Vancouver Family Magazine June 2024

FRIENDLY

Sunday Sounds Concert Series

Sunday Sounds Concert Series

Presented by Riverview Community Bank at Columbia Tech Center

Presented by Riverview Community Bank at Columbia Tech Center

Sundays | 6-8 p.m.

Sundays | 6-8 p.m.

July 7 through August 18

July 7 through August 18

SE Sequoia Cir. at SE Tech Center Dr.

SE Sequoia Cir. at SE Tech Center Dr.

Movies in the Parks

Movies in the Parks

Presented by HAPO Community Credit Union

Presented by HAPO Community Credit Union

Fridays | 7 p.m., movies start at dusk

Fridays | 7 p.m., movies start at dusk

July 12 through August 23

July 12 through August 23

Visit a new park each week

Visit a new park each week

Waterfront Park Concert Series

Waterfront Park Concert Series

Presented by Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Presented by Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

July 11 through August 15

July 11 through August 15

Vancouver Waterfront Park

Vancouver Waterfront Park

Vancouver Arts & Music Festival

Vancouver Arts & Music Festival

Presented by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the City of Vancouver

Presented by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the City of Vancouver

August 2 - 4 in Esther Short Park and Downtown Vancouver

August 2 - 4 in Esther Short Park and Downtown Vancouver

View the full schedule at cityofvancouver.us/Events

View the full schedule at cityofvancouver.us/Events

Thank you concert and movie sponsors:

Thank you concert and movie sponsors:

FEATURE ARTICLES

The ERA App: 5 Minutes a Day to Better Parenting

From terrible twos to tricky teens, find out why one local dad decided to create an app for every stage of parenting. Learn how the app developers broke down the best sciencebacked practices into bite-sized bits for today's busy parents.

NW Getaway: Lake Chelan

Check out what makes the secluded lakeside community of Lake Chelan a popular getaway for visitors from all corners of Washington.

Gamers Doing Good: Leveling Up by Giving Back

Meet local video game enthusiasts who come together to support Doerbecher Children's Hospital, Clark County Food Bank and other charities.

June '24

Learn how Queer Youth Resource Center is working to connect LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families to supportive, local resources and events.

Human Complexity and Coexisting

In a recent podcast interview, bestselling author and journalist, Malcolm Gladwell, called for embracing the complexity of being human by broadening our definition of diversity and finding the value in our own failures. The podcast, called “No Small Endeavor,” and hosted by professor of theology and ethics, Lee C. Camp, explores “what it means to live a good life”—and Gladwell has a lot to say on the subject. “My definition of diversity encompasses a dozen different dimensions of human complexity,” he said, adding later, “If I had my way, we would have more of every kind of person, and we would be a richer place for it.” Gladwell’s books riff on this same theme of acknowledging and embracing the complexity of being human, and the consequences of coexisting, from “The Tipping Point,” (Little, Brown, 2000) which investigates how ideas and social behaviors go viral, to “Outliers” (Little, Brown, 2008) which reveals what makes a genius. Gladwell’s own genius may lie in his ability to criticize and expose many broken parts of American life, all while avoiding cynicism. His optimism oozes, even as he discusses charged topics like gun violence, racism or even his own personal regrets. In the same podcast interview, when Camp asked Gladwell if he had any regrets or hard lessons learned, Gladwell replied, in part, “I must have regrets . . . I suppose I have a lot . . . The problem is that very often the mistakes you made or the failures you have turn out to be so important in educating you and . . . that in the end you don’t think of them as mistakes anymore . . . I do firmly believe that you learn way more from your failures than you do from your successes. I don’t think success teaches you much at all. The only thing that prods you to dig deeper is when something doesn’t work, or when something fails. So, after a lifetime of that . . . can you classify them as regret, as regrettable?” Perhaps the diversity and complexity of the human experience starts and ends with our own ability to see others and ourselves as inherently complex individuals who, even as we try and fail and try again, all have much to contribute in our own homes and families, and to the world at large. That’s no small endeavor.

This month, learn about a new app, developed by a team right here in Southwest Washington, that harnesses AI to help parents navigate the challenges of childrearing in all ages and stages (page 12), find out how gamers are playing for charity and the greater good (page 24) and explore beautiful Lake Chelan in Central Washington (page 18).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

On the Cover:

Kylie and Maxwell both grew up in Vancouver and are high school sweethearts. They have an almost 2-year old son and love watching baseball, playing disc golf and going to country music concerts.

@ thingsareclickingphotography @thingsareclickingphotography

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

Photo by Shannon Selby Things are Clicking Photography

JUNE 2024

When Justina Kitteridge and her family moved from Utah to Ridgefield in 2021, she very quickly set about searching for child-friendly, indoor spaces where she could take her energetic toddler to play. Finding few options in her area that weren’t what she calls “overstimulating or chaotic,” she started to imagine opening her own. “I envisioned . . . an indoor children’s play space that would thoughtfully cater to both kids and adults,” she describes, “balancing the need for a fun, enriching space for the kids with the thoughtful details that make outings with kids not only bearable, but enjoyable for parents and guardians, too.”

Kitteridge got to work, as the sole owner, building the space out from the ground up. And her hard work has now paid off. Junebug Play & Learning Space opened in Ridgefield in May, and currently offers both single-visit and multi-visit passes, classes, workshops, special seasonal events, birthday parties, baby showers and large group/field trip visits.

New Play Space for Kids Opens in Ridgefield:

The space also houses a gift shop offering items for sale mostly sourced from local small businesses based in Ridgefield, Vancouver or Portland.

Now that Kitteridge has provided the space she originally wanted for her own child, “I wouldn’t change a thing!” says the former marketing project manager on the process of opening a business. “It’s been an incredible, life-changing experience for not only myself, but my family.” She adds, “In many ways, Junebug is my love letter to my little one, even though he is nearing the age where he’s not really the target audience for the space anymore . . . It’s a space that encourages lots of play and exploration—something that every little kid should have access to.”

Junebug Play & Learning Space is located at 110 S 65th Ave., Suite 106 in Ridgefield, and is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 8 am-5 pm. Learn more about Junebug, including current pricing and packages at JunebugPlaySpace.com

The Historic Trust Hosts

Summer

Fest and Picnic in the Park 2024

S ummer Fest is back for 2024, with free fun for the whole family all summer long. The event is produced by The Historic Trust, whose mission is to “inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation and celebration,” says Mindy Wilkins, marketing and events manager for the Trust. “We love sharing the beauty and history of the Fort Vancouver National Site and Officers Row with the community.” This year’s event series will include live music nights, a pet party, a Summer Solstice celebration, a walking tour, a Grant House 175th birthday party and a fall play day with Columbia Play Project. Picnic in the Park, the largest event in the series, will happen July 6 and will

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The Historic Trust will host Summer Fest, a series of free events throughout the summer. Photo courtesy of Temple Lentz

Junebug Play & Learning Space opened in Ridgefield in May. Photos courtesy Junebug

New Art Gallery in Washougal: The Workshop Art Gallery

The Workshop Art Gallery, the Pacific Northwest’s newest art gallery, launched last month. Located at 814 SE 357th Ave. in Washougal, the gallery was founded by seven artists who work in several mediums, sometimes applying just one medium such as acrylic but most often using several mediums on one canvas, known as “mixed media.” The collective also includes a photographer. Many of the artists are well known in the area and have appeared in galleries and juried shows.

