BRIEFS

ANIMAL CONTROL CODE

WAITSBURG - Last week, the Waitsburg City Council discussed changes to the Animal Control Code. The code is in draft form and suggested updates include turning outstanding fees over to collections. Also, City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the Humane Society will now act as animal control within the city. The cost should be similar to what the city paid to have an animal control officer - a position that was eliminated months ago. The council also set fees for nuisance dogs to $100, $200 and $300 per offense, per dog. The council did not approve the changes and will re-visit the code changes at its next meeting.

POND AND GARDEN TOUR

WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla Community Hospice will host its annual Pond and Garden Tour on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This hospice fund raising event is a self-guided tour of 10 gardens in the Walla Walla area. It is a delightful tour of unique and creative gardens incorporating ponds, creeks and other water features. Tickets for this event include a tour map and provide entrance to all 10 gardens. Other features will include a raffle for pond and garden acces- sories, featured vendors of garden art, musicians and "Artists in the Garden". Tickets are limited, and must be purchased in advance. Cost is $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased after August 8 at Bright's Candies & Gifts, 11 E. Main Street or at the WWCH Office at 1067 Isaacs Avenue. Tickets may also be mailed for credit card orders placed by phone to (509) 525-5561 ($2 per order shipping and handling). More details about the Pond and Garden Tour are available on the web at www.wwhospice.org or www.facebook.com/wallawal- lahospice. Walla Walla Community Hospice is a non-profit organization committed to providing quality hospice care to adults and children facing a limited life expectancy. No patient is denied hospice services for financial reasons. All proceeds from the Pond and Garden Tour will be used toward providing quality hospice care in Walla Walla, Columbia and Northeast Umatilla counties.

NEW SUPPORT GROUP

WALLA WALLA -- A new grief support group sponsored by Walla Walla Community Hospice will begin in Septem- ber. The group will begin Sept. 5 and will continue weekly through Nov. 7. The group will meet from 6 - 7:30 p.m. The WWCH bereavement team will facilitate the group. The book "Understanding Your Grief" by Dr. Allan Wolfelt is used as a guideline. There is no charge, but participants are encouraged to register by calling the WWCH office at 525-5561 or by email to info@wwhospice.org before Aug. 31. Walla Walla Community Hospice is a non-profit organization committed to providing quality hospice care to adults and children fac- ing a limited life expectancy. Hospice care also addresses the needs of the patients' family members, including grief and bereavement counseling for up to 12 months following the death of a patient. Grief support groups are offered to anyone living in Walla Walla, Columbia or northeast Umatilla Coun- ties, not just the family members of hospice patients.

CHORAL CONCERTS COMING UP

WALLA WALLA -- The Walla Walla Choral Society is announcing the formation of a new, select Chamber Choir to perform with the Choral Society throughout its upcoming concert season. The Walla Walla Choral Society Chamber Choir will perform at each of this season's Choral Society concerts starting with "A Trip Through Tin Pan Alley" in October, followed by "On This Shining Night" in December with guest conductor Paul Dennis. A special spring concert, "A Gwyneth Walker Portrait," follows in March of 2013, and the season is capped off as the Choral Society joins the Walla Walla Symphony for Verdi's "Requiem" in May. In addition to the Choral Society's four concerts, the Chamber Choir will also perform on other occasions as the Walla Walla Choral Society's outreach ambassadors to the community. The Chamber Choir is open to returning Choral Society sing- ers and new singers by audition only. Auditions will be held Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the choir room of the Melvin K West Fine Arts Building at Walla Walla University. Singers interested in auditioning can contact Artistic Direc- tor and Conductor, Christine Janis at 509-525-8586 for more information and to schedule an audition time.

LODGING TAX COMMITTEE OPENINGS

WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla County is seeking ap- plicants to fill at least two vacant positions on the County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Members of the commit- tee make recommendations to the Board of County Com- missioners regarding disposition of the tax revenue collected for tourism promotion, in compliance with state statute and advisory guidelines. Members serve without compensation. Meetings of the committee are held on an "as-needed" basis. Applications can be obtained from the county website (www. co.walla-walla.wa.us), Walla Walla County Commissioners' Office, County Public Health and Legislative Building, 314 West Main/P.O. Box 1506, Walla Walla, or by calling the Commissioners' Office at (509) 524-2505. Interested per- sons are encouraged to call or email (wwcocommissioners@ co.walla-walla.wa.us) with questions. Applications must be returned to the County Commissioners' office no later than Sept. 10. As a part of the final selection process, all applicants may be interviewed by the Board of County Commissioners, the appointing authority.

DUTCH OVEN COOKING CONTEST

WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days is pleased to announce the return of the very popular Dutch Oven Cooking Contest and Demonstrations for the 2012 fair. In 2011, the fair introduced fairgoers to Dutch oven cooking as a trial, and due to its success and popularity, it is back again. All events will take place at the south end of the grandstands.

Friday's demonstration times will be 11:30, 1:30, and 3:30. Sunday's times are 1, 3, and 5 p.m. Saturday is the biggest day, the day of the official Dutch Oven Cook-off, which has been sanctioned as an IDOS (International Dutch Oven Society) qualifying event. Only 50 tickets are available, and last year they sold out almost immediately. Judges will be able taste all the contestants' food and pick their favorite bread, main dish, and dessert. For more information please contact the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds at 509-527- 3247, email wwdo@pocketinet.com or "like" us on Face- book, Frontier Days Dutch Oven Cook-Off.