Vancouver Family Magazine February 2024

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February 2024

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D R A W R O F e g a t N S r e O t I

en C H s e S k a A T Flack History Month B

Plus:

• Passport to Inclusion at PDX, p. 18

• Local Teen Designs Nike Shoe, p. 22

PAGE

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• 16th Annual Children’s Festival, p. 9

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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contents FEATURE ARTICLES

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Fashion Forward: Black History Month Takes Center Stage When Vancouver mom Ruby Lewis watched her daughter struggle with racial bullying, her solution to fight discrimination was to start a fashion show. Find out how it all began and the impact the show is having on youth in Clark County.

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Passport to Inclusion Read how Austim Society of Oregon and the Port of Portland partner with PDX to make air travel a smooth experience for families with disabilities.

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Designing a Life Well Lived

Meet 15-year-old Macey Bodily, a local brain cancer survivor who recently got the chance of a lifetime.

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February '24

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IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

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Couve Scoop

• Elizabeth Smart to Speak at Java for Justice Event • ABCD Connects Kids and Families to Dental Health Resources • 16th Annual Children’s Festival Brings Free Family Fun to Vancouver Mall

22 8

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Helping Hands Check out how Fourth Plain Forward is cultivating community along one of Vancouver’s main corridors.

26 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB •

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Wiggles and Giggles Family Entertainment Series Returns to Kiggins

Here for healing

Committed to your health and well-being.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Photo by Marie Pham Photography

EDITOR'S NOTES

Facing the Frontier Over 100 years ago, Irish-born Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to explore Antarctica, assembling a crew of skilled men who sailed the ship Endurance from Great Britain to Buenos Aires, Argentina, then on to Antarctic waters. The Endurance encountered dangerous ice that forced the crew to abandon ship and live outside of it, on a large ice floe, for almost two months before eventually watching the ship sink. The crew was able to board three of the ship’s lifeboats and, after many more harrowing days, weeks and months at sea and on inhospitable Antarctic land, finally reached safety. The ordeal lasted over a year and a half, but all the men survived, and many went on to sail again, some back to Antarctica.

Why am I telling you this?

Human beings have always yearned for more. More sights, more knowledge, more glory, more fame, more money, more love. This yearning has taken us to the outer reaches of the earth, the depths of the ocean and even the heavenward heights of the moon. But even away from these extremes, in our mundane daily lives, the promise of discovery propels us to new personal frontiers. Perhaps you’ve recently returned to school to finish your degree, or started a business, or taken steps to repair a relationship or renovated your kitchen—all in the pursuit of leveling up your skill set, creating more financial security for your family, finding greater fulfillment in your relationships or making literal space for a more ordered life. Just as Shackleton and his crew, in the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, embarked on a perilous voyage of the Antarctic frontier in the name of discovery and adventure, each of us navigates our own perilous voyage every day. This life we navigate is the frontier. Sometimes simply surviving the ride is the greatest triumph of all—other days we are poised to push our limits to new peaks.

In this issue, meet a local teen whose battle with brain cancer paved a path to the chance of a lifetime (page 22), learn how Autism Society of Oregon is partnering with PDX to improve the air travel experience for individuals with disabilities (page 18) and find out how one Vancouver mom responded to a family crisis by celebrating Black History through fashion (page 12).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 23, Issue 2 Publisher

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

Editor

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

Associate Editor

Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Contributing Writers: Kristen Flowers, Sarah Mortensen

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

Elizabeth Smart to Speak at

Java for Justice

FEBRUARY 2024

Event

On March 8, International Women’s Day, National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE) will hold their first fundraising event since the pandemic. The Java for Justice brunch, held at Heathman Lodge from 8-10 am, is set to feature keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart.

Smart was abducted in 2002 and held captive for nine horrific months before being rescued and returned to her family. She has turned a tragic and traumatic situation into advocacy for child abduction resources, recovery programs and changes to national legislation. Smart is the author of two memoirs, the most recent entitled, “Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up” (St. Martin’s Press, 2018), which details her healing process and how to make peace with the past in order to reclaim the future.

In addition to Smart’s keynote presentation, Ashley Korslien will emcee and the brunch will feature auctions as well as a presentation of Spotlight for Justice and National Journalism Impact awards. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at Eventbrite.com/e/java-for-justice-brunch-tickets-751833001747.

Elizabeth Smart will be the keynote speaker at NWCAVE’s Java for Justice event at The Heathman Lodge. Photo courtesy Elizabeth Smart Foundation.

ABCD Connects Kids and Families to Dental Health Resources

F

ebruary is National Children’s Dental Health Month, highlighting the importance of oral health in a child’s first years of life. In Clark County, the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program aims to connect children from birth up to age 6 with dental resources in each county of Washington. Families who have Washington Apple Health are eligible to use ABCD to connect with one of 26 participating dentists in Clark County. Anna Cruz, a community health worker involved with ABCD, states that preventative care is essential and “baby teeth matter!” Cruz and other health professionals recommend scheduling the first dental visit by a child’s first birthday, and the ABCD program can help pair children with dentists as well as provide additional oral health resources.

ABCD also encourages more pediatric dentists to serve Apple Health insured children, and Cruz maintains that the county’s current 26 dentists are “oral health heroes.” In particular, Dr. Ron Hsu of Storybook Dental in Camas is known as the “ABCD Champion of Clark County” for his commitment to providing early access to dental care within the community. He maintains a close connection with Washington state legislators and oral health partners, and trains new dentists to participate in the ABCD program. Cruz also acknowledges Dr. Remi Eussen, a dedicated ABCD Emeritus Champion, who supported ABCD since its inception in Clark County.

To find an ABCD-affiliated dentist, visit Clark.wa.gov/public-health/ abcd-program. There you can find resources for non-English speaking families, transportation assistance and more information on Washington’s Apple Health plan for children.

Photo by Lu Rodriguez at pexels.com

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Brings Free Family Fun to Vancouver Mall Since 2007, Vancouver Family Magazine has partnered with Vancouver Mall

to host Children’s Festival, a free family event celebrating kids and their families in the Clark County community. This year’s event will feature free face painting and balloon art, dance performances, games, prizes and more on Saturday, March 16 from 10 am-3 pm at Vancouver Mall. All event activities are free! In addition to the fun and games, parents will be able to connect with community resources and information to help their families thrive. Exhibit space is still available for local businesses who want to be a part of this beloved community event. Contact Nikki Klock at nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine. com or call 360-882-7762 to learn more about participating.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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HELPING HANDS

By Sarah Mortensen

Cultivates Community Along the Corridor

S ince the time of Fort Vancouver and Hudson’s Bay Company, the

“A lot of our work is focused on partnering with local ‘By & For’ community-based organizations who serve our local BIPOC community members. We help by writing grants and providing them with capacity building services . . . We have also started the beginnings of a small business association for the corridor, so any Fourth Plain businesses are welcome to join us,” invites Burgess.