“We want to share our art with the community, not just to look at it, but to meet and talk about the process of how we created the art,” said Tamara Dinius, one of the artists who co-founded the gallery with Liz Nye, Regina Westmoreland, Debbie Nagano, Ellen Nordgren, Cathy Chang and Judi Clark. Behind the gallery is a studio space which the artists have dubbed the Adret Collective. The name “Adret” is a combination of the first letters of the founders’ first names, and the word also means “the sunny side of a mountain,” which is apt, as the Adret Collective is located on the southwest slope of Mount Norway. The gallery is open every second Friday of the month from 5-8 pm, through September and by appointment.

include live music, kids’ entertainment, lawn games, summer foods, beer garden, climbing wall, face painting and more. Summer Fest events are listed below, and more information about each event can be found at VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/calendar

June 14 Music and Fun at O.O. Howard House, Officers Row, Vancouver, 5:30-8 pm

June 20 Summer Solstice Celebration at O.O. Howard House, Officers Row, Vancouver, 6-8 pm

June 25: Officers Row Tree Walking Tour at O.O. Howard House, 12-1 pm

July 6: Picnic in the Park at Fort Vancouver National Site, 11 am-6 pm

July 11: Music and Fun at O.O. Howard House, Officers Row, Vancouver, 5:30-8 pm

August 10: Pet Party with Pet Photos at O.O. Howard House, Officers Row, Vancouver, 10 am-3 pm

August 22: Music and Fun at O.O. Howard House, Officers Row, Vancouver, 5:30-8 pm

September 14 Grant House 175th birthday party at the Grant House, 1-4 pm

September 28 Fall Play Day with Columbia Play Project at Artillery Barracks, Vancouver

The Workshop Art Gallery opened in Washougal in May, founded by fellow artists Liz Nye, Regina Westmoreland, Debbie Nagano, Ellen Nordgren, Cathy Chang and Judi Clark.

Photo courtesy Phyllis Carter

Photo courtesy of Mindy Wilkins

Photo courtesy of Temple Lentz

Celebrate Pride Month with

By Sarah Mortensen

M

ay and June are the months that the all-volunteer team at the Queer Youth Resource Center (QYRC) prepare the whole year for. With a large block party and Queer Prom scheduled back-to-back, they have a lot of work to do. It all comes together beautifully thanks to passionate volunteers who want everyone in Vancouver to feel safe and included. “Pride events hold significant importance for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, offering a celebration of diversity and resilience, affirmation of identity and confirmation of community support,” explains Terah Ebie, QYRC board treasurer.

While Clark County is a smaller community than neighboring Portland, “It’s amazing how many things there are here,” shares Adam Rominger, QYRC president. Rominger heard about QYRC after attending Triple Point youth group at Children’s Home Society of Washington (now Akin) and began attending QYRC board meetings and events. That led him to join the board and eventually become president. QYRC is funded entirely by local donations. “A lot is just from people who make small donations from PayPal,” Rominger told me, showing that Clark County cares about its queer youth.

In addition to hosting events, QYRC’s vision is to create “a vibrant, inclusive community where every young person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, feels valued, supported and empowered.” To do this, they partner with other local agencies that also support queer youth. “People reach out to us saying, ‘We are looking for a queer-friendly therapist or doctor,’ or they want us to visit their GSA [Genders and Sexualities Alliance],” shares Rominger. “We want to expand those types of resources because we are a connection point in the community.”

Another goal is to make QYRC more recognizable to the broader community, not

just to those who use their resources. “We are in a phase of growth,” explains Rominger, saying that when he talks about QYRC, “Most of the time I get a ‘That sounds familiar’ response.” The City of Vancouver gives nonprofits like QYRC a list of events and concerts throughout the year where they can set up a booth and have a presence, but with just a few staff, QYRC has had to pick and choose which ones to attend based off their schedules. That’s why they are hoping to grow their volunteer roster. “When we have more volunteers, we have more bandwidth,” says Rominger, adding that QYRC is looking for “people that are really passionate about the work we are doing, especially the times we live in.” He assures that if you are interested in helping, they will play to your strengths and find the best fit for you, whether that is helping to set up or clean up the prom event or man a booth at a community event.

Stella Cope, QYRC vice president, says helping at the events is not just a volunteer opportunity, it’s actually a lot of fun. “It wasn’t just about organizing a prom; it was about crafting a safe haven where LGBTQ+ youth could express themselves freely, authentically and without fear of judgment. Seeing these young individuals embrace their identities, celebrate their love and dance under a canopy of acceptance was nothing short of magical. It was a testament to resilience, love and the transformative power of community. Witnessing the kids revel in their moment of affirmation and solidarity was an experience that left an indelible mark on the heart, reminding us of the beauty in diversity and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can shine brightly.”

Soon QYRC will have a physical space and limited office hours thanks to Wild Heart Society Mental Health Agency on Officer’s Row in Downtown Vancouver. “We firmly believe that fostering strong communities is essential to supporting healthy families, which is why we adopted the motto ‘Keeping community at our center’ as we embarked on this mission,” says May Dearing, QYRC board member and volunteer

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“ ” QYRC’s vision is to create “a vibrant, inclusive community where every young person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, feels valued, supported and empowered. — Excerpt from Queer Youth Resource Center’s vision statement

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coordinator. Having an office will provide more visibility and access to “essential resources for queer young people’s well-being and long-term fulfillment,” explains Dearing. Wild Heart Society is helping build that community through a queer youth art show where art will be on sale during the block party.

Ebie has high hopes for this year’s party and hopes more folks in Vancouver will come see what it’s like. “The Pride Block Party brings that affirmation to families in Vancouver, showcasing resources, featuring local makers and entertainers, and promoting activities and connections that continue to engage the community long after the event concludes. Our family-friendly event is free of charge and open to all ages,” adding, “Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in helping make the magic happen behind the scenes.”

Reach out to qyrcvancouver@gmail.com for more information or to sign up to volunteer.

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.

Thursday,June20

www.cascadeforest.org

Upcoming Pride Events in Clark County

2024 PRIDE WALK

June 2, 2024, 11 am-4 pm Downtown La Center

PRIDE BLOCK PARTY

June 8, 2024, 12-7 pm

Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary 109 W 7th St., Vancouver

CAMAS PRIDE:

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE BLOCK PARTY

June 23, 2024, 11 am-4 pm Downtown Camas, 417 NE Birch St.

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

July 13, 2024, 11 am-6 pm Esther Short Park, Vancouver

QUEER YOUTH RESOURCE CENTER GRAND OPENING

August 3, 2024, 1-4 pm

Wild Heart Society, 650 Officer’s Row, Vancouver

Find more details about these events and many more at VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/calendar

Tickets benefit:

7:00 pm at the Kiggins Theatre info & tickets:

Pages 10-11: Queer Youth Resource Center will join Dandelion Teahouse and other partners to host a Pride Block Party on June 8, 2024.

