Vancouver Family Magazine August 2021 by Vancouver Family Magazine

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August 2021

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Radically Inclusive Playgrounds Invite All to

Come &Play Live Concerts

Return to the PNW

A Conversation with Washington’s

School Counselor of the Year

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

contents

August '21

FEATURE ARTICLES

Inclusive Play New inclusive playgrounds coming to Vancouver will enhance play for everyone.

School Counselor Superpowers A conversation with School Counselor of the Year, Megan Bledsoe.

Getting Our Groove Back Live concerts return to the Pacific Northwest.

12 18

IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

Couve Scoop • Vancouver Mall Hosts a Fashion Surprise • Outdoor Exhibit and Walking Tours at Fort Vancouver • Washougal Art Festival

10 Mosaic Family Voyage The Messerschmidt family is surprised by the encounter of a lifetime. 30 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB • Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis • ESD 112: Early Learning and Screening Services for Infants and Toddlers • Subscription Special: For a limited time, sign up to receive Vancouver Family Magazine free to your door for 12 issues!

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

EDITOR'S NOTES

Photo by Scarlette Richards

The Sweetest Summer

Why do we love to go camping? It wasn’t that long ago that dishes and clothes were washed by hand, and migrating or nomadic peoples lived in temporary structures and cooked over a fire—all because it was

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 20, Issue 8 Publisher

Julie Buchan Julie@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

necessary to survive. Today, most (though certainly not all) of us don’t have to live that way, thanks to electricity and indoor plumbing. So, why do we freely forgo modern conveniences and privacy to reenact primitive living? I thought about this recently while taking a walk around the campground at Mayfield Lake, southeast of Centralia, where my family stayed over the 4th of July weekend. As absurd as it is, I love camping, including sleeping in a tent. I love the proximity to nature and the fresh air. I love the companionship and culture of a communal campground. There’s a power in taming the elements—even in simply starting a campfire, even if it’s with matches or a firestarter rather than sparks off a rock. It’s a welcome respite from the high speed life of work, medical appointments, bill paying, email replying, sports

Editor

Nikki Klock Nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Associate Editor

Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Ad Designer

Philip Nerat addesign@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Claire Curtis, Kristen Flowers, Rachel Messerschmidt, Sarah Mortensen

practices, permission forms, volunteer responsibilities, taxes. I get to focus in on what’s most important to me—my people—and gather with them around the original form of entertainment: a crackling campfire. Even if camping doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of ways to explore the outdoors, and there’s no better time or place to do so than summertime in the Pacific Northwest. With live music making a comeback (learn more on page 24) and other festivals and events returning post-COVID (see our events calendar on page 30), this particular summer is sweeter than ever. For more outdoor discovery for your summertime day trips, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for “Trailhead Tuesdays” where we feature a new familyfriendly hike every week through the end of August. Plus, go to

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sales@vancouverfamilymagazine.com Vancouver Family Magazine is published monthly by Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC Address: PO Box 820264 Vancouver, WA 98682 Tel: 360-882-7762 Copyright 2002-2021. All rights reserved. No portion of Vancouver Family Magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the publisher. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website. The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

VancouverFamilyMagazine.com to find out our favorite waterplay spots around the county.

On the Cover:

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Alexandra B. showcases her love of learning at Hockinson Community Park! When she's not devouring chapter books or problem-solving numbers, she enjoys singing, baking cookies, or drawing with her twin sister. Her favorite ways to get her wiggles out include riding bikes, playing tennis, and chasing butterflies. Photo by Erika Radek. erikarenaephotography.com @Erika.Renae.Photography erikarenaephotography 360-442-8601

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

PROJ E C T RU NWAY: Vancouver Fashion Enthusiast Receives the Surprise of a Lifetime

Men’s fashion enthusiast Glen Johnson, of Vancouver, received the surprise of a lifetime in June when a group of top designers and stylists presented him with a brand new wardrobe, fashion consulting and a custom-designed closet for his new clothing. The surprise for 24-year-old Johnson, who is autistic and wears a suit and tie every day, was orchestrated by Michael Raad, a men’s style influencer from Ghana, David Ambrico, a top menswear designer and J.A. Shapira, an award-winning men’s style journalist. Raad encountered Johnson on social media, where Johnson often interacted and asked questions in the online men’s fashion and style community. Raad eventually approached his colleagues about the idea of surprising Johnson with the opportunity to meet some of his fashion idols. Ambrico and another style influencer, Leonard Erskine, booked flights from their homes in Texas and Ohio, respectively, as they prepared to meet Johnson in person.

AUGUST 2021

Top left: Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle joined noted fashion professionals to give a Vancouver man the surprise of a lifetime. Top right, L-R: David Ambrico, Glen Johnson, Leonard Erskine, Russell Fields. Photos by Nikki Klock.

The day of the big reveal started off with Ambrico, Erskine and Los Angeles celebrity limo driver Russell Fields surprising Johnson at his home in Vancouver and taking him to receive a haircut, followed by a suit fitting and lunch. Then, at an event hosted by Vancouver Mall, the team publicly presented Johnson with the new wardrobe, plus accompanying accessories (including 50 neckties) and grooming products. Also in attendance at the event were Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Johnson’s family (who were in on the surprise from the beginning) and various members of the fashion industry and the press—all there to celebrate Johnson’s love of fashion and the generosity of all who helped make his dreams come true. Even Shapira, who could not attend in person, was able to speak with Johnson via video chat. But the surprise didn’t stop there. While Johnson was at Vancouver Mall meeting fashion icons and city officials, receiving his gifts and addressing a public audience, a team from Tailored Living went to work installing a brand new custom-designed closet in his home, donating their time and materials. After leaving Vancouver Mall, Johnson and his fashion entourage returned to his home to find the new, completed closet, ready to hold his new, dapper attire. In total, the effort and Johnson’s gifts were valued at $10,000. The whole experience was documented by photographer Ilona M. LaRue so Johnson can relive the entire experience whenever he wishes.

