Vancouver welcomes the 2009 NAIA National Cross Country Championships

The Southwest Washington Convention & Vancouver Visitors Bureau played a role in bringing the 2009 NAIA Cross Country Visitors Bureau to Vancouver, which will take place on Saturday, Nov 21, on the grounds of the Fort Vancouver National Site. The event is free and open to the public.

The championships will feature athletes from around the nation representing 32 teams plus more than 100 individual competitors who will race in men’s 8k and women’s 5k races. Fort Vancouver has been a competition venue for a number of U.S. National Cross Country Championships in the past, but this is the first time in 34 years that this event has made it to the West Coast.

The SWCVB said they are thrilled to be able to bring such a high-level national event to Vancouver. “It is a great win when we can get a true city-wide event to come here,” says Rosemary Cooke, the bureau’s director of sales. “This event will utilize hotels all around the county; the whole community will benefit from the direct spending that results from out-of-town attendees.”

Earlier this year, the SWCVB worked with both the Washington State Republicans and the Washington State Democrats to bring their 2010 conventions to Vancouver next June. Both these events, just slightly larger than the NAIA championships, in combination with the two NAIA events will bring a total economic impact of 3 million dollars to the area.

The Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau is an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. Visit www.SouthwestWashington.com for more information.

Community urged to join Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot

Before settling down to Thanksgiving dinner, Southwest Washington families are invited to participate in the annual Turkey Trot along Salmon Creek Trail. The event is a benefit for disadvantaged children in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania Counties.

The 5K walk or 10K run, which starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Klineline Pond, is open to all ages. While the event is free of charge, donations to help needy families are strongly encouraged. Last year, more than 90 percent of Turkey Trot participants made donations. With generous sponsorship from First Independent and the Firstenburg Family Foundation, 100 percent of all participant donations go to the Principal’s Checkbook, a local program that helps serve disadvantaged children in our area schools.

In addition to the walk and run, the Turkey Trot includes a 10 a.m. polar bear swim for those willing to brave the cold water of Klineline Pond, and piñata fun for those who prefer dry land.

“The Turkey Trot has become an annual tradition for many area families, with participants ranging from age three to people in their 80s, says Jeanne Firstenburg, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “It is a fun way to help children appreciate their own good fortune and the joy of helping others in their community. We hope to see a great turnout again this year.”

For more information about the event and how to register, volunteer, or donate, visit www.turkey-trot.org.

Permits soon to be available for Christmas tree cutting

Beginning Friday, Nov. 20, permits will be available at several locations for cutting a Christmas tree from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Permits may be purchased for $5 per tree at all Ranger District offices, Forest Headquarters in Vancouver, and at several commercial vendor locations. The permits are valid for 2009 only.

Early in the season some areas receive heavy snowfall, which limits access and available trees. Before setting out on your trip, call the Forest office nearest your destination for the latest in road and weather updates. Be alert for unpredictable weather and hazardous driving conditions. Current road status reports can also be found on the Forest's web site at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf. For information on Forest closures, see the Forest special conditions web page by clicking here.

News Briefs

Columbia River Economic Development Council is having its 27th annual luncheon meeting  at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The keynote speaker will be the CEO of CREDC, Bart Phillips. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Vancouver Convention Center, 301 W 6th Street. Early registration pricing is $35 per person and $300 per table of ten, and late registration pricing is $45 per person and $400 per table of ten. RSVP by clicking here. <> A multi-school cast and orchestra numbering about 60 students from Battle Ground and Vancouver are participating in the ever-popular show The Music Man at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday Nov. 19-20, at Prairie High School, 11500 N.E. 117th Avenue, Battle Ground. To purchase tickets in advance, go to www.prairiehighschool.org and scroll down the left column. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. <> Clark College is hosting “Oswald Crosses the Continents,” a celebration of International Education Week, from Nov. 16-20. All events are free and open to the public. Information about Clark’s International Education Week events is available at www.clark.edu/cc/ieweek. When additional events are added to the schedule, the Web page will be updated. Clark College’s main campus is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Maps and parking directions are available at www.clark.edu/maps. <> Washington State University Vancouver will offer prospective students an opportunity to learn about the campus, the programs, student life, admissions, financial aid and more at Preview Day. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 18. in the administration building, room 110. An optional campus tour is available at 4 p.m. starting from the administration building, room 110. Admission to Preview Day is free, and the event is open to the public. Parking is available in the Orange 1 lot. For more information, call 546-9779 or visit www.vancouver.wsu.edu/events/preview/.

Calendar

Vancouver City Council meets for workshops from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m., tonight, Nov. 16, in City Council chambers, 210 E 13th Street. <> Washougal City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. tonight, Nov. 16, in City Council chambers, 1701 C Street. Call 835-8501 for more information. <> Battle Ground City Council is holding a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Nov. 16, in City Council chambers, 109 SW 1st Street, 2nd floor. For more information, call 342-5008. <> Port of Camas-Washougal meets for an executive session at 3 p.m. today, at the Port Offices, 24 A Street, followed by an open meeting at 4 p.m., in the Community Room, 89 C Street. <> Clark County Planning Commission and Board of Clark County Commissioners are meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Nov. 16, at the Clark Regional Waste Water offices, 8000 NE 52nd Court. <> Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation dinner and silent auction will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, Hilton Vancouver, 301 W. 6th Street. This event is to raise money for vital programs, services, and building projects in communities served by FVRL Libraries. Tickets cost $60. To reserve a seat, call 699-8846. <> Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell invite the community to attend a federal funding symposium, which will feature information on federal grants and the appropriations process, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at WSU Vancouver, room ADM 110, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue. RSVP by emailing workshop@murray.senate.gov. <> The Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to review proposed budgets for 2010. The meeting will be held at the utility’s Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way.

Monday on the air

City Council workshop (live)—4 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver City Council (live)—7 p.m. CVTV

Reversing the Flow: Big Dams, Power, and People in Sessions (11-7)—11 p.m. CVTV

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Monday, November 16, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Washougal mayor quits--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

Council, mayor-elect have rough spots to smooth out--Columbian, Andrea Damewood

Clark County at Work: Convergence training--Columbian, AP

Millions will have to repay part of tax credit--USA Today, Stephan Ohlemacher

Fed chairman blames banks for continued high unemployment--Huffington Post, AP

Drug makers raise prices in face of health care reform--Huffington Post, Duff Wilson

Shuttle Atlantis lifts off for 11-day mission--New York Times, William Harwood

More Americans going hungry--Washington Post, Amy Goldstein

Federal task force makes radical change in breast cancer screening guidelines--Washington Post, Rob Stein