Organizations
COLUMBIA RIVER DANCERS Square Dance Club are teaching Basic and Mainstream Square Dance Lessons weekly on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. basic, 8:30-9 p.m. mainstream, at the Hazel Dell Grange, 7509 NE Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver. Dale and Nancy, (360) 263-2312 or (360) 606-8849. More information, visit www.ColumbiaRiverDancers.org.
THE APRIL GENERAL MEETING of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce will be Thu., April 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Cedars on Salmon Creek, 15001 NE 181st St., Brush Prairie. Guest speaker will be Battle Ground Mayor Philip Johnson. Johnson will bring segments from a local TV news show from around 1977 that features the first five Battle Ground mayors in a discussion about the city from its incorporation in 1951 till 1977. He will show segments from this show and then talk about today’s challenges and what the future entails compared to 40-plus years ago. Buffet opens at 11:30 a.m. Pre-register by April 5. Cost is $17 for pre-registered members, $20 for non-members and $20 at the door. Visit www.battlegroundchamber.org to register.
Public Meetings
BATTLE GROUND CITY COUNCIL meeting will be Mon., April 4, 6 p.m. study session, 7 p.m. regular meeting, at Battle Ground City Hall, 109 SW 1st St., Battle Ground. Kay Kammer, (360) 342-5008.
YACOLT TOWN COUNCIL meeting will be Mon., April 4, 7 p.m., at Yacolt Town Hall, 202 W. Cushman St., Yacolt. Information, (360) 686-3922.
THE CLARK COUNTY COUNCIL will hold a regular meeting Tue., April 5, 6 p.m., in the sixth-floor hearing room at the CLark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. Phone, (360) 397-2000.
WOODLAND CITY COUNCIL will hold a regular meeting Mon., April 4, 7 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers at 200 East Scott Ave., Woodland. Phone, (360)225-8281.
Community Events
SEE SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON MESA students compete to advance to the statewide MESA Day competition held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond. The event will be Sat., April 2, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the WSU Vancouver campus, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver, in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 129, and the Firstenburg Student Commons. The day’s events include exhibits “Introduction to Sensors,” “Neuroscience” and “Watersheds,” and an OMSI presentation, “Science Circus: The Physics of Fun.” This event is free and open to the public. Dora Hernandez, (360) 546-9122.
SECOND ANNUAL WORDS on the Vine Book Signing will be Sat., April 2, 2-4 p.m., at Bethany Vineyards, 4155 NE 259th St., Ridgefield. Authors include: USA Today Bestselling author Sarah M. Cradit (Gothic, Fantasy); NY Times Bestselling author Brandy L. Rivers (Paranormal Romance); Local Ridgefield Author K.L. Bone (Dark Fantasy, YA Fantasy); Local NW Author Shane Chase (Poet); Local NW Author Dina James (Gothic Fantasy); Local NW Author Blythe Ayne (Steampunk, Fantasy); Special Guest Author Greg Wilkey (Gothic, YA Fantasy). K.L. Bone, k.l.bonebooks@gmail.com.
GHOST TOWN POETRY OPEN MIC featuring writers from Christopher Luna’s Clark College Poetry Class will be Thu., April 14, 7 p.m., at Angst Gallery, 1015 Main St., Vancouver. Food and libation provided by Niche Wine Bar. Featuring Writers From Poetry Matters, Christopher Luna’s Monday evening class: Roxanne Bash, Holly Black, Bruce Hall, Morgan Hutchinson, Livia Montana, Darcy Scholts and Tiffany Burba-Schramm. Christopher Luna, (360) 910-1066.
BLACKWOOD LEGACY QUARTET CONCERT will be Thu., April 7, 7-8:30 p.m., at Venersborg Church, 24317 NE 209th St., Battle Ground. The Nashville-based Blackwood Legacy Quartet will be live in concert. Admission is free to this non-denominational, community-wide event. Information, (360) 687-6071.
MAYOR CAROTHERS LITTER PICK UP DAY in Yacolt will be Sat., April 9, 8 a.m. Volunteers needed to assist in the seventh annual Yacolt Litter pick up. Meet at Town Hall if interested in assisting the mayor and other volunteers in making Yacolt a cleaner place to live and visit. Information, (360) 686-3922.
Sports & Recreation
SPRING BREAK CAMPS: Camps are open for registration and will run during the Battle Ground Public Schools Spring Break week, April 4-8. Programs are available for ages ranging from 4-14. Offerings include: Junior Golf Camp, Storybook Cooking, Basketball Camp, Y Chefs Goes Scientific and Rugby Oregon Day Camp. Prices will vary. Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or visit bgce.battlegroundps.org.
COMMUNITY MARTIAL ARTS: First through 12th graders. Pung Mul Kwan is an offshoot of an ancient Korean Martial Art. It combines linear and circular movements, joint locks, throws, falling techniques and grappling. Your child will learn this and discipline, patience and control. Program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 12 at Captain Strong Gym, 3:45-4:45 p.m., cost is $42. Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or visit bgce.battlegroundps.org.
