Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) in Salmon Creek will be hosting a series of Financial Aid and Scholarship Workshops this fall; Saturday, October 16 at 11 am; Thursday, October 28 at 5:30 pm; Wednesday, November 17 at 7 pm; and Wednesday,  December 8 at 6:30 pm. Click link for more information on available dates and times.

If you have questions about how to pay for your college education, what scholarships are available, how to apply for financial aid, how to get your money, and more, this event is for you. The workshop is free, parking is free, and it may help you find some free money, too.

The A-Z Workshop offered on Saturday, October 16th is also part of WSUV Preview Day; you can participate in the full day, or just the A-Z Workshop.

Click Campus Map for directions on how to get to WSUV, including public transportation,  parking information and, of course, a map of the Washington State University Campus in Salmon Creek.

Pack a picnic, bring your blanket and settle in for an evening of entertainment at a free outdoor concert Friday, August 27 at 6 pm in WSU Vancouver’s amphitheater. Everyone is welcome, and admission and parking are free.

Local favorite Pepe & the Bottle Blondes will spice up the evening. The Copacabana-style band combines an eclectic ensemble of saxophones, trumpets, congas and percussion with bold singing by Pepe and silky harmonies by his back-up blondes. Pepe & the Bottle Blondes successfully blend dance, opera and musical theater with original songwriting and comedic wit to deliver a fresh and innovative experience.

The visually arresting performances of Pepe & the Bottle Blondes are enhanced with extravagant costumes and makeup that echo the indulgence and glamour of a 1950s nightclub. Their repertoire includes popular songs from the 30s to the 60s, a strong selection of tangos, boleros, rumbas, sambas and many other Latin-American rhythms.

Pepe & the Bottle Blondes have performed in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles. Pepe has sung in Madrid, Paris and Las Vegas, including appearances with Pink Martini at the Cannes Film Festival and with the Oregon Symphony.

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. Concessions will be available. Dress for the weather. No tents or alcohol, please.

The Pleasant Valley 3K Walk and Wellness Fair will be June 12, 2010 from 10 am to 3 pm at the WSU Vancouver Campus in Salmon Creek. The 3K walk is open to everyone, will be on a paved walking path, and is pet and stroller friendly.

The Pleasant Valley PTA is sponsoring this event to bring about awareness of the ever increasing problem of obesity affecting our nation’s children, and to encourage fun and healthy habits that start with something as simple as walking.  It also helps support our local businesses who are Wellness Fair Participants, and the event proceeds will go to help support the  SHARE program.

The event will begin with performances by Pleasant Valley’s own Unicycle Team and warm up with Groove Nation Dance Academy. This will be followed by the 3K Walk, kids will receive medals, and afterward there will be snacks provided, door prize announcements, and performances by Groove Nation. Great health information will be given out by our Wellness Fair Participants. There will be face painting and other simple but fun activities for kids, as well.

Over 450 kids and families participated in this exciting event last year. There will be many fun activities before and after the event, and viewing the Wellness Fair Booths is FREE!

Hope to see you there!

Washington State University Vancouver is hosting its annual Cougar Pride Days on April 16 and 17. Cougar Pride Days at WSU Vancouver is a time when students, faculty, staff, alumni and campus neighbors come together to demonstrate their Cougar Pride by volunteering for clean-up projects on the landmark campus.

Cougar Pride Days has historic roots dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Originally called “Campus Days,” it was a time in Washington State University’s history when trees were planted, sidewalks were built and the appearance of the campus was improved. It helped establish school spirit and Cougar Pride. Today the tradition continues.

Cougar Pride Days projects on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. include: boardwalk construction, Mill Creek preservation and trail enhancement, sprucing up Butch and office spring cleaning. Outdoor project volunteers may check in at the Facilities Operations building.

Cougar Pride Days projects April 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. include: painting the barn (weather permitting) and Mill Creek preservation and trail enhancement. Volunteers may check in at the Gray 5 parking lot.

