A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2018
NEWS
SAGE Center makes magazine’s fan-favorite list
BY TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
The SAGE Center placed
53rd in the Oregon Busi-
ness magazine’s top 100
fan-favorite destinations in
Oregon.
“People are pretty amazed
at what we have going on
here in our small town,”
said Andrea Orcutt, assistant
events coordinator. “They
are really impressed with the
quality of the exhibits and
how the museum flows.”
At 101 Olson Road in
Boardman, the SAGE Cen-
ter — Sustainable AGricul-
ture & Energy — is a visi-
tor center created by the Port
of Morrow. In addition to
interactive displays, it has a
theater and museum store.
Orcutt said about 15,000 peo-
ple visited SAGE last year.
One of the main goals of
the museum, Orcutt said, is
to educate the public about
what’s happening in Mor-
row County. The interactive
displays, she said, show-
case the region’s agriculture,
technology and jobs.
Education
coordina-
tor Stefanie Swindler said
among the highlights are a
simulated hot air balloon
ride that provides an aerial
view of Morrow County,
and a chance to plant corn
in a tractor simulator. The
exhibit offers visitors a
chance to compare their
skills with GPS technology
farmers use to plant crops.
Also, Orcutt said the Pro-
cessing Kinetic Sculpture
provides information about
food products grown in the
area. Essentially, she said it
shows visitors how potatoes
go from field to table.
The museum store fea-
tures local products, includ-
ing honey, wine and soaps.
In addition, there are books
by local authors, pottery and
woodworking created by
local artists and hands-on
activity kits for kids.
The 204-seat theater
includes a large screen. The
SAGE Center hosts monthly
movie nights. In addition,
Swindler said local school
and youth groups period-
ically hold special movie
nights as fundraisers.
Researchers
studied
38,000 reviews on Google,
TripAdvisor and Yelp for the
Oregon Business magazine
list. The top destinations
will be charted on a map —
which will be distributed at
visitor centers — for people
to use as a guide when trav-
eling across the state.
Other regional destina-
tions making the list include
Pendleton House Historic
Inn (11) and Tamastslikt
Cultural Institute (28). To
view the full list, visit www.
oregonbusiness.com.
The SAGE Center is open
Monday through Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with
extended hours from Memo-
rial Day to Labor Day. Reg-
ular admission is $5 or $3 for
seniors and students; there is
a family maximum of $20.
For more information, visit
www.visitsage.com.
FILE PHOTO
Linda Mackey of Natural Maximum Alpacas demonstrates
the use of a loom during the 2017 Morrow County Harvest
Festival at the SAGE Center. The interactive visitor center in
Boardman was included in Oregon Business magazine’s top
100 fan-favorite destinations in Oregon.
BRIEFS
Veterans’ advisory
committee seeks
applicants
Veterans are needed from across
the state to serve on an advisory
committee to act as advocates and
represent veteran concerns.
Established in 1945, the Veter-
ans’ Affairs Advisory Committee
holds quarterly meetings across
the state on the first Wednesday
in March, June, September and
December. Appointed by the gov-
ernor, those interested are invited
to submit an application.
The deadline to apply is Mon-
day, Feb. 22. For more information
or to obtain an application, visit
www.oregon.gov/odva. For ques-
tions, contact vaac@odva.state.
or.us or 503-373-2383.
The Arc hosts
valentine’s party
Treats, DJ music and valentine
fun is featured in an event spon-
sored by The Arc Umatilla County.
The public is invited to attend
the Valentine’s Dance Party Sun-
day from 2-3:30 p.m. at The Arc,
215 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston.
The cost is $5 per person.
A nonprofit organization, The
Arc advocates for individuals with
intellectual and developmental dis-
abilities. They offer activities to
help in connecting the community
and expanding opportunities for
people with disabilities.
For more information, call 541-
567-7615 or visit www.facebook.
com.
and recruitment of CASA volun-
teers. Not every child in the com-
munity has someone to speak on
their behalf. As advocates, CASA
volunteers help provide a voice for
foster children, as well as provid-
ing guidance and support.
For more information, contact
Briana Montano at 541-564-6878
or bmontano@umchs.org.
Fundraising gala offers
Kiwanis seeks
passport to Paris
scholarship applicants
An enchanted French-themed
dinner and dance will raise money
for the local Court Appointed Spe-
cial Advocate program.
An Evening in Paris transports
people to the “City of Love” with
a plated dinner and a dueling piano
show. In addition, people will
have an opportunity to show sup-
port for local foster children in the
community.
