BRIEFS

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.

HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD RETREAT

DAYTON - The board of commissioners for the Columbia County Health System will hold a retreat from 1 to 5 p.m. on March 22 in Dayton. The public is invited to attend the workshop. The board will discuss the goals of the district, as well as coming up with a new set of values. The location of the retreat is still to be determined. Those interested in attending can learn the location of the retreat by calling 509- 382-2531.

BRIX & BREW FUNDRAISER

DAYTON -- On Friday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m., the Dayton Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the annual Brix and Brew Festival and Benefit Auction. It will be held at the Running T Ranch on the North Touchet River Road. There will be delicious foods catered by The Weinhard Cafe, local beers and regional wines, as well as auction items such as vacations, jewelry, Mariner baseball tickets and other merchandise donated by citizens and businesses to support the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

Transportation will be available from Columbia County Transportation for the additional price of $3. Buses will leave from the bus garage at 507 W. Cameron Street at 5 p.m. The buses will return to town several times during the evening. Have questions or want to buy an event ticket? Contact the Dayton Chamber of Commerce: 509-382-4825. Ticket prices are $30 each.

FALL MUSICAL INPUT NEEDED

DAYTON -- The Touchet Valley Arts Council Productions team is seeking ideas for the 2012 Fall Musical. If you have a particular musical you would like to see on our stage, we'd like to know. And if you would like to get involved, as an actor, director or stagehand, we want to hear from you.

Email your ideas to the Liberty Theater at info@libertytheater.org or mail to Liberty Theater, PO Box 233, Dayton, WA 99328 by March 1.

TVAC Productions will hold an open meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Liberty Theater Annex to discuss plans. Contact Kirsten at (509) 382-1380 or by email at manager@libertytheater.org 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.

SHAKESPEARE WALLA WALLA

WALLA WALA -- On Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, at 7:30 p.m., Shakespeare Walla Walla will host a fundraiser Piano Bar at the Power House Theatre. Each evening will be packed with audience participation, including singalongs, an open mic opportunity and games like Name that Tune with prizes. Music will range from the best of Broadway to Sinatra to classic rock to sing-along favorites and more. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and are general admission. Seating will be on the main floor only, so tickets are limited. Tickets may be purchased online at www.shakespearewallawalla.org; by calling (509) 529-6500; or in person at the Power House Theatre box office at 6th and Rose in Walla Walla, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3 - 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on show days; and at the Visitor's Center Ticket Window at 26 E Main.