Blue Mountain News - July-August 2010

Page 2 Blue Mountain NEWS July/August 2010

Table of ContentsFeature Article

News Briefs

10

8 & 9On the Cover

More45

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Almost all small rural hospitals struggle financially,” says Charlie Button, “and this one’s no different.” Button is CEO of the Columbia County Health System (CCHS), which includes Dayton General Hospital, Booker Rest Home and the Dayton and Waitsburg Clinics. What IS different, he hopes, is that, while many of the others may not survive, Dayton’s will.

With Cost Cuts and New Revenue Sources, CCHS Pulls Back from the Financial BrinkStory and Photos by Ken Graham

Comment

Letter

Calendar of Events

Photos

Business Directory

Meetings

One More Thing . . . : Commas, Coworkers, and Cute Little Bears by Ken Graham

Wheat fields stretch as far as the eye can see - the view from the top of Weinhard Hill (Photo by Ken Graham)

NewsCandidates File for Fall ElectionsCounty Passes ORV OrdinanceStationmaster Sculpture Reaches Funding Goal

5-7

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Blue Mountain News is mailed FREE toevery home and business in Dayton,Waitsburg, Starbuck and Prescott.

Also available at fine retailers throughout the area.Subscriptions out of the area are $12 per year.

Blue Mountain News is published ten times per year by:Back of the Moon Press, 242 E. Main St., Dayton, WA 99328

Ken GrahamEditor and Publisher(509) [email protected]

Tanya PattonAssociate Editor &Advertising Representative(509) 382-4458(509) [email protected]

Vanessa HeimGraphic Designer

(509) 540-2752www.bluemtnnews.com

Copyright © 2010 by Back of the Moon PressNo part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

July/August 2010 Blue Mountain NEWS Page 3


Letters Invited

Blue Mountain News welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our overall readership.

Letters should be 400 words or less and should be submitted by the 20th of the month. We reserve the right to edit or decline letters.

Please send to:[email protected] or 242 E. Main St., Dayton, WA 99328

Comment

In 2003, the Columbia County Hospital District had an eye-popping net loss of nearly $1.2

million. This is for an organization with an annual budget of less than $10 million. Between 2001 and 2007, its accumulated losses added up to about $3 million.

For a couple of months in 2003, the Hospital District did not have enough money in the bank to meet month-end payroll. Negotiations were ongoing with the District’s lenders to provide enough credit to keep the doors open at Dayton General Hospital. In March of 2004, the District’s accounts payable exceeded $1 million, and it was carrying more than $1 million in additional debt. At the end of that month, less than $60,000 was in the bank. The word “dire” doesn’t even begin to describe the financial picture at the Columbia County Health District six years ago.

Things began to turn around in 2004 when a new CEO and Chief Financial Officer were hired. Current CEO Charlie Button took over in

early 2008. In the past two years, he has made serious changes – many would call them “drastic” – to speed up financial recovery. Among other things, employment levels have been reduced by nearly ten percent.

In purely dollar terms, the measures have worked. In 2009, the District had a positive income of about $570,000. This allowed it to pay down nearly half its accumulated debt. Cash on hand in May of this year was over $800,000, with accounts payable about half that. Bills are now being paid on time.

Our feature article, beginning on page 10, provides much more detail about how the financial performance of the Hospital District has fared over the past ten years.

Despite the progress that administrators—at what is now known as the Columbia County Health System (CCHS)—have made to improve its financial health, it appears to many of us outsiders that the term “employee morale” is rapidly becoming an oxymoron there. No matter how much

the books have improved, this is a bad thing.

After the sudden termination of CCHS’s Director of Rural Health Clinics in May, an uproar ensued. Employees and their families became alarmed that their jobs could be taken from them without warning or any apparent reason. Concerns were raised that a high level of job insecurity among employees could threaten patient health and safety.

With some highly dramatic local newspaper coverage thrown into the mix, it’s not surprising that anger and emotion boiled over. At a regularly scheduled board meeting in late May, more than 100 current and former employees and other members of the public came to express their concerns. Many called for the firing of the CEO and the Director of Nursing Services (who has since resigned).

An organization like CCHS cannot function successfully unless its administrators are given a relatively free hand managing employees and making staffing decisions. The CCHS board has done the right thing in not micro-managing the CEO. But when the floodwaters of discontent among

For CCHS, the Needs of Patients, Employees, the Community and the Bottom Line Must All be Balanced – and That’s Hard


Comment Letter(Continued) Thanks to

Many Friends in DaytonDear Editor:

This is a letter to say goodbye and thank you to all the people of Dayton and the surrounding area. I spent almost seven years in Dayton and met a lot of great people. I have recently moved to Bellingham and want to say thank you to all the folks I met working for Elk Drug and those I met outside of work. I'd like to thank Paul and Marcene Hendrickson for giving me my first retail pharmacist job and for (as far as I can remember) never denying me a request for time off!

Also a big thank you and goodbye to my co-workers at the store. You guys were fantastic and I will remember my time at Elk Drug fondly. I really enjoyed serving the customers at the store and I wish all of you the best.

To those of you that I met and befriended outside of work, thank you for your kindness and friendship over the years. Keep in touch.

Dayton and the surrounding area is a beautiful place and I will miss it, though I'm happy to be close to my family and living back 'home'.

Jeff BunneyBellingham, WA

employees begin to spill over the banks, the board and other community members are also right to step up and ask questions.

An argument can surely be made that administrators cut too deeply too quickly. The health and safety of patients has to be the number one priority of the organization, and any cuts that put patients at risk would be unacceptable. But the hospital and clinics are highly regulated, and regular government inspections are made. While some changes were asked for in recent months, no findings have indicated that there are risks to patient health at CCHS. And despite recent claims of short staffing, overtime pay at the District has not increased significantly.

