COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 Melonville brings laughter to EOTEC Comedy festival on Jan. 28 supports Special Olympics By TAMMY MALGESINI HERMISTON HERALD A pair of funnymen — includ- ing a one-time factory worker and an aspiring skateboarder — and a funny woman, a former Division 1 collegiate basketball player, are ready to yuck it up at Melonville Comedy Festival. Get ready for some laughs with headliner Dale Jones, featured comedian Monica Nevi and emcee Taylor Clark. In its 28th year, the event is Friday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston. A no-host bar is available when the doors open at 7 p.m. Open to adults 21 and older, reserved seats are $35 each or $300 for a table for 10. Tickets purchased at the door are $40. Dale Jones on iTunes comedy releases. A dare from co-workers, Jones’ biography states, was the impetus for his fi rst stand-up gig. Referring to his mom as a “smart-aleck” and his dad as “a goofy guy,” the come- dian enjoys mak- ing people laugh. Jones Two years after his fi rst open mic, Jones dove into comedy full-time. Honing his skills for nearly three decades, including at Second City, Jones possesses a rapid-fi re delivery. The headliner’s high-en- ergy performances feature physical comedy, animated expressions and improvisation. Jones has earned his comedy chops on stages across the coun- try and the seas — he’s a favor- ite on Carnival Cruise Lines. His TV appearances include Season 6 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” And his November 2021 album, “I’m Not Well,” rose to Number 3 Monica Nevi A native of the Seattle area, Nevi was a subtle class clown. Describing herself as quiet by nature, people didn’t always hear her cutting up. “Once I noticed that my friends in my direct vicin- ity were always laughing at me, I thought maybe I should talk Nevi louder,” she said. While attend- ing Seattle University, Nevi wrote jokes in her free time. After inju- ries ended her collegiate basketball career, she decided to participate in her fi rst open mic. Even with millions of jokes available online, Nevi said the internet isn’t a true comedy expe- rience. The camaraderie of the crowd, she said, is like a team spending 90 minutes together for- getting about life’s stressors and BRIEFS McMasters named to honor roll Ryan McMasters of Uma- tilla was named to the Bis- marck State College Pres- ident’s Honor Roll for the fall 2021 semester. He is an Echo High School graduate. To qualify for the list, students must complete at least 12 semester hours while earning at least a 3.5 GPA. Douglas J. Jensen, the school’s president, said making the honor roll while facing additional challenges of living during a global pandemic is a signifi cant accomplishment. Bismarck State College is North Dakota’s only poly- technic institution. It special- izes in technology and engi- neering, applied and natural sciences, as well as work- force training and enrich- ment programs. For more information visit www.bis- marckstate.edu. Tigers roaring for all-class reunion Organizers for the Stan- fi eld High Alumni Reunion are reaching out to all former Tigers. The event, which is open to all Stanfi eld grad- uates, is planned for Satur- day, July 2, at Nathan Bard Memorial Community Park, Stanfi eld. Norma Kightlinger is looking to keep the event low-cost to make it aff ord- able for all. For more infor- mation, text 541-786-3077 or search Facebook pages, including “You Know You’re from Stanfi eld, Ore- gon” and “Stanfi eld High School Alumni.” — Hermiston Herald Good Shepherd limits visitation Hermiston Herald Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston again limited visitation to protect against the continued spread of COVID-19. Good Shepherd in a press release Friday, Jan. 14, announced the change went into eff ect immediately due to the omicron variant — which is more contagious than previous variants. The visitor restriction is in accordance with the rec- ommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Con- trol & Prevention and other health authorities, according to the press release. Good Shepherd is prohib- iting visitation for patients admitted to the hospital or the Emergency Department but may allow one visitor per day for: Children admitted to the hospital: • One parent/guardian of children admitted may stay with the minor child 24/7. • No infant/child patient under 5 years of age shall be left unattended. Patients receiving end-of- life or palliative care. Other special circum- stances, as needed: • Special circumstances may be determined by the nurse manager, nursing supervisor, or vice president of nursing. • Special circumstances shall be communicated to Patient Financial Services for access privileges and documented in the patient’s chart • Maternity patients may have one visitor with them through labor, delivery and the initial postpartum recovery time. This visi- tor may not depart the hos- pital during the duration of the patient’s hospitalization. If they depart, they may not return. Additional precau- just laughing. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, is the same as being in a room full of people and laughing together,” Nevi said. Just over a decade since bounc- ing into comedy, Nevi is hooked. In late 2020, she released a pair of albums within a month of each other. The fi rst, “Mostly Finger Guns,” is a standup album and the other is “Chill,” described as a comedic guided meditation. Both topped the comedy charts. tions may apply for the care of newborns. Patients also may qual- ify for additional support persons pursuant to policy, “Disabled Patients Right to Designate Support Persons.” If visitors have been approved due to a circum- stance as outlined above, visitors must adhere to the following requirements: • Visitors will be screened about their health before they can enter the hospital and will be required to wear a mask. • The designated visitor must be age 16 or older and healthy (no cold or fl u-like symptoms and no fever). • Visitors must follow safety guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19, including washing their hands, limiting the sur- faces they touch and using any personal protective equipment required