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.

Humane Society of Southwest Washington

Join in the Anniversary Celebration!

Join the Humane Society in celebrating one-year in the new animal sheltering facility! Bring the whole family – furry and four-legged too! On Saturday, August 28, 2010, the Humane Society will host a free community event in celebration of one year in its new animal shelter in east Vancouver.

The Anniversary Celebration is free to public and will feature special adoption pricing, vendors, food, games and activities for the kids, microchip and vaccination clinics, a police K9 demonstration at 3pm and more! This event is open to all members of the community, both two and four-legged alike and shelter alumni are encouraged to attend.The event will take place during regular shelter adoption hours from 12:00pm through 5:00pm.

Since moving to its new 30,000 square foot animal sheltering facility last summer, the Humane Society has re-homed over 6,500 animals, coordinated several large-scale rescue efforts out of southern California and has begun to offer many new programs and services to the community including humane education programs for children and families, adult lecture series and pet loss support groups. Come celebrate a wonderful first year for the animals and the community and learn about what the Humane Society for Southwest Washington has to offer.

Of course, you could always bring home a new family member too!

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.

Blessings in a Box

Angel Food in Hazel Dell.

I saw the sign on Highway 99, several times a week, in fact. “Angel Food”.

I saw them on Facebook. “Angel Food – Vancouver, WA“.

I overheard someone in the store talking about (you guessed it), “Angel Food”.

“What is Angel Food?”, I thought. So, with a click here, and a link there, I found out.

“Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States.”

How it works is very simple. Every month Angel Food provides boxes of high quality, cost effective food items at over half off grocery store prices. Each month’s menu is different and contains both fresh, frozen and pre-packaged food. Each unit contains enough food to assist in feeding a family of four for about one week, or a single senior for almost a month.

There are no applications, restrictions or memberships to buy. The Angel Food Ministries in Vancouver, WA is located at St. John Lutheran Church in Hazel Dell. For more information, visit them on the web, or call 360-574-1461.

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This post: “Blessings in a Box”
was originally featured at Hazel Dell Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in Hazel Dell, please visit Hazel Dell Live!

Rock-n-Roll Will Never Die

Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts Free Concert.

The Riverview Six to Sunset Concert Series and Pub in the Park for the Summer of 2010 is coming to an end. This Thursday, August 12, will feature Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts performing at Esther Short Park from 6 to 8 pm.

Starting as a party gag in 1978, Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts have become one of the most popular bands to perform the classic hits from the 50′s and 60′s. The Lugnut’s fame has spread beyond the Pacific Northwest, dazzling audiences from Washington State to Washington, D.C. They emphasize showmanship, creating a never-ending energy on stage. The electricity generated by this sight and sound experience results in packed dance floors at every performance. Ask anyone who has experienced Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts and they’ll tell you…”Rock and Roll will never die and the Lugnuts are the reason why”.

Bring your friends, family, blanket, and lawn chairs, or get a table at Pub in the Park, and get ready for a rockin’ good time.

Vancouver Green Drinks Wants You to Change Your Clothes

Be Green. Save Some Green.

Are you sick of your old clothes? Do you sometimes wish you could just change your wardrobe with someone else? Are you concerned with the environmental effects of consuming clothing and other household goods? Do you need an excuse to do some summer cleaning and purge? Do you love free stuff? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got just the event for you! Vancouver Green Drinks is putting on a community clothing swap in August, in place of their monthly networking event. They are partnering with the ReStore and Empower Up to bring you this exciting opportunity to clean out your closets and get some fun lightly used clothing-all for free!

The Vancouver Green Drinks Community Clothing Swap will take place 6 pm, August 31, 2010 at the Clark County Habitat for Humanity ReStore (5000 E Fourth Plain). The idea behind the community clothing swap is to get free clothing and other usable items; and get rid of good, usable stuff you no longer want or need. No money will change hands at this event! Unless, of course, you would like to make a donation to ReStore or Empower Up, those will be gladly accepted!

Dig through your closet, drawers and storage, wash clothes you no longer love/wear/need and bring them to this clothing swap (Flip flops, sunhats, jewelry, bags, shoes, and other accessories are also welcome)! The ReStore will accept your donations for one week prior to this event, and will accept clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, household goods, electronics and media (music, movies, games, etc…).  Please do not bring TV’s, microwaves, broken, ripped, stained, or unusable items.

