It's something no woman wants to think is even possible. The prospect of getting breast cancer is terrifying, but unfortunately very real. This year, 207,090 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States. Of those, 39,840 will die.
OK, I know it's hard to find much to complain about life in Camas and Washougal. The streets are clean, the trees are green and our citizens are as polite and friendly as they come. But why, oh why, are we, in Camas and Washougal always so completely and unconditionally satisfied with the way our city governments, our school districts and port district spend our tax dollars? Why don't most of us ever show up at city council, school board or port meetings to express an occasional disagreement with an issue at hand, or ever run for a seat on these boards and commissions?
Another Primary Election has come and gone, and this time around there were only a few surprises when it came to the results. While the Washougal Emergency Medical Services levy grabbed a whopping 74 percent of the vote, the most notable local surprise was the other local levy vote. Despite a poor economy, the majority of voters voiced favor for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library levy lid lift, stating they would like to see their local libraries improve by offering additional hours and more books.
Another Election Day will soon arrive, and with it a slough of candidates who are hoping voters will check the box next to his or her name on the ballot, and government agencies looking for votes of support on local levies.
This time of year, the Post-Record's community calendar section is filled with announcements about local Camas and Washougal high school class reunions. Usually from June through September, reunion committees are busy working to put the finishing touches on the planning of events that are often two- to three day celebrations -- opportunities for old classmates to reconnect and possibly re-establish friendships that got lost somewhere between graduation, jobs, marriages, children and families. The experience of growing up in small towns like Camas and Washougal are unique. Some people end up staying put and establishing roots in the cities that they have come to love, while others move on, but still retain the fond feelings and memories of "home."
For more than 30 years, Washougal taxpayers have supported emergency medical services provided with the help of monies generated from a property tax levy. When ballots arrive in the mail later this week for the Aug. 17 Primary Election, voters should continue this trend and vote "yes" on the City of Washougal emergency medical services property tax levy.
Every summer the end of the school year signals a welcome break for students, teachers and school district officials everywhere. But here in Camas, a drumbeat of activity to renovate and improve existing facilities along with plans to build a new school have kept school district officials busier than usual throughout the summer. As reported in the Post-Record the past two weeks, the Camas School district, while overseeing a major renovation of Doc Harris Stadium, is also moving ahead on (1.) Construction of a new elementary school just west of Crown Road, (2) Extensive additions and renovation to Camas High School and (3) Additions and renovation to Dorothy Fox Elementary School.
In the 1970s, Washington's public utilities embarked on an aggressive nuclear power building project managed by the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS). Unfortunately, the effort ultimately became known as "Whoops!" WPPSS planned to construct five generating facilities inour state to meet future electricity demand. However, when the core of one of the reactors at Three Mile Island, Pa. nuclear power plant suffered a partial meltdown, support for nuclear power waned.
When you really take a close look, senior citizens are truly the backbone of our society. Many have contributed immensely throughout their lifetimes. Whether through a career, raising a family, or community outreach, in their possession are the life experiences, knowledge and wisdom that most of us are working toward gaining -- mostly through trial and error -- whether we want to admit it or not.
The pictures tell the story. For most graduates, the end of their high school careers very likely brings a flood of emotions. From excitement that it's all finally over and relief to at least have a bit of a break from the daily academic grind, to anticipation for what the future might hold and maybe a little bit of fear about making those big decisions that can truly impact the direction their lives will take, the feelings truly run the gamut....
