Learn clay techniques at the library

UNION — The Union Carnegie Public Library, 182 N. Main St., will offer a “clay study” for adults on Monday, May 6, 5-6 p.m.

Participants will work with clay and study the indigenous methods of Southwest tribes. Clay will be provided. This activity is funded by a grant from Oregon Humanities.

Children invited to ‘Art Out Loud’

LA GRANDE — The Center for Human Development will provide an art program called “Art Out Loud” for ages 6-11 where kids can explore and express their feelings and experiences through creating art.

This free group meets Fridays from 3-4 p.m., May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 in the Community Room at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth Ave.

Free Comic Book Day is May 4

BAKER CITY, LA GRANDE — Several libraries are again celebrating Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4.

Baker County Public Library, 2400 Resort St., will have an event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — or while supplies last. Tables will be stocked with free comic books grouped for their age-appropriateness: “all ages,” “teens+,” and “mature readers.” Visitors can help themselves to free comics and goodies to take home while supplies last; and enter a raffle for a chance to win a prize. The Friends of Baker County Library help fund the raffle prizes.

Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St. in La Grande, invites patrons to drop in between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for comic books and a chance to win Hobby Habit gift certificates.

Established in 2002, Free Comic Book Day is an annual event held on the first Saturday in May when comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give out exclusive comic books for free to showcase the industry.

Each year, thousands of participating locations give away more than five million comic books. Participating publishers this year include Marvel, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Viz, Kodansha and DC.

The comic shop sponsor this year is “The Collector’s Outpost” located in Meridian, Idaho, which has donated all of the comic books and collectible figures.

Information about comic books and a list of participating publishers and their free comics is available at www.freecomicbookday.com.

Cornerstone hosts vendor market in Hermiston

HERMISTON — The Cornerstone Artisan Market will feature handmade items, including crafts, cards, plants and baked goods. The event opens Friday, May 3, 5-8 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 193 E. Main St. It continues Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Proceeds from vendor fees will be used for a mission trip to Brazil. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3U97Euf or email office@cornerstonehermiston.org.

Cinco de Mayo features fiesta, food and fun

HERMISTON — Get ready to party during Hermiston Cinco de Mayo on May 5, noon to 10 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road. There is no admission charge.

The celebration features live music, folkloric dancers, information booths, local artisan and craft vendors and the Miss Cinco de Mayo Pageant. Bring an appetite — food and drink options will be plentiful.

Also, things are really revving up with a car show added to the 2024 event. Registration is $10 and $5 for additional vehicles via bit.ly/3Un0aDX. Setup starts at 8 a.m., and the show runs from noon to 4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded.

For additional event information, search Facebook via bit.ly/40MgWw8. For questions, email info@hermistoncincodemayo.com or call Saul Olvera at 541-720-6248.

Stanfield hosts Arbor Day celebration

STANFIELD — The city of Stanfield is rolling out “Big Kid Toys” during its annual Arbor Day Celebration.

In its 10th year, the event is Wednesday, May 1, 5-7 p.m. on the southern end of Bard Park. It includes free hot dogs.

Displays will feature trucks and tractors. In addition, children can compete in the RDO Tractor Pull contest. A drawing will be held for three large trees. Also, kids can plant a tree to take home.

Join a ‘clean sweep’ in Athena

ATHENA — A day to “clean sweep” and Adopt-A-Highway cleanup is planned for Saturday, May 4, 9-11 a.m. on Main Street in Athena.

Volunteers can meet at the Stahl Building, 259 E. Main St., to get a list of locations that need attention. Those who help with Adopt-A-Highway must be 16 or older.

Trivia Games planned for May 4

PENDLETON — Test your knowledge at the Trivia Games on May 4 at Heritage Station Museum, 108 SW Frazer Ave.

The evening includes fun, food and Umatilla County trivia — all while supporting the Umatilla County Historical Society.

