Ridgefield celebrates Centennial
The Ridgefield Centennial Committee and the City of Ridgefield will host a day-long event honoring its 100th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The festivities begin at 9 a.m., with the Fort Vancouver Pipes conducting a bagpipe march from Davis Park at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Mill Street to the war memorials located adjacent to the Fire Station.
Also on tap will be "Fashion Through the Decades," which together with "Cars Through the Decades," features items from Ridgefield's past.
A Centennial Dance at the Belltower Cathedral beginning at 7 p.m. will wrap up the festivities. "I encourage everyone to join us in celebration of this momentous occasion," said Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow.
Burgerville adopts bike-friendly policy
Restaurant company Burgerville announced last week that it will allow bicyclists to order and pick-up food through its 39 drive-thru lanes.
The move came in response to an Aug. 13 incident involving a bicyclist who was refused service from drive-thru window at a Burgerville in Southeast Portland. In response, a spokesperson for the company said it would institute a company-wide bicycle drive-thru program within the next two weeks.
"Opening up our drive-thrus to the large cycling community in our area is a natural for us and is very much in line with our overall values," said Burgerville Chief Cultural Officer Jack Graves.
Officers Row to host "Business After Hours"
The Vancouver Business Journal has teamed up with their neighbors on the Row, along with local GVCC member caterers, to host the latest installment of "Business After Hours: An Evening on the Row," on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Members and their guests can also enjoy free admission to Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. before the evening festivities begin.
Check-in and parking is at the Visitor Center at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd. in Vancouver. A shuttle bus will be available to take guests up and down the Row to each participating Chamber member.
Nautilus second-quarter earnings slide
Vancouver-based Nautilus, Inc. last week announced $60.8 million in second-quarter earnings, down from $95.6 million in the previous year. The company attributed much of the drop to losses in its commercial business sector, which declined by $7.2 million in the second quarter.
Also included in the loss were restructuring charges related to a non-cash write-off of its corporate facilities lease in Vancouver. Nautilus signed a new lease for a smaller space at the same location – a move expected to save the company $3.3 million annually.
Tapani Underground acquires IT business
Battle Ground-based excavating company Tapani Underground acquired Dependable Computer Solutions, specializing in helping companies by indentifying proper software and hardware, overseeing the acquisition and installation process and providing on-site, telephone and remote maintenance.
DCS was founded in 1999 by Information Technology Specialist Andrew Dalke, who remains involved in the business.
Vancouver Seeks Applicants for Planning Commission Vacancy
The city announced last Thursday that it seeks applicants for three expiring terms and one current vacancy on the Vancouver Planning Commission. One appointment will be for a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2010, with the other three positions full terms ending Dec. 31, 2013. One expiring term can be filled by an applicant outside the city limits, but within the Vancouver Urban Growth Area.
For applications or for more information, contact Terry Lenhart at the Community Planning Department, 1610 "C" Street, Suite 203 in Vancouver or call 360-487-7955. Online applications are available at cityofvancouver.us/boards. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18.
The seven-member Planning Commission serves as a citizen advisory body and makes recommendations to the City Council. Commissioners work in a voluntary capacity to conduct studies and public hearings on comprehensive plan amendments, zoning amendments and other land use matters.
New Fire Chief for Clark County
On Aug. 11, Clark County Fire & Rescue announced the appointment of Ridgefield resident Brett Graham as its new Battalion Chief. Graham has 17 years of fire service experience, beginning as a volunteer for Clark County Fire District 12 – now Clark County Fire & Rescue – in 1992.
In 1998, Graham received a promotion to the rank of Captain. Since June 2008, Brett has worked as a Training Captain for CCF&R. He began his new position of Battalion Chief on Aug. 1.
New Catholic high school to open doors
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School is set to open on Sept. 8 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Roman Catholic education in the United States.
"Welcoming Seton's first freshman and sophomore students and the faculty is not only a milestone for the Catholic community in Southwest Washington," said the school's principal, Ed Little. "This school will add to the diversity of options and make our region a more attractive place to work and raise a family."
In 1810, Mother Seton started St. Joseph's Academy, the nation's first Catholic school, in Emmitsburg, Md. Archbishop Alex Brunett of the Seattle Archdiocese will visit the new school on Sept. 27 for a special service.
Evergreen Public Schools starts Tweeting
Beginning with school year 2009-10, Evergreen Public Schools will harness the power of popular social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to communicate with the public. The district's Community Relations department will post news about upcoming performances, events and forums, along with important district updates.
Users will be able to sign up to "follow" and "friend" the district through its website at evergreenps.org. "Social networking has become an important part of the communications culture," said Carol Fenstermacher, the district's director of community relations. "In Evergreen Public Schools, we are striving to provide a 21st century education to our students and that includes using 21st century tools to communicate with them and the public."
