Latest tallies show Leavitt pulling ahead of Pollard

Updated primary tallies released Wednesday afternoon show councilman Tim Leavitt ahead with 8,624 votes compared to Mayor Royce Pollard, who has 8,589 votes. Leavitt now leads by 35 votes. Both Leavitt and Pollard will advance to the Nov. 3 election and are continuing to work hard and focus their attention on winning the race.

Magenta Improv Theater makes a move to Saturday night

Magenta Improv Theater debuts its first Saturday night show at 7 p.m. Aug.22, at 606 Main Street in Vancouver. Doors open at 6:30 and tickets are $5.00.

Players for Saturday’s show include Jaynie Roberts, Tony Provenzola, Dorinda Toner, Martin Slagle, Gary Corban and Leann Johnson, with Julie Harrison serving as host.

This is an interactive show, as the audience provides the MIT players with on the spot suggestions for scenes and then watches life on stage unfold in the most unusual way. 

Audience members can work at their own improv skills at upcoming classes for beginners, from 7 to 9 p.m., starting Sept.1st, 8th and the 22nd at the Magenta Theater. The fee is $45, which includes follow-up workshops on Tuesdays for the months of October and November. 

For more information, contact Jaynie Roberts at 606-0033.

Make a difference in your community: Volunteer for the YWCA

The YWCA Clark County is now accepting applications for all volunteer positions. Currently there is a need for adult volunteers to advocate for adult and youth victims of sexual assault, facilitate a support group for the SafeChoice domestic violence program, and provide resources and encouragement to women in the Clark County Jail.

Other ongoing volunteer needs include the following: helping out in the Y’s Care preschool classroom, supporting teens aging out of foster care, representing the best interest of abused and neglected children, and working behind the scenes to keep the agency running smoothly.

Programs offer free, comprehensive training for all who are interested.

YWCA Clark County invites everyone interested in learning about volunteer opportunities to attend the “Introduction to Volunteer Service,” 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the agency’s community room at 3609 Main Street, Vancouver. This event is free to the public, and no registration is needed.

For more information, call Al Flory or Heidi Hiatt at 696-0167 or visit ywcaclarkcounty.org. To download a YWCA volunteer application and training schedule, visit ywcaclarkcounty.org/volunteer.htm.

Fort Vancouver Regional Library hosts fall writing contest

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District is sponsoring their 11th Annual Fall Writing Contest for teens in grades 6-12. Submissions will be accepted Monday, Sept. 7, through Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.

More information and an entry form can be found at www.fvrl.org/teens or at a local library branch. Completed entry forms must be returned by closing on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, to any FVRL branch.

Pearson Air Museum raises $30,000 before Saturday’s dance

For the first time ever, Pearson Air Museum has raised $30,000 before its annual fundraising hangar dance, so Elson Strahan, president and CEO of Fort Vancouver National Trust, and Kim Capeloto, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, will skydive for the first time and will land at the event which is this Saturday, Aug. 22, at 6:15 p.m. For both men, it will be their first skydive.

Reserved dinner seating inside the hangar is sold out. However,  dance-only canopy seating is still available

at $20 per person for purchase at the door. No dinner will be served in the canopy, but a no-host bar and snacks are available for purchase.

Contact the Pearson Air Museum at 694-7026 or visit www.pearsonairmuseum.org for more information.

School preparedness day scheduled

In a collaborative effort, the North County Community Food Bank, Clark County Fire & Rescue, Adventist Community Services, 211 Info, Battle Ground School District and Sea Mar Community Health Centers are hosting the first annual North County School Readiness Day from 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, in the cafeteria at Battle Ground High School, 300 West Main Street.

This event will help low-income, at-risk, and homeless families ensure that their students are ready for school. Several resources will be available during this one-day event, including immunizations, backpacks, school supplies, and referrals to area resources to assist families in need with accessing available services.

For more information, call Tamara Bailey at 887-4609 or email tamara.bailey@clarkfr.org.

News briefs

Al Patel, entrepreneur and Battle Ground Hotel owner, has opened his doors to host a fundraiser for Adrian Cortes in his bid for Battle Ground City Council, position 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., Battle Ground Best Western Hotel, 1419 W. Main Street. For further information, please contact Maria Salazar at clarkcountydrivenmom@yahoo.com or Eloisa Quesada-Bolivar at eloisagg33@gmail.com. <> Parade of Homes is offering two tours in one, showcasing innovative home designs in a gated resort-like setting in Battle Ground while offering seven additional homes to tour throughout the area. Parade of Homes is the only single site luxury home event and scattered site home tour in the Northwest this summer. Parade of the Homes is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on weekends, now through Aug. 30. Admission is $12 for adults ages 13 and up, $6 for children 6-12, and children under 6 are free. Visit www.ClarkCountyParadeOfHomes.com for more information. <> Ridgefield, Washington, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary featuring Ridgefield Art Association's Juried Art Show and Sale, "Art in the Park," at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Artist Bobby Forbes as well as twenty others will show selected pieces of their work. This event is in Davis Park, corner of Main and Mill Streets, downtown Ridgefield. <> Vancouver Sunrise Rotary is seeking nominations for our 2009 Rose Garden Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding citizens for their contributions to our community. A rose bush is planted at the Orchards Park Rose Garden to acknowledge each winner.  To make a nomination, please contact Shelly Palmer at 256-4680 or shelly@alpineautobody.com.

Calendar

Sweet Tomatoes is having a fundraiser benefiting Val Ogden Center by donating 15 percent of sales this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at 12601 SE 2nd Circle. Must present flyer at time of purchase. To request a flyer, email groenk@valogdencenter.org. For further information, call 891-0240 or visit www.vancouverusa.com.

 Thursday on the air

 

Clark County Close Up (8-2)—5:30 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Planning Commission (live)—6:30 p.m. CVTV

Iowa at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD

City and County Telecommunications Commission (8-5)—11:30 p.m. CVTV

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Thursday, August 20, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Baird talks health care with Rotary--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

WSU elevates high-tech offerings--Columbian, Libby Tucker

Apartment fire causes $4000,000 in damage--Columbian, AP

43 indicted in U.S., Mexico on drug trafficking charges--Washington Post, Carrie Johnson

Scotland lets Lockerbie convict return to Libya--New York Times, Alan Cowell and A.G. Sulzberger

Cash for Clunkers program to end Monday night--USA Today, Ken Thomas and Stephen Manning