Cleaning Up, Clearing Out

Christmas Tree still up?  As many are cleaning up from the holidays or will be, here's more information for disposing of your tree.  If you'd prefer to recycle your tree into your own yard, try adding it in your compost pile or starting a new one.  Resources like "how to compost" by Columbia Springs can help you get started or maybe you'll learn something new for your existing pile.

Speaking of recycling, are you making a resolution to recycle more in the new year or just to make the most of the yucky weather by getting an early jump on the spring cleaning?  There is a free collection event on Saturday, January 4th.  Get rid of block foam or electronics, click here for more about the event.

Looking to get rid of something else?  Try the Recycling A-Z page. "The Clark County Green Neighbors program is a new and exciting way for you to learn about green events in your area and discover how you can live a more sustainable life." -Clark County Environmental Services

Serving Safe & Healthy Foods

Those summer get-togethers, bbq's and block parties will have to wait for next year because fall is here.  You know what that means...food!  Get ready for those church potlucks, family gatherings and office holiday parties with these tips for serving safe and healthy foods at private community events. 

It's recommended that all food handlers get a food worker card to increase food safety at events.  Some events do require a license or permit.  For more information about food safety, including a link for food safety recalls, please visit the food page for Clark County Public Health. 

Native Plant Sale

Fall brings many colors to the Pacific Northwest's plants and trees.  It is also pre-order time for Clark Conservation District's Annual Native Plant Sale.  Plants sell for .80 to $2.00 each and will be available for pickup late February.  Contact  360-883-1987 ext. 110 or dsmee@clarkccd.org to be added to the list.  Learn more about Clark Conservation District by visiting their website.

Make A Difference Day: "The Butt Stops Here"

This Saturday, the 3rd Annual "The Butt Stops Here" cleanup event is taking place to remove cigarette butts and other litter from our parks.  As part of Make A Difference Day, the nation's largest day of community service, volunteers will gather to do various service work in their own communities including our local effort "The Butt Stops Here".

Volunteers can sign up online.  Lunch for the volunteers, courtesy of Blind Onion will be served afterwards (1pm).

Rx Drug Take Back

Don't flush your medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash.  Dispose of unused or out-of-date prescription drugs safely!  Two drop-off locations will be open Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm to take back controlled and non-controlled substances.  How much was collected earlier this year?  Find out how much was collected right here in Clark County in April.

Here is a quick link to overall safe disposal of medications.  The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington accepts specific medication donations and participating pharmacies take back non-controlled substances.  Sheriff and Police Departments take back controlled substances. 

We encourage you to learn more about the Prevent! Coalition of Clark County and their extensive list of resources.   Even more information is just another click away, including more about the national initiative.

Free Shred Day - this Saturday!

4th Annual Cooperative Shred Day on Saturday, October 19, 2013.  iQ Credit Union's Hazel Dell Branch is offering free shredding from 10am-2pm. Canned Food donations are being accepted for the Clark County Food Banks during this event.  Click here for the Hazel Dell branch location and details!

Save The Date

We're proud to announce the date, time and location has been confirmed for our 2nd Annual Community Fair!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 8, 2014, Noon - 4pm to save the date!  Not sure what this is all about or missed the event last year?  See more about our 1st Annual Community Fair!

Burn Ban

Reminder! No outdoor burning from July 15th through September 30th when fire danger levels are high. For burning after Sept. 30th, please check with the Fire Marshal's Office to see if the ban has been lifted.  For more information about the current ban, click here.  Information on outdoor burning including burning of yard debris and recreational fires, click here.

Note:  Heritage is not within the Vancouver city limits but is in the Urban Growth Area of Clark County.

Vancouver, not BC

You live, work or play right here in Vancouver. It's that simple, right? Not so much.

Foremost, whatever brings you to the neighborhood- thank you for your interest and involvement in your Community. Grab another cup of coffee, tea or get a snack and let's dive right into it!

So...welcome to  “Vancouver, not B.C., Washington, not D.C., Clark County, not Nevada, Near Portland, Ore., not Maine”.  You already knew that part though so let's keep going.  For a quick read, simply read this post. For a detailed read, click on the links in the text.  Ready? Set. Let's Go!

