nLIght acquires Hillsboro company

Vancouver-based nLight, a leading manufacturer of high-power semiconductor lasers, has acquired the assets of Flextronics Photonics, Hillsboro. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Hillsboro plant, employing 37 persons will remain in production there.

“This acquisition reinforces our position as a leading supplier of high-power semiconductor laser solutions,” Scott Keeney, nLight president and CEO said today. “It positions us to provide integrated solutions that will enable new applications in a broad range of industries.”

The acquisition will add an array of new fiber-coupled and hybrid microelectronic products that will complement nLight’s current products.

NLight employs 113 in its 60,000-square-foot Vancouver plant.

Skills Center-ESD 112 program for
high school dropouts begins this fall

The Clark County Skills Center and Education District 112 have developed a program that will provide a combined academic and technical education program for out-of-school youths, 16 to 19, that will begin this fall in the Skills Center. It is estimated that there are 1,300 drop-out students in southern Washington who could qualify for the new training program.

ESD 112 will provide academic instruction and support services. The Skills Center will contribute instructors and facilities.

The intent of the program, called Project Hope, is to complete the students, high school requirements and to provide them with marketable job skills. A $23,000 grant from the Community Foundation will finance a remodeled classroom and computer laboratory for the program in the Skills Center.

Extreme BMX riders in competition
to support new Extreme Sports Park

Although Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation has grant funding to complete the first 10,000 square feet of the new Extreme Sports Park in Pacific Community Park, between NE 164th and 172nd Avenues at NE 18th Street, financing for the second half of the 20,000-square-foot facility is being sought from the community.

The Extreme Sports Park will be the home to local BMX riders, skateboarders and in-line skaters.

Toward that end the parks department is holding an extreme sports competition at noon Saturday, Aug. 26, in the SWIFT Skate Park in Waterworks Park, at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way.

Contestants are to register at 11 a.m. and pay a $5 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded

There is no charge for spectators, but donations toward the second phase of the extreme sports park construction will be taken.

Ignorant editor has no excuse

Elizabeth Dole, who is in town today stumping for Mike McGavick, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Maria Cantwell, was elected to the U.S. Senate from her home state of North Carolina in November 2002. The Insider regrettably labeled Mrs. Dole as a former senator, for which its editor has been thoroughly chastised.

A native of Salisbury, N.C., Elizabeth Dole graduated with distinction from Duke University in 1958 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a degree from Harvard Law School in 1965 and also holds a master’s degree in education and government from Harvard.

In another story this week the Insider reported that scarecrows in Vancouver’s Downtown Association’s Extreme Scarecrow Makeover would appear in the Clark County Historical Museum after being assembled in various downtown merchants’ locations. Not so. The scarecrows will be judged in situ by the public September 9 through October 1, after which they will be sold by silent auction.

Send the kids back to college
with free Insider subscriptions

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To subscribe, send a name and email address to tony@dailyinsider.info.

People

Sheehan Griffitts, formerly director of human resources for Columbia River Mental Health Services, has been named employment team lead in the Department of Human Resources at the City of Vancouver. Griffitts will also serve as secretary-examiner for Vancouver Civil Service.

Calendar

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival, already underway at Esther Short Park, continues today. Headlining with 8 p.m. concert is virtuoso blues harmonicist James Cotton at 8 p.m. Spyro Gyra, Mavis Staples and Dr. John headline Saturday, Aug. 26. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is in concert at 4:30 p.m., and Eddie Pammieri concludes the three-day run at 7 p.m. Sunday. More than 250 wines from 66 wineries are available by the taste or glass. Fifty fine artists are in attendance. Tickets are available through Safeway TicketsWest. For further information, go to www.vancouverwinejazz.com. n The one-man musical Herringbone is being presented in the Arts Equity On Stage air conditioned Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street at 7:30 p.m. this evening and Saturday, Aug. 26. Admission is $8. n The City of La Center presents a free movie, Herbie: Fully Loaded, in downtown Sternwheeler Park at 8:30 p.m. tonight. Food vendors representing local nonprofit groups will be in attendance. n An open house is being held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in Vancouver Fire Station 89, 17408 SE 15th Street n The Disney Channel movie The Cheetah Girls 2 is being shown free at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in the Clark County Family YMCA at 11324 NE 51st Circle. For further information on this family movie, call David Bower, 258-3835. n SWIFT Skate Park fund-raising BMX rider competition begins at noon Saturday, Aug. 26, in the park within Waterworks Park at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way. Donations will be accepted. n The Columbian’s East Town Fest is noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in the Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Avenue. The free event features concerts, carnival activities, swimming and gymnasium activities and a children’s safety program.
     

Friday on the air    City Minutes (7/23)—3:30 p.m. CVTV    Vancouver Symphony Under the Stars—4:30 p.m. CVTV    Animal Control Hearings (8/23)—7 p.m. CVTV    New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners (live)—7 p.m. FSN, KFXX    Las Vegas at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD    Primary Election Candidates Night (8/22)—10 p.m. CVTV

Town Tabloids and the weather Despo Varkados knowing good work when she sees it. n Jim Caley reporting the facts. n Jim Rourk plies film critic with breakfast. n Pat Bauer inundated with news. n Troy Van Dinter going to the movie. n Friday, festival sunny, 84. Saturday, all sunshine, 90. Sunday, jazzy, clear day, 89.

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