Back Issues: July, 2014
Pat Jollotta, Dr. Bill Ritchie and more speak at East Minnehaha and East End Neighborhood Association meeting this evening
Thursday, July 31, 2014Sam Bridgman joins race to raise funds for Friedreich’s ataxia research
Thursday, July 31, 2014To promote the awareness of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), Sam Bridgman of Portland, will participate in Ride Ataxia Seattle on Monday, Aug. 3 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington. Funds raised will be research. FA is a degenerative neuromuscular disease that results in loss of coordination and usually a serious heart condition called cardiomyopathy. Many FA patients are bound to their wheel chairs, losing their ability to walk and having their speech and other functions affected, as they fight their battle. Bridgman was diagnosed with the rare genetic disease that affects 15,000 people worldwide. There is currently no known treatment or cure. For more information and to donate, visit http://rideataxia.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1109958.
17th annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival Aug. 21 through 24
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Blind Boys of Alabama, photo courtesy of Vancouver Jazz & Wine Festival.
The Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival kicks off Thursday, Aug. 21 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 24 in Esther Short Park. In addition to the music, the festival features over 200 wines from around the world, food from eight local restaurants, 30 art and craft venders and numerous commercial exhibitors. Now in its 17th year, the event is recognized by musicians, fans and critics alike as one of the best summer concert venues in the region.
This year’s festival features Grammy-winning Jazz, Blues, Pop & Gospel bands including: Blind Boys of Alabama, Lee Ritenour, Don McLean, Stanley Jordan, Coco Montoya, Heritage Blues Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Dan Brubeck Quartet; plus several local and regional jazz bands.
Admission is free on Thursday; $20 for Friday; $25 for Saturday & Sunday; or $60 for a 3-day pass. The Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival is a family-friendly, all ages event. Kids 12 and younger are free with a paid adult. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Purchase tickets at www.vancouverwinejazz.com.
National Park Service announces $1.7 million rehabilitation project at Fort Vancouver NHS
Thursday, July 31, 2014
The National Park Service has awarded a $1.7 million contract to DSL Builders, LLC of Salem, Oregon to rehabilitate the Visitor Center at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The contract includes the design and construction of the rehabilitation project, which will reconfigure interior space to allow for accessibility, increase educational opportunities and enhance visitor experience. The project is expected to begin this fall and be completed in the summer of 2015.
The visitor center was built in 1961 as part of the National Park Service’s Mission 66 Initiative, commemorating the agency’s 50th anniversary. This rehabilitation, timed for completion before the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016, will upgrade the facility to meet current accessibility standards, improve the park’s primary visitor restrooms, and upgrade the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within the building.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site recorded over 780,000 recreational visits last year, and this rehabilitation will focus on designing the visitor center to better facilitate the community, visitors and educational and tour groups.
During the rehabilitation period, the National Park Service will be relocating the visitor center’s public service functions to the lobby area of Pearson Air Museum, located within the national park at 1115 E Fifth St. in Vancouver. The museum’s exhibits will remain in place and grow as the park introduces new aviation-themed exhibitry.