Ellensburg Community Morning Show, Thursday, September 17

Central Washington University has set a date to open its newest building. The North Academic Commons, the big new structure next to Brooks Library on Dean Nicholson Boulevard, gets its ribbon-cutting on Friday, October 2nd, at 2 p.m., with self-guided tours after. It's a 104-thousand-square-foot building that is heated and cooled by a geothermal plant drawing on the Ellensburg aquifer under campus.

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NEWS

Kittitas County said thank you this week to someone who has kept its buildings running for more than three decades. Facilities Director Patti Stacey is retiring after 33 years with the county. Commissioners honored her at their meeting on Tuesday, and her last day in the office is set for October 2nd. 

Cle Elum is looking for two new city councilmembers. Ken Ratliff and Stephen Cook both resigned last week, leaving Positions 2 and 6 open. The city is now taking applications from anyone who is a registered voter and has lived inside Cle Elum city limits for at least a year. 

Central Washington University has set a date to open its newest building. The North Academic Commons, the big new structure next to Brooks Library on Dean Nicholson Boulevard, gets its ribbon-cutting on Friday, October 2nd, at 2 p.m., with self-guided tours after. It's a 104-thousand-square-foot building that is heated and cooled by a geothermal plant drawing on the Ellensburg aquifer under campus.

There's a new coffee shop on University Way, and it's a familiar name. Solid Grounds, the coffee trailer that has been on South Canyon Road for years, opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 706 East University Way last month, in the spot where Utopia closed in August. 

For events today, Music in the Gardens is tonight at 5:30 at Brick House Gardens and Nursery. Toastmasters meets at 5:30 tonight at the Hal Holmes Community Center. And Wildcat volleyball is home tonight at 7 — more on that in sports.

Looking ahead, the Ellensburg Farmers Market is downtown Saturday morning starting at 9. And on Tuesday the 22nd, the Bite of the 'Burg is on 4th Avenue downtown starting at 2, and the City Council will be there with Coffee With City Council from 2 to 5 — stop by and talk with a couple of your councilmembers.

SPORTS

Wildcat volleyball is back home tonight after a rough road trip. Central hosts Alaska Anchorage at 7 at Nicholson Arena. The Wildcats are 4 and 4 overall and 0 and 2 in the GNAC after losing at Simon Fraser and Western Washington last week — but they're 3 and 0 at home this season. They stay home Saturday afternoon at 1 against Number 16 Alaska Fairbanks.

Central Washington football is home Saturday night for its Lone Star Conference opener against Western Oregon. Kickoff is at 6 at Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium. The Wildcats are 0 and 2 after falling 28 to 14 to top-ranked Ferris State last Saturda

WEATHER                                                                                          

The forecasted high today in Ellensburg is 77 degrees with a low tonight of 50 degrees. Sunny, with calm winds through the day and a light northwest breeze overnight. The sunset is at 7:10 p.m. No rain in the forecast — it's sunny and in the mid-70s right through the weekend.

WHAT'S FOR LUNCH AT THE FISH OPEN TABLE?

The FISH Open Table lunch today is Corn and Potato Chowder, served with garlic bread and fruit. The senior lunch is open to all seniors age 60-plus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ellensburg Open Table at 204 North Main Street. In Cle Elum, seniors are served from 11:30 to 1 at the Upper County Senior Center, with a different menu. The community lunch for anyone needing a hot meal is from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ellensburg Open Table.