News Next Door: July 31

TANWAX COUNTRY CHAPEL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Tanwax County Chapel’s VBS continues from July 31 to Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The theme is ROAR Life is wild. God is good (an African Adventure experience). Suitable for ages 5 through 11. Tanwax is located at  36417 Mtn. Hwy. E. Eatonville. Register online at https//vbspro.events/p/tccvbs2019 or visit tanwaxcc.com for more information.

JBLM YOUTH SHOOT AND TRAINING EVENT

Saturday, Aug. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ft. Lewis Shooting Range. Free to all youth 15 and under. No cost to use the range, free use of shotguns, free shells and free lunch provided to all. Bring the youths and the organizers will provide them with an opportunity to learn safe firearms handling along with the chance to fire shotguns at clay pigeons. Trap fields will be open, and a safety briefing will be provided to the kids and parents. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and pop will be provided. It’s a great way to spend quality time with the family. All must attend safety briefing before the handling of firearms. Sponsored by the Western Washington Volunteer Pheasant Releasers and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. For more information, call Bill Ostrander at 253-847-3979 or The Adventure Center at 253-967-8260.

HEALTH FAIR AT BETHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL

There will be a free health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 at Bethel Middle School. There will be free sports physicals, immunizations, lunch, backpacks and more. Call 253-722-1548 for more information.

NISQUALLY LAND TRUST HOLDS NATURE WALKS

Enjoy the beauty of our natural areas and learn how collaborative conservation is making a lasting difference in the Nisqually Watershed. The Nisqually Land Trust is sponsoring nature walks. All walks are free but registration is required.

One of the scheduled walks is the Nisqually Community Garden Tour with the Nisqually Indian Tribe from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 10. Visit http://bit.ly/32WRWWn to register and learn more. Another walk is the Forest Succession: An Ohop Creek Restoration Walk with Site Steward Crow Vecchio from 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Aug. 17. Visit http://bit.ly/2ZcmcdP for more information.

FIRE DISTRICT 23 HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE

Pierce County Fire District 23, will be hosting a fire department open house and community blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Station 87 at 29815 State Route 706 E., Ashford.

The open house will include: a free medical mobile, free blood pressure checks, educational booths, games for the kids, a landing by an Airlift Northwest helicopter (weather and operations dependent) and more. If you're interested in being a blood donor, contact Lt. Scott Beason to get on the schedule. The district is looking for at least 20 volunteers to help with blood donations at an especially critical time of the year for Cascade Regional Blood Services. Visit http://www.pcfd23.org for more information.

ECO EXPLORER’S CLUB

The Eco Explorer’s Club provides outdoor experiences for children to explore nature and science.

Eco Explorer’s schedule: Aug. 14 – Nisqually Delta’s estuary; Aug. 21– Mount Rainier’s Nisqually glacier. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick up and drop off location Graham Kapowsin high school. Age group 3rd grade to 8th grade. Cost $40 per day per child. Please call or text 253-691-2218 to reserve a spot today. Ask for Norm or Carol. Adult volunteers who drive their own car will increase our enrollment capabilities. Adult volunteers who drive their own car will be able to bring additional siblings at a reduced rate. They are a nonprofit organization.

COMMUNITY PICNIC

Everyone is welcome to a picnic At Glacier Park Saturday, August 17 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be food, drinks, music, games and prizes. Contact Dorothy at 360-832-2574 for more information.