With interchange construction about to begin,
state seeks Battle Ground highway input

With a two-year project to build an Interstate Highway 5 interchange connecting the freeway and Battle Ground five miles to the east beginning in April, the Washington State Department of Transportation has begun soliciting input for improvements on that two-lane highway known as NE 219th Street and Highway 502.

The interchange, two miles north of the Clark County fairgrounds interchange at NE 179th Street, is a $58 million project. A price tag for improving the five-mile connection has not been determined.

The Department of Transportation is holding its second community open house to collect further information about the Highway 502 corridor. The open house will from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the Battle Ground High School cafeteria, 300 W Main Street.

Principal issues involve safety and eliminating congestion. But, highway officials are seeking a wide range of information, ranging from road alignment and safety issues to driveway access.

Further information can be obtained by calling (866) 279-0730 or by going to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR502/Widening.

Clark College offering
listening class in April

A new offering for the Clark College spring quarter is The Power of Listening, a four-credit course being offered through the college Communications Studies Department.

Topics include improving memory, improving note taking, increasing vocabulary, and increasing creative thinking.

In addition, according to communication studies instructor Suzanne Southerland, students will gain an understanding of nonverbal communication, become more conscious of the persuasive techniques of advertising and develop an assertive response style.

Spring quarter classes begin April 2. For further information, call Southerland at (503) 453-2825.

Nancy Baker explains the Port of Vancouver
industrial tax program for Alcoa development

Port of Vancouver commissioner Nancy Baker will present the details of the Port of Vancouver’s $78 million six-year tax levy that will finance purchase of the former Alcoa smelter industrial site on the Columbia River. She will do this at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, in the Fireside Lounge in the Gaiser Hall at Clark College.

The meeting is the third in a series. The first two were presented by Arch Miller, president of the board of port commissioners, and commissioner Brian Wolfe.

The port has agreed to buy the 218-acre site for $48.25 million. Another portion of the proceeds from the tax levy would be used to relocate and improve industrial rail access to the port.

Black entrepreneurs hosting
first portfolio party

Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County, a no-cost roundtable and networking group, is hosting a portfolio party to show off members work from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the YWCA Clark County, 3609 Main Street.

“Every professional needs a portfolio, but lots of folks mistakenly associate portfolios only with artists and designers,” reports Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County director Shareefah Abdullah, who adds, “it is a portfolio that is an important tool for getting new clients or getting a job.”

There is no charge for the event, open to everyone regardless of race, residence or venture, Abdullah says. Reservations, however, are required. For further information, call Abdullah at 604-8538.

Calendar

The Vancouver City Council meets in a workshop session at 4 p.m. today. n The Vancouver City Council meets in regular session at 7 p.m. this evening. n Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 20.  

Monday, March 19 Headlines

Third bridge study moving forward--Columbian, Don Hamilton

Wooland pushing for hew high school--Columbian, Isolde Raftery

John Kaiser recovering from wounds of war--Columbian, Dean Baker

Vancouver relents on parking meter rates; sets new rate at 50 cents an hour--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Stocks rose today; Dow gained 115 points to close at 12,226.17--USA TODAY, AP, Tim Paradis

Russia makes threat to keep nuclear fuel from Iran--New York Times, Elaine Sciolino

Bush pleads for patience on Iraq War's fourth anniversary--New York Times, David Stout