Vancouver Family Magazine May 2022 by Vancouver Family Magazine

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Hometown Hero:

Paralympian Yen Hoang on Her Winning Strategies

W omen and

Alcohol Addiction: Where and How to Find Help

Local Sports:

VANCOUVER VOLCANOES

Basketball Team Builds Community On and Off the Court

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

contents

May '22

FEATURE ARTICLES

Life Without Limits An inside interview with Vancouver-raised Paralympian, Yen Hoang.

Women and Alcohol Addiction Local experts share hope and help for alcohol addiction recovery.

Vancouver Volcanoes Basketball Part two in a two-part series on local high level basketball.

12 IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

Couve Scoop • FVRL Summer Reading 2022

• Local Nonprofit Office Moms & Dads Is Now Fosterful • VITA Elementary School Prepares to Open as a Learning Lab in Fall 2022

8 26

Mosaic Family Voyage Cruising on a Sailboat: A Lesson in Patience

32 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB

20 4

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•

A Few of Our Favorite Hikes & Trails

•

Take our reader survey and be entered for a chance to win a prize package from Vancouver Mall

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

EDITOR'S NOTES

Keys to Success In the United States, the tradition of bestowing a “Key to the City” dates back to the days of walled cities, when gates to a municipality would be guarded by day and locked at night, to keep residents safe from ill-intentioned intruders. A key might be given to esteemed individuals who gained the trust and friendship of the city’s residents and therefore the freedom to come and go as they pleased. In Europe, a similar honor is known as “Freedom of the City.” Today, with no city gates to speak of, the tradition is symbolic rather than literal, but it remains a way for governments to bestow honor on a celebrated individual. In recent months, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle presented the Key to the City to three elite athletes who hailed from Vancouver and who represented Team USA in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gymnast and first-time Olympian, Jordan Chiles, received the award on August 22, 2021, amidst a parade and a long line of fans hoping to meet the graduate of Prairie High School. Javelin thrower Kara Winger, four-time Olympian and 2004 graduate of Skyview High School in Vancouver, received the honor on October 26, 2021. A few months later, in January 2022, Paralympian and Evergreen High School graduate, Yen Hoang, was the third 2020 Olympic hometown hero to receive the award from the Mayor. Hoang was born in Vietnam and grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is now a college graduate and elite athlete with a long career ahead of her. This month we are proud to share her story. If the Key to the City was historically given to grant freedom of access, Hoang has certainly claimed that freedom through perseverance, hard work, and significant support from friends, family and coaches. Read our exclusive interview with Yen Hoang on page 12. Also in this issue, dive more into local athletics with part two in our two-part series on local high level basketball—this month spotlighting how the Vancouver Volcanoes professional basketball team builds community on and off the court (page 26). And, learn how alcohol affects women differently than men, and how to find hope and help for alcohol addiction recovery (page 20).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 21, Issue 5 Publisher

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

Editor

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

Associate Editor

Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Kristen Flowers, Dan Greyson, Rachel Messerschmidt, Sarah Mortensen

Ad Sales

sales@vancouverfamilymagazine.com Vancouver Family Magazine is published monthly by Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC Address: PO Box 820264 Vancouver, WA 98682 Tel: 360-882-7762 Copyright 2002-2022. All rights reserved. No portion of Vancouver Family Magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website. The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

On the Cover:

Janna and Danielle and their two kids, age 3 and 5, live in Portland and enjoy exploring new parks and playgrounds, treasure hunting at neighborhood farmers markets and visiting all the local doughnut shops.

Photo by Mera Eishell Meraeishell.com IG: @meraeishellphotography Hellomeraeishell@gmail.com

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

MAY 2022

FVRL Summer Reading 2022 It’s

almost time for summer reading! Starting June 1, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries will once again invite Southwest Washington community members of all ages to read and participate in activities, then earn prizes, plus enter into a grand prize drawing. This summer’s activities will again be largely virtual, with both YouTube videos (which can be viewed from their premier date through August 31) and live, Zoom events which are real-time and interactive. Follow your local library on Facebook or ask at your library branch to see what impromptu live activities may be happening at the branch nearest you. Sign up for Summer Reading 2022 and learn more details about the grand prize and a full list of virtual activities starting June 1 at fvrl.org.

Local nonprofit Office Moms & Dads recently changed their name to Fosterful, but their commitment to caring for kids in foster care transitions remains the same. Photos courtesy Fosterful.

Local Nonprofit Office Moms & Dads Is Now Since 2013, a grassroots group of community members known as Office Moms & Dads (OMD) has been volunteering at local child welfare offices in Washington and Idaho. Their goal was to provide a soft landing to children entering foster care, or spending time at the offices for a variety of reasons, so that children don’t feel alone during such a frightening time. The group has worked with the community to provide new, clean clothing, luggage, food and other necessities so the kids are ready when a foster caregiver comes to pick them up. OMD also serves as a way for community members to get involved with foster care without becoming a full-fledged foster parent. On-call volunteers serve Monday through Friday during business hours, helping alleviate social workers of the childcare aspect of their job. Throughout the pandemic, the group continued to care for kids by providing resources that social workers could deliver during visits, like remote learning supplies, clothing, therapeutic toys and meals to caregivers who had no other source for respite.

Above left: Jessa Campbell will perform an early learning live Zoom program as part of the library’s Summer At Your Library and Summer Reading Program 2022. Photo courtesy FVRL. Above right: Danza Azteca will perform a bilingual show on FVRLibraries’ YouTube channel as part of the library’s Summer At Your Library 2022. Photo courtesy FVRL.

Over the past two years, as the national conversation turned to systemic racism, the leadership at OMD began listening to leaders of the BIPOC community to hear their stories and gain feedback for how the program could better serve children of color who have been, and continue to be, overrepresented in foster care. Additionally, the group heard from non-binary volunteers who were excited and passionate about the mission, but concerned about the exclusive nature of the name. Their voices added to the urgency of finding a brand that would reflect the organization’s values of equity and inclusivity to all. As child welfare offices have begun mobilizing volunteers once again, the Board of Directors voted to use this opportunity for change and growth. As of March 1, 2022 Office Moms & Dads registered with the Secretary of State to become Fosterful. Leadership believes that ‘Fosterful’ highlights the fact that the group has become more than just volunteer companions to kids in foster care. They are mindful, thoughtful and hopeful. Through trauma-informed care practices, they provide nurturing environments and basic necessities to kids in care in 26+ locations throughout Washington and Idaho. Under this new banner the nonprofit organization has room to grow into a movement for changing the child welfare system from the inside out.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts (VITA) Elementary School

