Commissioners to consider
spending for 2007-2008

Budget proposals for 2007 and 2008 will be the focus of a public hearing before Clark County commissioners at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. Budget sessions will be in the sixth floor hearing room in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street.

The hearing will open with presentations by county administrator Bill Barron and budget director Glenn Olson, followed by an examination of budgets presented by county departments headed by elected officials. The first day of budget hearings will end at 5 p.m. The hearing will resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The primary opportunity for public comment will be during a session that opens at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 5. However, chairman of the board of commissioners Marc Boldt said that requests to speak on Monday or Tuesday for those who are unable to attend the evening session will be considered.

Further information is available on the county Web site, http://www.clark.wa.gov/obis/documents.html.

Women’s gains in 2006 Women’s
Political Caucus topic Monday

Mark Stephan, Washington State University American political science professor, will discuss “What Were Women’s Wins in 2006” at the 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, meeting of the Women’s Political Caucus of Clark County.

The presentation is in the Vancouver Housing Authority community room, 2500 Main Street. The local organization is a branch of the state chapter, an affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus, says spokesperson Stacey Johnson-Kipfer.

News briefs

The Grand Opening of Vancouver's newest professional recording studio, Downbeat Sounds, Inc. is at 5 to 9 p.m. today in the studio's new recording facilities at 609 Main Street. Formed this year by Jackie McGreevey, chairwoman, and Kelsey Smith, president and chief engineer, the studio is the exclusive recording facility for Verbatim Records, Inc., a west coast independent label with national distribution. Private tours are available. For further information, call McGreevey at 910-4544. n Vancouver firefighters are asking for more help as they collect coats for needy people. According to Fire Capt. Duane Schuman, the department this year has given 40 coats to the elderly and to some homeless people. But the goal is to collect at least 1,000 coats, the number collected last year. Anyone who wants to donate a coat can take it to the Fire Station 86, 400 E 37th Street. Drop-off times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Calendar

The Festival of Nativities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 10509 SE 5th Street, continues from noon to 9 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 2. Hands-on activities are available for children. There is no charge. Live nativity scenes will be presented at 7 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. n The Uptown Village annual Sip and Stroll is from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, all along Main Street between Fourth Plain and Mill Plain Boulevards. A $20 donation gets attendees 20 wine tastings. n The Vancouver Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker performances are at 7 p.m. this evening through Saturday, Dec. 2, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, in the auditorium in Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th Street. General admission is $12. For further information, call 601-1804. n Arts Equity on Stage is offering four short plays and a video in 7 p.m. performances, this evening through Sunday, Dec. 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, in the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street. Also being presented at 10 p.m. tonight and 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, are performances of the one-man production Herringbone. For further information, call 695-3770. n The Clark College concert band and choir perform at 7:30 p.m. this evening in the Royal Durst Theatre, Vancouver School of Arts & Academics, 3201 Main Street. The concert is free, but contributions to the college music scholarship program will be accepted. n Jim Fisher & Friends are offering two performances for the benefit of Clark County’s Friends of the Carpenter, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main Street. Adult admission is $15. n The Junior Symphony of Vancouver, conducted by Timoteus Racz, presents its annual winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Columbia Arts Center, 400 W Evergreen Boulevard. General admission is $10. For further information, call 696-4084, extension 5. n Local Quakers are participating in a Season of Peace sale of “gift-quality” vintage treasures, from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the meeting house at SE 43rd Avenue and StarkStreet in Portland. n Bravo! Vancouver opens its 2006-2007 concert season with its traditional Christmas presentation of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S Andresen Boulevard. Reserved tickets are $20 and may be obtained by calling 906-0441 or at the door.

Friday headlines

Judgment Day at Fort Vancouver High School; real, live, textbook justice--Columbian, Stephanie Rice

DUI patrols being stepped up locally during holiday season--Columbian, John Branton

Public to get its turn to comment on Interstate Bridge replacement in January--Columbian, Don Hamilton

Christmas Train rides again--Columbian, Tricia Jones

Restaurant at Historic Reserve changes menu, but best salad still  on the bill of fare--Columbian, Mike Bailey

Ridgefield to put school levy on the February ballot--Oregonian, Holley Gilbert

Public gets first peak at OHSU aerial tram cars--KATU, Susan Harding (video available)

State's last coal mine shuts; Centralia hit hard--Seattle Times, Hal Bernton

In New York minute, Vista, Office 2007 debut--Seattle Times, Benjamin J. Romano

Amid chaos Mexican President Calderon takes office--Washington Post