Free tours of the Longview Community Church sanctuary take place from 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. on July 4. Each visit lasts approximately 15 minutes. People can sign up for tours after the parade.

A free organ concert is held from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. the same day at the church, 2323 Washington Way, Longview.

In addition, a courtesy tent with tables and chairs will be set up outside the front of the church.

Members of the Washington State University Cowlitz County Master Gardeners offer free online workshops via Zoom or by calling by phone. Course participants must have a Zoom account and can create one at zoom.us.

To join classes, visit wsu.zoom.us/j/7756056320#. Meeting ID: 775 605 6320. Password: 12345. To call, dial 1-253-215-8782. Meeting ID: 775 605 6320#. Password: 12345.

For assistance or details, email Gary Fredricks at [email protected] or call him at 360-577-3014 ext 3.

July the 5th: noon, Planning a garden in cool weather. Master Gardener Sara Clark will discuss how to start a cool season garden for fall. July is the month to start and participants will learn what to plant and when to plant.

July 12: noon, how much water for your garden? Master gardener Art Fuller will teach you how to water a garden, lawn, and landscape; how much water is enough; and the best ways to water.

July 19: noon, invite beneficial insects into your garden. Master Gardener Anne Wolff will discuss beneficial insects that help control pests and keep a garden healthy. Participants will learn how to identify insects and how to keep them in the garden.

July 26: noon, Waterwise Gardening: Growing plants using less water. Master Gardener Allice Slusher will discuss growing plants using less water. Participants will learn how to add beauty to an aquatic landscape with drought-tolerant plants.

Volunteers are needed for the sexual assault program, Project Hope, at the emergency support shelter.

Thirty hours of free training will be provided that meets Washington State requirements. Shelter staff will work with volunteer schedules as much as possible. They will also provide ongoing support, debriefings and training opportunities.

For more details or to volunteer, call Deborah Nelson at 360-703-3762 ext. 207; or email [email protected]

The free Summer Concerts at the Lake series presented by Kirkpatrick Family Care takes place Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at Martin Dock at Sacajwea Lake in Longview.

The series features regional and national artists showcasing a variety of musical genres.

Alcohol is not permitted in Longview city parks.

July 7: Abbey Road (tribute to the Beatles).

July 14th: Mainstreet (tribute to Bob Seger).

July 21: Eagle Eyes (tribute to the Eagles).

July 28: Hit Factory (Best American cover band).

August 4: Carl Wirkkala and the Whistle Punks (country).

August 11: Long live rock (classic rock).

Costumed members of the Pacific Northwest Living Historians group will demonstrate the tools and skills used by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their Lewis and Clark Expedition as the Lewis and Clark encampment returns to Knappton Cove, Oregon.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 10 at the Knappton Cove Heritage Center on State Route 401 along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail about three miles east. east of the north end of the Astoria- Pont Megler and about eight miles south of Naselle. The center is inside the historic US Quarantine Station building.

Visitors will learn the history and stories of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including the Indigenous peoples they encountered, the territory they traveled and mapped, and the plants and animals they discovered .

Some of the tools and skills covered include carving, camp cooking, starting a fire with flint and steel, making leather clothing, and handling flintlock firearms.

In addition, this year, a Member Appreciation Social Lemonade will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 9 where board members will discuss group projects.

The event is free, but donations to the Knappton Cove Heritage Center are welcome.

For more details, visit knapptoncoveheritagecenter.org or email Nancy Anderson at [email protected]

The annual Long Beach Peninsula Garden Tour, “Music in the Gardens,” runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9 with a variety of peninsular coastal gardens with live music in each garden.

The touring musicians are Terry Robb, George Coleman, Brian O’Connor, Fred Carter and Tanz and the Sea Strings.