Prepares to Open as a Learning Lab in Fall 2022 Planning for the opening of Vancouver Innovation, Technology

and Arts (VITA) Elementary School is beginning to take shape. The new public elementary school, located near Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Fort Vancouver Regional Library District administration offices, is set to open in fall 2022. However, due to an enrollment decline across Vancouver Public Schools (VPS), the school will operate for the first year as a learning and teaching lab. Every second through fifth grader in Vancouver Public Schools will take an extended multiday field trip to the VITA Learning Lab at some time during the 2022-23 school year, for project-based learning experiences that will be enhanced through partnerships with community organizations. “This is a great opportunity for nearly all of our elementary students to experience the innovation and curricular integration of VITA,” said VPS school board president Kyle Sproul. “It is our goal to anchor VITA as a learning laboratory where the creativity and exploration of the program can serve to benefit all of our elementary schools.” Following the first year, the school will operate as an elementary school for project-based learning. The school also may serve as a neighborhood school for the downtown area, relieving enrollment at Hough and Harney elementary schools if needed. Back when the school was in the early building stages, the community was invited to submit name ideas for the new building. Out of hundreds of suggestions, Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Elementary School, or VITA was selected. The name was recommended by a student, Seneca C., who noted that the acronym, VITA, is the Latin word for “life.” “Isn’t the main point of school to bring your ideas to life?” she wrote in her suggestion. “Personally, I think that the idea of having an elementary school with such a powerful name is wonderful," she continued, "because elementary school students are so full of life that it would be wonderful to be able to display that to the community.”

Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts (VITA) Elementary School will open in fall 2022 as a special learning lab for elementary school students within Vancouver Public Schools. Photo by Cheryl Boatman.

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MOSAIC FAMILY VOYAGE

By Rachel Messerschmidt All photos courtesy of the author.

n a S a il b oat o g n i s i u : Cr

A Lesson in Patience

We are cautious sailors. No matter how long we live on this boat, we’ll never take for granted that this is our home and that we’re traveling with our kids aboard who are trusting us to keep them safe. I know just how much is at stake here.

So, when we found ourselves trying to head back north from Barra de Navidad and up into the Sea of Cortez, we had to round Mexico’s most notorious west coast cape: Cabo Corrientes. Cabo Corrientes translates as Cape of Currents and it is known for a strong northbound current clashing with winds headed south. Wind-opposing current is a recipe for big waves which can make the inside of your sailboat seem like the inside of a washing machine. Even though we’d had an easy time getting around Cabo Corrientes on our way south a couple months earlier, we’d heard horror stories of boats getting beaten up pretty badly on their northbound journeys, so we wanted to wait for a really nice weather window to make the jump. We needed a minimum of 18 hours of good weather, (meaning no big northerly winds blowing at the cape) in order for us to get from our staging bay up and safely around the cape. So, we waited. And we waited. And we waited.

There were a couple of small, potential weather windows during our time waiting. We chatted daily with other boats in the anchorage and we watched twice as others decided to “go” on short windows while we still decided to stay. We’ve come to accept this as normal for us. It’s said that a cruiser’s biggest enemy is having a schedule. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time, you’re more likely to make routing and passage decisions that you might not otherwise make, potentially putting yourself or your boat into unfavorable or even dangerous situations. We were on a bit of a schedule and so we were even more aware of the time ticking by and trying to balance not being overly cautious while still being smart. Most cruisers who visit Mexico are allowed into the country for 6 months at a time. We were nearing the end of our 6-month visas and so we were trying to get up to Mazatlan in order to fly back to the United States to renew our visas. We’d already booked flights and we were starting to worry about not getting to Mazatlan in time. Thankfully, a weather window finally developed, and we were continued on next page

Page 10, top: Days at sea are often spent watching for sea life, listening to audio books, playing games, and holding long conversations. Bottom left: While waiting for a chance to move north, the author and her family celebrated their oldest child's 12th birthday! Birthdays and holidays look much different now but are still filled with love. Bottom right: The author snaps a selfie while sailing on the final leg toward Mazatlan. Page 11, left: The family's 40-foot sailboat approaches Mazatlan after their 5-day journey which covered more than 300 miles of the Pacific Mexico coastline. Page 11, right: One of several dawn departures during the family's five day trip north from Chamela to Mazatlan.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

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ready to go! On a Thursday morning at dawn, we finally motor-sailed out of Bahia Chamela, headed north. Our weather window rewarded us for our patience and extended for several days around Cabo Corrientes and even stretched north all the way to Mazatlan for a solid five to six days. We took advantage of it all and traveled north for five days straight. For the first three days and nights, we traveled from dawn to dusk, only stopping each night to anchor and get some sleep. On our final leg of the journey, there were no good anchorages for a 130-mile stretch of coastline, so we had to handle an overnight passage. That final leg was a straight 30 hours of non-stop travel. By the end of those five days, we were pretty exhausted, but also very glad to have arrived at Mazatlan and feel the sense of accomplishment for having made it to our destination, safe and sound—and with a week to spare.

Page 10, top: The author's husband gives advice to their 7-year-old daughter as she sails their 40-foot sailboat, Mosaic. Bottom left: The author's children enjoy tacos from their favorite taco place in Barra: AR Taco. Bottom right: The author's family walking down a colorful street in Barra de Navidad, February 2022. Page 11, bottom: The family hiked five miles from the Barra marina across the peninsula to Secret Beach. This was one of their favorite beaches they’ve seen in Pacific Mexico!

Rachel Messerschmidt and her family are Clark County natives living and cruising full time aboard their 40-foot sailboat, Mosaic. In the fall and winter of 2021, they traveled down the U.S. West Coast and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Crossing the Sea of Cortez in December, they continued south down the Mexican mainland coast until February. Rachel shares her family’s adventures on her blog at www.mosaicvoyage.com and on Facebook and Instagram @mosaicvoyage. She writes a monthly column in Vancouver Family Magazine.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Feature: Life without Limits: An Interview with Paralympian Yen Hoang

Life without Limits: An Interview with

Paralympian Yen Hoang By Sarah Mortensen

Paralympian Yen Hoang began racing competitively in high school. Photo courtesy of World Wheelchair Sports.

Born in Vietnam and raised in Clark County, Yen Hoang has crossed many borders and barriers in her career as an elite athlete and Paralympian. At age 3, Hoang and her family immigrated to the United States. Only a year later, she suffered a spinal cord injury leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. She entered the U.S. school system as a Head Start preschooler, simultaneously learning English and learning to live in wheelchair. Later a graduate of Evergreen High School in Vancouver, today she is a decorated athlete, holds two advanced university degrees, works as an international accountant and has an athletic career that is off to a breathtaking start: Hoang competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, placing 8th in the 800-meter and 9th in the 100-meter—and her racing career has only just begun. Her interest in adaptive sports and racing was sparked at an assembly she attended at Cascade Middle School in Vancouver where para-athlete, Jason Holdahl, spoke to students about adaptive sports and overcoming trials. His personal invitation to Hoang came at the right moment in her life when she was ready to try something new. Basketball was the first sport she tried, but it was “not her favorite.” She also initially tried rugby before finding her home in track and field where she has thrived ever since. An immigrant, a female, and differently abled, Hoang knows her successes are

much more than good luck. She learned early in life that “working hard toward your goal will get you to where you want to go.” I recently spoke with Hoang about her journey into sports, the trials she has overcome, and what she has learned along the way.

