Flags fly at Park Hill Cemetery this week in observance of Memorial Day. This photo by Daily Insider Larry Easter shows new main cemetery flag superimposed over many individual grave flags.

Community Choices picks
Sheela Choppala-Nestor

Sheela Choppala-Nestor has been named interim executive director of Community Choices, according to John Wiesman, chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization that is a catalyst for healthy, livable communities in Clark County.

Community Choices' former director Barber West left recently to become executive director of the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington.

Choppala-Nestor, who has a doctorate in nursing from the University of Washington was most recently was most recently assistant professor at Washington State University Vancouver, teaching graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Nursing. Her emphasis was in community health, health disparities, and psychiatric nursing.

Choppala-Nestor also holds a master of science degree in Nursing and a Nurse Practitioner certificate from the Oregon Health & Science University.

Choppala-Nestor was born in the United States and raised in India.  She returned to the United States to pursue her nursing degree.

Dr. Choppala-Nestor had served on the Community Choices board of directors since 2007.

The Board of Directors met in an all-day planning session last week to finalize its next major initiative.  With the completion of its five year Federal Steps to a Healthier Washington/Clark County grant last year and its mission of being “A catalyst for healthy communities,” the Board examined its next logical initiative.  In doing so, it has identified health equity as essential to improving the health of our communities here in Clark County.

Wiesman says that Community Choices will be expanding its partnerships and diversifying its funding base to further the health of all of our citizens so that everyone’s health is valued equally and all of our residents can lead healthy, productive, long lives.

iQ Credit Union opens
downtown headquarters

What might you do if given $10 to spend on someone else? To find out, attend the first day of iQ Credit Union's two-grand opening of its downtown headquarters, 1313 Main Street.

iQ Credit Union is holding open house events Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29. From 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, the credit union will host a Pay It Forward event. Up to 200 guests will each receive $10 and then be asked what they would do for someone else with the money. Recipients will be filmed to explain their idea, with selected videos later posted on the iQ Credit Union Web site.

Open house events begin with a ribbon cutting at 8:45 a.m. Thursday. The celebration continues from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a barbecue along the way, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Membership is not required to participate.

The credit union was formed in 1940.

Ex-policeman files suit
against city of Vancouver

Former Vancouver police officer Christopher Kershaw Friday filed suit in Clark County Superior Court against the City of Vancouver, city attorney Theodore Gathe, and assistant chief of police Nannette Kistler, alleging discrimination, retaliation, and civil conspiracy, in connection with the Navin K. Sharma federal race discrimination lawsuit that was settled last year for $1.65 million.

The complaint alleges that Kershaw was fired for an inadvertent drafting error in a search warrant. Kwershaw was one of seven rank-and-file officers who had testified on behalf of Sharma.

Kids fly free at Pearson

Weather permitting, local airplane pilots will give free airplane rides to children ages 8 to 17 on a first-come, first-served basis during Pearson Air Museum's Open Cockpit Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 30. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children.

Open Cockpit Day also allows visitors to sit in an open cockpit.

Regular museum admission will apply, however: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors, active military with ID, and students ages 6 to 17. The museum is at 1115 E 5th Street. For further information, call 694-7026.

Riverview Community Bank
Six to Sunset series returning

Riverview Community Bank's annual Six to Sunset Series of musical entertainment resumes this year in Esther Short Park on Thursday, July 9, with 5 Guys Named Moe.

Food vendors are on hand. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs. There is no charge. For further information, call 487-8630.

People

Darryl Eccleston, dropout prevention coordinator in the Vancouver School District, and Diane English, counselor at Battle Ground High School, have been honored with Workforce Friendly Educator awards for their “exceptional commitment and support of youth in developing educational and workforce skills.” The awards were presented by the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, which provides leadership and resources to increase economic development with a trained and productive workforce in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties. <> Four men who successfully completed their probationary year this month will be sworn in as Clark County Fire and Rescue firefighters in ceremonies at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in the fire station at 911 N 65th Avenue, Ridgefield. They are Dave Bridges, Josh Brooks, Tyler Chenoweth, and Don McIlmoil.

Calendar

Port of Camas-Washougal commissioners are holding an open house, to gain community feedback on development of the proposed East Industrial Park, from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in port offices at 24 S A Street, Washougal. <> Nelson Holmberg opens his campaign for a position on the Vancouver School District board with a picnic from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in Leverich Park, at 39th and M Streets.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar