09/25/08 Lower Valley briefs

Exercise for women classes start Oct. 6

TOPPENISH -- Jill Ross will begin holding exercise classes for women on Oct. 6 at the Parks and Recreation office here.

Ross will stress low-impact cardiovascular exercises.

Cost is $30. Hours are 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

For more information, call Toppenish Parks and Recreation at 509- 865-5150.

Toppenish offers trips to Northwest spots

TOPPENISH -- Toppenish Parks and Recreation is offering several out-of-town trips in the next several months.

First up is an overnight stay Nov. 1 and 2 at Mill Bay Casino on the shores of Lake Chelan. Cost is $80, which includes lodging and transportation.

On Nov. 22, travelers will go shopping tax-free at the Woodburn Outlet Mall in Woodburn, Ore. Cost is $45 per person for transportation.

On Dec. 6, get in the Christmas spirit with a trip to Leavenworth. Cost is $40 for transportation.

On Feb. 14-16, 2009, celebrate Valentine's Day with a two-night stay in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast. Cost is $175 per person, which includes lodging and transportation. Trips to nearby beaches, casinos and malls are offered.

For more information about any of the trips, call James Cole, Toppenish Parks and Recreation director, at 509-865-5150.

Ballroom dancing taught in Toppenish

TOPPENISH -- Dance teacher Jim Ide will begin ballroom dance classes on Oct. 7 at the Toppenish Eagles Lodge.

Ide will teach a variety of dances, including the fox trot, cha-cha and tango.

A dance partner is recommended but not required.

Cost is $25 per couple for Toppenish residents, $32 for nonresidents.

Hours are 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

For more information, call Toppenish Parks and Recreation at 509-865-5150.

Goldendale program tells about eye-care mission

GOLDENDALE -- Dr. James Ogden and members of his optometric mission team will present a free slideshow on Romania and the Ukraine at 7 p.m. Monday at the Goldendale Community Library.

Each year, Ogden travels with a team of volunteers to different places around the world to provide eye care to people in need.

For more information, call the library at 509-773-4487.

Grandview walkers head indoors for the winter

GRANDVIEW -- Step indoors next week for this city's walking program.

Grandview Parks and Recreation leads a twice-weekly free walking program.

The team of walkers, which collectively adds its mileage each session, meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Right now it's at Grandview High School's Rich Leenhouts Stadium.

However, on Oct. 2, the walkers will move inside to Harriet Thompson Elementary School until next spring.

Newcomers of any age are welcome.

For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 509-882-9219.

Wine tours to help pay Bohlkes' medical costs

PROSSER -- Ride a limo, drink wine, help a family with medical expenses.

Elegant Wine Country Limousine of Prosser will hold benefit wine tours Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 to raise money for the medical expenses of the Bohlke family.

The Bohlkes own Q-Tech Automotive in Prosser. Cliff Bohlke and his son Jason were badly burned Aug. 25 during an
explosion caused by a can of choke cleaner.

Cliff Bohlke spent two weeks at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with burns to his face, hands and arms. The family was not covered because they were shopping for a private insurance carrier at the time, Bohlke said.

Family members kept the business open and Cliff Bohlke is back at work with limited duties.

The limousine company will charge $75 per person for the wine tours. All proceeds after expenses will go to the Bohlkes, said Cindy Tucker, who owns the business with her husband Dave.

For more information, call 509-781-0360 or e-mail to thetuckers@bentonrea.com.