Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 05.25.06

Birds (pictured), bees, stained glass and electric photos, not to mention marsupial mayhem, mark this month's Last Friday ArtWalk, which has yet another new venue: Pirate Cove (230 Monroe). The Walk is self-guided, so you can decide how many of the 17 venues to visit. Kiki Metzler's work is at her Polk Studio; Positively Fourth Street features Jayme Vineyard; Better Yet shows Marilyn Kent's work; and Possom Place features a group show including Kristin Emmett's work. Go to http://www.arttrekinc.com/lastfridayartwalk/ for a full list and to make your plan. See Friday Calendar.

Curtis Salgado, legendary bluesman, has been living without health insurance. A recent liver cancer diagnosis means that blues musicians far and wide are gathering to support him. See Sunday Calendar and music story.

A three day weekend! What better excuse to experience the joys (and effects) of the nobly rotted grape? Yep, it's the 2006 Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country! From Adea Wine Company in Gaston to Z'IVO in McMinnville, from local vineyards like King Estate (below) with its new organic food MarketPlace to far-off Cuneo Cellars in tiny Carlton, the Valley's wines strut their stuff. This (besides Thanksgiving) is the most indulgent … we mean patriotic … weekend to experience new releases, taste older vintages, and enjoy chef-prepared spring food. We hear Bethel Heights, near Salem, has some of the best food, and Tyee, near Corvallis, has some of the most family friendly entertainment (if you can call hayrides family friendly; we remember … oh, never mind). Snag a designated driver (no duh), print the map from www.willamettewines.comand head out to the rolling hills for barrels of fun. Hint: if you do make it up to Carlton, stop at Cuvée for dinner prepared by French chef (and biking enthusiast) Gilbert Henry. C'est magnifique! See Calendar.

If you've ever been near a spaniel or a border collie, you know that a pup with that much energy desperately (can we go for a run now, can you throw me the ball now, can we go for a bike ride now, can I herd the neighborhood cats now, how about we try a couple of triathlons today, please, please, please NOW?) needs something like the 6th Annual Agility Trials to stay happy. But almost any dog or bitch can have fun at the trials. The McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers and Eugene Kennel Club event, which begins at 8 in the morning four days in a row, should please any dog- or plastic-tunnel-and-hurdle-loving (inner) child. Go get 'em, Sparky! See Calendar.