We hope our readers and other community members can understand that the CCHS management and board have many competing interests they must balance. If the hospital doors had had to close because of overwhelming debt, not only would the community have suffered a horrible blow with the loss of health services, but taxpayers would have been on the hook to cover that debt.

CCHS’s board and administrators should be applauded for the rapid progress they have made turning around its finances, despite the painful measures taken. Let’s also encourage them in their efforts to now turn around employee morale and make CCHS a place where employees want to work and where they stay. The management and board deserve a chance to make that happen. q

News

In June, challengers filed to take on the incumbents for the Prosecutor, Sheriff and District 3 Commissioner positions in this year's elections in Columbia County. Current

Prosecuting Attorney Rea Culwell, will face challenger Randy O. Lewis, and incumbent Sheriff Walt Hessler is challenged by Mark Franklin. In the lone Commissioner race this year, Chuck Reeves, who is seeking his fifth term, will face Chuck Amerein.

Culwell is a Kennewick native and Whitman College graduate who is completing her first term as Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney. She previously worked as a Senior Deputy Prosecutor in Benton County for four years. She will face Randy O. Lewis, who moved to Columbia County from Louisiana in 2002, where he practiced civil and criminal law for 30 years.

Sheriff Hessler, who was born and raised in Dayton, is also completing his first term. He first joined the Columbia County Sheriff’s office as a Deputy in 1989. Franklin is a 22-year law enforcement veteran, who has been a deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s office since 1999.

Reeves was first elected Commissioner in 1994. He and his wife, Kenny, have owned and operated Dayton Veterninary Clinic since 1990. Amerein finished a ten-year career in the U.S. Army in 1998 and moved to Columbia County in 2002. He is currently Commander of the Dayton American Legion Post.

Incumbents are running unopposed in all of the other county-wide positions in Columbia County, including Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk and District Court Judge. The box at right shows all of the positions up for election this year and the candidates who have filed.

According to Columbia County Auditor Sharon Richter, the names of all of the candidates who filed will appear on the primary ballot in August. And, for each race, the top two vote-getters will move

on to the November general election. No races will be decided in the primary.

In Walla Walla County, only two county-wide races will be contested this fall - Sheriff and Coroner, with three or more candidates for each. No one filed to oppose State Representative Terry Nealey, who is running for his first full term. One opponent has filed against State Representative Maureen Walsh. Complete lists of candidates who have filed for local and state elections this year can be found on the County Auditor web sites for Columbia and Walla Walla Counties.

The ballot deadline for the Primary Election is August 17th, and for the General Election it is November 2nd. q

Three Contested Races to Highlight Columbia County Fall ElectionsMultiple candidates have also filed for Sheriff and Coroner positions in Walla Walla County

OfficeAssessorAuditorTreasurerClerkProsecuting Attorney

District Court JudgeSheriff

Commissioner, District 3

CandidateChris Miller (I,R)Sharon Richter (I,R)Audrey McLean (I,R)Lynne Leseman (I,R)Rea Culwell (I,N)Randy O. Lewis (R)Scott Marinella (I,np)Walt Hessler (I,R)Mark Franklin (R)Chuck Reeves (I,R)Charles Amerein (R)

Candidate Filings in Columbia County(I=incumbent, R=Republican party preferred, N=No party preference, np=Non-partisan):

Blue Mountain Newswill not publish an

August issue.

We will see you in late August with our

September issue

Have a great summer!

Thank you for reading

Blue Mountain

News


In late May, about forty students from the After School Program at Dayton Elementary School took a tour at the Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility northeast of Dayton. PSE employees Anne Walsh and Jay Takemura explained the inner workings of the wind turbines and towers to the first- through sixth-graders. PSE owns and operates the wind farm which includes 87 wind turbines and opened in 2005.

News

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance allowing operators

of off road vehicles (ORVs) meeting certain conditions to travel a single route from the Dayton City Limits to the National Forest Boundary south of Dayton. The ordinance was adopted April 26th, after a public hearing.

ORVs are allowed to travel on Eckler Mountain Road, from the Dayton city limits at Mustard Street, to the intersection with Maloney Mountain Road, approximately 16 miles south of Dayton. They can then travel on Maloney Mountain Road about two miles to the Forest Service boundary.

Operators of ORVs traveling on designated public roads must meet specific requirements, including:

Operator must be 16 or over with a • valid driver’s license.

Operator must wear an approved • motorcycle helmet (unless ORV is equipped with a seat belt and roll cage).

ORV must be equipped with • headlight, taillight, mirror, adequate brakes and an approved muffler/spark arrestor.

Operator must observe all rules of • the road for vehicles and use manual hand signals for turning and stopping if ORV is not equipped with turn signals or brake lights.

Maximum speed limit for ORVs • on designated County roads is 35 mph.

The ordinance includes several other requirements relating to ORV operation. A copy of the ordinance can be obtained from the office of the Columbia County Commissioners.

On June 28th, the Dayton City Council will hold a public hearing to consider a similar ordinance that would allow ORVs to travel on designated city streets to access the County route on Eckler Mountain Road. At that time, the City will present a map showing proposed routes for access. According to Mayor Craig George, the proposed city ordinance contains requirements for ORV operators similar to those in the County ordinance. q

Columbia County Adopts ORV Ordinance& Dayton Considers One

Learning About Alternative Energy


News

The Stationmaster, a life-sized bronze sculpture by Keith McMasters, will be unveiled on the boardwalk at the Dayton Historical

Depot in October. The sculpture depicts a 1930’s era stationmaster, with his companion dog and vintage luggage, checking his pocket watch as he waits for an arriving train.

