Vancouver Family Magazine June 2018

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Dear Stepdad,

You’re Important, Too SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HIM

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contents

12

FEATURE ARTICLES

12

Dear Stepdad, You’re Important, Too One blended family’s difficult journey and ultimate rewards

18

Sleep Solutions for Him Identifying and resolving sleep problems in men

22

Clark County Summer Events Preview See what’s in store this summer all around Southwest Washington

10 22

June ‘18

18

IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

8

The New Domesticity How caring for animals prompts sacrifice, responsibility and discovery

10

Bit of HiStory History behind park names in Clark County

28

Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB • Kindergarten ready • Stop summer brain drain: 25 ways to keep learning fresh • More history behind park names in Clark County

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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EDITOR'S NOTES

Photo: Scarlette Richards – scarlette.squarespace.com

The Identity of Fatherhood My husband has always been a wonderful

father, but his true superpower was manifested as our oldest daughter entered her teen years.

Her various challenges triggered a nurturing response unlike anything I’d seen from him

during our kids’ previous developmental stages. At times it has seemed as if his singular purpose on this earth is to be this specific child’s

father. We don’t all get to experience that serendipity with our children, but as parents, perhaps we can do more to actively create the moments that gradually build a solid relationship with our young charges,

especially the ones who challenge us. We can start by embracing our

parenthood as a meaningful part of our identity, rather than a hindrance

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 17, Issue 6 Publisher

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

Editor

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

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Ad Designer

Philip Nerat Philip@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Gayla Grace, Dr. Andrew Hong, Pat Jollota, Julianna Lawson, Brooke Strickland

to it. I believe my husband has found a significant piece of himself even as he’s given his whole heart away to both of his children. Every child should experience such an exchange.

To every father who forsakes his bachelor self to wholly replace it with the title and identity of “Dad”: you are our real-life superheroes.

Stepdads too earn a hard-won reward. Learn more about their

important role on page 12, and explore healthy sleep patterns for men on page 18.

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

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 2002-2018. All rights reserved.

No portion of Vancouver Family Magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.

Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website.

The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

On the Cover: Dakota C. of Battle Ground loves to enjoy the outdoors with his 2-yearold son, Jorian.

Photo courtesy of Tonya Wright Nest & Love Photography nestandlovephotography.com

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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THE NEW DOMESTICITY

the

NEW DOMESTICITY

1

By Julianna Lawson

“Sorry we’re late!”

My children rushed to greet the cousins who had arrived for piano lessons. We have a running joke that, if one lives in Amboy, one is generally late. Accordingly, my sister and her kids descended upon the rest of the family that day rather tardily. But we also know that, if one lives in Amboy, one likely has a story to accompany these delays. This time, we heard undeniable evidence as we approached their van. Issuing from a towel-lined tub on the seat was a decidedly persistent mewing.

We peered over the edge in awe and beheld four wobbly kittens.

As we exclaimed over their tightly closed eyes and desperate, outstretched paws, my niece explained that the mother had disappeared. “We can’t find Moana,” she moaned. My sister wryly added, “So we have to feed them. With a bottle. Every three hours.” Hence the backseat bundle, joining the cousins for piano.

Life on a farm is indeed filled with adventure. Sometimes that adventure is marvelous, sometimes it’s messy, and sometimes it makes a family late for piano. But no matter the adventure, there’s something delightful about watching a child connect with an animal.

providing them with an education in responsibility, sacrifice and discovery. Let’s visit Amboy for a glimpse into this lively academy.

Responsibility Among my 16-year-old niece’s farm responsibilities is the care of their horse, Thor. Alainna describes her routine, “I let him out in the mornings, muck his stall, and usually bring him in at night and give him some hay.” Clara, age 8, tends to her bunny, Bella. “I give her pellets, water, hay and carrots.” Ethan, 15, cares for the sheep, “filling up and changing their water, putting fresh bedding down, and making sure they have hay to eat,” while Evan, 13, looks after their Great Pyrenees. “I bring Aspen down to the pasture in the morning and up to the barn at night. Every night I top off her food and her water.” With these responsibilities come steady rewards.

“Thor is a big sweetheart,” Alainna says. “He’s very social and runs up to me when I’m ready to take him to the barn.” Clara also appreciates the social nature of Bella, “She comes to me whenever I come over. She loves people.” Ethan enjoys the frequent farm additions (“We got a new lamb today!”) and Evan loves running with Aspen.

Sacrifice

Several years ago, I found myself drawn to an intriguing genre. I began reading memoirs and novels by naturalists, and I quickly delighted in the animal accounts of authors such as Marjorie Rawlings, Mary O’Hara and Gavin Maxwell. Gerald Durrell wrote of his childhood experiences on the island of Corfu in the 1930s, “At first I was so bewildered by this profusion of life on our very doorstep that I could only move about the garden in a daze . . . I would spend hours . . . lying on my stomach watching the private lives of the creatures around me. In this way I learned a lot of fascinating things.”