WASHOUGAL 2021 ART FESTIVAL

Washougal Art Festival Features Regional Artists The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) is welcoming back artists and art lovers for their sixth annual Washougal Art Festival. The event will be held Saturday, August 14, 9 am-4 pm at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal and feature nearly 20 professional local and regional artists. “We are delighted to have our festival back in person this year after holding it online last summer due to COVID safety protocols,” said Joyce Lindsay, WACA co-president. “Many artists had time during the pandemic to create and we believe there is pent up demand from our local art lovers to bring some beautiful new works into their lives. There is so much excitement already building around the festival. It’s going to be great!”

For a preview of artists and their work, visit the WACA website at WashougalArts.org. Artists are Linda Andrews-Riggs, water color; Eric Berlin, porcelain jewelry; Shirley Bishop, fused glass: Jean Blatner, watercolor and acrylic; Chrissie Forbes, found art and oils; Kayla Rae Friedrichsmeyer, watercolor and ink; Suzanne Grover, pen and colored pencil; Charlene Hale, fused glass; Brenda Lindstrom, oil; Beck Lipp, woodworking; Toni McCarthy, jewelry, Diane Moeglein, fused glass; Liz Pike, oil; Spike Palmer, oil; Karen Roule, silver jewelry; Hiroko Stumpf, watercolor and acrylic; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Barbara Wright, water color, ink and pencil; and Tom West, acrylic. The work of local artist Anni Furniss was used as the image for the 2021 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising. The piece is

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

Love Grows Here by Anni Furniss

Saturday, August 14, 9am-4pm Reflection Plaza, Downtown Washougal

WashougalArts.org called “Love Grows Here” and was inspired by nature walks with her husband, John, and the beautiful landscape in the area. continued on next page

Stories from the Past: New Outdoor Exhibit and Walking Tours at Vancouver Barracks j

From July 7 to August 28, 2021, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site invites visitors to learn about the history of the 1880s at Vancouver Barracks. These stories will be shared in an outdoor exhibit in the East Vancouver Barracks, an online article series, and at four walking tours led by Curator Meagan Huff. “The 1880s at Vancouver Barracks were a fascinating time,” said Huff. “The stories we are sharing from this period are stories of the people who served, worked, and raised their families here. There are also lesser-known stories in this exhibit, like the stories of Chinese immigrants who worked on Officers’ Row, and stories from painful episodes in the post’s past, like the incarceration of Native American peoples here during the Indian Wars.” Outdoor exhibit panels will be located from the Visitor Center to the East Vancouver Barracks. Visitors can download a map of the panel locations at nps.gov/fova/learn/news/upload/Map-for-Visitor-Center.pdf, or pick up a hard copy of the map at the Visitor Center. An online article series provides further details on the stories introduced in the exhibit, and can be accessed at nps.gov/fova/learn/historyculture/1880svancouver.htm. In addition, Curator Meagan Huff will offer four walking tours of the East Vancouver Barracks. She shared, “The 1880s was a decade that has a surprising amount of relevancy to problems that are facing our society today. In these tours, we will talk about the lessons we can learn from this time period, and how the events of the late 1800s had an impact later in the 20th century.”

The stories told in Fort Vancouver’s new exhibit, article series and walking tour program include the story of Chief Joseph's 1889 visit to Vancouver Barracks, where he met with General John Gibbon (both pictured here at Lake Chelan in central Washington). Photo courtesy of The Newberry.

To reserve a spot, call 360-816-6230. This tour is recommended for visitors age 10 and up, and will mostly take place on paved paths but will briefly cross a grassy area. If you have accessibility concerns, please let us know when you call to reserve your spot. Walking tour dates: Friday, July 16, 9:30 am Saturday, July 17, 9:30 am Friday, August 20, 9:30 am Saturday, August 21, 9:30 am Tours will begin at the Hathaway Parking Lot in East Vancouver Barracks. The entrance to this parking lot is at the intersection of Hathaway Road and Fort Vancouver Way, on the left.

Walking tours are free and last about 45 minutes. The tours are limited to 20 participants, so pre-registration is recommended.

continued from previous page “Each year our festival committee seeks out a work of art that is ‘Washougal-inspired’ and we are thrilled that Anni would share her work with us,” said Rene Carroll, WACA board member. “We love how this image evokes happiness and nature.” A limited number of signed 2021 WAF posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation. Furness’ work can be seen at furnissstudios. com/anni. Once again this year there will be a raffle and silent auction for works of art donated by participating artists. “A goal of the festival is to raise funds to bring more public art to our city,” explained Chuck Carpenter, WACA board member. “The raffle and silent auction is one way we do that. We appreciate the generosity of our festival artists for their donations and the participation of festival attendees to purchase tickets and bid generously on these wonderful items.”

While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map at washougalarts.org/local-art which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 40 installations around town. Maps will be available on the raffle table at the festival.

community that we are excited to host the event again,” Lindsay said. “We are pleased to provide accessibility to original art in such a fun, festival environment.”

WACA board members and festival committee members working alongside Lindsay, Carroll and Carpenter are Janice Ferguson, Jim Cooper, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Michelle Wagner. The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. “Our past festivals have been such a success for us, our artists, and the Downtown Washougal will welcome back nearly 20 professional local and regional artists at this summer’s Washougal Art Festival on August 14. Photos courtesy of Washougal Art Festival.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

MOSAIC FAMILY VOYAGE

The Encounter

By Rachel Messerschmidt All photos courtesy of the author.

