Vancouver Family Magazine May 2024

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FEATURE ARTICLES

Connections: VANtalks 2024

This month, six movers and shakers will present transformative ideas and fresh perspectives at VANtalks 2024. Meet the speakers and learn what inspired them to take the stage.

Vids for Wids: Turning Tears into Laughter

Read how one local widow found solace in telling her story, and how she uses her videography skills to help widows and widowers share their own stories of love and laughter.

Meet the Magical Booksellers of Clark County

The shelves within new and established bookstores in Clark County hold treasures for everyone's literary taste. Find out where new shops have popped up around town and what makes each one special.

May '24

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 Editor’s Notes

8 Couve Scoop

• Professional Women in Building Honored at Inaugural Pink Hard Hat Awards Event

• Latino Community Resource Group’s Multicultural Resource Fair Coming to Hudson’s Bay High School (también en español)

10 Helping Hands

Seattle-based nonprofit, Treehouse, helps youth across Washington reach every goal they set for themselves. Learn how youth in Clark County get the support they need to thrive from local mentors.

28 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB

• Online exclusive: Surrogacy Stories

Storied Careers

My parents both recently retired—Dad from his job as a hospice social worker and Mom from hers as a midwife. Poetically, Mom helped people emerge into the world, Dad helped them peacefully leave it. Together, the decades of compassionate care they gave are greater than the sum of their parts. More than 1000 babies felt Mom’s gentle hands guide their first moments—moments those babies won’t remember, but that are indelibly imprinted in their parents’ hearts and minds forever. Countless individuals and family members welcomed Dad into their homes during the most tender times of their lives—a time when those lives were coming to an end. They have both cherished and challenging stories to tell about their time in their respective fields.

I’d say they were tireless in their care of others, and it’s true they loved their work and genuinely cared about their patients and clients, but of course both careers took their tolls. Mom’s unpredictable sleep schedule disrupted her circadian rhythm and overall health, while Dad’s naturally introverted personality was challenged daily in his face-to-face work in people’s homes. They were tired, and both have been able to transition out of working full time with grace and gratitude for the rewarding work they got to enjoy for so many years. They are now re-tired spending time with grandchildren and in their garden and continuing their work of caregiving for my dad’s mother, who lives with them. It’s a wonderful life they’ve built, and a wonderful future they have to look forward to—without the unpredictable sleep schedules, but with the stories of their many treasured professional experiences intact in their memory. I hope to feel a similar sense of satisfaction, and a memory full of stories, when the time comes for me to retreat from the working world.

In this issue, learn about the likewise meaningful work of movers and shakers in Clark County who will take the stage to tell their stories this month at Kiggins for VANtalks (page 12), read how one local widow has created a space for others in her position to share their stories (page 18) and meet the booksellers of Clark County whose shelves are full of stories of all kinds (page 24).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Volume 23, Issue 5

On the Cover:

Ann Yi (the grandmother in this photo) runs Imperial Dry Cleaners in Camas with her husband, Bruce. They enjoy golfing and hiking. Their daughter, Alice (the mother in this photo) lives abroad with her kids and husband but they all try to visit her parents back in Washington at least once a year. Photo taken at Lacamas Lake.

Photo

by Anna Smith Anna Rose Photography IG: @annarose_photo

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

Professional Women in Building Clark County recently honored ten women in the construction industry at its inaugural Pink Hard Hat Awards dinner, held at the Hilton in Downtown Vancouver. Pink Hard Hat Awards were presented for design, innovation, leadership and advocacy.

Pink Hard Hat Awards winners included Alexa Lee of GRO as Industry Champion, Erin Wriston, owner of Kingston Homes, as Industry Trailblazer and Elizabeth Gomez, owner of Bridge City Contracting, won the Community Leadership award.

“I do this work because I truly love it and this industry,” stated Erin Wriston. “It is an honor to be named as Industry Trailblazer by my peers. This inaugural class of Pink Hard Hat Award winners highlights that women are taking new ground in the construction industry.”

Women in Construction Week, held March 3-9, 2024, focused on the achievements of women in the industry. Currently, women hold 10% of construction jobs in the U.S. and own 13% of construction companies worldwide. Even as the involvement of women grows, there continues

Latino Community Resource Group’s Multicultural Resource Fair

Coming to Hudson’s Bay High School

N ext month, Latino Community Resource Group (LCRG) will hold its 19th annual Multicultural Resource Fair at Hudson’s Bay High School (HBHS) in Vancouver. LCRG’s mission is to “contribute to the attainment of success and empowerment of the Latino community and other systematically underrepresented communities through facilitating outreach, education, advocating and community connections,” said board member Angela Gomez. The event, now in its 19th year, will

Professional Women in Building

Honored at Inaugural Pink Hard Hat Awards Event

to be a shortage of 500,000 construction workers nationwide. Professional Women in Building is shining a light on the workforce gap while offering support and opportunities for women working in or pursuing careers in construction.

“When you consider our housing challenges including stock shortages and affordability, it is an all-hands-on-deck issue,” said Gomez. “As more and more women realize the opportunity in this industry, we will see new perspectives, strategies and technologies emerge as solutions for our community.”

More than 20 women from approximately 15 businesses in the construction space throughout Clark County were nominated to receive a 2024 Pink Hard Hat Award. Two powerful duos took joint awards. Emily Powers and Allyson Strowbridge of A&E Design Lab were recognized as Women of Design and Deanna Haake and Jaima Johnson of Chicago Fidelity Title won Women of Development. Jerai Laird of New Tradition Homes took home Woman of Innovation and Hayden Calton of Blaze Restoration was recognized as the Up and Comer. The event committee also honored Noelle Lovern of the Building Industry Association as The Facilitator for her work with PWB and in the industry.

Top: Pink Hard Hat Award recipients Allyson Strowbridge (left) and Emily Powers.

Bottom: Pink Hard Hat Award recipients (l-r) Erin Wriston, Noelle Lovern, Hayden Calton, Alexa Lee, Elizabeth Gomez and Jerai Laird.

fulfill that mission by bringing the Clark County community together for a day of cultural celebration. Attendees can expect entertainment including cultural dancers, live music and a DJ, raffle prizes, a photo booth and a kids’ zone with face painting, balloon artist, games, photo booth and more. In addition to the entertainment, community resources such as employment services, health services, social services, local business support and educational resources will also be available. The event has changed locations over the years, from a market parking

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Photos by Elsa Temme

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lot to local churches to Clark College and now to HBHS, and the purpose has expanded as well. Originally intended to serve the Latinx community, organizers of the event now seek to be inclusive and serve other underrepresented communities as well, “welcoming all residents living in Clark County, regardless of their demographic background,” says LCRG’s website.

The Multicultural Resource Fair will happen on Saturday, June 1, 2024, 11 am-3 pm and is free for all to attend.

La Feria Multicultural de Recursos de Latino Community Resource Group llega a Hudson’s Bay High School

El mes próximo, Latino Community Resource Group (LCRG) celebrará su 19.ª Feria Multicultural de Recursos anual en Hudson’s Bay High School (HBHS), en Vancouver. La misión de LCRG es “contribuir al éxito y al empoderamiento de la comunidad latina y de otras comunidades que se ven sistemáticamente infrarrepresentadas facilitando la divulgación, la educación, la defensa y las conexiones comunitarias”, indicó Angela Gomez, miembro de la junta. En su 19.º año, el evento cumplirá esa

misión reuniendo a la comunidad del condado de Clark en un día de celebración cultural. Los participantes podrán disfrutar de espectáculos como bailes culturales, música en vivo y un DJ, rifas, una cabina de fotos y una zona infantil con pintura facial, arte con globos, juegos, una cabina de fotos y más. Además de las actividades de entretenimiento, también habrá recursos comunitarios disponibles, como servicios de empleo, de salud y sociales, así como educativos y de a apoyo a las empresas locales.

