Registration open for Women of Achievement

YWCA Clark County and Clark College are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 25^th Anniversary Women of Achievement Silver Celebration luncheon.

The event, which recognizes women who make a positive impact in Clark County, has honored more than 200 women since it began in 1984. This year’s luncheon will take place on Monday, March 23, 2009, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Hilton Vancouver.

Registration is available online at www.ywcaclarkcounty.org, over the phone by calling Krista Liles at 360-906-4301 or in person at the YWCA office, 3609 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663 (open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm). Seats are $35 each, and tables of ten are $350 each.

Event co-sponsors are Clark College and YWCA Clark County, which serves more than 10,000 people each year and whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.

Reporter caught red-faced stealing
$749,250,000 from Columbia Credit

Yesterday, in reporting the departure of Columbia Credit Union president Parker Cann to Boeing Employees Credit Union, the state's largest credit union as vice president and chief counsel, one of the Insider staff writers reported that Columbia Credit Union assets are $750,000. Couldn't have been much further from the truth. Columbia Credit Union assets are $750 million.

Probst introduces internships measure,
approved by House

A proposal to link high school students with high-demand careers was approved today by the House.  Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, introduced the measure to address, in part, high school dropout prevention and a lack of skilled workers in growing fields.

“Opportunity Internships are life-changing for some students.  They provide a connection to the real working world, and help students understand the relevance of their education.  We can show students what great things they can achieve,” Probst said.  “Opportunity Internships are a way to reengage at-risk students while also helping local industries grow.”

Opportunity Internships, House Bill 1355, is one of four pieces of Probst’s Middle-Class Action Plan.  The other pieces deal with middle-class tax relief, reducing small business regulation, and becoming an energy exporter to the world. The legislation is Probst’s first to pass out of the House, receiving a vote of 65 to 32.  It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

MESA to host competition

Southwest Washington Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement program (MESA) will host its fifth annual middle school science and engineering competition, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 at Clark College.

MESA Day is a festival of learning, discovery, competitions, activities, and fun events that encourage camaraderie and spark interest in careers related to the fields of math, science, and engineering. More than 140 middle school students from three school districts will have the opportunity to showcase design, problem solving, mathematical and communication skills on a competitive basis at this MESA Day event.

Southwest Washington MESA is housed at Washington State University Vancouver and serves students from Jason Lee, McLoughlin, Cascade, Pacific, Canyon Creek, and Jemtegaard middle schools. In addition to Evergreen, Vancouver, and Washougal School Districts, Southwest Washington MESA partners include WSU Vancouver, Clark College and Hewlett Packard.

"Our students always look forward to participating in this event," said Arnetta Burney, Director of Southwest Washington MESA.

Interested volunteers can contact Burney at, 360-546-9355.

News Brief

The American Red Cross is celebrating March as Red Cross Month nationwide.

A local open house celebration will be held in Vancouver on Sat., March 21, 2009 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Red Cross Clark County Blood Donor Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue Vancouver. The event will include children's activities, Lumberjax La Crosse ticket giveaways, drawings, treats, and tours. To schedule an appointment to donate blood during these special events, call 1-800 GIVE LIFE or visit us at www.nwblood.redcross.org.  

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar