Think a Tool Library is a cool idea? A place where people can go to check out tools they need, for free, like checking out a library book. Where is Vancouver’s Tool Library? Well, right now it is still in the design and planning stages, and you are invited to share your ideas at an organizational meeting on Monday, November 8 at 6:00 pm at Pizza Italiana (5000 E Fourth Plain).

Kevin Heibert of Americans Building Community is “looking for people who would like to commit to helping design, plan and organize the tool library. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of something tangible that will affect our community in a positive way.” For more information, call Kevin Heibert at 360-904-5150, or email kevinheibert@gmail.com.

“If I had a hammer
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land”~By Lee Hays and Pete Seeger

This post: “Tool Time in 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!

The Hazel Dell PTA brings you the first Hazel Dell Elementary School Family Movie Night of the year! “How to Train Your Dragon” will be playing on Friday, October 15 between 6 and 8 pm.

The Hazel Dell PTA will be providing popcorn and snacks (but donations are always welcome!), and pizza by the slice or whole pizzas will be available for purchase. There will also be a PJ and Costume Parade, and just good ‘ol fun!

“This is our first Family Movie Night of the year so please come and enjoy a fun-filled family movie night watching “How to Train Your Dragon” together! There will be snacks, prizes, and keep an eye on the big screen for some extra pre-movie fun!”

This post: “Dragon Training At Hazel Dell School”
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!

The 7th Annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair is this Saturday, September 11, 2009 at Esther Short Park from 9 am to 5 pm. The fair is a project of Vancouver for Peace.

“The 7th annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair will showcase the hardwork and creative spirit of individuals, social justice groups, peace organizations, faith communities, performers, artists, businesses, and environmental activists who are making the world a better place.” Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair

A full day of events including music, poetry, skits and games, exhibit tables and children’s activities. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair website.

This post: “Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair 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!

You don’t have to wait until October to celebrate Oktoberfest! The Sixth Annual Oktoberfest and Harvest Celebration is Shorty’s largest event of the year and takes place Friday, September 24, 2010 from 5:30 to 11:00 pm at Shorty’s Home and Garden on Mill Plain.

One of the best loved folk festivals of the Northwest,  this authentic German style Oktoberfest features true German cuisine, beer & wine, and showcases the musical talents of  Donaumusikanten (I’ve been practicing since last year, and still can’t pronounce their name!) – an amazing Bavarian band, straight from southern Germany.

The proceeds from this event benefit the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation and the communities it serves. Advance tickets are $15, or $25 at the door, and can be purchased at either Shorty’s location (10006 SE Mill Plain, or 705 NE 199th St, Ridgefield). But, they are expecting this event to sell out, so you might want to stop by and get your tickets sooner than later.

Eat. Drink. Enjoy the Gardens. For more information, call 360-892-7880. Guten Tag!

This post: “Oktoberfest and Harvest Celebration”
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!

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) is holding their Annual Open House on Saturday, September 11, 2010 downtown Vancouver at the CRESA Office (710 W. 13th Street) between 11 am and 2 pm to promote awareness of CRESA services, and emergency services provided by our local and regional public safety partners and volunteers.

Who knew being prepared could be so much fun (well, besides the Boy Scouts )? There will be lots of fun stuff and information for the whole family, including: K-9 Police Dog Demonstrations, Search and Rescue Dogs,  Fire Trucks, Police Cars and Ambulances, Face Painting, Balloons, Games, Prizes, Tours of 911 Call Center, Refreshments, Emergency Preparedness Demonstrations, Homeland Security, and more.

In fact, you can join in the current “game” going on right now! Visit the CRESA blog for more information on the “30 Days, 30 Ways Preparedness Challenge“. Any one can play along in this fun challenge, and the person who completes the most challenges wins!

This post: “Annual CRESA Open House”
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 Second Annual Southwest Washington’s Got Talent Grand Finale will be held at the 39th Annual Vancouver Sausage Fest on September 12, 2010 at 6 pm on the main stage.

The ten finalists will all perform live onstage, and the top three places will be determined by a combination of celebrity judges, online voting, and the response of the live audience. The online voting has closed, so you be the judge! Who is it going to be: Fred Buehner, Katie Calkins, Malia Cortez, Kaity Jellison, Morgan Mollahan, Heather Oberst, Nicki Roller, Kirby Swatosh, Larry Taylor, or Rachel Tietz? Check out their videos here .

Southwest Washington’s Got Talent is not only a fun community event recognizing and celebrating our local talented folk, it is a fundraiser for the Vancouver Sunrise Rotary Club’s contibution to Santa’s Posse and the Vancouver Police Activities League.

