You can! Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through Basic CERT training, citizens can organize themselves and use spontaneous volunteers to manage utilities, put out small fires, provide basic medical first aid, search for and rescue victims calmly, safely, and efficiently.

Clark County Fire District 6 will begin CERT training classes on Thursday, February 16, 2012. The classes will be held at Clark County Fire District 6, Hazel Dell  (8800 NE Hazel Dell Avenue).  Cost to participate is $30; knowledge gained, priceless.

For more information, contact Dave Sinclair at 360-576-1195.

This post: “When Disaster Strikes Your Community” was originally featured at Salmon Creek Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in your Salmon Creek neighborhood, please visit Salmon Creek Live!

Join your fellow community members in making a difference in Clark County, become a Master Composter Recycler and help create a greener future! Registration is open for applicants for 2012 training program! Master Composter/Recycler Volunteer training provides community members with basic tools and knowledge which reduce household waste, lessen greenhouse gasses, and create healthy soils.

Master Composter/Recyclers attend a ten-session course that explores waste reduction topics such as: backyard composting, vermicomposting, recycling, greener consumer choices, green-building, interpretive techniques, and more. They then share what they have learned about waste reduction, composting and recycling with the Clark County Community.

Master Composter/Recyclers (MCR) Volunteers “payback” their training by helping to represent the MCR Program at community events such as fairs, celebrations and farmer’s markets; helping to host workshops and lectures; assisting with developing educational resources; or perhaps growing redworms for workshops, maintaining composting demonstration sites; or helping with administrative tasks.

The next course begins the first week of February 2012 and is now accepting applications. Training will occur Thursday evenings, but there will also be  a Saturday hot compost pile building activity and a Saturday field trip. Download your application here.

“Be the change,” apply to be a Master Composter Recycler now! For more information, visit Columbia Springs (12208 SE Evergreen Hwy) or call 360-882-0936.

Sharing, Educating, Inspiring

Get a head start on Valentine’s Day at the Camas First Friday Event, A Chocolate Affair to Remember, this Friday, February 3, 2012 between 5 pm and 8pm.

Back by popular demand, participating Downtown Camas businesses will be staying open late serving up sweet treats, including a chocolate fountain, truffle tasting, specialty chocolate drinks and more. Participating businesses will be having a “Guess how much candy is in the jar” contest; be sure to make your best guess as the winner not only gets to take home the candy, but wins a Valentine’s Basket from the merchants. You will also have the opportunity to purchase chocolates and other romantic gifts for your Valentine!

The Camas First Friday events promote downtown business by offering shoppers art, dining, and after hours fun. These events take place the first Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. and are put on through the Downtown Camas Association, a non-profit organization that is part of the Washington Main Street Program.

For more information, visit Downtown Camas Association, or call (360) 216-7378.

Visit Confluence Winery (19111 NW 67th Ave,Ridgefield) for an evening of fun including a silent auction, door prizes, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and wine (of course!) on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm. Funds raised will benefit the BlackPearl Equestrienne Troupe.

“The quaint community of Ridgefield, WA is home to the BlackPearl Equestrienne Troupe, a team of horses and riders dedicated to the philanthropic value of equestrian art. The troupe now travels along the west coast and performs with some of the world’s most beautiful and talented equines including Friesian, Andalusian and Spotted Baroque horses. Comprised mainly of stallions, the troupe performs choreographed dances to music, highlighting the trick training of Susan Dyer-DeBoer, the troupe’s founder and organizer.

The BlackPearl Equestrienne Troupe self-funds the majority of these costs and does so in honor of the immeasurable value these horses bring to the hearts of their public. In times like these, touching others through love is priceless.

In 2012, the BlackPearl Equestrienne Troupe will be piloting a one hour show in Albany, Oregon entitled “If Wishes Were Horses”. The intent is to take the viewer along on a journey of dreams that really do come true. The costs for creating such a production are significant and in an attempt to help offset these costs, the troupe and their supporters are hosting a silent auction to raise funds. Your help will keep the BlackPearls dancing for many others to enjoy.