El evento ha ido cambiando de ubicación a lo largo de los años, desde el estacionamiento de un mercado e iglesias locales hasta Clark College y, ahora, la HBHS, y su propósito también se ha ampliado. Originalmente, el evento estaba diseñado para atender a la comunidad latina, pero ahora, los organizadores buscan ser inclusivos y prestar servicios a otras comunidades infrarrepresentadas y, como se indica en el sitio web de LCRG, “abre sus puertas a todos los residentes del condado de Clark, independientemente de sus antecedentes demográficos”.

La Feria Multicultural de Recursos se llevará a cabo el sábado 1 de junio de 2024, de 11:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. y es gratis para todos los participantes.

Latino Community Resource Group’s Multicultral Resource Fair’s events include performances, kids’ activities, prizes, resources and more. Photos by Sandra Zavala Photography

FOR KIDS: Walking Alongside Washington’s Foster Youth

IBy Sarah Mortensen

t’s the time of year when students are counting down the days until school is out and summer begins. For youth in foster care, summers are often difficult to plan for. While many kids look forward to day camps focused on art, science or sports, foster youth are sometimes wondering if they’ll be able to go home to their biological families, or if they may have to move again.

Clark County is part of region six for the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). As a large region, foster children in this area change homes an average of five or six times, often switching schools as well. Whether a teen or a toddler, they all want a sense of normalcy while their life is in flux; they want to have the same opportunities as their peers and come back to school in the fall with stories to share of fun summer adventures. And they want to walk in on the first day of school wearing new shoes and trendy jeans.

Thanks to Treehouse, a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, children in foster care throughout Washington have a consistent place to turn for a variety of resources. What began with a few social workers wanting to provide birthday gifts and school supplies, Treehouse quickly expanded its programs to focus on the whole child by providing educational support, enrichment activities and even extended help as youth move back with their families or into adulthood.

The Treehouse storefront and warehouse in Seattle provides free clothing to kids across the state. Katie Adams, content and public relations manager at Treehouse is proud to describe how big the clothing operation is and their high-quality standards to make it a “total shopping experience” for foster children who come in person. “When our storehouse was closed, we created an online ordering system,” explains Adams. “Constantly having people come and go made it hard to start that, but COVID gave us the opportunity. Now people don’t have to come to Seattle.” Thanks to corporate sponsors, including Costco, who

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help keep the store stocked with brand-new, in-style clothing, “youth in Vancouver or anywhere in Washington can place an order saying we want sweatpants and T-shirts. [They are] able to shop three times a year, up to 15 items of clothing each time.”

Sometimes Treehouse even brings the store to them. “We have events during back-to-school where we do a pop-up shop,” Adams continues. Before the 2023-2024 school year began, 100 foster youth came to Clark College, where they could pick whatever they wanted, including new laptops, all donated by supportive businesses.

Stephanie Macomber, an education specialist in Treehouse’s Graduation Success program for Clark County high schoolers, loves “watching youth come to school the first day showing off their new clothes.” One of her youths was proud to sport expensive headphones, a gift they had earned for meeting an educational goal. “We have a budget for summer camps or experiences, too,” shares Macomber. “One kid was interested in drones and we found a camp in Portland with drone building. I’ve also had kids go through wilderness camps.”

But while fitting in is important to teens, the main purpose is to keep them focused on their education. Sadly, only 53% of Washington youth who experience foster care graduate high school in the typical four years. However, those who actively participate in Graduation Success with mentors like Macomber have a 75% graduation rate. While other agencies help youth only during the foster experience, Treehouse stays connected with them even after family reunification. “They stay in the program as long as they want to be in it,” explains Adams. “Treehouse becomes a constant where they can center their education.”

The consistency from Treehouse helps foster parents in their responsibilities too. “Treehouse Graduation Success program has forever changed my perspective for fostering teens in care,” shares Cassie Deegan who has been a foster parent with her husband Josh

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[Foster kids] don’t have the community they would have with their bio families, so Treehouse helps fill that gap . . . We are part of their community to help them into their future.

— Katie Adams, content and public relations manager at Treehouse

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since 2017. “For our family, educational support has always been such an emotional topic when determining if we are equipped to place a youth in our home . . . Common case events like court ordered visits, placement changes and appointments can be a huge distraction to everyday study habits, homework, test prep or project time for our kids. Unmet social and emotional needs can derail educational progress and completely shatter confidence in learning. It’s an essential need to have an advocate to help our kids in care to navigate those barriers.”

And as youth look past graduation, the support they need changes. Another sad statistic is that one in six foster youth will become homeless within a year of aging out of the foster system. Treehouse aims to prevent this with Launch Success, a sister program to Graduation Success. “A really big need for high schoolers is just trying to figure out what they can do,” shares Adams. She says that anyone with just 15-20 minutes to talk about their job or industry is especially helpful, and it can even be over Zoom. “They don’t have the community they would have with their bio families, so Treehouse helps fill that gap . . . We are part of their community to help them into their future.”

DCYF social workers with large caseloads often don’t have the same one-on-one time that Treehouse mentors are able to provide, especially at the vulnerable time of moving past high school. “The main focus of a social worker is to make sure they are safe and in a placement that supports their needs,” shares Macomber. “There are a lot of meetings about placement and what can happen when they turn 18. Sometimes youth don’t speak up when there are a lot of adults in the room. We want their voice in the conversations and do this by preparing them for these meetings and what they do and don’t feel comfortable sharing. We are in their corner.”

Thankfully, there are many options for foster youth, and Treehouse is there to ensure those options are readily available. “Watching them become adults is really neat,” shares Macomber. And while not everyone can be a foster parent, there are many ways to help children in foster care. Macomber suggests “setting up a peer-to-peer fundraising, such as a raffle at your office holiday party, bake sale or movie night with an entry ‘fee’ going directly to Treehouse.” And this month all of Clark County is invited to attend an art show and contest benefitting Treehouse which will be held at Clark College on Saturday, May 18 from 11 am-3 pm, with art created by local foster youth. To learn more about Treehouse and how you can help, visit treehouseforkids.org.

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.

For more info

SCAN ME

Page 10: A 2022 pop-up shop for foster youth held in conjunction with Vancouver Public Schools on August 3, 2022.

Page 11: The Treehouse store in Seattle welcomes foster youth to shop for needed items.

Photos courtesy Treehouse

Movers and Shakers Take the Stage at

2024

By Nikki Klock | Photos by Missy Fant Photography

This month, six local movers and shakers will take the stage at Kiggins Theatre to open minds and present fresh perspectives, all live in front of an audience at the seventh annual VANtalks. The event, styled after TED Talks, was conceived by Kevin Hiebert, owner of Resonate Coaching and Leadership Development in Vancouver. “VANtalks was birthed out of the desire to create an event that highlighted our local ideas and changemakers,” Hiebert told me last fall, as he was preparing to put on VANtalks’ first sister event, IDEAfest. “Vancouver, being so close to Portland, had [historically] had a tough time creating our individual identity. The desire to have a night where we could be inspired by our own community members was the impetus to start VANtalks.” The first event happened in 2016, and was so popular that it has continued, with a two-year pause due to COVID. This year’s event will happen May 23, 2024 at 6:30 pm, again at Kiggins Theatre in Downtown Vancouver. Tickets are $22, available online at VANtalks.org.

The VANtalks theme for 2024 is “Connections,” and I recently connected with all six speakers to learn more about their work in the Clark County community and what inspired them to share their stories. Read on for a sneak peek into what audiences can expect.

JEFF ANGELO

Jeff Angelo assured me on the phone that he was “the last person you would want to feature in Vancouver Family Magazine” and that he’s the “type of guy who would pose naked for a calendar,” so naturally I had to start with him. He shared with me that he grew up “on the hard streets of Hazel Dell,” graduated from Columbia River High School, then went on to Washington State University where he earned a degree in psychology. “Have I used it? Yes.

