Vancouver Family Magazine July 2021 by Vancouver Family Magazine

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MoverS & Makers Local Artisans Pivot & Peddle in Clark County

Connection & Resources for Teens, by Teens

A PARK A DAY: The Best Parks for Every Adventure

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

contents

July '21

FEATURE ARTICLES

12 18 24

Movers and Makers Local artisans pivot and peddle. For Youth, by Youth Peer-to-peer connections and support. A Park A Day The best local parks for every adventure.

12 8

IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

Couve Scoop • History comes alive in Clark County • The area's best ice cream for National Ice Cream Month • #GiftofLift

10 Mosaic Family Voyage A special guest gets a glimpse of boat life. 30 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB • Local Business Spotlight: St Andrew Christian Preschool • Subscription special: For a limited time, sign up to receive Vancouver Family Magazine free to your door for 12 issues! • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@ VancouverFamily) for “Trailhead Tuesdays” weekly hiking trail reviews throughout July and August!

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

It’s your moment. The moment you decide to start a family, your journey to parenthood begins. PeaceHealth is here for every moment along the way. The first step is choosing an obstetrician as your pregnancy partner. Michael Farber, MD, is known for his compassionate bedside manner and great communication to help patients reach their best health possible. Partnering with Dr. Farber also brings peace of mind knowing your bundle of joy will be delivered at PeaceHealth Family Birth Center – named one of the best maternity hospitals in the U.S. by Newsweek magazine two years in a row.

Learn more at peacehealth.org/obgyn or call 360-727-0848.

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

EDITOR'S NOTES

Photo by Scarlette Richards

Working With Your Hands

No one is ever truly and fully prepared to have a baby, but my brother, Aaron, and his wife, Jennifer, were especially blindsided when it became clear that their first child would be born severely premature. They were told that if the baby survived at all, she may end up needing intense care once she came home from the hospital. Recently graduated from college, and both now working at corporate jobs, Aaron and Jennifer had planned to find a high quality day care center for their daughter and continue their career tracks while lovingly raising her. But as they learned more about the potential disabilities and dangers their daughter could face, they determined that a child with major health concerns wouldn’t fit into that plan. What was next for their family?

Baby Aria was born at 27 weeks gestation, on January 20, 2015. Her birth was followed by weeks, then months, of her parents’ visits to the NICU after work and on weekends, during which the new parents determined that one of them would have to sacrifice their current career in order to manage whatever medical needs she may have once she made it home. Aaron hadn’t been finding fulfillment in his work, but he’d grown up with the vision of being the breadwinner for his family. Jennifer, on the other hand, loved her work, and enjoyed great benefits and work culture. By the time little Aria was strong enough to come home, after 135 days of living in the NICU, Aaron and Jennifer had decided together that Aaron would quit his job to become primary caregiver of their daughter, who has since gone on to thrive physically, mentally and socially. This family and career decision that started when Aria was born gave birth to a totally different personal path for Aaron that he could never have predicted: with more time on his hands while staying home with his daughter, he started tinkering around in his garage with woodworking. He found he loved the work, it gave him an outlet, and he even started selling a few of his pieces. Soon the demand for his services grew so high that his building queue was several months out. Since then, he hasn’t stopped learning, perfecting his craft, or finding brand new pieces to create for thankful clients—even as he and Jennifer have added two more daughters to their family, and he continues to be their primary caregiver. Aaron never thought he’d grow up to be a woodworker, but when life altered his plans, he turned to his own creativity and ingenuity to forge a new path. I recently interviewed several artists and makers in our own community whose lives have also taken different paths than they originally planned, and whose handiwork—whether jewelry making, sewing, woodworking or painting—has been woven into their life’s work. This summer, as artisan and farmers markets return to Clark County, take a moment to learn the stories of the artists whose wares you see for sale. You may find a human connection that transcends the final product. In this issue, learn more about how local movers and makers are preparing to return to selling their art in person (page 12), see how teens are benefitting from peer-to-peer support and resources (page 18) and check out the best Clark County parks for every adventure (page 24).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Healthy baby Aria with one of Aaron’s early furniture pieces.

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

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 20, Issue 7 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

Ad Designer

Philip Nerat addesign@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Claire Curtis, Kate Hagan Gallup, Rachel Messerschmidt, Sarah Mortensen

Ad Sales

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.

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Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

We All Scream for Ice Cream:

JULY 2021

July is National Ice Cream Month

We love ice cream any time of year. But we must admit, a double scoop cone or a thick chocolate milkshake hit different on a hot summer day. We asked our readers and friends to tell us who serves up the best ice cream in Clark County. Here are some of their responses and our own favorite sweet spots:

Friday Night Flicks at

Port of Ridgefield

• Ice Cream Renaissance: An Uptown Village favorite since 2001. 1925 Main St., Vancouver - icecreamrenaissance.com - 360-694-3892

• Treat: Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk is an ice cream flavor!

• Cold Stone Creamery: Design your own flavor creations and watch as it’s made on a frozen granite stone. 16010 SE Mill Plain Blvd Ste 101, Vancouver coldstonecreamery.com/stores/20771 - 360-260-1211

• Baskin Robbins: The only problem? Choosing from 31 different flavors. Various Vancouver locations - baskinrobbins.com

Five Clark County nonprofits have joined forces to provide fun family entertainment this summer, and raise funds for their important community work at the same time. Clark County Historical Museum and Society, Police Activities League (PAL) of SW Washington, Ridgefield Main Street, Rocksolid Community Teen Center, and Leadership Clark County are presenting Friday Night Flicks, a five-week series of outdoor movie screenings at Port of Ridgefield. Each week a different nonprofit will take the lead to organize a fun evening of film and food and be the recipient of that night’s funds raised through ticket sales. Ticket prices for attending one of the movie nights range from $25 for one person to $75 for a full vehicle of people. Five-week passes are also available, ranging in price from $100-$400. All tickets include a movie snack pack, provided by sponsors Corwin and Waste Connections. Doors open at 7:30 pm for each movie night, and the film will start at dusk. The movie and recipient organization schedule is as follows: July 9, benefitting PAL: “Zootopia” July 16, benefitting Clark County Historical Museum: “Clue” July 23, benefitting Ridgefield Main Street: “Field of Dreams” July 30, benefitting Rocksolid Community Teen Center: “School of Rock” August 6, benefitting Leadership Clark County: “Remember the Titans”

210 W Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver - treatvancouver.com - 360-750-0811

• Burgerville: Environmentally conscious, using local ingredients and offering plant-based options. Various Vancouver locations burgerville.com

• The Yard Milkshake Bar, featured on

“Shark Tank” in 2019, is coming to the Vancouver Waterfront! Opening this summer, The Yard is known nationally for their over-the-top creations, including “The Mermaid” and “Cookies ‘n’ Worms.”

