December 22, 2010
Transcending the senses
Rusty Wales is passionate about wine making. He can talk for hours about the various aspects of producing and enjoying a fine bottle of Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah.
Rusty Wales is passionate about wine making. He can talk for hours about the various aspects of producing and enjoying a fine bottle of Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah.
One day, Sammy Mederos was a happy, 6-year-old girl playing soccer, climbing trees and enjoying kindergarten. The next day, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. "Our world literally changed overnight," her mom, Michele said. "But one of the many things we learned was how real it is that in the face of tragedy, the best in humanity emerges." Co-workers from Canyon Creek Middle School and Cape Horn-Skye Elementary, where Michele is a school psychologist, rallied around Michele and her family, cleaning their house, cooking meals, running errands and organizing a benefit event for Sammy last spring, which raised $7,000 for her medical fund.
The following are organizations the Mederos family has found helpful during Sammy's battle with cancer, and they recommend these to others.
This holiday season, many shoppers will join the frantic rush at the "big box" stores and malls. But for those who prefer a slightly slower pace and a unique gift, there are many to be found in the shops of Camas and Washougal. Store owners say that buying locally adds up to more than a one-of-a-kind gift and not having to fight over a parking spot.
It's time to dig out the lights from the garage, search for the perfect tree, drag out your ugly reindeer sweater and spend more time with family: The holidays are here. The local area has an abundance of events such as festivals and tree lightings that can help you get into the spirit. Krista Bashaw, special events coordinator for Camas Parks and Recreation, is planning the Hometown Holidays festivities for this Friday. "This is a fabulous fun event for the entire family, no matter what the weather," she said. She added that it wouldn't be possible without the help of loyal volunteers.
For most local residents, the BP oil spill was seen and experienced only through various news accounts and chatroom musings. However, 39-year-old Jeff Peebles saw it first-hand when he traveled to the Gulf Coast. Peebles, a paramedic with Skamania County Emergency Services, went to Mississippi and Louisiana this past summer to provide emergency services to cleanup workers. "I was seeing everything in the news with all of the oiled-up birds, the tragedies, and the cleanup efforts, so I thought it sounded good to go and help out," he said. Peebles traveled with the cleanup crews daily, and treated patients mainly for heat related illnesses, although there were a fair share of stomach ailments, heart attacks and allergic reactions.
Heidi Curley was walking by the Farrell house during the Camas Days Parade in July and was instantly smitten. "I like to say that the house found me," she said. "It was the last thing I was looking for at the time." Curley and her three girls, ages 15, 12 and 7, were still reeling from a family tragedy two months before.
Beginning this weekend, those looking for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts do not need to venture any farther than the local area. That's because several bazaars are coming to churches, schools and civic centers. Eager shoppers will have the chance to support the local economy, buy handcrafted items and avoid big box stores.
Frederic, a pirate apprentice, has fallen in love with sweet, innocent Mabel, the first woman he has ever seen. Yet his vocation is a major roadblock to their future together. And thus begins the adventures of the "Pirates of Penzance," Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta, which drama students at Washougal High School will be performing for their fall theater production.
A little history and story about the opera
