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.

Time for the Clark County Turkey Trot

A Family Friendly Thanksgiving Morning Race.

Now here is a way to work up your appetite for Thanksgiving Dinner!  The Turkey Trot, a family friendly fun run Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2009, starting at 9 am.

The Turkey Trot is a family-friendly 5K Run/Walk or 10K Run along the beautiful Salmon Creek Trail, starting and ending at Klineline Pond in Vancouver, WA.  Participants can trot at their own pace (and distance) and even bring along their dogs!  For those daring enough to take the plunge, there will be a Polar Bear Swim at Klineline Pond after the race.  There is even going to be a pinata for the kids!

While there is no required registration fee for the Turkey Trot, all participants are encouraged to donate to the Principal’s Checkbook — a local program that helps disadvantaged kids in our schools. This way you can be active and support the community.

For more information, including on line registration, visit Turkey Trot Clark County Vancouver WA.

via Turkey-Trot | Clark County | Vancouver, WA.

Crystal Plum Bazaar

Christmas Wishes in Salmon Creek.

Almost-two-year-old Bridger wasn’t waiting for Santa to make his Christmas wishes at the Crystal Plum Bazaar at Alki Middle School in Salmon Creek.

Some of my favorite items at the Crystal Plum Bazaar were handbags made out of recycled plastic bags by Shellie Sews (shelliepc@hotmail.com), Dirt Soap by Country Memories Soap, Photography by Jodi Tripp, and glass art by A Glass Act.

There are lots of talented local artists and local vendors in Clark County.  For unique gifts for your family, friends, or yourself, check out some of the upcoming Bazaars in our area.

Hope your wishes come true, and Happy Birthday Bridger!

Black Friday in Salmon Creek

Shop Till You Drop Camp.

Kids Club Fun and Fitness in Salmon Creek is having a Shop Till U Drop Camp for kids (ages 4-12) on Black Friday, November 27, 2009 from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Drop the kids off and let them have fun; swimming (1st-5th Graders), Gymnastics, Arts and Crafts, Jungle Playland and more, while you have fun shopping, or just relaxing!

Registration is required, click for more information from Kids Club Fun and Fitness.

A Tasty Tuesday for Clark County Live!

At Burgerville Tuesday Tasting.

First of all, thanks to Burgerville for inviting me to be a part of November Tasting Tuesday.  Secondly, Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm! Turkey Burger with Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa, Sweet Cranberry Bourbon Baked Beans, and Pumpkin Smoothie; talk about getting your taste buds in the mood for Thanksgiving!

The turkey patty was a nice change of pace from a hamburger patty, and the cranberry jalapeno salsa was delish! Sweet and spicy with juicy little cranberries that pop in your mouth; whoever came up with this recipe deserves a raise!  My only disappointment was they did not sell the salsa in a to-go jar like the famous “Burgerville Spread” (hint, hint ).  The beans were sweet and hearty, and the Pumpkin Shake was the perfect ending to my lunch.

An overall thumbs up; but, that’s what I have come to expect from Burgerville!

Destination Family

Infertility Support Group Meeting in Salmon Creek.

Are you going through the difficult and stressful journey of infertility? You are not alone.

Come to the Infertility Support Group on the first Wednesday of each month (next meeting is December 2, 2009) from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, located in Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Conference Room B (Third Floor).  This group was established by CrossWay Church in Salmon Creek, as a safe place for group members to share their hurts, dreams, fears, doubts, and joys; and is based on Christian perspective, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

For more information, Call Stephanie at 360.828-1663, or visit CrossWay Church on the web.

*Post courtesy of Salmon Creek Live!

Bats at WSU Vancouver

Discover the Unspooky Side of Bats on Halloween at WSU Vancouver.

Bats turn into Vampires at night.  If you get bit by a bat, you’ll get rabies. Bats are just flying mice.  Actually, none of these myths about bats are true.  You can find out more about bats at WSU Vancouver in Salmon Creek on Halloween (I don’t think they could have picked a better day for a class about vampires…er, I mean, bats!)

“VANCOUVER, Wash. – Christine Portfors, associate professor of biology at Washington State University Vancouver, and Peter Ritson, instructor of chemistry at Clark College will give their seventh annual presentation on bats Oct. 31, from 2 – 4 p.m. in Administration building, room 110. The event is free and open to the public. It’s an ideal activity for families with children 4 to 12 years old.

At a time of year when bats are often portrayed as blood-sucking, vicious animals, local families have an opportunity to see live bats up close, and learn why bats are largely misunderstood. In addition to teaching the visitors about bats, Portfors and Ritson will read a short story and lead the group in making bat crafts.

In the presentation, Portfors dispels popular folklore and teaches about the beneficial role bats play in nature managing insect pests, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. She shows pictures of different bats, as well as a few of her captive tropical fruit bats.

“Many people want to get rid of bats and consequently, certain species are becoming endangered,” she said. “These misunderstood animals need to be understood in order to protect them. My role as a scientist is to help educate the public about their importance, and kids especially have a lot of fun coming to see the live bats.”

Portfors is a biologist and neurobiologist who has studied bats in the wild and in the lab for more than 15 years. For more information about her research, visit her website, “The Bat Lab,” at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/portfors/portfors_home.html

WSU Vancouver is celebrating 20 years of bringing quality education, research and service to the citizens of Southwest Washington. The campus is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. WSU Vancouver offers 16 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 36 fields of study. Learn more at www.vancouver.wsu.edu “

via Discover the Unspooky Side of Bats on Halloween at WSU Vancouver – WSU Vancouver Press Releases.

Destination: Family

Infertility Support Group in Salmon Creek.

Are you going through the difficult and stressful journey of infertility? You are not alone.

Come to the Infertility Support Group on Saturday, October 24, 9 am located in Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Conference Room B (Third Floor).  This group was established by Crossways Church in Salmon Creek, as a safe place for group members to share their hurts, dreams, fears, doubts, and joys; and is based on Christian perspective, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

For more information, Call Stephanie at 360.828-1663, visit Crossway Church on the web, or view the Support Group Flyer.

Wednesday Night Lights

Alki Plays in Championship Game.

Good Luck Alki Eighth Grade Football! They will be playing in the Vancouver School District Middle School Football Championship Game on Wednesday, October 21st, 6:00 pm at Kiggins Bowl against Jason Lee.

It’s been an exciting season to watch, with five wins and one loss; with Jason Lee being the only school to beat the wolves! So come on out and cheer our boys as they take on the Panthers!

Play On, Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek Soccer Club Schedules Posted.

For those of you who have kids playing Salmon Creek Soccer ages U9 and older, the second half schedules are ready for viewing. Go to the Salmon Creek Soccer website to check for your favorite team and mark your calendars.

Nice to get a little heads up this year! Good job schedulers!

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