Firehouse Glass Studio and Gallery in Vancouver

Clark County’s Very Own Center for Glass Art.

Looking for something a little different to do on Friday night, or still looking for that one, last unique gift? Check out Firehouse Glass right here in downtown Vancouver, WA.

“Rebecca Seymour and Greg Lueck created the Firehouse Glass Gallery to support their mission: “To provide an environment for furthering the community’s exposure to and education in glass art, and to provide a collaborative forum for artists working in the glass medium.” The spectacular gallery provides exquisite exhibit space for works by both emerging glass artists as well as nationally acclaimed masters.

Firehouse Glass Gallery is open every Friday night from 6-10 during our public glass blowing demonstrations, and by appointment throughout the week.  Public glass blowing demonstrations are an exciting way to see hot glass made into objects.  Each month a theme is chosen for the content of the demonstrations often based on a season or a technique.

Work for sale in the gallery represents a balanced range of emerging and established glass artists with an openness to experimentation and exploration.  Work made during the public demonstrations each week can be seen in the gallery space for up to a month after it was made.  Artists at Firehouse Glass are happy to discuss commission work if the special thing you are looking for isn’t in our gallery.”

via Firehouse Glass Studio and Gallery – Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR area glass studio rentals.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told

A Madcap Romp Through the Holidays in Vancouver.

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung.   Everyone’s idea of Christmas in an hour and a half!  A hysterical, fast & furious, madcap romp through the holiday season!  Holiday fun for the whole family!

What people are saying:

“A show that will have you laughing harder than spiked egg nog.” – Kelly Monaghan, TheOtherOrlando

“Warning: If you see Every Christmas Story Ever Told, you’ll never be able to watch Dickens’ A Christmas Carol without laughing out loud.” – David Jabcobson, Life Newspapers Sacramento

Performances December 3rd -19th

Call or go on-line now for your tickets!

Thursday December 3rd, 7:00pm
Friday December 4th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 5th, 7:00pm
Thursday December 10th, 7:00pm
Friday December 11th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 12th, 2:00pm
Saturday December 12th, 7:00pm
Friday December 18th, 7:00pm
Saturday December 19th, 7:00pm

Magenta Theater – 606 Main St.  Vancouver, WA 98660
Box office: 360/635-4358

www.magentatheater.com

Art with a Conscience

Vancouver’s Studio Eighty Twenty.

Do you love making art and making a tangible difference in people’s lives? Then check out Art with a Conscience, a weekly community art series hosted by Studio Eighty Twenty that addresses local and global issues through art.

Studio Eighty Twenty meets every Tuesday at Pop Culture in Downtown Vancouver (1929 West Main Street) from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to create art based around a theme, (which may include homelessness, poverty, hunger, etc.) and is open to the public.  “It will be a time for those that love making art to utilize their talents to make a tangible difference in our community and abroad.”

How can art make a difference?  Several times a year, Studio Eighty Twenty will hold an Art show, where the artist work is sold to collectors. Eighty percent of the proceeds “goes towards helping fund local organizations that have demonstrated a commitment for providing for those in need”, and twenty percent goes back to the artist to help purchase more art supplies.

To more information, including information on this month’s theme, visit Studio Eighty Twenty online.

 City of Vancouver Open House and Information Fair

City of Vancouver to host Community Open House and Information Fair

The City of Vancouver will host a Community Open House and Information Fair from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Westfield Vancouver mall (lower level between Nordstrom and Macy’s).  Everyone is welcome, and children of all ages (wonder if that also includes the “young at heart” ) will be treated to face painting and other activities by Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation.

Attendees can meet representatives from all city departments and chat with City Council members about the issues that matter to them. This open house is an opportunity to talk with city employees face-to-face, ask questions about city programs and services and learn about what’s going on in your community. Information will be available about the new recycling cart program, the new 112th Safety Corridor project, and many other new or changing programs.

If special accommodations are needed, please call (360) 487-7060. For more information, call or e-mail City of Vancouver Special Events at (360) 487-8630 or events@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

via City of Vancouver to host Community Open House and Information Fair – News Release – City of Vancouver, Washington, USA.

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.

Clark County is Tree Talking

TreeTalk Workshop: Pruning and Tree Care

I feel lucky to live in a City and County (Vancouver/Clark County) that has so many trees (although, some may disagree with me, especially right now with all the raking, clogged gutters, and all); and all those trees need, and deserve good care.

There is a Tree Care and Pruning Workshop 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Marshall Community Center (1009 E McLoughlin). Join this workshop and hands-on demonstration with an industry professional to see examples of good and bad pruning on neighborhood trees and the long term impact on tree health and structure.

All workshops are FREE, but registration is required. Call (360) 619-1108 or email urbanforestry@ci.vancouver.wa.us to register.

So, come learn the proper way to prune, and get choppin’. Just don’t try to prune your neighbor’s tree without permission!

via Calendar of Events – City of Vancouver, Washington.

Share: Operation Sole Mates Sock Drive

Share Vancouver Sock Drive.

“New Socks. Two Socks. Whose Socks? Sue’s Socks.” Dr. Seuss, Fox in Socks.

With the cold, wet, Pacific Northwest winter just around the corner, Share Vancouver is holding its second annual “Operation Sole Mates” Sock Drive the month of October.

Clean socks are a staple of health care. Rain-soaked feet, ill-fitting shoes, constant standing and disease all take their toll on the feet of homeless people. One of the most basic ways to keep feet healthy is to keep them warm and dry – a sometimes daunting task if you spend your days outside.

All donated socks will be distributed to clients of Share’s Outreach program, which provides services to individuals living on the streets, as well as to clients currently in shelter. Donations of new, athletic socks for men and women can be dropped off at any Share Shelter or at the Volunteer Center, 1708 Main Street.

Shelter Locations:

Share House, 1115 W 13th St.

Share Homestead, 4921 NE Hazel Dell Ave.

Share Orchards Inn, 5609 NE 102nd Ave.

via Share: Operation Sole Mates Sock Drive.

Meet the Candidates at the Market

Candidates for Mayor and City Council have been invited to have a booth at the Vancouver Farmers Market on Saturday, October 10th from 9 am to 3 pm to be available to discuss in their plans for the future of our city.

Click for full postVancouver Farmers Market Still Open.

Vancouver Holiday Market

The Vancouver Farmers Market Moves Inside for Holiday Fun.

This year the Vancouver Farmer’s Market will be having a Holiday Market on Sunday, December 13th and Sunday the 20th, 2009 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Downtown Vancouver Hilton Hotel across from Esther Short Park.

This Holiday Market is free to attend, and will feature locally made and locally grown items for holiday decorating, entertaining, or gift giving. Santa and his Elves will also be there, as well as live musical entertainment.

Vancouver Food Coop Harvest Celebration

You Are Invited!

The Vancouver Food Cooperative (VFC) is having a Fall Harvest Celebration on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 4 to 7 pm at Vancouver Marketplace, 210 W Evergreen Blvd.  There will be appetizers and sweets catered by Woody’s Tacos, live music by the Grey Sky Boys, Silent Auction, unveiling of the new VFC logo, and more.

What exactly is the VFC? According to their website, “The Vancouver Food Cooperative (VFC) is a not-for-profit business working to open a cooperative grocery store in Vancouver, Washington. As a community-run business with a broad ownership base, our goal is to strengthen the entire community: shoppers, vendors, and growers alike, by providing accessible nutrition and local foods.”

Come find out more about the VFC at this fun, free event!

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