The Downtown Camas Association presents April First Friday, next Friday, Apr. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. The theme is “Photo Scavenger Hunt.” Families are encouraged to bring a smart phone or digital camera. A list of clues will be provided to discover the history and hidden gems around Downtown Camas. Pick up your event passport at one of the following locations: Camas Antiques, Lizzabeth A, Ballard and Call, Navidi’s, Caffe Piccolo, and Bead Paradise. Pictures taken for this First Friday can be submitted for a chance to win one of two prizes prize. Camas First Fridays are always family-friendly. For more information, visit www.downtowncamas.com. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/519267711438306/

Stephanie Holt

McKenna Smith

Deanna Green

Washington State University Vancouver closed out Women’s History Month, observed each year in March, by celebrating women who inspire, mentor and empower others. The fifth annual Women of Distinction event recognized McKenna Smith, a senior at Camas High School, as the High School Student Woman of Distinction; Stephanie Holt, a human development major, as the WSU Vancouver Student Woman of Distinction; and Deanna Green, program manager for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Southwest Washington, as the Non-student Woman of Distinction.

All of the nominees were also recognized at the celebration. Lara Hoffmans, managing editor of MarketMinder.com and vice president of content at Fisher Investments, delivered the keynote. She encouraged women to do something that scares them–not just for a moment or for a day–but for months, years or the rest of their lives. She also permitted making mistakes.

Women of Distinction recognizes women in Southwest Washington who have made a difference in the lives of others. Distinguished Woman of the Year award recipients are determined by a committee comprised of WSU Vancouver staff, faculty, students and community members. This year’s sponsors were the Office of Student Involvement at WSU Vancouver and Unitus Community Credit Union. For more information, click here.

Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters is hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross Tuesday, Apr. 2, from 7 to 10 a.m. Interested parties should sign up by either stopping by or calling 360-553-7900. Paper Tiger is a locally-owned, independent coffee house that offers specialty single-origin coffee—roasted on-site daily—and brewed according to your choice of pour-over, siphon, or Chemex methods. Fresh pastries made by local bakers are also available, as well as a selection of artisan teas and Paper Tiger’s proprietary blend of bottled chai. They are located at 703 Grand Blvd. in Vancouver. To learn more, visit www.papertigercoffee.com.

This week City Manager Eric Holmes released the final report of an operational assessment of Vancouver Police Department (VPD) conducted by the International City Management Association Center (ICMA) for Public Safety Management. The report, which covered virtually every facet of the department’s operations, found strengths in the department and also advanced a broad range of recommendations that, when implemented under the leadership of a new Chief of Police, would contribute to a stronger, more focused, more efficient and effective department. Recommendations included: More aggressive management of calls for service; establishing a more efficient patrol schedule; and the addition of up to 10 more officers. The findings of the report will also play a role in the screening and selection of Vancouver’s next Police Chief. To view the report, visit  http://www.cityofvancouver.us/ICMAreport