Tonight, my husband and I sat in the cockpit of our 40foot sailboat, Mosaic, musing about our spring and early summer spent cruising in the San Juan Islands, and wondering what the future has in store for us. Since my father-in-law’s weekend visit, we’ve actually had a few more special visitors come and stay aboard with us. Our two friends, Rachel and Brian, are new Pacific Northwest liveaboards with a boat of their own and dreams to cast off cruising in a few years’ time. When we approached them to ask if they’d be interested in crewing with us on our way down the west coast, they jumped at the chance for experience and the adventure. We’re so thankful knowing that we’ll have four adults aboard for our passage south to California. Four people means a bit of a buffer for standing watch and getting enough rest during the nonstop journey from Port Angeles, Washington to Crescent City, California. So Rachel and Brian came and spent a weekend with us aboard Mosaic. While they know how to sail, we wanted to let them have a

of a Lifetime chance to get to know our boat, how she handles, and how all our specific systems work. We had a blast and got a nice sail in during their stay: mission accomplished. After dropping them back off to head home, we switched gears and dropped our anchor for a week’s stay in Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island where my mother-in-law, Tamara, rented a room for the week to visit during her vacation. The kids had an amazing time spending the whole week with her, swimming in the resort’s pool, and getting some quality Oma time. Each afternoon when work was done, my husband and I would take the quick dinghy ride into the marina to go hang out. And, for the final three days of her vacation, we left her car behind and brought her aboard for her own chance to experience boat life. Once again we visited Sucia Island, hiked some of the wonderful trails and shared the stunning scenery with her, and we even ran into some friends there from our old marina in Portland. Rich and continued on next page

Photos: Page 10, top: These two Biggs transient orcas passed within 15 feet of the author's boat while cruising in the San Juan Islands this summer. Bottom: The author’s family along with their two friends, Rachel and Brian, who will be accompanying them as they sail down the west coast toward California and, eventually, Mexico. Page 11, left: Sails up during a summer trip in the San Juans allowing the new crew members to get familiar with the boat before going offshore. Right: The author’s boat, Mosaic, at anchor in Roche Harbor at the northwest tip of San Juan Island.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Theresa had just sailed their own boat up the Washington coast to move up to the Puget Sound. It was a wonderful visit to one of our favorite cruising destinations. Little did we know, though, that we were about to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event that will be remembered forever. As we headed back to Lopez Island at the end of Tamara’s visit, we were lucky enough to cross paths with a pair of orcas. Now, any day that you see orcas is a good day aboard Mosaic. But this encounter took my breath away. We saw the whales some distance off and slowed the boat while carefully maneuvering to parallel their course. We know, and vehemently adhere to, the rules surrounding orca encounters in order to protect the whales and give them the respect they deserve while we share their ancestral waters. But these two whales took it upon themselves to give us a closer look.

As they neared our boat, they dived down out of sight for a few moments and when they surfaced they passed a mere 10 feet from our boat! Witnessing their majestic beauty from such a close distance was beyond words. Seeing and hearing the excitement of my children at that encounter is everything to me. How lucky are we to share these waters with such powerful, beautiful, sentient creatures? And what a note to end on for my mother-in-law’s visit! Now, we reflect on our time here this spring and summer and what lies ahead. We’ll haul the boat out of the water and complete some final projects and preparations before leaving on the adventure of our lives. The countdown is on and we’ll be leaving for Mexico before you know it.

Rachel Messerschmidt and her family are Clark County natives currently living and cruising full time aboard their sailboat, Mosaic. In the Pacific Northwest currently, they will leave for Mexico in mid-August. Rachel blogs about her life and journey at www.mosaicvoyage.com and shares her family’s adventures in a monthly column in Vancouver Family Magazine.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

Feature: Inclusive Play

Inclusive Play: New Playgrounds Will Enhance Play for

Everyone

By: Claire Curtis

s a self-proclaimed park scout, who takes my kids to local parks regularly, I thought I had seen many “inclusive” playgrounds around the Vancouver area—parks with paved walking paths, adaptable swings and a wide variety of activities to choose from. However, these parks that I thought would be considered inclusive, in reality are merely accessible. “Access is just one part of [being] inclusive. It’s the most important, but nothing all by itself,” said Cody Goldberg, founder of Harper’s Playground. Harper’s Playground is a nonprofit based in Portland with a mission to “inspire vital communities by creating inviting playgrounds for people of all abilities.” They have designed many natural and “radically” inclusive playgrounds both in and out of the United States.

Inviting for All

In order to be radically inclusive, says Goldberg, Marshall and Esther Short Parks will implement three aspects: being physically, socially and emotionally inviting. Peter Helzer, a bronze sculptor from Dexter, Oregon is helping achieve part of the emotional aspect by bringing beauty to the park. “I make whimsical bronze pieces for kids to play on,” explained Helzer. “It’s certainly not the kind of thing you would find in an art museum or gallery; no university art program would teach someone to sculpt silly little animals for kids to climb around on. Whatever I make is meant to be touched. Bronze is pretty durable, so I don’t worry about the normal wear and tear of children at play. In order to invite play, I try to add a bit of human personality to whatever animal I sculpt. continued on page 14

Access and Inclusion

The vital distinction between accessibility (the ability to reach a playground via boardwalks) and inclusivity (being able to access and interact with every aspect of a playground) is what prompted Goldberg and his wife to found Harper’s Playground. Inspired by their daughter, Harper, who uses a walker, the Goldbergs are determined to spread their ideas across the globe. They’ll know their mission is complete, “when we get a memo from every single parks department across the entire planet that states they are now making all future playgrounds to be radically inclusive. It’s going to be a very cool day!” Vancouver is next on their list of communities in need of updated playgrounds. They are currently designing an inclusive playground coming to Esther Short Park while also coordinating fundraising and design for an inclusive playground at Marshall Park. “We hope to start construction on Esther Short in late spring of 2022 and Marshall in summer of 2022,” said Julie Hannon, director of Vancouver Parks and Recreation and Cultural Services Department. “Those are just goals at this point. Both parks are great parks, but they are showing their age and need to be refreshed. They were chosen due to the need for replacement, natural environment, their prominence in the system and their ability to introduce many in the community to the concept [of inclusivity].”

