Comedian returns to Baker City

BAKER CITY — Michael Palascak, who has performed comedy across the country, on late night TV shows and as a finalist for “Last Comic Standing, is returning to Baker City on Friday, June 14.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. with music by Andy Zikmund.

“It’s very unique. There’s nothing like it,” he said of Churchill, where he first performed just over a year ago.

Tickets are $22 in advance at churchillbaker.com, or $30 at the door.

Palascak logged nearly 120 shows in 2023, and he’s on pace for the same schedule this year.

“Every week is booked,” he said.

He’s also started a podcast titled “I Just Got My Kid to Sleep,” and in February recorded a special that is not yet released.

He said his shows are G-rated, but some of his material might not resonate with kids — such as living at home in your 20s, or the experience of being a parent. Clips of his routines can be found on Instagram and YouTube, but he said his show on June 14 will feature new material.

Mojo Holler plays the arts center

PENDLETON — Portland band Mojo Holler will perform Thursday, June 13, 7 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Tickets are $10 and available at pendletonarts.org/live-music.

Mojo Holler “weaves threads from mountain ranges to the Mississippi Delta into a tapestry of indie folk rock.” The band was formed in 2012 by duo, “Missi & Mister Baker.” The pair released their debut album, “Where Black Ravens Flew,” in late 2014, and were selected to showcase at South By Southwest in 2016.

In 2021, they released “ROOT,” a full-length LP that is an acoustic reverie on remorse and redemption. It is available via major streaming platforms and on compact disc via Bandcamp. In 2023, Randy Yearout joined the band as bass guitarist.

Bart Budwig plays at HQ June 14

LA GRANDE — From the starting note, Bart Budwig’s voice tugs at you, bringing to mind the ease of a front porch, the slow sip of tea.

Perhaps it’s from the decades he’s spent living in Eastern Oregon, absorbing the quiet majesty of the Wallowa Valley. Or the fact that he spends most of his weekends off the grid, taking a break from his double career as owner/sound engineer of BartPro Audio and singer/songwriter/musician.

Budwig’s music defies category, evoking what one critic calls “cosmic country,” and he will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, June 14 at HQ, 112 Depot St. Tickets are $12 at lagrandehq.com or $15 at the door.

Budwig’s subject matter remains funny and playful, containing a twinge of melancholy held tongue in cheek, such as in “Sock Song”— the seventh track on his latest album “Another Burn on the Astroturf.” The album wraps up with “The Captain and the Dreamer,” a beautiful, dreamy ballad capturing images of rollicking waves and the lonely solitude of a captain adrift at sea.

Grant County Health Fair is June 14

JOHN DAY — The 27th annual Grant County Health Fair is set for Friday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Grant County Fairgrounds pavilion. The blood draw costs $37 for a general health panel.

Other offerings include free dermatology skin checks and breast exams, tai chi, blood pressure checks, stroke information, senior services, grief support and more.

Pre-register online at bluemountainhospital.org or register in person on June 10-12 at the hospital gift shop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Celebrate new trail section in Elgin

ELGIN — After more than 15 years of planning, outreach, fundraising, community meetings, engineering and public hearings, the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 15 to mark the grand opening of the very first trail section that has just been completed in Elgin.

This section of the trail will be the first official part of a longer, 63-mile trail-with-rail that will eventually connect Elgin, Minam, Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise and Joseph for walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders.

The celebration is Saturday, June 15, starting at 2:30 p.m. at the project’s first trailhead, which also serves as a pocket park for the city of Elgin. It is across from the train depot at 350 Depot St.

The event will include complimentary food and beverages, project updates, railbike rides, and guided walks on the new trail section that stretches a third of a mile between the scenic Grande Ronde River and the existing railroad tracks.

“After years of hard work, the opening of this first trail section marks a major milestone, and we’re very excited to have the public join us to celebrate,” said Gregg Kleiner, project coordinator for the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium.

The Joseph Branch Trail Consortium asks people to RSVP for the ribbon-cutting via email to info@JosephBranchTrail.org.

To learn more about becoming a member of consortium, visit josephbranchtrail.org/membership.

