Vancouver Family Magazine July 2024

Plus: TEEN issue

• ONE TEAM, ONE COMMUNITY: Unified Sports in Local Schools, p. 12

• NW GETAWAY: Big Adventure, Better Backdrop in Bellingham, p. 18

• BOLT: Teens “Building Our Legacy Together,” p. 24

FEATURE ARTICLES

Unified Sports: One Team, One Community Unified Sports makes school athletics accessible for everyone. Read how local coaches are building programs to meet the unique needs of their schools and why athletes aren't the only ones benefitting.

NW Getaway: Bellingham

With spectacular views of Mount Baker, Bellingham boasts some of the most beautiful coastline in Washington. Find out why this city is worth the drive for a fun family adventure.

BOLT: Building Our Legacy Together

With TED-like talks and performing arts, students at Skyview High School are building a legacy together by sharing what makes each of them unique.

Summer Concerts and Movies in the

Hoops for H.O.P.E

Ground Health Care provides free health care for uninsured individuals in Clark County. Learn how this labor of love began and how you can help

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7/27, 9am-12pm www.freesellerclasses.com

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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.

Don’t want to go to the website? (Hey! It has other awesome blogs & videos on there too!), you can always email me at traciedemars@aol.com and I will email you the schedule.

READ OUR LATEST BLOG POST... OPEN HOUSES & WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

Two sure signs of the ‘Spring Selling Season’ ..... the first sign is all the Open House signs around, and the other is allergies.

In real estate, a sure sign of spring is the sign of ‘Open House’ everywhere, and there are definitely a lot of them right now. An open house sounds pretty uncomplicated, right? Well, I am here to tell you that in real estate NOTHING is uncomplicated, and EVERYTHING means more than you think it does. I really think a successful real estate agent is an over-thinker.... we compute, analyze, worry, multi-task, juggle, overthink every scenario from every angle, and ultimately run on ADHD. :-) Now because I am a real estate agent you might think I am over-reacting, but really I am not... A paper is never JUST a piece of paper as it has a couple of different meanings...there is the real estate meaning, and what we are ‘taught’ to tell you about it...and just because an agent is taught a script to say doesn’t mean that they don’t believe in it...it just means that it isn’t entirely the truth...that particular agent only wants to tell you one side of the story. Yes, and this is where I come in...the ‘other’ side of the story!

Separate Soundtracks

At a live storytelling experience in September 2023 titled “Mixtapes to the Moon,” Radiolab producer and event host Simon Adler demonstrated the power of individual soundtracks with a small experiment. The event was held at Unity Temple in Chicago (designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright), and as attendees arrived, each was given a set of headphones and encouraged to take a brief tour of the space with audio and music playing in their headphones. Later, during the course of the presentation, Adler invited the audience to share how they had felt when they had listened to the audio tour. Some audience members described feeling anxiety, others calm and still others excitement—contradictory emotions, to be sure. Adler then revealed to the audience that they had each been given one of three different audio soundtracks at random, all of which evoked vastly different reactions. All of the event attendees had toured the same space, looking at the same architectural elements, but with different stories about Wright being told over different styles of music while doing so. Adler’s purpose was to show that headphones have changed the way we experience the world; we may all be in the same grocery store, at the same park, in the same library, but be listening to vastly different soundtracks which have the power to change our perception of the world. This ability to curate our experiences is surely satisfying at times, but have we lost something unifying in the process? Perhaps in our current age of individual preferences, it takes a little extra work to create communal experiences that are truly transcendent.

In this issue, learn how Unified Sports, a K-12 division of Special Olympics, allows young athletes with developmental disabilities to experience a sense of belonging (page 12), check out how a special event held at Skyview High School is also creating an exceptionally unifying culture (page 24) and explore beautiful Bellingham in Northwest Washington (page 18).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

On the Cover:

Madylin Blanchet loves to spend as much time as possible out in the sun. If she can’t get outside, she loves to stay home and read a good book or crochet adorable animals. She loves being an assistant teacher at Scribbles Preschool in Gresham.

Photo by Missy Fant Photography www.MissyFantPhotography.com @missyfantphoto (360) 448-1346

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

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V ancou v e r

JULY 2024

CITY OF VANCOUVER

Sunday Sounds Concert Series at Columbia Tech Center Park, 6-8 pm

Jul 7: 5 Guys Named Moe

Jul 14: Dancehall Days

Jul 21: Britnee Kellogg

Jul 28: Andy Stokes

Aug 4: Precious Byrd

Aug 11: Prom Date Mixtape

Aug 18: Hit Machine

Thursday Waterfront Concert Series at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 6:30-8:30 pm

Jul 11: Curtis Salgado

Jul 18: Aaron Meyer – Concert Rock

Jul 25: Pa’lante

Aug 1: LaRhonda Steele

Aug 8: Jujuba

Aug 15: Sabroso

Friday Night Movies in the Park, 7-11 pm

July 12: “Shrek” at Bagley Community Park

July 19: “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax ” at Nikkei Neighborhood Park

July 26: “School of Rock” at Marshall Community Park

Aug 2: “West Side Story – 1961” at Esther Short Community Park

Aug 9: “Wish” at Fruit Valley Neighborhood Park

Summer Concerts and Movies in the Parks 2024

When summertime rolls around in Southwest Washington, it’s time for outdoor concerts and movies in the park, and multiple cities in Clark County are bringing it on. Check out upcoming events below.

Aug 16: “Migration” at David Douglas Community Park

Aug 23: “Barbie” at Columbia Tech Center Park

CITY OF CAMAS

Movies in the Park at Dorothy Fox Elementary School, Fridays in August, 7-10 pm

Go to cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/ movies-park-2024 for movie titles

Concerts in the Park at Dorothy Fox Park, Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm

Jul 11: River Twain

Jul 18: Fox & Bones

Jul 25: Ty Curtis

CITY OF LA CENTER

Concerts in the Park at Sternwheeler Park, Saturdays, 6-8 pm

Jun 22: Harvest Gold, A Tribute to Neil Young

Jun 29: Rich Layton & Tough Town, American Roots Music

Jul 6: The Filament, Alternative Rock Band

Jul 13: Knight Moves, A Tribute to Bob Seger

Jul 20: Nobody’s Sweetheart, Best Rock & Dance Hits

Jul 27: Gary Bennett & The Coattail Riders, Classic Country

Aug 3: 24-7 Band, Variety Band 50s-2000s

Aug 10: Fortunate Son, A Tribute to CCR

CITY OF WOODLAND

Hot Summer Nights & Movies in the Park at Horseshoe Lake Park, Fridays, 5:30 pm

July 12: “Super Mario Bros Movie” + Truck Tailgate & Side by Side Night + Gary Bennett & The Coat Tail Riders

July 19: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem” + Military Night Ros & Rumble Power Trio

July 26: “Finding Dory” + Superhero Night + Blue Rock Trio

Aug. 16: “Trolls” + Classic Car Night (1970 and Older) + Dakota Robins

Aug. 23: “Paw Patrol” + Construction Equipment + 24-7 Band

Photo by Windows on Life Photography

Hoops for H.O.P.E.

Help One Person Every Day: that’s the motto and inspiration for H.O.P.E. for the Good, a nonprofit founded by the Oberst family of Vancouver, whose collective trauma inspired them to create good in the world. “We as a family have faced so many battles,” says founder Nolan Oberst, “with my dad having cancer, my brother having cancer, my younger brother coming back to civilian life with PTSD from the Marines, my mom being a witness to mass shooting.” But the family always tried to focus on the positive. “My dad through his journey has always made a point of doing something nice for someone. Even as he coached us when we were young he’d always end practice with ‘What did you do nice for someone today?’”