What spots did we miss?

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/ couve-scoop-july-2021 to comment your fave frozen treats in Clark County!

Learn more and purchase tickets at cchmuseum.org/ calendar/fnf.

#GiftofLift 8

National Women's Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE) held a private event on Sunday, June 6 at The Heathman Lodge to count bras for their Gift of Lift bra program. This was the first gathering of the organization's volunteers in over a year due to the pandemic. Twenty board members, volunteers, community partners and elected officials (including Vancouver’s Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle) attended to count the thousands of bras people in Oregon and Washington donated throughout the year.

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

"Our beneficiaries were apprehensive to accept the garments because of the virus,” said Robin Helm, director of NWCAVE's Gift of Lift bra program. “The donors, however, never wavered and continued to donate bras.” The bras will give a lift to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, homelessness and those with low income. Bras will be distributed throughout Clark continued on next page

History Comes Alive!

Now that COVID restrictions are slowly becoming history, it’s time for Clark County history to come alive again! Here’s where to find rich, engaging and in-person historical experiences this summer and fall:

Providence Academy

Providence Academy has resumed free tours of the historic campus in Downtown Vancouver. Learn how Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart and her fellow nuns built the structure in 1873, and about the many uses the building has served in the ensuing decades, including a school, an orphanage and business offices. Your docent tour guide may even have their own childhood memories at The Academy to share! Go to thehistorictrust.org/providence-academy to reserve your tour time slot.

Downtown Ridgefield Historic Walking Tour

An easy 1.15-mile walk around Downtown Ridgefield will reveal a wealth of history with Ridgefield’s self-led Historic Walking Tour. Go to ridgefieldwa.us/things-to-do/historic-walking-tour to view old photos and read stories of the many historic buildings in the town of Ridgefield as you observe them in the present.

Pomeroy Farm

Pomeroy Farm, a preserved house, barn, blacksmith shop and working farm located along Lucia Falls Road and the East Fork Lewis River in Yacolt, is hosting Farm Days for the public to come learn about and experience life on an old-fashioned farm. Event dates are July 2-4 and August 7-8, 11 am-5 pm. Admission to this event is free, but donations are encouraged. Parking is free. Food will be available for purchase. More information about Pomeroy Farm at pomeroyfarm.org.

Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum

Clark County’s foremost historical center, Fort Vancouver, and Pearson Air Museum are both now open to the public, with some restrictions in effect. Park grounds are open every day from dawn to dusk, and the library and museum collections are open Monday-Friday by appointment.

Get the latest information about hours and offerings at nps.gov/fova.

Wander Clark County Summer History Walking Tours

Join Clark County Historical Museum in exploring the stories of people who have lived and worked in Clark County through memories, research and architectural details. For each tour, guides lead up to 25 people for approximately a mile, making frequent stops along the way to view buildings, tell stories, and answer questions. Tours are happening most Saturdays throughout the summer, beginning at 9:30 am, with a new theme, meeting place and route each week. Tickets are free for Museum members, or $8 for nonmembers. Season tickets, covering all of the nine different weekly tours, are also available for $64. 2021 Wander Clark County Tour Schedule: July 10: Old City Cemetery: Explore one of the city's earliest cemeteries. July 17: (Her)Story: Prominent and powerful female figures in Vancouver's history. July 24: Homegrown: Hough: Residential neighborhoods of downtown Vancouver. August 7: Old Town Ridgefield: Early businesses and landmarks that are still the heart of the community. August 14: Downtown Camas: History of a company town. August 21: Downtown Battle Ground: From beginnings as an immigrant community to an infamous bank robbery in 1946. Go to cchmuseum.org to learn more and to purchase tickets. Haunted Walking Tours coming in October! Watch Vancouver Family Magazine’s community calendar for details as they become available: VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/calendar.

continued from previous page County, statewide, nationally and internationally through their partners at Free the Girls. "Community partnerships with Ridwell, Two Men and a Truck, Tristar Family Chiropractic, The Heathman Lodge, Van Mall Storage and all of our drop-off business location supporters have all played vital roles throughout the year,” said Michelle Bart, president and co-founder of

NWCAVE. “The 8700+ bras we counted Sunday, plus the bras in storage total close to 10,000 that will make a huge impact on the communities we serve. I could not be prouder of our Gift of Lift and Dignity Clothing programs and the work we continue to do.” Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnernyOgle helps count bras at NWCAVE’s Gift of Lift volunteer event. Photo courtesy NWCAVE.

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

MOSAIC FAMILY VOYAGE

pse of Boat Life m i l G A

By Rachel Messerschmidt All photos courtesy of the author.

In the five years that we’ve owned and lived aboard our 40foot sailboat, we’ve never had any visitors come stay on the boat for a weekend to experience boat life with us. Friends and family would come visit occasionally when we were living in the marina in Portland, and our parents have visited frequently since we moved the boat up to the Puget Sound. They would always get a hotel room for their stay or bring their own RV up for the duration. Few people that we know from back home would have any desire to stay on a sailboat for any extended period of time. And that’s fine—we totally get it. It’s a small space. It moves in unexpected and unpredictable ways. There are inconveniences, for sure. But recently, Brenden’s dad took a couple of days off work and joined us aboard for a long weekend of cruising. Not only did we enjoy the visit, but we also thoroughly enjoyed sharing the realities of our chosen lifestyle with him. We’re cruising this summer in the San Juan Islands. Driving north from Vancouver, my father-in-law, Scott, parked his car for

the weekend in Anacortes, bringing just one bag and a rolled up sleeping bag. He walked on as a foot-passenger to a Washington State Ferry and arrived in Friday Harbor where we picked him up. Living aboard a sailboat is a constant dance of monitoring weather patterns and wind predictions. If we choose the wrong anchorage for a night, we might not get any sleep at all or, even worse, we might actually put our home in danger. When you’re also working remotely aboard your sailboat, and you’ve got kids along for the ride, you’ve got additional considerations to make above and beyond those concerning the weather: Do we have cell signal and internet in that next place for work and home-schooling? Will we be able to go ashore for exercise? It can seem like there are a million things that you have to keep track of when you live aboard a boat. But the trade-offs are worth it, at least for us. We get an everchanging water view and access to some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world. So when we picked up my father-in-law, we had several places in mind that we were hoping to get to take him, but the primary goal for the weekend was to get to share with him Sucia Island continued on next page

Photos: Page 10, top: Mosaic, the author's sailboat, docked at the Prevost Harbor State Park dock on Stuart Island in the San Juans. Bottom: The author's children, father-in-law, and husband hiking the waterfront trail in Prevost Harbor. Having visitors aboard the boat for a few days is a great way to show them just what boat life is all about! Page 11: The sunset view in Snoring Cove just 30 minutes before the wind kicked up and turned conditions overtly treacherous.

