BRIEFS

WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

DAYTON -- Lose weight. Eat healthy foods. Quit smok- ing. Exercise daily. If you're like many people, you made these or similar pledges during the annual New Year's Day ritual of resolving to improve your health.

Of course, resolutions are easy to start; the challenge is sustaining them. The Columbia County Health System is aware of these challenges and is committed to making your resolutions a reality for life.

Studies show that social support is critical when changing behavior, especially after the first few weeks when your motiva- tion wavers. One on one support or a social setting may be what is needed in your efforts. That is why Columbia County Health System will offer a weight loss support program.

The weekly support group will include social support, an education series and an accountability component. The education series is a fun and easy way to get that extra boost of knowledge and motivation.

Developing healthy habits and changing behaviors can be very difficult. Looking ahead, having a plan, and developing a support system are what Columbia County Health System's free support group encourages.

The support group will be at 4 p.m. on Mon, Jan. 7, in the hospital business office conference room. Contact Jody Martin, 382-2531 ext. 333 for more information.

LIBRARY CARD REIMBURSEMENT

WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla County Rural Library District said it will reimburse Rural Library District patrons for library cards purchased at the Walla Walla Public Library in 2013. This will enable Rural Library District patrons to have continued access to the Public Library while the District's County Library and Administrative Center is being built to expand services for its constituency.

Walla Walla City Council authorized the Public Library to offer non-resident household cards for $68 a year, or $34 for half-year. At its December 10th meeting, the Rural Library District Board of Trustees authorized reimbursement to its residents who wish to purchase an annual card for their household.

Public Library and Rural Library District staff have worked together to put a system in place to accommodate those rural residents who wish to take advantage of this opportunity in 2013.

After January 1, a Rural Library District patron may go to the public library to purchase a card, which can be used by all family members for one year from date of purchase. Public Library staff will give them their card and a receipt of payment.

Purchasers may then bring their card and receipt to the Plaza Branch Library in the Plaza Mall or the Service Center at 37 Jade Avenue to apply for reimbursement. The Plaza Library is open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m - 4 p.m. Satur- day and Sunday. The Service Center is open 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Rural Library District is setting up a special bank account to expedite reimbursement to its patrons within two or three days of their request. However, due to initial setup required to activate this account, patrons who purchase cards and request reimburse- ment between January 1 and January 20 will receive their reim- bursement in the mail after January 20.

The Rural Library District and its patrons said they are very appreciative of this opportunity given by the city and its library for making this cooperative transition possible. It is a positive af- firmation of the two libraries' commitment to promote open access to library services in our community.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

DAYTON - Teeny McMunn will be leading a grief support group in Dayton from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Congregational Church at 214 S. Third Street in Dayton. The group will follow the Walla Walla Hospice format working with the book "Understanding Your Grief." Anyone struggling with grief is invited to consider joining the group. For more informa- tion, call McMunn at 386- 5287. McMunn also leads a group that meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays at the Congregational Church. The group has already worked through the book and is open to anyone interested in joining them.

COMMERCIAL CLUB MEETING

WAITSBURG -- The Waitsburg Commercial Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Waitsburg Town Hall. The meeting will feature Perry Dozier, Walla Walla County Commis- sioner, speaking about the state of the county. Please RSVP for dinner, $10.00 per person, or dessert only, $4.00 per person to 509 387-6546 or ikbakeve@charter.net. For more information, visit www.cityofwaitsburg.com or the Commercial Club Facebook page.