Rough plan for Esther Short Park’s new inclusive playground. Illustration courtesy of Harper’s Playground

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: Inclusive Play (cont'd) continued from page 12

It is as if I’m providing the illustrations and then letting the kids’ imaginations create the stories.” According to Helzer, “the success of any playground is always determined by the degree to which children of all abilities are having fun. For me, the celebration is Peter Helzer sculpts art pieces designed to be simply the sound of interactive and inviting. Photo courtesy of Peter Helzer. laughter.” When asked about Helzer’s art, Goldberg replied, “His sculptures are kind of magic in how they make you feel and the stories that they seem to tell with their glances.”

Made for Everyone

Inclusive playgrounds are more important than ever. “Census data shows that one in five Americans has a disability. Access

to beautiful, engaging public parks where people of all abilities connect through play is a critical part of equitably serving Vancouver residents,” says Melody Burton, marketing manager of Vancouver Parks and Recreation and Cultural Services. And individuals without disabilities benefit too. As the name implies, inclusive playgrounds include all ages and abilities. Heather Cowley, mother of two, Odin (age 7) and Athena (age 4), shared her previous experiences taking two young children to the park. “Odin is a cautious child who was afraid of getting hurt when he was younger,” Cowley told me. “He really only ended up playing on areas with lots of boardwalks like Felida and Marshall Center [parks]. Most playgrounds are designed for older children who are already in school. [Those] kids have access to playgrounds at school, are bigger and are more developed. It is frustrating to have a toddler and preschooler and go to a playground that is just too difficult for their size and skill level. I feel that a lot of playgrounds are not accessible to younger children.” Odin may not be considered disabled, but would still have liked a park that he could have enjoyed more freely as a young child. Then there’s 2-year-old Wheylen. “Wheylen uses a walker and is non-verbal,” his mom Chelsea Phillips shared. Current playgrounds “serve no purpose for our son. There is dirt which continued on page 16

Left: Cody and April Goldberg’s daughter, Harper, inspired them to develop spaces where everyone can play. Right: Chelsea Phillips hopes for play spaces where her son, Wheylen, can engage.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: Movers and Makers (cont'd) continued from page 14

makes it impossible for Wheylen to walk with his walker. The only thing we can currently use is the baby swing and he is almost too big for it.” Both Cowley and Phillips have specific ideas of what would make playgrounds more inclusive to their children. Phillips hopes for “larger seat swings [and] harder surfaces so he can use his walker. [Also], more activities that involve being on the grounds.” Cowley knows that for her kids, “digging is important,” and having play areas with more paths would be inviting for her cautious Odin. Goldberg ensures that the entirety of the parks will be inclusive, from the play structure itself, to the walking paths and green space. “We refer to the specific features within the playground as adaptive. Most importantly, the entire landscape is accessible.” Burton added that “each playground is being uniquely designed to fit the park environment. A few of the features people can typically expect to see are slides and a play mound, boulder scramble, climbing dome, zero-entry merry-go-all, swings, roxall see-saw and a music garden.” “Kids without disabilities really love to play at Harper’s Playgrounds,” Goldberg assured me. “It makes sense, because experts in childhood development will tell you that kids will prefer unstructured or ‘free’ play to structured play.” Oftentimes, kids without disabilities are eager to advocate for their peers whose needs are different. Kids “[suggest] that inclusive design[s] [are] the right thing to do and that it looks like more fun to them,” shared Goldberg. “I knew that kids were cooler than adults when I was a kid, and it’s been confirmed now that I am an adult.” Based on the initial map designs, there are plans for a dirt area at Marshall Park, but no dirt or wood chips around any of the play areas. There will be paved pathways around every feature and large ramps to the top of hills. “Ultimately, the City of Vancouver is in charge and all of the final design details need to be approved by the city,” explained Goldberg. “We all work together to ensure that both parks will serve the most people in the best way for the [longest] time, safely.”

How to Get Involved

To fund the upcoming parks is no easy feat, but Harper’s Playground has done it many times before. “Marshall is being

[funded] through donations, so making a donation to Harper’s Playground would really help us move this project to fruition. Esther Short is part of an agreement tied to the City’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption program,” explained Hannon. Community members can visit beheardvancouver.org/project-play to get a first look at plans to transform the Esther Short Park playground. Residents can also visit beheardvancouver.org/essential-spaces and “take a short survey to tell us what future park improvements they would like to see.” Marshall Park provides the perfect opportunity to get involved and help in the fundraising for this project. Goldberg told me, “Our total budget for Marshall Park is $2.5 million, and we’ve already raised $1 million. We will continue to raise the money the typical nonprofit ways: grants, corporate sponsorships and through individual donations from the community. We have some fun upcoming events and promotions, including our annual Summer(ish) Soiree which will take place at Marshall Park on Saturday, September 25 at 5:30 p.m. It’s a big party with silent and live auctions, raffles, games, inspirational speakers, dinner and music—the works!” To help bring these playgrounds to Vancouver, local companies can donate to help with the Soiree and anyone can volunteer time or shop at Fred Meyer or AmazonSmile with Harper’s Playground as a beneficiary. Harper’s Playground is also enrolled in the BottleDrop program and can receive donations from your office’s recyclable cans and bottles. Citizens are also encouraged to volunteer online at harpersplayground.org/about/volunteer. “People of all ages and abilities need access to play and to nature,” Goldberg states. “What really makes our playgrounds special is the variety of people that spend lots of time connecting together within them. We like to say, ‘the people make the party!’ It’s really true, the people are what truly make our playgrounds what they are.”