Caring for animals involves sacrifice. A commodity often sacrificed is time. (See exhibit A: piano kittens.) Ethan admits that the sheep do have a mind of their own, and it takes some work to follow through on their care. “If they get out, that’s a pain,” he laughs.

“Sometimes they come up to the house and start eating the grass!”

Likewise, Alainna shares of the daily routine, “It’s not going to stop.

It has to be done. If we’re going to go somewhere, they have to be accounted for.” And Clara has learned a bit about sacrificing her comfort. “It’s hard taking care of the chickens because [the rooster] always flaps at me when I try to get the eggs!”

Whether on Corfu in the 30s or in present day Clark County, children delight in animal study. As we seek to introduce them to animals—whether we buy a fish or a farm—we will find that we are

Discovery Tending animals both demands and inspires discovery. Evan shares, “When you get animals, you gotta be really prepared.” continued on next page

8

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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The whole family has taken part in troubleshooting when animals wriggle out of fences and paddocks. Alainna worked to find the best methods to care for her horse’s infected hoof. “It was pretty rigorous,” she admits, but her diligence has paid off. Even with their wayward nature, Ethan observes, “I like how peaceful the sheep are.” Alainna has made some fun discoveries, too. “When lambs nurse, they wiggle their tails!” Evan has found that caring for Aspen also means lots of exercise. “At night when I run her back to

the barn I have much more stamina so I can run longer with her.”

And Clara summarizes well the family experience at their Amboy animal academy, “You kind of have more of an adventure!”

Julianna Lawson and her husband Jamie make their home in Vancouver with their four children, ages 12 to 20. While the Lawsons don’t run a farm, they do run amok, caring for two unpredictable (and oddly shaped) mixed-breed dogs.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Bit of HiStory

The^ Story^ Behind^ THE

By Pat Jollota

O

III PARKS III

On warm summer days, the many parks of Clark County are full of families enjoying playgrounds, walking trails, sports fields and courts, skate parks, dedicated green space, outdoor grills, pavilion shelters and all of the natural beauty afforded us by our cities’ and counties’ parks and recreation departments. We all have a park that’s fairly close to us, or a family favorite, but most of us haven’t paused to wonder about the origins of each park’s namesake. Each and every park in Clark County has a story, and a history.

Take, for example, General Anderson Park near Andresen Road and MacArthur Boulevard.

General Thomas Arthur Anderson was the longest commanding officer of Vancouver Barracks. But he did more than that. He led Vancouver’s troops into the Philippines during the Spanish American War in 1898, becoming the first officer to lead American troops in Asia.

He and his wife lived in what we now call the O.O. Howard House, and his sons followed him into the military, also being stationed at Vancouver Barracks. General Anderson was not a tall man, standing about 5’6” or 5’7”. His voice, however, could be heard across the parade ground. His troops called him the Little Orator. He formed a theater group that staged many plays in the city. He was active in the Scottish Rite, performing in some of their rituals. When he died, the Scottish Rite held a midnight service for him with a procession through the streets of Portland. The park that bears his name is situated within walking distance of McLoughlin Middle School and Marshall Elementary.

Leverich Park is popular these days for its disc golf course. I wonder what Anna Howell Leverich would think of that? Anna was a tiny girl when her family joined the thousands trekking across the Great Plains to the Northwest. She met Benjamin Leverich, a young man with a bright future. They wed and lived in Oregon before coming north to Clark County where Benjamin had been appointed as postmaster in Battle Ground. He was a skilled carpenter as well. The pair settled on 70 acres of rolling hills and forest on Burnt Bridge Creek.

They had no children of their own, but adopted Ida Russell, the daughter of a friend, after her parents’ deaths. Years passed, the property grew more lush and green. Benjamin died, Ida married, and Anna was left alone. What would become of those beautiful acres? Fortunately, Anna knew how to preserve them and take care of herself. She eventually deeded the land to the City of Vancouver in 1924 with the proviso that the City give her $500 per year for the rest of her life. She died just a few years later in 1930 and is buried in the Old City Cemetery.

Her land became one of Vancouver’s first parks when it was dedicated as Leverich Park in 1931. continued on next page General Thomas Arthur Anderson circa 1898.

Photo courtesy of Pat Jollota

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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continued from previous page

Sgt. Brad Crawford Park is a newer 2.5 acre county-owned park in Felida, a few blocks west of NW 36th Avenue. Clark County Deputy Sergeant Crawford lived and worked in Felida where everyone knew his smile. Sadly, he was killed in the line of duty in 2004 when an escaping suspect rammed his police car. He received the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor posthumously in 2005, and his name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, D.C. So it comes as no surprise that when the neighborhood

Clark County Deputy Sergeant Brad Crawford circa 2004.

park was completed in 2008, and the County called upon local citizens for a name that would have meaning for that community, Sergeant Crawford’s name was overwhelmingly approved.

