Gary Locke

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) released the following statement after Gary Locke was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to China:

“I am very glad that Gary Locke has been unanimously confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to China. Making sure the U.S.-China partnership continues to work for both nations is absolutely critical to ensuring our ability to compete and succeed in the 21st century global economy.  I look forward to working with Ambassador Locke to make sure our nation’s relationship with China helps businesses, farmers, and the economy in Washington state and across the country.”

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will officially kick off the 2011 Hoops on the River 3-on-3 basketball tournament at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 29, at the Fred Meyer on Mill Plain and Chkalov.

The first 20 teams to turn in their forms will receive $20 off the registration price. There will also be a shoot-out contest for one free team entry, a gift certificate to Juliano’s Pizza and a gift card to Regal Cinemas.

Event is free to attend and open to the public; free hot dogs and water will be provided.

The 2011 Hoops on the River tournament will be held Friday, Aug. 19, to Sunday, Aug. 21, at Vancouver Landing in downtown Vancouver, Wash. Register online at hoopsontheriver.org. The tournament is presented by Fred Meyer, Les Schwab and the city of Vancouver.

The event benefits Share, which serves the hungry and homeless in the greater Vancouver area.

The Ridgefield School District will present the current state of the district’s school facilities and plans for the future at the Ridgefield Community Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3. All interested community members are invited and encouraged to attend. The Ridgefield Community Center is located at 210 North Main Ave., Ridgefield.

The Woodland Port Commission is hosting a workshop on the Scott Avenue Reconnection today, Wednesday, July 27, from  3:30 to 5 p.m.at the Port of Woodland office,115 Davidson in downtown Woodland.

The Scott Avenue Reconnection would open a third undercrossing of Interstate 5 for residents of Woodland. It is a safety, congestion relief and freight mobility project.

The Friday walking tour offered by the Clark County Historical Museum will focus on the historical brick buildings in downtown Vancouver.

The 40-minute tour starts at noon on Friday, July 29, at the museum, 1511 Main St. The cost is $2 for historical society members, $5 for non-members.  The program is sponsored in part by the Vancouver Business Journal and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission.

For more information, visit www.cchmuseum.org.

Margaret Rogers of Davidson Insurance has received her Property and Casualty insurance agent’s license from the State of Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Rogers provides administrative services for the insurance agency and attended Portland State University.

Davidson Insurance has served local businesses and individuals since 1990. Owned by Bruce Davidson, the firm is located at 501 SE Columbia Shores Blvd., Suite 525, in Vancouver. For more information, call 360-514-9550 or visit the Web site www.davidsoninsurance.com.

RSV Building Solutions, a Vancouver-based commercial construction company that specializes in new construction, remodeling, maintenance, and tenant improvements, is the presenting sponsor for the 2011 Captain Al Coupe Aviation Summer Camp.

Designed for youth ages nine to 17, the camp allows kids to learn the basics of aviation science. The camp ends with students taking the controls of an airplane during a graduation ceremony on the Saturday that concludes that week’s camp.

The camp is held at Pearson Air Museum on the historic Fort Vancouver site at 1115 E. Fifth St. Graduation ceremonies are held Saturday mornings.

Sessions are as follows:

• Session 1: July 26-30 2011
• Session 2: August 2-6, 2011
• Session 3: August 9-13, 2011

For more information on the Aviation Summer Camp, visit www.pearsonairmuseum.org. Early registration is recommended.

The August Job Fair will be at the new Partners in Careers building

Local agencies and employers will offer a Southwest Washington Hiring Event open to the general public on Thursday, Aug. 11. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Partners in Careers office at 3210 N.E. 52nd St. in Vancouver. It is the first hiring event since the agency moved to the new office.

PIC is an employment program that provides job training, placement and coaching to people on public assistance, refugees, veterans and low-income seniors.

Job seekers will be able to meet face-to-face with employers and should dress professionally and come prepared with resumes. Employers with job openings include Al Insurance, Sky Chefs, Van Vista, Safeway, Comcast, Home Depot and Homewood Suites. In addition, 10 temporary employment agencies will attend.

Directions are available at www.partnersincareers.org.  Businesses seeking employees may still register for the job fair. For more information or to register as a participating employer, call 360-696-8417.

Terry Toland makes it to Golden Gate.

Jim Mains’ friends wanting full play by play.

Gary Bock’s organization advocating homegrown food.

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced last week that she would develop a proposal to simplify state and local business tax administration, registration and licensing. She expects to unveil the proposal later this year.

“Small businesses create two out of every three jobs,” Gregoire said. “The current tax system requires small businesses to file tax returns with both cities and the state, often with different classifications, definitions and deductions. This is confusing and takes time away from small business owners’ top priority, running their businesses. Simplifying tax collection and licensing will ease a regulatory hurdle and help companies in this tough economy.”

