And You are Invited!

“Having a Field Day”, Definition:  to experience freedom from one’s usual work schedule; to have a very enjoyable time.

Salmon Creek Soccer Club (SCSC) is having a field day on Saturday, September 4, starting at 9 am; and while it may not exactly fit the definition above, SCSC is in need of volunteers to come out to HB Fuller Park to help with some necessary maintenance and field lay out.

Good fields don’t just happen, they take lots of planning and hard work; and when the fields go bad, the games can go bad, too. So bring your own hands, as well as any others you can find, and your rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and sunny disposition to help get our fields ready for opening day and beyond! (Which, by the way, is September 11!)

Please contact Rec Committee Chair Jim Silk at scsc.rec@salmoncreeksoccer.net if you can help.

Max Muscle Offers Triathlon in Hazel Dell.

A triathlon is a combination of three sports: swimming, biking and running. It was created more than 20 years ago and is one of the hottest sports in the US. Now is your chance to take part in a triathlon right here in Clark County. The Rotary’s Max Muscle End Polio Now Triathlon will be September 12, 2010.

Swim in the Klineline Pond, ride your bike along the beautiful hills of Salmon Creek, Felida and even part of Ridgefield, and run along the Salmon Creek Trail. There are two distances to choose from: the Sprint (.5 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) or the Olympic (1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). A beautiful course, goodies, finishers medals, awards, vendors and support all make this a fun event. And all proceeds go to the Rotary’s fight to end Polio.

Never done a triathlon before, or just looking to improve your skills? There is a training program that just got started for this event presented by Trevor and Tracy Bryant, owners of Vancouver’s Max Muscle Sport Nutrition and USA Triathlon Level 1 Certified Coaches.

For more information, visit Vancouver Max Muscle or call 360-573-7099 (Hazel Dell location).

This post: “Having Fun on the Run”
was originally featured at Hazel Dell Live!

For more detailed neighborhood coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events in Hazel Dell, please visit Hazel Dell Live!

Basketball Tournament at Vancouver Landing.

Do you like to play, or watch, basketball? Enjoy spending time on our beautiful Columbia River on a sunny August afternoon? Then mark your calendars for August 21-22, 2010, ‘cuz it’s time for Hoops on the River!

Hoops on the River, in partnership with the Vancouver Volcanoes, is a two day, three on three basketball tournament open to all interested basketball players, youth to adult, beginner to experienced.  The tournament will be played at Vancouver Landing (110 Columbia Street, next to the Quay Restaurant & Bar), along the Columbia River, Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22, 2010. Team divisions include: Elite 6′ and Over, Elite 6″ and Under, Elite Women, Co-Ed, Youth (1st Grade and older), Wheelchair and Special Olympics. Looking for a little extra competition? On Saturday, August 21, individuals may register to compete in the Three Point Shootout, Free Throw Shootout, or the Slam Dunk Contest.

Also included in your registration is an invitation to attend a free Kids Clinic on Friday August 20 from 2 to 4 pm. Concordia University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Barbarick will direct the clinic. Instruction will include basketball fundamentals such as shooting, ball handling and defensive skills.

Now in its fifth year, Hoops on the River is a charity tournament organized by Susan Oberst of Share Vancouver, along with the help of many generous donors and incredible volunteers, to help the hungry and homeless in Clark County. Registration is now open, so gather up your friends, get a team together and join the fun for a good cause!

Clark County Live! was on location at last year’s event, and we will be there again this year, so be sure to say “Hi”. Here are some video clips from Hoops on the River 2009.

This post: “Hoops on the River 2010″
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!

Havin’ a Ball, 1860′s Style.

You will think you stepped back in time at this Vintage Baseball Game played at Fort Vancouver. Not only are the players in costume, even the fans get into character. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and even the band, dressed in 1860′s attire.

This gloveless game with wooden bats is played by very different rules. “Striker to the line”, means the batter is up. He then takes a couple of practice swings and then shows the hurler (pitcher) where he would like the ball. The ball is pitched underhand and t is the job of the hurler to get the ball into play. There are no strikes, no balls and a batter can only “strike out” if he swings and misses at three pitches. Also a ball caught after the first bounce is also considered an out. It was a real gentleman’s game played just for fun.