How have I used it? Yes.”

Angelo currently works as executive director for the Arc of Southwest Washington, a nonprofit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities. “We help with everything from making meals in-home to getting out into an inclusive environment and meeting new people that you can spend time with,” Angelo described. Though the work has been rewarding, he shared with me that this year will likely be his last with the Arc. “I am a realtor, a restaurant owner and have an event called Tacos in the Park [happening in September] that are in my pocket too. Lots of juggling.”

Angelo has never attended VANtalks as an audience member, but he and VANtalks founder Hiebert “have been in a blood feud for many years over the proper pronunciation of ‘caramel.’ Unfortunately, he was wrong. He apologized this past year for it by ceremoniously handing me a Caramello bar on neutral ground overseen by Brad Richardson at the Clark County Historical Museum.” Will he give us a sneak peek of what to expect from his talk this month? “I am absolutely going to do my best to inspire one single person in that

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VAN talks 2024: MAY 23, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KIGGINS THEATRE | TICKETS: $22 AT VAN talks .ORG

Feature: Connections: Movers and Shakers Take the Stage at VANtalks 2024

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room to try the new Final Fantasy 7 remake,” he joked. “If I do that, I can learn to live again.”

Angelo lives in Vancouver with his 20-year-old son, whom he lovingly refers to as “Demon Spawn.”

encourage education, to support their families and to advocate for their community and each other in the areas of education, health, equity and social justice.” Opening career pathways, hosting an annual youth leadership conference and providing monthly information sessions in both English and Spanish to help inform parents and more are all part of fulfilling that mission.

Diana Avalos-Leos has not attended VANtalks before as an audience member, but has been invited to participate as a speaker in the past—an invitation she declined until now. “I . . . felt this year was the right year to elevate . . Latino Leadership NW’s presence.”

Her talk this month, she told me, will center on how the cycle of the hummingbird parallels effective leadership qualities, and how “Latino Leadership NW has been instrumental in nurturing these qualities among youth and their families.”

DIANA AVALOS-LEOS

Diana Avalos-Leos grew up in Southern California, the child of two dual-citizenship immigrants. While she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, she told me that even more than her formal education, she values being “a lifelong learner with a mindset and a commitment to personal growth, continuous improvement, lifelong curiosity, open to new experiences while actively seeking opportunities to expand knowledge, skills and perspectives.”

Avalos-Leos eventually made her way to Washington state for “the quality of living, a sense of community and great schools for my kids.” In 2011, she founded Latino Leadership NW (formerly named Clark County Latino Youth Leadership) “as a response to the academic and social inequities Latinx students, and their families face within current education and healthcare systems,” AvalosLeos told me. “The process of starting a nonprofit was not easy, it came with a set of challenges and great opportunities in terms of learning experiences while building a network of community and agency partnerships.” The organization’s mission, Avalos-Leos said, is to “create opportunities for Latinx youth to raise their full potential for growth, to

NIKKI CHEN

Nikki Chen was raised in California and attended San Jose State University, originally majoring in math and later transferring to Mission College where she earned a pharmacy technician license. She later returned to school to earn a vocational nursing degree, and eventually landed in Vancouver, working full time for the Clark County YWCA as a project manager. She now lives in Battle Ground with her husband and three children, and works for the City of Vancouver as business partner for the Office of Equity and Inclusion, as well as consulting for corporate equity initiatives. The years she spent working in healthcare inspired her shift to work in

the field of equity and inclusion. “My current profession was inspired by what I witnessed during my years of working in healthcare and the blatant need for equity and inclusion amongst staff and patients,” she told me. “My long-standing motivation for this work is my children. Creating an equitable and inclusive community for them to thrive in is my deepest desire.”

Her typical work week might include facilitating workshops on microaggression in the workplace, meetings with organizations to support their engagement with marginalized communities and sometimes a ride-along with a Vancouver Police Department officer. The latter, she said, “allows me to get a firsthand understanding of how I can support our officers and our community in creating equitable and inclusive interactions for everyone involved.”

She shared that in her field of work, the use of the word “diversity” has changed. “As stated by my director,” she said, “’If the work is equitable and inclusive then the diversity will naturally follow suit,’ which is why our department is Office of Equity and Inclusion, and not the Office of DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion]. A diverse outcome is an absolute indicator that the impact is matching the intent.”

Chen said she is grateful for the opportunity to speak at VANtalks, especially for the message it will send to her own children. “I acknowledge the weight of my voice being heard by Vancouver and its residents is an honor which I am truly grateful for,” she said. “I am also inspired by my motivation to lead by example for my children. As an ancestor that they can look up to, I am setting the foundation they can use for their success.”

What will Chen be speaking about when she takes the stage? “There are 2.7% Black people in the city of Vancouver. Assuming half of that number are men, I am speaking about how I show up as a member of 1.35% of this city [and] how important it is that I am allowed the grace and the space to be my authentic self. I am one of one and created with a purpose.”

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She said a lot has changed in the nonprofit sector in recent years, especially with fundraising. “In the fundraising realm the last couple years has seen one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in a long time. I think we are getting back to our grassroots-based endeavors and perhaps that’s a good thing. On the education side, things have changed there too, but even as things have evolved, Vancouver is a great community to be in because the community cares about its people and continually invests in itself. It’s what makes me proud to call Vancouver home.”

JENNY THOMPSON

Jenny Thompson grew up in Anacortes, Washington—gateway to the San Juan Islands—with her mother and sister. “Growing up in a single parent household makes you close,” she told me, “and my mom’s tenacity, grit and love definitely influenced me going into a people-helping profession.” Thompson received her undergraduate degree in Christian Education from Concordia University and her MBA in nonprofit management at the University of Portland before Americorps brought her to Vancouver. “I applied for a job at the Boys & Girls Clubs of SW Washington (BGCSW) after my year of service supporting foster youth emancipating out of the system in Denver,” she said. “I was hoping to land a job in Portland, which was home for me at the time, but that didn’t happen and honestly I’m glad it didn’t. I fell in love with Vancouver, moving over the river just a year into my work at BGCSW.”

In 2015, Thompson landed the job of executive director at Police Activities League (PAL) of Southwest Washington, serving for seven years, and later shifting to her current role with Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools (VPS), also as executive director. “Every day I come to the office with the intent to do what I can to support the students of VPS. I am in this for the kids and that’s what makes me excited to go to work each day. It also helps that I have an outstanding team to work with and an incredible board of directors!”

Thompson’s journey to the VANtalks stage started behind the scenes. “For the last several years I have been the stage manager for VANtalks,” she shared. “I was a theatre techie in high school and college. [VANtalks founder Kevin Hiebert] has been trying to get me to speak for a while now [and] the stars just aligned this time. And I still intend on retaining my role of stage manager for this year’s event.”

For her talk this month, Thompson told me she will speak about love and faith and family. “It’s a personal story and many of my friends and colleagues in the community may not know it.”

Josh Townsley doesn’t actually live in Clark County, but he spends a majority of his time here, working as CEO of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity since 2011. His work in this field of service might be in his blood. “I grew up as a pastor’s kid,” he told me. “My father was a Presbyterian pastor for almost 30 years. For much of my childhood I thought I’d grow up to be a pastor as well. That wasn’t my calling

in the end, but I do consider Habitat to be my ministry of sorts.”

In a way, that “ministry” started back in his teens, when he participated in a cross-country bicycle trip across the U.S. with four other teenagers and two adults. “We were all 15 or 16 and still figuring out life. We chose to fundraise for Habitat for Humanity as part of the trip and ended up speaking . . . at different churches, schools, etc. about Habitat’s mission and our trip. I grew to love the vision of Habitat and the importance of housing.” Years later, in a full circle moment, he learned Evergreen Habitat was looking to hire an executive director and seized the opportunity, taking the organization from just three staff positions to 25 staff, “and a big vision for the future of our work moving forward.”