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

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State Park. We spent our first night anchored in Park’s Bay on the south side of Shaw Island, just north across the channel from Friday Harbor. There, we were treated to a gorgeous sunset. Scott observed as Brenden and I discussed the wind predictions for the next 48 hours, trying to decide if we would be safe and comfortable visiting Sucia. There are several different forecast models and on this weekend they weren’t in agreement as to what the wind was going to do and when. There was possibility for some higher winds from the south but we decided that we could go and just keep an eye on it as the day progressed. We were able to get a mooring ball in Snoring Cove, one of our favorite spots on Sucia. We went ashore and enjoyed an afternoon of hiking the island, finding fossils on the beach, and we even got to see a pod of orcas swim past the island from a high vantage point on the south-facing cliffs! What an amazing day! As we headed back to the boat for the evening, we noticed that the wind was picking up as predicted, but it was coming from a more easterly angle than expected. This, unfortunately, left us more exposed than we’d like and we started seeing strong gusts and unfavorable conditions build. Our picturesque little bay turned treacherous as the boat jerked on the mooring ball with each gust of wind, with rocky cliffs nearby which could legitimately destroy our home if the mooring broke. After sunset (not a time that we generally plan to be moving the boat around), we decided to leave our mooring ball and move just a short way around the tip of the island to anchor in Echo Bay. It seemed we would have more protection from the wind there and we trust our anchor more than an untested mooring ball. Plus, if something did go wrong and our anchor happened to fail, we wouldn’t instantly be on the rocks as was the case in Snoring Cove. It was an intense few moments as I slipped the lines from the mooring ball and Brenden motored strongly into the wind and waves to exit Snoring Cove. We heard a glass break down below but had to ignore it for the time being. The waves outside had built up and the bow of the boat, where I sat holding on tightly, bucked and jumped in a pitching arc of at least ten feet up and down violently. I carefully crawled/scurried my way back to the safety of the cockpit.

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In a matter of ten minutes or less, we crossed a visible line in the water behind the protection of the island and calm returned, despite the madness blowing outside Echo Bay. Thankfully, the final light of the dying day gave us opportunity to pick a good spot and drop our anchor for a better night’s sleep. The rest of Scott’s weekend visit was peaceful. The next day we took him to visit Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, partly because we like the place, and partly because we knew it was a good spot to hide from shifting winds that evening which were building from the southwest. It was a bit overcast and drizzly and, after the previous night’s excitement, we were happy to relax and play board games. On Monday, we returned to Friday Harbor for Scott to catch a ferry back to his car and head home. I hope he enjoyed his visit as much as we did. At the very least, it was an accurate representation of our lifestyle—the ups and the downs.

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 are preparing to leave for Mexico in 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 • July 2021

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l e i n Cl a rk

C o u nt y

A r tis a ns Piv ot

a M k e &

Mover

Feature: Movers and Makers

By Nikki Klock

Gloria Wilson’s hands have

served her well over the years. Today, retired after four decades of machine operation, model making and engineering, she gives second life to old wood pieces by shaping them into lovingly made cutting boards, cooking ladles, garden totes, signs and pretty much anything else large or small that comes to her mind. If fact, it’s hard to think of anything Wilson can’t make. She has the heart and hands of a lifelong creator. As a young adult in the 1970s, Wilson entered a male-dominated field because she “loved the work.” It’s a phrase that came up again and again throughout my visit with her at her home/ shop/office in Battle Ground. It was the love of making things like stirling engines and printer part prototypes that carried her through years of being the only female in the room—rooms sometimes filled with “girly posters.” “It was a different time,” Wilson said of her early professional days. Since then, she’s been thrilled to see women—the recipients of Wilson’s own legacy—now embracing woodworking, machining and creating. “These young

women out there are crushing it, making cool stuff and not even looking back,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful.” Women and men, young and old, all over Clark County, have been “making cool stuff and not even looking back” for years, often selling their creations at markets and bazaars, where they could meet their customers and share their crafts personally. But the pandemic has created a shift in how these handcrafted products are made and sold. Many people discovered and developed new crafts and skills while stuck at home during quarantine. Others had to pivot their traditional methods of selling, or simply wait for markets and bazaars to come back. While some local markets, such as Vancouver Farmers Market, continued to function through the pandemic, others, such as the Ridgefield Farmers Market, were put on hold. This summer, as restrictions ease and shoppers are able to interact with makers and purchase their handmade wares in person, Ridgefield Farmers Market and many other markets continued on page 14

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

Title photo: Gloria Wilson, retired from machine operation and engineering, now works with wood and sells her creations through her business, Simply Sawdust. Photo courtesy Gloria Wilson.

Above: NMV Pop-Local opened in September 2020 to give local makers and artists an opportunity to sell their crafts while many markets were shut down. Photos by the author.

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Feature: Movers and Makers (cont'd) continued from page 12

and bazaars will return, and a brand new storefront is coming to the Vancouver Waterfront that will be a game changer for local artisans hoping to sell their products on an even wider scale.

Winging It

Erica K’ren Kingslien looks forward to reentering these markets as a vendor. She and her husband made a big change in 2019 when they relocated to the Pacific Northwest from Southern California for her husband’s new job. Kingslien left her California office job behind (“because it was miserable”) and they moved into an RV on rented property in Brush Prairie. There, Kingslien set up shop making a variety of handmade items to sell at farmers’ markets and artisan bazaars, which she found to be much more plentiful here than in Southern California. Unwilling to choose just one artistic specialty, Kinglien sews, makes jewelry, colors custom shoes, crochets and continues to look for more creative items to craft. She sold on Etsy, “but that’s always a slow go,” so as she made the move from corporate America to fulltime crafter, the goal was to sell in person at as many local markets as possible.

