BRIEFS

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Parent Cooperative Preschool is hosting an open house on Wednesday, March 21 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Preston Hall. Come visit with your child. Spots can be reserved for next year's new families starting March 21st. Also, parents can join classes and learn new parenting skills to build stronger and healthier families. Preschool is for families with children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Classes meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. beginning in September. Parents participate in the classroom three times per month and attend a required Parent Education meeting in the evening monthly. Please call Laurie Withers at 527-4237 or 520-4830 for more information.

TOWN HALL VALENTINE'S DINNER

WAITSBURG -- The Board of Directors of the Waitsburg Town Hall invite you to join them for a Valentine's Day dinner, Tuesday, Feb. 14. Cost per person is $20 and includes prime rib dinner with baked potato, vegetable, salad, bread, cheesecake and complimentary glass of sparkling wine or cider. Waitsburg Town Hall doors open at 6 p.m., dinner service starts at 6:30 p.m. Town Hall is located on Waitsburg's Main Street, 121 Main. Pianist Bill Kinney will entertain during dinner and dancing. Gift baskets will be auctioned for enjoyment and/or Valentine's Day procrastinators. Tickets are available in advance from any Town Hall board member, at American West Bank Waitsburg and Hugs, Gifts & Collectibles in Waitsburg. Proceeds go to support the maintenance and operations of Waitsburg Town Hall Association. Call Doris Huffman at 337-6186 for more information.

CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER

DAYTON -- the Liberty Theater's second annual Casino Night is Saturday, Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. to midnight in the Seneca Community Building in Dayton. Poker, blackjack, and roulette are just a few of the games people can play that night, and there is food and drink. The event is for those 21 and older. There is no door charge.

FAIRGROUNDS MEETING

DAYTON -- The next meeting community members interested in maintaining and supporting the Columbia County Fairgrounds will be held Feb. 9 in the Delany Building basement, starting at 6:30 p.m. Any community member having a willingness to assist in this effort is encouraged to attend. Persons having questions prior to the meeting may contact Roland at 382 2778 or Commissioner Dick Jones.

HARVEST CHRISTIAN BANQUET

DAYTON - The Harvest Christian Center will hold a banquet at the church in Dayton at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11. A baked ham dinner will be served and entertainment will be provided by Abby Chatman and Mollie Weppler. The speaker will be Pastor Tony Syles. A silent auction will be held as well. The proceeds will benefit mission work with women and children in Nicaragua. Tickets are $25 per couple and $15 per individual. To purchase, call 337-6569 or 520-2000.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR RESCHEDULED

DAYTON -- The Leadership Development seminar sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce has been rescheduled for Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The seminar had been canceled from the original January date due to weather conditions. Presenting this seminar will be Jenny Scott of Northwest Leadership Strategies. She will cover topics such as board organization, development and assessment, roles and responsibilities of volunteer boards, and bringing on new members and planning for succession.

This seminar is open to any community member who currently serves on a volunteer board or would like to serve. Preregistration is required by calling the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at 382-4825. The seminar is being co-sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, Columbia County Community Network and SEWEDA. There is no fee for the seminar; however a donation for lunch will be requested.

EVENING OF COLE PORTER

WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla Symphony will be presenting Valentine - An Evening of Cole Porter at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14 at Cordiner Hall. Maerstro Yaacov Bergman conducts favorites including "Don't Fence Me In," "Night and Day" and "I Get A Kick Out Of You." A half-hour Inside the Music pre-concert dinner will be held at the Green Spoon at 5 p.m. Dinner is $40 per person. Tickets for the concert and dinner are available at www.wwsymphony,org or by calling 509-529-8020.

JULIA CHILD COOK-OFF PART TROIS

The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is seeking entries for the third annual Julia Child Cook-Off, to be held Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center.

The featured dish for the Cook-Off -Part Trois - is cassoulet, a white bean dish made with various cuts of meat and poultry. Amateur chefs prepare the dish at home, then bring it to the Marcus Whitman Hotel for presentation and judging by local professional chefs. Prizes are awarded to the top three dishes, with special recognition for the youngest chef entry. Adaptations and substitutions are encouraged.