Fourth Plain corridor has connected what is now east Clark County to the west side. A video shown at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center explains how multiple tribes and foreign traders convened there to do business and share news, and how people of various ethnicities, including native Hawaiians, communicated using pieces of each language. These travelers often came by boat, but many used routes that followed Fourth Plain and Mill Plain Boulevards.

The five target areas of Fourth Plain Forward are: • Community Wealth Building • Thriving Neighborhoods • Housing & Asset Development • Learning & Evaluation • Art, History & Culture

Today, Fourth Plain Boulevard reflects the history of Vancouver, a city that has long been a melting pot of people and cultures. For a taste of delicious international cuisine, one need travel no further than Fourth Plain for options from various regions of Mexico, Thailand, the Mediterranean and more. Murals large and small welcome visitors to these restaurants as well as salons and markets, many depicting different groups of people thriving in their element. “Our murals are key,” says Paul Burgess, executive director of Fourth Plain Forward, a place-based development nonprofit dedicated to supporting both the businesses and residents along Fourth Plain.

Each of these target areas builds upon and overlaps with the others.

For example, a new 10-foot-tall spirit totem that will soon be erected in a traffic median near the Veterans Affairs campus helps to create a thriving neighborhood by welcoming visitors and shoppers to the area through art, while also engaging the local neighbors who will plant native landscaping around the base. The totem, crafted by Yakima Tribal artist Toma Villa, “symbolizes the connection between Fourth Plain Forward and the community we serve,” shares Burgess. “[It] marks the beginning of FPF’s journey in honoring the Indigenous lands we reside on and to bring the FP community closer to Indigenous culture, art and history.”

Chances are if you are from Vancouver, you’ve heard of Fourth Plain Forward (FPF), but may not know exactly what they do. Burgess, who came to FPF in 2022, and lives just minutes from his office, describes the organization as “the backbone” of the community. In other words, FPF connects residents and businesses owners with other agencies to help them be successful.

While FPF’s art programs help local residents feel represented in their community, what Burgess is really excited about this year is working toward developing more affordable housing options. Many residents as well as businesses in the area are considerably burdened by rent prices. “The challenge is to create housing developments that are affordable and responsive to the needs of the current residents of the area. Gentrification is of significant concern as it displaces communities continued on next page

“

The Fourth Plain community is a vibrant, welcoming place that has long been maligned as unsafe, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

”

–Paul Burgess, executive director of Fourth Plain Forward

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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continued from previous page from their homes and communities,” Burgess says. Homeownership is critical in ensuring that folks are able to remain in their communities.

“There are many folks that want to be [here] in 20-30 years and beyond . . . 40% represent a community of color. 70% are renters, and a good 50% are rent burdened.”

The end goal is to build mixed income housing options to create a thriving community. There are a few lots where Burgess envisions more housing, but the process takes time and city codes and policies must be considered, along with the ideas of local residents. “We have a community advisory committee who are helping create our policy and advocacy work. They have been together for over three years [and] we are embarking on a year-long community listening project, to engage with residents to learn more about their aspirations, concerns and ideas,” says Burgess.

Housing and health are connected. Sadly, the Fourth Plain area has the highest rates of diabetes, asthma and depression in the county.

Part of the work of FPF is to remove barriers so that residents can feel empowered to make the best decisions for themselves in both housing and healthcare. Three low-income clinics are located in the area, but there is often still a language barrier between patients and providers.

Knowing this, FPF partnered with Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) and Legacy Health to train four local Chuukese residents to become qualified medical interpreters and are working on training BIPOC birthing doulas, helping to reduce maternal mortality rates for women of color.

The breadth of Fourth Plain Forward’s programs and initiatives is vast, but Burgess is still looking forward to a year of more growth with a larger team and expanding programs. He wants people to know that

“the Fourth Plain community is a vibrant, welcoming place that has long been maligned as unsafe, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, there are a plethora of problems and significant systemic disparities, but these stem from historical policy making. This is why FPF is committed to uplifting Black, Brown, Indigenous communities, alongside those facing resource limitations and exclusion from mainstream services. We aren’t geographically restricted, and our work encompasses the whole of Clark County.”

Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in marriage and family studies and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator in addition to her role as associate editor of Vancouver Family Magazine. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son, and daughter.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/ nov-23-fourth-plain-communitycommons to read more about the Fourth Plain Forward’s new Fourth Plain Community Commons, a mixeduse building for events and affordable workspace, plus a commissary kitchen.

Page 10: Top: A mural spans the wall of a hallway inside Fourth Plain Community Commons, a mixed-use space on Fourth Plain and Norris Road. Photo by Nikki Klock.

Bottom: Fourth Plain Forward staff poses outside Fourth Plain Community Commons’s outdoor mural. Photo courtesy Fourth Plain Forward.

Page 11: Left: Community members gather at Fourth Plain Community Commons’s event space.

Right: A Fourth Plain Community Commons staff member greets visitors at the building’s reception desk. Photos courtesy Fourth Plain Forward.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Feature: Fashion Forward: Black History Month Takes Center Stage

FASHION FORWARD: Black History Month Takes Center Stage

By Kristen Flowers

Content warning: This article mentions suicide. If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time day or night by dialing 988.

R

uby N. Lewis’s daughter was only in the fourth grade when she told her mother that she wanted to take her own life. She was facing so much discrimination and hatred from other students and adults at her school because of the color of her skin that she didn’t want to live anymore. It was a critical moment for the family, and Lewis sprang into action.

“Instead of constantly fighting biases the way that I was doing it, I knew we had to do something different,” Lewis says.

Lewis went to work changing the images her daughter saw daily and replaced them with inspiring and uplifting ones. She changed the posters on the walls and even the bed sheets to include ones with positive affirmations.

She eventually moved her daughter to online schooling. Slowly but surely, Lewis noticed a change in her daughter, who began to feel that her life had meaning and was worth something, even if she didn’t look like her peers.

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While the crisis at home dissipated, Lewis thought about other tweens and teens who may be feeling the same way, knowing that if her daughter was experiencing racial discrimination, then other kids were too. “As far as things in the Pacific Northwest to uplift and inspire African Americans, there really wasn’t much stuff out here,” explains Lewis.

She knew that she would have to take matters into her own hands, and it became apparent what her next move would be.

Drawing on her previous life experience working as an au pair and fighting for children in state custody, Lewis wanted to extend her reach to local teens, to show them how much they mattered and how valuable they were in the community. “If we can give middle schoolers and high schoolers a way to feel confident about themselves, then that is extremely powerful because instead of them feeling depressed and [attempting] suicide, they can have something to look forward to.

They can have hope.”

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Model Mbete Dunbar has participated in many fashion shows from Portland to Seattle, including the PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show here in Clark County. Photo by Images from Amy.

Lewis already had the resources in place to make a difference. In 2007, she became the CEO and president of the nonprofit Please Don’t Die Black Men (PDDBM), an organization created to uplift and inspire African American males. “The goal was to educate, empower, inspire and uplift people of color across the country,” explains Lewis. “It’s for people to fight and stand with African and Black people who are struggling emotionally, physically, sexually or spiritually because of drugs and alcohol, abuse, violence or lack of education.

We want to see a world where African Americans can be free of microaggressions, discrimination and systemic barriers. Also, we provide physical and mental support and resources and allow people to live healthy and dignified lives.” continued on page 14

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Feature: Fashion Forward: Black History Month Takes Center Stage (cont'd) continued from page 12

A Runway for Change

Lewis realized she could reach children and teens through the arts, especially fashion.

So, she organized the PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show, which debuted last year and is taking place again this month at Clark County Event Center. “Anyone can relate to fashion,” says Mbete Dunbar, model and model coordinator for the show. “It’s a form of expression—expression of feelings or emotions. It’s also a creativity language.”

Fashion was something that influenced Dunbar at a young age. She remembers watching excitedly as models like Tyra Banks and Iman walked the runway. “They were one of the first people on the scene for Black females. They upheld the standard of what the industry was looking for from them. Seeing them up there doing what they love was amazing and inspiring.”

Dunbar didn’t pursue a career in fashion, but as modeling and fashion became more diverse, seeing herself represented in the fashion industry stayed with her, and she continued to love it. She would jump at the chance to be a model in any fashion show she could between Portland and Seattle. So, when Lewis called asking for her help with the PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show, she was happy to lend her talents and walk the catwalk.

Dunbar knew this would be an exceptional event from the beginning. Everyone involved in the fashion show brought unique skills and excitement to their jobs. She was grateful for the chance to not only model, but to work behind the scenes as well.

A Legacy Inspires Future Fashion Designers

The PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show quickly cemented its place as a cultural force at its inaugural event last year. Yes, models strutted their stuff down the catwalk, but the whole experience is designed to enrich and uplift the lives of African American kids and teenagers through education and visibility. Lewis made it a point to showcase African Americans who have impacted the fashion industry since the 1860s.

In what she calls the Mini African American Fashion Designer Museum, portraits and biographies appear all around the room so that people can learn about their lives and how they changed the fashion world.

One of those people is Elizabeth Keckly, a designer who means a lot to Lewis. Keckly, who was born into slavery in 1818, became proficient in sewing and dressmaking. In 1855, she bought her and her son’s freedom and established a dressmaking business that included a staff of 20 other seamstresses. Her clients included the wives of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. Keckly became the personal dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln, President Abraham Lincoln’s wife. She wrote about Lincoln’s life and her time as an enslaved person in her autobiography, “Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House” (Carleton & Company, 1868).

Keckly’s impact on the fashion industry is undeniably significant. It’s a story of discrimination, and hate, but also resilience and perseverance, and because of the

PDDBM Fashion Show, many young African American teens know her name. They have seen the challenges she had to endure and marvel at the legacy she left behind.

That’s why Lewis is back to do it all again this year. “Having the opportunity to participate in shows like this, which represent diversity and fashion at the same time, allows you to see yourself in a different space and understand that everyone and anyone can participate in it.”

And since fashion is for everyone, Lewis is doing all she can to get kids participating in and to the show for free.

So far, 96 tickets have been donated to students at Vancouver, Evergreen, Camas and Ridgefield school districts, and that number continues to grow. Once at the show, the kids become VIPs and are treated to an experience they can’t get anywhere else. Not only do they get to see the fashion show, but they also get a gift basket, a certificate, free food consisting of authentic West African cuisine, a photo with the models, designers, CEO, DJ and host, and they get to go backstage and mingle with the models. The goal is to show these kids that they have a community, a voice in the fashion continued on next page

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Proceeds to benefit NWCAVE’s Advocacy Center for Justice. continued from previous page industry and a place to express themselves and tell their stories. “We are all about inspiring and uplifting African Americans, especially middle and high schoolers,” says Lewis.

Dunbar also has high hopes for this year’s fashion show. She believes they have learned much from last year’s show and that this one will be bigger and better. In fact, she can see all of the Pacific Northwest embracing this event in the future. “I hope that it becomes the biggest celebration of Black culture

and fashion and that maybe people from surrounding areas like Portland and Seattle all join together to make this a Black History Month celebration for the Northwest side of things.” Dunbar hopes to see the fashion show become a week-long celebration in multiple Pacific Northwest cities.

Artistic and Scholarship Opportunities

Another reason everyone wants the fashion show to continue to grow is because the proceeds from the fashion show fund the Please Don’t Die Black Men programs for young men and women. These programs reach kids interested in journalism, filmmaking and fashion design. continued on page 16

Pages 14-15: Models of all ages walked the catwalks at last year’s inaugural PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show. The event will happen again this month at Clark County Fairgrounds. Photo screenshots of video courtesy Ruby Lewis.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Feature: Fashion Forward: Black History Month Takes Center Stage (cont'd) continued from page 15 In the journalism program, PDDBM produces the "PROUD" magazine, giving kids the opportunity to learn skills in marketing, journalism and more. Through the Start to Finish film project, middle and high schoolers work as a group to create and execute all parts of a short film. That includes writing the script, casting, shooting and editing the movie. At the end of the program, students will get an IMDb credit along with their finished and edited short film. The Fashion Design program allows kids to express creativity and learn fashion design.

It’s these designs that are celebrated during the PDDBM Fashion Show. Kids leave that program having the whole experience of being a designer. They can even have an opportunity to become part of the PDDBM clothing line.