The evening starts at 5 p.m. with food and drinks, and round one of trivia will begin at 5:30 pm. During the break bid on silent and live auction items, then trivia moves to the second round to determine a winner.

Teams are limited to six members. Entry is $25 per player or $120 for a table of six. Tickets are on sale in the museum gift shop and online at heritagestationmuseum.org.

Money raised during Trivia Games will support exhibits, archives, collections and educational programming at Heritage Station Museum, which is run by the Umatilla County Historical Society.

BlueMountaineers play in Union May 10

UNION — On the second Friday of each month, head to the Catherine Creek Community Center, 667 N. Main St., to hear The BlueMountaineers and enjoy lunch. The next gathering is May 10.

The music starts at 11:30 a.m. and continues after the meal, which starts at noon.

Breakfast, dinner and music, too

STANFIELD — The Stanfield Community Center is the place to be on Saturday, May 4 at 225 W. Roosevelt Ave.

The day kicks off with a community breakfast from 7-10 a.m. The average cost from the à la carte menu is $8 for adults and $5 for kids.

Also, return in the evening for toe-tappin’ tunes performed by the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers. The cover charge is $5 per person. The performance begins at 6 p.m. A dinner featuring hot turkey sandwiches will be available for $8, starting at 5 p.m.

For other upcoming activities at the center, search Facebook via bit.ly/3Qh1wh8. For questions, call 541-449-1332.

Need a bicycle?

MILTON-FREEWATER — A bicycle giveaway is set for Saturday, May 4, at Gordy Plastics, 1530 S. Main St., from 8 a.m. to noon.

Eighty bikes will be available for local children, families and adults. The used bicycles were donated to Danner Farms and reconditioned by volunteers. The Milton-Freewater Elks will provide volunteers, helmets, bike accessories, licenses and free food.

Pre-registration by phone is required for the giveaway — parents or adults must call no later than 5 p.m. on May 2 to sign up on a first-call, first-served basis for a time slot. Up to 20 people will be allowed to come to Gordy Plastics each hour to choose from the remaining bikes. Children must be accompanied at the giveaway by a parent or legal guardian.

There is a limit of one bike per person. To pre-register or for more information, call Danner Farms at 541-861-3029.

Poetry workshop planned for May 7

Beth Wood will teach an online workshop titled “Poetry for Songwriters and Poetry-Curious Artists” on Tuesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m. Registration is $60 or $55 for Fishtrappers. All levels of writing experience are welcome.

Register at fishtrap.org.

In this workshop, participants will engage in writing exercises and games and share work in a supportive space. Wood is an award-winning songwriter and poet. She has released 15 albums, three books of poetry, and a collection of funny stories from the road.

Her poetry book “Ladder To The Light” received the 2019 Oregon Book Awards People’s Choice Award and was a finalist for the 2019 Stafford/Hall Award for Poetry. Wood’s latest collection of poetry is “Believe The Bird.” She lives in Sisters with her rescue dog, Hannah Laroo.

Art Walk 24 seeks artists for May 11 event

HERMISTON — The Hermiston Downtown District announced a call for artists for Art Walk 24.

It’s open to professional artists 18 and older in any media. Artists will display/sell their work in space provided by Main Street businesses on May 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The registration fee is $25 and is open until the spaces are full. Additional details and registration information are available via Facebook at bit.ly/3hQ0Ykk.

Also, special space is reserved for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. To display student artwork, email Mary Corp via mary.corp@oregonstate.edu.

Cash prizes, ranging from $50-250 will be awarded to adult artists. Also, five $20 awards will be given in the student category.

Art Center East opens new shows Friday

LA GRANDE — Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., opens two art shows on Friday, May 3, 6-8 p.m.

“All tangled up” featuring Bend artist Sophia Aimone will be in the main gallery, and “The Wonder in the Well” by Wallowa County artist and designer Silje Harlander will be in the Orlaske Gallery.

For details, visit artcentereast.org.