Jan. 22 — Hold on to your girdles and your wallets! The Columbian’s Economic Forecast 2010 with executive director of Washington State’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and keynote speaker, Dr. Arun Raha, should be the hit of the downer parties we will have to miss because we’re too poor to attend season. But hey, don’t be sad--for those of you who do get to go, there will be “a select group of local, industry experts” who “will make bold 2010 forecasts and review their 2009 predictions.” Hey buddy, can you boldly forecast that you will be hiring anytime soon? I wait with baited breath. (Hilton Vancouver, 301 W. 6th St.; Friday, Jan. 22, 7 -10 a.m.; tickets are only $50, a mere $30 for students; register at www.vancouverusa.com or call 694-2588; call 694-2588 or go to www.columbian.com for more info.)

Jan. 28 - 30 — It’s a competition and a concert in one! The 48th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival celebrates forty-eight jazz bands and twenty-four vocal jazz ensembles from Oregon and Washington high schools. Come hear what those crazy and talented kids are up to these days. (Gaiser Hall, Clark College,1933 Fort Vancouver Way; Thursday, January 28 thru Saturday Jan. 30; admission is $5 per day; call 360-992-2662 or go to www.clark.edu/special/jazz_festival/ for more info.)

Jan. 21 — You love beer. You love Officer’s Row. Now you can enjoy both together at an actual restaurant instead of face down in the lawn when the sprinkler’s turn on. The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve is now featuring Beer Sampling Thursdays where connoisseurs can sample great beers from MacTarnahan’s and Pyramid Brewery and a small edible pairing on the side. Beer drinking guy, now you can bring along the wife — this one’s for you! (The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve, 1101 Officers Row; Thursdays, starting January 21; cost is $12 per person; call 906-1101 for more info.)

Jan. 26 — The winds of the last few months have been crazy scary over here in East County. The 20’ branch in my front yard inspired me to suggest “TreeTalk Workshop: Diagnosing Hazard Trees,” courtesy of the folks at the city of Vancouver. Limbing, tree removal, and general how-to manage your rascally trees will all be discussed. Thankfully, a local certified arborist and tree risk assessor will be on hand to lead the discussion and answer tree care questions. Timber! (Marshall Community Center, 1900 McLoughlin Blvd; Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; advanced registration required; call 619-1108, email jessica.antoine@ci.vancouver.wa.us or go to www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry for more info.)

Jan. 26 — ATTENTION! This community awareness moment is brought to you by Erin. The Clark County Commissioner will be discussing “Park User Fees” along with “Building and Inspection Fees” at the January 26 meeting. I suggest we pay attention to this one. We currently don’t have park fees, if I’m not mistaken!!! Let’s try to keep it that way. To the meeting! Tally ho! (Clark County Hearing Room, Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street; Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.; call the commissioner’s office at 397-2232 or go to www.co.clark.wa for more info.)

Jan. 26 — A good game of Bunco keeps one on their toes and encourages health and vitality. In this case, it also has the positive side effect of being a Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation Fundraiser. Keep the best library system in the world alive and well by purchasing a seat at a raucous game of bunco. Get a table together for the family, friends or work bunch. Have fun and do something positive for our library. Me likey! (Devine Consign, 904 Main Street; Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; tickets are $35 per person; call 695-6443 for more info.)

NOW — Are you a musician? The Vancouver Community Concert Band is looking for you! The band is open to the public and welcomes all instruments at all levels. As of late, they have found themselves short of clarinetists and drummers (who can read music). There are no auditions or no fees required to be involved, just the willingness to work hard and play music. Everyone interested in playing is encouraged to participate! (Go to www.vccb.us for more info.)

Jan. 20 — Did anyone else notice that The Voice chose Mayor Tim Leavitt to be the new mayor and… he won? Hmmm. Join our new mayor at “Face to Face with Mayor Leavitt and the Vancouver City Council.” Not the most original name, but it is an opportunity for informal conversation between the public, the mayor and the Vancouver City Council. Give the dude some time. He’ll come up with snazzier names, I’m sure of it. Oh yeah, light refreshments will be served. (Cascade Park Library Community Room, 600 NE 136th Ave.; Wednesday, January 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., FREE; call Judi Bailey at 487-8608 or go to mayor@ci.vancouver.wa.us. for more info.)

Jan. 20 — Are you ready to rock? This might not be the event for you. But maybe, before you head on over to the amphitheatre for Slayer’s reunion concert, you might instead culture yourselves with Bravo! Vancouver Concert Series as they kick off their 16th season with Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous “Piano Quintet” and Chris Brubeck’s classical/jazz crossover piece “Vignettes for Nonet.” Classical music and jazz in one night? It might be too much for you to handle, sissy pants rocker dude. (St. Joseph Church, 400 S. Andresen Road; Sunday, January 24 at 2 p.m.; tickets are $20 for reserved or general admission and are available at www.bravoconcerts.com or at the door; call 360-906-0441 or go to www.bravoconcerts.com for more info.)

Feb. 6 — Former Bionic Woman turned energy psychology practitioner, Lindsay Wagner, is coming to Vancouver! Her mission--to be the keynote speaker at the Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center’s 28th Annual Fundraiser. Her topic will be “Holistic Healing for Family Violence.” Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center is one of the leading domestic violence perpetrator treatment programs in Clark County and has been working with perpetrators for over twenty years to help end the cycle of family violence. In addition to listening to Lindsay, there will be an auction and dessert. (FYI — it’s really hard to make any of the awesome and hilarious references I could to the Bionic Woman considering her reason for being here. Just imagine the can of whoop ass references I could have made if I weren’t so classy.) (St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 NE Highway 99; Saturday, February 6 from 6:30 -9:00 p.m.; tickets are $25; call Joan or Keith at 696-1615 or go to cpcc.eventbrite.com for more info.)