ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Library display focuses
on photography
East Oregonian
Page 3C
Summer concert series tunes up in Irrigon, Boardman
HERMISTON
—
Begin-
ning as a hobby in 2004, Andrea
Aldrich has an eye for photography.
She received best of show during the
2017 youth division of the Eastern
Oregon Art Show, held in conjunction
with Hermiston Funfest. Titled “The
Next Generation,” Aldrich captured a
shot of a row of birds sitting on a fence.
For a chance to see more of her
work, stop by the Hermiston Public
Library during the month of June as a
collection of her photos are on display
during her first solo show. Open Mon-
day through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to
7 p.m. and Friday/Saturdays from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m., the library is located at
235 E. Gladys Ave.
For more information, call 541-567-
2882 or visit www.hermistonlibrary.us.
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
High-octane thriller
latest in Savage series
Fans of Dave Edlund’s award-win-
ning action hero series starring Peter
Savage, an engineering entrepreneur
with some serious save-the-world
chops, will be happy to know a new
thriller is on the way: “Guarding Sav-
age,” due out in October 2018.
Savage shares the
limelight in Edlund’s
new thriller with
man’s best friend —
a pit bull that’s all
sweetness and light
until his master is
in danger. The well-
trained pooch has a
starring role in the non-stop action that
begins with an attempted kidnapping
and circles the globe to stop an obsessed
revenge plot from plunging the U.S. into
a naval confrontation with China. Add
in the royal family of Brunei, a covert
ops team and enough firepower to sink
an aircraft carrier, and “Guarding Sav-
age” will take you on a wild ride.
Edlund, like his leading man, is an
inventor — he holds 90 U.S. patents,
more than 120 foreign patents and is a
leading expert on hydrogen energy. He
holds a doctoral degree in chemistry and
has published more than 100 techni-
cal articles, presentations and books on
alternative energy. “Guarding Savage”
is Edlund’s fifth novel starring Peter
Savage.
“Guarding Savage” by Dave Edlund.
© 2018, Light Messages Publishing.
With summer just around the
corner, north Morrow County is
tuning up for a fantastic lineup of
free outdoor concerts.
Music in the Parks alternates
between Irrigon and Boardman
marina parks each Monday at 7
p.m. People are encouraged to
bring blankets or lawn chairs and
enjoy the music with the Colum-
bia River providing a beautiful
backdrop.
Returning for the concert
series is piano phenom Brady
Goss, who presents a high-en-
ergy performance June 18 at Irri-
gon Marina Park. Known for his
wizardry on the keyboards, the
former Wallowa County resi-
dent plays with incredible speed,
finesse and dexterity. It’s no sur-
prise he points to Jerry Lee Lewis
as one of his greatest influences.
Jackie McCauley said a num-
ber of other familiar faces are
returning for the summer series.
Also, a couple of new acts will
take the stage, including Bobby
and Faith (June 25, Boardman)
and Los Potrillos De Nayarit
(July 9, Boardman).
Bobby Nelsen and Faith Mar-
tin are said to possess “fantastic
musical chemistry.” The pair met
during an outdoor concert in 2004
in Echo. Nelsen, lead guitarist for
Tri-Cities band The Shades, was
filling in for a friend’s band when
they invited Martin onstage for a
few numbers. Martin, a Tri-Cit-
ies radio personality, was later
invited to join The Shades. While
the duo can really rock, they take
it down a few notches when per-
forming acoustically.
Los Potrillos De Nayarit is a
four-piece Latin band based out
of Hermiston. They’ve performed
throughout the region, includ-
ing at bars, restaurants, Cinco de
Mayo events and private parties.
A special July 2 concert event
in Irrigon will honor veter-
ans. The duo of Marie Rose and
Renate Meakins, 98% Angels,
began singing together in 1998
while attending Blue Mountain
Community College. They per-
form everything from swing stan-
dards and Big Band music to
hits from the 1950s-1960s and
contemporary pop and country
tunes.
“As a salute to veterans, they
invite them to come up to the
stage and share where they served
and what branch,” McCauley
said. “If you can only make one
show a year, this one is fabulous.”
Other concerts feature Cruise
Control playing classic rock
and roll (July 16, Irrigon), Mis-
syG Band performing coun-
try music (July 23, Boardman),
Buttercreek Boys strumming
old-time favorites (July 30, Irri-
gon), Blue Mt. Spanish Sound,
an energetic acoustic guitar duo
(Aug. 6, Boardman), and regional
horn band Brass Fire (Aug. 13,
Irrigon).
The Boardman Little League
will offer concessions during
concerts held there. Although
an organization hasn’t stepped
up, McCauley said it’s possi-
ble drinks may be available for
purchase at Irrigon shows. Peo-
ple are invited to bring their own
food and beverages to both ven-
ues. Also, in case of inclement
weather, Boardman concerts will
be held at the SAGE Center, 101
Olson Road, and Irrigon perfor-
mances at Stokes Landing Senior
Center, 150 Columbia Lane.
