‘The key is, people can enjoy a staycation in La Grande or Baker and at the same time learn about the region.’— Marilyn Levine Dean of arts and sciences at Eastern. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

In July and August, Eastern and BMCC are offering two-day courses that accent the history and heritage of Eastern Oregon. Several of the courses have been scheduled to coincide with festivals in Union and Baker counties.

“The key is, people can enjoy a staycation in La Grande or Baker and at the same time learn about the region,” said Marilyn Levine, dean of arts and sciences at Eastern.

retro styling: Community Connection’s new wheeled trolley runs on gas but has a look that harks back to the days of electric streetcars. Observer photo/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

By next month, Community Connection, which oversees public transit in Union, Wallowa and Baker counties, will put a vehicle into service that runs on gas but harks back to the era of electric streetcars.

It’s a wheeled trolley, sporting a retro look inside and out. Frank Thomas, manager of Community Connection of Union County, plainly loves it and thinks others will too.

Carol Knopp of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center recently was awarded the gold level Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her service to MarineParents.com.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in January 2003 by executive order of then president George W. Bush.

The council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their circumstances through service and civic engagement.

UNION — Longtime Union resident Adina Ferguson is some entrepreneur. She started her business just a few months ago, and already she employs hundreds of workers.

It isn’t hard being in charge of so large a work force. There’s no payroll to speak of. All Ferguson does is make sure her employees have optimal working and living conditions, and plenty to eat.

Ferguson, a lady who loves science, nature and wildlife, is in the rather esoteric business of skull taxidermy. It’s the process of cleaning, degreasing, bleaching and mounting for display the skulls of animals hunters have taken in the great outdoors.

in for a facelift: The Anthony Building, located at 1118 Adams Ave. and owned by Mary McCracken, will get facade improvements thanks to a $6,400 grant awarded by the Main Street Program. Observer photo/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

The City of La Grande had $14,000 in state and local funds available, and gave it out during the Main Street Program’s semi-annual meeting at Cook Memorial Library.

 “These two restoration projects will be very noticeable in downtown La Grande,” said La Grande Community and Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell. “It is our hope they will be the first of many facade improvement projects.”

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Tricia Takahashi, manager of Domino’s in La Grande, asked her co-workers to contribute toward her brother Michael Decker’s efforts to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. Employees chipped in $300, and inspired Domino’s owner Jessy Watson to expand the fund-raising effort. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

Employees at Domino’s Pizza in La Grande are doing all they can to help. After they heard about Michael Decker and his goal of walking in a Sole Support for Parkinson’s fundraising event, they started taking a dollar here, a dollar there out of their tips and placing the money in a special box in the kitchen.

Manager Tricia Takahashi said the money added up fast.

action plan: Consultant Brian Cole of Orbis Group talks about economic strategies and key success factors during a county-wide economic development summit held last week at the Blue Mountain Conference Center. The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

On Thursday and Friday, the Union County Economic Development Corp. hosted public meetings at the Blue Mountain Conference Center, inviting anyone interested in the health of the local economy to attend.

The turnout was gratifying, said UCEDC Interim Director Mike Sanford.

Numerous downtown building owners are interested in partnering with the city and the state on building renovation projects this summer. Observer file photo

The city received notice of a $6,667 grant award from the state in April. In addition, the city is providing up to $7,500 in local urban renewal funding for a total available building renovation grant of $14,167. City officials received 12 proposals as of the May 21 deadline.

Twelve project proposals from nine applicants representing 10 buildings in La Grande’s Historic District have been submitted.

CHECKING UP: An Oregon Department of Transportation employee checks a truck through a weigh station during a statewide weight enforcement event last year. This month, ODOT Motor Carrier enforcement officers again conducted checks at stations throughout the state, including the one near Spring Creek on Interstate 84 west of La Grande. Photo/ODOT

In Oregon, commercial vehicles more than 26,000 pounds pay a weight-mile tax instead of the fuel tax that passenger vehicles pay.

The weight-mile tax is a large part of the funding that Oregon uses to preserve and maintain public roads and bridges. In 2008, ODOT collected more than $240 million in weight-mile tax. Weigh stations throughout the state ensure compliance with size and weight laws.

Local economic development leaders are encouraging the public to attend summit meetings on economic strategic planning hosted next week by the Union County Economic Development Corp.

UCEDC is inviting all members of the community to participate in one of two meetings slated for May 28 and May 29 at the Blue Mountain Conference Center.

The purpose is to help Union County prepare and plan for the future, said UCEDC interim executive director Mike Sanford.