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Neighborhood Beats: April 9 - 26
April 8 — To have a home in the Great NW and not to grow anything is a travesty. Conversely, sometimes finding a path into the mammoth realm of horticulture and gardening can be daunting. How to bridge the gap? The Clark County Food System Council Presents “COMMUNITY GROWN,” a community forum about creating successful food and garden programs in Clark County. (First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main Street; 3-7 p.m.; Free; Call 397-8000 x 7318 or email Kathy.LaFon@Clark.Wa.Gov for more info.)
April 11 — Join fellow citizen scientists for this years CRITTER COUNT and count frogs, snakes, salamanders, lizards and rabid raccoons. O.K., not that last one, but all the rest. Once again, Char Corkran, field biologist and co-author of a regional amphibian field guide, will train you to identify some of our local cold-blooded friends. After the short training, choose one of four sites (Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, CASEE ponds in Brush Prairie, Columbia Springs or the WSU-V wet areas) in Clark County to count critters for two hours. A field expert and site coordinator will be available at each site to help with search and identification. Data are sent to a statewide wildlife database. Bring boots, warm clothes, your own lunch and binoculars (if you have them). Snacks, drinks, field guides and equipment will be provided. (Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way; 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Call 487-7111 or e-mail cory.samia@ci.vancouver.wa.us for more info.)
April 11 — The Magenta Improv Theater (M.I.T.) will debut its own brand of family-friendly, academically-based comedy improv. This, I must see… (Magenta Theater, 606 Main Street; 7 p.m.; $5; Call 635-4358 or e-mail director@magentatheater.com for more info.)
APRIL 12 — EASTER! EASTER! EASTER! Peeps! Cadbury Eggs! A resurrected savior! The Easter Bunny! Peeps!
April 15 — Savona Coffee House, across from McMenamins on the Vancouver’s own Waterfront, is celebrating their 5th anniversary with free coffee from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.! There will also be coffee-related gift drawings. Winners will be contacted the following day. I mention this because Savona Coffee House was one of the earliest supporters of The Vancouver Voice. Congrats Debbie!
APRIL 16 — One of the dozen or so unanswerable questions that must continually be attempted, WHAT IS ART AND WHO DECIDES IT IS ART, is the subject of a public forum this month, designed to be a civic dialog that includes all the arts - performing, visual and cultural and how they affect the community. Moderator Betty Sue Morris, former County Commissioner and incoming Chair of the Vancouver Symphony Board, will guide the evening through a discussion among the speakers and then invite members of the audience to join the conversation. The focus will be not only to define art, but to also explore the role of the arts economically, culturally and socially. For more info and opinion, see the editorial on page four. (Clark Public Utilities Community Room, 1200 Ft. Vancouver Way; 7:30 p.m.; Free; Call 901-0044 for more info.)
APRIL 18 - 26 — NATIONAL PARK WEEK and whatta’ ya’ know? We have a national park, smack dab in our very own downtown – The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This week be sure to walk up to Fort Vancouver and give her the bear hug she deserves.
April 19 — 50+ CONNECTIONS EXPO. If you are 50 and over, don’t worry! 50 is the new 60…or something like that. Anyhow, this expo is a great resource for anyone over 50, taking care of someone over 50, or who knows how to count to 50. Learn about the exciting services, ideas, and resources available. There will be over 140 exhibitors, free health screenings, live music, interactive and informative presentation, prizes and giveaways. (Hilton Hotel & Convention Center, 301 W. 6th Street; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Free; Call 735-3683 or email jeannep@hsc-wa.org for more info.)
April 19 — It’s not easy being green. Especially today. WHERE HAVE ALL THE FROGS GONE? Turns out frogs and other amphibians are extremely sensitive to environmental stresses and habitat loss. Right now nearly one-third of the world’s 6468 amphibian species are at risk of extinction. Find out what you can do to help frogs. Listen to Dr. Kerry Krieger, international research scientist, talk about the impacts of disease, climate change and over-harvesting on different amphibian groups. Go to Savethefrogs!.com for more cool facts. This event is sponsored by the City of Vancouver Water Resources Education Center and Portland Parks and Recreation (Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way; 4-5 p.m.; Free; Call 487-7111 or e-mail cory.samia@ci.vancouver.wa.us, for more info.)
April 18 — is an EARTH DAY CELEBRATION! Come celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree and learning about our local environment! That is, of course, unless you are a Martian or Venusian or something – in which case I implore you to stop the probing efforts. For us Earthlings, the day will consist of a tree planting (volunteers must register), an environmental fair and wildlife shows. Enjoy lunch for a small suggested donation while enjoying a local greenspace and learning about what is going on in our community. There will be over ten local environmental organizations or businesses with children’s activities throughout the day. You do not need to register to enjoy the environmental fair. Take the bus, carpool or bike down to the park for a great event. Everyone is welcome to learn how to make every day Earth Day! (Salmon Creek Greenway; 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Free; Call 992-8585 or e-mail StreamTeam@clarkpud.com.)
APRIL 18 - May 10 — LILAC DAYS FESTIVAL - Stroll four acres of blooming lilacs, exotic trees, vast shrubs and perennial plantings. Tour Hulda’s 1880s Victorian farmhouse and country gardens that comprise the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. Visit the gift shop and purchase lilacs of your own. To get there, take exit #21 off I-5 and follow the signs. (Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, 115 S Pekin Road, Woodland; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily; $2; Call 360-225-8996 or visit www.lilacgardens.com for more info.)
April 12 — Vancouver’s own VANCOUVER VOLCANOES will launch their season against The USA All Stars at Warner Pacific College. Who are the Vancouver Volcanoes you say? Shame! The Vancouver Volcanoes are our basketball team in the International Basketball League (I.B.L.). The I.B.L., a fast-paced basketball league with one timeout per quarter and immediate inbound rules, is in its fourth year. A note from Vancouver Volcanoes owner Bryan Hunter on ticket prices, “We realize that times are hard for everyone right now. It seems like more and more companies are raising their prices to cover the costs just when people are struggling to pay their bills. Instead of raising prices, I think more companies should be lowering them to start attracting more customers. That is exactly what we are hoping to do this year; we will not charge anyone to get into any of our games.” There you have it folks, free admission! Get thyself to a game (Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Avenue, Portland; Free; Call 719-7163 for more info.)
Eric Johnson is a contributor to The Voice and hopes you enjoy the new mug shot.
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