WEDNESDAY, Feb. 23, 2005

Todd Martin moving on

Todd Martin, who 25 years ago became a chaplain there, is retiring Friday as director of pastoral care at Southwest Washington Medical Center. A farewell reception, which includes cake, is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

Martin, a Stanford-trained engineer and self-taught bon vivant, is a Presbyterian minister. He received his theological training at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Martin became director of pastoral care at the medical center in 1990 and has since expanded the pastoral care program to include seven chaplains, serving Hospice and the medical center campus. He is a former chair of the center’s Ethics Committee. He has been a member of the New Employees Orientation, Physician’s Wellness, and Circle of Excellence Selection Committees. Martin was also a member of the Family Medicine Residency Program.

Active in community affairs, Martin is a Vancouver Rotarian and is a member of the Vancouver-Clark County Telecommunications Commission.

Merger to boost iQ Credit Union growth

Clark County’s second largest credit union, iQ, today announced plans to merge with one the county’s smallest, City Employees of Clark County Federal Credit Union, in April.

Combined under the leadership of iQ, the credit union would serve 37,500 members and would have assets of over $306 million, according to iQ CEO/president Roger Michaelis. The new credit union will have eight full-service branches and 24 locally owned automatic teller machines.

Regulatory approval has been given, but final approval of the merger will be determined when members of the smaller institution vote at their annual meeting on March 18.

All 13 of the city credit union employees have been asked to remain, either at the their downtown branch or move to the iQ branch at Vancouver Mall. The nearby city employee’s branch at the mall will be closed.

Michaelis says that both credit unions have a long history of serving public employees in Clark County. iQ was established in 1940 as Clark County School Employees Credit Union. The smaller credit union was established in 1954. Anyone who lives or works in Washington is eligible to join the credit union.

Glenda Michael joins First Indy

Glenda R. Michael has been appointed vice president and relationship manager of the Private Banking Department of First Independent Bank. Michael will be responsible for managing relationships in the banking and credit services area.

Michael has 25 years of banking experience. Formerly with West One Bank, Michael for the past five years has been with Bank of the Northwest. She is a past president of the Canby, Ore., Rotary Club.

Public invited to hear young artists
competing for symphony slots

Students will compete for a chance to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, in Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 W 39th Street. Admission to the 11th annual competition is free, and the public is invited.

Two winners will receive a cash honorarium and will perform with the symphony at its Young Artists Concerts April 16 and 17 in the Skyview High School concert hall.

Competitors in the violin category are Edmund Coutan, Portland, Ely Karr, Vancouver, and Natally Okhovat, West Linn. Piano finalists are Ellen Kim and Michele O’Neill, both of Portland, and Eloise Kim, Tigard.

News briefs

Port of Ridgefield commissioners meet in regular session at 6 p.m. this evening in port offices at 111 W Division Street. g InterACT, seeking constructive community dialog, is holding a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this evening in the Washington State University Vancouver student services building to discuss, with community leaders, future activities of the organization.
 

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

Weird western weather puzzles forecasters--KGW-TV

County asks methadone dispensing company to hunt up another site--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Downtown vision expanding, includes pedestrian bridge to Vancouver Barracks, more housing and commerce--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Clark College collaborators with New Edge Networks in technical service education program--Oregonian, Allan Brettman

BIA releases preliminary report about environmental impact study of proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort--Columbian, Dean Baker

Casino plan to get close look--Oregonian, Foster Church

C-TRAN ridership up, but new cuts may drive it down--Oregonian, Foster Church

Elderhostel comes to Vancouver--Columbian, Harold Harbaugh

Vintage Books celebrating 30 years--Columbian, Cami Joner

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

Wednesday on the air

Home is Where the Heart Is—4 p.m. CVTV
Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast—5:30 p.m. CVTV
Telecommunications Commission (2/2)—7 p.m. CVTV
L. A. Lakers at Portland Blazers (live)—7 p.m.—KGW-TV, KXL, KXMG
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: South America Sizzles—9:30 p.m. CVTV
Clark County Close Up—11:30 p.m. CVTV
 

Town tabloids and the weather 

Joe Raabe offering real steal in classifieds. g Hans Olson reports garden hose trick didn’t work. g Danette LaChapelle’s answers swift and sure. g Ron Frederiksen working with Builder Bob. g Wendy Young taking care of details. g Wednesday, good weather abounds, 64. Thursday, sun sticking around, 63. Friday, clouds may stray into sun’s path, but still comparatively warm, 60.