Meanwhile, the couple purchased a school bus that they began outfitting in their spare time to be their long-term and highly mobile home, hoping for a chance to travel full time. Things were going great, until Kingslien’s husband got laid off just six months after their move. “We were like, ‘OK, what do we do? Do we move back home, or do we stay? And we decided we’d stay . . . we’re going to combine forces and try to make it.” They named their new business Winging It—a reflection of their circumstances and resolve. “Then, of course, COVID happened.” Canceled fairs and markets put their entire plan in jeopardy—again. “But thank goodness for Jessica [Chan],” Kingslien said. It’s a refrain many makers and artists in Clark County have been singing since fall 2020.

From Inventor to Event Producer

Jessica Chan started out as a maker herself, studying industrial design in college before inventing a glass fountain pen art tool that could use various types

of liquids, including wine, juice and coffee, as ink. She raised funds for the project through Kickstarter, then “went through manufacturing hell for a couple of years.” “I learned so much about that process [of making and selling a product],” she said. “It was my first product to market, but I didn’t have a long term business goal . . . it wasn’t really my passion project.” She eventually sold off her patent and interests in the glass fountain pen business, but through that venture, Chan attended many markets and got involved in the small business community in Portland. “That’s what grew my love for connecting with other makers,” she told me. “I’ve always been a creative.” She began running pop-up shops to support herself and other makers, “because they’re always looking for another avenue to get their product in front of people.” She moved to Vancouver, where she observed fewer opportunities and events for makers than she had found in Portland. Chan brought her experience up north with her, producing the first Night Market Vancouver event in October 2017. “It was packed. It was so cool to see the community come together. I was like, ‘I can’t let this go.’” Chan continued producing Night Market Vancouver monthly events at Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1, and it continued to grow . . . until COVID hit. As a company that relied completely on large public gatherings to generate revenue, Chan’s income and the income of many makers who sold their unique and local products through her popular market, went to zero. Chan would have to pivot if she was going to continue to champion the maker community in Vancouver. continued on next page

Top: Erica K’ren Kingslien of Winging It crochets, sews, makes jewelry and more. Photo by the author. Left: Jessica Chan founded Night Market Vancouver and, more recently, Pop-Local, to give local makers an opportunity to showcase and sell their creations year round. Photo courtesy Jessica Chan.

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

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continued from previous page

Creating Community

Many of the local makers in this maker community have been crafting and creating since childhood. Cindy Evans, who has been selling her handcrafted jewelry at the Ridgefield Farmers Market since 2015, remembers regularly visiting a bead and jewelry shop as a child. “I saved my money from bottle collecting and made my first bracelet,” she wrote me in an email. “Since then, I have always wanted to try my hand at doing more.” She went on to make jewelry as gifts for loved ones over the years, but the demands of work, raising children and helping with grandchildren didn’t allow much time to develop her craft, until she retired in 2009. “I decided that jewelry making would be my main hobby. Well, you can only give so much jewelry away for gifts. That year, I decided to see if what I created would be appealing to other people. The first time I sold to the public was at a grade school

bazaar. I sold a little bit. I continued to sign up for holiday bazaars and was able to make some sales. I found that I enjoyed doing the bazaars and meeting new people, seeing customers from prior years. You get to know the other vendors and see some amazing talent and ideas they have.” This sense of community in the artist community was echoed by Wilson, Kingslien and Chan, who all told me that, in their experience, local artists help each other, inspire each other and build each other up—a far cry from the cutthroat, competitive environments found in some other types of work.

Pop-Up Pivot

It was this community that Jessica Chan found a delightfully creative way to showcase—even through COVID. In September 2020, with large gatherings still banned in Clark County and the Night Market Vancouver event unviable, Chan

LOCAL SUMMERTIME ARTISAN MARKETS: Vancouver Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 am-3 pm and Sundays 10 am-3 pm at Esther Short Park, through October East Vancouver Farmers Market: Thursdays, 10 am-2 pm at 17701 SE Mill Plain, through August Ridgefield Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 am-2 pm at Overlook Park, through September Salmon Creek Farmers’ Market: Tuesdays, 11 am-3 pm at Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek, through October 5 Pop-Local: Opening summer 2021 at RiverWest, Vancouver Waterfront Night Market Vancouver: Resuming at Vancouver Innovation Center in Fisher’s Landing (old HP campus). Get the latest dates and details at nightmarketvancouver.com.

continued on page 16 Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • July 2021

Feature: Movers and Makers (cont'd) continued from page 15

opened up NMV Pop-Local, a shop in Downtown Vancouver featuring locally made artisan offerings, from clothing to art to jewelry to woodworks to houseplants— including products from Winging It by Erica Kingslien, and Simply Sawdust by Gloria Wilson. Rather than vendors manning their own booths at a market-type event, Jessica manned the shop and processed the transactions, keeping a small percentage of the proceeds to manage and maintain the store. Makers were profiled in frames in their section of the store, highlighting their hyper-local work and what makes it special. “It’s a curated store,” Chan explained, “so vendors apply online to be able to potentially get their products in. Everything is local to the Portland-Vancouver metro area. It gives a lot of local brands who don’t have a retail store a consistent presence that’s year round [as opposed to seasonal markets and bazaars].” Pop-Local’s Main Street location was always intended as a temporary pop-up concept store “to get us through COVID.” But as time went on, “I decided to go all in with it and turn it into a longer term brick and mortar.” Pop-Local’s new, permanent location—which will be twice as large as

the original shop—will open later this summer at the Vancouver Waterfront, after an Indiegogo campaign to help fund the store’s opening. The new store will be “more elevated” and include more food and snack items. “I want it to be this one stop shop where we’re able to appeal to the locals with food items and consumables. We’re adding beer for off-premises consumption.” It will be an experience and a tourist draw, with inventory rotating as makers produce more and different goods and restock their sections of the store. The original pop-up location closed in May to prepare for the move. Night Market Vancouver resumed in June and will continue as a regular event, totally separate from Pop-Local, but both run by Chan and both with the same fundamental mission: to give local makers a platform to share their gifts with the wider community.