Every day on the job is different, but Townsley said he loves the fast-paced nature of the work and the opportunity to make a big impact on affordable homeownership in Clark County. He also said he loves the challenge of the work, and there are many challenges. “The cost of land and building materials has skyrocketed over the years,” he said, “but incomes for families in the area have mostly remained stagnant. Twelve years ago, we used to be able to buy a piece of land and build a home for less than $140,000. These days we’re lucky if we can keep our costs per home below $350K.” Even that price is simply not affordable for many hard-working families in Southwest Washington, he said. “So, we work with our partners, local and state grant opportunities, and find other sources to make those homes affordable and sustainable. Everyone deserves to have a decent place to live and be able to afford it. “

Townsley told me he considers himself an introvert, but “the pastor’s kid part of me comes out when onstage and I could share for hours.” He will come out of his shell this month to speak about one particular life-changing trip to the Middle East in 2018. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to end up in Iraq on a pilgrimage with 20 million people. I was asked to go by a friend who unfortunately passed away during COVID. John was a Presbyterian pastor, and the two of us traveled to Iraq to walk 50 miles to the Shrine of Imam Husayn and film a documentary. It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to share more!”

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Feature: Connections: Movers and Shakers Take the Stage at VANtalks 2024 (cont'd)

Check out our FREE CLASSES:

MAY 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 5/4, 9am-12pm

Tuesday 5/21, 5:30pm-7:30pm

VIRTUAL CLASS:

Saturday 5/11, 10am-12pm

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MAY SELLER CLASS DATES:

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

Tuesday 5/7, 5pm-8pm

Saturday 5/18, 9am-12pm

VIRTUAL CLASSES:

Saturday 5/11 1pm-3pm

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Email traciedemars@aol.com

continued from previous page

CURTIS MILLER

Curtis Miller is aware that the word “belonging” is the buzzword du jour. But he’s also aware that individuals, families and communities desperately seek it, and that we all thrive when we experience it. “During the pandemic, due to the intersection of political polarization and our COVID-19 social bubbles, the U.S. became significantly more collectivist

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...

HOW LONG IS THE HOME BUYING/SELLING PROCESS?

Spring has sprung and so has the Real Estate Market...it may seem like Realtor signs are coming up your neighbor’s lawns faster than the tulips! Now, honestly, the best time to buy or sell a home is when it is the BEST time for your family. I can give you all the pros & cons, but ultimately, you need to decide when it is the best time for your family to make THAT move. So, what’s your first step?

First? EDUCATION! I can not stress that enough! Take a home buyer class! Take a home seller class! GI Joe had it right when he said, “Knowing is half the battle”. Next step? Talking to a lender about how much you are pre-approved for. There’s nothing a realtor can do for you until we know what price range you are looking at. What if you are selling & buying? Well, then you want to start with your Realtor to see what your current home is worth, and what you would be looking at after selling....

Continue reading and learning more at www.LearningToBuyAHome.com or www.FreeSellerClasses.com

than it has been for decades,” Miller told me. “We are teetering on the brink of either greater or greatly reduced belonging. The evidence shows it is the most fundamental human need. Now if we can just figure out how to experience it together.”

To this end, Miller pivoted his career from construction to social change work in 2008.

“My kids were teenagers at the time,” he said, “and their fresh perspective of the world opened my eyes and heart to the need and potential for change.” He now works as a consultant in the fields of youth suicide prevention and human trafficking prevention, having co-founded a Battle Ground coalition called Connect BG and a consulting company called Connect Ed. The former aims to reduce youth suicides by “increasing the community experience of belonging,” and the latter helps other organizations implement better human connections “so that participants are healthier, communicate better and achieve their goals more efficiently” within a healthy organizational culture.

Miller said he can often be found meeting with people in pubs, coffee shops, garages, back porches, offices and classrooms or cafeterias

as they work together to “turn idealistic dreams into achievable, measurable strategies.” He also works specifically with men all over the country to encourage them to invest in their own health, hope and belonging.

What inspired him to speak at VANtalks 2024? Simply put, he wants to make a difference, and he believes change is possible. “I want to help people connect in simple, durable ways that will make individuals, families, friendships, organizations and the Vancouver community healthy and generative. I truly believe we can see measurable change spread through our social fabric quite rapidly if we are intentional about it.” Onstage, he will share what he has discovered about building belonging together “in a transformative and lasting way.”

Nikki Klock has been the editor of Vancouver Family Magazine since 2006. When she’s not sharing stories about the Clark County community, she can be found listening to audiobooks or podcasts throughout the day, and reading paper books in bed at night. In short, stories are her life.

for virtual classes Zoom link.

Photo by Oleksandr P at pexels.com

By Kristen Flowers

In 2019, Leslie Harter-Berg was on vacation with Ryan, her husband of over five years, and their two young children, ages 3 and 1. The couple was poolside in Palm Springs when Ryan had a sudden brain aneurism and stroke.

It was a freak and random incident, and Harter-Berg returned home to Vancouver as a single mother and a young widow. “He was healthy, and we were happy. We had to come back to Vancouver, where we had run a business together and lived life together, and I had to do it alone with my two kids, and it was the worst thing that ever happened to me,” explains Harter-Berg.

TURNING TEARS INTO LAUGHTER

The couple owned and operated a video production company called Harter Creative. In addition to navigating Ryan’s death and keeping life together for her two kids, HarterBerg took on total control of the family business. But despite having a wonderful community and support system behind her, she found peace in her grief in one place only.

“During that time, the only thing that really helped was talking to other widows.” She laughs as she remembers those conversations, some involving dark humor. “I’m not the only one who has gone through this, but no one in my community has experienced this same kind of loss. That is really the only thing that helped.”

That connection with other people who had lost their significant other inspired HarterBerg. She used her video producing skill set to create Vids for Wids.

Lights, Camera, Share

“Video making has always been a big part of my life. I actually went to film school. So basically, when I came up with the idea for Vids for Wids I was like, I have this idea to help other widows, and I have this skill where I know how to make videos, and I have this team that is always down to make something creative, so I thought, ‘Why don’t I combine those?’”

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Videographer Leslie Harter-Berg invites widows and widowers to tell their stories of love, laughter and grief in front of a camera. Photos courtesy Leslie Harter-Berg

Here for healing

Committed

to your health and well-being. peacehealth.org

continued from page 18

The idea behind Vids for Wids is simple. Harter-Berg brings a widow or widower down to her studio and allows the person to share their story of loss in whatever way they find helpful. That video is then shared on multiple platforms to remind other widows and widowers that they are not alone. It allows people to hear the darkest moments of another’s life told with a bit of humor. The videos challenge the idea of what widows “should” be doing in their lives after their whole world has been turned upside down. The people telling their stories and those listening are given the permission to embrace all aspects of life after a loss, whether it be the heartbreaking moments or the amazing ones.

But why would a widow or widower want to share their story? Isn’t reminiscing about their partner hard, making them relive the pain all over again? Harter-Berg says the answer is mostly no. She has found that the women and men she talks to are excited to share their stories, and when they go live on the site and on social media, they share them proudly with their followers. Harter-Berg explains that often, their community has moved on from the death of their significant other, before the spouse has. Friends and family stop asking if they miss them or asking them to share their memories of the time they were together. Or there are the friends that don’t want to ask at all because they don’t want to upset or bring down the spouse left behind.

“Most people I know who have experienced a significant loss want to go there,” says HarterBerg. “They want to share about it, and they are excited to share about it.”

It gives the person sharing their story a community and a platform. They can talk about their partner in ways they might not be able to with their friends anymore.

So far, Vids for Wids has given any local widow a platform to share their story. It doesn’t matter if their significant other recently passed away or if it’s been years. But some have been so inspired by the project that they have flown into Vancouver to tell their stories.

