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Stories by Danielle Frost

email icon danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com

April 2, 2013
During the Taste of Camas, returning Iron Chef champion, Chef Peter Echeverio of New Seasons Market, will take on Chef Tim McCusker of Harvest restaurant (pictured above). The event is a fundraiser for the Camas Educational Foundation.

Camas Iron Chef gets a new look

Camas Iron Chef is getting a new look and a new location. This year, the popular Camas Educational Foundation fundraiser will cost less, include all ages, and have hands-on activities. The festivities will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21 at the Camas High School commons. "In addition to the cook-off with secret ingredients, we're changing the format so that it is a family-friendly, food filled-festival," said Debbie Mrazek, event chair and CEF board member. "Iron Chef is still a major component to our festival, but there will also be lots of food based, hands on activities." For more information or VIP reservations, visit www.cefcamas.org.

April 2, 2013
David Fetkyo and his wife, Angel (not pictured) teach tai chi and qi gong classes to students 55 and older as a part of the Clark College Mature Learning program.

Clark College offers several classes specifically for those 55 or older

Learning never stops. That's the message behind Clark College's Mature Learning Program, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a party and several mini classes. Those 55 and older enjoyed courses ranging from "Why is there sex? DNA and Human Evolution," to "Anyone Can Be an Artist," to "Paris in its Glory Days: 1850-1914." The birthday celebration also included a visit from college president Bob Knight, cake, and a keynote lunch lecture by Dr. Larry Sherman, a nationally recognized neuroscientist at Oregon Health & Science University. "Mature Learning offers seniors the chance to take fascinating classes taught by brilliant instructors," said Tracy Reilly Kelly, program manager. "We have a long legacy of excellence to celebrate. Persons who are retired or semi-retired are at a stage of their lives when they now have time for themselves, time to enrich their lives through 'lifelong learning' classes on topics that offer enrichment. It might be taking up painting, studying history, world religion or geography. They might seek fitness opportunities like tai chi or yoga."

March 26, 2013
Eager egg hunters wait for the festivities to begin at the Crown Park hunt.

Community egg hunts held rain or shine

With Easter this weekend, many local children will participate in the time honored holiday tradition of egg hunts. Both Camas and Washougal have events to keep the little and not-so-little ones full of Easter chocolate and other sweet treats. It will be the 22nd year for the Camas Parks and Recreation Easter Day egg hunt. "I am so glad that after all of these years, we are still able to offer this for free," said Krista Bashaw, recreation coordinator. "Other communities are starting to charge for these events, so I'm grateful to have a supportive City Council and mayor so we can offer this event for everyone."

March 26, 2013
Noelle Schmidt (left) and Tess Russell put the finishing touches on a poster for the annual Japanese Culture Festival, held in the WHS commons on Saturday, April 6. Festival proceeds benefit class activities and Japanese earthquake relief efforts.

Seventh annual cultural festival comes to WHS

Ask students in Shoko Fuchigami's class about the best part of the upcoming Japanese Cultural Festival, and their response is likely to be, "The food!" "The food is so good," said Tess Russell, a second-year Japanese student. "You get a little taste of Japan right here in Washougal." Noelle Schmidt, a first-year student, is looking forward to cooking and selling items such as curry and rice, udon noodle soup, yakisoba noodles and green tea ice cream. "I'm expecting to sample a few things, too," she said. "I'm looking forward to the whole experience of being in a Japanese festival. I've always wanted to experience that."

March 26, 2013

CSD approves Cardon Field replacement

The Camas School Board unanimously approved $397,000 to replace the aging turf at Camas High School's Cardon Field. At 10 years old, the turf is at the end of its lifespan, according to Bryan McGeachy, operations director. "The generation of turf we used for the field is good up to eight years, and we're two over now," he said.

March 19, 2013
Children ages 2 to 5 are served in the Y's Care Children's Program, which provides a year-round nurturing environment and preschool education to families that are low income, in transition or homeless.

YWCA volunteers help serve families and individuals facing traumatic circumstances

YWCA Clark County began as a lunch counter for working women who weren't allowed to eat with the men. The year was 1916, and female employees were rare. Fast forward nearly 100 years. The YWCA's goal of assisting women remains the same, although services needed have definitely changed with the times. Currently, the non-profit organization provides services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, a child care program, independent living skills program for foster youth, advocates for abused or neglected children, and offers job training and support for incarcerated women making a transition back to society. Its mission statement is: "Eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all."

March 19, 2013
WHS senior Cassie Holcombe launched the Save Our Scraps program after learning her school was behind in its recycling efforts when compared to others county-wide.

Making a lasting impact

When Cassie Holcombe discovered that Washougal High School was far behind other Clark County schools for recycling, she decided to make a change.It became the basis of her senior project, Save Our Scraps. "I want to leave the school with something lasting," she said. "And I wanted to educate people on what their decisions mean. I basically want people to learn to compost more." Until her project, WHS recycling efforts were limited to bottles and paper. "I've always recycled at home," Holcombe said. "I think a lot of people don't realize the impact our behavior has on the environment. If they think about their actions, they could really make a difference."

March 19, 2013

School district eyes iPads

In an effort to keep pace with changing technology, the Camas School District is considering purchasing several ipad Minis, adapters and a MacBook for classroom use this coming school year. The purchase would be a part of the district's revised technology plan. The current one is set to expire at the end of the school year. "We're basically looking through the past plan, and aligning ideas with curriculum and technology," said Jeff Snell, deputy superintendent. "We want to get carts of ipad Minis into classrooms." Currently, there is a group of eighth-grade students and teachers who are participating in a tablet pilot project, and the information is being used to gather feedback for the technology committee as they assess district needs.

March 12, 2013
Addi Gibbons works with the "Teach Me Kindergarten" app on an iPad at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School. Teacher Cindy Coons said the device is ideal for her students because it helps them learn at their own pace.

Kindergarten teachers use collaboration, research to teach Common Core standards

However, in today's kindergarten world, the list would also need to include writing, reading and math comprehension. When Cindy Coons first began teaching kindergarten at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School, she was thrilled if students came in knowing how to spell their first name and recite the alphabet. "Now, I need them coming in knowing all the letters and sounds, the numbers one through 10 out of order, spelling their last name and finding it in a mix of others." The change is due to the Common Core Standards, part of a nationwide effort to align curriculum. Although it won’t be officially implemented in Washington state until the 2014-15 school year, teachers in Camas and Washougal are getting a head start by developing curriculum which aligns with Common Core Standards.