The Port of Vancouver is putting 235 people back to work.  Oh, and pumping $20 million into the community.

Execs inked two big deals this week, extending the life of their current contract with Vestas and inking a new deal with Siemen’s (both companies deal in green energy).

Aside from the fact that this continues to make the case that Portland and Southwest Washington are a growing hub for the Green Work Movement (people who build things that are sustainable and Earth friendly), it immediately pumps 235 jobs into the area.

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While that east-coast groundhog named Phil gets all the attention, we do things a little different on the west coast.  It turns out, HEDGEHOGS were the original weather-men (er . . . weather-animals) in old Europe.  However, somewhere along the way, Groundhogs muscled their way into the spotlight (perhaps they had better management or a slicker-marketing campaign).  Some speculate it’s because Hedgehogs are not native species to the Americas and aren’t that interested in traveling due to chronic sea and air sickness.

In any event, Chriki the Hedgehog (of the African pygmy variety) tested the environment this week and declared six-more weeks of winter (moments later, every local news affiliate in town was on-site at the top of Sylvan Hill reporting on “Unending Winter 2009″).

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“Don’t call it a come back!”  The classic rap lyric was probably blaring out of the visitor’s locker room all night Monday in New Orleans.  

Sitting on a 20-point lead in the third quarter, the Hornets web team was likely already typing a “W” in the space next to the Monday night game versus the Blazers.  The players on the bench were probably already debating where to go after the game to toast the victory.  Some fans were probably already thinking about what they would post on webboards and e-mails the next day to taunt Blazer fans.

And then, the Hornets lost Chris Paul.  And their lead.  And the game.

In a performance that can only be described as impressive, the boys from the Rose City went ballistic, shooting lights out and erasing the two-decade deficit and then pulling away for a 97-89 win.

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Forget flowers, candy, jewelry or a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day.  Give the gift of life.  Well, life-saving technique would be more correct.

Forest Grove Fire and Rescue offers monthly CPR classes for free to neighbors but, in the spirit of cupid, their February class is a COUPLES CPR lesson. 

While it may seem a bit uncouth to ditch the traditional favors of affection this February 14th, you have to think outside the box.  Consider the romance as you and your sweety practice mouth-to-mouth for two solid hours like a pair of high schoolers during the first air unit of health class.

Heck, you could even have a little fun with it and pretend to the love doctor or passionate practitioner, saving the life of your soul mate as she lies lifeless on the gurney.

Plus, you can bill the “free” price tag as a sign of being “thrifty” in this “spiraling economy” (GoodNewsPDX still advises that all guys deliver the free class certificate with at least a fistful of daisies you plucked from her garden on the way up the walk).

For more info or to register call Forest Grove Fire and Rescue: 503-992-3240.  Space is limited.

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Late in the day Thursday, Brandon Roy struggled to defend his opponent in a tightly contested seesaw battle that was more about pride than anything else.

That opponent Roy struggled against?  His toddler son, Brandon Jr.  Hey, the little guy has his dad’s speed.

The one-on-one shoot around between father and son took place at the Blazers practice facility, just a few minutes after word broke that Roy has been selected to the All Star team for the second season in a row.  A little less fanfare this year, but that may be because Roy has a new goal in mind.

Having earned his own spot on the squad alongside veterans like Kobe Bryant, Shaq and Tony Parker, now Roy wants to add more of his own teammates to the list.  Having just missed the cut this year, oddsmakers look for LaMarcus Aldridge to suit up for the February festival in 2010.

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Olley olley oxen free!  It’s safe to say those words were NOT shouted in vancouver last year when cops finally tracked down Keith Broyles.  Broyles, an admitted meth user, was indicted in Baker City more than three years ago for attempted sex abuse of a six-year-old.  Not really interested in sticking around for his trial, Broyles took off to play his own game of hide and seek, settling down in Vancouver.

Back in custody, Broyles ‘fessed up to his crime and will now spend over four years in a small, locked room after which he will be publicly branded as a sex offender.

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The spanish connection . . . Rudy Fernandez dunks after a pass from Sergio Rodriguez

Hitting the snooze alarm proved costly for the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday night at the Rose Garden.  The Cats sleepwalked (or is it sleptwalk?) through the first period while the boys from the Rose City hit the floor at full blast, building an early lead they’d hold for the duration of the game.

Blazers Center Joel Pryzbilla and Guard Brandon Roy both told Oregonlive that Charlotte seemed tired from the opening whistle . . .  players weren’t fighting for loose balls and maybe lost a step or two in the speed side of the game.

That being said, the Blazers seemingly mixed their Gatorade with espresso as they put up the 88-74 victory with ease, including yet another double-double for rookie Greg Oden.

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Savings lives AND the environment, just two of the claims residents of 12617 SW Walnut can claim these days.  That’s the address of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue’s new fire station (Fire Station 50 as it says on its birth certificate).

The brand spanking new facility is the first new firehouse to open its doors in TVFR territory since the mid 90s and this one boasts some spiffy features.  It’s certified GOLD under the LEED rating system . . . which is a fancy way of saying it’s environmentally friendly.

Natural light, solar panels, rainwater capture, low emission, the list goes on.  Crews expect to offset the extra $75 grand spent on the green-friendly features with lowered utility bills.

But the men and women who call FS 50 home didn’t get much time to admire their new pad.  Over the weekend they responded to over a dozen calls.  You can check it out in person at the grand unveiling February 28th.

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Bill and Melinda Gates are upping their donations in 2009 by just a smidge . . . only about $500 Million.  

The Gates’ say their charitable fund lost 20% of its value in the recent economic crash, but as incredibly wealthy people they see it as their duty to help even more during these times of crisis.  The Gates Foundation, which was worth 35.1 Billion on October 1st, gave out $3.3 Billion in 2008.  There are no guarantees they will be able to maintain or increase further in 2010.

Betcha feel even better about buying that I-Pod now, eh?

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Someone in the state of Oregon is going to be a millionaire on March 17th.  Call it a mini-stimulus plan by the Oregon Lottery.  Anyone old enough to buy lotto tickets can plunk down 10 bucks a pop for one of the 250,000 tickets offered in the St Patrick’s Day raffle.

One person will win a cool million bucks while ten others will snag 20 grand and a THOUSAND will multiply their investment by ten (and walk out with $100).  

The odds of hitting the jackpot are a mere 1-250,000 which crushes the astronomical 1 in 195 million odds of hitting Powerball (Megabucks is 1 in 6 million).

Tickets are available at all Oregon Lottery locations.

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