Community Calendar

There’s a new farmer’s market in Island City on Fridays from 10AM – 2PM at Bronson Lumber Co. Vendors selling fruits and vegetables, as well as arts and craft vendors will be featuring their wares along with Stargazer Perennials. For more information call Bronson Lumber Co. at 541-963-4848.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opens tonight at the Elgin Opera House. The production is directed by Kenn Wheeler and features an all-star cast cast and crew. The production runs Sept. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18 at 7:30 PM with matinees at 2:30 PM on Saturdays. Tickets are $15, $10 or $6 depending on seat location and can be purchased by calling 541-663-6324. Come enjoy a high-energy talented cast as they bring an 1850s Oregon family to the Elgin Opera House.

The La Grande Farmer’s Market will be held this Saturday from 9AM – 12PM at Max Square in Downtown La Grande, and on Tuesdays from 4PM – 6PM. Enjoy fresh local produce, baked goods, arts, crafts, live music, and more.

The Friday Night Cruise-In is back. Those who have vintage cars are welcome to gather at the Texaco gas station at the corner of Adams and Greenwood in La Grande beginning at 6PM. The cruise-ins are planned for every Friday through September. The public is also invited to come view the vintage cars.

The Labor Day Sumpter Flea Market is set to be packed with 150 vendors, booths, antiques, collectibles and unique food fare this weekend. Head up to Sumpter and enjoy one of the most popular flea markets in the northwest. There is plenty of RV parking and the Sumpter Valley Railroad will be running along with performances by the Old Time Fiddlers. For more information call the City of Sumpter at 541-894-2314 or visit sumpterchamber.com.

The September 2010 First Friday event in Baker City features an opening reception for the Art at the Crossroads, and a regional open art show. Edible art is also featured with a sweet and savory food competition. The opening reception is Friday, Sept. 3rd from 5:30PM – 8:00PM. Refreshments will be served. Piano music by Keith Taylor from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. There is a $5.00 admission for the opening and gourmet desserts, coffee and wine will be served. The show is free to the public. For more information call Crossroads at 541-523-5855.

The Baker County Running Club will be having regular group runs starting at 8AM on Saturday. They will be meeting at the Baker City Sports Complex parking lot. Runners of all experience levels are welcome. This is a great way to start your weekend and get connected with fellow runners in Baker County. Please bring your own water and a sense of adventure. For more information contact Davey at 541-519-1855.

The Eagle Valley Steak Feed is set for Saturday at the park in Richland from 4PM – 8PM. For more information call 541-523-4894.

The Baker City Farmer’s Market is held each Wednesday from 3:30PM – 6:30PM 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, visit: BakerCityFarmersMarket.org.

Dust off your Hat, Shine your Boots, and Celebrate 2010 is the theme for this year’s Baker County Fair and Panhandle Rodeo in Halfway this Labor Day weekend. Rodeo action begins Saturday night and continues through Monday. Its a weekend of confirmation classes, livestock showmanship, a midway with vendors and concessions, a carnival and a dance on Saturday and Sunday evenings at the Pine Valley Grange. For more information and a schedule of events visit halfwayfairandrodeo.com.

Bring your lunch, a blanket or lawn chair, and relax under the shade of the trees and enjoy the cool river breeze while listening to live music in the park every Sunday during the Powder River Music Review weekly concert series. This week features a honky-tonk history of northeast Oregon, music and poetry by the eclectic cowboy Lonnie Shurtleff. The concert is from 5PM – 7PM at Geiser Pollman Park in Baker City, and is presented to raise funds to build the bandstand pavilion in the park. Donations are accepted and engraved bricks can be purchased from Soroptimist International of Baker County.

Combine free food, great live entertainment and excellent company and you have the recipe for Celebrate La Grande XV set for Thursday, Sept. 9 from 5PM – 8PM at Max Square in downtown La Grande. Volunteers will serve up free hot dogs, chips, ice cream and soda pop, and other community members will provide free entertainment, and games and activities for children, including free fire truck rides. Non-profit organizations set up information and display booths and everyone from the community is invited to attend. For more information contact Di Lyn Larsen-Hill at 541-963-5341.

Head Start is looking for a few great kids! Head Start is a free preschool program for 3-and 4-year-olds from income-eligible families. Now accepting applications for Baker City, Elgin, La Grande and Union. For an application call 541-962-3622.

The Baker County Oregon Employer Council is sponsoring a FREE seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the Crossroad Arts Center from 1PM – 4:30PM. Leadership: The Art of Possibility, will explore the characteristics of outstanding, effective leadership. Anyone, whether an employee, sole proprietor, community volunteer, or individual is welcome to attend. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Grant Axtell, Training and Team Development Specialist, will be the presenter. For more information or to register for the event, contact Gina at the Work Source Oregon office in Baker City at 541-523-6331 x234. To learn more about the Oregon Employer Council visit www.oec.org.

Ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact. That’s why the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross is now seeking nominations for local heroes to be honored at the 2011 Breakfast of Champions. Entries are due by Friday, Oct. 1 at 5PM. Award recipients are selected based on how their heroic acts save a life or positively impact lives; inspire the community; and exemplify the Red Cross mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. For a complete list of guidelines or to nominate a local hero, visit www.oregonredcross.org/nominate. Heroes will be announced at the Oregon Trail Chapter’s signature event, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions, on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center.

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 Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a scrub and shoe sale in the Mt. Emily Conference Rooms. The event is Friday, Sept. 10 from 7AM – 4PM and is brought to you by Sneaker World. So many brands to choose from including Baby Phat, Dansko, Peaches, Studio B and more. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary.

The Baker City Trolley fixed route bus service is providing transportation to the general public. Service runs Monday through Friday from 7AM – 6PM, and Saturdays from 10AM – 6PM. 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.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center on Highway 86 near Baker City is hosting Starry Night, a star party event on Saturday, September 11. From 10AM – 12PM is Safe Solar Viewing and Viewing the Night Sky begins at 7PM and ends at 11PM. The gate closes at 8PM. In order to achieve good star watching conditions attendees are asked to please observe requests to minimize use of car headlights and flashlights. Guests are also asked to leave their pets at home. For more information contact the Interpretive Center at 541-523-1843.

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.

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.

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.