Community Calendar Dec. 17-end of December

Posted

Education

WSU VANCOUVER will hold a Scholarships 101 Information Night for students interested in learning how scholarships can help pay for college, no matter the school they choose, Wed., Jan. 7, 6-7 p.m., at WSU Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver. Attendees will learn where to find the best scholarships, how to write award-winning essays and get helpful tips from prior award winners. This event is free and open to the public. Located in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110. April Tovar, (360) 546-9559 or finaid@vancouver.wsu.edu.

THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation (NWCAVE) will present the NO MORE Summit Sat., Jan. 17, at the Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, 301 W. 6th St., Vancouver. Three high profile domestic violence and human trafficking cases from Washington state will be the center of attention on how the system failed a couple families and their daughters and how collaborating with police and the FBI can lead to success stories as seen in a recent trafficking case of a Washington state teen. Early bird summit tickets are $60 and includes morning coffee networking social, exhibit and resource tables, author book signings, all keynote presentations and luncheon. Register at www.nomoresummit.org or call (360) 852-8019.

Community Events

WILLAPA HILLS AUDUBON Society sponsors three Christmas Bird Counts as part of the Audubon’s larger national effort to track the nation’s bird population. Each year three local groups work to spot, count and record any species seen in specific areas of the society’s territory. Bird counts will be held: Sat., Dec. 20, for the Leadbetter Christmas Bird Count, Suzy Whittey, suzy@reachone.com; Tue, Dec. 30, for the Wahkiakum Christmas Bird Count, Andrew Emlen, (360) 795-8009, aemlen@centurytel.net; and Thu., Jan. 1, for the Cowlitz/Columbia Bird Count, Bob Reistroffer, (360) 636-5125, breistrof@aol.com. There is no need to be experienced or an expert at bird identification to enjoy this event. Bring a sack lunch, field glasses, warm clothes and appropriate footwear. Stephen Glucoft, (360) 577-7720.

Organizations

BATTLE GROUND TOASTMASTERS meets every Tuesday, noon, at Rocky’s Pizza, 1901 W. Main St., Battle Ground. Visit their website at www.battlegroundtoastmasters.com. Diane Edginton, (360) 882-8105.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ORGANIZATION of Southwest Washington will host a Holiday Party, The Night Before Christmas Pajama Party, Wed., Dec. 17, 5 p.m., at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Dr., Vancouver. Cost is $36 for members and visitors and includes buffet, dessert, coffee, tea and tax. Networking and wild karaoke singing begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and holiday favors at 6 p.m. Party activities include $10 gift exchange and fun prizes from 7:15-8 p.m. Party ends at 8:15 p.m. Register at http://www.weowa.org/dec2014MEETING. Donna Baxter, reserve@weowa.org.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) WA 1056 Vancouver chapter meets every Wednesday, 8:15 a.m. weigh in, 9:30-10:30 a.m. meeting, at the Shiloh Fellowship Church, 10709 SE 10th St., Vancouver. Ruth Ann Lies, ruthann46@msn.com.

CLARK SKAMANIA FLYFISHERS will meet Wed., Dec. 17, 6-7 p.m. wet fly hour, 7 p.m. short business meeting with fishing reports, wind knot award and the educational short program. This is followed by the main meeting. Meeting will be at Camas Meadows Golf Course, 4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr., Camas. Kuni Masuda, (360) 573-3310 or email kunim305@gmail.com.

Reunions

SAVE THE DATE for the BGHS Class of 1965 50th class reunion Aug. 22-23, 2015. Georgene Neal, georgia513@tds.net or BGHS@aol.com.

Public meetings

THE PORT OF RIDGEFIELD commissioners will attend the CREDC quarterly luncheon on Mon., Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The luncheon will be held at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Dr., Vancouver. Information, (360) 887-3873.

COMMISSIONERS from the Port of Ridgefield will attend the Clark County PubTalk event on Tue., Dec. 16, 5-8 p.m. The event will be held at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site artillery barracks, 600 E. Hatheway Rd. Information, (360) 887-3873.

THE LA CENTER CITY COUNCIL will meet Wed., Dec. 17, 7 p.m., at City Hall, 214 E. Fourth St. The agenda includes discussion of the city’s 2015 budget. Information, (360) 263-2782.

THE RIDGEFIELD CITY COUNCIL will meet Thu., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m., at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Ave. Information, (360) 887-3557.

Health & Fitness

FLOW HOT YOGA free class & open house will be Sat., Dec. 20, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Flow Hot Yoga, 13317 NE 12th Ave., Vancouver. Free 60-minute Hot Fusion class, this will be a combination of many of the formats offered at the facility. After the class there will be time to meet instructors and discuss yoga and answer any questions you have. This is suitable for all levels even those who have never done yoga before. Jackie Adams, (360) 314-4297, flow.vancouver@gmail.com.

