Clark County Gridiron Gang

Where Hope Comes Alive.

Friday Night Lights Clark County Style.  High School Football kicks off this Friday Night across Clark County! There are 17 Teams in the Greater St Helens League, and whether they are 4A, 3A, or 2A; all these young men are playing their A game: for themselves, for their school, for their community… for the love of the game!

Pre-game tailgating, the high school band, cheerleaders, rivalries; it’s hard to not get caught up in the excitement! While you can’t catch ‘em all, here is the Full 2010 Schedule for all 17 GSHL football teams in a week by week format. Who are you rootin’ for?

Battle Ground
Evergreen
Heritage
Skyview
Union
Camas
Columbia River
Fort Vancouver
Kelso
Hudson’s Bay
Mountain View
Prairie
Hockinson
Mark Morris
RA Long
Washougal
Woodland

Your Favorite Wine is at East Fork Cellars

Blend Your Own Wine Now Offered at East Fork Cellars.

I have a favorite wine, my husband has a favorite wine, my friends have their favorite wines; and guess what? They aren’t all the same wine. That’s because each of us has a unique set of taste buds that dictate sweet, sour, bitter, etc; so you are your own best expert when it comes to wine. With that in mind, East Fork Cellars now offers Blend Your Own Wine; I was intrigued, so I asked owner Jeffrey Waddell for some more information.

“Blend Your Own wines is a first in the industry where you can blend by the glass and have your special blend on file for future purchase (by the glass, bottle or case) . BYOW is very fun and is an interactive offering at East For Cellars… and the guest can blend their very own wines based on their individual taste. BYOW is easy and you can do this as a couple, or a group.” Even better, you can buy a bottle (or a case  ) of your favorite blend to take home. Be sure to fill out a card with your name and your blend on it, and when you come back to visit, you can order your favorite blend by the glass or decanter.

Vancouver Sausage Fest 2010

The Best Wurst in the West.

The Vancouver Sausage Fest is officially the last blowout of summer fun and is always held the weekend after Labor Day. So mark your calendars now for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 10,11, and 12, 2010 for the 39th Annual Vancouver Sausage Fest on the grounds at St. Joseph School and Parish! Check out Clark County Live! on location from last year as we talk with some of the people that help make the Sausage Fest the success it is.

There is a full size carnival, many handicraft booths, a variety of live music and entertainment on the Main stage, beer & wine in the Fest Garden, and oh boy, there is food! Sausage served every way you can think of, corn on the cob, grilled chicken, burgers, elephant ears, and all the sweets you can imagine! The sweets are home baked goodness made right there in the kitchen!

With something going on almost every hour on the main stage, you’re sure to be entertained. Here is a sampling of some of the entertainers on the schedule: Dance Fusion, Ruby Hill, Hit Explosion, and Southwest Washington’s Got Talent Finale! For a full schedule, visit Vancouver Sausage Fest Entertainment Schedule.

Many vendors and merchants will be there, too. Arts and Crafts, Garden and Nursery, and Exhibitors; the Animal Awareness and Pet Adoption booth has been a past favorite of all ages.

Pre-sale Ride Tickets are on sale now and can save you 50% ! They can be purchased on-line or at Athlete’s Corner (Cascade Park), Hi-School Pharmacy (Main Street), Holy Redeemer Parish, Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe, Rivermaiden Coffee House, Spanky’s, St. Joseph School and Parish Office, Sunrise Bagels on Harney, and Dominoes Pizza (6300 NE 117th, 1919 NE Andresen, 14415 SE Mill Plain, 1006 W Fourth Plain).

On the Grass at Marshall Center

Classic Car Show.

The swoop of a tail fin, the smell of leather, shiny, sparkling chrome…”They don’t make them like they used to”. If you like Classic Cars, then mark your calendar for the Third Annual Classic Car Show at Marshall Community Center: “On the Grass,” August 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., brought to you by Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation, in partnership with SloPoks.