“If he can still do sports with his abilities, I definitely can do sports.”

SM: Can you describe what it was about Jason Holdahl’s assembly presentation that piqued your interest in sports? What do you most remember about your first meeting with him?

SM: It really seems serendipitous that the speaker came into your life at the time he did. How did you feel starting something so new?

YH: Before the middle school assembly speaker, physical therapists and ablebodied [friends] always told me I should try adaptive sports. I didn’t like people telling me what to do, especially people who were different than me. I think that’s why it’s so important to have mentors and people in your life that are like you [and share the] same abilities and/or experiences. The speaker sparked my interest because, like me, he used a wheelchair. I remember him demonstrating how he transferred from his everyday wheelchair into a rugby chair. As I was watching him, I noticed how difficult it was for him to transfer because he was newly injured and a quadriplegic, meaning his paralysis affected his legs and his arms. Since I was injured at a young age, all I knew was [life in a] wheelchair. Also, I’m a paraplegic, meaning only my legs are impaired and my arms are not, [so] I can transfer a lot easier and quicker. As I was watching him transfer, I just thought,

That’s why I enjoy meeting up with newly injured people when they’re recovering in the hospital to show them it’s going to be a different life, but it’s going to be OK.

YH: When I first met the speaker, I liked how he invited me out to try rugby, but he didn’t push me. He simply said, “You should try it out and here’s my contacts.” Honestly, I would say it took me a while to accept my injury. I wanted to be like everyone else; I wanted to fit in. I think my thought process as a child was if I just distance myself and not get involved in the adaptive community I could be like my classmates. But, by the time middle school came around, it got lonely trying to pretend to be something I was not. I finally reached out to an adaptive organization, Winners on Wheels. I was ready to be surrounded by people who looked like me and had to navigate life differently. It was nice to not look different among a group. SM: So that was the invitation that brought you into the world of parasports. How did you decide what to try, and what was hard at first? continued on page 14

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

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Feature: Life without Limits: An Interview with Paralympian Yen Hoang (cont'd) continued from page 12

YH: I got into the rugby chair for the first time at the Winners on Wheels event. There, I learned of a new organization, Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW). ASNW had clinics at Portland Community College every so often to introduce people to different sports such as tennis, rugby and basketball. ASNW held those clinics all throughout the summer and I basically went to all of them. The ASNW director suggested I join their junior basketball team, the Wheelblazers. I remember being so shy the first practice, but throughout the years my confidence definitely grew. I really attribute it to my basketball teammates and coaches just making me feel comfortable and really allowing me to embrace and love myself because I saw that they embraced and loved themselves. SM: It was your basketball teammate who encouraged you to try track and field at your middle school. What was it like switching to a new team that was mainly able-bodied athletes? YH: I started out with sprints at first and honestly, I felt really out of place at practices. Wheelchair racers have a slower start than runners. It’s at the 400-meter when runners and wheelchair racers basically have the same time, anything less than the 400, racers are likely slower than runners, and anything more than the 400 racers are faster than runners. However, I didn’t really realize that when I was first started racing, so all I saw was that I was very slow compared to the other middle school sprinters. I kind of got back into that space of, “Oh, I’m different.”

so I only practiced with my middle school team but never competed. I was afraid of coming in last at competitions and still having everyone cheering for me because I know the pity society has on people with disabilities. I wasn’t necessarily afraid of my performance; I was afraid of people’s perception and the pity they would have on me. When I got to high school, I had to make a huge decision—did I want to join my high school track team? I loved racing at this point, but I was afraid of showing up in my racing chair and being the different person again. What pushed me to join my high school track team was my older sister because she was a part of the track team and she’s always been such a supportive figure in my life. I knew that no matter what happened at track practice, she would be there to comfort me. So, I took the leap and joined my high school track team and it was an incredible decision. I had a very successful high school track career and it really opened the doors for my social life. I blossomed from middle school to high school because of being on the track team and simply knowing more people and being a part of something that I could talk to my classmates about that they could relate to as well.

Even though I really enjoyed being in a racing chair when I first started out, I wasn’t confident enough in my abilities,

Yen Hoang (second from left) at the Washington state high school track meet in 2015. Photo courtesy Yen Hoang.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

SM: What learning curves were there as you tried different sports? For example, using a racer is probably unique in many ways. YH: Oh yes, there’s a huge learning curve in sports, and especially for me because I wouldn’t consider myself naturally athletic. I was never able to gain the basketball skills because of my lack of hand eye coordination. Wheelchair racing is very technical and I am still learning its technique to this day. Something most people don’t know about wheelchair racing is we have push rims on our wheels, but we don’t ever actually grip. We have racing gloves which keep our hands in a fist and we stroke/push/brush up against the hand rings to propel the chair forward. The strokes take a while to master. There is also chair control which is very important on the track to simply stay in your lane or when you’re pushing with a pack in a long distance race. You want enough chair control to be close to another racer for drafting, but not so close that you might hit into another racer and cause a crash. continued on page 16

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Feature: Life without Limits: An Interview with Paralympian Yen Hoang (cont'd) continued from page 14

Even 12 years later, I am still learning chair control. While I have never created a crash, I do land on my side quite often in road races simply from turning and the momentum of the turn and me not controlling my chair correctly. That is something I’m working on this season as I’m getting into more road races, it’s a constant learning process. SM: When you first started competing, how did you overcome your fear of pity? YH: I [began] competing at high school track meets. One of my coaches suggested distance [races instead of sprints]. I tried it, and I felt a lot more comfortable with the long-distance group because even though I had a slow start, I could eventually catch up to them and actually feel part of the team and part of the work out, which is something I didn’t experience during middle school. I remember my first track competition. I came in last, but that didn’t discourage me. I remember when I was competing there was absolutely nothing in my head, I had no worries or cares about people’s

perceptions of me. Even though I was last, I knew it wasn’t because I was slow. At the time I didn’t have good enough chair control to go around runners to pass them, but as I was pushing (and trying to not clip that last runner’s ankles) I knew I was faster than this and my goal was to be better next time. That’s still my mindset nowadays: I don’t care about beating my competitors, I care about being better than what I once was.

would. I also had an awesome coach, Coach Hanson. He had never coached an adaptive athlete before, but he was willing to learn and reach out to adaptive track coaches for tips. He also did little things like made sure the runners were aware to get off the track after their reps because, as a racer, I can’t stop on a dime right after the finish line. I remember he would also make the long-distance group join me on the smaller bus [that had] a lift.

SM: How did your team and coach help include you?

