BlueMountaineers monthly dance is Nov. 26

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers end-of-the-month dance is happening Saturday, Nov. 26, 6-9 p.m. at the La Grande Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St.

Admission is $5, or free for ages 12 and younger. The evening features a finger food potluck.

Grande Ronde Community Band plays Nov. 28

LA GRANDE — Grande Ronde Community Band, formerly Community Band Northeast, will present its first concert of the season Monday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. in McKenzie Theater in Loso Hall at Eastern Oregon University.

Under the direction of Russ Carpenter, the band will perform a variety of works including marches, symphonic band arrangements and holiday music. The band is a community endeavor, with performers of all ages from Union and Baker counties.

Admission is free, and donations are welcome.

Sip and shop in downtown La Grande Dec. 1

LA GRANDE — The Union County Chamber’s monthly “Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local” happens Thursday, Dec. 1, starting at 5 p.m. More than 25 businesses will participate, with additional “pop-up” vendors displaying goods.

A tumbler and map can be purchased for $10 at the Chamber, 207 Depot St., anytime in the afternoon. Each participating business offers some type of discount, snacks, treats and holiday concoctions — discounts are explained on the map. The theme is Ugly Sweater, and includes a store decorating contest and prize basket giveaway.

Special photo shoot planned in Baker City

BAKER CITY — A “Nightmare Before Christmas” themed photo shoot is planned for Dec. 3 and 4 at Churchill School Dancehall (parking lot is off 16th Street). Cost is $10 per group, and a portion of the proceeds will support CASA of Eastern Oregon.

Times are 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Food and beverages will be available to purchase, and kids can write letters to Santa.

See ‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 1-4 in Pendleton

PENDLETON — The Snow Queen, the Sugarplum Fairy and Clara will all dance “The Nutcracker” for Pendleton Ballet Theatre again this holiday season. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 1-4 in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 NW Carden Ave.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. A bake sale featuring holiday treats will take place before each performance and during intermission.

Advance ticket sales for “The Nutcracker” will be offered 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, at the PBT studio, 427 S. Main St. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12, cash and check only. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Enter your light displays in a contest

CANYON CITY — The 2nd annual Canyon City Light Contest is happening now, with a chance to win cash prizes — $500 for first, $250 for second or $100 for third.

This contest is sponsored by The Whiskey Gulch Gang. Judging is Dec. 18. Register your display by emailing whiskeygulchgang@gmail.com.

Elgin Opera House presents ‘Beauty and the Beast’

ELGIN — The Elgin Opera House presents “Beauty and the Beast” every weekend through Dec. 17.

The Broadway classic features a large cast with all the famous characters, including Belle (Carly Elder), the Beast (Hunter Adams) and Gaston (Dutch Meerdink).

Shows are set for Nov. 25 and 26, Dec. 2 and 3, Dec. 9 and 10, and Dec. 17. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at elginoperahouse.com or by calling 541-663-6324.

FESTIVAL OF TREES SPRUCES UP HOLIDAY SEASON

HERMISTON — The committee for the Hermiston Festival of Trees is excited to bring back the full in-person event for 2022.

After canceling in 2020 and hosting a modified event in 2021, the evening gala dinner and auction is Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395.

Tickets are $50 each and are available at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce and Hermiston Parks and Recreation. For more information, search bit.ly/3UCRzKX.

The popular Family Day returns on Sunday, Dec. 4. In addition to tree viewing, it features music, crafts and fun for the whole family. Additional details will be released as the event nears.

The Grinch Scavenger Hunt

UMATILLA — The Grinch is on the loose in Umatilla and is trying to wreak havoc on the holiday season. Find the dastardly dude and take a selfie with him for a chance to win.

The first hint of where to find the Grinch: He’s hanging out at the location of Umatilla’s Winter Festival, which is Dec. 2. A picture of the Grinch you’re looking for and additional clues will be posted at bit.ly/3TMm9Rc.

If you find the grinch, make a comment and post your photo on Umatilla Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page or email it to noemy@umatilla-city.org. For questions, call at 541-922-3226 or search www.umatilla-city.org/parksrec.

Modified Festival of Trees returns to Baker City

BAKER CITY — The Saint Alphonsus Foundation is bringing back the Festival of Trees, but on a smaller scale than previous years.

The festival will be one day only — Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Community Event Center, 2600 East St. Admission is free.

About two dozen miniature trees will be decorated and sold by silent auction.

Also, the Baker City Kiwanis Club will have photos with Santa ($10 for two 5×7 prints or three 4×6 prints), and Crossroads Carnegie Art Center returns “Make It and Take It” art projects, which are free this year thanks to support from the D.E. and Jane Clark Foundation.

Forest service offers Christmas tree permits

PENDLETON — There’s nothing that says — or smells like — Christmas than a freshly cut tree. For a fun family outing, consider heading out to chop down your own tree.

Christmas tree permits for the Umatilla National Forest are available to purchase at forest offices, several local businesses or online via bit.ly/3EcSsTC. The website includes regulation information and useful tips before embarking into the national forest. For questions, call the Umatilla National Forest office in Pendleton at 541-278-3716 or the Heppner Ranger District at 541-676-9187.

The cost is $5 per tree and there is a limit of one per household. For other national forest sites, search bit.ly/3UU5T1q.

And as part of the national Every Kid Outdoors initiative, all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from their local national forest. To receive a free tree permit, a valid paper voucher must be printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website. Follow instructions at www.everykidoutdoors.gov.

First Thursday highlights Byzantine icons

WALLA WALLA — Artist Lu Bro will share her work on Byzantine icons during the upcoming First Thursday event in Walla Walla.

Icons will be on display and Bro will be available for questions. In addition, a video clip will demonstrate the work of writing an icon and recorded music from Russian choral scholars will accompany the visual display. People are invited to drop in during the free event on Thursday, Dec. 1, noon-4:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 323 Catherine St., Walla Walla.

Donations will be gladly accepted on behalf of Hope Street, a clean and sober living facility for women struggling with substance use. First Thursday event is in its 16th season. For more information, contact thursdaymusicprograms@gmail.com or 360-951-7680.