Port Commission to meet for first time in 2010

The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners will meet for a regular meeting with an open session beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the Commission Room at the Port’s administration building, 3103 NW Lower River Road. Commissioners Jerry Oliver, Brian Wolfe and Nancy Baker will be discussing ten action items.

The first three action items will cover annual routine business, including the election of officers, appointment of the executive director, Port auditor and legal counsel, and making appointments of commissioners and staff to business organizations in which the Port participates on an annual basis.

Also on the agenda are two items of unfinished business: commissioners’ review of the Port contracts log and further discussion of the idea to expand the commission from three to five. Executive Director Larry Paulson will also provide commissioners and the public with project updates in his report.

The action items are the following: Personal Services Contract training policy, Resolution 1-2010: Personal Services Contract solicitation exemptions, second amendment and extension to mooring permit, interlocal agreement with Clark County, services contract for financial assessment services, Public Works contract for maintenance dredging, and an amendment to channel deepening agreement.

Commissioners will also participate in a workshop regarding export commodity opportunities following the regular meeting of the Port commission.

The regular meeting will be televised live on CVTV (cable channel 21) beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will also be streaming live on www.cvtv.org, and will be archived later in the day on the same website for future viewing.

Clark County tourism industry to be honored at annual awards ceremony

The Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau will host the 4th annual Clark County Tourism Awards ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at The Heathman Lodge. The annual event honors key individuals, businesses, events and programs in Clark County’s growing hospitality community.

Award finalists have been selected in seven categories ranging from Retail Excellence to Outstanding Tourism Service for 2009. Each finalist has reached an outstanding level of achievement, exceeding normal industry and customer expectations. For a list of finalists, visit www.SouthwestWashington.com/Awards.

The event is supported by the City of Vancouver, Clark County, and the Clark County Lodging Association, with generous sponsorship from the Vancouver Business Journal. Clark County businesses and residents alike are invited to attend this event to see who will rise to the top and be honored with an award. Registrations are now being accepted for the event. To register for the event, visit www.SouthwestWashington.com/Awards or call 750-1553 ext. 13.

Clark County’s tourism industry is an important part of the area’s economy, generating nearly $421 million in visitor spending each year and providing over 4,000 jobs. Visitor spending also generates nearly $30 million in state and local taxes, helping our economy even more.

Rising to the moment in challenging times: Clark’s 2010 State of the College Address

Against a backdrop of record enrollment and cuts in state funding, Clark College President Robert K. Knight will deliver the 2010 State of the College address at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the Gaiser Student Center on the college’s main campus. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.

Knight will discuss accomplishments and challenges from the past year, including the steps taken by the college to meet record demand. In fall 2009, Clark welcomed more than 16,000 students. It also successfully opened Clark College at Columbia Tech Center.

Knight will also provide an overview of Clark’s contributions to the region and address the fiscal situation facing Clark and other colleges as the State legislature convenes in Olympia.

Guests are invited to bring nonperishable food donations. Donations can also be taken to the college’s Welcome Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. The Welcome Center is located on the lower level of the Penguin Union Building.

The food donations will be given to Share Vancouver, which provides shelter, food and emergency services through four shelters. Their goal is to assist people in getting back into permanent housing and alleviate the factors which lead to homelessness.

Knight says, “We know that many of our residents are in need during these tough economic times. We also know that supplies at many food banks are low. This is an opportunity for our college community, and our community as a whole, to reach out and make a difference.”

WSU Vancouver invites you to help make Jan. 18 a "Day On"

Washington State University Vancouver is hosting a day of service to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 18. The day will begin with a short, inspirational program including the words of Thabiti Lewis, professor of English, at 9 a.m. at the Firstenburg Student Commons. From there, volunteers will split into groups to perform a variety of community-service projects throughout the community.

Community-service projects include outdoor activities with the Stream Team, planting trees with the Vancouver Watershed Council, making cards for Doernbecher Children's Hospital and meal service with Share Vancouver. Time commitments range from two to four hours depending on the project. Details about the organizations and the activities can be found at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/mlk.

Students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to participate to make Jan 18 a "day on" rather than a day off. RSVP at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/mlk to sign up for one of the community service programs. For more information, call Bola Majekobaje at 546-9568.

WSU Vancouver's Day of Service is one of thousands taking place around the country. Dr. King once said, "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."

Calendar

Vancouver City Council meets for workshops at 4 p.m. today, Jan. 11, followed by a consent agenda meeting at 6 p.m., Council chambers, 210 East 13th Street. <> Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of trustees meet for a regular meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, Jan. 11, in the Washington Community Library, 1661 C Street, Washougal, WA. <> Lapellah Restaurant is celebrating its first anniversary Monday and Tuesday, Jan 11-12, with a buy one entree, get one free. A portion of the proceeds from the anniversary celebration will be donated to the Clark County Food Bank. Visit http://www.lapellah.com/ for more information. <> The Neighborhood Association Council of Clark County meet from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, Jan. 11, in Public Works conference room, 4700 NE 78th Street. <> Washougal City Council meets for workshops at 5:30 p.m. today, Jan. 11, in Council chambers. <> A Cemetery Board meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 12, in Council chambers, Washougal. <> Join the community in honoring Councilmember Pat Jollota, for her 20 years of service to the Vancouver community, at a dedication and service from 4 to 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 12, in the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Light refreshments will be served. <> West Coast Bank will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 1:30 to 4:15 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 12, at the downtown Vancouver location, 500 Broadway. The mobile bus will be parked alongside the parking structure behind the West Coast Bank building with registration taking place inside the bank lobby. To make an appointment, call Gloria Campbell at 906-4252 or visit www.givelife.org.The code to enter online is westcoast.

Monday on the air

 

City Council Workshop (1-4)--4:10 p.m. CVTV

One Place Across Time (digital)--5:29 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver City Council (live)--5:55 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Planning Commission (12-9)--7:30 p.m. CVTV

Clark College Orchestra Fall Concert (12-2)--9:29 p.m. CVTV

Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners (12-8)--11 p.m. CVTV   

 Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Monday, January 11, 2010 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Ridgefield buys land for community park--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

B.G. OKs probe into suspected leak--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

Carroll leaves USC to coach Seahawks--Columbian, Gregg Bell

Sarah Palin joins Fox News--USA Today, AP

Federal Reserve seeks to protect U.S. bailout secrets (update 1)--Huffington Post, David Glovin and Thom Weidlich