And for students who have interests outside of the arts, PDDBM offers a STEM scholarship program that provides scholarship opportunities in STEM classes for students who face systemic and/or financial obstacles. “We promote equity through these programs and events. These programs are geared towards inspiring vulnerable middle and high schoolers to study what they want to do and gain confidence in themselves to succeed as they navigate Clark County,” says Lewis.

As for fashion and modeling, Dunbar believes that confidence and believing in yourself are the keys to career success. “Be yourself.

Believe in yourself. There are going to be a lot of nos. Just keep pushing. If this is something you are doing that is coming from the center of your being, just keep pushing, seek out resources out there, and connect to people who can direct you to school or assistants to designers or creators. Network. Believe in yourself, and don’t settle for anything less than that.”

Students in Southwest Washington are lucky to have these programs and the fashion show in their backyard. Just as fashion continues to incorporate diversity, Southwest Washington continues to grow with people from all walks of life deciding to make Clark County their home.

PDDBM programs and the fashion show are crucial to the community so that everyone can see themselves represented in leadership and creative positions.

The PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show will be held at the Clark County Fairgrounds on February 10, and tickets start at $34.99. Learn more and purchase tickets at 2024bhmfashionshow.eventbrite.com.

Kristen lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter, Lilly. You can hear the whole family on 99.5 The Wolf during the Nick and Kristen Morning Show. When she is not working and writing, Kristen loves crafting, watching documentaries, and going to escape rooms.

Top: Mbete Dunbar poses in a photography session

by Kelsey May Photography.

Bottom clockwise from left: Mbete Dunbar models a colorful dress at last year’s PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show. Photo courtesy Mbete Dunbar.

Two models display African-inspired clothing at last year’s PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show.

Photo screenshots of video courtesy Ruby Lewis.

Learn more about Please Don’t Die Black Men at pddbm.org.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

We would love to be the ones you call when you are thinking about buying, or selling, or refinancing, and we hope that you will. However, the classes are non-promotional, and informational only.

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READ OUR LATEST BLOG POST...

“2023 IN REVIEW & WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?”

Well, this new year opened up with a BANG of weather, didn’t it? Some people loved being ‘stuck’ at home with their family, and some people really wished they had a bit more ‘space’ and went a bit stir-crazy. I personally loved it, but if you found you were one of the families who wished they had a bit more ‘space’, or maybe less ‘space’... I can help with that. Personally, I love the new year. I love that the whole year is laid out before me like an unopened present.

It’s time to lay down some general plans, & goals for the new year. A time to look over last year about what I did well, and what I would like to change for this year. It is a time for review and a lot of what we ‘think’ this year will look like, so this may be a good time to talk about both....

In 2022 we saw interest rates skyrocket from the low 4’s to the low 6’s. In 20223, we saw interest rates sky rocket like a toddler on a sugar rush to the 8’s. We hadn’t seen interest rates in the 8’s since the early 2000’s. This put the brakes on the real estate market faster than me seeing a cop on the freeway when I am driving.

2023 was really the year of ‘adjusting’ as both buyers, and sellers, adjusted to the ‘new’ market...

Continue reading and learning more at www.LearningToBuyAHome.com or www.FreeSellerClasses.com Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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Feature: Passport to Inclusion: PDX Event Helps Make Travel Accessible for Everyone

PASS PO RT TO IN CLU SIO N: PDX Event Helps Make Travel Accessible for Everyone

By Kristen Flowers

Traveling through an airport is sensory

overload. One must first navigate a kiosk to get an airline ticket and check a bag. Next comes the shuffle through the crowds to get into the security line while Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents loudly remind everyone what to take out of their luggage. At times, officers with dogs sniff at people as they walk by. Also, remember to remove your shoes, belts and everything from your pockets before going through the fullbody scanner. Remember to gather all your belongings while finding your gate number on the giant electronic departure board. Next, ensure the flight is on time, figure out your boarding number and remember to grab a bite because the next chance to eat is hours away.

These stressors are enough to try even the most seasoned traveler. Imagine doing all of that when you or someone you love has a disability or sensory sensitivities.

Jessica Robertson of Vancouver thought flying to see relatives or going on vacations was off the table forever due to her 3-1/2-yearold son Myles’s autism. This loss of travel felt even more permanent after a highly stressful road trip test proved unsuccessful. Robertson envisioned a life where seeing family members in different states would be a rarity, and everyone would have to travel to see her, not to mention that all family vacation plans would be put on hold indefinitely.

The thought of staying in one place felt isolating and lonely.

But then Robertson heard through a Vancouver autism moms’ Facebook group about a special event periodically held at Portland International Airport (PDX) and decided to give traveling one more try.

[The stressors of airport travel] are enough to try even the most seasoned traveler. Imagine doing all of that when you or someone you love has a disability or sensory sensitivities.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Mock Travel Experience For families like the Robertsons, nothing is more stressful than having paid for a flight, only to discover at the airport that the onslaught of airport chaos and subsequent hours-long flight is not realistic for someone in their traveling party. That’s why Autism Society of Oregon has partnered with the Port of Portland to present Passport to Inclusion (previously called Sky’s the Limit). In this mock travel experience, families are invited to come to PDX, park free for five hours inside the parking structure, and experience the airport for as long as they need without buying a ticket or actually flying anywhere.

Tobi Rates, executive director of Autism Society of Oregon, says Passport to Inclusion was designed for people like the Robertson family. The event is inclusive, so any child or adult with a disability, seen or unseen, is welcome to participate. “The idea is that families and individuals with disabilities who will be traveling come to the airport, they park, they check in with us, they go through TSA security, and the full security scan, and from there, they get to explore the airport,” Rates explains.

For children and adults with sensory sensitivities, going through a TSA line can be overwhelming, and it’s often one of the continued on next page

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continued from previous page first major hurdles. There is a lot of waiting, with people on all sides of you, noise from everywhere and people breaking down strollers or unpacking bags. Passport to Inclusion organizers understand these stressors and have a dedicated lane so participants can get the whole experience with less stress.

Travel Accessibility Resources at PDX In addition to helping families test out the traveling experience, a second purpose is to educate families on available resources.

While at the event, the Robertsons learned about a year-round PDX program called TSA Cares. Any day of the year, not just during Passport to Inclusion, the initiative assists travelers with medical conditions, disabilities or others who may need additional assistance with screening. TSA Cares has specially trained staff who can provide travelers and their families with the necessary support and information to get through the screening process. A TSA passenger support specialist (PSS) is also available to provide additional resources to the family and can communicate and assist those who need screening assistance.