Another amazing thing my high school did was pay for the remainder of my first racing chair that a grant wouldn’t cover. My own racing chair would fit me better and allow me to go faster. Coach Hanson said he’d talk to the athletic director to see if the high school could help me out somehow. To this day I still think that act was incredible. There was no reason the high school had to help me and I’m not sure where the funding came from, but I am incredibly grateful.

YH: I was lucky enough to have an amazing high school track coach and a very supportive high school. Not all athletes get this luxury and I hear stories about athletes and their parents having to fight to just compete. My parents don’t speak English, so they would not have been able to advocate for me. My teammates never made me feel different. They would cheer me on and support my success just like they would any other runner. I remember going to state and in one of my events I was the only racer since there was only a handful of [wheelchair] racers in Washington. So, I obviously won the race. My teammates were so happy for me. One even bought me a state championship T-shirt from the merchandise shop because I technically was a state champion. That was the thing—they never diminished my success because I was different. Something that sticks out in my mind is [inaccessible] stadiums—they are stairs upon stairs. If I ever wanted to sit with my teammates, I could ask any guy on the team to help me up and they

SM: You also mentioned you were allowed to compete with your high school track team because of Washington laws. YH: Yes, in Washington, and now Oregon, racers can compete for their schools and earn points for the team. But that wasn’t always the case. In Washington . . . the laws have been a lot more inclusive for the past decade. SM: Both your bachelor’s and master’s of accounting science degrees are from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign (UIUC) and, though your family is still here in Vancouver, you live near the UIUC campus to continue your training. Why did you decide to go attend UIUC and what makes their program for para-athletes unique? YH: The Illinois para-athletic program is continued on page 18

Yen Hoang prepares to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held in 2021. Photo courtesy Yen Hoang.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Thank You!

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation wishes to thank our sponsors for making this event possible.

Feature: Life without Limits: An Interview with Paralympian Yen Hoang (cont'd) continued from page 16

great because it has history that dates back to the 1940s. Tim Nugent propositioned many universities to see if they would be willing to create an adaptive program. This was after World War II when there were a lot of veterans coming back wounded. Many universities turned him down, but UIUC took a chance. UIUC provides a lot of resources to students with disabilities and the adaptive sports program. It’s not equal to the other athletic programs, such as football or even the able-bodied track team. Equality is still something we’re actively fighting for, but it is still better than other universities. I think it’s the athletes and the coaches that continue to make the program at UIUC the best racing program in the country. My coach at the university, Adam Bleakney, was an athlete of the program himself and three-time Paralympian. The funny thing was since I was 15, I knew I would go to UIUC for college because of the racing program. I had no idea what education the college offered or [about] Illinois in general. I just knew I wanted to be a Paralympian, so I went where the best training was and nothing else mattered. Luckily for me, I ended up majoring in accounting and they just so happened to

have one of the best accounting programs in the country. SM: In January this year, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle presented you with a Key to the City of Vancouver. What was that moment like for you? YH: It was an honor to receive the Key to the City, but what I thought was really cool was the mayor reaching out to me initially and just giving me the same recognition as the Olympians from Vancouver, Washington. I think that’s the cooler part, being recognized like the Olympians were because there still isn’t complete fairness between Olympians and Paralympians. SM: You earned both a gold and silver medal in 2019 at the Parapan American Games, and placed 8th and 9th in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held in 2021. With so many wins and accomplishments under your belt, would you say the Paralympics have been the highlight of your career so far? YH: Yes, Tokyo Paralympics was the highlight of my career. Going to the Paralympics has been a decade long goal of mine and it’s so satisfying to know that my hard work led me there. I think achieving this Paralympic dream of mine solidified the idea I’ve always had that, it may take a lot of time, but eventually [I’ll] get there. SM: What are some of your other favorite moments and memories?

YH: Some other recent highlights of my career are podiuming at 2021 Chicago and Boston marathons. These were the best results and times I’ve ever had at any marathon. The pandemic caused many road races to be postponed, so when they came back into the schedule, the racing season was very busy. The Chicago marathon was on Sunday, October 10 and the Boston marathon was the next day. It was really fun and a once in a lifetime opportunity to do 52.4 miles in 24 hours. Quite a few of my teammates and I did both marathons and it was a nice experience to share with them. Those two podium finishes were also nice because after Tokyo, I became full-time at my public accounting job and I really didn’t know if I could balance training and a full-time career. I was terribly afraid that I couldn’t continue to be an elite athlete if I was a full-time accountant. Those results showed me that that is not true: I can have an athletic and professional career. SM: Do you have any final thought or words of encouragement for athletes of all kinds? YH: My final thought would be to just try it. I think it’s important to step out of your comfort zone from time to time because that’s how you grow and learn. I would also say be kind and patient with yourself as achieving any goal takes time and that’s okay. Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in English and marriage and family studies from BYU-Idaho and works for Vancouver Public School as a paraeducator. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her vegetable garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.

Yen Hoang with friends and family at the Key to the City ceremony, January 2022. Photo courtesy Yen Hoang.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com for Pacific Northwest resources for adaptive athletes. 18

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Feature: Women and Alcohol

Wand omen

Alcohol: Use, Addiction and How to Get Help

By Dana Grayson

A Wake-Up Call

“At 16, I lost a close friend in an alcoholrelated car accident. Complete sobriety while driving was an absolute nonnegotiable for me. The last night I ever drank, I went out with friends to a comedy show where we shared several pitchers. I drove home. In my mind, I was sober enough to drive. Reality came crashing down on me the next morning when I woke up. I was almost 100% sure that I was still under the influence. That meant that there was a high likelihood that I was impaired when I drove home. The thought that I may have dishonored my friend’s memory in that way was enough for me to say, ‘This has gotten out of hand.’” Holly Paulsen, SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) recovery program participant. Most of us drink alcohol. According to a 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 87% of adults reported that they drank alcohol at some point in the past year and 70% in the past month. While there are some reported benefits to occasional and light alcohol consumption, there are very real risks to overconsumption.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that for women in particular, excessive drinking disproportionately increases their risk of liver disease, cognitive decline, heart muscle damage, cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast, and even the likelihood of becoming a victim of sexual violence.

Why Alcohol Affects Women’s Bodies Differently

Gabrielle Glaser, author of “Her BestKept Secret: Why Women Drink—And How They Can Regain Control” (Simon & Schuster, 2014), explains, “Women are more vulnerable than men to the toxic effects of alcohol. Their bodies have more fat and less water than men’s. Fat retains alcohol and water dilutes it, so women drinking the same amount as men who are evenly matched in size and weight become drunk more quickly and stay intoxicated longer. Women also make less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol before it hits the bloodstream.”

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Typically, it’s not potential health concerns that spur clients to come to Vancouver Washington’s Lifeline Connections’ Medication Assisted Treatment Program, says Dr. Andrea Chiavarini. Dr. Chiavarini is an OB-GYN and addiction medicine expert. “They believe, ‘That won’t happen to me,’ but their concern over how their drinking impacts those they love motivates them to seek help.”

