Quick Takes: July 10, 2024

Published 3:50 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Free flicks return to Butte Park

HERMISTON — The Summer Movies in the Park series is preparing for the 2024 season.

Lamb Weston is again partnering with Hermiston Parks and Recreation to present the program. In addition to watching a family-friendly movie, participants can enjoy free potato products from the fry truck.

The first flick is “Jurassic Park” on Friday, July 12, 8:45 p.m. at Butte Park, 1245 NW Seventh St., Hermiston. Showtimes for July 19 (“Migration”) and July 26 (“Barbie”) are at 8:30 p.m. Be sure to bring chairs and blankets. For questions, call Hermiston Parks and Recreation at 541-667-5018.

Guitar duo to strum in Boardman

BOARDMAN — Blue Mountain Spanish Sound will perform on Monday, July 15, at Boardman Marina Park, 1 NE Marine Drive. The free show starts at 7 p.m.

Jesse Campos and Lance Smith will play a mixture of Latin and Brazilian beats, classical guitar, American classic rock, fusion and funk, and original inspirational music. The duo is said to have the “fastest fingers in the Northwest.”

Morrow County’s Music in the Parks runs each Monday through Aug. 19, alternating between Irrigon and Boardman marina parks. The full schedule is available via www.facebook.com/boardman-irrigon.

Motorcycle rally rolls into Baker City

BAKER CITY — The 2024 Baker City Motorcycle Rally roars into town July 12-14, and Main Street will be closed to traffic from Washington Street to Auburn Avenue from 3 p.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Motorcycles are allowed on the closed street, allowing the community to check out the polished bikes on Friday and Saturday evenings. During the day, most participants head out to ride a few of the seven suggested routes. Vendors, most of them from the local area, will be set up on Main Street throughout the weekend.

Those who wait until the last minute can register at the event sponsor Shameless Tees, 1921 Main St., on Thursday and Friday. Registration is $55 and includes a T-shirt, lanyard, pin, patch and 10% discount to local shops and restaurants.

Spend Sunday afternoon in the park

BAKER CITY — La Grande-based Bag of Hammers will play for the Powder River Music Revue on Sunday, July 14.

The music goes from 4-6 p.m. at the Powder River Pavilion in Geiser-Pollman Park — get there early to grab a bench, or bring a chair or blanket.

Admission is free, although the audience can support the concert by buying raffle tickets for prizes, such as gift cards donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five.

Also, season memberships are available for $35.

Sunday laughs in La Grande

LA GRANDE — Tap That Growlers is bringing two Pacific Northwest comedians to La Grande on Sunday, July 14, at 8 p.m. for 90 minutes of unique grown-up laughs.

Headliner Adam Tiller is known for his engaging performances and one-of-a-kind comedic style with hilarious takes on everyday life. Along with doing standup, Tiller also is the host of a podcast based in Everett, Washington, that explores the humorous side of life with a variety of guests. He regularly performs at comedy clubs throughout the Pacific Northwest and was a semifinalist in the World Series of Comedy Festival.

The opening act, Nate Ford, is a national touring standup comedian, going coast to coast for the past 20 years playing dive bars to theaters and everything in between. He has been seen on “Last Comic Standing” and heard on “The Prairie Home Companion.” His comedy special, “The 44 Ford Special” is currently playing on YouTube.

Tickets are $15 per person and are on sale at Tap That Growlers, 1106 Adams Ave.

Wednesdays in the Park features Sean Hatton

PENDLETON — A Boise-based musician who plays a unique blend of Americana sounds is featured during the upcoming Wednesdays in the Park. Sean Hatton will perform on Wednesday, July 17, 6-8 p.m. at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave.

Local food vendors and a beer/wine garden will be available. The free concert series continues weekly through Aug. 21. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4c3ha8X.

SkyDogs to perform at Maxwell Market

HERMISTON — A Kennewick-based group will play 1950s-1990s rock with Americana flavor at the next Maxwell Market. SkyDogs will perform on July 11, 4-7 p.m. at the Maxwell Siding Event Center & Pavilion, 145 N. First Place, Hermiston.

The farmers market features local produce, artisan vendors, food and beverages. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3yzqB11 or call 541-561-1047.

Unwrap a mystery at Tuesday talk

UNION — The Union County Museum Society will host a Third Tuesday event on July 16, 7 p.m., with guest speaker Tami Murphy, a historical genetic genealogist.