After the security check, participants of Passport to Inclusion earn stamps on their passports by visiting different airport areas.

While it gets them comfortable with the noise and feel of the airport, it has another significant benefit: it shows them how inclusive PDX truly is and how to use available resources to help them as they travel. One of the first things Robertson did with her son was visit the sensory room, which she learned about upon arriving at Passport to Inclusion. “It’s very quiet, and there are many soft chairs to lounge on, things to fidget and play with, even bubbles on the wall,” she says. “Our little guy loved that.”

Exploring an Airplane Sometimes the Passport to Inclusion airline partner (most recently United Airlines), provides a real airplane that families can board to get the whole experience. “They can go onboard to check it out and talk to airline employees, the pilots and the flight attendants, often see the cockpit and just get a feel for what it’s like to be on a plane,” says Rates.

When Robertson and her son participated in the event, a plane was available, giving them

Top: Brad Robertson smiles with his son, Myles, at PDX during the airport’s Sky’s the Limit event (now called Passport to Inclusion) in November 2023.

Bottom: Three-year-old Myles, who has autism, enjoys PDX's sensory room.

Photos courtesy Jessica Robertson.

continued on page 20 Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

19

Feature: Passport to Inclusion (cont'd) continued from page 19 an understanding of what it would take to fly successfully. “It had the jets going, so it had loud noises, people were coming on and off the plane,” she says. “[Our son] went through the whole process just fine, enjoyed every bit of it, loved every bit.” While her son struggled with the movement of the people all around him, he did well thanks to the sensory toys and a tablet Robertson brought with her.

Tips and Tricks from Fellow Travelers By going through this mock trial, travelers and their families learn what tips and tricks they can utilize when the big day of real travel comes. Rates says this is another reason Passport to Inclusion is essential for families.

They walk away from the event with a better understanding of what they need to bring to make the trip more comfortable and relaxing for all their loved ones.

While Robertson learned a lot from the experience, she also gained insight from the other families there. “We talked to other local people at the event with kids with autism and got their stories about flying.” Robertson took notes on how they could make it better for their son next time. They also learned some hidden challenges from people who have gone through it, and gleaned tips on how they could work with their son at home before coming to the airport to make him even more comfortable with traveling.

“It was a fantastic learning experience,” Robertson continues. “Everyone there at the airport was so kind. They even gave us lanyards that signify that we may need help while we are out and about in the airport.

That was really helpful. We learned so much information from people at the airport, and it was really beneficial.”

Practicing and Preparing to Make Memories Despite being armed with knowledge about specialty programs and where to go for extra assistance, navigating an airport can still be challenging. Some kids and adults need more time to acclimate, and every day can be different. Knowing this, Autism Society of Oregon and Port of Portland designed Passport to Inclusion to be more than just a one-and-done program; families can attend the event as often as they wish. “They can build up how comfortable they feel and learn if they can get through the different portions of the day,” Rates says. Having that knowledge ahead of time is crucial. “You don’t want to have that happen when you’ve already paid for the airline ticket, and everyone is stressed out trying to get to their vacation.”

“We spent three hours [at PDX] just exploring the airport and going through the whole experience of flying without the stress of having to do it. So, it was really cool,” Robertson shares. They even had lunch provided by the airport so they could experience what it would be like to eat there, plus it got them another stamp on their passport.

Once a family has collected all the stamps, or as many as they would like to collect, in their passport, they go back to the check-in desk to claim a small prize and a certificate. This is usually where Rates sees all the smiling faces of people excited to travel again. “The response uniformly has been thrilled. They’re so happy we are doing this. It’s taken a lot of the anxiety and stress away. It’s made it possible to fly and see family members, grandparents and people who don’t live in the area and build some family memories.”

Those are precisely the kind of memories that Robertson looks forward to making. continued on next page

Brad and Jessica Robertson and their son, Myles, ride PDX’s moving walkway while exploring the airport. Photos courtesy Jessica Robertson.

No matter how challenging and stressful the flying process can be, dedicated individuals and groups want to make the experience more inclusive, and that makes the skies friendlier for everyone.

20

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

continued from previous page No matter how challenging and stressful the flying process can be, dedicated individuals and groups want to make the experience more inclusive, and that makes the skies friendlier for everyone.

“It was a scary thing to think about,” Robertson says, “but once we were there and they gave us all the information about the different areas we could go to and the help we could get, it put me and my husband’s mind at rest. Even if we were to have issues during the flying process, we learned that there are many people there who can help us, and that made me feel good.”

For individuals and families who plan to travel before participating in the next Passport to Inclusion, Rates says resources are always available. She encourages families to contact the airline they are flying with to see what

assistance they can provide the day of the flight. Travelers can always contact the TSA about TSA Cares, and how to participate.

Additionally, the Port of Portland has a wealth of resources about PDX, including available programs and where to find sensory-friendly rooms throughout the airport. “[Port of Portland and TSA] have been incredible partners in all this,” says Rates. “They are doing their best and have put a lot of time, energy and resources into making the airport accessible to everybody.”

as soon as sign-ups are available. For more information and to sign up, visit AutismSocietyOregon.org.

Kristen lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter, Lilly. You can hear the whole family on 99.5 The Wolf during the Nick and Kristen Morning Show. When she is not working and writing, Kristen loves crafting, watching documentaries and going to escape rooms.

Passport to Inclusion is held two or three times a year, with the next event scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024. As a highly popular event, the limited slots f i l l up quickly, so families are urged to register

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

21

Feature: Designing a Life Well Lived

Designing a Life Well Lived: Local Teen Brain Cancer Survivor Designs Original Nike Shoe

By Nikki Klock

Fifteen-year-old Macey Bodily of Yacolt

doesn’t remember anything before a brain cancer diagnosis changed her life forever.

She was just 5 years old when doctors broke the news to her parents, Courtney and Jason Bodily, that there was a mass in her brain that needed to be surgically removed immediately.

Before that, Jason remembers, Macey had been doing home-school kindergarten work at the computer with her grandmother. “She was squinting at the screen, and we just assumed that she needed glasses . . . We took her to the eye doctor, and it escalated from there.

We found out she could not see out of her right eye.” An MRI at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital soon revealed every parent’s nightmare: their child had craniopharyngioma, a rare brain tumor, the size of two golf balls. “It was all totally overwhelming,” says Courtney.