CTo this end, Nolan’s parents, Steve and Susie Oberst, organized a fundraising event in 2005 called Hoops on the River, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament benefitting local nonprofit, Share, that ran through 2013. Later, in 2020 when the family decided to reignite the basketball tournament after a few years of dormancy, the name was changed to Hoops for H.O.P.E. Funds raised during this event go toward scholarships for youth, support for veterans and generally helping families in need through various initiatives. “We focus on good sportsmanship, positivity and good attitudes,” says Nolan’s mother, Susie. “You can go anywhere else and find a good game, but here, you can have all ages come together and have games going on with families, friends and neighbors playing fun, friendly, competitive games . . . all for the good of the community.” “Our mission is simple,” says Nolan, “To empower families, youth, and individuals to build their communities through service and healthy and positive life choices.”

This year’s Hoops for H.O.P.E. benefit event will happen on August 16-18 at Vancouver Mall, and will again center around a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, with other events, kids’ sports clinics, vendors and activities on site. Learn more and register your basketball team at hopeforthegood.org

Camas Students Connect Live with Astronaut in Space

amas School District students recently had an out-of-this-world opportunity when NASA astronaut and Camas native, Dr. Michael Barratt, connected live with students from the International Space Station (ISS). The 25-minute interactive session took place on May 23, with students in all grades tuning in, and several students of various ages selected to ask Dr. Barratt questions about life in space, his scientific research and his journey to becoming a NASA astronaut.

According to Doreen McKercher, communications director for Camas School District, “astronauts who do a 6-month stay on the ISS get two opportunities like the one we had. Dr. Barratt requested one of his be with Camas School District.” Dr. Barratt, a graduate of Camas High School, is currently part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, marking his third mission to the ISS. A full

@camaslive.

video of the live broadcast can be viewed on Camas School District’s YouTube channel

Players participate in a Hoops for H.O.P.E. basketball tournament in Vancouver. Photo courtesy H.O.P.E. for the Good

Camas native and NASA astronaut, Dr. Michael Barratt, recently connected live with Camas School District students from the International Space Station. Photo courtesy NASA and Camas School District

By Sarah Mortensen

Healing with Heart

I n 2011, a Clark County Seventh-day Adventist Church congregation came together to create a free pantry full of clothing, food and other goods. In their efforts to serve the Battle Ground community, it soon became clear that food was only one of the needs of the people they were helping; many were also in need of health care.

Retired doctors and other medical providers who attended the church decided to help. “It started with [limited] medical services one day a week. Now we are in the 13th year,” shares Tina Diluzio, former volunteer coordinator at the organization known as Battle Ground Health Care (BGHC). “It was really a grassroots local movement.” Diluzio says that as the word spread, more patients sought treatment and more volunteer medical providers from the community stepped up to meet the demand. Soon, a greater variety of medical services began to be offered, including physical therapy and dental care. “It was just a labor of love,” she says.

With CARES Act grant monies, BGHC was able to move to a larger building in 2021. Diluzio says the move created more comfortable and spacious treatment rooms and that “visibility has driven traffic.” The new space on the corner of Eaton Blvd. and 122nd Ave. is also a convenient location for individuals who would otherwise not have easy access to health care.

“We function as a primary care practice,” Diluzio shares. “We see adults aged 18 and over, and the reason for that is we are focused on filling gaps [in medical coverage]. Kids tend to be covered by Apple Health. [Our] target is anyone at 300% of the poverty level or below who needs access to care.” Today, there are a few paid positions at BGHC, but it is still mostly run by volunteers. “We have about 200 active volunteers, and so we estimate about one staff to thirty volunteers.

Collectively, in 2023 we had 183 volunteers who served over 6,000 hours and we had nearly 2,800 patient visits last year.”

Having a regular staff in addition to many volunteers helps to fill more needs in the community. A few years ago, BGHC hired a patient navigator trained by the State of Washington to screen patients and see what types of insurance they may qualify for. “We want [patients] to have insurance for emergencies and things we can’t take care of,” says Diluzio explaining that the patient navigator is important because “once someone gets on insurance, they no longer need the clinic, which opens more space for someone who does.” Unfortunately, even when someone has options through the Affordable Care Act at healthcare. gov, the premiums are often not affordable. That’s why BGHC is a vital service for working class individuals. “Our services are so needed. People need to be healthy to take care of their families and to be able to work.”

The majority of patients seeking care suffer from chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension and chronic pain. BGHC has created programs specifically to educate and treat patients with these issues. “Our community health worker, Jessica, works directly with a registered dietitian who has been volunteering with the clinic for many years,” says Diluzio. “Together, they teach a Diabetes Prevention Program.” This collaboration of clinicians helps to ensure the best patient outcomes. A video on the BGHC website explains how the dietitian makes referrals to the dental clinic so that a patient can eat healthy foods like carrots and apples without pain.

This continuity of care is the “ideal approach” for treating chronic diseases, says Dr. Amy Light, an internist who previously worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Vancouver. Before moving to Clark County, Dr. Light worked in public health service on Native American reservations near the south rim of the Grand Canyon. “You definitely

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“ ” Our services are so needed. People need to be healthy to take care of their families and to be able to work.

— Tina Diluzio, former volunteer coordinator at Battle Ground Health Care

continued from previous page

learn to work with people who have very limited resources, educationally or financially,” she says about her time in Arizona. “I never got tired of it though. Every patient is different, and I got energy from it.”

Her compassion as a practitioner and background working with medical interpreters made volunteering with BGHC a perfect scenario for Dr. Light, who officially retired four years ago. “Volunteering allows me to continue practicing medicine without having a job!” she says. “I love to be part of a high-quality clinic that offers a wide variety of medical services to a population that would otherwise not have these critical services. For example, a couple of years ago a 40-year-old man came to clinic with severe arthritis symptoms. Because of his pain, he could no longer work and spent most of his time sitting in his bedroom, unable to play with his young children or help around the house. He’d gone to another clinic and they referred him to a rheumatologist, which he couldn’t afford. In desperation, he came to BGHC. I was able to examine him, draw labs, verify the diagnosis and start basic inexpensive medications. His pain resolved over a week and now, two years later, he’s able to work, enjoy family parties and play with his kids. This case is especially dramatic, but I see small changes and improvements with almost every patient that comes to our clinic.”

Diluzio says her favorite aspect of her job was working with volunteers like Dr. Light. “It’s a privilege to be the bridge that allows them to use their time, skills and talent in service of the community. The beauty of working with volunteers is that they are here because they want to be, not because they have to be. This creates a very positive working environment.” Dr. Light agrees, adding, “Sharing this common goal and being part of a bigger vision leads to a very strong feeling of satisfaction and really makes the clinic a great place. We leave clinic after a busy morning feeling really positive about what we’ve accomplished.”

For those interested in helping, there are multiple ways to get involved. According to Diluzio, “Our biggest, ongoing need is always for licensed and credentialed health care providers, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistant’s, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physical therapists [and] massage therapists.” She says they have a particular need for more volunteers in the dental program which has grown tremendously. “We also have a need for help with fundraising, IT support, social media, graphic design . . . There’s literally no end to what you can do to help out at the clinic. Any skill or service that someone is willing to donate helps us save money that we can put back into programs. The most important thing for us is the ability to be consistent. If someone can commit to a couple of hours a week, or an

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afternoon a month, on an ongoing basis, that is really helpful.”