The Dayton Historical Depot Society and the Dayton Development Task Force have announced that they were awarded a grant from the Sherwood Trust of $44,000, which completes their fundraising goal of $80,000. “Our community has really gotten behind this project," says Ginny Butler, the Depot Society’s Curator, and lead fundraiser for the Stationmaster project. "So many individuals and businesses have given generously to make sure this sculpture becomes a reality. The Stationmaster is going to be a welcoming sight on the Depot Boardwalk.”

McMasters began work on the clay original in late summer of 2009, and he expects to complete the original and begin casting in mid-July. An installation ceremony will be held at the Depot during the Dayton Art Walk on October 2nd.

“I’m very excited and honored that my first piece of public art will be in Dayton,” says McMasters, who began his full-time sculpting career in Dayton in the 1990s. “Even though Mira and I are now living in Southern California, Dayton has been my home for 20 years, and we’ll always have a special connection here.”

Besides the Sherwood Trust grant, major contributions for the Stationmaster were received from Pacificorp, Puget Sound Energy, the Dayton/Columbia County Fund, the Clara and Art Bald Trust of Walla Walla, the Mary Garner Esary Trust of Walla Walla and the Alma Smith Trust of Walla Walla. Many private contributions from local donors were also received. q

Stationmaster Sculpture Will Be Unveiled at the Depot in October

McMasters' clay original of The Stationmaster nears completion.


Business News"Jitters" Opens on Dayton's Main StreetNew Firm Opens Specializing in

Waterfalls and Outdoor Spaces

Coffee and espresso drinks, and many other beverages and treats, are on the menu at the new Jitters Coffee

Shop on Dayton's Main Street. It's located in the former home of Patit Valley Products at 232 East Main. Scott and

Yara Underwood, seen at left with their son, Dominic, are the proprietors. Scott also owns and operates PC Solutions in

Dayton, and will soon move that business to the space behind Jitters.

Above, customers enjoy coffee and conversation, while sitting at Jitters' new furniture during the All Wheels Weekend Show-N-Shine.

Yara says she has always wanted to run a coffee shop, and she's been working on plans since Scott began his computer business.

Jitters is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free Wi-Fi will soon be available. For more information, call (509) 382-0444.

Chris & Tammy Weppler and their partner Lars Dyball, all of Dayton, have formed a general contracting firm specializing in waterfalls. Columbia Designs Plus, LLC also offers a wide variety of interior

and exterior design and construction, including courtyards, ponds, paving, walls, rockscapes and painting.

“It’s about having a place to relax, a sanctuary where you can go and recharge,” says Tammy. She points out that even small yards can accommodate pondless waterfalls or streams.

Tammy is the firm’s primary designer. She uses special software to illustrate how a design will look when completed. “We can also Photoshop actual photos of a yard to show how the project will fit into the existing landscape,” says Tammy.

Lars is the firm’s financial and project manager. “He takes the design and makes it a beautiful reality,” says Tammy. “And we all do a lot of shoveling.”

For more information about Columbia Designs Plus, LLC, call (509) 240-6075. q

Backyard waterfall and pond at the home of Ken and Karen Dyball, of Dayton


News Briefs

BMCS to Reopen Next Year

Dayton’s Blue Mountain Christian School (BMCS) is seeking families committed to long-term Christian education for their pre-K, kindergarten or elementary-aged children to enroll for the 2010/2011 school year. The school will reopen this fall after a

Evening at the Depot Benefit Auction in August

The Dayton Historical Depot Society will hold its annual “Evening at the Depot Benefit Auction” on Saturday, August 7th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Depot Courtyard.

The evening will feature wine and micro-beer tasting. Silent and live auctions of art, antiques, and unique packages, including gourmet dinners, RV weekends, and fine wine from local wineries, will be held. The yearly event is the Depot Society’s primary fundraiser to cover operating costs for the Dayton Historic Depot Museum.

Admission is free and everyone 21 years and older is welcome. Cash and checks are accepted for beverage purchases. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted for auction purchases. For more information, contact the Depot at (509) 382-2026.

Tortoise Versus the Hare at the Liberty

The Liberty Theater will host the Missoula Children's Theatre's presentation of The Tortoise Versus the Hare the first week in August. Auditions will be Monday, August 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the theater, followed by rehearsals Monday through Friday, August 6th. Performances at the theater will be Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th, at 7:00 p.m.

Children interested in taking part should pre-register at the theater on Tuesday, July 27th or Thursday, July 29th from 2:30 -6:30 p.m. each day. There will be no registration the day of auditions.

Roles are available for students kindergarten through high school.

Lower Snake River Wind CUP Appealed

On June 2nd, a lawsuit appealing the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project was filed in Columbia County by County residents Jim and Laura Peterson. Defendants named in the suit are the project’s developer, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Columbia County, and 57 landowners who have entered into leases with PSE for the project.

A hearing date in Columbia County Superior Court had not been set as Blue Mountain News went to press.

The CUP application was given preliminary approval by the County in March and then reviewed and given final approval by the County’s Hearings Examiner, Andy Kottkamp, in May.

The Petersons' suit alleges, among other things, that changes made to the project by PSE after completion of the environmental review process should have triggered additional environmental impact studies.

Dayton Girls Complete Undefeated SeasonCoach John Delp led the Main Street Salon girls softball team to a 17 - 0 record this year in the Blue Mountain Girls Softball Association 12U Division. The team won the league's championship tournament, which was held June 8th -12th. The league included two Dayton teams and four Walla Walla teams.

Team members were Madison Mings, McKenzie Delp, Taylor Frame, Lexie Ramirez, Jordyn Lowe, Amanda Bren, Alyssa White, Hailey Dobbs, Katie White and Kalijha Bicknell.

