AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer assistance with personal income tax returns at seven locations around Clark County.  Last year, Clark County AARP Tax-Aide volunteers helped clients prepare more than 3,200 federal tax returns and 750 Oregon State tax returns.  These returns resulted in $3.1 million more in refunds flowing into Clark County than the taxes paid from these returns.  About half of the $3.1 was generated from Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Volunteers will staff the following locations from February 1 through April 17; Vancouver Community Library, Three Creeks Community Library, Cascade Park Community Library, Battle Ground Community Library, Fisher’s Landing Assisted Living, Marshall Community Center and the First Baptist Church at 27^th and Main Streets.  Days and hours of operation vary by site.

For more information call our toll-free number, 1-888-687-2277 or visit the Web site at http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/taxAideLocations.action for specific days and hours at a AARP Tax-Aide site near you.

To relate the story, Strawn supplements characters from two of his earlier novels, “Isaac’s Gun—An American Tale” and “Lame Bird’s Legacy” with a host of new ones. Black Wolf, a Nez Perce warrior born in the Seventeenth Century, becomes the source of prophecies about the common fates of Nez Perce Indians and wolves who live on the prairie overlooking the Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River.

In 2002, Black Wolf’s prophecies are realized when his descendants and wolves both return to the prairie. The story that unfolds is an exciting, even-handed look at the controversies of Manifest Destiny’s impact on American Indians and the similar fate of wolves who get in the way of farmers and ranchers.

“Black Wolf’s Return” will be available in both print and eBook versions and is scheduled for release late in 2012.

In addition to writing, Strawn, who retired in 2001 from careers in business and education, volunteers on occasion with the Nez Perce National Park and is a past board member of the Nez Perce National Trails Foundation. He also teaches courses from time to time for the Mature Learning department at Clark Community College.

In 2008 he escorted Mature Learning students to eastern Oregon and Idaho to visit firsthand the Nez Perce sites they had studied in his classes. Black Wolf’s Return is his fifth work to be published by Bluewood Publishing Ltd. He has also written articles for Idaho Magazine and Trail Blazer Magazine. His essay about Moscow Idaho was a finalist entry in the University of Oregon’s Northwest Perspectives essay contest.

The fine folks at Pizza Schmizza in Salmon Creek have agreed to host us for the first event. As a bonus, they’re offering 25% discounts on all food and soda purchases for all tweetup attendees. Wi-Fi will be available for all those hoping to live-tweet the festivities.

Web Editor Libby Clark and Social Media Coordinator Matt Wastradowski will be on hand, along with your favorite Columbian reporters. Please introduce yourself!

Have questions? E-mail matt.wastradowski@columbian.com or tweet @thecolumbian. Hope to see you there!

Visit the event page

Run Directors: Kevin & Judy Edwards 360-883-5456

Great flat & fast Cascade Park runs. Cartoon network, computer

games & Nickelodeon for kids during adult runs.

Restrooms available.

Directions: Take Hwy 14 to 164th ave. – go north on 164th ave. to McGillivray Blvd – take left (west) on McGillivray Blvd., to the

corner of Bella Vista Road.

In the spirit of all things love, it’s time for a lovely giveaway drawing!  Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a complete photography package* valued at over $750.00!  Want to increase your odds of winning?  Post a link to this post on your facebook page or blog and I’ll enter your name two more times.  Tell all your friends!  Drawing will happen on February 12th, just in time for a sweet valentine’s day surprise for your sweetie (if you so choose) or yourself.  Can you feel the LOVE?!

*photography package includes a 1 hour custom photography session at a location of your choice within 30 minutes from Vancouver, WA and a disc of 20-30 edited images from the session with a print release.

Bring your whole family out to enjoy a great night of dancing, and entertainment that benefits our local non-profit shelters. There will be lots of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. Live music provided by Dynamix Crew DeeJay’s. Food and refreshments sponsored by The Butler Did It. we had full intentions on having pizza for our food, but doesnt home cooked hamburgers,chips, and soda sound soooo much better? We thought so to!. In addition, we will have games, bounce houses, Stilt walkers, balloon artists, face painting, Crafts, Art Galleries, and much more.

Our  featured vendor is the Camp Fire Group, who are selling their candy in support of our Troops. So for all of you out there with a sweet tooth, help our girls out by purchasing some sweets! We ask that you please help our cause by bringing any of the following: Hygiene products, blankets, clothing, or coats, shoes, diapers, or over the counter medical supplies. Please make sure any clothing items are in child to teen sizes. Clothing  donations are not required to be new. Donations  sponsored by Krazy Kims Coupons. Together we can make a difference!

Hannah Montana will be there. This impersonator does a great job entertaining the children. She does a dance segment with them that is sure to create a life long memory! We will hold a dance competition for the parents and child. Each team will compete against other parent/child teams. The winner of each category will receive a dinner gift certificate for their family.

“There’s already enough pressure to impress on Valentine’s Day – leave the work to us,” said Carron Harris, vice president of product development at Papa Murphy’s. “The HeartBaker starts with our fresh dough that’s formed into a heart and topped with freshly grated cheese and loads of pepperoni. We keep the mess, you take it and enjoy the home baked aroma and minimal clean-up. Now that says ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’.”

Like Papa Murphy’s other pizzas, the HeartBaker is a premium-quality, budget-friendly pizza. Price and participation vary nationwide.

Join us in the recognition of this international event that brought worldwide recognition to the City of Vancouver, Washington. This epic flight that took place in 1937 grabbed the attention of headlines around the globe as the three famed aviators exited their Russian ANT 25 to the cheering crowds around Pearson Field. A special breakfast will follow inside the museum after the Rose laying Ceremony at 8:22am at the special Transpolar Flight Monument next to our museum. Dignitaries from Russia, as well as special guest speakers, and Interpreters from the National Park Service, will give in depth presentations concerning this most daring and brave non-stop transpolar flight. Museum doors will open at 8:30am with breakfast served until 11:00am. Be sure to mark this historic day on your calendar, and join us for the international festivities.

Location:
Pearson Air Museum
1115 East 5th Street
Vancouver, WA 98661

Additional Info: View Website

Come celebrate the end of the 2011 season and the beginning of 2012! Meet the actors from all the shows, enjoy music by the local band Lucky Lincoln, taste desserts from local bakeries, and much more!

Location:
Slocum House Theatre
605 Esther St.
Vancouver, WA 98660

Admission:Free
Additional Info: View Website
Phone: (360) 696-2427

The Watershed Stewards Program, a joint program of Clark County Environmental Services and WSU Clark County Extension, is presenting a very popular rain barrel workshop on Saturday, February 11 from 9-11 a.m. at the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Rain barrels are a good way to divert some of your home’s stormwater runoff and to save water for the garden on dry days. The workshop includes instruction on assembly and installation, barrel, parts and snacks. At just $35, this is one of the best rain barrel deals in town! Extension Programs are available to all without discrimination. If you need extra assistance, please contact us.

Register online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219618 or with check or cash by contacting us. Jenifer.naas@clark.wa.gov or 360-397-6060 ext 5712

Location: Clark County Extension Offices

Address: 1919 NE 78th Street

Additional Info: clark.wsu.edu/calendar/index.asp

Email: watershed.stewards@clark.wa.gov

Phone: 360-397-6060 ext 5712