The 1st Oregon Volunteers will play the Vancouver Occidentals in two scheduled games this year at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. The first game is Saturday, July 17 at 6:00 pm. The final game of the season is Saturday, August 21 at 6:00 pm. Bring a picnic and come cheer for your favorite team, but beware: the umpire can fine the audience for “ungentlemanly” or “unladylike” behavior.

We had a “ball” at last year’s event, and we have the pitchers, um, I mean pictures to prove it!

This post: “Vintage Baseball Game at Fort Vancouver”
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!

Lunchtime Leisure Every Wednesday at Esther Short Park.

I’ll have my lunch “to go” with a side of music, please. Every Wednesday (until August 11) you can enjoy free live concerts at Esther Short Park at the Terry Lee, Attorney Noon Concert series. The music starts at noon and lasts about an hour, with a different musical talent featured each week.

July 14:      Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer
July 21:     Justin Klump
July 28:     Misty Mamas
August 4:   Key of Dreams
August 11:  Rising Violet

Bring your own lunch or grab a bite to eat from one of Vancouver’s local vendors that will be on site: Chewy’s Really Big Burritos, For the Grill of It, Jo Food Catering, Ice Cream Renaissance, Pizza Della Terra, and Divine Bites.

This post: “Noon Concerts in the Park”
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!

What Happened to Cougar Creek Community Park?

Just when you thought Clark County government had realized its full potential to alienate and aggrieve its own constituents, they pull a new trick out of their back pocket… you know, that same pocket developers are usually in.

As recently as July 20, a County Staff report requested approvals to apply for grants for five parks, including Sorenson Park and the Cougar Creek Community Park in Felida. At the 11th hour (on July 27), the staff report to the Clark County Board of Commissioners (per direction) did NOT contain any reference to the Cougar Creek Community Park grant. Initial research by the Felida Neighborhood Association uncovered information showing Clark County intends to “swap” this land with a parcel owned by a developer.  No big deal, right?

Well, a couple of things to consider.

1) The existing park land (10 acres) had a recent purchase price of almost $1 million, while the “swap” parcel (at just over 6 acres) has a recent appraised value of $225,000.  With deals like that, who wouldn’t want to do business with the county, I mean besides taxpayers.

2) The existing park land was purchased by Clark/Vancouver Parks with Park Impact Fees collected for Park District #9 (which includes the Felida area).  The proposed swap parcel is well outside of Park District 9 and the Felida Neighborhood boundary.

Let’s just assume there is some nugget of benefit for the Felida neighborhood hidden in here.  Yes, it’s a stretch, but lets go with that.  Where was the opportunity for public input on this matter?

WELL HERE IS SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD.

There is an urgent neighborhood meeting on this topic this Saturday, July 31, at 7:30 at the Felida Park, NW 122nd Street, just west of NW 36th Avenue.

Come be heard. Before the County acts “on your behalf” without your input.  (See the attached image for more details).

Salmon Creek Salmon Restoration Project.

Have you recently walked the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail? It’s a beautiful area, and the Stream Team has been busy helping make it what it is today, and working on bringing Salmon back to Salmon Creek!

Want to learn more about the Stream Team, the project goals, and the potential Salmon Creek Greenway Trail closures and what it can mean to you? The Stream Team has some upcoming events you may want to check out.  While the dates and times are listed, Lisa Beranek, the Stream Team Coordinator, has asked for people to call her directly for specific location information. She can be reached at (360) 992-8585.