“I’ve seen us grow tremendously over the past few years as we strive to make quality healthcare more accessible to low-income adults throughout Southwest Washington,” says BGHC executive director, Susan Neal. “This vital work is made possible only by the dedication of our amazing volunteers and the generous financial support of our community.”

To get involved, visit bghealthcare.org, where you can find a volunteer application as well as information about how to become a patient. Simply sharing the website with others is an easy way to spread the word about the wonderful work done by BGHC. And though Diluzio left BGHC this past May, she believes strongly in their work. “BGHC is more than a free clinic, it is a model of how to treat people with dignity and respect. Patients truly feel valued here.”

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.

Page 10: Volunteer dentist, Dr. Oh, provides dental services at Battle Ground Health Care. Photo by Auston James

Page 11, left: Battle Ground Health Care volunteer, Heather Jolma, helps a patient. Photo by Auston James

Page 11, right: BGHC staff honors their volunteers. Photo by Alissa Watkins

SPORTS: ONE TEAM, ONE

COMMUNITY

By Sarah Mortensen

Grant Adams has always loved playing basketball with his family, especially with Grandpa in the front yard, and is a true fan of the game. “He is absolutely obsessed with the Blazers,” says his mom Nichole Adams, “He was very sad the day Lillard was traded.”

At age 11, Grant learned the fundamentals of the game in leagues at Firstenberg Community Center, in time perfecting his signature 3-point shot. Despite his commitment to the game, Adams wasn’t sure Grant would have the opportunity to play sports when he entered high school. “When your child tells you they

ADAMS

want to play for the Seattle Seahawks, but you know they have developmental and cognitive delays, you just nod your head and know that it will never happen, but you encourage them to shoot for the stars because that’s what mothers do.”

Grant, who has Down syndrome, now plays on the Unified basketball team at Evergreen High School where athletes with disabilities play alongside partners without disabilities. (Grant’s own brother is one of the team partners.) Last year he led his team to the state championship in Wenatchee. Though he graduated high school in 2023, he is able to participate on this team up to age 21. For some athletes like Grant, they just need a team to play on, while other athletes need time to build up skills such as spatial awareness. For this reason, there are three divisions within Unified Sports (a division of Special Olympics) to meet players where they are at.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

As the name implies, Unified programs are meant to bring all students together with the goal to “integrate as much as possible, to make natural social interactions with their

peers,” explains Jennifer Delgadillo, Unified School Champion coordinator with the Special Olympics for the Columbia River Region, teacher-librarian at Franklin Elementary School, and mom of a former Unified athlete. “It’s really just trying to create opportunities for every kid, giving them a chance to be on a smaller team that can be adaptive to meet their needs.” Delgadillo first became involved with Unified Sports after watching a game between Mountain View and Camas High Schools. “I was absolutely moved emotionally by this event. It was the first time that I saw something that my son who has an intellectual disability could do with his school.” Her son, Javi, played soccer, basketball and bowling throughout his school years and says doing so “made all the difference” for his school experience. “He has a lot of challenges and having typical peers who communicate with him, encourage him, acknowledge him and include him made him want to go to school and want to do something meaningful himself.”

Carey Doyle, a PE teacher at Shahala Middle School was also hooked the first time she saw a Unified basketball game, and decided to build a Unified program at her own school. It began with creating a Unified PE class where neurodivergent and developmentally delayed students were combined with a typical class. She says, “When I first started [the Unified class four years ago] not all the athletes would come down to do PE. I now have all of them participating in PE and most of them participate in the Unified basketball game at

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Top: Athletes encourage each other during Shahala Middle School's first Unified basketball game in February 2023. Photo courtesy Evergreen Public Schools

Bottom: Grant Adams plays on Evergreen High School's Unified basketball team.

Photo by Ryanne Elaine Visuals

2024 WASHOUGAL ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

school.” Doyle now sees the partners and athletes interacting with each other outside of class and she has many other students asking how they can help out.

The stands were packed for Shahala’s first Unified basketball game in February 2023, which doesn’t surprise Delgadillo at all. She says once a school starts a Unified program, “it tends to grow rapidly,” adding, “Once it’s in a school, it becomes part of the school culture.” As the basketball program at Shahala grew, both students and parents took notice of the culture shift. Doyle recalls one mom of an athlete who regularly volunteered in her class sharing after a game that it was “the first time her husband was able to see his son participate in a sport. This was a special moment for the dad because he was not sure if he would ever get to see his son participate or be a part of a sports team. We all teared up as a class because it was such a beautiful moment.”

MORE THAN SPORTS

Every Unified coach I spoke with repeated the same sentiment: that Unified programs are more than just sports and inclusion, they are

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An athlete on Shahala Middle School's Unified basketball team hugs a loved one during a game.

Photo courtesy Evergreen Public Schools

about building a community of compassion and understanding. They encourage the community to come and watch a Unified game, but be prepared with a stash of tissues, as “many tears of happiness” are often shed. Delgadillo continues, “Every parent who sees their child, whether they are an athlete or a partner, participate for the first time can’t help but be moved by how meaningful the experience is. I hear people attending the event say, ‘Unified restores my faith in humanity.’ When I watch Unified events and the families that participate, I see a lot of young people who will make this world better, especially when given the opportunities to do so.” I took my own daughter to watch Unified soccer games at Hudson’s Bay High School to see for myself, talk to the families and take photos. After five minutes of watching a game, she said, “This is so cool! How do I sign up?”

dreams,” shares Ferderer. Watching that light of understanding come on “as our partners’ worldviews change in front of our eyes. . . is truly remarkable,” adds Delgadillo. Doyle has witnessed this as well; since introducing Unified athletics to Shahala she says, “I feel that our whole school has been more aware of students with disabilities and they are much more sensitive and caring. Unified builds community and brings purpose to all people regardless of ability. Unified is a bright spot in a much divided, tumultuous world. My motto is: One Team, One Community, Let’s Build It.”

NATIONAL BANNER UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS

Krista Ferderer, a special education paraeducator at Skyview High School, has coached Unified Sports at both Alki Middle School and Skyview for the past three years and has seen many times how Unified programs “build those bridges that can be hard to start.” She was especially grateful for one partner who really connected with a student needing one-on-one help as a cheer athlete. During games, the partner would patiently and lovingly guide the athlete onto the field. Then, “the partner would always hold both the athlete’s hands and guide them in the cheer maneuvers and then they would sit together between cheers as the partner would talk and hold the hands of the athlete. It was really special to watch because you could just see the joy coming off both the athlete and partner.” The pair worked so well together that the partner ended up playing Unified soccer as well so she could continue to support the athlete.

The camaraderie that spreads beyond the games is fulfilling the main purpose of Unified Sports, to “inspire people . . . to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.” In other words, as students get to know each other beyond a friendly hello and smile they “begin to realize they’re not different. They all have the same fears and same

In 2022, Skyview was the first school in Southwest Washington to become a National Banner Unified Champion School from the Special Olympics. (Prairie High School soon followed and Gaiser Middle School is applying this year.) Earning this achievement is no small feat either; schools must demonstrate a commitment to the three components of Unified programs and meet or exceed 10 standards of excellence set by the Special Olympics. High school junior, Evan F., is Unified co-president at Skyview High School where he participates in both basketball and soccer, as well as helping with other Unified activities. He remembers the day Skyview received the banner. “The banner assembly was really awesome because it was the first time I really saw the whole school engaged in Unified. During our game there was a whole bunch of cheering and support which made me happy. Besides the game, we had a big unveiling of the banner with confetti and the

Vancouver mayor declared that day as ‘Unified Champion School Day’ in Vancouver.”

