Around the area, July 3

Battle Ground

Planning commission gets a new member

Mayor Michael Ciraulo has appointed Larry Stafford to the City of Battle Ground Planning Commission, comprised of seven individuals. He replaces Brian Hayes, who resigned in April.

Stafford, 31, has lived in Battle Ground for seven years and is a financial adviser for Edward Jones. He attended Eastern Washington University and has worked in the automation engineering industry.

Battle Ground

Free ‘Potter’ tickets for blood donors

Give blood, get a free a movie: Many pints were shed by donors last autumn, in return for passes to a special midnight screening of the popular vampire-themed movie, "Twilight."

Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library and other sponsors offer a repeat deal for the latest "Harry Potter" installment, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Persons who give blood at the Southwest Washington Blood Program’s Bloodmobile on July 10 will earn passes to the "Potter" showing at 11:59 p.m. July 15 at the Battle Ground Cinemas.

The Bloodmobile will be parked adjacent to the Southwest Medical Group — Battle Ground Clinic, at 720 W. Main St.

Donors may contribute from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, go to: www.psbc.org/programs/drive.asp?URL=0897 or call 360-567-4800. For complete donor guidelines, see: www.swblood.org.

Also, $9 tickets for the July 15 movie may be purchased at Battle Ground businesses, including Riverview Bank, Old Town Battle Grounds, NW Ambush Paintball and Shoppe 7.

Tickets also may be bought at the Cinemas box office; by calling 360-666-5865; or by using purchase forms available at the Friends’ store inside the newly opened Battle Ground library.

Money raised from each $9 ticket sold will benefit the Battle Ground facility, and the Friends’ effort to raise money for additional furniture, computers and other items there.

Sponsors include the Southwest Medical Group and Flying Pig Logistics.

Vancouver

Graduates have new loan-payoff options

Starting July 1, student loans may now be capped based on graduates’ income levels.

That’s thanks to the federal Income-Based Repayment Plan, which limits monthly repayments to 15 percent of the student’s income. This plan is a provision of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, passed in 2007.

Students may use the calculator at studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/IBRCalc.jsp to determine whether they are eligible for the plan.

Those who want to keep paying off their loans at a higher rate may do so.

Vancouver

Parsley Center offers swim lessons, camp

Low-cost swim lessons and day camps will be available this summer at the Jim Parsley Community Center, 2901 Falk Road. Eight weeks of swim lessons for all levels will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $50.

Aqua Trim Kids is for children ages 7 to 12 and is offered at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $2 per class.

Summer day camps are weeklong sessions for students ages 6 to 13 and cost $130 a session. Camp is held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students must bring a swimsuit and towel each day.

For more information, call 360-313-1060.

Battle Ground

Hot times call for water conservation in B.G.

The city of Battle Ground has stopped watering city parks and will start again when water levels increase.

The city issued a release Thursday urging residents to conserve water as well, by not washing cars or driveways and amply watering outdoor gardens.

Water rates jump during summer months, the release stated, depleting water sources.