Please join us on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 5-8 pm at Confluence Winery, located at 19111 NW 67th Avenue, Ridgefield, WA. We will provide a slideshow of some of our performances, along with the beautiful, live music of the Montavilla Jazz Committee. Premium Confluence wine will be available for purchase, along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Donations for this auction will also be accepted until January 21, 2012. Items to be auctioned vary greatly from fine art to local artisan goods and services to stud fees, tack and much more. Cash and checks accepted. Payment may also be made by PayPal within 24 hours of auction completion. We look forward to seeing you there!” ~The BlackPearl Equestrienne Troupe

Tickets are $15 per person, or $25 per couple; call 360-909-6251 for more information.

Thanks to Susan Dyer-DeBoer of FeatherDance Equine Entertainment for the information!

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the largest performing arts organization in Southwest Washington, is now in its 33rd season offering Classical Concerts and Special Events through Spring 2012.

It’s a “Bold New Beginning” for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra this year. Still providing world-renowned classical music and promoting young artists, this year they will also offer a Chamber Music Series and Music Alive!

“For the first time ever, we are excited to launch Music Alive!, a performance collaborative for Southwest Washington. This new initiative will elevate the arts and music through key partnerships with organizations such as Vancouver Children’s Opera, the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Columbia Dance and others, while providing an array of opportunities for involvement through outreach, education, entertainment and community. As a part of Music Alive! The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra launches a Chamber Music Series with more exciting plans in the works. More than ever before, The VSO is making music heard well beyond Skyview!” ~Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Concert Guide

Classical Concerts, held in the Skyview Concert Hall, will take place January 28 and 29, April 14 and 15, and May 26 and 27, 2012. The VSO Chamber Group Special Events will take place on February 3 and March 23, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church (309 W 39th St, Vancouver); and February 5 and March 25, 2012m at Zion Lutheran Church (824 NE 4th Ave, Camas). The 18th Annual Young Artists Concerto Competition will take place on February 19, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

For more information on upcoming events, including tickets, please visit the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

“The shift is about to hit the fan.” The movie documentary “I Am“ will be shown at the Kiggins Theatre Downtown Vancouver (1011 Main Street, Vancouver) at 7 pm on Monday, January 16 and Tuesday, January 17, 2012; admission is FREE!

“I AM is an utterly engaging and entertaining non-fiction film that poses two practical and provocative questions: what’s wrong with our world, and what can we do to make it better? The filmmaker behind the inquiry is Tom Shadyac, one of Hollywood’s leading comedy practitioners and the creative force behind such blockbusters as “Ace Ventura,” “Liar Liar,” “The Nutty Professor,” and “Bruce Almighty.” However, in I AM, Shadyac steps in front of the camera to recount what happened to him after a cycling accident left him incapacitated, possibly for good. Though he ultimately recovered, he emerged with a new sense of purpose, determined to share his own awakening to his prior life of excess and greed, and to investigate how he as an individual, and we as a race, could improve the way we live and walk in the world.” ~ I AM

The Kiggins Theatre, named after former Vancouver Mayor JP Kiggins and a downtown landmark since 1936, reopened in 2011 after a year and a half of extensive renovations. They offer not only movies, but community events, art and music are also an integral part of the Kiggins schedule in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

For more information, visit The New Kiggins Theatre or call 360-816-0352

Second Saturdays at the Water Resources Education Center are not only fun, they’re free!

Each second Saturday of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m., kids and their families are invited to explore a different topic through hands-on activities, games and stories. Events at the Water Resources Education Center (4600 Se Columbia Way, Vancouver) in Vancouver are designed for hands on fun for the whole family. When you visit the Water Center, you’ll experience a variety of exhibits, events and interactive educational programs designed to teach us how to be better stewards. But, the best part is..it’s fun!

