Due to his recent election to the State of Washington House of Representatives, Council member Matt Boehnke has submitted his resignation from the City Council effective December 31, 2018. The Kennewick City Council is now accepting applications from citizens interested in appointment to the City Council At Large position. An At Large position is residency anywhere within the incorporated Kennewick city limits. The person appointed to fill the vacant council position will then serve Mr. Boehnke’s remaining term which expires December 31, 2019. The person elected in November 2019 will take office when sworn in at the first meeting in January 2020.

The deadline to apply for this Council position is 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 7, 2019. To be considered, all applications must be received by the deadline. A Special Public Meeting for City Council to interview qualified applicants is scheduled for January 12, 2019.

Applicants for City Council must be 18 years of age or older, a registered voter, and a resident of Kennewick for at least one year and have demonstrated a willingness to actively represent the interests of the citizens of Kennewick. 

Applicants can apply online at www.go2kennewick.com/FormCenter/City-Council-Vacancy-Application-17/City-Council-Vacancy-Application-109 or submit an application to the City Clerk’s office at 210 West 6th Avenue, Kennewick WA 99336. 

All admission and concession proceeds for Wednesday Jan. 2 will be donated to My Friends’ Place, a homeless shelter for teenagers.  This fundraiser has become a tradition for Rollarena since its 60th anniversary five years ago when all proceeds for that event were donated to this organization.  The event is open to all ages.

My Friends’ Place, part of the Safe Harbor Organization, is Southeastern Washington’s first safe overnight sanctuary for homeless teens.  My Friends’ Place is currently providing immediate basic human survival needs for youth on the streets. It provides warm meals, showers, laundry, and a safe place to rest, for youth ages 13 through 17.     

Rollarena Skating Center has been providing entertainment for the Tri-Cities for over 60 years. It conducts public skating sessions and private parties for schools, churches, clubs and businesses.  It also has birthday party packages and a skating lesson program. 

On Wednesday, December 19th at 1:00 pm, the Port of Pasco will host a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $3.4M hangar being built in the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center. It will house the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Aerial Facility.

The 18,240-square-foot, pre-engineered metal building will provide an operations base for the ARM Aerial Facility that is operated for DOE by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and has been based out of the Tri-Cities Airport Industrial Park for more than three decades.

This new facility at the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center will provide nearly 9,000-square-feet of hangar space to house a new research aircraft, 6,740-square-feet of space for the mission critical aircraft maintenance and science support and 2,700 square-feet of office area.

The ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) serves the global science community focusing on providing airborne measurements of cloud microphysical properties and radiative properties of the atmosphere, as well as aerosols and trace gases. The information researchers collect is downloaded into the ARM Data Center allowing scientists worldwide to access the data for use in their research.

A new aircraft to support the AAF is being planned and will require a larger hangar space than the current Gulfstream-159, or G-1 aircraft that PNNL has operated out of the Tri-Cities Airport since the 1960s. The new, larger hangar will be leased by Battelle, which operates PNNL for DOE.

In addition to the aircraft, AAF’s sophisticated air sampling instruments and research equipment, including a large unmanned aerial system will be housed in the new building. The project will be funded by a $2.0 million loan/grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board, $350,000 from Franklin County’s Economic Development fund, $500,000 from the Port of Pasco, and DOE is contributing $550,000 in tenant-customized improvements.

The AAF hangar exemplifies the uniqueness of the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center, which allows companies private access to the commercial airfield on one side of the property while maintaining a public store front access on the business center side.

“This hangar not only allows us to continue to support ARM and PNNL as the top employer in the Tri-Cities, it highlights the role the Tri-Cities Airport plays in economic development. We believe this hangar will continue and encourage the growth of corporate aviation at the airport,” stated Port of Pasco Commission President Jean Ryckman. “We want to thank PNNL for being a great partner and look forward to welcoming them to their new home at the Airport Business Center.”

“Franklin County is pleased to participate in this project and looks forward to the important economic and technological benefits it will generate here,” stated Franklin County Commission Chair Brad Peck.

DGR Grant of Richland, WA, is the general contractor on the project and expects construction to take about 8 months to complete.

Ryan Dysland was presented with Scouting’s highest honor on December 15, 2018 at West Side Church in Richland, WA, the Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America has announced.

He is the son of Eric & Karlene Dysland of Kennewick, WA. Daniel is a member of Troop 237, chartered by West Side Church. His Scout leader is Dick Nelson.

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Ryan had to earn 21 merit badges and show leadership by planning, developing, and completing a community service project. Ryan also earned a Bronze Eagle Palm for achieving the completion of 26 merit badges by the time he reached Eagle.

