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.

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

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!

While Christmas 2011 is over, I still haven’t had the heart to take down our Christmas Tree. It’s a live tree (well, it used to be) and the needles are drying out a bit, so most likely it will come down on January 2, 2012. That gives me a whole 5 days before the Cub Scouts will be out looking for Christmas Trees to pick up.

This year Cub Scout Pack 494 will be out picking up Christmas Trees on Saturday, January 7, 2012. If you would like the scouts to recycle your tree, please leave it at the curb by 8:45 am; making sure that all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stand ( ) have been removed.

A $5 per tree (or more if you want) donation is greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to Pack 494 and place in an envelope taped to your front door, or call 360-571-9084 for mailing address.

I you have any questions, or if your tree has not been picked up by 3 pm, please call the phone number above.

I’m not a high maintenance person (although my husband may disagree with that sometimes); and, when it comes to landscaping and yard work, well, I don’t like high maintenance there either. I’ve been finding out more about the benefits of  using native plants, so, I was pretty excited to find out about the Clark Conservation District Native Plant Sale.

“Each year the conservation district holds a plant sale. The purpose of this sale is to promote the use of native plants in your landscapes. Native plants are a wonderful low maintenance addition to your property. Because these plants are naturally occurring in Western Washington, they do not require additional water or fertilizers to grow. They are also more resistant to disease and pests than non-native ornamental plants.”

They offer trees, shrubs, potted flowers and groundcover plants for a great price ($4-5 for 5 plants!). You can order now through February 3, 2012 (or while supplies last), and pickup is February 23-25, 2012 at the Clark Conservation District Office in Brush Prairie (11104 NE 149th St).

For more information, visit the Clark Conservation District online or call 360-883-1987.

This post: “Getting Ready for Spring in Clark County” 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 Downtown Camas Association is hosting their Third Annual Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2011.

Enjoy live entertainment as you tour two historic Camas homes and two notable Camas homes. Guests will be invited into the four homes which have been  beautifully decorated for the 2011 Holiday Season and will have the opportunity to learn about each home from knowledgeable docents and some historical facts about Camas.

This is a self guided tour, and ticket holders may visit the homes on Saturday, December 3 between 10am and 4pm, or Sunday, December 4 between 11am and 3pm. The addresses of the homes will be released to ticket holders on Friday, December 2 with a program and map. Tickets are $20 each and will benefit the Downtown Camas Association.

This year, the Downtown Camas Association has added a special “Evening at the Farrell House” on Friday, December 2, 2011 between 7:30pm and 8:30pm. Private tour guests will have the opportunity to speak with designer Julia Nolta, architect Michael Lawell, and owner Heidi Curley about their renovation of this historic landmark home. Tickets are $25 and include wine and hors-d’oeuvres and is limited to 25 guests. Tickets are available at the Camas Hotel and The Uncommon Gift.

For more information, including purchasing tickets, visit Downtown Camas Association or call 360-216-7378.

This post: “Camas Holiday Homes Tour” 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!

This year, Battle Ground Village has created a great opportunity for local artisans to sell their work in a store setting at the Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar. The Shoppe, located directly across from the Battle Ground Library, will be offering a wide variety of quality, handmade products including wooden toys and furniture, jewelry, paintings, specialty foods, memory books, and treats, such as roasted nuts.

“The Shoppe will be decorated for the holidays, with lights, garland, and fun ornaments. “It’s not every day that local artists and craftsmen have a chance to run their own shop,” says Carmen Villarma, Battle Ground Village developer. “The vendors can accept their own payment, or there is a central cashier accepting most forms of payment, including credit card. We tried to make it as easy and stress-free for the customers and vendors to enjoy their holiday shopping experience at Battle Ground Village.” ~Battle Ground Village

The Shoppe is open between 10am – 4pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning November 10th, running through December 17th. The Shoppe will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Battle Ground Village features the new Battle Ground Community Library, many retail gift shops and popular restaurants as well as the seasonal Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar. For more information, visit Battle Ground Village.

This post: “Battle Ground Village Holiday Shoppe and Bazaar” 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!

It’s time to channel your inner Griswold for the First Annual North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association (NSCNA) Winter Wonderland House Decorating Contest!

This is one of those times when the phrase “the more, the merrier” is put to the test! All entries will be judged on quantity of lights and decorations, as well as special effects such as music.This year the judges will be looking specifically for the best use of bows and packages.

A special prize will also be awarded to the entry with the largest bow in their display.

To enter, send your name, address and contact information to nscna.winter@gmail.com. By entering this contest you are giving consent for the NSCNA to post a picture of your display on Salmon Creek Live! for a special on-line People’s Choice Award.

Get busy! Judging will take place on Thursday evening, December 22, 2011 beginning at 7pm.

Salmon Creek Winter Wonderland Rules:

1. House must be within the NSCNA boundaries.

2. Entries must be received by midnight Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

3. Milk and cookies must be left outside in plain view just prior to judging

The winners will be notified via email or by phone and will be announced at the NSCNA January general meeting at Riverview Community Bank in Salmon Creek.

The November 15, 2011 general meeting for the North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association (NSCNA) is the time to elect your 2012 NSCNA Board. The meeting begins at 7pm at Riverview Community Bank in the Fred Meyer Shopping Center (next to Three Creeks Library).

Arrive a few minutes early to pick up your ballot and raffle ticket, and enjoy some light refreshments, Peet’s Coffee and of course have time to visit with your neighbors!