TUESDAY, Feb. 15, 2005

Brett Rogers named state director of WSU
Small Business Development Centers

Brett Rogers, former director of business expansion and retention for the Columbia River Economic Development Council, has been appointed state director of the Washington State Small Business Development Centers.

Prior to coming to CREDC in Vancouver, Rogers was assistant director of the Washington Small Business Development Centers Office of International Programs, and had worked in private industry. Rogers is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and holds a masters degree in international management from Thunderbird—The Garvin School of International Management.

 Celebrating its 25th year, the SBDC is a cooperative among WSU, Western Washington University, community colleges, economic development organizations and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBDC provides no-charge confidential counseling and low-cost training to current and prospective business owners.

Jacox gift of vineyard property will earn Clark College hundreds of thousands of dollars 

Norm and Karen Klug Jacox are turning their vineyard property near White Salmon in the Columbia River Gorge into future scholarships at Clark College, while providing an income stream for themselves.

Until his retirement in 1999, Jacox was general manager of the Vancouver-headquartered Northwest Public Power Association. The couple has placed three of their 10-acre parcels into charitable remainder trusts with the Clark College Foundation.

“The creative remainder trust is a creative means of planned giving,” says foundation president Lisa Gibert. “It will provide an income and tax benefits to the Jacoxes over their lifetime. Upon their death, the trust assets revert to the foundation.”

Jacox says, “I was looking for long-term income from the property when Carol Curtis, a member of the Clark College Foundation board, suggested I look at the foundation. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that our gift will provide Clark College students access to education for years to come.”

The foundation bought the remaining 10-acre parcel from the Jacoxes through a “bargain purchase” agreement. This piece of property is already leased, and the foundation is already receiving new income.

Jacox said the couple was considering a gift to his alma mater but went with the Clark College Foundation because it was more flexible.

With over $60 million in assets, the Clark College Foundation is among the largest community college foundations in the world.

Vancouver Symphony offering
South America sizzle this weekend

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra celebrates the South American tango music of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla in concerts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, in the concert hall at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street.

The orchestra will be directed by internationally known Uruguayan conductor Fredrico Garcia Vigil. Guest artists are Daniel Binelli, Argentina, and Polly Ferman, Uruguay.

The Saturday concert opens at 2 p.m. with a discussion of the music and composers. Tickets at the door are $23 and $35. For further information, call Kelly O’Neill, 735-7278.

The contest for free pairs of tickets to this weekend’s symphony is a little bit different this week.

Contestants must send their answers by email to O’Neill, not the Daily Insider. The email address is: thevso@vancouversymphony.org. Pairs of tickets to the concerts for either day will be drawn from winning answers.

The question is: How many of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos will the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform?

Those with the correct answer who also name the tangos will automatically win a pair of tickets.

News briefs

      The C-TRAN board of directors is holding a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. today in the C-TRAN administration offices, 2425 NE 65th Avenue. g The annual State of the City address will be delivered by Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the 40 et 8 building, 7607 NE 26th Avenue. There is no charge, but call 696-8121 for reservations. g Clark County commissioners meet in informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. g The Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Port of Vancouver offices, 3101 Lower River Road.
 

Headlines at home and from around the world:
(Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

County's big cities looking at a smaller C-TRAN system that would leave out rural areas, La Center and Yacolt--Columbian Jeffrey Mize

National Democratic Party chair Howard Dean will speak in April at Washington State University-Vancouver--Oregonian

Battle Ground group setting aside space for a 13,000-square-foot public library that could be financed by community fund raising--Columbian, Tom Vogt

Dunn not afraid to stray from the herd--Columbian, Don Jenkins

Ridgefield city council will offer interim city manager George Fox a permanent job. Fox has been earning $175 an hour. The city has budgeted $120,000-a-year for the office--Columbian, Dean Baker

U.S. recalls envoy to Syria following assassination of Lebanon prime minister--New York Times--David Stout

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

Tuesday on the air

Clark County Focus—4 p.m. CVTV
American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast—4:30 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver Land Use Hearings (live)—7 p.m. CVTV
Red Dear at Portland Winter Hawks at (live)—7 p.m. KCMD
 

Town tabloids and the weather 

Carol Curtis hastening summer. g Nancy Barnes identifying perp. g Dean Sutherland spreading salve. g Margaret Kretschmar rallying troops. g Dan Euliss kicking into high gear. g Tuesday, bright sunshine, 50. Wednesday, a second sunny day in a row, 52. Thursday, should get one more good day of sunshine, 54.