Photos of 2023’s Pride Block Party by Nicholas Abell

THE E R A APP:

FIVE MINUTES A DAY TO BETTER PARENTING { }

By Emily Corak

One of my clearest memories as a new parent is holding my sleeping baby on my chest while frantically Googling sleep schedules, whether or not to sleep train and how to get my child to nap without napping on top of me. I was met with thousands of search results full of contradictory information, and it didn’t stop there. I’ve been down the rabbit holes in the last ten years, searching for answers about picky eating, navigating big feelings, building confidence, difficult conversations; the list goes on. In an age where everyone has an opinion and social media is rampant, no one is agreeing and parents in search of answers are exhausted.

Joshua Iwata, the CEO of Parent Lab and one of the creators of the ERA parenting app, aims to address this problem. “It’s clear that we have more resources than ever, but parents are still saying that parenting is harder than it was 20 years ago,” he says. Portlandbased Parent Lab has been developing a way to streamline answers that are specific to parents’ individual needs. The ERA app, which launched in January of this year, is using AI guidance to help parents learn, reflect and create meaningful bonds with their children.

Iwata was born and raised in Vancouver, moved overseas to India for a time, and now resides back in Vancouver, where his two kids attend Vancouver School of Arts and

Academics. He has held numerous roles within the tech industry, ranging from web design, product design, COO and CEO, in addition to his work as an artist, but still maintains that parenting has been his longest, hardest and most important job. After so much time in the industry, Iwata came to a realization: “We are in a place that is using so much time and so many people’s talent and money on food delivery and whatever the next dating app is, but not committing resources to parenting.” He says this is what put the creation of the ERA app in motion—a desire to narrow the vast shield of information and use technology to personalize and simplify parenting guidance.

Curated, Personal Guidance for Parents

The conceptualization of the ERA app began about five years ago, with the Parent Lab team diving deep into research and development. They spent this time interviewing experts, creating content and brainstorming the most effective and efficient way to help parents connect with their children and feel confident in their choices. But with the multitude of parenting approaches and methods out there, what kind of framework would ERA choose?

“The very big picture we are trying to create is generational wellness for families,” says Iwata, explaining that the best way to achieve this is by “creating a compass that always points toward secure attachment.” Secure attachment is a term psychologists use

Joshua Iwata is CEO of Parent Lab and one of the creators of the ERA parenting app.

Photo courtesy Joshua Iwata

FREE Home-Based Support

FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES AGES 0-3

ENROLLING NOW: 360-952-3466

for when a young child feels confident and supported by their caregiver. Insecure and avoidant attachments occur when there are inconsistent responses from caregivers, leading a child to feel confused and distrustful. If a secure attachment is formed in childhood, it will have a lifelong impact on future relationships.

Iwata speaks passionately about attachment theory and cites psychologists who believe that a meaningful connection and attachment might just be the most important thing we can give to a child. With that type of connection, children are more apt to go off and explore, be independent, regulate their emotions, problem solve and be truly trusting and empathetic. The app can be used for children of any age, but Iwata says the best time frame to use ERA and work on this strong connection is for children up to 12 years old.

With that in mind, the ERA app aims to help curate personalized guidance for parents. The app is designed to be used daily or several times throughout the week to reflect on parenting and provide personalized

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“...a meaningful connection and attachment might just be the most important thing we can give to a child.”

Photo by Brett Sayles at pexels.com

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guidance. Because a child’s development is rapidly changing, the guidance on ERA will change as well. “We want a product that grows with you,” says Iwata, “and we also want a personalization that’s so unique that 1,000 parents could experience one piece of content in 1,000 different ways.”

Reflection and Mindfulness

ERA is multi-faceted and aims to improve parent-child connection through reflection, mindfulness practices and tailored information. To know you and your children better, there are quizzes to identify your child’s habits and temperaments, and then there are daily check-ins and reflections that take an average of about five minutes to complete. After using the app for several days, the check-ins become more specific and tailored to your child and include follow up on prior reflections. Essentially what ERA aims to do, is to take the sometimes-overwhelming umbrella of parenting and narrow the scope into manageable chunks.

After checking in, ERA is getting more acquainted with our parenting styles and our kids’ behaviors. Each check-in is usually followed up with a tidbit of child development, neuroscience, a helpful suggestion, or just validation that we as parents aren’t irrevocably messing up our children. And while the bulk of the app is geared towards our parenting practices, Iwata also says the app acts as a bit of a Trojan Horse and ushers in some

much-needed mindfulness and grounding opportunities for busy, stressed-out parents.

If the goal is for our children to feel independent and safe while still connected to us, then how we take care of ourselves is equally important. Iwata says, “For a parent to be a guide, your child needs to see you as stronger, wiser, centered and kind.” To support that, the app offers bite-sized meditation and mindfulness practices because just the small act of reflection and stillness can make an enormous impact.

Rooted in the Science of Child Development

One of the goals of ERA is to bring relevant and specific information to help support your goals. Not only will check-ins be a conversation specific to your child, but your personalized library based on your responses will start to gather podcasts, articles and mini courses related to whatever needs arise. While the app launched in January, creators say the technology is still developing and features are being refined as they work towards their ambitious goals.

Former content director for the ERA app, Jennifer Maerz, says the goal of ERA is to cut down on the overwhelm and provide parents one source that’s rooted in science, mindfulness and child development. “We want to close the gap between learning something and that middle-of-the-night or post-meltdown question about how to apply this information to my child,” she says. As a mother of a 6-year-

old, Maerz uses the app in her personal life as well and says it’s been immensely helpful when it comes to her daughter’s picky eating. After hitting another wall at dinner time, ERA provided specific suggestions about incorporating her daughter into meal planning and making planning more playful and fun. “Even though I’d heard these suggestions before, it gave me one thing to think about and try,” says Maerz, who had success by taking her daughter’s love of gardening and incorporating that into meal planning. “I’m not going to change my daughter,” she says, “but I can change my mindset.”

When asked about any concerns of using artificial intelligence in the app, Iwata says privacy on the database is of utmost importance. “Surprisingly, in our research,” he says, “we thought parents might be kind of freaked out by the idea of an AI that gets to know you, but we haven’t found that to be the case, meaning there’s already kind of a comfortability with AI.” As AI continues to be a growing feature in everyday lives, we may as well harness it and use it to our advantage.

How It Works

I was given the opportunity to spend several weeks exploring the ERA app to better understand it and try it out in my own family. My children, (who conveniently forgot to bring their manuals with them at birth) and I have simultaneously looked forward to each new stage of their development while also struggling with the new sets of challenges they bring. My children are also wildly different and what works with one will almost certainly backfire with the other. My daughter recently turned 10 years old and this year we’ve been grappling with all sorts of new issues: navigating difficult friendships, responsibility, anxiety and screen time. With my son, age 7, we are in different territory dealing with picky eating, processing difficult emotions and learning to lose without tanking the rest of the evening for those around him. I am constantly wondering if I’m doing any of this right.

