BRIEFS

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

WAITSBURG - The Tour of Walla Walla, presented by Banner Bank, is looking for local volunteers for the cycling races April 15-17. The Tour is a four-stage, three-day race where nearly 600 riders from the U.S. and Canada will compete in the Walla Walla Valley.

Volunteers are needed as corner marshals, traffic control and race-support vehicles. Friday, the 15th, and Sunday, the 17th, volunteers are needed for Road Races in Waitsburg.

On Saturday the 16th, volunteers are needed in the morning for the individual Time Trial beginning at Walla Walla Community College and in the afternoon for the downtown Criterium. Volunteers will work in three to four-hour shifts.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Jeff Bolander at 301-3941, Greg Knowles at the Bicycle Barn at 529- 7860 or Mike Austin at Allegro Cyclery at 525-4949.

Visit www.tofww.org to find out detailed information about registration, the courses, lodging and best places to watch the races.

LIBERTY PLANS SPECIAL MOVIES

DAYTON - The Liberty Theater, in conjunction with the Touchet Valley Arts Council, announces a Farwell Celebration in honor of Reid Helford, theater manager for the last three years, on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Helford plans to leave the Liberty at the end of the month.

The community is invited to a free presentation of the film "My Life as a Dog" on April 20. A small reception will be held after the film to recognized Helford's contribution to the growth and development of the theater. Contact Helford at the theater, 382-1380, for more information.

In addition, the public is invited to a special fundraising event at the Liberty - another in a series of dinners and a movie in support of the theater - on Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m.

For $100, guests will sample wine and cheese, enjoy a private screening of the award-winning French animated film The Illusionist, followed by a meal of authentic French cuisine provided by the Weinhard Café. To reserve tickets, call 382-1380 or visit www.libertytheater.org.

REGISTER FOR KINDERGARTEN

DAYTON - If your child will be 5 years of age as of midnight August 31, plan to attend a gathering at Dayton Elementary School on Thursday, April 14, from 5:30- 7 p.m. Families may enjoy dinner, register their kindergartners, meet the teacher, tour the classroom, and receive parent tips on preparing their child for success. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6 p.m.

Items to bring with you if possible include an official birth certificate and your child's immunization (shot) records. Offi cial birth certificates for the state of Washington are available at Columbia County Public Health at 1002 South 3rd Street (382-2181). Contact Dallas or Angie at the elementary school (382-2507) if you have questions.

PRESCHOOL OPENS ENROLLMENT

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg Parent Cooperative Preschool will start open enrollment for fall 2011 on Monday, April 11. Interactive, hands-on parent child classes for fall will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-11 a.m. in Preston Hall for children ages 3-5. Tuition is $75 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $25. Partial scholarships are available. Open house will be at the preschool on Thursday, April 14, for enrolling children and families for fall 2010.

For more information on this program or to reserve a space at the open house, call the Walla Walla Community College Parent Child Center at 527-4237.

FACEBOOK SEMINAR IN DAYTON

DAYTON - The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce will offer a free Facebook Seminar on Monday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at the Dayton Library in the Delany Meeting Room.

Online/social media coordinator Jeremy Gonzalez will show guests how and why they need to use social media like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to grow their businesses.

Please RSVP to Colleen Streeter at 509-526-8333 or Colleenstreeter@wwub.com or call Claudia Nysoe at the Dayton Chamber at 382-4825.

EMERGENCY MANAGER RESIGNS

WALLA WALLA - Gay Ernst, Walla Walla County Emergency Management Director, has advised the Board of County Commissioners of her plans to resign from that position effective April 29.

Ernst, who assumed the director position in April 2008, has overseen emergency preparedness planning for the entire county, including the incorporated cities. Her department is responsible for preparing, coordinating and assisting with disaster response plans for the county. Under her leadership, Walla Walla County became the first county in the Pendleton Weather Service coverage area within the state of Washington to receive designation as a "StormReady" county.

As of this writing, there have been no discussions regarding how this vacancy will be filled.

GET READY FOR ANNUAL SKI BASH

DAYTON - Ski Bluewood will host its 25th annual Bash, marking the last day of the ski season on Sunday, April 10. The fun-filled family day will include pond skimming, polar jump, a free-style motorcycle exhibition, sumo wrestling, family games and the traditional beer garden.

The bash started a quarter century ago under then-owners Stan and nancy Goodell during the 1983-84 season and was missed only three times due to flooding or low snowfall. The new owners led by Mike and Kelly Stephenson said they are committed to continue the season-ending ritual unabated.

Specially designed T-shirts will be handed out until their supply lasts. The day will feature BBq and music. The event is sponsored by Sterling Bank, Skyline Auto Parts and Woody's Bar & Grill.