To view facilities, amenities and other details for all of the parks mentioned here and more, visit www.vancouverfamilymagazine. com/parknames.

Pat Jollota retired from the Los Angeles Police Department and came to Vancouver to find a new career in historic preservation. She was curator of education at the Clark County Historical Museum for 22 years, while almost concurrently serving for 20 years on the Vancouver City Council.

Park photo courtesy Clark County

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

11

Feature: Dear Stepdad, You’re Important, Too

Dear Stepdad,

You’re Important, Too

By Gayla Grace

In the early years of our marriage, I wondered if we would make it to our next anniversary.

Blending four children, grappling with our stepparent roles while learning to parent together, combating ex-spouses, and trying to stay afloat with job, church and community obligations seemed impossible. As we celebrated 22 years of marriage recently, I’m thankful we never quit.

It’s no different as a stepparent.

Without a firm commitment to trudge through the challenges

12

My husband, Randy, recently experienced the privilege of walking his youngest stepdaughter, Jodi, down the aisle. His face radiated with joy. Tears welled in my eyes as I recounted his years of commitment to my girls. But Randy will be the first to tell you he is an imperfect stepfather. Although his stepdaughters now love him dearly, it hasn’t always been that way.

Jodi was almost three when we married and my oldest daughter, Jamie, was five. Randy had a difficult time with Jamie from the beginning. She didn’t want another dad in her life and she made that clear to him.

Photo Credit: Katie Childs

Stepparenting should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint, with perseverance a key ingredient. If a marathoner begins a race with even a small consideration to quit when it gets hard, he won’t finish. When the muscle cramps slow his gait, when the road stretches endlessly, when his breathing labors under the hot sun, as others stumble along the way, he has to decide he won’t give in to the temptation to stop. The choice is daunting.

that come your way, you won’t make it.

It’s tough. Very few stepfamilies escape what stepfamily expert Ron Deal calls the “wilderness wanderings.” The wanderings will look and feel differently in each home, but most stepfamilies will endure days, and possibly years, of hardship and suffering. If you don’t determine ahead of time you will persevere when it gets tough, you will likely turn back. You won’t find the blessings that accompany your journey in the end. Stepfamily statistics confirm that.

Jodi on her wedding day, flanked by the author and Randy.

Jamie is second from right.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

He overheard a conversation between the two girls one night during our first year of marriage.

“I hate him too, I can’t believe Mom married him,” Jamie told Jodi. There was little love, or even like, between Randy and the girls in the beginning. continued on page 14

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Feature: Dear Stepdad, You’re Important, Too (cont’d) continued from page 12

During our second year of marriage, Randy left the house one evening and called from a nearby hotel. “I’m not coming home tonight. I’m not sure I’m coming home again. I can’t cope with the ongoing conflict between me and you and the kids.”

It was a tough season. Randy brought two children to the marriage also and attempting to blend our four kids, ages 3-10, while learning how to stepparent and parent together proved harder than we anticipated. But neither of us wanted to endure another divorce. Randy and I began counseling that year to work through the bumps.

Jamie challenged us on every turn during her teenage years. If Randy punished her in the slightest, she threatened to call Child Protective Services. She ran away more times than I can remember (but thankfully never went far). After one particularly

difficult day with defiant behavior, Randy took Jamie’s cell phone and threw it to the ground. As it busted into several pieces, Jamie began yelling at us both. The night didn’t end well. And I wasn’t sure the sun would come up the next day.

But it did. And Randy didn’t give up on his stepparenting journey with Jamie.

When she came into driving age, Randy wanted to teach her to drive. She tested every ounce of his patience. They would come in from a driving session hardly talking to one another, Jamie’s anger brewing over. But the next day, they were at it again.

During her high school years, Jamie participated in competitive cheerleading.

Randy would jokingly say, “Do you call cheerleading a sport?” The ongoing drama with other cheerleaders, out-of-

town competitions, and continuous suction cup to his wallet threw Randy into stress overdrive. His grumpiness overshadowed his joy at times. But he didn’t quit supporting Jamie and the things that made her tick.

As Jamie left for college, I’ll never forget her words to him. With a wrap-around hug and a smile on her face she said, “Thank you for being such a great dad to me. I love you!”

Jamie travelled to Mozambique, Africa for an eight-month missionary journey after she graduated from college. She left in early summer, and we knew it would be hard to communicate with her while she was gone. As I suspected, though, she made sure to call on Father’s Day despite the time difference. When Randy answered the phone, I saw tears in his eyes as he listened to Jamie recount lifechanging experiences. He knew he had continued on page 16

As a stepdad, you’ve been given

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Feature: Dear Stepdad, You’re Important, Too (cont’d) continued from page 14

contributed to her stability and maturity that enabled her young life to now make a difference with others. She closed with the words every stepfather loves to hear, “Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you. I miss you.”

