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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

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High-paying, minimum-wage jobs increased in 2009

While the state of Washington was losing thousands of jobs in late 2008 and early 2009, high-paying and minimum-wage jobs both increased during the first quarter of 2009 while the median wage also increased, according to a new report released Monday by the Employment Security Department.

The median hourly wage increased to $20.80 per hour in the first quarter of 2009, up from $20.01in the third quarter of 2008. According to the report, the increase was caused mostly by the large number of low-paying jobs that were lost during the recession, while the number of high-wage jobs actually grew. Jobs paying more than $50 per hour increased 6 percent from the first half of 2008 to the first half of 2009. This finding backs up national data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that show some segments of workers were far less affected by the recession, particularly those with a college degree. The national unemployment rate for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher is about 5 percent, while the national unemployment rate has hovered around 10 percent. More information is available on the state’s Employment Security website, www.esd.wa.gov .

WSU Vancouver is full up on Fulbrights

Bonnie and Barry Hewlett, Fulbright Scholars

Three educators with ties to Washington State University Vancouver have been awarded Fulbright scholarships, including a married couple.

Barry Hewlett, Ph.D., is a professor of anthropology at WSU Vancouver. His wife, Bonnie Hewlett, Ph.D., RN, is visiting professor in the department of anthropology at WSU Vancouver. Both are headed to Ethiopia on Fulbright Scholar grants to teach and conduct research at Hawassa University during the 2010-2011 academic year. The Hewletts will develop an anthropology department at Hawassa University. They are the first Fulbright Scholars assigned to the 10-year-old university. They will spend 80 percent of their time teaching and 20 percent pursuing independent research projects. Bonnie will be working on women's life histories in narrative, and Barry will be researching how children acquire medical knowledge.

Andrew Giarelli is an adjunct professor of English at WSU Vancouver. He has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture in the Slovak Republic during the 2010-2011 academic year. Giarelli will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in American literature and American studies at Comenius University, the nation's largest and oldest university, in the capital, Bratislava.

Since 2007 Giarelli has taught American literature, Shakespeare, nonfiction writing and technical writing at WSU Vancouver. He has also taught at Portland State University, Utah State University and New York University.

This is his second Fulbright. In 1993 he was a Fulbright professor of journalism and American studies at the University of Malta in Valletta, Malta.

Sponsored by the United States Department of State, the Fulbright Program is America's flagship international educational exchange program. It was established under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, and it operates in more than 155 countries. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement.

No Opera at the Op’ry House Tonight performances planned this weekend in Woodland

Last performances planned this weekend

Woodland’s Loves Street Playhouse will offer performances of No Opera at the Op’ry House Tonight this weekend.

With a plot that combines a twist of funky western, ragtime music and sinister villainy, this audience participation play is family friendly.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8. A matinee is planned at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 9. The playhouse is located at 126 Loves Avenue in Woodland. More information and tickets are available at www.lovestreetplayhouse.com or by calling Melinda Leuthold at 360-907-9996.

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News Briefs

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation just released a new publication called the "Discovery Guide." The guide includes maps and offers information about free or low-cost parks and recreation in Clark County. The new guides are available for free at the following locations: Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave.; Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.; Vancouver Tennis Center, corner of 18th and Stapleton Road; Esther Short Building, 610 Esther St.; Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
Is traffic too fast in your neighborhood? The City of Vancouver is offering three free "safe streets" clinics to teach the public about calming traffic on its way through their areas. The first is Tuesday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/News.asp?submenuID=16578&Id=74049 for details.
In response to the changing economic trends and the needs of employers, Clark College will host Career Days 2010 on May 4, 5 and 6 at the college’s main campus. Career Days will combine the most successful elements of the former Pathways Career Information and Job Fair in a multi-day format. For more information, visit, www.clark.edu/cc/careerdays.
The City of Vancouver is seeking food vendors to provide a variety of menu items at Esther Short Park for two summer concert series and daily vending opportunities. Deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 5. Application packets can be downloaded at www.cityofvancouver.us/concerts or can be mailed upon request by calling 360-487-8630.
The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants to fill a youth representative vacancy on the Clark County Public Health Advisory Council. The vacancy is open to representatives of the Clark County Youth Commission and Clark County Youth House as well as students from local high schools and colleges. The youth selected will fill an unexpired term that ends Sept. 30, 2011. The council is a direct link between the Clark County Board of Health and the community at large. The panel focuses on public health issues such as access to care, health disparities, obesity, sustainability/food system, violence prevention, climate change and healthy growth. To be considered, applicants must submit a resume and/or letter of interest to Jennifer Clark, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. The Board also will accept applications faxed to 360-397-6058 or e-mailed to jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov. Deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, May 14.

Calendar

Fit Right Northwest’s Vancouver location will be hosting a free open house from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, May 4 for the Waterford Health & Fitness Club in honor of the 10-week Walking Challenge the Waterford is sponsoring. Fit Right is located near Target at 700 SE 160th Avenue. Attendees will receive a 15 percent off coupon, plus a presentation “Gear Essentials” and a free video gait analysis. Space is limited; please register by calling 360-433-6400.
The Clark County Employee Picnic Committee will be holding its annual Mother’s Day plant sale starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, in front of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver. The event will continue until early afternoon or while supplies last.
Clark County Public Works and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation will host an open house about the Hazel Dell sports fields project from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, in the conference room at Clark Regional Wastewater District, 8000 NE 52nd Court, Vancouver.
Leadership Clark County will offer “Leadership & Emotional Intelligence, An Exploration,” from 4:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, in the hearing room at the Clark County Public Services Center, 1300 Franklin Street, downtown Vancouver, 6th Floor. A suggested donation of $10 will be requested. Professional trainer Mark Sills will lead the presentation. Event is open to all LCC alumni, current class, sponsors, and friends. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Kathy Scott
Director@LeadershipClarkCounty.com or 360-567-1085.
The Friends of The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra present a lecture by Dr. Melissa Brotons, entitled "Music for Health and Education," on the different applications of music therapy, in education, medicine, mental health and gerontology. The lecture is at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E. 18th Street in Vancouver. A $10 donation per person is suggested. Proceeds from the event go to funding the symphony's concert season and music education programs in Southwest Washington.