Correction: Entertainment Roundup: Nothing like ukulele tunes and plaid shirts to cure a bad case of writer’s block

** Correction- Steve Goodbar will be performing at the 3 Legged Crane on Saturday night, Oct. 7, rather than tonight.

By BEN OLSON/For The Herald — In the old movies, a writer’s block was depicted by a view of a writer, head in hands, staring at his typewriter, loaded with a blank sheet of paper. The nearby wastebasket is filled to overflow with wadded up pieces of that very same typing paper. Due to advances in technology, now I can check my email again or play another game of solitaire while I await inspiration.

I wanted to write something about people driving around with their brights on as a default setting. It’s making it difficult for me to conjure up the will to make a trip to Eugene where I’ll be coming home after sundown. I used to write a second column where I went on about nothing and everything, and that’s where I would expound about people driving badly. Please be courteous to your fellow drivers. Signal your intent, have your headlights checked out, and please slow down for those stop signs. I feel better now, and inspired to write about entertainment.

The Oakridge Ukulele Group will be providing some tunes for the First Friday Artwalk this Friday, October 6. The weather is expected to be perfect for the event, which happens to coincide with “Plaidurday.” If I was the cynical type, I would say that this was a made-up holiday, the work of Hallmark and the plaid shirt cartel. It seems that Plaidurday is unique to Oakridge, however.  Please wear your finest plaid to the Friday Artwalk. The group will be offering up tunes next to the Cascade Artworks at 6 pm.

If you are interested in joining the ukulele group, they meet every Thursday at the Lion Mountain Bakery from 3 until 4:30 for practice. There is no fee, and everyone is welcome.

Prior to the Artwalk, I’ll be providing entertainment at the Westfir-Oakridge Farm Market, which takes place at the Methodist Church on First Street from 3 until 6 p.m. It stands to reason that I’ll be playing the ukulele there.

When the Artwalk is over, you can saunter on over to the 3 Legged Crane for some real folk music. Steve Goodbar will be returning to the Crane to play his eclectic mix of covers and originals. Very engaging, Steve keeps it fun. He’ll be playing from 7 until 10 p.m. The 3 Legged Crane is a brew pub, making beers and ales on site, as well as providing select products from other Oregon microbreweries. They serve appetizers, sandwiches and dinners.

At the Lion Mountain Bakery, Broken Horn will be providing his song stylings this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 5, 6 and 7. He is scheduled to play from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day. The Lion Mountain serves breakfast and lunch in a relaxed, spacious atmosphere. They’re located on Highway 58 in Oakridge.

Eli Pierzina will be taking the stage this Friday, October 6, at the Dexter Lake Club. Eli, who grew up in the Dexter area, plays heartfelt country music, with more than a tinge of “outlaw.” The music takes place from 6 until 8 p.m. It’s possible that the weather may permit one more outdoor show in the beer garden out back. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar, and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They’re located just off Highway 58 near milepost 12.

With the help of coffee and other products that are legal and readily available here in Oregon, I have conquered my writer’s block and provided one more comprehensive entertainment report. Get out and enjoy this last blast of summery weather coming up this week, and do so wearing your plaidest of plaids.