Couve Scoop August 2024: Free Fare for Youth on Amtrak Cascades, Relay for Life Clark County & More

Youth Can Now Enjoy Free Fare on Amtrak Cascades in Washington State

Train travel is now even more appealing for families and young adults riding on Amtrak Cascades trains. Passengers who are 18 years old and under now can ride free between any of 12 train stations in western Washington. 

Amtrak Cascades joins Washington State Ferries and transit agencies across the state in offering free fares to qualifying youth. The first of its kind in Amtrak’s national system, this program is funded through the Move Ahead Washington transportation package and the state’s Climate Commitment Act.

The goal is to encourage youth and their families to experience the pleasure of train travel. Those 18 years and younger make up more than 20% of Washington’s total population. By making Amtrak Cascades cost free for youth, access to train travel becomes even more affordable for families and young people within Washington.

“We’re hoping to inspire an entire generation to consider trains as a viable choice when traveling along the Interstate-5 corridor,” said Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight, and Ports Division. “With scenic views from comfortable seats and onboard food and beverage choices, train travel is enjoyable for parents and kids alike. It’s a great option for families and people who don’t or can’t drive. Plus, it’s much better for the environment than driving.”

With one-way adult fares between Seattle and Vancouver, Washington starting at only $27 and youth riding free, this is a cost-effective way to travel. All passengers traveling on Amtrak Cascades must be ticketed. When purchasing tickets, simply select the proper category for each individual traveling in your group and the zero fare will automatically be applied for those 18 and under who are traveling within Washington state.

All children under 16 years old must be traveling with an adult to be eligible for the free fare. Unaccompanied minors ages 13 to 15 are not eligible. Please note free fare tickets must be acquired in advance and are not available onboard trains nor at ticket kiosks.

Free fares are only available on Amtrak Cascades trains and buses, and only for trips beginning and ending in Washington state. Those traveling beyond Washington’s borders must purchase separate tickets for each leg of their journey to take advantage of the free fares in Washington state.

Tickets for the youth fare program are available at amtrakcascades.com, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL or from an Amtrak ticket agent at staffed stations.

Relay for Life Clark County Will Celebrate Survivors, Remember Loved Ones Lost

Relay For Life originated in Tacoma in 1985 by Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt, with the goal of raising funds for cancer research. Since then, the walk and fundraiser benefitting American Cancer Society (ACS) takes place at locations all over the world and has raised millions of dollars in critical funds for research, programs and services for cancer patients and their families. “Our mission is to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” says Alexi Crampton, development manager for ACS.

This year’s Relay for Life of Clark County will take place on September 21at Esther Short Park from 10 am till 9 pm. Leading up to the event, community members create teams or register as an individual and are encouraged to fundraise prior to and during the event through different activities. Then, at the event, attendees walk and participate in a variety of activities. “At the event we ask that teams try and have one person on the track at all times to symbolize how cancer never stops so we won’t either,” says Crampton. Besides the walk, this year’s event will feature live music, family activities and food vendors on site.

And the opening ceremony will be particularly special. “Survivors and caregivers are invited to our opening ceremony where we pass out medals, listen to local survivor speakers and take a lap of honor,” says Crampton. “We provide a free meal and goodie bag to them as well. Some cancer survivors might not think they are a survivor if they are still in treatment. But we consider everyone a survivor from the moment of diagnosis.”

In the evening, the poignant Luminaria ceremony will give participants the chance to decorate and light white bags in memory of loved ones to line the track, then take silent laps around the lit-up track to honor those who have been lost. Learn more and register for Relay for Life at cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html.

Former Cedars Clubhouse Revitalized into The Cedars Public House

The Cedars on Salmon Creek Golf Course and Country Club in Brush Prairie permanently closed in 2021, with the golf course land acquired by Clark County and converted to a nature preserve. The future of the course’s clubhouse was up in the air when contractors and entrepreneurs Ryan and Jenn Chadwick of Hockinson were hired in January 2023 to clean and fix the building up enough to get it on the market.

But after spending time in the space, they started getting their own ideas for the property. “We just fell in love with it and all of its possibilities!” says Ryan. “The bones of what we thought we could do with the space were dreamed up within the first few days and we’ve just expanded it from there.”

The couple dreamed big, envisioning a gathering place with dining, live music, private events, a day spa, movies, bodega and a manicured outdoor garden space. Bringing Ryan’s parents Everett and Jolene Chadwick in as co-investors, and after nine months of “networking, creative problem solving, sheer luck and the goodwill of the community” the purchase of the building and the surrounding 2.7 acres was finalized. Work began to transform the clubhouse into a multi-amenity community hub, opening portions in phases.

This month, The Cedars is ready to open its first phase with a restaurant, ballroom, coffee shop and gift shop. Ryan says the plan is for the living room theaters, day spa and outdoor spaces to roll out over the next one to two years. Check out The Cedars Public House at 15001 NE 181^st St., Brush Prairie, or online at thecedars.life.

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