Community Calendar

Tonight at the Baker High School Auditorium is the Pops and Pies performance. The concert will start at 7PM, and both the symphonic and jazz bands will be playing an assortment of popular music from a variety of different genres. Tickets are available at the door for just $5, and free desserts will be available after the show is over. This event is the bands big annual fund raiser for trips and festivals throughout the year.

Tax season is here, and the AARP Tax Assistance Volunteers will be at Community Connection of Baker County each Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments are required for assistance, and you will need to bring your W-4′s, 1099′s, drivers license, social security cards, and all other appropriate tax documents. To schedule an appointment, please call 541-523-6591.

Haines Elementary will be having a Chili and Potato Feed and Raffle this Friday, from 4:30PM – 7PM. All you can eat dinner tickets are just $5 for adults, $3.50 for children 6 and up, and free for children under 6. The meal will include homemade chili, cornbread, baked potato, veggie sticks, and lemonade. In addition to the dinner, there will be raffle tickets sold, and you do not need to be present to win. This event is the largest fundraiser for the school, and the money will towards improving the school technology, and assist with other Parent Teacher Community Organization programs. For ticket information, contact the school at 541-524-2400.

Local Insurance in La Grande is offering a community service for children and families without health and dental insurance. For those 18 years or younger in Union, Wallowa, and Baker Counties, assistance is available to apply for comprehensive Health and Dental Insurance, for little to no premium cost. For more information on these available programs, call John at 541-963-2000.

Come out every Saturday afternoon from 2PM – 4PM to Marilyn’s Music Opry Jam in Baker City. Grab your favorite instrument and head down to 1821 Main St. to join in the musical fun.

The Mt. Emily Safe Center is hosting their Bridesmaids Ball this Saturday evening at the Maridell Center in La Grande. Doors will open at 6PM, and guests are encouraged to dress to impress in outdated or favorite bridesmaids and groomsmen attire. There will be music and dancing, food, drinks, silent auction prizes, and more during the evening. Tickets are just $15 per person, or $25 for couples. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 541-963-0602.

The North Powder Ground Hog Pancake Breakfast and Fundraiser is this Sunday. Come out to the Wolf Creek Grange in North Powder from 8AM – 11AM to enjoy the pancakes, eggs, meats, and drinks that will be prepared by the library board members. The cost is just $3 for children 10 and under, or $6 for adults. Author Christine Byl will also be reading portions of her writing while you enjoy your breakfast. All proceeds during this event will benefit the North Powder City Library.

The La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club is offering an air rifle shooting program each week for students age 10-16. The classes are held in the basement of the La Grande Eagles Lodge, each Tuesday evening from 7PM – 8PM, now through the end of February. Rifles, ammunition, targets, and instruction will be provided, and safe gun handling will be emphasized. A responsible adult must still accompany the student during the sessions. The cost for this course is just $20, and keep in mind this is not a hunter safety course. For more information, contact Dick at 541-963-8624.

The next La Grande Community Blood Drive is set to take place on Thursday, February 9th, from 12PM – 6PM. The blood drive will take place at the LDS Church Gym on Gekeler Lane. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, contact Denny at 541-562-5055.

A monthly Irish Session, hosted by the Northeast Oregon Folklore Society, will take place on the second Thursday of each month at Bear Mountain Pizza in La Grande. The event begins at 7PM. Participants are encouraged to meet with friends and eat pizza while observing a collection of musicians playing Irish polkas, reels, airs and waltzes. For more information or a set list contact Carla at 541-663-0776.

The Union County 4-H Leaders Association is offering two $1,000 scholarships to Union County 4-H members. Graduating senior members are eligible to apply. The deadline date to apply is March 1st. Also, all 4-H state scholarship applications and 4-H resumes are due in the Extension Office by February 15th. For more information and to pick up your application, stop by the OSU Union County Extension Office, or call 541-963-1010.

Every third Thursday a cancer support group meets in Baker City at St. Luke’s Eastern Oregon Medical Associates. For more information about the group’s monthly meetings, contact Gloria at 541-523-4242.

AARP Blue Mountain Chapter #645 meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month through May. The meeting starts at 7PM at the La Grande Senior Center. For more information, contact Susie at 541-910-1654.

The Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol Annual Seafood and Beef Benefit Dinner is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 26th. The benefit dinner will be held at Ten Depot St. in La Grande, and will cost $30 per adult, or $12 for children under 12. Limited tickets are available for purchase at The Hobby Habit, or from any Ski Patrol member.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity how about becoming a Union County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador? Chamber Ambassadors are a group of volunteers who assist the Chamber office. Ambassadors meet twice a month. If you are interested contact the Union County Chamber of Commerce at 541-963-8588.

Every Friday morning from 9AM – 12PM is the Free Children’s Clinic at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. This Free Children’s Clinic is for children without health insurance. Appointments are requested. For more information, please call 541-663-3150.

The Meals on Wheels program in Baker County is in need of volunteers to deliver meals to seniors at their homes. The time investment is only about two hours per week. If you are interested in helping out stop by the Community Connection of Baker County office at 2810 Cedar Street or call 541-523-6591.

