BRIEFS

MISSION BANQUET FEB. 12

DAYTON - You're invited to the "Sharing Your Hearts Banquet," a fundraiser for a Baby Feeding Program in Africa and a Women's Mission Team to Nicaragua Saturday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Seneca Building in Dayton.

Tickets are $15 per person and $25 for couples and will feature "Nifty Fiftys" songs presented by Cougar Henderson. For more information, call Donnie Henderson at 509- 337-6569.

FREE TAX HELP

WALLA WALLA - AARP announces free tax help for taxpayers with low and moderate income with special attention to those age 60 and older. At the Walla Walla Center at the Park, 720 Sprague, aid is available by appointment only Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Walkins welcome Monday 4-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 27-3775 for appointments. At the Blue Mountain Action Council, 342 Catherine, help by appointment is offered Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays may be available as needed. Call 529-4980 for appointment.

DONATIONS WANTED

DAYTON - Items to auction and cash are needed for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce annual live auction and beer and wine social.

Blue Mountain Brix & Brew Festival is March 11, but the chamber is seeking items for its auction or money to buy items.

Best-selling items include weekend getaway packages, tickets to plays or sporting events, art and specialty dinners by groups or individuals.

Donations may be mailed to the chamber at 166 E. Main St., Dayton WA 99328, or dropped off at the chamber office or at the Puget Sound Energy office, 307 E. Main St.

Call 382-4825 for donation ideas or to have items picked up.

BANK CLOSES WINERY

WALLA WALLA - On Friday the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office seized Whitman Cellars, LLC, in Walla Walla and all of its property, including the winery facility, inventory, and other assets. The seizure arises from a lawsuit filed earlier this week by Community Bank against Whitman Cellars and its owners. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants defaulted on several loans.

The doors are closed effective immediately. A deputy sheriff was present when the locks to the Whitman Cellars building were changed. Community Bank is in the process of obtaining a court-appointed receiver to sell the assets.

Community Bank initiated legal action reluctantly, but it was necessary, the bank stated in a press release Friday. After Whitman Cellars' default, Community Bank attempted to work with Whitman Cellars and its owners to develop voluntary arrangements for paying the debt. Unfortunately, these efforts were not successful, according to the bank.

WASTE COMMITTEE POSITION OPEN

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla County is seeking persons interested in serving as a representative for the Business/ Industry area on the Walla Walla County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

While applicants do not need to have any specialized knowledge of waste management, the SWAC is particularly interested in seeking representation from businesses that are either large volume waste producers or have waste that can be categorized as special in terms of how it needs to be processed or addressed. Ultimately, the person representing the Business/Industry interests will act as a liaison between the commercial sector needs throughout the County and the waste planning recommendations of the Solid Waste Management Plan.

Currently the SWAC is reviewing and updating the Walla Walla County Solid Waste Management Plan and members will need to regularly participate in monthly meetings lasting approximately 1 ½ hours each. For further information on the role of the SWAC, please contact Melissa Warner, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Walla Walla at 524-4549.

The application form may be obtained from the Walla Walla County Commissioner's Office, County Public Health and Legislative Building 314 W. Main, Walla Walla, on the County website www.co.walla-walla.wa.us, or by calling 524-2505. Application deadline is February 15.

COUNTY PLANNING VACANCY

WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants to fill one position on the Walla Walla County Planning Commission, as Planning Commission

Applications from residents residing in any area of the county (within either District 1, District 2, or District 3 County Commissioner boundaries) will be considered to fill the upcoming vacancy. Information for applicants, the application form, and a questionnaire to be completed as part of the application process will all be available on the county's website (www.co.walla-walla.wa.us), or interested persons can contact the county commissioners' office at 509-524-2505.

Applications can be obtained from the County website (www.co.walla-walla.wa.us), or the Walla Walla County Commissioners' Office (Public Health and Legislative Building, 314 W Main/P.O. Box 1506, Walla Walla), or by calling the Commissioners' Office at (509) 524-2505. A brief supplemental questionnaire to be answered by each applicant is also part of the initial application process. Completed application packets must be returned to the county commissioners' office by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011 via mail, fax, or emailed to wwcocommissioners@ co.walla-walla.wa.us. Interviews will likely be conducted by the county commissioners.