WSU Vancouver researcher gets
grant to go for better refrigerant

Researchers at Washington State University Vancouver have received a grant from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers of close to $90,000 to try to update an old idea into new solutions for two modern environmental problems: excess carbon causing global warming, and ozone depletion.

Amir Jokar, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and his graduate students will spend the next two years collecting and analyzing experimental data using chevron plate heat exchangers to condense carbon dioxide for the purpose of creating refrigeration less harmful to the earth's atmosphere.

Hydroflourocarbons and hyrdochlorofluorocarbons now widely used for refrigeration deplete ozone and add excess CO2 to the atmosphere.

"C02 is a nature-friendly refrigerant, a far less harmful substance produced by our breath and consumed by plants," said Jokar, already a leading expert on the chevron plate heat exchangers he plans to use. "If we can use new technology to produce a less expensive way of condensing C02 for refrigeration purposes, especially in low temperature applications, it could have an enormous global effect.”

Camas Days open under sunshine

The annual two-day Camas Days celebration opened today under bright sunshine. Vendor booths in downtown are open daily until 10 p.m. today and Saturday, July 28.

The Toast of Camas, presenting wine and microbrews, is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow. The Camas Days parade is at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, followed by bathtub races at 1 p.m.

Performances at the talent stage, sponsored by Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy, are from 3 p.m. to dusk Saturday, July 28.

The principal sponsor for Camas Days is Nies Insurance.

Get fit, not fat, with friends,
says SWMC’s Sandquist

This week's New England Journal of Medicine, reporting that obesity congregates among siblings, spouses and friends of obese persons offers an opportunity for weight-watching people to become more aware of how peer pressure can work for and against you, according to Dee Sandquist, Southwest Washington Medical Center Weight Management Center director and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

According to the study, siblings of obese participants had a 40 percent increased chance of becoming obese themselves. A spouse's risk spiked at 37 percent, while friends of the same gender had an even higher risk of becoming obese, 71 percent.

"Social peer pressure can be very healthy when it comes to holding people accountable for the choices they make," Sandquist says. "In the office or at home, make the conscious decision to share healthy snacks and get a workout buddy to bring exercise into the equation."

Man-in-the-moon scheduled for
final Camas-Washougal concert

The final free concert in the Port of Camas-Washougal series at Marina Park Sunday, July 29, is headlined by two musical groups and the rising of a full moon over the Columbia River, according to port executive director Sheldon Tyler.

The concert opens at 5 p.m. with Joe Wightman & Nick Manwell, an acoustic duet. Northwest Women Rhythm and Blues, featuring singer songwriter Sonny Hess, takes the stage at 7 p.m.

Food and beverage service will be provided by the Parker House restaurant. For further information, call 835-2196.

Ridgefield 'night out' includes
U.S. Army rock band concert 

Ridgefield's National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 7, in Davis Park on Main Avenue downtown, will bring together citizens and the city council and public safety staff from the police and fire departments, in an open forum on city services, in particular crime prevention, according to Mayor Gladys Doriot.

The 6 to 8 p.m. event, in its third year, features a concert by a U.S. Army rock band and is sponsored by Target, Comcast, Bank of Clark County, Port of Ridgefield iQ Credit Union, Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and the Union Ridge Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.

People

Shelly Ross, who began her banking career 28 years ago as a teller, has been hired by the Bank of Clark County as a commercial loan processor.

News brief

The Clark County commissioners’ public meeting on updates for the county growth management plan has been rescheduled from Tuesday, Aug. 7, to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6. This is a work session preparatory to a public hearing, Tuesday, Aug. 14, but it is open to the public.

Calendar

The Pearson Air Museum extravaganza, “Dancing with the Local Stars,” is 7 to 11 p.m. this evening in Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th Street. Admission is $20. Music is by The Pranksters Big Band. For further information, call 694-7026. <> An auction to raise money for a memorial bench in Sgt. Brad Crawford Park begins at 7 p.m. this evening in the Felida Fire Station. For further information, call Jamie Allen, 573-4030. <> Port of Vancouver commissioners are attending the Fruit Valley Neighborhood Community picnic at noon, Saturday, July 28, in Fruit Valley Park. <> Arts Equity is presenting Steve Martin’s comedy Picasso at the Lapin Agile, directed by Llewellyn Rhoe, at 8 p.m. this evening and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 28, in the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street. Tickets range from $15 to $24. A dinner-theater package with the Restaurant in the Historic Reserve is $55. A full bar opens at 7:15 p.m. For further information, call Rhoe at 695-3770. <> The Vancouver International Festival is from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29, in Esther Short Park. There is no admission charge. Free tours of the Port of Vancouver will be offered. Musicians from several countries will perform, including Jim Fischer & Friends. Food and crafts abound. For further information, call Ed Vidinghoff, 573-7961.

Headlines Friday, July 27

Cowlitz critical of La Center in memo--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Indoor Farmers Market vendors scrambling--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Wordsmiths' Aha! may move to new Columbian building--Colmbian, Julia Anderson

The Simpsons Movie--New York Times movie review--A. O. Scott

Parts of Vancouver and Camas as foot friendly as the Pearl District--Columbian, Michael Andersen

TV news helicopters collide in Phoenix, at least two dead--KAYU, AP, Jacques Billeaud

Market sell-off continued today' Dow down 208 points, New York Times, Vikas Bajaj

Iraq Coalition Casualties