“We have them share a little bit about what happened to them, what they are going through, what their day-to-day looks like, and how they survived that first year,” explains Harter-Berg. “And it’s been really amazing just to see how much it means to widows in their first year of grief to feel like somebody else gets it. That’s really the whole heart behind Vids for Wids.”

It’s an intimate experience. When someone decides to tell their story with Vids for Wids, they are met by the crew, who lights and mics them. This is a total production and not just shot on a phone. When the camera begins to roll, the team leaves the storyteller alone with just Harter-Berg, someone who can completely understand them and guide the process.

“It’s healing for them, and it’s definitely healing for me,” says Harter-Berg. “We bring these women and men in, so we are getting something out of it, but they are getting something out of it too. They get to share their story and have their moment in the spotlight. We are saying, ‘What happened to you matters. Your story is important.’”

“Most people I know who have experienced a significant loss want to go there. They want to share about it, and they are excited to share about it.”

It’s that ability to swap stories that helps individuals feel less alone. Hearing your reality echoed in someone else’s story elicits a strong cathartic response for both the storyteller and the viewer/hearer. Harter-Berg often says, “I did that too!” to other people’s stories, mainly when they revolve around the grieving process.

“I feel like, myself included, before I was a widow, I imagined that you would be crying all the time, that you can’t get out of bed, like Hilary Swank in the movie, ‘P.S. I Love You,’” she says laughing. “Like you’re just wearing your dead husband’s clothes, drinking wine, listening to sad music, and you’re walking around your house bawling all the time. I think a lot of people think about that when they think about grief or if they imagine losing their own person. But what’s surprising about it is that you have to go on. You can’t cry all day, especially if you have kids. You have to keep wiping their butts and getting them to school. You have to keep taking one step forward.”

Sorrow, Joy, Humor

The grieving process includes moments of intense sadness and joy. Harter-Berg says people don’t understand this when they think about losing someone they love. “It’s not all sad, which you feel weird about. Somehow, you have this dark humor in the middle of the worst time of your life.”

In these Vids for Wids stories, one thing is clear. Grief is like a pendulum; at any moment, it can swing from one direction to another.

“People imagine grief plays out in stages, and you get to the acceptance,” says Harter-

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Vids For Wids: Turning Tears into Laughter (cont'd)

Feature: Vids For Wids: Turning Tears into Laughter (cont'd)

continued from page 20

Berg. You have your little stage of anger, your little stage of sadness. But what it’s really like is all of those emotions all the time, pivoting back and forth from one minute to the next. One minute, you are accepting it, and then the next, you’re angry about it again. We try to expose in Vids for Wids that grief is not just sadness. We’re laughing, crying and sharing widow’s stories.”

Everyone deals with death. It’s the most expected part of life, and there is no escaping it, but each person who has come to Vids for Wids has experienced it differently, and Harter-Berg is excited to share those stories because she believes people are desperate to hear them. “Right now, social media is just a video world. People want to see real human stories and interact in a more human way. Video allows you to interact that way. What’s been really powerful about doing interviews is having these widows show up with the lights, camera and background, and they feel special and important, like their story matters.”

Grief on Stage

Harter-Berg turned her video skills into a therapeutic stage for so many, but it’s not the only stage you can catch her on. Her VANtalks performance at Kiggins Theatre in 2023 inspired many people. While she never considered herself a public speaker, it was an opportunity that fell into her lap that she knew she needed to do.

“It was awesome,” she says with a laugh of her experience on the Kiggins stage. “[On stage] I talked about wanting to do something with your story right away, being OK with not being the best griever ever, and giving yourself permission to survive.”

She brought her rare insight and dark humor to the stage, allowing the audience to feel the emotions of a widow and enjoy the experience.

The VANtalks experience also holds great significance for her personally. That event was memorable because Ryan had spoken at VANtalks the year before he died. “I had no interest in doing it. I was just cheering him on. I remember he was always practicing for me. And I went to the event and said how amazing he was and that I would never do that. So, it was really surreal to do something that Ryan had done. It felt like another way of honoring his memory and continuing his legacy.”

Author, video producer, creator of Vids for Wids and now a public speaker, Harter-Berg

continues to bring people together, make them feel surrounded by people who understand their struggles, and give them a platform to talk about the people they love. And HarterBerg still has plenty more she wants to give and share about Ryan. “I’m coming up to year five [of Ryan being gone], and there is still a lot that I want to say about him.”

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.

Go to VANtalks.org/pastspeakers/surviving-thrivingaj9hc to watch Leslie HarterBerg’s VANtalks 2023 talk about grief on the Kiggins Theatre stage.

Go to VANtalks.org/pastspeakers/questions-aboutcommunication to watch Ryan Harter’s VANtalks 2018 talk about communication and transformation on the Kiggins Theatre stage.

Turn to page 12 to meet this year’s VANtalks speakers.

If you lost someone and want to tell your story, contact Leslie Harter-Berg at VidsforWids.com or @VidsforWids on Instagram. If you or someone you know recently lost someone and have started a GoFundMe for the funeral costs, reach out to Harter-Berg, who works to share funding pages on her social media.

Photo courtesy Leslie Harter-Berg

meet the Magical Booksellers of Clark county

By Emily Corak

I n a society where speed and convenience reign, local and independent bookstores are holding strong and proving they are needed now more than ever. Despite the prevalence of e-books and audio books, the selling of physical books has been increasing. 2020 and 2021 saw the biggest jump in physical book sales in a decade, with young adult novels being the fastest growing category, and print book sales have leapt by nearly 100 million copies compared to the pre-pandemic period. And while plenty of people appreciate the convenience of digital books, many customers say nothing can compete with holding a print book in their hands. Readers cite everything from the new book smell, the feeling of pages between their fingers, being able to wander the aisles and look at beautiful covers and the chance to take a break from electronics. Local children’s book author Gina Terwilleger Mercado says, “A bookstore is an experience that has no parallel.”

To meet this demand, new bookstores have popped up around Clark County in recent years and months. Armed with a love of literature and a craving for community, bookstore owners are working tirelessly to keep their doors open and provide a communal hub. Each bookstore in Clark County offers a unique curation of books and their own unique atmosphere, but each guarantees there is a book for everyone. Longtime bookseller, Becky Milner of Vintage Books, shares that all indie bookstores are different, but they work together to support one another and facilitate community over competition. I recently undertook my own little tour of local bookshops to find out what makes each one special. Meet the magical booksellers of Clark County.

VINTAGE BOOKS

When Becky Milner graduated from college and had young children in tow, she made a decision: “I wanted to do something that was mine.” She started a sales business in 1975, selling everything from furniture, antiques, collectibles, books

and inevitably, she says, “The books took over.” Vintage Books, a mainstay in the Vancouver community, has been in its current home since 1983. One of the best aspects of Milner’s job according to her, is the familial aspect. “I get to work with marvelous people every day and our customers have been wonderful,” she says.

Vintage Books offers an eclectic mix of used and new books, and they are regularly accepting donations or trades. Milner adds, “We’re very lucky. People let us do a little bit of everything.” The store’s offerings range from books from the 1700s to contemporary fiction and everything in between. The store offers puzzles, T-shirts and other eclectic merchandise and is also popular for pre-orders of new books. Vintage Books regularly hosts author readings, community book fairs and reading competitions. While Milner and her team have watched the book industry change drastically over the years, she wants people to know that “the little guys didn’t quit. We’re doing just fine, and we all have something different to offer.”

In the height of the 2008 recession, Chris Simons, owner of I Love Comics, was laid off from his high paying corporate job. Much to his wife’s dismay, he spent the last $500 of his unemployment check on a box of comics he found on Craigslist, a nod to his teen years spent working in a comic bookstore. Simons used the knowledge of his youth to sell those comics and turn a profit which progressively grew until the day he was able to visit a local comic bookstore on the verge of closing so he could buy the last of their inventory. Upon his visit, he learned that the store was owned by Clark College and offered impressively affordable rent. He exclaimed, “I think I’m a small business owner now!”

