Flu shots continue

GRANT COUNTY- There are still a few more chances to get flu shots around the county. Here are the remaining locations, days and times:

? Old West Federal Credit Union – 8:30-9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8

? Chester’s Thriftway – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8

? Oregon Trail Electric Co-op – 8-9 a.m.Tuesday, Oct. 14

? Dayville – 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 1

? Mt. Vernon City Hall – 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14

For more information, call the Grant County Health Department at 575-0429, or toll-free at 888-443-9104.

Extension meeting

CANYON CITY – The Grant County Extension and 4-H Service District Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the Extension office. Items for the agenda are: introductions, new hours and moving of office update. More info: 575-1911.

Fall Market

JOHN DAY – Come one, come all to the “Fall Market” at the Grant County Fairgrounds, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Homegrown and homemade treasures will be on sale at the open air market: fruits and vegetables, crafts, homebaked food, yard sale goodies, antiques, animals and many more treasures. More info: 575-1900.

Blue Basin hike

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument will offer a ranger-conducted, one-mile hike into the Blue Basin fossil beds. The two-hour program will feature the geologic landscape and fossil history of the basin.

The hike starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Thomas Condon Visitor Center, in the Sheep Rock Unit, nine miles west of Dayville. Bring hiking shoes, a water bottle and dress for the weather. More info: 987-2333.

Let’s go to the movies

CANYON CITY – The next movie night at the Grantville Theater will be 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Doors open at 6:30. Movie titles will be posted on the door or call 575-0509 for information.

Fossil Beds meetings

GRANT COUNTY – The public can comment on a proposed Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the John Day Fossil Beds, a document that could guide plans for the monument over the next 15-20 years. Informational meetings are set for 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Dayville Community Hall, and Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Malheur National Forest Supervisor’s Office in John Day. A meeting will also be held in Wheeler County at the Family Services Building in Fossil. Comments are due by Nov. 17.

Summit on economy

CANYON CITY – Community leaders will gather at Canyon City Community Hall from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 16, for a Grant County Economic Summit, to dissect the local economy and brainstorm ways to overcome the serious challenges facing it. Representatives of a cross section of local businesses and governments will speak and there will be time for those attending to share ideas. Organizations including the Grant County Court, Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Grant County Farm Bureau, joined in to invite an array of civic leaders to the summit, and the public is welcome to attend. There is no admission charge. More info: Les Zaitz, 421-3031 or zaitzBCR@starband.net.

Democratic meeting

JOHN DAY – The Grant County Democratic Central Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at the Outpost Restaurant. The public is invited.

Watercolor class

DAYVILLE – A watercolor class will be held at the C Bar C Guest Ranch in Dayville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Snacks and a light lunch will be provided. Some supplies will be available, but bring what you have. Any art level is encouraged. Cost is $20. For more information or to RSVP, call Eloise at 987-2138.

Stockgrowers barbecue

FOX VALLEY – The Grant County Stockgrowers will hold a barbecue at noon, Saturday, Oct. 18, to honor Ken and Cici Brooks as the 2008 Stockgrowers of the Year.

The potluck meal, with beef and beverages provided, will be held at the Brooks’ ranch on Short Corner Road. The public is invited. RSVP to Cici Brooks, 421-3032, Tobe Zweygardt, 820-3624, or Sharon Livingston, 421-3032.

Benefit dance

MT. VERNON – Monthly dances are returning to the Mt. Vernon Grange hall. The next one will be 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, with music provided by Upriver Country Band. The cost is $5 per couple, $3 per person and children under 12 are free. Coffee, punch and cookies will be available. All proceeds will go to the Grant County Food Bank.

4-H awards

MT. VERNON – The 2008 4-H Achievement and Appreciation Day will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in the Mt. Vernon Grange Hall. Dessert and beverages will be provided by the Grant County 4-H Leaders Association. Hosts for the program will be 4-H ambassadors, Marley Winkelman and Daniel DesJardin.

Among the awards to be presented are: 4-H leader pins, 4-H member pins, county medals and outstanding record, record book awards, special county awards and distinguished service awards.

Special youth hunt

Applications are now being accepted for a special youth hunt – second season, spike only – to be held Nov. 8-16, 2008. Applicants should be 12-17 years old and must be a Morrow or Grant County resident. A Hunter Education Certificate is also required.

All applications must be returned to the Morrow County Public Works Office, 365 W. Highway 74, P.O. Box 428, Lexington, OR, 97839, by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Applications will be drawn at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Morrow County Court’s session held at 100 Court Street in Heppner. More info: Morrow County Public Works Office, 541-989-9500.

Up, up and away!

MT. VERNON – The First Annual Grant County Balloon Festival takes flight Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26. Special activities during the event include balloon launches starting at sunrise on Friday and a “Balloon Glow” at dusk on Saturday.

Friday night during the festival, the public will be invited to join the pilots and event sponsors for a special dinner at the newly-remodeled Mt. Vernon Community Hall. The evening will include entertainment by Upriver Country Band, cowboy poetry by Kathy Moss and works on display by the Grant County Art Association.

For more information on ride reservations, dinner tickets and sponsorship opportunities, call the Grant County Chamber of Commerce at 575-0547.

Christmas Bazaar

MT. VERNON – The Mt. Vernon Grange’s annual Christmas Bazaar is coming up soon, on Saturday, Nov. 15. Tables are still available, so call Betty Elliott at 575-0545 or Jean Sagert at 575-1007 to reserve yours.

Regional EventsDAR meeting

LA GRANDE – The Lone Pine Tree Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon on Friday, Oct. 10, at Denny’s in La Grande. Guest speaker will be Donna Patterson, who will speak on the Union Victorian Cemetery, the oldest monument cemetery in Northeast Oregon, established in 1862. More info: 541-523-5646 or 541-963-3388.

Holistic Health promoted

BURNS – The third annual Holistic Health Fair will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burns Senior Center at 17 S. Alder Street. Admission and lunch are free. Many local businesses and health practitioners have donated door prizes.

There will be demonstrations, video presentations and information on holistic and alternative approaches to health including acupuncture, massage, midwifery, yoga, tai chi, chi gung, movement therapy, detox treatments, body balancing and, most unusual, animal acupressure.

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.

Museums

? 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. Open until Oct. 15.