School notes for Dec. 4, 2012

Locals perform in ‘The Nutcracker’

Local residents Hannah Gutkind, Molly Bartley and Lizzie Schneider will perform with Columbia Dance in the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 to 16 at the Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main St. Vancouver.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children 10 and younger. These are available online at www.columbiadance.org and at the Columbia Dance studio, 1700 Broadway, Vancouver; and at the door if available.

For more information, contact Columbia Dance at 737-1922.

Camas studio presents Dance Day

Virtuosity Performing Arts Studio and Expressive Dance of Camas will host Dance Day 2012 on Thursday, Dec. 20. It is the fourth year of this event, which offers students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and experience new dance forms and instruction. This year’s offerings include flamenco, tutting, aerial lyra, kickline, ballroom and Latin, in addition to variations and unique combinations in the more expected dance forms of contemporary, ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap and hip-hop.

Attendees begin with a group warm-up, and are then released to attend up to twelve, 25 minute classes of their choosing. Classes run $4 each, or $35 for an unlimited day pass. Group warm-up begins at 9:30 a.m., with classes for beginning through advanced dancers until 5 p.m.

Dance Day 2012 is open to the public, and will be held at the studio’s Vancouver location, 6707 N.E. 117th Ave, Ste. E. Call 834-7424 or visit www.virtuositypas.com to register or for more information.

Mechanikidz to compete at tourney

The Camas Mechanikidz will participate in the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League 2012 Qualifying Tournament at Hillsboro High School Saturday and Sunday. The team is comprised of local youth and mentors, who will spend time participating in a variety of competitions.

Top teams advance to a championship tournament in mid-January. The event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.ortop.org/fll/QT08HHS.htm.

The Mechanikidz will be practicing and competing from approximately 10:15 to 3:15 p.m. Award ceremonies will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Hillsboro High School is located at 3285 S.E. Rood Bridge Road.

Stuff the Bus is this Friday

An annual food drive that brings together hundreds of kids to help generate thousands of pounds of food for the needy will wrap up on Friday.Stuff the Bus, organized by the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance, is a friendly competition between Camas and Washougal high school students. Each and every school in both cities’ school districts participate by collecting donations.

On Friday, the official weigh-in day, buses will be parked from noon to 5 p.m. at WHS and CHS, collecting food donations from the community and their supporting elementary and middle schools. The weigh-in will be held at Exterior Wood in Washougal, followed by unloading at Children’s Home Society in downtown Washougal.

Last year, 61,000 pounds of food was raised, and organizers are hoping to top that this year.

All donations go to organizations that serve the Camas-Washougal communities including the Children’s Home Society of Washington and Christmas Activities Relief Organization Limited food and toy program, organized by Camas-Washougal Fire Department Firefighter Brooks Cooper. In addition, this year one of the beneficiaries will be American Legion Post 122, which runs a food basket program for Skamania County families. Those who want to donate Friday can drive up to the yellow buses at either WHS or CHS, and leave donations with student volunteers.

Kids bazaar set for Dec. 16

A Christmas Storyland Bazaar will take place Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Camas Community Center, 1718 S.E. Seventh Ave., from noon to 5 p.m.

It is sponsored by Kids Ink magazines and admission is free, although canned food and monetary donations for the Interfaith Treasure House will be accepted.

Activities include shopping handcrafted and brand name product vendors, and an “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” photo booth, Little Elves Shopping Zone, Santa’s workshop and more. All kids will receive free cocoa and candy canes.

For more information, contact Kathi Hansen at info@kidsinknw.com.