Do you have to be a perfect stepparent to have a meaningful relationship with your stepchildren? No! Randy’s stepdaughters, Jodi, now 24, and Jamie, now 27, love their imperfect stepdad.

Why? How did that happen?

Randy never quit. He got up when he fell down. He sought help when he needed answers. He cried. He prayed. He struggled. He fought. He apologized. He forgave. He smiled with gritted teeth. But he never quit.

Is it a cycle? Yes. You take one step forward and two steps backward. You celebrate a season of growth and then start a season of despair. You gain insider status one day and feel like an outcast the next.

Does that mean you failed? No! Stepparenting is tough. Mistakes are made. Misunderstandings happen. And variables outside our control influence stepfamily relationships. But there are new tomorrows. A fresh start to work through differences. Hope for harmony.

As a stepdad, you’ve been given an opportunity to influence a child’s life like no one else can. Are you up for the challenge? I hope so. Because my husband will tell you: your efforts count! And there are rewards to stepparenting, even when you’re not perfect. But oftentimes they’re at the end of the journey.

Gayla Grace writes, speaks, and coaches on family and stepfamily issues and holds a master’s degree in psychology and counseling.

She and her husband Randy have five children in their blended family, ages 17-32.

16

STEPDADS: Outrage & Gratitude

By Gil Stuart, LMHCA, Counselor, Coach, Author, Speaker, Stepdad to 7 kids, Husband in Brush Prairie Co-founder of www.restoredandremarried.com

Outrage and Gratitude. Those two extreme emotions are part of the Stepdad journey. Emotions shared by both the dad and the kids!

The role of Stepdads can be confusing. I would ask myself, “Am I replacement Dad?” “Am I a substitute, like an extra player waiting on the bench?” “Can I discipline my stepkids the same way I do my own?”

“Can I love these strange kids as much as my own?”

My answer is Yes and No! Stepdads need to create the place for the kids to set the pace. Being patient and available for your stepkids is the foundation.

Love and respect will have a chance to grow in that space. The average stepfamily takes 5-7 years to “blend.”

And that may never fully happen.

Becoming a Stepfather is an act of heroism! Leading a stepfamily is all about new beginnings. A new legacy has a chance to be strong and impactful for the next generation.

Always forward, Gil

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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17

Feature: Sleep Solutions for Him

SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HIM

By Dr. Andrew Hong

If you fall asleep to the melodious sound of your husband snoring, then you may be hearing more than the disruption of a peaceful night. Snoring, while in some cases harmless, can also be a symptom of a serious sleep condition. As a spouse, you are uniquely able to identify this and other warning signs and encourage your husband to seek treatment.

Men Diagnosed More Sleep issues come in a variety of forms, from insomnia to problems with excessive movement. Sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing stops and starts during sleep, is the most common. It often occurs when a person’s airway becomes obstructed during sleep.

Sleep apnea is far more prevalent in men than women. Experts estimate that 14 percent of men suffer from sleep apnea, compared with 5 to 6 percent of women.

It’s a condition that can have serious health implications, causing fragmented sleep, daytime tiredness, memory problems, high blood pressure, and morning headaches.

Long-term, sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can impact testosterone levels and make diabetes and blood pressure harder to control.

Symptoms to Spot Sleep apnea is also underdiagnosed: According to one study, up to 30 million people have it, but only 20 percent are diagnosed. Sometimes people don’t realize that the issues they are experiencing can be caused by sleep apnea. For example, it’s common for people with sleep apnea to have trouble staying asleep the second half of the night. Yet patients may chalk the problem up to insomnia. Patients may wake up to use the restroom frequently at night and think that they don’t have the bladder control they used to. In fact, sleep apnea puts strain on the heart, which in turn causes the body to release a chemical that prompts them to use the bathroom. Some important memory functions occur in REM sleep, when sleep apnea is the worst. Sufferers commonly report that they don’t dream or remember their dreams anymore; alone, that’s rarely enough to spur someone to see a doctor.

Other patients simply don’t have as many warning signs. Sleep medicine physicians like to joke that spouses are our best referrers, but it’s actually true.

Some people suffering from sleep apnea don’t notice many changes in their body beyond being tired during the day. It’s

their spouses who key in on the snoring, how they may wake up and gasp for air in the middle of the night or pause in breathing. It’s often wives and girlfriends who encourage their partner to come in for evaluation and testing.

Like Father, Like Son Sleep apnea can affect any age, from child to adult, but is more common as people get older. And while being overweight is a risk factor, people who are thin can have sleep apnea that’s more severe than that of an obese patient. Facial features, airway size, and jaw positioning also impact people’s risk. For example, a jaw that is set back or slightly smaller, or nasal passages with a deviated septum increase risk. Because facial features matter, having a family member who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed. Sometimes I have kids in my office who are exactly like their parents, and they all have sleep apnea.

