In your neighborhood

North Clark County and Woodland

Woodland: The Pacific Northwest Newfoundland Club held water trials Sept. 18 at Horseshoe Lake Park. Club representative Cheryl Dondino said 46 dogs attempted to get certified for water rescue at the two-day event. The club draws members from 20 kennels in Oregon, Washington and California. Noel Johnson was there to capture photos for his website, http://www.lewisriver.com.

Battle Ground, Meadow Glade and Hockinson

Battle Ground: Kayla Siepmann, 17, was chosen to take part in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. At the conference, she will participate in several leadership skill-building activities and government simulations. Siepmann is an honor student at Vancouver Christian High School and is the daughter of Floyd and Grace Siepmann.

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

Mountain View: Carol Mackey won the 2010 Secondary Outstanding Teacher Librarian of the Year Award from the Washington Library Media Association. Mackey, who works at Mountain View High School, will receive a plaque and a monetary award at a business luncheon on Oct. 15 in Seattle.

North Image: Rachel Kinkley, 10, told her parents she had everything she needed when they were planning her birthday party this year. Instead of presents, she asked friends to bring 10 cans of food. After her party, Rachel donated all 74 cans of food to her church’s food pantry. Renee Kinkley — Rachel’s mom — said she is very proud of her daughter’s generosity and hopes it inspires others to know they can make a difference.

Orchards, Sifton and Brush Prairie

Brush Prairie: Glenwood Heights Primary School and Frontier Middle School were top fundraisers in the area for Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies program. Glenwood Heights raised $6,093 and Frontier collected $3,646. In the competition, Olive Garden gives schools three weeks to collect as much spare change as possible to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A local Olive Garden restaurant delivers a pasta party to the top class at each school.

Brush Prairie: The Prairie High School band and JROTC participated in the fourth-annual Brush Prairie Spirit Parade on Sept. 18. The kids looked great, even though the parade is only two weeks after school starts, parade organizer Julie Kim said in an e-mail. Hall & Son Pump Co. won the best themed-commercial entry. Cowboy Church won the best themed-noncommercial entry.

West Vancouver and Downtown

Esther Short: For the 17th year in a row, Lyle Smith came in first place in his fun run, Lyle’s Myles. Sure, anyone who finishes before him is disqualified, but that’s how he likes it. Fifty folks participated in the 5K race that started in Esther Short Park. Thirty people on seven teams participated in the Urban Adventure Course, which is loosely based on “The Amazing Race.” There were 10 stations with a random challenge, such as wrapping a present while blindfolded and wearing gloves. Smith said it was another successful year. “We had a great day with sunshine to start and only slight drizzle as we took down the tents,” he wrote in an e-mail. The event raised $2,000 for Martha’s Pantry and an additional $2,000 for a global project to help fight against HIV/AIDS.

Shumway: A school supply and personal care item drive founded by firefighters from Westside Fire House No. 2 so far has collected about $10,000 worth of items, according to Fire Capt. Duane Schuman. Firefighters and Schuman’s kids — Jake, 14, and Kaeli, 11 — delivered the items to Hough and Washington elementary schools on Sept. 3. The firehouse started seeking donations of toiletries, school supplies and new shoes to help homeless and low-income children feel more comfortable going to school. “We’re trying to make kids feel better about themselves so they feel comfortable going to school,” Schuman said. He hopes they can focus on their performance and friendships. Items or cash donations can still be left at the station at 400 E. 37th St., near the Safeway along Main Street.

Ridgefield and Fairgrounds

Fairgrounds: A large law enforcement turnout didn’t deter the Hamburglar from tromping around the Clark County Fairgrounds on Sept. 18. The hamburger-stealing McDonald’s character and representatives from around 50 community organizations were in attendance for the ninth annual Clark County Safety Day. There were emergency vehicle displays, live demonstrations, vendors, booths and free hot dogs and ice cream courtesy of the Salmon Creek Lion’s Club. Organizers say there were 1,500 people or so in attendance.

Central Vancouver, Minnehaha and The Heights

Bagley Downs: Empower Up, a local computer education and reuse nonprofit, donated three refurbished computers to the Dream Big Community Center’s administrative office on Sept. 16. Empower Up pledged to provide an additional 50 computers for a future computer lab at the community center. “Receiving these computers fills a huge void for our staff, but also for our future center,” said Dream Big Community Center Executive Director Nathan Webster. “I’m very grateful to have a local nonprofit like this that understands our goals and wants to increase our efforts by providing this service.”

Southcliff: Friends of Trees, the Portland nonprofit agency that’s been helping residents green the landscape all over the region, hosted an informational session at the Southcliff neighborhood home of Molly Evans and Backyard Bird Shop owner Scott Lukens. The topic was enhancing Vancouver neighborhoods and the city’s downtown. Many arboreal officials and volunteers turned out to hear Friends of Trees executive director Scott Fogarty speak. In addition to an upcoming crew-leader training, tree plantings are scheduled in Vancouver neighborhoods on Jan. 15, Feb. 26 and March 26. The group is also looking for ways to partner with the city on a plan for the vacant city-owned block at Eighth and Columbia streets. To learn more, visit www.friendsoftrees.org or www.cityofvancouver.us and follow the parks-and-recreation links to urban forestry.

East Clark County: Camas and Washougal

Camas: Riverview Community Bank donated $45,000 to the Downtown Camas Association on Sept. 15. The association will use the money to continue to develop and promote historic downtown Camas while preserving its historic features.

Washougal: After finishing first or second in district-level competitions, 55 ironwork apprentices from throughout the United States and Canada showed their skills at the National Ironworker Apprentice Competition in Tukwila in mid-September. Apprentice Michael Quinn of Washougal represented Portland Ironworkers Local 29 when he participated in the event. This year’s competition was hosted by the Pacific Northwest District Council of Ironworkers, Local 86. Quinn, completed his four-year apprentice program in June. He is married to Raylynn and they have five children.