Marshall Center Winter Wonderfest

Free Fun for the Whole Family.

Marshall Center in Vancouver will be the place to be for the Winter Wonderfest, free family holiday fun on Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 1 to 4:30 pm brought to you by Lifeline Connections.

There will be swimming, inflatables, magic, and a concert by the Rockaroos! Pre-register to ensure your spot for the concert; call 360.487.7100, Activity #76282.

Marshall Community Center, 1009 E McLoughlin.

Firehouse Glass Studio and Gallery in Vancouver

Clark County’s Very Own Center for Glass Art.

Looking for something a little different to do on Friday night, or still looking for that one, last unique gift? Check out Firehouse Glass right here in downtown Vancouver, WA.

“Rebecca Seymour and Greg Lueck created the Firehouse Glass Gallery to support their mission: “To provide an environment for furthering the community’s exposure to and education in glass art, and to provide a collaborative forum for artists working in the glass medium.” The spectacular gallery provides exquisite exhibit space for works by both emerging glass artists as well as nationally acclaimed masters.

Firehouse Glass Gallery is open every Friday night from 6-10 during our public glass blowing demonstrations, and by appointment throughout the week.  Public glass blowing demonstrations are an exciting way to see hot glass made into objects.  Each month a theme is chosen for the content of the demonstrations often based on a season or a technique.

Work for sale in the gallery represents a balanced range of emerging and established glass artists with an openness to experimentation and exploration.  Work made during the public demonstrations each week can be seen in the gallery space for up to a month after it was made.  Artists at Firehouse Glass are happy to discuss commission work if the special thing you are looking for isn’t in our gallery.”

via Firehouse Glass Studio and Gallery – Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR area glass studio rentals.

Clark County Holidays are Greener Than Ever

Give the Gift of Green.

Make a great gift of nontoxic home cleaning products for friends and family and learn how to keep your home free of chemicals during a free workshop!

Make green cleaning gifts for the holidays at a workshop co-sponsored by the Washington State University Clark County Extension Watershed Stewards and the Clark County Clean Water Program.

Watershed Stewards will provide practical tips on “green” cleaning using everyday inexpensive household products such as baking soda and vinegar. Learn how you can replace expensive and potentially toxic cleaners with earth-friendly products for a healthier environment for your family and pets.  Make a green gift this holiday season!

The FREE workshop will be held on Thursday, December 10^th, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Three Creeks Library, 800-C NE Tenney Road, Vancouver, WA. Pre-registration is required: Call WSU Clark County Extension at 360-397-6060 x 7703. Class size is limited to 25 participants. Participants can pre-purchase the $15 cleaning kit (optional) with materials to take home.

Kit includes: spray bottles w/waterproof labels for glass cleaner, furniture polish, “safer scrub” along with handy bottles of hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, borax and vinegar.  You’ll also receive two microfiber cloths, a recipe book and a handy carrying case.

WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. If you require special accommodation, call WSU Extension Clark County at (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 prior to the event.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told

A Madcap Romp Through the Holidays in Vancouver.

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung.   Everyone’s idea of Christmas in an hour and a half!  A hysterical, fast & furious, madcap romp through the holiday season!  Holiday fun for the whole family!

What people are saying:

“A show that will have you laughing harder than spiked egg nog.” – Kelly Monaghan, TheOtherOrlando

“Warning: If you see Every Christmas Story Ever Told, you’ll never be able to watch Dickens’ A Christmas Carol without laughing out loud.” – David Jabcobson, Life Newspapers Sacramento

Performances December 3rd -19th

Call or go on-line now for your tickets!

Thursday December 3rd, 7:00pm
Friday December 4th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 5th, 7:00pm
Thursday December 10th, 7:00pm
Friday December 11th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 12th, 2:00pm
Saturday December 12th, 7:00pm
Friday December 18th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 19th, 7:00pm

Magenta Theater – 606 Main St.  Vancouver, WA 98660
Box office: 360/635-4358

www.magentatheater.com

A Krist-Mad Carol

A Non-Traditional Interpretation of  A Christmas Carol.

The following is a guest post sent in by Colleen P.  Thanks for sharing with us Colleen.

“If you are looking for a fun and entertaining event for your staff this holiday season, a spoof on “A Christmas Carol”  called “A Krist-Mad Carol” is being presented by The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve and the Heritage Players.  A theatrical dining experience featuring a non-traditional interpretation of “A Christmas Carol.”

Bookings available for public or private performances.  Lunch or dinner.  For more information, call today 906-1101.   (held at E.B. Hamilton Hall -the Red Cross Building)”.

We enjoy hearing about what our friends and neighbors are doing.  If you have something to share, please drop us a line and come join the fun.

Battle Ground Tree Lighting

Community Ceremony and Celebration.

