BRIEFS

WAITSBURG IN SUNSET MAGAZINE WAITSBURG - The town of Waitsburg was picked as one of five "Wine Country Dream Towns" by Sunset magazine. The monthly's February issue lists Waitsburg as the only Washington state location on the list that's topped by Mc- Minnville, Ore., followed by Geyserville, Calif., Ojai, Calif., and Paonia, Colo. "Twenty minutes north of Walla Walla, it (Waitsburg) has a tiny Main Street backed by golden hills," according to the magazine. "There's also a growing handful of businesses, like the jimgermanbar, a magnet for classic cocktails." The reference to Waitsburg includes the city's website and lists the average home price as $147,500.

NBA STAR'S VISIT CANCELED DAYTON - A visit from former NBA star A.C. Green to Ski Bluewood scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled. Organizers said Green, who was slated to come to the mountain Saturday, will not be coming. Ski Bluewood offi cials said they are still hopeful former NBA co-star Shawn Kemp will return to the resort some time this season but had no further details yet.

LOCALS WIN BEST OF THE BEST WALLA WALLA - Three local businesses were selected by readers of the Walla Walla Union Bulletin for the being the Best of the Best in their category. Dayton's Jill Andrews won for being the best riding instructor, Frog Hollow Band from Waitsburg and Prescott for being the best local band, and Waitsburg's Coyote Custom Cabinets for being the best cabinet maker/wood workers. The 2012 Best of the Best edition of the Union Bulletin came out Sunday.

FAIRGROUNDS MEETING DAYTON -- The next meeting community members interested in maintaining and supporting the Columbia County Fairgrounds will be held Feb. 9 in the Delany Building basement, starting at 6:30 p.m. Any community member having a willingness to assist in this effort is encouraged to attend. Persons having questions prior to the meeting may contact Roland at 382 2778 or Commissioner Dick Jones.

NEALEY HOLDS TOWN HALL DAYTON -- Rep. Terry Nealey, R-Dayton, invites local residents to participate in a telephone town hall meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The telephone town hall works much like a radio call-in talk show. Residents may dial-in to learn what is currently happening in Olympia, ask questions, participate in surveys, or just listen in. If you would like to join the conversation please call 1-877-229-8493 and enter code 15516. You can contact Rep. Nealey at (360)786-7828 or visit his Web site at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Nealey.

PRESCOTT PARKS BOARD OPENING PRESCOTT -- Applicants are being sought for a commissioner opening on the Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District Board. This is a junior taxing district located in North Walla Walla County and a small portion of Western Columbia County. Applicants must live in the Prescott School District, which is the same footprint as the park and recreation district map. Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in Prescott. Please include in the letter of application statements that describe any special skills or knowledge that would be an asset to the board. List any other board or volunteer activities and why the applicant is interested in serving on this board. Letters of application need to be mailed to PJPRD, P. O. Box 30, Prescott, WA 99348 or emailed to prescottparkrec@gmail.com. Deadline for receipt of letters of interest is Monday, Feb. 6. Any questions about this position, please email prescottparkrec@gmail.com.

ANNUAL MEETING COMING UP WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla Watershed Management Partnership is having its annual meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Walla Walla Community College's William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center. The partnership works to solve water management issues in the Walla Walla and Touchet rivers, Mill Creek and other local tributaries. Information, call 509-524-5216.

FIRST THURSDAY CONCERT WALLA WALLA -- A First Thursday concert will be held Feb. 2 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 323 Catherine Street, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Josh Melander, a violin student of Dr. Susan Pickett, will be performing works by Vivaldi, Franck and de Falla. He will be accompanied on the piano by Melissa Loehnig of the Whitman College Music Department. The concert is free. Donations are accepted and will go directly to the Blue Mountain Humane Society as requested by the performer. For information contact Tanya Hunker at 529-1083.