Mingle with friends and have a few drinks (available to purchase from Applewood Restaurant and Bar) on August 31 while items are being sorted into general categories, then the shopping starts! Take what looks good to you, try it on and take it home! At the end of the night, all unclaimed items will be donated to local non-profits. Again, there is no fee to attend this event, and all items will be free, and everyone is invited!

Want more information? View the Community Clothing Swap flyer, or you can send an email to vancouvergreendrinks@gmail.com.

No Swimming in Vancouver Lake

Vancouver Lake Park to Remain Open.

Update 8/12/2010: Vancouver Lake IS cleared for swimming! Clark County Public Health officials have lifted the health advisory for no swimming in Vancouver Lake after the most recent testing showed the cyanobacteria (algae bloom) was no longer a threat. The water will be tested again on August 19. However, with the warm weather another algae bloom could develop. “…we urge people to avoid water contact if a bloom develops this weekend. A bloom would give the water a scummy texture and a green color. The water may also appear bluish, brownish or reddish green.”

Due to high levels of blue-green algae, Clark County Public Health is advising no swimming (or water contact) at Vancouver Lake Park until further notice. The lake water will continue to be tested, and we will be given the “thumbs up” as soon as it is safe again.

Vancouver Lake Park will remain open, and the water within the shelters and restrooms are unaffected by the lake water and are safe for use.

To read the complete press release, click here.  Looking for other swimming options? Klineline Pond in Salmon Creek is open or visit Vancouver Clark Parks and Recreation.

Blast from the Past in Vancouver

Vintage Planes, Cars and Baseball.

August 20,21, and 22 will be a blast from the past around Officers Row, Pearson Air Museum and Fort Vancouver Grounds; weekend events include the Northwest Antique Airplane Club Fly-In, the Columbia River Concours d’Elegance, and an exhibition Vintage Baseball Game.

The 51st Anniversary Antique Airplane Fly-In will take place Friday, August 20 from noon to 5 pm; Saturday, August 21 from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday, August 22 from 8 am to noon. Antique planes, many one-of-a-kind, from all over the country will fly in to Pearson Air Field on Friday, some bringing with them over 60 years of stories in the skies. To many pilots, the fun begins on the ground; sleeping under the wings and sharing the glory and history of these planes with others. Free haywagon rides will be available on the grounds to tour the field and view planes, and Bi-plane rides will also be offered. Visit Northwest Antique Airplane Club for more information, including tickets and other events during the show.

The first Columbia River Concours d’Elegance and Car Show will be Sunday, August 22 from 8:30 to 4:30 on the tree lined streets of Officers Row. “The Concours is not a speed event, but one of elegance and excellence. Vehicles are judged for their historical accuracy, their technical merit, elegance and style.” The cars will also be featured on the field at the Fly-In on Saturday from 3:30-4:30. For more information, including ticket sales, please visit Columbia River Concous d’Elegance.

After you’ve had a chance to view vintage planes and vintage cars, why not head over to the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds where there will be an 1860′s Vintage Baseball Game played. The game will take place Saturday, August 21 at 6:00 pm, and will be the final game of the season between the Vancouver Occidentals and the 1st Oregon volunteers. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend.

National Night Out 2010

Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe.

National Night Out is, well, a national event, taking place on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. This year, Ridgefield, Yacolt, and Turtle Place, at Esther Short Park, Downtown Vancouver, will be participating in the event. According to the Battle Ground Police Department, the Battle Ground National Night Out was canceled this year due to budget cuts. Is your neighborhood participating? Let us know!

National Night Out is all about getting neighbors, law enforcement, businesses, actually everybody in our community, together to help make our neighborhoods safer. Meet your neighbors, friends, city leaders, public safety staff and get involved!

The Ridgefield National Night Out will be held from 6 to 8 pm at Davis Park. There will be a dunk tank, local businesses will have booths, as well as some vendors from the Ridgefield Farmers Market.

The Yacolt National Night Out will be from 6 to 8 pm at Yacolt Town Park. Enjoy a community barbeque, meet Mayor Joe Warren, the Town Council Members and Town Staff. Clark County Fire District #13 will be there, along with Yacolt Volunteer Fire Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and more.

The Esther Short Neighborhood National Night Out will be held at Turtle Place (7th and Main) from 7 to 9 pm.

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