The deadline for Whats Happening items is 5 p.m. Friday. Call Cheryl at the Eagle, 541-575-0710.

Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 3-4

Malheur open houses

Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.; Harney County Community Center, Burns

Thursday: 6-8 p.m.; Malheur National Forest headquarters, John Day

MNFs travel management process will be discussed with a public comment period included. Anyone who participates in motorized activities on the MNF is encouraged to attend. The rules wont limit snowmobiles, but will affect other vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATVs. 

Thursday, Nov. 4

Program on Nigeria

6:30 p.m.; parish hall, on SW 2nd Avenue, John Day

The Rev. Bartholomew Ifionu, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, presents the second of a three-part program on his native country of Nigeria. Part two will feature Ifionus priestly ordination. Refreshments will be served.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 4-5

GUHS parent-teacher conferences

Thursday: 7:45 a.m.-noon and 12:30-5 p.m. in the classrooms; 6-9 p.m. in the old gym

Friday: 8 a.m.-noon in the classrooms 

Conferences are mandatory. Letters will be mailed and phone calls made to parents. Those unable to attend, may make arrangements with Principal Curt Shelley, teacher Elizabeth Shelley or the dean of students Jason Miller, to fill in for them. Those who dont attend will get an unexcused absence, with a one-hour detention the following week. Call the school, 541-575-1799, for more information. 

Saturday, Nov. 6

EORenew annual fall gathering

11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Outpost Restaurant, John Day

A no-host lunch and short movie, Homegrown Revolution, will be offered. All are welcome to attend. The discussion will be how to make SolWest 2011 the best and most relevant ever, and how to ensure the survival of EORenew and its educational programs. The fall board meeting will follow the movie. Call 541-575-3633 or e-mail info@solwest.org.

Blue Mountain Hospital dinner and auction

5:30 p.m., Grant County Fairgrounds pavilion

BMH Healthcare Foundations annual meeting, dinner and auction is Putting on the Ritz. Schedule includes a no-host bar, games and auction viewing at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6:30; business meeting, election of the board of directors and a success presentation at 7:30. There will also be a silent and live auction. Dinner of tenderloin steak, shrimp ceviche will be catered by Kim Jacobs of BMH Catering. The cost is $30 a person or two for $50. RSVP by Sunday, Oct. 31. For table sponsorship call Judy Krutsinger at 541-620-1010. For more information, call Bob Houser at 541-575-1311, extension 2202. 

Monday, Nov. 8

GUHS booster club

6:30 p.m., Outpost Restaurant

The Grant Union High School booster club will meet.

Boys and Girls State dinner

6:30 p.m., Alec Gay Hall, John Day

American Legion Boys State and Auxiliary Girls State students will give their reports. Sponsors will also be recognized. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish for the potluck meal; meat will be furnished.  

Mondays, Nov. 8, 15

Breastfeeding classes

6:30 p.m., Blue Mountain Hospital classroom

All expectant parents with a due date between Nov. 1, 2010, and Feb. 10, 2011, are welcome to attend. The classes will be taught by Marsha Delaney, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). There is no cost, but preregistration is encouraged. Call 541-575-1311. 

Wednesday, Nov. 10

Family cooking workshop

10-11:30 a.m., Families First Parent Resource Center

Registered dietician Jenny Guivens will offer a free Cooking for the Family workshop, with a focus on making better choices in food selections. Topics will include healthy snacks, sugar amounts in drinks, cost comparisons, and encouraging childrens involvement in cooking. Register by Tuesday, Nov. 9. Families First is located at 401 S. Canyon Blvd. in John Day. Call 541-575-1006. 

Writers prose and poetry workshop

1 p.m.; United Methodist Church, John Day

The event will include two workshops: Jodi Varon leading one on prose and David Axelrod heading up poetry. Both are on the faculty at Eastern Oregon University. A catered dinner (cost TBA) will be at 6 p.m. Varon and Axelrod will read from their works and answer questions starting at 7:30 p.m., with a public reception to follow. Call 541-575-2345.

Thursday, Nov. 11

Healthy holiday cooking

6-8:30 p.m., Mt. Vernon Grange

Dr. Richard Hansen of Emerald Valley Wellness Clinic in Creswell will present Seven Steps to a Healthy Heart. People can learn about heart-healthy holiday foods such as holiday nut loaf, cashew gravy, cranberry sauce, garlic green beans, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie with coconut whipped cream. A plant-based holiday meal will also be served. There will be a question-and-answer period, and recipe handouts. Kan Hansen will demonstrate and speak on Planning for a Healthy Holiday Season. Sponsored by the Historic Remnant Church. The event is free, but donations are welcome. To register, call 541-932-2704 or 541-932-4197. 

Saturday, Nov. 13

Model railroad seminar

10 a.m.-noon; Santas Candles and Gifts, 131 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day

Demonstrations and lessons will be given on different model train gauges, building scenery and creating layouts. All ages are welcome to the free event. Call 541-805-7116.

Canning classes on pie filling

10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.; GUHS home ec room

The classes, offered by the Grant County office of Oregon State University Extension, cost $20 a person, which includes supplies and jars. Each participant will take home at least two jars of pie filling. A minimum of five people are needed to hold the class. Call 541-575-1911 to reserve a space.  

Sunday, Nov. 14

Juniper Arts Council patriotic concert

3 p.m., John Day Church of the Nazarene

A showcase of live entertainment will feature a patriotic theme for Veterans Day, followed by a group sing-a-long of patriotic songs. Local talent is being sought to fill future monthly or bimonthly programs. For more information, call Rose Coombs at 541-820-3780.

Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 17-19

Christmas sale

9 a.m.-3 p.m.; United Methodist Church, 126 NW Canton St., John Day

The church will hold its annual sale of Christmas decorations and other holiday goods in the fellowship hall. 

Saturday, Nov. 20

Christmas on the Prairie 

9 a.m., various locations around Prairie City

This years theme is 15 Years Ago, for the holiday event held since 1995. Activities include a gift bazaar at Prairie City School, arts and crafts at the Teen Center on Front Street, and childrens crafts and Santa Claus himself in the public works building. Many merchants around town will have specials, as well as the popular ornament hunt. Del and Mary Raymond will give wagon rides, weather pending, and the FFA will hold an auction at the Oxbow Restaurant and Saloon. For more information call Sandy Murray at 541-820-3739.

Regional Events

Tuesday, Nov. 9

NEOHA meeting

9:30 a.m.; May Park Community Room, 2608 May Lane, La Grande

Everyone is welcome to the quarterly meeting of the board of commissioners for Northeast Oregon Housing Authority.  Call 541-963-5360, extension 21, for more information.