On Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, Clark County Environmental Services will officially launch its program to recognize local businesses that follow green practices. The Clark County Green Business Program supports business “green teams” that follow an improvement process. The program helps businesses reduce  environmental footprints and can save money in the process. The free program is a pilot project with 13 local businesses that have met program requirements. They will be honored as founding members during a kick-off ceremony and luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Dr.

To participate, a business must establish an active green team and complete assessments in the following six program areas: solid waste and recycling, water and wastewater, toxics, energy, stormwater management and community engagement. The assessments require a business to establish baseline information on its operations, including kilowatts and therms of energy used, cubic yards of waste and recycling, gallons of stormwater runoff and volunteer service to the community.

More information and online registration for the luncheon is available at www.clarkgreenbiz.com. Registration also is available by calling Pete DuBois at 360-397-2121, ext. 4961.

Tickets are now on sale for a special Vancouver performancce by The Trail Band, a high-energy, eight-person ensemble of instrumentalists and vocalists, including Quarterflash’s Rindy Ross. The musicians play an amazing array of instruments, including cornet, tenor horn, tuba, fiddles, hammer dulcimer, guitars, penny whistle, mandolin, piano, saxophone, spoons, bones, drums, bass, and recorders.

They will appear at a fundraising concert for the Salmon Creek Kiwanis at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Vancouver’s Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St. Advance tickets are $18 or two for $35. Tickets will be $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit local children and families in need. Tickets are available at all branches of Columbia Credit Union, a major sponsor; Music World in Battle Ground, 502 E. Main St.; Music World in Hazel Dell, 7916 N.E. 6th Ave.; Beacock Music, 1420 S.E. 163rd Ave., and River City Music, 13215 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. Tickets also are available, with a service charge, at www.ticketsoregon.com.

The band was formed in 1991 by Marv Ross to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. The band’s repertoire reflects America’s “melting-pot” history and expresses the dynamism of the country’s westward expansion. The Trail Band has produced eight recordings. For more details, call Gregg Herrington at 360-574-3747, or visit www.trailband.com.

Sense & Sensibility, a stage adaptation of the eponymous Jane Austen novel, premieres on Friday, Feb. 10, at the Magenta Theater, 606 Main St. in Vancouver. The play, directed by Melissa Carmel Bank, follows sisters Elinor and Marianne, their half-brother John Dashwood, and his snobby wife Fanny. The family is forced to relocate and live in reduced economic circumstances. Their new life, peopled by the eccentric Sir John Middleton, the brooding Colonel Brandon, the dashing Willoughby, and the simpering Lucy Steele, tests the sisters’ sense and sensibilities to the limit.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, Feb. 11, Feb. 16, Feb. 17, Feb. 18, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24. Two o’clock matinee performances will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 25. VIP seats are $15, and general seating is $12. Student admission is $5 with student ID. Discounts are available for Thursday performances. Advance reservations are recommended, as tickets are selling quickly. To order online, click here. For more information, visit www.magentatheater.com or call 360-635-4358.

Clark College Bookstore buyer Marti Earhart shares the magic of Dr. Seuss with Fruit Valley Elementary students.

To help a youngster learn and look, would you, could you buy a book?

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”  Those words, written by Dr. Seuss, are at the heart of the fourth annual “Seuss-a-Palooza” book drive at Clark College. Clark College’s Service Learning Program and the Clark College Bookstore are hoping that Seuss-a-Palooza supporters will purchase 145 copies of Green Eggs and Ham. The books will be given to kindergarteners at Vancouver’s Fruit Valley and Harney Elementary Schools on March 2, which is Read Across America Day, commemorating the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Copies of each book will be available for purchase and donation at the Clark College Bookstore from Feb. 6-16 for $6.85 each (plus tax). Each book will feature a nameplate for the donor’s name.

The Clark College Bookstore is located in Gaiser Hall on the northern end of Clark’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.  Information about the bookstore is available at www.clarkbookstore.com. For more details, call Marti Earhart at 360-992-2261.