Murphy specializes in solving historical and contemporary crimes, cold cases and other mysteries by studying the victim and the perpetrator through genetics. This sometimes involves tracing DNA. Murphy also works on adoption reunions and on connecting military remains with surviving relatives.

Murphy will tell the story of Kiku Kokubu, a 6-year-old girl of Japanese descent who is buried in a Union County cemetery. She will share how the girl’s grave was drawn to her attention and how, while researching Kiku, she was able to unwrap a murder mystery and also connect the girl to Japanese-American soldiers who fought for the United States during World War II.

The Third Tuesday event takes place in the Little White Church, beside city hall and across Main Street from the museum in Union.

For information, call 541-963-8128. To submit a proposal for a Third Tuesday presentation, contact the museum at history@ucmuseumoregon.com.

The Union County Museum is located at 333 S. Main St. in Union. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through September.

The museum is owned by the Union County Museum Society, a nonprofit corporation, and operated by a small but dedicated group of volunteers. Go to the museum website, www.ucmuseumoregon.com to learn more, or call 541-562-6003 during museum hours.

Find book bargains at the library’s sale

BAKER CITY — Friends of the Baker County Library will hold the annual summer book sale July 19-28 at the library, 2400 Resort St. The start of the sale coincides, as usual, with Miners Jubilee.

The sale opens with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For the remainder of the sale, hours will coincide with the library: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The sale ends with most books priced at 25 cents on July 27 and July 28.

Proceeds from the book sale enable the Friends to help fund the many library projects which benefit the community.

Catch a movie in the park

PENDLETON — Pendleton Parks and Recreation again sponsors Movies in the Park, starting with “The Little Mermaid” on July 12 at Community Park.

Each evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with pre-movie activities such as kickball, cornhole, flag football and concessions with popcorn, soda, candy and more.

Movies continue on Fridays: “Space Jam” (July 19); “Barbie” (July 26); “Shrek” (Aug. 2); “Wonka” (Aug. 9); “Hook” (Aug. 16) and “Migration” (Aug. 23).

New shows open at Art Center East

LA GRANDE — Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., opens two new shows on Friday, July 12, with a reception from 6-8 p.m.

“My Heart” is an exhibit featuring paintings and sculptures by local artist Brenna Kimbro, who will give an artist talk at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. “My Heart” will be on display in ACE’s Orlaske Gallery July 12-Aug. 31. Raffle tickets for an original Kimbro painting will be available for purchase starting July 12, either at the center or online at artcentereast.org. Proceeds from the raffle support the ACE Gallery Program.

“Arboreality: Poetry Broadsides,” an exhibit featuring several dozen letterpress broadsides curated by Eastern Oregon University professor Nick Neely, also opens Friday. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., biologist-writer David George Haskell, a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, will read from his book “The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature’s Great Connectors.” Three of the broadsides will be raffle items with proceeds supporting the ACE Gallery Program.

A closing reception for both shows is set for Friday, Aug. 30, 6-8 p.m.

Historical society meets July 13

LA GRANDE — The Union County Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, July 13, at the log cabin on the Union County Fairgrounds.

There will be a potluck at noon followed by the meeting at 1 p.m. Meeting agenda items will include Bob Lundeen sharing information from the Imbler City Council meeting regarding its position on the Historic Methodist Church in Imbler and recognition of Ripley Roberts’ contributions through the years as the church groundskeeper. Jeanne Williamson will also talk about the unique Union County history books available at The Press Room, which is located in the former Elks Lodge building on Washington Avenue The public is welcome to attend.

Hamley’s serves up outdoor music

PENDLETON — Hamley & Co. is taking advantage of the warmer summer nights with Sunset Music on the Lawn.

Enjoy outdoor dining with a special menu. Also, free live music is featured on select Friday nights from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Pendleton at the corner of Main Street and Court Avenue. Scott Wilson is confirmed for July 19 and Aug 9, and James Dean Kindle is set for Aug. 23 and 30. For more information, call 541-278-1100.

Amelia Díaz Ettinger presents workshop in Ontario

ONTARIO — Oregon Humanities will present “Touching Inspiration: Embracing Creativity through the Senses” featuring Amelia Díaz Ettinger on Saturday, July 20, 12:30 p.m. at Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, 676 SW 5th Ave.

Ettinger, a poet, textile artist and biologist, was born in México and raised in Puerto Rico. In this workshop that blends poetry and visual art, she invites attendees “to see with our hands and feel the currents of inspiration that connect us all.”

This workshop welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, including those who are new to poetry or creative writing. Attendance is free, and advanced registration is required at oregonhumanities.org.