Salmon Creek-Felida

11-year-old raises $3,000 for charity by selling greeting cards

Countryside Woods — In response to the ongoing needs of a Vancouver children's charity, 11-year-old Madelyne Cole raised nearly $3,000 by selling handmade greeting cards this summer. Cole's mother, Katie Loescher, said her daughter came up with the idea to start a fundraising drive for Northwest Children's Outreach while volunteering for the nonprofit in May. Madelyne heard director Joni Vilhauer speak about the difficulty of purchasing pricey items, such as strollers and car seats. So Cole took it upon herself to design a number of all-occasion cards with heavy paper and stamps. She and friend Madi Caldwell made more than 100 cards and sold them to raise money. Loescher and Cole plan to present a check to Northwest Children's Outreach later this month. The Christian organization, located at 11504 N.W. 43rd Court, collects and distributes resources for kids, including clothes, diapers, toys and formula.

Surgeon donates $50,000 to UP's Garaventa Center

Salmon Creek — Vancouver plastic surgeon Richard Green recently donated $50,000 to University of Portland's Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture. Green, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, was inspired to donate after attending Garaventa Center religion-based events, including lectures, panels and film screenings, according to a university press release. "A lot of people are eager to grow intellectually in their faith. That's what the Garaventa Center can do for us, and I'm excited to help the center grow," Green said in the release. Green is a surgeon at Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery.

Farmers market to add Tuesdays at Salmon Creek hospital

Salmon Creek — When the Salmon Creek Farmers' Market reopens in the spring, it'll add a new day and location: Tuesday afternoons at the entrance to Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. That's in addition to the larger market Thursday afternoons and evenings behind Wayside Market and Biscuits Cafe on Northeast 134th Street. The Tuesday market at the hospital will be food-only. Market Master Ann Foster said the Thursday market has seen "an increase in both sales and attendance over the last two years. Lovely weather, a stage featuring live music every week, great vendors and a great product mix brought local and loyal customers back on a weekly basis." Grants from Kaiser Permanente and New Seasons Market, and support from Clark County Public Health, made it possible for food stamp clients and debit card users to shop at the market. Foster invites feedback and suggestions at info@salmoncreekfarmersmarket.com or 360-574-5093.

Safe driving pays off for Vancouver man

Salmon Creek — Vancouver truck driver Mark Tillitt was awarded $10,000 in October from J.B. Hunt Transport for racking up 2 million miles of safe driving for the company. Tillitt, who has worked for J.B. Hunt since 1987, is one of only 375 drivers in the company's history to reach 2 million miles without an accident or other road mishap. He reached that count in 2011, but wasn't awarded his bonus until J.B. Hunt's annual ceremony in mid-October. J.B. Hunt spokeswoman Kelsey Cox said it usually takes 8 to 10 years for a driver to achieve 2 million safe miles.

Salmon Creek project's final phase under way

Largest stage yet will build bridge over interstates

Salmon Creek-area commuters are used to change by now. They've been introduced to a new park-and-ride lot, local street improvements and more spacious freeways in just the past two years.

Salmon Creek project to close N.E. 17th Ave.

An ongoing effort to remake a busy interchange in the Salmon Creek area will permanently close a section of Northeast 17th Avenue starting Tuesday.

Volunteers add tote bags to Operation Christmas

Felida — The Blessed Piecemakers quilting group at Felida Baptist Church has been busy making 97 tote bags, in addition to doll quilts, to be included in Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. The church is planning to pack 1,000 boxes Nov. 10 to be delivered to children around the Pacific Rim.

New Goddard preschool opens in Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek -- A new Goddard School celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 6. Goddard is a popular national preschool chain, based in King of Prussia, Pa. Children enjoyed face painting, a scavenger hunt, story time, crafts, refreshments and more. There was also a ribbon cutting on Oct. 3, and the school made a $100 donation to nonprofit Toys for Tots. Michelle Solari is the owner and Selena Deer is director of education at this Goddard School, located at 13201 N.E. 27th Ave. -- near Legacy Salmon Creek hospital and the junction of Highway 99 and I-205. Visit goddardschool.com/Schools/Salmon-Creek-WA/schools.gspx to learn more.