Pacific Crest Custom Cabinetry and Marshalls were named the large and small businesses of the year, respectively, earlier this month by the Clark County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board during its 17th annual awards event called “Employment for All: Inclusion Drives Innovation.” Individual award recipients include:

• 2017 Employee of the Year: Austin Ewald, a courtesy clerk at the Safeway at Mill Plain Blvd. and Andresen Rd.; and Christopher Gaston who works at SEH America
• David Hanawalt Service award: Carolyn Newton, manager, Goldman and Associates
• Dennis Campbell Outstanding Service Award, Harold Rains, finance manager, Clark County Community Services

The event, which marked October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, was cosponsored by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, New Seasons Market, Umpqua Bank and the advisory board. The awards recognize businesses, agencies and residents who support employees with developmental or intellectual disabilities, as well as outstanding employees.

Pie is a favorite and the November First Friday in Downtown Camas is a fun celebration of this delicious treat. Come downtown Nov. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., and enjoy after hours holiday shopping, art shows, kids’ crafts and painting, gratitude activities, and more. Activities include:

• • Pie tastings in participating businesses–vote for a favorite and be entered to win pies and prizes
  • The Pie Walk Dance Party starting at 7 p.m.
  • Pie Raffle
  • Kids’ autumn crafts and painting with The Paint Roller
  • Gratitude Leaves – Pick up paper leaves in participating locations, write one thing you are thankful for on each leaf, and add leaves to the Community Gratitude Branch. Each leaf earns a ticket to win autumn prizes or pies
  • Art Shows at Camas Gallery, Second Story Gallery, and Attic Gallery

Participation and activity lists for the evening can be found at the Downtown Camas Association tables in Journey Church starting at 5 p.m. For all the information, visit http://downtowncamas.com/event/november-first-friday-2017-thankful-pie  and www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.

Leadership Clark County (LCC), invites the public to the next event in the Community Leadership Speaker Series, which will focus on the timely topic of affordable housing. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at the Red Cross Building.

The panelists are Leah Greenwood, Vancouver Housing Authority; Andy Silver, Council for the Homeless; Charlene Dahlen, Community Housing Resource Center; and Craig Lyons, Key Property Services, Inc.

Master of Ceremonies is Jeanne Bennett, Workforce Southwest Washington. She will guide the panelists through a discussion of the impact of affordable housing on Clark County, including ways in which attendees can help address this critical issue. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. A continental breakfast is included.

The City of Vancouver is currently accepting applications for $1.2 million in homelessness prevention grants. Funding for the grants comes from the Affordable Housing Fund, which was approved by Vancouver voters last year. Links to the application guidelines and online application are available here. Applications are due by Nov. 30. The city will host a non-mandatory pre-submittal meeting for interested applicants at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, in the Aspen Room at Vancouver City Hall, 415 W Sixth St. For the full story, click here.