Our young athletes have got heart, and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation along with PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center want to be sure it keeps beating strong! On Saturday, February 25, 2012 Southwest’s Heart and Vascular Center and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation are offering  Young Champions Heart Screenings.

“Young Champions is a program providing advanced heart screenings for student athletes in Clark County, sponsored by PeaceHealth Southwest’s Heart and Vascular Center and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation.

The Quinn Driscoll Foundation is named for 13-year-old Quinn Driscoll, a student athlete at Wy’ East Middle School who died in 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest while running on the track during gym class. Quinn had undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

It is believed to exist in roughly 1 out of 500 individuals, and approximately one case of sudden cardiac death occurs every three days in organized youth sports across the United States. “Young Champions” heart screenings can detect HCM using an Echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, in addition to a comprehensive EKG.”

Any Clark County middle or high school athlete, band member or cheerleader from 13 – 18 years old is eligible for a “Young Champions” screening. Although designed for the student athlete, this screening event also accommodates all children in the age group who may be at risk. This screening does not take the place of the pre-performance examination requirement for all student athletes who wish to participate in a school sport.

Pre-registration is required. Call 360-514-7755, or you can register online.

*Originally published on February 23, 2011. Updated January 10, 2012.

I guess if it’s Fort Vancouver by candlelight, it should be titled “Shedding Old Light on Fort Vancouver.” Take a trip into the past and see what life was like at Fort Vancouver after dark.

Each adult attending the program will carry their own lantern (the Fort provides these) and tour with a Park Ranger and costumed interpreters. You will learn what activities would have occurred once the sun set at Fort Vancouver! These special tours will be offered December 17, 2011; January 7 and 21, and February 4 and 18, 2012.

As Fort Vancouver typically closes by 4 pm in the Winter, and 5 pm in the Summer (although their “Summer” hours begin in March), this is a unique opportunity to tour Fort Vancouver at night.

The Fort Vancouver Lantern Tours begin at 7 pm at Fort Vancouver (1001 E 5th Street) and last about an hour. Cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children under 15. Please call the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center at (360) 816-6230 to make your reservations.

Where will you be Friday night? If it’s the First Friday of the month, Downtown Vancouver has lots in store for you at the Downtown Vancouver First Friday Artwalk.

The Downtown Vancouver First Friday Event takes place the First Friday of every month from 5 pm to 9 pm, when local galleries, retailers and restaurants stay open late to have some fun!

“With so much to do on first Friday, it’s hard to decide where to start – because you never know where you’ll end up.. Click here to print out a handy little map that shows you some options for making your evening a memorable one.

Whether it’s happy hour at Niche’, a Peanut butter bacon burger at Main Event or dancing the night away at Atrium…there is plenty to do, the hard part is deciding.” ~ From Vancouver’s Downtown Association.

The Vancouver Farmer’s Market in Downtown Vancouver USA is now open for business for the 2011 Season! Opening day was Saturday, March 19, 2011, and they will be open every weekend, rain or shine, now through October 30, 2011.

“The downtown market is Southwest Washington’s #1 visitor attraction and home to over 250 vendors and the second largest in the State of Washington. You’ll discover fresh and local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, delicious food, pet treats, and accessories for yourself, home, or garden.

The Vancouver Farmers Market is a pet friendly place where you can chat with people who have grown or made your purchase, grab a bite to eat, listen to music, stroll through the park, watch the kids play, and enjoy a wonderful, relaxing day in downtown Vancouver, USA.”

There is also a Vancouver Farmer’s Market, Evergreen located at Endeavour Middle School Parking Lot (2701 NE Four Seasons Lane)! “Vancouver Farmers’ Market – Evergreen offers the same winning combination of produce from local farmers, imaginative arts and crafts by local artisans, and tasty treats from local food vendors and adds educational opportunities that will appeal to everyone in the family.

Half of the net profits from Vancouver Farmers’ Market – Evergreen will be donated to the Evergreen Community Education Foundation, which will apply the money to scholarships for department services such as the Evergreen Tutoring Center, summer school opportunities, and Summer Academies.”

