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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

November 13, 2012
Tamara Scharfenkamp, executive director of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, plays ball Friday with Kira, a 4-year old female terrier mix available for adoption, in November. A dispute over noise between the Humane Society and its construction firm neighbor continues even after city of Washougal employees installed an Acoustifence screen around part of the dog shelter to reduce the noise level.

City installs acoustic screen after neighboring company uses air horn to reduce barking

In an effort to reduce the sounds of dogs barking and a nearby air horn activating, City of Washougal employees have installed an acoustic screen around part of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society dog shelter. The cost of the Acoustifence screen, $3,500 plus delivery and tax, was paid from the city's animal control budget for building maintenance and the building capital facilities fund, according to City Administrator David Scott. The installation of the screen occurred Thursday and Friday. Washougal Police Chief Ron Mitchell said Thursday the city was working on reducing the noise levels coming from the kennel. By that time, someone from the shelter's neighbor, Northwest Underwater Construction LLC, had told Mitchell they would remove the air horn.

November 7, 2012

Port to purchase shoreline property at former Hambleton Lumber site

The Port of Camas-Washougal Commissioners voted 3 to 0 Tuesday night, to purchase 13.25 acres of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The intention is to create a waterfront trail, while Killian Pacific plans to collaborate with the port regarding development options on the remaining land of the same size.

November 6, 2012
Julia Schlaht (lower left), of Vancouver, made Christmas cards Sunday, in Washougal, at Sew Desperate -- a new venture started by Anna Davis. The rental space provides tables for crafters to complete their projects.

Area crafters bond at ‘Sew Desperate’ in Washougal

A local woman has developed a space for crafters, scrappers and sewers to work on their creations for a day or two at a time.Anna Davis, of Washougal, spent Sunday with her sister Linda Hinsvark, of Scappoose, Ore., and other friends at "Sew Desperate" -- a place with no guys, kids or TVs. Davis rents the space at 1324 "E" St., Washougal, and provides tables and chairs for crafters to complete their various projects on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost to craft there is $15 per person, per day. In the past, the women worked on their craft projects once a month at various rented locations throughout the year. "All the ladies here have been together for five years," said Barbara York, of Washougal. "I love it. It's a place I can spread out. At home, I'm bothered by the phone and laundry. Here, it's truly very relaxing. It's hard to spread out this much in your own living room." For more information about Sew Desperate or to register for the LEGO event, contact Davis at 835-7030 or AnnaDavis59@hotmail.com.

November 6, 2012

Washougal mayor proposes economic development initiatives

The mayor of Washougal is hoping City Council members will see the value of several ideas in the 2013 proposed budget. Sean Guard said during the Oct. 22 council workshop he would like to "kick start" commercial development activity by introducing a "fee holiday" for 2013. It would eliminate most of the fees for commercial and mixed use development. Traffic impact fees and utility system development charges would remain. "The goal of the 'fee holiday' is to incentify development to get started sooner, to add to our property tax base and increase sales tax revenue," Guard said. "Preliminary program parameters would require construction to be started in 2013 and completed by the end of 2014."

October 30, 2012

Harvest restaurant to open next to Camas Hotel

An Irish-born chef plans to prepare local, fresh and creative dishes in downtown Camas. Tim McCusker, owner of the Rustic Palate (a catering company), will open Harvest restaurant, next to the Camas Hotel, at 401 N.E. Fourth Ave., within the next two months. "We've always been very fond of main street," he said. "It is picturesque. Everyone has been very warm. "Even when you pass a stranger, someone gives you a smile," McCusker added.

October 30, 2012

Washougal Sport & Spine expands to Camas

Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy has opened a second location at LaCamas Swim & Sport. The expansion to Camas provides exercise and cardiovascular equipment and a private treatment area for modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and manual therapy techniques. Treatment is provided for conditions such as muscle and joint injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, work injuries, auto accidents and spinal pain. In addition to standard physical therapy treatments, aquatic therapy in the pool is available.

October 30, 2012
Shawn Lewis, a 1995 Camas High School graduate, and Natasha Neuschwander recently competed on the NBC singing competition "The Voice." The married couple, known as "Beat Frequency," was coached by Christina Aguilera. Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, served as a mentor.

CHS graduate is one-half of ‘Beat Frequency’

A former Camas resident and his wife recently received national exposure on the NBC singing competition, "The Voice." Fans of Shawn Lewis, 35, and Natasha Neuschwander, 29, saw them leave the show after their coach, Christina Aguilera, chose a solo artist instead to move forward in the process. Lewis said it was challenging to find and agree on the arrangement for the battle round. "Trying to divide that to feature each vocalist and us as a duo, it was a laborious process," he said. For more information, visit www.beatfrequency.net.

October 23, 2012
Jo Grace Buck enjoys growing vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, peas, carrots and beets, with her husband Roy (not pictured). In all, there are more than 50 varieties of produce grown at their Ever Green Farm, in Washougal. "We want to learn and give options to people," Jo Grace said. "We try varieties and see what works -- what grows in this environment."

Life on the farm

A Washougal couple has lovingly transformed a property that once housed racehorses into a farm that grows a variety of vegetables and other produce. Roy and Jo Grace Buck purchased 7.5 acres 14 years ago. With one-half acre currently under cultivation, they hope to eventually increase that to around four acres. The Bucks started to farm locally last year, by growing radishes, carrots, potatoes and squash. They also grew seven kinds of lettuce, three types of chard and two types of cabbage. "It was such a great learning experience," Jo Grace said.