Captions

Beadwork and jewelry by Cindy Evans.

Gifts that Keep on Giving

Other markets and events will also continue to support Clark County’s vibrant artisan scene, providing shoppers the chance to meet the makers in person, and the makers the valuable opportunity to interact with their customers. Wilson finds a unique satisfaction in creating something tangible—to bring something from your head into your hands. “But the main thing is to present it to someone else,” she said. “That is sharing my passion. That is a gift that keeps on giving. Bringing joy to someone else through your creativity is an extension of your history, your roots. My mother made quilts for everyone and still to this day I have them and I wrap myself in them.” Wilson, Kingslien, Evans and their fellow makers will find a similar immortality as their cherished work lives on in people’s homes, gardens and hearts.

Nikki Klock has been the editor of Vancouver Family Magazine since 2006. She reads obsessively and loves exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. continued on next page

Artist booths at NMV Pop-Local’s 9th Street location, before the shop closed to prepare for its brand new location at the Vancouver Waterfront. Photos by the author.

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

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Do you love creating? Do you daydream about selling your creations to an adoring public? Gloria Wilson of Simply Sawdust woodworking has advice for anyone looking to develop their skills in crafting and building: “Talk to someone who has done [what you want to do.] . . . Find a mentor—someone that you can really learn from— because there’s nothing like actually having someone with that experience be able to show you . . . [Find] someone that you can build that relationship with as a mentor— that’s invaluable.” Wilson stresses the importance of safety throughout the learning process, especially while operating saws and other large machinery that she uses every day. “Safety is always the first thing. I still have all [my fingers] and I run a lot of different machines.” “If you have a desire to learn something, do it, because life is short and it goes quick. I have so many ideas in my head and I only have so much time. I want to get as much done as I can.” Gloria Wilson uses a laser cutter machine to create a custom wood sticker at her home shop in Battle Ground. Photo by the author.

Winging It:

Erica Kingslien wingingitshop.com

Simply Sawdust:

Gloria Wilson simplysawdust.bigcartel.com Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • July 2021

Feature: For Youth, by Youth

PEER-TO-PEER CONNECTIONS & SUPPORT By Kate Hagan Gallup

Despite all having been teenagers

ourselves once upon a time, we as parents often struggle to connect with our children when they enter adolescence. Will Smith, as the Fresh Prince, put it simply: “Parents just don’t understand.” Even if parents remember how they felt when they were young, it can be difficult to recognize unique challenges a new generation faces. Child health experts noted this in a C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll by the University of Michigan. Survey responses showed that, “1 in 7 parents reported their teen ha[d] withdrawn from family since the start of the pandemic.” Many anxious parents have been working to find tools to support their youth through the pandemic and beyond. However, sometimes the best support for a teen is not an adult, but rather fellow teens who can truly empathize with their peers. Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark, M.P.H. explains, “Some teens may worry that their parents will overreact or not understand what they’re going through. Teachers and school counselors may also have limited time to talk with students in the middle of other responsibilities.” Most parents seem to realize their own limitations with teenagers. In fact, over 70% of parents surveyed agreed that peer support is vital to teens in offering both a better understanding of the situation than

adults may have, as well as increasing the likelihood that youth will open up about their current situations. Noting this important piece of teen development, programs that support peer-to-peer interactions for a variety of communities abound in Clark County. Here are just a few of these fantastic local organizations. Clark County Latino Youth Conference clarkcountylatinoyouthconference.com The mission of the Clark County Latino Youth Conference (CCLYC) is to “. . . motivate youth to pursue a higher education or technical career and seek opportunities and engage in positive behaviors.” Founder Diana Avalos Leos was named Clark County’s First Citizen in 2020 and 2021 for her public outreach and advocacy efforts. Previously, she had worked in Vancouver Public Schools as a family community engagement coordinator where she saw the needs of Latino students and families daily. Since then, she has been involved in multiple projects in Southwest Washington including Latino parent engagement and education, creation of internships and shadowing opportunities, and generating increased opportunities to train youth leaders.

CCLYC was forced to go virtual for a year, but still used the time to support the many Latinx communities in Vancouver by providing additional support for virtual schooling. While the recent conference attendance may have dropped compared to previous years, the organization’s social media followers more than doubled at this time. The increase was a direct result of their COVID-19 Rapid Response Messaging Campaign to inform Latinx/ BIPOC youth and families of resources, support services, health information and access to mitigate the harmful effects of COVID-19. CCLYC has also taken steps to partner with other area organizations to support BIPOC youth across the entire community. Sharing about his experience, 2020 youth keynote presenter Tyler M. comments, “LYC is an opportunity for our young leaders to connect, grow together and develop their leadership skills to make true impact in their community. For the last six years, I [have been] grateful to be a part of this work!” PERIOD Southwest Washington facebook.com/periodvancouverwa Being a teen is tough enough, but for many young women, adding the onset continued on page 20

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Feature: For Youth, by Youth (cont'd) continued from page 18

of menstruation can be an even greater struggle. Vancouver is part of the global PERIOD organization that seeks to “end period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.” This youth-led distribution and collection effort helps make sure menstruation products get to those who need them, through their partner organization, YWCA Clark County, and led by teen chapter leadership. Vancouver is one of the many chapters across 49 states that was responsible for distributing over 5,000,000 products in 2020. Queer Youth Resource Center qyrcvancouverwa.org Clark County’s Queer Youth Resource Center’s purpose is to, “promote safer spaces, recreation and enrichment opportunities, and important resources for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-24 in Vancouver and Southwest Washington.” The QYRC seeks to achieve its mission by promoting inclusion, community, harmony, knowledge and empowerment. These goals are often achieved by creating youth events and peer networking opportunities such as “Gender Blenders,” drive-up pantries and PFLAG support groups. Pre-pandemic, they also hosted “Coming Out” parties where youth were able to celebrate their identities and individuality with other like-minded teens. For each event, participants are encouraged to ask for parental/guardian permission before signing up (if it is safe to do so). Check their website or social media pages for updated information about resuming inperson gatherings.

healthy choices and avoid substance abuse as they age. STASHA peer educators advise community organizations, provide outreach to fellow youth through events and educational programs and more.

are in need of a care kit, they can contact Henriksen directly at Kris.Henriksen@ clark.wa.gov, or simply fill out the request form at ccteentalk.clark.wa.gov/freematerials.html.