Claire Curtis is a Vancouver stay-at-home mom of three. She graduated with a B.S. in elementary education from Utah State University where she met her sweetheart of 12 years. Claire has lived in California, Utah, Idaho and now Vancouver, Washington. In her free time, she likes to scout out new parks, read, and quilt, ride her bike and visit with friends. You can follow her on Instagram @3kidsandapark.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/HarpersPlayground to learn about other Harper’s Playground projects in the Pacific Northwest, and to read about one local mom’s experience at one of them. 16

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: School Counselor Superpowers

UNSELOR SCHOOL CO

an Bledsoe g e M h it w n o A Conversati

By Sarah Mortensen

Facing

budget

issues

2019,

Vancouver Public Schools announced that they would be reducing school counselors’ hours across the board. As a paraeducator at Chinook Elementary, I heard the news and immediately felt worried, wondering how our large school would function if our counselor were only on site some days. Thankfully, Megan Bledsoe at Discovery Middle School stepped up to the plate by rallying her colleagues. Together they attended school board meetings to explain exactly what students would lose without easy access to a counselor. Their combined efforts were successful, and all counselors were kept at their normal hours. A colleague noticed Bledsoe’s tireless advocacy and that she was not merely trying to

save her job; her intentions were to keep services available for the young students who rely on school counselors every day. He quietly nominated her for School Counselor of the Year in the state of Washington. Bledsoe’s efforts impressed more than her immediate colleagues, and she won. She even went on to become one of five finalists of all school counselors in the nation for 2021. “I nominated Megan because she is highly respected among the school counselors for her selfless leadership and commitment to running a comprehensive program that benefits all students,” says Brian Mathieson. “She has a great sense of humor and combines this in equal parts with her dogged focus on what is right for students and the profession.”

Before the pandemic hit in spring of 2020, it was hard to imagine school counselors being needed more than they already were. But, shifting gears when students were abruptly sent home, counselors reached out to help families access online learning or even discuss childcare options. They encouraged students to keep working and not fall behind so they would still be on track to graduate. Instinctively, they knew how to fill in the gaps to support teachers and students in the unprecedented challenges they faced together. I recently spoke with Bledsoe about the role of school counselors and how her job was impacted by the pandemic. SM: The pandemic put a spotlight on the needs of children’s mental health. How do school counselors support students’ mental health and how is their role different from private practice counseling or therapy? continued on page 20

Left: Brian Mathieson (right) nominated Megan Bledsoe (left) for school counselor of the year. The colleagues are pictured here attending the event where she received the award from Washington School Counselor Association. Right: Megan Bledsoe, her husband and her niece celebrate the virtual gala at home.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: School Counselor Superpowers (cont'd) continued from page 18

MB: There are a lot of similarities but some significant differences between these professions. Both have training and education in the field of mental health and play important roles in supporting students who are struggling. A key difference is that school counselors deliver a variety of support services to all students whereas a private practice counselor provides specific mental health support to some of our students. School counselors often have a caseload of 250-700 students. They design programs to serve all students in their academic, social and emotional development. Additionally, the roles and activities that a school counselor takes on can be extremely varied. For example, school counselors help implement schoolwide social-emotional lessons, collaborate with teachers on how to support a student in the classroom, organize career fairs, meet with students and families about grades, run groups, support students in crisis, and so much more. A school counselor may help a student who is having suicidal thoughts, check in with another about grades, meet with a parent who is looking for summer activity information, console a child who had a death in the family, and help someone fix their broken glasses all in one day. Mental health counselors certainly have a complex and challenging job as well, but they provide more specific services. Mental health counselors usually have a caseload of 30-40 clients and they provide more targeted services such as long term mental health counseling. School counselors cannot provide this important service so, instead, they help families to connect with a mental health counselor when it is needed. SM: School counselors have the unique opportunity to see a student who needs support in the moments they may need it most, such as a difficult peer interaction or other challenges in school. This seems to be an advantage in that the school

counselor can intervene more quickly than a mental health counselor would be able to. So, even though the roles of each profession are different, do school counselors and traditional therapists ever collaborate care to help a child? MB: Yes! Mental health counselors often have more specific training and education to provide the more in-depth counseling services that some of our students need at various points in their lives. When a student is working with a mental health counselor, school counselors are still involved in supporting that student. School counselors collaborate with mental health counselors regularly. If the family gives permission, school counselors work together with the therapist to come up with a plan on how to support a student. Although school counselors do not provide long-term mental health therapy in schools, they provide a school counseling program designed to meet the developmental needs of all students. As a component of this program, school counselors collaborate with other educators and community service providers to meet the needs of the whole child. SM: Most of your day prior to COVID was working with students face to face to build relationships. How were you able to adapt your services during the pandemic to reach students?

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

MB: My direct student contact was certainly more challenging and limited. Like other counselors, I tried to reach my students through Zoom, email, videos, and other platforms. Nonetheless, this strategy can be very limiting. Some students struggled with connecting through technology and others simply didn’t respond at all. But I still tried a variety of strategies to connect with as many students as possible. I would drop into Zoom classes, I set up daily “Zoom Room” drop-in hours and I ran several school clubs. I started several Zoom clubs based on student interest survey results. For example, I had music, anime and video game clubs so that students could meet others with shared interests. Through this I was able to meet students in a more informal and unstructured setting to establish rapport. I also wanted to help facilitate students connecting with and meeting their peers. I had all sixth-graders this year and that was a real challenge because they didn’t know me or most of their classmates yet. It was great to see students’ creativity and enthusiasm in these clubs. It was also encouraging to see them adapting to their circumstances and stepping out of their comfort zone. I would often see a formerly shy student start to open up and make connections and friends. Those moments always brightened my day and helped give me the courage and inspiration to continue this journey we were all on. Like our students, continued on page 22