by the hospital. Taylor Clark A Seattle-based comic, Clark spent time grinding the rails in New York City. According to his biography, an ankle injury took a toll on his career as a sponsored skateboarder. He began managing apartment rentals, Clark which included special access at a building where he started produc- Hermiston chamber seeks award nominations Distinguished Citizens Awards Gala is March 2 By TAMMY MALGESINI Hermiston Herald The Hermiston Cham- ber of Commerce urges people to save the date for the Distinguished Cit- izens Awards Gala. While the 52nd annual event isn’t until March 2, nominations are open for several awards. The chamber is accept- ing nominations for man and woman of the year and the merit of honor. Cri- teria for the man/woman awards includes a Herm- iston area person that has demonstrated long-term leadership or active par- ticipation in an area orga- nization or is consistently involved in charitable out- reach or community ser- vice. The merit award, previously called the com- munity service award, recognizes a person that has demonstrated leader- ship through current and/ or past participation in the Hermiston community. The nominations must be submitted by Feb. 6. For a link to nomination forms, search www.facebook.com/ hermistonchamberofcom- merce, or stop by the cham- ber offi ce, 630 S. Highway 395. Additional organiza- tions will announce infor- mation about other awards Ben Lonergan/Hermiston Herald A video camera livestreams the 51st annual Hermiston Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens Awards on Feb. 24, 2021, at Bennett Botanical Gardens, Hermiston. Award nominations now are open for this year’s gala event, which will return in-person on March 2 at the Hermiston Community Center. — including the Fire Ser- vice Award, which will be presented by Umatilla County Fire District No. 1; the Business of the Year, presented by the Hermiston Rotary Club; and the Young Distinguished Citizen, pre- sented by Altrusa Interna- tional of Hermiston. The chamber also has a number of sponsorship opportunities available, which include premium level support that provides tickets to the event and rec- ognition on promotional materials. In addition, table sponsors are needed, which covers the cost of professionally designed centerpieces with recog- nition on the table and the Feel Great, Live it Up! 541-567-0272 2150 N. First St., Hermiston WE ARE OPEN TO SERVE YOUR HEALTH NEEDS First Christian Church “Grow Your Faith Through God” Sunday School...9:00 am Worship Service...10:30 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Sunday Gathering: 10:00 AM Nursery care is available 3 years & under Kids Club available 4 years-5th grade Sunday Prayer Gathering: 6:00 PM NEED PRAYER? CONTACT US! www.hermistonlmbc.com 1825 W. Highland Ave. 541-567-3480 | hcc4u.org Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. 20 % 10 % • Pillows 0 F F 0 F F • Natural Support White Bean Extract Kidney 90 veg caps (carb defense) Foot Patch Detox $ 1 0 F F FEEL GREAT SMOOTHIE DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL $7.95 • WATCH FOR OUR IN STORE SPECIALS • Beany Baby Wrap w/ 12 oz soup CALL AHEAD AND USE OUR DRIVE THRU! FACE SHIELDS & MASKS $5-$7 Hermiston Christian Center & School Pastor David Dever Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............5:00pm Tues. Creation Club (Sept-May)..4:30pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......5:00pm event program. The gala event is Wednesday, March 2, 6 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Additional information about the gala event will be announced as the date gets closer. Indi- vidual tickets are $45 each. For more information about the nomination pro- cess or ticket information, contact the chamber at info@hermistonchamber. com, 541-567-6151 or visit www.hermiston-chamber. com. ——— Contact community writer Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4532. Specials: Januar y 16-21 Church DIRECTORY ing stand-up comedy shows. Contemplating employment opportunities, Clark packed up his family and returned to Seattle after becoming a dad. While get- ting back into comedy wasn’t his plan, he was invited to audition for the Seattle International Comedy Competition. A fi nalist in the 2017 contest put him back into a career in comedy. And he hasn’t left his love for skateboarding behind — fi nding a niche culture with the launch of “Comedians at Skate- parks,” a tour and web series. Organized by Midway Bar & Grill, Melonville Comedy Festival serves as a fundraiser for the local Special Olympics program. “I think this is an important event in raising money for our local Special Olympics athletes,” Midway owner Stuart Rice said. For more information or to pur- chase tickets, visit www.melon- villecomedyfestival.com or stop by Midway, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston. For questions, call 541-567-5180. D E D E E N S R FOSTE f fosters for o d ee n in is e cu es R l a Fuzzball Anim large dogs and small dogs. cats, kittens, an application. hcc4u2020@gmail.com Please go to our website 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. to fill out 541-289-4774 St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston 541-567-6672 JOIN OUR INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION ON OUR JOURNEY WITH JESUS Services 9:00am Sundays In-person or streaming on Facebook or Zoom Seventh-day COME WORSHIP Adventist Church WITH US AT THE Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 541-567-8241 855 W. Highland Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 COUNTRY CHURCH Sundays at 11:00am 32742 Diagonal Rd. Hermiston, OR To advertise in the Church Directory, please contact Audra Workman 541-564-4538 or email aworkman@eastoregonian.com Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Robert Thonney, DVM • Jana Parks, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service 541.567.1138 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters need our help more than ever. Please donate to your local shelter, or offer to foster an animal in need. If interested please go to fuzzballrescue.com and fill out an application. If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838