QUICKSTART SPORTS PRESCHOOL SOCCER: Program consists of 50-55 minute weekly sessions. The curriculum based program allows participants to learn the basic skills associated with soccer, as well as the core values relating to sports. The QuickStart Sports curriculum based program will focus the following areas: dribbling, passing, scoring, foot mechanics, defense, rules of the game, positions and much more. Ages 3-6, program meets on Fridays starting April 15 at the Lewisville Gym, 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., eight sessions, cost is $88. Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or visit bgce.battlegroundps.org.
Education
CODE TO THE FUTURE: Video Game Design: This is open to Level 1 (Beginners) and Level 2 (students who took first session). Learn computer programming and make your own working video game design. Beginners are welcome. This class is open to students in second through sixth grade who are interested in learning computer programming in a fun and kid-friendly environment. The next session starts April 22 and there are two times to choose from, 4-5 p.m. and 5:10-6:10 p.m., cost is $105. Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or visit bgce.battlegroundps.org.
TEEN DRIVER’S EDUCATION: Battle Ground Community Education and Driving 101 will be offering driver’s education classes starting April 25 at Prairie High School. Class meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 2:50-4:50 p.m. Class starts April 12 at Battle Ground High School. Class meets Tuesday and Thursday, from 3-5 p.m. Driver’s Education is the most important class you will ever take. Driving 101 goes over and above Washington State Basic Driving School Requirements. The course cost is $475. Go to http://www.drvn101.com/ for the current discount coupon that will save you money. Tuition is due on or before the first day of class. Call Driving 101 to register, (360) 892-6988.
Public Announcement
THE VANCOUVER COMMUNITY CONCERT Band is seeking all current or former musicians who would like to play. All brass, woodwind and percussion are welcome. The band, under direction of Dr. Jim Rourk, meets Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., at Friends of the Carpenter in Vancouver. Information, (360) 735-7806.
Fundraisers
NORTHWEST BATTLE BUDDIES fifth annual dinner auction will be Sat., April 2, doors open at 6 p.m., at the Embassy Suites at the Portland Airport, 7900 NE 82nd Ave., Portland. Each one of these trained service dogs would be a constant companion that offers support, security, love and loyalty. The four-legged companion would be that faithful partner at all times, offering unconditional acceptance no matter what private battle that hero may be facing. Come out to the Dinner Auction and meet some of the NWBB Teams. Listen to some of their stories and experiences with or without their four-legged companion. Information, (360) 601-9744.
Libraries
FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT will host Story Times. Most locations host baby, toddler and preschool storytimes with accompanying adult. Call individual libraries for more information.
BATTLE GROUND COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. Kim McNally, (360) 906-5000.
Let’s Talk Grammar Wed., March 30, 10-11:30 a.m. For all levels. Children’s activities provided.
Stitch Wits Wed., March 30, 6-7:30 p.m. and Tue., April 5, 10-11:30 a.m. Bring your project to work on at these weekly informal get-togethers. All kinds of textile crafts are welcome.
English Conversation Circle Thu., March 31, 10-11:30 a.m. For beginning and intermediate levels. Children’s activities provided.
Spanish Conversation Circle Sat., April 2, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Job Lab Tue., April 5, 8:30-10 a.m. Get help using library resources to navigate all stages of the job search process. Basic computer skills required. Participants should have an email address. Please bring a memory stick to the lab.
Citizen Preparation and Civics Class: Everything You Wanted to Know Tue., April 5, 10-11 a.m. BY APPOINTMENT. Contact the community librarian for more information.
Friends of the Library meeting Tue., April 5:30 p.m.
LA CENTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center, Justin Keeler, (360) 906-4760.
RIDGEFIELD COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 210 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Sean McGill, (360) 906-4770.
Stitchery Group Wed., March 30, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Any stitchery-type hobby is welcome, even mending. Join others for all or part of this free, informal drop-in get-together.
Gaming Group Wed., March 30, 4-6 p.m. Play RPGs and socialize with a great group. Ages 9-19.
Mahjong at the Library Thu., March 31, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy socializing and playing the fascinating game of Mahjong.
Spanish Conversation Circle Thu., March 31, 3:30 p.m.
Library Brick Lovers Sat., April 2, 10 a.m.-noon. Imagine and build amazing structures and machines. For all ages.
WOODLAND COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 770 Park St., Woodland, Justin Keeler, (360) 906-4830.
YACOLT LIBRARY EXPRESS (no storytimes), located at the old City Hall, 105 E. Yacolt Rd., Yacolt.
Art & Music
NORTH BANK ARTISTS April 2016 Show, “Inner Light Photographic Society 30-year Anniversary Exhibition,” will kick off with a First Friday opening reception on April 1, 5-9 p.m., at North Bank Artists Gallery, 1005 Main St., Vancouver. Twenty-five fine art photographers will be represented in the anniversary show. Photographer talks take place Sat., April 16, 4-6 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The show runs from April 1-30. Christine Eagon, (360) 696-9363.
