Community Spirit

City Clerk Claire claims award

City Clerk Claire Lider named 2009 City Employee of the Year

Acting City Manager John Williams announced City Clerk Claire Lider as the City of Battle Ground’s 2009 Employee of the Year at State of the City Address on March 10th.

Claire was selected from nine individuals nominated by fellow City employees for their exemplary efforts on behalf of the city during the past year.

Other nominees for City of Battle Ground Employee of the Year were: Tamara Gunter, Executive Department, Mark Herceg, Engineering Department, Kerry Hymas, Public Works, Carol Landwehr, Municipal Court, Joy Lee, Finance & Information Services Departmen , Dan Oehler, Finance & Information Services Department and Mike Wilcock, Public Works Department

When John Williams spoke about about Ms.

Artists allign for art in Battle Ground

Above photo: Wood Sculpture by Dan Baker

The Battle Ground Art Alliance award-winning fine arts and fine crafts show will be held on Saturday March 20 and Sunday March 21. Times for attendance are, 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday. The event will be held in the Battle Ground Community Center which is located  at 912 East Main Street.

Artisans and artists from all over Clark County have submitted creations to be judged and juried.

Art gives us all an opportunity to connect with our neighbor in a spiritual more visceral way as art is an expression of the soul; it is a means of communicating with the senses through the medium of symbolism, color, texture and form.

On Saturday, from 5-8 pm an artist reception will be held, with an awards ceremony happening at 6:30. At this  time, Battle Ground Mayor Mike Ciraulo will present awards for those pieces that have been chosen by  a public vote.

St. Paddy's Day in Vancouver, USA

Photo by Anni Becker (from the Vancouver Voice)

March 17th- two days after the Ides- is Saint Patrick’s Day or more  colloquially known – St. Paddy’s Day.

The day is named after one of the most recognized patron saints of Ireland.  What began as a Christian holiday has evolved into a secular celebration of Ireland’s culture. It is a public holiday in Ireland, which includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century to a wealthy Romano-British family. At the age 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and held captive as a slave.

Have that volunteer spirit? Help out the YWCA and your community

Are you looking for a way to connect with our community? Do you think about how to make Clark County a better place to live? Do you know you want to get involved and help others but don't know where to go or how to start? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the YWCA of Clark County is the organization for you.

Becoming a YWCA of Clark County volunteer is one way to help your community. Volunteers learn how to take action and help people who are in crisis, meet and network with diverse community members, as well as become actively involved in improving the lives of Clark County residents.

This spring, there is a strong need for adult volunteers to: 

  • advocate for adult and youth victims of sexual assault.
  • represent the best interest of an abused or neglected child by becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).
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Battle Ground School District News and Schmooze

Above: Cullen Swatosh (R) and Kody Erspamer from Battle Ground High School, students of Jim Drake, won top honors at “Skills USA” regional competition at Clark College, on Feb. 12, 2010. They will attend the state competition in Yakima, Wash., next month.

A recently released Battle Ground Public Schools’ quarterly report to district residents includes a Q&A about district finances, a story and photos about a couple of multitasking kindergarten teachers, a calendar of major public events in our schools between now and the end of the school year and a message by new School Board President Steve Pagel.

Teachers do make a difference-let's "Award" them

Battle Ground School District wants teachers who make a difference

The public and district employees are invited to nominate district teachers or other personnel who have made a substantial difference in the lives of students or in the lives of others.  All district employees are eligible to be nominated for the annual “Teachers Make a difference” Awards.

What makes a good teacher?

The best teachers are the ones who teach to the whole child. Their vision of education is not limited to the tangibles of academic achievement but encompasses daily doses of compassion, flexibility, communication, humor, imagination, and the willingness to be open minded. Most importantly, a good teacher is someone who uses both his head and her heart in equal measure throughout the school day. Compassion is in understanding that a student may be frustrated, angry or just unable to focus on the academics at hand.

Talented young musicians to perform

FINALISTS PERFORM IN 16TH ANNUAL VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The 16th Annual Young Artists Competition will be held on Sunday, March 7 at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics’ Royal Durst Theatre.

Shiver me timbers and rattle me bones

“Shiver me timbers” is old nautical slang that refers to the shaking of the wooden support frames of a ship during rough seas.  Scared sailors would say that these shivering timbers would “rattle me bones.”

Mother Nature’s most awesome event, an earthquake, can also rattle our bones while shivering our timbers. And like the sailor’s at sea, we can do our best to be prepared.

And we DO need to be prepared. According to the Columbian, the recent quake in Chili should be a reminder of our own vulnerability in the Pacific North West.

So, are you prepared? (CRESA)

Disasters can happen without warning as we have seen in Haiti and Chili. Often, in large, wide spread emergencies, firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders will not be immediately available. For the most part, citizens will be on their own for the first 72 hours of a disaster.

What is the American Dream?

What is the American Dream?

That is the question that Holly Forrest, instructor, asked when she opened up discussion in her community education class at Clark College.

Many answers were offered. Among them was, “the opportunity to own a home.”

An animated discussion led to a focus on Horacio Alger Jr., who was a  prolific 19th-century American author.  His  “rags to riches" myth endures to this day.   Wikepedia

Interestingly enough, Alger's message, is not so much about “rags to riches” as it is about the importance of  mentoring.  A mentor is defined as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

The Community Housing Resource Center of Clark County  provides mentors of sorts to those who require access to community resources for help with financial security and housing stability.

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City manager fired by city council

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. - The Battle Ground City Council has voted to fire the city manager ... months after he fired the police chief.

According to our news partners at The Columbian newspaper, the vote removes Dennis Osborn from office in 30 days. Until then, Osborn is suspended from his duties.

Osborn can appeal the decision.

In December, Osborn fired Police Chief James McDaniel, saying he wanted to take the department in a new direction. That decision brought public protests, including this sit-in at Battle Ground City Hall.

Osborn's severance is expected to cost the city about $95,000.