La Grande Family History Center located at 2504 N Fir, has family research help for the beginner, intermediate, and even computer challenged. With Ancestry.com, Family search, books and films, they are anxious to help you discover your family history. Call 541-963-5003 for more information and hours available.

Join the Pinochle Social Club at the Union County Senior Center each week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesday afternoons the club meets at 12:30PM, and each Friday evening at 7PM. Dues are just $2 for the year, with a weekly fee of only 50 cents for Friday evening. Tuesday afternoons are free. Come down to the Union County Senior Center at 1504 Albany St. in La Grande to learn how to play, refresh your skills, or just to enjoy a good time. 18 and older please.

The Baker City Trolley fixed route bus service is providing transportation to the general public. Service runs Monday through Friday from 7AM – 6PM. The trolley does not run on Saturdays. Everyone is welcome to ride the Trolley. Fares are just $1 per ride, with daily and monthly discounts available. For more information, or to schedule a pickup, call 541-523-6591.

Community Connection, home of NEO Public Transit provides transportation to the general public. Service runs Monday through Friday from 7:30AM – 8PM, and Saturdays from 10AM – 8PM. Everyone is welcome to ride the Trolley. Fares are just $1 per ride, with daily and monthly discounts available. The Loop, a second fixed route, is also available and runs from Bi-Mart to the pool via south La Grande, Sunset Drive and Veterans’ Pool neighborhoods. For more information call 541-963-BUSS.

The Powder River Music Review concert series in Geiser Pollman Park runs every Sunday afternoon from 1:30PM – 3:30PM. Artists donate their time to this event to raise money from audience donations to build a symphony size bandstand pavilion in the center of Geiser-Pollman Park. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy the fun. For more info contact Lynette Perry at 541-523-3673 or email lperry@bakercityherald.com.

Northeast Oregon Public Transit will be running a bus to the Walla Walla VA Medical Center on the 21st of each month, now through June, for all disabled veterans eligible for mileage reimbursement. Two exceptions during this time will be the January and April buses, which will run on the 24th instead. Contact Northeast Oregon Public Transit to schedule a ride after you have your appointment scheduled at the VA Medical Center. For more information call 541-963-BUSS. That’s 541-963-2877.

There are regular Bingo Days every Wednesday, at the VFW Hall in Union. Doors open at 5:30PM, early bird at 6PM, and regular game at 7PM. One $100 jackpot and one $250 jackpot will be awarded. Money raised during this event will go towards community projects.

WorkSource Oregon in Baker City is offering a free workshop that takes you step by step through the resume and cover letter writing process, as well as show you valuable tips for filling out applications. Other resources, such as career research, skills assessment, and interview advice are available too. Stop by 1575 Dewey Ave. in Baker City, or call 523-6331 for more information.

Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. The Blue Mountain Toastmasters meet every Friday at 1917 Jackson Street in the La Grande Boise Sawmill Conference Room. For more information call Tracy at 541-786-0132 or visit BlueMountainToastmasters.

The Baker City Farmer’s Market opens its season on Wednesday from 3:30PM – 6:30PM at Geiser Pollman Park in Baker City. This year will feature a Watermelon Giveaway, Salsa Festival, Pie Baking Contest, and more. For a detailed list of events,

Every blood donor is special and every reason is unique. Your chance to give blood for the Red Cross is Thursday, Oct. 21 from 12PM – 6PM at 1802 Gekeler Lane (LDS Church). To schedule your appointment or for more information contact Colleen Langford at 541-562-5055.

The Baker County Running Club has regular group runs at 8AM on Saturdays. They will be meeting at the Baker City Sports Complex parking lot. Runners of all experience levels are welcome. Please bring your own water and a sense of adventure. For more information contact Davey at 541-519-1855.

Breakfast is being served at the Sumpter Schoolhouse! Not only do you get a great home-cooked meal, but the proceeds go toward items needed in the City of Sumpter. This group of volunteers will not only cook your breakfast for you, but they also serve you. There are no set prices. The cost of breakfast is whatever you can donate. Take the drive up to Sumpter on Sunday, Dec. 19, and enjoy some good old-fashioned breakfast from 7AM – 11Am. For more information call 541-894-2341.

The Cove Farmers Market is every Thursday from 12PM – 6PM, at their new location at the Ascension School Campus, on the corner of Church and Foster Streets. Come out for locally grown produce, antiques, arts, crafts and more. For more information call 541-568-4623.

The A.W.A.K.E. in the Blue Mountains C-PAP support group meets the first Wednesday of every month at Grande Ronde Hospital from 6-7 PM in the third floor solarium. The next meeting is Oct. 6th. If you or someone you love has sleep apnea join us, its free and confidential. If you have questions about these meetings call GRH education department at 541-963-1495.

The La Grande Farmer’s Market will hold its final market of the season on Saturday from 9AM – 12PM at Max Square in Downtown La Grande. Enjoy fresh local produce, baked goods, arts, crafts, live music, and more. Music this Saturday will be performed by TooBamBoo playing music that is fun for everyone.