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Beginning in late November through mid-December, the Columbia Valley Daybreak (CVD) Rotary has set a goal of selling 500 Christmas trees for the 2020 holiday season. Money raised by the Columbia Valley Daybreak Rotary stays in the community and provides assistance to other local organizations.

The CVD Rotary Christmas tree lot is located at the Fast Track Tri-Cities area behind Columbia Center Mall. They will be selling six and eight foot Douglas and Noble firs ranging in price from $70 to $100. Hours of operation will be weekdays from 3PM to 8PM; Weekends from 10AM to 8PM.

Columbia Valley Daybreak Rotary: Professionals who enjoy serving effectively with hearts and hands; strengthening membership through friendship and inspired collaboration; benefiting local and international communities. Visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1805 for more information.

The next seminar in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series, “Engaging the Future STEM Workforce through their Teachers,” presented by Alison Colotelo, a project manager at PNNL, will take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., via Zoom.
 
On this webinar, you will learn more about PNNL’s Teacher-Scientist Partnership, which aims to develop the future STEM workforce through the professional development of teachers. In partnership with PNNL researchers, we design a real-life, STEM problem-based immersion experience for the teachers. Teachers embrace the role of “learner” and engage in hands-on activities that show them how science is done at a national laboratory – in teams and across disciplines. Throughout the experience, PNNL’s Office of STEM Education works with teachers to connect the activities to their classroom and state learning standards. Teachers leave the experience with tools to integrate problem-based learning into their classrooms, in turn inspiring their students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series was launched to help the general public better understand and explore how science transforms our world.
 
Those who are interested can register here.

Kennewick Parks and Recreation is offering a safe and festive holiday activity for the entire family. We realize the new state restrictions can make it difficult for families to enjoy the holiday season and are providing an activity that can help get your family in the holiday spirit. Beginning December 1, Kennewick Parks and Recreation and Numerica Credit Union elves will hide one wooden Christmas ornament throughout Kennewick, each of the first 12 days of December. Families that find those ornaments will win a prize. This event is designed to be within established COVID-19 safety protocols, which means that only members of the same household should be searching for the ornaments together and all other protocols and recommendations from our state and local health officials should be observed.

One set of clues will be posted each of the 12 days on the Numerica Credit Union Instagram page (@numericacu). Each ornament is numbered 1-12 and prizes will be drawn on Saturday, December 12 at 10am. Everyone that finds an ornament can come to Claus Plaza (corner of Benton and Kennewick Ave) on Saturday, December 12 between 10am to 12pm to claim their prize. Look for the Numerica Credit Union pop up tent. Face mask is required to claim prize. If winners are unable to pick up their prize on this date/time, they can stop by the Numerica Pavilion at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex between December 14th-23rd, Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm.

List of prizes:

• Apple Airpods
• Ecco Show 8
• Ringdoor Bell 3
• Autobahn wash supplies & gift card
• Free Culture gift basket, gift card & more
• Kennewick Flower Shop $50 gift card
• G’s to Gents Barbershop $50 gift card
• Sparkle and Shine home cleaning
• Sportspage 2 prime rib dinners & gift basket
• Fitbit 3 – Trios
• $150 Cash from Numerica Credit Union
• $300 Cash from Numerica Credit Union
  
  

For more information, please contact Brandon Lange at (509) 585-4279 or brandon.lange@ci.kennewick.wa.us.

For their 2020 holiday fundraiser, Prosser Memorial Health Foundation will be selling a variety of Gingerbread Kits online. The gingerbread kits will be available for purchase at prosserhealth.foundation starting November 27-December 11th. Buyers may pair their gingerbread kits with beer, wine, sparkling wine, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Our sponsor list includes: Davenlore, Columbia Crest, Ste. Michelle, Martinez & Martinez, Wine O’Clock Wine Bar, Thurston Wolfe, Horse Heaven Hills Brewery and Wautoma Springs.

Purchased gingerbread kit baskets can be picked up at Prosser Memorial Hospital campus on Friday, December 11th from 10am-4pm. For those unable to pick up during that time, they can make a note on purchase of when they are available.

“We know families are spending a lot of time together this year, so we wanted to offer something fun and creative for them to do this holiday season, plus raise money for the Prosser Memorial Health Foundation.”-Julie Sollers, Prosser Memorial Health Foundation President.

To learn more about the Gingerbread Kit Online Sales Fundraiser or donate to the Prosser Memorial Health Foundation, call Executive Director Shannon Hitchcock at 509.786.6601 or visit prosserhealth.foundation.

