Entertainment Calendar

• FARMER’S MARKET: The Mosier Farmers and Flea Market is on at the new price of only $10 a spot, it’s a first-come basis for under the canopy.
The market will be open at 10 in the morning, Friday to Sunday.
Vendors can bring produce or anything else. Gerald’s Boiled Peanuts will be there unless he is catering an event in the Gorge.
For more information, call Gerald at (541) 478-3288.

• STUDENT ART: The Henkle Middle School art students’ 2008 “Fresh Perspectives” art show is on display in the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s Sprint/Baker Gallery through May 30.
A gallery reception for the artists will be held Saturday, May 17, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
The show includes a wide range of works in a variety of media from pencil, tempera and watercolor to mixed media.
For more information about this and other library exhibits, programs and services call (509) 493-1132 or visit the Fort Vancouver Regional Library home page at www.fvl.org.

• PARENTING HELP: Here’s how to find out about local parenting programs & classes, support groups, activities and other resources in the Skamania and Klickitat County region. Call their toll free number: (866) 631-1997, or check the website at http://community.gorge.net/skcnparentsupport
Information is provided by the Skamania Klickitat Community Network, a local group affiliated with the Washington State Family Policy Council.

• LIBRARY PASS: Maryhill Museum of Art has joined with local libraries to provide free admission to the museum for library patrons. The special pass falls under the same rules and guidelines as other library materials. It is available at public libraries in The Dalles, Hood River, Parkdale, Cascade Locks and at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library branches of Goldendale, White Salmon and Stevenson. This year, Maryhill Museum has also joined with the Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) to make the passes available at libraries in Hermiston, Moro, Arlington and Boardman. The pass can be used for all immediate family members living in the same household plus up to four guests. The pass does not apply to ticketed special programs.

• CRUISE TIME: The Mid-Columbia Car Club’s weekly Cruise-Ins at Burgerville USA The Dalles start at 6 p.m. Burgerville in downtown The Dalles. The cruise-ins continue every Wednesday throughout the summer, and antique, classic, custom, street rods, muscle, sports, stock, modified, old, new, restored, in progress or whatever cars and trucks are welcome.

• CLASSMATES SOUGHT: The Dalles High School class of 1978 is trying to locate classmates for our reunion this summer. Missing are: Debbie Baker, Phyllis Billbourough, Robert Blankenship, Rebecca Carpenter, Theresa Collins, David Connors, Stuart Donckers, Tom Engelgau, Tom Flelcker, Beverly Fosburgh, Sabine Frankfother, Vincent Gensburg, Patty Grant, Patsy Hatcher, Audry Hendrix, Jess Hodges, Martha Hopper, Julie Hutchin, Foster Johns, Mark Johnson, Karen Leavitt, Laurie Leazer, Vicki Long, Valerie Macri, Donn Mann, Steve Otos, Debby Patrick, Debbie Pettigrew. Randy Powell. If you have information on any of these people, please contact Carri at 298-1667.

• CLASSMATES SOUGHT: The Dalles High Class of 1963 will hold their 45-year class reunion September 19, 20 and 21. Organizers are trying to locate the following classmates: Bonnie O’Dell, Delores Mallory, Mack Morgan, Patricia Kreuger, John McNeal, Barbara Myers, Rosemary Lash, Tim Baker, Wayne Cumiford, Scott Draper and Dave Palmer. Anyone with contact information please call Dennis Davis at 296-9580.

• REIKI SESSIONS: Reiki Circle is now starting in The Dalles.
Anyone who wishes to give or receive Reiki (a form of energy healing that promotes relaxation and stress reduction) is invited to join the group in the Conference Room near the chapel/chaplain’s office at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles. The sessions take place every third and fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. This is a free service offered by the many Reiki practitioners in The Dalles Community. For more information, call Kathy at (509) 365-5384.

• ARTISTS NEEDED: Columbia Gorge Arts in Education (CGAIE) is now accepting applications from artists for its 2008-2010 Artists in School Program. Artists will provide hands-on arts education to K-12 students in the Mid-Columbia region in residency programs, which run one to three weeks for 20 hours per week. Other special community projects are also available. CGAIE is seeking applications from professional or teaching artists who work in visual, performing, film, literary or storytelling arts and who are interested in teaching mostly elementary to middle school age students. To learn more about and download application go to www.cgaie.org. For any questions, contact Leith Gaines at (541) 387-5031 or lgaines@hoodriver. k12.or.us.The application deadline is April 11.

• CASA VOLUNTEERS: Do you have a desire to help children who are living in foster care? Become a trained volunteer for Columbia Gorge CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). For more information, contact volunteer manager Susan Baldwin at (541) 386-3468 or send an e-mail query to susan.baldwin@cgcasa.net.

• PARENTING PROGRAMS: Find out about local parenting programs and classes, support groups, activities and other resources in the Skamania and Klickitat county region. There is information for mothers and fathers, grandparents and other relatives, foster parents, teen parents, single parents, divorced and step parents. Call the free information line at 1-866-631-1997 or check the website at http://commu-nity.gorge.net/skcnparentsupport.

• NEW AGENCY: CHILD, a local nonprofit organization, is working to make a difference in the lives of local youth. In October 2006, the leadership committee of The Dalles SMART Program became the board members of CHILD, whose mission is “to connect community members with our local children through programs that help them reach their full potential.” CHILD implements the Start Making A Reader Today Program (SMART) in elementary schools in The Dalles with future plans for SMART programs throughout all elementary schools in Wasco County. In July, CHILD partnered with Columbia Hills Family Medicine to implement the Reach Out and Read Program (ROR) at their clinic. Both programs focus on the importance of literacy and meet a critical need for the children in the community. Volunteers are an important aspect of both of these programs and are necessary for the programs to flourish. To find out more information about these programs, and/or to volunteer as a reader; contact Cheryl DeHart, Executive Director for CHILD at (541)993-1025 or by mail at PO Box 65, The Dalles.

