New connection between downtown
and historic reserve on council agenda

Public discussion of an over-the-top I-5 freeway connection between the Historic Reserve and downtown Vancouver in the vicinity of Evergreen Boulevard begins during the Vancouver City Council workshop session Monday, July 16.

The city council convenes its workshop session at 4 p.m., but discussion of the Columbia River Crossing Project and its effect on I-5 through Vancouver is expected to begin about 4:45 p.m.

Columbia River Crossing Project staff will brief the council and answer questions about the proposed crossing and how it would affect the downtown portion if Interstate 5 from the Columbia River north.

Under discussion will be impacts of new I-5 bridges on existing structures on Hayden Island and within Vancouver's downtown area, the National Park Service property east of the I-5 freeway, and downtown commercial property, including the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.

An over-the-top of the freeway vehicle and pedestrian crossing would connect the nearly four-acre Riverwest project south of Evergreen Boulevard and west of I-5 with Vancouver Barracks and the rest of the Historic Reserve.

Library board calls for third information
session on proposed eastside library

A third public forum to discuss eastside library options and plans has been called by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, in the Rose Besserman Room in the C-TRAN Fisher's Landing Transit Center.

Project architects will present schematic diagrams of the building's floor plan and site layout, which were developed from staff input, community focus groups, written and email comments, and community input at two previous public meetings. Attendees will also have a chance to meet the project team, ask questions, submit comments and/or fill out comment forms that will be provided at the meeting.

Construction of the new 25,000 square-foot library, approved by voters last fall, is expected to begin early in 2008. The new library will be built near the Firstenburg Community Center on NE 136th Avenue. It will replace the 2,500 square-foot Cascade Park Library at 301 SW Hearthwood Avenue.

For further information about the new library, go to www.fvrl.org.

Red Cross sets up informational sessions

Anyone with an interest in becoming a Red Cross volunteer is invited to attend one of three hour-long informational orientation sessions this month, the first one starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 16, in the American Red Cross Southwest Washington Chapter office, 3114 Fourth Plain Boulevard.

The sessions are "just looking" opportunities for prospective volunteers, says Shirley Morgan, community relations director for the local chapter.

Current volunteer opportunities include the following: Disaster action team volunteers, who respond to house fires and other local disasters; hospitality volunteers, who greet donors and serve refreshments at Red Cross blood drives; health and safety volunteers, who teach CPR, first aid and other classes; and fund-raising and public relations volunteers, who help raise money for services and raise awareness of services provided by the Red Cross.

Additional informational sessions 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, and noon, Monday, July 30. For further information, call Diane Lins, 693-5821.

News brief

In Washington, D.C., this week, first lady Laura Bush presented a Preserve America Grant check in the amount of $59,986 to Vancouver government relations consultant Mark Brown. The grant funding will be used to create marketing materials to advertise the Vancouver, National Park Service and Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust “Step-On” tour program.

Calendar

Steve Martin’s comedy, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, directed by Llewellyn Rhoe, is being presented at 8 p.m. this evening and Saturday, July 14, in the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street. The bar opens at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $24. A three-course dinner/theater combination is $55 and available through the Restaurant in the Historic Reserve. For further information, call 695-3770. <> The comedy movie The Princess Bride is being shown free at dusk this evening in Esther Short Park, presented by the Hilton Vancouver Washington and Vancouver dentist Bonny Lund. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs. Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors will be in attendance. <> The 13th annual Saturday in the Park: GLBT Pride celebration is from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, 14, in Esther Short Park. There is no admission charge. The event includes music and entertainment, picnic space and a beer garden. For further information, go to http://www.sitppride.org/ <> The Vancouver City Council meets in workshop session at 4 p.m. Monday, July 16. <> Port of Camas-Washougal commissioners meet in regular session at 4 p.m. Monday, July 16, in port offices at 24 S A Street, Washougal.

Headlines Friday, July 13

Building a New Bridge--Columbian (Just about all you need to know about the Interstate Bridge, including video)

County contemplating a new jail--Columbian, Michael Andersen

Developer sues county over property taxes--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Proposed Kalama coal plant seeking state approval--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Battle Ground's Mill Creek Apartments & Senior Estates make affordability a priority--Columbian, Cami Joner

Rare summer thunderstorms roll through area--Columbian

WSU Vancouver to host resource management session--Oregonian

Pot smoking Vernonia principal keeps his job--KATU

Ichiro's five-year contract extension with the Mariners thought to be worth $100 million--Seattle Times

Republican Sens. John Warner and Richard Lugar draft bill to narrow mission of U.S. troops in Iraq--Washington Post, Anne Flaherty and Pauline Jelnek

Dow and S.&P. set new records again today--USA TODAY, AP

Iraq Coalition Casualties