Families are welcome to come and enjoy the cars, local food and beverage vendors, the Chelsea Anderson Play area, and classic 60′s music provided by Roger Hart. Admission is free, although donations of dog and cat food will be collected to benefit the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.

Have a car you want to show off? Participants may register their classic cars the day of the show for $15 per car. Awards will be presented, including Mayor’s Choice, Director’s Choice, and Pok’s Pics. For additional information please contact Jeff Peterson at 360-887-4576.

This event is sponsored by Main Street Dairy Queen, Vancouver Pizza and TipTopToo.

Marshall Community Center, 1009 East McLoughlin Boulevard, Vancouver, Washington.

Clark County Fire Cadets Garage Sale

High School Fire Cadets Hosting Fundraiser.

The Clark County Fire and Rescue High School Fire Cadets will be hosting a fundraiser Garage Sale on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21 at Station 26 (21609 NE 72nd Ave, 98604).

The Clark County Fire Cadet program was established in 1991 for High School Juniors and Seniors with a career interest in the fields of Fire Fighting, Emergency Medicine, 911 Dispatching, Fire Prevention, or Arson Investigation.  The Department worked with the Clark County Vocational Skills Center and Battle Ground School District to establish a program that would provide an opportunity for high school students to study fire science and emergency medicine from professional firefighters and paramedics.

For current Fire Cadets, there is an equal emphasis on scholastic and practical learning. Physical fitness is also a large part of the training, with a weekly three mile run followed by an hour long workout in 50 pounds of gear! Whew, I got tired just writing that!! 

So, besides more school work and intense physical training, Fire Cadets are also eligible to receive College credits for successful completion of the program and a head start in their career. For more information, visit Clark County Fire and Rescue.

13th Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

Bravo! Vancouver.

Hot jazz, fabulous wines, fine art, and delicious cuisine…experience it all at the 13th Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival taking place in the heart of Vancouver, USA, Esther Short Park, on August 27,28, and 29, 2010.

This year’s Festival features a diverse lineup of American “jazz legends”—including blues, fusion, Cajun, straight ahead and contemporary bands. Local and regional jazz bands will also be performing, and the Festival’s Jazz Education Stage will also provide an opportunity for middle school and high school musicians to perform on the same venue as the Grammy winners. More than 20 bands will be featured throughout the weekend!

In addition to the music, the Festival features over 200 wines from around the world. Attendees can sample wines, or purchase a glass to sip while enjoying food from 9 restaurants. The cuisine ranges from Northwest to German, Lebanese and Italian fare. Art lovers can shop the 40 fine artists from California, Idaho, Washington & Oregon. “The Festival is a true arts festival, in that we present American jazz music, fine arts and crafts, premium wines and great food” says Dr. Michael Kissinger, Artistic Director. “Our goal is to create a rich cultural and artistic environment, a palate from which people can sample and hear great music, drink a nice Northwest wine, purchase a piece of art, and just immerse themselves in an arts-rich weekend.”

Bravo! Vancouver produces the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival which is “one of the most important jazz festivals on the west coast.” Advance discounted tickets are on sale now, but tickets will also be available at the gate.

Pub in the Park

Riverview Six to Sunset Concert Series.

Summer in Clark County is the perfect time for dining al fresco and outdoor concerts. With Pub in the Park, you can do both, and help support our libraries all at the same time!

Every Thursday, until August 12, is the Riverview Six to Sunset free concert series in Esther Short Park. Bring your chairs, blankets or just sit on the grass and enjoy a different band each Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Esther Short Park. July 29th features Quarterflash, August 5 is Zuzo Blue, and August 12 is Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts.

Interested in something more? The Pub in the Park is a fenced area with picnic tables and general beer and wine service from 5 to 9 pm. There is also the VIP option, with reserved table seating, dinner from Gray’s at the Park Restaurant and two beverages. Proceeds from the Pub and VIP sales goes directly to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation. For more information, or to purchase seating, contact the Foundation at 360-699-8846.