• DRIVERS NEEDED: Currently there is a shortage of volunteer drivers who provide transportation to VA medical centers for veterans from Hood River and Wasco counties. This service has been provided for years and relies entirely on volunteers. It operates on Monday and Thursday and would like to expand to Friday. Drivers are needed for each day, Monday being the most critical day.
All of the volunteer drivers are encouraged to become a certified driver through the Disabled American Veterans organization. This enables them to have access to meal tickets at the VA Medical Center on the day they drive and potentially gives drivers an opportunity for auto insurance discounts. All that is required to apply is a driver’s license, a good driving record and proof of automobile insurance. Those interested can contact the local Veterans Service Office for an application and more details about the program. The Wasco County VA office is open Tuesday and Friday, and the phone number is 506-2502. The Hood River office is open Monday and Thursday, and the phone is 386-1080.

• SOIL TESTING-OSU Wasco County Master Gardeners are running soil testing every Wednesday at the Wasco County Extension Office. Cost is $15 per test. Soil will be tested for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, PH, soil texture and humus. Information on collecting a sample is available at their website at extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco, or call the OSU Wasco County Extension Office at 296-5494.

• MOTORCYCLE NIGHT- Every Thursday night at 6 p.m. all brands of motorcycles are welcome to gather. This is just a gathering, not a club. No rides are planned for the start-up phase. It is a chance to meet others who ride and bring friends. Those who show up will determine where the next gathering might be or a permanent home may be chosen, but the plan is to hold The Dalles motorcycle night each and every Thursday. For more information, call (541) 993-6413 or (541) 980-8320.

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Northern Wasco County Park & Recreation District is in need of volunteers for youth and recreation programs for fall 2007 and winter 2008. At this time NWCP&R is creating its fall/winter program brochure and needs volunteers to offer more programs. Previous fall/winter programs consisted of: wonderworks, hunter education, open gym volleyball, coed volleyball, men's basketball league, open gym soccer, Mt. Hood Meadows weekly open ski/snowboard lessons or youth sledding, geocaching, art classes, music lessons, beginning golf, senior hikes. If you have any ideas, programs, or events that you would like to offer to the community, call Amy Besch, activities coordinator, at 296-9533, or e-mail amy@nwprd.org.

• SHERMAN MUSEUM - Sherman County Historical Museum in Moro is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. View Oregon Trails, Rails & Roads in Sherman County, Wheat Through the Ages, Pride & Patriotism, Cultivation, Conservation & Clothespins, genealogy files and more. The Museum Store earns support. The location is in downtown Moro.Questions? Group tour? Information? 541-565-3232 for info.

• GORGE GROWN FOOD NETWORK (GGFN) seeks farmers, local food producers, nurseries, home gardeners, restaurant-style food vendors, and volunteers to come together for the Gorge Grown Farmers’ Market. Vendor fees vary. For more information, call: (541) 490-6420 or visit http://www.gorgegrown.com/Farmersmarket.cfm.

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Mid-Columbia Medical Center is seeking to add to its team of volunteers and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information, contact Marsha Davis, MCMC Volunteer Services at 296-7288.

• MEALS OFFERED: Senior Meals are held at Canyon Rim Manor in Maupin each Monday starting at noon. Hot meals are provided, and a donation of $3 for Seniors is requested. The general public is invited to attend. Canyon Rim Manor is located at 1701 George Jackson Road in Maupin.

• SINGLES GROUP: Christian Singles Fellowship meets every second and fourth Thursday at the Nazarene Church in Hood River from 7 to 9 p.m. Those who are a legally single, Christian, and over 40, can join the group fun, games, snacks, and socializing. The group also meets every third Saturday for hiking and other outings in the Gorge. Check our website for more information and a schedule of activities: www.hoodriveralliance.org.

• GORGE QUILTERS - The Columbia River Gorge Quilters is open to quilters from both sides of the river from Washougal to Goldendale in Washington and from Cascade Locks to Grass Valley in Oregon. The first meeting features regional speaker Elizabeth Spannring. Meetings are held quarterly, on the third Saturday May, August, November and February. Membership costs $25. For more information, call guild president Marbe Cook at 386-6369, treasurer Gayle Jacobson at 296-6268 or Kathy Hubka at (360) 835-0370.

• CHESS GROUP: A chess group meets at Spooky’s from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. All levels of skill are welcome. For more information, contact Brian Mock at (503) 374-0803.

• OSU CLASSES: OSU Extension Service is offering “Strong Women Stay Young” and “Strong Women Strong Bones” beginning in January. Classes will meet at the Commodore meeting room, Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at noon through March. Participants are welcome to join in at any time, but must have a participants screening form on file before beginning the class. Call Fern Wilcox, Wasco County Extension office, (541) 296-5494 for details.

• CAMERA CLUB: The Dalles Camera Club meets the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Old West Gallery, 312 1/2 E. Second St. Use the alley entrance. All are invited, from beginners to advanced. It is a chance to expand your knowledge in both film and digital methods. There are field trips around the region, monthly competitions in black and white and color, scavenger hunts and more. For more information, contact Robert (Bob) Davis, 296-2553; Gary Fields, 386-3055 or Louie Buzas 296-3284.

• GORGE TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE: The Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month and provides networking opportunities with learning events about technology business resources in the area. Individuals with an interest in technology or a high-tech business are particularly encouraged to attend. For information, contact Amanda Remington at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, 296-2266, or via email at amanda@crgta.org.

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