The Vancouver Farmer’s Market in Downtown Vancouver (505 Esther Street) is open Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm; and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm from now until October 30, 2011.

The Vancouver Farmer’s Market – Evergreen is open Saturdays, 9 am to 2 pm, from May 7, 2011 to September 24, 2011.

A little over two years ago, we tried to bring an internet coupon daily deal thingamajig (that’s the technical term) to the ‘Couve. The technology wasn’t there to run an efficient, productive program. The process was too manual, the redemption too difficult and the rewards too limited.

Fast forward to today. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, “It’s Deja Vu all over again.”

See, since Labor Day we have been, well, laboring, on a revised Daily Deal program specifically for Vancouver and Clark County. And it’s time to turn the switch. Later today, we will launch “Live! Deals“. We’ve tweaked. We’ve tested. Heck, we’ve tossed and turned. But it’s time.

Since Day One – over 1,000 posts and three years ago. We have been all about Local. Local stories, about local people, local places, and local merchants. We have worked tirelessly to featured the People, Places, Activities and Events that make Vancouver USA and Clark County so great. We hope you’ll support the local merchants that we feature on Live! Deals. We have always believed Vancouver and Clark County were big enough, with a strong enough community, to make this work.

The Vancouver – Clark County market  is a dynamic, vibrant community. Support of our local businesses will keep it that way. We hope our Live! Deals program will help bring fantastic deals to our readers and will generate well-earned business for our local merchants… those on this side of the River.

For the seventh consecutive year, City of Vancouver Fire Department firefighters are collecting coats and blankets for needy people. The drop-off site is at the Westside Fire House, 400 E. 37th St. (adjacent to the Safeway store on Main). Drop-off times are daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Jan. 1.

According to Capt. Duane Schuman, the city firefighters are looking for clean, usable coats in all sizes. He says children’s coats are in greatest demand. During a typical day running emergency calls, firefighters meet people who need warm coats and can’t afford them, Schuman adds. “Anybody who can help us out by donating a coat or blanket can bring it by the station,” he urges.

Last year this firefighter-led community project collected over 3,000 coats for needy people. In 2004, the first year of this effort, they collected 700 coats. Leftover coats and blankets will be delivered to local shelters, schools and the YWCA in January.

Clark County has many talented artists, crafters and cooks; and many of them are showcasing their talents and treasures at our local Holiday Bazaars. We’ve put together a list of some local bazaars and unique shopping opportunities around Clark County and also included them on our Calendar page for ease in finding a one that is convenient for you.

Consider this a work in progress, as we will add more locations as we find out about them. So, please, if you know of a bazaar that is not listed, send us the information and we will be happy to add it!

11/5/2010:
Divine Spree, “A trunk show of unique holiday gifts”. Hosted by Divine Consign between 11 am and 8 pm.

11/6/2010:
Lake Shore Holiday Bazaar, hosted by the Lake Shore PTA, between 10 am and 4 pm.
Holiday Bazaar, hosted by St. John Catholic Church (8701 NE 119th St), between 9 am and 3 pm.
LadyBug Bazaar, hosted by the GFWC at Battle Ground High School (300 North Parkway), from 9 am to 4 pm.
Follow That Star Bazaar, hosted by the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (16001 NE 34th St), from 9 am to 4 pm.
Mountain View High School Handcrafters Bazaar, hosted by the MVHS Band Boosters (at MVHS 1500 SE Blairmont Dr) from 9 am to 4 pm.
Chief Middle School Bazaar, at Chief (700 NW 9th, Battle Ground), from 9 am to 4 pm.

11/13/10:
Vancouver Green Drinks Holiday Event, at Marshall Community Center (1009 E McLoughlin Blvd), from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Crystal Plum Bazaar, at Alki Middle School (1800 NW Bliss Rd) from 9 am to 4 pm.
Firstenburg Holiday Bazaar, at Firstenburg Center (700 NE 13th Ave) from 9 am to 4 pm.