Other food vendors are also on site: Kristin’s Sweet Delights; Chewy’s Really Big Burritos; Humdinger Kettle Korn; Nutz-R-Us; Divine Bites (Gifts For Our Community); Ice Cream Renaissance; For the Grill of It; Jofoody Catering; Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro; Papa Murphy’s Pizza; Now that’s a Wrap; T.C.’s Ice Cream; Teriyaki House; Maui Wowi.

Art in the Heart Festival 2010

Downtown Vancouver’s Art Walk Festival.

Vancouver’s Annual Festival of the Arts, Art in the Heart , kicks off Friday, August 6th at 5:30 in Downtown Vancouver USA and ends Saturday August 7th at 4:00 pm. This free event will include 13 Art Galleries to explore, street art and vendors, restaurants, beer garden, live music on 8 stages (Hit Explosion will be performing on the main stage at Turtle Place, Friday at 8 pm), and much more…

According to Vancouver’s Downtown Association, “It’s a complete festivus  extravaganza, Couve style!” You can start the festivities at the West Coast Bank Artist Reception (500 Broadway) from 5 to 7 pm (this is a free event, but RSVP required, firstfriday.artwalk@yahoo.com). Then listen to and enjoy live music as you tour local galleries; many of the artists and galleries will be offering special festival pricing, as well as demonstrating their work on-site. Visit retailers, local vendors, coffee shops or beer garden, put on your dancing shoes and let the good times roll!

For more information, visit Vancouver’s Downtown Association, or click here to view a map of  Art in the Heart participants.

Rusty Grape Vineyard Hosts Market

Third Annual Open Air Market at Rusty Grape Vineyard.

The Rusty Grape Vineyard in Battle Ground is having their 3rd Annual Open Air Market this Saturday, July 10, from noon to 8 pm.

It’s going to be a beautiful day in Clark County to relax in the sun; now, add some wine, cool local vendors, live music, and dinner available from Bones Chop and Steak House (did I mention wine? )…..and, ahhh….summer! Wine tasting and shopping the market are complementary, and dinner is available for $10.

The folks up there are great people, and you can tell they love what they do. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves with friends and spread our simple philosophy. Drink, Enjoy, and Share Wine.” I like it!

Hoops on the River 2010

Basketball Tournament at Vancouver Landing.

Do you like to play, or watch, basketball? Enjoy spending time on our beautiful Columbia River on a sunny August afternoon? Then mark your calendars for August 21-22, 2010, ‘cuz it’s time for Hoops on the River!

Hoops on the River, in partnership with the Vancouver Volcanoes, is a two day, three on three basketball tournament open to all interested basketball players, youth to adult, beginner to experienced.  The tournament will be played at Vancouver Landing (110 Columbia Street, next to the Quay Restaurant & Bar), along the Columbia River, Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22, 2010. Team divisions include: Elite 6′ and Over, Elite 6″ and Under, Elite Women, Co-Ed, Youth (1st Grade and older), Wheelchair and Special Olympics. Looking for a little extra competition? On Saturday, August 21, individuals may register to compete in the Three Point Shootout, Free Throw Shootout, or the Slam Dunk Contest.

Also included in your registration is an invitation to attend a free Kids Clinic on Friday August 20 from 2 to 4 pm. Concordia University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Barbarick will direct the clinic. Instruction will include basketball fundamentals such as shooting, ball handling and defensive skills.

Now in its fifth year, Hoops on the River is a charity tournament organized by Susan Oberst of Share Vancouver, along with the help of many generous donors and incredible volunteers, to help the hungry and homeless in Clark County. Registration is now open, so gather up your friends, get a team together and join the fun for a good cause!

Clark County Live! was on location at last year’s event, and we will be there again this year, so be sure to say “Hi”. Here are some video clips from Hoops on the River 2009.

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