Ethnicity matters as well. On average, people of Asian descent experience sleep apnea at a lower body mass index (BMI) than other ethnicities.

Testing and Treatment Testing for sleep apnea is easier than ever. continued on page 20

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Feature: Sleep Solutions for Him (cont’d) continued from page 18

At Vancouver Clinic, where I practice, when a patient comes in for an evaluation, his doctor will take a complete medical history, including current symptoms, and then recommend the type of sleep study that will deliver the best, most accurate results. Oftentimes, we can offer an athome sleep test for people, which is more convenient than going to a sleep center overnight. We recommend that spouses attend appointments, as they can truly be the best witnesses of what is going on.

While the solution for sleep apnea is often a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine, it’s not a given. Some mild cases may be treated with a mandibular advancement device—basically a mouth guard that’s worn at night. For moderate to severe cases, a CPAP device is often recommended. This machine connects to a face mask and produces mild air pressure that keeps the airway open at night. This helps people breath better, giving them a better night’s sleep and eliminating snoring in the process.

Each year, the machines become quieter and new masks come out that better accommodate different sleeping positions. We can make the treatment quite comfortable for patients. It’s not onesize-fits-all, so it might take some practice to find the right solution for each individual,

but it’s worth it. Patients can have masks professionally fitted to them, and patients who experience claustrophobia or have trouble with having something on their faces can access desensitization and counseling. For patients with claustrophobia, we often suggest that they wear the mask while they are awake and watching TV in order to get used to it. We can also walk patients through relaxation techniques that can help them when they’re falling asleep. Anyone can feel selfconscious about wearing a mask at first, so it’s important to be kind and supportive as your spouse takes this important step to improve his health.

Once a patient has a setup that works for him, he simply needs to wipe down the mask daily and clean the hose weekly.

These “durable supplies” are replaced at regular intervals and usually covered by insurance.

Don’t Delay Evaluation If you notice that your spouse is exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea, or if you think you might be experiencing symptoms, talk to a primary care provider for a referral to a sleep specialist. Some insurances allow self-referrals as well. Sleep is vital to our health, and any concerns should be addressed as soon as possible. Patients who manage their sleep apnea sleep better, feel more rested, function better during the daytime, and think more clearly.

Sleep apnea is a newer diagnosis, and as the medical research and literature on this problem continue to accumulate, I think we’ll only see more evidence of why it’s important to treat this issue.

Dr. Andrew Hong is a sleep medicine physician at Vancouver Clinic. He treats patients with various sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, parasomnias, and restless leg syndrome. His goal is to work with each patient to find the root cause of their symptoms, then develop an effective treatment strategy.

Patients who manage their sleep apnea sleep better, feel more rested, function better during the daytime, and think more clearly.

20

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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21

Feature: Clark County Summer Events Preview

Clark County

Summer Events Preview

Photos on this page courtesy of City of Vancouver, Washington

Summer in Clark County

means warm days outside soaking up the sun that we miss throughout the rest of the year. It also means no school and longer days. With this summertime change of pace, families of all kinds are looking for fun and unique things to do together. Check out this sneak peek of entertainment and fun in store for Southwest Washington families all summer long.

By Brooke Strickland

City of Vancouver Summer Events

Stacey Donovan, special events manager for the City of Vancouver shares that the City will be putting on a variety of exciting activities this year, many of them free of charge, and starting just days after kids are out of school for the summer. “One of our biggest events of the summer is the Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park,” she says. This free event, produced by Clark County Public Health, began in 2005 with a mission to educate Clark County residents about

waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and has grown to include entertainment, wares made from recycled materials by a variety of artisans, and resources for environmental awareness. The Recycled Arts Festival, which traditionally takes place the fourth weekend in June, is followed days later by the highly popular fireworks show on Independence Day at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

These two large events kick off the full summer season, during which the City of Vancouver will continue its tradition of regular outdoor concerts and movies at several different venues around town.

East Vancouver families can enjoy the Columbia Tech Center Sunday Sounds concert series, and Esther Short Park will again host the Imagine Realty continued on page 24

22

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Feature: Clark County Summer Events Preview (cont’d) continued from page 22

Noon Concert Series on Wednesdays and the Riverview Six to Sunset Concert Series on Thursday evenings. Also taking place at Esther Short Park this summer will be the beloved 3 Days of Aloha Hawaiian Festival in July, which Donovan says is a great way to experience Hawaiian food, music and art. July 21 will be a hot one in Vancouver: Fire in the Park, highlighting safety education, and Cruisin’ the Couve, showcasing hot rods from all eras displayed along Main Street, will both happen that day in downtown Vancouver.

