Healthy Steps Women’s and
Children’s Clinic closes

After 20 years, the Healthy Steps Women’s and Children’s Clinic that was founded by Southwest Washington Medical Center has closed.

“We worked closely with patients to help them find new medical homes and most have transferred to other Southwest Medical Group locations,” says Dan Keteri, chief nursing officer for Southwest.

“Our goal continues to be to care for pregnant women and children who need services,” Keteri adds.

Opened in 1989, Healthy Steps has traditionally been a resource for low-income women who could not access medical resources in the community because of poor Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Southwest believes a new care model will enhance treatment options for women and be more sustainable over time by referring Healthy Steps patients to existing Southwest affiliated clinics. Southwest has subsidized the program at a rate of more than $3.5 million a year.

Battle Ground hosting reception
for Murray, Baird

Battle Ground is hosting a reception at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) at North Parkway Avenue and NE 14th Street south of Onsdorff Boulevard—the site of the  North Parkway Improvement Project.

Murray and Baird secured $475,000 federal funding for the North Parkway Improvement Project from the 2009 Federal Omnibus Bill.

The improvements, between Onsdorff Boulevard and North 6th Street, will add sidewalks, bicycle lanes, median islands, turn lanes and street lighting.  The project will significantly improve safety for school children, school buses, vehicles and pedestrians.

Blood drive kicks off Twilight Over Portland celebration

Clark County Blood Donation Center is having a movie Twilight-themed blood drive this evening through Saturday, August 1, and is the first big event leading up to the Twilight Over Portland convention, which takes place later in Portland.

Each donor will qualify to enter into a drawing for t-shirts and a pair of all-access tickets to the entire convention.

To sign up to donate blood, go to www.helpsavealife.org/clarkcounty or call 694-9319. Clark County Blood Donation Center is behind the Westfield Shopping Center at 5109 NE 82nd Avenue.

Clark College seals time capsule

The artist, Beth Heron speaks about the sculpture.

Volunteers carefully place the top of the sculpture back into the base after the time capsule was placed inside.

Clark College's Penguin Nation gathered in the north plaza outside Gaiser Hall yesterday morning to witness the sealing of the college's 75th anniversary time capsule in the metal sculpture, Scend.  

President Bob Knight thanked college staff and supporters for “making the year-long anniversary celebration such a success.”

A video crew from Oregon Public Broadcasting was there to record the event for a segment about Beth Heron, who created Scend, that is scheduled to air this fall on the program Oregon Art Beat.

The new time capsule will be opened in May 2034, during the college's 100th anniversary.

News Brief

Clark College will have an information session on its weekend degree program, Tuesday, August 4, noon to 1 p.m. in the Greater Chamber of Commerce, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100. The event is free, but space is limited, so advance registration is suggested. Visit www.vancouverusa.com and click on “Events/Registration” or call 694-2588. Information about the Weekend Degree program is available at www.clark.edu/weekenddegree. <> Join Tim Leavitt for canvassing and refreshments at 10 am to noon this Saturday, Aug. 1. The event will take place in the Firstenburg Center parking lot, 700 NE 136th Avenue. Call 609-4846 for more information.

Calendar

Vancouver City Council workshops on a Coordination of Services of Agreement with Clark Regional Wastewater District will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. <> A Vancouver  study committee for wards and district elections of Vancouver council members is from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3. <> The Vancouver City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. <> Port of Camas-Washougal’s regular meeting is 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. <> Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is playing at Haagen Park at 8:30 p.m. tonight in LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park, 136th Avenue and 9th Street. <> The Vancouver Farmers Market located on 6th and Esther Streets ,opens at 5 p.m. today. <> The Vancouver Community Concert Band performs at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, noon, at Vancouver Farmers Market, 6th and Esther Streets. <> Young Slocum House Players present Riley Cool, a production presented by its summer theater program, noon, Saturday, Aug.1, in the Slocum House Theater, 605 Esther Street. For more information call, 696-2427 or email yshp@slocumhouse.com. <> A concert in Esther Short Park featuring Messianic music artists Zemer Levav and Ellie Sumner is 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. AEOT Ugandan Kids will also be performing on the same day on Esther Short Park’s main stage.

Friday on the air

 

Seattle at Texas (live)—5 p.m. FSN-710 KTRO
Las Vegas at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD

Election 2009: Vancouver Mayoral Candidates (7-28)—5 p.m. CVTV 23

Clark County Animal Control hearings (7-8)—7 p.m. CVTV 23

Columbia River Crossing Tolling Listening Session (6-30)—8 p.m. CVTV 23

Humane Society for Southwest Washington Public Preview (7-19)—9:30 p.m. CVTV 23

Clark County Planning Commission (7-16)—10 p.m. CVTV 23

     Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Friday, July 31, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Sunday Fundays thrill families--Columbian, Brett Oppegaard

The return of affordable housing--Columbian, Cami Joner

Three vie for open Hockinson school board seat--Columbian, Howard Buck

Federal funds stimulate jobs for local youth--Columbian, Howard Buck

Dealers race to get their clunkers crushed--New York Times, Katharine Q. Seelye