1. The Gardner School
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Education
Telephone: (360) 574-5752
Address: 16413 Northeast 50th Ave.
Description: The Gardner School is dedicated to developing the potential of its 100 students. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences model serves as a framework for individualized skill development and interdisciplinary, thematic studies. Community partnerships provide students with real-life experiences that help them become productive, responsible, compassionate citizens. Classes are held for preschoolers through grade eight. The student-to-teacher ratio is nine to one.
2. International Air And Hospitality Academy
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Education
Telephone: (360) 695-2500
Address: 2901 East Mill Plain Blvd.
Description: The International Air Academy has placed 17,000 graduates in airline careers, and they can get you started in a travel career through their 20-week Airline Travel Specialist diploma program. For many students this is the first step toward becoming a certified travel consultant. Graduates of the program are qualified for a broad range of positions, including travel and tour agent and customer service agent, and for a variety of jobs in transportation, travel, and hospitality marketing. Another diploma program, the 10-week airline reservations and airport services, provides entry to jobs in reservation sales, ticket agents, and gate and ramp agent positions. Many alumni of International Air Academy are hired by major airlines as flight attendants, in customer service positions, and as schedulers or reservation agents. They also offer a hospitality program for those who want training as event planners and similar careers. Founded in 1980 this school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. The majority of students qualify for financial aid, and dormitory housing is available for out-of-towners.
3. Pearson Field
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (360) 696-1280
Address: 1115 East Reserve St.
Description: Pearson Field, next to Fort Vancouver Historic Site and within walking distance of downtown Vancouver, has been operating since 1905, making it the longest-running airfield in the United States. Still open for general aviation, it has a 3,300-foot lighted runway and a Fixed Base Operator to help with refueling and other pilot needs. (See the Attractions chapter for more information on Pearson Field.)
4. The Columbian
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Media
Telephone: (360) 694-3391
Address: 701 West 8th St.
Description: By far the biggest daily newspaper in southwestern Washington, the Columbian started out as a weekly newspaper in 1890. In 1908 it became a daily and in 1972 grew to include a Sunday morning paper. Herbert Campbell bought the newspaper in 1921, and it has been owned by the Campbell family ever since. The Columbian is one of the few family-owned and -operated dailies left in the nation and is the fourth-largest newspaper in Washington, with a current daily circulation of 56,000 and a Sunday circulation of 66,000. An afternoon newspaper, the Columbian is published every day of the week except Saturday. It prints TV Times on Thurs, an entertainment guide titled Weekend and Beyond on Fri, a monthly real estate magazine, Home Book, and a weekly nonsubscriber product, Cover Story, as well as numerous special sections throughout the year. The Columbian is available at all newstands and many library branches. You can also look for it online.
5. Tears Of Joy Theatre
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (503) 248-0557, (360) 695-3050
Address: 700 Northeast 136th Ave.
Description: A puppeteer ensemble that has grown far beyond the days of Punch and Judy, Tears of Joy Theatre, based in Vancouver, Washington, has been delighting kids and adults for years with its mythologically driven dramas, life-size puppets, and wondrous costumes. As well as touring through the United States, Tears of Joy also performs at the Winningstad Theatre in Portland. Tears of Joy also has a Puppet Camp where children ages 7 to 12 get to join the puppeteers in creating their own puppet plays. Kids build puppets and masks and learn performance skills. These camps, usually during summer, are funded by the city of Vancouver.
6. Mountain View Ice Arena
City: Vancouver, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (360) 896-8700
Address: 14313 Southeast Mill Plain Blvd.
Description: Whether you are looking for hockey, lessons, birthday parties, or just a place to wear out the children, the Mountain View Ice Arena is there for you. Public skating times are Mon through Fri, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to about 5 p.m. and Sat and Sun from 1 to 4 p.m., as well as Fri and Sat nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Skates are available to rent.