Did you know that Heritage is NOT within the Vancouver city limits? We (meaning you too) are in the unincorporated Vancouver Urban Growth Area of Clark County. There are Neighborhood Associations within the City as well as the County and it's common to refer to a geographic area by it's neighborhood name, such as ours- Heritage.  Neighborhoods are also specified for property information, real estate listings, and development. 

Moving right along...here is the way your County is organized and where it and other government offices are located. An easy way to connect with your County is by attending a Neighborhood Association meeting. We have a different topic and/or guest speaker every meeting, County/Government and other. Tell us what interests you or what you'd like to know more about, your input and feedback makes these meetings (and your time) worthwhile.

What level you wish to connect with Heritage Neighborhood Association, the County and Community in general is up to you.  There is no "one size fits all" and it is different for each person. Much like politics, different for everyone. 

Do you vote? Yes or No, understand that Clark County is further divided by geographic areas into Districts. Each District is represented by a Commissioner and together they make up the Board of Clark County Commissioners. 

Test: Which District or Commissioner represents Heritage? If you answered, District 1/Tom Mielke or District 3/Steve Stuart that is incorrect.  If you didn't know the answer, then you learned at least one thing new today! Answer: Heritage is located in District 2, represented by Commissioner David Madore.

So there you have it. It's that simple, right? Not so much.  Perhaps you've learned more about where you live, work or play.  Thank you for sharing some of your day/night with us. See you at a meeting?

Free Computer Education Resources

Free computer classes and resources to the public offered by Empower Up, Clark County's computer education and reuse non-profit organization.  Located at 5000 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. Suite E-101, Vancouver.  Offered are: Intro to the Internet, Online Resume using Linked-In, One-on-One Mentoring, Free internet access, as well as free PC and Mac clinics. For information, click here.

Summer Reading for Kids and Teens

With summer break at a mid-point, it's not too late for children ages 0-11 to participate in the free Kids Summer Reading at our library. "We provide the Summer Reading Program each year in an effort to keep children from falling behind in their reading abilities during the summer break from school. Studies suggest that summer reading is an effective way to prevent summer learning loss. In addition, we want your family to have fun and enjoy the library!"  The Library also offers the free Teen Summer Reading for ages 12-19.  Source: FVRL webpage 

Yard Waste

Rates for yard waste collection services are changing soon. Your bill is going down. Say what?! As of August 1st, your bill for yard waste collection with Waste Connections in the unincorporated area of Clark County, Battle Ground,  La Center and Yacolt will be reduced about sixteen percent. Don Benton, Environmental Services Director says "county residents will continue to get great service at a lower cost,”.  For more information about this change, see the press release here.

Boater Education

"State law requires boat operators to carry a Washington State Boater Education card when operating motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater (including personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft)." Source: WA State Parks webpage

How to get your card:

• Clark County Sheriff's Office-Marine Patrol, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons offer a boater education class every month on the fourth Saturday (except Nov & Dec).  The class is from 8:30am-5pm.  Cost is $10, materials provided.  To register or get more information: call Deputy Todd Baker at 360-397-2106 or e-mail todd.baker@clark.wa.gov or call Gay Sipes at 360-256-2991. Mention you're in the Heritage Neighborhood. Why? It shows that we're helping our neighbors be safe on the water!   During the summer months (June, July and August), we're offering cold beverages in the afternoon for those in class.  It's just our way of saying thank you!
• To learn more about the requirement or how to get the card with an online course, visit www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered .

For more information about your local US Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit www.flotilla78.org .

Visit www.usps.org for the United States Power Squadrons.

Know Your Location

In case of emergency, please be aware of your address no matter where you are.  When using a cell phone to call for help, having the right information and location is important.  "Residents of Clark County will begin seeing a short video Public Service Announcement "popping" up throughout our area which will ask the community if they "know their location" which is available at: http://youtu.be/4h05FrJmbwk"  Source: CRESA blog post July 10, 2013.  For more information, please visit CRESA's blog at http://cresa911.blogspot.com/. 

Welcome

Welcome to the Heritage Neighborhood! Whether you're a long time resident or new to the area, we're glad you're here. Thank you for visiting, don't be a stranger! Take a look around, we hope you find this page informative and easy to stay connected and involved with your neighborhood.