News Briefs

• Community Services Northwest names new executive director

  The Board of Directors of Community Services Northwest voted unanimously to name John “Bunk” Moren as its new executive director. Moren has been serving as interim director since Sharon Campbell-Krupski left the position in January. Moren formerly served as program manager for mental health and addictions at the agency. He has a master’s degree in science in education from Pace University and has worked in behavioral health for 11 years. He recently completed his nursing degree. Community Services Northwest (CSN) is a non-profit agency that provides outpatient mental health, chemical dependency and supportive housing services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in Clark County.

• Local brewery wins gold medal at Washington State Beer Awards

  After having been open for only 8 months, Vancouver’s own Loowit Brewing Company has received statewide recognition for excellence in their beer “Vandalia Summer Ale”, which was awarded a gold medal in the fruit beer category of the Washington Beer Awards. Loowit Brewing was the only SW Washington brewery to receive a medal and is proud to represent the burgeoning brewing scene in Vancouver. The winning ale is dry-hopped and brewed with 42 pounds of raspberries. The Washington Beer Awards drew over 400 entries and 70 breweries throughout the state. For more information, visit http://wabeerawards.com.

• Historical Promotion Grants applications accepted now through Sept. 13

  The Board of County Commissioners awards grants to encourage local historical preservation efforts and programs, and applications for 2014 grants now are being accepted by the Historical Promotion Grants Advisory Committee. Clark County established the Historical Promotion Grants Program to increase awareness and education among local residents and better preserve, exhibit and interpret historical collections. Grants typically range from $3,000 to $15,000, although applicants may request more. Grants will be awarded in December and money will become available in January 2014. For an application, click here, or contact Axel Swanson in the Commissioners’ Office at 360-397-2232 or axel.swanson@clark.wa.gov. For more information, click here.

• Volunteers needed at the Battle Ground Chamber firework stand

  The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce seeks volunteers to help sell fireworks at its firework stand. It is one of the Chamber’s biggest fundraisers. Interested parties should call to sign up this week, because Chamber staff will be selling fireworks next week. For more information, and to sign up call 360-687-1510, or stop by the Chamber office, 1419 W Main St.,  Battle Ground.

• WSUV offers workshop on financial aid and scholarships tomorrow

  Learn how to pay for college at WSUV’s A – Z of Financial Aid and Scholarships Workshop offered June through August in the Student Services building, room 101. Free and open to the public, this workshop is a jumping-off point for all college-bound students no matter their age, current financial situation or school they plan to attend. The first workshop will be this Tuesday, June 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information including the additional workshop dates, click here.

• Vancouver television producer receives 2013 Emmy Award nomination

  Local television, video and film producer, Forrest Burger of RiverBend Productions in Vancouver is nominated for an EMMY Award in this year’s 50th annual competition. The Northwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences sponsors the awards, which honor programs made in 2012, and has recognized Burger in the Health/Science – Special Programs category. For the original article, click here.

• ESD 112 receives grant to support professional development

  Educational Service District 112 (ESD 112) has received a $150,000 grant to support teachers and paraeducators in expanding their knowledge of the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for reading informational text. The one-year grant will benefit educators in Stevenson-Carson and White Salmon School Districts. For further details, visit www.web3.esd.112.org. For the original article click here.

• “Tastes & Tunes” celebration July 6, bonus for tickets purchased before July 1

  A variety of local wines, beers and food plus the sweet summer melodies of Portland’s Patrick Lamb and his band are on tap for the second annual “Tastes & Tunes” Saturday, July 6, from 3 to 9 p.m., at Gardner Center in Battle Ground. Proceeds will benefit the the Battle Ground Rotary. Tickets purchased before July 1 are $30. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.battlegroundrotary.org or call Vivian Ashworth, at 360-980-0131. Find the original article here.

• Pacific Lifestyle Homes Care Cup Golf Tournament June 21

  The Pacific Lifestyle Homes Care Cup, one of the largest charity golf tournaments in Southwest Washington, will be held next Friday, June 21, at Camas Meadows Golf Club, 4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr. in Camas. Tickets are $200 per person or $800 for a four person team. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Innovative Services Northwest. For further information, visit www.innovativeservicesnw.org. To register, call  Laurie Giacomini at 360-600-8995. For original article click here.

