Communty Briefs for March 12, 2020

Camas Parks and Recreation releases Spring Program Guide Camas Parks and Recreation has released its Spring 2020 Program Guide. The city will offer a variety of classes and events this spring, including a spring break camp; a co-ed flag football league; "kids and canvas" painting events; Busy Bees preschool; Kidz Love Soccer camps; kung fu classes for children, teens and adults; yoga classes; tai chi and cane defense for seniors; Weight Watchers; casino and cultural tours for seniors; and an Easter Day egg hunt. For more information or to register, visit register.cityofcamas.us; register in person at Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 N.E. Lake Road, Camas; or call 360-834-5307. Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/camasparks andrecreation to see new classes that added after the program guide's publication. Quilters group cancels March 12 meeting In an effort to better protect its members from exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the Clark County Quilters guild has cancelled its general meeting on Thursday, March 12, as well as the group's planned workshops with Krista Moser. Clark County Quilters, a nonprofit that supports and encourages quilting activities, has more than 400 members throughout Clark County. General meetings are typically held the second Thursday of each month, September through June, in Vancouver. The 45-year-old guild, which is supported by more than 400 members, contributes to the growth and knowledge of quilting techniques, patterns and history; provides educational meetings for members and sponsors; supports quilting activities; encourages quilt making and collection; promotes the appreciation of fine quilts; performs community service by participation in quilt-related projects and provides assistance to charities in Clark County and the Pacific Northwest. Membership dues cost $40 per year. Each meeting consists of several opportunities to get involved including piecing, quilting and binding quilts for charity; participating in the Mystery Quilt, Secret Pal, Fat Quarters and other monthly activities. The guild also has an outreach program that teaches sewing and quilting skills to the public. For more information, visit clarkcountyquilters.com. Poet Laureate visits WHS Washougal High School students channeled their inner poets as they worked with Washington State Poet Laureate Claudia Castro-Luna to hear, write and share poetry on Feb. 20. Castro-Luna's visit to WHS was part of her One River, Many Voices year-long project to convene poetry readings and writing workshops along the Columbia River. During her time at WHS, Castro-Luna conducted poetry workshops and readings, and shared about her work as the state's fifth poet laureate. In Beverly Robertson's sophomore English class, Castro-Luna shared samples of poetry, encouraging students that a poem can be as simple as a few sentences and doesn't have to be highly researched or overthought. "Poetry comes in all forms and shapes and sizes," said Castro-Luna. "I came to the United States in the 10th grade, the same age that you are now," she said. "And I didn't speak any English whatsoever, but poetry is one place where I never felt rejected in my entire life. I always felt welcomed and accepted because nothing is right or wrong in art." As a former educator, Castro-Luna connected with students and encouraged them as they wrote a simple poem and then shared it with their classmates. She also encouraged students to consider writing poems about the Columbia River and to send them to her as part of her One River, Many Voices project. Washougal was the sixth stop along Castro-Luna's route. Her journey will culminate with a celebration in April, which is National Poetry Month. Claudia's visit was supported by Humanities Washington, Washington State Arts Commission and a grant by the Academy of American Poets. Castro-Luna is also involved in Washington Poetic Youths, where she has created an online digital map of poetry by the people of Washington, including students she meets in her role as poet laureate. Castro-Luna also visited one of Vina Black's freshman English classes, and all English teachers encouraged their students to come and enjoy the poet's presentation at lunchtime, where she read her poetry in the WHS library. "I'm overjoyed to welcome a bi-lingual poet to Washougal High School to share her talent for writing in English and Spanish," said WHS librarian Hillary Marshall. "Students were fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to a Washington State Poet Laureate perform her work and also ask questions of her writing process. This type of experience always engages students and usually produces a plethora of new poetry from our budding teen poets. Let the writing begin." Castro-Luna also visited the Washougal Community Library and the Camas Public Library. Clark Skamania Flyfishers to hold fundraiser March 28 in Vancouver The Clark Skamania Flyfishers (CSF) will hold its annual dinner and fundraising banquet on Saturday, March 28, at Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver. The event, which costs $70 per person, will feature auctions, raffles and drawings for guided fly fishing trips, collectable bamboo rods, fishing gear and many other items. All guests will be automatically entered in a drawing to win a switch rod and reel. CSF is a nonprofit conservation and educational organization dedicated to the restoration of wild fish stocks and their natural habitat. All money raised each year from the auctions and raffles is used by CSF for grants to support these goals, to promote fly fishing, to enhance the quality of lakes and streams, and to educate about the value of those resources. Grants have gone to like minded organizations to help with habitat restoration, to educate children about fish and conservation, and to help fund research about these issues. Grants have also been awarded to organizations throughout the region to help with land acquisitions that protect and enhance fish stocks and provide public fishing access. For more information, or to register for the banquet fundraiser, call 503-522-4215. The group is currently seeking local youth interested in a possible sponsorship to the Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Academy, a co-ed academy for ages 12 to 16 that focuses on conservation, natural resource stewardship and fly-fishing essentials at a community center in Lacey, Washington. This year's academy will be held June 23-29. The cost is $300 and CSF usually sponsors a local student connected to the CSF club. The application period is through April 15. For more information, or to inquire about CSF sponsorships, call 503-522-4215.

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