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Southwest Washington's Community News Service

Monday, July 12, 2010

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ACE plans "Housing Hootenanny"

Affordable Community Environments, known as ACE, plans a fundraiser at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, at the Covington Commons Apartment community in Vancouver, 9600 N.E. 73rd St. There will be live music from local band Porter Jones and a barbecue. There will also be a barbecue cook-off competition.

An online, fundraising auction will also be kicked off at the event to run through Aug. 15. Donations for the auction are still being accepted. To contribute, contact Jann Bagley at 360-597-0088.

A community member will be presented with the first-ever Valeria Award, in honor of ACE’s founding board member, Val Ogden.

Tickets can be purchased by going to www.acecommunities.org. Those who are unable to attend can sponsor a resident’s attendance by donating online at the same website.

Affordable Community Environments (ACE) is a nonprofit organization serving Southwest Washington. The organization offers affordable rental housing communities throughout Clark County stretching from western Vancouver to eastern Washougal. ACE develops and nurtures sustainable and affordable housing communities in Southwest Washington that provide residents with stability, support and opportunities for growth.

Firefighters train for water rescue

Firefighters from Fire District 3, Fire District 13 and North Country EMS spent much of last week training for rapid water rescue.

The firefighters have been working on the East Fork of the Lewis River practicing with rope bags, inflatable rafts, and other rescue tools. They worked with volunteers posing as both conscious and unconscious victims.

Fire officials advise swimmers to be cautious of the very cold water and rapid currents in our local rivers and streams right now. They also caution to be prepared by planning water recreation carefully and abiding by all of the posted swimming rules by using common sense. Everyone should wear a life jacket. For more information, contact Fire Chief Steve Wrightson at 360-892-2331 or steve@fire3.org.

Burn ban goes into effect Thursday

In cooperation with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Clark County will enact restrictions on all outdoor burning effective at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, July 15. All land clearing and residential burning will be restricted until further notice.

Also, the Clark County Fire Marshal is rescinding all burning permits issued prior to the ban. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. These burning restrictions do not cover federally managed lands.

In an effort to have predictable and consistent burn ban dates, Clark and Cowlitz Counties implemented a policy to ban outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 each year. However, in extreme fire hazard conditions, the ban can be extended to begin sooner or end later.

"Our goal is to educate the public on the annual burn ban dates, allowing residents to plan their burning during safer times of the year," said Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway. "Please contact the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office to be sure the ban has been lifted before resuming any burning after Sept. 30."

Recreational campfires on forestlands are allowed only if they are built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as commercial campgrounds and local, county and state parks. On private land, recreational fires are permitted when built according to the following regulations:

Recreational fires must be built in a metal, stone or masonry-lined fire pits such as those in improved campgrounds or local home and garden stores.
Size may not exceed three feet in diameter by two feet in height.
Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability and tools to extinguish the fire. Tools include a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.
Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.

Self-contained camp stoves are a safe and easy alternative to camp fires.

For more information, please contact the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-397-2186 or visit the county’s website at www.clark.wa.gov/commdev/firemarshal/fireservices/burningN.html.

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Campaign Events

Candidate Night: The League of Women Voters of Clark County is hosting a candidate night for U.S. Senate candidates, 17th Legislative District, Position 2 candidates, County Assessor candidates, city of Vancouver, Position 4 candidates, Clark Public Utilities District candidates and Supreme Court Position 6 candidates at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at Clark Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver. For more information, contact Jane Van Dyke, 503-459-1011.

Prosecuting attorney candidate forum: The Forum at the Library and League of Women Voters are offering a forum featuring the candidates for Clark County Prosecuting Attorney at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 15, in the community room at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. For more information, call 360-695-1566.

Fundraiser for Democratic candidates: Paul and Jane Jacobsen are hosting a fundraiser for four democratic candidates from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. The event will benefit the campaigns of Jim Jacks, Jim Moeller, Tim Probst and Monica Stonier. Co-sponsors of the event, who will be in attendance, are: Speaker Frank Chopp, Steve Horenstein, Washington State Treasurer Jim McIntire, Val Ogden, Royce Pollard, and Sen. Craig Pridemore. To attend, call 360-903-5115.

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News Briefs

Hazel Dell redevelopment: Clark County's commissioners will consider development incentives and design standards for the Highway 99 area at a public hearing Tuesday, July 13, at 10 a.m. in the in the sixth-floor hearing room of the county Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. The county might decide to reduce development fees, speed up permit review and offer credits for bicycle, pedestrian and public transit amenities.
192nd Avenue signals: A new fiber optics communication system will better coordinate traffic signals along Southeast 192nd Avenue. Drivers along the road should experience smoother traffic, but motorists approaching from side streets may notice slightly longer signal delays.
Voter deadline: Monday, July 19, is the last day to register by mail or online for the primary and special election on Aug. 17. This applies to anyone who has changed addresses since his or her last vote. Visit the county elections office at http://clarkvotes.org for more information.
CRESA Book Club: The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) will be hosting a lunchtime book club downtown to discuss the Amanda Ripley book The Unthinkable beginning Monday, July 12. Registration is available at http://www.cresa911.org/emergency/training-register.php or via phone at 360-992-6270. People may also participate in the book club discussion virtually, off-site, through Twitter by following www.twitter.com/CRESA_Presents.

Calendar

July 12: The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board meets in executive session at 4 p.m. and regular session at 6 p.m. tonight, at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 North Main Avenue, Ridgefield, Washington.
July 12: The first widespread shutdown of state agencies as a result of budget shortfalls is taking place today. The closures will save more than $70 million in all funds in 2010–11. The temporary layoff law was passed as part of a series of measures to address an almost $12 billion shortfall during the 2009-11 budget period. For more information on state agency closures, visit http://ofm.wa.gov/layoff/.
July 13: The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, July 13, at 9:30 a.m. the Commission Room at the port's administrative building, 3103 NW Lower River Road.
July 17: The first-ever tour of chicken coops in Vancouver’s Uptown Village is slated for Saturday, July 17. Tours begin at noon and continue until 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.coopdujourtour.com.
July 19 and Sept. 16: The Port of Vancouver is offering two more "V.I.P. family tours" this summer of its site on 3103 NW Lower River Road. The events are 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17, and 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. To reserve a spot, contact Andrew Ness at 360-992-1137 or amness@portvanusa.com.
July 20: The next Face to Face with Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt and the Vancouver City Council will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver.
July 23: The Columbia River Economic Development Council's 20th Annual Golf Classic is coming up Friday, July 23. Hole sponsorships and player slots are on sale. For details, visit www.credc.org.
June 28: An artist's reception showcasing the new summer exhibits at Washington State University Vancouver is planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28. The new displays will be up through late August.