I have a couple of items to mark on your calendar this time. The first one is the grand opening of the Beebe Springs Natural Area, which is just past the Beebe Bridge heading north to Pateros. The event is on Wednesday, May 12th starting at 2 p.m. Dennis Beich, Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 2 will be the master of ceremonies, and Senator Linda Evans Parlette will give a brief address. Both Beich and Parlette were instrumental in getting the 180-acre site developed as a natural center, with side channels off the Columbia River, creating a natural stream from the outlet at the hatchery across the road and many other improvements to show off the habitat and wildlife in the area. Anglers should note that the first return of summer Chinook should be showing up near this area this summer. Both Beich and Senator Parlette had a lot to do with this program as well. Another calendar item is the “Matching Western Hatches” program being presented by Dave Hughes and Rick Hafele at the Yakima River Fly Shop in Cle Elum. The cost to attend the program is $60.00, which included lunch. The program takes place on Saturday, May 15th from one to five p.m.