(Photo Courtesy of Wendy Frame)

one year sabbatical. The school is also seeking a certified teacher for elementary education.

BMCS is a private, state-accredited school which offers individualized instruction in a small, multi-age classroom setting. It is a non-denominational school devoted to the spiritual, as well as academic, growth of its students.

Anyone interested in more information about enrollment in Blue Mountain Christian School, or about the available teaching position, should contact Melody Ramsey at [email protected] or call (509) 382-8953.

Approximately 50 students will be cast, along with four to six older students as Assistant Directors. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast. For tickets or information, call the Liberty Theater at 382-1380.

The Touchet Valley Arts Council has received a grant award from the Columbia County Children's fund in the amount of $1,200 to help sponsor this year's Missoula Children's Theatre.


Health Care

With Cost Cuts and New Revenue Sources, CCHS Pulls Back from the Financial BrinkStory and Photos by Ken Graham

For a couple of years in the mid-2000s, the survival of Dayton General Hospital was in doubt. From 2001 to 2007, CCHS lost a combined $3 million, including a $1.2 million loss in 2003 – huge deficits for an organization with an annual budget of less than $10 million. Payments to vendors were seriously delinquent. At one point in 2003, accounts payable exceeded $1 million and there wasn’t enough money in the bank to cover payroll. The Washington State Auditor’s Office issued repeated warnings that changes must be made quickly to eliminate the losses.

A new administration team was hired in 2004 and another in 2008. With a serious staff reduction and other spending cuts – combined with new sources of revenue – CCHS is now operating in the black and beginning to pay down its debt. In 2009, CCHS had positive income of nearly $570,000.

When Button took over in 2008, he focused on making changes to repair the bottom line, including a nearly ten percent staff cut. “We needed to reduce staff by several positions in the first few months,” he says. “We also made some significant changes in job assignments to try and make the work more efficient.” Button says that, in many cases, employees were asked to take on more responsibility. CCHS addressed other expenses as well, and was able to reduce costs in several other areas, especially in purchasing.

Button also continued many of the efforts begun by the previous administration to find new sources of income and increase business for all of its functions. “We’ve added C.T. scan and MRI capabilities, which we’ve never had here,” he says. “And we’ve greatly improved our ability to serve dementia patients at Booker.” The C.T. scanner, which was donated to CCHS by Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, has provided a significant new source of revenue. Button also pointed out that CCHS’s rehabilitation business has nearly tripled in the past three years, with two new physical therapists added in 2009.

Looking into the future, Button described some more significant changes he hopes to make. “We have plans in place to create a second emergency room,” he says. “We’re working on getting financing for that.” Button says the new ER configuration would provide much more privacy for patients and staff, and it would include a dedicated waiting area, with rest rooms, which the current ER doesn’t have. He hopes to have reconstruction of the ER area completed within the next year.

CCHS is also in the process of converting its back hallway – which once housed Booker Annex – to single nursing home beds. Currently, all but two Booker Rest Home residents are in shared rooms. Button hopes to begin offering single rooms to many of those residents in the next few months.

In the future, as finances improve, Button has plans to begin catching up with some facilities maintenance issues, including replacing the nursing home roof and repairing the parking lot. “Another hope down the road is to build a stand-alone rehab center, including a therapy pool,” he says, emphasizing that aquatic rehabilitation is an important service that CCHS hopes to offer in the near future.

We asked Button about recent turmoil among employees and whether he felt that cuts and changes made in staffing may have been too drastic. “I understand that these types of changes are often difficult for employees and for the community,” he said. “In my position, I sometimes have to make unpopular decisions.” Button says that, for legal and privacy reasons, he’s not able to discuss specific personnel changes.

Regarding allegations of short staffing, Button says that he works with department heads to continually monitor staffing needs. “In a small hospital, it’s difficult to balance staff levels with a fluctuating demand for services,” he says. He points out that overtime pay has not increased significantly since he arrived.

Button also says that, despite some claims to the contrary, employee turnover at CCHS is currently a little lower than historical averages. “It varies by function,” he says. “For instance, in the nursing home industry overall, annual turnover is well over 100%.” Combined annual turnover at CCHS was about 40% in 2009, compared to near 50% earlier in the decade.

When he was hired two years ago, Button says that it was understood that major changes were needed to stop the red ink. “The board and the state auditors both made it clear that we had to start living within our means,” he says. Button says he now plans to put more emphasis on improving employee morale. “With our operation more financially healthy, I hope employees will find that this will be a more stable and positive place to work as we go forward.” q

“Almost all small rural hospitals struggle financially,” says

Charlie Button, “and this one’s no different.” Button is CEO of the Columbia County Health System (CCHS), which includes Dayton General Hospital, Booker Rest Home and the Dayton and Waitsburg Clinics. What IS different, he hopes, is that, while many of the others may not survive, Dayton’s will.


Far Left: The yard at Booker Rest Home is immaculately groomed. The large back yard is surrounded by a new security fence, which has allowed the nursing home to accept more dementia patients.

Left: Columbia County Health System CEO Charlie Button shows off the new Telemedicine Robot (named "Rover"), which will allow doctors to confer with patients from a remote location.

Above: CCHS's new CT Scanner has provided many benefits for patients, doctors and the hospital's revenue stream. Donated by Richland's Kadlec Medical Center in April of 2009, an average of more than 30 scans have been performed each month since. CCHS expects gross revenues from CT scan services to exceed $200,000 per year.

CCHS is also in the process of converting its back hallway – which once housed Booker Annex – to single nursing home beds. Currently, all but two Booker Rest Home residents are in shared rooms. Button hopes to begin offering single rooms to many of those residents in the next few months.

