MEETINGS

• ELGIN — The Elgin Lions meet the second and fourth Monday of the month at the Christian Life Center. Refreshments are served at 5:30 p.m. The next meeting is slated for Monday, Sept. 26.

BRIEFS

Take the MERA survey by Oct. 15

LA GRANDE — The Blue Mountain Singletrack Trails Club and Eastern Oregon University are partnering in offering a survey of Mount Emily Recreation Area users. This survey will collect a variety of data regarding usage of the motorized and non-motorized trail areas.

Following the completion of the survey on Saturday, Oct. 15, the data will be used to write an economic impact study. This data and study will be beneficial to all users and allow local organizations and the county to make more informed decisions regarding MERA. The survey takes less than five minutes and can be accessed at www.bluemountainstc.org.

Fall nominations are open for Beautification Awards Program

LA GRANDE — The city of La Grande is accepting nominations for the fall beautification award. The seasonal beautification awards are given to both residential and commercial properties that have been carefully landscaped and attract the viewer. The La Grande Community Landscape and Forestry Commission recognizes efforts to maintain and improve the beauty of La Grande’s environment through outstanding landscape maintenance and design.

These landscapes must be seen from public access and can include one or more of the following criteria: integrating colors and textures, appropriate use of hardscapes, good use of space, resource conservation, tree preservation, wildlife habitat, seasonal diversity, food production, owners that have overcome special circumstances.

Send the address of the nomination to trees@cityoflagrande.org or call the Urban Forestry Division at 541-663-1952. The nomination deadline for the fall awards is Saturday, Oct. 1.

—The Observer