Auction for athletics - The Molalla High School Boosters are putting on their seventh annual auction for athletes on Sunday, May 18 at 4 p.m. Dinner will be served by Ricky D’s Catering. Donations are still being accepted for auction items. Volunteers are also needed.

Community meeting - The Molalla Rural Fire Department is holding a community open house on May 17 at 4 p.m. at their main station in Molalla as a follow-up to the survey sent out to Molalla area residents. All are invited to meet the staff and ask questions. Call (503) 829-2200 for more information.

Gala dinner and auction - Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation is hosting the Gala Dinner and Auction for Orphan Relief and Rescue. The foundation is building an orphanage in Monrovia, Liberia for a group of children living in conditions unimaginable by western standards. The event takes place Saturday, May 17 at the Arrowhead Gold Club at 5:30 p.m. Come join the sheriff in this worthwhile event. Call retired deputy John Van Huizen to reserve a spot at (503) 829-2980. Tickets are $50 and provide a great meal and the opportunity to bid on vacations, fishing trips, toys, tools, quilts and more. To learn more about the project, visit: www.orphanreliefandrescue.org.

Spring Fling - In the hopes that spring will finally show up, the community is invited to come out and enjoy the annual Spring Fling on May 17 and 18, held at Long Park in Molalla, next to the fire station. Lots of fun for the whole family. Events include: Crafters/vendors and entertainment in the park (both days, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.); The Bike Rodeo at the fire station (both days 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.), where every child attending will receive a free bike or skateboard helmet and information on helmet safety; the Rock, Gem and Mineral Show, held in the field next to Hoffman House Restaurant on Main Street (Friday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.), and the third 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off, held at Hoffman House Restaurant on May 17. Sponsored by Molalla Communications Company and Molalla Community School, call (503) 829-2359 ext. 250 for more information.

Chili cook-off - If you think you have a great chili recipe, then prove it by entering the 3rd Annual Spring Fling Chili Cook-Off! Categories include the Best Traditional Chili, The Hottest Chili and The Zaniest Chili (most unusual ingredients). The contest takes place May 17 at the Hoffman House Restaurant. Cooking begins at 8 a.m., judging at noon. Come and taste the chili and then cast your vote for your favorite chili. Judging begins at noon, and then the chili will be for sale to the public with proceeds benefiting the Community School program. Ribbons for the winners in each category and for Mayor’s Choice, and Trophies for the Best Overall Chili and People’s Choice, and the honor of the Best Chili in Molalla. For entry information and rules/regulations, call (503) 829-2359 ext. 250.

Fishing derby - Local Boy Scouts are hosting a “Get Hooked on Scouting” Three Rivers Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Canby Community Pond. The event is sponsored by the Molalla River Chapter of NW Steelheaders and is open to Cub Scouts and their families and friends. The event is free and all materials provided and volunteers will be on hand to help Scouts. For more information, contact Andrea at (503) 759-3764.

Car seat safety clinic - Free child safety seat check up Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Molalla Fire Department at 320 N. Molalla Ave. Sponsored by Molalla MOMS Club, Molalla Rural Fire District #73, ACTS Oregon, Child Safety Seat Resource Center, Portland Metro Safe Kids and ODOT Transportation Safety Division.

Gem, Mineral, Jewelry and Fossil Show - The third annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelry and Fossil Show will be held May 16-18 on Main Street between Grange Avenue and Fenton Street. The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Christian country music concert - Peter Lewis Whitebird, a Christian country singer, will perform at Grace Church, 901 N. Molalla Ave., on May 18 at 6 p.m. Free admission.

Fire benefit - The Colton Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its annual fundraising Breakfast, Lunch & Benefit Auction on Saturday, May 17. New and used donations for auction items, large and small, are being accepted and would be appreciated. If you have items that you would like to donate, please call Colton Fire at (503) 824-2545 to schedule a time to drop off your items or arrange for pick-up.

LNG program - Join Oregon’s leading global warming activist, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, and activists working to stop proposed Liquefied Natural Gas projects on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church (1011 SW 12th Ave Portland, OR 97205) for “Liquefied Natural Gas: Oregon’s Crossroads in the Climate Crisis.” Everything you wanted to know about the proposed LNG and pipeline projects in Oregon and, most importantly, how we can stop them. Contact Olivia Schmidt (971) 533-2390 or oliviariver@gmail.com

Yard sale fundraiser - Relay for Life Team Lightening McCure is hosting a team yard & goodies sale on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 661 Mary Drive in Molalla.