In the future, as finances improve, Button has plans to begin catching up with some facilities maintenance issues, including replacing the nursing home roof and repairing the parking lot. “Another hope down the road is to build a stand-alone rehab center, including a therapy pool,” he says, emphasizing that aquatic rehabilitation is an important service that CCHS hopes to offer in the near future.

We asked Button about recent turmoil among employees and whether he felt that cuts and changes made in staffing may have been too drastic. “I understand that these types of changes are often difficult for employees and for the community,” he said. “In my position, I sometimes have to make unpopular decisions.” Button says that, for legal and privacy reasons, he’s not able to discuss specific personnel changes.

Regarding allegations of short staffing, Button says that he works with department heads to continually monitor staffing needs. “In a small hospital, it’s difficult to balance staff levels with a fluctuating demand for services,” he says. He points out that overtime pay has not increased significantly since he arrived.

Button also says that, despite some claims to the contrary, employee turnover at CCHS is currently a little lower than historical averages. “It varies by function,” he says. “For instance, in the nursing home industry overall, annual turnover is well over 100%.” Combined annual turnover at CCHS was about 40% in 2009, compared to near 50% earlier in the decade.

When he was hired two years ago, Button says that it was understood that major changes were needed to stop the red ink. “The board and the state auditors both made it clear that we had to start living within our means,” he says. Button says he now plans to put more emphasis on improving employee morale. “With our operation more financially healthy, I hope employees will find that this will be a more stable and positive place to work as we go forward.” q

2001

CCHS Annual Net Income (Loss)(Thousands of Dollars)

CCHS Year-end Net Assets (Deficit)(Thousands of Dollars)

2002 2003

2003

2004

2004

2005

2005

2006

2006

2007

2007 2008

2008

2009

(557)(164)

20

570

(350)(199)

(340)

(1,177)

(683)

(86)

(1,127)(1,147)

(983)

(633)

(434)

(94)

2009


Events PhotosJuly2-3 Dayton Farmers’ MarketEVERY Friday 3:00 – 6:00 EVERY Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Seneca Lawn on Hwy 12

Vendors sell produce, handmade items and much more. Vendor fees are just $6 a weekend with no association fees required. Call Zonia Dedloff at (509) 399-2307.

2 Live @ Sapolil - Philly KingB and The Stingers8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Walla Walla's homegrown blues band doing what they do best - the blues - from Chicago to Mississippi. $5 Cover

2-416th Annual Wildhorse Pow WowWildhorse ResortUmatilla Indian ReservationPendleton, OR

Experience the traditions of the American Indian Culture as more than 300 dancers and 25 drum teams celebrate their heritage and compete for over $55,000 in cash and prizes.

The event kicks off Friday with the Grand Entry at 7:00 p.m. Events begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Pow Wow is open to the public and features vendors offering a variety of foods, souvenirs and Native arts and crafts. Admission is FREE. For general information call Rob Watson at 800-654-9453 ext. 1510.

8-24WWCC Foundation Summer Musical “Footloose”

JULY/AUG 2010Fe

atur

ed E

vent

Aug. 7 & 8Waitsburg's 3rd Annual “One of a Kind” Classic Auto ShowA Saturday night cruise kicks off the fun starting at 6:30 p.m. This year's organizers hope for more than 100 cars

Sunday’s Show & Shine and swap meet starts at 10:00 a.m. Entry fee for the Show & Shine is $10. Swap meet participation is free.

Sponsored by Blue Mountain News, Napa Auto Parts of WW, WaitsburgGunClub.com, Waitsburg Mercantile, Hubbard Law Office, Les Schwab of WW, Taqueria Don Miguel and Midway Food Mart.

For more information or entry forms contact Lupe Torres at [email protected] or call (509) 337-6393.

Everything happens at Preston Park in Waitsburg

9FREE Folk Music ConcertFour Shillings Short6:30 – 8:00 p.m.Dayton Memorial LibraryDelany Room111 S. 3rd Street

Celebrating their 15th year together, the Celtic/Folk/World music duo and husband/wife team, Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, tour in the US and Ireland and play a fantastic array of instruments from around the world. They live as the bardic minstrels of old, bringing their one-of-a-kind, eclectic blend of world music to audiences everywhere.

Johnny Cash wrote and recorded a song in 1961 called

“Forty Shades of Green” as part of an album celebrating his fondness for the Emerald Isle. We think Ireland doesn’t have anything on Columbia County so far this year. A wet cool spring has created lush vistas blanketed in a variegated mantle of green that easily rivals or surpasses anything Ireland has to offer.

We went for a Sunday drive with the intention of capturing some of the beauty of the countryside before it fades to brown under the hot summer sun (assuming we get some eventually).

Next Page From top right (clockwise): Top of Thorn Hollow looking north; Mustard on Whetstone Road; On Sorghum Hollow looking south to the Huntsville Elevator; Lyman Hill looking north; Weinhard Hill looking east; Refer to Signs.

Fort Walla Walla AmphitheaterMyra Road

Based on the hit 80s movie which launched the careers of Kevin Bacon, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Lithgow, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, and the joy of expression through dance. The rockin’ Top 40 score was nominated for both Oscar and Tony awards.

All proceeds generated from the musical are designated for merit-based scholarships for Walla Walla Community College students. Gather your family and friends and join us for the special events planned as part of Footloose.

Tickets can be purchased at the Fort WW Museum, WWCC Bookstore (Monday – Thursday), Banner Bank (Main Branch only), Book and Game, Earthlight Books and Walla Walla’s Harvest Foods.

Local dance groups will provide pre-show entertainment on select dates. Visit www.wwcc.edu/summermusical for more special event information as well as online ticket sales (with a transaction fee).

