The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

vancouverwinejazzfest 1 The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

2012 is Red, Hot and Blue.

The 15th Anniversary Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival runs four days this year, Thursday through Sunday, August 23, 24, 25, 26, 2012 at Esther Short Park.

“It’s one of the BEST group of internationally acclaimed musicians that we’ve had!  This year you will hear a mix of fusion, contemporary and jazz classics; incredible blues–ranging from rock-infused music to southern “New Orleans” style genres; and Latin jazz.” For the complete concert lineup, visit Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival.

On Thursday, August 23rd the Festival will launch its first Jazz Education Night from 6-9 PM. Thursday will be a “family friendly” night, with FREE admission and no wine or beer. Jazz Education Night will feature four Washington High Schools and their jazz bands: Mountlake Terrace High School (Edmonds), Union High School (Camas), Mountain View High School (Vancouver), and Heritage High School (Vancouver). Each high school will perform on the Main Stage, and donations will be accepted for a scholarship fund for each participating school.

In addition to the music, the Festival features over 200 wines from around the world. Attendees can sample wines with a 1-ounce taste or purchase a glass to sip while enjoying food from 9 local restaurants. The cuisine ranges from Northwest, German and Greek cuisine,
to Hawaiian fare and Philly Cheese Steak. Art and craft lovers can shop the 40 fine artists who travel from California, Montana, Washington & Oregon. Numerous commercial exhibitors are also on hand throughout the weekend displaying the products and services.

Read more…The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

Columbia River High School Football

Annual Dinner and Auction.

Champions are built in the off-season; and our boys have been working hard! Now, come do your part and get ready to celebrate 50 years of Columbia River Chieftain Football at the First Annual Columbia River High School Football Dinner and Auction on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

This pre-season kick-off party will take place at the Clark County Square Dance Center starting at 6 pm, and “will be an evening of fun, great food and one-of-a-kind auction items all in support of Chieftain football. Wear your favorite CRHS gear to show your pride!”

This is an adult only evening, and a great way to meet other parents before the season starts. Tickets are $30 each, $50 per couple, or $180 per table of 8.  Enjoy a delicious catered meal and 2 drink tickets for beer or wine, a silent auction as well as a live auction with a wide variety of items, golf packages, getaways and much, much more…

Register online and see who else is coming to the party!

Items are still being accepted for the auction, so if you have an item you would like to donate, call Lynn at 253-405-7910 or Coach Wiggins at (971) 207-9198, [email protected].

Read more…Columbia River High School Football

For the Love of Dogs

mustlovedogs 1 For the Love of Dogs

A Day in the Park.

A doggone good time to share with man’s (or woman’s) best friend, For the Love of Dogs: A Day in the Park, on Sunday, August 12, 2012 from 10am to 3pm at Esther Short Park. (610 Esther Street, Vancouver WA)

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Camas Days is a Three Ring Circus

Annual Camas Days Festival.

If it’s the fourth weekend in July, then it’s time to head to Camas for their annual Camas Days Festival! This year’s theme is Three Ring Circus, with fun events happening Friday and Saturday, July 27-28, 2012.

Expect to see arts & craft vendors, a gated wine & microbrew street, a food street, concerts in the park, two parades (kids parade on Friday & main parade on Saturday), the ducky derby, the kids activities street, a softball tournament and the famous bathtub races in front of City Hall.

The Kids Parade will begin Friday at 12:15, the Camas Days Grand Parade will be Saturday at 11:00 and the famous Bathtub Races will take place after the Main Parade, at approximately 1:00. To see what else is on the schedule, click here for Camas Days Schedule of Events. Come before the parades, stay after the parades…see for yourself why this is East County’s most famous festival!

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First Annual Vancouver Brewfest

Good Times are Brewing in the ‘Couve.

Tap into the fun at the first annual Vancouver Brewfest on Friday and Saturday, August 10-11, 2012 Downtown Vancouver at Esther Short Park.