The Thanksgiving holiday traditionally marks the beginning of a busy air travel season. While pandemic restrictions are in effect across the country, the Tri-Cities Airport is an essential service provider and continues to support the Tri-Cities community. For those who choose to travel during this the holiday season, please keep in mind the following: 
 
Face coverings are required throughout the terminal. When coming to the airport, all visitors must wear a mask or face covering. 

Health and safety measures are in place. In addition to a mask requirement, the airport has installed several features to minimize person-to-person contact, including social distance markers, plexiglass windows, and restricted seating. 

Greet passengers on the curb. When picking up someone from the airport, please use the cell phone lot and have the passenger call you when they arrive and have their bags. You can then pick them up on the curb. If you need to come into the airport, we ask that only one person comes in to meet the passenger and to comply with health and safety requirements. 

Dining options are still available. The airport’s concessionaires are providing grab-and-go food options for travelers, and the airport store remains open and selling snacks, bottled drinks, and other items. 

Think 3-1-1. When going through the security checkpoint, come prepared to follow the 3-1-1 rule for your liquids and gels: 3 ounces of liquid in a 1 quart bag, 1 bag per person. Higher quantities of breast milk, medicines, and hand sanitizer are permitted but may require further inspection. 

Know Which Holiday Items Can Travel in Your Carry-on. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has policies that affect holiday travel. Learn ahead of time which items you can bring on the plane or need to check in your luggage. 

• Wrapped gifts: While you can travel with wrapped presents, if your gift triggers an alarm at the checkpoint, it may need to be unwrapped for TSA officers to inspect. Instead of wrapping, consider using a gift bag or a gift box (which allows officers to remove the item without needing to unwrap it) or wrap the gift upon your arrival at your destination.
• Holiday foods: Solids like cookies or ham can be carried onto the plane in your bag. But if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, then please pack anything over 3.4 ounces in your checked bag. This includes gravies, jams, and jellied cranberries. 
• Snow globes: Snow globes are popular holiday gifts, but if you’re traveling with a snow globe, it needs to contain 3.4 liquid ounces or less to be in your carry-on. TSA’s rule of thumb is that if it is smaller than a tennis ball, it is probably 3.4 ounces or less.

Plan ahead. The airport has created a fun and informative video that details the new travel procedures in place. Prepare for your trip by watching the video here. 

For additional details on how the Tri-Cities Airport is responding to COVID-19, please visit our website.  

1 minute Business Spotlight: introduce yourself, your business name, your hours, show your products!
Optional: talk about what you're doing to keep your customers safe (curb side pick up etc), say "thank you for shopping local"

Nothing fancy; just shoot the video on your cell phone and email it to me. We will get you on the news! If your video goes longer than 1 minute we will edit it to fit in the 1 minute we have reserved for the segment. :)
 
Will air sometime within the next 4 weeks on local NBC during the news. 5a, 6a, 5p, 6p, 11p. One business will be featured during each newscast. When your business is scheduled to air I can email you that info so you can watch for it. We're running this for 4 weeks first come first serve. You can do 1 segment for each business you own. This is limited to small local businesses.
 
If you're interested you can also participate in the news' community gifts "shop local" give-away. This is not a requirement just another option. Donate a gift card in any amount you feel is appropriate. During the month of December in a separate news segment we will do gift card giveaways. There is no cost to you except whatever amount you chose for the gift card. We must have the gift card by 12/01. 
 
There is no charge at all for the business spotlight nor for the gift card giveaway. You can participate in one or the other or both; whatever you want to do. We're just trying to help the community. Feel free to spread the word! All small businesses are invited to participate.

Lauren Misek
Account Executive
lauren.misek@kndu.com
Office: 509-737-6707
Cell: 509-572-0819

Most of Mid-Columbia Libraries’ 12 branches are now open for "Curbside Plus," which includes curbside pickup and returns during regular hours and limited hours for in-person computer use. Hours are available for high risk customers. Libraries also offer online print drop service with five free prints daily and in-person copying, printing, and scanning.

The West Richland and Othello branches remain closed for in-branch use but will be offering Curbside Plus soon. The Bookmobile offers curbside pickup and returns only.

Kennewick library, the library system’s largest and highest circulating branch, offers curbside pickup Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. Walk-in computer use and copying, printing, and scanning service is available Monday through Friday 12 pm to 5 pm, Saturday 12 pm to 3 pm, and Sunday 1 pm to 3 pm. High risk customers can use the library Thursday 11 am to 12 pm.

For Curbside Plus service hours at all other branches, customers should visit the branch web page at midcolumbialibraries.org or contact their local library.

To ensure safety for staff and the public, customers should note the following:

• Face masks and social distancing are required.
• Occupancy and computer time use are limited.
• Computer stations and all high-touch areas are sanitized frequently.
• All returned items are quarantined for 72 hours; they will remain checked out to cardholder accounts during this time.
• There are no in-person programs, and library study and meeting rooms remain closed.
  
