The Fort Vancouver National Trust has announced the finalists who will perform on the Vancouver Toyota main stage at Independence Day at Fort Vancouver presented by Bank of America. Finalists include: Haley Van Nortwick, Michael Ash, Annie Barton, Ian McDaniel, Justin Nicholson, Hailey Krucke, Mike McCormic, Rachel Hargett, Nicki Roller, and Caitlyn Koester. A panel of local musician judges, some of whom will perform on the Main Stage later in the evening, will select the winners. The Sing Fourth Teen Vocal Competition presented by Davidson Insurance and SafeCo Insurance is one of the Celebrate Freedom programs produced by the Trust. For more information, visit www.fortvan.org/fourth.

Sue Feldman, Ph.D. and Director of Research and Assessment for Educational Service District 112 (ESD 112), won an international award, “Outstanding Paper of the Year” from the Journal of Educational Administration.

Dr. Feldman co-authored the paper entitled, Managing the intersection of internal and external accountability: Challenge for urban school leadership in the United States. The paper is the culmination of an 18-month study of four large urban school districts and is co-authored by Michael S. Knapp from the University of Washington.

“Researchers of Dr. Feldman’s caliber usually work at universities,” says ESD 112 Superintendent Dr. Twyla Barnes. “A real challenge for school districts is getting the data they need and analyzing that data in ways that help them. Many districts don’t often have the staff time or expertise to devote to this type of data collection and analysis.” To read the paper, click here.

Local author Gregory E. Zschomler and Eyrie Press will have a book launch party to announce the release of Marsh Monster, the second book in the Bayou Boys Adventure series, tomorrow, June 29, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Latte Da Coffee House, 205 E. 39th St. in Vancouver.

In book two, the Bayou Boys, Pete and Bart (along with Pete’s girlfriend, Carla), venture deep into the Honey Island Swamp in search of their missing fathers (Sheriff Meyers and Warden Davis) who have disappeared while investigating a missing tour guide and a rash of monster sightings. Together they have a dangerous run-in with a mysterious creature and modern-day pirates.

The author will share stories, sing songs and sign copies of the book, and pirate coins will be given away. Marsh Monster and Voodoo Virus, the first book in the series, will be available for purchase and autographing. The books are $6.99 each or $15.00 for both.

The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) will present “Q2: Clark County’s Hot Technology” Thursday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Dr. in Vancouver. General registration costs $35; a table of ten costs $325.

Clark County is home to exceptional consumer products and digital technology companies. Guests will hear from executives at three companies that are changing the face of their industries. Panelists include: Tuan Tran, Vice President and General Manager, Inkjet and Printing Solutions, Consumer Business Hewlett-Packard; Thomas McGovern, Vice-President & Co-owner, Immersive Media; and Shelton Louis, Co-Founder & CEO, GSL Solutions, Inc.

CREDC is a private-public partnership of 140 investors working together to advance the economic vitality of Clark County through business growth and innovation. Through collaborative leadership, the CREDC promotes job quality and capital investment while maintaining the County’s exceptional environment and high quality of life.  Since 1982, the CREDC has created 28,800 jobs, representing a cumulative annual payroll of $1.2 billion for Southwest Washington. For more information and to register, visit www.credc.org.