Clark County TeenTalk ccteentalk.clark.wa.gov 360-397-2428

Volunteer teen Bri says, “TeenTalk is whatever you want it to be. Don’t feel like you have to confess your deepest, darkest feelings. I’m just here to talk to you.” In this time when so much emphasis has been placed on distancing, it’s more important than ever to help foster teen connections. One teen’s feedback to the group: “Thank you so much for the advice! You don’t understand how much I needed it!”

Clark County TeenTalk offers self-described “nonjudgmental support by teens, for teens” in the form of a hotline that kids can call to be connected to a fellow youth on the other end of the line. The group emphasizes in their message that “you don’t need to be in a crisis to talk to us.” Youth volunteers work not only the phone lines, but all of the group’s outreach efforts across social media. The initiative even provided pandemic care packets that include a journal and fun pen (for getting thoughts on paper), a stress squishy toy and a kit to make your own little cheerleader when times are tough (which for many was basically all of last year). The kits also include educational information about handling stress and anxiety, plus a fun snack. Adult supervisor, Kris Henriksen, has mailed or delivered more than 800 care kits to youth in Clark County since the pandemic began. If any youth

Youth Hand in Hand sites.google.com/view/youthhandinhand Hoping to lessen the education gap during the pandemic, Mountain View High School student, Spencer C., rounded up a few friends and began offering free online classes to fellow kids and teens continued on page 22

STASHA Peer Education Program clarkcountystasha.org Clark County’s Strong Teens Against Substance Hazards and Abuse (STASHA) describes itself as a “nonjudgmental group made up of youth ages 12-19.” The organization seeks to provide awareness, education, and support to help youth make

Top: TeenTalk connects kids to talk to a peer any time they need a listening ear. The group’s social media mascot is Peppy Penerson, the smiley pen. Photo courtesy of Clark County TeenTalk Bottom: Clark County youth participate in a panel called "We Are Still Learning Too: A Youth-to-Youth Panel on Healthy Coping" in 2019. Photo courtesy Clark County STASHA.

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

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Feature: For Youth, by Youth (cont'd) continued from page 20

in a variety of subjects. The program, which Spencer called Youth Hand in Hand, now with 30 teen teachers from all around Clark County, is still going strong, and 2021 registration is now open. Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/youthhand-in-hand to learn more about the teens who developed Youth Hand in Hand and where they found their inspiration.

Additional Youth Led Programs and Organizations In addition to the above programs supporting Clark County teens through peer connections, these organizations also stand out in creating youth-led change and positive impacts in our community. TiE Young Entrepreneurs - Vancouver facebook.com/Young-Entrepreneurs604766009704404 Why wait for jobs when you can instead mentor teens to create them? As stated on their Facebook page, these young entrepreneurs “want to find, inspire and promote young minds and talent to think BIG and change their communities.” From inspired lemonade and cookie stands to mentorship that has helped community youth to create their own moving company, this group seeks to inspire Southwest Washington youth in careers or all kinds. Youth Now youthnow.me Another organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse and addiction in Clark County, Youth Now seeks to change the conversation about addiction from talking at kids to talking with them to inspire good choices.

Top: Youth Hand in Hand teen tutors teach free online classes in a variety of subjects. Photo of just a few of the group’s 30 teen teachers courtesy Youth Hand in Hand. Bottom: Clark County STASHA youth members meet with Rep. Paul Harris in 2019. Photo courtesy Clark County STASHA

Peer support is vital to teens in offering both a better understanding of the situation than adults may have, as well as increasing the likelihood that youth will open up about their current situations.

Kate Hagan Gallup is mom, wife, writer, digital strategist, and self-described geek. A University of Washington graduate with a master’s degree in information management, Kate is a widely published writer specializing in parenting, food, and natural living. Find Kate at Ripley K8 Digital www.ripleyk8.com.

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

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

Feature: A Park A Day

By Claire Curtis

As a mother of three kids (ages 10, 7 and 4) adventures are of vital importance. Why?

So they don’t drive each other insane, and in turn, drive me insane. One of our favorite adventures is discovering and testing out local parks. Over our two short years living in Vancouver, I have visited 24 different parks; taking pictures, rating them and posting about it all on Instagram at @3kidsandapark.

NW 122ND ST . , VANCOUVER , WA 98685

EES

I M BIN G

All photos are courtesy of the author

1069 E MCLOUGHLIN BLVD . , VANCOUVER , WA 98663

FIRE TR

Here’s the perfect park for your fire truck lover! With two different playground areas—one of which is shaped like a firetruck— this is by far one of the largest playgrounds in Vancouver. There’s something for everybody here, including swings (four big kid/two infant) and a sand pit. There are also paved paths around the playground, benches, picnic tables and covered

Note: Neighborhood Park means that there is only streetside parking, no public restrooms and no drinking fountains. You’ll need to plan accordingly for a visit to these parks.

It took time, but we soon found our kids requesting certain parks time and again. As adults, we had our favorites too. Some were good for hot sunny days when we needed plenty of shade while others were good even on rainy days. Some parks were best if we had just an hour, and others we would plan a picnic and stay for a whole afternoon. Here is a list of our best parks (in no particular order) and what makes them awesome; plus a few downsides to be aware of.

Felida Park has a large playground area, four swings (two big kid/two infant), paved walking paths, covered tables and quite a few benches for seating. Large grassy areas with soccer goals are great for kites and soccer games alike, and many of the trees are perfect for climbing. One of our favorite things to do here is to collect acorns in the fall. We estimate our kids once collected 1,500. This is the perfect park to bring a friend or your favorite wheels as there is plenty of space for scooters. This was our goto on rainy days as the picnic table area is very large and completely covered.

BES

During quarantine, parks became even more vital. When the parks closed down, I remember crying, wondering how I was going to survive. When parks reopened, it brought new life and new hope to a terrible situation. Later, I invited my friend Sarah to the park with us. Her kids and mine were of similar interests and ages. We talked while they played, receiving the much needed social energy that had been so lacking during the early days of the pandemic.

continued on next page

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

continued from previous page

Note: Marshall Park will soon be receiving a big makeover! Harper’s Playground and the City of Vancouver are currently raising funds in preparation to bring a more inclusive, fully accessible play space to Vancouver. Learn more about the effort in Vancouver Family Magazine’s upcoming August issue.

