Gardeners needed for new food garden program

Gardeners who are interested in increasing community access to healthy foods are invited to sign up for the Growing Groceries Mentor Program, a training series designed to help gardeners gain additional knowledge and skills to use in helping others grow produce at home or in community garden programs.

The four-part training will be held on Saturdays Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 27, and April 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the second floor conference room at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E. 4th Plain Blvd., Vancouver. A $50 fee covers the four training sessions and introductory course materials. An optional $5 CD includes additional publications and resources. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.

Training topics include the following: selecting a garden site, vegetable gardening, irrigation and soils, pest management, working with community groups, technical resources.

After completing the training, participants are encouraged to share their knowledge; they can be matched with neighborhood associations, schools, faith-based and emergency food organizations, and community garden sites.

To register online, visit https://ocrs.wsu.edu/Signup/?eventid=585. For more information, contact Ariel Rivers at 360-397-8000, ext. 7388 or ariel.rivers@clark.wa.gov. Scholarships may be available.

The Growing Groceries Mentor Program is sponsored by Clark County Public Health, Washington State University Vancouver, and Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation.

Treetalk workshop: Recognizing hazardous trees

During winter storms many residents become concerned about the condition and safety of large trees. Careful understanding and management of tree defects create a safer environment, reduce liability, and help when prioritizing tree care.

All trees have the potential to fail, but only a relative few actually do. "Just because a tree is mature doesn't mean it will fail," says Charles Ray, Urban Forester for the City of Vancouver. "Most trees fail because of an existing defect." Defects include decay, cankers and root problems, which often can be identified by a certified arborist.

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, a free TreeTalk Workshop is being held to help people learn to recognize hazards while taking proper corrective actions to protect themselves and the trees. A local certified arborist and tree risk assessor will be on-hand to lead the discussion and answer tree care questions.

The workshop is part of TreeTalk, a series of free, all-about-trees, educational workshops, presented by Vancouver Urban Forestry, a division of the Department of Public Works.

Register in advance by calling 619-1108, or email urbanforestry@ci.vancouver.wa.us. For more information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.

Denise McFadden "Watercolors" to open at Art on the Boulevard

Art on the Boulevard, a fine art gallery in the Vancouver Marketplace, will open a new show featuring the watercolors of Denise McFadden on February 5th.

 McFadden’s watercolors are saturated with light and color. Her new works include several new "woven" paintings, where two like paintings have been cut into strips and woven together to create one painting.

McFadden majored in graphic art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. For twelve years she worked as a graphic artist for advertising firms in Chicago and Colorado. Since moving to Vancouver in 1993, McFadden has chosen watercolor as her medium.

McFadden is a member of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society, the Northwest Watercolor Society, and the National Watercolor Society. She has won prizes for her work, which has appeared in numerous shows.

The First Friday evening reception on February 5th is from 5 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge. McFadden will be in attendance. The show runs through February 27.

Art on the Boulevard is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on First Fridays till 9 p.m. For further information, contact the gallery at 750-4499.

Pictures from the 2010 Clark College State of Address

 

These photos photo show President Knight with the new mayor – and Clark College alum – Tim Leavitt.  The other features the mascot Oswald next to the newly lighted reader board sign outside the Clark Welcome Center on Fort Vancouver Way.

Calendar

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has its third concert of the season at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan.17. The concert is highlighted by the appearances of guest artists Eva Richey and Fumino Ando playing Concerto for Two Violins in D minor by J.S. Bach, Lena Vozheiko Wheaton and Cinda Goold Redman playing the Concerto No. 10 in E-flat major for Two Pianos by W.A. Mozart. The second half also features Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7. All performances are at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th, Vancouver. Tickets for performances are available online at www.vancouversymphony.org, by phone at 735-7278, at local outlets and at the door. Students get a special $9 admission price for any concert. For more information, visit orchestra’s website at www.vancouversymphony.org. <> Slocum House Theatre will be performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare-Abridged, written by Borgeson, Long and Singer, and directed by Tony Bump, Friday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, January 31. Those interested in seeing the sketch comedy should visit www.slocumhouse.com or call 696-2427. <> The Port of Vancouver will hold a public tour of its marine terminals from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at 3103 NW Lower River Road. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 15, by contacting Andrew Ness at 992-1137 or email amness@portvanusa.com. <> The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive in honor of MLK Jr. Day from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at the Clark County Donor Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue. For more information, call 989-2921 or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org. <> Port of Camas-Washougal is holding an executive session from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by a joint special meeting with Camas and Washougal City Councils at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, Camas Public Library, 625 NE Avenue, 2nd floor.

 

Happy Martin Luther King. Jr. Day!

The Daily Insider will resume Tuesday, Jan. 19

 Friday on the air

 

Clark County Focus (12-22)--5:29 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Close Up (1-3)--5:58 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Animal Control Hearings (1-13)--7 p.m. CVTV

Planning for Healthy Communities: Health Impact Assessments in Land Use Planning (12-1)--8:16 p.m. CVTV

Councilmember Pat Jollota Community Reception (1-12)--10 p.m. CVTV

Celebrate Freedom Festival: 104th Training Division (LT) Farewell Ceremony (9-19)--10:32 p.m. CVTV

City Minutes (1-3)--11:30 p.m. CVTV

   Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Friday, January 15, 2010 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Judge named to vacant Superior Court bench--Columbian, Laura McVicker

Sleuths wanted for history's mysteries--Columbian, Elisa Williams

'Runway' contestant takes off--Columbian, MaryAnn Albright

Clark College aim to branch out, ride out budget troubles--Columbian, Howard Buck

Rescuers race to find survivors in Haiti as U.S. Troops work to speed aid flow--New York Times, Marc Lacey