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

Where does the line get crossed between a drink for relaxation or celebration to something potentially problematic? For women, that line is fairly clear: no more than one drink per day and zero if attempting pregnancy or if already pregnant. One drink is equivalent to five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of spirits. Drinking more than four drinks in two hours—for example, two people splitting a bottle and a half of wine over a meal—is classified as binge drinking. Here in Clark County, a 2021 survey conducted by the continued on page 22

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Feature: Women and Alcohol (cont'd) continued from page 22

Health Assessment and Evaluation Team at Clark County Public Health found that 14% of women binge drink (18% for men). Unfortunately, schools also reflect a growing rate of excessive female alcohol consumption. Clark County’s 2021 healthy youth survey revealed that among 12th graders, girls were much more likely to drink than boys, less likely to abstain than boys and just as likely to be binge drinkers.

How Do Alcohol Use Disorders Begin?

“It may start out with a glass of wine at the end of a hard day,” explains Dr. Chiavarini. “Then that glass of wine turns into two bottles and they can’t stop.” While Dr. Chiavarini bristles at the sly “wine o’clock” jokes, increasingly overt efforts of marketing to women appears to be paying off for the alcohol industry. Research shows that alcohol use and misuse among women are increasing. Glaser notes according to the Wine Institute, women buy and consume the lion’s share of the 800 million gallons of wine sold in the U.S. each year. Like diabetes and high blood pressure, alcohol use disorder is a disease, influenced by both nature (genetics) and nurture (upbringing). “Some women will tell me they started party drinking in high school and it got out of control. Or maybe mom had an alcohol use disorder, or dad used heroin and was incarcerated. For others [they say the] alcohol helps them cope with anxiety-provoking social situations,” shares Dr. Chiavarini.

When it comes to alcohol, there’s a tendency to think either you don’t have a problem or you need to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). However, Dr. Chiavarini argues the majority of people fall somewhere in between, when it’s actually easier to recover. Sadly, we don’t have good systems to reach people before an alcohol use disorder gets out of hand.

Underlying Alcohol Influences, Exacerbated by COVID

Alcohol sales increased during the pandemic. “Women have had so much to grapple with during the pandemic . . . navigating working from home, managing education like one-room schoolteachers, coping with worries about elderly parents and everyone else’s frustrations, let alone their own,” empathizes Glaser. It’s no wonder alcohol consumption has risen to dangerous levels, especially since so many healthy outlets were cut off. Dr. Chiavarini agrees, “So much alcohol and other substance use is self-medication for issues like depression, anxiety and PTSD. Whether single or partnered, women primarily carry the household, frequently working, child-rearing and doing the household duties. They are expected to do a lot and not complain about it.” Of course none of this got easier during the pandemic. Anecdotally, she says she is seeing more women come in for alcohol treatment this year compared to pre-pandemic.

Early Warning Signs Are Different for Women

Women’s alcohol use typically shows up in less obvious ways than for men,” Dr. Chiavarini shares. “Women are more likely to drink at home. Even though they do not appear drunk, they may not remember an entire evening’s conversations. They’re more likely to have an accident

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

at home, [such as] a fall because their motor skills are not working.” Eventually, the alcohol use progresses to where signs of overconsumption become more obvious to those around them. When they do see a provider for help, that first meeting can feel scary. “I don’t ask my patients ‘When did you start drinking too much?’” says Dr. Chiavarini. “I usually say, ‘Do you remember a particular time when you felt like drinking was causing problems for you?’” Women can get to a point where they don’t even enjoy or like drinking, but they know they can’t stop. They’re waking up in the morning and will have a couple of shots of cheap vodka because they’re shaky and they can’t wake up. They’ll do it just to be able to function. It becomes a very physical dependence, but they’re often afraid. They don’t know where to turn for support and they don’t want to be judged. By the time they get to that point, professional help is needed. Sadly, they usually keep going until something drastic happens such as a medical event that puts them in hospital, an accident or a DUI conviction that forces them into a treatment program. “There’s a big stigma around women and addiction; as primary caregivers of children, societally they are judged more harshly than men,” says Tandy Slaton, clinical supervisor for Lifeline’s Women’s Recovery Center. “Men are rarely asked ‘Don’t you love your children enough to quit?’” It makes it that much harder for women to get help when they need it. Instead Slaton says to her clients, “I know you don’t love your children less than moms who don’t use alcohol.” She does her best to help offset the guilt and shame she understands so many moms experience, which fuels the cycle of addiction.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Some women may find themselves pregnant unexpectedly. If there was a tendency to drink before pregnancy, it can be hard to stop on a dime. They may cut continued on page 24

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Feature: Women and Alcohol (cont'd) continued from page 22

back and justify the “just one” approach, but, according to data, there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. “We don’t know how much is safe,” says Dr. Chiavarini. “I can’t tell you how much. One night might be OK. A champagne toast at a wedding, maybe. Drinking heavily every single day, there’s a high chance that will have an effect. Alcohol is more likely to cause specific birth defects than nicotine, marijuana, methamphetamines or even heroin. The safest thing to do if you’re trying to get pregnant? Don’t drink.” There is a little more wiggle room when it comes to nursing. “Whatever your blood alcohol, if you are making milk, your milk reflects your blood. It takes a little over an hour to completely metabolize a standard size drink. Three hours after one glass of wine won’t hurt your baby,” she adds. “But if you had three to four drinks or you’re buzzed, don’t breastfeed. Or pump and dump; that’s the safest thing to do.”

How to Help

Friends on the outside may not know how to help when they see the warning signs. It can be tricky bringing the subject up at all. “Instead of saying ‘I don’t understand why they can’t stop doing that?’ ask ‘Why are they not ready?’” suggests Dr. Chiavarini.

RESOURCES

If you believe someone you love is struggling with alcohol use disorder, it’s important to accept that shaming and forcing the issue doesn’t help. Start by attending a friends and family program yourself.

Seeking Help for Yourself

“Be aware of when you’re drinking and why you’re drinking and what that alcohol is doing to you and what feelings it might be masking,” Glaser advises. “It’s so important for women to know that if they do find themselves drinking more than they want to, there is an array of tools that can help.” The best place to start with finding help is with your primary care provider or OB-GYN. Additionally, in Washington, the recovery hotline can point people to referrals and resources in their area. There are AA groups, professional counselors and a variety of treatment options to help women whatever their circumstance. “COVID gave us a gift,” Slaton says. “Thanks to Zoom, now you can access so many meetings without ever leaving your home.” In more advanced addiction, determining what’s needed begins with assessment. Treatments range from outpatient services to programs like Lifeline Connections’ Pregnant and Postpartum Women’s program, which offers up to a sixmonth stay. Treatment programs can be covered by health care insurance, special employer programs and through social services. Slaton notes “Washington State takes good care of people. We don’t want anyone to not have access to services because they don’t know how to get help.”