To achieve this honor, “the school has to offer Unified Sports in at least two seasons throughout the school year,” explains Ferderer. “Skyview offers basketball and cheerleading during the fall/winter season and soccer during the spring. Another standard is [that] Unified Sports [be] officially recognized by their school in similar style as other athletics.” This means that Unified students can letter in the sport they participate in like other school athletes and are treated equally to other sports. “When a [team] goes to state, we get a sendoff with the band playing and our students walking to the bus as the rest of the school lines up around us and cheers,” shares Ferderer. Another banner hanging near the entrance of Skyview features an athlete from every sport, including the Unified athletes. This recognition by the whole school, even those who are not involved in Unified, helps to build a culture of belonging that Unified Sports aims for.

INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP

But just as not every student is interested in athletics, Unified students have varied ambitions too. That’s why Unified programs strive to include students with disabilities in multiple ways in their school. Another component of a Unified Banner-recognized school involves inclusive school leadership. “The school also needs to have at least two whole-school engagement activities implemented per school year,” continues

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Skyview High School Unified co-president, Evan F., is introduced during an assembly celebrating the school's recognition as a National Banner Unified Champion School.

Photo courtesy Renee Franco

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Ferderer. For example, Skyview promotes Fans in the Stands, a program of the Special Olympics for Unified Sports. Ferderer explains, “They get together before the games during the week and make posters with the athletes’ names on them and then come to our games and cheer in the stands.”

Inclusive leadership means that a diverse group of voices are heard whether at the student government level or in school clubs. “They get a chance to lead like anyone else, not more or less [and] they can say yes or no to the opportunity like anyone else,” explains Delgadillo, adding, “It can look so many ways, they just need to add the Unified piece.”

Grant, in addition to playing Unified basketball, is also team manager of the varsity boys’ team at Evergreen. “Grant was extremely proud to be a member of the varsity team [during his time in high school]. He wore his uniform with pride every game,” shares Adams, saying the coaches were incredible with Grant, and they made time to come to Grant’s Unified game with the team to cheer him on. “One of Grant’s teammates gave him a signed Blazer jersey, because he knew Grant was such a huge fan of Damian Lillard,” adds Adams.

In his role as varsity team manager, Grant was treated just like one of the guys and helped a lot during practices. During senior night in February 2023, the coach asked his team how they felt about having Grant be a starting player. Everyone agreed that Grant deserved

that opportunity. When Adams found out, she was thrilled. “I knew Grant would want to show off what he’s got,” she says. And the opportunity to play made for an amazing moment that made the news. After a few missed shots, Grant went in for a 3-pointer and made it, prompting uproarious applause and cheering from the entire audience. “Seeing the pure joy and pride beaming from his face after he made the 3-pointer—it was heaven!” says Adams “You could’ve told me that he’d just been asked to play for the Seattle Seahawks and I wouldn’t have been more elated and proud. It was what every mother wishes for . . . for her little boy to have his dream come true.”

BUILDING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

While many high schools in Clark County have Unified programs, the trend is spreading in middle and elementary schools too, with some elementaries offering Unified track and field and other inclusive clubs. “At the elementary level we are at the early stages to educate as many schools as possible about what it is and what it can be,” says Delgadillo. As librarian, she hosts a young reader club about belonging. “Last year we wrote letters to Gaiser Middle School and the kids get together during lunch and they do social things, like crafts, stories and games.” Doyle says, “The hope is that we can get middle school Unified Sports, but there has to be interest from other schools, time to organize it and some funding.” As community support grows, more schools will begin to offer Unified programs. That’s

DESTINY W.

UNIFIED SPORTS LEAGUE

why coming out to support Unified teams is so important; school districts need to see that Unified programs are important for all students. “This year [Skyview is] working with Unified middle schools to have students from ASB (Associated Student Body), Unified Rally and Unified Sports to come to the last game for the Unified middle school to cheer them on,” says Ferderer.

Without Unified Sports, “Some kids never get the opportunity to work with someone that may need more time or effort to learn things,” says Adams. And as a mom of both an athlete and partner, she thinks “the typical kids can benefit more from this experience than the kids with developmental or physical delays.” Evan agrees, saying he wants Clark County to know that Unified Sports “go way deeper” than just playing a game with special education students. “Unified Sports has taught me a multitude of things. Mainly it shaped me into a more kind and supportive person and taught me the lesson to not judge people. It taught me that humans, on the most basic level, really just want companionship, and that even such

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Page 16, top: Destiny W. plays Unified soccer at Skyview High School. Photo courtesy Cari Wood

Page 16, bottom: An athlete makes a basket during Shahala Middle School’s first Unified basketball game in February 2023. Photo courtesy Evergreen Public Schools

Page 17: An athlete prepares to shoot a basketball while fans cheer her on during Shahala Middle School’s first Unified basketball game in February 2023. Photo courtesy Evergreen Public Schools

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a small gesture like playing sports with someone, can impact them in such a positive way. On top of that I am a way more patient and understanding person so I will definitely be taking that into my future jobs and college.”

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.

NW GETAWAY

BIG ADVENTURE, BETTER BACKDROP

If ever there were a place that makes me wonder about the road not taken, it would be Bellingham. When I was a high school senior touring colleges, Western Washington University’s campus and Bellingham itself felt like coming home. Unfortunately, at age 18 I was too scared of rejection and never applied because I didn’t have the science credits I needed, so I ended up in Ellensburg at Central Washington University. While I truly enjoyed the small-town feel of Ellensburg, visiting Bellingham 20 years later with my family in tow, I was reminded of why I fell in love with it all those years ago.

Locals and visitors alike tout that Bellingham is something special. The city gives a mellow and welcoming vibe, but it’s also overflowing with eclectic art, nature and fun. If you like historic brick buildings with artsy shops and food, Bellingham’s got it. Looking for scenic drives, beach views, hikes and outdoor recreation? Plenty of that. Or maybe you’re really into art and culture and want museums that will genuinely engage your children? Check and check. This is a one-of-a-kind getaway that’s definitely worth the drive.

Getting There

Bellingham is about 20 miles from the Canadian border, and absolutely worth the trek. First, if you like a relaxing approach and a direct shot, Amtrak Cascades has trains traveling directly from Vancouver to Bellingham. The route is scenic, there’s no need to stop for snack or bathroom breaks, and it’s a nice deviation from the ordinary. Because major areas of Bellingham are quite walkable, the need for transportation in town would be manageable.

"LAST STOP, I PROMISE!"

If you want to make an event out of the drive, there are plenty of places to stop along the way to turn your trek into a road trip. Since we were coming from the south, we opted to stop in Seattle for a few hours of exploration, and on our way back chose to take the scenic route through Chuckanut Drive. For stunning views of the San Juan Islands and picturesque overlooks, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway is worth the trip alone. Just when I’d say, “This is the last stop, I promise,” we’d be pulling over again because the views are just that beautiful.

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Top: Bellingham’s Encogen Mural by artist Gretchen Leggitt is Washington’s largest mural at 21,8000 sq/ft.

Bottom: View from Chuckanut Drive in Bellingham.

Words and photos by Emily Corak

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Arts and Culture

When I mention art and museums to my kids, their eyes glaze over and this is the part they are usually least excited about, but not this time! Bellingham has created an Arts and Culture Crawl Quest Pass with a passport full of sites and experiences to visit and earn prizes. Bellingham’s landscape is sprinkled with murals, art and historic charm. Muralist Gretchen Leggitt’s art can be seen all around town, including a rendition of the North Cascades mountain range that is the longest mural in Washington state.

