The Stories We Shared: Vancouver Family Magazine 2024 Year in Review
2024 was filled with big world events from the Paris Olympics to the U.S. general election. Alaska Airlines flight 1282 blew out an exit door, forcing an emergency landing right here at PDX, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” was released to huge fanfare and the Northern Lights dazzled our skies. Here in Southwest Washington, response to the homelessness crisis increased with programs to benefit those in need, the Vancouver Waterfront continued to welcome new shops and restaurants and summertime and holiday events brought good times to our community.
This year, we reported on many other great things happening here, like the youth sports becoming more inclusive, the Black History Month Fashion Show honoring heritage through fashion, the rebirth of Vancouver’s public radio station, KXRW 99.9 fm, the growth of small bookstores around Clark County and aviation programs for teens. And of course, we explored exciting Pacific Northwest travel destinations like Coeur d’Alene, Mount Rainier, Lake Chelan, Bellingham and the Long Beach Peninsula.
Did you miss any of these stories? Check them out below in our Vancouver Family Magazine 2024 Year in Review.
JANUARY 2024
Go Terriers! All Signs Point to Belonging and Opportunity at Washington School for the Deaf: Find out why students and alumni call Washington School for the Deaf home, and learn about their big plans for expanding the campus.
Firearms Safety: Local Veteran Offers a Comprehensive Approach: Former military police officer, Alex C. Jones has turned firearms safety coaching into his career. Read about his unique approach and why his classes are in high demand.
Cover photo by Jen Fowler of Arrows Photography.
FEBRUARY 2024
Fashion Forward: Black History Month Takes Center Stage: When Vancouver mom Ruby Lewis watched her daughter struggle with racial bullying, her solution to fight discrimination was to start a fashion show. Find out how it all began and the impact the show is having on youth in Clark County.
Passport to Inclusion: Read how Autism Society of Oregon and the Port of Portland partner with PDX to make air travel a smooth experience for families with disabilities.
Cover photo by Shonda Rochelle Photography.
MARCH 2024
Worth the Wait: Vancouver Couple Makes History with Baby Twins: Wanting to expand their family, Rachel and Philip Ridgeway chose to conceive with the help of a donor embryo. Check out how their journey landed them a Guinness World Record.
On Air with KXRW: When Vancouver’s independent radio station was in trouble, one woman stepped up to save it, with the help of a dedicated team. Now her passion project provides space for listeners to learn more about local issues from local voices.
Cover photo by Mera Eishell.
APRIL 2024
Community Gardens Blossom in Clark County: Learn why local community gardens are designed for everyone, how to rent a plot and where to find resources for starting a garden in Clark County.
Cover phot courtesy City of Vancouver, Washington.
May 2024
Meet the Magical Booksellers of Clark County: The shelves within new and established bookstores in Clark County hold treasures for everyone’s literary taste. Find out where new shops have popped up around town and what makes each one special.
Vids for Wids: Turning Tears into Laughter: Read how one local widow found solace in telling her story, and how she uses her videography skills to help widows and widowers share their own stories of love, loss and laughter on camera.
Cover photo by Anna Rose Photography.
June 2024
Gamers Doing Good: Leveling Up by Giving Back: Meet local video game enthusiasts who come together to support Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Clark County Food Bank and other charities.
Helping Hands: Learn how Queer Youth Resource Center is working to connect LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families to supportive, local resources and events.
Cover photo by Things are Clicking Photography.
July 2024
Unified Sports: One Team, One Community: Unified Sports makes youth athletics accessible for everyone. Read how local coaches are building programs to meet the unique needs of their schools and why athletes aren’t the only ones who benefit from the program.
Cover photo by Missy Fant Photography.
August 2024
Kindergarten Countdown: Navigating the Kindergarten Age Cutoff with Confidence: Learn how parents and educators navigate the kindergarten age cutoff, and how to prepare students for this big first step.
Cover photo by Missy Bachmeier Photography.
September 2024
Top 10 Baby & Toddler Play Spaces in Clark County: Check out our top ten picks for fun and affordable places to keep young children active and learning in Clark County.
The Secret Ingredient in the Road to Recovery: September is National Recovery Month. Learn how those working to overcome addiction are more likely to succeed when surrounded by supportive family members.
Cover photo by Jaime Bugbee Photography.
October 2024
Welcome to Vancouver’s Cultural Arts Renaissance: When FVRLibraries moved out of their Mill Plain location, one local woman knew just what that space could become. Find out why she founded a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the arts, and how the unique space is bringing more culturally diverse performances to Vancouver.
Ghosts Ghouls and the Great Outdoors: Clark County’s Haunted History Tours: Read about the historians bringing Vancouver’s past to light at Clark County Historical Museum, and the scary stories they’ve dug up.
Cover photo by Lion & Oak Photography.
November 2024
Sky High: Youth Aviation Programs Prepare Kids to Soar: With pilots and aviation experts in high demand, the sky is the limit for youth who want to learn to fly. Check out local programs that are giving them wings.
Like Child, Like Parent: When Neurodivergence Diagnosis Comes Late in Life: In the process of supporting their child through a neurodivergent diagnosis and treatment, some parents experience a revelation: they, too, might have the same condition.
Cover photo by Sweet Abandon Photography.
December 2024
Meet a Few of Our Favorite Local “Kindie” Rockers: Get to know three popular, local children’s musicians and learn why love to make music for littles, how they find inspiration and where you can see them perform.
Interfaith Work in Clark County: Southwest Washington is home to a variety of faith groups who link arms to help those in need. Find out how they work together, despite their doctrinal differences.
Cover photo by Mera Eishell.
Our Top Online Exclusives:
- Child Abuse Prevention Month: 10 Facts About Child Abuse, Plus Children’s Justice Center Event
- Splash Spots 2: More Best Places for Waterplay in Clark County
Social Media:
OUR MOST POPULAR FACEBOOK POST OF 2024:
January 2024 issue.
OUR MOST POPULAR Instagram Reel OF 2024:
Oak Tree Station, Camas.
WHICH STORIES INSPIRED YOU THIS YEAR? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