Don’t Give Up

Recovery is not an event that you arrive at; it’s a journey. “Putting a safety net into place is crucial,” insists Slaton, “because while you’re busy changing, the people outside are busy staying the same. Society can be judgmental. When someone says, ‘This is my sixth time,’ they are so full of shame. I welcome them back. I tell them, ‘This is good, the more treatment you get, the more likely your success. That means you’re much closer to staying sober.’” As for Paulsen, on April 1, 2022, she celebrated her ninth year of sobriety. She says her life isn’t really any different. “I still hang out with my friends. I still watch my favorite sports teams. I still go to the local bar and grill. The only thing that’s changed is that I do those things without a drink in my hand.”

Dana Greyson is a freelance writer and a frequent VFM contributor on health, travel and relationship topics. She’s writing her first memoir about her tropical sailboat escape, due out later this year. For a sample chapter visit DanaGreyson.com. She blogs about her sailing adventures on Galley Wench Tales.

Alcoholics Anonymous: a faith-based recovery program for alcoholics AA.org Vancouver Area Intergroup 360-241-2496

SMART: a cognitive behavior therapy-oriented (CBT) addiction recovery program Smartrecovery.org • 440-951-5357

WA State Recovery Helpline: (referrals) 866-789-1511 “Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink-And How They Can Regain Control” by Gabrielle Glaser (Simon & Schuster, 2014)

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

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Feature: Vancouver Volcanoes: A Slam Dunk for the Community Part 2 of a 2-Part Series on Local, High-Level Basketball

A Slam Dunk for the Community By Kristen Flowers

Since he was old enough to hold a ball in his hands,

Jaylyn Richardson knew that basketball would be his driving passion in life. “Everyone that’s known me since I was born has told me that I would walk around with a basketball everywhere I used to go,” he says. “I think basketball has stuck with me ever since I was a little kid, and I kept going with it.” From a small town in Georgia, Richardson honed his skills in high school and went off to play in college with the dream of playing basketball at the highest level. Those big goals came crashing down after he suffered an injury, leaving him with six screws in his knee. He was left to wonder if he would ever play the sport again. If he could play, would his talent still be there when he returned to the court? He didn’t have to wonder long. Richardson met with basketball organization, the Vancouver Volcanoes, who saw greatness in him. And thankfully for basketball fans in Southwest Washington, Richardson recovered from his injury and started his rookie year with the team. The Vancouver Volcanoes were founded in 2005 and are currently part of The Basketball League (TBL). After sitting out the season in 2021 due to COVID, the Vancouver Volcanoes are moving forward full steam ahead in 2022 to bring family-friendly, affordable and professional basketball to the Clark County community.

The Vancouver Volcanoes' players and coaches. All photos courtesy of the Vancouver Volcanoes.

26 Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

For the Love of the Game

Just like Richardson, Kiante Amad Woods also played high school and college basketball. After his mother passed away, Woods took over caring for his four younger brothers. He got jobs outside of the sport to support them, but the dream of playing professional basketball still burned in his heart. “This is one of my passions, and I don’t really want to have a plan B,” he declares, “so I’m just going all for it.” Woods got the opportunity to play the game in Mexico, but being able to play for the Vancouver Volcanoes and be close to his family has been invaluable to him. It also means his 4-year-old daughter sees her father in action. “It’s a great opportunity, not only for the players but also for the community. It’s just a big deal when it comes to professional basketball.” Richardson and Woods are just two players on the team, but they both embody the defining characteristics sought after by general manager and head coach Jeff Perrault. “I think sports teaches you a lot of things beyond just being famous continued on page 28

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Feature: Vancouver Volcanoes: A Slam Dunk for the Community (cont'd) continued from page 26

or . . . being a good player. It teaches you about resiliency and it teaches you about perseverance. It teaches you how to handle adversity. All things that prepare you for when you become an adult.”

Clark County kids a chance to learn about the sports entertainment industry. The curriculum will focus on building credit, financial literacy and writing business plans. Participants will get hands-on experience in the form of internships. They will have opportunities to assist the media production crew, the marketing department, or the food and concessions department, for which the Volcanoes have teamed up with the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute at Clark College. There will also be trips to places like Nike, or to see the Timbers to get an in-the-field experience. “There are many different career opportunities involved in the sports entertainment industry that youth can connect with,” says Brad Lechtenberg, president of marketing and strategic partnerships.

Perrault has been coaching players since he was 16 years old and has always had a clear vision of the kind of men he wants on his basketball team. “There are a lot of guys who can shoot, dribble and pass. I’m looking for the intangibles. Pointing to that guy who passes you the ball and you score, showing up on time, having a positive attitude. I can coach the other stuff. I can teach you different drills. I can develop you, but character is something that’s being developed in someone since the day they are born.” That heart makes the Vancouver Volcanoes Basketball Club a unique organization in the community. For Perrault, it’s much more than the game played on the court. “We joke around that we are the Volcanoes organization and there just happens to be a basketball game.” While the organization does everything it can to help its players achieve their professional goals, whether to play overseas or play in the NBA, what sets this team apart is its commitment to the community. “The Volcanoes are part of something bigger,” says Perrault.

Lechtenberg sees himself as an example of the kind of doors that the Vancouver Volcanoes can open. “The Volcanoes, for me, has been something I’ve been able to participate and benefit from personally and professionally. It’s been near and dear to my career since I came to Vancouver.” Lechtenberg played for the Volcanoes for many years. After his professional athlete career ended, he used his skills and abilities to rise in the ranks and assist the team differently than on the court. He’s hoping to share what he knows with the next generation of kids looking to get into the business.

Community Outreach

This year they will launch the Cano Club, which will offer

Those other connections are what Richardson is looking forward to. Yet, while he waits for the opportunity to play basketball overseas or for the NBA, mentoring the next group of young athletes is close to his heart. “Me being able to guide them in the right direction will be big for me too. Not only for the kids, but me,” he says. Coach Perrault believes that the organization’s success rests on the athletes getting out into the community and positively using their celebrity, especially for at-risk youth. “People look up to sports athletes, and they look up to the coaches. So if we can go into schools, organizations, boys and girls clubs, YMCAs, whatever we can do to uplift the community, I think that’s great, and it gives us a platform to do that. And in return, we can provide [inexpensive] entertainment for a family to go and catch a good basketball game and create a relationship.” Point guard Woods has already been hard at work at this philosophy. He coaches and mentors his younger brothers, continued on next page Vancouver Volcano player Christopher Coleman scores against an opponent at Clark College’s O’Connell Sports Center.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

continued from previous page

cousins and their friends. “I’m not looking at it like we are just representing Vancouver. I’m looking at it like this is a professional basketball team that is representing the greater northwest area of the United States and giving players a great platform to showcase their talents. That’s why I’m excited to be in this league.” That partnership and connection to the community is something Woods takes very seriously as a basketball player. “I will do everything to uplift the greater Vancouver community and surrounding area to the best of my knowledge when it comes to basketball and just being there as a human being because basketball is bigger than me.” Coach Perrault also hopes that the youth of Clark County connect with players like Woods and Richardson. “These players are touchable. It’s hard to get close to an NBA player. These guys are available. They can go into schools, leverage their celebrity, and help uplift people. They can relate to these kids. They can lift them up.”

