Fall’s arrival this month means it’s time for vaccines 

Health officials encourage seniors to roll up their sleeves for updated flu and Covid-19 vaccines this fall. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it expects the vaccines to be widely available in September.  

The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for adults aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV, and for everyone aged 75 years and older. Adults ages 60-74 are at increased risk if they have certain medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or live in a nursing home. 

The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning older adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. That means if you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time. 

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause severe infections. 

The best time to get vaccinated for RSV is late summer or early fall, just prior to the fall and winter respiratory virus season, the CDC said. 

Each year, the CDC estimates that between 60,000 to 160,000 older adults in the U.S. are hospitalized and 6,000 to 10,000 die due to RSV infection. 

National chain to close Richland store 

Big Lots plans to close its Richland store along with several others nationwide amid financial woes. 

The store at 1743 George Washington Way notified customers via email Aug. 2 that it would soon be closing, but did not say when. The email said it was offering discounts storewide on furniture, home decor and essentials.  

Big Lots plans to close more than a dozen stores in Washington, but the Kennewick store at 3019 W. Kennewick Ave. is not on the current closure list. 

The Richland store will leave another vacancy in the Safeway-anchored plaza in north Richland. Office Depot closed its store at 1717 George Washington Way in early 2024, and the storefront is still empty. 

Big Lots, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has 1,390 stores in 48 states. 

Franz Bakery outlet relocates to Richland  

Franz Bakery Outlet has relocated from Kennewick to 1729 George Washington Way, Suite 403, in north Richland.   

The Kennewick store on West 27th Avenue in the Southridge area has permanently closed.  

The bakery outlet sells discounted bread that has been pulled from stores. Some fresh items are stocked as well, according to the store’s manager.  

The store employs two and plans to hire a third person.  

The Richland store opened Aug. 22 and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 

OktoberFeast fundraiser returns 

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels is bringing back OktoberFeast. 

The event starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 and includes a 5K run/walk along the Columbia River and a Bavarian-style lunch with activities for kids, a dog corner, a biergarten with local craft brews, and more. It starts and ends at 2600 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland.  

All proceeds will go to Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, which provides meals to older adults throughout Benton and Franklin counties. 

“We are excited to bring OktoberFeast back to the community this year and are determined to make it our biggest event yet,” said Steve Davis, Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels director, in a statement. “We’re aiming to surpass 500 participants, and we hope to see everyone come out to support a great cause while enjoying a fantastic day.” 

To register, go to: runsignup.com/Race/WA/Richland/Oktoberfeast. 

The OktoberFeast bundle includes a collectible beer mug, a T-shirt and a free drink. 

Sponsors also are sought. Contact Amanda Le Blanc at 509-736-0038 or aleblanc@seniorliferesources.org. 

Kennewick chocolate shop to close

A balloon, party and chocolate shop in Kennewick was set to close at the end of August. 

The owners of Baum’s at 513 N. Edison St. announced Aug. 14 in a social media post that they’re retiring and “will be closing our doors at the end of the month.” 

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your amazing support and loyalty to Baum’s since 1981,” Don and Mindy Sandlin wrote in a Facebook post.  

They said they’re stepping away from balloon and party side of the business, “but as for our chocolates, we are still deciding on the next steps and will keep you updated,” they wrote. 

Third Friday dance moves to second Friday

The regularly scheduled Third Friday Dance sponsored by the Richland Senior Association will be from 1-3:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, on the second Friday of the month. 

Dance to the lively music of Gary Danielson and his musicians in the Riverview Room of the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland. 

Refreshments will be served.   

Cost is $10 per person.  

Richland horseshoe pitcher places in middle of pack

Sid Gire, the 90-year-old Richland horseshoe pitcher featured in the August edition of Senior Times, had a great time competing in the recent 2024 World Horseshoe Pitching Championship held at the Three Rivers campus in Kennewick.  

“It was a fantastic experience,” he said.   

Gire pitched in a division with about 15 seniors and finished around the middle of the pack. He loved the atmosphere of fun, plus he relished the chance to watch other pitchers compete, “especially the world championship matches at the end,” he said.  

The event drew 1,861 people, including 535 competitors and their guests, according to Visit Tri-Cities. Most were from out of town – the event had pitchers from around the U.S., Canada, Germany and Norway – and 73% had never before visited the area.  

The direct economic impact was $1.8 million to $2 million, according to Visit Tri-Cities.  

“Hosting signature events like the World Horseshoe Championships showcases the opportunities of our destination to new audiences from around the world,” said Kevin Lewis, president and CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “Participants infuse their passion and enthusiasm into our communities, and they take our hospitality and spirit of discovery back home with them. With it, they become ambassadors of our community vitality.”  

The world championships are scheduled to be back in the Tri-Cities in 2027. 

Volunteers help make improvements at veterans ranch

A crew of 30-plus volunteers from Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes recently built trails for a sensory garden and did other work at The Ranch near Prosser.   

They also provided a $10,000 donation to The Ranch, which is operated by the nonprofit Friends of Disabled Veterans. The 140-acre property is envisioned as a place where veterans can enjoy time outdoors and spend time reconnecting with family.   

It currently has an archery range and restrooms, with a lodge, playground and other facilities planned for the future. A capital campaign is underway.   

The Hayden Homes crew volunteered at the site on Aug. 9.   

“It is our honor and privilege to support Friends of Disabled Veterans, just as these servicemen and women have supported us,” said Rees Wasney, regional vice president of Hayden Homes, in a statement.  

Khris Beyer, senior operations director for Friends of Disabled Veterans, added that, “We are so grateful to partner with Hayden Homes on these projects for The Ranch and our community of veterans and their loved ones. To know that we are in collaboration with a company that believes as much in our mission as we do — it gives all of us a boost of hope that we can continue to achieve our vision for this special place.” 

Parade of Homes rebounds with return of the Chefs

The 2024 Parade of Homes returns with a five-day run, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7-8 and 14-15, and 1-7 p.m. Sept. 11.  

This year also welcomes the return of Chefs on Parade, a sold-out event in years past, that is from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 12. It features six Tri-City chefs preparing samples of their signature dishes in six Parade homes. 

Four of the locations will feature samples from local wineries and breweries. Chefs on Parade is a 21-and-older event.  

Chefs on Parade features: Megan and Jason Savely of Frost Me Sweet Bakery & Bistro in Richland; Adam Carr of Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant in Richland; Cara Nokes of Hot Mess Burgers & Fries in Kennewick; Joshua Krueger of The Social in Richland; Tanner Guy and Andrew Chilton of Doggie Style in Richland; and Arturo Rodriguez of Taqueria Chilisco of Kennewick.  

Chefs on Parade tickets are now on sale. Tickets are limited and cost $40 each. They include a standard Parade of Homes ticket so visitors can tour the homes not participating in the Chefs event during normal Parade hours. Go to: hbatc.com. 

The pre-purchased tickets will be available for pick up through Sept. 12 at the HBA office, 10001 W. Clearwater Ave. in Kennewick.  

Parade of Home tickets are on sale at Tri-City Circle K stores.