etc. - Dec. 24, 2009

Yakima Canutt book relates wrangler days

A new book about Yakima Canutt, Penawawa area native who earned fame as a national rodeo champion and went on to a career as a Hollywood stunt director, has been released. Titled “My Rodeo Years,” the book was published by McFarland & Co., in Jefferson, N.C.

It is based on Canutt’s recollections of his years as a cowboy competitor which were told to John Crawford, retired Hollywood actor and writer who originated the Codger Bowl in Colfax. Crawford, who now resides in Newbury Park, Calif., conducted a series of interviews with the retired stunt director before he died in 1986.

Crawford’s introduction to the book was taken from a talk he gave at the Palouse Empire Fair when Canutt was honored here in 1983.

Canutt’s son, Joe Canutt, noted in a forward to the new book that it gives a better chronicle of his dad’s days of rodeo competition before he joined the Hollywood scene. An earlier book on Canutt, “Stunt Man,” focused on his Hollywood days.

Cake decorating class

Garfield Library will host a cake decorating class Sunday, Jan. 24, from 2 to 3:30 in the Garfield Community Center located directly behind the library. Erica Willson, an experienced cake decorator, will teach participants simple shortcuts and the use of decorating tools.

The class is designed for teens and adults with a class fee of $20 to offset the cost of supplies. Registration is required.

Contact Garfield Librarian Crystal Bailey or Willson or more information.

Library slates four sessions on fitness

Whitman County Library is integrating the Wii Sports Fitness software into many of its regular children’s programs.

The program will be three sessions, Dec. 29.

The program can increase cardiovascular endurance, improve reaction time, increase agility and motor skills, improve balance, weight transfer, sensory and range of motion.

Library branches in a number of towns will host free Wii Sports programs hosted by Teen Librarian Erica Willson. The events will feature age-appropriate competition and a light snack.

Three sessions are scheduled next Tuesday, Dec. 29, with stops scheduled at 10 a.m. in the Rosalia Library, and 1 p.m. at the Colfax Library (U.S. Bank building), and 3:30 p.m. at the Albion Library. Another stop will be Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. in the St. John Library.

For more information contact Youth Services Coordinator Sheri Miller or email Teen Librarian Erica Willson at [email protected].

Rosalia fund raiser to aid roof project

Rosalia Performing Arts Center will have a fund-raiser Saturday, Jan. 23, to benefit the roof project with a music jam starting at 3 p.m .; ugly sweater competition, 4 p.m. and a chili cookin’ contest at 5 p.m. Prizes for the best ugly sweater and best chili will be $20.

Coffee and cookies will be available by donation. Cost for the chili and corn bread feed is $5. Donations are encouraged.

For more information, call Becky Cook.

[email protected]

Births

Charlie and Kelli Organ, Spokane, son and daughter-in-law of Don and Shelley Organ, Colfax, have adopted twins, Jocelyn and Issac from Ethiopia.

They arrived home with them Sept. 18. The twins were approximately 19 months at the time. The children are the first for the couple. They have chosen Jan. 10, 2010 as their birthday and they will be 2 years old. Grandparents besides the Organs are maternal grandparents, Jean and Gene Hardwick and great-grandmother, Bee Hardwick, all of Spokane.

A girl, Brenna Laine, was born Dec. 16, 2009, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax, to Tina and Adam Smith. Maternal grandparents are Lynn and Marilyn Con, Sandpoint. Paternal grandparents are Thane and June Smith, Idaho Falls. Weighing seven pounds, 10 ounces at birth, the baby joins siblings Laura, Aubry, Tyler and Addison.

A boy, Eli Zechariah, was born Dec. 19, 2009, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax, to Becky and Aaron Krantz. Maternal grandparents are Ken and Karen Schuster, Yakima. Paternal grandparents are John and Marci Krantz, Forest Lake. Weighing seven pounds, 10 ounces at birth, the baby joins siblings, Isaac and Hannah.

A girl, Noelle Marie, was born Dec. 11, 2009, at Valley General Hospital in Spokane to Laura and Mike Hayes of Spokane. Maternal grandparents are Bob and Shirley Morasch, Endicott. Paternal grandfather is Melvin Hayes, Spokane Valley. Great-grandparents are Agnes Robinson, Palouse and Melvin and Dorothy Hayes, Spokane Valley. Weighing eight pound, four ounces at birth, she joins one brother, Riley Adam, 3.

On campus

WSU’s Sheila K. Converse, mezzo-soprano, will perform folk songs arranged by classical composers Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. in Bryan Hall Theatre as part of the faculty series presented by the School of Music Converse will be joined by pianist Meg Kelley and by WSU’s faculty members Ruth Boden, cello, and Meredith Arksey, violin and viola.

This concert will include folk songs arranged by Beethoven, Britten, Quilter and Copland. It is free and open to the public.

OTHER

WSU visiting writers program will host poet Sarah Vap, Dec. 3l.

BOOKMARK

Whitman County Library will close Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. and Jan. 1. The Web site and all book drops will be available for requesting and returning items.

Storytime will not be held on Dec. 24 or 31 due to library closures. Storytime resumes on Thursday Jan. 7, with Baby Time at 10:10, Toddler Time 10:30-11 and Preschool Time from 11:00-11:30.

Friday Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 Play and Learn is also cancelled due to library closures. Play and Learn returns on Jan. 8 from 10-11:30 for children of all ages and their parents, grandparents or caregivers.

Wii Sports Fitness fun is Tues, Dec. 29 from 1-2:30p.m., upstairs at the Colfax Library’s U.S. Bank location. Other Wii events are scheduled around the county so visit the online events calendar at http://www.whitco.lib.wa.us or contact Sheri at the library.

A cake decorating class is scheduled for Sat., Jan. 24 from 2-3:30 in the Garfield Library. Teens and adults are invited to participate with a fee of $20 being requested to cover supply costs.

Looking for specific books, movies, magazines or music. Call ahead and library staffers will request items for you and do their best to have a good selection waiting for you at pickup.

Three book suggestions are The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond, Clara’s Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression by Clara Cannucciari with Christopher Cannucciari, and the The DIY Bride Crafty Countdown by Khris Cochran, all newly purchased and available for checkout.