In some gardens, small bites of food and drink will be provided to encourage attendees to “linger, discover and enjoy beautiful outdoor rooms and meet the gardeners who have mastered the art of successful gardening on the coast”, according to A press release. submitted to the Daily News.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased beginning July 2 at The Basketcase Greenhouse, 12106 Sandridge Road, Long Beach; at the Bay Avenue Gallery, 1306 Bay Avenue, Ocean Park; at Nansel Florals, 3715 L. Place, Ocean View; and online at brownpapertickets.com. It will be necessary for people who buy tickets online to exchange them for a map of the gardens in one of the three shops where the tickets are sold.

The money raised goes to the Water Music Society, which presents classical music events and supports music programs in the Ocean Beach School District.

The visit will take place rain or shine. Participants are asked not to bring dogs or strollers on the tour. The organizers note that the health and safety of tour participants, gardeners and volunteers is their number one priority and, as a precautionary measure, they ask participants to bring a face covering/mask to the tour and to maintain a distance of 6 feet from people outside their household.

For updates on musicians and artists featured in the gardens, visit the Music in the Gardens Tour Facebook page.

For details, call Nancy Allen at 360-642-2507.

Incredible Years Parenting Program, a 16-week parenting course takes place at 4 p.m. Tuesdays starting July 12 at Columbia Wellness, 305 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso.

Classes focus on developing positive parenting skills for parents of children ages 2-8.

Tools and strategies to encourage positive behaviors, build relationships and manage conflict will be offered.

Topics include the importance of play, communication skills, problem solving, setting effective boundaries, praise and rewards, and dealing with bad behavior.

To register, visit thecareprojectapp.com.

For details, email [email protected] or call 360-353-9606.

Clamshell Railroad Days takes place from 10am. at 4 p.m. July 16 and 17 at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, 115 SE Lake St., Ilwaco.

The annual celebration of model trains and local train history features model trains from a number of regional train clubs including Cascade A modellers; Scale N of Mount Rainier; the Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railway Club; and the Pacific Northwest On30 modular group. Dean and Donna Mead’s LEGO train will also be on display.

Take-and-make craft kits for kids will be available while supplies last. Members of American Legion Post No. 48 will operate a hot dog stand on both days.

The historic wagon NAHCOTTA will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on both days.

Additionally, beginning at 2 p.m. on July 16 and 10 a.m. on July 17, community historian Michael Lemeshko will lead walking tours about the ancient history of Ilwaco.

Admission is $5 per person. Fees include a commemorative button and admission to the museum on both days. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.

For more details or to book a tour, call 360-642-3446.

AARP Tax Help volunteers will answer tax questions, help with letters received from the IRS, and provide other income tax preparation assistance on July 16, August 13, and September 17. at the Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview.

Same-day appointments are available between noon and 2 p.m. on the dates above. People who wish to use the services must come forward and they will receive an appointment on the same day.

Taxpayers should bring all tax documents and letters from the IRS to their appointments. Masks are mandatory.

Members of the Kelso Garden Club invite the public to join them and display flowers at the Flower Show held at the Cowlitz County Fair July 27-30.

The theme of the fair is “Let the good times grow”. The educational exhibit located in the Floral Building on the Fairgrounds at 1900 Seventh Ave., Longview, is “Water-wise Gardening in the Pacific Northwest”.

Visit cowlitzcountyfair.com/ and click on Exhibitor Information, then scroll down and click on Floral to view the schedule.

Flowers must be brought to the floral pavilion between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on July 25 or 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on July 26 to enter the contest. Ribbons will be awarded.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering free days in 2022 when visitors to state parks will not need a Discover Pass for day visits.

State parks’ “free days” are consistent with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass program, according to a Washington State Parks press release.

Free days apply only at state parks. The Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and Department of Natural Resources lands.

Costs for a Discover Pass are $30 for an annual pass or $10 for a day pass. The pass is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands operated by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the DNR.

September 24: National Public Lands Day.

October 10: World Mental Health Day.

November 11th: Veterans Day.

November 25: Native American Heritage Day.