Piano Hospital jazzes up fundraising.

The School of Piano Technology, formerly known as the Emil Fries Piano Hospital and Training Center, has announced a benefit concert featuring the Tom Grant Band and Nancy Curtin.

 "Jazz, Pizazz and Vino!" is planned at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at Bethany Vineyards, 4115 NE 259th Street, Ridgefield.

The school is a private, nonprofit organization and the only one of its kind in the country. Students with visual impairment receive vocational training in piano repair. The program is funded with donations and revenue generated by tuning and repair services.

Grant helped pioneer the smooth jazz genre of music in the 1980s and continues to perform 30 years later.

Tickets are $25 with VIP tickets available for $75. More information is available on the school's Web site at www.pianotuningschool.org.

Mural Society to host "Art on the Block"

The Clark County Mural Society is offering an evening of wine tastings and art from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, at Evergreen Marketplace, 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.

Along with wine and snacks, the organization will present information about future projects. There will also be music and a silent auction.

Battle Ground School Board spends Saturday planning for future

A proposal from the Bonneville Power Administration to run  transmission lines near Pleasant Valley School was discussed by the Battle Ground School Board during a meeting Saturday, March 20, at district headquarters.

One of the possible routes for the line that would stretch from Castle Rock to Troutdale, Ore., would place the lines along the west side of the Pleasant Valley School campus. Out of concern that the lines could endanger the health of the students, the board is requesting more details about the plan from the BPA.

The jazz choirs from Battle Ground and Prairie High Schools performed. The board also received an update on the musicians' recent performances and awards.

Fresh off a clean audit from the state, MaryBeth Lynn, the executive director of fiscal services, presented a proposal for a fund-balance policy that calls for unreserved fund balance of three percent of district's annual general fund budget. The board voted unanimously to adopt the policy, which will be phased in over the next five years.

News Briefs

Leadership Clark County is hosting an open house for prospective students at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the Clark Public Utilities Community Room, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way. Anyone interested in applying is invited. Leadership Clark County is a 10-month training and development program which strives to create community leaders. There are more than 500 graduates serving in 100 organizations in Clark County. Those planning to attend are asked to contact Kathy Scott executive director at director@leadershipclarkcounty.org. More information and an online application is available at http://www.leadershipclarkcounty.org. <> By direction of Gov. Chris Gregoire, flags at all Washington state agencies will be flow at half-staff today in memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Erin L. McLyman who died in a mortar attack while serving in Iraq. <> The Center for Social and Environment Justice at Washington State University Vancouver is hosting a spring conference on Saturday, March 27 entitled “Mobilizing Community Health, Well-being and Equity.” More information is available at www.vancouver.wsu.edu. <> The Nutter Foundation is accepting community grant applications. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations which focus on youth development programs. In 2009, the foundation awarded more than $100,000. Applications are available online at www.nutterfoundation.org  <>The city of Vancouver is seeking applicants for a full-term position on the new Clark County Arts Commission. The 11-member commission will work to enhance and support the growth of the local economy through collaboration among patrons of the arts, artists, the business community, service groups and schools. Applications are due on April 5, contact Cara Cantonwine at 360-487-8630

Calendar

<> The Vancouver City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. Monday, March 22, at Council Chambers. <> The Clark County Rural Lands Task Force will participate in a joint task force with the Clark County Commission from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, at the Dollars Corner Fire Station, 21609 NE 72nd Ave. <> The Columbia River Economic Development Council is hosting an event entitled “Washington’s Energy Future” at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Dr., Vancouver. More information is available at http://www.credc.org.

 Monday on the air

City Council Meeting (3-15) — 7 p.m. CVTV 23

The Marshall Youth Leadership Award (3-17) —9:30 p.m. CVTV 23

 

 

       Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Monday, March 22, 2010 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Vancouver's Southwest Washington Health System enters merger talks with PeaceHealth | - Cami Joner, The Columbian

Obama Plans to Sign Health Overhaul Bill on Tuesday- The New York Times

In the end, health care bill wins Baird's vote- Dave Kern, The Columbian

NCAA Tournament | Gonzaga NCAA tournament run ends with 87-65 loss to Syracuse |- Bud Withers, The Seattle Times