“We’ll be enjoying two glorious days of fresh northwest beers at Esther Short Park in historic downtown Vancouver, WA. We will also be featuring live music on the main stage, great food, interesting crafts and the proceeds will benefit 4 different charity organizations!” ~Vancouver Brewfest

Typically, August nights here in Vancouver are fabulous, and this is just one more good reason to get outside and enjoy downtown! There will be a wide variety of local brewers participating, including Clark County’s own Heathen Brewing, Laurelwood Brewing, Loowit Brewing, McMenamins Brewing, Mt. Tabor Brewing, Salmon Creek Brewing and West Highland Brewing; click here for a complete list of participating brewers.

And of course, with any good beer, you need some good food to go with it! Enjoy a bite to eat from Beaches Restaurant and Bar, Foody Blues BBQ, Main Event Restaurant and Bar, Vinnie’s Pizza, and Woody’s Tacos.

Last, but not least, every good party deserves good music! “The Vancouver Brewfest wouldn’t be complete without a fun line-up of great local bands. We’re going to keep the music coming with a wide variety of bands rotating throughout the event and culminating in the grand finale with Richie and the Catillacs.”

Read more…First Annual Vancouver Brewfest

CouvFest NW

Vancouver’s Summer Music Festival.

Enjoy live, local, and original band performances in a family-friendly environment at CouvFest NW on Friday and Saturday, August 3-4, 2012 right here in the ‘Couve!

This year’s festival will feature fourteen bands over two days, with a kickoff party at 8pm on Friday, August 3rd at Torque Coffee Roasters on 5th and Columbia.

Saturday’s event will take place from noon to 10pm at Turtle Place Park, located along 7th Street between Main and Washington. There will be food carts and other vendors throughout the day, and the opportunity to meet the bands after each live set.

Read more…CouvFest NW

Hoops on the River Basketball Tournament

hoopsontheriver 1 Hoops on the River Basketball Tournament

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at Vancouver Landing.

Now in its seventh year, Hoops on the River is a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament open to all interested basketball players, youth to adult, beginner to experienced; and will take place August 17-19, 2012 at Vancouver Landing (110 Columbia Street, next to the Quay Restaurant & Bar).

Hoops on the River is a charity tournament organized by Susan Oberst of Share Vancouver, along with the help of many generous donors and incredible volunteers, to help the hungry and homeless in Clark County. Team divisions include: Elite 6′ and Over, Elite 6′ and Under, Elite Women, Co-Ed, Youth (1st Grade and older), Wheelchair and Special Olympics; as well as a Slam Dunk Competition, Three Point Shootout and Celebrity Game.

Read more…Hoops on the River Basketball Tournament

Hawaiian Festival in Esther Short Park

Aloha, Vancouver.

With summer upon us (finally) here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to enjoy a little taste of Hawaii. No, I don’t mean go take a trip to Hawaii; just let the island atmosphere come to you.

Come share the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands July 27 –28, 2012 in Esther Short Park during Ke Kukui Foundation’s Ho‘ike and Hawaiian Festival; a celebration of Polynesian culture with free, island-style entertainment.

Friday, July 27, the party starts at 5 pm for the festival’s acclaimed Hapa Haole Hula Competition; where hula dancers from across the U.S. and Canada vie for honors dancing to the wacky and wonderful music from the early days of Hawaiian tourism.

The festival culminates on Saturday,  July 28, with an all-day Ho‘ike (exhibition) of Hawaiian and Polynesian dance and music, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with vendors offering all kinds of ono (delicious) island food and beautiful Polynesian arts and crafts. Keiki events, traditional Hawaiian games, and nose flute making are just some of the additional activities to be offered.

Read more…Hawaiian Festival in Esther Short Park

Experience Playable Art in Vancouver

Can You Find the Keys to the City?

So, I’ve played a piano before, but how do you play art? I’ve always thought pianos were beautiful, and I have to admit, I never really considered them “Art”…until now.

Vancouver’s School of Piano Technology for the Blind is bringing beautiful playable art to a public space near you. Kim J. Capeloto, president of the School’s Board of Directors, today announced “Keys to the City,” a ten day citywide music/arts program featuring ten pianos in local gathering spots around Vancouver August 17-26, 2012.