I Like Comics has since relocated to Downtown Vancouver and is now the largest comic bookstore in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The store boasts 5,000 square feet of retail space and 4,000 square feet

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6613 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver vintage-books.net

Feature: Meet the Magical Booksellers of Clark County

of storage. Simons says he’s even running out of room because “I have no control when it comes to comic books and cool toys.” But the best part, says Simons, is getting to see families grow. He’s even had the privilege of officiating a wedding in the store.

I Like Comics offers something for every comic lover, including original Batman comics from the 1940s and Stan Lee’s personal signed copy of Spiderman. The store has hosted big names for signings and events such as Stan Lee, Chuck Palahniuk, author of “Fight Club,” as well as the creators of “The Walking Dead” and “Spawn.” Simon’s customers have become his people. “It wasn’t until I turned 40, but now I get to do what I always wanted to do and it’s something I truly love.”

Birdhouse

Sarah Summerhill and Lucas Gubala had the wild idea to open a bookstore in downtown Vancouver in 2021, but they credit the community for its evolution. The friends went to college together at WSU Vancouver, and when Gubala suggested they open a bookstore, Summerhill immediately responded, “That’s crazy. We can’t do that.” But they were both eager to get involved in the community, so the idea took hold. Their joint venture started as a small bookstore and art gallery focusing on vintage and philosophy books. It may have started small but received a lot of support as the only bookstore in the downtown area (at the time). “Now we’re across the street from a paper store and another bookstore is here, so the literary scene is really thriving here,” says Summerhill.

The bookstore is run by Gubala and Summerhill with the help of volunteers and has become a hub for poets and writers. Birdhouse Books hosts poetry workshops twice a month, plus poetry contests and readings, and has helped numerous local authors and poets showcase

their work. They even have a bookstore within a bookstore: Epic Quest, a family run operation, leases several shelves within the store and features a selection of science fiction books. Summerhill states that owning a bookstore is no small feat, but they are paid in love and support. At the mention of the other bookstores sprouting up in the area, she exclaims that she’s glad for the community and that there’s no competition. “It’s just us against Amazon!”

The Romance Era Bookshop

Ren Rice discovered romance novels during lockdown and found they were a portal not only to connection and good literature, but also to self-discovery. “This genre was a whole lot more than I realized,” says Rice. Wanting to own a bookstore since childhood, Rice had decided this dream should be put off until retirement age until a therapist put things in perspective. In addition to a full-time job, Rice began lugging trunks of books to pop-up events until October 2023 when Rice was able to open a brick-and-mortar shop on the second story of Our 3rd Space (previously called Lincoln Warehouse Project).

Our 3rd Space, a woman- and queer-owned collaborative and creative space, has allowed Rice to have the space and capacity for hosting book clubs, author events and community gatherings. The Romance Era is open on Friday evenings and weekends and because of Rice’s commitment to keeping reading accessible and affordable, all books are used. The shop also sells jewelry, crafts and art from local artists.

The most important thing for customers, says Rice, is to know they can explore their interests in a safe space that strives to be “sex, body and pleasure positive.” Rice says that the bookshop is also a place for people with similar interests to come and connect. “I want people to feel like they’re at their best friend’s house.”

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1001 Main St., Vancouver birdhousebooks.store

1701 Lincoln Ave., Second Floor, Vancouver theromanceerabooks.com

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White

When White Oak Books opened on Main Street, Vancouver was ready for it. “We weren’t ready to open, but people were excited,” says owner Sara Smith-Glavin. “We had dozens of people walking by daily asking when the bookstore would open, so we wanted to be open in time for the holidays.” The bookstore, which offers a wide variety of new books and gifts, has been a steep learning curve for Smith-Glavin, but has proven worth it. “I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore,” she gushes. “I fell in love with books as a child and it’s been a lifelong dream.”

After a long career as a nurse and a husband who was ready to retire, she thought to herself, “It’s my turn!” A lifelong Vancouver resident, SmithGlavin’s intention is for everyone to see themselves represented in White Oak. “I want anyone who’s ever been marginalized, discriminated against or felt unseen to see themselves in this store,” she says. One of the greatest gifts, she’s spoken of, is the local community of other booksellers. “90% of what I’ve learned has come from them,” she says, grateful for the community collaboration.

The bookstore offers complimentary coffee, an area dedicated for kids to hang out and play while parents peruse, and a few comfy chairs and tables to enjoy. Smith-Glavin reflects on the amount of work this bookstore has required, calling it a “labor of love,” but says she has no regrets and people have embraced the bookstore with open arms. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

813 W Main St.,

When Literary Leftovers, a Battle Ground community staple for more than 27 years, was at risk of closing its doors, Heather Erwin leapt into action. Erwin, who moved to Battle Ground in 2016, says the first thing she looks for in any new place is the local bookstore, because they are the hubs of the community. Previously a project manager, Erwin had not initially set out to own a bookstore, but when she saw that the previous owners were leaving with no prospective buyers in sight, Erwin said to her husband, “We can’t let the bookstore close.” He agreed.

Thanks to a dedicated staff, Erwin continued with her full-time job for nearly two years before transitioning to the bookstore. The Literary Leftovers staff, including a children’s program manager who is described

by her co-workers as “Mary Poppins,” is committed to forging a strong local connection in Battle Ground. The bookstore currently hosts a variety of children’s programs, including a Lego club, a chess club, juvenile book clubs, art and poetry contests, and they are now offering study halls for students to come in and get extra support. For adults, there are two book clubs, including one that meets at Emanar Cellars and reads literature with a wine-related theme.

The vast majority of inventory is through donated books, and donors receive a 20% discount on their purchase. They also come in to canoodle with Lucy, the bookstore cat. “People come in just to get their weekly mental health break with Lucy,” says Erwin. While this transition may have been spontaneous, Erwin has no regrets. “This is my current calling,” she says. “And I couldn’t ask for a better one.” 4315A

Copper Bell Bookshop

Debbie Warnock says fear nearly kept her from opening her bookstore, Copper Bell Bookshop, in Ridgefield. While keeping up a busy career in real estate, Warnock spent years sketching out her dream bookstore, attending conferences and doing the research. Just when she’d decided to take the plunge, COVID hit, and she worried it was a sign that she shouldn’t do it. “Anytime I decided not to think about it anymore, I would get so sad,” says Warnock. She displayed the book, “What Do You Do with an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada (Compendium, 2014) in her living room because she knew she couldn’t let this dream go. When a new commercial development in Ridgefield was underway, she knew she had to act fast. “I just had a wish and a prayer and went for it.” Copper Bell has now been open to the public for the past year and a half.

Warnock and her husband spent meticulous time and energy bringing her vision to life, and the Ridgefield region is reaping the benefits. “We’ve made so many friends here,” says Warnock. “It’s been way beyond my wildest expectations to see how embraced we’ve been by the community.” The shop features all new books in a variety of genres, and about 20% of the store is unique gifts. With a secret passageway and well-stocked children’s area, the store also features a table and hutch from Warnock’s late mother who always believed she would make the bookstore happen.

While she jokes that she might as well set up a cot in the bookstore, Warnock also says she has to pinch herself regularly. “I can’t believe I actually did it,” she says. “It’s really restored my faith in humanity.”

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1700 Main St., Suite D, Vancouver whiteoakbooks.net

#105, Battle Ground literaryleftoversbookstore.com

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Bookish

Melissa Peake is passionate about children’s literacy, and she is determined to help kids find books that are not only fun but that light a spark.

“I really want kids to find books that help them think for themselves,” says Peake. Like many bookstore owners, Peake described owning a bookstore as a dream she had forever, but one she wasn’t sure would turn into a reality. “I just had to jump off a cliff and do it,” she laughs. Bookish has been open in Downtown Camas for a year and a half, and Peake says she hasn’t looked back since.

