BRIEFS

CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES WAITSBURG - The community is invited to the Waitsburg Elementary School Christmas music programs. Kindergarten through second graders will perform "A Bugz Christmas: A Holiday Musi- cal Infestation" by John Jacobson and John Higgins. Third through fifth graders will perform "A Pirate Christmas: A Holiday Musical For Young Voices" by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson. The concert is at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13, in the Waitsburg High School Auditorium.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA DAYTON -- The Christmas Cantata "Christmas Alleluia" will be presented by the Dayton United Brethren Church this at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 and again at 10:45 a.m., 1106 S. 4th, Dayton. All are invited.

SHOEBOX UPDATE DAYTON -- A record number of 12,642 Opera- tion Christmas Child Shoeboxes were packed and given to the 2012 collection by individuals, groups, clubs and churches in the East Oregon/Tri-Cities, Washington region. This topped last year's total collection of 11,410 shoeboxes by 1,232. The Day- ton-Waitsburg area gathered a whopping 188 shoe- boxes, compared to 108 last year! Karen Dyball of Dayton coordinated the area's collection drive. Shoeboxes are filled with toys and personal items for children in Third World and war-torn countries. During the week of Nov. 12-19, they were taken to local relay centers in churches and businesses, then hauled to Bethel Church in Richland. There, they were individually checked to ensure there no liquids, chocolate (which can melt), or war-themed toys. Shoeboxes from eastern Oregon and Tri-Cities region will be distributed to needy children in the Philippines, Peru, Panama, Mongolia and Nepal.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE LIBRARY DAYTON - The Dayton Memorial Library will host a free New Year's Eve party for all ages at the library at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve at the library. There will be games/Legos, family movies and dancing. Please bring a finger food to share and your own non-alcoholic beverage.

MORE LIBERTY SHOWS DAYTON -- Even as the dust still swirls from the Liberty Theater's triumphant fall musical "Annie," bustling activity can be seen and heard onstage and behind the scenes in anticipation of two upcoming musicals. Director Bev Startin and her six Little Sisters of Hoboken who entertained us with "Nun- sense," are currently in rehearsals for the sequel "Nunsense II," which runs January 18 - 21. Tickets for the six performances go on sale Friday, Dec. 14. TVAC Productions has scheduled auditions for its Spring Variety Show, "The Good, The Bad, and Everything Elsehellip;" on Tuesday, Dec.11, Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15. Director Suzanne Williams is looking forward to bringing her vision of a musical evening filled with songs performed by many of the great Broadway heroes and villains to the Liberty, and is asking for anyone interested in trying out for the show to contact the theater at (509) 382-1380 or via email to info@libertytheater.org to schedule an audition time. More information on these shows, auditions and other Liberty Theater events can be found at www.libertytheater.org.

SHERIFF'S ROUNDTABLE WALLA WALLA -- The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office says it is committed to community and holds ongoing quarterly community meetings so that the leaders of the Sheriff's Office can visit directly with the people they are privileged to serve. Each quarter, the sheriff, and/or a member of his command staff, will host a meeting in the local area. It encourages community members to come on out, learn what's new with your sheriff's office and participate in community discussions on how the sheriff's office can serve you better. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 in the Prescott School Library. These meetings will last about an hour. All are welcome.

FIRST THURSDAY CONCERT WALLA WALLA -- St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 323 Catherine Street, Walla Walla, will offer a First Thursday concert on Dec. 6, from 12:15-12:50 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The Walla Walla Valley Academy choir and orchestra will be performing a selection of sacred and secular holiday music. The directors are Jeremy Irland and Ben Gish. The event is free. Donations are gratefully accepted and will be given to the Rising Sun Clubhouse, the charity of the performers' choice.