PREMIERE EVENT! Laugh Out Loud Short Film Festival

This is a one-night only event at the Liberty Theater in downtown Camas, beginning at 8 pm Thursday. According to the Liberty, “The funniest movie you'll see this year is actually nine movies. In the style of traditional film festivals, the second annual Laugh Out Loud Short Film Fest, features nine hilarious short comedies from some of the world's best unknown filmmakers.”

The directors of these nine films share their outrageous views on familiar topics, such as relationships, drinking, and careers.

As a competition, audience voting will determine which short comedy will win the coveted "Audience Choice Award." Get in on the fun and vote for your favorite short comedy. Edgy adult humor is the norm, so this film is not for the easily offended. 

The LDS Church, With Single Largest Bloc of Boy Scout Members, Responds to Today's Boy Scout Gay Policy Vote

Photo courtesy of LDS Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded today to the Boy Scouts of America vote on its membership policy with the following statement:

"For the past 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong relationship with Boy Scouts of America, based on our mutual interest in helping boys and young men understand and live their duty to God and develop upright moral behavior. As the Church moves forward in its association with the Boy Scouts of America, Church leaders will continue to seek the most effective ways to address the diverse needs of young people in the United States and throughout the world.

The Church’s long-established policy for participation in activities is stated in the basic instructional handbook used by lay leaders of the Church: “young men … who agree to abide by Church standards” are “welcomed warmly and encouraged to participate” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 8.17.3). This policy applies to Church-sponsored Scout units. Sexual orientation has not previously been—and is not now—a disqualifying factor for boys who want to join Latter-day Saint Scout troops. Willingness to abide by standards of behavior continues to be our compelling interest.

These standards are outlined in the booklet For the Strength of Youth and include abstinence from sexual relationships. We remain firmly committed to upholding these standards and to protecting and strengthening boys and young men.

The Church appreciates BSA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to “duty to God,” which includes service to others and moral behavior—central principles of our teaching to young men. As in the past, the Church will work with BSA to harmonize what Scouting has to offer with the varying needs of our young men. We trust that BSA will implement and administer the approved policy in an appropriate and effective manner."

The LDS Church also said that a letter signed by the First Presidency of the Church is being sent to all Latter-day Saint congregation leaders throughout the United States.

Breaking News: Boys Scouts Change Policy on Gay Youth

Breaking News from KPVI: At Texas meeting, Boy Scouts approve new policy to allow openly gay scouts but not openly gay leaders. The vote was 61% in favor, according to Grand Teton Council Executive Clarke Farrer.

Under the proposal drafted by the BSA national board, openly gay adults will remained barred from serving as Scout leaders.

Today's vote is unlikely to end the intense debate over the BSA's long-standing policy.

Several church-sponsored Scout units want to continue to banning opening gay youth, and have threatened defection. Other units welcome the change, but have vowed for the acceptance of openly gay adult leaders.

Journey Theater Arts Group Presents "Annie Get Your Gun"

The Journey Theater Arts Group is presenting multiple performances, beginning this Friday, of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Washburn Performing Arts Center in Washougal.


Annie Oakley is the best shot around, and she manages to support her little brothers and sisters by selling the game she hunts. When she's discovered by Col. Buffalo Bill, he persuades this sharpshooter to join his Wild West Show. It only takes one glance for her to fall for shooting ace Frank Butler, who headlines the show.

Annie soon eclipses Butler as the main attraction, which is good for business, but upsets the budding  romance. Butler eventually leaves to join a rival show, and is ultimately pitted against Annie in a final shoot-out. The finale hits the mark in a testament to the power of female ingenuity.

The theater is located at 1201 39th Street, Washougal, WA 98671.

Public performance schedule is as follows: Friday, May 24 at 7 pm Saturday, May 24 at 7 pm Sunday, May 26 at 2 pm Friday, May 31 at 7 pm Saturday, June 1 at 3 pm Saturday, June 1 at 7 pm Sunday, June 2 at 2 pm Tickets can be purchased at the door or purchased at www.journeytheater.org

Camas Varsity Softball Heads to State Thursday

The Papermakers have had a great softball
2013 season (19-5).

The Camas High School Varsity Softball team heads to State competition in Spokane on Thursday as the No. 2 seed, after losing in the Bi-District Championships in Spanaway over the weekend.

The Lady Papermakers played four games (3-1) in the Bi-District tournament and held Emerald Ridge 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh inning when Emerald got off two hits to win the game 2-1.

Camas faces Lake Stevens on Friday at noon as they enter the double-elimination tournament.

"We can do this," said Papermaker second baseman, Lena Richards. "We've had such a great season, but it was crushing to lose to Emerald Ridge. This is our second loss to them."

The team has had an incredible season winning 19 games, and losing only five.

Richards attributes their success to good team chemistry, hard work, excellent coaching, supportive fans, and, of course, talent.

The last time a Camas softball team won a state championship was in 2002.