In your neighborhood

Battle Ground, Meadow Glade and Hockinson

Battle Ground: The second-annual School Readiness Day at Battle Ground High School went a lot more smoothly than the first — despite an even larger crowd than last time, according to organizer Elaine Hertz of the North County Community Food Bank. Nearly 2,000 kids and families picked up what they need to start the school year: decent-quality used clothing and shoes, vaccinations from Sea Mar Clinic and appointments for free tutoring. The Battle Ground police’s K9 unit “was a big hit with the kids,” Hertz said. Washington State University Vancouver provided a nutrition booth, and McDonald’s gave out balloons and orange drinks.

Battle Ground: Tukes Valley Primary and Middle schools dedicated an art project, part of the Art in Public Places program, on Sept. 1. It features artist Cappy Thompson of Seattle.

Battle Ground: Nearly 100 riders competed in beginner, intermediate and pro divisions during the Razor Exposed Tour freestyle competition Aug. 28 at Battle Ground skate park. Tricks included front flips, back flips and quadruple tailwhips. Fuzzy Gross of Vancouver took third place in the intermediate category.

West Vancouver and Downtown

Lincoln: According to the latest Lincoln Neighborhood newsletter, a few people have noticed discarded syringes in the neighborhood. Vancouver Police Cpl. Drue Russell said anyone who finds a syringe shouldn’t touch it. “A needle stick from a used syringe can lead to serious medical problems,” he said. According to the newsletter, Russell recommends keeping an eye on the syringe location, warning others to stay away and immediately calling 911, explaining that your call is a nonemergency.

Central Vancouver, Minnehaha and The Heights

Columbia Way: Linda Haines of Vancouver was named one of the 15 finalists in the national 2010 Community Leadership Awards. Haines has volunteered for Young Women in Action for more than 10 years. The program is administered by the Vancouver School District Foundation and targets fifth-grade girls from disadvantaged schools. It teaches about manners, friendship, beauty, hygiene, community service and career planning.

Orchards, Sifton and Brush Prairie

Brush Prairie: Rocksolid Community Teen Center members were active during the summer. In July, a group of youngsters participated in the Harvest Days Parade. In August, several people were involved in the Lead with Heart Golf Tournament. And to get the new school season off and running, Rocksolid teens Tim Miller and Caleb Nelson performed with their heavy metal band, “Guillotine,” Sept. 13 in the gym at Bethel Lutheran Church, 15919 N.E. 159th St., Brush Prairie.

Sunnyside: Jeanne Morris, who lives near Sunset Elementary School, said her son Jack just completed a walk across America raising money for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Jack walked over 3,000 miles on a course that took him from Jacksonville, Fla., to Seattle. His extensive online blog says he undertook the walk to fulfill a dream of doing “something epic” — and because he lost his job. At 40, he said, he wanted to stay physically and mentally fit — good to get back in the game. You can check out his story at http://mylongwalkhome.wordpress.com.

East Clark County: Camas and Washougal

Camas: Peter DuBois is a Clark County bureaucrat by day and a 21st century superhero by night. For a decade, DuBois has been suiting up after hours as Recycleman, bringing a musical-environmental message to schools, camps and fairs. Recycleman swooped into the Camas Farmers Market for a return visit Sept. 8. You may have seen Recycleman perform in an award-winning video, “Away with Waste.” The Camas Farmers Market — offering fresh local produce, gardening expertise and the occasional superhero — runs every Wednesday through Sept. 29.

East Vancouver, Cascade Park, Fisher’s Landing and Evergreen

Cascade Highlands: “We are in discussions with the Kessid Community Center to set up a community garden just north of their property (and south of Goodwill),” reports the latest Cascade Highlands Neighborhood Association newsletter. “We’ll need help to get the site up and running, so keep an eye out for a notice in our next newsletter regarding this volunteer effort.” The Kessid Center is at 16096 S.E. 15th St.

Landover-Sharmel: Athletes, coaches and families turned out Aug. 29 at the Chevron gas station at 13707 N.E. 28th St. for a Clark County Special Olympics fundraising car wash. “Putting on a car wash is a wonderful and fun way for us to get together and raise funds” for uniforms and equipment, said organizer Elizabeth Francis. “We raised a little more than $700, which will go toward basketball jerseys and softball equipment for the athletes,” Francis said. The Special Olympics is aimed at people with intellectual disabilities. If you’re interested in learning more, contact CCSO sports coordinator Rick Cook at ccsowa@live.com.

Hazel Dell, Felida and Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek: Good news for the long-forsaken folks who live on Northeast Seventh Court. After years of trying to get someone to do something about a pair of houses up on blocks at the end of this dead-end street near the Three Creeks Library — vacant buildings that attracted vandals and transients and looked just plain crummy — neighbor Michael Johnson reports that actual building sites have been cleared and the houses have been moved near them. “Now we’re waiting to see when they will start digging the foundations,” Johnson said. “More progress than we’ve seen in two years.” The owner of the properties is Waterford Development.

Felida: Folks at Felida Elementary School on Sept. 2 were greeted by the Umpqua Bank ice cream truck. The bank in Hazel Dell donated more than 1,400 frozen treats to students, parents and staff members for the back-to-school ice cream social.