BRIEFS

PRESTON AVENUE CHIMNEY FIRE WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Fire Department responded to a call of a chimney fire Sunday evening about 7 p.m. that was under control with the aid of eight to 10 firefighters in less than 20 minutes, according to firefighters who were on the scene. The chimney fire occurred in a two-story, single-family home on Preston Avenue. All members of the family got out OK and there were very little flames or smoke. Fireman Colter Mohney said chimney fires occur when creosote builds on the inside of the chimney and can ignite. Regular cleanings can prevent chimney fires.

REPTILE MAN WAITSBURG - Scott Petersen, the Reptile Man, will visit the Waitsburg High School gym at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 5. Petersen will bring a king cobra, alligator snapping turtle, albino python, American alligator, large diamondback rattlesnake and many more. Admission is $1 per person. Photos with reptiles will be available. Petersen holds a degree in zoology and educations and is the current director of the Washington Serpentarium Reptile Zoo outside Monroe. For more information, visit his website at www.reptileman.com.

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 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.

AVIARY FUNDRAISER WALLA WALLA -- The Friends of Pioneer Park Aviary are continuing with their fundraising efforts with plans for two events to take place this spring. The fall yard sale held at the aviary was such a huge success that the group decided to hold another one in May. Quality donations, large and small, are now being accepted. Whether you are spring cleaning, down-sizing, renovating or you just want to donate, think about how much the birds will appreciate your efforts. Please call (509) 527-4403 for more information. Pickup for larger items can be arranged in advance. Currently, the friends have raised approximately $97,000 of the $110,000 needed for operations through 2012. They appreciate all the community has done for this unique facility that is home to over 200 birds. Another fundraiser is in the planning stages and will be announced in the near future.

IRRIGATION WORKSHOP AND FORUM WALLA WALLA - A free irrigation workshop and forum will be held March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walla Walla Community College Water and Environmental Center. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for those who RSVP by March 2. Topics include how to seize the opportunity to build your bottom-line, energy savings and water management technologies, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Local on-farm energy efficiency deployments and issues, rebates, incentives and cost sharing and new NRCS initiatives for electrical energy efficiency. To RSVP, call Walla Walla Conservation District at 509-522-6347 or the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Council at 509-337-8968.