For more information, con-
tact Jackie McCauley at utility.
clerk@cityofboardman.com or
541-481-9252.
———
Contact Community Edi-
tor Tammy Malgesini at tmal-
gesini@eastoregonian.com
or
541-564-4539
WHAT TO DO
Festivals
Andrea Aldrich Photo Exhibit
Summer sizzles with block party
Celebrate Walla Walla Wine
•June 14-16
•Various wineries & restaurants in
the Walla Walla Valley, Power House
Theatre
www.celebratewallawalla.com
Some events free. Features every-
thing from wine tasting and a winemaker
panel to special winemaker dinners and
a film screening of “Sideways.” Cellar
doors are open and new releases are
available for tasting. Celebrate the end
of harvest season with special pours,
winemaker dinners, live music and
more.
A-Town Throwdown
•Saturday, June 16; 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Port of Arlington
www.eventbrite.com
Free/spectators, $60/racers. Fea-
tures kiteboarding, windsurfing and stand
up paddleboarding competitions. Also,
demo equipment available for those in-
terested in trying SUP, vendors, exhibi-
tors, food, a beer garden and live music.
Hodaka Days
•June 21-24
•Athena & Weston
www.hodakadays.org
Hodaka enthusiasts come for poker
run, trail rides, swap meet, parade, car
show, bike show and silent auction/sale.
Wiener Dog Race
•Friday, June 22; 4:30 p.m.
•400 block Main Street, Pendleton
www.cmeo.org
$20/race entry. Features fami-
ly-friendly activities, including all-breed
costume contest, a bounce house, fire
truck climb, a silent auction and a crafts
PENDLETON — Main Street Pendleton is the place to be
Friday, June 22.
A trifecta of fun is planned, including the Pendleton Farmers’
Market (4 p.m.), the Wiener Dog Race (4:30 p.m., race heats start at
5:15 p.m.) and a Main Street Block Party (7:45 p.m.).
The first of three block parties during the season, it features musi-
cal guests Orquestra Pacifico Tropical. The Portland-based band
comes armed with an arsenal of percussion, woodwinds, horns,
accordion and guitars. The 11 friends have come together to bring
Cumbia music with a frenetic and addictive rhythm, which takes
crowds into a blistering dance frenzy. The Portland Mercury said
“anytime they take the stage, it’s a reason to party.”
Also, the opening set (at 6 p.m.) will be performed by Mo Phil-
lips & the Thunder Bubbles, who brings a lo-fi kindie rock vibe from
Portland. There’s no cover charge for the all-ages event. In addition
to music, the block party offers a beer garden and food.
Presented by Sounds Like Entertainment in conjunction with the
farmers’ market and Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., the upcom-
ing block parties feature Tango Alpha Tango (July 20) and Brothers
and Sister (Aug. 31). For more information, contact Adam Mack at
503-720-5370, bookpendleton@gmail.com or search “Sounds Like
Entertainment” on Facebook.
table. Other activities held in area in-
clude farmers’ market, Main Street Block
Party Series with live music and a beer
garden.
Art, Museums & Authors
Avantika Bawa
•Friday, June 22; 5-7 p.m.
•Crow’s Shadow Institute of the
Arts, 48004 St Andrews Road, Mission
www.crowsshadow.org
Free. An artist talk with Avantika
Bawa, who splits her time between her
hometown of New Delhi, India, and her
current home in Portland, will discuss
her work created during a print-making
residency.
•Monday-Thursdays; 11 a.m-7 p.m.,
•Friday-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
•Hermiston Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave.
www.hermistonlibrary.us
Free. Features the work of youth
division best of show award from the
2017 Eastern Oregon Art Show. Runs
through June 30.
“Wandering Through Nature’s
Solitude”
•Monday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;
Saturdays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
•Pendleton Art + Frame, 36 S.W.
Court Ave.
Free. Features nature and wildlife
photography of Pendleton photogra-
pher Jack Simons. Runs through July
7.
Nixyaawii Community School
Student Print Exhibition
•Monday-Fridays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
•Crow’s Shadow Institute of the
Arts, 48004 St Andrews Road, Mission
www.crowsshadow.org
Free. Features student prints creat-
ed under the guidance of master printer
Judith Baumann. Runs through June
29.
Open Regional Photo Exhibit
•Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.;
Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.
•Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214
N. Main St.
www.pendletonarts.org
Free. Features 125 photos, taken
by 65 adults and teens from across the
region. Runs through June 29. Gallery
visitors can vote for people’s choice
award.
Week: Half of plastic produced each year only used once
Continued from 1C
we happily composted our food
waste and drove loads of paper,
glass, metal and plastic to the
recycling center.
After China put its foot down,
we felt blindsided. Our option was
to use less plastic or feel guilty
every time we tossed some in the
trash. I flirted again with going
plastic-free, but felt overwhelmed
every time I pushed my cart down
a grocery aisle and saw the pleth-
ora of products encased in plastic.
