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.

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!

This post: “Horsing Around at Confluence Winery” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

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.

This post: “Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 33rd Season” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

The NSCNA will welcome Michelle Solari from the Goddard School and Dave Brown from Northwest Wild Fish Rescue to the January 24th general meeting to be held at 7:00 pm at Riverview Community Bank Salmon Creek (by Salmon Creek Fred Meyer, 800 NE Tenney Rd). We will also be presenting the awards for the 2011 Holiday Lighting Contest.

Michelle will give a short presentation on the new Goddard School that is being built in Salmon Creek.  The brand new state-of-the-art 8000 sq. ft. building will be built between Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and WSU Vancouver, near the junctions of both I-5 and I-205. The school will feature a year round extended day program for ages six weeks to six years and will offer an accredited education program designed to enhance the development of its students.

Dave Brown grew up in Northern California and had the luck to be able to fish for steelhead on some of their most storied rivers. But the fish started to disappear. Jobs took him away but he always managed to continue fly fishing. He eventually settled in north Clark County where he has lived for 20+ years. In the early nineties he decided to try to make a difference for the fish. Using his own funds and a lot of hard, physical labor, he started to rescue wild coho and steelhead fry from Mill Creek in areas where the water had dried up. When he started he rescued only about 600 fry. He has since expanded his rescue work to Mason Creek and Salmon Creek. Last year he formed a non-profit, Northwest Wild Fish Rescue. To hear more about this program, please attend the meeting on January 24th.

This year’s Christmas Party for our local kids in need was a huge success because of the many people who graciously donated their valuable time during the holiday season, and generous donations from our local community.

“To all of our wonderful donors and sponsors to the children’s holiday party; and to all the hard working volunteers whose hard work and dedication gave the disadvantaged children in our community a more joyous holiday season”, the North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association (NSCNA) says, “THANK YOU!”

Alicia Wallingford, Ann Foster, Applebees – Salmon Creek, Avril Masse,y Billygan’s – Salmon Creek, Bo Allen, Brenda Bjorklund, Chuck’s Produce, Claudia Graber, Companion Pet Clinic – Salmon Creek, Costco, Dawn Anderson, Duke Hayes, Dymond Graphics, Fairlight Bakery,Fred Meyer, Frito Lay, Heather Pahl, Hewlett-Packard, Jared Wallingford, Jeff Cook, Jeff Guion, Kaily VerBurg, Kari & Ted Wallingford, KC Teriyaki, Ken Wheeler,Lakeshore Athletic Club, Legacy Salmon Creek, Mardy Guion, Merle & Lois Kullberg, Nancy Cook, NW Personal Training – Sherri McMillan, Olivia Madrid, Pacific Rentals,Paul Scarpelli, Pizza Schmizza, Ron Wilson, Safeway, Salmon Creek Farmer’s Market, Samantha Guse, Shane Guion, Three Creeks Library, Tiffini Feliciano, U-Haul, Vancouver Bicycle Club, Waste Connections, Westmoor Bunco – Kari West

Cold, wet, rainy, snowy…must be time for Baseball! Well, time to get signed up for baseball or softball!

Registration for the Spring 2012 Baseball and Softball season are currently underway. In person registrations will take place Wednesday, January 18, 2012 between 5pm and 8pm, and Tuesday, January 24, 2012 between 5 pm and 8 pm at the Salmon Creek Round Table Pizza (13009 NE Hwy 99). You can also register online at Salmon Creek Little League. All players must be 5 years old by April 30, 2012; a Birth Certificate will be required for all new players.

Opening Day Ceremonies and Games will take place at the new Luke Jensen Sports Park on Saturday, March 17, 2012!

For more information, visit Salmon Creek Little League online.

Updated 1/16/2012: Will it snow in Clark County? And, if it does, many residents, both young and not so young, wanna know, “Is school going to be closed or delayed?”

“The decision to close schools or delay opening them is not taken lightly. The priority is always the safety of students and staff.” Transportation crews begin driving routes as early as 3 am on days of inclement weather; and that information, along with advice from a meteorologist are all taken into consideration for delays or closures. Also keep in mind, road conditions and terrain can vary greatly across Clark County, and even within the same school district.

To stay up to date on what Emergency Notifications are going on in your school district, the list below includes the school districts within Clark County Washington with the link to their Emergency Notification system. You can also sign up to receive instant notification by text message, email, or Twitter alert.

Battle Ground School District
Camas School District
ESD 112
Evergreen School District
Green Mountain School District
Hockinson School District
LaCenter School District
Ridgefield School District
SW Washington Child Care
Vancouver School District
WA School for the Blind
WA School for the Deaf
Washougal School District

*Originally published November 21, 2010.

