Camas-Washougal Post-Record

July 27, 2010

Executive Chef Rudy Garcia, Server Melanie Harold, Sous Chef Antonio Hernandez and Sous Chef-in Training Greg Shelby Jr. (left to right) have joined the staff at Shelby's Restaurant & Lounge, in Washougal. Menu choices include risotto cakes and colossal sea scallops pan seared with three sauces. A grand re-opening, to celebrate Garcia's arrival and the completion of renovations, will be held today through Sunday. Future plans include the addition of windows in the main dining area and a covered deck.

New chefs join Shelby’s Restaurant

There are several new faces in the kitchen at Shelby's Restaurant & Lounge, in Washougal. They include Executive Chef Rudy Garcia, Sous Chef Antonio Hernandez and Sous Chef-in Training Greg Shelby Jr. Garcia, of Camas, has been a chef for more than 20 years, in restaurants from Los Angeles to Seattle. Prior to joining Shelby's, he owned Rudy's Palate, in downtown Portland, for 2 1/2 years. Garcia graduated from Western Culinary Institute, in Portland, in 1998. Two years prior to that, he served as an apprentice with a master chef in Portland. "I'm a French style chef with Italian influence," Garcia said.

July 27, 2010

Workshed Interactive finds new space in downtown Camas

Workshed Interactive has relocated its office within downtown Camas. Shannon Van Horn and her husband Bret own Workshed, which helps clients with Internet-related marketing projects and printed marketing materials. "We design and program websites, host websites, create blogs, provide e-mail marketing services, search engine optimization services, set up social networking profiles, do print design and consult with clients regarding various marketing services and issues," Shannon Van Horn said. "Our focus is on easy-to-use web presence and marketing pieces that help our clients stand out from their competitors."

July 27, 2010

Gwen Johnson (left), of Washougal, observes Liz Nye (right), of Camas, adding a necklace to a model's outfit. Johnson, Nye and Jeanne Jennings (not pictured), of Camas, will participate in the "Not Your Mother's Fashion Show," Saturday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m., at the Sixth Street Gallery, in downtown Vancouver.

Fashion forward

Three local women will showcase their designs and benefit two area organizations, while also having a lot of fun. Liz Nye and Jeanne Jennings, of Camas, and Gwen Johnson, of Washougal, will participate in the "Not Your Mother's Fashion Show" Saturday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m., in the Sixth Street Gallery, 105 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. The show will benefit Dress for Success, which provides professional clothing for low-income women to wear at job interviews and the workplace. The fashion show will also raise money for MOSAIC Arts Alliance, which brings art to the community through education and community involvement programs. Nye has been designing and creating jewelry for about 22 years, using natural, semiprecious stones and "unique handmade centerpieces that most always have a story."

July 20, 2010

The machinery at Hambleton Bros. Lumber Co. sits idle after a company closure. The waterfront site is being considered for future commercial development. A sawmill has been located at 335 S. "A" St., Washougal, for six decades.

Hambleton Lumber closes Washougal sawmill

The "closed" sign posted at the entrance to the Hambleton Bros. Lumber Co. has a more definitive meaning these days, as the sawmill has ceased operations - at least temporarily - and the waterfront land could have a commercial and recreational future. Prior to the mill's closure, the closed sign could be seen on the entry gate after regular business hours. According to Mike Reinhart, more than 40 Hambleton employees lost their jobs in June. Reinhart, a "semi-retired" owner of Camas Realty, has served as a consultant for Hambleton since 1971. Approximately 25 acres of land and a sawmill at 335 S. "A" St., owned by Hambleton Lumber Co. LLC, have been leased by Hambleton Bros. Lumber Co. A six-year lease expired in June. Reinhart was among the individuals who attended the July 13 strategic planning session at the Port of Camas-Washougal. At that time, he said the sawmill could reopen for a short time.

July 20, 2010

Onlookers watched as the Parker House Restaurant building was demolished last week. Metal and wood materials were sorted by crews with Nutter Corporation, for recycling or reusing purposes. RSV Building Solutions is expected to break ground within 30 days for the Black Pearl on the Columbia, at the former Parker House site. The two-story restaurant is expected to open next spring.

Parker House memories continue to live on after demolition

Before the Parker House Restaurant building was demolished, it was considered by many local residents to be a memorable place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. As the approximately 16,000-square-foot building was reduced to piles of wood and metal on July 13, several onlookers watched with a mixture of emotions. Larry and Sherri Keister, of Washougal, were among the witnesses to the demolition. Some of the onlookers sat in chairs that had previously been located in the restaurant.