216 NW 164TH ST . , RIDGEFIELD , WA 98642 Fairgrounds is another park with sizeable playground area that includes swings (four big kid/ two infant). There are large grassy areas, two different covered picnic table pavilions,

B E S VIE W T

long paved pathways, a 15-foot tall spider web and a large climbable log. Placed atop a hill, the view from Fairgrounds is awesome. It allows you clear unobstructed views of the farming area around.

17701 SE MILL PLAIN BLVD . , VANCOUVER , WA 98683 Columbia Tech Center Park is full of unique features. Be sure to bring pieces of cardboard to this park. R TE TE C H C EN My kids love to grab their cardboard (or their bottoms) and slide down this hill. Large grassy areas, a manmade waterfall and pond, paved pathways, a couple of rope bridges, a sand area with water feature (that is only on occasionally), and a half-court basketball hoop all make for plenty of activities.

picnic tables. One of our favorite things to do is pack up our portable grill and cook burgers here in the summer. The downside of Marshall is that the playground area is very dense. It’s difficult to have a clear line of sight on your child if they are on the opposite side of the playground. For this reason, every park I go to, I give each of my kids a whistle to use in case of emergencies.

ST SLI D

Note: Public restrooms are available but there is no official parking lot. Park at nearby businesses or along a side street.

continued on page 26

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

Feature: A Park a Day (cont'd) continued from page 25

17202 NW 21ST AVE . , RIDGEFIELD , WA 98642

N AT U R E

Debois is fast becoming one of our favorites. Complete with two different playground areas, Debois has a large cylinder shaped climbing structure. It also has four swings (two big kid/ two infant), a half-court basketball court with four square and hopscotch, as well as a walking path, picnic tables, benches, greenspace trail, climbing rocks and logs. Our favorite feature of this particular park is the turtle shell swing. Shaped like a green bowl, this swing can easily fit three or four kids and can almost go vertical in its arch.

HOO N E IG H B ORRK PA

T U RTLE SHE

NEAR NW 99TH ST . AND NW 21ST AVE . (HAZEL DELL)

HOOD N E IG H B ORRK PA

Jack Z. Fazio Park may not have the biggest playground,

continued on next page

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

(Near MacArthur Blvd.)

Although this is not your normal playground park, Whipple Creek definitely deserves a mention. From the moment you enter the trails and become surrounded in the old growth forest, it feels like you are entering a different world, despite being mere minutes from town. The trees are covered in moss sweaters, and it’s quiet—the perfect place to pretend to be on a quest. The trails are well marked with multiple maps throughout. My kids love going from map to map, finding out where we are and deciding where

Trail

CALIFORNIA ST . , VANCOUVER , WA

Learn more about the Whipple Creek vancouverfamilymagazine.com/family-friendly-hikes.

T DIRT HI

SW IN

Note: Porta-potty only; no drinking fountain

CO O

Abrams Park boasts a forested, three-tiered playground with two different play structures. The first playground has a 15-foot slide—the thing is huge! The other playground has a little more wear on it, but does have a few swings. The park also has a couple of baseball fields, a large grassy area with a stage and a disk golf course. The special thing about Abrams is the creek. It’s a small and rocky stream sheltered by trees. We go here because it’s shady on hot days and the water is shallow enough for even the littlest to play in. However, the best part is the steep wall of earth along the south side of the creek. A flood years ago washed down the creek creating soft, fine dirt hills that are perfect for messy fun. After they are good and dirty, your kids can just rinse off in the creek.

we are going next. Also used as an equestrian trail, you might catch a glimpse of a horse (or their poop). We’ve also found large slugs and wild blackberries. See if you and your kids can find the old abandoned chimney/fireplace along one of the trail sections. And bonus: the trail connects to Fairgrounds Park! Start or end your hike there or at the 21st Avenue entrance.

400 ABRAMS PARK RD . , RIDGEFIELD , WA 98642

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10909 NW 26TH AVE . , VANCOUVER , WA 98685 Sorensen is a fun neighborhood park with cool wooden climbing D O O H R features. Near the climbing features O B N E IG H R K PA is a small grove of easily climbable plum trees. Forgot your snack? Don’t worry about it—nature provides it if you go at the right season. There is also a large hill prefect for running, rolling, or ice blocking.

but it does have an awesome sand area with two “scoopy truck” toys. Hidden in the sand is a “dinosaur skeleton” for your little archaeologist to discover. Beyond the dig zone is a large grassy area surrounded by a walking path. You have unobstructed views of the whole path from the playground so you can keep an eye on your kids on wheels. The park also has a half-court basketball court.

ST PLU M

continued on page 28

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

Feature: A Park a Day (cont'd) continued from page 27

NORTH HENDRICKSON DR . , KALAMA , WA 98625

M OS

EVER

Kalama is definitely worth the drive because it has everything: K R A P playgrounds with swings, walking E M A R IN paths, covered picnic tables, large grassy areas, 60-foot totem poles and soft sand beaches on the Columbia River. How many parks do you know that you can see both a train and a tanker ship in the same visit?! Bring your towels, sunscreen, life jacket, and lunch because I could (and have) stayed here all day!

E S O M E PA

These are just a few of the parks that we have visited. Some have been hits, others have been misses. The most important part is to have fun. My favorite adventure saying is, “If we don’t come home dirty and tired, we didn’t have enough fun.” Also remember what Mr. Rogers said: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.” So grab your grab bag, invite a friend, and get out there and learn . . . I mean play.

Claire Curtis is a stay-at-home mom of three and grew up in Murray, Utah. 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 Washington. In her free time, she likes to scout out new parks, read, quilt, ride her bike and visit with friends.

SALMON CREEK TAIL RD . , VANCOUVER , WA 98685 What Klineline misses in its smaller playground, it makes up for in its swimming pond, covered picnic areas, BBQ grills, sand beach, splash pad, a 3-mile paved walking path, turtle pond and a wide variety of birds that live here. I have personally seen bald eagles, osprey, blue herons, and egrets. There is even a bald eagle nest along the trail. Be aware of the $3 parking fee and occasional toxic algae later in the summer.

ST BIR D

12208 SE EVERGREEN HWY . , VANCOUVER , WA 98683

BUI

PA R

Columbia Springs has a lot of unpaved walking trails, a fish hatchery, and a visitors center (closed during COVID). The coolest part is the natural “Build Your Own” playground. Composed of a mixture of logs, sticks, and rocks, kids can build whatever they want. There is already a base structure there that your kids can add to or take away from to create something all their own.

