Salmon Creek interchange (image courtesy Clark County)

Clark County commissioners and other local leaders will gather Thursday to discuss how the Salmon Creek Interchange Project will create jobs and improve the transportation system in the crowded corridor.

A public event is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at the site of the future Salmon Creek Park & Ride, south of Northeast 139th Street and east of 10th Avenue, near the shopping center anchored by Fred Meyer.

In the first phase of a $133 million construction project, a contractor has been working since early August to grade the Park & Ride site and install underground utilities.

Speakers at Thursday’s event will explain the importance of the overall interchange project, as well as the county’s state-leading 13.1 percent unemployment rate.

“We know people are hurting in this economy,” said Steve Stuart, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, in a news release. “This project will help lay the foundation for good-paying jobs, both short-term in construction and long-term in health care and education.”

The Washington State Department of Transportation estimates the project will support about 600 temporary jobs, including direct construction jobs, indirect jobs with suppliers, and additional jobs at stores, restaurants and small businesses. That doesn’t count thousands of permanent jobs that new roads would allow the private sector to create in an area that includes Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Washington State University Vancouver and other regional employers.

In late July, commissioners awarded a $1.2 million contract for the Park & Ride work. In early 2011, the county expects to award a much larger contract, $12 million to $14 million, for local road improvements in the area.

The 12-member commission examining the future of parks and recreation in Clark County will meet at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, in Washougal City Council Chambers, 1701 C St. Public comments will be welcome.

The federal government has just revised its official boundaries for 100-year and 500-year floodplains, forcing more property owners to purchase flood insurance with mortgages. To find out if your property is listed, read this PDF about flood plain maps on the county’s website.

For the first time, Vancouver’s one-of-a-kind School of Piano Technology for the Blind is inviting the public to see its mission in action.

Starting today, free tours of the “Piano Hospital” will be conducted every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the school facility, 2510 E. Evergreen Blvd., in Vancouver.

Visitors can observe students working on piano tuning and repair projects. Pianos have 288 strings and over 10,000 parts that need replacement or adjustment. The school’s two-year program, which has drawn students from 36 states and 14 countries, is highly individualized, with instructors working one-on-one with students to accomplish their projects.

The tour takes less than an hour; groups are typically limited to 8 people. Reservations are appreciated but not necessary. Call 360-693-1511 to schedule a group of 8 people or more.

incoming YWCA director Sherri Bennett

YWCA Clark County announced Tuesday that its board has promoted current director of programs Sherri Bennett to executive director effective Sept. 22, following a national search.

The nonprofit describes its mission as “eliminating racism, empowering women.”

Bennett brings more than 12 years’ nonprofit experience, including direct service advocacy, program development, program management, financial management and fundraising. During eight of those years, she directed the YWCA’s SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program, where she expanded service to marginalized communities, helped create an on-site domestic violence legal clinic, increased outreach and education to middle and high school students and more than doubled revenue for the program.

Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Washington University.

“I am honored and privileged to be selected as a representative of YWCA Clark County,” Bennett said in a news release. “I stand in esteemed company in an organization that draws its inspiration from courageous program participants, dedicated staff and volunteers, and generous donors.”

The YWCA plans to host an open house for community members and corporate partners to see its facilities and meet Bennett.

Current director Kathy Kniep will continue to serve through Sept. 22 and plans to stay involved with YWCA Clark County.

Pat McDonnell

Vancouver City Manager Pat McDonnell announced today he had submitted his letter of resignation to the Mayor and City Council, effective Nov. 1.

McDonnell, who was appointed Vancouver’s city manager in September 2000, said he will pursue a new career in the private sector as senior director of site services for SEH America.

Before his appointment as Vancouver’s city manager, McDonnell had served as deputy city manager since March 1998. Prior to that, McDonnell had served as Clark County administrator, appointed in February 1991, and assistant Clark County administrator, appointed in June 1987.

“It has been a privilege to serve the City of Vancouver,” McDonnell said.

Mayor Tim Leavitt said, “Filling this important leadership position will be a critical task for Council in the coming months.”

The elected officials from Clark County  and the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, Ridgefield, Vancouver and Washougal recently established a blue ribbon commission to look at the future of parks and recreation. They are specifically studying funding and operations. Each jurisdiction appointed two representatives to serve on the commission, which will meet monthly through February 2011.

The commission’s objective is to review the current operational and funding challenges and opportunities in each jurisdiction and make specific recommendations.

The commission’s recommendations will reflect the interests, values and needs of the citizens of each participating jurisdiction. There will be several opportunities for the public to provide input into this process. In addition, all of the commission meetings are open to the public and include public comment periods.

