The Port of Camas-Washougal meets in executive session at 4:30 p.m. then in regular session at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the port offices, 24 South A St., Washougal.

Observed in more than 120 countries, World Breastfeeding Week, Monday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 7, highlights the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies.

This year’s “Talk to Me” theme emphasizes the role of family, friends and community in supporting breastfeeding families.

Public Health staff are helping Clark County businesses comply with the new laws. For more information on resources for families and businesses, see www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/documents/BreastfeedingSupport.pdf.

The Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition is sponsoring local events including a breastfeeding tent at the Clark County Fair and The Big Latch On, an international contest to have the most moms nursing simultaneously at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, at two locations: Clark County Fair, breastfeeding tent,  and Santé Mama, 113 NE 92nd Ave., Vancouver.

Chris McKinney

Chris McKinney of Entek Corporation has earned the Building Energy Assessment Professional certification from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.  McKinney is responsible for the development of Entek’s new division, Entek Energy Solutions.

Vancouver-based Entek Corporation is a heating and cooling company that specializes in how efficiently air is moving through an entire building in order to help its clients save energy and cash.

Roots Chef Brad Root is offering cooking classes on the patio at 6 p.m. on on three Thursdays, Aug. 11, 25 and Sept. 8. The cost is $80 per person and includes a  five-course dinner with wine.

For reservations, call 360-260-3001.

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site invites youth aged 9-18 to learn about opportunities for becoming costumed interpreters during an open house at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E. Fifth Street,Vancouver.

Kim Jarvis Quarterflashin’.

Jim Mains gives Google social networking a thumbs down.

Gary Bock gets four more Border to Border takers: Claire Lider, Barry Kalian, Kathryn Scott and Mitch Canton.

Tom Bashwiner

The Fort Vancouver National Trust has announced the retirement of Tom Bashwiner, director of Gift Planning since 2007. Attorney Jennifer Kampsula has been hired to replace Bashwiner.

During his tenure Bashwiner facilitated the establishment of the Trust’s charitable gift annuity program, the Edward and Dollie Lynch Society, and the Frank and Joanne Lough Legacy.

Jennifer Kampsula

Kampsula has worked for the Portland firm Kell, Alterman & Runstein, LLP, since 1999. Her practice included general and business litigation, as well as business and employment practice, and experience in education and government relations.

The 2004 recipient of the Trust’s General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award, Kampsula is a member of the Trust’s Marshall Award Recipients Society (MARS) and also serves on the Trust’s Long Range Planning and Celebrate Freedom committees. She is a Leadership Clark County graduate.

The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) recently received a $5,000 grant from Beaches Summertime Cruisin’ to support sports programs for blind and visually impaired youth.

“We are extremely excited and honored to announce that we have been awarded a grant from Beaches Summertime Cruisin’ to support sports and fitness program for youth with visual impairments said Executive Director Billy Henry. “Thank you to Beaches Restaurant and Bar, Cruisin’ sponsors, and the community for supporting our organization.”

The mission of NWABA is to provide opportunities for blind and visually impaired persons to become engaged in physical activity and sports.

For more information, contact Henry at 360-448-7254, or visit www.nwaba.org.

Christian Community Theater, a division of Christian Youth Theater Vancouver/Portland, presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starting Friday, Aug. 5, at the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School.

Performances continue through Sunday, Aug. 14.  Shows are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.  All seats at the 3 p.m. Saturday, August 6, show are $10 ($3 more at the door).

Pre-sale Adult tickets are $15.  Youth, senior and group tickets are $12.  All tickets cost $3 more at the door.   Tickets are on sale now at www.cytvanport.org.

For more information, call 360-750-8550.

Forest officials announced Thursday that commercial huckleberry permits for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be available beginning Monday, Aug. 8.

Due to late snow melt and cool weather, berries in many places may not be ripe until later. Huckleberry harvest for personal use remains free, and no permit is required. Personal use consists of three gallons of huckleberries per person per year.

All people harvesting more than three gallons, or selling any quantity, must obtain a commercial huckleberry permit. These permits are available at Ranger Districts and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters.

Since the “Handshake Agreement” in 1932 between William Yallup, Chief of the Yakama Nation, and Gifford Pinchot Forest Supervisor K.P. Cecil, a designated area within the Sawtooth Berry Fields has been set aside for only members of the Yakama Nation to gather their traditional food.

