dailyinsider
Friday, April 16, 2010

Three chosen for Commute Smart Awards

Star Winborne and Gov. Chris Gregoire

Paula Hammond, Secretary of Transportation, Matt Ransom, city of Vancouver, Jennifer Campos, city of Vancouver , Jeanne Harris, councilwoman, city of Vancouver and Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Nichole Reitzenstein of Clark Public Utilities, her son, Brady and Gov. Chris Gregoire

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the winners of the 2010 Governor's Commute Smart Awards at a ceremony hosted at the Governor's Mansion in Olympia this week.

Three of those awards went to Clark County agencies.

"Our state's commute trip reduction program is a great example of what can happen when public and private organizations work together to promote transportation choices other than just driving alone," said Gregoire. "The award winners this year have achieved meaningful and measurable results in reducing drive-alone commutes on our busiest roads."

The Governor's Commute Smart Awards recognize communities, businesses, agencies and employee transportation coordinators. The awards recognize the benefits such as better traffic flow and cleaner air, that are shared by all. For every $1 the state invests in these programs, businesses invest an additional $18, maximizing commute trip reduction programs for everyone in the state.

This year's awards recognize 46 recipients in eleven categories. Local awards included:
Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Champion: Starr Winborne (Washington State DSHS - Division of Child Support); Commute Smart Employer Leadership: Clark Public Utilities; and Commute Smart Community Award: City of Vancouver.

Established in 1998, the Governor's Commute Smart Awards were developed to recognize extraordinary efforts by commute trip reduction worksites in Washington State. Today, the Commute Trip Reduction Program continues to expand and evolve, engaging more commuters, employers, and communities. This recognition event honors employers who are the foundation of the program, innovative communities that are driving the future of the program, and the ongoing contributions of employee transportation coordinators who help employees make better transportation choices every day that help them save money and benefit their communities and Washington state.

Gov. Gregoire signed the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act in 2006 to focus the program on congested highway corridors and increase planning coordination among local, regional and state levels. The act also provides flexibility to local jurisdictions, including the ability to develop customized trip reduction programs in key employments and residential centers.

Re/Max agent receives certification

Karen Stanley

Karen Stanley, with RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc., recently received her Advanced Certified Distressed Property Expert Certification. She has worked with investors and business clients to purchase or sell properties in distressed situations that require difficult negotiations. Stanley works out of the Tech Center branch.

News Briefs

In partnership with AARP, the Medical Fitness Association and American College of Sports Medicine, Waterford Health & Fitness Club is offering a 10-week Walking Challenge. Clark County residents who are walkers and those who want to establish a walking habit are invited to the kickoff Saturday, April 17, 2010, 8 to 11 a.m. at the Waterford Health & Fitness Club, 2927 S.E. Village Loop, Vancouver. <> As originally announced three weeks ago, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, concerts due to a budgetary shortfall. Tickets for those performances can be used for the May 29 and 30 concerts. <> The National Weather Service is offering a free training for volunteer weather spotters starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, at the Northwest Regional Training Center, 11606 NE 66th Circle in Orchards. For more information, visit http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/skytraining.php. <> The Clark County Skills Center is hosting its annual Summer Country Barbecue at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14, in the skills center restaurant, 12200 NE 28th St. in Vancouver. The meal will be prepared by students of the center's culinary arts program. Tickets are $25. Contact Robin McColley at 360-604-1054 or email robbin.mccolley@evergreenps.org. <> Admission to the Marshall Lecture on Thursday, May 20, is free, but tickets are required and seating is limited. Jonathan Jarvis, the director of the National Park Service, is the speaker. The lecture begins at 11:30 a.m. at Hudson's Bay High School, 1206 East Reserve Street in Vancouver. Tickets can be printed from the Fort Vancouver National Trust's Web site at www.fortvan.org. <> Market Place News on West Evergreen Boulevard in downtown Vancouver no longer offers C-TRAN tickets & passes. For other outlets, visit www.c-tran.com. <> <> Both Washington and Oregon have extended the deadline for studded snow tires to Saturday, April 17. <> The Vancouver Watersheds Council is hosting an open house and ribbon cutting at the organization's new office space from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 at 215 W. 4th St.

Calendar

On Tuesday, April 20, members of the Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors will host a coffee and conversation with the community at Shahala Middle School from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the media center. Shahala Middle School is located at 601 SE 192nd Ave., Vancouver. District instructional and operational staff will also be on hand to answer specific questions about district operations and curriculum. <> Tickets are still available for the Friends of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Spring Luncheon. The fundraiser is planned to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, at the Royal Oaks Country Club, 8917 NE Fourth Plain Blvd. Pat Jollota is the guest speaker, with entertainment provided by singer Jennifer Prescott. For more information, visit www.vancouversymphony.org. <> Workshops will be offered at Washington State University Vancouver on Tuesday, April 20, as part of the 36th annual Edward R. Murrow Symposium. For more information, visit http://murrowsymposium.wsu.edu.

Campaign Events

Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) kicks off his re-election campaign to represent the 49th Legislative District, position 2, starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, at The Academy, 400 East Evergreen Blvd.

A reception with Brent Boger, candidate for Clark County prosecutor & former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton is planned Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Road, Vancouver, Washington. Ed Lynch, Vern Peterson, Ann Donnelly and Arch Miller are presenting the reception. Hors d'oeuvres and Refreshments will be served. $75.00 suggested donation

Friday on the air

Clark County Animal Control Hearings (4-14) — 7 p.m. CVTV 23

Bravo! Vancouver: Beethoven, Brubeck and the Blues (1-24) — 8:02 p.m. CVTV 23

Community Calendar Links

Friday, April 16, 2010 Headlines

Links to news of local & national significance

Beloved benefactor Ray Hickey dies - Cami Joner, The Columbian

Lawmakers start raising money in earnest | - Kathie Durbin, The Columbian

Ash plumes pose threat to aviation |- Erik Robinson, The Columbian

Nation & World | China earthquake toll rises to 1,144 | -The Seattle Times

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CVTV programming on demand:
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Town Tabloids and the weather

Phelan gets his hillbilly on. <> Withee celebrates birthday. <> Friday, mostly cloudy, 71-49. Saturday, cloudy, 70-48. Sunday, partly cloudy, 75-55.

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