This week’s episode of Clark Talks, The Columbian’s weekly podcast, explains the dangers of radon in Clark County and explores the area’s increasing income gap.
The podcast features social services reporter Patty Hastings previewing her coming story about the increasing difference between Clark County’s richest and poorest residents. Using Census and economic data, Hasting’s story provides a snapshot of how the national conversation on economic disparity is playing out locally.
Hasting’s story will be online and in print on Sunday.
Then, Clark Talks co-host Katie Gillespie chats with Jim Bittner, spokesman for Portland-based radon mitigation firm, about why Clark County is prone to elevated radon levels. Radon, a radioactive gas, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the nation. Elevated levels were recently discovered at Evergreen Public Schools campuses.
Finally, Gillespie and co-host Dameon Pesanti chat with features news coordinator Ashley Swanson, who shares a sampling of upcoming events to help you plan your weekend — and a bit beyond. The events featured are:
• Camas First Friday: “Spring Into History,” 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Downtown Camas, Northeast Fourth Avenue, Camas; free. www.downtowncamas.com
• “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” rated PG, 8:20 p.m. Friday; 12:50 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Theatre, 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas; $6. 360-859-9555 or www.camasliberty.com
• First Friday Art Walk, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. At participating art galleries, along with events and local music in downtown Vancouver. www.vdausa.org
• Rainku Celebration, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Haiku and short poems about downtown Vancouver dot the sidewalks in special paint, which will reveal the words when it rains. Pacific Continental Bank Community Room, 101 E. Sixth St., Vancouver. 360-258-1129 or www.vdausa.org
• Critter Count, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Live critter shows at 1 and 2 p.m. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver; free. 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter
• Science On Tap: “Inside the Feline Mind,” 7 p.m. Wednesday. Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver; $8 to $10 suggested cover, advanced tickets recommened. 360-816-0352 or www.viaproductions.org
• City of Washougal EGGstravaganza, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal; free. www.cityofwashougal.us/community/page/eggstravaganza
• Mountain View Christian Center Easter Egg Hunt, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Participants should bring their own basket. Mountain View Christian Center, 2810 N.E. 259th St., Ridgefield; free. 360-887-4016 or www.mountainviewchristiancenter.net
