Claude "Skeet" O'Connell, Clark College athletic director from 1946 to 1977, presides with Clark College president Bob Knight and O'Connell's wife, Stella Mae, at rededication of the college's O'Connell Sports Center yesterday. A $2.6 million remodel has just been completed

Insider confuses date of
State of City Address

The correct time and date of Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard's State of the City Address "Racing through the Curves" is 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. For reservations, call 360-487-8000. Admission is a donation of non-perishable for the Salvation Army Stop Hunger Warehouse.

Violin section sent home for Vancouver
Symphony weekend concert

When the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra opens its 3 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 14 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, concerts, the violinists will be missing.

Not out on strike or on vacation, instead they will be absent because the particular selections by Brahms, Stravinsky and Manuel Oltra don't call for those stringed instruments.

Concert-goers instead will be treated to presentations by the Oregon Repertory Singers, directed by Gil Sealy.

Salvador Brotons conducts the orchestra. The concert is in the concert hall at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street.

Admission is $40, reserved seating, $28, general admission, $23, seniors, and $7 for students. For further information, call 360-735-7278.

Disaster help available to businesses

Representatives from the Small Business Administration will be available today and tomorrow (February 12-13) to receive applications from businesses for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

The low-cost 4 percent loans are available to businesses affected by the adverse weather from Dec 12 through Jan 5. The loans are intended to help with disaster recovery.

Officials will be available to provide information and help with applications from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the offices of the Columbia River Economic Development Council at 805 Broadway, Suite 412, in downtown Vancouver.

For more information, call the Small Business Administration directly at 800-659-2955.

Rotary announces scholarship application deadline of March 16

Rotary Clubs of Clark County, along with the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, are offering Ambassadorial Scholarships for 2010-2011 for travel and study abroad for vocational, graduate or post-graduate endeavors. The scholarships, which are valued for up to $23,000 and are available in more than 160 countries, are designed to further promote international understanding and goodwill.

Applications are due March 16, 2009.

Requirements for candidates of the Rotary Foundation Education Award are:

* Nominees are outstanding students, technicians, or teachers and potential "Ambassadors of Goodwill," demonstrate personal qualities of leadership, initiative, enthusiasm, adaptability, maturity and seriousness of purpose.
* Applicants must have completed two years of college or university or equivalent at the time the scholarship starts.
* Candidates must be sponsored by a local Rotary Club.
* Applicants cannot be Rotarians or relatives or dependents of a Rotarian by blood or marriage.
* Candidates must be available for several personal interviews.
* Language knowledge of the country of study is not required, but must be studied after acceptance.
* Upon completion of studies, the scholar must be available to present highlights of the experience abroad to local Rotary Clubs.

For more information or applications, contact Susanne Cox, 360-737-0442, susanne@vestahospitality.com or visit www.district5100.org

YWCA and Clark College announce Women of Achievement luncheon

YWCA Clark County and Clark College are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 25^th Anniversary Women of Achievement Silver Celebration luncheon.

The event, which recognizes women who make a positive impact in Clark County, has honored more than 200 women since it began in 1984. This year’s luncheon will take place on Monday, March 23, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver.

Registration is available online at www.ywcaclarkcounty.org, over the phone by calling Krista Liles at 360-906-4301 or in person at the YWCA office, 3609 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663 (open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm). Seats are $35 each, and tables of ten are $350 each.

Event co-sponsors are Clark College and YWCA Clark County, which serves more than 10,000 people each year and whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar