Around Williams: Week of June 29, 2011

Do not use bleach

The city of Williams Water Department warns customers not to use bleach. Due to higher than usual levels of a naturally occurring metal (manganese) present in city water, city staff requests that residents refrain from using bleach in laundry. Chlorine products enhance the manganese, which will result in staining of white/light colored towels and linens. City staff has taken the necessary steps to minimize the problem. For more information, call City Hall at (928) 635-4451.

Play softball this summer

Men's, women's and coed softball rosters are available for sign up at the Williams Recreation Center, 301 W. Railroad Ave. Pick up rosters and return them so the season can start soon. For more information, call Johnny Hatcher at 600-0495 or Rose Newbold at 635-1496.

Eat breakfast in Parks Monday

The Annual July 4 Pancake Breakfast will be served 7-10 a.m. at the Maine School gymnasium in Parks. The all-you-can eat breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, coffee, juice and more. Adults eat for $5 and children eat for $3.

Bake and book sale in Parks

The Ponderosa Fire District Auxiliary and the Parks community will be holding a combination bake sale and used book sale fundraiser at 7 a.m. Saturday at Parks Feed and Mercantile. The Mercantile is located north of Interstate 40, Exit 178.

Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the Parks Parade Committee. Proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Ponderosa Fire District Auxiliary.

For more information, call Joanie Raetzel at 635-0059.

Walk with SAVE in the parade

Join SAVE-Meant to Rescue in Monday's parade. Friendly pets and their owners are invited to support SAVE and receive a Fourth of July bandana for pets with a donation to support this cause.

There is some space on SAVE's float for seniors and their pets or people with special needs. To find out more or to reserve a space on the float, stop by Manytails Grooming at 114 S. Second St. or call (928) 635-8897.

What if everyone donates $1?

The Williams Relay for Life Committee is conducting a new fundraiser in which everyone can participate. If everyone in Williams donates just $1 to the Relay, at least $3,000 can be raised to fight cancer.

Collection jugs are located at American Flyer, Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Williams City Hall. To find out more about the Relay, call Leah Payne at (928) 310-4989.

Diabetes support offered July 7

The Williams Diabetes Support Group will meet at 10 a.m. July 7 at the Williams Senior Center, 850 W. Grant Ave.

Speaker Kris Vasquez will discuss how exercise leads to healthy living. The interactive meeting is free to anyone wanting to learn more about diabetes.

For more information, contact Rose Marie Rincon at (928) 635-4897.

VFW meets July 14

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will meet 6-7 p.m. on July 14 at the Williams Senior Center, 850 W. Grant Ave.

Please bring a copy of your DD214. If you do not have one, VFW can assist you in obtaining one. If you are a U.S. citizen and served in a conflict zone, Korea, 30 days consecutive or 60 days non-consecutive, or an area where you received hostile, fire/ emminent danger pay, then you are eligible to join. Spouses are also invited.

For more information contact George Riojas (209) 915-0733 or Don Buffington (928) 607-5676.

Enter a parade

Entries are available now for the July 4 parade along Route 66 in downtown Williams. Forms are available at www.williamschamber.org and at the Williams-Forest Service Visitor Center at 200 W. Railroad Ave. The parade begins at 4 p.m. on July 4. For more information, contact Sue Atkinson at (928) 635-0273, ext. 210.

Swap meet at Parks July 4

A swap meet will be held 8 a.m.-noon July 4 at the Parks Feed and Mercantile. The store is located just north of Interstate 40, Exit 178.

Swap spaces are limited and are available for a $15 donation. Sellers must provide their own tables. Proceeds will benefit the Parks Parade Committee. Make checks payable to Parks Parade Committee.

Call Ken Gerard at (928) 635-1310 for reservations or information.

Celebrate July 4 in Parks

Celebrate this Fourth of July with family fun in Parks. The Parks Fourth of July Parade, with the theme "Symbols of America," will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday. Celebrate our community spirit by showing off your float or other entry, or just enjoy the revelry of our traditional hometown parade along the forested Old Route 66.

Head over to Parks Feed and Mercantile where a live band will provide free entertainment with crowd-pleasing music from 10 a.m. to noon. Don't forget to check out the adjacent outdoor swap meet. (Call Ken Gerard at 635-1310 if you'd like to rent a space.) Peruse the parade fundraiser raffle baskets chock full of family friendly items. One $5 ticket gives you seven chances to win.

Like to be a volunteer to help out with the parade? Call Linda Cooper at 774-2494.

Summer reading program continues

The Williams Public Library is offering a summer reading program each Wednesday. The program will be held 10-11:30 a.m. at the library, 113 S. First St. The program will be held every Wednesday through July 27.

Children will experience the richness of world cultures, literature and mind-expanding traditions during programs. Entertaining storytellers and great stories in English and French, crafts and music are all part of a full lineup of free activities for summer readers.

Community calendars are here

They're back! The 44th issue of the Williams Lions Club Community Birthday Calendar is here. Contact any Lions Club member or calendar chair Denis Kirkley at 635-9366 to get yours today. The cost is $7.

Community garden open to all

Anyone interested in using one of the plots of the community garden, please contact Kris at (928) 863-2467 or Pat at (928) 635-2925.

All you have to do is plant, weed and water your area. The water is provided by St. John's. If you are not familiar with the community garden, come and see it on the corner of Second and Grant.

Free transportation for cancer patients

The American Cancer Society is offering free round-trip transportation to Flagstaff Medical Cancer Center for any patient that needs a ride to treatment. Any cancer patient in need of transportation to treatment or anyone that wants to volunteer should call (928) 214-2800, ext. 12231.

Luminarias for sale now

On July 23, the Williams Relay for Life will be held. At each relay, a special luminaria lighting is held to remember those lost to cancer and honor those who've survived. You can help make this luminaria lighting special by making a donation in the name of someone you know who has battled cancer. A bag will be decorated in that person's honor or memory. And, at the Relay, it will be part of the beautiful luminaria lighting. For more information or to donate, contact Keri Collins-Mooney at kcollins@wusd2.org or 928-635-4428, ext. 136. Be part of this special moment at this year's Relay for Life.

Swap meet open this weekend

The Kiwanis Swap Meet will be held each weekend throughout Labor Day. The swap meet is located on West Railroad Avenue just west of the Williams Justice Center.