I sought out those who had
already attempted plastic-free liv-
ing. Rebecca Ryals, a college pal
of my daughter, schooled me on
her ongoing multi-year experi-
ence. Becca’s first weeklong effort
during college was a bit half-
hearted, she admitted. She told
herself she would buy no new
plastic. She continued to use up
products on hand, however, and
knew she could stock up when the
week ended.
“I didn’t change my habits too
much,” she said. “I just put things
on hold.”
During a Hawaii vacation a
year later, her desire to go plas-
tic-free revved back up. She and
some friends hiked to a remote
part of the Big Island to swim and
got a shock.
“There was plastic everywhere
that had washed up on shore,”
Becca said. “Most of it was things
like toothbrushes and kids’ toys.
I started my plastic-free efforts
again and this time I was more
resolute.”
She joined an online commu-
nity of like-minded individuals
where she learned to do things like
make her own shampoo instead
of buying it in plastic bottles. She
thought twice before buying new
items and bought reusable gro-
cery and produce bags. If she for-
got her produce bags, her produce
“went naked.” At stores with bulk
sections, she brought her own
glass containers. A store employee
weighed them before filling and
noted the “tare” that would be
subtracted from the total weight.
Though she expected store and
restaurant employees might react
with skepticism, she found the
opposite was true.
“Eighty percent of the time,
cashiers comment about the bags
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Bill Aney pours greek yogurt into a strainer while at his home in Pendleton. The Aneys are making
homemade yogurt as one way to reduce plastic usage.
in a positive way,” she said. “It’s a
good conversation starter.”
Armed with all this helpful
information, Bill and I eased into
a plastic-free mindset for weeks
before actually pulling the trigger
last week.
One day last month, I sat
aboard a Boeing 737 on my way
to Southern California to visit
family. Two flight attendants
pushed a drink cart slowly down
the aisle toward me, asking each
passenger his or her drink pref-
erence. My eyes riveted onto the
stack of plastic cups on the cart —
cups I and my fellow passengers
would use for some 15 minutes
and then toss away to decompose
for hundreds of years. I steeled
myself as the cart neared.
“What would you like to
drink?” the flight attendant asked.
She smiled and waited
expectantly.
“Uh, do you have any cups that
aren’t plastic?” I inquired.
She stared at me for a beat and
I imagined her mentally rolling her
eyes. To her credit, she smoothly
recovered and served me cranberry
juice in a paper coffee cup.
Another way the Aneys reduced their one-time plastic use is to
reuse plastics like this Talenti gelato container.
As she continued on to the
next passenger, I did a mental fist
pump.
Once we started our plas-
tic-free week for real, Bill and
I felt ready. Grocery shopping,
though, brought challenges. Some
products came only in plastic (tor-
tillas, cherry tomatoes, hummus,
yogurt). Sometimes we could find
one lone brand in a glass bottle as
with apple cider vinegar, but we
paid a higher price. We learned to
make certain unobtainable prod-
ucts at home. We bought a yogurt
maker and experimented with
hummus recipes. We used metal
water bottles and hauled com-
muter cups to the coffee shop.
Bill discovered waxed cloths
online to replace cling wrap. You
warm a cloth with your hands and
press it tightly around the object
before storing in the refrigerator.
I found some shampoo bars (also
online) to replace shampoo in bot-
tles. We ordered plastic-free dish-
washer and laundry detergent pods
and metal straws. We reused plas-
tic bags and containers we had on
hand.
We got surprised a few times
in restaurants. An entrée would
arrive with a little plastic cup
full of sauce, for example, or we
would forget to ask for no straw.
We had good surprises, too.
One day, Bill stood at the counter
at Zimmerman’s True Value Hard-
ware in Pendleton buying an item
when the cashier reached for a
bag. Bill waved off the bag until
the cashier told him it was biode-
gradable, made from a corn starch
derivative.
We were especially leery of
fast-food restaurants. Stopping at
Subway one day brought trepi-
dation. I love Subway salads, but
they come in plastic clamshells
and include plastic utensils and a
plastic bag. Not to worry, though.
When I asked the manager,
Thomas Henry, about whether I
could use my own container and
utensils. He said, “Sure.”
Our plastic-free week saved a
little bit of plastic — perhaps only
a drop in the ocean — but I am
hopeful. I sense a sea change of
shifting public sentiment, to which
companies seem to be respond-
ing. This week, for example, two
cruise lines announced they will
eliminate plastic straws on their
ships. At the same time, science
is looking into such things as how
to break down plastic and clean
the sea.
We will continue down this
plastic-free path knowing it will
be a lifelong challenge. Every day
feels a tiny bit easier.
“You may want to give up,”
Bill said when I asked him for a
pithy comment. “But be persistent.
Every time you ask for no plastic,
it gives an opportunity for discus-
sion and plants a seed.”
———
Contact Kathy Aney at
kaney@eastoregonian.com
or
541-966-0810.