UR OW

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

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar July '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

1 THURSDAY

Clark County Historical Museum Speaker Series, with the theme of “The Stories that Shape Our Community: Past, Present and Future”—streaming living on YouTube. Ticket details at cchmuseum.org. 7-8:30 pm

2 FRIDAY

Downtown Camas First Friday: Activities, art, dining, after hours shopping and more. July theme: Camas Poker Tour and Game Night. 5-8 pm

3 SATURDAY

Ridgefield Farmers Market at Overlook Park in Downtown Ridgefield, every Saturday June through September. 9 am-2 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

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.

4 SUNDAY

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm. (See Jul. 3) 11 am-5 pm

locations. Feel free to bring your own preprepared food and picnic fare to enjoy during the movie. This week’s movie: “Trolls World Tour” 7:30 pm

6 TUESDAY

12 MONDAY

Salmon Creek Farmers’ Market at Kaiser Permanente, 14406 NE 20th Ave., Vancouver, every Tuesday June 8 through October 5. 11 am-3 pm

7 WEDNESDAY

Camas Farmer’s Market at 4th Ave, between Everett and Franklin, every Wednesday June through September. 3-7 pm

8 THURSDAY

East Vancouver Farmers Market at 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, every Thursday June 17 through August 26. 11 am-3 pm

9 FRIDAY

Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield. Five-week series of outdoor movie screenings benefitting local nonprofits. This week’s movie is “Zootopia.” Get tickets at cchmuseum.org/ calendar/fnf. 7:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Fruit Valley Park, 3200 Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy big screen entertainment. Movie starts at dusk (exact time will vary due to weather conditions). All movies are familyfriendly and will be closed captioned. A few vendors may have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase in some

Repair Clark County at Cascade Park Community Library. Volunteers can fix your small appliances and electronics, do minor sewing repairs, sharpen knives and gardening tools, and more! There are three steps to signing up. Register each item with Repair Clark County, register on FVRLibraries’ website, come to the library and you’ll be contacted when it’s ready to be picked up. Most items take at least two weeks to repair. 6-7 pm

16 FRIDAY

Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield. This week’s movie is “Clue.” (See Jul. 9) 7:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Fisher Basin Park, SE 192nd Ave and Mill Plain, Vancouver. (See Jul. 9) This week’s movie: “Goonies” 7:30 pm

17 SATURDAY

Why Racing’s Hagg Lake Triathlon and Trail Festival at Hagg Lake in Gaston, Oregon. One of the oldest and most gorgeous triathlon courses in the nation! Now offering a Paddle Triathlon and an Off-Road Triathlon, Half Marathon Trail Run, 5K Trail Run & Camping. 8 am Bonus Food Giveaway Days at Clark County Food Bank is ready to give out tens continued on next page

Pomeroy Farm hosts Farm Days the first weekend of every month throughout summer (May-August)! Tour the farm grounds, enjoy the wonderful fresh air, and support and connect with your local community!

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

continued from previous page of thousands of pounds of fresh and pantryready food to individuals and families in need. Bonus Food Giveaway Days will be hosted at 5 different days and locations across Clark County where you can conveniently and safely receive food boxes. (Bikers and walk-ups are invited- just make sure you have a safe way to carry a box home.) 10 am-4 pm “Grease” Sing-Along at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Presented with live shadow-cast performing on stage and throughout the theatre in front of the screen while the movie is playing, with costumes, props and makeup! Audience members are encouraged to wear 50’s attire.. and of course sing along! Limited tickets available online only at kigginstheatre.com. 8-10 pm

18 SUNDAY

Why Racing’s Hagg Lake Triathlon and Trail Festival at Hagg Lake in Gaston, Oregon. (See Jul. 17) 8 am

20 TUESDAY

OMSI: What’s the Matter (Online through FVRLibraries). The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will take you on an exploration of the unique properties of solids, liquids, gases and plasmas. Observe how materials change from one state of matter to

another. The freezing, flowing and glowing phenomena in this show are guaranteed to amaze. 2-3 pm

22 THURSDAY

4 Days of Aloha at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. A festival with workshops, food and celebration bringing Aloha spirit and Hawaiian culture to the Pacific Northwest. Hula competition, festival, food, vendors, market, performances and more.

23 FRIDAY

4 Days of Aloha at Esther Short Park. (See Jul. 22) Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield. This week’s movie is “Field of Dreams.” (See Jul. 9) 7:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Edgewood Park, 600 Edwards Lane, Vancouver. (See Jul. 9) This week’s movie: “Raya and the Last Dragon” 7:30 pm

24 SATURDAY

4 Days of Aloha at Esther Short Park. (See Jul. 22) Ride Around Clark County bicycling event starts and ends at Bike Clark County (1604

Main St., Vancouver) with two beautiful choices of routes (62 and 34 mile) through the scenic Clark County, Washington countryside. Registration $20-$40 at vbc-usa.com. 7 am

25 SUNDAY

4 Days of Aloha at Esther Short Park. (See Jul. 22)

30 FRIDAY

Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield. This week’s movie is “School of Rock.” (See Jul. 9) 7:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Fort Vancouver Historic Site, 612 E Reserve St., Vancouver (See Jul. 9) This week’s movie: “The Croods” 7:30 pm

31 SATURDAY

Lucky Triathlon at Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland on July 31-August 1. Sprint, Olympic and My First Triathlon, Duathlon and AquaBike, a Sunset 5K and 10K and a free kids’ tri on a flat, fast and scenic course! New: Paddle Triathlon for those who would rather kayak or paddle board, and relay options. Registration $25-$115 at whyracingevents. com. 4 pm

advertiser index Events 4 Days of Aloha..............................................25 Columbia River Triathlon and Endurance Sports Festival................................................29 Girlfriends Triathlon and Fitness Festival.......29 PeaceHealth Appletree Marathon..................29 Financial Warner Brown Financial.................................21 Fitness Cosmic Cheer.................................................15 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................17

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............................................19 Vancouver Clinic.............................................13 Legal Schauermann Thayer.....................................23

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

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

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Vancouver Family Magazine July 2021

Articles inside

Calendar of Events & Activities

Couve Scoop

Editor’s Notes