The Regional Transportation Council will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, in the sixth floor training room of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Coldwell Banker is hosting a campaign event for incumbent Vancouver City Councilman Larry Smith from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18,  at 5101 N.E. 82nd Ave. near the Vancouver Mall.

For information, contact Judy Matz at 360-892-7325.

The Salmon Creek Sunset Run will start at 5:30 pm. on Sunday, Aug. 21; along the Salmon Creek Trail, 8- and 14-k runs and walks are offered as well as a kids’ fun run.

For information, visit www.energyevents.com/SalmonCreekRun.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor and music director Salvador Brotons will lead a tour of his home country, Spain, from Friday,  Oct. 7, to Monday, Oct. 17. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the orchestra. For information, visit www.vancouversymphony.org.

Economic pressures have created financial challenges for Clark County to address this fall, Budget Director Jim Dickman said in a mid-year report to the Board of  County Commissioners.

Dickman said housing and construction markets have continued to deteriorate this year, reducing revenue to the county and decreasing prospects for significant improvements by 2012.

Lodging taxes also are lagging, as are revenues from the Clark County Event Center at the fairgrounds. The situation is reducing funds the county relies on to pay for capital facilities financed with long-term debt, including office buildings and the Event Center, Dickman said.

To ensure that existing debts are paid on time, the county will need to revamp current plans for capital spending or use General Fund dollars to make up for other revenues  not keeping pace with debt payments. Most county programs continue to operate at reduced levels established in response to the recession in 2009.

Forest Road 99 will open the morning of Friday, July 29, accessing east-side Mount St. Helens attractions such as Windy Ridge, Meta Lake and the Miner’s Car, where Interpretive Rangers give informational presentations seven days a week.

The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument offers daily Ranger-led activities at sites along FR 99, including Eruption Talks at the famous Windy Ridge Viewpoint.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot or www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens.

Next Tuesday night, Aug. 2,  is America’s crime prevention party called “National Night Out.”

This year, there are several National Night Out events in Clark County:

Ridgefield’s event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at Davis Park, featuring a free barbeque and games.  If you would like to have a booth at the event, contact Kay Kammer at the city of Ridgefield, 360-887-3557.

La Center’s event is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m at Holley Park.  Community groups and city employees will be assisting in the festivities, which include free food.

Yacolt’s event is scheduled at 6 to 8 p.m. at Yacolt Town Park. This event will have a community barbeque and an opportunity to meet the mayor and other town officials.

The Vancouver Police Department has asked community members to share information about National Night Out events going on in the city on the department’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/pages/Vancouver-Police-Department/100125333256.

Ballots for the Tuesday,  Aug. 16, primary and special election are now available at the Clark County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street,Vancouver. Election Department office hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail ballots were mailed this week to all eligible registered voters.

For this election, approximately half of the voters in Clark County will have a candidate race and/or a ballot measure on which to vote. Voters who do not receive their mail ballot by Friday, Aug. 5, they should contact the Elections Office by calling 360-397-2345 and request a replacement ballot.

Larry Smith appreciating Bart Hansen and Pat Jollota.

Eli Zupnick his usual helpful self.

Gary Bock vs. Jim Mains to open bidding Aug. 5.

Paul Montague captured Sippin’ and Strollin’.

Governor John Kitzhaber looking at the numbers at Inside the CRC.

The boards of both the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Identity Clark County have announced their support for a November ballot measure that would maintain bus transportation service for county residents.  Proposition 1 is on the Tuesday, Nov. 8, ballot to provide a 0.2% (two-tenths of one percent, or two cents on a ten dollar purchase) increase in general sales tax to raise C-TRAN’s funding to a level just above what it was prior to the loss of stable funding in 2000.

The current recession and the loss of matching state funding have meant a $96 million loss in revenue at C-TRAN over the past 10 years.  Without additional funding, C-TRAN faces a 35% cut to existing bus and C-VAN (or ADA) service.

The elimination of all Sunday bus routes, the reduction of Saturday service hours by 33 percent and the elimination of 12 weekday routes are expected service reductions if Proposition 1 does not pass.