For his project, Ryan restored the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the City of Kennewick with donations from the City and the Combat Veterans International. The entire project took more than 100 hours to complete.

Ryan attends Liberty Christian School where he is active in varsity football. Since he is only 15 years old, Ryan plans to continue to serve his community in the coming years before attending college.

The rank of Eagle is earned by less than four percent of all youth who join Boy Scouts of America. In 2017, 95 boys in the Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America earned the Eagle Scout Award, providing over 10,672 service hours.

Kadlec Foundation seeks grant opportunities for programs and services that, without donor support, would not be possible. Thanks to two generous organizations, Kadlec Foundation has been awarded $4,170 to benefit two pediatrics programs through Kadlec. We are extremely grateful to the following organizations for their support of Kadlec and Kadlec Foundation.

• Columbia Center Rotary awarded $2,170 towards Kadlec’s pageant for children with special needs, called the Sparkle and Shine Pageant. The pageant, held in November, invited boys and girls to have a day of fellowship and fun while highlighting their unique talents that make them sparkle and shine.
• Northwest Farm Credit Services awarded $2,000 towards equipment for the Kadlec Academy program including portable speaker systems, wireless microphone systems and CPR-AED training manikins. Kadlec Academy runs once a week for four weeks at local, participating schools for grades 1 through 5. Kids learn the basics of the various systems in their body, do related physical activities, learn basic hands on CPR, and have a healthy snack. Kadlec is striving to instill healthy habits in young children to build a lifetime of healthy living.

For more information about these grants, or other Kadlec Foundation funding priorities, please email Nikki Ostergaard, Foundation marketing and communications program specialist, at [email protected] or call (509) 942-3238.

The first phase of the rebuilt Playground of Dreams in Columbia Park opened for play Wednesday with the help of a significant contribution by the Tri-City Water Follies Association.

Colin Hastings, President of the non-profit Tri-City Water Follies Association, presented a $75,000 check to help fund the first half of the playground replacement, which appropriately includes a hydroplane toy representative of the Columbia Cup event that has taken place on the nearby river every July for more than 50 years.

“Our mission is not only to put on an epic summer festival, we also are committed to supporting improvements to the shoreline and park,” Hastings said. “We are thrilled to donate to the Playground of Dreams so that generations to come can experience such a great regional treasure.”

Kennewick Mayor Don Britain acknowledged the community’s ongoing commitment to this Tri-Cities landmark, and the vision, participation and support that ensures the legacy of the Playground of Dreams continues for future generations.

“Since its inception in 1999, and rebuild in 2004 after it was burned down, our community has rallied around this playground,” Britain said. “When inspectors warned it was nearing the end of its life span, there was no doubt we would unite yet again to replace it. And with financial gifts from organizations like the Tri-City Water Follies, Columbia Center Rotary, Conover Insurance and the Permobil Foundation, we’re half-way there.”

The announcement jump starts a $482,000 fundraising campaign for the remainder of the 1,600 square foot replacement structure, which the City plans to complete in the spring. In the meantime, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Hahn praised the Water Follies for their contribution, along with donations by Columbia Center Rotary for an inclusive musical instrument feature, the Permobil Foundation and Conover Insurance.

The new design incorporates iconic elements and new features the community asked for during 2017 open houses and surveys, including the cable bridge, a lighthouse, a Lampson crane, and a hydroplane. Just a few of the new elements planned for Phase 2 include a zip track, a spinning sensory wave seat, and challenging climbing features.

The public also wanted an inclusive playground, Hahn said. First phase components are connected by ramps, and the second phase of the site will be poured with a surface that can be navigated by users with wheelchairs or mobility limitations. Features such as the Columbia Center Rotary Harmony Plaza musical instruments mean kids of various abilities can play side-by-side, and experience structured and unstructured play.

This re-imagined Playground of Dreams is constructed of durable, recyclable materials that will withstand decades of weather and play. During summer, aluminium posts won’t burn or feel hot like steel does, and the powder coat finish and rubberized deck coatings help to insulate little hands from the heat. Additional safety considerations include an open concept layout that allows parents and kids to see each other from most vantage points.

The more than 1400 inscribed wood pickets that enclosed the previous playground were removed, and have been made available to those who purchased them as part of the original fundraising campaign. Small pieces and embellishments from the wood playground were salvaged to be incorporated into future projects or returned by request to the volunteers who helped build it.