The Arts and Culture Crawl Quest Pass also offers points for exploring Bellingham’s iconic bookstores, theaters, sculptures and museums. Not only did the entire family love the challenge of a quest, but the museums ended up being one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip. Please note, this is not an exaggeration to make me seem like a greater parent than I am. On our first day, we visited Mindport Exhibits, an interactive science and play-based spot where the kids (and adults) spent hours exploring, tinkering and learning. Mindport boasts everything from interactive tornadoes to handmade one-of-akind instruments all designed as an outlet for learning and creativity. A rotating art gallery inside featured thematic and community-based art. At the time we visited, the gallery featured various artists’ work on houselessness in the area. Artists invited visitors to draw and envision plans for deserted buildings that could be better utilized. We all participated, and we only ended up leaving Mindport because it was closing time! Unfortunately, Mindport will be closing permanently this fall,

so this summer is your last chance to catch this attraction.

I wondered how SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention might land with the kids, but it was a fan favorite with two very enthusiastic thumbs up. SPARK not only houses legendary artifacts such as Thomas Edison’s first lightbulb and very early iterations of telephones, but it’s also immensely interactive. We received a crash course on electricity conductors, Tesla coils and 19th century radio technology. This place was a hit for adults and kids alike, and the highlight of the museum was the epic demonstration where participants entered the Cage of Doom to be struck by the Mega Zapper. (Safely, of course.)

On our final day, and what turned out to be the first Friday of the month, we explored the Whatcom Museum. The first hour was spent in the Family Interactive Gallery known as FIG, an interactive space reminiscent of Portland Children’s Museum, and while the kids were reluctant to leave, they were quickly swayed by the incredible featured exhibit of National Geographic Wildlife Photography. The museum also has a beautiful permanent exhibit, The People of Sea and Cedar, honoring the voices and experiences of the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian tribe. In this space, adults could peruse, and kids learned about cooking methods and building cedar houses through play-based exhibits.

After checking off enough locations through our Quest Pass, we earned a gift card to Village Books, where I could have spent an entire afternoon. For those members of my family who aren’t as keen to spend hours at a bookstore, thankfully, Evolve Chocolate and Café lives on the second floor of the bookstore with beautiful views of the bay, so everyone left happy. While the rich arts and culture scene would have been enough on its own, Bellingham has plenty more to offer.

Outdoor Adventures

Without having to go far, outdoor splendors exist around every corner. First, the city is loaded with parks. Our family-agreedupon favorite was Boulevard Park with its beach access, coffee shop, pirate-themed playground equipment and boardwalk. With the added lovely views of the bay extending into Canada, it checked all the boxes for each of us. From here, there are walking and bike paths that connect downtown Bellingham and the historic neighborhood of Fairhaven Village. We found other waterfront parks and breweries with play structures, but the other unanimous favorite was an enormous slide just outside Whatcom Museum that wore everyone out after numerous trips up and down. This is the place to unleash your inner child!

In the evenings we stopped at various spots along the waterfront to take in sunset views—

Left: Exploring electricity at SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. Right: View at Boulevard Park in Bellingham. continued on next page

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you are guaranteed exquisite views no matter where you land. And if you’re interested in exploring the wonders of Puget Sound, Marine Life Center is a necessary stop. This small animal sanctuary is home to aquariums, touch pools and the occasional octopus, and is near and dear to the Bellingham community. Admission is free, the staff is knowledgeable and marvelous, and now we’ve all learned what it feels like to touch a sea cucumber.

Plenty of opportunities exist for outdoorsy folks, be it gentle hikes or more extreme adventure. We opted for the gentle hikes, choosing to explore several different trails through Whatcom Park. Spanning over 241 acres, this forested haven kept the youngest members of our group entertained with bridges and waterfalls and was scenic enough for all of us to enjoy. If you happen to be traveling via Chuckanut Drive, I highly recommend you stop at Larrabee State Park, the first ever state park in Washington, for rocky beaches, trails and tidepools.

For adventure seekers who are looking for rigorous hikes, locals love hiking around Mount Baker, citing Artist Point as an unmissable trail. Local resident, Becky Mandelbaum, says her favorite hikes closer to town include the Hertz Trail at Lake Whatcom Park for a flat trek, and for more elevation gain she likes connecting it with the Chanterelle Trail. Hiking and kayaking are wildly popular in the summer, and for snow-loving adventurers, the winter offers plenty of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing opportunities on and around Mount Baker.

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Left: Up close with sea life at Marine Life Center in Bellingham.

Right: Riding the slide outside Whatcom Museum.

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Cuisine

Eating might be one of the best ways to get a firm grasp on a place and its culture, and Bellingham does not disappoint! In addition to the Arts and Culture Crawl Quest Pass, they also offer a Farm to Table Trails Quest Pass to make the most of farm stands, wineries and locally sourced restaurants. I didn’t even get to all the places on our list, but I’ll share my favorites as well as locals’ favorites for best places to eat.

We had delicious burgers and beer at Boundary Bay Brewery, fantastic sandwiches at Old World Deli and a truly amazing array of vegetarian and vegan options in a quirky atmosphere at Old Town Café. A family favorite for entertainment was dinner and games at Flat Stick Pub. We ate good food, played Bingo as well as indoor mini golf, oversized Jenga and Connect Four. As a parent, I know many of us dread going out to eat with young children and this gem meant everyone enjoyed themselves with no complaints!

All the restaurants and breweries we visited were kid-friendly, and I have some spots I’ll be sure not to miss next time. Mandelbaum says, “My favorite breakfast spots, aside from Old

Town Café, are Camber Coffee and Avenue Bread.” She continues, “For lunch and dinner I love the breweries, with my favorites being Alan Brewing Co. and Boundary Bay. Stone’s Throw Brewery usually has a food truck on site so it’s another fun place to go!”

Western Washington University alum, Mays Salamah, has fond memories of late nights at the Horseshoe Café but agrees that Boundary Bay is a favorite spot and has been one of her go-to places in post-college years.

Bellingham has a couple of special ice cream spots that left us divided as a family. The first, Acme Ice Cream, might be one of the most unique places you’ll try, not just in flavor but in texture. I recently learned ice cream is typically made with air infused into it during the making process, and Acme doesn’t do that, citing they are giving you the most ice cream for your buck. Each bite we tried had an almost taffy-like stretch to it, making it hands down the most texturally interesting ice cream we’ve ever eaten.

Mallard Ice Cream had an abundance of unique flavors and a quirky-quacky vibe. (Adorable ducks abound here!) We tried out

different flavors, played board games and pored over all the entries to their “design a flavor” competition held at local schools. Both ice cream places were unique, but different, and a healthy debate ensued. It’s still a split vote, so you will probably need to try both places for yourself to decide.

Where to Stay

While you will almost assuredly be out and about for most of your visit, I can offer a few lodging recommendations that will ensure your trip is relaxing as well as exciting. We were generously hosted by SpringHill Suites by Marriott, conveniently situated and a solid accommodation for our family of five. We loved it, and if you ask my kids, they were big fans of the breakfasts and the pool. If you’re looking for other family-friendly, highly-rated hotels, consider Four Points by Sheraton, Holiday Inn and Suites or TownPlace Suites by Marriott.

