Vancouver, Wash. – With weekend temperatures forecasted to reach the upper 90s, Recycled Arts Festival organizers are offering these tips for beating the heat while enjoying the festival:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
• Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses; apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
• Keep your water bottle filled and drink from it often. Ice water will be provided.
• Consider leaving your pets at home, but water for dogs also will be provided.
• Enjoy the shade. Esther Short Park is usually pleasant under the… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – This year’s Recycled Arts Festival features a new parking option: free parking in the county garage at 14^th and Franklin streets, about a 10-minute walk from the festival.

A free shuttle bus will run regularly between the gazebo in the plaza at 13^th and Franklin streets and the north side of Esther Short Park, providing added convenience for people carrying purchases.

“While driving might be the most practical way to get to the festival if you’re… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ With the arrival of mosquito season, Clark County health officials are urging residents to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding and take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Certain mosquitoes potentially can transmit West Nile Virus. Although the virus has not established itself in the region and there are no reports of it in Washington, things could change.

Meanwhile, here’s how you can help:

Eliminate mosquito habitat around your home

• Drain standing water from old tires, flower pots, plastic tarps, wheelbarrows and anything else.… Read More

Vancouver, Wash.  - Clark County will host the 12^th annual Recycled Arts Festival, presented this year by McCord’s Vancouver Toyota, in Esther Short Park late this month. The popular two-day event showcases artwork made of recycled materials.

The free festival takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 24, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25. Attendees who show their reusable mugs or water bottles at the Information Tent will be entered in a special drawing.

More than 150 artists will sell items such as metal and glass garden art, sculptures, mosaics,… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health’s Green Business program will hold a free Morning Blend networking event from 8-9 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at Source Climbing Center, 1118 Main St.

Co-founder and co-owner of the indoor climbing facility, Michael Lary, will discuss Source’s climbing and community engagement philosophy and explain the business’ environmentally friendly features.

The event is open to anyone interested in networking and learning about green business practices.

Space is limited. Please register at https://www.clarkgreenbiz.com/336/93/june-… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Now that warm weather has arrived, the first swim of the season may seem irresistible. But lakes and rivers in Southwest Washington are cold enough to immobilize even the strongest swimmer. With sunshine and warm temperatures predicted for the Memorial Day weekend, swimmers are cautioned to put safety first.

Drowning prevention

Rivers are high and swift from rains and snow melt, and debris in waterways can trap swimmers. Large rocks and logs can tip over rafts, canoes and kayaks. Swimmers are urged to monitor river and stream conditions… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health’s Green Business program will host a free Morning Blend networking event from 8-9 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at Waste Connections, 12115 N.E. 99th St., Suite 1830.

Waste Connections and Clark County will present information on how to set up and maintain a food waste composting program. Staff will discuss the environmental benefits of composting, explain how the commercial composting program works, share best practices, and answer questions.

The free event is open to anyone interested in networking and learning about food waste… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – The Procession of the Species will add a splash of pageantry to Clark County’s annual Recycled Arts Festival this summer. The procession, which originated in Olympia in 1995, will be a celebration of community and the natural world through art on Sunday, June 25.

The free event is open to people of all ages.

“We are excited to add this event to our annual festival,” said Sally Fisher, Environmental Outreach Specialist. “It’s another way to bring the community together to celebrate our environment, which is what the weekend festival is all about.”

… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter/Recycler program is accepting registrations for free composting and green cleaning workshops. To register, visit https://clarkgreenneighbors.org/mcr/classes-and-workshops.

Workshops are:

Backyard composting: Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-noon, CASEE, 11104 N.E. 149^th St., Brush Prairie, and Tuesday, June 20, 6-8 p.m., 78^th Street Heritage Farm, 1919 N.E. 78^th St. Learn how to build a backyard compost pile that turns yard… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. –The Clark County Board of Health will recognize winners of the 2017 Public Health Community Award at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26. The ceremony will open the board’s monthly meeting in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

Winners are:

Marilyn Johnson (individual award)

Marilyn Johnson’s long, distinguished nursing career has included supervising cancer care at Southwest Washington Medical Center’s oncology department. After retiring, she became certified as a parish nurse and ran a program… Read More