An annual event, organized by the Camas-Washougal Soroptimists, helps generate donations of money and peanut butter for a weekend backpack program for local schoolchildren.
The Washougal City Council could soon consider an ordinance that will provide some economic relief for residential utility customers. In information presented during a workshop last night, Finance Director Jennifer Forsberg talked about a proposed ordinance that would use $500,000 of unrestricted general fund reserves to provide a one-time, flat-rate reduction for 2013 for residential homes. There are approximately 5,756 residential homes, including apartments, in Washougal. The proposed bi-monthly flat rate reduction would be $14.48 ($86.87 for the year).
James Resop is learning patience through a cat adoption program at Larch Corrections Center. Resop, a 39-year old inmate in the minimum security facility, in Yacolt, said he is enjoying learning what "his" cat likes and dislikes and being responsible for something other than himself. Challenges include getting Butterfly, the cat, to exercise. "Butterfly loves ice water and has mood swings," Resop said.
A local musician has a gig at least four times a week. When Steve Christofferson, of Washougal, plays a piano, it can be with solo singers, quartets or orchestras. He has written "a tune or two" and played on other people's recordings. Christofferson, 56, has also participated in week long residence camps for adults and high school musicians in Port Townsend, Wash., and at Stanford University. He has worked with some Washougal High School students as they prepare to perform in the Blue Note Cafe series at the school. "I love the Blue Note Cafe," Christofferson said. "School concerts are nothing new, but anyone can try out for it. It's a student led thing."
Guns in schools were among the topics discussed in an 18th District town hall meeting with Sen. Ann Rivers, (R-La Center) and incoming Rep. Liz Pike, (R-Camas). During the meeting Saturday at the Camas Public Library, Pike said she has heard from teachers who like her proposal to allow them to carry guns in classrooms. Chuck Miller, of Camas, said children need to be protected in schools.
The Washougal City Council issued a unanimous vote last night, to not pursue the outsourcing of public works responsibilities. The vote occurred after several members of the public expressed concerns about water, sewer and stormwater rates. In August, the council voted 4 to 3 to authorize Mayor Sean Guard to sign a $45,335 professional services agreement with Science Applications International Corporation, of Seattle. The agreement was expected to help city leaders determine if a public-private partnership for operation, maintenance and management of the city's water, wastewater and storm water utilities is feasible.
A local mother has formed a club that supports her weekly film habit and benefits a downtown Camas business.Carissa Reid, of Camas, founded the Camas Movie Club, because she loves movies and wants to help promote the Liberty Theatre. She has seen more than 50 movies at the Liberty since December 2011. Her recent favorites have included "Brave," which she saw with her daughter, "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Odd Life of Timothy Green." "I was also very taken with 'Robot & Frank,' which was a quiet little film with some unexpected twists,: Reid said. That movie and "Magic Mike" are among the films viewed by Camas Movie Club members in the Granada Cinema, at the Liberty.
Two halls in Clark College were recently overrun by men, women and children dressed in red and green T-shirts. Some of the colorfully-clothed individuals also wore Santa hats, and they talked about coal -- not as lumps found in Christmas stockings -- but in trains that could travel through Camas and Washougal, among other cities. Pacific International Terminals is proposing to build and operate the Gateway Pacific Terminal between Ferndale and Blaine. The terminal would provide storage and handling of coal, grain, iron ore, salts and alumina. Whatcom County, the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are conducting the environmental impact statements process for the proposed terminal project. Approximately 850 people attended a scoping meeting at Clark, and more than 150 of them were selected in drawings to each have two minutes to speak in front of the crowds holding signs expressing sentiments against coal or for jobs. After they are transcribed, comments submitted at the Clark College hearing will be available online at www.eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/. Additional comments, due by Jan. 21, can be emailed to comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov.
![Joan and Ray Hamilton have enjoyed decorating their home and yard in Washougal for the holidays for four years. "It started primarily for the grandkids, and it got bigger and bigger and bigger," he said. "[This year] we started the week before Thanksgiving, and we're still not done," he said Dec. 12. Ray died four days later, with heart and lung issues.](https://www.camaspostrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1218_loc_Hamilton_Christmas_020-300x200-c-center.jpg)
Decorating their home for the holidays has become a labor of love for Ray and Joan Hamilton.The indoor and outdoor projects, which began as a form of amusement and entertainment for the grandkids, has also been appreciated by their neighbors and other local residents. The Hamiltons have been decorating their house and yard for several holidays since they moved to 2242 N. "M" St., Washougal in June 2009. "It builds up every year," Ray said. Last year's display included a decorated, 6-foot Christmas tree in a pickup with wreaths around the wheels. "I had to have three extra circuits put in," Ray said. "The kids really like it."
Water, sewer and stormwater rate increases were on the minds of more than 70 people last night in Washougal. A standing-room-only crowd attended a three-hour community meeting in the council chambers at City Hall. The crowd spilled over into the lobby. It was not a City Council meeting or workshop, but six council members were present. Councilwoman Caryn Plinski was not available to attend. Next year, the total bi-monthly water, sewer and stormwater bill for a single family residence, within the city limits of Washougal, is expected to increase to $211.13. That compares to $174.60, for every two months, this year.
dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com
