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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

March 19, 2013
Wendy Sturm, owner of "We Plan It," Kristina Kuntz, owner of Niella's Special Events, and Amy Brown, owner of Lacamas Flowers & Events, (left to right) have opened an office in downtown Camas. Planning events for corporations and non-profit organizations, coordinating weddings, renting banquet linens and vases and providing floral arrangements and candy buffets are among the services available. Studio 2911 also offers event and meeting space.

Studio 2911 companies offer complementary services

Three friends and business associates have combined their efforts to showcase their event planning services. Studio 2911 is located at 421 N.E. Cedar St., in downtown Camas. It includes the offices of Wendy Sturm, owner of "We Plan It," Kristina Kuntz, event coordinator with Niella's Special Events, and Amy Brown, owner of Lacamas Flowers & Events. Niella's, owned by Kuntz and her husband Jonathon, is the parent company of Studio 2911. For more information about Niella's Special Events, call 953-0653, email kristinakuntz@niellas.com or visit www.niellas.com. Sturm can be reached at 597-5109, wendy@weplanit.com or www.weplanit.com. For additional information about Lacamas Flowers & Events, call 606-9164, email lacamasflowers@gmail.com or visit www.lacamasflowersandevents.com.

March 19, 2013
Brett Oppegaard, of Camas (right), gives a demonstration of the Fort Vancouver mobile app to a Washington State University Vancouver class. Chief Ranger Greg Shine is pictured on the left. Oppegaard, an assistant professor at WSU-V, recently accepted an award for outstanding volunteer service from the National Park Service.

Brett Oppegaard is honored by the National Park Service

A local resident has received national recognition for his efforts to help make history more interesting for younger generations. Brett Oppegaard, of Camas, accepted the George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, in Washington, D.C., in February. The award was presented to him by National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. Oppegaard received a crystal medallion, inscribed with the National Park Service logo. The award was presented in an engraved wooden box. The National Parks Foundation paid for his travel expenses to the nation's capital.

March 19, 2013

Former WPD officer charged with assault

A man who worked for the Washougal Police Department for more than 28 years is accused of repeatedly punching a mentally ill suspect involved in a domestic violence case. Former Officer Robert Ritchie, 53, is charged with fourth degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. Clark County District Court Judge Sonya Langsdorf is scheduled to announce a verdict Wednesday, at 2:30 p.m. Ritchie's case involved a non-jury, bench trial March 14.

March 5, 2013

Columbia River Crossing will be among the topics

A project that could replace the I-5 bridge will be the featured topic of a Washougal town hall. The meeting with City Council members is scheduled for Saturday, at 9 a.m., in the council chambers at City Hall, 1701 "C" St. Comments about the proposed Columbia River Crossing project and other issues will be accepted from residents and property tax payers within Washougal or Washougal's urban growth area.

February 26, 2013
Frank de la Rosa looks out toward the five-acre backyard of the Washougal home he shares with his wife Carolyn. Frank, 79, a former double bass player for singers including Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, retired in 2003. "I play the piano at home just for myself, and I do a lot of reading," he said. "It's a different generation [of entertainers] now. It's a young kids' game."

Frank de la Rosa is enjoying retirement

Frank de la Rosa's life story reads like a history lesson, including many familiar names in the music business. His career has taken him around the world, and he is quite content to reflect on the highlights from his home in Washougal. De la Rosa's love for music could be attributed to his father, a musician who played the bass. His mother did not encourage him to pursue it as a career, because she thought it provided an unstable lifestyle. When de la Rosa picked up a congo musical instrument at a Latin club, musicians told him he had a natural rhythm and encouraged him to pursue music.

February 26, 2013

CWEDA highlights benchmark report

Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association President Paul Dennis has been involved in contacting a variety of companies that are interested in moving to or expanding within the local area. During a recent performance measure assessment presentation to the Washougal City Council, Eric Hovee said of 37 contacts in 2012, seven projects are complete. They include the relocation of CID Bioscience from the Camas Meadows area to the former American Legion building near downtown Camas. Other completed projects include Fastenal, Fisher II, Robertson & Olsen, Sapphire Materials, Sharp Solar and Universal Jiu Jitsu. The seven projects that are underway include Amnesia Brewing, Foods in Season, IMT Bodycote, InnoTech America and Mill City Brew Werks. The names of companies involved in "Brew Pub 3" and &"Biotech 1" are not yet disclosed. Sixteen projects are considered active, while five are listed as dormant and two are considered dead.

February 19, 2013
Area residents have been enjoying hamburgers and chicken sandwiches at K & M Drive-In, since the Feb. 11 opening day. The restaurant, owned by Kevin and Melinda Bruzzone, of Washougal, is in the former Old Fashion Maid location, in Camas. Kevin has more than 30 years of experience working in the restaurant business.

K & M Drive-In opens at former Old Fashion Maid site

A local husband and wife have teamed up to open a restaurant in Camas. K & M Drive-In, named after its owners Kevin and Melinda Bruzzone, is located in the building previously occupied by The Old Fashion Maid Restaurant. "We feature fresh ground beef hamburgers charbroiled to order, hand-cut french fries and hand-scooped ice cream shakes," Kevin said. "We also offer charbroiled chicken breast sandwiches and hot dogs." K & M Drive-In, 3414 N.E. Third Ave., is open daily, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 210-5803.

February 12, 2013
Marian Lilley worked out Monday, at LaCamas Swim & Sport, in Camas. Lilley, 78, of Fern Prairie, has experienced two heart bypass surgeries. "Exercise is very important," she said. "I try to get here at least three days a week."

Have a heart this month

A Camas woman is an example of the importance of recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack. Pat King had a massive heart attack in July 2011. Prior to that, she was a smoker and she was often tired. King, 56, had been scheduled to have a thyroid test with her doctor that week. "I never made it to that test," she said. "I had shortness of breath and some swelling of the ankles. At work, they said I was pretty spacey. "The fatigue lasted for months or years," King added. "I had no energy."