July 13, 2010

Counselor opens practice in Camas

A local counselor who specializes in parenting issues and helping adolescents and men has opened an office in downtown Camas. Joe Klemz, 33, has moved his Real Life Counseling practice to the Fearn Natural Health Clinic. He works with couples, families and children. Klemz has experience in addressing topics include anger management, anxiety and fears, grief and loss, men's and parenting issues, divorce, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, life coaching, domestic abuse/violence and academic performance issues related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. "I enjoy the sacred opportunity to teach and advise individuals, couples and families to rally their strengths, wisdom, and solutions so they can overcome their challenges," he said. "While I mentor and teach, I alone do not have all the solutions. I believe my clients have the strength and wisdom to overcome their pain, so my role is to draw out this strength and their wisdom."

July 13, 2010

Fraud expert is new Washougal finance director

A woman who worked for the State Auditor's Office for nine years has been hired as the finance director for the City of Washougal. Jennifer Forsberg is expected to start her new job next week -- pending the concurrence of City Council. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, at 7 p.m. For the last four years, Forsberg has been the fraud investigative manager for the auditor's office. Mayor Sean Guard announced her hiring during the council workshop last night.

July 13, 2010

Council supports Arizona law

The Washougal Council has approved a resolution in support of enforcing federal immigration laws on the state level. The resolution, approved 5 to 2 on July 6, encourages state representatives of the 15th and 18th legislative districts to sponsor legislation in the next session similar to the immigration law recently adopted in Arizona. Paul Greenlee and Molly Coston voted against the resolution. Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem Jon Russell sponsored it. Russell said other cities, including Long Beach, Wash., and Costa Mesa, Lake Elsinore and Hemet, Calif., have supported Arizona's immigration law. That law authorizes state and local law enforcement officers -- if they have a 'reasonable suspicion' that someone is an illegal alien -- to determine the person's immigration status. Russell said illegal immigration adds financial burdens in the areas of public safety, healthcare and education. The topic of immigration law was previously discussed during the council's June 28 workshop when Russell said, "It's all the rage in all the cities." "With the emphasis on rage," Greenlee replied.

July 13, 2010

Army helicopter pilot’s talents are red, white, blue and magical

An Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot will soon bring his "Magic of Patriotism" show to Washougal. William Scott Anderson, a chief warrant officer, has been in the Army for 14 years. He returned home to Canby, Ore., in January, after serving in Iraq for a year. Anderson, 32, has received national TV coverage most recently as a contestant on NBC's "America's Got Talent." He advanced in the Portland tryouts in March to earn a spot and demonstrate additional magic in Las Vegas. However, two other magicians were chosen to move forward to the competition in Los Angeles. "They can't have it stacked with too many magicians," Anderson said. "There are other categories. It is a variety show. "I got some great coverage," he added. "I was treated really well on the show. I have no bad things to say about it. It would have been nice to make it further. I'm not upset with how I did on the show. I got some great exposure, and the people there are great. All in all, it was a good time."

July 6, 2010

Several local residents recently spent a week in Pass Christian, Miss., providing community service to residents still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Participants included (standing left to right) Lucas Nicacio, Robert Nicacio, Ethan Starkey, Juan Velez, Anna Kellog and Samuel Nicacio, and (sitting left to right) Tim Beilcke and Michael Roberts. Bill Thorbecke is not pictured. The C-W Rotary and Interact Club members provided services including landscaping and cleaning.

Reaching out

While it has been five years since Hurricane Katrina hit, the aftereffects of the natural disaster continue to be felt. To ease the burden of some residents in Pass Christian, Miss., several local residents recently spent a week, helping with the restoration efforts. "There are still problems there," said Ethan Starkey, a Washougal High School senior. "People are not living as well as they could have been. We went to help those people who are slowed down a little. People are not focused on them as much as New Orleans." He said the East Coast heat and humidity were a challenge. "It was hard to do the planting, weeding and other outside yard work," Starkey said. "We were not as used to the heat as people who live there. It was 103." He is the student Rotary liaison for the WHS Interact Club. "It was an amazing experience, and I plan to do it again during the school year for my senior project," Starkey said. "By the second or third day we got there, I was thinking there were still places that were not developed and people who are living in poor conditions. A lot of businesses failed because of the disaster."