Fair starts Friday

The 142nd annual Clark County Fair starts Friday, Aug. 6, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 15.

The line up of features including a sci-fi adventure called – Alien Encounter: The Day the Fair Stood Still, plus a brand new Wild West Show, Extreme Quad Racing and Valentine’s Performing Pigs.

The entertainment inside the Sleep County Amphitheater  includes Miranda Lambert, The Farewell Tour of the Scorpions with Dokken (Sold Out) and Boys Like Girls.

More information is available at www.clarkcofair.com.

 

 
 

State offices closed Friday

 

 

The second widespread shutdown of state agencies as a result of budget shortfalls will take place Friday, Aug. 6.

In April 2010, the state Legislature passed and Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6503. Designed to reduce state government spending for employees, the law requires that state agencies close on the 10 days specified in the bill or submit an alternate compensation reduction plan for approval by the Office of Financial Management.

The law specifies exemptions to allow certain public safety, public health and revenue-generation activities to continue. Services provided by such employees as child protection workers, community corrections officers, emergency public health and patient safety workers, and State Patrol field enforcement and investigative service personnel will not be affected.

Additional closures will take place:

§  2010: Sept. 7, Oct. 11, Dec. 27

§  2011: Jan. 28, Feb. 22, March 11, April 22, June 10

For a complete list of which agencies are closed Aug. 6 and through 2010–11, go to http://ofm.wa.gov/layoff/agency_list.pdf.

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/.

 Construction delays on portions of Andresen road continue

Construction is scheduled to take place on the following streets, causing shifts in traffic lanes and possible 10- to 20- minute delays at:
 

• Intersections of Andresen Road and East 18th Street, and Andresen Road and Mill Plain Boulevard.

• Northeast Andresen Road, southbound lanes, between East 18th Street and Mill Plain Boulevard

• Northeast Andresen Road, northbound lanes between state Highway 500 to 700 feet south of that point

• East Stapleton Road, between East 18th Street and Fourth Plain Blvd Boulevard

• Hearthwood Boulevard, between Mill Plain Boulevard and Southeast First Street

Each year, the City of Vancouver evaluates approximately 580 miles of paved city streets and identifies areas where resurfacing could go the farthest in extending the life of the street and providing residents with better driving conditions.

More information about the overlays, a project map and street list are available at www.cityofvancouver.us/overlay.

 
Columbia Credit Union offers Ramsey's Financial Peace University

 

Columbia Credit Union is offering two fall sessions of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU), a program that teaches families to achieve their financial goals by eliminating debt, saving for the future and building wealth.

"We’re empowering members to change the way they think about their finances to improve their financial standing," says Columbia Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Laurie Kusch.

Over the course of 13 weeks, the FPU program at Columbia will start with a video taught by Dave Ramsey, a personal money management expert, author and popular radio personality. After the video, Columbia staff will answer questions and facilitate small-group discussions.

Attendees can sign up for session 1, meeting Tuesdays from Sept. 14 to Dec. 7 or session 2, meeting Wednesdays from Sept. 15 to Dec. 8. Both sessions meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Columbia’s Operations Center, located at 200 SE Park Plaza Drive in Vancouver. Columbia is offering FPU at a reduced price of $99 per family for both a lifetime membership to the course and the required materials. After attending FPU once, a family can register as often as they want at no additional cost to reinforce the lessons. 

Established in 1952, Columbia Credit Union has $746 million in assets and 12 Clark County, WA locations. Columbia serves more than 64,000 members with a 2009 satisfaction rating of 95.9 percent – an industry benchmark. For more information, visit www.columbiacu.org.

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Campaign Events

Steve Stuart Reception: The public is invited to a reception hosted by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt's Vancouver Law Firm to meet Commissioner Steve Stuart on Wednesday, August 4,  from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Building Industry Association of Clark County. Refreshments will be served.  RSVP to www.schwabe.com/events.aspx.

Ann Rivers Event: The public is invited to meet Ann Rivers, a Republican candidate for the Washington House of Representatives, on Thursday, August 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the home of Liz Pike, 1607 Division Street, in Camas.  The fundraising reception is co-hosted by Neil Cahoon and Shellie Grammar.  RSVP to 360-281-8720 or via email at pikeadvertising@comcast.net

Meet and Greet with Craig Riley: A.J. Gomez is hosting a campaign event for Craig Riley, a Republican candidate for State Representative from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9, at the Fireside Café Restaurant, 6709 N.E. 63rd Street, at the corner of Andresen and 63rd near Safeway.

News Briefs

• Study Participants sought: Legacy Health physicians and researchers hope to determine if Vitamin E and Trental (a drug used to improve blood flow) can lessen complication rates when radiation is used in conjunction with breast implant reconstruction.  Women age 18 and older are candidates if they have had a mastectomy with expander or implant reconstruction after a diagnosis of breast cancer and are receiving or have recently completed radiation therapy. Those interested in learning more about this study or other studies can call 503-413-8199, or Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center at 360-487-1000, and ask to be transferred to Cancer Research at Legacy Good Samaritan.

• Mount St. Helens Benefits: Two benefits are planned in August for the Mount St. Helens Institute. The first is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Portland Timbers game at PGE Park. The “Awesome Hike” is planned to start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. More information is available at http://mshinstitute.org/index.php/events/.

