danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com
January 28, 2014
Natalie Wilson is definitely not singing the blues. The Grass Valley Elementary School music teacher and vocal jazz instructor has received regional and national accolades for her work.
The Camas School District is hosting a "Big Learning for Little Learners" event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 at Helen Baller Elementary, 1954 N.E. Garfield St., aimed at parents and their children ages 3 to 6.
When some of your book subjects include ghosts, Big Foot and aliens, fact checking and reliable sources are very important aspect of the research process. Author Kelly Milner Halls writes non-fiction, science based children's books, several of which deal with these topics. Recently, she spent a day at Dorothy Fox Elementary School in Camas. A highlight was the author's lunch, which included fourth- and fifth-grade students. Her book, "The Tales of the Cryptids," is currently one of the most popular choices in the school library. "I don't tell you for sure Big Foot is real, I don't tell you for sure aliens are real. I don't tell you for sure ghosts are real. I give you the evidence that I found through years of research, and I leave it for you guys to decide," she said. "You have to control the rest of your lives what you believe. You're smart. People forget how smarts kids are. You can take that information and you can make a decision for yourself, or you and your parents can sit down and you can say 'Hey, Mom and Dad, look at this book, what do you think'?"
When Jim Price arrives for his volunteer shift at Bonneville Lock and Dam, he has two main goals."I want to pass on information and inspire young people to consider careers in the engineering or technical careers." Price, 73, a retired electrical engineer, is in his 10th year volunteering at Bonneville. "If people ask me technical questions, I have the knowledge to answer them," he said. "It's my way of helping people."
The Washougal School District will be asking voters to approve two levies on Feb. 11. Ballots are expected to arrive in mailboxes this week. A three-year maintenance and operations levy and technology levy will replace the current ones, which expire at the end of 2014. Although the levies are not new, the amounts have been increased. This is in order to keep pace with increased enrollment and allow the district to expand in several areas of current focus, according to school district officials.
Gabrielle Roscher, a pre-med student, is raising funds for a March 2014 trip to Malawi, Africa, through Habitat for Humanity. The 21-year-old Washougal resident attends Clark College and is the vice president of student government. Her career goal is to specialize as an OB/GYN and work in Third World countries. "Participating in Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program has been a dream of mine for years, and I finally built up the courage to apply," she said. "This trip is a perfect fit for me because it's during my spring break and we will be working with their Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project."
Having a business with graffiti on the outside gets you noticed.But not in a, "Oh, we'd better call the cops!" kind of way. Limitless Snow-Wake-Surf employs artist Bobby Johnson to create bold designs on the storefront. These change every six months or so. He uses Montana Gold paint, which is sold at the store. "What I enjoy about his work is that he has great unique designs and pushes himself to get better each time he paints," said Eric Hargrave, Limitless owner. "He loves painting and has a passion for making people smile and to give the local kids inspiration through his painting."
William Leamer loved coaching basketball.And for many of the athletes he mentored at Canyon Creek Middle School, it was their first real introduction to the sport. "Coach Leamer did more than coach our athletes in basketball, he also coached them in life," said Sandi Christensen, principal. "He always modeled polite and respectful behavior, and he expected his athletes to act the same on and off the court. He was very supportive of academics and helped school staff send the message about the importance of learning and school." Leamer, a Washougal resident, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day, at the age of 46. "He was like Santa Claus," recalled his wife, Suzanne. "He loved to give people gifts and just got the biggest kick out of it. I think he chose Christmas Day because he knows I'm terrible with dates and it would be the day I remember because of what it meant to him." An account for the Leamer family has been set up at Riverview Community Bank under William Leamer. To donate, visit any branch.
"It wasn't a matter of if I would serve, just when I would," he said. His older sister, Amy Schmid, who enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Camas High School in 2000, also inspired him to join the military. "I saw how well she was doing and it made sense to me," he said. "But it was after Sept.11 that it really hit me."
