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Life

September 13, 2011
Floating, tanning and jumping off rocks into the water were all popular activities at the Sandy Swimming Hole last week.

Beating the heat

Usually after school is back in session, people are thinking about football, pumpkins, brisk weather and wintering their gardens. But with the hottest weather of the year hitting Camas and Washougal, many are still in full summer mode. During the last week, the Northwest has welcomed several 90-plus degree days, for the first time since last summer. Ironically, right before the heat wave began Labor Day weekend, weather forecasters had argued that perhaps the Northwest wouldn't see temperatures more than 90 degrees until 2012.

September 6, 2011
Belle Mathieu (foreground) and Debra Sampson serve "Hot Mana Chili" at A Twist on Time. Sampson, co-owner of the store, said she doesn't use a recipe when cooking it.

Gettin’ chili

Friday may have been a warm night, but in downtown Camas, merchants were getting chili. Or, more correctly, serving chili and soup that either they had made themselves, or had a local restaurant concoct for them. The idea for a soup and chili cook-off First Friday event came from Carrie Schulstad and other members of the Downtown Camas Association. First Friday happens each month and there is a different theme every time, with the goal of promoting downtown Camas. "We thought this would be a great idea to cross promote local restaurants, merchants and the Camas Farmer's Market," said Schulstad, vice-president of the DCA.

August 30, 2011
Nikia Furman, owner of film and video production company Furman Pictures, collaborates on a project with Washougal High School intern Luis Iniguez. Both said the experience was mutually beneficial.

He’s seeing the BIG PICTURE

While most kids his age spent the summer ringing up retail purchases or serving food, 16-year-old Luis Iniguez was learning the ins and outs of the film production business. He served as an intern to Nikia Furman of Furman Pictures, a company based in Camas. "It's been a good experience," Iniguez said. "It's been fun going out to the field where we did a shoot. That was a new experience."

August 23, 2011
This year's Street Faire will span four blocks in downtown Camas. It is sponsored by Camas Antiques and the Downtown Camas Association, and presented by Worthy Goods.

Taking it to the street

Those who enjoy finding unique home furnishings, garden art or a one-of-a-kind necklace should clear their calendars for Saturday. The third-annual Vintage Street Faire is coming to downtown Camas. With approximately 30 vendors offering everything from 1890s collectibles to handmade linens, there will be plenty of choices. Items range in price from just a few dollars to higher end, older finds. The Street Faire is sponsored by Camas Antiques and the Downtown Camas Association, and is presented by Worthy Goods.

August 9, 2011
Tulla Burke, historian with the Second Story Gallery Society, hangs "Keyhole Rock II," by Judith Sanders-Wood. The showing of the Ridgefield resident's work opened Friday with a reception at the Second Story Gallery inside the Camas Public Library.

Painting her way through life

Judith Sanders-Wood used to get in trouble with her teacher in grade school for drawing outlines of naked people in the margins of her school papers. She didn't understand why her teacher was so upset; her artistic mother had taught her to draw the human form when she was a young child as a basis for paintings and drawings.

August 2, 2011
Cape Horn-Skye fifth-grade teacher Chelsea Meats helps Sami Tyler tie a string around her bird feeder, a fundraiser for a school trip to Costa Rica next July.

An adventure of discovery

Most people only dream of visiting Costa Rica, but a fifth-grade teacher at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School is turning that into a reality for several of her students. Chelsea Meats and five middle school students from Canyon Creek, which shares a campus with Cape Horn-Skye, are heading on an eight-day trip to Costa Rica next July through Discovery Student Adventures.

July 26, 2011
Joanna Duran gives her daughter, Delaney a lift to look at the animal prizes offered by Pure Wellness, a chiropractic and massage clinic in Washougal.

Celebrating a tradition of fun

Whether it was scoring that roll of toilet paper or the piece of candy at the main parade, or the wonderful aromas wafting from the food area, or the many trinkets vendors were selling, Camas Days was all about having fun. It came complete with tasty doughnuts, promising raffles and lively crowds. A crackle of energy ran through the air as people had the chance to explore booths set up by local and near-by vendors. With everything from handcrafted wood furniture to soaps to garlic, there was something that appealed to everyone. The annual two-day festival on Friday and Saturday brought big crowds to downtown Camas. In addition to the family-themed events, there was also a Wine and Microbrew Street, complete with live music for the adults.

July 19, 2011
Gene Dietzen assists student Joan Anderson during a recent jewelry making class. His said his passion is teaching.

Learning the tools of the trade

Gene Dietzen has always been interested in creating things from scratch. "When I was in high school, I made model kits and these were photographed and actually used on the cover for different manufacturers," he said. Dietzen dabbled in jewelry making after high school, but between managing a career and earning a college degree, he didn't have the time for his true passion: teaching. Several years ago, Dietzen found that creative outlet through East County Community Education, teaching astronomy and eventually jewelry making, among other things. After a stint there, Dietzen wanted to find a place where he could solder without fear of "burning the building down." He taught classes in southeast Portland and at a Washougal shop before opening up his own studio in Camas four years ago, after a back injury forced an early retirement.

July 12, 2011
The Puffin Cafe offers lots to view for those who eat their meals outside.

The ‘al fresco’ experience

Ah, summer. Finally, most of us can safely wear our lighter clothing and shoes for more than one day in a row. Of course, with the nice weather comes an opportunity to take part in something most Northwesterners don't get to do a lot of during the winter months: Get outdoors and soak up the sunshine. Many local eateries in Camas and Washougal have responded to that need by providing outdoor dining options. On a bright, warm day last Wednesday, several local residents could be seen enjoying their cuisine at different local restaurants in the great outdoors. At Natalia's in downtown Camas, Renee Sanders enjoyed breakfast with 7-month-old daughter, Ellen, and her parents. "I love the fresh air and not being cooped up inside," Sanders said.