News Briefs

• Port Commission meeting includes workshop on environmental permitting process for proposed crude oil facility

  Immediately following the regular commissioners meeting next Tuesday, May 28, there will be a workshop held to provide the commissioners with an overview of the environmental permitting process related to the proposed expansion of the port’s liquid bulk handling capabilities. This is the second commission workshop in a series tied directly to the April 22 announcement of plans by longtime port tenant Tesoro to construct and operate a crude oil facility at the Port of Vancouver. In a joint venture with the logistics company Savage, Tesoro is proposing to bring North American crude oil to the port by rail where it would then be transferred to marine vessels for transport to refineries in California, Washington and Alaska.Tuesday’s workshop will provide the commissioners with an overview of the process, the projected timeline, and opportunities for public involvement. The workshop is open to the public and both the meeting and workshop will be televised live on CVTV (cable channels 21 and 23) beginning at 9:30 a.m. For further details, visit www.portvanusa.com.

• Annual luncheon celebrates collaborative philanthropy

  More than 650 people attended the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington‘s 2013 Annual Luncheon, themed “Better Together,” at the Hilton Vancouver earlier this week. The event and awards ceremony recognized the interdependence between communities and philanthropy, and also honored a number of the individuals who have given generously to improve the quality of life in southwest Washington. Jim and Kay McClaskey were presented with the 2013 Philanthropists of the Year – the organization’s most prominent award, and outgoing President Richard Melching was honored for his leadership and dedication to the Community Foundation and its mission of promoting philanthropy and improving the quality of life in southwest Washington. More information can be found by visiting www.cfsww.org

• “Double-Degree Duo” deal another Skills Center first

  In its 30-year history, the Clark County Skills Center has never had a student graduate from high school and a community college in their technical career field program simultaneously. Until now. Next month, two students: Robert “Shane” Allen, a River Homelink grad-to-be: and Mayra Gonzalez, a Skyview graduating senior, will both receive their High School Diploma and their Associates Degree in Construction Technology from Clark College at the same time. Both students are enrolled in the Skills Center Construction Technology program. Allen will now journey to the University of Arkansas to pursue a degree in engineering, and Gonzalez plans to seek an apprenticeship to become an Interior/Exterior Systems Carpenter. For more information about Skills Center, visit www.ccskillscenter.com.

• Annual Open Cockpit Day & Young Eagles Program this Saturday

  The Fort Vancouver National Trust will be hosting its annual Open Cockpit Day on Saturday, May 25, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., at the Pearson Field Education center at 201A East Reserve Street. Free airplane rides will be offered to youth, ages eight through 17, with written permission from parents or guardians. Rides will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis; weather depending. For the full article click here.

• CSB pledges $75,000 to Clark County Food Bank over five years

  CSB-Craig Stein Beverage and Clark County Food Bank (CCFB) have announced a pledge of $75,000 over 5 years to support the Clark County Food Bank Nutrition Education Program. The program provides the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and prepare meals that are delicious, nutritious and affordable. Click here for the original article.

• Thomas Reis, MD, named 2013 NBA Team Physician of the Year

  Portland Trail Blazer Team Physician, Internal Medicine, Dr. Thomas Reis has been named the 2012-2013 National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) Physician of the Year. The award is an annual honor voted on by the members of the NBATA, designed to recognize a team physician for exceptional service and care for his/her respective team and visiting NBA teams, and also a commitment to service in the community and to NBATA charities. For the entire article, click here.

• Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival this Sunday

  A Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival will take place this Sunday May, 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Vancouver Lake Park, 6801 N.W. Lower Lake Rd. There is no charge for spectators. Paddle for Life Vancouver is raising money to create a Disabled Veterans Water Sports Program at Vancouver Lake. All of the profits from the event and 100% of the donations go directly to creating a free program that will get disabled vets out on the water in dragon boats, rowing boats and kayaks. New docks and ramps are needed and adaptive equipment must be purchased so that veterans with any disability can participate. Click here for the full article.

• Battle Ground high school seniors recognized for their commitment to the military

  At the last council meeting, the Battle Ground City Council recognized thirteen high school seniors who have committed to serve in the United States Army, Navy and Air Force. All of the students currently live in the City of Battle Ground or attend Battle Ground High School. Councilmember Philip Johnson introduced each of the new recruits who spoke about his or her military assignment, goals, and family members, of whom many were in attendance. For the original article click here.

• Xeriscaping for Homeowners workshop May 30

  WSU Clark County Extension and Clark County Department of Environmental Services will host a xeriscaping workshop Thursday, May 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the WSU Extension offices, 1919 NE 78th Street. Xeriscaping, a concept for saving water in landscaped areas, involves planting with slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce maintenance costs for your yard or garden. This workshop includes a discussion of native plants adapted to endure drought. Learn about choosing appropriate plants for your garden, grouping them together with other plants with the same watering needs, and planting them in areas that are favorable to their growth. The event is free, but pre-registration is required at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374680. For more information, call 360-397-6060 ext. 5712 or email watershed.stewads@clark.wa.gov.

