quick chicken stir-fry was a snap to make and used only what I had on hand.

Stir-fry on the fly: Quick weeknight meal makes use of culinary odds and ends

January 12, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

I spent last year going through old recipes and making my favorite dishes from childhood. The Year of Nostalgic Cooking was fun, but what was almost more fun was finding uses for some of the ingredients left over after making the recipe. I savored the challenge of figuring out how… Read story

An axolotl swims in a tank at Alley Cat Pet Center. Axolotls are neotenic, meaning they retain their adolescent form into adulthood, including the feathery gills that fan out around their necks.

Amazing Axolotls: Smiley salamander makes a splash in Clark County

January 9, 2022, 6:02am Clark County Life

What’s native only to Mexico’s Lake Xochimilco, comes in rainbow colors and has a permanently thrilled expression? An axolotl, of course! It’s a species of salamander with distinctive exterior gills that form a ruffled fan around its neck. The axolotl (pronounced “AX-uh-lot-ull”) is named after Xolotl, the Aztec god of… Read story

Recycled Arts Festival seeks artists, vendors

January 8, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

The Clark County Recycled Arts Festival, scheduled for June 25-26 in Esther Short Park, is accepting applications from artists, food vendors and nonprofit educational groups. Read story

Clark County Historical Museum back to regular hours

January 8, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

The Clark County Historical Museum returns to its regular hours beginning today. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids age 5 to 18, $4 for seniors and students and free for children ages 4 and under.… Read story

Winter Wonder Soup fortifies the spirit as it nourishes the body

A steaming bowl of Winter Wonder Soup is just the ticket on a cold winter's day. I served mine with warm cornbread and grated cheddar cheese.

The drive home from our winter vacation in northern Washington was an exhausting daylong trek, a 4½-hour trip that took eight hours because of snow flurries and icy roads. The morning after we returned, I was enjoying a cup of coffee and a bowl of Malt-O-Meal when I heard, over… Read story

Year of cooking family recipes teaches lessons, stirs lovely memories

Warm milk with honey and spices is a soothing way to end the day.

December 29, 2021, 6:01am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

Way back in January, I gave myself a challenge: Every week for a year, I’d re-create recipes I’d loved as a girl and memorable meals I’d shared with friends. The idea behind The Year of Nostalgic Cooking was to eat comforting foods associated with positive or powerful memories, connecting me… Read story