The last ten years have been full of difficult treatments, side effects, medical appointments, a relapse and cancer-related

health issues. “It was tough at the beginning,” says Jason. “We were living a new life.” But in the case of the Bodily family, and for Macey especially, her battle with cancer and Macey’s own exceptionally positive attitude have also provided some remarkable opportunities.

A Face of St. Jude

Eighteen months after the original diagnosis and surgery, two tumors came back and doctors recommended another surgery to remove them.

“We sought out

other opinions and through social media Courtney found a group of families that had children like Macey,” recalls Jason. “Everyone pointed us to contact St. Jude Children’s Hospital, [which] was doing a study on this tumor. Courtney called the hospital and gave them all her information and the head doctor in charge of the study called her back fifteen minutes later from his cell phone driving home. Courtney and Macey went down to Memphis and started the study, [then] went to Jacksonville, Florida and spent ten weeks getting proton radiation treatment . . . [St. Jude has] never charged us a dime.”

Following these treatments, Macey became one of the faces of St. Jude—lending her face, name and story to promotions and support for the hospital. In September, Macey’s face graced a large banner in one of the homes in the 2023 Clark County Parade of Homes.

The “Dream Home Showplace” was built continued on page 24

Left: Macey Bodily rests post-surgery in March 2016. Photo courtesy Courtney Bodily.

Middle: Macey Bodily poses with the original Nike shoes she designed to benefit Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Photo courtesy Nike.

22

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Right: Macey Bodily at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in December 2022.

Photo courtesy Courtney Bodily.

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23

Feature: Designing a Life Well Lived (cont'd) continued from page 22

by Marnella Homes to raise money for St. Jude, and décor throughout the home was St. Jude-themed, including art created by St. Jude patients. The home sold for $1.6 million right after the show ended, with one hundred percent of profits from the sale of the home donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In addition to sharing Macey’s face and story, Jason and Courtney have directed and spoken at many St. Jude fundraising events, and Macey has shared her own story on television, on the radio and in front of live crowds. “We know many children who have not made it due to childhood cancer,” Courtney says of their family’s decision to share Macey’s story publicly over the years. “Whatever we can do to raise awareness and funds to find a cure, we will do. It is a hard and lonely journey at times.

We also strive to help mentor families new to the journey, to help soften the blow. I have had some amazing moms who helped me, [and] I do whatever I can to pay that forward.”

Unforgettable Experiences

This close connection to the childhood cancer community has resulted in unforgettable experiences for Macey’s entire family. One year, Make-a-Wish arranged a trip for Macey and her family to meet Cinderella at Disney World in Florida. “We were gifted a beach house to use in Panama City Beach,” says Jason. Over the years, “she met Ed Sheeren at his concert in Portland. She stood on the Blazer’s court with the team during the national anthem. She has met many upcoming country stars through events with [a] local country radio station. She [participates in] sibling cancer camps with her sisters each summer. She has been on personal guided fishing trips in Washington and Alaska.” All these experiences have helped the Bodily family to build a wide community of support.

“We have had amazing medical care, community outreach and some really impactful experiences,” says Courtney. “We have really tried hard to always find the positive and the good.”

Designing a Nike Dunk High

Macey herself has also given back, organizing a toy drive for Doernbecher, the hospital

where she first received her cancer diagnosis, and most recently participating in a truly unique project. Last fall, a delightful secret Macey and her family had been keeping for months finally came to light at a Doernbecher fundraising event in Portland. Months previously, Macey had been nominated by one of her doctors to design an original shoe with Nike as a fundraiser for Doernbecher.

“Doernbecher picks six children each year out of the many applications,” Jasons shares. “[Macey] was lucky that she was chosen . . . We had to keep it all completely secret.”

“I was very excited,” Macey says of the moment she learned she had been selected to work with Nike to design a totally original Nike Dunk High shoe, unique to her personality. “It was a yearlong process,” she says. “I got to go to the Nike headquarters, and working with my designer was really amazing.”

During the process, Macey drew flowers in her favorite colors (light pink and purple) to add to the shoe design, and chose to add one of her favorite quotes onto the shoe: “She believed she could, so she did.” To complement the shoes, Macey also got to design a matching hoodie and cross-body fanny pack. Macey loves to bake chocolate chip cookies, so her recipe was added to the inside of the fanny pack. “My Nike team, they really took everything I said and implemented it into the shoe, and they were really nice and really kind,” Macey says in an OHSU-produced video. “All of it was really cool.” “The shoe is 100% all her,” says Jason. “You can look at that shoe and see Macey in every aspect of it.” Once the design was perfected, Macey’s shoe-hoodie-bag line was unveiled, among others, at Doernbecher Freestyle XIX, held at Portland Art Museum in October. Her line went for over $15,000 to a generous bidder.

The 2023 event raised over $991,000 total.

Later in December, Macey’s shoes were

Page 24: Macey Bodily poses with the Nike team who helped her design an original shoe throughout 2023.

Page 25: Macey Bodily shows off the fanny pack she designed with Nike, featuring her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Photos courtesy Nike.

made available to the public for purchase on a limited basis through Nike.com where the stock promptly sold out within hours. Since 2004, this partnership with Nike has raised over $36 million for Doernbecher, and now Macey is a part of that legacy, giving back to a hospital that has helped preserve her life.

Paying It Forward

This attitude of paying it forward is embedded in the Bodily family’s experience now, as is supporting other parents who have had to go through the same grueling journey.

What advice would they have for others on a similar journey—one that no one would ever choose if given the chance? “Do not try to do it all alone,” says Courtney. “Ask for help. It is overwhelming . . . Focus on [your other children] as much as you can . . . The patient gets tons of attention. The siblings suffer. Choose to be positive. Become an expert on your child’s diagnosis—you are the best advocate.” Jason echoes, “Cherish each minute you have with your children. Be your child’s advocate. Be at their side and ask questions. It is OK to cry and show emotion. continued on next page

c o u l d , s o sh e di d.” e h s d e v “S h e b e l i e 24

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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www.evergreenpediatrics.com continued from previous page Be strong when you need to be but give soft hugs when your child needs them. Be present and show your child that you have their best care at the forefront of everything you do.”

Macey shares simply, “Look on the bright side.”

With their deep well of love and empathy for others, Macey and her family will no doubt continue to “design” a life well lived. “It is a hard journey, one nobody should have to walk,” says Courtney, “but the good exists— collateral beauty.”