For the project, students from the School are preparing and tuning ten pianos and turning them over to local artists. Each artist will personalize the piano and create a beautifully decorated piece of art. Upon completion, the pianos will be placed in some of Vancouver’s most popular public places and gathering spots for a ten day celebration of music. The pianos will be available for everyone to play from very beginners to virtuosos.

As soon as they become available, piano locations and pictures will be available on the School of Piano Technology for the Blind website; fans may also vote for their favorite decorated piano. At the conclusion of the event, the pianos will be donated to local non-profit agencies.

Read more…Experience Playable Art in Vancouver

Sip and Stroll Uptown to Downtown

sipnstroll 1 Sip and Stroll Uptown to Downtown

Have Glass, Will Travel.

Sip and stroll and chat, and even dance if you want to, your way from Uptown to Downtown Vancouver at the annual Sip and Stroll event on Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Sip and Stroll is a fabulous wine and beer tasting event held across 30 different locations in Downtown Vancouver.  Come and enjoy a relaxed summer evening strolling in and out of Vancouver’s growing collection of cool sports bars, state-of-the-art climbing and athletic facilities, our own regional wineries and craft breweries, unique antique and gift shops, fantastic restaurants, and much, much more!

Enjoy the tour your way…this is a self guided tour with shops remaining open from 5 pm to 9 pm. “Our guests begin at the registration building at 1602 Main Street (facility generously provided by Burgerville USA). Guests receive a wrist band, walking map, and commemorative sipping glass.  The registration area is in the middle of the wine tasting locations so our guests can venture either north through the charming district of Uptown Village, or south through exciting downtown.  At the end of each of these tours we will have a courtesy shuttle bus take you to the opposite end, so that each guest can enjoy the entire tour and end up back at the registration area.  The registration area will also have great prices on bottles of beer and wine that you have just tasted.” ~Sip and Stroll

Read more…Sip and Stroll Uptown to Downtown

Heisen House Vineyards Lavender Festival

Relax at the Historic Barn.

The Third Annual Heisen House Lavender Festival will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from noon to 6 pm.

Relax, savor and enjoy the scent of nature’s own stress reliever and discover its many uses at this family style farm celebration including: Lavender Craft Demonstrations, Lavender Lotions and Potions, Tips on Cooking with Lavender, Fresh and Dried Lavender and Herbs, Music and Entertainment, Face Painting, Games, Food, Local Art, Craft, Farm, and Garden Products, and More!

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Relay for Life of Vancouver USA

Fight Back and Celebrate Life.

The Relay for Life of Vancouver will take place on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Columbia River High School.

The Survivors and Caregivers Lap will kick off the 24th  Annual Relay For Life of Vancouver at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012.   Survivors and Caregivers will walk the Columbia River High School track, surrounded by friends and family cheering them on.

A special Fight Back Ceremony, held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Vancouver, will provide everyone in all of Clark County the opportunity to make a pledge to take personal action in the fight against cancer. The ceremony will be held at Columbia River High School in Hazel Dell on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

 Anyone desiring to make a “fight back” pledge may do so by participating in the ceremony or by visiting Relay for Life of Vancouver .   Pledges are personal commitments to help the American Cancer Society achieve its mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against the disease. Pledges may range from making lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk, to volunteering for programs that help those battling cancer, to advocating that cancer be a priority for elected officials.     

“We all come to Relay For Life for similar reasons as we may have battled cancer ourselves or may have lost a loved one to the disease. Through the Fight Back Ceremony, we are able to join forces in making specific, individual commitments to do something to help eliminate cancer as a major health problem,” said Jule Webster, volunteer co-chair of the Relay event in Vancouver.

Read more…Relay for Life of Vancouver USA

Vino in the Village

Battle Ground Village Plays Matchmaker.

Enjoy an evening of wine tasting and delicious bites while walking through the quaint shops at Battle Ground Village at Vino in the Village on the third Tuesday of the month.

Local restaurants pairing with local wineries for an evening of wine, food and fun! Every 3rd Tuesday, 5-8pm, July 17, August 21, and September 18, 2012.

So, who did they match?

Read more…Vino in the Village

Coop du Jour Tour

Coops in the Couve.

Why did the chicken cross the road? Take the Coop du Jour Tour on Saturday, July 14, 2012 anytime between 11 am and 4 pm, and find out how to keep your chickens in your own backyard and away from the road.