A basketball game can bridge the gap between young teens and professional players. Through the love of the game, kids will learn skills that transcend the court. While the physical fitness part is a massive benefit to the kids, the opportunity to connect with the team teaches kids how to be on a team, interact with other people and handle adversity. They learn interpersonal skills and gain responsibility you can only get while being part of a team and working towards one goal. “I just use basketball as a vehicle to teach those types of things,” Coach Perrault says. Lechtenberg agrees, “Volcanoes basketball is a great medium to connect and teach our players and youth.”

continued on page 30

For more information about the Cano Club and marketing partnerships with Vancouver Volcanoes, reach out to the team at VancouverVolcanoes.com, or on Instagram at @vancouvervolcanoesbasketball. Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Feature: Feature: Vancouver Volcanoes: A Slam Dunk for the Community (cont'd) continued from page 29

Making the Team

The league stands apart because while the players are here to develop their game and hopefully continue their careers at a higher level, they get paid to do what they love. The games are also broadcast on the TBL TV Network and through Comcast, giving them exposure to fans across the globe. Since players are getting such fantastic exposure, recruitment takes on several forms. One way is through local tryouts. Another way to get noticed is through the national combine. This tryout allows players from all over the world to showcase their skills. A draft similar to the NBA’s follows the national combine. But, there is another way to get on the Vancouver Volcanoes’ radar which is unique to the team: be from the area. Management keeps tabs on all Pacific Northwest players who play basketball at the collegiate level. They keep in touch, confer with the players on their dreams and aspirations, and then, after they graduate, they try to make those dreams a reality. “It’s kind of a hometown hero concept,” Lechtenberg explains. With all the great work this team has ahead of them, it’s time to get out and root for the home team. Find the schedule for the Vancouver Volcanoes at VancouverVolcanoes.com, where their home and away game times and locations are posted. Home games are played at Clark College’s O’Connell Sports Center, and tickets range from $5 for kids, seniors and military to $10 general admission, with special prices for 5- and 10-ticket packs. The team also

Markus Golder at The O'Connell Sports Center March 20, 2022.

broadcasts their home games on the TBL-TV network at tbltv.tv/Volcanoes and on Comcast channels 23/323 HD.

Kristen Flowers is the host of the morning show, Nick and Kristen in the Morning on 99.5 The Wolf. She lives in Vancouver and currently blogs for her own website, www.AccordingtoKristen.com. She moderates the Positive Parenting Posse group on Facebook, a page dedicated to sharing positive and helpful tips about parenting. In her spare time, she’s working on her debut novel and making everything she possibly can on her Cricut maker.

The Vancouver Volcanoes even have their own dance team! See videos of the Vancouver Volcanoes Dancers’ choreography at Facebook.com/ VancouverVolcanoesDancers, or watch them perform in person during halftime! Upcoming home games are scheduled for May 6, 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2022 at Clark College’s O’Connell Sports Center.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

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To Mothers of All Kinds: Thank You!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar May '22

S 1 8 15 22 30

M 2 9 16 23 31

T 3 10 17 24

W 4 11 18 25

T 5 12 19 26

F 6 13 20 27

S 7 14 21 28

1 SUNDAY

Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. Discover fresh produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, delicious food, pet treats, and accessories for yourself, home, or garden. 10 am-3 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). CJ and his Nana journey through familiar territory: their own neighborhood. CJ would rather be anywhere else, but from their seats on the Number 5 bus, Nana helps CJ realize that looks can be deceiving, everyone has a story to share, and that beauty can be found anywhere…if you know how to look for it. A blend of hip-hop, Motown, gospel, and rap, this musical will have you off your seat and on your feet all the way to the last stop! Tickets are at octc.org/last-stop-on-market-street and range from $15-$34. 11 am & 2 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). A 90-minute adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies! Don’t miss this romantic and raucous tale of twins separated, mistaken identities, and complicated love triangles…all performed by only six actors! 2 pm

4 WEDNESDAY

Meet Me on Wednesdays in Downtown Ridgefield. Enjoy healthy exercise (walk, run, pedal, roll), experience the natural beauty and history of the Downtown, and visit local businesses. Check in at Overlook Park at 10 am with a Meet Me on Wednesdays coordinator. The coordinator will let you know the week’s featured meeting place and have printouts available of the day’s featured route. This week’s route is the John Hudson Route, meeting place is Zebrun’s Starliner. 10 am-12 pm

5 THURSDAY

Ridgefield High School presents “The Music Man” at 2630 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield. Follow a

of events

activities

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

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

fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a children’s band that he vows to organize—this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. Directed and produced by Kaitlyn Etter. Tickets $7-12. 7 pm

6 FRIDAY

First Fridays at Thiselle Creek Farm, 26903 NE CC Landon Road, Yacolt. Family friendly hangout on the farm! Bring your kiddos rain or shine to come play outside at the farm. Bring your own chair or picnic blanket if you’d like somewhere to relax. Activities to enjoy and 10% off of all items at the farm stand! Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather, and closed-toe shoes are recommended. 3-5 pm First Friday in Downtown Camas: Gnome and Fiary Gala. Gnomes, fairies and fun will be the theme! Art shows, after-hours shopping, games, prizes, ribbon cuttings and more. Come dressed as a gnome, fairy or your favorite mythical creature! 5-8 pm

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

audiences. Tickets at metropolitanperformingarts. org/heathers.html ranging from $16-20. 7:30 pm

7 SATURDAY

Spring Festival and Ridgefield Farmers Market at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave. May Pole dance, art show, garden club plant sale and more. 9 am-2 pm Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 9 am-3 pm Mother’s Day Pop-Up at Thiselle Creek Farm, 26903 NE CC Landon Road, Yacolt. Enjoy the farm and shop a variety of vendors! Bring your mama, mom, mommy, grandma, gigi, nana, or any mother figure in your life out to the farm. Shop local produce and gifts, including floral bouquets from Field and Floral Design, charcuterie boards from Meryl + Marie, ceramics from Stay Little, and baked goods from Stacey’s Sweet Temptations. 11 am-5 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). ASL-Interpreted show on May 7 at 2 pm. See May 1 for more details. 2 pm & 5 pm

Ridgefield High School presents “The Music Man” at 2630 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield. See May 5 for more details. 7 pm

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 7:30 pm

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). ASL-Interpreted show on May 7. See May 1 for more details. 7:30 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Greetings, salutations. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is so very a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams finally start to come true. Suggested for mature

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

8 SUNDAY

Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 10 am-3 pm

continued on page 34

PACIFIC COAST RUNNING FESTIVAL May 13–15, 2022

5K • 10K • Half Marathon • Bike Tour

SATURDAY JUNE 4

CAMTOWN

LONG BEACH PENINSULA, WA Benefiting Long Beach Merchants Association

YOUTH FESTIVAL 11:00AM — 4:00PM

CROWN PARK | NE Everett & NE 17 th Avenue FREE EVENT AGES 3—16

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE GIFT!

