Gregoire announces recovery plan website

Gregoire Gov. Chris Gregoire today launched an updated website with information about how the federal economic recovery plan is being implemented in Washington state.  The address for the updated site is http://www.recovery.wa.gov.

Included on the site now are:

• A link to sources of money and contact information that local governments can use to find out how to apply for funds.
• Links to state agency websites that contain more information about agency recovery efforts.
• Links to federal websites, including the primary federal site, recovery.gov, that provide details about the plan.

The contact information for local governments to use to apply for money is especially important. 

“Because each fund source will have unique criteria that must be met by the applicant, local projects will need to follow the application process each agency has established to be considered for funding,” said Victor Moore, director of the state’s Office of Financial Management (OFM).

Rep. Wallace reports on transportation legislation

Rep. Deb Wallace, D-17th, reports the Legislature this week introduced the “2009 Economic Stimulus Transportation Funding Act to distribute Washington’s share of the federal economic recovery funds. A $341 million transportation proposal is a key piece of that measure."

Wallace said the proposal will create 3,300 jobs across the state.

“All told, nearly $150 million in projects will be in contractors’ hands within 90 days, another $71 million within 120 days and the final $124 million within 360 days." 

In Clark County, funding will be available for the SR 501/Ridgefield interchange and an additional $9.1 million for local shovel-ready projects throughout the area, Wallace said.

Click on the following link for a complete project list available at the Washington State Department of Transportation website.

It’s March Madness at the museum

The Clark County Historical Museum is offering $1 off regular admission Wednesday, March 4, in honor of Museum Day, an annual program presented by the Washington Museum Association (WMA).

CCHM is located in Vancouver’s 1909 Carnegie Library, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Regular museum hours are: Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is charged: $4 for adults; $3 for seniors, age 62 and above, $2 for students, free for children 5 and under.

The museum also is open free from 5 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month, between February and November, for First Thursday Museum After Hours. Call CCHM, 360-993-5679, or visit the Web site, at www.cchmusem.org, for more information.

Clark College ensemble to perform March 10

The Clark College Vocal Jazz Ensemble and “Friends” will present a concert on March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in Decker Theatre on the college campus.  Featured high school vocal jazz ensembles include Prairie High School (Monika Tabor, director), Battle Ground High School (Darcy Schmitt, director) and Kingsway Christian High School (Randy Frasier, director).

The concert will also feature Northwest recording jazz vocalist, Tobaj, a Latin/contemporary singer specializing in vocal improvisation (scat singing). The Clark College ensemble and Tobaj will be joined by well-known jazz instrumentalists Jim Fischer, pianist, Dan Presley, bassist, and drummer, Dave Averre.  The concert is free and open to the public.  For more information, call the Clark College Music Department at 360-992-2662.

Property tax meeting scheduled

Clark County Assessor Linda Franklin has scheduled a public meeting for property owners to learn more about their 2009 property tax statements. The meeting will be held March 11, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Approximately 160,000 property tax statements were mailed by the Clark County Treasurer beginning Feb. 17. The first half of the tax is due April 30, 2009.

For additional information please contact the Clark County Assessor’s Office at 360-397-2391 or visit our Web site at www.clark.wa.gov/assessor.

Calendar

View the unique abstract art of Barbara K. Matkowski opening at First Friday Event in Camas on Friday, March 6th 2009, Nevado Art Gallery. Her work will be on display March 6th-14th, 2009, 428 NE 4th Ave., Camas.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar