New grads can enter airline ticket giveaway

Avelo Air, a new airline that serves the Tri-Cities, is giving away 21 sets of roundtrip airline tickets to 2021 graduates of area high schools, colleges, trade and technical schools.

July 20 is the deadline to enter the contest. The winners will receive two roundtrip tickets. The competition is open to anyone 18 and older who lives within 150 miles of the Tri-Cities Airport and graduated in 2021.

Go to aveloair.com/grads to enter. Winners will be selected at random by Aug. 17.

Alaska park vet tapped to head Mount Rainier park

The National Park Service has tapped a 30-year veteran who began his career as a whale biologist in Alaska as the next superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park.

Greg Dudgeon joined the park in July from his post as deputy regional director overseeing 15 national parks, preserves, monuments and other sites in Alaska.

Dudgeon joined the park service in 1983 as a volunteer photographing humpback whales at Glacier Bay National Park and rose through the service, serving in numerous parks and other facilities chiefly in Alaska.

Dudgeon and his wife, Susan, and their retired sled dogs (Lucor and Solace) will live near Mount Rainier, established in 1899 as the nation’s fifth national parks.

Cancer center hosts summer barbecue at Bookwalter

The Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Foundation holds its 2021 Summer Barbecue from 6 p.m. to midnight July 31 at Bookwalter Winery, 894 Tulip Lane, Richland.

Tickets are $100 and include dinner, two glasses of spirits, entertainment and a fireworks show. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Call 509-737-3413 for information or purchase tickets online: bit.ly/BookwalterBackyardBBQ.

Benton Franklin Fair set  for Aug. 24-28 in Kennewick

The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo is Aug. 24-28 in Kennewick following a hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic.

The lineup includes concerts by Trace Adkins, Nelly, Foghat, Seether and Plain White T’s, as well as the demolition derby and rodeo.

All seats for the Horse Heaven Round-Up are reserved this year.

Go to bentonfranklinfair.com or avoid processing fees by buying tickets at the fair office, 812 W. Washington St., Pasco, or the Kennewick Ranch & Home store.

Elijah Family Homes holds charity golf tournament

Elijah Family Homes, a Richland nonprofit that works with low-income families, holds its first ever charity golf tournament, “Chipping in Fore Families in Recovery,” starting with a scramble at 8 a.m. Aug. 27 at Zintel Creek Golf Club, formerly the Tri-Cities Country Club, in Kennewick.

A smoked brisket and barbecue chicken lunch is planned for the awards ceremony.

Entry is $500 per team or $150 for individuals.

All proceeds support local families working toward self-sustainability.

Call 509-943-6610 or go to elijahfamilyhomes.org.

United Soccer League pledges team in Spokane

The United Soccer League recently announced its intent to bring a W League women’s soccer team to Spokane as early as 2022.

The announcement follows news that a $31 million 5,000-seat stadium is planned in downtown to serve as the home of a USL League One expansion team.

Cindy Wendle, president of USL to Spokane, will lead the effort.

The new venue was approved by the Spokane Public Schools in June and will be funded with a voter-approved bond. It will be built near the Spokane Arena and managed by the Spokane Public Facilities District. 

Prosser Art Walk is July 17

The 17th annual Prosser Art Walk & Wine Gala will be held from 6-10 p.m. July 17 in the streets of downtown Prosser.

The event includes award-winning wine and a promenade featuring creative works by Northwest artisans, including fine art, glass, pottery, jewelry, fiber and recycled wood.

The wine event features new and established wineries as well as microbrews from throughout the region and live music from the Chase Craig Band. There will be food trucks offering food for purchase.

Tickets are $15 and include a commemorative logo glass, two scrip for wine or beer.

Go to tourprosser.com/artwalk.