I have never been tech savvy, but I was determined to keep an open mind as I downloaded ERA. Luckily for me, it’s quite user friendly. The very first day, I took several quizzes

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about both of my children, noted a few specific issues I wanted to work on and did a 3-minute meditation about staying grounded. I’m a big fan of small, manageable practices. For the past several weeks, I’ve been frequently using the app right after the kids go to bed and I’ve had quite a few observations.

First, ERA helps me to home in on a particular focus. As someone with anxiety, I tend to worry about anything and everything, and the chance to think about what an issue is right now helped me to narrow the scope. Maybe not every problem demands immediate attention! Second, I recognized that there are some things I’m doing well, and as a parent, sometimes you just need to hear that. The chance to reflect on small victories was a pleasant reminder that I did handle that meltdown well yesterday and sometimes I’m doing a better job than I give myself credit for.

The app also gave me some reminders about what is developmentally appropriate for my kids’ ages. (Spoiler alert: lots of kids this age struggle with losing.) It’s also a reminder that big feelings and struggles are not only developmentally appropriate, but necessary for kids to get comfortable with struggle and problem solving. I got a few tricks and techniques that were helpful when we played a family game of Mario Kart and encountered the next inevitable struggle with defeat.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the reflections was thinking

about how I was showing up during these episodes. Was I calm? Was I able to maintain my composure to support their emotional regulations? And the chance to think about that made me recognize that while sometimes I am, there’s work to be done in order for me to keep my cool.

I’ve started using more of the calming meditation practices, and usually only a few minutes at a time, as a touchstone to come back to and remind

remind myself of how I would like to show up. I also shared the app with my husband because oftentimes, the mental load of parenting can fall on mothers. He said, “I’m really used to focusing on the nuts and bolts of parenting

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“Spend five minutes a day thinking and reflecting about your parenting, and I think it will change your life.”

—Joshua Iwata, CEO of Parent Lab

Check out our FREE CLASSES:

JUNE HOME BUYER CLASS DATES:

In-person classes held at Marshall Community Center Conference Room 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Saturday 6/8, 10am-1pm

Monday 6/17, 5pm-8pm

VIRTUAL CLASS:

Saturday 6/22, 1pm-3pm www.learningtobuyahome.com

JUNE SELLER CLASS DATES:

In-person class held at Firstenburg Community Center 700 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684

Saturday 6/29, 10am-1pm

VIRTUAL CLASSES:

Monday 6/3, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Saturday 6/22, 10am-12pm www.freesellerclasses.com

continued from previous page

and I tend to only address problems as they arise.” He went on to say, “I liked that the app had me thinking about challenges from a sane,

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.

...REal Talk with Tracie...

READ OUR LATEST BLOG POST...

DO I REALLY NEED A HOME INSPECTION?

One of the most important parts of buying (& selling) a home is the home inspection. If you are buying a home, it is my opinion that you should never waive the home inspection... it doesn’t matter if the home is brand new, or 100 years old, you should ALWAYS have a home inspection done. Even more importantly, as a home buyer, YOU SHOULD ATTEND the home inspection. Buying a home is the most expensive thing you will do (after having a kid!), so why wouldn’t you be at the home inspection? As a buyer, you are paying for the inspector’s time....walk around with him/her, and ask questions. The inspection report is always a bit daunting, and not a little bit scary, but being at the home inspection means that as a buyer, you have the ability to voice concerns and become educated on how to maintain the home after you take possession.

After mutual acceptance of the offer (where both buyer & seller have agreed to all terms), the home goes into ‘pending’ status, and this is where your timelines start. In real estate, we have a lot of timelines that we need to make sure we are meeting, and the inspection is a BIG one...

calm place and be more proactive rather than reactive.” As we reflected individually, it also gave us the opportunity to connect and chat about what we were doing well as parents, and which areas deserved more intentionality and focus.

Generational Wellness for Families

While the creators at Parent Lab are working hard to hone the technology and offer

continual improvements, there’s much to be gained right now from ERA. In a world with more information available than ever, parents deserve focused information that allows them to reflect and be intentional about creating strong connections. “Most people are familiar with generational trauma, but not generational wellness,” says Iwata. “We want to perpetuate a cycle of change that brings wellness into a family.” There are numerous ways, of course, to do this, but ERA can be one avenue to help achieve that path. Iwata and the Parent Lab team are hopeful that they’ve created something that will do just that. He says, “Spend five minutes a day thinking and reflecting about your parenting, and I think it will change your life.”

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.

By Nikki Klock

First inhabited by the Salishspeaking Chelan people, Lake Chelan has long been a gem of what is now known as central Washington state and the Columbia River basin. The name itself (“Shell-ANN”) evokes an escape from the ordinary, and that’s exactly what my family and I found when we visited the small resort community this spring.

Lake Chelan is situated 160 miles east of Seattle, 150 miles west of Spokane and 300 miles northeast of Vancouver, making it a perfect getaway for vacationers from all corners of Washington. Admittedly, the lake and adjacent communities are isolated, far from metropolitan conveniences, but that’s part of the appeal. The lake itself is long and narrow, resembling a fjord, and is the third deepest lake in the United States, which contributes to its popularity among anglers and water sports enthusiasts. The town of Chelan’s year-round population hovers

around 4,000 residents, but in peak summer months as many as 25,000 visit or reside parttime in the area. We visited in early May when the weather wasn’t quite warm enough to play in the water, but we relished our time in the town, exploring the quaint downtown shops, restaurants and neighborhoods overlooking the lake and gorge, without the crowds.

Vineyards and wineries greeted us as we approached the Chelan city limits and the lake came into view, bordered by snow dusted mountains overlooking its placid surface. We made our way to Grandview on the Lake, a waterfront condo hotel that became our home for the weekend. The spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit with full kitchen was much more than we needed (we had no plans to cook) but the separate bedrooms and living area elevated the whole weekend experience. As an early riser, the chance to set up my laptop at a large kitchen table overlooking the

lake while I wrote and my family slept would have been simply impossible in a traditional hotel room. The lake views from the room were spectacular, and from the balcony we spotted fish swimming freely in the clear, turquoise water. Later, after dinner, we enjoyed a soak in Grandview on the Lake’s large bouldersculpted hot tub designed to look and feel like a natural hot spring.

Chelan Riverwalk

First thing our first morning in Chelan, I took a solo walk along the Chelan Riverwalk Loop, a short, easy, paved path along a section of the lake that is actually considered the Chelan River. The path winds along the river, across two bridges and behind charming downtown shops, with Chelan Riverwalk Park bordering the path as well. Signs along this path indicated no swimming on this particular stretch of water due to water traffic and the continued on page 20

Top: A boat floats on Lake Chelan’s peaceful waters in May 2024. Photo by Nikki Klock

Bottom left: Lake Chelan’s condo hotel, Grandview on the Lake, features stunning lake views and easy access to Chelan’s downtown.

