Make a tule duck decoy at August event

Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Walla Walla will host a cultural demonstration this summer on fiber arts. 

On Aug. 10, cultural resource educator Tom Bailor will teach about tule, a native water reed used by the Native peoples of the Columbia Plateau. Participants will be able to create a tule duck decoy during the event.

Bailor has a background in archaeology and education, specializing in field and experimental archeological education.

The demonstration is from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Whitman Mission Visitor Center, 328 Whitman Mission Road, Walla Walla. The event is free and open to the public and park admission is free. 

Go to: nps.gov/whim or call 509-522-6360.

Local writing group hosts panel discussion

Storywriters of the Tri-Cities is set to host a panel discussion on July 8. The discussion, which is open to the public, will be on Conflict, Chaos and Crisis in Writing. 

Deb Gorman, Matt Leggett and Lenora Rain-Lee Good are the panelists. Gorman writes stories of family drama and healing; Leggett has directed productions at Hanford High School for 30 years; and Rain-Lee Good writes short memoirs, fiction, radio plays and poetry. 

Linda Moore, a co-facilitator of Storywriters of the Tri-Cities, will be the panel moderator. 

The panel discussion will take place at 1:15 p.m. in the Doris Roberts Gallery, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland. 

For more information, contact Dixie Gilbert, dixiegilbert@charter.net; Mickey Hunacek, 509-539-0918, goodnews4mh@gmail.com; Linda Moore, 425-830-4911, ldkmoore@gmail.com; Mary Jackson Rickard, 509-851-3797.

VA director talks state cemetery in Tri-Cities

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs director recently discussed a proposed state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities during a recent town hall in West Richland. 

“While we are at the very beginning stages of this concept, it was wonderful to see how engaged and supportive the community is,” David Puente Jr. said in a statement.

The department is looking for land that meets criteria laid out by the federal VA State Cemetery Grants Program. Proposed sites will be considered based on several criteria, including access to public roadways, availability of utilities and suitability of the land.  

The agency is currently searching for 100 acres.

Go to: dva.wa.gov/tri-cities-cemetery.