Girls Circle

JOHN DAY – Families First will begin a new eight-week session of “Girls Circle,” 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 25-Nov. 13.

Girls Circle is a facilitated support group for girls ages 12-17, designed to foster self-esteem, encourage self-expression and connections with peers and adult women in the community. The theme for this session will be “Body Image.” For more information and to preregister, call Randi or Teresa at 575-1006.

GUHS conferences

JOHN DAY – Parent-teacher conferences will be held at Grant Union High School 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the old gym and 8:30 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 26, in the classrooms.

Progress reports will be available in the gym during Thursday’s conferences and in the school office on Friday. More info: 575-1799.

Carbon Credits forum

JOHN DAY – The Grant County Oregon State University Extension forestry program is hosting a forum on Carbon Credit Markets from noon-1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Outpost Restaurant.

Featured speaker will be Mike Gaudern, executive director of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA).

Basque program

CANYON CITY – A program at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Canyon City Community Hall, will focus on the period a century ago when herds of sheep roamed across Eastern Oregon and were tended largely by Basque sheepherders from northern Spain and southern France.

“Basque Herders – The End of an Era” will be presented by Kent McAdoo, a natural resources officer with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service. Offered by the Libraries of Eastern Oregon, the program is free.

Pancakes on the griddle

JOHN DAY – Volunteers will put on a pancake feast Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Firehouse in John Day.

The breakfast – pancakes, eggs, ham and beverages – will be served from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is a donation of cash or one can of food for the Grant County Food Bank. The public can also check out the fire station and engines.

Mad Hatters meet

JOHN DAY – The Grant County Mad Hatters’ monthly dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Squeeze-In in John Day. To RSVP call Joyce Nodine, 575-1918, Wilma Boyer, 575-2578, or Evelyn Ogilvie, 575-1802.

Girl Scouts registration

CANYON CITY – Girl Scouts will hold a registration night for all girls, kindergarten through grade 12, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Humbolt Elementary School cafeteria.

A parent needs to accompany their daughter to sign the registration forms. There will be a short program explaining upcoming changes in the Girl Scout program and redistricting boundaries. More info: Betty Freeman, 575-2643; leave a message from 6:30-8 p.m.

Driver safety program

JOHN DAY – An AARP driver safety course will be taught in two, four-hour sessions, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the John Day Senior Center in John Day. The course, designed for drivers age 50 and older, will present recent changes in Oregon driving laws. The fee is $10 per person. More info: Helen Bogart, 575-1636.

EMT-Basic Class

JOHN DAY – Blue Mountain Hospital will offer an EMT-Basic Class starting Tuesday, Nov. 4. Classes will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. and will run until approximately the end of May.

Interested persons must be 18 years old and in a physical condition to be able to perform the duties of an EMT-Basic. Application packets are available at the Blue Mountain Hospital garage 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and must be turned in no later than Wednesday, Oct. 1. More info: T.R. Hilton, 575-4159, or Mary Vargas or Jesse Kyger at 575-1311, extension 2378.

Strengthening Families

JOHN DAY – Families First is starting a seven-week program, “Strengthening Families,” for parents of children ages 10-14, Tuesdays, Oct. 7-Nov. 25.

A free dinner will be served from 5-6 p.m. followed by the group session from 6-8 p.m. Topics will include family communication, peer pressure, solving problems together, and making rules and consequences. There will be door prizes, youth activities and child care is available. More info: Teresa, 575-1006.

Regional EventsBlue Mountain Wildlife

PENDLETON – Blue Mountain Wildlife’s 11th Annual Fall Open House will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.

The open house will feature live hawks, owls, eagles and falcons on display, tours of the wildlife rehabilitation center, falconry demonstrations and a raffle. Live music by Margaret Mayer and Friends will be on hand and lunch will be served too for a small donation. All proceeds benefit the Blue Mountain Wildlife’s rehabilitation and education programs. More info: 541-278-0215.

Museums

? Grant County Historical Museum, 101 S. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City, 575-0362. Open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission: Adults, $4; Seniors, $3.50; children ages 7-17, $2; children under 6, free.

? Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum, 241 E. Main St., John Day, 575-5545, 575-0278, or 820-3624. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, or by appointment. Admission: Adults, $3, children under 12, free.

? Kam Wah Chung and Company Museum and Interpretive Center, 125 NW Canton St., John Day, 575-2800. Open every day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with guided tours on the hour until 4 p.m. No admission fee, although donations are welcome. Open until Oct. 31.

? DeWitt Museum at Depot Park, Bridge and Main streets, Prairie City, 820-3330 or 820-3603. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $3.

OngoingFossil Beds

The 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. 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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Info: 987-2333.

Recycling

PRAIRIE CITY – Prairie City Recycling Center is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday, unless otherwise advertised. To volunteer, call Ruth McPherren at 820-4326.

Family passes on sale

JOHN DAY – Family athletic passes are now available for the 2008-2009 school year at Grant Union High School. The passes, which cost $100 each will admit parents and family members under age 14 to all regularly scheduled events during the year, not including playoff games. Passes may be purchased at the GUHS office during regular business hours. For more information, call the GUHS office at 575-1799.

Scrap metal collection

PRAIRIE CITY – The Greater Prairie City Community Association is collecting scrap metal now through September. Large items are welcome too, such as old appliances and vehicles. The proceeds will benefit H*O*W*D*Y and Camp Logan. More info: Kathy Smith, 820-4597.