Cheri Cole named Parks
Foundation executive director

Cheri Cole, former director of alumni relations for the Clark College Foundation, has been appointed incoming executive director of the Parks Foundation. Cole will work with current executive director Phyllis Goldhammer through Goldhammer’s retirement in June.

Cole also served as director of the Penguin Athletic Club at Clark College. She is a former director of community education for the Ridgefield School District.

Cole, a 2003 graduate of Leadership Clark County, is a volunteer for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington Dogpaw activities, and is a flute and piccolo player with the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony. She is the recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The Parks Foundation, established in 1999, provide resources in support of parks, trails and recreational opportunities throughout Clark County.

Bill Kelley earns Employee Excellence award
from Washington State University Vancouver

Bill Kelley, director of facilities operations at Washington State University Vancouver, is one of five Washington State University employees who will receive President’s Employees Excellence Awards March 23 in Pullman.

Kelley is a key organizer of WSU Vancouver Cougar Pride Days and in 2002 founded the WSU Vancouver choir consisting of faculty, students and community members. He also expanded and maintains the campus trail system.

He was cited for having “forged a diverse staff into a cohesive team that has gained positive marks for from the campus community.”

With the award, Kelley receives $2,500 from the Washington State University Foundation.

Comcast annual review is Wednesday

Annually the Vancouver-Clark County Telecommunications Commission reviews cable television franchisee Comcast Cable. This year, the review of Comcast’s performance begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, in Vancouver City Hall.

The public meeting will be televised live on CVTV, Channel 23. Viewers will be able to call in comments live, according to commission chairman Fred Bateman. The telephone number will be given on air. Written testimony will also be accepted through Monday, April 9, Bateman said.

Comcast was granted a 15-year franchise in November 1997. The Telecommunications Commission is an eight-member volunteer citizen board which conducts annual reviews of the cable operator’s performance. The board does not control rates, however.

For further information, call Jim Demmon, cable television manager, 696-8233.

Celebration of Mel Gordon’s life is
Saturday in Water Education Center

A celebration of Mel Gordon's life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in the Water resources Education Center. Mr. Gordon, former Republican Clark County Commissioner, died Feb. 17 at the age of 84.

A Portland native, Mr. Gordon was active both in Republican and Democratic politics most of his adult life. In addition to having been a Clark County commissioner Mr. Gordon served as a Multnomah County commissioner. From 1963 to 1978 He served in the Oregon legislature.

Mr. Gordon is survived by his wife Micki, daughter Julie Wright and four grandchildren, Stacy Benack, Andrew Wright, Abigale Jeffers and Shannon Wright.

News brief

Ridgefield High School has been presented a $2,500 Best Buy Teach Award grant to enhance technology in school’s social studies department, reports principal John Kniseley. This is the second Best Buy grant made to the school as a result of grant applications written by Bob Ford. The equipment will be shared by the school teaching team that includes Ford, George Black, Gregg Ford and Steve Hotka. Similar awards were made by Best Buy to 27 other Washington schools.

Calendar

Dan Ogden presents a retrospective of his 60 years of commitment to the Democratic Party at 5 p.m. today in the Library Building, room 201 at the Washington State University Vancouver campus. A reception follows at 6 p.m. n An artists reception for oil painter Maia Leisz and ceramics artist DJ Miles, whose works are on display in the Art On The Boulevard gallery in the Vancouver Marketplace at Columbia Street and Evergreen Boulevard, is from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening. There is no charge. n The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington is holding its annual Affair of the Arts auction from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in Vancouver Clinic offices, 2525 NE 139th Street. Admission is $40. For further information, call 313-1397. n Southwest Washington Wind Symphony winter concert, “French Impressions,” is at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, Mountain View High School, 1500 SE Blairmont Drive. There is no admission charge. 

Friday, March 2 headlines

Height of downtown buildings sticking point in Vancouver's redevelopment plans--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Grant to Innovative Services will benefit teens in foster care--Columbian, Kelly Adams

SolarWorld leaving Clark County for its newly acquired Hillsboro Komatsu Group solar cell factory--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Don Thompson's Vancouver-based America the Beautiful Dreamer furniture operations to focus on wholesale; moves retail operations to Vancouver Plaza--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Greeter has firm grip on thousands of names--Oregonian, Dee Ane Finken

Proposal to impeach the president goes to capitol steps in Olympia--Seattle Times, David Postman

Secretary of the Army resigns over Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal--USA TODAY, AP

14 Irai policemen kidnapped, killed--USA TODAY, AP

Markets end a down week on a down note--New York Times, Vikas Bajaj and Jeremy W. Peters