Head to Elgin for Riverfest

ELGIN — Held every Father’s Day weekend, this year’s Elgin Riverfest is Saturday, June 15.

Organized the the Elgin Lions Club, Riverfest begins early with the Fireman’s Breakfast and yard sales all through the town. Vendors will set up a variety of booths, and the Riverfest car show offers the chance to see shiny classic cars and visit with the owners from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grass field south of the community center. Entry is $20, and cash prizes will be awarded in several categories.

Noon brings the duck race for a chance to win prizes, and the weekend also features a duck train, an antique engine and tractor show and more.

Frazier Farmstead presents Heritage Roses

MILTON-FREEWATER — Frazier Farmstead Museum, 1403 Chesnut St., will host the second session of its Heritage Roses events. The “Welcome to the Heritage Rose Garden” is a presentation and garden tour with Babe O’Sullivan at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15.

The museum grounds have several rose garden areas. Sometime in September, they will host the final session, “American Indians and Wild Roses,” also presented by O’Sullivan and a special guest.

“Come learn about our roses, their history, and the story they tell,” Museum Director Dawn Fehrenbacher said.

In addition, the museum will host “An Evening with Helen Heavirland,” on June 30, from 6-7 p.m. Heavirland will recount her memoir “Surviving the Sand.”

For more information, email Fehrenbacher at frazier1868@gmail.com or call 541-938-4636.

Celebrate a gold strike at ‘62 Days

CANYON CITY — In 1862, gold was discovered in what is now Canyon City, and every year the nonprofit Whiskey Gulch Gang puts together the ’62 Days Celebration. This year’s event is Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15, along Washington Street in Canyon City.

Festivities kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, with the reopening of Sels’ Brewery for music, food and beer. Vendors will be set up both days, and music will be provided both nights in the brewery courtyard by the band Copper Ridge starting at 8 p.m.

Saturday starts off at the Squeeze-In at 6 a.m. for a “miner’s breakfast,” and the Gold Rush Run & Walk sets up at 7 a.m. The annual 5K event, beginning at 8 a.m., starts in front of Sels’ Brewery. An online entry form is available at tinyurl.com/3j7b8vxb.

The ’62 Days Parade will begin at 11 a.m., with registration at Humbolt Elementary from 9-10:30 a.m.

Sels’ Brewery opens up again Saturday at noon. Music in the park will be performed by the James Gang Band, and a pie social will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

In addition to vendors selling food and wares, children can enjoy panning for gold and playing games at the park. A medicine wagon starts at 1 p.m., and a simulated Old West shootout and hanging reenactment in front of Sels’ is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

For more details, visit the Facebook page for the Whiskey Gulch Gang.

Final orchestra performance is June 22

HERMISTON — The Inland Northwest Musicians will present its final concert of the season on June 22, 3 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The Inland Northwest Orchestra and Chorale will perform under the direction of R. Lee Friese and Phillip Simpson. The concert is free, with donations welcome.

Eagle Valley Days set for June 15-16

RICHLAND — Richland is getting ready a community celebration with Eagle Valley Days on June 15-16.

Saturday starts at 7 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts in the pavilion.

The weekend features Art in the Park with crafters, artisans, nonprofits, demonstrations and more. Anyone interested in joining can call Abby Graven at 541-519-8868. The vendors, as well as a rummage sale, will be ongoing all day on Saturday and some vendors will also be open on Sunday.

Meghan Stacey and Brooke Chamberlin invite organizations, bands, families, individuals, agencies, businesses, nonprofits, dancers, car collectors, clubs and horses to join the parade. Line-up is at 9 a.m. at the Richland library, and the parade starts at 10 a.m.

The Dutch Oven Cooking event starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and will continue until noon when there will be judging including the People’s Award that is determined by those who buy “taster-tickets.”

At noon, the Eagle Valley Grange will serve hamburgers with condiments and fresh strawberry shortcake. Then, the dessert sale starts at 1 p.m.

Also at 1 p.m., the Eagle Valley Rural Fire Protection District will be onsite with firefighters who are going to be in charge of the kid’s games. Remember to bring towels.

Other afternoon activities include a Frying Pan Toss and a cornhole competition, both at 2 p.m. Cornhole teams can sign up by calling Tammy Graven at 541-239-8349.