Photo courtesy Grandview on the Lake/GreenRubino

Bottom right: Watersports are wildly popular at Lake Chelan during the summer travel season. Photo courtesy Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce

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proximity to the nearby dam, but the path is fully paved and a great place to start your day before enjoying other parts of the lake where swimming is welcome.

Water Sports

While the region boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, our trip happened to coincide with the minority of rainy weekends. But it was easy to see how watersports dominate the area during the summer season. Boat ramps and docks are everywhere, and plenty of outfits offer boat tours and jet ski and paddleboard rentals. For a free and simpler waterplay experience, Lakeside Park on the west end of town offers a grassy play area, picnic tables, playground and water access with a sand/gravel beach leading to a ropedoff swimming area, as well as a boat ramp.

Boutique Shopping

The rain may have foiled our chance at waterplay, but it opened up the opportunity to shop the many boutiques along Chelan’s downtown strip, Woodin Avenue. Lake Life, a two-story shop offering trendy clothing, home décor, sporting goods, jewelry and souvenirs, was a favorite for my young adult daughters, and Chelan Toys & Sweets was a potpourri of toys, ice cream and unique candy. My 18-year-old daughter bought a bottle of kettle corn-flavored soda that we all loved and still has us wondering how they got it to taste just like the sweet popcorn treat. After

lunch at the prominent Campbell’s Pub & Veranda (connected to the larger Campbell’s Resort), we explored the grounds of Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery and the neighboring Fielding Hills Winery. While we’re not wine drinkers, both estates offered a charming exterior atmosphere and lovely views from the vine-lined hilltop.

Surfing USA

Our original plan for Saturday afternoon was an adventure at High Trek Chelan, a ropes course, GellyBall and axe throwing attraction

high on a hill overlooking the lake, but this activity, too, got rained out. We decided to drive up to the site anyway though, and were pleasantly surprised to find Lakeside Surf, located right next door to High Trek Chelan. The world class surfing facility is connected to Slidewaters, Chelan’s waterpark that is open Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, but with its own separate entrance. Slidewaters wasn’t yet open or operational for the season when we visited, but Lakeside was, and we found a small group of surfers undeterred by the cool weather and taking advantage of the huge stationary wave that Lakeside claims is the largest in the world. Similar to FlowRider, a popular surf simulator found on many cruise ships and resorts, Lakeside’s 16-meter “citywave”-brand wave pool is large enough to accommodate regular-sized surfboards, making for an exciting surfing experience for beginners or seasoned surfers. Lakeside Surf is free for spectators on non-special-

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event days, so as the rain subsided we were able to watch the skilled (and a few beginner) surfers all from the comfort of the stadiumstyle seating overlooking Lake Chelan. Aside from the surf facility itself, Lakeside’s grounds include sand volleyball courts, a retail surf

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shop, two restaurants and a surfer hot tub. Public surfing times at Lakeside Surf vary by date, and prices range from $39.99 for a 45-minute session (12 surfers maximum) to $430 for a private session, with membership opportunities also available. Surfers as young

Page 20, top middle: Siren Song Winery and Vineyard Estate offers beautiful vineyard and lake views, along with wine tasting. Photo by JR Klock

Page 20, right middle: Lakeside Surf gives beginner and seasoned surfers a chance to ride the waves without ever going to the beach. Photo by JR Klock

Bottom (page 20-21): A mural in the town of Chelan depicts the region's roots and ecosystem.

Photo by Nikki Klock, mural by Gibbs Graphics

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as age 10 are welcome on the wave. Admission to Slidewaters is sold separately and ranges from $26.99-$35.99 for day passes or $99 (individual)-$499 (family) for season passes.

Chelan Butte Trail and Elephant’s Head

Our final morning in Chelan, with the rain back on standby, I woke early to hike part of the Chelan Butte Trail, whose trailhead is within easy walking distance of downtown Chelan. The first part of the hike is steep, with views of the town and the gorge rather than the lake, but about a mile in, the snow dusted mountains

in the distance and Lake Chelan come into view. The quiet on the hike was profound, with just my footfalls and birdsong accompanying the podcast I had playing. Cell and internet service was available on my phone for the whole hike, which I appreciated as I was out on the trail alone, without another person in sight until my return trip when I saw three or four other hikers. I didn’t have time to hike the full 7.5-mile roundtrip Chelan Butte Trail, but I was able to make it to Elephant’s Head, a lookout just two miles from the trailhead (four miles roundtrip), and it was definitely worth it, with a wonderful vista of the lake, mountains

* Along the Way *

Many roadside attractions and unique sights can be found along the 5.5-hour drive from Vancouver to Lake Chelan:

Maryhill Stonehenge replica war memorial in Klickitat County, outside Goldendale: Like the original Stonehenge in England, the monument’s altar stone is placed to be aligned with sunrise on the summer solstice.

Ellensburg: A wonderful place to stop for lunch on the way to Lake Chelan. Check out our full NW Getaway feature of Ellensburg at VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/nw-getaway-ellensburg.

Leavenworth: Depending on which route you choose to get from Vancouver to Lake Chelan, a hop through the Bavarian town of Leavenworth is a delightful detour. Check out our full NW Getaway feature of Leavenworth at VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/nwgetaway-summertime-in-leavenworth.

and surrounding shoreline communities. It was the perfect ending to a short and sweet weekend getaway.

My family and I hope to visit Lake Chelan again in the future when the weather can permit a whole host of additional activities, but our trip was a great preview of all that this special community has to offer.

Nikki Klock has been the editor of Vancouver Family Magazine since 2006. She loves reading, gardening and exploring the outdoors of the majestic Pacific Northwest with her family and friends.

We didn’t see a single fast food chain restaurant during our weekend exploring the town of Chelan. Instead, local, one-of-akind eateries offer unique flavors in cozy atmospheres, many with especially fun outdoor seating areas and lake views. A few *chef’s kiss* dishes we ate during our time there:

• Chicken fettucine alfredo at Andante (reservations highly recommended)

• Churro-flavored ice cream at The Ice Cream Parlor at The Landing

• Caesar salad with grilled salmon at Campbell’s Pub & Veranda

• Breakfast burrito at CJ’s Grill

A view of the town of Chelan from the Chelan Butte Trail.

Photo by Nikki Klock

LEVELING UP by Giving Back

By Kristen Flowers

Twice a year, a swarm of over 800 people descend on Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield with backpacks full of keyboards, headsets, memory cards and extension cords. Under their arms are custom-built computers holding the fragile lives of intricate characters they may have spent years creating. Each computer character is carefully crafted with rich backstories used in hours and hours of gameplay.

The gamers enter the building, plug in their computers, and attempt to save the world over the next four days. But in addition to saving their virtual world, they are also trying to save the real one, and along the way, they make friends that last a lifetime.

The mission for these gamers is simple: do as much good as possible.

The characters sitting behind the computers run the gamut regarding lifestyles, race, gender and religion. Gamers as young as 5 and as old as 70 have attended PDXLAN, a unique LAN party held at Clark County Event Center, to foster community among themselves while raising money for various charities.

