The first New Seasons Market north of the Columbia River, located in Fisher’s Landing (SE 164th and McGillivray), will be having their Grand Opening on Wednesday, November 9 at 10am. Everyone is invited to join in the festivities, including a joint ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and the East Vancouver Business Association.

“I’ve been waiting for a store in my backyard for 11 years,” said Jeremy Fogle, Camas father of four and New Seasons Market’s CFO. “Beyond being a great place to shop, New Seasons’ commitment to the community will benefit local nonprofits and schools.” Ten percent of the company’s after-tax profits are donated back to area organizations.

Store shelves will be stocked with thousands of products from the Pacific Northwest, including dozens of items grown, handcrafted, or produced in SW Washington by 24 brand-new suppliers discovered at New Seasons’ late-summer Vancouver Vendor Fair. Mountains of fresh, seasonal produce, full-service cheese, seafood and meat counters—complete with homemade sausages—and Wine, Wellness, and Homegoods departments create a fun, easy-to-shop experience like no other.

You’ll find everything from Frosted Flakes to Washington raised free range chicken, as well as free wellness classes led by local health experts and New Seasons own Nutrition Team. Beginning November 9, New Seasons Market at Fisher’s Landing Marketplace will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Come help celebrate the Grand Opening of Vancouver’s new City Hall on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from noon to 3pm at 415 W. Sixth Street (next to Esther Short Park). “Dedication of a new City Hall may only happen once in a lifetime for many of us,” said Vancouver Mayor Timothy D. Leavitt. “This is Your Key to the City of Vancouver – come help us celebrate an historic occasion. This is a turning point in the renaissance of historic Vancouver, the birthplace of modern settlement in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia River.”

Come take a tour of new Vancouver City Hall, meet Vancouver City Council, staff and volunteers as well as colorful characters in Vancouver’s history. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in “We are Vancouver” filming, take a free Zumba class, view historic airplanes from Pearson Air Field and Museum, and take a guided walking tour led by the Clark County Historical Society. Kids can join in Junior City Council sessions and play Mayor for a day, up on the City Council dais viewable on the Clark-Vancouver TV screen.

For more information, view the schedule of events, or call 360-487-8600.

You are invited to come to the Grand Opening Celebration of the New Day Community Dental Clinic on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 5 to 7 pm. Ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking.

New Day Community Dental Clinic is a nonprofit organization offering affordable dental care to residents in the greater Vancouver area.  “At New Day Community Dental Clinic we help make great oral health a realistic priority for your entire family. While we are a preferred provider for many dental insurance plans, we also offer reduced fees for patients without insurance and who qualify.”

They offer a full range of dental services for the entire family with a sliding fee scale structure and are accepting new patients. New Day Community Dental Clinic is located at 1201 SE Tech Center Dr, Bldg 13, Suite 150 and they are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 360-892-7107 or visit them online.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington will celebrate the official Grand Re-Opening of its Paws-N-Claws Thrift Store #1 on Saturday, July 16. The newly relocated store sells gently used clothing, furniture, house wares, sporting and gardening equipment, books and toys, antiques, shoes and purses, dishes, textiles and more, has moved just three doors down from its previous post and is located at 3200 NE 52^nd, at St. John’s Blvd. in Vancouver. Paws-N-Claws Thrift Store #2, located at 13898 NE 28th Street in Vancouver, will continue to operate in its current location.

Come join the celebration between 11 am and 2 pm with hot dogs and sodas, try your luck at the prize wheel, earn discount coupons, enter to win one of two Paws-n-Claws gift certificates, and meet some adoptable dogs. So you can have a hot dog while you’re there, and take a dog home, too!

“Paws-N-Claws #1 was significantly outgrowing its previous space; and the community, including frequent thrift store shoppers and Humane Society supporters, were steadily expressing their support in helping us grow,” said Chuck Tourtillott, executive director of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. “The opportunity presented itself and we set the planning in motion.”

The new space, a former Walgreens store, is not only three-times larger, but also offers spacious amenities the thrift store was not previously afforded such as large updated dressing rooms, more sorting and work space for staff, and a designated “Paws-N-Claws Boutique” featured high-end and brand name clothing and accessories. “We feel that this is a location that we can continue to grow in to for many years to come,” said Tourtillott. “Our goal is to continue to meet the needs of a community that is eager to support us.”

Paws-N-Claws regular shopping hours are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. Donation hours are Thursday and Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm.

They have partnered with Downtown Camas Association to bring the Camas community an event for all ages. On March 19 from 4-10 pm the Liberty is hosting a benefit concert for Camas public Schools and their music programs.  There will be live music, food, drinks and a raffle all for only $5 per ticket.

The live performances will showcase The Go Project, Social Gravy, Jon Hecox, Bob Calhoun, James Kerridge, Julia’s Misfortune, Storm Runner and also a special show from Camas Public School students.

The raffle will include electronics from Logitech, a Bike from Camas Bike & Sport as well as a basket put together from downtown merchants.  Many of the downtown businesses will be staying open late to accommodate the event and offer special items for ticket holders.

“CEF is always looking for new ways to support the school district and engage with the community. We are thrilled to have students participate alongside professionals in the re-opening of the Liberty Theatre in a way that directly benefits music programs. In addition to raising funds and visibility for music programs, two CHS students are working on this event as part of their Senior Projects. It’s a great event on many levels and we’re delighted to be part of this historic evening.” Ron Gompertz, President of the Camas Educational Foundation.

For those over 21 Nuestra mesa will be offering food and beverages in the lounge and the Liberty Theatre snack bar will be open for all ages.

The event is part of Liberty Theatres opening weekend event and all proceeds will go Camas Education Foundation and the Downtown Camas Association.

Tickets are available online through the Camas Education Foundation, the Downtown Camas Association and through the Liberty Theatre.

Tickets are also on sale at some downtown businesses and will be available at the door.

You’ve heard of “Pay if Forward”; well, now it’s time to “Be the Gift”.  “A shared experience will be remembered for long after the latest fancy new gadget has been discarded. There is no better gift than love, time and friendship.”

The authors of the book, Be the Gift, will be celebrating the launch of their book and table game at the Grand Opening celebration of Fleurish by Lily Atelier in Camas (2011 SE 192nd)  on Tuesday, January 11 from 4 to 8 pm. Stop by and “enjoy great desserts, signature cocktails, and connect with amazing people in your community.”

For the event, they will be offering autographed books and signature drinks, with 10% of the evening event’s proceeds to benefit the YWCA Vancouver, Community Services Northwest AND Northwest Children’s Outreach! Not only that, but 100% of all sales from the  signature drinks will also be donated!

For more information, visit Be the Gift online.

Washington State University Vancouver (WSU) in Salmon Creek will be celebrating two events, a groundbreaking and a grand opening,  on August 19 at 10 am.  This event is free and open to the public.  Guests are invited to gather outdoors near the Engineering Life Sciences Building.

The Ground Breaking Celebration will be for their new Applied Technology Classroom.  The new 56,000-square-foot, four-story Applied Technology Classroom building will include hi-tech laboratories and classrooms. This teaching and research facility will prepare students to meet the employment needs of high-demand fields in Southwest Washington, such as computer science and engineering.

The Grand Opening Celebration is for the Undergraduate Classroom Building. The Undergraduate Classroom building is WSU Vancouver’s first Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design-certified project, earning a LEED Silver level distinction under the Green Building Rating system. Guests at the event will have an opportunity to tour the new building.

For more information, including directions and a campus map, click here.