Subscribe

Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

May 14, 2013
Photo by Phillip Yeary Dr. Darren Smith, of Camas, ran in the Greensboro BB&T Gate City 8K, in North Carolina, in April. It was the inaugural event for "TeamUP," which consists of eight people who have paralysis in one or both of their legs as a result of foot drop. The members have overcome their mobility issues with orthotic devices made by Allard USA. Smith, 47, plans to participate in the Rock 'n' Roll Portland Half Marathon Sunday.

Running with purpose

A local man is not letting a medical condition stop him from doing what he enjoys. Dr. Darren Smith, of Camas, has "foot drop" -- paralysis of his lower left leg and foot. He acquired the weakness of the tibialis anterior muscle in 2002, after he underwent a surgical procedure to help embolize a soft tissue mass on his back. After using braces that helped with lateral stabilization, Smith found the Allard USA ToeOFF brace in August 2010. His athletic accomplishments include winning the 2012 and 2010 Canadian National Paratriathlon championships and the 2012 PATCO/PanAm Paratriathlon Championship. The events include swimming, bicycling and running. "I feel incredible to have competed against some of the fastest in the world," Smith said. “Just because the word 'para' is used in front of a sport, does not make people slow. There are some fast people with missing limbs out there. The category I compete in includes below-the-knee amputees."

May 7, 2013
April and Aaron Marvin sat down Friday morning for photos with their sons Kamble, 2, and Carson, 3. The Marvins, of Vancouver, adopted Kamble in December 2012 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with assistance provided by Our Family in Africa, an organization based in Camas.

Local adoption agency is making a difference — one child at a time

A former counselor at J.D. Zellerbach Elementary School, in Camas, and her husband are among the newest parents of a child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. April and Aaron Marvin, of Vancouver, adopted Kamble, 2, in December 2012. The Marvin's household also includes their son Carson, 3, and dogs Addy and Oakley. "They are best friends," April said, regarding Kamble and Carson. "They do everything together. They have been inseparable." For more information, call (602) 330-6337, email info@ourfamilyadoptions.org or visit www.ourfamilyadoptions.org.

April 30, 2013

Camas Hotel to host open house Friday

The owners of the Camas Hotel will soon be ready to show the results of a third floor renovation project. Tom and Karen Hall will host an open house during the First Friday festivities, from 5 to 8 p.m. Snacks and tours will be available. The project has involved taking out six single "bachelor" rooms and adding one king and two queen rooms with bathrooms.

April 30, 2013

Grant & Elcock PLLC relocates to Washougal

Two attorneys have moved their offices from Vancouver to downtown Washougal. Donald Grant and Douglas Elcock have signed a lease for Executive Suite 245, in Washougal Town Square, 1700 Main St.

April 30, 2013
Erin Bradstreet, of Camas, moves the ball down the field, as her sister Rachel (center), of Washougal, looks on. The Bradstreets and their teammates on Passin Thru beat the team Little Indian 4-2, on April 13, at Wy'East Community Park, in Vancouver. The Lower Columbia Womens Soccer Association includes teams for women ages 30 and older.

Women nurture their love of soccer

Three local women older than 30 are enjoying the rewards and challenges of playing soccer. Rachel and Erin Bradstreet, along with Lea Phillips, are among the members of "Passin Thru," a team in the Lower Columbia Womens Soccer Association. For more information about the Lower Columbia Womens Soccer Association, email lcwsa@yahoo.com or visit www.lcwsa.info.

April 23, 2013

Washougal Council eyes changes to fireworks laws

There could be a reduction in the number of days that fireworks can be sold inside the city limits of Washougal, starting in 2014. Ron Schumacher, fire marshal and deputy chief of fire prevention for the Camas-Washougal Fire Department, is proposing the reduction. It is currently legal to sell fireworks from noon to 11 p.m., June 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., June 29 through July 4, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on July 5, as well as from noon to 11 p.m., from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31. The proposal would limit sales from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 2 through July 4, and from noon to 11 p.m., Dec. 29 through Dec. 31. The city's municipal code states fireworks may only be discharged on July 4, from 9 a.m. to midnight, and Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to Jan. 1, at 1 a.m.

April 16, 2013

WCGHS supporters plan to protest neighboring company Friday

The frustrations continue near the West Columbia Gorge Humane dog shelter. Jesse Hutton, owner of Northwest Underwater Construction, has been seen videotaping the shelter -- reportedly on the advice of his attorney. Hutton has previously expressed frustrations with the noise levels of dogs barking at the shelter.

April 16, 2013
Volunteers from Standpoint, Idaho, and New Orleans, assisted residents on the East coast affected by Hurricane Sandy. The trip in March was organized by Forward Edge International, of Vancouver. "When the team members from New Orleans heard that Forward Edge International was responding to Sandy, they were interested in going because they had their homes and church worked on by FEI teams after Hurricane Katrina," said Laura Strahan, co-coordinator of teams for Forward Edge. Some Camas and Washougal residents have provided relief in the U.S. and in other countries on trips coordinated by the non-profit organization.

Local residents help with the healing after storms hit

The former youth pastor of a Camas church recalls helping people affected by Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans. Ricky Ortiz coordinated the April 2-9, 2011, trip through Forward Edge International, of Vancouver. The team of 12 volunteers from River Rock Church ranged in age from 17 to 74. Ortiz said it caught everyone in the group off guard that the effects of the August 2005 hurricane were still "pretty bad" more than five years later.