VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department will down-size to address a significant loss in customer demand amidst tough economic times. Parks Director Peter Mayer briefed Vancouver City Council at a public workshop Tuesday.

The $10.5 million annual parks and recreation operating budget will be cut by 11 percent. The City of Vancouver’s parks and recreation centers will remain open during existing hours and roughly 80 percent of existing customers will continue to be served. However, certain classes, services and programs will be discontinued by March 31 and there will be staff layoffs.

Two specific economic factors in City park and recreation funding contributed to the $1.2 million projected shortfall in 2012:

• A sustained drop in Firstenburg and Marshall/Luepke Community Center passes, program fees and registrations in the second half of 2011 prompted City staff to re-evaluate the 2012 budget. The decline is forecasted to continue for a loss of approximately $800,000 in 2012. The 2011 budget was based upon some revenue loss from the record-setting recreation revenue of 2010; however the actual loss was higher than expected.

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Have you been putting off your child's latest checkup with the dentist? Worry no more.

Clark County Public Health, among others, is sponsoring a free dental care day for uninsured children on Feb. 4. The clinic runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Clark College Dental Hygiene Clinic, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Children ages 2 to 19 in Clark and Skamania counties who have no dental insurance are eligible for X-rays, sealants, fluoride treatment, fillings and extractions. Cleanings are not provided. Children will be seen by appointment only. For an appointment, call 360-397-8000 ext. 7371 or 360-397-8020.

“Good oral health is essential to a child’s well-being. Dental problems can affect the ability of children to eat, learn in school and socialize with others,” said Melody Scheer, health systems coordinator at Clark County Public Health. “We encourage families who lack insurance or can’t afford dental care to call now to schedule an appointment for their children.”