  

The State, in its Phase 2/3 guidelines, affirms public libraries should continue to facilitate services through curbside pickup where possible to limit interaction between staff and customers within enclosed spaces. Customers can put books and materials on hold then visit their branch’s designated curbside pickup area once they receive notice that items are ready for pickup.

Customers can check the library website, midcolumbialibraries.org, and Facebook page for updates.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation is Unwrapping the Feels and making spirits bright for cancer patients in our community.

Each week from November 30th thru January 1st, cancer patients receiving treatment at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and Kadlec Clinic Hematology and Oncology will receive a special holiday present to brighten their spirits, as well as a meal for their family each Friday.

Members of our community can be Santa to someone fighting cancer in our region. The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation has a goal of raising $50,000 to make spirits bright for cancer patients this holiday season.

For more information or to donate, please visit cancercrushingchristmas.com or call us at (509) 737-3413.

The mission remains the same, but this year the days and locations of Second Harvest’s Turkey Drive presented by Lamb Weston will be different.

“The need is greater than ever, and fortunately it’s being met by inspiring generosity,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “Like everything else, the pandemic is prompting changes to the event, but our goal of providing healthy Thanksgiving meals to families in need remains the same.”

The key changes for the fifth annual Turkey Drive, serving the Mid-Columbia and Yakima Valley, are that all three holiday meal box distributions will be on weekdays, and at different venues than last year. Here are the details:

• Monday Nov. 23
  • Sunnyside
    • Sunnyview Park, 31211 Yakima Valley Hwy.
    • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (While supplies last)
    • Drive through
    • 600 families. Limit of three boxes per vehicle (One box per household)
  • Yakima
    • Yakima Valley College, S. 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd.
    • 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (While supplies last)
    • Drive through
    • 600 families. Limit of three boxes per vehicle (One box per household)
• Tuesday, Nov. 24
  • Kennewick
    • Toyota Center, 7000 W. Grandridge Blvd.
    • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (While supplies last)
    • Drive through
    • 1,000 families. Limit of three boxes per vehicle (One box per household)
      
      

Due to the pandemic, all three distributions will be drive-through. Recipients will be able to pick up for up to two additional households. The box is generously sized and supplies are limited, so guests are asked to pick up only one box per household. The free holiday meal box will include a turkey and all the fixings. No documentation is required.

“While so much has changed this year, one heartwarming constant is the generosity of our partners,” said Jean Tucker, a Second Harvest philanthropy manager. “The farmers and business leaders of our region are the ones who make this all possible.”

This year’s Turkey Drive is presented by Lamb Weston, Tucker noted. Donations are still being accepted, and the first $5,000 in donations will be matched by our community sponsor, Exponential Ag, LLC. Your $30 donation provides a box of food with the ingredients for a holiday meal, including a turkey. Go to 2-harvest.org/turkey to make your donation.
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Additional community-minded sponsors of the event are: AgriNorthwest, Corwin Ford Tri-Cities, Dairy Farmers of Washington, Domex Superfresh Growers, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), RDO Equipment, Tree Top, United Healthcare, U-Pull-It Auto Parts, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), and Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
Food and in-kind donors this year are Columbia Basin Blends, Easterday Farms, Chelan Fruit, Gebbers Farms, Walmart, and Darigold.

The City of Richland is committed to assisting residents during the coronavirus crisis. The City recognizes many citizens and businesses have been significantly impacted. Staff continues to look for ways to provide resources and assistance.

In October 2020, Richland City Council approved the use of up to $700,000 of the City’s Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to provide utility billing relief to eligible Richland residents and businesses that have experienced economic hardship as a result of COVID-19.

As of November 16, 2020, only a portion of the available funds has been requested. Therefore, the deadline for application has been extended to November 29, 2020.

Richland citizens who are in jeopardy of service interruption due to non-payment and have experienced economic hardship as a result of the coronavirus are strongly encouraged to apply.

Residents may qualify for financial assistance in the amount of up to $1,000. To determine eligibility and apply for assistance visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/myutilities and select Utility Billing Coronavirus Relief. Applications must be received no later than November 29, 2020. If unable to complete the online application, please contact Customer Service for assistance.

Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to eligibility, and will be applied directly to the individual's City of Richland utility account. Applicants will be notified of award status via email by December 1, 2020.

Questions can be directed to the City’s Customer Service team by emailing customerservice@ci.richland.wa.us or by calling (509) 942-1104, option 4.

More information regarding additional resources available in response to COVID-19 can be found at www.ci.richland.wa.us.