For more information, visit, http://dor.wa.gov/docs/reports/TaxSimplificationReport.pdf.

The grand opening of Vancouver City Hall,  in the former home of The Columbian just south of Esther Short Park,  is planned from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The Battle Ground School Board has contracted with Expense Reduction Analysts to help identify cost savings in such areas as office products, transportations and utilities. The fee is 50 percent of any savings in the first two years that result from the firm’s analysis. There is no fee if the company’s recommendations do not result in savings.

A neighborhood Sip & Stroller takes tasting notes on organic reds at Arnada Naturals health food store at 17th and Broadway.

Vancouver Sip & Stroll drew 500 visitors to Main Street on Saturday, July 23.  Those attending enjoyed sampling wines as well as visiting the restaurants, stores and other businesses in both uptown and downtown Vancouver.

The event raised $15,000 for the Hough Foundation, to provide programs and services for families at the Hough Family Services Center inside Hough School.  The center provides a clothes closet, healthy snacks, school supply distribution, an after school music program, and volunteer support for students and teachers.

United States Senator Patty Murray

U.S. Senator Patty Murray D-Washington spoke on the Senate Floor this morning about the debt ceiling deadline.

She addressed the  issue in an email sent out Monday:

“As we continue to work to forge compromise and avoid a default on our nation’s debts, I was deeply upset that Republicans continued to waste the little time we have left by introducing a plan that balances the budget on the backs of the people who can least afford it.  The clock is ticking for families across America.  It is time for Republicans to step up and join us in the job of governing.   Too much is on the line for average families to allow partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C., to once again endanger the livelihoods of millions.

That is why I gave a speech on the Senate Floor this week urging Republicans to stop playing political games with this country’s economic future.  With less than two weeks to go before the Aug. 2 deadline, Democrats and Republicans need to come to the table for serious negotiations that involve shared sacrifices.”

The video of Murray’s speech can be viewed n C-SPAN here. Murray’s speech can be viewed at about an hour and 45 minutes into the video.

Jaime Herrera Beutler

U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Beutler Herrera R-Washington offered her thoughts on the debt ceiling deadline in an email sent out this week:

“The U.S. is quickly approaching the Aug. 2 deadline to raise our nation’s $14.294 trillion credit limit, or ‘debt ceiling.’  I do not want Aug. 2 to pass without a solution.

Earlier this week, I voted for and the U.S. passed a bipartisan ‘Cut, Cap and Balance’ plan that would have cut federal spending, capped future spending rates and required the federal government to balance its budget going forward.  Unfortunately, the Senate narrowly rejected this plan on Friday.

I remain optimistic that a deal can be reached by Aug. 2.  We need our leaders in Congress and the White House to put solutions before politics.  I will continue to work for a plan that brings Washington, D.C.,  spending under control, protects Social Security and Medicare, and does not raise taxes on Southwest Washington families and businesses.”

Gary Bock cheering NY marriages.

Jim Moeller urging repeal of DOMA.

Jim Mains going to bat with Michael Bomar and Ron Arp.

Third Bridge Now offers alternative in Inside the CRC.

Al Jarreau

Grammy-winning singer Al Jarreau will headline this year’s Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. Other artists scheduled to perform include Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Stanley Jordan, Coco Montoya, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

The festival is planned from Friday, Aug. 26, until Sunday, Aug. 28, at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver.

In addition to the music, the event features over 200 wines from around the world and food from nine local restaurants.

All tickets are general admission and are: Friday $20; Saturday $25; Sunday $25.  Three-day passes are $50 advance, $60 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased at www.vancouverwinejazz.com or the Festival Box Office at 360-906-0441; or through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com.

Kids under 12 are free with paid adults.  Tickets include admission to the festival and all concerts.  Wine and food is purchased separately and not included with admission.

Vancouver Green Drinks will meet on Tuesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. at LaCosta, 4708 N.E. Thurston Way in Vancouver. This month’s speaker will be Oso Martin of Empower Up. For more information, visit http://www.greendrinks.org/WA/Vancouver,%20WA.

The Clark County Food System Council will meet on Thursday, July 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at CASEE Community Center, 11104 N.E. 149th St., Building B, Room 202, in Brush Prairie. Contact Tricia Mortell at 360-397-8000, ext. 7211, or tricia.mortell@clark.wa.gov.

The Vancouver chapter of Business Network International will meet on Thursday, July 28, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave. in Vancouver. Contact Ryan Piwowarski at 360-713-5503 or visit www.bnioregon.com.