County growth slowing way down

Clark County’s rate of growth has slowed to the lowest in the last four years, according to Clark Public Utilities’ records for new residential electric hook-ups.

The current growth rate is .59 percent, as measured by the number of new residential customers as of February 2009.

During February the utility signed up just 55 new customers. In January this year the utility signed up 108 new customers.

The net total new customers for 2008 was 2,060, for an annual rate of growth of 1.23 percent.

Mosaic Arts Alliance exhibit
coming to WSU Vancouver

Seven members of the Mosaic Arts Alliance are displaying their artwork in the engineering life sciences building at Washington State University Vancouver now through May 9. The show includes photography, painting, printmaking, pen and ink drawings, and collages.

The Mosaic Arts Alliance will also be represented at the WSU Vancouver Art Fair on Friday, April 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. Art work will be for sale.

Entry to campus exhibits is free. WSU Vancouver galleries are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Parking is available at parking meters or in the blue lot for $3.

Highway 14 widening project
gets access hearing April 15

The state Department of Transportation will host a public open house and formal access hearing on Wednesday, April 15, for the Highway 14 improvements from 6th Avenue east to Union Street in the Camas-Washougal area.

The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in conference room 102 in the WSDOT Southwest Region office, 11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver.

WSDOT staff will present the proposed access plans for property owners next to the project area. For further information, call 905-2062.

Piano Hospital continues 60th
anniversary with folk music

The School of Piano Technology for the Blind, also known as the Piano Hospital, continues its 60th Anniversary celebration with a benefit concert, “Folk Music at the Fries,” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24.

The concert, featuring Three Together and Tom May, will be in the Washington State School for the Blind Fries Auditorium, 2214 E 13th Street.

Admission is $20. For further information, call 693-1511.

Riverview food drive produces $50,000

Riverview Community Bank's annual food drive efforts raised $50,000 in cash and food donations, including a $5,500 matching contribution from the bank. Over 26,000 pounds of food were collected in Riverview’s 18 branches this winter, benefitting nine food banks throughout southwest Washington and Oregon, according to Ron Wysaske, president of Riverview.

City looking for parks and
recreation commissioner

Applications are being accepted by the City of Vancouver to replace a mid-term vacancy on the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, created by the resignation of Steve Savage. Applicants for this position must live within the Vancouver city limits.

The Commission is an 11-member volunteer citizens group made up of city and county residents. The Commission advises City Council, County Commissioners and staff on needs, plans and programs necessary for an adequate system of parks, open space, playgrounds, facilities and recreation services for the citizens of Vancouver and Clark County.

Applications must be received in the City Manager's Office by 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 22. For further information, call Myk Heidt, community resources coordinator, 487-8612.

People

Vice chairman Scott Bieber, Bill Hogan, Don Kitterman and Ed Maxwell have been reelected to the board of directors of iQ Credit Union, reports credit union board chairman Jim Sork. Marsha Carner was reelected to the credit union supervisory committee.

News brief

Adrian Cortes has announced he is a candidate for the Battle Ground City Council, Position 5, currently held by Alex Reinhold, deputy mayor.

Calendar

The Washougal State of the City Address will be presented at 4 p.m. today in Washougal High School, 1201 39th Street. <> The Battle Ground State of the City Address is at 5:30 p.m. this evening in the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E Main Street. <> The Urban Livestock Task Force meets at 6 p.m. this evening in the sixth floor training room in the Public Service Center. <> The Heritage Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. this evening in Fire Station 88 at the corner of Ward Road and Fourth Plain Boulevard.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar