Washington State Department of Transportation awards stimulus contract to replace I-5 interchange in Ridgefield

The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded Tapani Underground, Inc., of Battle Ground a $15.79 million contract to build a new I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield interchange.

Construction is set to begin in September. With an improved bridge and lengthened I-5 ramps, the new interchange will improve safety and mobility on the interstate as well as SR 501 and adjacent roads. Improvements include four lanes instead of the current two, turn lanes, and sidewalks for pedestrian and bicycle travel. Future work to improve adjacent intersections is planned but currently unfunded.

Construction is expected to be complete in late 2011 or early 2012. For more information, visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I5/SR501Interchange/.

City extends deadline for private for-hire transportation commission vacancy

The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants to fill one mid-term vacancy on the Private For-Hire Transportation Commission. The existing opening is for one commissioner to fill one seat representing the tourism industry. Applications must be received in the City Manager's Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.

For applications or further information, contact Myk Heidt in the City Manager's Office at City Hall, P.O. Box 1995, Vancouver, WA., 98668-1995, or call 487-8612, email myk.heidt@ci.vancouver.wa.us or fax 487-8625. To apply online, visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/boards.

Evergreen Public Schools in need of school supplies

Evergreen Public Schools Community Relations is working to collect school supplies and put together supply packets for students and families in need, that schools have referred throughout the district. This year, demand has been far higher and supplies are already running low. More than 30 students have been helped, but more remain on the list, and Community Relations believes more will be in need over the next few weeks.

Those interested in donating supplies and/or funds can contact Meeka Kullberg at 604-4088. All donations are welcome. However, the greatest need is for the following items: clear cover, 1 - to 2 - inch white binders, composition books (not spiral), college-ruled notebook paper, both basic and scientific calculators, 8 - color watercolors, glue, and blue and black pens.

Donations can be dropped off at the Administrative Service Center, 13501 NE 28th St., Vancouver, in the Burgundy Complex.

For more information, contact Carol Fenstermacher, Director of Community Relations, at 604-4088 work phone, 518-8251 cell phone, or 833-0378 home phone.

Eleven days left to vote for YWCA Community Garden Project

The YWCA, one of three nonprofits selected to participate in the Click for a Cause campaign through Umpqua Bank, has eleven days left to receive votes to help it win the $15,000 needed to build its community garden. Residents of Clark County are encouraged to help raise money for the YWCA by visiting Click 4A Cause and clicking to vote in support of the cause.

Art on the Boulevard features work by artist Eric Jacobsen

Art on the Boulevard, a fine art gallery in the Vancouver Marketplace, will open "The Lure of the Landscape" featuring the work of Eric Jacobsen. Jacobsen is often times regarded as the "Painter Laureate" for Washington and Oregon. His latest collection of oil paintings explores the beauty of the northwest landscape.

Jacobsen has received numerous national awards for his work over the years. He received a B.A. in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA, in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT, from 1991 to 1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life. He lives with his wife and children in Glenwood, Washington, where he paints and conducts workshops.

The First Friday evening reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4, at 210 W Evergreen Boulevard, Suite 300. This event is open to the public at no charge and includes an opportunity to meet the artist. Refreshments and live music will also be available. For further information, contact the gallery at 750-4499 or visit

www.artontheboulevard.org.

Health officials find Vancouver Lake safe for swimming

Clark County Public Health has lifted a health advisory for recreational use of Vancouver Lake following test results that indicate algae is no longer a threat to the health of people and pets.

The advisory, which cautioned against direct water contact, had been in place since July 22 due to high levels of blue-green algae.

Clark County Public Health conducts water quality testing every two weeks at Vancouver Lake May through September each year.

Summer Funwagon makes its rounds

This summer, the Parks Foundation joined forces with Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation to return the Summer FunWagon to local parks. The FunWagon is funded through donations and has provided free arts, crafts, and active games to children living in the underserved neighborhoods of the Clark County community.

To learn more about the program or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.parksfoundation.us/FunWagon.php.

Calendar

Vancouver Farmer’s Market opens today at 5 p.m. at Esther Short Park. <> The August Road Show and Retro Fair begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Marshall Community Center, 1009 East McLoughlin Boulevard. For more information, call 487-7090 or email Johnie.tucker@ci.vancouver.wa.us. <> Washington and Oregon International Girl is having a pageant competition and fundraiser for school supplies (which will be donated to a local elementary school) starting 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at Washington Grange #82, 7701 NE Ward Road. Contact Tracy Hales at 600-6725 or wa.intl.girl@gmail.com for more information. <> Take a stroll down Officers’ Row and learn about historic events from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson Street. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 11-16, and children 10 and under are free. <> The Vancouver City Council meets from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, for a workshop on the 18th Street Update, and then continues with a consent agenda meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. <> The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival opens at 4 p.m. today and continues through the weekend at Esther Short Park. For ticket information or to see who is playing, visit www.vancouverwinejazz.com. <> Ridgefield celebrates its 100th anniversary with “Art in the Park,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Davis Park, corner of Main and Mill Streets, downtown Ridgefield. <> The 6th Annual Port of Commissioners Picnic is from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Boat Launch Waterfront, Base of Mill Street.

 Friday on the air

 

Seattle at Cleveland (live)—4 p.m. FSN

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

City Minutes—New Humane Society Tour (8-9)—7 p.m. CVTV

Senator Patty Murray Southwest Washington Public Preview Update (8-13)—7:45 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver Community Library Groundbreaking Ceremony (8-14)—8:45 p.m. CVTV

Humane Society for Southwest Washington Public Preview (7-19)—9:21 p.m. CVTV

City Minutes (8-16)—9:45 p.m. CVTV

Town Hall: Congressman Brian Baird (8-18)—10:30 p.m. CVTV

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Friday, August 21, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Toussaint finds many blessings--Columbian, Steve Cheseborough

Amtrak starts direct service to B.C.--Columbian, Libby Tucker

Existing home sales surge 7% in July as prices continue to drop--USA Today, Alan Zibel

July unemployment dips in 17 states, rises in 26--USA Today, Christopher S. Rugaber

Fed Chairman says American economy is poised to grow--New York Times, Edmund L. Andrews

In our view, Aug. 21: Progress on Parade--Clombia, AP

Ridgefield says goodbye--Columbian, AP

Death threat disclosure by Baird draws criticism--Columbia, Kathie Durbin