Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) is thrilled to partner with Richland Public Library (RPL) and others this summer to host a variety of fun, free, engaging programs for all ages during its annual Summer Reading Challenge, going on through Aug. 19.

MCL and RPL kick off a series of programs at John Dam Plaza in Richland with a concert featuring Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs on Tuesday, July 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. With fun and interactive songs for all ages, the concert will include special guest performer Hillia Hula Hoop Extraordinaire. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for lawn seating; concessions will be available.

The libraries will co-host award-winning children’s musician Jim Gill on Tuesday, July 19 from 6 to 7 pm as well as the always-popular Reptile Man program, featuring zoologist and educator Scott Petersen with reptiles from all over the world, on Tuesday, July 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at John Dam Plaza in Richland.

MCL and Prosser Rotary Club, with Prosser Friends of the Library, will bring Reptile Man to Sylvan Stage in Prosser City Park on July 26 at 10 am. MCL and City of Connell will bring Reptile Man to Connell Community Center July 26 at 1 pm, and MCL and City of Pasco Parks and Rec host Reptile Man at Memorial Park in Pasco July 26 at 4 pm.

Read the Rainbow, a book club for adults, is co-hosted by MCL and RPL and takes place July 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Mid-Columbia Libraries’ West Pasco Branch; the group will discuss the book "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller.

Summer Reading Challenge registration and details are at midcolumbialibraries.org/reading-challenges. Program details can be found at midcolumbialibraries.org/calendar and on Facebook.

The planned closure announced previously for the week of July 11 has been delayed one week.  Due to the delivery of runway closure barricades and signage, the contractor is not able to start the work until Monday July 18.  A revised construction schedule will be distributed detailing the work for the week of July 18. The port apologies for this inconvenience.

For more information and updated project guidance, please visit portofbenton.com/projects.

On July 1st, Petersen Hastings was proud to announce the addition of Rachel Chacko as an Associate Wealth Advisor for the firm.  Rachel joins us from fellow Zero Alpha Group (ZAG) affiliated firm, Carlson Capital Management, in which she held a similar role for four years.  As an Associate Wealth Advisor at Petersen Hastings, Rachel is responsible for assisting the Advisory Team in managing existing client relationships and supporting their development of new client relationships.
 
“Our entire team is very excited that we continue to add high quality talent as we welcome Rachel to her position within our firm,” said Matt Neff, Director of Advisor Services.  “With her experience working for a fellow Zero Alpha Group (ZAG) affiliated firm that practices a similar philosophy to ours, I am confident that Rachel will be a valuable addition to the Petersen Hastings team, our clients, and local community members.”
 
Rachel was raised in Ames, Iowa. She earned a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Colorado in 2010.  She also holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in flute performance and a Postgraduate Artist Diploma from a European conservatory.  Before her role with Carlson Capital Management, Rachel was a tenured professor in the music department at Whitman College in Walla Walla.  Dedicated to her career in wealth advising, she holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation.  She is excited about her return to Washington State with her husband and two children. 

Summer is here and Mid-Columbia Libraries is excited to announce the Kennewick library has fully resumed in-person services. In a collaborative effort with the City of Kennewick, a comfortable climate awaits customers who wish access books and materials, free Wi-Fi and public computers, wireless printing, curbside pickup, study rooms, and more library services. For the latest programs schedule, customers should check the website calendar at midcolumbialibraries.org/calendar.

A temporary mobile cooling unit has been installed to significantly help cool the building. Two additional upgrades are in process and include window tinting and destratification fans, to improve air circulation. These new amenities should keep branch temperatures at a comfortable level until a new larger air conditioning unit can be installed.

Expanded hours at Keewaydin Park library, located at 405 S. Dayton St. in Kennewick, will continue through July 8 before returning to regular hours on July 9. Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Kennewick Branch is located at 1620 S. Union Street and open 9 am to 8 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10 am to 6 pm, Friday through Sunday.

Customers can learn more by visiting midcolumbialibraries.org.

Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health (GCACH) is hosting a Future of the Health Workforce Summit on July 28th-July 29th at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center in Walla Walla, Washington.

GCACH recognizes how the health sector has been struggling in terms of workforce shortages and turnover. Pushed to the brink by the Covid-19 pandemic— hospitals, health systems, and their workforces— have remained on the front lines to ensure access to care for patients in the communities they serve. Despite increasing demand for health care services, leaders are facing a critical shortage of staff necessary to meet that demand due to a variety of reasons including burnout and stress.

This conference is a unique opportunity for professionals to learn from experts on ways to strengthen and optimize their organization’s workforce strategy. Topics include strengthening academic partnerships, national and state perspectives on the future of the health workforce, workforce stabilization and cost control opportunities in the post-pandemic world, recruitment and retention, and more. This summit is ideal for healthcare professionals in leadership and human resources, as well as academia.

“This is one of the most robust workforce conferences I’ve ever seen,” stated Dan Ferguson, GCACH Board Member and Executive Director of the Washington State Allied Health Center of Excellence. Dan added, “These topics hit on many areas of concern throughout the industry.”  
 
Find registration and details at bit.ly/gcachsummit2022. For questions, contact Chelsea Chapman via email (cchapman@gcach.org) or by phone at 509-567-5646.