Families can even enjoy the cosmos at a special family friendly overnight stargazing event inside the historic Fort Vancouver in August, put on by the Parks and Recreation Department and the National Park Service.

Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) Events

Amy Scott, program services coordinator at FVRL shares that there are more than 500 programs and performances planned for this summer across the three-county district. She says, “Our Summer Reading program encourages kids and adults to make reading a daily habit. Logging days of reading will earn kids prizes and entries in the grand prize drawing.” But the program is no longer only for kids. Adults are invited to participate in summer reading for entries in a grand prize drawing of their own. Participants can log their reading on a paper log (available at FVRL branches) or online at www.fvrl.beanstack.org.

In June, the library will also host its summer used book sale, where 20,000 used books will be available for sale, many of which make the perfect summer beach read. FVRL will be hosting performances and events around Clark County, including

events like the Nancy Stewart’s Music Show, Library Links Mini-Golf, The Henrik Bothe Library Circus, The Reptile Man, and the Medieval Faire. A handy list of upcoming events can be picked up in paper copy at any library location.

City of Camas Events

Krista Bashaw, special events coordinator for the City of Camas, shares that Camas has a lot in store this summer for east county families, including Concerts in the Park, Camas Days Kid’s Parade in July, Movies in the Park, and more. Each Friday throughout the summer is designated “Family Fun Friday” and will include attractions such as a water carnival, messy art day, Oregon Reptile Man, and others.

Bashaw encourages families to visit www. cityofcamas.us for information on events.

Other Events Around Clark County

Venture downtown for some fresh flowers and summer berries at Vancouver Farmers Market on a summer weekend or mark your calendars for Battle Ground Harvest Days in July and the always popular Clark County Fair in August. Or check out the

Summer Playgrounds and Play Time in the Parks programs that offer structured activities for ages 6 to 11 at various neighborhood parks around town. If you’re looking for a family adventure, there are plenty of amazing walking or hiking trails around the area and into the Columbia Gorge that make great day-trip ideas. If you want to integrate history into your family activities this summer, take a ride on the historic Chelatchie Prairie Railroad in Yacolt or visit Cedar Creek Grist Mill or Pomeroy Farm.

No matter which activities you decide to participate in this summer, being together as a family is what will make these summer activities come to life.

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Brooke Strickland is a full-time freelance writer and social media specialist. She is also the co-author of “Hooked on Games,” a book about technology and gaming addiction. When taking a break from writing, she can be found reading a historical fiction novel on her front porch swing, trying a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending time with her husband and two kids. Visit her website at brookestrickland.org.

For details about these and many more summer events in Southwest Washington, including Independence Day celebrations, visit www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com/calendar, where you can search for and view hundreds of local events by name or location.

24

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

25

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar June ‘18

S M T W T

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28

F S 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

1 FRIDAY

Downtown Camas First Friday “Dog Days of Summer” in downtown Camas. Activities, art, dining, after-hours shopping, local art exhibits, family games, gift basket raffles and more for the whole family. 5-8 pm Vancouver Downtown Association First Friday in downtown Vancouver.

Every first Friday of the month throughout the year, participating art galleries, merchants and restaurants in downtown Vancouver open their doors to celebrate opening night of various art exhibits.

Visit www.vdausa.org/

2

AY

SA

TURD

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. All library events are free and open to the public.

vdas-firstfridaydowntown for a downtown art gallery list and walking map. 5-9 pm CYT Portland Vancouver presents “Aladdin Jr.” at Firmly Planted Family Resource Center, 11100 NE 34th Cir., Vancouver.

Based on the classic Disney movie and the hit 2014 Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns his true worth lies deep within. Tickets $12-$18 at www.cytpv.org. 7 pm

2 SATURDAY

2018 Race for the Kids at Esther Short Park, Vancouver.

Fundraising race to benefit Teach One to Lead One, a community mentoring program for kids and teens. Photo booth, food, and t-shirts along with a timed race. Register at clarkwa. t1l1.org. 9 am-12 pm Camtown Youth Festival at Crown Park, Camas. Free event for kids ages 3-16. Food, entertainment, craft activities, inflatable games, a petting zoo, an art show, and more.

11 am-4 pm CYT Portland Vancouver presents “Aladdin Jr.” at Firmly Planted Family Resource Center, 11100 NE 34th Cir., Vancouver.

(See Jun. 1) 2 & 7 pm

8 FRIDAY

The Oregon Bird Man Presents “Colors of the Jungle” at Yale Valley Library Express, 11842 Lewis River Rd., Ariel. An entertaining and educational experience featuring fifteen different parrot species, including several endangered species and representing four continents. Hosted by zoologist Karl Anderson. Families with children age 3 and up are welcome to join. 12-1 pm

Photo Credit: Windows on Life

CYT Portland Vancouver presents “Aladdin Jr.” at Firmly

26

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

Planted Family Resource Center, 11100 NE 34th Cir., Vancouver.

