BLM lifts fire closures
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane District has lifted the regulated fire closure on public lands administered by the BLM in eastern Washington as of Oct. 14
Affected counties are Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
Become a Master Gardener
The WSU Extension Master Gardeners is offering a 16-week training course on topics ranging from soil fertility to growing vegetables to landscape design. For more information, call (509) 422‑7245. The application deadline is Nov. 1. Training begins in January 2016.
Manger Mall workshop
A work party and volunteer appreciation event for Manger Mall, the local program that provides holiday gifts to those in need, is scheduled for Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Methow Valley United Methodist Church. Learn how the Manger Mall ensures children of the Methow Valley have a special Christmas. The workshop will provide hands-on instructions for creating fleece blankets and pillowcases. For more information, call Wendy Braden at (206) 999‑1898.
Soroptimist award available
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Education Award will provide a grant of $1,000 to an Okanogan County woman. To be eligible, applicants must have primary financial responsibility for herself and her dependents; be attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program; and have financial need. Application forms are available at Wenatchee Valley College in Omak or email siokanoganvalley@soroptimist.net. The completed application must be postmarked (or emailed) by Nov. 15. For more information, call (509) 826‑5109.
Old Schoolhouse wins at Yakima
The Old Schoolhouse Brewery won first place and best of show for its Fresh Hop IPA at the Yakima Fresh Hop Brewfest on Oct. 3. Old Schoolhouse had finished in fourth place the previous four years.
Forty breweries were in attendance.
In the competition, fresh hops are picked and brewing begins within a few hours. The Old Schoolhouse brew team started brewing in the early morning while head brewer Kyle Koger collected hops in Yakima and then drove back to Winthrop to get them into the brew kettle, according to Old Schoolhouse co-owner Casey Ruud.
Spinners & Weavers show coming
The annual Methow Valley Spinners & Weavers Guild show and sale will be Nov. 20 – 21 at 137 Old Twisp Highway. The event will be from 2 – 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 996‑3655.
