MONDAY, March 14, 2005

 
Clark College promises quick action
on $4.1 million nursing program gift

A $4.1 million gift for nursing education, from a Washougal woman’s estate to the Clark College Foundation, has prompted the college to reach out to regional health care providers to determine the best ways to help meet their critical needs for nurses.

“We are thrilled for this opportunity to work closely with the college and witness Hilma Speights’s dream come true,” said Lisa Gibert, president of the college foundation.

Speights, who died in 2004, had been a volunteer in the Clark College Mature Learning Program and had taken several classes at Clark College. Retired from a career at Alcoa, Mrs. Speights was a widow of a World War II veteran and had been involved with American Legion activities.

Clark College president Wayne Branch said: “This gift represents an affirmation of the strong connection that the college has with the community, the exemplary work of our foundation and the confidence that a community college education is an effective pathway for life success. The community will benefit from this legacy from Mrs. Speights for many years to come.”

Branch said the gift will enable the college to enhance existing programs with partners such as Southwest Washington Medical Center, Legacy Health System and the Vancouver Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Branch declared the college is creating an advisory panel to provide guidance for the use of the gift. Members will include professional nurses and nursing administrators, Clark College, Washington State University Vancouver and Oregon Health Science University nursing educators and other appropriate health care professionals.

Vancouver Business Journal honoring top
businesses with growth awards dinner

The Vancouver Business Journal and the law firm of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC will honor southern Washington’s outstanding businesses at a recognition dinner at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the Heathman Lodge.

The awards program will shine a light on fast growing innovative organizations that care deeply about others and the community, according to business journal publisher John McDonagh. Awards will be made to start-up businesses, the fastest growing companies and business innovators.

Admission to the dinner is $65. For further information, call Tena Wolski, 695-2442.

Fairgrounds Exhibition Center
Grand opening is Wednesday

The completion of the Clark County Fairgrounds’ mammoth $18.5 million exhibition center will be celebrated by a public open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The public function follows a dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. in the building just off Interstate 5 at the 179th interchange.

The building, which has exhibit space equivalent to two football fields and doors large enough that semi-trucks with trailers can drive through, was designed by Architects Barrentine.Bates.Lee, A.I.A.

“The exhibition center is designed to meet the needs of the marketplace and is expected to have a positive financial impact on our community,” according to chair of the board of Clark County commissioners, Betty Sue Morris.

The first consumer show in the new center is the Petersen Auction Group Collector Car Auction, Saturday, March 19.

Birtcher Business Center
groundbreaking Tuesday

Brandon Birtcher, president, and Jim Edwards, senior vice president, of Birtcher Development and the Norris, Beggs & Simpson  real estate team, celebrate the groundbreaking of the Birtcher Business Center at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 15.

The 218-acre commercial development at NE Ward Road and Fourth Plain Boulevard, is one of the largest planned developments in Clark County. A light industrial business park is the centerpiece of the development.

Birtcher developed the Stonemill Business Park on Mill Plain Boulevard. Birtcher and Edwards together have developed over 3 million square feet of office space and industrial buildings in Vancouver and Portland over the past 30 years.

News briefs

The Vancouver city council does not meet today. g The Neighborhood Associations Council of Clark County meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Public Works Conference Room, 4700 NE 78th Street. g Mark Christiansen, co-founder and principal of Learning Point, will discuss “Leading in Times of Change” during a 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, meeting of the Clark County Chamber of Commerce in the Aero Club banquet room, Suite C 200, 9901 NE 7th Avenue. The meeting is free and open to the public. Krispy Kreme is providing refreshments. For further information, call 258-1181. g Clark Public Utilities’ commissioners meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 15. g Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 15.
 

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

Ridgefield's Phuong Tran declared the best barista in the United States--Columbian

Argument over contraceptive provided by health department warms up--Columbian, Erin Middlewood

Flaming object spotted in the night sky Saturday--KATU, AP, William McCall

San Francisco judge says California can't ban gay marriage--KGW-TV, AP, Lisa Leff

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

Monay on the air

Vancouver Fire Department Recruit Graduation—3:30 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver City Council Workshop (3/7)—4 p.m. CVTV
Portland Blazers at Memphis (live)—5 p.m. FSN, KXL, KXMG
Vancouver City Council (3/7)—7 p.m. CVTV
 

Town tabloids and the weather 

Mike Worthy giving leprechauns run for their money. g Scott Cromack jiggering with jeep. g Joe Raabe reporting successful transaction. g Barbara Kerr packing parka. g Jim Shinn all bundled up for the warm weather. g Roger Qualman on the scene. g Monday, mostly sunny, 64. Tuesday, cool sunshine continues, 62. Wednesday, early morning showers likely, 58.