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Monday, May 24, 2010

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Appel to challenge Lasher for county treasurer

Mike Appel

Mike Appel of Vancouver, WA, announced today that he will be running for the office of Clark County treasurer. Appel, a Republican, will be challenging the longtime incumbent Democrat Doug Lasher, who has not been opposed in an election ever.

"Voters are looking for change," Appel said when he made the announcement over the weekend. "We need to stop the hemorrhaging of tax dollars whenever and wherever we can, and that starts in our local government."

Appel, a purchasing agent for an insulation and exterior finishes distributor in Vancouver, said that he has decided to run because he is concerned about the out of control spending that has taken hold of our local communities, our state, and our nation.

"Our local communities are headed in a sonic economic downward spiral under the many current liberal influences," Appel continued. "As a conservative, with a hint of libertarianism, I want to do whatever I can to right the wrongs and bring our nation back to prosperity and greatness, with real ‘HOPE’ for the future. Being elected as Treasurer, and doing whatever I can do to help us out of this dire situation that we find ourselves in, is my very small part of trying to win that battle and put us back on firm financial grounds."

Burgerville supports symphony

Burgerville will donate 10 percent of sales to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on May 29 and 30 when the orchestra is mentioned during ordering. Customers can also bring a ticket or program from the performances planned this weekend, the last of the season, marking the symphony's 31st season.

The offer does not apply to other Burgerville in-house promotions, sales or discounts running concurrent with the symphony fundraiser.

Participating Burgerville Restaurants: Heights, Fisher's Landing, Cascade Park, Camas, Orchards, Downtown Vancouver, Salmon Creek, Vancouver Plaza, Hazel Dell and Heritage Place.

Vancouver educator recognized for Student Achievement Leadership

Starla Manchester and VPD Superintendent Steve Webb

Starla Manchester, director of professional development for Vancouver Public Schools, has earned the regional Student Achievement Leadership Award given by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). She was formally recognized at the WASA awards program at Educational Service District 112 on May 21.

Manchester's work includes setting state standards for teacher mentoring and orchestrating professional development programs for both public and private school teachers. Her work ensures that the teachers in our classrooms are highly skilled.

"Starla’s ability to build capacity in our learning community is second to none," said Steve Webb, superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools when the award was presented. "Her tireless efforts for learner-focused collaboration among educators are at the forefront of our work in this district. Ultimately, the programs Starla oversees will have a direct and positive impact on student success."

First Indy, Firstenburg family gives $25,000 for Summer Reading

Bill Firstenburg, Jeanne Firstenburg, Donna Rush( FVRL board member and First Indy employee) and Marc Grignon of the Firstenburg Family Foundation.

As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, First Independent has teamed up with the Firstenburg family to donate $25,000 to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) Foundation. The gift will support Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s 2010 Summer Reading program, which served 22,000 youth last summer.

"As we mark 100 years of serving Southwest Washington communities and look at the next 100 years, we firmly believe that investing in our children is the key to a successful future for us all," says Jeanne Firstenburg, president of First Independent. "Education has always been a priority for our bank and for the Firstenburg family. We’re pleased to make a joint investment that supports our regional library system and encourages children and teens to keep reading and learning."

Headquartered in Vancouver, First Independent serves SW Washington and Portland residents and businesses from 20 branches and offices in the region and a variety of online and mobile banking services.

For more information about the library, visit www.fvrl.org.

Waterford names new executive director

Ellery Bennett

Ellery Bennett has been appointed executive director of Waterford at Fairway Village, bringing 30-plus years experience in senior communities, hospitality, and restaurant management to the position. As executive director, Bennett will oversee all aspects of the 55-plus retirement community, which includes the Waterford Health & Fitness Club, Waterford Rehabilitation & Aquatic Therapy, Waterford Home Health & Home Care as well as independent and assisted living and memory care services.

Prior to joining Waterford, Bennett served as administrator at Woodland Retirement & Assisted Living Community in Lacey, Wash. He also held two positions at Seattle-based Leisure Care: vice president of operations and operations director, leading the operations of 10 retirement communities.

Bennett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history and education from Weber State University, minoring in sociology and political science.

A full-service retirement community, Waterford is home to more than 240 people. It offers a wide range of retirement homes, lifestyle options, and services. More information is available at WaterfordVancouver.com.

Campaign Events

Rep. Jim Jacks (D-Vancouver) is kicking off his re-election campaign at 5:30 pm. Wednesday, May 26, at the Vancouver Firefighters' Local 452 Union Hall, 2807 Fruit Valley Road. A $35 donation is suggested, but all donations are welcome. Jacks is running to retain his position representing the 49th district in the Washington Legislature.

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Items are best submitted via email with the information, as well as photos, included in the body of the email. Please send two weeks before the date of the event to tony@dailyinsider.info.

News Briefs

Art Show: Evergreen Public Schools will hold its annual district art show on Monday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Barnes & Noble, 7700 NE Fourth Plain Road. Awards will be handed out throughout the evening, including the Superintendent's Award, personally awarded by Evergreen Public Schools' Superintendent John Deeder. The evening will also feature a performance by the local harp duo Celtic Muse.
Tower Crest Project: Clark County Public Works and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation will present information about the Tower Crest Neighborhood Park project at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 25. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Truman Elementary School Commons, 4505 NE 42nd Ave. Tower Crest Neighborhood Park is located on Northeast 54th Street at 63rd Avenue in east Minnehaha. The 2-acre property currently features informal, soft-surface trails and is wooded. Preliminary planning and design work began in early 2010. Construction is expected to begin in 2011.
Knowledge Bowl: Two Knowledge Bowl teams from Camas High School are headed for national competition and are collecting donations for the trip. The students will travel to Washington, D.C., the first week of June. The Camas Educational Foundation has set up an online donation page, https://cefcamas.ejoinme.org/MyPages/CopyofDonationPage/tabid/213971/Default.aspx.
Hope & Action: Nominations for the 11th annual Hope & Action Recognition Awards are due by Saturday, May 29, 2010, to the Council for the Homeless. The awards recognize people who advocate, support, volunteer, or partner to end homelessness. A one-page nomination form is available at www.icfth.com or by calling 360-993-9561.

Calendar

May 27: The Friends of The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra present a lecture by Dr. Melissa Brotons, entitled "Music for Health and Education," on the different applications of music therapy, in education, medicine, mental health and gerontology. The lecture is at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E. 18th Street in Vancouver. A $10 donation per person is suggested. Proceeds from the event go to funding the symphony's concert season and music education programs in Southwest Washington.
June 2: The Clark County Auditor’s Office is sponsoring a campaign workshop, "Winning Ways to Run for Office—A Candidate/Campaign Worker Workshop." The free workshop takes place on Wednesday, June 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Office, 1408 Franklin, Vancouver, WA. An informal reception will follow the program.
June 3: The First Citizen 2010 award ceremony honoring Royce Pollard is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 3 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. For more information, visit www.cfssw.org.
June 5: An all-you-can-eat breakfast, scheduled from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 5, at Fire Station 31 in Hockinson, will benefit the family of 9-year-old Luke Jensen. Jensen, the grandson of Chaplain Mike White, died of cancer on May 6. Individual tickets are $5 or $15 for a family.
June 14: The Fort Vancouver Library District board of trustees will meet beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 14, at the Goldendale Community Library, 131 West Burgen, Goldendale. The board will hold an executive session at 4 p.m. and then have a regular meeting at 6 p.m.