Parks Foundation Elects New Board Members

      

       Carrie Gaines                    Sharon Lein

 

Parks Foundation Elects New Board Members

Carrie Gaines, Sharon Lien, and Todd R. E. Stryker have been elected to the Parks Foundation Board of Directors, executive director Cheri Martin announced today.

Gaines earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and her master of business of administration from Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business. She is manager of business development, liquid products, for Tidewater Barge Lines, and volunteers as a member of the board of directors for PSU Portland Campus Christian Ministries, a member of the development committee for the Red Cross, Southwest Washington Chapter, and for Habitat for Humanity. Prior to pursuing a career in business, Gaines managed the individual donor program for the Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix, Ariz.

Lien, a graduate of Western School of Intermediate Banking, is vice president, business relationship manager, for Umpqua Bank. An alumna of Leadership Clark County, she is affiliated with a wealth of North Clark County organizations including her service as president of the Woodland Rotary Club, an officer of the Ridgefield Business Association, and an active participant in the Downtown Woodland Revitalization effort, the Woodland Chamber of Commerce, and La Center Museum Association.

Stryker, partner and financial advisor with First Pacific Associates, earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and his certified financial planner designation from the College for Financial Planning. Stryker also serves as a member of the Columbia Land Trust Finance Committee and as a volunteer for the Vancouver School District Foundation Lunch Buddy program. A 2002 graduate of Leadership Clark County, Stryker received the Vancouver Business Journals award “Top 40 under 40” award in 2003.

Prognosis guarded
for old apple tree

A treasured early settler of our community, the Old Apple Tree, has suffered serious damage on two of its three major limbs.

The tree dates back more than 180 years when Fort Vancouver was the flourishing headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company and the center of activity of the Pacific Northwest. Despite its advanced years, the tree has been in full production, its branches heavily laden with fruit, until sometime this past weekend.

Exactly how the damage occurred is unknown, though winds were fairly strong during that time. For whatever reason, the strongest top branch broke, taking another fairly strong branch with it. The weakest limb, however, held.

Thought to be the oldest apple tree in the Pacific Northwest, the tree has been regularly tended by arborists for years without charge, because of its significance as a heritage tree. The city is currently working with Collier Arbor Care and other arborists interested in assessing and, if possible, preserving the valuable Vancouver monument. No decision has been reached as to next steps. Arborists have assured the city that the tree is still holding moisture well and its health is not compromised by leaving the branches in their current position, while the situation is being thoroughly assessed and discussed.

Over the years, particularly in recent years with the tree in advanced age and natural decline, the city has worked with the National Park Service and others to take grafts and cuttings so that the Old Apple Tree may continue to be a living part of the city's historic legacy. One progeny of the tree, estimated to be more than 50 years old, can be found outside the Clark County Historical Society and Museum, 1511 Main Street.

The Old Apple Tree has played a special role in Vancouver's past and present. In recent years, the annual Old Apple Tree Festival had been temporarily postponed during the Land Bridge construction, but the City has been planning to resume the annual event this fall. More information about the tree can be found here: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/parks_trails/urban_forestry/docs
/heritage_inventory.pdf.

Mount St. Helens Institute books
Mount St. Helens Vietnam Band

In its first ever benefit concert, the Mount St. Helens Institute is presenting The Mount St. Helens Vietnam Band in concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the entrance to the Johnston Ridge Observatory.

Tickets are $25.00 for the concert, entrance to the Johnston Ridge Observatory and a guest lecture by John Bishop. A guided hike is offered for an additional $10.

For further information and to purchase tickets online, go to www.mshvbconcert.eventbrite.com.

WSU Vancouver
hosts poverty banquet

Washington State University Vancouver is hosting a banquet to raise awareness about local and global poverty issues from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 10 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. This event is free and open to the public.

Guest speakers at the poverty banquet are David Bowlan of the Luepke Loaves & Fishes meal center and Minda Seibert of Mercy Corps. They will address issues related to local and global poverty and hunger.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/acadaffairs/civicengagement/povertybanquet.htm. Tickets can be reserved online or by calling 546-9340.

Boomer Exhibit grabs award

The Clark County Historical Museum’s Boomer! exhibit won the 2009 Award of Exhibit Excellence for establishing a high standard of innovation and creativity in all phases of exhibit concept, content, design and production.

This exhibit was chosen because it demonstrates leadership in the areas of quality design, creative interpretation and reassessment of collecting practices, and represents an elevated level of achievement.

Boomer! explores how the baby boom generation transformed American culture. The exhibit has been so popular that the museum extended its run through the end of the year.

Friends of Battle Ground library
showing Harry Potter movie

Friends of Battle Ground Community Library are selling tickets to a midnight showing of the new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie.

The movie will be shown on July 15 at Battle Ground Cinemas, 1700 SW 9th Avenue.

Funds raised from each $9.00 ticket sold will benefit the Battle Ground Community Library and the Friends efforts to raise additional money for more furniture, computers and other items needed to outfit the new library.

To purchase tickets, go to www.bgcfriends.com or call 666-5865.  

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar