Anonymous gift boosts Clark College
year-end giving to $286,000

Working toward a $100,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor, the Clark College Foundation responded by raising $154,000, to which the surprised donor added another $32,000 to bring the total to $286,000, Lisa Gilbert, Clark College Foundation president, reported this afternoon.

Of that total, $182,000 will go toward scholarships, including the creation of four new endowments to support scholarship programs on an ongoing basis, according to Bob Knight, interim president of the community college. The Clark College board of trustees, the executive cabinet and the foundation board of directors supported the challenge with 100 percent participation.

The Clark College foundation, with over $60 million in assets is one of the most successful college foundations in the United States.

C-TRAN considering direct connection
to Tri-Met Delta Park Light Rail station

C-TRAN's board of directors will discuss proposed changes in transit service, including a possible direct connection to Tri-Met's Delta Park MAX station at a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 9, in the Rose Besserman Room in the Fisher's Transit Center, reports Jeff Hamm, C-TRAN's new executive director/CEO.

"Our proposed service plan represents a significant shift for C-TRAN as it works to provide better service for our citizens," Hamm said. “Most of the proposed changes come directly from what riders and the public have been telling us.”

In addition to providing a Route 4 direct connection to TriMet's light rail line at Delta Park, proposed changes would also provide limited express service along Fourth Plain Boulevard and extend service hours past midnight on C-TRAN's busiest routes.

Further information on proposed changes can be found by going to www.c-tran.com, or by calling 695-0123. Written comments on the subject will be accepted until noon on Tuesday, according to Hamm. Comments may be sent by email to ctran@c-tran.com.

People

Lisa Edwards, Clark College executive dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, will be leaving Clark College at the end of this month to become dean of Enterprise and Economic Development at Tacoma Community College, reports Clark College interim president Bob Knight. Knight said Clark's efforts in work force development increased dramatically during Edward's tenure. Edwards also helped create the college's radiography program. n State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17th), who has been appointed chairwoman of the House Higher Education Committee, has announced she is resigning her position as director of business development for the Columbia River Economic Development Council in order to devote more time to her legislative duties.

News Brief

A ribbon cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, will officially open the new Battle Ground county permit center at 1808 SW 9th Avenue, Battle Ground. The new Clark County Community Development facility will have hours nearly similar to those in the Vancouver Public Service Center and will provide Battle Ground and north Clark County residents with building, construction and other required county permits.

Calendar

Artists Melisse Lang, Jesse Corralez, Jan Heigh, Elida Field, Dorothy Ryan, Chris Tymoshuk and Jan Taylor, along with the Chance Hayden Duo, liven up Art on the Boulevard’s First Friday exhibition opening at 5 p.m. this evening in the gallery in the Vancouver Marketplace, Columbia Street and W Evergreen Boulevard. There is no charge. Light refreshments will be served. n The second annual Northwest Native American Storytelling Festival at Portland State University opens this evening and continues through Saturday, Jan. 6. For reserved tickets call (503) 725-3307. The festival is being financed in part through an online auction, currently being conducted. For further information on the auction and the festival, go to www.wisdomoftheelders.org. n A 49th Legislative District town hall meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 6, in training room 200 in the Clark County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street. Presenters are 49th District Democratic legislators Sen. Craig Pridemore and Reps. Bill Fromhold and Jim Moeller. For further information, call 786-7696. n State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17th) is conducting a legislative briefing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, in the Firstenburg Community Center, 7000 NE 136th Avenue. For further information, call 260-6110. n U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) will be a speaker during a 1:30-to-3:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, farewell ceremony for southwest Washington troops  of the 104th Division, being deployed for active duty from Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th Street.

Friday, Jan 5, headlines

Port of Vancouver shopping for land for rail line--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Ridgefield picks four names for two open positions on city council--Columbian, Jose Paul Corona

Reservations being accepted by Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce for Columbian's Economic Forecast breakfast--Columbian, Julia Anderson

New Kaiser Permanente Orchards Medical office nearing opening--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Fort Vancouver Historic Site offering lantern tour this evening--Columbian, Brett Oppegaard

Democrats urge Bush not to increase troops in Iraq--Washington Post, Bill Brubaker