(See Jun. 1) 7 pm

9 SATURDAY

National Get Outdoors Day at Fort Vancouver, 1500 E 5th St., Vancouver. Enjoy a fun-filled day of activities to help get you and your family outdoors!

10 am-3 pm CYT Portland Vancouver presents “Aladdin Jr.” at Firmly Planted Family Resource Center, 11100 NE 34th Cir., Vancouver.

(See Jun. 1) 2 & 7 pm Super Saturday: Knight’s Quest at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. Calling all knights and princesses: Come defeat dragons as you make crafts and play medieval games.Families with children age 2-12 are welcome. 2-4 pm

13 WEDNESDAY Guided Walk at Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Easy walking tour of Columbia Springs’s 100-acre natural area and surrounding native plants and animals. Families, friends, and people of all ages are welcome. Register by emailing

continued on page 28

Camas area youth help plan Camtown Youth Festival, a well-attended summer festival at Crown Park in Camas that caters directly to local youth.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

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27

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont’d) continued from page 26 volunteering@columbiasprings. org. 5:30-6:30

14 THURSDAY

Reading in the Wild: Storytime with Nature at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. Join this free weekly outdoor reading series for kids ages 3-6. We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water or critters in the dirt. 10-11 am Flag Day at Fort Vancouver.

Celebrate our country’s stars and stripes with the Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem, US history quiz, Declaration of Independence skit, the Clark County Mayor’s Patriotic Tie Contest, and more. 5-6:30 pm Heritage Tree Bike Ride at Esther Short Park, Vancouver.

Join Vancouver Urban Forestry for a leisurely tour of the City’s finest Heritage Trees. Beginning and ending at Esther Short Park, West 6th and Columbia

Streets, this tour will visit ten of Vancouver’s most celebrated Heritage Trees on an enjoyable 4-mile guided bicycle ride. Learn about these amazing trees and the legacies that connect us all to the history of our region as the tour stops at each tree. Helmets are required. To RSVP or for more information, call 360-4878308. 6-7 pm

16 SATURDAY

Discovery Day Camp at Camp Hope, 12800 NE Roper Rd., Battle Ground. Come experience river exploration, nature walks, archery, art projects, woodworking, skill building work-shops, scavenger hunts, fire starting, caving, plant identification, hiking, games, lunch and more. (Different workshops monthly.) Cost: $30 per child per day. Register at www.camphope-wa.org/daycamp. 9:30 am-3:30 pm Don’t Be a Victim: SelfDefense Workshop at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. Take charge of your

T

HU-SA

T

21-23

personal safety at this 2-hour workshop that will include how to avoid dangerous encounters, how to defend yourself from knife attacks, and many other practical self-defense techniques. For teenagers and adults. 10:30 am-12:30 pm Library Links Mini-Golf at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Kick off summer, test your skills, and challenge your friends. For all ages. 1-4 pm

17 SUNDAY

Library Links Mini-Golf at Vancouver Community Library.

(See Jun. 16) 1-4 pm

20 WEDNESDAY

Toddler Summer Dance Party at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Dance, baby, dance!

Calling all toddlers to join us for a 30-minute dance party.

For ages 2-3 with caregiver.

10-10:30 am The Reptile Man-Richard Ritchey at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center.

Live reptiles, educational excitement! Learn more about these amazing reptiles, up-close and personal. Ages 4 and up welcome. 6:30-7:30 pm

21 THURSDAY

Bookfest ‘18 Used Book Sale at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Operations Center, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Over 20,000 used books for sale. Fiction and nonfiction selections for all ages including baby board books, easy to read, juvenile chapter books and young adult books.

Books in all genres including art, history, how-to, crafts etc. Mass market paperback books $.50, all other books $1.00.

9 am-6 pm

Reading in the Wild: Storytime with Nature at the Water Resources Education Center.

(See Jun. 14) 10-11 am Eric Ode: Any Way You Rock It! at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Award-winning songwriter Eric Ode is ready to rock the library! It’s a highparticipation concert with calland-response songs, movement songs, rhythm instruments and more. Families with kids ages 3-8 welcome. 11 am-12 pm Summer Reading Kick-Off at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. Kick off the summer at the library with carnival games, crafts and fun for the whole family. Families with children ages 3-12 welcome.

11 am-1 pm

22 FRIDAY

Bookfest ‘18 Used Book Sale at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Operations Center.

(See Jun. 21) 9 am-6 pm Teen Late Night at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Celebrate the start of summer with games, music, pizza and more! We’ll kick the adults out at closing and let teens stay for the party. Arrive before 6 pm or you’ll be locked out and sad. 5:30-8:00 pm

23 SATURDAY Bookfest ‘18 Used Book Sale at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Operations Center.

(See Jun. 21) 9 am-6 pm Recycled Arts Festival at Esther Short Park, Vancouver.

