The Board of Port Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 3 p.m. at the Port Offices located at 111 W Division St. in Ridgefield.

The School of Piano Technology for the Blind has been awarded a $36,411 grant through the Firstenburg Foundation. The grant will provide the final funding required to implement the school’s two-year Director of Instruction Succession Plan. Initial funding of $78,963 for the $119,233 three phase plan was provided through the Gibney Family Foundation with the stipulation the school raise the remaining dollars. The Community Foundation for SW Washington also contributed to the succession plan through a grant in June of this year.

Lori Amstutz, a 2007 graduate of the school and owner of Amstutz Piano Tuning and Repair in Alberta, Canada, was tapped for the position following an intensive recruitment and interview process last spring. She will begin working with the school’s Director of Instruction, Don Mitchell, to learn the school’s unique one-on-one curriculum and teaching methodology.

Mitchell has been employed by the School for 44 years and although no specific retirement date has been determined, the two-year succession plan will allow for a smooth transition in the future when Mitchell does decide to reduce his work commitment and/or retire.

The School of Piano Technology for the Blind is the only school in the world dedicated to teaching blind and visually impaired individuals piano tuning and technology. For more information about the school, visit www.pianotuningschool.org.

Downtown Vancouver is ready for First Friday Downtown, this evening, Friday, Oct. 2. Dozens of merchants, restaurants and galleries stay open late, many offering samples, discounts, and live music. Some of this month’s highlights include:

• Gallery 360, 605 Esther St.: Opening night of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society’s Fall Show at Gallery 360. First Friday artists’ reception with live music by harpist Raelyn Olson.
• Aurora Gallery, 1004 Main St. Clark County artists Bev Jozwiak and Vickie Nelson. Meet the artists and see new work.
• Art on the Boulevard, 210 W Evergreen Blvd.: “Watermarks”, a unique watercolor show of Fay Kahn, Mary Jane Larson and Denise McFadden.
• Boomerang, 808 Main St.: Three local artist Lorraine Richey, Chris Bidleman and Scott Hampel. Drink specials, live music and a presentation from LoveNow who is supporting Clark County refugees.
• Angst Gallery, 1015 Main St: “A month of Jewels” exhibit features jewelry by Humblebug Jewelry, Steel & Stones, Musetypes, & Shannon Miranda Jewelry.

Each month, the Vancouver’s Downtown Association (VDA) puts together a Hot Sheet which details all the First Friday happenings and includes an easy to read walking map. To download and print September’s Hot Sheet, click here. To learn more about the VDA, visit www.vdausa.org.

Kiggins Theatre will host the next Stand-Up Comedy Night this Thursday, Oct. 1. Curated by Tristian Spillman, October‘s lineup includes Timothy Blackton, Jim Willig, Stacey Hallal and headliner Mike Wally Walter. Doors open at 7 p.m., and all seats are just $10. Comedy nights are held the First Thursday of every month. For more information, visit www.kigginstheatre.net.