This post: “Clark County School Closures and Delays” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

Our young athletes have got heart, and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation along with PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center want to be sure it keeps beating strong! On Saturday, February 25, 2012 Southwest’s Heart and Vascular Center and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation are offering  Young Champions Heart Screenings.

“Young Champions is a program providing advanced heart screenings for student athletes in Clark County, sponsored by PeaceHealth Southwest’s Heart and Vascular Center and the Quinn Driscoll Foundation.

The Quinn Driscoll Foundation is named for 13-year-old Quinn Driscoll, a student athlete at Wy’ East Middle School who died in 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest while running on the track during gym class. Quinn had undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

It is believed to exist in roughly 1 out of 500 individuals, and approximately one case of sudden cardiac death occurs every three days in organized youth sports across the United States. “Young Champions” heart screenings can detect HCM using an Echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, in addition to a comprehensive EKG.”

Any Clark County middle or high school athlete, band member or cheerleader from 13 – 18 years old is eligible for a “Young Champions” screening. Although designed for the student athlete, this screening event also accommodates all children in the age group who may be at risk. This screening does not take the place of the pre-performance examination requirement for all student athletes who wish to participate in a school sport.

Pre-registration is required. Call 360-514-7755, or you can register online.

*Originally published on February 23, 2011. Updated January 10, 2012.

This post: “Clark County Young Champions” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

The Clark County Skills Center Automotive Technology Class is in the running to win $25,000 towards a shop overhaul; they’ve already done all the work, you just need to “LIKE” it. Voting opened today (January 11, 2012) and ends Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11 am.

Here’s how we (and that includes you) can help: Log in to Facebook, go to the UTI Foundation Facebook page and “Like” it, click the “Auto Shop Video” tab on the left, then “VOTE” for the “CCSC Auto Submission”.  Voting so easy a caveman can do it (watch the video, you’ll understand ) And, hey, while you’re on Facebook, be sure to visit us, Clark County Live!

The guys from the Clark County Skills Center Automotive Technology class put together a funny video for their entry; they wrote, filmed and edited their video in just two days to meet the December 9th deadline; and are now one of the top eight finalists in the nation for a grand prize $25,000 from the Universal Technical Institute (UTI). “The mission of UTI Foundation is to support and encourage technical education for the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, NASCAR and other transportation industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs.”

“The Clark County Skills Center began in 1983 as a cooperative educational venture between eight Southwest Washington School Districts. The vision of those districts was to create a school, in partnership with business, “to prepare students for the work force” by offering students the opportunity to be trained in technical career areas too expensive for a single district to fund.”

To find out more about the opportunities available at the Skills Center, visit the Clark County Skills Center, the Clark County Skills Center Foundation, or take a real life VIP Tour (call Jan Stickland at 360-604-1050 x2151) and see that “Excellence, innovation, and a passionate spirit define the Clark County Skills Center.”

*Special thanks to Tamy Hicks for the tip! If you have an event you would like to share, please let us know!

This post: “Clark County Skills Center Drive to Succeed” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

The Goddard School, located at 13201 NE 27th Avenue in the Salmon Creek area of Vancouver, is scheduled to open summer 2012; offering early childhood education, and childcare, for children ages six weeks to six years old.

“The new state-of-the-art 8,000 square foot building is conveniently situated between Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and Washington State University Vancouver, near the junctions of both Interstate 5 and Interstate 205; it has been designed to accommodate approximately 130 children from six weeks to six years old. The new school will offer flexible schedules for children Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Goddard School offers a year-round program where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a warm environment supported by a team of dedicated teachers. The Goddard School FLEX™ Learning Program is based on a unique learning continuum that encompasses developmental guidelines, formative assessments and child-focused lesson plans that are delivered in a creative and fun environment with a child-centered approach to meet each child’s individual needs.”

Michelle Solari, owner of the Goddard School in Salmon Creek, says the school will provide the community with approximately 25 new job opportunities for full- and part-time faculty members. “I am eager to welcome children into this nurturing environment with dedicated professional teachers,” says Michelle. “Along with our core curriculum, we include several enrichment programs such as foreign language and yoga which are specifically designed to encourage children’s lifelong love of learning.”

For an opportunity to meet the School owner and learn more about The Goddard School program, all are invited to visit The Goddard School table at the MOMS Club Preschool Fair on Saturday, January 21st, from 11am to 3pm at the Vancouver Community Library (901 C Street, Vancouver).

For more information call Michelle at 360-573-2466.

This post: “Goddard School to Open in Salmon Creek” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!