Local Impact

So what is a LAN party? LAN is an acronym for Local Area Network. It’s a collection of connected electronic devices in one physical location. At PDXLAN, a large room with hundreds of computers sitting atop rows and

rows of tables are set up, and behind each is a dedicated gamer immersed in their own unique world. Attendees dedicate themselves to gaming for four whole days. The only break they get is between 3 am and 9 am.

When PDXLAN first launched in 2002, the organizers’ charitable goal was to collect canned food for local area food banks. The gamers would bring in food and be awarded raffle tickets based on the pounds of food that they brought in. Matt Conwell, the event founder for PDXLAN, knew he had something special on his hands when they started getting 50,000 pounds of food and filling entire rooms. They soon required semitrucks to transport all the food, so he decided to channel that energy into generating donations for various local and national charities.

Since then, PDXLAN has collectively raised over $1.2 million. At the most recent event, the organization raised $47,000 for Gamers Outreach, which provides gaming “GO Karts” to children who are undergoing cancer treatments, allowing them to play video games while in an inpatient setting. Because of PDXLAN, ten gaming GO Karts will go to local Portland-area hospitals.

While each PDXLAN event raises money for a different cause, Conwell says it was his personal mission to help children with cancer this year. “My wife is going through cancer treatment right now, and I know what it’s like to go through those chemo days and how rough it

is, and I can imagine how rough it would be on a child. So having something to distract that child during chemo would be amazing.”

Gamers Doing Good

The philanthropic arm of PDXLAN is important for gamer Hans Lain, aka somegeek, in the gaming community. In 2016, Lain attended his first PDXLAN event and was hooked. He couldn’t wait to share the experience with his children one day and hoped to pass down the spirit of helping those in need. When his son celebrated his 10th birthday, he was invited to come with Dad to an event. It was then that he realized the importance of what the gamers were doing.

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Page 24, top: Over 800 PC gamers set up at PDXLAN in Ridgefield. Photo courtesy Matt Conwell/PDXLAN

Page 24, bottom: A father and son play video games together at PDXLAN.

Photo courtesy Matt Conwell/PDXLAN

Page 25: Lucas Alcantara, age 7, says he enjoys playing video games while staying in the hospital. His favorite game is Minecraft Dungeons.

Photo courtesy OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks

“He thinks it’s a cool idea to help people,” Lain explains. At 14, his son spent $30 of his own money to buy three tickets to the raffle, knowing that money would go to charity. “I think he got it. He understood what they were doing, and I was really proud.”

Joseph Szupiany is one of PDXLAN’s oldtimers. He has been coming to gaming events for 20 years and has seen the entire landscape of gaming change. In his own life, he went from playing first-person shooters to playing a golf game with friends. He has also seen technology far surpass what he could have imagined; he’s seen more female gamers be welcomed into the fold, and what used to be a young activity is now enjoyed by people of all ages and their children. “We try to be all-inclusive,” explains Szupiany. “It doesn’t matter your age, color, creed, religion, whatever. We welcome you as a gamer.”

Another thing that has changed is that Szupiany became a father and couldn’t wait until the day that he could bring his children to the event. “They would see Dad get dropped off on Friday night and then get picked up on Sunday, and sure enough, around 8 years

old, they started asking if they could go. We sat down and had a little talk that sometimes people gaming get a little excited. They say some words that you may not hear in school and stuff like that,” he laughs. “I told them you let them do their thing as long as it doesn’t bother you.”

Despite the colorful language heard at the event, the kids had a blast, and now, the minute the event is over, they are asking about the next one. “I feel totally safe bringing my daughter along with me,” says Szupiany.

“For me as the event founder,” says Conwell, “There’s no higher compliment than a parent being willing to bring their child to the event.”

While there are only two PDXLAN events each year, Conwell works behind the scenes year-round, gathering raffle prizes from sponsors. Whether the gamer is playing Call of Duty or Minecraft, it’s on them to fundraise for the event. Individuals can raise money however they see fit or encourage their families to donate in their name. Conwell has seen gamers sell cookies at bake sales or even mac and cheese and lasagna pans to

raise money. “Basically, what’s happening is there are 800 micro-fundraisers out there that are occurring,” says Conwell. “They all raise money, and then they take that money, and we all pool it together for charity.”

It’s a challenge that these gamers do not shy away from.

Szupiany says he can play video games anywhere but goes to PDXLAN events to help people. “I go to push the charity and help try to reach our goal. It’s the main reason why I go.”

Nick Steele (who also happens to be my husband) is another Vancouver gamer who raises money for charity through gaming. Once a year, he streams for 24 hours on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube and raises money for Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising program. In the past seven years, he has raised over $14,000 for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Many gamers take a personal interest in the charities they raise money for, and local charities and hospitals are grateful for the

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“

”

— Matt Conwell, event founder for PDXLAN

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funds as well as the publicity. For example, since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised over $110 million for children’s hospitals nationwide. “My daughter was a NICU baby, and so children’s hospitals have always held a special place in my heart,” says Steele. “It allows me to do something I love while benefiting a good cause.”

“We are so grateful to Extra Life for supporting this position and for helping us provide this programming for our patients,” says Rebekah Coles, OHSU Doernbecher Child Life Therapy Program manager. “These funds and other donations have provided gaming systems, games, tablets, handheld devices and more. It is an impactful program that we are excited to share.”

Players with Passion

Whether through PDXLAN or Extra Life, these gamers come together to make a difference in their community, and according to Conwell, the events have had another important byproduct on the gamers themselves. Having communal support is essential for all people, but especially for gamers who spend time playing solo games, which limits their interaction with others. Gamers can often find themselves feeling isolated and lonely, and that loneliness can contribute to significant health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, stroke and heart

disease, according to Cigna Healthcare. The ability to connect with other like-minded gamers in a fun, social setting has made the difference between feeling alone and feeling surrounded by support.

Conwell sees the same people come back year after year for the event’s camaraderie. “They might live in different places in the country, but they come together for this weekend, and they get to see each other in person. I’ve heard a lot of powerful stories about people who’ve been really, really depressed and haven’t been able to find friends in the regular world, but they come to PDXLAN, and they feel at home.”

It’s one of the main reasons Szupiany keeps coming back. “As a new person, you come in, turn to the left, turn to the right, say hello to your neighbors, and you’re going to make friends so quickly. It is such a great event. If you are an introvert, if you’re an extrovert, no matter your lifestyle, we all love games, and we all love to help people.”

Conwell recalls that at one event, somebody’s electrical power had a problem, resulting in damage to some participants’ computers. Three people lost their computers that day, and during the raffle, attendees who won the prizes gave those prizes back to the people who had lost their computers. “The

community was rebuilding their PCs. I thought that was really cool. People would rather give the prizes to a community member than keep the prize themselves. Those kinds of stories really hit me hard.”

Not only are people donating their raffle prizes, but they are also volunteering their time. At PDXLAN, tons of volunteers are needed to make the event run smoothly. Szupiany is always impressed to see the gamers get in on the cleanup after the event is done. The pride that everyone has for the event is palpable amongst even the youngest of gamers.

