BRIEFS

BMX ON THE AGENDA

WAITSBURG - During the Waitsburg City Council meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Lions Club Community Building, city leaders will discuss the BMX track site location. They will also take their annual look at utility rates to determine whether an increase is indicated.

The city will discuss adoption of the Walla Walla County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This emergency management plan, which has not been updated in several years, pertains to Waitsburg primarily on flooding issues. City councilors will also discuss payment for Alpine Industries, which has nearly completed maintenance to fortify the dike at the fairgrounds constructed some time ago to protect that end of town from flooding on Coppei Creek.

"Basically part of the dike blew out in the '96 flood," city clerk Randy Hinchliffe said. "The city's response plan indicated this area needed improvements. This section of the dike was all we could afford for now."

SHARING YOUR HEARTS

DAYTON - You are invited to have some fun while contributing to a worthy cause.

"Sharing Your Hearts" is a big fundraiser supporting two overseas aid programs. The first is a Baby Feeding Program in Zambia. The second is this year's Women's Mission Team to Nicaragua that includes Waitsburg's Donnie Henderson and Marilyn Johnson, who went last year.

The "Sharing Your Hearts" banquet will feature "Nifty Fiftys" dance music from Cougar Henderson and a baked ham dinner. Ticket prices are $15 per person and $25 for couples. For more information, call Donnie Henderson at 509-337-6569, Lola Hershey at 509-382-1539 or C.J. Horlacher at 509-337-6717. Tickets are also available at the Wenaha Gallery.

SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT

DAYTON - Touchet Valley Arts Council Productions and the Liberty Theater announce an information meeting Thursday, Jan. 20, on the coming Spring Variety Show. The gathering will take place at 7 p.m. in the Liberty Theater Annex. Attendees are asked to enter through the back of the building.

All ages are welcome to come learn about plans for this year's variety show and ways they can participate. No auditions are required for this meeting.

Needed: actors, dancers, singers, backstage and tech crew, make-up and hairdressers.

The variety show will have three performances on March 18 and 19.

DISTRICT NEEDS DRIVERS

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg School District is looking for substitute drivers.

It has at least two positions open for candidates who are interested in driving school bus for as many as 20 hours per week depending on the district's needs at any given time. Applicants need to have a Class B commercial driver's license, be 21 years or older, have a good record and be willing to take some additional driving courses and tests.

The pay rate is $15.84 per hours. Please call Colter Mohney at 509-520-7487.

NEW TOURISM NEWSLETTER

WALLA WALLA - In its effort to foster communication and interaction with its industry partners, stakeholders and the Walla Walla community, Tourism Walla Walla released its first-ever industry newsletter, "The Tourism Walla Walla Tribune," last week.

Readers will receive the Tribune monthly, keeping them abreast of current and future Tourism Walla Walla efforts and the latest developments in local and regional Tourism.

The initial issue contains stories on the Regional Signage Program, the success of the Wine Map, and highlights from the Annual Meeting, accompanied by photos and links for further information.

The Tribune is an in-house effort. It is Tourism Walla Walla's mission to not only support the local tourism industry through marketing, enhancement projects, and developing infrastructure, but also to ensure its stakeholders are informed. To subscribe to The Tourism Walla Walla Tribune, visit: http://www.tourismwallawalla.com/index.html.

CALL TO PRAYER

DAYTON - The next "Call to Prayer," sponsored by the Touchet Valley pastors, will be Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Blue Mountain Assembly of God Church, 311 S. 4th Street in Dayton.

Pastor Ben Compton is inviting people to attend this quarterly prayer meeting for the people of the Touchet Valley. "If you haven't joined us yet, I hope and pray you will. You do not want to miss out on what God is doing in the Touchet Valley," Compton said. "Imagine what God will do here if the faithful prayer warriors continue to lift their cry to heaven: 'Lord, revive your Body!'"