The fundraising event is Sat-
urday, Feb. 24 from 6-10 p.m. at
the Hermiston Community Cen-
ter, 415 S. Highway 395. Gen-
eral admission is $40 per person
and VIP seats are $75 each. Tick-
ets are available at Umatilla Mor-
row County Head Start, 110 N.E.
Fourth St., Hermiston or www.
umchs.com/donate.
Money raised from the event
will go toward training, education
The Hermiston Noon Kiwanis
Club is accepting applications
for its Perry Johnson and Russell
Dorran post-secondary education
scholarships.
Current seniors at Hermiston
High School or graduates of Herm-
iston who are attending college in
academic programs are eligible to
apply. Applications are available
at the HHS counseling office or
the Hermiston Chamber of Com-
merce, 1055 S. Highway 395,
Suite 111.
Evaluation
of
applicants
includes academic record, commu-
nity service, leadership qualities
and financial need. The applica-
tions must be submitted by Friday,
March 23. Interviews with poten-
tial recipients will be scheduled.
The scholarships are given in
memory of a pair of past Kiwanis
members. A Baptist minister, John-
son championed youth services
and supported education. Dor-
ran was a charter member of the
club, as well as the Hermiston Elks
Lodge, Hermiston Development
Corporation and Blue Mountain
Community College board.
For more information, con-
tact George Clough at 541-567-
6024, 541-314-3182 or Hermiston
Noon Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 375,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
People are encouraged to check the
website for information and what
to bring when going to a Tax-Aide
site. The schedule includes:
•Hermiston Public Library,
235 E. Gladys Ave. Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
•Boardman Senior Center, 100
Tatone St. Wednesdays from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit
www.aarpfoundation.org/taxhelp
or call 1-888-227-7669.
Hits Deep Live tour
features Toby Mac
Tax-Aide offers
free help to eligible
taxpayers
The AARP Foundation’s Tax-
Aide program provides free tax
assistance and preparation through
April 17.
Assistance through Tax Aide
is not limited to older adults, said
Joyce De Monnin, AARP Oregon
communications director. Older
adults, families and even college
students who have low and mod-
erate income levels are eligible for
the free services. AARP member-
ship is not required.
AARP volunteers are trained
and IRS-certified each year to
ensure they are aware of the lat-
est changes to the U.S. Tax Code.
Christian alternative, urban pop
and rap musician Toby Mac will be
performing in Kennewick.
Mac got his start in DC Talk,
a Grammy-winning Christian pop
group formed while he was in col-
lege. When the group disbanded in
1999, Mac — aka Toby McKeehan
— embarked on a solo career.
Mac has continued to gar-
ner awards, including a handful of
Grammy Awards. He received Best
Contemporary Christian Music
Album in 2013. As part of his Hits
Deep Live tour, Toby Mac will per-
form Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at
the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
Tickets are $15-$70 and are avail-
able at www.ticketmaster.com.
WE HEAR YOU!
LOCAL, INDEPENDENT AUDIOLOGIST
Working within the community of Pendleton,
our clinic provides a variety of hearing healthcare
services including hearing assessments and
rehabilitation, education, and counseling.
FULL SERVICE CLINIC
Our clinic also fi ts and dispenses sophisticated
hearing aids and related devices to suit all types
of hearing loss and life styles. Renata Anderson
is a certifi ed licensed audiologist with over
twenty years experience.
SERVICE YOU CAN RELY ON!
You can trust Renata to provide a complete
hearing evaluation and a professional diagnosis
of your specifi c hearing loss. Call for an
appointment with Renata today and start
hearing what you’ve been missing.
Renata Anderson, MA
Pam Wagenaar,
Administrative Assistant
2237 SW Court, Pendleton
541-276-5053 • www.renataanderson.com
OREGON MANUFACTURERS.
LOCAL BUSINESSES.
YOUR NEIGHBORS.
ALL GETTING MORE FROM THEIR ENERGY.
Here in Oregon, thousands of businesses and individuals are saving money with
help from Energy Trust of Oregon. With cash incentives for energy improvements,
we can help you get more from your energy.
+
Are you ready to get more from your energy?
Visit www.energytrust.org or call us at 1.866.368.7878.
Serving customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power,
NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista.
an Evening in
P RIS
CASA Fundraising Gala
February 24, 2018
6-10pm (21+)
Hermiston Community Center
Dinner & Dancing
Tickets $40 each/$75 VIP
Purchase tickets at UMCHS main office
110 NE 4th St., Hermiston
and online at umchs.com/donate
Come and
have fun
with
the
DUELING
PIANOS