Forty Shades of Green


Photos TV ARTGALLERIESTouchet

ValleyArt


EventsLive @ Sapolil – Dr. Mark Brown & Gary Romjue8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Dr. Mark Brown plays pure magic on the keyboard, throws in a little trumpet, blues harp and vocals. You’ll see why we call him the Good Doctor! And the Good Doctor is joined by Gary Romjue of Seattle. Romjue brings to town his guitar and outstanding electric blue fiddle. No Cover.

10Karaoke Night8:00 p.m. to MidnightTuxedo Bar & GrillPrescott, WA (509) 849-2244

This is the last karaoke night until September.

10-11Blue Mountain RocketeersFundraiser Yard Sale9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.111 West Brooklyn AvenueDayton, WA

(follow the signs from Front and Main Streets)

Help support the fundraising efforts of this youth science group, run by kids, for kids. The yard sale will feature a large assortment of clothing items, small furniture, refurbished computers, arts and crafts supplies, fishing equipment, auto parts and accessories and other items.

Now in its 15th year of operations, the Blue Mountain Rocketeers club has been recognized nationally by the National Association of Rocketry as "the premier youth model rocketry club in the nation" and has been the subject of past feature articles in national hobby magazines. The club's launch site is hosted through the continued generosity and support of Broughton Land Company of Dayton. For more information about the Blue Mountain Rocketeers and their ongoing youth science programs, visit www.bmr615.org .


Events14Christian Women’s Connection BruncheonPATTERN FOR LIVING 10:00 a.m. – noonJudy Jackson’s Yard825 Hwy 261 in Starbuck

Cost: $9.00 Catered by: The Planning Committee

Deb Hoilman will be bringing us some wonderful music in song. Her voice is one you won’t want to miss. Sandy Hawks, from The Quilt Shoppe in Dayton, will be here to share with us about her new business. Sandy, who has been quilting for years, uses a quilting machine to finish two to three quilts a week for other people. She loves what she does! Our special speaker is Gail Greco from Cascade, Idaho. Gail is an artist who takes an informative and inspirational look at quilting and how it relates to life. Babysitting is available. Reservations are necessary. Please call Judy Jackson at (509) 399-2005. Please honor your reservation, “gift” it to a friend, or call to cancel if your plans change.

Sponsored by Christian Women’s Connection and Stonecroft www.stonecroft.org

16-18Dayton Alumni Reunion WeekendAlumni parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday with a DHS Alumni meeting immediately following the parade at the Dayton Depot Courtyard, where officers will be elected for the next year. A potluck picnic will be held Sunday starting at noon at the City Park. Tables and table service will be provided. Please bring lawn chairs if possible and your own beverages.

16Live @ Sapolil - Jim Basnight – Solo8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Jim Basnight performs Solo as a preview to the full Jim Basnight Band, presenting songs from all six of Jim’s unique CD’s. He’s well versed in a number of styles including Rock from the 50’s through the 90’s, as well as Soul, Funk, Americana, Alternative and the Blues. No Cover.

17 & 18All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast8:00 – 11:00 a.m.Prescott Lion’s Community Center

Enjoy a home-cooked, hearty breakfast and help raise money for Prescott Community projects. Suggested donation just $5.99. Contact Jeanne McIntyre at (509) 849-2425 for more information.

237th Annual Young Life Golf Tournament1:00 pm - Dinner to followTouchet Valley Golf Course Dayton, WA

Entry fee $40 – Green fees extra

Enjoy an afternoon of golf followed by dinner, all to help raise money for local Young Life groups, a non-denominational, international, Christian outreach for youth in middle and high school. Email [email protected] for more information or to sign up before the July 16th deadline.

Randy Oxford Blues Series, Live @ Sapolil Presenting The Stacy Jones Band8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Fueled by bright soulful vocals, clean riffs, strong percussion and youthful energy, the Stacy Jones Band offers a combination of well-known covers and originals. Stacy Jones herself has recently been honored with Best Female Vocalist by the Washington Blues Society! $10 Cover.

25CONCERT: Los Lonely Boys3:00 p.m. Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton, OR

Multi-Platinum and Grammy Award-Winning artists, Los Lonely Boys, are bringing their spicy blend of Rock, Blues, Soul, Country and Tejano to an outdoor concert event at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. VIP seats $75, Preferred $35, Festival Seating $15. Tickets are available at www.wildhorseresort.com, at the Wildhorse Gift Shop or at Box Office Tickets: 800-494-TIXS(8497).

30 Live @ Sapolil The Cut. Can You Make It?8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Local musicians compete for $100 or more in this local showcase. Each drink purchase allows guests to vote for the best! If you’re a local musician, and you think you can make ‘The Cut’, contact Rick Phillips to get on the docket - 509-386-5614! No Cover

31 Live @ Sapolil Benyaro8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Soulful acoustic roots duo from NYC strongly influenced by Wilson Pickett, CSN&Y, Gillian Welch, James Brown, and Malcolm Holcombe. A new approach to American Music results in a unique, sweet sound. $5 Cover

AUGUST2-7Missoula Children’s Theatre “Tortoise Versus the Hare” The Liberty TheaterDayton, WA

Please refer to Page 9 for complete information about auditions, rehearsals and performance dates and times.

327th Annual National Night Out Against Crime5:00 – 8:00 p.m.Dayton City Park

Help raise awareness of crime and drug prevention and support for local anticrime efforts. FREE hamburgers, hotdogs and soft drinks will be provided. The park will be filled with fun events, activities and demonstrations. Co-sponsored locally by the Columbia County Friends of 9-1-1 and the Columbia County Sheriff’s office. Call (509) 382-2518 for more information.


