MONDAY, OCT. 4, 2004

First methadone dispensing
clinic opened today

The first methadone dispensing clinic in southern Washington opened today under the auspices of the Columbia River Mental Health Services adjacent to its main clinic, 6926 NE Fourth Plain Boulevard.

The clinic is expected to serve 1,800 Clark County residents who are eligible for comprehensive treatment for heroin or opiate use. Until the new clinic opened, the closest methadone dispensing clinic was in Portland.

Methadone is a used for treating narcotic addiction.  “Administered in direct supervision as part of a total treatment plan, methadone is safe and effective,” CRMHS spokesperson Pat Stryker. says. “It can help opiate-addicted people regain control of their lives. In the proper dosage it works because it eliminates withdrawal symptoms and it reduces cravings for highs and reduces the pain from lows. Patients can maintain ordinary lives and employment while on treatment.”

For further information on the treatment program, call Stryker at 993-3049.

Citizen emergency response
team training begins this week

Training for citizen emergency response teams is being offered in two separate sessions, the first beginning Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Fire District 6 station at 8800 NE Hazel Dell Avenue. The second series begins Saturday, Oct. 23, in the Vancouver Fire Station, 81, 7110 NE 63rd Street.

Trained citizen emergency response teams are called upon to provide neighborhood assistance in the event of a disaster that overwhelms emergency service providers.

Cost of the training is $20. For further information, call Leah Edwards, 576-1195.

Vancouver Symphony opens season with Violinist Nitai Zori performing Tchaikovsky

Israeli violinist Nitai Zori opens the Vancouver Symphony 2004-2005 season with a solo performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major this weekend in the Skyview High School Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th Street. Symphony music director Salvador Brotons conducts. The orchestra also performs Anton Dvorak’s New World Symphony and a Bedrich Smetana piece.

Vancouver Symphony concerts are at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Preceding the Saturday concert at 2 p.m., Brotons offers a “lively and informative” talk about the music and its composers.

Single tickets range from $15 to $35. Season tickets for all six concerts of the season are available for $40 to $180. For further information, call Kelly O’Neill, 735-7278, or go to www.vancouversymphony.org.

Symphony tea features
Brotons and Roberts

Vancouver Symphony director and conductor Salvador Brotons and guest piano soloist for the symphony’s January concert, Barbara Roberts, perform during the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s 3rd annual Fall Tea at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in Royal Oaks Country Club.

Admission to the tea is $40. For further information, call 735-7278.

Forum set for commissioner candidates

Candidates for the two of three Clark County commissioner positions appearing on the Nov. 2 general election ballot will appear in a forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in the Church Community Room, 400 NE 179th Street.

Candidates are Democratic county commissioner Betty Sue Morris, and her challenger, Tom Mielke, who is completing a term as a Republican state representative from the 18th District; and Democrat Jeanne Harris, currently a Vancouver City Council member, and Marc Boldt, completing a term as a Republican state representative from the 17th District. The forum is sponsored by the Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association.

News briefs

The Vancouver City Council meets at 5 p.m. today to discuss its urban forestry work plan and at 7 p.m. in regular session. g Clark Public Utilities’ commissioners meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5. g Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5. g The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street.
 

(Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam [updates every five minutes]--USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

City hits 'home run' with Esther Short Park--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Harris-Boldt race comes down to process vs. results--Columbian, Erin Middlewood

Fifth graders doing their part to boost voter registration--Columbian, Amy McFall Prince

George Welsh providing high-tech design with' classic touch'--Columbian

Airport noise study calling for $24 million to $44 million in soundproofing buildings continues despite hostility from public and members of advisory committee--Oregonian, Bill Stewart

Monday morning steam event biggest so far in this round of Mt. St. Helens 'eruptions'--KATU, David Ammons

Second plume emerges from Mt. St. Helens Monday afternoon--KGW-TV, Abe Estimada and Jim Parker

KATU volcano video

Mariners fire Melvin after two seasons--Seattle P-I, John Hickey

Linda Buck, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, shares Nobel Prize in physiology--Seattle P-I, AP, Matt Moore

Iraqi rebels step up attacks--USA TODAY, AP

Paul Allen's SpaceShipOne wins $10 million prize--USA TODAY, AP, John Antczak

NPR 5-minute hourly news updates (Audio)

Monday on the air

Vancouver City Council Workshop (live)—5 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver City Council (live)—7 p.m. CVTV
 

The Weather and Town Tabloids  

Joe Kortum peppering welcoming message with statistics. g Nancy Biggs looking at medical center from the outside. g Jeff Bissett, the man with the fax. g George Shanno dispensing explorer facts. g Carol Fenstermacher does yard duty, keeps bike in garage. g Jack Anderson determined to extinguish natal-day candles. g Monday, mostly sunny, 74. Tuesday, cloudy, turning to showers in the evening, 67. Wednesday, gray and showery, 68.