John McDonagh joins board
of Emil Fries Piano Hospital

John McDonagh, publisher of the Vancouver Business Journal, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Emil Fries Piano Hospital and Training Center, also known as the School of Piano Technology for the Blind.

McDonagh is a member of the Professional advisory Board of the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University. He is chairman of the board of directors of Share and of the Vancouver Civil Service Commission. He has been active with the Columbia River Economic Development Council, the Clark County Fair Association and the Greater Clark County Rotary Club.

The Emil Fries Piano Hospital is a nonprofit, accredited, state licensed corporation providing specialized training to blind and visually impaired individuals. The school has served as a small business incubator for over 200-small business start-up companies.

Pam Gates named associate at
ARCHITECTS Barrentine.Bates.Lee

Pam Gates has been named an associate in the architectural firm ARCHITECTS Barrentine.Bates.Lee, Ron Lee, a partner in the firm has announced.

Gates has been with ARCHITECTS Barrentine.Bates.Lee’s Vancouver office since 1995. Gates is a member of the United Methodist Church Metropolitan District and of the district’s Church Building and Location Board. A graduate of the University of Denver, Gates earned her degree in architecture form the California College of Arts and Crafts.

ARCHITECTS Barrentine.Bates.Lee was formed in 1976 and has offices in Vancouver and Lake Oswego. 

Vancouver Food co-op sets informational session

The Vancouver Food Co-op, two years in the making, has scheduled a public informational meeting to explain how the co-op would work, according to Sunrise O’Mahoney, chairwoman of the food co-op.

According to O’Mahoney, the co-op hopes to open a store in downtown Vancouver this year. Produce would be provided by local Community Supported Agricultural Farms. Other food items would be provided by vendors selected by the co-op.

The meeting, co-sponsored by the Food Co-op, Southwest Washington CSA Farmers and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the church, 426 Fourth Plain Boulevard. Further information is available by calling O’Mahoney at 694-3663, or by going to www.vancouverfood.org.

There is no charge to attend the session, but donations of cash and canned goods for local food banks will be accepted, according to O’Mahoney.

Auditor recommends that Environmental
Public Health Programs set goals and objectives

After being asked by the Clark County Environmental Public Health to review its services, Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey reports that his recommendation is that the department set measurable program goals and objectives.

According to Kimsey, the performance audit was unable to determine whether goals and objectives were being met.

Kimsey, in his report, stated: “The department was proactive in identifying concerns and requesting our assistance for a review of these programs. Their responsiveness in addressing our recommendations will help Public Health programs provide equitable and timely response to citizens’ requests for environmental permitting.”

Environmental Public Health Programs provides services related to permitting and inspection of food establishments, solid waste facilities, onsite sewage systems, and both recreational and drinking water resources.

News brief

Democrats, Washington’s 3rd District congressman Brian Baird and Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy will discuss the Campaign to Insure Mental Health and Addiction Equity from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, in room 110, Student Services Building on the Washington State University Vancouver Salmon Creek Campus. n The annual meeting of Vancouver’s Downtown Association is Thursday, March 8, in E. B. Hamilton Hall in the Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Road in Vancouver Barracks. A social event at 5:30 p.m. precedes the 6-to-8 p.m. meeting.

Calendar

Arts Equity Onstage presents Hot ’N’ Throbbing at 7:30 p.m. this evening and Friday and Saturday evening, Feb. 16 and 17, in the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street. For further information, call 695-3770. n The American Red Cross Southwest Washington’s 10th annual Real Heroes Breakfast is at 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. For further information, call Shirley Morgan, 693-5821.

Thursday, Feb. 14 headlines

Operation Fairy Godmother delivers bargain prices for prom gowns--Columbian, Howard Buck

McLoughlin Middle School dress code plan will be submitted to parents--Columbian, Howard Buck

Pridemore's bill would eliminate WASL as diploma requirement; return graduation control to school districts--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Housing sales fall in 40 states; but not in Northwest--Seattle Times, AP, Martin Crutsinger

Jason McElwain, autistic senior who last year in the only basketball game he ever played in pumped in 20 points in four minutes tells his story a year later--NBC, Matt Lauer (Video)

U.S. Mint rolls out new, gold color presidential dollar coin--USA TODAY, AP, Nahai Toosi

Bush says NATO must send more troops to help in Afghanistan--USA TODAY, David Jackson

Hi-jacking ends favorably--ABC News Online