The bookstore started as solely a children and young adult bookstore with one shelf reserved for adults, but that shelf has since exploded and Bookish now offers a variety of new releases and popular adult novels. And while about 80% of the bookstore is still geared toward younger audiences, Peake keeps the Camas community at the forefront and hosts play groups, story times and book clubs, and has enticed popular authors to come in for exclusive events. Her goal is to have something for everyone by displaying a diverse range of literature, featuring banned books, humor books and books that emphasize social and emotional skills. “I think kids can get so much from a book that might feel condescending coming from an adult,” says Peake.

Bookish is always accepting donations for books while offering store credit for books as well. And if you’ve ever been considering opening your own bookstore, she has a little advice: “Just sign a lease and make yourself do it!”

Autumn Leaf Books

The newest addition to the community of Clark County bookstores is Autumn Leaf Books, which opened in February 2024 in downtown Camas. The former dance studio space is now lined with new books, gifts and adorable fox-themed décor. Owner, Eden Wade, moved to Camas in 2017 and fell in love with the downtown area, which reignited her bookstore dreams. “I always knew I wanted to own a bookstore,” she says. “I just thought it would be something I would do when I retired.” After falling in love with the space, she decided she

couldn’t put off her dream any longer and just had to go for it. “It was more than just a dream,” she says, adding “I have a young son and wanted to create more family and community for him.”

Wade’s son loves to hang out at Autumn Leaf and confirms that even in the first months the store has already been cultivating the family atmosphere she envisioned. “I love watching where people wander in the store; it tells you what they’re really into.” Having a large children’s section with an area for kids to spend time in was of utmost importance to her, citing that parents who come in without children still naturally gravitate toward this section. When asked about the reason behind the name, she says that after coming from Southern California she’s enamored with the beautiful seasons the Pacific Northwest offers.

Ready to read? Visit any and all of these shops just in time for summer reading.

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.

335 NE 5th Ave., Camas itsbookish.com

334 NE 4th Ave., Camas autumnleafbookstore.com

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.

2 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. 11 am-1 pm

Our History, Our Museum: 60 Years of the Clark County Historical Museum at CCHM, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Explore the rich history of the museum, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading cultural institution in Washington State. Attendees will learn about the museum’s remarkable collections, fascinating exhibits and its dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of the region. Admission $5. 7 pm

3 FRIDAY

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

Downtown Camas First Friday – Gnome & Fairy Backyard Adventure. Art shows, afterhours shopping, games, prizes, crafts, live music and more. 5-8 pm

Love Street Playhouse presents “The Sunshine Boys” at Love Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave., Woodland. Al and Willie were top-billed Vaudevillians for over 40 years. Now they aren’t even speaking. When CBS requests them for a “History of Comedy” retrospective, a grudging reunion brings them back together, along with a flood of memories, miseries and laughs. A play by Neil Simon. Tickets $25 at lovestreetplayhouse.com. Playing through May 19, showtimes vary.

4 SATURDAY

Humane Society for Southwest Washington Walk/Run for the Animals at Vancouver Waterfront Park. Raise funds for pets in need! Each year, HSSW provides thousands of pets with lifesaving medical care, shelter and a second chance for a happy home. Your support of Walk/Run makes this work possible. Registration: $50 at hssw.org.

8 am-12 pm

Spring Festival in Downtown Ridgefield. Artisan and food vendors, craft activities, art show, plant sale at Abrams Park, live music, Maypole dance, free treats and more. 9 am-2 pm

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “She Persisted” at Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland. Fourthgrader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, this musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner and Sonia Sotomayor. Tickets

Check out our website for even more local events.

$26-$49 at octc.org. Playing through May 26, showtimes vary.

May Day is Lei Day at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. May Day is Lei Day in Hawai’i. Join Ke Kukui Foundation as they bring a beloved tradition of Hawai’i to Vancouver, Washington. Featuring a May Day Royal Court, Hawaiian music, Hula performances, vendors, food, lei making and more at this free family event. 11 am-5 pm

5 SUNDAY

Cinco de Mayo Mercado at La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center, 205 E 16th St., Vancouver. Live DJ & entertainment, local Latine vendors, raffles, food and more at this free family event. Open to the public.

¡Únete a nosotros en nuestro primer Mercado de Cinco de Mayo! ¡No querrás perderte esta vibrante celebración! ¡Trae a toda la familia para entrar GRATIS y sumérgete en la comunidad, el arte, la deliciosa comida, los vendedores locales y la música alegre! ¡Bailemos y disfrutemos de nuestras fiestas tradicionales mientras recordamos nuestras hermosas celebraciones! 3-7:30 pm

8 WEDNESDAY

Science on Tap: My Life is Mostly a Disaster: Perspectives of a Multihazard First Responder at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Get a peek into what it’s like to live a life where each day is one disaster after another. Tickets $15-$45 at kigginstheatre.com. 7 pm

10 FRIDAY

Parents’ Survival Nights at The Little Gym, 3000 SE 164th Ave., #111, Vancouver. Drop off your kiddos age 3-12 for a night of fun, games and gym time. May theme: Dinosaur Adventure. Registration $45 per child at

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May 19, 2024

5K • 10K • Half Marathon

THE PORT OF CAMAS-WASHOUGAL Benefiting NW Battle Buddies

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

REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

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thelittlegym.com/washington-vancouver. 5:30-8:30 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Fame” at MPA, 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. An unmistakable title

June 29-30, 2024

5K • 10K • Trail Challenge • 26.2M/50M RENDEVOUZ DAYS Benefiting City of Yacolt

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE

SAVE

REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

from the unforgettable film and television franchise, “Fame The Musical” inspired generations to fight for fame and light up the sky like a flame. Tickets $11-20 at metropolitanperformingarts.org. Playing May 10-19, showtimes vary.

11 SATURDAY

Camas Plant and Garden Fair in Downtown Camas. Shop a huge selection of plants, trees, garden art and supplies, plus enjoy kids’ activities, raffle prizes, live music, fresh food and local shopping. 9 am-4 pm

Spruce the Couve in Downtown Vancouver. Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs department, Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Uptown Village Association and Parks Foundation for the annual Spruce the Couve event. Volunteers will be planting hundreds of flowers in Esther Short Park and working in teams to clean up downtown and uptown. Training, gloves, tools, water and snacks will be provided. Registration is required at cityofvancouver.

9:30 am-12 pm

Downtown Alley Flea Market at Kindred Homestead Supply, 606 Main St., Vancouver. Discover handmade and artisan treasures, plus vintage items, furniture, home décor and more. Groove to live music from Ronald Records, and enjoy kids’ activities.

10 am-4 pm

Spring Tea at The Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of sweet and savory food bites and a delectable selection of teas, all while relaxing in the elegant Marshall House located on Officers Row. Tickets: $65 at thehistorictrust.org. Choose from one of two seatings: 11 am or 2 pm

El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Bilingual story hour, traditional folkloric dance, festive art activities and delicious treats in celebration of El Día de los Niños/ El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). Commonly known as Día, it is a celebration of children, families and reading. Día emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds, linking children and their

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Photo by

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Latin culture at La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center’s Cinco de Mayo Mercado.

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families to diverse books, languages, and cultures.

