Around the area Jan. 1

CLARK COUNTY

Shelter reservations to be accepted Friday

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation will begin processing 2009 shelter reservations for Lewisville Park, Vancouver Lake Park and Leverich Park at 7 a.m. Friday.

People can reserve shelters by calling 360-487-7100 or by stopping by the Marshall Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Doors to the Marshall Center will open at 5:30 a.m.

Reservations for Leverich Park cost $5 an hour for nonprofit groups and $10 an hour for private groups, with a five-hour minimum on weekends and holidays.

There is no entry or parking fee. The reservation includes the large shelter and the adjacent softball field.

Regional park shelters at Lewisville and Vancouver Lake parks may be reserved at no charge. There is a seasonal parking fee at these two parks.

All other picnic shelters are used on a first come, first served basis at no charge.

VANCOUVER

Museum admission tied to pair of milestones

The Clark County Historical Museum celebrates two milestones in 2009: the centennial of its Carnegie Library Building and the 45th anniversary of the museum’s opening in 1964.

In honor of the milestones, the museum at 1511 Main St. is offering privileges to qualified visitors: free admission to those 100 years old or 45 years old: Proof of age is required.

Those select visitors also will get a 10-percent discount on most museum store purchases.

The offers begin Friday and will run through 2009.

Vancouver

Jan. 11 forum to focus on human trafficking

Clark County Soroptimist International Clubs are hosting a forum on human trafficking Jan. 11. The forum, from 2 to 4 p.m., will be at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way.

According to U.S. government estimates, 17,500 to 18,500 victims are trafficked into the United States each year. Val Ogden will moderate the free event. Guest speakers will be James Pond, from Transitions Global, and Liz Ferguson of Shared Hope International, whose organizations continue to rescue individuals from this modern-day slavery. Resources on human trafficking will be available.

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

For more information on the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, call Mary Weber, 360-608-5315 or Marilyn Brown, 360-833-1828.

VANCOUVER

Foam block recycling events to be held

Clark County residents have two opportunities to recycle block foam for free:

-- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 164th Ave.

-- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Yellow 1 parking lot at Clark College, off Fort Vancouver Way.

The collection at the transit center will accept polystyrene and polypropylene block foam. The foam can be any color, but it must be clean and bagged or boxed. Plastic wrapped yellow urethane foam or packing peanuts will not be accepted.

Total Reclaim, a Portland recycling business, grinds the foam to powder, mixes and melts it with additives, and forms pellets that maintain the same quality as new plastic.

Businesses can bring in small loads that fit in a cargo van, at no charge. Larger business loads are directed to Total Reclaim’s Portland site during weekday business hours.

Only Washington-licensed cars are eligible. People must wait for staff to examine and accept the material; unacceptable material will be returned.

Call Clark County Solid Waste at 360-397-6118, ext. 4352, or Vancouver Solid Waste Services at 360-619-4122.