Events6Live @ Sapolil – Bluestone8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Greg Miner on Saxaphone and John Farey on Keyboard are joined by vocalist Allye Ratledge. Straight from Austin, Texas—live music capital of the world— she emerges onto the local scene of the Tri-Cities with her rich, soulful vocals. And on this special night, Walla Walla local Phil Lynch will join in on guitar. $5 cover

7Evening at the Depot6:00 – 9:00 p.m.Dayton Historic Depot Courtyard222 East Commercial Street

The Dayton Historic Depot is hosting an outdoor fundraising event. This annual event includes wine and beer tasting and a live auction of art, antiques, collectibles and wine. Local wines will be featured plus beer from Dayton’s micro-brewery, Skye Book & Brew. Other non-alcoholic beverages will be for sale and complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served through the evening. Call (509) 382-2026 for more information.

7 & 83rd Annual “One of a Kind” Classic Auto ShowPreston Park, Waitsburg. See listing on Page 12.

8Concert – Clay Walker Live 3:00 p.m.

Platinum-selling superstar Clay Walker brings Country hits, including “Live Until I Die" and "She Won't Be Lonely Long," to the outdoor stage at Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Tickets on sale in early July. Visit wildhorseresort.com for more information.

11Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon -A Little Laughter11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Seneca Activity Center, Dayton

Cost: $9.00

FAIR FUN - The Columbia County Fair hostesses will be our special feature. Come and learn a little bit about them and what the fair has to offer this year. KID FUN - Our speaker, Linda Wozniak, is from Olympia. Linda

has taught elementary age children, mostly first grade, for 27 years. She will share with us what they have taught her. CLOTHES FUN - We will have a Unique Fashion Show that you won’t want to miss. This will be the highlight of your year! Come, enjoy, and be amazed. Babysitting is available. Reservations are necessary. Please call Judy Jackson at (509) 399-2005. Please honor your reservation, “gift” it to a friend, or call to cancel if your plans change.

Sponsored by Christian Women’s Connection and Stonecroft www.stonecroft.org

13Live @ Sapolil -Robin Barrett Blues8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Details TBD. No Cover

17Primary Election DayBallots must be received before 8:00 p.m.

20Acoustic Jam Session6:00 p.m. until the last person leavesDayton Memorial LibraryDelany Room111 S. 3rd Street

Musicians who usually jam in Waitsburg on the third Friday of the month are headed to Dayton instead! Open to anyone who plays an instrument and listeners who appreciate music in all its spontaneous forms.

Randy Oxford Blues Series, Live @ Sapolil Presenting Kevin Selfe & Tornadoes8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Details TBD. $10 Cover

21 & 22All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast8:00 – 11:00 a.m.Prescott Lion’s Community Center

Enjoy a home-cooked, hearty breakfast and help raise money for Prescott Community projects. Suggested donation just $5.99. Contact Jeanne McIntyre at (509) 849-2425 for more information.

27Live @ Sapolil - The Cut. Can You Make It?8:00 – 11:00 p.m.Sapolil Cellars15 E. Main Street, Walla Walla

Local musicians compete for $100 or more in this local showcase. Each drink purchase allows guests to vote for the best! If you’re a local musician, and you think you can make ‘The Cut’, contact Rick Phillips to get on the docket - 509-386-5614! No Cover


MeetingsAmerican Legion Legion Hall, 211 E. Clay, Dayton 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Blue Mountain Chorus of Sweet AdelinesUnity Church of Peace, Walla Walla Airport. To carpool, call Barb Knopp at (509) 386-8901.Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Blue Mountain Heritage SocietyDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library, 111 S. 3rd Contact Elizabeth Thorn at (509) 382-48202nd Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

Columbia County CommissionersCommissioners’ Chambers 3rd Floor, County Courthouse, Dayton. Call (509) 382-45421st and 3rd Monday at 10:00 a.m. and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Columbia County Fair Board Youth Building at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, Dayton3rd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Columbia County Fire District #3 CommissionersFire District #3 Station 206 W. Main St, Dayton Call (509) 382-42812nd and 4th Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Columbia County Levee RoundtableDayton City Hall 111 S. 1st St, DaytonLast Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Columbia County Livestock AssociationColumbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building Randy James (509) 382-2760No meeting until October

Columbia County Motorcycle ClubDayton D.O.T Building

Contact Bret Harting for more information. (509) 382-46022nd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m

Columbia County Planning Commission County Planning Office 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.Columbia County Rural Library District BoardDayton Memorial Library 111 S 3rd St, Dayton Call (509) 382-41312nd and 4th Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton City CouncilDayton City Hall 111 S. 1st St, Dayton Call (509) 382-23612nd and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.Dayton City Planning CommissionDayton City Hall 111 S 1st St, Dayton 3rd Monday at 5:15 p.m.

Dayton Historic Preservation CommissionDayton City Hall 111 S 1st St, Dayton 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Dayton KiwanisFirst Congregational Church 214 S Third St, Dayton Every Thursday at Noon

Dayton Lions ClubDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library,111 S. 3rd Contact Terry Hoon for more information. (509) 386-88891st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

Dayton School BoardAdministration Building 609 S. 2nd St, Dayton Call (509) 382-25431st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton Young Life227 N. Cherry2nd & 4th Mondays at 7:17 p.m.

Dayton WyldlifeDelany Bldg. 111 S 3rd St, Dayton3rd Friday at 7:00 p.m.