After a few days in Bellingham, I can absolutely say that I wanted more. It may have been the road not taken, but that just means it’s now a regular spot in the rotation of local getaways. You have to see for yourself why this place is special. I’m already thinking about what to do when we go back which will likely include a

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EXQUISITE SUNSETS

Sunset on Bellingham Bay.

trip to the bookstore, a walk from Fairhaven to Bellingham, renting bikes, and I just learned there is a ferry terminal for trips to Alaska!

Whether you want art, mellow exploration or rigorous outdoor adventure, Bellingham is worth the trek; you won’t regret it. Emily Corak has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past three decades. A former educator with Vancouver School District, Emily is now a freelance writer, photographer and mom to two young kids with big personalities. She recently earned her MFA in creative writing and, if given the choice, she would spend all her spare cash on travel and books.

Right: Whatcom Falls is less than four miles from the Bellingham Bay waterfront.

playing on the bay beach in Bellingham.

BUILDING OUR LEGACY TOGETHER

By Emily Corak

I n the fall of 2015, Meredith Wales, an English teacher, was presented with a unique opportunity: Create and teach a leadership class without any provided curriculum and help improve the culture at Skyview High School in Vancouver. “Skyview was the biggest it’d ever been that year, and when students were polled, they indicated that they didn’t feel united,” says Wales. While the school’s motto was Skyview Stands as One, many students often felt this was only accurate during times of difficulty or tragedy. Wales set out to create a class that fostered connection for students and rippled out to the entire school community. “I like big ideas,” she says.

While designing the class, she knew she wanted to teach her students professional skills like marketing, project managing and collaboration. Through group projects, she hoped to coach them on knowing when to lead and when to take a backseat, with the ultimate goal of creating unity. Inspired by TED and TEDx conferences, a format where people gather and share speeches about noteworthy ideas, Wales sought to recreate a similar event at Skyview. Wales said her initial idea was, “We should have a TEDx-inspired event where people could share authentically who they are and what they’ve learned.”

Building Our Legacy Together

From this seed of thought came BOLT, which stands for Building Our Legacy Together. “The name was an epiphany I had when I was drying my hair before school,” says Wales, recalling that she wanted the namesake to relate to the Skyview mascot, a storm, and also loving that a bolt represents spark and energy. When BOLT started nine years ago, the event focused on targeting staff and students who had a unique experience or perspective to share. In the years since, BOLT has morphed into an eclectic hybrid of speeches and unique talents presented by students and staff. Think of it like TED Talk meets Talent Show.

“BOLT has really evolved,” says Wales. “It started off with people being unsure of its purpose and now people view it as a consistent unifier that they look forward to every year.” And while the idea of BOLT originated

with Wales, she credits students for putting in the legwork to make it happen. Students begin with initial preparations for the annual event in October, dedicating about two days per week until March, when it becomes all-hands-on-deck and they work on BOLT nearly every day.

Wales invited me into her classroom three weeks before the big event to witness students in action preparing for the big production. Every year, the theme for the event changes based on the class vision. “The schoolwide theme for [this] year is ‘Our School, Our Story.’ And [student] leadership wanted to put their own spin on that,” says Wales. Leadership students decided on “Turn the Page” to represent all students and to

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Skyview High School students make a sign for the BOLT event.

Photo by Meredith Wales

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highlight the past, present and future chapters in their lives. Wales explains how students were reflecting on the past as a time when they had a lot more hope and optimism, and many wanted to return to that state of mind while also honoring their present. One student from the leadership class explains, “We kind of all came up with the theme together and we knew we wanted to use headshots to represent the present and baby pictures to represent the past.”

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

This year’s class divvied up into teams, with each group responsible for managing one specific aspect of the BOLT production. One group was dedicated to recruitment; they worked to coordinate auditions, acted as direct liaisons to the performers, organized the lineup and timing of the show and distributed information to all other groups. When asked about how they recruit students to audition, the group says they used all resources at their disposal: morning announcements, word of mouth, posters, fliers, social media and friend nominations. One student shared that it was the biggest turnout for auditions they’ve ever had. When selecting acts for the final lineup, they try to prioritize those who have never performed before and acts that fit well within the theme, while also showcasing a diverse range of people and talents.

Students reflected on the past as a time when they had a lot more hope and optimism, and many wanted to return to that state of mind while also honoring their present.

The second group handled the marketing promotions for BOLT. They were responsible for creating a vision, securing sponsorships, designing posters, T-shirts and other swag to draw attention to the event. The group created a marketing campaign to reveal the performance lineup by using modified book covers with quotes, headshots, photos and insights of the performance. “They even came up with a drink and a promotional sticker sold in the student store,” adds Wales.

The final group concentrated on digital marketing and lead the way in designing and launching the BOLT website as well as creating social media campaigns and content across all accounts. These students worked on promotional commercials and coordinated filming of the big event. And while all groups were working tirelessly on BOLT, leadership students said they were still pulled in numerous directions on a regular basis. “There’s a lot of competing interests,” said one student. “We’re responsible for a public speaking unit, putting on cultural assembly and we got recruited to help put on a schoolwide Rock Paper Scissors competition.”

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Skyview High School students make a sign for BOLT event auditions.

Photo by Meredith Wales

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A Variety of Perspectives

With three weeks to go until their mid-April performance, groups were still actively prepping for a lineup with 28 different acts and a total of 57 performers. “We have lots of diverse acts this year that we’ve never seen before,” says Wales. In a school of about 1,800 students and an auditorium that only seats 1,100 students, Wales and her class set up a signup sheet for each period so classes could come and view a selection of the performances throughout the school day. Because of the changing performances, no one saw the same show twice. But to make sure everyone had an opportunity, the main BOLT event was an evening affair, open to students and the community free of cost.

Leadership student, Julianna B., not only helped produce BOLT, she was also a performer this year. “I will be performing a traditional Laotian dance with a friend in honor of Thai, Laos and Cambodian New Year’s,” Julianna said before the big day. “I was a dancer for 13 years of my life and I haven’t danced since before COVID; it’s my first time dancing since then and it’s going to be in front of the school which is very nervewracking, but I want to share it with everyone.” And while Julianna was heavily focused on the leadership side of things, she was excited about performing as well. “I just really enjoy dancing and it’s part of my identity,” she said. “I know there are other kids here from the same culture and I wanted to reach out to Skyview’s Southeast Asian community, so they feel seen as well.”

Caydance S., a sophomore, wanted to take on new challenges when performing his music. “I saw BOLT last year and thought it would be really cool to do it this year,” he said of his performance with his band, Dream Manifestation. “I’ve always done band and loved performing, but I got bored of performing the same stuff and I wanted to do something that you don’t see all the time.”

Skyview leadership student, Jaden L., says that he’s proud to be a part of BOLT because “it impacts a lot of people who are different from one another—it’s giving a name to people who aren’t really out there.” That, of course, doesn’t mean that the event doesn’t come without its challenges. “Sometimes you’re up against a deadline and people won’t get you the info you need or show up when they’re supposed to,” says Jaden.

By the ninth year of overseeing BOLT, Wales is used to the occasional challenges, but no longer finds the event stressful. “BOLT day is my favorite day of the year,” she says. “There aren’t really any surprises anymore.” After taking BOLT to a digital platform two years in a row due to COVID, she and the students have been through it all. She adds, “I trust the students, and we pivot if we have to.”

What makes this attitude even more impressive is that leadership is a class that students are only allowed to take once, which means BOLT is put on by a fresh batch of students each year. At last year’s event, a group had to drop out at the last minute, and it was a leadership student who came up with a solution to substitute a lip synch battle between staff and students. It ended up being a huge success, although students have been looking for redemption after last year’s staff victory.

