Clark College celebrates Latino culture with Día del Niño, Día del Libro and Peña Folklórica

2009 Cinco de Mayo celebration at Clark College

As part of its year-round emphasis on multicultural awareness, Clark College will welcome the community to three events that celebrate Latino culture.  The events, which will be held on April 30, May 5 and May 13, will all be held at Clark’s main campus. 

All events are free and open to the public. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.  Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

The events begin at 5 p.m. at the Gaiser Student Center on Friday, April 30, with Día del Niño/Día del Libro (Day of the Children/Day of the Book) Children's Fair

Hugo Nava, a traditional musician from Tlaxcala, Mexico, will perform and interact with children at the event.  Nava has performed for more than 20 years.   He cites his mother as the person who first taught him traditional Mexican music.  He learned more about traditional music by travelling throughout Latin America. For the past six years, he has worked with children ages 4-18 in both Mexico and the United States. 

A showing of Papers, a film about undocumented youth, will be offered at 11 a.m., and 2 p.m.  on Wednesday, May 5 in the Penguin student lounge. The film will also be shown at 6 p.m. the same day in the Gaiser student lounge. The showings will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the film's producer, Rebecca Shine.

Additional information about the film is available at http://www.papersthemovie.com/.

Peña Folklórica will be offered at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, in the Penguin student lounge. Peña Folklórica celebrates the arts of the Latino culture.  Guests can savor a cafe con leche and a slice of pan dulce as they enjoy musical performances, dance, artwork, and poetry readings from Clark College professor Carlos Castro. For additional information, call 360-992-2053.

First Independent forms corporate strategy and development group

Stacey Graham

As First Independent moves into its second century of serving families and businesses in SW Washington and Portland, the company has reorganized several critical functions under a new Strategy and Development Group headed by Stacey Graham, chief strategy officer. 

The group includes strategy and analysis, marketing, learning and development (staff training), community investment and human resources.  

"We’re charting the course for the future of community banking.  Strategy development is becoming a continuous process that requires good data and analysis and integrated products and marketing solutions," said Graham, "I’m excited about the great team of people leading this effort."

Kristi Langdon

Within the Strategy and Development Group, the strategy and analysis team focuses on market and business intelligence, product development and strategic and business planning.  Kristi Langdon, vice president/senior strategist and manager, leads the strategy and analysis Team.  Prior to joining First Independent in 2005, Langdon was a manager of financial planning and analysis with Hollywood Entertainment.  She holds an MBA from University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and marketing from University of Montana.

Tammi Olund

The marketing team is led by Tammi Olund, who has been promoted to vice president and senior marketing manager.  Olund joined First Independent in 2006 as retail brand and marketing manager and public relations officer.  Previously, she held communications positions with the Sisters of St. Mary in Beaverton and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.  Olund has a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon and an MA from California State University, Chico.

Kelly Kidd

The bank’s new vice president and senior human resources manager is Kelly Kidd, who joined First Independent in late 2009 with 15 years of HR experience for companies including Paragon Cable, Microsoft Corporation and, most recently, Vancouver-based nLight.  Kidd is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where she earned a BA in English and political science and an MA in public administration.

Graham joined First Independent in 2005 as Director of Marketing and Sales Development. Her 25-year career includes stints as a partner in an Atlanta-based advertising agency and as marketing director and then interim president of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

Several walking events planned in Vancouver

Walking enthusiasts in Vancouver have several choices during the next week.

The International Discovery Walk Festival kicks off at 4 p.m., Friday, April 23, with the Mayor's Friendship Walk at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Events continue through the weekend. More information is available at www.discoverywalk.org.

The Clark County March for Babies starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 24, at the Vancouver Landing. The event is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, an organization that supports pregnant women and babies. More information is available by calling Jill Brown at 503-222-9434, ext. 20.

Tom Rutlin, often referred to as the “father” of Nordic walking, will be at Waterford Health and Fitness Club on Tuesday, April 27, to lead an “Exerstrider Method Nordic Walking” workshop. This is the first time Rutlin has visited the Vancouver-Portland area.

Rutlin is recognized internationally for his pioneering work in fitness walking that uses specially designed poles to augment the health benefits of walking.

 Exerstriding was born in 1985 when Rutlin developed a method that combined the full-body toning of cross country skiing with walking using special walking poles he created.

There is no charge for the workshop, which is open to the public and will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Waterford club, 2927 S.E. Village Loop, Vancouver. Space is limited.

The workshop is part of a 10-Week Walking Challenge that Waterford, AARP and other partners kicked off April 17.

There is no cost to participate in the Walking Challenge, and people can join at any point during the 10 weeks. Waterford Health & Fitness Club is providing pedometers, walking logs, team support, walking trail maps, weekly educational opportunities, and full support for all walkers and team leaders. Individuals can register for the Walking Challenge by calling Kim Lehmann at 360-433-6400 or by stopping by the club.

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