Mat club - Molalla Mat Club is currently gathering contact information for youth interested in wrestling for the 2008-09 season to ensure adequate equipment and practice space. If you would like more information on the wrestling program or would like to be included on the contact list, please contact wrestling club mom, Amy Edwards, at (503) 829-6990 or by e-mail at springlake@molalla.net.

Quilt raffle - Molalla Adult Center is raffling a Rolling Star queen-size quilt to raise funds for both the center and Molalla Public Library. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing will be Aug. 15. Purchase your tickets at the center at 315 Kennel Ave. in Molalla.

Can drive - TOPS Local Chapter OR322 is having a pop can drive on June 7. We will be picking up recyclable cans and bottles at Sunrise Acres, Finney’s Landing, and Molalla River Estates. Leave the bagged cans and bottles on your front porch or by the curb by 9 a.m. TOPS stands for Take Off Weight Sensibly. For more information on the can drive or TOPS, contact Gail at 503-829-2105.

SOAR offers conversational Spanish Class - The SOAR 21st CCLC site at Molalla Elementary School is offering a conversational Spanish class during spring term. Class dates are 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Molalla Elementary School. No charge for the class. For more information or to register, please contact Nick Itami at 503-759-3300.

Soccer sign-ups - Registration is now open for North Valley Soccer summer leagues (weekday evenings in July and August) for ages four to eight. Register online at www.NorthValleySoccer.org or call 503-824-GOAL (4625).

Relay for Life fundraisers - The “Cure Bears” Relay for Life team is holding a can and bottle drive from now through June 14. They are also planning a garage sale for May 17 and 18. Donations of sale items or cans and bottles are appreciated and can be dropped off at 223 N. Molalla Ave. All proceeds go toward Molalla Relay for Life, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society. For more information, contact Atia at (503) 829-3366.

Summer study abroad programs - A study abroad experience is a valuable addition to a college application, and so much more. If you’re in high school or about to graduate, there’s still time to apply for a summer study abroad program or ‘gap year’ experience. AFS has been sending high school students abroad for 60 years. Can’t decide where to go? Let AFS provide advice or connect you with students who have just returned. Financial aid is still available, especially if you let AFS suggest destinations for you. Call 1-800-AFS-INFO today or visit www.afs.org/usa to learn more.

Host families needed - International Exchange Students Cultural Homestay International, a non-profit educational exchange organization, is looking for host homes for international high school students for the upcoming school year. Interested? Call Taunie Murray at 1-866-408-3097 or visit www.chinet.org .

The MOMS Club of Molalla is a chapter of MOMS Club International, a nonprofit network of support groups for stay-at-home moms and working moms who wish to stay active in the community. For more information, call Andrea at 503-939-0118.

Big Brothers Big Sisters - Become a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister for a 100-year-old, one-on-one mentoring program serving the Molalla community.For more information, call Clackamas County Big Brothers Big Sisters at 503-742-2043.

Molalla Kiwanis - Molalla Kiwanis Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Ricky D’s Pizza. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. For more information, write Kiwanis at PO Box 652, Molalla OR 97038 or call 503-829-3919.

Molalla Rotary Club - The Molalla Rotary Club meets Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Molalla Public Library. The club consists of small business owners and working professionals of Molalla. To find out if you qualify, please call club president Shannon Horn at 503-327-6889.

Molalla Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon: Second Thursday of each month. Cost is $11. Location to be determined monthly. Call 503-829-6941.

Molalla City Council: Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at the Adult Center, 315 Kennel Ave. There is a 6:30 p.m. work session before each meeting, which is also open to the public. Call 503-829-6855.

Molalla River School District Board: Second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Molalla Public Library meeting room. Call 503-829-2359.

What’s up is intended to provide information on upcoming community events and activities for nonprofit groups, as well as fund-raisers; however, businesses may submit events that raise money for charitable causes.

Due to space considerations and to keep events current, the Pioneer now has a policy of running one-time events where admission will be charged in no more than three issues of the paper prior to the event. Ongoing charitable fundraisers, meetings and free events are exempt from this rule.

The Molalla Pioneer reserves the right to edit What’s up submissions to meet journalistic standards.