• Ara Serjoie announces departure

  Ara Serjoie, senior vice president at Clark College Foundation, announced he has accepted a position at California State University. Serjoie, who has played a pivotal role building relationships and raising funds, will step down in August to take a position at CSU, East Bay, in Hayward, where he will serve as the vice president for university advancement and president of the foundation. Click here for the original article.

• Volunteers need for “Sunday Streets Alive” event Aug. 18

  Vancouver will be hosting Clark County’s first open street event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2013. Sunday Streets Alive, presented by Kaiser Permanente, is a free 4.2 mile course open for the community to walk, bicycle, skate, run, dance, play games and more. There are many different types of volunteer positions available. Over 300 volunteers will be needed for the event. For more information and to register to volunteer, call 360-487-8324, or click here. For the original story, click here.

• 2013 Legislative Review Luncheon June 18

  The Building Industry Group (BIG) and the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce will present the  Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt 2013 Legislative Review Luncheon Tuesday, June 18, at Club Green Meadows, 7703 N.E. 72nd Ave. in Vancouver. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 for open seating; sponsored tables of 10 are $350. To register for the luncheon click here. For the original article, click here.

• YWCA presents “Bridging Generations: 2013 Community Celebration” June 18

  The YWCA Clark County invites the public to its annual “Bridging Generations: 2013 Community Celebration” from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 in the YWCA Community Room, 3609 Main St. in Vancouver. The event is free and family friendly. Community leaders will discuss the changes between past and present, and how differences between generations contribute to community and diversity. Mayor Tim Leavitt will speak, and there will be a performance by a local belly dancing group. For the full story, click here.

• Clark College honors largest graduating class in its history June 20

  For almost eight decades, Clark College has been providing Southwest Washington with new generations of teachers, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, community organizers, and other leaders within this region. Next week the college will graduate the newest generation of leaders at its 2013 commencement ceremony. The college is on track to graduate its largest class ever, with students earning almost 1,900 degrees and certificates during the 2012-2013 academic year. Almost 600 of those graduates have signed up to participate in the ceremony. ABC News anchor and chief national correspondent Byron Pitts will be the keynote speaker. The commencement will take place Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at the Sleep Country Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield. The event is free and open to the public.

• “Around the World in 80 Days” premiers at the Magenta Theater this Friday

  The Magenta Theater Company, located in the heart of downtown, presents Around The World in 80 Days, directed by Bryan Schmidt. The play starts at 7:30 p.m., showing June 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28. Matinee performances will be held at 2 p.m. June 22 and 29. Tickets are $12 to $15, available at www.magentatheater.com. For the original article, click here.

• Free training for Landlords in Clark and Cowlitz Counties June 22

  Landlords in Clark and Cowlitz Counties are invited to a free training session for landlords Saturday, June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. A variety of routine and emerging issues will be discussed including: Effective applicant screening techniques; Guidelines for regulating marijuana use in rentals; Lease language; and Partnering with public health agencies to support property management goals. Lunch and training materials are provided free. Parking is available in the lot north of the center. It is presented by John H. Campbell, a nationally-recognized expert on landlord-tenant problem-solving. To register, contact Carole Dalton at 360-397-8126 or Carole.Dalton@clark.wa.gov. 

• Register now for CREDC’s “Swimming with the Sharks” Pub Talk

  The Columbia River Economic Development Council will host a new Pub Talk next Tuesday, June 18, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Fort Vancouver Military Barracks, 600 Hathaway Blvd. in Vancouver. Tickets are $20 for pre-registration, $30 at the door. For further details visit www.credc.org. Click here for the original story.

• Commission on Aging presents first year’s work June 18

  The Commission on Aging will present the results of its first year work to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, June 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. The meeting is open to the public. The Commission on Aging was formed in 2012 as an advocacy panel to help the county put into place 91 strategies identified in the Aging Readiness Plan, a community assessment by a countywide citizen task force. At the meeting, commission members will share work underway to implement some Aging Readiness Plan strategies. Highlights include an overview of projects such as Universal Green Design, time banking and TeleHealth. Over the past year the commission completed six strategies and launched another 39. For more information: www.clark.wa.gov/planning/aging/commission.html.