Events like PDXLAN and Extra Life offer amazing raffle prizes, lifelong friendships, and hours and hours of gameplay. They allow gamers to level up in all aspects of their lives, and in return, the community benefits from the donations that they can generate.

Gamers enter the virtual world to battle ogres, monsters, ghosts and big baddies who steal princesses, but they are also fighting some real villains, such as pediatric cancer, food insecurity and homelessness.

Even if these gamers play the bad guys in the games, they play the heroes in real life.

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If you love to game and want to participate in PDXLAN, the next event runs November 7-10, 2024. While gamers are the main participants, PDXLAN is always seeking volunteers and sponsors. Visit pdxlan.net to see how you can volunteer or participate.

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

Page 26: Hundreds of PC gamers bring their own devices to PDXLAN in Ridgefield to play video games together and raise money for charity.

Page 27: PDXLAN isn't just about video games: Dozens of 'out of your seat' contests keep attendees entertained too.

PDXLAN

Photo courtesy Matt Conwell/PDXLAN

Photo courtesy Matt Conwell/

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 SATURDAY

Lemonade Day & Junior Market at Esther Short Park 605 Esther St., Vancouver. Shop a market with booth shops run by kid entrepreneurs ages 6-16. 9 am-3 pm

Big Paddle at the Port of Ridgefield. Paddle along Lake River to the Columbia and back BYOB (bring your own boat) or register to ride in a canoe with a guide. Plus, enjoy a guided refugee hike at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, live music, outdoor games, food vendors and more. More information at ridgefieldwa.us/302/Big-Paddle. 9:30 am-3 pm

British Block Party at Kings Cross Automotive, 315 E Reserve St., Vancouver. Free, family-friendly car show with music and food, prizes and more. 11 am-2 pm

Multicultural Resource Fair at Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Celebrate and learn about different cultures, enjoy free entertainment, food and activities for the whole family, while also gaining knowledge and awareness about issues that impact

underrepresented groups in our community. Free and open to the public. 11 am-3 pm

Camtown Youth Festival at Dorothy Fox Elementary School, 2623 NW Sierra St., Camas. Free event for ages 3-16 and their families! Food, entertainment, craft activities, inflatable games, petting zoo, kids’ flea market and more. 11 am-4 pm

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Shop a local artisan and vendor market, plus Children’s Entrepreneurial Market, enjoy visiting farm animals, face painting and more. 11 am-5 pm

Parkersville Day at Parker’s Landing Historical Park, 115 S. A St., Washougal. This free family-friendly celebration of local history opens with a Chinook blessing, then storytellers will make 1844 Oregon Trail history come alive, Whiskey Flats Brass Band will present music from the 1800s. Plus enjoy games, prizes, museum and art booths and more. 12-3 pm

Journey Theater presents “Around the World in 80 Days” at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant as they race to beat the clock. Tickets $16-$20 at journeytheater.org. Playing May 30-Jun 1, showtimes vary.

1 SATURDAY

Support local youth putting their business skills to the test at Lemonade Day & Junior Market.

Bells of the Cascades presents “Encore!” at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver. Tickets $5-$20 at the door. 7 pm

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver, Ode to Joy! Beethoven’s final symphony and one of the supreme

Check out our website for even more local events.

achievements in the history of music. Tickets $10-$55 at vancouversymphony.com. 7 pm

2 SUNDAY

2024 Pride Walk in La Center. 11 am-4 pm

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Shop a local artisan and vendor market, plus Children’s Entrepreneurial Market, enjoy visiting farm animals, face painting and more. 11 am-5 pm

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver, Ode to Joy! Beethoven’s final symphony and one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. Tickets $10-$55 at vancouversymphony.com. 3 pm

3 MONDAY

Ridgefield Raptors Home Baseball Game at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC), 3101 S Hillhurst Rd.,

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1 SATURDAY

Camas area youth help plan Camtown Youth Festival, a popular event in Camas that caters directly to local youth. This year’s event will happen at Dorothy Fox Elementary School.

June 14-16, 2024

• Pi l o t Butte Challenge • H alf Marathon, 10K & 5K

• Kids Splash Pedal & Dash • Deschutes Dash

• O l ympic & Sprint Tri/Du /Aqua bike/Paddle

• B eastman Tri/Du /Aquabike/Paddle

Benefiting multiple school programs and clubs

COOL EXPO, FOOD, BEER GARDEN TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE GIFT!

SAVE 10% USING PROMO CODE WHYVANCOUVERFAMILY KIDS 12 AND UNDER RACE FOR FREE AGES 13-17 RACE FOR 50% OFF

REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

June 29-30, 2024

3.56x4.8_VFad_ALL.indd 7 1/29/23 11:02 AM

Ridgefield. Watch Clark County’s hometown baseball team face off against teams from all over the Pacific Northwest. 6:30 pm

6 THURSDAY

Train Day at Kazoodles, 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd., #B-3, Vancouver. Calling all toddler train enthusiasts! Join Brio every Thursday for a thrilling day of wooden train play that’s perfect for toddlers. Thursdays through June. 11 am-1 pm

6 THURSDAY

5K • 10K • Trail Challenge • 26.2M/50M RENDEVOUZ DAYS Benefiting City of Yacolt 3.56x4.8_VFad_ALL.indd 8

Clark County Historical Museum Speaker Series: Race, Gender and Monsters: What Vampires and Werewolves Reveal about Ourselves and Our Culture by author and professor Bernadette Calafell at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Why do some monsters seem to resonate through time? What do they say about our social and cultural anxieties around difference— in particular race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality, and ability? Free admission. 7 pm

7 FRIDAY

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

Downtown Camas Unicorns, Rainbows & Mythical Beasts First Friday. Art shows, afterhours shopping, games, prizes, crafts, live music and more. 5-8 pm

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie. Cafe, snack shacks, food trucks, beer gardens, vendors, DJ, disc golf, mini golf, pedal boats, train rides, bounce houses, pool, playgrounds. All special interest cars, trucks and bikes welcome. Fridays through September 13. Spectators $5-$10, participants $10 per carload/$8 motorcycles. 4-8 pm

8 SATURDAY

MPA Broadway Jr presents “Cheshire in Wonderland, A Musical Adaptation” at Metropolitan Performing Arts, 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets $1-$3 at metropolitanperformingarts.org. Playing Jun 8-9, showtimes vary.

Pride Block Party at Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, 109 West 7th St., Vancouver. A free, fun day of celebration for the whole family. 12-7 pm

10 MONDAY

MPA Off-Broadway presents Selections from “Rock of Ages” at Metropolitan

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Train-loving toddlers are on track for fun at Kazoodles’ Train Day, every week through the month of June.

Photo by

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Performing Arts, 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets free, but seats must be reserved at metropolitanperformingarts.org. Playing Jun 10-11, showtimes vary.

