February 28, 2012
JWR Center: A decade of providing opportunities for kids
It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a decade since the Jack, Will and Rob Youth Center opened its doors to the Camas community.
It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a decade since the Jack, Will and Rob Youth Center opened its doors to the Camas community.
In the Camas-Washougal area, volunteer firefighters work side-by-side with paid personnel, and play an integral role in responding to emergencies, saving lives, and lending a hand wherever they are needed. In a statement from Gov. Chris Gregoire that highlighted Washington State Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Week, she said "volunteer firefighters make a huge contribution to public safety in Washington State with more than 15,000 volunteer firefighters representing over 75 percent of the state's total fire fighting resources."
"Poetry, pottery, punk rock. It's all art. The more that we can identify where we all are creatively, and the more we can come together around that, the better off we all are."
It's hard to believe it, but in just a few short months Camas and Washougal high school seniors will be preparing for the future as they reach one of the most significant milestones in their young lives so far -- graduation.
As the saying goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention," and some local parents proved this statement true when they formed Vancouver's first "sensory friendly" Cub Scout group.
With the recent national commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, fresh on the minds of many is how each of us can help others. As stated by Dr. King: "Anyone can be great - because anyone can serve." In our local community, there are many who are taking those words to heart as they use their own talents to give back to the community.
In about two weeks, community leaders and citizens from around Clark County will gather at Washougal High School as Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt delivers this year's "State of the County" address. It is likely that Boldt's speech will touch on a variety of topics -- the struggles the county faces in recent tough economic times, as well as some of the successes that have been realized. In our little corner of Clark County, while there have no doubt been financial struggles, there are good things happening that make the future appear to be a little brighter.
The trial consolidation process between the Camas and Washougal fire departments that began in July is approaching the six-month mark.
The New Year is just around the corner, and for many it will be a time to get dressed up and celebrate the countdown to 2012.
Amid all of the holiday cheer that can be found around town -- from Christmas tree lightings and parades to visits from Santa -- it is incredibly sobering to read that two local homeless shelters that serve the Clark County area were packed to their limits on the first day they opened for the winter season on Nov. 1, and have remained steadily busy ever since.