The Vancouver Sausage Fest is also a fun community event that takes place every year the weekend after Labor Day; that would be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 10, 11,12. And while Southwest Washington’s Got Talent Grand Finale is, well, the Grand Finale, there is plenty of talent and entertainment to enjoy all weekend long at the Vancouver Sausage Fest.

Discount ride tickets are still available, and admission is just $2. Or bring a non-perishable food item with you for the Vancouver Fire Department, and admission is just $1.

This post: “Southwest Washington’s Got Talent”
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!

Join the Humane Society in celebrating one-year in the new animal sheltering facility! Bring the whole family – furry and four-legged too! On Saturday, August 28, 2010, the Humane Society will host a free community event in celebration of one year in its new animal shelter in east Vancouver.

The Anniversary Celebration is free to public and will feature special adoption pricing, vendors, food, games and activities for the kids, microchip and vaccination clinics, a police K9 demonstration at 3pm and more! This event is open to all members of the community, both two and four-legged alike and shelter alumni are encouraged to attend.The event will take place during regular shelter adoption hours from 12:00pm through 5:00pm.

Since moving to its new 30,000 square foot animal sheltering facility last summer, the Humane Society has re-homed over 6,500 animals, coordinated several large-scale rescue efforts out of southern California and has begun to offer many new programs and services to the community including humane education programs for children and families, adult lecture series and pet loss support groups. Come celebrate a wonderful first year for the animals and the community and learn about what the Humane Society for Southwest Washington has to offer.

Of course, you could always bring home a new family member too!

This post: “Humane Society of Southwest Washington”
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!

Pack a picnic, bring your blanket and settle in for an evening of entertainment at a free outdoor concert Friday, August 27 at 6 pm in WSU Vancouver’s amphitheater. Everyone is welcome, and admission and parking are free.

Local favorite Pepe & the Bottle Blondes will spice up the evening. The Copacabana-style band combines an eclectic ensemble of saxophones, trumpets, congas and percussion with bold singing by Pepe and silky harmonies by his back-up blondes. Pepe & the Bottle Blondes successfully blend dance, opera and musical theater with original songwriting and comedic wit to deliver a fresh and innovative experience.

The visually arresting performances of Pepe & the Bottle Blondes are enhanced with extravagant costumes and makeup that echo the indulgence and glamour of a 1950s nightclub. Their repertoire includes popular songs from the 30s to the 60s, a strong selection of tangos, boleros, rumbas, sambas and many other Latin-American rhythms.

Pepe & the Bottle Blondes have performed in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles. Pepe has sung in Madrid, Paris and Las Vegas, including appearances with Pink Martini at the Cannes Film Festival and with the Oregon Symphony.

WSU Vancouver 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. Concessions will be available. Dress for the weather. No tents or alcohol, please.

Washington State University Vancouver is hosting its annual Cougar Pride Days on April 16 and 17. Cougar Pride Days at WSU Vancouver is a time when students, faculty, staff, alumni and campus neighbors come together to demonstrate their Cougar Pride by volunteering for clean-up projects on the landmark campus.

Cougar Pride Days has historic roots dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Originally called “Campus Days,” it was a time in Washington State University’s history when trees were planted, sidewalks were built and the appearance of the campus was improved. It helped establish school spirit and Cougar Pride. Today the tradition continues.

Cougar Pride Days projects on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. include: boardwalk construction, Mill Creek preservation and trail enhancement, sprucing up Butch and office spring cleaning. Outdoor project volunteers may check in at the Facilities Operations building.

Cougar Pride Days projects April 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. include: painting the barn (weather permitting) and Mill Creek preservation and trail enhancement. Volunteers may check in at the Gray 5 parking lot.

Dress appropriately for the weather. Gloves are provided, but remember to wear your boots.  For a list of projects and more information contact Facilities Operations at 360-546-9000 or visit WSU Vancouver Cougar Pride.

Vancouver Parks and Rec, in partnership with the Portland Metro Council, will be giving away free pedometers and “Walk There” trail guides on Saturday, September 19 as part of an initiative to “encourage connectivity and awareness about the region’s trail systems.”

The walk will begin around 9 am at the Salmon Creek Sports Association Complex and head west to Cougar Creek and back, about 2.6 miles of easy walking on the paved trail. The wheelchair accessible trail winds through 850 acres of greenway, creeks, meadows and ponds and offers bird viewing as well as other wildlife, so bring your binoculars.

The Salmon Creek Sports Complex is located at 800 NE 117th Street.  For more information about this walk, call 360-619-1134.