The Weekend Get Out Guide is your source for what's going on where and how to take part -- or escape the crowds for parts unknown.

If you go, tell us what you did and saw by becoming a YouNews reporter. | MORE INFO

FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY

GO COASTAL
Time for a beach getaway? Let KVAL.com help with some suggestions.

Heceta Head Lighthouse
 If you were sailing across the Pacific Ocean to Oregon, the first light you'd see on the horizon would be the lighthouse at Heceta Head.

In operation since 1894, the lighthouse beams a beacon 21 miles out to sea from a perch 205 feet above the crash of the surf.

Visitors can tour the lighthouse 13 miles north of Florence, stay in the former lighthouse keeper's home (the beacon was automated in 1963) and hike Heceta Head and the wild beach beyond. | MORE INFO

Freaky side of the Oregon Coast
What part of this planet can you find sand that glows, sand dunes that may sing, a plant that eats insects, a mysterious green flash above the sunset, more shooting stars than usual and forests of ghosts? Sounds like that freaky island on the show LOST, doesn’t it?

Guess what: It's Oregon. | MORE INFO

Breakfast with the sharks
“Breakfast with the Sharks” takes place Sunday, July 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Gleason Event Room in front of the private viewing window of the Sharks in the Passages of the Deep exhibit. As visitors dine, they will see how the sharks are fed their breakfast by husbandry staff while an Aquarium biologist gives a talk about their diet, behaviors and physiology. Reservations are required by calling (541) 867-3474 ext. 2313.

Shark Week spotlights sharks as important members of their ocean habitats, unlike the man-eating monsters portrayed in the movies.  Visitors will meet sharks of Oregon ’s wild coast in the week-long glimpse into the world of sharks. | MORE INFO

Coastal Cameras
Take a sneak peak at the weather online:
Hatfield Marine Science Center | Florence camera

CLOSER TO HOME
Take a pass on burning gas and head for the Blackberry Jam Festival in Lowell. Events include a $10,000 Fishing Derby, Magic Show, Quilt Show, Art Show, Car Bash, 3-on-3 Basketball , Greased Pole Climb, Parade, Pie Eating and Pie Baking Contests, Craft Vendors, and lots of great food and excellent music. | MORE INFO

FRIDAY

Need a new best friend?
Greenhill Humane Society offers off-site adoptions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Coast Bank, 1005 Green Acres Road in Eugene, across from the Delta Oaks Shopping Center. Numerous dogs and kittens will be looking to meet their “furever families.”

Bard in the Quad Lecture
Allen Nosse of Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland lectures on "Dreaming in Hanoi: ART's Production of Dream in Vietnam." The lecture will detail Allen's experiences directing a bicultural and bilingual production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as part of the National Endowment for the Art's Shakespeare in American Communities program. | MORE INFO

Old-time Gospel Sing Along
Non-denominational Willamette Valley Old Time Gospel Sing at Trinity Baptist Church, 1162 B Street (12th and B) in Springfield, Ore. Admission is Free. Musicians are free to bring songs and instruements. Bring your songs and your instruments. | MORE INFO

SATURDAY

Covered Bridges
"Covered Bridges: Spanning the American Landscape” opens Satruday, July 26, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Lane Couny Historical Museum, 740 West 13th Ave., next to the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.

An opening reception from 2 p.m . to 4 p.m. July 26 will offer light refreshments. | MORE INFO

Relay for Life
The 17th annual Relay For Life at Lane Community College is a 24-hour long event involving teams of 12-15 people who take turns walking, running or strolling around the track to raise money for the American Cancer Society. | MORE INFO

Track Town Smackdown
Eugene isn’t only known as Track Town USA. Over the past year and half it’s also  become known for its hellacious roller derby! The Emerald City Roller Girls take to the track in Eugene July 26 at the Lane Events Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. with action beginning at 6 p.m. Church of Sk8n takes on the Rainy City Roller Dolls of Centralia, Wash., with the Flat Track Furies challenging the Andromedolls in a crushing double-header. | MORE INFO

Coburg Quilt Show
"Quilts-a-Flutter" Outdoor quilt show. High Tea available. Free Admission. Quilt related vendors,demo and appraisals. | MORE INFO

ET, The Extra Trash-estrial
The Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS for short), a 1,400 pound piece of space junk, is almost as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper and growing brighter as it descends. The EAS is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere in late 2008 or early 2009.  You can see the EAS and other items in Earth's orbit with your own eyes starting Saturday. | MORE INFO

SUNDAY

The Annual Fern Ridge Beef Pit Barbecue
Event runs noon to 5 p.m. at St. Catherine's Church Picnic Area, 25181 Broadway, in Veneta (next to the Veneta City Park) Features music, silent auction, games, and raffle! | MORE INFO