Wash and eatJOHN DAY – Mt. Vernon Middle School is having a car wash and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29 at Les Schwab. All proceeds go to the eighth grade trip.

Folk danceMT. VERNON – High Country Dance Band from Bend and caller Ron Bell-Roemer will be teaching various kinds of dancing at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the community hall. Potluck at 6:30 p.m. Wear soft-soled shoes and dress casual. $5 individual or $10 family.

Rummage saleJOHN DAY – Redeemer Lutheran Church is having their annual rummage sale starting at 8 a.m. April 22 in the church basement. Bake sale.

Medusahead meetingJOHN DAY – Grant County Weed Control will present the second series of meetings on medusahead control and management at 6 p.m. May 4 at the forest service office on Patterson Bridge Road. Info: 575-1554.

Spring flingLONG CREEK – Grant County family, community and education study group will have a spring fling from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at the Long Creek fellowship hall. Cost is $6.50 or $7.50 at the door. Door prize and Dutch auction. Featured speaker Reiba Carter-Smith. Performers.

Special dinner for NickMONUMENT – Monument EMTs ‘Special May Day Dinner’ from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 30 at the Senior Center. All proceeds go to Nick Lawrence. Prime rib served. $15 per person, $25 per couple, $7.50 for 6 to 12. Chef will be Ed Anderson. Donations of pies appreciated. Reservations required. Info: Heather Riggs, 934-2051.

Meet the candidatesMT. VERNON – Candidates for Grant County offices will present their backgrounds and platforms at 7 p.m. April 20 at the Mt. Vernon Grange Hall. This is an informal meeting in a question and answer setting. Judge Dennis Reynolds will serve as moderator. Grange ladies will supply refreshments. Everyone is invited and urged to attend.

LONG CREEK – Town hall meeting to meet the candidates at 7 p.m. April 24 at the city hall.

MONUMENT – Town hall meeting to meet the candidates at 7 p.m. April 28 at the Senior Center.

Kindergarten round-upCANYON CITY – Parents with children ready for kindergarten next year are invited to an information night at 7 p.m. April 27 in the cafeteria at Humbolt Elementary School. Bring birth certificates and immunization records. Children must be 5 years old by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten. Open house for next year’s kindergartners in August. Info: 575-0454.

Dance team try-outsJOHN DAY – Incoming freshmen through juniors are welcome to try out for the Grant Union dance team from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 25 and 26 at Body, Fitness and Dance. Info: Shannon, 620-1357.

Swim lessons JOHN DAY – Sign-ups for swim lessons and passes will be April 24 and May 17. Swim lessons begin June 19. Lessons are from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, two week sessions and are limited to class size. Info: 575-0110.

Business seminarCANYON CITY – Small business development center is offering a free seminar “Marketing Your Business” at 5:30 p.m. April 19 at the Guernsey room in Canyon City.

OngoingFossil BedsThe John Day Fossil Beds National Monument often provides ranger conducted hikes, tours of sections of the monument and even stargazing at the monument’s Thomas Condon Visitor Center, 32651 Highway 19, in Kimberly.

A two-hour, ranger-conducted auto tour will be held at 2 p.m. April 22 beginning at the visitor center. Participants need to bring their own vehicle, and good tires are recommended.

Visitation data online at www.nps.gov/joda. Click on the link “management doc” then click on ” In Depth Visitation Statistics,” “Socioeconomic Atlas for John Day” and/or “The Visitor Study 2004.”

The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Info: 987-2333.

Long Creek centerLONG CREEK – The community center is available for $10 deposit and a refundable $10 cleaning fee for short gatherings and for $10 deposit and $25 usage fee for longer gatherings (five or more hours).

For further information on the center, call 421-5101 or 421-3120.

MuseumsGrant County Historical Museum, Canyon Boulevard, Canyon City with be open April 29 through September 30. Info: 575-0509.

Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum, on Main Street in John Day, across from the Ford dealer at Dayton Street by appointment. Admission: $3. Under 12, free. Info: 575-5545 or 820-3624.

Kam Wah Chung and Co. Museum and Visitor’s Center, 125 NW Canton Street, John Day, open by appointment through April. Free admittance. Info: 575-2800.

Prairie City RecyclingPRAIRIE CITY – The Prairie City Recycling Center will no longer take glass. The crusher is permanently disabled. The center is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday, unless otherwise advertised. The center is run by volunteers.-To volunteer, call Ruth McPherren at 820-4326.