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Feature: School Counselor Superpowers (cont'd) continued from page 20

this was an incredibly challenging time for me but also one full of love, growth, and inspiration. SM: How did your daily work change when students went back to class part-time? MB: Once we went back in person, I was excited to get a lot more student contact, but how that looked was still different. For example, I started to do “walk and talks” with students instead of meeting with them in my small office. There has also been an increased focus on social emotional learning and focusing on systems of support for our students who struggle. This last school year has been an incredibly challenging one for our students. There have been so many changes and transitions, and they have had to face a myriad of previously unforeseen obstacles. Our schools and counseling programs have been working hard to create effective strategies and programs to help them as we find our new normal. Although I do not wish to re-experience the last school year, I believe it was an opportunity for growth and new ideas. I know I will for sure keep up with my “walk and talks.” It turns out I need to move around as much as the kids! SM: What have you found to be the biggest challenges facing students throughout the pandemic? How have those challenges been different than the challenges you generally saw prior to the pandemic? MB: Isolation, depression and anxiety are certainly significant challenges that students faced throughout the pandemic, and are still facing today. These are not unique or new challenges, but the intensity and prevalence certainly increased. Social connection is important for mental health and identity development at this age, and, although these connections can still be made safely during a pandemic, it was certainly not as easy. In addition to these mental health challenges, our students faced significant

academic obstacles. Even in the best of circumstances, it is incredibly hard to suddenly have to work from home. It requires new routines, habits, schedules, structure, and creating a work space. Our district worked hard to minimize the digital divide and increase accessibility for all students, yet it was still an immensely challenging shift for many of our students and families. SM: How can parents and other mentors help youth navigate these challenges? MB: Talking to youth about what they are experiencing and feeling is always a good first step. Sometimes, as adults, we think we need to offer solutions or tell youth what they should do, but it’s best to first start with just listening. Learn about their interests, fears and hopes for the future. Building off of a foundation of trust is always a good first step. Also, helping youth create healthy habits and coping strategies will help them take care of their body and mind throughout life. Exercise regularly, set a sleep schedule (and stick to it), eat healthy foods, and foster those hobbies and interests that make you feel good and help you in life. SM: As kids enter their teen years, many parents feel unprepared and confused when their child starts to distance themselves or show more signs of moodiness. What do you wish parents knew about their child’s mental health or about what kids face today? MB: Although teens and preteens may often act like they don’t want to talk to or hang out with you, they do! Keep asking them how they are doing, talk to them about their interests, and keep inviting them to do activities with you. Feeling connected to family and having someone you can talk to are some of the best strategies for helping kids. These strategies worked in the past and they work now. The obstacles that kids face may change, but the best strategies on how to support them don’t.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

SM: The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction asked school districts to prepare a plan to return to full and normal instruction this fall. This is great news for all the students who not only do better with in-person instruction, but also with seeing friends daily and having a stable schedule. Assuming all goes to plan, what are you looking forward to once school returns? MB: I am so excited to see all of my students in person! There are several that I haven’t been able to connect with yet. I plan on running a lot of groups, giving a lot of tours, and working hard to meet everyone and get them connected to our school and our supports. Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in English and marriage and family studies from BYUIdaho and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her vegetable garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate, and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

Feature: Getting Our Groove Back

Getting Our Back:

ROOVE G Concerts Return to the PNW By: Kristen Flowers

After sunset at Sara Bareilles' “Little Black Dress” tour. All photos by Kat Nyberg/ McMenamins

It’s that thrill swirling in your stomach. The lights around you go out, dark figures move into position on stage, and around you, people begin to cheer and pack closer together. People you have never met become a friend, a familiar ally in a fandom. When the light hits the stage, illuminating someone you’ve only ever read about or seen on TV, you scream along with the strangers around you. That first guitar strum or beat of a drum can be felt, vibrating in your soul. It’s the start of something special, and you can’t get it on social media or Zoom. It’s the feeling of live music. It’s been noticeably absent for the last 18 months. Disappointed fans read cancellation emails or watched Facebook apology videos from their favorite acts. But, just like that spotlight on stage, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Live music is finally returning to the Pacific Northwest. For someone like Aubree Beeks, it’s been a long time coming. “There’s nothing

better than a live show and live music. I don’t understand people who say they aren’t into concerts.” She laughs, “I don’t think they’ve been to a good one if they say that.” As someone who works in the nursing field, Beeks completely understands why music venues had to close up shop. “I think that was a smart move, just because they pack so many people in concert venues, and that’s part of the fun of it. That’s part of the experience.” Now that she and her husband are fully vaccinated, they bought tickets to see an upcoming Fitz and the Tantrums show. This show will be extra special not only because it will be their return to live music, but because they plan to bring their 4-yearold daughter with them. It will be her very first concert. The Beeks family, anxious with anticipation, plays the band’s music throughout the house. Now, the toddler can sing along with every word. Beeks is also looking forward to the feeling that she gets every time she sees a live show. “It’s a time that you can escape and

just be in the moment with the music and the people that you love. It fills me up.” It’s a feeling that Renee Rank Ignacio completely understands. As the marketing director for McMenamins, Ignacio has the privilege of announcing live music is back. “Oh my gosh, we get to go to a show again.” She has wanted to say that for a while, and its finally time. Venues across the Pacific Northwest (and the world) have struggled. When the curtain fell on the stage and people packed up the lights and audio equipment, the acts who booked these shows had to get back to work. They strategized and came up with ideas that they never tried before. They had to operate in a brand new way, but one bittersweet thing became clear early on. The feeling you get when you’re sitting in the audience is exclusive to the concert-going experience. Ignacio knows why. “They want to listen to live music, feel the music, that’s the big thing. It’s one thing to be watching it on screens and listening to it through social continued on page 26

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: Getting Our Groove Back (cont'd) continued from page 24

media, but it’s totally different when you are at the venue. You can feel the songs. You can feel the crowd. You can sing with everybody.” Melody Morrow has been chasing that feeling, and for her, it’s not been easy. At the start of the pandemic, Morrow got her stepdaughter tickets to see pop artist Halsey. It was going to be her first ever live concert, but it quickly got canceled. Morrow used her refund to buy tickets to see another group, AJR, that also got canceled. She bought tickets to see Rage Against the Machine, but that show’s makeup date has changed twice. The show now has an official date, but the whole experience has left Morrow disappointed. “If it gets rescheduled, you’re supposed to go to it, no matter what the date is.” She’s hoping that it’s a date that will work with her family, but it’s so far off it’s hard to tell. At least that show has a rescheduled date. The tickets Morrow bought for The Lumineers got canceled and that show currently hasn’t been rescheduled. That leaves the money she had used for the tickets sitting in limbo, neither spent nor returned.

