Clark County adds jobs; but
unemployment rate goes up too

Unadjusted labor force and employment numbers released by the state Employment Security Department today show that Clark County gained 800 new jobs in the past month, bringing the total number of people who are employed full- and part-time and who are in business for themselves to 196,500.

But because the total workforce increased during February from 208,700 to 211,100, the unadjusted unemployment rate rose from 6.3 to 6.9 percent. A year ago February, the county unadjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.2 percent.

Statewide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for February was 5.7 percent.

The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which measures full-time workers, declined in February from 5.1 percent in January to 4.8 percent.

Local bands being sought for
new youth-oriented ’Couv Fest

Local bands and musicians are being sought for Vancouver’s first ’Couv Fest, a youth-oriented music and pop culture festival sponsored by the City of Vancouver.

The day-long festival will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in the parking lot between Sears and Macy’s stores in the Westfield Vancouver Mall. The free festival is part of the city’s 150 years of incorporation.

Local musicians and bands are being asked to submit demo CDs which will be reviewed by the city’s special events office, Download Sounds Recording Studio and Northwest Entertainment Productions. Ten individuals and organizations will be selected to perform 40-minute sets each.

Applications may be downloaded by going to www.cityofvancouver.us/150th. Deadline for submitting demo CDs is 5 p.m. Friday, May 4.

World Water Day being celebrated
in Water Resource Education Center

A local World Water Day forum opens at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, with a blessing of water by Native Americans in the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way.

The program, which ends at 9 p.m, includes presentations by Ed Heidt, City of Vancouver, Gary Boe, Jerry Rollings and Glen Waller, representing Rotary International water projects, and Daniel Barnett, Mountain View High School Interact Club.

For further information on this free presentation, call Rich McConaghy, Water Resources Education Center manager, 696-8478.

Name your favorite eating establishment

When the Insider polled readers in 2005, The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve was voted the top restaurant in Clark County, closely followed by Roots. Beaches and Tommy O’s rounded out the top four eateries.

Since then, several new eating establishments have opened. Thus we are asking readers to vote again.

This time, there are three categories: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vote once for each category.

Send responses to tony@dailyinsider.info. Responses must be received by 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, to be counted.

News correction

The correct telephone number to call for reservations for the Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County’s 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, free Portfolio Party is 604-8583, reports Shareefah Abdullah, owner of Hot Ovations and spokesperson for the Black Entrepreneurs.

Calendar

C-TRAN board of directors meets at 5:15 p.m. today in C-TRAN administration offices, 2425 NE 65th Avenue. The board will consider proposed rate increases ranging from 8 per cent to 55 percent. n Port of Vancouver commissioner Nancy Baker explains port’s $78 million, six-year levy as tool in buying former Alcoa aluminum smelter waterfront property and improving rail access in a Q & A session that begins at 5:30 p.m. today in the Fireside Room, Gaiser Hall, Clark College. n The Felida Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Felida Fire Station 82, at NW Lakeshore Avenue just south of NW 119th Street. n Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.

Tuesday, March 20 Headlines

Cap on building height restrictions bug some city council members--Columbian, Jefferey Mise

C-TRAN thinking increases for some most fares--Columbian

Julie Anderson says "Happy Birthday, mom"--Columbian

County reaps boon in House budget--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Seattle's Pike Street Market to celebrate 100 years through Aug. 17--Serattle P-I, Kathy Mulady

Bush makes Karl Rove and Harriet Miers available for interviews, but not under oath--USA TODAY, Kevin Johnson

Russia gives Iran ultimatum on nuclear fuel enrichment--New York Times, Elaine Sciolino

U.S. explains raid on Shiite mosque--New York Times, Kirk Semple

Snowflakes as big as firsbies, New York Times, William J. Broad

Dow up 61.93 points ending the day at 12,288.10--New York Times, Reuters