Nikki Klock has been the editor of Vancouver Family Magazine since 2006. She loves sharing the extraordinary stories of ordinary individuals and families in Southwest Washington, the place she has called home for 20 years.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com to see a video of Macey and her family with the special Nike shoes, hoodie and side bag she designed.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

25

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar

of events

February '24

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

1 THURSDAY

“Black Woman in Green: The Story of Gloria Brown” at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. CCHM’s Speaker Series 2024 opens with this presentation by historian and author, Donna Sinclair, PhD about Gloria Brown’s journey to become the first African American woman to attain the rank of forest supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service. Tickets $3-$5 at cchmuseum. org. 7 pm

2 FRIDAY

Vancouver’s Downtown Association First Friday Art Walk. Enjoy art, music and more all over Downtown. Go to vdausa.org/firstfriday for a list of events and offerings.

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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.

Events are subject to change. Please contact organization directly to confirm.

Galentine’s Market at Windy Hills Winery, 1346 S 38th Ct., Ridgefield. Shop local artisans and food vendors. 3-8 pm Downtown Camas First Friday – A Chocolate Affair to Remember. Chocolate treats, art shows, candy themed activities, after hours shopping, prizes and more in Downtown Camas. 5-8 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Newsies” at Brunish Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland. It’s time to carry the banner with Disney’s Newsies! Set in turnof-the century New York City, “Newsies” is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. Tickets $16-$30 at metropolitanperformingarts.org.

Playing Jan 19-Feb 4, showtimes vary.

The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra at Providence Academy Ballroom, 400 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.

Live music and dancing to the tunes of the roaring 20s and Depression-era 30s. Tickets $15 at the door or online at historicmusic. org/upcoming-events. 7-9 pm

Photo courtesy MPA

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Three nights of movies featuring the best films of outdoor adventure, mountain Culture and the environment. Tickets $25-$60 at kigginstheatre.com. Playing Feb 2-4, showtimes vary.

Vancouver-based Metropolitan Performing Arts (MPA) presents “Newsies” at Brunish Theatre, Portland.

26

activities

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

3 SATURDAY

Ridgefield First Friday: Bowls & Books in Downtown Ridgefield. Celebrate National Library Lover’s Month and Take Your Child to the Library Day! Details at ridgefieldwa.us.

9 am-2 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Goodnight Moon” at Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland. Join us in the Great Green Room, where this beloved children’s story comes to life on stage! See the three little bears, the pair of kittens, the young mouse, and the cow jump over the moon as we say goodnight to them all alongside little Bunny in this magical, musical tale. Tickets $26-$49 at octc.org. Playing Jan 13-Feb 11, showtimes vary.

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “The Lightning Thief” at Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book features an exciting rock score. Tickets $39-$49 at octc.org. Playing Jan 20-Feb 18, showtimes vary.

Vintage Flea Market at The Valiant Ballroom, 111 W 9th St., Vancouver. Shop a vibrant hub for collectors and thrifters at this celebration of artistry and craftsmanship. 5-8 pm Hough Hoedown at Hilton Vancouver, 301 W 6th St., Vancouver. Live music, buffet dinner, live and silent auction, all benefitting Hough Foundation. Tickets $75-$85 at houghfoundation.org. 5-8 pm continued on page 28

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

27

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont'd)

RI - SAT

9-10

F continued from page 26

8 THURSDAY

The Historic Trust and Humanities Washington present “A Space for Black History,” a discussion with Luther Adams – Free Man of Color at Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver. Through the use of Black thought, images and poetry, as well as local history, Mr. Adams creates an open space to ask questions about Black history and why it matters to all of us. Admission is free, but registration is required. Register at thehistorictrust.org/calendar. 6-8 pm

9 FRIDAY

Family Valentine’s Ball at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th St., Vancouver. Treat your child to a memorable evening of music and dancing at the Historic Hangar at Pearson Air Museum. This is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the love of their birth, adopted or chosen family in a fun, welcoming environment. The Family Valentine’s Ball is offered on two dates (Feb 9 & Feb 10) to accommodate more guests. The two events provide the same experience to attendees. Tickets $16-$18 at cityofvancouver.us/events. 6-8 pm

10 SATURDAY

PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show at Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. Featuring the latest trends, designs and cultural influences, this event is a

TURD

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AY

10

perfect opportunity to appreciate the rich heritage and diversity of the Black community through the art of fashion.

Tickets $24.99-$49.99 at eventbrite.com/e/pddbmblack-history-month-fashionshow-tickets-715475665977.

10 am-3 pm

Wiggles & Giggles: Ants Ants Ants! at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Columbia Play Project presents the Wiggles & Giggles live family show series! With stylistic nods to 1970s era Sesame Street and School House Rock, Ants Ants Ants offers an invitation into that golden childhood we dream of having ourselves and creating for the ones we love.

Tickets $10 at kigginstheatre.com. 10:30 am Whiskey, Wine and Wheelchairs at RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield. A night of whiskey, wine and small bites, benefitting A Caring Closet, a nonprofit that provides gently used durable medical equipment for those in need at no cost. Tickets $75 at acaringcloset.org/events.

5-9 pm

14 WEDNESDAY

Altered Valentines at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. Enjoy games, crafts and snacks, for ages 8-12. 3:30-4:30 pm

The whole family is invited to Pearson Air Museum for an opportunity to dance and make memories together at Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services’s Family Valentine’s Ball.

Valentine’s Party at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. Love stories, games and crafts? Join us for a Valentine’s party that includes all three! 4-5 pm Science on Tap: “Modern Baby-Making: How Reproductive Tech Impacts Our Identity” at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Using science, stories and personal experience, educator and consultant Rachel Ginocchio discusses how to update and expand the explanation of human reproduction and family formation– both in school and at home–so that it is equally inclusive of all humans in any family continued on next page

HRU F

Photo courtesy Oregon Children’s Theatre

T Photo by Images from Amy

Enjoy a cultural celebration of history and art expressed through fashion at the PDDBM Black History Month Fashion Show.

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The classic children’s story “Goodnight Moon” comes to life in Oregon Children’s Theatre’s production at Winningstad Theatre, Portland.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

Visit our website to read archived issues of Vancouver Family Magazine online.

