Affordable Community Environments honors former board member

After serving more than 10 years, Val Ogden has left the Affordable Community Environments Board of Directors to focus her energies on new initiatives.

Before the creation of ACE, Ogden served on a committee formed by Clark County to oversee the development of affordable housing on Covington Road. This development was undertaken by an outside developer under contract with Clark County. Through the early development process the developer was not able to fulfill its contractual obligations. Rather than abandon the project, the oversight committee incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to continue to move the project forward. This was the beginning of Affordable Community Environments, and the project was ACE’s first development, Covington Commons.

Following the development of Covington Commons, ACE developed two more affordable apartment communities – Cascadia Village Apartments and The Mews – on adjacent properties. ACE has two new affordable housing projects underway, including the renovation of an existing apartment community in Washougal to begin later this year, and a new mixed-use affordable housing community in Fruit Valley that will begin construction early next year.

ACE announced that the Valeria Award will be presented annually to honor those who have made major contributions to the health and strength of Affordable Community Environments and furthered its mission to provide safe, beautiful, sustainable affordable housing. The award will be given to those community members who embody the generous spirit of founding Board member Valeria Ogden, who provided vision, compassion and leadership.

Dedication of Clark's newest facility marks the next step for next 75 years

Clark College Columbia Tech Building

As it concludes its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, Clark College will dedicate its newest facility, the Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (CTC), at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28. The community is invited to attend the dedication of the new building, located at 18700 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

Interest in Clark College at Columbia Tech Center has been running high, according to college officials. More than 1,100 people attended a community open house on Aug. 29. Enrollment classes for credit at the building, which had been projected for 750 students, is now more than 1,200 students. An additional 500 students have enrolled in continuing education classes.

Clark College President Robert K. Knight says, “We have experienced unprecedented demand for classes this fall. This great new building is helping us meet that demand.” Knight added, “The dedication of Clark College at Columbia Tech Center is a perfect way to conclude our 75th anniversary celebration and take The Next Step into our future.”Information about Clark College at Columbia Tech Center can be found at www.clark.edu/ctc.

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation; needs volunteers for Scotch Broom Removal

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation needs 50 volunteers for its second annual Scotch Broom Removal around Lacamas Lake Camas fields.

Scotch Broom is a non-native and invasive weed which threatens the camas lily fields.

Volunteer registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, by the west trailhead in the park. Volunteers should dress for outdoor work and bring gloves if they prefer. Food, water and tools will be provided. To sign up to volunteer, contact Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation volunteer coordinator Maddie von Baeyer at 619-1124 or maddie.vonbaeyer@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

Artwork by artist Jeanette Altman showing now at Washington State University Vancouver

Branches, by Jeanette Altman

Jeanette Altman, artist, instructional technician in fine arts at Washington State University Vancouver and an instructor at Clark College, is showing an exhibit of her artwork at WSU Vancouver in the Administration Building gallery Sept.14 - Nov. 2.

Objects from the Museum of Family is based on images and stories from Altman's own family history. Altman will speak about her work from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Administration building gallery. Community members are invited to meet Altman and talk about her artwork.

WSU Vancouver art galleries are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily pay lot for $3. For more information, contact Erin Dengerink Madarang, WSU Vancouver gallery director, at madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu, or 546-9551.

Calendar

Urban Forestry Commission meets at 6 p.m. tonight, Esther Short Building, 610 Esther Street. <> Art Conversations is set to meet 7 p.m. tonight, Slocum House Theater, 605 Esther Street. <> City Center Redevelopment Authority meeting is at noon Thursday, Sept. 17, in the City Council Chambers. <> Downtown Redevelopment Authority meets at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, City Council Chambers. <> Greater Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and installation of officers is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Hilton Vancouver Washington, 310 W 6th Street. For more information or to register, visit http://www.vancouverusa.com/. <> Daybreak Dialogue starts at 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, Old Town Battle Grounds, 113 East Main Street, Battle Ground. For more information, call 342-5004. <> Planning Commission meeting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N Main Avenue, Ridgefield.

Wednesday on the air

 

Clark County Board of Commissioners (9-15)—4 p.m. CVTV

C-Tran Board of Directors Public Hearing (9-15)—5:30 p.m. CVTV

Chicago White Sox at Seattle (live)—7 p.m. FSN KFXX

Breaking Ground on New Jobs (8-13)—9 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Planning Commission (8-20)—10 p.m. CVTV

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Vancouver wraps up negotiations on $1.2 billion waterfront project deal--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Parks foundation to sell bricks for park project--Columbian, AP

Burgerville to welcome cyclists at drive-throughs--Columbian, AP

Teacher identified as victim in hit-and-run case--Columbian, Laura McVicker

Veterans left high and dry when assistance checks bounce--KATU, Dan Tilkin

Birthday Milestones, Sept. 16--Clombian, AP

Grading the plan--New York Times, The Editors