Únete a nosotros para la hora de los cuentos bilingües, danzas folclóricas tradicionales, actividades artísticas festivas y bocadillos deliciosos en la celebración del Día de los niños/Día de los libros. Conocido comúnmente como El Día, es una celebración de los niños, las familias y la lectura. El Día hace énfasis en la importancia de la alfabetización de los niños de todos los orígenes lingüísticos y culturales, vinculando a los niños y a sus familias con diversidad de libros, idiomas y culturas. 1-3 pm

Murder Mystery Dinner – “80s Prom” at Salud Wine Bar, 224 NE 3rd Ave., Camas. With their high school career coming to an end, the students of Mayhem High find themselves battling it out over grades, popularity, affection, class rankings and what they all have been focused on for years . . . Who will be awarded the prom king and queen title? As the night unfolds, the royalty will be rewarded and an innocent life will be claimed. Can you find the culprit in this crazy madness that is filled with neon, naughtiness and narcissistic behavior? Tickets $85 at saludwine.com. Two shows: May 11 & May 18, 5:30-8 pm

14 TUESDAY

La Center Library 20th Anniversary and Bookmark Contest Celebration at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. All are welcome to celebrate amazing bookmark artists and 20 years of library service. Enjoy live music, llamas and cake. 3-5 pm

15 WEDNESDAY

Guided Tours at Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Have you ever wondered how old the fish are out in the round ponds, or what

wildlife can be found around Columbia Springs? Learn about all that Columbia Springs has to offer. 5:30 pm

16 THURSDAY

All Ages Bingo at Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Gather your friends and family for an evening of friendly competition and lively entertainment. It’s all about the thrill of the game, the possibility of winning fantastic prizes, and creating memories. Games are designed to engage participants of all ages, making it a level playing field for everyone. Enjoy delicious snacks and refreshments, all in a safe and welcoming environment. Registration $10-$12, required at cityofvancouver.us/departments/parksrecreation-and-cultural-services 6-7:30 pm

17 FRIDAY

Tacos & Taps at Clark County Food Bank, 6502 NE 47th Ave., Vancouver. Enjoy gourmet taco creations and craft beer from some of the area’s finest chefs and brewers, plus live music, raffle prizes, games, photo booth and more. Proceeds benefit Clark County Food Bank. Tickets $40+ at clarkcountyfoodbank.org. Two days: May 1718, 4-9 pm

Vancouver Volcanoes Basketball Home Game at Hudson’s Bay High School, Vancouver. Check out Vancouver’s hometown basketball team as they face off against rival teams from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Season tickets $50, single game tickets $10 adults, $5 kids, age 5 and under free. Games May 17 & May 25, 7 pm

18 SATURDAY

Columbia Springs Kids Fishing Fest at Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Fishing for kids ages 5-14 with one of our expert fishing mentors, fishing pole provided for registered fishers, hands-on science and nature activities and BBQ lunch (veggie options available). Tickets $8 per person (under age 5 free). Register at columbiasprings.org. 8 am-2 pm

NAMI Walks Southwest Washington at Marine Park, Vancouver. Walk a 3-mile loop in Downtown Vancouver to support National Alliance on Mental Illness. Register at namiswwa.org/walk. 11 am-1 pm

Trashion Show at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Are you passionate about upcycling materials and reducing waste? Showcase your skills by entering our Trashion Show! Participants can create a wearable garment or accessory for the runway or submit artwork for a gallery show. All entries must be made from reused or recycled materials. Prizes will be awarded to participants, and all ages are welcome to attend and participate in the show. Register at fvrl.org. 2-3 pm

Bad Art Night at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Are you an artist? No? Well, great! For Bad Art Night, you don’t need to be! All you need to do is create a terrible piece of art. Here at Bad Art Night, let go of the pressure of making something perfect; instead, let your creativity run wild and have fun! Various materials and objects will be provided, and feel free to bring your own. There will be an hour of creation, followed by a 30-minute Bad Art Gallery, where participants will view each other’s work and vote on the worst art piece of the night. For adults only. Register at cityofcamas.us/ library. 5:30-7 pm

Vancouver Master Chorale 75th Anniversary Spectacular at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver. Tickets $5-$25 at vancouvermasterchorale. org. Playing May 18-19, showtimes vary.

19 SUNDAY

NW Children’s Theater presents “Go Dog. Go!” at The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway T-100, Portland. P.D. Eastman’s classic children’s book skates, swerves and leaps from page to stage. Dogs rule in this fantastical world. And of course, they know how to throw a wild party! Tickets $25-$35 at nwct.org. Playing May 18-Jun 9, showtimes vary.

Reflection Run at Washougal Waterfront Park. The 9th Annual Reflection Run will honor the brave men and women 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 and 5K running and walking courses will travel along the mighty Columbia River with views of Mount Hood and the Gorge. The routes will be lined with local Hero Posters of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and the event will benefit various military organizations and nonprofits. Veterans and those actively serving race for free. Registration $50-$102 at whyracingevents.com/reflection-run. 8:30 am

Micah’s Mini Marathon at Frenchman’s Bar Park, 9216 Lower River Rd., Vancouver. Have you ever wanted to run a marathon, but 26.2

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Kids are invited to Columbia Springs to enjoy a day of fishing and fun activities. Fishing gear and mentors provided!

Photo Credit: Columbia Springs

Honor military service members who have lost their lives in service of our country this Memorial Day at Fort Vancouver.

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miles . . . ugh! This mini marathon is for you: 2.62 miles! A fun run for people of all abilities. Registration $45 at micahsmiles.org. 9 am

Southwest Washington Wind Symphony presents “Tributes” at Union High School, 6201 NW Friberg-Strunk St., Camas. U nder the baton of conductor Patrick Murphy from the University of Portland, the group will commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” by performing it with local pianist Julia Lee. The program also includes John Philip Sousa’s “Sesquicentennial Exposition March” written for the 150th anniversary of America’s independence, and more. Free admission. 3 pm

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Series: Classica Keys featuring Orli Shaham Royal Durst Theatre Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, 3101 Main St., Vancouver. Orli Shaham will conduct from the piano in this thrilling program that includes classical-era masters Haydn and Mozart. Tickets $25 at vancouversymphony. com. 3 pm

22 WEDNESDAY

Goat Happy Hour at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground and Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver Join FVRL for goat therapy. Petting these sweet animals can decrease anxiety, depression and loneliness, increasing feelings of comfort and happiness. Goat Happy Hour will be held outside and the goats will be on leads. Dress accordingly. This event is intended for adults, but no adult beverages will be served. Children 8 and up may be admitted with an adult.

Battle Ground: 10:30-11:30 am

Three Creeks: 12:30-1:30 pm

24 FRIDAY

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie.

SATURDAY JUNE 1st

CAMTOWN YOUTH FESTIVAL

11:00AM 4:00PM

Fun for the whole family: 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! Participants: $10 per car/$8 per motorcycle – cash only. Spectators: $10 per person/$5 kids under age 13. Age 3 and under free – cash or card. Two dates in May: May 24 & May 31, 4-8 pm

FREE EVENT

AGES 3 - 16

D OROTHY FOX SCHOOL | 2623 NW Sierra St. Food Entertainment

Camas Parks & Recreation

CALL 360-834-5307

WWW.CITYOFCAMAS.US/PARKSREC

Craft Activities Inflatable Games

Petting Zoo

Kids’ Flea Market

28 TUESDAY

Journey Theater presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St., Camas. Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joy of friendship. Tickets $17-$21 at journeytheater.org. Playing May 23-26, showtimes vary.

27 MONDAY

Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Vancouver, 1001 E 5th St., Vancouver. This annual ceremony, presented by The Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) at the Bandstand on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground, honors men and women who have lost their lives in service of our country. Visitors may view the garrison flag raising, Washington Army National Guard Howitzer cannon firing and a wreath laying ceremony in honor of fallen heroes. Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance is free of charge. 11 am

Watershed Alliance Environmental Film Series at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. May film: “Razing Liberty Square.” The dramatic changes happening in Miami’s Liberty Square are a looking glass for contemporary issues of wide-scale significance: the affordable housing crisis, the impact of systemic racism and climate gentrification. Miami is experiencing sea level rise before the rest of the country. What is happening in Liberty Square is a prescient story of what is to come, and strategies put to the test here are being closely observed by the rest of the world. Register to attend at clarkgreenneighbors.org. 4:30 pm

30 THURSDAY

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.