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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

June 7, 2011
Shannon Young interacts with twin sons Connor (left) and Garret (right), 27 months, during coloring time. Young, a former volleyball coach at Washougal High School, is a member of Columbia Mothers of Twins Club. "The group has given me a chance to meet and become friends with a group of women who have been in my shoes," she said. "I have one of the youngest sets of twins in the group, and the twins moms are a constant for support and advice."

Twins can be double the fun…and frustrations

Shannon Young is experiencing the rewards and challenges of being a mother of twins. Young, a volleyball coach at Washougal High School from 2007 to 2009, is now a full time mom and a part time teacher for "IQ Academy WA" online classes offered by the Evergreen School District. "I love teaching, and this gave me the opportunity to be at home with my kids and still be an educator," she said. Young is the mother of Connor and Garret, 27 months.

June 7, 2011
Paige McKnight, a barista at Michele's Coffee Corner, in Washougal, makes a white chocolate caramel mocha Monday. The "E" Street business, owned by McKnight's mother Michele, has experienced a decline in business due to the economy as well as recent roadwork. The "E" Street construction project, which involves conversion of the road width to two through-lanes and a center left turn lane, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks from Sixth to 32nd streets, is expected to be completed in September.

Small businesses survive impacts of the economy and construction

Michele McNight spends six days a week working for herself, and she wants to continue living the dream of having her own business. As the owner of Michele's Coffee Corner, in Washougal, she has experienced financial difficulties due to the economy -- and more recently -- due to construction on "E" Street. McKnight is not alone with her frustrations as other companies on the busy road have also reported a decline in business.

May 31, 2011
Members of the Camas High School girls' basketball team supplied pink boas for women who successfully made "baskets" into a trash container.

Painting the town Pink

Women of all ages had a good time for a good cause Thursday night. Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and granddaughters attended the second annual "Girls Night Out," in downtown Camas. With the theme, "Now is the New Later," the event was billed as an evening of celebration in support of women and local cancer charities. For a donation of $15 per person, participants were treated to complimentary cupcakes and pink drinks, beauty treatments and neck massages, as well as health tips and resources, art activities and shopping and dining promotions.

May 24, 2011

Council questions choice for economic development director

The Port of Camas-Washougal's recent selection of Cascade Planning Group and its principal, Camas Mayor Paul Dennis, to be awarded a contract for economic development professional services, resulted in discussions by several Washougal City Council members last night. Dennis will serve in the newly created role of economic development director, as Cascade Planning Group would be the primary service provider. E.D. Hovee and company would serve in a supporting role.

May 24, 2011
Nancy Sullivan sells an assortment of fabrics at River Quilts, in downtown Camas. There is also a selection of quilting thread and embroidery floss, as well as tins with pins, miniature jars of colorful new buttons and other accessories. The new business, which opened in March, is currently in need of additional teachers to provide classes at the shop. "I want it to be fun, open and friendly," Sullivan said. "When a customer walks in, I want them to feel inspired and welcomed."

Creativity reigns at River Quilts

A colorful collection of fabrics, threads and buttons awaits visitors to River Quilts, in downtown Camas. Nancy Sullivan, owner of the new business, hopes to inspire people to get back into sewing and find their creative outlet. "I want to help them with any new projects or finish projects stuck in a closet," she said. She sells Moda, Maywood, Westminster Fibers, Andover and Michael Miller fabrics, as well as Gutermann and Aurifil quilting thread and DMC embroidery floss. Colors include jade, gold and deep red.

May 17, 2011
Tom Davis (left) talked with Washougal Police Department Administrative Assistant Pat King (center) and former Police Chief Bob Garwood (right), Saturday night at Washougal High School. A retirement dinner was held for Davis, who ended his 25-year career in law enforcement in December because of rheumatoid arthritis.

A tribute for Tom

A bittersweet celebration was held Saturday night for a Washougal Police Officer who grew up in the community in which he served. Tom Davis, who worked for the Washougal Police Department for 25 years, retired in December due to health issues. He served most recently as a school resource officer. The retirement dinner, held in the commons at Washougal High School, attracted more than 110 supporters -- including friends, family and former coworkers. Retired WPD Chiefs Randy Sheppard and Bob Garwood attended, along with former Sgt. Kim Yamashita. She is now the police chief in Sandy, Ore.

May 17, 2011

Waterfront restaurant plans are put on the back burner

A former local resident is hoping someone will be inspired to lease or purchase the 12,000 square foot building that was originally designed to be the Black Pearl on the Columbia restaurant - near the Port of Camas-Washougal marina. Kimberly Sherertz, widow of Bill Sherertz, said Monday night it was her husband's wish to open the restaurant at the former site of the Parker House, 56 S. "A" St., Washougal, He passed away in January at the age of 64.

May 3, 2011
Mark Lewis uses round nose pliers to shape sterling silver wire for a sculptured pendant. He also makes earrings and bracelets, while working with semi-precious stones, Dichoric glass, fossils and cabochons. Lewis recently opened his jewelry store in downtown Washougal.

Jewelry Creations By Mark Lewis opens

A Washougal jeweler has an interest in all of the items he sells. Those pieces, available to purchase in Jewelry Creations By Mark Lewis, include Laramar, a Caribbean blue jasper from the Dominican Republic, in a cast sterling silver setting with abalone inlay. There is also a AAA-grade pear-shaped amethyst in a wire wrap setting, as well as mystic quartz, amber and Ethiopian fire opal. Lewis, 56, also works with Swarovski faceted crystal beads for earrings, pendants and bracelets. He incorporates fossils into some of his designs. They include an amanite (nautilus shell) in a sterling silver wire setting.

May 3, 2011
Amanda Rutter, a student at Camas High School, chose to research and promote TOMS Shoes for her senior project. The five-year old company distributes shoes to children in 23 countries. "Companies like TOMS give me faith in the fashion industry," Rutter said. "Instead of selling average products for double or triple the money they're worth and making a ton of profit for themselves, TOMS' whole company purpose is to give shoes to people and not cheap factory made ones, but high quality, long lasting, durable shoes."

Good for the Sole

A Camas High School senior has been inspired by a business that gives away a pair of shoes for every pair it sells. As part of her senior project, Amanda Rutter has been taking orders for TOMS Shoes. The company was created in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, after he traveled to Argentina and noticed children without shoes to protect their feet. Later that year, he returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff, as well as 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers. As of September 2010, TOMS has given more than one million pairs of new shoes to children in need.

May 3, 2011

Washougal Council delays EMS decision

An anticipated EMS vote that could have the Washougal Fire Department operating under a "functional operational consolidation" with Camas on a trial basis has been postponed to allow additional time for City Council discussions. The Washougal City Council voted last night 6 to 1, to table a decision that could involve transferring $95,000 to an EMS fund to offset a shortfall and spending $55,000 for a new hire at the WFD. Michael Delavar voted against tabling a decision.