Recycled art, live music, environmental resources, and more. 9 am-5 pm Vancouver Community Concert Band at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., continued on page 30

Support FVRL libraries and replenish your own at Bookfest ‘18 Used Book Sale.

28

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

29

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont’d)

24 SUNDAY

Recycled Arts Festival at Esther Short Park, Vancouver.

(See Jun. 23) 9 am-4 pm

26 TUESDAY

Nancy Stewart Music Show at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. Join award-winning singer songwriter Nancy Stewart for this interactive musical celebration of books that sing.

Picture books based on songs come to life with help from young audience members and over-sized props. Families with children ages 1-10 are welcome.

11 am-12 pm The Oregon Bird Man Presents “Colors of the Jungle” at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield. An entertaining and educational experience featuring fifteen different parrot species, including several endangered species and representing four continents.

Hosted by zoologist Karl Anderson. Families with children age 3 and up are welcome to join. 2:30-3:30 pm

27 WEDNESDAY Leapin’ Louie’s Comedy Cowboy Circus at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center.

S

23-24

Leapin’ Louie gets adults laughing and kids excited with lassos, juggling, a unicycle and puppetry. Families with kids ages 3-12 welcome.

10:30-11:30 am

The Reptile Man: Richard Ritchey at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St., Woodland. Live reptiles, educational excitement! Learn more about these amazing reptiles, up-close and personal.

Ages 4 and up welcome. 1-2 pm OMSI React-o-Blast at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. OMSI demonstrates experiments that vividly demonstrate the predictable (and sometimes unpredictable) reactions of matter, including some that have explosive results. Ages 5 and older welcome. 2-3 pm Super Fun Rockin’ Stories & Songs from Around the World at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St., Washougal.

Storytellers Northwest brings their fun filled and rockin’ musical storytelling to the library.

Families with kids ages 3-12 are welcome. 2-3 pm

28 THURSDAY Reading in the Wild: Storytime with Nature at the Water Resources Education Center. (See Jun. 14) 10-11 am

Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE

Photo courtesy Recycled Arts Festival

Vancouver. Enjoy seasonal music and other favorites.

2-4 pm

AT-SU

N

continued from page 28

Peruse artists’ wares, help your kids make their own handiwork, enjoy live music, and learn how you can improve the environment at Clark County Recycled Arts Festival.

136th Ave., Vancouver. Enjoy colorful and original dances highlighting Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian and New Zealand cultures. Fun for all ages.

11 am-12 pm Steve’s Creature Feature at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. Live, intimate look at some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Families with children age 4 and older are welcome. 6:30-7:30

29 FRIDAY

Steve’s Creature Feature at Yacolt Town Park, 312 W

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BRANCH

The Reptile Man and Steve’s Creature Feature provide opportunities to get up close and personal with some amazing animals at local libraries in Clark County this month.

30

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2018

Humphrey, Yacolt. Live, intimate look at some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Families with children age 4 and older are welcome. 11 am-12 pm

30 SATURDAY

Annual Big Foot Run at Yacolt City Hall, 202 W Cushman St., Yacolt. Featuring Big Foot himself, great prizes and loads of fun. Al participants receive a T-shirt and medal.

Pre-Registration $30 before 6/20/2018 or $35 after that date.

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advertiser index Camps, Parties & Entertainment Mountain View Ice Arena................................21 Naydenov Gymnastics...................................15 Vancouver Parks and Recreation.........3, 27, 32

Fitness Mountain View Ice Arena................................21 Naydenov Gymnastics...................................15 World Class Martial Arts.................................31

Events FVRL Bookfest ‘18............................................7 The Historic Trust Flag Day Celebration........27 Recycled Arts Festival....................................17 Vancouver Parks and Recreation.........3, 27, 32 YMCA Camp Collins.........................................5

Health Adventure Dental............................................15 Barnick Chiropractic.......................................21 Child and Adolescent Clinic..............................5 Evergreen Pediatrics......................................21 Harmony Family Dentistry................................7 Pain Relief Partners.......................................23 Priority Life Chiropractic and Massage...........27 Smiles Dental.................................................19 Storybook Dental............................................27 Vancouver Clinic...............................................9 Vancouver Orthodontic Specialists.................29 Vancouver Vision Clinic..................................13

Financial Guaranteed Education Tuition..........................2 iQ Credit Union.................................................3

Legal Schauermann, Thayer, Jacobs, Staples & Edwards PS...................................25

Resources ANC Movers...................................................21 Cowlitz Indian Tribe Child Care......................11 EOCF................................................................5 Guaranteed Education Tuition..........................2

Retail Kazoodles.......................................................13 Vancouver Mall...............................................15

Schools & Education EOCF................................................................5 The Gan Jewish Preschool..............................7

Vancouver Vancouver FamilyFamily Magazine Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • December • June 2016 2018

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