Now the City is asking the community to once again pitch in and donate to help complete Phase 2 of the rebuilt structure. Major corporate sponsors in addition to generous individuals who see the benefit of the playground are being rallied to help raise $482,000 to complete the rebuild.

As proposed, the cost of all equipment, surface and installation will total nearly $1 million dollars. Of that, to fund this first phase, $325,000 was paid by the city and nearly $180,000 has been pledged by sponsors. Over the next three months, the Parks and Recreation Commission will be campaigning for nearly a half-million dollars to complete the project. Corporate sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to a $500,000 title sponsorship – payable over multiple years –are being sought to expedite the build.

Individuals can support the rebuild by purchasing $10 wristbands, $100 commemorative lapel pins, and $250 “dream medals” that can be inscribed with a name or personal message and will be affixed to the pillars at the playground entrance. They are available for purchase at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex and Kennewick Community Center, and online soon at KennewickRecreation.com.

“The most successful donor-driven projects are those that are jump-started with a significant contribution, typically by a community champion that shares similar objectives and sees the value in giving back,” said Parks and Commission Chair Ken Hahn. “The playground rebuild fundraising campaign is no different, and we’re thankful for the catalytic investment by the Water Follies.”

Mid-Columbia Libraries will begin the remodel of its West Richland branch in early 2019. The permanent branch, located at 3803 W. Van Giesen, will close Dec. 11-12 for moving. The temporary branch, located behind the permanent branch in the former City of West Richland Public Works building, will open Dec. 13, and the library will host its holiday family fun event, Grinch-mas, that day at 4 pm.

Library hours and services at the temporary branch will remain the same as at the permanent branch. Operations will continue at the temporary branch while the main branch undergoes renovations. The remodel will begin in January 2019 and take approximately three to four months.

For more details, a complete remodel floor plan, construction progress photos, and more, customers can visit midcolumbialibraries.org/west-richland-branch-remodel.

Bluewood’s 2018-19 season begins Friday, December 14, as the ski area welcomes skiers and snowboarders to the mountain.

Currently there are 20 inches of snow at the base and 23 inches at the summit. The National Weather Service forecast calls for fresh snow early next week heading into opening day.

“We’re looking forward to a great season,” says Kim Clark, General Manager of Bluewood. “Guests will notice a few changes this year. The platter pull lift in the beginner area has been replaced with two new conveyor lifts. Just step on a moving walkway and enjoy the ride up. It’s perfect for beginners. And at the summit there’s a new yurt where guests can eat a quick snack, have a warm drink or hang out between runs. We’re ready to welcome everyone back to the mountain.”

The Skyline Express and Easy Rider conveyor lifts are scheduled to run on opening day (Triple Nickel lift to be determined). Ski and snowboard rentals, retail, food services and lessons also will be available.

Operating schedule: Bluewood will be open from December 14 through December 16, and then daily from December 20 through and including January 1, except for Christmas Day (closed). Daily hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for December 24, which will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In January, Bluewood will be open Wednesdays through Sundays every week and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 21).
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Snow phone: For recorded updates on conditions and other information, call (509) 240-8991. Information is typically updated by 5:30 a.m. and is available 24/7.

The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers are pleased to partner with The Richland Players this holiday season on a fully staged production of "The First Nowell," a one act musical nativity play by 20th century British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. This production will serve as the second installment in MCM's 2018-19 subscription concert series. Three performances will be given at the Richland Players Theatre in the Richland Parkway on December 14, 15 & 16.

Sixty members of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers will provide a soundtrack of traditional Christmas songs and carols for the story. Stage director Megan Johnson helms this ‘play within a play’ set in Victorian England, with the characters retelling the traditional account of the nativity story. The heart-warming holiday tale emphasizes the idea of community and connection as we see a group of disparate strangers evolve into a fellowship of neighbors and friends.

Also included on the program are the newly-formed Mastersingers Youth (MY) Choirs, performing a festive selection of music. Each show will feature a different group of MY Choir singers from the four performing ensembles. The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers are proud to feature these young voices in this inaugural season of their expanded MY Choirs program.

The three performances will take place at the Richland Players Theatre in the Richland Parkway on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 16 at 3:00pm. A “Behind the Music” talk with the Artistic Director Justin Raffa will take place 30 minutes before each show. Tickets are $25 for adults, free for K-12 students. Season passes are still available for a discount on each concert. Visit www.mcmastersingers.org for more information.

This production is part of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers 2018-19 season, and tickets can be purchased online at www.mcmastersingers.org or by calling 509-460-1766. To receive free notifications about Mastersingers concerts and events, join our text club by texting the word “choir” to 78816.