11/19-21/10:
Clark County Holiday Food & Gift Bazaar, at Clark County Events Center (17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield), Fri/Sat 10 am to 6 pm, Sun 10 am to 5 pm.

11/20/10:
Gramma’s Bazaar, hosted by the First Church of God (3300 NE 78th St) from 9am to 4 pm.

11/27/10:
Prairie High School Bazaar, at PHS (11500 NE 117th Ave) from 9 am to 4 pm.

12/3/2010:
Illahee PTA Holiday Bazaar, at Illahee Elementary (1904 SE 1st St, 98607) from 4 pm to 8 pm.

12/4/10:
Holiday Open House & Artisans Market, at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main St) Holiday shopping and FREE admission from 10 am to 4 pm.
Pleasant Valley Primary Winter Bazaar, at PVP (14320 NE 50th Ave), from 9 am to 4 pm.
La Center Music Assoc. Bazaar, at La Center HS (725 Highland Rd) from 9 am to 4 pm.
Winter Market, hosted by Rusty Grape Vineyard (16712 NE 219th St, Battle Ground) from 12 pm to 6pm.
Turning Point Christian Center 2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar, hosted by Vancouver Christian High School (8205 NE 4th Plain) from 10 am to 4 pm.

12/5/10:
Vancouver Farmer’s Holiday Market, at the Hilton Hotel (6th & Columbia, Downtown Vancouver) from 10 am to 5 pm.

12/7/10:
Clark County Title Christmas Bazaar, hosted by Clark County Title (1400 Washington St, Ste 100) from 4 pm to 7 pm.

12/11/2010:
Battle Ground Village Holiday Bazaar (Eaton Blvd and Commerce), 10 am to 4 pm.

12/11-12/2010:
Five Star Holiday Bazaar, hosted at Marshall Community Center (1009 E McLoughlin) from 9 am to 4 pm. Please bring a canned food donation.

12/12/10:
Vancouver Farmer’s Holiday Market, at the Hilton Hotel (6th & Columbia) from 10 am to 5 pm.

12/18/2010:
Battle Ground Village Holiday Bazaar (Eaton Blvd and Commerce), between 10 am and 4 pm.

12/19/10:
Vancouver Farmer’s Holiday Market, at the Hilton Hotel (6th & Columbia) from 10 am to 5 pm.

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).

It’s a sure sign of Spring when the Vancouver Farmer’s Market is open for business again. Now in their 20th Year, the Market is working to attract more local produce and agricultural products this year; along with local vendors, cooking demonstrations and entertainment.

“You’ll discover fresh and local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, delicious food, pet treats, and accessories for yourself, home, or garden from our unique artisans.

The Vancouver Farmers Market is a pet friendly place where  you can chat with people who have grown or made your purchase, grab a bite to eat, listen to music, stroll through the park, watch the kids play, and enjoy a wonderful, relaxing day.” Vancouver Farmers Market.

Open Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, now through October 31, 2010; open on Friday nights from May 28 through September 3rd.  Visit Vancouver Farmers Market on the web for up to date Entertainment Schedule and Information.

Enjoy this slide show created for Clark County Live! by an Alki Middle School student.

Click here to view the embedded video.

NatureScaping of Southwest Washington presents the Wildlife Botanical Garden in Brush Prairie.

The Botanical Garden is actually a cohesive blend of ten separate, but neighboring, specialty gardens spread over three acres.  There is the woodland garden, a cottage garden, a manor (formal) garden, and a homestead garden that combines food for people and for wildlife.  Also, a garden especially for hummingbirds, one for butterflies, one for local birds that is very low maintenance, and one for hummingbirds and butterflies combined.  So whatever your garden style or wildlife attracting goals, they’ve got a garden set up to inspire you.

NatureScaping is a non-profit, all volunteer, educational organization whose goal is to educate and encourage homeowners to make their yards and gardens a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife (including humans!).

The gardens are open to the public everyday at 11000 NE 149th Street, and are free.  There are classes and workshops available, and guided tours for groups.

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