Saturday wraps up with a tri-tip dinner. To get advance tickets, which are $15, contact Abby Graven at 541-519-8868. Tickets will also be available at the pavilion.

On Sunday morning starting at 7 a.m., the Eagle Valley Grange will be serving a free breakfast, followed by Cowboy Church at 9 a.m.

Museum Hosts June Third Tuesday Event

UNION — The Union County Museum will host its first Third Tuesday event of the season on June 18, at 7 p.m. in the Little White Church, beside city hall and across Main Street from the museum in Union. The theme of the evening is “Treasures & Puzzlers — What’s in Your Closet or Tool Shed?”

Audience members are invited to bring an item from their own collection of antiques for a “Show & Tell” session. Do you have a family treasure with a unique story of its own? Can you stump the audience with a tool or other item few will recognize or know its use? Board member Anne Rodriguez is coordinating this evening.

“We hosted a similar activity during our annual meeting last fall and everyone enjoyed it,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a great opportunity to shine some light on an item or two from your family’s past or to have some fun getting people to guess about a mystery item from Great-Grandpa’s tool shed.”

Those planning to bring an item are encouraged to call 541-963-8128. To submit a Third Tuesday presentation proposal, email history@ucmuseumoregon.com.

The Union County Museum, 333 S. Main St., is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through September. it is owned by the Union County Museum Society and operated by a small group of volunteers.

To learn more, visit www.ucmuseumoregon.com or call 541-562-6003 during museum hours.

Splash into summer fun in Umatilla

UMATILLA — Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available through Umatilla Parks & Recreation. The cost is $10/hour, $15/2 hours, $25/4 hours or $35/all day. The rental fee includes the use of a life jacket, coiled ankle strap, oars and a safety whistle.

For more information, search www.umatilla-city.org/parksrec or call 541-922-3226, extension 120.

Josephy Center opens new exhibit June 15

JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts & Culture will present “Exotic Terrane,” an interdisciplinary artist project featuring the captivating works of Dennis DeHart and Heather Tomlinson, beginning June 15 with a reception from 3-5 p.m.

“Exotic Terrane” explores the concept of an exotic terrane terrain — a piece of Earth’s crust with a separate geologic history merged with another landmass.

DeHart’s interdisciplinary projects weave together themes of identity, place, and the natural world. He is currently an associate professor of art at Washington State University and draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s landscapes and public lands.

Tomlinson, a costume design professor at Eastern Oregon University, brings her expertise in fiber arts to “Exotic Terrane.” Inspired by the abstract forms and colors found in nature, Tomlinson’s artwork reflects current events and emotions. Her fiber art techniques, including tufting, create serene compositions layered with yarn of varying colors and textures.

Arlington heats up with Barn Burner event

ARLINGTON — Vendor space and consignments are welcome during a three-day event in Arlington. A Barn Burner Rummage Sale & Flea Market is June 21-23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Arlington Airport Hangar Building, off Rhea Lane on Airport Road.

Presented by Paradise Rose Chuckwagon and C&C Sawmiling, the event also features live music, a beer garden and food. To inquire about vendor space, call/text Dale at 541-720-4202.

Landing Days cranks up with music

UMATILLA — Get ready to rock as Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses fame is the headliner during Umatilla Landing Days on June 22 at Umatilla Marina & RV Park. The rest of the lineup includes Not.GreenDay, Victory Swig and local fan favorites, Blue Tattoo.

The event kicks off the evening of June 21 with Milonga, referred to as the hottest Latin band in the Pacific Northwest. Also, Estilo Diferente will perform.

There is no admission fee for the two-day festival, which also features a parade, car show, vendor booths, food, family fun and fireworks. For more information, search umatillalandingdays.org.

Fossil Fridays prepares for 2024 season

FOSSIL — An artisan market, kids games, museum tours and a beer garden are featured during Fossil Fridays.

Held June through August on the third Friday of the month, the 2024 season kicks off June 21, 4-8 p.m. — with live music from 6-8 p.m. — in downtown Fossil. In addition, local businesses will offer special deals.

Vendor space is $15 per table. For more information, search www.facebook.com/fossilfridays or call 541-763-2233.