Clark County Adventures in Boating

Time to Plan for Summer Fun on the Columbia River!

I know, with the blustery November weather, Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas not far behind, planning for summer fun seems a little, well, soon.

But the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Marine Patrol Unit, is offering two Adventures in Boating education courses; November 21, 2009 and December 12, 2009.  Why are they offering these classes?  “Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, boat operators ages 12 to 30 years old will be required to carry a boater education card when operating a boat 15 horsepower or greater on Washington’s waterways. The card requirement will be phased in through 2014, when all boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1955, will be required to have a card. Boaters born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from this law. Cards cost $10 and are good for a lifetime.”

For more information, call 360.397.2106 or click here.

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.

Living Well with Diabetes

Title: Living Well with Diabetes
Location: Memorial Health Center
Link out: Click here
Description: Free classes through WSU Clark County Extension on living well with diabetes. Click link for more info.
Date: 2009-09-14

Living Well with Diabetes

Free Classes Offered Through WSU Clark County Extension.

Do you have diabetes? Has your doctor told you that your sugars may be a little high? If the answer is “Yes”, then you may benefit from this free program.

This series of five classes will discuss the 5 important test all diabetics should be doing regularly and what the numbers mean, how to select the correct foods and portion sizes that keep your diabetes in control, the importance of exercise, how to eat out successfully and general tips for preventing serious complications.

Classes will begin Monday, September 14 at the Memorial Health Center.  The classes are free, but registration is required.  To register or for more information, call (360) 397-6060, visit the WSU Clark County Extension website, or view the Living with Diabetes flyer .

Living on the Land in Clark County

Get More Out of Your Land.

Got Acreage? Want to reduce mud? Control weeds?  Grow more grass?  Reduce chore time?  Save money? If you answered YES! to any of these questions, this Living on the Land class is for you…and it’s FREE!

Classes start Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 6:30 to 9:30 for the twelve week Living on the Land – Stewardship for Small Acreages class series sponsored by WSU Clark County Extension, the Clark County Clean Water Program, and the Clark Conservation District.  The series provides a basic, overview understanding of soil, water, plant and animal interactions on small acreage properties.

The class is free, but pre-registration is required as class size is limited.  Call (360) 397-6060 x7720 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov to register or for more information.

 

“Green acres is the place for me
Farm livin’ is the life for me
Land spreadin’ out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.”

- Green Acres by Vic Mizzy  (Does anyone else remember that TV Show?)

Gifts from the Garden Class

Title: Gifts from the Garden Class
Location: CASEE Center, Botanical Gardens
Description: Lavender – planting, care, varieties, uses and harvesting. 11104 NE 149th St, Brush Prairie. (360) 737-1160
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-08-22
End Time: 12:00

Excercise, Nutrition and Cancer

Salmon Creek Neighbors:  Excercise, Nutrition and Cancer.  Free class at Clark County Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, learn about the role of excercise and nutrition before and after a cancer diagnosis.  Participants will take home practical tips for creating a healthy lifestyle.  Call (800) 227-2345 to register.