• Fire Restrictions: Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials announced the Industrial Fire Protection Level is increasing to Level II today, which changes the restrictions on work in the forest. The general public is affected only through the power-saw use restriction. Chainsaws may be run from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. only. Camp fires should be completely extinguished before departing camp at any time. For more information, see the Gifford Pinchot website Fire page at http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/fire/current-restrictions.shtml.

• Poetry Night: The Paper Tiger is hosting a Poetry Night at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19. The coffee house is at 703 Grand Blvd. in Vancouver. Writer Kori Sayer is scheduled to appear. An open mic will be offered before and after her appearance.

• Six Confusion: As reported recently, Vancouver Fire Department will close Station 6 on 112th Ave. near Burton Road in December. Because Fire District 6 and Station 6 share a similar name, many citizens have confused the two and now believe that Fire District 6 is closing its department, which is not happening, said Dawn Johnson with Fire District 6.

• Bike There: The City of Vancouver, Bike Me! Vancouver and the Riverview Six to Sunset concert series have partnered to provide staffed bicycle parking for the Six to Sunset concerts on Thursday evenings at Esther Short Park. The staffed bike parking will be located at the northeast corner of Esther Short Park in the grassy area near the stage. The free bike parking will be available from 5 p.m. until after the concert. Riders are asked to provide their own bike lock. For more information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/concerts.

• Summer Playground program: The Battle Ground Parks & Recreation traveling Summer Playground program will be held at four local neighborhood parks this summer. The free 10-week drop-in program is designed for children ages 4 to 10 and will bring a variety of arts, crafts, games and sports to local neighborhoods in the City of Battle Ground. For more information about the Summer Playground Program or the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department, visit the City’s website at http://www.cityofbg.org or call 360-342-5380.

• Youth drug prevention team seeks new members: The Clark County STASHA (Strong Teens Against Substance Hazards and Abuse) Peer Education Program is recruiting youth to fill vacant positions for the 2010-11 program year.  Clark County peer educators are dedicated to addressing alcohol and other drug issues among youth in Clark County. To be eligible, youth must be Clark County residents and have an interest in sharing their opinions and perspectives about substance abuse prevention. Training is provided. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, August 4. Applications are online at http://www.clark.wa.gov/youth-family/prevention.html. For more information or to request an application, please contact Angela McKinney, peer education coordinator, at 360-397-2130, ext. 5841 or angela.mckinney@clark.wa.gov.

• Art in the Heart: Thirteen Downtown Vancouver art galleries and Vancouver’s Downtown Association have joined forces to bring a free, family-friendly community event to Downtown Vancouver streets the first weekend of August. The “Art in the Heart” event kicks off Friday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m. After the free concert, many local restaurants and bars will also have live music. The galleries will be open again on Saturday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Evergreen Public Schools Registration: Families with students new to Evergreen Public Schools or who have moved to a new school area can now take advantage of centralized school registration hours starting this week. The registration will take place at Evergreen Public Schools Administrative Service Center located at 13501 NE 28th St., Vancouver, in the Home Choice/IQ Internet Academy Building. Registration forms can be found online at http://www.evergreenps.org/AboutEPS/Pages/CentralizedStudentRegistration.aspx or picked up at the registration desk. More information is available at www.evergreenps.org or by calling 360-604-4163.

• Burn Ban: In cooperation with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Clark County enacted restrictions on all outdoor burning effective July 15. All land clearing and residential burning will be restricted until further notice.

• 192nd Ave. 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.

Calendar

• Aug. 3: Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff today in memory of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Robert N. Bennedsen of Vashon Island.  Bennedsen died July 18, in Afghanistan, of injuries he sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business today, or first thing tomorrow. 

• Aug. 4: Leads & Needs Beaches is free with pre-registration, sponsored by Community Choices. The morning networking event begins at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at Beaches Restaurant and Bar, 1919 SE Columbia River Dr. on Vancouver’s waterfront. To register, visit the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at www.vancouverusa.com.

• Aug. 7: Clark County residents can recycle block foam for free from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 164th Ave. Residents also can drop off computers and other electronic devices for free recycling. No televisions, computer monitors or microwave ovens will be accepted.

• Aug. 14: On Saturday, Aug. 14, the Vancouver Fire Fighters Union will take over Esther Short Park to raise money for Share and the hungry and homeless in Clark County. Fire in the Park II is planned from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information is available at www.sharevancouver.org.

• Aug. 18: Leads & Needs Beaches is free with pre-registration, sponsored by Everest College. The morning networking event begins at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Beaches Restaurant and Bar, 1919 SE Columbia River Dr. on Vancouver’s waterfront. To register, visit the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at www.vancouverusa.com.

• Aug. 19: Columbia Springs is hosting a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, at the environmental education center, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, in Vancouver. Tickets are $50 per person or $750 for a V.I.P. package that includes 10 tickets. Tickets are available at the Columbia Springs website, http://www.columbiasprings.org/events/hooked.html#.

• Aug. 27-29: The 13th Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival is Aug. 27-29 at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. Ticket prices are: Friday, $20; Saturday $25, Sunday, $25. Three-day passes are $50 in advance, $60 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.vancouverwinejazz.com or through TicketsWest, http://www.ticketswest.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 503-224-8499 or 1-800-992-8499.

• Sept. 16: The Port of Vancouver is offering one more "V.I.P. family tour" at 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. To reserve a spot, contact Andrew Ness at 360-992-1137 or amness@portvanusa.com.

Tuesday on the air

Parks Foundation Annual Meeting and Luncheon—7 p.m. CVTV 21

Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners—7:59 p.m. CVTV 21