This is the third annual self-guided Chicken Coop Tour and is easily walkable or a short bike ride throughout the charming, tree-lined neighborhoods of Downtown Vancouver. Peck, er, I mean, pick the brains of current backyard chicken owners and learn about raising urban chickens.

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Clark County Fair Best Goes West

Celebrating 144 Years of Summer’s Best Party!

The Clark County Fair is the biggest summer event of the summer here, and will run Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 12, 2012!  The Clark County Fair has been a family tradition since I was little ( although contrary to what my kids say, I was NOT at the first Clark County Fair!) and every year there is something new to enjoy.

This year’s theme is Summer’s Best Goes West and is an interactive exhibit that will take you back to the days of the Wild Wild West! “Wander into this simulation of a complete western town and you might just get caught in the cross fire of a bank robbery, gun fight – or worse yet, get tossed into our simulated jail cell for some great photo-ops! Kids will love the laser shooting gallery, mechanical roping horse and miniature donkey petting zoo. For the not so feint of heart, check out the Haunted Gold Mine presented by Scream at the Beach Productions.” 

There’s loads of free Grandstand Entertainment every day, with Big Air Moto X, Medieval Jousting, Barrel Racing, Demolition Derby, Truck Pull, Bull Riding, Tuff Trucks and Monster Trucks! There are also various stages and activity/entertainment spots throughout the  fairgrounds like Dock Dogs, Hypnotist, Hula Hoop Contests, Pirates Parrot Show and Super Science.

The SleepCountry Amphitheater will host the fair concerts, including Sara Evans, Creed, Chris Young, Sublime and the Texaco Country Showdown. The Texaco Country Showdown is a FREE concert on August 5th. “It’s the biggest country music talent search in the country, and the Washington State finals are happening during the Clark County Fair! If you are chomping at the bit to find out who is going to win this showdown and head off to the national finals in Tennessee for a chance to win $100,000 and national recognition as “Best New Act in Country”, then you better come to the Clark County Fair on August 5th”. 

Then, there’s the food, the rides, the games, the animals, the vendors, the crafts, the famous Clark County Dairy Womens Milkshakes…and more…

Read more…Clark County Fair Best Goes West

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Old Fashioned Baseball Game at Fort Vancouver.

The Vancouver Occidentals are Vancouver’s original baseball team, and they are ready to play some ball! It’s baseball, 1860’s style, and you can “catch” it on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Game time begins at 6 pm and lasts about 2 hours.

You will think you stepped back in time at this Vintage Baseball Game played at Fort Vancouver. Not only are the players in costume, even the fans get into character. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and even the band, dressed in 1860’s attire.

This gloveless game with wooden bats is played by very different rules. “Striker to the line”, means the batter is up. He takes a couple of practice swings and then shows the hurler (pitcher) where he would like the ball. The ball is pitched underhand and it is the job of the hurler to get the ball into play. There are no strikes, no balls and a batter can only “strike out” if he swings and misses at three pitches. Also a ball caught after the first bounce is also considered an out. It was a real gentleman’s game played just for fun.

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Christmas in July

Toy Drive for Kids Holiday Party.

The NE Hazel Dell Neighborhood Association in partnership with Three Creeks Community Partners is holding a Christmas in July toy drive and collecting toys early this year for the 14th Annual Holiday Party at Sarah J Anderson Elementary School in December.

Honorary Clark County Sheriff for the Day Carter Harris will be cutting the ribbon at Hazel Dell Burgerville (corner of 99th St and Hwy 99) on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 1:30 to kick off the Christmas in July toy drive.  Neighborhood associations in Clark County have had a special burden on their hearts for years when it comes to kids having a memorable and exciting Christmas.  Last Christmas over 1000 kids were provided with toys through the hard work and contributions of many neighborhood volunteers and community partners. These efforts are collaborative, uniting many businesses, schools, government agencies, and citizens together to focus on our community’s most precious asset, our youth.

The toy drive will start on July 6, 2012 and last through July 27, 2012. Please drop new, unwrapped toys at any of the following locations:

Read more…Christmas in July

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