Salmon Creek Greenway Salmon Restoration Project Preview
Review maps of the StreamTeam project as you learn about project goals and potential Salmon Creek Greenway Trail closures.   Project Preview will be held on Tuesday, July 27 at 6:30pm.  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

Salmon Creek Greenway Salmon Restoration Project Preview
Review maps of the StreamTeam project as you learn about project goals and potential Salmon Creek Greenway Trail closures.   Project Preview will be held on Saturday, July 31 at 11am.  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

Salmon Creek Greenway Hard Hat Tours
Tour the StreamTeam’s salmon restoration project with the engineer to learn more about the planning and design process for this salmon saving project.  Tour the site on Tuesday, August 10 at 6:30pm.  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

Salmon Creek Greenway Hard Hat Tours
Tour the StreamTeam’s salmon restoration project with the engineer to learn more about the planning and design process for this salmon saving project.  Tour the site on Saturday, August 14 at 11am.  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

Nature Hike at the Salmon Creek Greenway Restoration Project
Learn how wildlife will benefit from the StreamTeam’s salmon restoration project during a family friendly hike around the project area.  The hike will be on Saturday, August 21 from 11am until 12pm.  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

Salmon Restoration Ribbon Cutting
Let’s celebrate bringing salmon back to Salmon Creek on Tuesday August 31^st at 2pm!  Contact the StreamTeam for more information at StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or (360) 992-8585.

The Clinton and Gloria John Clubhouse.

The Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse (located in the former Hazel Dell School) is one of two Boys and Girls Clubs in Vancouver (the other is the OK Clubhouse, located at the JPC). Their mission is “to inspire and enable young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.” Their guidelines are simple…Respect Yourself…Respect Others…Respect Property.

Kids get to hang out with their friends (and make new ones) in a safe, fun place. The staff have all been background checked and trained in youth development strategies, and, from what I’ve seen, have a great rapport with the kids.

But more than just “hangin’ out”, the Club also provides structured activities, games and field trips. Kids rotate through a schedule (with some free choices) every day, and can include: computer time, arts and crafts, movies, basketball, outdoor recess, pool, and games. Lunch is also served up daily.

The cost for this program is only $20. That’s $20 Total. Not a day, a week or a month; but for the whole year. The Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse (Boys and Girls Club) is located at 409 NE Anderson Rd in Hazel Dell (the former Hazel Dell Elementary). You can reach them at (360) 313-5670 or visit them online.

No More Lifeguards on Duty.

The good news is that Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Park will remain open for swimming this summer. The bad news is that due to budget cuts, there will no longer be lifeguards on duty. And, since one of the duties of the lifeguards was to also maintain the spray feature at the park, that will also be turned off this summer.

Salmon Creek Park, Klineline Pond, the picnic areas, playground and trails will all be open and available for summertime fun (now, we just need to get some summertime SUN!), but “swimmers, parents, and anyone planning a gathering will need to review water safety guidelines and pay attention to warning signs at the site”, said Pete Mayer, Vancouver-Parks and Rec Director.

I went to Klineline Pond last week (yes, we actually had a nice enough day to go swimming ) and noticed that not only were there no lifeguards, but all the lifeguard towers have been removed as well.

Making a Difference a Day at a Time.

I was so inspired by this story in the Parks Foundation of Clark County June 2010 Newsletter, I just had to share!

“There are heroes among us. Everyday people make choices about how to live their lives. Sometimes we consider how our actions effect others and sometimes we don’t. Some recycle, some plant a garden, some introduce a child to the splendor of a waterfall. Some dump their trash in the forest, or toss a bottle out the window. However small our actions may seem, they have a cumulative effect. Fortunately, this applies to the good as well as the bad.

Everyday we have opportunities to play an important role in defining our communities and who we are as individuals. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful and nature-conscious part of the world, but we must actively take steps to protect these natural gifts and foster stewardship to ensure we can enjoy them – now and in the future.

John and Rachel Fishback walk their two rescued greyhounds Jethro and Pocahontas every morning along either the Cougar Creek or Salmon Creek trails. They carry large bags with them and stop to pick up litter along the way. Unfortunately, their bags are often full.

Many years ago when their son was little they took him for a several mile hike and along the way he found a tin can. When John asked him what he was going to do with it, the answer was “Catch me a frog.” No frog was found and the can was discarded somewhere along the trail. When they got back to the car John inquired about the can. “He still remembers hiking all the way back to find the can and bring it back out,” John chuckles.

John and Rachel are perfect examples of what we consider a parks hero.They value the natural beauty around them and understand that each of us have a responsibility to take care of the gifts around us. Thanks John and Rachel for your dedication.”