YOGA ALL LEVELS starts Jan. 5 at the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation. Class meets on Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., four sessions, $25. A fun and energizing class welcome to all levels of experience. Movement is linked to breath to form a continuous flow. Be prepared to move, sweat and leave feeling uplifted. Benefits of yoga include stress reduction, increased muscle tone, increased flexibility, improved strength and endurance and fuller, easier breathing. Contact Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or sign up online at bgce.battlegroundps.org.

COMMUNITY MARTIAL ARTS starts Jan. 6 at Captain Strong Primary. Class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 p.m., eight sessions, $40. Class is for kids in grades first through 12th. Students will learn Pung Mul Kwan, which 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. Contact Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or sign up online at bgce.battlegroundps.org.

OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO Starts Jan. 6 at Laurin Middle School. Class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students can either attend the 4:30 p.m. class or the 5:30 p.m. class, 12 sessions, $67. Three-time National and World Champion, Darrel Kirkpatrick will help you learn this exciting sport. Learn self-defense skills and dynamic kicks while improving flexibility, stamina, coordination and motor skills. Self-discipline and quality character traits are emphasized towards earning black belt. Contact Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or sign up online atbgce.battlegroundps.org.

R.I.P.P.E.D. 4 KIDS & R.I.P.P.E.D. 4 TEENS, all classes held in the Lewisville Gym. Kids class is for ages 6-12 and will meet on Wednesdays starting Jan. 7, 10:45-11:45 a.m., four sessions, $33. Teens class is for ages 13-18 and has three options, Wednesday-only class starting Jan. 7, 9:15-10:45 a.m., $40, Saturday-only class starting Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon, $40, or a Wednesday/Saturday class, $67. Parents can participate in end of class games in kid’s class for $10, and parents can sign up with teens. Super fun high-intensity conditioning for all fitness levels in a non-competitive nurturing environment. Contact Battle Ground Community Education, (360) 885-6584 or sign up online at bgce.battlegroundps.org.

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., Dec. 17, 10-11:30 a.m. For all levels. Children’s activities provided.

The Read-Aloud Crowd Wed., Dec. 17, 5-6 p.m. A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole. Ages 6-8 and accompanying adult.

Stitch Wits Wed., Dec. 17, 6-7:30 p.m. and Tue., Dec. 23, 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 Group Thu., Dec. 18, 10-11:30 a.m. Children’s activities provided.

Library Legos Thu., Dec. 18, 6-7 p.m. Join them for a Lego challenge. Ages 5-11.

Spanish Conversation Circle Sat., Dec. 20, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Job Lab Tue., Dec. 23, 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.

Write On Tue., Dec. 23, 6:15 p.m. Improve your writing skills and learn tips. Share your struggles with other writers. Writers of all genres welcome.

Citizen Preparation and Civics Class – Everything You Wanted to Know Tutoring available on Tue., Dec. 23. You do not have to be eligible for citizenship to attend, but you must understand spoken and written English.

LA CENTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center, Justin Keeler, (360) 906-4760

Knitting at the Library Mon., Dec. 22, 10:15-11:45 a.m. Learn how to knit from seasoned veterans or just come and join the fun.

RIDGEFIELD COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 210 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Sean McGill, (360) 906-4770.

Stitchery Group Wed., Dec. 17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Join them for all or part of this free, informal drop-in get-together.

Gaming Group Wed., Dec. 17, 4-6 p.m. Play RPGs and socialize with a great group. Ages 9-19.

Mahjong at the Library Thu., Dec. 18, 1-3 p.m. Join them for Mahjong, a game of skill, strategy, calculation and a degree of risk.

Spanish Conversation Circle Thu., Dec. 18, 3:30 p.m.

Beginner Books Discussion Thu., Dec. 18, 6-6:30 p.m. They’ll be discussing books by Jane O’Connor. Grades K-2 with adult.

Soda Pop Blind Testing Fri., Dec. 19, 4:30-6 p.m. Tweens and teens! Can you tell one soda from another? Give it a try at this program. Prizes awarded.

Writing Circle Sat., Dec. 20, 3:30-5 p.m. Teens and adults. Meet other writers and be inspired.

WOODLAND COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 770 Park St., Woodland, Justin Keeler, (360) 906-4830.

Adult Book Discussion Wed., Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory by Gregory R. Nokes.

Tween Book Group Thu., Dec. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join them and talk about books.

YACOLT LIBRARY EXPRESS (no storytimes), located at the old City Hall, 105 E. Yacolt Rd., Yacolt. (360) 906-5000.