Vancouver, WA – Vancouver resident Susan Wilson is the proud owner of a new iPad mini. Selected at random, Wilson was one of 1,500 people who successfully completed an online quiz about recycling in Clark County.

The quiz is part of Public Health’s Recycling Done Right project, a community effort to reduce the amount of non-recyclables in blue residential recycling carts.

The major component of Recycling Done Right is the Clean Cart Campaign when, from late-May through June, five teams did quick visual scans of more than 15,000 recycling carts ready for curbside pickup. The… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Residents now can recycle unused or leftover paint at all Miller Paint and Parkrose Hardware stores in Clark County.

Miller Paint, 111 N.E. 164th Ave., and Parkrose Hardware, 8000 E. Mill Plain Blvd., have joined the county’s Paint Take-Back program, and are accepting latex and oil-based paint for proper disposal at no cost.

Nine paint stores in Clark County now accept paint during business hours:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 10811 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.
• Miller Paint, 14300 N.E. 20th Ave.
• Miller Paint, 9609 N.E. 117th Ave… Read More

Vancouver, WA ‒ The local premiere of Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope will be 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Firm Foundations School, 1919 S.W. 25th Ave., Battle Ground. The screening is free and open to the community.

The newly released film chroni­cles research that links adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect and family dysfunction, with cycles of violence, addiction and disease. The film shows how healthy relationships with caring adults can disrupt this link and help individuals build personal resilience. Following the screening, a… Read More

Vancouver, WA ‒ Public Health Program Manager Joe Laxson has been named the 2016 Washington State Environmental Health Director of the Year. Each year, the Washington State Environmental Health Directors presents the award to someone who has demonstrated leadership in the profession at the local and state levels.

The award was established in honor of Jim Matsuyama, an association founding member who developed many environmental health programs implemented by local health jurisdictions across the state. Matsuyama was known for his technical skills, kindness and dedication to public… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Students and teachers from more than 30 Clark County schools will gather next week to learn how to increase their environmental leadership in their schools.

Clark County Green Schools will host its annual Student Summit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.

The four-hour event will include educational activities, breakout sessions and opportunities for students and teachers to learn from one another.

The Green Schools Summit is a collaboration between Clark County Public Health and Washington… Read More

Vaccine widely available at clinics and pharmacies in Clark County

Vancouver, WA − Flu vaccine is widely available in Clark County, and health officials are recommending everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated early.

“Some people delay getting a flu shot in the mistaken belief that vaccine effectiveness will wear off before winter, when flu season typically ramps up,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. “Actually, you are better off getting the vaccine as soon as it’s available because flu season starts early some years.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents can dispose of expired or unused medications on Saturday, Oct. 22, at three drug take-back locations in Vancouver and Battle Ground.

All locations will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are:

• PeaceHealth Memorial Health Center, 100 E. 33rd St.
• Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.
• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. 1st St., Battle Ground

All unwanted medications will be accepted at the locations.

Unwanted medications also can be disposed of year-round at several… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Master Composter/Recycler program will hold two composting classes this month at the 78th Street Heritage Farm, 1919 N.E. 78th St. Both classes are free, but registration is required.

A “worm shop” will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Participants will receive a free worm bin and worms and information on what worm composting is, why it is beneficial and how to build and maintain a worm bin.

A backyard composting class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 22. Participants will learn the basics of composting and how to build a backyard… Read More

Nominations still open for Healthiest Companies of Southwest Washington

Vancouver, WA ‒ Ron Sims, chair of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, will be the key note speaker at the 2016 Healthiest Companies of Southwest Washington Awards reception in October.

In partnership with Clark County Public Health and the Clark County Worksite Wellness Network, the Vancouver Business Journal will host the awards event at 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Warehouse ’23, 100 Columbia St., Suite 102. Doors open at 7 a.m. Admission is $25. Breakfast is… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business Program will hold a Morning Blend networking event 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Columbia Springs, 12208 S.E, Evergreen Hwy.

The Morning Blend provides an opportunity to network and discuss green business efforts in a relaxed setting. This month’s host, Columbia Springs, is a nonprofit that inspires environmental stewardship and connects people to nature through their 100-acre site as well as offsite projects.

Participants at this month’s Morning Blend will learn about Columbia Springs’ youth and adult education programs,… Read More