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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

July 23, 2013
Anne Maguire listens as Liam Tully works on breath control exercises at her office in downtown Camas. She graduated from The Boston Conservatory in May 2012. Maguire provides private voice and music theory lessons for students ages 14 and older.

The art of the voice

Individuals who walk by First Christian Church in Camas could be treated to a variety of vocalizations -- from a teenage girl singing an Italian aria to a 20-something man working on breath control. They are Krysia Woods and Liam Tully, local residents who are students of Anne Maguire. Woods is a member of the Washougal High School choir, while Tully, a WHS graduate, is a performing and recording artist. Maguire, a mezzo-soprano, provides private voice and music theory lessons for students ages 14 and older.

July 16, 2013

Public input will help shape waterfront property

The Port of Camas-Washougal is seeking input from area residents as it plans to revitalize some of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The plan is to include a park and a trail at 335 S. "A" St., Washougal, that will connect to other area trails in the future.

July 16, 2013
Mark Vasat has qualified to compete this week in the National Clay Court Championship, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He won all of his singles and doubles matches in his age 14 category at a Junior USTA tennis tournament in Yakima.

Camas teen qualifies for national tennis tournaments

A local student has a lot to look forward to, as he excels in tennis on a national level. Mark Vasat, 14, is competing this week in the National Clay Court Championship, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He qualified for it by winning all of his singles and doubles matches in his age category at a Junior USTA tennis tournament in Yakima. Vasat's top placement at the Pacific NW USTA event also qualified him for the Zonal Team Championship July 24 through July 28, in Colorado Springs. "I enjoy competing at a national level," he said Friday, from Florida. "I am physically and mentally challenged at each match, and I meet new friends from around the U.S."

July 11, 2013
Pam and Jim Clark, of Washougal, have been named 2013 Camas Days Royalty. A coronation event will be held Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas.

Jim and Pam Clark are named to the Camas Days Royal Court

Jim and Pam Clark have been selected as Camas Days royalty this year. During a recent interview at their Washougal home, Jim said he was surprised and quite honored to be chosen. "So am I, very humbled," his wife Pam said. They are enjoying getting "ribbed" by friends about their new titles. "She is our royal highness, and I'm the lowness," Jim said. "We've given most of them permission to stay seated when we enter the room."

July 9, 2013
David Martschinske, a 2003 Camas High School graduate, is enjoying promoting the Self Balancing Unicycle. He is co-owner of Focus Designs Inc., with Daniel Wood and Rick Johannessen. They recently opened an office in downtown Camas.

Focus Designs opens office in downtown Camas

A Camas company is increasing its exposure on a regional, national and global level. Focus Designs Inc. owners Daniel Wood, David Martschinske and Rick Johannessen have opened an office in downtown Camas. "All the creative stuff happens here," Martschinske said. Research and development occurs in Camas, while manufacturing of the Self Balancing Unicycle happens in China. "Right now, the unicycle encompasses a majority of our efforts," Martschinske said. "We are, however, spending about 20 percent of our time expanding new ways to repackage this technology."

July 9, 2013
Wendell Heim created Japanese-style calligraphy with Noelle Schmidt, a sophomore at Washougal High School. Heim, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, recently talked about his personal and military experiences with the Japanese class at WHS. "I enjoyed having him in class discussions," Schmidt said. "I learned more about the war and his old life."

Different generations are speaking the same language

A Washougal senior citizen recently provided information about Japan to local students based on his personal experiences. Wendell Heim, 87, was a guest speaker in the Japanese class at Washougal High School. The class is taught by Fuchigami Parker. "He is a great man who cares about a multicultural education for teens," she said. Heim served in the U.S. Army from February 1944 to January 1965. During World War II, he was in India and Northern Burma.

July 9, 2013

Washougal defers decisions on ballot items

The Washougal City Council is expected to consider putting a 10 cent levy lid lift before voters, as early as the Nov. 5 General Election. If approved, the lift would be expected to generate $129,000, which could be identified for fire and emergency medical services. The annual cost to the owner of a house valued at $250,000 would be $25.10. The city can contemplate a levy lid lift of up to 24 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would cost the owner of a $250,000 house $60 per year, and it could generate $309,000. Finance Director Jennifer Forsberg has said, with current assumptions, the city could face a $303,651 deficit in 2014. That is based on projected revenue of $10.8 million and expenditures of $11.1 million.

July 2, 2013

Washougal reviews levy lid lift options

Washougal voters could decide as early as November, whether to approve a levy lid lift to offset financial challenges faced by the city. The preliminary options discussed during the June 24 City Council meeting included an extra 10, 17.5 or 24 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, to be paid by property owners. Finance Director Jennifer Forsberg said, with current assumptions, the city could face a $303,651 deficit in 2014. That is based on projected revenue of $10.8 million and expenditures of $11.1 million.