• Tall ships visit Vancouver May 23 through 27

  Lady Washington, the Official Ship of the State of Washington, and Hawaiian Chieftain have scheduled a seven-week tour of the Columbia River that will include 11 ports in Washington and Oregon. The ships are marking the 225th anniversary of the first landfall by a U.S.-flagged vessel on the shores of what would later become Oregon. Both ships will stop at Vancouver this Thursday, May 23 through Sunday, May 27. The ships will offer public tours and excursions, including Battle Sails, which are recreations of a typical 18th-century naval skirmish, and Adventure Sails, which are family-oriented experiences with an opportunity to take the helm of a real tall ship. Prices range from $29 to $60 per person.For further information, visit www.historicalseaport.org.
• Free Clinic of Southwest Washington hires new clinic director

  Praneeti Parjan has accepted the Clinic Director position at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington. She will direct the medical operations of the Free Clinic and will supervise six full time employees, and around 600 active volunteers, including 150 physician providers in urgent care. The position is being vacated by Patrick Callahan, who has been Clinic Director for the past five years. He is leaving the Free Clinic to attend the University of Washington, where he has been accepted to medical school. For the full article, click here.

• Journey Theater Arts Group presents “Annie Get Your Gun” this Friday

  The Journey Theater Arts Group will present Annie Get Your Gun, this Friday, May 24, at the Washburn Performing Arts Center, at Washougal High School. Pre-sale adult tickets are $12; youth, senior and group tickets are $9. All tickets for the Saturday, May 25 performance are $9, and all tickets are $2 more at the door. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.. There will also be a 3 p.m. performance on Saturday, June 1. Click here for the original article.
• Fundraiser for Washington School for the Deaf at Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters this Thursday

  Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters will hold a fundraiser for Washington School for the Deaf (WSD) PE and Art Departments this Thursday, May 23, between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. WSD is an educational community and statewide resource committed to ensuring all deaf and hard of hearing students in Washington reach their full potential. For every purchase made, Paper Tiger will donate 15 percent to the school for PE equipment and art supplies. Paper Tiger is located at 703 Grand Ave. in Vancouver. For more information, visit www.papertigercoffee.com. Support them on Facebook here.

• Crime Stoppers reward offered for information/return of sculpture’s head

  Local businessman, John Rudi, owner of Thompson Metal Fab, Inc., is offering a reward for information leading to the return of the Wendy Rose sculpture’s head. Rudi’s grandmother was a “Wendy Welder” at Vancouver’s historic Kaiser Shipyards and his business is located on the old shipyards’ land. A thief recently removed the head of the ten foot tall metal Wendy Rose sculpture located on the Columbia River waterfront trail about one mile east of the I-5 bridge. The public sculpture honors the women and men who supported the war through their work at the Kaiser Shipyards during WWII. The mount of the reward will be determined by the quality of the information, but could be as high as $1,000. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Vancouver Police tip line at 360-487-7399 or text Crime Stoppers of Oregon at 823HELP + your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).

• Vancouver Symphony May Concerts this weekend

  The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) ends its 34th season with a concert that combines the wonder of three winners of its 19th Annual Young Artists Competition with Prokokiev’s majestic Alexander Nevsky. Performances will be Saturday, May 25, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, May 26, at 7 p.m., at the Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver. Tickets for both concerts are $35 for general admission; $30 for seniors; $10 for students. Reserved seating tickets are available for $50. For further details and to purchase tickets, visit www.vancouversymphony.org. Click here for the full article.

• Parks Foundation annual luncheon June 4; early bird registration ends this friday

  The Parks Foundation of Clark County will have its annual luncheon Tuesday, June 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Vancouver. Tickets are $30 for Parks Foundation Members; $35 for non-members. Tickets purchased after Friday, May 24 will be an additional $5. Sponsoring a table for 10 is $500. The event will feature the presentation of the Florence B. Wager awards for excellence in service and dedication to parks and recreation programs and projects in Clark County, and the formal presentation of the 2013 Community Grants. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.parksfoundation.us. Click here for the original article.

• Ribbon cutting ceremony at Steamers & Screamers May 31

  Steamers and Screamers, a brand new business in Vancouver, will host their official ribbon cutting event on Friday, May 31, from 9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. This celebration will feature llamas, face painting, balloon art and time to roam the state-of-the-art playspace.  Steamers and Screamers is located at 8400 NE Van Mall Drive, Suite 105. The first 20 attendees will receive a free latte and free “play” voucher for their children. For more information, visit www.steamersandscreamers.com.

• Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan to speak at Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance May 29

  The Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) will present Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m., at the Vancouver Barracks on the Fort Vancouver Historic Site. The event features keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan. Other speakers include: U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler, Vancouver Mayor Timothy Leavitt, National Park Service Superintendent Tracy Fortmann, and Col. Peter F. Norseth. There will be a free hot dog lunch and historical camp reenactments following the observance. For the original article click here.