In this week’s episode of Clark Talks, The Columbian’s weekly podcast, hosts Katie Gillespie and Dameon Pesanti break down early child care in Clark County and offer an update from Olympia.
To lead off the podcast, Marissa Harshman talks about her recent report on child care availability in Clark County, and the group discusses the Columbian’s new occasional series, “Early Years,” which explores early childhood education.
Lauren Dake then brings you an Olympia update with Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, who stopped by to talk about what’s happening in Olympia — and about a measure she worked on this session that would have created standards for student loan servicers. The bill was dubbed the Student Loan Bill of Rights.
Gillespie and Pesanti then discuss upcoming weekend events, including:
• 20th Annual Dance Festival, 7 p.m. Friday, Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver; free. http://vansd.org/events/20th-annual-vps-dance-festival-at-skyview-high-school
• Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield; Free, $6 for parking. www.clarkpublicutilities.com/event/home-garden-idea-fair
• March For Babies, 9 a.m. Saturday. Registration opens at 8 a.m. for the walk, with a start time at 9 a.m. Esther Short Park, West Eighth and Columbia streets, Vancouver; Donations encouraged. www.marchforbabies.org
• Pomeroy Farm Country Life Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Pomeroy Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt; free. 360-686-3537 or http://pomeroyfarm.org
• Spring Paddle Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vancouver Lake Regional Park, 6801 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver; free, $3 for parking. http://aldercreek.com/spring-paddle-festival
You can find the weekly show on Soundcloud or subscribe for free weekly downloads on iTunes or Stitcher. Contact Pesanti and Gillespie about the podcast at podcast@columbian.com.