Vancouver Family Magazine.com continued from previous page structure. She explains how a richer, more complex discussion helps all kids gain a better sense of themselves, their family and the world around them. Tickets $15-$45 at kigginstheatre.com. 7 pm

16 FRIDAY

Murder Mystery Dinner – “Till Death Do Us Part” at Salud Wine Bar, 224 NE 3rd Ave., Camas. Your presence is requested to celebrate the union of Becky Giovanni to Stanley Simpson with a wedding reception you won’t soon forget. As friends and family come together for a night of food and fun, it will quickly turn into a night of mystery and mayhem–leaving one of the guests murdered! Tickets $85 at saludwine.com.

Two shows: Feb 16 & Feb 24, 5:30-8 pm Love Street Playhouse presents “Wait Until Dark” at Love Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave., Woodland. In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by con men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller’s chilling conclusion. Tickets continued on page 30

Celebrate the ones you love this month with activities at Fort Vancouver Regional Library branches, art exhibits, educational presentations, theatrical productions, concerts and dancing all around Clark County!

Find more events at

VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/calendar.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

29

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont'd) continued from page 29 $25 at lovestreetplayhouse.com. Playing Feb 16-Mar 10, showtimes vary.

23 FRIDAY

Journey Theater presents “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” at Joyce Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St, Camas.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach—and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Tickets $16-$21 at journeytheater.org. Playing Feb 23-Mar 2, showtimes vary.

Young Professionals: Impulse Improv Troupe at Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. A raucous blend of improv comedy, musical mayhem, and sketch-style silliness, no two shows are the same—all performed on-thespot, unscripted, and unapologetically funny!

Recommended for ages 7+. Playing Feb 23Mar 10, showtimes vary.

VFM EDI T OR NIK K I K LOCK ’S

Top Valentine’s Date Night Ideas

24 SATURDAY

Wiggles & Giggles: Red Yarn at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Columbia Play Project presents the Wiggles & Giggles live family show series! Red Yarn (aka Andy Furgeson) is a Texas-born, Oregon-based family performer who weaves folksongs and puppetry into high-energy shows for all ages.

Tickets $10 at kigginstheatre.com. 10:30 am

Looking for a fabulous night out to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your significant other?

Check out my favorite date nights around Vancouver.

Vancouver Master Chorale presents “Cabaret of Love” at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver. Enjoy timeless and contemporary love songs from Queen, The Beatles, Gershwin, Broadway, Morten Lauridsen and more, performed by VMC and special guests. Tickets $5-$25 at vancouvermasterchorale.org. Playing Feb 24-25, showtimes vary.

Photo courtesy Nikki Klock

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Fifth Symphony at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver. Experience Alwyn’s beautiful tribute to a beloved author alongside Mahler’s deeply moving rumination on the nature of life and death. Tickets $42$55 at vancouversymphony.org. Playing Feb 24-25, showtimes vary.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

KIGGINS THEATRE

1011 Main St., Vancouver kigginstheatre.com Where else can you see “The Outsiders” remastered on the big screen with an audience of equally adoring fans of the 1980s drama, some of whom are in costume as “greasers” and who earnestly tell you to “Stay Gold” as you collectively leave the theater after the film? If I didn’t already know Kiggins was special before that day with my mom and sister, I knew it then.

From historic silent films accompanied by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to live comedy and presentations, plus new indie films, Kiggins is one of my favorite places to gather for truly unique entertainment. This month, Kiggins will show “Sorry, Wrong Number” starring Burt Lancaster and the continued on next page

Photo courtesy Kiggins Theatre

NW ESCAPE EXPERIENCE

Operation: DB Cooper Escape Room 1503 NE 78th St Ste 7, Vancouver nwescapeexperience.com $39 per person If you haven’t yet experienced an escape room, what are you waiting for? Blending theatrics with meticulous set design makes solving the mystery sheer delight, and a welcome shift from the digital world many of us spend so much time in. NW Escape Experience’s Operation: DB Cooper room, based on the legendary, missing Pacific Northwest hijacker, is best played with at least 4-5 people, so if you’re looking to celebrate V-Day with just you and your partner, you’ll want to choose a different outing. But if group activities are your jam, don’t miss this experience!

March 24, 2024

Grades K-12

BOOKMARK

3, 7 & 10 Miler

PLUS! 1 mile Lucky Leap and 3 mile walk Benefiting Evergreen School District Foundation and Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools

CONTEST 2024 February 1–29

Pick up an entry form at any FVRLibraries location or bookmobile or at fvrl.org

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: TECHSHIRT, GLOVES, FOOD/BEER GARDEN & MEDAL!

SCAN ME

For more info

Generously sponsored by

SAVE 10% USING PROMO CODE WHYVANCOUVERFAMILY KIDS 12 AND UNDER RACE FOR FREE AGES 13-17 RACE FOR 50% OFF REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

continued from previous page 2024 Oscar Nominated Short Films, along with hosting the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, and, on Valentine’s Day, a special live presentation titled “Modern Baby-Making: How Reproductive Tech Impacts Our Identity.”

SALT & STRAW ICE CREAM

740 Waterfront Way, Vancouver saltandstraw.com/pages/vancouver When I met Salt & Straw co-founder Tyler Malek the day before the grand opening of the shop’s Vancouver Waterfront location, he shared with me that he intends the customer experience to feel similar to wine tasting. Rather than rushing customers to pick a flavor and move on, Malek encourages his teams to allow customers the time and space to sample the shop’s many unique flavors and textures before deciding what they’ll order.

“This is your time,” he said. New unique flavors are continually b e i n g introduced, with lots of vegan options.

Photo courtesy Salt & Straw

12/1/23

KILLER BURGER

3 Vancouver locations (Orchards, Hazel Dell, Fisher’s Landing) killerburger.com I’ll take it to my grave that Killer Burger makes the best burgers in the world. Sadly, I can hardly tolerate burgers anywhere else now.

Peanut butter pickle bacon burger? Divine.

Don’t knock it till you try it.

A few more of my favorite restaurants around town: Low price range:

LITTLE CONEJO (Tacos and Mexcal)

114 W 6th St., Vancouver Must try: Lengua taco (braised beef tongue) littleconejo.com

Photo courtesy Nikki Klock

3.56x4.8_VFad_ALL.indd 2

Mid price range:

AMARO’S TABLE (Modern American) Two Vancouver locations (Downtown and Hazel Dell) Must try: Fried chicken sandwich with savory caramel sauce and chipotle aioli amarostable.com

Photo courtesy Killer Burger

Upper price range: EL GAUCHO (Steak and seafood) 510 Waterfront Way, Vancouver Must try: Tenderloin Diablo (appetizer) elgaucho.com Reservations highly encouraged

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2024

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