12 WEDNESDAY

History on Tap: Timeless Elegance: A Half-Century of Glamour at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. A captivating exploration of drag performance, its rich history and its role in social movements. Tickets $5 at kigginstheatre. com. 7 pm

14 FRIDAY

Summer Fest: Music & Fun at O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver. Live music games, and community celebration. 5:30-8 pm

15 SATURDAY

Pacific Northwest British Invasion Show & Shine at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie. All British cars, trucks and bikes welcome! Scavenger hunt for kids, food, music and more. General admission: $8, All entrants $10 per carload (cash only). 10 am- 2 pm

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver. Performances, activities and more, all celebrating the liberation of the last African American slaves in Texas by American soldiers in June of 1865. 10 am-5 pm

Garden Party & Silent Art Auction: A Farm Faire at

Support your local furry friends at CatFest, a

Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Silent art auction benefitting Pomeroy Farm. 11 am-2 pm

CatFest at Ashwood Taps and Trucks, 1535 E St., Washougal. Celebrate all things cat with proceeds benefitting West Columbia Gorge Humane Society. 12-2 pm

16 SUNDAY

Couve Auto Show at Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver. Live music, food, raffles and other family-friendly entertainment along with classic and custom cars and trucks. 10 am-3 pm

18 TUESDAY

The Oregon Reptile Man at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St., Woodland. Meet 15 live reptiles from around the globe as The Reptile Man brings his expertise and humor to educate and entertain. 10:30-11:30 am

20 THURSDAY

Summer Fest – Summer Solstice Celebration at O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver. Fun for the whole family on Officers Row. 6-8 pm

Wild and Scenic Film Festival at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Cascade Forest Conservancy presents this one-night event that features eight of the hundreds of award-winning films featured in this year’s festival, including; “Kelp!” which follows a young filmmaker in search of a surprising solution to build a better future for humans and the planet; “Paddle Tribal Waters” a film featuring jaw-dropping cinematography to showcase the unbreakable bond between people and their ancestral lands; “Brave Girl” a film about a young adventurer, who, with her grandmother, begins to learn what it takes to climb mountains, and others.

The Best of Fest from the Wild and Scenic Film Fest are powerful stories that inspire adventure and activism, and all proceeds from the event will support Cascade Forest Conservancy’s important ongoing conservation work right here in Southwest Washington! Tickets $25 at kigginstheatre. com. 7 pm

21 FRIDAY

Family Bingo Night at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Winners receive their choice of Reading Dragon prize. All ages welcome. 5-6:30

22 SATURDAY

Columbia Play Project Family Play Day at Vancouver Waterfront Park, Columbia Way and Esther St., Vancouver. Come play with Columbia Play Project at Vancouver Waterfront Park! 10 am-3 pm

The Oregon Reptile Man at Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. Meet 15 live reptiles from around the globe as The Reptile Man brings his expertise and humor to educate and entertain. 11 am-12 pm

Bossa PDX Musical Performance at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and soulful melodies with Bossa PDX, a local classic bossa nova and Brazilian jazz ensemble. 3 pm

Supper & Social at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Celebrate a cherished piece of Clark County history. Tickets $90 at pomeroyfarm.org. 4-8 pm

La Center Concerts in the Park at Sternwheeler Park, 100 W 4th St., La Center, Saturdays Jun 22-Aug 10. Lineup:

June 22: Harvest Gold, A Tribute to Neil Young

June 29: Rich Layton & Tough Town

July 6: The Filament

July 13: Knight Moves

July 20: Nobody’s Sweetheart

July 27: Gary Bennett & The Coattail Riders

August 3: 24-7 Band

August 10: Fortunate Son 6-8 pm

23 SUNDAY

Child Abuse Awareness Walk + Learn at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E 5th St., Vancouver. A free, family friendly, interactive walk at Fort Vancouver with activities along the way designed to help keep kids safe. All ages welcome. Free, no registration required, rain or shine. 9-11 am

Camas Pride: Live Your Best Life Block Party in Downtown Camas. 11 am-4 pm

25 TUESDAY

Officers Row Trees Walking Tour at O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver. Join City of Vancouver Urban Forestry staff for a walking tour to learn more about the tree species along Officers Row. The Historic Trust staff will share some information about the architecture of the late 19th century Army residences and the people who lived in them along the way. 12-1 pm

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Watershed Alliance Environmental Film Series: “Common Ground” at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. “Common Ground” unveils a dark web of money, power and politics behind our broken food system. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, Black and Indigenous farmers who are using alternative regenerative models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health and stabilize America’s economy–before it’s too late. Register at thewatershedalliance.org. 4:30 pm

Twilight Tuesday at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. As the summer sun sets and the heat dissipates, movement begins along the water’s edge. Join a Water Center educator to explore the twilight in and around the Columbia River and its wetlands. Register at cityofvancouver.us/events/twilight-Tuesday. 7:30 pm

26 WEDNESDAY

Hawaiian Hula Dance for All at Vancouver Community Library 901 C St., Vancouver.

Experience a vibrant celebration of Hawaiian culture through songs, language and hula in this interactive program for participants of all ages. 4-4:45

27 THURSDAY

Vancouver Lake Community Paddle Trip at Felida Moorage & Marine Services, 4911 NW 122nd St., Vancouver. Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a free family-friendly canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big Canoes! Glide past shore birds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem from seasoned paddle guides and educators. More information and register at cityofvancouver.us/events. 10 am-12 pm

Creature Teachers Wild and Wonderful World at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St., Washougal. It’s time for an entertaining journey with Creature Teachers—an educational program dedicated to shedding light on the often overlooked creatures of our world. 5:30 pm

29 SATURDAY

Bigfoot Fun Run & Hellz Bellz Ultra at Yacolt City Hall, 202 W Cushman St., Yacolt. An entire weekend of racing and the Town of Yacolt’s Rendezvous Days. Registration $17.50-$130 at whyracingevents.com. 10K or 5K run/walk Saturday 9 am, Hellz Bellz Ultra Sunday 6 am. 9 am

Harper’s Playground Day of Play at Marshall Park, 1015 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Celebrate community, inclusion and play at CHAMPS at Marshall Park, which features wheelchair-accessible equipment, flat surfacing and nature-scapes. Come with your family and friends, meet your community, and enjoy activities, music, face painting and games for all. 10 am-1 pm

Camas Car Show in Downtown Camas. Come stroll the beautiful streets of historic Downtown Camas and enjoy the many classic and custom cars and trucks that fill the town. 2-7 pm

FARMERS MARKETS

Vancouver Farmers Market at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. April-October | Saturdays, 9 am-3 pm, Sundays, 10 am-3 pm

Camas Farmers Market at 4th Ave., between Everett and Franklin. June 5-October 2 | Wednesdays, 3-7 pm

East Vancouver Farmers Market at 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. June-September | Thursdays, 10 am-2 pm

Salmon Creek Farmers Market at Legacy Hospital, 2211 NE 139th St., Vancouver. June 6-October 3 | Thursdays, 11 am-3 pm

Woodland Farmers Market at Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland. May 24-August 30 | Fridays, 2-7 pm