The Big Night

After six months of plans, preparations and immense work by both the leadership class and performers, BOLT 2024 proved to, literally, be a smashing success. Throughout the school day and into the evening, audiences made up of students, staff and community members sat rapt as they supported performers in their ultimate display of passions, talents and vulnerability. Leadership students emceed the event and introduced the acts who gave speeches about life lessons and personal struggles. Soloists and ensembles danced, sang and performed all types of musical numbers, and there was even an accordion soloist that

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Left: Brothers Angel and Reyli V. and bandmate Jeferson C. perform at BOLT.

Photo by Meredith Wales.

Right: Cameron W. speaks at BOLT.

Photo by Meredith Wales

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brought the house down. Teachers got on stage to perform their gifts of music and Polynesian dancing; one teacher told his story about a traumatic injury and the role of perseverance in his life.

And while the students gave it their all, they were bested once again by staff in the lip synch battle. “The staff decimated the students,” says Wales, who suspects the lip sync battle might become an annual tradition.

For the finale of the evening show, a student band performed a medley of covers from The Who, complete with fog and spark machines. The fire alarms went off twice, but the audience didn’t budge. At the end of the medley, the lead guitarist smashed his guitar, and the crowd went nuts. “Goosebumps!” says Wales as she recounts some of her favorite parts of the night. But most importantly, Mrs. Wales and the students recognize that their hard work paid off. “There is nothing as magical as seeing people pouring their souls out on stage and looking around and noticing kids holding up their phone flashlights, dead silent, rapt, or giving thunderous applause and we realize it worked. It connected us.”

It is no wonder that Mrs. Wales was awarded the Southwest Washington Advisor of the Year for her commitment to community building and empowering student voices. She and her students have created something truly special, and the beauty of BOLT is that its reach goes far beyond one day. The evidence is in the students, past and present, who wanted to share what BOLT has meant to them:

“BOLT was an experience that I was unprepared for at the start. Working closely with my team allowed me to dive into the project and build confidence in myself that I didn’t know I had. By the end of the project, I pushed myself farther and decided to emcee one of the performances with my sister. This opportunity has led me down a path of success. BOLT gave me a family I can count on and a community that I know will support me.” – Jennifer F.

“BOLT meant so much to me and it was the most fun, but I also learned so much from it. I learned the power of vulnerability, the power of community, and the power of voice which has impacted my life more than I ever thought it would. I will never forget this experience, the good and hard parts.” – Emilee F.

“For me BOLT has meant so much. Throughout my time working on BOLT, I’ve been able to grow and do so much more than I ever thought myself capable of. Putting in the effort and working as a team with people that I hardly knew at the beginning of the year, I realized that this project brought together the class as a family. Doing something as big and impactful during my senior year has made my high school journey complete, by allowing me to create the impact that I did with my work in BOLT.” – Kairo M.-E.

“I worked alongside many individuals that I didn’t know prior to BOLT. This gave me the privilege to experience other mindsets. I have felt I’ve become a part of Skyview by being a part of BOLT.” – Josie D.

After nearly a decade of performances, Wales still never ceases to be amazed at how far BOLT has come and how much of a difference it’s made. “The students in leadership start out as 20 or 30 people who may have preconceived notions about each other and by the end, they really do become a family, and performers are an honorary part of that family,” she says. Her goal of creating an event that would unite people proved to be more rewarding than she thought possible: “It worked. Not only did it work, but it’s impacting people.”

Emily Corak has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past three decades. A former educator with Vancouver School District, Emily is now a freelance writer, photographer and mom to two young kids with big personalities. She recently earned her MFA in creative writing and, if given the choice, she would spend all her spare cash on travel and books.

“There is nothing as magical as seeing people pouring their souls out on stage and looking around and noticing kids holding up their phone flashlights, dead silent, rapt, or giving thunderous applause and we realize it worked. It connected us.”

— Meredith Wales

Calendar

of events activities

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

1 MONDAY

Comedy Variety Show with Angel Ocasio at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Laugh out loud at Angel’s uproarious and wacky comedy show, where zany antics, magic, juggling, music, and audience participation collide! 10-10:45 am

2 TUESDAY

Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. Enjoy the captivating rhythms and rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands with this musical tour. 9:30-10:30 am

SATURDAY

1

“Physical Comedian, Ukulele Performer, Actor, Clown, Emcee, Performance Director, Physical Comedy Instructor, Writer and Poet” Angel Ocasio performs at Cascade Park Community Library.

3 WEDNESDAY

McMenamins Summer Music at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge, North Hendrickson Dr., Kalama. Free every Wednesday and Thursday during the summer months. Bring your chairs, your friends and even your dogs. Full schedule at mcmenamins.com/kalama-harbor-lodge/ music-events. 6-9 pm

4 THURSDAY

Ridgefield 4th of July Celebration at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. Fun run, parade, festival and more. Full schedule at ridgefield4th.com. 8 am-5 pm

Kalama Summer Lights on the Fourth at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge, North Hendrickson Dr., Kalama. Opening ceremony, live music and vendors. Free entry, all ages welcome. 11:30-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors Home Games at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, 3101 S Hillhurst Rd., Ridgefield. Watch Clark County’s hometown baseball team face off against teams from all over the PNW on various days through Aug 4, including the 4th of July. For more information on dates and to purchase tickets, visit: ridgefieldraptors.com.

5 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.

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie. Fun for the whole family with a café, snack shacks,

Check out our website for even more local events.

food trucks, beer gardens, vendors, DJ, disc golf, mini golf and more. Admission $5-$10. Every Friday through September 13 at 4-8 pm

Downtown Camas Poker Tour and Game Night, Alice in Wonderland Style in Downtown Camas. Alice in Wonderland inspired games, poker tour, art shows, Alice in Wonderland dress up, after hours shopping, dining, music and more. 5-8 pm

Zoo Nights at Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland. Every Friday from June 21-Aug 23, Oregon Zoo hosts evenings filled with local music, food carts, activities for all ages and the chance to get to know some of the animals active during twilight hours. Tickets $21-$26 at oregonzoo.org/nights. 5-9 pm

SATURDAY

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Vancouver National Historic Site. continued on next page

Photo credit: Jrozwado via Wikimedia Commons

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6 SATURDAY

Summer Fest 2024-Picnic in the Park at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E 5th St., Vancouver. Free and open to all, Picnic in the Park will feature two stages with live music and entertainment, yard games, magicians, face painting, historic reenactments, walking tours, weaponry demos and more. 11 am-6 pm

La Center Concerts in the Park at Sternwheeler Park, 100 W 4th St., La Center. Full lineup at ci.lacenter.wa.us/community/ community-events-calendar. 6-8 pm

7 SUNDAY

Sunday Sounds Concert Series at Columbia Tech Center Park, SE Sequoia Cir. at SE Tech Center Dr., Vancouver. Enjoy an exciting lineup of genre-defying crowd favorites on Sundays through Aug 18. Full schedule at cityofvancouver.us/government/ department/parks-recreation-and-culturalservices/special-events-in-vancouver. 6-8 pm

Living Hope Kids: The Great Jungle Journey Vacation Bible School at Living Hope Church, 2711 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver. Embark on an epic cruise from Genesis to Revelation every Sunday, starting June 30 and ending July 28. 9 am-12:15 pm

9 TUESDAY

Tots to Teens Tuesdays in Camas. A free and fun, family-focused, drop-in series of open-play activities coordinated by Camas Parks and Recreations in July and August.