Camas Parks & Recreation

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

CALL 360-834-5307 WWW.CITYOFCAMAS.US/PARKS

Food Entertainment Craft Activities Inflatable Games Petting Zoo Art Show & More!

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3/30/22 2:16 PM

REFLECTION

T R I A T H L O N

R UN

PDX TRIATHLON

REFLECTION RUN

FIRST TRIATHLON OF 2022— BACK AT BLUE LAKE PARK, OREGON!

May 22, 2022

June 4–5, 2022

5K • 10K • Half Marathon THE PORT OF CAMAS-WASHOUGAL

• Sunset 5K • Kids Triathlon • Olympic/Sprint/My First Tri • Tri/Du/Aquabike/Paddle

Benefiting NW Battle Buddies

Benefiting Special Olympics of Oregon

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: 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

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022 3.56x4.8_VFad_.indd 9

3/30/22 3.56x4.8_VFad_.indd 2:16 PM 10

3/30/22 2:16 PM

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont’d) continued from page 32 Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 11 am & 2 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 2 pm Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Chamber Series at VSAA Royal Durst Theater, 3101 Main St., Vancouver. Featuring masterworks by Mozart, Haydn, Foote, and Tchaikovsky, discover the magnificent and intimate sound of the chamber orchestra. VSO virtuosi Rachel Rencher, principal flute and Dan Partridge, principal horn are featured soloists for this spectacular program. Tickets range from $10-$25. 3-5 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

11 WEDNESDAY

Portland). See May 1 for more details. 7:30 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

14 SATURDAY

Ridgefield Farmers Market at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave. 9 am-2 pm Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 9 am-3 pm Pacific Coast Running Festival at Long Beach Peninsula. See May 13 for more details. 10 am Dozer Day at Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. Giving kids the ultimate “construction experience” by inviting close contact with heavy construction equipment, public safety vehicles, recycling trucks as well as other fun, informational activities. Tickets are $15 at vancouver.dozerday.org. 11 am–4 pm

Meet Me on Wednesdays in Downtown Ridgefield. See May 4 for more details. This week’s route is the Little Libraries Route, meeting place is Carts by the Park. 10 am-12 pm

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 2 pm & 5 pm

12 THURSDAY

Ridgefield High School presents “The Music Man” at 2630 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield. See May 5 for more details. 7 pm

13 FRIDAY

Evergreen High School presents “Newsies” at 14300 NE 18th St. See May 13 for more details. 7 pm

Pacific Coast Running Festival at Long Beach Peninsula. The events begin Friday afternoon, with the competition and fun continuing into Sunday afternoon. The full, fun weekend includes Tour de Pacific Bike Tour, Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K and three kids’ events – truly something for everyone! Health and Wellness Expo Friday, Saturday and Sunday open to the community. For more information and to register visit pacificcoastrunningfestival.raceroster.com. 4 pm

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 7:30 pm

Ridgefield High School presents “The Music Man” at 2630 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield. See May 5 for more details. 7 pm

Pacific Coast Running Festival at Long Beach Peninsula. See May 13 for more details. 7 am

Evergreen High School presents “Newsies” at 14300 NE 18th St. The rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of rowdy “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. Directed by Margaret Gorman. Tickets $7$10. 7 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway,

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. *Pride Night May 14. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

15 SUNDAY

Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 10 am-3 pm Dozer Day at Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. See May 14 for more details. 11 am–4 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 11 am & 2 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Twelfth

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

Night” at Brunish Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 2 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7 pm

18 WEDNESDAY

Meet Me on Wednesdays in Downtown Ridgefield. See May 4 for more details. This week’s route is the Urban Orienteering Route, meeting place is Pioneer Street Cafe. 10 am-12 pm

19 THURSDAY

Evergreen High School presents “Newsies” at 14300 NE 18th St. See May 13 for more details. 7 pm

20 FRIDAY

Evergreen High School presents “Newsies” at 14300 NE 18th St. See May 13 for more details. 7 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

21 SATURDAY

Ridgefield Farmers Market at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave. 9 am-2 pm Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 9 am-3 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 2 pm & 5 pm Evergreen High School presents “Newsies” at 14300 NE 18th St. See May 13 for more details. 7 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7:30 pm

22 SUNDAY

Reflection Run at Washougal Waterfront Park, 56 S 1st St. Honor the brave individuals who have or are currently serving in our Armed Forces and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom. The Half Marathon, 10K & 5K running and walking courses will travel along the mighty Columbia River with views of Mt. Hood and the Gorge. The routes will be lined with local Hero Posters of those

continued on next page

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continued from previous page who have given the ultimate sacrifice and the event will benefit Northwest Battle Buddies and various military organizations and nonprofits. Registration ranging from $20-$95, kids and military are free. Details and registration at whyracingevents.com/reflection-run. 8:30 am Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 10 am-3 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 11 am & 2 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Heathers the Musical” at 6403 E Mill Plain

Blvd., Vancouver. See May 6 for more details. 7 pm

Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 9 am-3 pm

25 WEDNESDAY

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 2 pm & 5 pm

Meet Me on Wednesdays in Downtown Ridgefield. See May 4 for more details. This week’s route is the History Walking Tour, meeting place is Season’s Coffee Shop. 10 am-12 pm

28 SATURDAY

Ridgefield Farmers Market at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave. 9 am-2 pm

29 SUNDAY

Vancouver Farmers Market on 8th & Esther St. See May 1 for more details. 10 am-3 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Last Stop on Market Street” at Newmark Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland). See May 1 for more details. 11 am & 2 pm

advertiser index Camps & Classes Cosmic Cheer.................................................25 Crossroads VBS Day Camp...........................27 The Little Gym..................................................5 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................35 Riverside Performing Arts.................................9 Events 4 Days of Aloha................................................7 Camtown Youth Festival.................................33 FVRLibraries..................................................17 Journey Theater.............................................29 Oregon Children’s Theatre.............................21 Pacific Coast Running Festival.......................33 PDX Triathlon.................................................33 Reflection Run................................................33 Financial WA529............................................................13

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Resources Applied Team Insurance...................................2 Clark County Junk Removal...........................15 ESD112......................................................2, 25 Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Seminars.............25 WA529............................................................13 Retail Kazoodles Toys..............................................27 Vancouver Mall...............................................31 Schools, Education & Child Care ESD112......................................................2, 25 St. Andrew Preschool.....................................11 Southwest Washington Learning Center........36

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • May 2022

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Vancouver Family Magazine May 2022

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