BRIEFS

MASS BAND IS WEDNESDAY WAITSBURG -- High School MASS Band and Choir is coming once again to Waitsburg High School on Wednes- day, Oct. 24. Southeast Washington's small schools send their high school musicians to a very special annual event called "MASS." The groups all learn the same pieces of music, then come together for an afternoon of rehearsal and an evening concert. The groups are large, and the music thrilling. This year's conductors are the legendary directors of Walla Walla High School's band and choir, Mr. Glen Mitchell and Mr. Paul Dennis. The MASS con- cert will take place in the Waitsburg High School gym, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The valley community is cordially invited to see and hear your Prescott, Dayton and Waitsburg High School musicians perform, along with scores of students from around southeast Washington. A modest admission will be charged.

VETERAN'S DAY PROGRAM WAITSBURG -- The theme for this year's Waitsburg High School's Veteran's Day program is honoring our past and our present. Roseann Groom is looking for pictures of WHS graduates who are currently serving in the U.S. military. She is requesting pictures and information about WHS military members for this program. Families can send photos and information to her at rgroom@waits- burgsd.org. The program will be Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the WHS Auditorium. Any information will be helpful.

SWEET ADELINES CONCERT WAITSBURG -- Please join the Sweet Adelines for an exciting evening of entertainment for the entire family. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 and Satur- day, Oct. 27 at the Walla Walla Community College Perform- ing Arts Center. Locals appearing in the show are Margaret Terry, Jan Nealey, Marilyn Johnson, Vanessa Leamy and Barb Knopp. In addition to the Blue Mountain Chorus and quartets, and crowd-pleasing entertainer Kevin Loomer, we are happy to welcome some of the Walla Walla Valley's talented younger performers - Amber Randall, Chloe Pearson, Daisy Schoen, Elena Janis, Cougar Henderson, Nathan Loomer, Michael Dandrea and Brad Willcuts. George Kovach is the accom- panist. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. They are available from Book and Game, from the Whit- man College Bookstore, and from Blue Mountain Chorus members. You may also order tickets on line at http://blue- mountainchorus2012.eventbrite.com, or access the link on our home page at www.sweetadelinesww.com . Tickets will also be available at the door, but seating is limited.

DAYTON FALL CLEANUP DAYTON - The City of Dayton alley cleanup will begin Nov. 13, starting at the north end of town and working south. All material picked up must be compostable like garden waste, vines, shrub and tree trimmings. Shrub and tree trimmings must not be larger than 2.5 inches across at the largest end, about the size of the end of a pop can. No grass clippings, sod, dirt, rocks, bricks, garbage, roofing, metal, etc. If we come by and your items are not out, we will not come back for them. A maximum time limit of 15 minutes per stop will be imposed. After 15 minutes, the crew will move on. Any items remaining will be the property owner's responsibility. The city crew is not picking up bagged leaves. Basin Dis- posal will be picking up bagged leaves. The regular Monday and Thursday route driver will not pick up leaves, a separate truck will pick up bagged leaves so have them ready. The dates for bagged leaves to be picked up will be Nov. 21, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, all of the leaf pickup dates are on Wednesdays. For any questions, contact Jim or Sal at 382-2361 or 382- 4571.

BUDGET REQUESTS MEETING SET WALLA WALLA -- The Walla Walla County Com- missioners will review and discuss the preliminary 2013 Walla Walla County Budget and requests from county elected officials and department heads, as well as the process to balance the budget, at a meeting to which the public is invited and encouraged to attend. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 30, beginning at 6 p.m., in the commissioners' meeting room, room 203, Walla Walla County Public Health and Legislative Building, 314 West Main, Walla Walla. The preliminary 2013 budget as submitted is currently $1.9 million out of bal- ance, expenditure requests over anticipated revenue. The county commissioners are charged with the preparation of a balanced final budget for adoption subsequent to a public hearing on the finalized budget. (By statute that hearing is held the first Monday in December; this year the hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 2.) As part of their continuing effort to ensure citizens con- venient access to public information regarding county government operations, the county commissioners wish to invite citizens to this public meeting.

POLITICAL FORUM WALLA WALLA - A political forum will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29, at the Reid Center Ballroom at Whitman College. In the spirit of the electoral season, and with an eye to improving political discourse, the Walla Wal- la Diversity Coalition is pleased to announce that the theme of this October's Freedom From Discrimination Month is respect for civil discourse amid diverse political thought. The coalition, in cooperation with Whitman College's Inter- cultural Center and the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, invites the public to a panel discussion promoting and discussing polite politics, "The Future of American Politics: Civil- ity vs. Gridlock." Dr. Steve Rubin, chair of the coalition, will moderate a guest panel including local representatives from various political persuasions. Before the discussion, Professor David Schmitz, Chairman of History at Whitman College, will deliver a brief history of U.S. political parties. This is not a debate. Following the discussion, refreshments will be provided as well as an opportunity for audience members to carry on the conversation with panelists. This event is free and open to the public.