The experience hasn’t soured her completely, but there is a bit of trepidation. “I’m leery of wanting to purchase tickets too far in advance for the risk of something happening,” Morrow says. In the eyes of the local venues, Morrow’s feelings are not only wholly justified, but shared. It’s been a painful experience for everyone involved in the world of live music. The constant changes in COVID precautions kept staff on their toes. With every new precaution from the governor, they adjusted to make sure the venue and its staff were following COVID precautions at all times. Time and time again, situations were adjusted to be ready to open, regardless of what it might look like for the audience. “You’ve got to do that to survive,” Ignacio says. Still, venues like Edgefield Concerts in Troutdale are ready to do business again. At Edgefield, the first show back will take place this month, and Ignacio expects a crowd like never before. Now seating at full capacity, this is the moment concert goers have been waiting for: a chance to get back in their seats.

In one of those seats, you’ll find Bianca Johnson. She giggles with excitement at the thought of going to a future show. “I love meeting people and cheering on the person in person and seeing them perform. It just makes me happy.” Despite a concert canceling on her last year, she is already planning another one. Johnson plans to take her 7-year-old daughter to Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield when the Jonas Brothers come to town. Her love of live music is something that she hopes to pass on to her daughter. “She really enjoys them, and she loves music, and I just want to help her experience them with me.” For Johnson, seeing a live musical act is more than just the music. It’s the ability to break away from everyday life. It’s the chance to sit and take in the spectacle of what happens on stage and learn more about the artist. “Just seeing what they add to the show, like if they’re dancing, or continued on page 28

Above: Front and center with Huey Lewis Left: The Avett Brothers perform at Edgefield

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Feature: Getting Our Groove Back (cont'd) continued from page 26

what they’re wearing and how they sound in person. I just enjoy experiencing every aspect of it.” That experience has finally arrived. Silence will no longer be the primary sound emanating from the theaters. That thrill that fills your body when you hear your favorite song performed by the artist is back. For most people, being back in the venues will be overwhelming. The audience will be filled with an emotion that is welcome but hard to describe. It only takes Ignacio from McMenamins a few words to describe the experience perfectly: “It’s a feeling.”

Kristen Flowers is the host of the morning show, Nick and Kristen in the Morning on 99.5 The Wolf. In her spare time, she’s working on her debut novel and making everything she possibly can on her new Cricut maker.

Cage the Elephant at sunset

Find the latest live concert status and information for Edgefield Concerts and Sunlight Supply Amphitheater:

sunlightsupplyamphitheater.com edgefieldconcerts.com Sisters dancing on the lawn at Edgefield

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar

August '21

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

5 THURSDAY

Camas Library Storytime in the Park at Louis Bloch Park, 160 NE Joy St., Camas. Songs, stories, dancing and more every Thursday through August 19. All young children and their families are welcome. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. Locations vary each week. 11 am Teen Meet Up (Online through FVRLibraries) Teens! Don’t get bored this summer. This Zoom Room is just for you. This program is open to teens ages 12-19. Each week, focus on a different topic, but you’re welcome to join and work on whatever interests you. This week’s topic is Art: Draw, color, craft, write, compose while we chat about what we’re working on. 3-4:30 pm

6 FRIDAY

Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield. Five Clark County non-profits have joined together to bring a moviegoing fundraising experience to our community. Each week a different nonprofit will take the lead to organize a fun evening of film and food. The “doors” open at 7:30 pm and the outdoor movie will start at dusk. Included with your ticket purchase is a movie snack pack. Individual night tickets for sale as well as all five nights. This week’s movie: “Remember the Titans.” Go to cchmuseum.org/calendar/ fnf to purchase tickets. 7:30-10:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Washington School Park (Location and movie varies each week). The City of Vancouver is proud to present eight movies at parks around the City this summer, free to you! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy big screen entertainment. Movies start at dusk (exact time will vary due to weather conditions). All movies are family friendly and will be closed captioned. A few vendors may have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for

of events

activities

Have a community event that you want to share? Go to www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com and click on “Calendar” to submit your event. Deadline for print calendar submissions is the 1st of the month prior to the issue.

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

Events are subject to change. Please contact organization directly to confirm. All library events are free and open to the public.

purchase and people can bring their own preprepared food to enjoy during the movie. This week’s movie is “Wonder Woman 1984” (PG-13). 8 pm

7 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County 2021 Historic Walking Tours (Location/theme varies each week). Summer is the right time to wander through and learn the stories of people who have lived, worked, and carved out their place in Clark County. For each tour, guides will lead up to 25 people for approximately a mile, making frequent stops along the way to view buildings, tell stories, and answer questions. This week’s details: Start your City Days weekend celebration with a tour of Old Town Ridgefield. We’ll begin at Overlook Park and enjoy a tour of the sites of the early businesses and landmarks that are still the heart of the community. Sponsored by the Olde Library Inn. The tour will meet at the restrooms in Overlook Park. Go here to register ($8 per person): cchmuseum.org/ calendar/ridgefield-tour. 9:30-10:30 am Downtown Alley Flea Market located in the parking area between the buildings at 606 and 614 Main St., Vancouver. Kindred Homestead Supply hosts the Downtown Alley Flea Market on the first Saturday of each month. Peruse around 17 vendors and small businesses selling antiques and vintage items, furniture, books, collectibles, candles, garden tools, home decor, maybe some car parts, artwork, and more.⁠ To attend the flea market, guests are encouraged to wear a mask and respect social distancing. 10 am-4 pm Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Explore this historic working farm and enjoy local vendors and activities. 11 am-5 pm