Friends of the Dayton Memorial LibraryDayton Memorial Library 111 S 3rd St, Dayton 3rd Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Port of Columbia CommissionersPort Office 1 Port Way, Dayton 2nd Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Prescott City CouncilPrescott City Hall 101 S D Street, Prescott Call (509) 849-22622nd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Prescott Community ClubPrescott Lions Hall (509) 849-2892 or (509) 849- 2425 New members always welcome.Second Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Prescott Fire CommissionersCall Tim Mayberry for info:(509) 849-2262

Prescott Lions ClubCall Chris Scudder for info: (509) 849-2478

Prescott Parks and Recreation District Board Community Center of the Lion’s Hall, corner of D St. & Hwy 124, Prescott. For more information contact Joan Tatum at (509) 849-2690.2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m.Prescott School BoardLast Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Starbuck City CouncilStarbuck City Hall 200 Main St, Starbuck Call (509) 399-21002nd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Starbuck School Board Library of the Starbuck School 717 Tucannon, Starbuck

3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) DaytonDayton United Methodist Church 110 S. 3rd St, DaytonEvery Tuesday at 8:50 a.m.

Waitsburg City CouncilLion’s Club Building at Waitsburg Fairgrounds Call (509) 337-63711st and 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg Commercial ClubYe Towne Hall 121 Main Street, Waitsburg (509) 337-65331st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Waitsburg Economic Development CommitteeNothing New AntiquesFirst Monday at 10:00 a.m.

Waitsburg Historical Society Call Anita Baker for more information: (509) 337-6157

Waitsburg Legion and AuxiliaryFor location information call Ike and B.A Keve at (509) 337-6546First Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg Lions ClubLions Memorial Building Waitsburg Fairgrounds Scott Branson, President(509) 337-88952nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg School BoardPreston Hall, Main St2nd and 4th Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

VFW Post 5549 Legion Hall 211 E Clay, Dayton Contact Jerry Berg at (509) 382-4525 for more info. Refreshments served. Every 3rd Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.


Big Night of Bull Riding Coming to Columbia County Fair

Future Events

Top bulls and professional cowboys from the Pacific Northwest and Canada will come to Dayton for a special “Denim or Dust Bull Bash” at the Columbia

County Fair this year. The “bull riding only” event will be Saturday evening, September 11th.

Four rounds of seven riders each will be featured, followed by championship round, with seven top riders competing for cash and prizes. Three well-known professional “bullfighters”–Rowdy Barry, Ryan Wilson and Ryan Manning–will be on hand to keep the bull riders safe. Rob Smets–five-time World Champion Bullfighter turned rodeo announcer–will call all the action.

"This isn't your typical small-town bull riding event," says Shane Laib, Columbia County Fair Manager. "We've got world-class guys in the arena, and top-notch cowboys and bulls coming to put on a great show."

Special ground-level arena seating will be offered for those who want to be “up close and personal” to all the bucking action (protected by dividing panels, of course). Grandstand seating will also be available.

Wild and Woolly Mutton Bustin', co-sponsored by Justin Brands, will start off the evening. Twelve young riders, to be chosen by draft in mid-August, will compete in two rounds of six riders each.

Tickets will be available at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, and other locations, in early July. The Bull Bash is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at the Columbia County Fair. q


One More Thing . . .

I discovered a new band recently that I really like. They’re called Vampire Weekend, and they’re a group of young guys from New York who play

music with a strong African influence.

Besides trying to impress you all with how young- and hip-at-heart I am, I’m mentioning this because one of the songs on the group’s first album is called “Oxford Comma”. It’s about an archaic bit of grammar that’s rarely used in American English anymore.

An oxford comma is a comma before the “and” in a series of three or more items. I’ve put one in the title of this column, which should correctly read: “Commas, Coworkers and Cute Little Bears”. The oxford comma has been banned at Blue Mountain News from the start, and the fact that there is now a song out about its uselessness makes me feel much better.

When disagreements among coworkers come up where you work, I imagine that they probably involve such relevant topics as the fate of healthcare in America, or perhaps reasons for the pathetic lack of run production by Seattle Mariners hitters (and I use that term loosely). Here at Blue Mountain News, however, if you want to get someone’s blood pressure up, just bring up commas. (In a recent column, I misspelled it as “coma”, which probably accurately describes the interest level of most everyone else when this topic comes up – but not here.)

The point of adding a comma within a written sentence is to give the words a sense of rhythm, similar to spoken speech. There are some hard and fast rules (such as the oxford comma ban), but in many cases, comma placement is a judgment call – hence the occasional emotional flare-ups. In some instances, comma placement can have a major impact.

A famous book about punctuation came out several years ago called “Eats, Shoots and Leaves”. Its title demonstrates how one rogue comma can turn a cuddly panda bear into a hardened criminal. (But note that it still lacks an oxford comma.) So this isn’t a trivial subject, as much as we’d like it to be.

My mother, who is our resident proofreader – and usually one of the most pleasant people you’ll ever meet –, has worn many a pencil to the nub,

angrily correcting comma placements in my writing. (And by the way, she didn’t catch that misspelling I mentioned earlier.) Our, managing, editor, Tanya, is, absolutely, in, love, with, commas. If she had to buy them by the pound, she’d be broke.

And here’s another thing. Besides my coworkers, I’m now being nagged about commas by computer

software. In the previous paragraph, you’ll notice a comma after a dash. The only reason it’s there is because Microsoft Word insisted on it. I can manipulate software to format an entire newspaper, but I can’t get it to stop forcing punctuation on me. Of course, the last thing in the world I would do is second-guess Microsoft. If Microsoft says a comma is needed, so be it.

Writing is a never-ending string of tiny little decisions: what topic to write about, what idea to present next once you have a topic, and what word to type next once you have an idea. When you throw grammar and punctuation – including

those nasty commas – into the mix, it’s no wonder many people think writing is too hard. This is one of the many reasons why I’m very thankful for my mother. And after all these years, I’m finally to the point where now I don’t argue with her any more than I do with Microsoft. q

Commas, Coworkers, and Cute Little BearsBy Ken Graham

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Blue Mountain News - July-August 2010