Dress appropriately for the weather. Gloves are provided, but remember to wear your boots.  For a list of projects and more information contact Facilities Operations at 360-546-9000 or visit WSU Vancouver Cougar Pride.

All are welcome to this free event!

Event is free and held at WSU Vancouver in Salmon Creek. Email Joey Smokey for more information pt40master@comcast.net. March 23, 2010 4-6 pm.

Update: County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the proposed changes on December 8, 10 am at the Public Service Center (1300 Franklin Street).

Clark County Public Works will be holding an Open House for public input in regards to restricting parking in the Mt. Vista neighborhood by WSU in Salmon Creek.

In 2008, a group of residents North and West of the WSU Vancouver campus asked the county to restrict on-street parking. Surveys conducted in spring 2009 showed that a majority of residents living on Northeast 147th, 148th and 150th streets and 26th Avenue favored the change.

If approved, the county would restrict on-street parking along Northeast 147th, 148th and 150th streets between 29th and 26th avenues, and on Northeast 26th Avenue between 147th and 148th streets. The restrictions would occur Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Other roads north of Northeast 150th Street could also be affected.

If you want to be heard, or want to hear what others are saying,  the meeting will be Tuesday, August 11, 6-8 pm at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct classroom, 505 NW 179th St., in Ridgefield.

*Originally posted August 10, 2009 at 9:45 am. Updated October 15, 2009 at 2:41 pm.

Green Cleaning Workshop at Three Creeks Library.

You don’t have to use harsh chemical products to clean your house. Learn how to make simple nontoxic products for pennies per ounce. These products are effective and are safer for your children, pets and your health.

This workshop, sponsored by WSU and Clark County Clean Water Program, will be held at the Three Creeks Library in Salmon Creek on December 10, 2009. For more information, call 360.397.6060 x 7703, or click for WSU Clark County Extension.

Workshop is free, but $15 buys a green cleaning kit to give to a friend for the holidays. 

Local Artists Shine.

Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver in Salmon Creek is currently exhibiting several local and upcoming artists in different mediums.

The first is a photography exhibit featuring Patty Finch and Rebecca Jensen, who are both  showing their photographs publicly for the first time. Merlinda Sain, human resource generalist for WSU Vancouver, organized this exhibit with the intention of creating an opportunity for emerging artists. Sain looked for artists with no professional experience but with a talent for photography.

The next is a graffiti inspired exhibit featuring both professional and emerging artists.  They include Denario Jenkins, Jeremy Nichols and Josue Rodriguez, who show in Portland-area galleries. Richard Jule, Andre Simard and Stacy Smith collaborated on a glass piece and are associated with Bullseye Gallery. Paul Estrada and Jordan Guy are emerging artists from Grant High School.

The art is on display in the Engineering Life Science Building and in the Administration Building gallery through September 10.

Jenkins, Nichols and Rodriguez will be on campus September 9, from 10 am to 4 pm at the basketball court on Loop Road to demonstrate their techniques and paint an original large-scale work of art. The artists will be available to speak with anyone who stops by to watch them work. The final piece will be displayed at the WSU Vancouver community celebration Connections 2009 on Sept. 10, 4 – 6 p.m. in the Firstenburg Student Commons.

That isn’t a choice you’ll have to make at this banquet.

WSU Vancouver is hosting a Poverty Banquet to raise awareness about local and global poverty issues 7 – 8 p.m. Friday, July 10 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. This event is free and open to the public.

Upon arrival, guests (or groups of guests) will be randomly assigned to dine in one of three groups representing world income classes:

- Upper 15% – Three-course dinner
(representing 15% of the world’s population)

- Middle 25% – Pizza
(representing 25% of the world’s population)

- Lower 60% – Bread and water
(representing 60%  of the world’s population)

Guest speakers at the Poverty Banquet will be David Bowlan of the Luepke Loaves & Fishes meal center and Minda Seibert of Mercy Corps. They will address issues related to local and global poverty and hunger.

For more information, including online registration, visit WSU Vancouver.