The 20^th Annual Battle Ground Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony & Celebration will take place on Friday, December 4^th at Fairgrounds Park and the Battle Ground Community Center located at 912 East Main Street in Battle Ground.  The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Celebration event is jointly hosted by The City of Battle Ground, Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, the North County Community Food Bank and Clark County Fire & Rescue.

5:00pm—————- Christmas Carols

5:30pm—————- Arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus

5:45pm—————- BG Chamber of Commerce and BG Mayor Comments

6:00pm—————- Santa Lights the Tree

6:00-7:30pm——— Head inside the Community Center for Kid’s Games, Cookies, Hot Cocoa, Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and other good cheer!

Please join the community at this very special event and celebrate the spirit of giving.

Art with a Conscience

Vancouver’s Studio Eighty Twenty.

Do you love making art and making a tangible difference in people’s lives? Then check out Art with a Conscience, a weekly community art series hosted by Studio Eighty Twenty that addresses local and global issues through art.

Studio Eighty Twenty meets every Tuesday at Pop Culture in Downtown Vancouver (1929 West Main Street) from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to create art based around a theme, (which may include homelessness, poverty, hunger, etc.) and is open to the public.  “It will be a time for those that love making art to utilize their talents to make a tangible difference in our community and abroad.”

How can art make a difference?  Several times a year, Studio Eighty Twenty will hold an Art show, where the artist work is sold to collectors. Eighty percent of the proceeds “goes towards helping fund local organizations that have demonstrated a commitment for providing for those in need”, and twenty percent goes back to the artist to help purchase more art supplies.

To more information, including information on this month’s theme, visit Studio Eighty Twenty online.

Christmas Trees in Clark County

The Christmas Tree Capital of the World.

OK, I don’t know for sure Clark County is the Christmas Tree capital of the world, but the Pacific Northwest is one of the main producers of Christmas  Trees in the world.  So, if you are out looking for the perfect Christmas Tree in Clark County, you have plenty of choices!  There is the Douglas Fir (the Pacific Northwest classic), Nobel, Grand and Pine; as well as U-Cut and Pre-Cut.

Our family hunt took us to a new (to us) Christmas Tree Farm in Brush Prairie, Larwick’s Christmas Tree Farm (map here).

“The Larwick U-cut Christmas Tree Farm is a family owned and operated tree farm located in the center of Clark County in the small town of Brush Prairie, Washington. It was established by Loran and Jane Larwick in 1990 when they hand-planted approximately 500 douglas fir seedlings. The family now manages roughly 18,000 Christmas trees covering 15 of their 20-acre farm. It has grown to become a thriving U-cut Christmas tree farm and a yearly tradition for many families.”

We found a beautiful tree, and after it was cut, shaken, baled and tied down, we were able to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, pick out a wreath, have a family picture taken in Santa’s sleigh, and laugh at the dancing bear in the Santa suit.  

I also liked the fact that all their trees are priced based on type of tree (Douglas Fir $19, Grand Fir $28 and Nobel Fir $38), not size, so we knew ahead of time what to expect at checkout. For more information, visit Larwick’s Christmas Tree Farm online.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Vancouver Festival of Trees

Let the Festivities Begin.

This year is the 14th Annual Festival of Trees,  Clark County’s opening holiday event, on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, 2009.

The Festival begins at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay with magnificently decorated trees on display for viewing from 9 am to 9 pm Friday and from 9 am to 3 pm Saturday.  The trees will then be available for auction Saturday Night at the Gala Dinner and Auction.

Also on Friday will be the Annual Tree Lighting at Esther Short Park.  The evening will begin at 5:00 with entertainment followed by the tree lighting and  program at 6 pm.  At 6:30, the Vancouver Pops Orchestra will be having a free performance at the Hilton Vancouver.

Saturday is the Festival of Trees Gala Dinner and Auction, with proceeds going to the Vancouver Rotary Foundation to benefit our community. For ticket information call (360) 737-0442.

Admission is free to the Tree Viewing, Community Tree Lighting, and Vancouver Pops Orchestra.  For more information, visit Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees.

Christmas Ship Parade in Clark County

Lighting Up the Columbia River.

I love driving around looking at Christmas lights on homes throughout Clark County. But, there’s something extra special about watching Christmas lights as they float down a dark Columbia River.

2009 marks the 55th year for the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.  There will be a special performance in Camas, Wa on December 5th, 2009, then fleet will be out every night from December 9th to December 20, 2009.  It’s amazing to me that the Christmas Ship Parade is put on by all volunteers for the enjoyment of everyone. The Skippers pay for their own fuel costs and receive no money from donations.  Thanks, Skippers! You do an awesome job!

Visit Christmas Ship Parade for more information and schedules with route details including viewing locations and times for restaurants, hotels and outdoor viewing.

via Christmas Ship Parade, Portland, Oregon.

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