Birdfest and Bluegrass set for Oct. 9-10 at wildlife refuge
Posted September 2nd, 2010

Two days of free activities are planned for birders, history buffs, musicians and music lovers, and family members of all ages at Ridgefield’s annual Birdfest and Bluegrass festival Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct 10.
The event, which drew 4,000 people in 2009, celebrates the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the return of wildlife that makes it their winter home. It will feature:
- archeologist-led walks following in the footsteps of Native Americans and Lewis & Clark and a visit to a hand-built replica of a Cathlapotle plankhouse
- Sunday afternoon, a traditional salmon bake with complimentary samplings
- Children’s activities in downtown Ridgefield, including an Audubon “Live Bird Show” show, Audubon-guided bird walks, raptor displays, craft stations, storytelling and a children’s booth at the refuge with activities and interactive games.
- guided sunrise and sunset paddle tours to view sandhill cranes, for a fee.
Shuttle bus service will be available both days to transport visitors to and from the event venue in downtown Ridgefield to locations in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. There will be no admission charge to the refuge during Birdfest and Bluegrass, and all events except for special tours and the musical performances are free.
To reach Birdfest and Bluegrass, just take exit 14 from I-5 and follow the signs to downtown Ridgefield.
“Sip and Stroll” in Uptown Village will benefit Hough Foundation
Posted September 2nd, 2010
The Hough Foundation is hosting an evening stroll through Uptown Village’s boutiques and restaurants and their brewery and winery representatives from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18.
Food and live music will be provided, as well as special retail discounts for “sippers.”
The event will raise funds for the Hough Family Services Center, which provides social services, enrichment programs and mental health advocacy for hundreds of local children. Tickets cost $10 and are available online. For more informaiton, call Kate Sacamano at 360-992-7060.
On the day of the event, tickets will be available at Cellar 55, 1812 Washington St.
Prairie High sewer hookup will mean new sports fields
Posted September 2nd, 2010

image courtesy Battle Ground Public Schools
Battle Ground Public Schools contractors took one of the county’s biggest septic fields out of action this week by tying Prairie High School to the Clark Regional Wastewater District’s sewer line.
The Brush Prairie high school had spent 31 years using a septic system, but a new sewer line built to serve the Winco store across the street allowed it to join the sewer district.
The changes, paid for by a voter-approved bond measure, will allow the 3- to 4-acre drain field to be reclaimed for athletic fields. Much needs to be done in preparation for that, including six months of no action at all to allow for draining. It is expected the fields will be ready for use in the fall of 2012.
The $189,000 project, not including hookup fees, was done by Advanced Excavating Specialists of Kalama.