Forty graduate from Northwest Renewable Energy Institute

The first graduating class of Vancouver, Washington’s Northwest Renewable Energy Institute received their diplomas in a ceremony at the Institute’s Vancouver headquarters over the Christmas holiday weekend. The 40 graduates of the Wind Energy Technicians Course, 39 men and one woman, are now being placed with the nation’s burgeoning wind energy industry, according to Institute founder, Arch Miller.

The six-month’s training included course work that acquainted students with the various aspects of wind energy, including safety, mechanical, electrical and hydraulics, as well as metal science and programmable logic controllers. According to Tracy Rascoe, NW-REI director, physical conditioning is also an early program element with participants required to demonstrate agility while carrying 100 lbs. Certified fitness trainers assist in testing and recommending areas for improvement over the six-month curriculum.

According to Rascoe, “These graduates are now well prepared to meet all the requirements of entry-level wind energy technicians. I am very confident in their abilities,” he said. “In fact, I was asked by an industry representative, if I were hiring, would I hire all of them, and the answer was, yes--absolutely.”

Placement efforts by the Institute are currently underway. According to the Institutes’ accrediting agency, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), 70 percent of these graduates must be placed within 90 days. “Our goal, of course, is 100 % placement,” said Miller.

Rascoe said that of all individual inquiries made with the Institute about participating in the program, only eight percent were finally accepted. “We’re looking for people who can meet or exceed industry standards,” he said. “Our industry advisory committee, which is composed of representatives from important segments of the industry, keeps us current with the requirements and skills necessary to meet their service needs. We want our students to succeed,” he concluded, “so we ask the hard questions up front. We don’t want to waste their time or tuition money.”

The Northwest Renewable Energy Institute (NW-REI), a division of the International Air & Hospitality Academy, opened its doors in July 2009 with the Wind Energy Technician Course as the first course offered. New classes for wind energy technicians have followed each month with the next class scheduled to begin January 11, 2010. Training for other alternative energy technologies is being considered.

Local makes national notoriety

Local singer and rising star Katelynne Cox is highlighted in Supermodel Unlimited, December edition, as one of the most beautiful people in the music industry. Cox is featured along with other Hollywood celebrities such as Justin Chon (Twilight Saga), Haylie Duff, Gilles Marini (Dancing with the Stars) and Brooke Hogan.

“It is an honor to represent our community from such a national platform,” said Cox. “I love to entertain people, and this opportunity will help me to continue perusing my dreams.”

Supermodel Unlimited is a bi-monthly magazine geared toward the teen-girl and woman’s market. Cox has participated in several performances and pageant competitions. She has won over 75 state and national titles, including National Jr. Teen in 2008 and Miss Washington Pre-Teen in 2006. Her first album, Unbelievable, topped MySpace music charts when released September 2008.

The 15-year-old Camas local is currently recording in Nashville, Tennessee. “I’m looking forward to my new album and new style of music,” says Cox. Her second album is set to be released spring 2010. For more information, contact Jim Mains at 513-8529.

Special election voter registration deadline is approaching

The last day for submitting a mail-in voter registration form or registering online for the February 9, 2010, special election is Monday, Jan. 11. Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked no later than Jan. 11.

Online registration applications must be submitted before midnight on Jan. 11. To register online, visit http://clarkvotes.org and click the online voter registration button. All changes of address by currently registered voters must also be submitted by Monday, Jan. 11, in order to apply to the Feb. 9, 2010 special election, if done by mail, online or by telephone.

Citizens who are not currently registered to vote in the state of Washington have an additional time period, running through Monday, Feb. 1, to register by appearing in person at the County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

A sample ballot listing all candidate races and ballot measures appearing on the Feb. 9, 2010, special election is now available on the Clark County Elections Department website at http://clarkvotes.org.

Misty River set for Valentine’s Day fund-raiser

The Misty River Band, a popular fixture on the Northwest folk, country, bluegrass and Celtic music scene, is making a return visit to Vancouver with a Valentine’s Day concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 14, at Skyview High School.

The four-woman group is known for its toe-tapping, smile-on-your-face “Americana” repertoire featuring exquisite vocal harmonies and magic with the guitar, fiddle, accordion, bass, and banjo.

This is the sixth consecutive Misty River Band winter concert produced by the Salmon Creek Kiwanis Club. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: All Salmon Creek Kiwanis Club members; all Columbian Credit Union branches; Music World, 502 E. Main Street, Battle Ground; Music World, 7916 NE 6th Avenue, Hazel Dell; Beacock Music, 1420 SE 163rd Avenue, Vancouver; River City Music, 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; Garside Florist, 6610 E. Mill Plain. Blvd., Vancouver. Same-day sales ($18): 2:15 p.m., Feb. 14, Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street, Vancouver.

For more information about Misty River, visit www.mistyriverband.com. For concert and Kiwanis information, call Darrell at 693-7981, Ron at 699-1234, or Gregg at 574-3747.

News Briefs

Mayor Tim Leavitt and Councilmembers Jeanne Harris, Jeanne E. Stewart and Jack Burkman will be sworn in at tonight’s Vancouver City Council meeting. <> Corwin Beverage Co. is sponsoring a Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, in the Corwin Beverage Co., 219 South Timm Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. Cost is $10 per member and $30 for general admission. To register, visit click here. <> Descendants of the first three Board members in Battle Ground School District, G.C. Scotton, William Bramhall and Peter Onsdorff, will be expected guests at the district’s centennial celebration being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Battle Ground High School. Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration.

Calendar

Battle Ground City Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight, Jan. 4, in City Council chambers, 109 SW 1st Street, 2nd floor. For more information, call 342-5008. <> Washougal City Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight, Jan. 4, in Council chambers. <> Vancouver City Council meets for a full council meeting with public hearings 7 p.m. tonight, Jan. 4, in City Council chambers, 210 East 13th Street, 1st floor. <> Port of Camas/Washougal is holding an executive session at 3 p.m. followed by an open meeting at 4 p.m. today, Jan. 4. <> There will be a ribbon-cutting for Fishers Landing Hypnotherapy from 4:30 to 5 p.m. today, Jan. 4, 16701 SE McGillivray, Suite 215. Call Terry Conner at 326-4285 for more information. <> The next RTC Board of Directors meeting will be held on at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, in the 6th floor Training Room of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St, Vancouver, WA 98660. <> Port of Camas/Washougal meets for a preliminary agenda at 4 p.m. today, Jan. 4.

Monday on the air

 

City Council Workshop (live)--3:55 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver City Council (live)--6:55 p.m. CVTV

Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council (12-4)--11 p.m. CVTV

 Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Monday, January 04, 2010 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Building on Clark County in 2010--Columbian, Cami Joner

No-kill shelter survives scare--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

Bits 'm 'Pieces: Restaurants' owners inspired by their heritage--Columbian, Columbian Staff

C.I.A. data sharing with environmental scientists is revived--New York Times, William J. Broad