8 SUNDAY

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm. (See Aug. 7) 11 am-5 pm Honeycomb Wall Art for Kids at Vancouver Mall. MyPerks Member kids are invited to the MyPerks Lounge to decorate their own honeycomb-shaped tile, which will be put on permanent display on the back wall of the Dining Court. Check-in begins at 12:45 pm. All art supplies provided. To participate, download the free MyPerks app and arrive by 1 pm at the MyPerks Lounge. First-come, first served--space is limited to 20. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. 1-3 pm

12 THURSDAY

Revolutionary Reads (Online through FVRLibraries) is an annual community reading and event series from FVRLibraries to engage readers, spark dialogue, and inspire ideas that just might change the world. This year, FVRLibraries will host Aaron BobrowStrain, author of “The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez: A Border Story,” winner of the 2020 Washington State Book Award for Biography. Dr Bobrow-Strain is a professor and the Baker Ferguson Chair of Politics and Leadership at Whitman College. Request your complimentary copy of the book and register for a book group and other events surrounding this work at fvrl. org. 7 pm

13 FRIDAY

Friday Night Movies in the Park at Hearthwood Park. Location and movie varies each week. (See Aug. 6.) This week’s movie is “Frozen II” (PG). 8 pm

14 SATURDAY

2021 Washougal Art Festival at Reflection Plaza, Washougal. An in-person celebration of local artists! Exceptional artists will be displaying and selling their wonderful work. continued on next page

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

continued from previous page Stop by, discover something you love, and add some beautiful art to your world. 9 am-4 pm Wander Clark County 2021 Historic Walking Tours (Location/theme varies each week). (See Aug. 7.) This week’s details: Celebrate Main Street: Downtown Camas. Started as a company town in 1883 for what would become the Papermakers, Camas is one of the few towns in Clark County that was designed and built with such a purpose in mind. Take a step back with us as we examine Camas’ historic downtown and learn of the businesses and residents that called this place home. Tour will meet in front of the Liberty Theater in Camas. Go here to register ($8 per person): cchmuseum.org/calendar/camas-tour. 9:30-10:30 am

15 SUNDAY

The Amazing Adventure Scavenger Hunt in the “Couve” at Marshall Park, 1015 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Presented by The Assistance League SW Washington. Head out by car with friends and family to explore the Couve. Take photos at sites around the city for chance to win prizes and return to the park by 4 pm for prize drawing and more! $100 per car, snacks provided .For more information call 360-690-1253 or go to assistanceleague.org/ southwest-washington. 1-4 pm

20 FRIDAY

1880s at Vancouver Barracks: Walking Tour at Fort Vancouver. Discover the history of the Vancouver Barracks with guide and curator, Meagan Huff. Walking tours are free and limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is recommended. To reserve a spot, call 360-8166230. This tour is recommended for visitors age 10 and up. The tour route will mostly take place on paved paths but will briefly cross a grassy area. If you have accessibility concerns, please let us know when you call to reserve your spot. 9:30-10:15 am Night Market Vancouver at The VIC, 18110 SE 34th St., Vancouver. Discover local brands and shop products from over 50 local artists and vendors! Food/drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $5 online and $6 at the door, kids 12 and under are free. 4:30-9:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Bagley Community Park. Location and movie varies each week. (See Aug. 6.) This week’s movie is “Onward” (PG). 8 pm

21 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County 2021 Historic Walking Tours (Location/theme varies each week). (See Aug. 7.) This week’s details: Celebrate Main Street Downtown Battle Ground. Learn about Battle Ground’s quirky history, from its beginnings as an immigrant community to an infamous bank robbery in 1946. Discover

architectural gems designed by prolific architect Day Hillborn and hear stories about the people that settled in the communities which eventually became the City of Battle Ground. Meeting location TBA. Go here to register ($8 per person): cchmuseum.org/ calendar/battle-ground-tour. 9:30-10:30 am 1880s at Vancouver Barracks: Walking Tour at Fort Vancouver. (See Aug. 20) 9:30 am Night Market Vancouver at The VIC. (See Aug. 20) 4:30-9:30 pm

27 FRIDAY

Friday Night Movies in the Park at Oakbrook Park. Location and movie varies each week. (See Aug. 6.) This week’s movie is ‘Scoob!” (PG). 8 pm

28 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County 2021 Historic Walking Tours (Location/theme varies each week). (See Aug. 7.) This week’s details: Celebrate Main Street Downtown Vancouver. Take a tour through the notable buildings and events in the history of Downtown Vancouver. Along the way, we’ll stop at historic downtown establishments and learn about their current offerings. Sponsored by Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. This tour will meet in front of Clark County Historical Museum. Go here to register ($8 per person): cchmuseum.org/calendar/main-sttour. 9:30-10:30 am

advertiser index Camps & Classes Cosmic Cheer.................................................13 The Little Gym................................................19 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................15 Events Children's Festival..........................................17 Columbia River Triathlon and Endurance Sports Festival................................................29 Girlfriends Triathlon and Fitness Festival.......29 PeaceHealth Appletree Marathon..................29 Financial OnPoint Community Credit Union..................25 Warner Brown Financial.................................21 WA529............................................................27

Fitness Cosmic Cheer.................................................13 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................15 Health Adventure Dental............................................21 Barnick Chiropractic.......................................29 Child and Adolescent Clinic..............................2 Evergreen Pediatrics......................................19 Pacific Park Family Dental...............................7 PeaceHealth.....................................................5 Priority Life Chiropractic and Massage...........11 Storybook Dental............................................15 Vancouver Clinic.............................................13 Legal Schauermann Thayer.....................................23

Resources Applied Team Insurance.................................19 ESD 112.........................................................15 Gifted Journeys................................................2 Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Seminars...............7 Natura Pest Control..........................................3 WA529............................................................27 Retail Kazoodles Toys..............................................13 Vancouver Mall...............................................21 Schools, Education & Child Care ESD 112.........................................................15 St. Andrew Preschool.....................................29 Southwest Washington Learning Center........32 WA529............................................................27

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2021

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Vancouver Family Magazine August 2021

Articles inside

Couve Scoop

Calendar of Events & Activities