A short online survey is available at  www.cityofvancouver.us/blueribbon. More information is also available by calling 360-619-1144.

Eaton Boulevard between Southeast Grace and Southeast Commerce Avenues will be closed, starting today through Friday, Sept. 3.

The City of Battle Ground has contracted with West Rail Construction to improve the railway crossing for automobile and train traffic and to replace a culvert below Eaton Boulevard.

Detour signs will direct traffic to available detours around the project site.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Bryan Kast at 360-342-5069.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington’s 2010 Dinner & Auction begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. The theme is “A Place in Your Heart.”  Tickets are $85 per person or $850 for a table of 10.  More information is available by calling 360-213-2614 or by emailing auction@southwesthumane.org or online at www.southwesthumane.org.

 Clark County’s weatherization program was recently selected as one of five programs in the state to participate in a solar hot water retrofit pilot project and has completed its first installation. The successful installation marks the first program in the state to complete the project. The solar panel was installed at a house located in Vancouver.

September’s Art on the Boulevard kicks off  at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3, at the Vancouver Marketplace, 210 W. Evergreen Boulevard, in downtown Vancouver. This month, Romona Youngquist will be featured in a solo show called “Journey to Northwest Landscapes-Roads, Paths and Gardens.”

More information is available at  http://www.artontheboulevard.org.

The voting deadline for entries in the Southwest Washington’s Got Talent contest is today. To view the entries and pick a favorite, visit  www.southwestwashingtonsgottalent.com. It costs $1 to vote. Proceeds going to Santa’s Posse and the Vancouver Police Activities League.

Closures are scheduled starting at 9 p.m. tonight, Friday, Aug. 27 on the Interstate 205 Bridge as work continues to replace joints.

The closure will last until 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The bridge will re-open completely at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 30. More information is available at  http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/GlennJackson.

The fare increases approved by the C-TRAN board of directors in April took effect Wednesday, Sept. 1. More information is available online at www.c-tran.com.

Kim Capeloto

Riverview Community Bank announced today that Kim J. Capeloto has joined Riverview as executive vice president of operations and marketing, where he will manage the bank’s operations, technology, and public relations functions. Capeloto has 27 years of experience in the retail and financial services industry. He most recently served as interim president of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Capeloto serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the School of Piano Technology for the Blind.

Riverview Bancorp, Inc., has assets of $863 million and is the parent company of the 87-year-old Riverview Community Bank, as well as Riverview Asset Management Corp. There are 17 branches, including ten in Clark County, two in Multnomah County and three lending centers. More information is available at   www.riverviewbank.com.

Pam Brokaw is hosting a fundraiser for Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart‘s re-election campaign from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at Brokaw’s Ridgefield home, 1923 S. Osprey Drive, Ridgefield. Please RSVP to Randy Mueller at randy.mueller@yahoo.com or by calling 360-921-9314.

Jim and Janine Holder

Jim Holder, CPA, and Janine Holder, CPA,  announce the formation of Holder & Holder, CPAs, in Vancouver. The firm serves the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area and provides accounting and payroll services, business and personal tax services, and small business and not-for-profit consultations.

Jim Holder has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, taxation and business consulting. He holds a BS from Colorado State University and is a CPA in Washington and Oregon. He formerly worked as a CPA at two local firms in Vancouver. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Oregon Society of Certified Accountants.

Janine Holder has 10 years of experience in accounting. She holds a BA with a specialty in accounting from Washington State University and is licensed as a CPA in Washington. She is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Accountants.

For more information, contact the firm at 360-901-5126 or visit www.holder-cpa.com.

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt and Fort Vancouver National Trust President Elson Strahan after Leavitt's dunking. Photo by Paul Montague

Elson Strahan, president of the Fort Vancouver National Trust, was the victor in the Slam Dunk competition at the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center “Hooked” fundraiser on Aug. 19.

Strahan was in competition with Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Dean Sutherland of Clark Public Utilities, and Paul Montague of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. The competitors vied to see who could be dunked the most by allowing Hooked attendees to test their throwing skills during the competitors’ assigned time in the tank. Strahan beat out all four competitors and was declared “2010 Slam Dunk Champion.”

The event raised $37,000 for the center for the 100-acre urban open space that includes a fish hatchery. More information about Columbia Springs is available online at http://www.columbiasprings.org/.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will highlight projects made possible through federal American Investment and Recovery Act funds during open houses on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The events are  planned from 10 a.m. to noon at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, the Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station, the Pine Creek Visitor Information Center and Mt. Adams Ranger District. Facility tours and video presentations will be offered.

Contact Ken Sandusky at 360-891-5007 for more information.

Photos of the project are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/AmericanInvestmentandRecoveryAct–ARRA.shtml.