Self-taught Washougal artist Beth Flannigan never titles her paintings. "My abstracts are just that," she said. "I don't title anything because I don't want to influence anyone's opinions." Flannigan describes her painting style as both abstract and organic. In addition to not titling her work, she signs it on the back only.
When 12-year-olds Kelsie Ackerman and Ellie Cook first found out they'd been chosen to dance in the opening act of the Rockettes show, they were thrilled. "I was really, really excited," Ackerman said. "I wasn't expecting it at all." Added Cook, "I was so happy and so excited about it." And they weren't alone. Their dance instructor, Jen Filson, of Virtuosity Dance Studio, where both take classes, auditioned and was chosen as well.
When most of us are feeling ill, it's a simple matter of calling our health care provider and scheduling an appointment. But there are people in other areas of the world who have never even stepped foot into a doctor's office or had a routine dental appointment. That's where the Acupuncture Relief Project comes in. Started in 2008, it is free clinic that treats up to 120 patients a day in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. In addition to acupuncture, providers look for other health problems and refer patients to a physician or dentist if at all possible. Acupuncturist Diane Wintzer, who works at Fearn Natural Health Clinic in Camas, recently returned from a five-week stint as a volunteer project coordinator in Nepal.
Rusty Wales is passionate about wine making. He can talk for hours about the various aspects of producing and enjoying a fine bottle of Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah.
Hathaway Elementary School Principal Laura Bolt was recently recognized as a "State Principal of Distinction," for the Columbia River region on Oct. 4 at the state principal's conference in Bellevue, Wash.
Schools announce names of students who recently made the Honor Roll.
Local school districts are feeling the pinch after the state Legislature made yet another round of reductions to kindergarten through 12th grade education in an emergency budget cutting session recently. House Bill 3225 includes $39.4 million in cuts to K-12 education. The funding was originally intended to lower class sizes in kindergarten through fourth-grade.
One day, Sammy Mederos was a happy, 6-year-old girl playing soccer, climbing trees and enjoying kindergarten. The next day, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. "Our world literally changed overnight," her mom, Michele said. "But one of the many things we learned was how real it is that in the face of tragedy, the best in humanity emerges." Co-workers from Canyon Creek Middle School and Cape Horn-Skye Elementary, where Michele is a school psychologist, rallied around Michele and her family, cleaning their house, cooking meals, running errands and organizing a benefit event for Sammy last spring, which raised $7,000 for her medical fund.
With the average college graduate leaving school with more than $4,000 in credit card debt, it is clear that a greater understanding of finances is needed. However, for most high school students, it's not something to which they give much thought, beyond filling out applications for college financial aid and scholarships. Camas High School seniors Sara Slayton and Evan Klein are determined to change this.
After seeing a family member struggle through a very difficult time financially, Drew White felt he needed to do something to help. But he didn't stop with just his family. White decided to help others in need as well. White, then a Camas High School freshman, hosted a community garage sale to raise money.
danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com
