Meyer Memorial Trust gives $250,000
to help equip Battle Ground Library

Artist's rendering of $3.4 million Battle Ground Library

The Battle Ground Library got a $250,000 shot in the arm today by way of a Meyer Memorial Trust award to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation, reports Jane Higgins, president of the Friends of the Battle Ground Library and co-chair of the Battle Ground Library Campaign.

The gift brings the $3.4 million fund raising goal within $500,000 of completion, according to Higgins. “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. From here on out every gift is crucial,” she added.

When completed, the 13,000 square-foot library will be three times larger than the current structure and will include a community meeting room.

The Meyer Memorial Trust award is the largest ever given to a branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. The trust was created by the late Fred G. Meyer, founder of the retail chain that bares his name.

Brian Baird seeks local support
for math and science education

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) today sought input from local school officials and business leaders on ways to increase interest in math, science, and engineering among high school and college students at a forum at Clark College.

"Our ability to compete on a global marketplace, for our national security, and for our economic vitality, we have to find new ways in which efforts on the national, state and local levels can be better integrated to educate the future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers of tomorrow," said Baird.

Clark College interim president Bob Knight concurred, adding that "Clark College is committed to encouraging students to explore those career paths to ensure our success in the global economy and to shape our future. We're proud to have hosted the forum and welcome our partners in education and business."

Baird was accompanied by Cora Marrett, assistant director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation.

As chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee, Baird has made increasing math, science, and engineering educational opportunities a priority. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction on all matters relating to science policy and education, including the National Science Foundation.

Clark College offers one-of-a-kind
regional survey technician program

Clark College is offering the only field survey technician program in the Vancouver-Portland metropolitan area beginning with the spring quarter.

The one-year program leading to a field survey technician designation is open to all persons 18 and older who hold high school or high school equivalent degrees.

The program is also a pathway to more advanced studies in civil engineering and professional surveying. The current wage for certified field survey technicians is $22 an hour. After four years, technicians can become land surveyors-in-training, a designation that commands up to $50,000 a year.

For further information, go to www.clark.edu/FieldSurvey.

Calendar

The East Minnehaha Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Walnut Grove Elementary School. n A presentation by Magenta Theater Company, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, based on a story by C. S. Lewis, dramatized by Joseph Robinette and directed by Jaynie Roberts, is at 7 p.m. this evening in the First Baptist Church, 108 W 27th Street. Performances continue at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 17. Admission ranges from $10 to $13, slightly higher at the door. For further information, go to www.magentatheater.com. n A comedy, The Boys Next Door, by Tom Griffin and directed by Jolin Milberg, is being presented by the Public Playhouse in the Decker Theatre in the Frost Arts Center at the Clark College Campus at 7:30 p.m. this evening and Saturday, March 17, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18. General admission is $16. For further information, go to www,publicplayhouse.org. n 49th District Legislative Town Hall meeting is at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, in the county Elections Department, conference room 226, 1408 Franklin Street. n State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17th) is holding a community meeting at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, in the Washington Grange, 7701 Ward Road. n State Rep. Jim Dunn (R-17th) is holding a Legislative Town Hall meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in conference room C/D, 3rd floor, in Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, 2211 NE 13th Street. n Operation Fairy Godmother, sponsored by the Vancouver School District Foundation, is offering over 2,000 like-new semi formal and formal prom gowns and accessories to Clark County high school women for $10 each during a prom dress exchange from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in the Westfield Vancouver Mall. The young women may exchange dresses without paying a fee. For further information, call Jan Redding, 313-4730. n Thirty-eight young musicians from the Osaka Seikei Girls High School in Japan will enter Vancouver audiences at a special performance at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in the royal Durst Theatre in the Vancouver School of Arts & Academics. The program is sponsored by SEH America, through the Soroptimist International of Vancouver. Admission at the door is $5. For further information, call Pat Stryker, 994-1728.

Friday, March 16 Headlines

Highway to desperation--Columbian, Michael Andersen

Vancouver motorcyclist killed near North Bonneville--Columbian, Kelly Adams

Trial lawyers fete Robert Harris and Barbara Johnson for enduring service--Columbian, Stephanie Rice

Public comment sought on proposed Fort Vancouver fee increase--Columbian, Dean Baker

At House hearing, Plame rebukes Bush Administration--Washington Post, William Branigin