Breast cancer awareness event planned
A group of Vancouver business on Oct. 5 will hold a daylong breast cancer awareness conference at 6115 N.E. 114th Ave., suite 109 at Vancouver – Inn Orchards.
The event, called Pretty in Pink, is sponsored by Skin Focus and Satsang Yoga & Wellness Center. Vancouver Radiologists P.C. will provide additional backing for the event. Participants will experience guest speakers, yoga classes, massage therapy, refreshments, raffle items and will be able to gather health information. Speakers will be Gretchen Hagen, breast cancer coordinator from Vancouver Radiologists P.C., Gail Helland, oncology nurse coordinator from Southwest Washington Medical Center and Positive Dynamics owner Debbie Nesbitt.
The event is free. Proceeds from sales of yoga classes, massage sessions and other products offered at the event will go to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund. For those interested in these services, reservations are recommended. Call 360-604-9642.
SWCA boots up for fundraiser
The Southwest Washington Contractors Association will hold its annual wine tasting dinner and fundraising auction Nov. 17 at the Vancouver Hilton Hotel. The event, called "Boots, Buckles and Big Hats," will be western themed, with a chuck wagon-style buffet. Companies interested in sponsoring the event can contact SWCA at 360-694-7792 or log on to swca.org.
Piano school for blind receives grant
The Emil Fries Piano Hospital and Training Center was awarded a $100,000 grant from Meyer Memorial Trust to recruit blind and visually impaired students for its two-year piano tuning and technology program.
The grant will allow at least eight blind or visually impaired students to take part in the program that focuses on touch-based teaching methods and for which the school is actively recruiting. More information is available at www.pianotuningschool.org or by calling Len Leger at 360-693-1511.
Also, Mayor Royce Pollard will serve as a "celebrity tuner" at the school’s second annual fundraiser dinner on Oct. 26. The cost is $50 per person and is open to the public.
Washington nonprofit earns grant to establish co-ops
Out of $4.3 million awarded nationally, the Olympia-based Northwest Cooperative Development Center received a $233,500 grant to develop cooperative development centers in rural areas.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the award, aimed to help small business owners, farmers and ranchers establish cooperatives, the NWCDC’s fourth in four years.
Grant recipients must be nonprofit corporations, including higher learning institutions, that work to improve economic conditions in rural area. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis and can pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing and operating the centers.
They provide rural residents with education and technical assistance to help them establish, market and manage cooperatives.
A complete list of grant recipients is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
Realtors foundation feeds local seniors
The Clark County Realtors Foundation will pay for all the meals served to seniors in the county by Loaves and Fishes centers and Meals on Wheels on Sept. 27.
In addition, 80 members of the Clark County Association of Realtors provided the volunteer labor for the day, giving the regular Loaves and Fishes centers volunteers the day off.
The foundation raised more than $2,500 to pay for 1,200 meals.
Volunteers will serve meals at the Firstenberg Loaves and Fishes Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 700 N.E. 136th Ave. in Vancouver, the Luepke Loaves and Fishes Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd. in Vancouver, the Battle Ground Loaves and Fishes Center, 116 N.E. Third Ave., and the Washougal Loaves and Fishes Center, 1681 "C" St.
Dream Dinners teams with Dress for Success to raise funds
Dream Dinners on Oct. 10 will host a wine tasting and culinary event to raise money for Dress for Success, an organization that helps outfit disadvantaged women for their careers, acquire and retain jobs and succeed in the mainstream workplace. The event will take place at Dream Dinners’ two Vancouver locations: Fisher’s Landing, 2300 S.E. 164th Ave, suite 105 and Hazel Dell, 616 N.E. 81st Street, suite D. Tickets for the event are $25, and all proceeds will go to the cause. Attendees will also be able to assemble and take home a family sized portion of Dream Dinner’s signature dish, Chicken Mirabella. Log on to dreamdinners.com or call 360-624-0779 for more information.
Riverview declares dividend, plans 2Q conference call
The Riverview Bancorp Board of Directors last week declared a 10 cent per share quarterly cash dividend. The payout, scheduled for Oct. 16, represents a five percent increase over the previous quarter’s dividend, after adjusting for last month’s two for one stock split. Also, the bank will report its fiscal quarter results at the close of market Oct. 24. Riverview will hold a conference call for shareholders the following day. The call may be accessed by dialing 303-262-2130. To listen online, log on to actioncast.acttel.com and enter event ID number 35357.
Credit union to open Ridgefield branch
A full-service branch of iQ Credit Union is set to open in Ridgefield, likely in December.
The credit union recently leased more than 3,800 square feet in the new mixed-use Heron Gate Building at the Ridgefield I-5 interchange.
Located at 2 S. 56th Place, Suite 105, the branch will serve members in Ridgefield, LaCenter and Woodland.
The branch joins others in downtown Vancouver, Hazel Dell, Fisher’s Landing, Battle Ground, Salmon Creek, at Clark College and the Vancouver Mall.
WSUV seeks volunteers for workforce prep program
Washington State University Vancouver needs adult volunteers to donate time for a youth workforce preparation program.
"4-H Teen-Works," a no-cost program of the WSU Vancouver Center for Youth Workforce Preparation, offers 13- to 18-year-olds the chance to explore career tracks in six to 10 evening classes.
Adult volunteers are needed twice a month to lead short sessions. The program is a cooperative effort between WSU Vancouver, WSU Extension, Washington State 4-H and community partners.
Information and application materials for teens and instructors are available by contacting Stephanie Klein at 360-546-9160, kleinst@vancouver.wsu.edu or www.vancouver.wsu.edu. Space for teens is limited, and early applications are encouraged.
County extends comment period on growth planning
Clark County will accept public comment through Oct. 2 on a draft environmental impact statement that examines alternative locations to meet the projected need for homes and jobs through 2024. Community input on the draft will help the county prepare a "preferred alternative" for closer examination in a final environmental impact statement and public hearings this fall.
Comments should include your name, address, e-mail address and who you represent. They also should include the page and line number of the draft of which you are commenting. They may be sent via e-mail to commplanning@clark.wa.gov or mailed to DEIS Comments, Clark County Community Planning, P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA, 98666-9810. The draft is available at www.clark.wa.gov/longrangeplan/review/eis-draft.html or can be purchased on CD-Rom for $5 at the Clark Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. Reference copies are also available at city halls, branch libraries and sheriff’s precinct offices.
Small business forum coming to Vancouver
Washington Policy Center and the Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship will host a small business issue forum from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Vancouver Heathman Suites Hotel.
The cost is $25 and includes lunch.
The forum is a series of conferences across Washington that showcases experts on small business access, health care, tax policy, an overview of statewide ballot initiatives and a preview of the 2007 Legislative session.
The forums act as a way for small businesses to get caught up on the important issues facing them.
Registration and pricing information is available at smallbusinessproject.org or by calling 888-972-9272.
Mattress company opens Vancouver store with contest
Sleep Country USA’s newest store is open for business at 16621 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., and will hold a grand opening celebration on Oct. 1.
The community is invited to take part in the "Princess and the Pea" event, with the chance to win a $1,000 Sleep Country USA gift certificate. In the vein of the Hans Christian Andersen tale, visitors may guess which mattress on the showroom floor is lying on top of a "pea" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Founded in 1991, Sleep Country USA has more than 55 retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon.
