State’s average annual wage
increases to $40,385

The annual average wage in Washington has increased by 3.5 percent, to $40,385, for 2005, according to the state Employment Security Department.

With the increase comes an increase in the minimum weekly unemployment benefit, which is calculated at 15 percent of the average weekly wage. The minimum rate will go up to $116, from $112, starting July 1. The maximum weekly benefit has been capped by the legislature at $496 a week.

The average wage is also used to compute employer taxes. Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, employers will pay unemployment taxes on the first 31,400 paid to each employee.

Clark College vocal groups
preview Mexican tour

The Clark College Women’s Choral Ensemble, under the direction of April Brookins Duvic, and the Clark College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, which is directed by Janet Reiter, will present selections from the program they have prepared for a forthcoming joint tour of Mexico in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, in the Decker Theatre on the college campus.

While there is no admission charge for the concert, donations for the ensembles will be accepted at the door. For further information, call 992-2245.

Grad students to present first Fort
Vancouver public history field school

Graduate students enrolled in the first Public History Field School at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site will present public programs as part of the park’s annual Brigade Encampment, Saturday, June 17.

“These programs represent the equivalent of the students’ final exam,” says Greg Shine, chief ranger & historian. The public programs are the result of 11 weeks of studies at the historic site.

The programs begin at 1 p.m. and are held every half-hour until 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site or just to the north of the reconstructed fort. Call 360-816-6200 for further information. The schedule is as follows:

· 1 p.m. “The Fur Trader Diet.”

· 1:30 p.m. “The Voyageur at Portage: Overland and Overburdened.”

· 2 p.m. “Beavers: They’re More Than Just Fur!” (a program for children & families)

· 3 p.m. “The Fur Store: Preparing the Furs for Shipment.”

· 3:30 p.m. “The Role of the Hudson’s Bay Company fur brigades in Hudson’s Bay Company-Indian Relations.”

Calendar

The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council meets in regular session at 4 p.m. today in the 6th floor training room in the Public Service Center. n The City of Vancouver will host a community open house to share information on the Main Street Improvement Project, 4 to 7 p.m. today, in the Vancouver Marketplace, 210 W Evergreen Blvd. n The re-election campaign kickoff for Democrat Clark County Treasurer Doug Lasher is from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening at 5401 SE Scenic Lane, Unit 205. Special Guest will be Washington State Treasurer Mike Murphy. n Gert “Ma” Boyle keynotes the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd annual Excellence in Enterprise luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Admission is $35. Boyle will be accompanied by Kerry Tymchuck, co-author of her book, One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and Apple Pies. Call the chamber’s event line, 694-2588 for further information or go to www.vancouverusa.com to register online. n Former State Rep. Val Ogden will be honored as Clark County’s First Citizen in a ceremony that begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, in the Hilton Vancouver, Washington. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts are offered. A no-host bar is available. For reservations for the $35 event, call 694-2588.

Headlines at home and from around the world: (Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

Tuesday on the air         Stigma and Mental Health (5/31)—3:30 p.m. CVTV    Community Foundation Luncheon (5/4)—5 p.m. CVTV    Spring Fest 6/03—6 p.m. CVTV    CREDC: Why $70 a Barrel Oil May Be Good For You (5/25)—7 p.m. CVTV    Minnesota at Seattle Mariners (live)—7 p.m. FSN, KFXX    Portland Beavers at Tucson (live)—7 p.m. KKAD    Employment, Mental Health & Wellness (5/19)—8:30 p.m. CVTV    Clark County Focus (5/25)—10 p.m. CVTV    Bravo! Vancouver: Happy Birthday Amadeus—10:30 p.m. CVTV

Town Tabloids and the weather Todd Yapple proving to be prodigious quaffer. n Leslie Draper ordering Sears & Roebuck gazebo prints. n Billy and Nicole Reid’s guests arriving safely at home. n Ron Arp making it all happen. n Walter Evans sorting out the family tree. n Lynn Degerstedt reporting on yesteryear. n Tuesday, partly sunny and warm, 73. Wednesday, mixed bag of sun and clouds, 75. Thursday, chance of showers, cooler, 70.

Accounting Caley & Associates, James Caley CPA, 695-0065 Peterson & Associates, P.S., Certified Public Accountants, 574-0644 Tax Advisors, PLLC, CPAs Property Tax/Cost Segregation 750-6884 Attorneys Miller Nash LLP. Steve Horenstein, 699-4771 Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Lisa Lowe, 694-7551 Banks Bank of Clark County, 993-2265 First Independent Bank, 699-4200 West Coast Bank, 695-3439 Beauty and Wellness Iduhair & Company Salon Retreat, Celinda Rupert, 735-1249 Charitable Gift Planning Barbara Chen CFP, Clark College Foundation, (360) 992-2659 David DiCesare, The Community Foundation, (360) 694-2550 Jim Forkner, FAHP, SWMC Foundation, (360) 514-3182 Elson Strahan, CFRE, President, Historic Reserve Trust (360) 992-1835 Cosmetic and Family Dentistry Earl C. (Duke) Simpson, DDS, PS, 993-0300 Construction Management and Development Andersen Construction Co., Inc. Bob Durgan, (503) 720-5234 RSV Construction, Ron Frederiksen, 693-8830 Credit Unions Columbia Credit Union, 891-4000 iQ Credit Union, 992-4242 Development/Investments Killian Pacific LLC, 567-0625 Prestige Development, Elie Kassab, 993-0010 Engineering, Planning and & Surveying Mackay & Sposito, John M. Yamashita, 695-3411 Human Resources Consultation O'Neill & Associates, Paula Johnson, 606-2961 Insurance Services Keenan Insurance Services, Brandon M. Keenan, 213-1500 Investment and Retirement Planning First Pacific Associates, Mark Martel, CFP, (360) 254-2585 Public Relations Hunt Communications Tom Hunt, 693-8180 KMac & Associates LLC, Kathy McDonald, 607-8059 Rocky/Hill & Knowlton, Krista Hildebrand, (503) 248-9468 Real Estate Coldwell Banker Commercial Wally Hornberger, 699-4494 Norris Beggs & Simpson, Roger Qualman, 699-7181 Retirement and Inheritance Planning Andy Nygard, CFP, (360) 695-6431 Signs Security Signs, Designed to inform and sell! Carol Keljo, 817-9959 Speaking and Training Kathy Condon, Career Communications, 695-4313 Window Washing Quality Window Washing, Dave Beecher, 256-7370