THURSDAY, DEC. 31New Years Eve celebration and Grand Opening of the Wallowa County Family Center in the old Youth Center building just outside Joseph on Highway 82. A free family-friendly celebration from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music by Wake Up Jane, music videos and karaoke on the big screen, games, dancing, Wiii tournaments with prizes, Texas Hold-em tournament with cash prize, potluck finger foods, and a midnight cider toast. For info: 398-0761.

New Year’s Eve Dance Fundraiser for AAUW. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Joseph Community Center. Must be 21 or older. No-host bar by Lear’s Pub & Grill and light fare will be provided. Music by BC & the Mos’ly Blues Band. Advanced tickets $10, at the door $12. Get tickets from any AAUW member or Sheep Shed in Joseph, Bookloft in Enterprise, Blonde Strawberry or Cougar’s Den in Wallowa. For info: Elizabeth Oliver, 432-2053, Pat Hines, 426-4259, or Millie Read 886-7895. Proceeds go to supporting women’s education in othecommunity.

JAN. 3-5Open auditions for “To Kill A Mockingbird”, 6 to 8 p.m. in the main building of Providence Academy in Lostine. Large multicultural cast includes 10 to 12 women and 8 men (all ages), two boys (9 to 12 years old), one preteen girl (9 to 10 years old), and many extras with some lines. Technical crew members also needed. For info: Kate Loftus, 569-2302.

JAN. 5-9Winterfest 2010: snow sculpture contest, snowmobile poker run, Loomix tub races, polar bear run, adult winter games, all you can eat steak feed at 4 p.m., auction, rafflles, scavenger hunts, poker run, chili contest, live music and more. For info: 263-0304.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7Winterfest Taste of Wallowa County event, 6 p.m. at Joseph Community Center. Restaurants, breweries, bakeries, coffee houses and caterers will present their signature dishes, brews, spirits, coffees, baked goods and desserts. Free entrance, food prices vary by establishment, spirits for over 21 only, tickets for food at the door.

FRIDAY, JAN. 8Winterfest Rail Jam, 7 p.m. in Downtown Joseph. Snowboarders and skiers alike compete for prizes. Free to spectators. Entry, $15. A portion of proceeds benefits the Wallowa Avalanche Center.

Musical Expressions for Youth with Beginning Guitar at 10:30 a.m. and Song Writing at 11 a.m. on Friday mornings at the Woodshed in Enterprise. Classes run for eight weeks, through March 12 (no class on January 22 or February 19) Cost: $50. Instructor: Janis Carper. Sign up at (www.wvmusicalliance.org).

SATURDAY, JAN. 9CPR / First Aid Training, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wallowa Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Services training classroom. Cost: $35. Pre-registration is required. Visit the hospital main reception desk during regular business hours to register or register by pone with a credit card by calling, 541-426-3111. For info: 426-5431.

TUESDAY, JAN. 12Free Avalanche Awareness safety seminar, 6 p.m. at Joseph Community Center. An entertaining and knowledgeable Avalanche Forecaster from a major Avalanche Forecast Center will conduct the 1.5 hour course. For info: (Click Here)www.wallowaavalanchecenter.org.

z Send your event or call for volunteers to (calendar@wallowa.com).

Dog races begin with the opening of ECX Race Central at the Joseph community Center, vet checks on the Main Street in Joseph at 9 a.m. and Enterprise at 1 p.m., and musher barbecue bash at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center. For a complete list of events and updates visit (www.eaglecapextreme.com)

Drive By Dinner, 5 to 7 p.m. at Joseph High School Cafeteria. Benefits Joseph FFA. Cost: $10. Tickets at The Sports Corral. Dinner is barbecue Tri Tip steak, garlic red potatoes, coleslaw, roll and dessert. For info: Robin, 432-5943.

Autoharp Classes for beginners and advanced beginners, 6:30 p.m. at the Woodshed in Enterprise. Some loaner autoharps available. Classes will run for eight weeks. Cost: $95. For info: Sandi Richerson at harper@eoni.com. Register online at (www.wvmusicalliance.org).

Free Financial Fitness Workshop, first session of a two-part workshop, 2 to 4 p.m. at WorkSource Oregon, 104 Litch Street in the Prairie Creek Center. The second session will be Jan. 27, same time and place. Workshop includes hands-on budget strategy practice. To register or for info: 426-4972 or 426-3149.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race Start, 1:30 p.m. at Ferguson Ski Ridge. For a complete list of events and updates visit (www.eaglecapextreme.com)

The Wallowa County Forestland Classification Committee public meeting and public hearing, 6 p.m., in Room 202 at the Wallowa County Courthouse. Landowners may give written or verbal testimony on the draft results. Draft results available at the public meeting or at the Wallowa Oregon Department of Forests. For info: 886-2881.

FRIDAY, JAN. 15Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race Finish at Fergi. For a complete list of events and updates visit (www.eaglecapextreme.com)

SATURDAY, JAN. 16Spirit of the Sled Dog Banquet, 6 p.m. Joseph Community Center. Tickets, $18. For a complete list of events and updates and to purchase tickets visit (www.eaglecapextreme.com)

JAN. 28-30The Mediterranean Murders – an audience participation murder mystery dinner theater at Wallowa Lake Lodge, presented by JHS Thespians. A Cruise Ship-themed production of a student and director penned production of The Mediterranean Murders. Reserve advance tickets. For info: 541-432-9821.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDFlora School Work Days, Thursdays to the end of the year, 9am to 9pm, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 10, and 17. All skill levels welcome Work on the sewing room, office, etc: stripping paint, clean-up, organizing, window glass replacement, painting, and more.. Dress warmly in grubbies. Coffee, tea and water provided. Bring potluck for lunch – meat provided. For info: 541-828-7010 message; or 541-828-7700 on work days only.