Here’s what’s “on tap” for the 2012 Second Saturdays at the Water Resources Education Center:

January 14, 2012: Wondrous Weather Around Us! Rain or shine, Pacific Northwest weather can be fascinating!

February 11, 2012: Interesting Inventions! Inquisitive young minds can try their hands at re-creating and learning about several interesting inventions.

March 10, 2012: World Water Day. How much water is used to create some of our favorite foods? Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Join us and learn more about water through interactive, child-friendly activities.

April 14, 2012: Herps. Amphibians and reptiles are intriguing in how they move, live and eat.

May 12, 2012: Creature Families. Do all creatures have families?

June 9, 2012: Get Outdoors Day. Visit us at Fort Vancouver for the fun filled day of activities to help get you and your family outdoors.

July 14, 2012: Bubbles. Let’s celebrate summer with bubble fun.

August 11, 2012: Rocks and Soil. Explore rocks and soil! Not all rocks are the same.

September 8, 2012: Columbia Flyway. This is a partnership event and part of the Columbia Flyway Show.

October 13, 2012: Urban Wildlife. Is there wildlife in your neighborhood?

November 10, 2012: American Indian Heritage Month. Join us for our annual observance of American Indian Heritage Month.

December 8, 2012: Recycle Music. Recycle Man and other musicians recycle every day household items to help them make music.

The Downtown Camas Association is welcoming the First Friday of 2012 with Games, Crafts and Cocoa (and jewelry!). Visit local downtown Camas merchants on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm for some hot cocoa, fun games for the entire family and crafting for all ages!

You’ll want to start your evening at Bead Paradise, where you will receive your free “Pandora type” bracelet. Then, make your way around Downtown Camas, visiting participating merchants and pick up a bead or charm to add to your bracelet, play a game, do a craft, even win a raffle ticket!

When you are done for the night, be sure to make one last stop into The Uncommon Gift to enter your raffle tickets into a drawing for a chance to win a gift certificate at your choice of participating Downtown Camas merchants.

I say…Game On!

Don’t run away from New Year’s Resolutions…just RUN! Join Get Bold Events for their Resolution Run on Sunday, January 8, 2012 beginning at 10 am with a Start and Finish at Battle Ground Village (802 SE 14th Ave, Battle Ground).

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to “exercise more”, this is a great, fun way to start out! Choose either a 5K or 10K, both runners and walkers are welcome. You’ll enjoy a fun run/walk, get a commemorative Tech T-shirt, goody bag, race photos and a great after party!

The post party will take place at Battle Ground Village and will include a live DJ, beer from Laurelwood, food by Bones Steak and Chop House, a Polar Bear Slide (this is a 70 foot slip-n-slide), and a soak in a Hot Tub. Maybe even a Hot Air Balloon!

This event will also benefit the Clark County Fire & Rescue Fire Cadet Program.

For more information, including registration, visit Get Bold Events.

The Second Annual National Unpublished Writers’ Day Workshop at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver) will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2012 between noon and 5 pm.

“National Unpublished Writers’ Day is free, both in terms of admission and in the spirit of a sixties “happening” with their multiple, simultaneous events and opportunities. We do, however, welcome any contributions and donations. The event will feature a series of “creative stations” and workshops around the Museum, each offering different opportunities to learn or experience something associated with different aspects or kinds of writing. These Creation Stations and workshops serve to highlight a broad approach to writing and offer a wide array of information, theory, and practice for our visitors.

Creative stations will include: Zines, Editing/resumé writing, Writing for mobile media, Poetry, Spontaneous writing, Comedy writing, Creative writing, Radio writing, and Descriptive writing.” ~Clark County Historical Museum

This event highlights the Brautigan Library Collection at the Clark County Historical Museum, and is sponsored by Riverview Community Bank, Washington State University Vancouver and the Clark County Historical Museum.

I don’t know about you, but this workshop sounds just “write” for me! See you there.