Activities and locations vary, go here for more information: cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/ tots-teens-tuesdays-2024. 12-2 pm

10 WEDNESDAY

The Oregon Reptile Man at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Get ready to be amazed by this captivating presentation of 15 live reptiles from around the globe as The Reptile Man brings

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Alderbrook Park's Cruise In is on every Friday, weather permitting, from 4 pm to dusk, with special interest cars, trucks and bikes on display for the whole family. THRU SEPT. 13 FRIDAYS

Photo credit: Alderbrook Park

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his expertise and humor to educate and entertain. This event is free and open to ages 5+. Go here to view other dates and locations to see The Oregon Reptile Man: fvrl.librarymarket.com/events/month. 4-5 pm

Science on Tap: Good Vibrations: Pest Control Using Robots at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Learn how a special approach could be applied to other pests and what work has been done so far. Tickets $15-$45 at kigginstheatre.com. 7-8:30 pm

11 THURSDAY

Summer Fest-Music with Fadin’ By 9 at O.O. Howard House, 750 Andresen St., Vancouver. Bluegrass harmonies outside on Officers Row. 5:30-8 pm

Thursday Waterfront Concert Series at Vancouver Waterfront Park, Columbia Way and Esther St., Vancouver. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from around the world on Thursdays Jul 11-Aug 15. 6:30-8:30 pm

Speaker Series-Liberty Factory: The Untold Story of Henry Kaiser’s Shipyards at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. In this talk, Peter Marsh will describe the amazing history of Henry Kaiser’s WWII Oregon shipyards and their impact on the ports and populations of the lower Columbia River from 1940-1945. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for CCHM members, veterans and active-duty military personnel. 7-8 pm

13 SATURDAY

Vintage Car Show at Vancouver Elks Lodge #823, 11605 SE McGillivary Blvd., Vancouver. Car show, food and drinks and award trophies. Full scheduled at elks823. org/event/car-show-open-to-the-public-10am. 10 am-3 pm

Saturday in the Park Pride Event at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Enjoy a celebration of life, a gathering of joy and a place to discover support and friends. 10 am-5 pm

Live Music-NW Transit Band at Windy Hills Winery, 1346 S 38th Ct., Ridgefield. NW Transit Band plays songs by Chicago, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles and more. Free event for all ages. 5-8 pm

Smokey Robinson at ilani, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over four decades of hits. Tickets $99-$329 at ilaniresort.com/events-and-promotions/ schedule-of-events/cowlitz-ballroom/smokeyrobinson-0713. 8 pm

14 SUNDAY

Art in the Garden at Wildlife Botanical Gardens, 11000 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. The gardens will be in full bloom along with artists featuring a full spectrum of garden and fine art. 10 am-4 pm

15 MONDAY

Washougal MX Motosport Pro Nationals at Washougal MX Park, 40205 NE Borin Rd., Washougal. Spectators can enjoy the sights and sounds of racing up close as the track winds through many elevation changes, such as the famous Dunlop Horsepower Hill and 100% Ski Jump. Admission to this 6-day event ranges from $75-$350. Go here for a full schedule of events: washougalmxpk. com/pro-mx-national. 10 am-8 pm

The Reptile Man presents a huge variety of snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises that have been rescued in the Pacific Northwest. Check them out at Vancouver Community Library.

16 TUESDAY

Red, White and Blue Gala: A Salute to Our Veterans at ilani, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Come dressed in your red, white and blue attire and be part of this memorable celebration. Be prepared to walk the red carpet, stop and pose for a picture at the photo booth and peruse the multiple silent auction items, all benefitting Clark County Veterans Assistance Center. Tickets $150 at ccvac.net/events-2. 2-6 pm

17 WEDNESDAY

Guided Tours at Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Learn about all that Columbia Springs has to offer during one of our guided tours! RSVP by emailing: apryl@columbiasprings.org. 5:30-6:30 pm

19 FRIDAY

Family Bingo Night at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Join us for Bingo at the Library! Winners receive their choice of Reading Dragon prize. 5-6:30 pm

Harvest Days in Battle Ground. Get ready for a weekend of fun, entertainment and community spirit. Full schedule of weekend events at battlegroundfestivals.com.

20 SATURDAY

Sensory-Friendly Saturdays at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. During sensory-friendly times, changes are made to the museum’s exhibit spaces with the intention of helping make the museum more accessible and enjoyable for youth with ASD and sensory challenges. 9-11 am

NW Children’s Theater Presents “The Little Prince” at The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway #T-100, Portland. Unlock your imagination and embark on a journey through the galaxy with two unlikely companions: The Aviator and the mysterious Little Prince. Tickets are pay-what-you-will. Suggested price: $20-$25. Showtimes at tickets at nwcts.org/shows/little-prince.

Hoofprints of Hope: A Benefit Hoedown at Healing Steps Equine Centered Therapy, 14708 NE 100th Ave., Battle Ground. Line dancing, DIY floral bar, dinner, drinks and silent auction, all benefitting increased accessibility of therapy services, scholarships and facility development. Tickets $55 at eventbrite.com/e/hoof-prints-of-hope-abenefit-hoedown-tickets-909516968737. 5:30-8:30 pm

“Barbie: The Movie” in Concert at RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. Dance the night away with the Barbie Land Sinfonietta as “Barbie the Movie: In Concert” debuts its Summer 2024 North American amphitheater tour. Tickets $35-$1000 at barbiethemovieinconcert.com. 8 pm

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21 SUNDAY

Picnic in Color Arts and Crafts Event in Downtown Camas. Local artists, collaborative art projects, lots of color, music and more. 11 am-4 pm continued from previous page

Live Music-Michael John at Windy Hills Winery, 1346 S 38th Ct., Ridgefield. Local entertainer, musician and humorist Michael John will be performing. No cover charge. All ages welcome. 2-4 pm

24 WEDNESDAY

Poetry Street PNW: A Poetry Open Mic Where Every Voice is Heard at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Read aloud your original or favorite work and listen to monthly featured poets. 6:15-7:45 pm

26 FRIDAY

La Center Our Days Steamboat Celebration 2024 at Holley Park, 1000 E 4th St., La Center. Twilight Parade, 5K and Car Show. Full schedule of weekend events at lacenterourdays.com.

Camas Days Kids’ Parade at Camas City Hall, 616 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Celebrate with Camas Parks & Rec and the CamasWashougal Chamber of Commerce to kick off

the start of Camas Days with a parade just for kids. 11:30 am

Parents’ Survival Nights at the Little Gym, 2000 SE 164th Ave. Unit 111, Vancouver. Three fun-filled hours of sports, activities, teamwork and serious fun. Registration $45 per child at thelittlegym.com/washingtonvancouver/events-more. 5:30-8:30 pm

Summer Concert at Mariana Park, 24 S A St., Washougal. Join the Port of CamasWashougal for an evening of entertainment and fun with Stone in Love. 7-9 pm

27 SATURDAY

Battle Ground Pride at Battle Ground Community Center, 940 E Main St. A celebration of fun, equality and LGBTQ pride. 11 am-3 pm

Live Music-Cellar Rats at Windy Hills Winery, 1346 S 38th Ct., Ridgefield. Local band Cellar Rats will be playing outside under the tent. 5-8 pm

28 SUNDAY

20 SATURDA Y

Youth with ASD and sensory challenges can better experience Clark County Historical Museum’s exhibits during their sensory-friendly times.

Photo credit: Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons