As the temperature continues to rise in anticipation of summer, locals make the most of their long afternoons by getting a jumpstart on evening festivities.

In this iconic college town, one of the best kept secrets are the unique “happy hour” specials served up at your favorite bars. Get your “early bird special” of each evening and sink into the simplicity of summer by enjoying yourself at these top picks.

Steelhead Brewery

Happy Hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.-close

If you’re not ready to move inside for the evening, try Steelhead Brewery’s large patio seating area instead. It is exactly what you and your friends need to enjoy this happy hour. Heather Bird, Steelhead Brewery’s general manager, gets everyone hungry as she tells all about the brewery’s deals:

“We’re very excited to offer an affordable happy hour menu to our patrons. Our delicious McKenzie Brewing Company beers, all made in house, are $1 off along with discounted wine, well cocktails and a featured cocktail chosen by the bartender. Our menu consists of some delicious small plates like Cajun tater tots, potato skins, mac & cheese, calamari strips and more. We think it’s a pretty great deal to be able to get a delicious local microbrew and a snack for less than $10.”

Sushi Island

Happy Hours: Daily, 2-4 p.m.

What could possibly be better than a sushi belt restaurant offering all plates for $1.50 during its happy hour? If you miss the two hour time slot, the pricing outside of happy hour is just as reasonable, ranging from $1.50-$3.50 a plate from the sushi belt. A full house menu is also available, that includes appetizers, bento boxes and special rolls.

Agate Alley Bistro

Happy Hours: Daily, 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close

You can find your favorite guilty pleasures on Agate Alley’s happy hour menu, including the N.W. Mac & Cheese, Agate Alley Burger, pizzas, wraps, tacos and of course, all kinds of fries. Drink specials include discounted well drinks, microbrew pints, pitchers and a dollar off wines by the glass and specialty cocktails.

“Our happy hour helps us create and build relationships with our neighbors and friends.  Kind of like old English pubs–we’ve always strived to not just be a bar/restaurant located in our neighborhood, but actually a defining part of our neighborhood. We look to offer a varying and eclectic group of items to appeal to the wide range of guests we attract here” explained owner, Dug Beaird.

Hop Valley Brewing Co.

Happy Hours: Sun.-Thur. 3-6 p.m.

All your favorite bar food items, including delicious appetizers, fish tacos, a classic Caesar and margarita pizza, fill this happy hour menu. Hop Valley Brewing Co. also provides discounts on its Hop Valley microbrews, well drinks and house wines.

“Hop Valley Brewing Co. has established its Happy Hours to attract customers who might not otherwise try our restaurants and turn infrequent visitors into Hop Valley regulars,” said Hop Valley’s Director of Pub Operations/General Manager, Cassia Sexton.

With summer vacation comes a reading list — the two just go hand in hand.

Many people acquire recommendations from other sources. Whether it be something your best friend just read, the buzz on the Internet or one picked out by a late night talk show host. Popular summer reading books fly off the shelves each year. But what about ones that your favorite celebrity may be acting in?

We breeze through these novels as we imagine how the pages of our favorite book could be translated into a screenplay. So which novel will be this summer’s Gone Girl or Fifty Shades of Grey? You be the judge, as this guide will help to determine your next adventure.

1. Paper Towns by John Green:

The same man who brought you The Fault In Our Stars, delights audiences with a new kind of teen love story-adventure. After the captivating girl next door, Margo (Cara Delevingne) goes missing, her neighbor Quentin (Nat Wolff) and a few of his friends embark on the road trip of their lives to find their friend, following clues she leaves for them along the way. Opens in theaters July 24.

2. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks:

Fans are already counting down the days to the next film from Nicholas Sparks, after years of waiting for this popular book to be brought to the big screen. The Choice follows Travis and Gabby, neighbors brought together by chance. Their relationship is ultimately tested by life’s most pragmatic moments. You can expect this romance in theaters on Feb. 5, 2016.

3. Black Mass by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill:

“Based on one of the most notorious American gangsters in U.S. history,” this true story follows James “Whitey” Bulger, (Johnny Depp) the leader of the Irish Mob in Boston, as he struggles to find a way out of crime. Opens Sept. 18.

4. In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick:

Director Ron Howard brings the legend of Moby Dick that inspired this novel, to the screen as 21 men aboard the Essex are attacked by a sperm whale. They’re left stranded at sea for 90 days, miles from shore. Australian actor, Chris Hemsworth, among a cast of other talented actors, is expected to bring a grippingly dramatic performance to theaters on March 13.

5. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn:

Another novel from the dark mind of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) is soon to enthrall audiences worldwide. Dark Places follows Libby (Charlize Theron), a woman who survived a brutal killing of her family as a child. She is forced to re-confront the events of that day by a secret society who is consumed in solving infamous crimes. Opens August 7.

On May 28, Just Food – University of Oregon in the Mills International Center, the UO Student Sustainability Coalition, Holden Center, and Cultural Forum will be hosting a free screening and informal discussion of “FED UP.” The latest buzzed-about documentary takes “filmmaker Stephanie Soechtig and journalist Katie Couric on a long investigation of how the American food industry may be responsible for more sicknesses than previously realized,” according to the event’s Facebook page.

The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will bring about a great way to kick off the weekend for both you and your friends, as you all can enjoy the screening complete with free catering by Falling Sky Pour House Delicatessen.

Similar to the fad over “Supersize Me” in 2004, “FED UP” manages to once again bring a frightening wake-up call to Americans nationwide. “Between 1971 and 2000, the prevalence of obesity in the United States doubled. During that time, fat consumption decreased, carbohydrate consumption rose and average calorie intake rose from 2,450 to 2,618 for men, and from 1,542 to 1,877 for women. The film blames sugar, but one could argue that total calorie intake was to blame” stated Harriet Hall from sciencebasedmedicine.org.

As interested in the message behind “FED UP” as audiences across the country are, the group behind this special screening’s feelings are similar.

“Just Food is a group of students on campus that are interested in being active participants in the food system in our community and the greater community of the world,” said Nicolette Ulrich, one of the student coordinators of the event. “We are interested in all aspects of food, such as the planting, production, harvesting and consumption. Furthermore, we enjoy analyzing these systems through the lenses of race, equity, accessibility, and distribution.”

“FED UP” not being the first screening from this group goes to show that these popular screening events manage to bring about a new kind of conversation among UO students.

“We have done a series of documentary screenings on campus this year including The Garden and Growing Cities,” said Ulrich. “We hope to continue to facilitate conversations about our food system through exposing these documentaries to the student community and engage with the food community to further understand and improve our interactions with food.”

To get your brain gears moving, check out the film’s trailer before heading over to the screening May 28th at 6 p.m. in the Mills International Center.

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards were brought to us live from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many of the artists with hits from the past year made appearances like Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, John Legend, Meghan Trainor and One Direction to name a few.

Hosted by Ludacris and Chrissy Teigan, the duo played off each other pretty well, without having to resort to raunchy jokes to try to squeeze a laugh out of the audience, as many hosts are known to do.

For the audience’s viewing pleasure, there were over a dozen performances, some of which have been at the top of our playlists for the past months and others, that were fairly new to our ears, but sure to be hits this upcoming summer. In fact, far more performances of nominated and popular artists were presented than there were awards handed out.

It was clear that much thought went into picking performers and their songs, instead of choosing the obvious, overly played radio pieces. Some of the more memorable performances of the night included: Mariah Carey impressively performing a mash-up of her popular hits, Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” ft. Charlie Puth as a contribution to the late Paul Walker, Simple Minds singing “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”  in celebration for the 30^th anniversary of The Breakfast Club and Imagine Dragons performed “Stand By Me” remembering the late Ben E. King, had audiences on their feet, singing along.

While many appearances by singing celebrities delighted viewers, there were many disappearances as well: Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Sam Smith (who was recovering from surgery) were nowhere to be found. Also awkwardly missing was Zayn Malik, who recently left One Direction yet the now 4-some band dedicated their “Top Duo/Group” award to “their brother”, showing no hostility among the boys, though weeks ago, Twitter said otherwise.

As we all knew it was coming, pop-sensation Taylor Swift swept the categories, walking away with eight awards total. She also kicked off the entire night by premiering her latest music video for “Bad Blood”, filled with her growing girl-posse and promoting female empowerment. A nail in the rumor coffin was thrown down as the alleged couple of Swift and Calvin Harris was publicized as she kissed him on the cheek before each time she went on stage to accept an award.

Collaborations across the board had audiences on their feet in approval. Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea performed their new hit “Pretty Girls”, Meghan Trainor and John Legend sung a sweet duet of “Like I’m Going To Lose You”, Nicki Minaj and David Guetta gave us summer vibes with “The Night Is Still Young” and “Hey Mama” and even the incomparable Faith Hill joined Little Big Town for “Girl Crush”. Stars who did not get the cheers? Kendall and Kylie Jenner as they were boo’ed while announcing Kanye West, (who was censored for a full minute of his performance), ending all of the performances of the night on a sour note.

Yet, the night was neatly tied together with the final award for “Top Artist of the Year” going to none other than Taylor Swift, as her speech left fans excited for her 1989 world tour coming to the U.S. this summer.

It is an unsaid rule among college students to “treat yo’self” and get as far out of town for the one break University of Oregon students look forward to all spring term: Memorial Day weekend.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or if you’ve been saving pennies since Christmas, there’s something for everyone. Land, sea, camping (or ‘glamping’) and even a music festival, are all in earshot along the Pacific Northwest. Use this guide to get your brain-a-stormin’ with creative ideas and advice on location, pricing and activities to make the most of your well-deserved day off.

1. Sasquatch! Music Festival

This festival is a place where your music-junkie roommate vows to attend every year in college. It is also a place where you can find a lot of other UO students, as well. Located in Quincy, Washington at The Gorge Amphitheater , the festival is packed full of popular and up-and-coming artists who are sure to delight the audience’s eardrums.

The lineup includes favorites like Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Modest Mouse and Of Monsters and Men. “Sasquatch is essentially a utopia where all troubles go away for four days and good people bond over music, scenery, and good memories…a.k.a. 10 people sharing a tent and not showering for four straight days. It’s an experience you don’t get every day,” explained senior Audrey Jackson. Four-day festival passes are still being sold at $350 per ticket and standard camping spots at $150. Hotels are not an option as the George is in remote Washington, so save money on the spot (and tent!) by sharing a camping spot with friends and sleeping in your vehicle which may keep you safe from any rain, too.

Activities: Listen to your favorite artists perform and find new favorites on a gorgeous grassy knoll.

Estimated distance from Eugene: 366 miles

2. Bend and Sunriver, Oregon

Bend and Sunriver are just a short few hours east of Eugene and just in an earshot of each other. Some may see the small ski town of Bend as a winter destination, but the mountain becomes twice as fun when snow melts around Mt. Bachelor, making it a gorgeous (and free!) hiking spot with dozens of trails with great views to choose from. Travel to Sunriver where you can relax in the sun and even rent a house with friends.

“I’m going with my boyfriend and his fraternity friends for a weekend getaway this memorial weekend. I’ve never been, but I’m excited because pretty much everyone else I know has gone and had a blast! I’m excited to go to some of the breweries too,” said senior Rebecca Rhodes.

Activities: Brewery Tour, swimming, hiking, Mt. Bachelor, shopping centers in Sunriver and Bend, restaurants, hotels in Bend, rent houses in Sunriver and exploring the small towns.

Estimated distance from Eugene: 129 miles (Bend) and 126 miles (Sunriver)

3. Lake Shasta, California

If your idea of a road trip involves a pit stop at In-N-Out Burger, head south to California’s Lake Shasta where overfilling house boats with college kids seems to be the popular destination. A payment anywhere between $150-200 per passenger covers the cost of the boat as well as  the party’s food, water and beer supply.

“It’s the perfect place to kick back with the friends that are closest to you and have the experiences that you all will remember forever. The water, the sun, house boating! What more could anyone ask for?” Explained junior Shannon Keener. Pack light and wear old closed toed shoes on the rocky beaches.  You’ll never consume more Costco chicken burgers in your life before you’ve spent a weekend in Shasta.

Activities: House boat rentals, water activities, tanning, meeting students from other universities, literally being one with nature, dancing to really loud music, not sleeping.

Estimated distance from Eugene: 308 miles

4. Oregon Coast

Newport and Florence: Venture just a couple hours out west to the shining sea of the Oregon Coast. With many quaint beach towns to choose from, you can stay at a hotels in Florence or Newport with a few friends or rent a large house with a lot of friends.

“I’m spending Memorial Day weekend at a beach house on the coast. I’m really looking forward to spending time with my friends and relaxing on the beach,” said senior Kevin Flynn.  Save money by cooking your own food but maybe going out for one special meal or drinks with your party. Check out Maple Street Grille for a killer happy hour menu in Florence and Chowder Bowl in Newport for fresh homemade chowder.

Activities: Beach day, Sea Lion Caves (Florence), town shopping, restaurants with fresh seafood and breweries in Newport. 

Estimated distance  from Eugene: 60 miles (Florence) and 99 miles (Newport)

Film festivals are always a treat, even more so when they’re right in your backyard. University of Oregon’s renowned Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art proudly hosted, for the sixth time, the 34^th Annual Black Maria Film Festival on May 13, presenting nine diverse short films.

The unique name of the festival comes from that of Thomas Edison, New Jersey inventor and creator of the motion picture. Edison called his studio the “black maria” from where the festival takes its name. As the festival travels across the country each year, it selects short films that range from narrative, experimental, animation and documentary, “addressing issues and struggles within contemporary society such as the environment, public health, race and class, family, sustainability, and much more” states the event’s program.

Nine films were selected at this special UO screening, ranging from four to 49 minutes of entertainment with a side of food for thought. As guests gleefully munched on complementary, old-style boxes of popcorn, their minds were opened wide, as grasping the content of some of these films may have been hard for the typical movie-goer.

With the exception of the one 49-minute film, the other eight ranged from four to eight minutes long, leaving little time process what was being presented on the screen; some had music, others just sounds and few had any dialogue at all, truly defining the “cutting-edge, cross-genre work” that was “specially crafted for each site”, in this case, Eugene, Oregon as explained by Cinema Pacific director, Richard Herskowitz.

The anticipated longest film in the festival was saved for last, as it set itself far apart from the other submissions. Return To Dak To, awarded with the Jury’s Citation award, follows Christopher Upham and four veteran comrades back to Vietnam as their journey provides “unexpected closure for these men as they give their voice to personal traumas that connect to the universal sufferings of war.”

This moving documentary provided a glimpse into life both during and after the Vietnam War for five incredibly strong men who faced their deepest haunting by returning to Dak To.

One of the festival’s guests of honor and stars of Return To Dak To, John Marcoulier, described the trip as “very healing” and suggests to friends to “leave what’s there, back there.” As one who suffered from trauma after the war, he described to the audience how it was returning to a place that feared him the most. “The anticipation that you left so much behind, you can hardly face going back, but I found that hard to be true. No animosity, struck more than anything heard about what was good or not,” he said.

To appreciate, entertain or to simply put things into perspective, check out the Black Maria Film Festival’s website for more information on its films and tour schedule.

From May 7-9 at 8 p.m., the University of Oregon Department of Dance will be presenting their Spring Student Dance Concert 2015. Held in the Dougherty Dance Theater, it will present the works of nine emerging artists.

Unlike other concerts held by the Department of Dance, this one is “produced and performed entirely by students, an important process to endure as they transition from life in academia to life as artists at large,” states the event’s Facebook page.

Each evening, the dance concert will put on a diverse set of dance works, ranging from “concept of energy flow to the exploration of group relationship.”

Brooke Thomas, a senior and one of the student producers and choreographers, is not dancing in the show, as well as the other eight female seniors who additionally choreographed their own routines. “We each individually collaborated with the lighting, makeup, costume designers as well as came up with our own crew and schedule as producers,” said Thomas.

The nine seniors are grateful for the guidance from their main artistic director, Brad Garner, who advised the choreographers and gave insightful feedback during rehearsal periods. “He really knows what to look for and guide us to make the best show possible,” Thomas said.

Though this show’s style is contemporary, it may be a bit complex to those who take it at face value. Uniquely, each of the nine dance routines has its own underlying message or theme that forces audience members to look past what the naked eye can see.

Thomas’ piece “The Machine in the Corner” was inspired by the 1972 fireball pinball machine. “It’s really mechanical. I came up with the sharp and strategic movement and it has the focus of a dancer being a pinball in the performance.”

Each as special as Thomas’, the ensembles range from two to 12 dancers, defining expressionism through the fluidity of movement, each so different, as if they were their own little act within the performance. Incorporating Mozart or even a Taco Bell ad, each performance came with a fresh vibe, keeping the audience’s eyes and ears on the motions of the bodies on the stage.

“My piece stems from the concept of being present in one place, but concentrated on an entirely separate place. I played with the idea of how some external ambition or interest could affect both the state of being, as well as the relationship of the dancers,” stated Mariah Melson, another producer in the show.

Just as complex as their meanings, a parallel level of work was put into bringing the entire process together. The producers have been meeting since fall term and after auditions were held in January, it has been non-stop movement (pun intended) for these ensemble dancers. Thomas said, “I like to work as in me placing movement on my dancers, which is non-collaborative work. The most challenging part of this process was finding a relationship between dance and music, it would be so much easier to have a live musician,” as each dance was performed to music on a track.

After nearly an entire school year of hard work, still “nothing can be complete until the final show, it all comes together in the end no matter what.” Just as their mentor, Brad Garner continuously tells his students, “don’t keep things precious, that hinders it from becoming more evolved.”

Still, like Thomas, the other eight seniors are excited to take this experience further and invest in their voices as choreographers. “The best thing you can do as a choreographer is to make work and continue with it. We all really want to create this experience for the audience as well for community and university and its students.”

You still have two chances to see the Spring Student Dance Concert. May 8-9, at 8 p.m., in Doughtery Dance Theater. Tickets are available at the EMU Ticket Office, $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for general admission | http://tickets.uoregon.edu/event | 541.346.4363

Special pre-show being shown Fri. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse to celebrate good company and great food. Who doesn’t love some Mexican grub?

This Tuesday, you may be feeling a little festive yourself, and with the combination of sunshine and the end of midterms, everyone deserves a day off. Whether you’re hosting a party or going out for margaritas, here’s a guide to satisfy all your Mexican food cravings.

CELEBRATE AT HOME:

Fiesta Chicken Quesadillas: These quesadillas are loaded with chicken, veggies and cheese, and require the least effort of all the recipes on this list. It’s rated nearly five stars from fan reviews on bettycrocker.com, and they also offer coupons to grocery stores that will save on ingredients. What’s not to love about that?

Level: Easy
Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

Enchilada Casser-Ole!: Everything you love about an enchilada, but in a casserole. And with cheaper ingredients that may already be in your kitchen, this recipe is college kid-friendly. The website even offers coupons! How do you say “sign me up” in Spanish?

Level: Medium
Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Baked Steak Burritos: These “south-of-the-border” burritos are baked for a hot, crispy, cheesy fiesta in your mouth. Ingredients can be found at your local supermarket for a decent price, depending on the steak. As if burritos couldn’t get any better.

Level: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Mexican Buffalo Chicken Dip: Betty Crocker got creative with this shareable appetizer. Though it takes longer to bake, it’s easy to assemble and calls for fewer ingredients, which is totally worth it. Tip: Save time and money by purchasing a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local deli, costing under $8.

Level: Easy
Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 20

Chicken Tostadas: 

Food Network chef, Marcela Valladolid, takes the traditional tostada and twists it into individual tapas, perfect for sharing with roommates. Tip: Marcela Valladolid sells her tortilla brand at your neighborhood Safeway and are spectacular for this dish.

Level: Easy
Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

CELEBRATE SOMEWHERE ELSE:

Not feeling like blowing up your kitchen? Head to one of these Eugene Mexican restaurants instead:

Tacovore: This trendy taco shop is becoming increasingly popular among university students. Its unique atmosphere, margarita flavors (marionberry mint, anyone?) and fresh ingredients make this restaurant an ideal spot for Cinco de Mayo. Pick and choose 2-3 different tacos on their a la carte menu that serve a tasteful spin on the classic Mexican street tacos.

530 Blair Blvd.
Price range: $11-30
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Super Taco: Check this taco shop out for well-priced burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, tortas and even dinner plates. Not a place where you can find a margarita, but sodas and fresh horchata are well in store and all menu items run at a great deal.

3666 W. 11th Ave.
Price: $7 or less
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chapala: Your classic, sit-down Mexican restaurant serves up all your favorites and a full bar for 21+. Price range is a little more, but if you visit their website before, you can print a 20% coupon. Try their guava margarita for a blended, refreshing treat. Happy hour daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

136 Oakway Center and 68 W. 29th
Price: $10-14
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Belly Taqueria: They’re known for their tacos, but also serve quesadillas, enchiladas and tostadas. They offer an extensive cocktail, beer and wine menu, as well as homemade lemonade and limeade, sodas and iced tea.

454 Willamette St and 30 E. Broadway
Price: $1.50-$12
Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

El Super Burrito: Eugene’s favorite fast-food burrito stop offers all kinds of Mexican food favorites, including burritos, tacos, quesadillas and even carne asada fries. No alcohol served, but a selection of sodas and horchata are available.

2566 Willamette St.
Price: Under $10
Open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

There’s really nothing more satisfying than melted cheese between two slices of perfectly toasted bread.

Just as delightful as the bread and cheese combination, during May 1-10, 15 restaurants in Eugene will be team up with FOOD For Lane County, whose “mission of the organization is to alleviate hunger by creating access to food.”

For 10 days, these restaurants and food trucks will serve “their own twist on the classic grilled cheese,” with $1-$2 of each purchase benefiting the organization.

Anna Leigh Williams is a development intern at FOOD For Lane County and the main event coordinator for The Grilled Cheese Experience. Sponsored by US Bank and Bicoastal Media (KFLY, KDUCK, KOOL and  KTNW), Williams created this event for her family and human services senior project. The Grilled Cheese Experience is its own first annual fundraiser hosted by the organization, FOOD For Lane County to continue to support the mission, she said.

Mark your calendars folks, as the most delicious 10 days of the year as we know it are approaching fast. Here are the 15 participating restaurants:

• The Bierstein Bottleshop & Pub featuring the “Très Queso Primo” with cheddar, provolone, smoked gouda, sliced tomatoes, basil and garlic aioli on grilled ciabatta bread.

• Grilling Places featuring the “Hemped Out Grilled Cheese” with Havarti, veggies, warmheart hempburger and hemp sauce. Gluten-free bread available. “The hempburger and sauce come from a family recipe my mom has been working on for years, branching out from other hemp patties,” said owner Gavin Place about the organic, non-dairy treat.

• The Vintage featuring the “Mediterranean Grilled Cheese” with sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, sliced red onion, spinach, feta and mozzarella on Marché ciabatta bread. Served with Kettle Chips.

• The Food Mill LLC featuring a beer-battered bacon grilled cheese.

• Glenwood Restaurants (both locations) featuring “The Big Cheese” with jack, cheddar and swiss on grilled rustic white bread.

• Marché Provisions featuring “Le Sandwich Au Fromage Grillé” with gruyere and Dijon Mornay sauce on grilled Provisions levain.

• Johnny Ocean’s Grill featuring a bacon and tomato grilled cheese.

• WildCraft Cider Works featuring a grilled cheese with Juniper Grove farmstead cheese, Dijon mustard and house made tomato preserves.

• Red Wagon Creamery featuring the “Grilled Cheese Ice Cream Sundae” with one scoop cheddar cheese ice cream and 1 scoop toasted brioche ice cream, topped with a parmesan crisp. “We strive to make our ice cream with real foods. When FOOD For Lane County came to us my wife, Emily knew right away we were going to have a one scoop of cheddar ice cream and one scoop of brioche ice cream. She added the parmesan crisp to represent the crispy melted cheese that is on the side of a real grilled cheese,” said owner Stuart Phillips.

• Falling Sky Brewing (Delicatessen location) featuring the “Beef Belly Pastrami Grilled Cheese” with cheddar, swiss, pickled red onions and arugula pesto. Served with a side.

• Cornbread Cafe – featuring a grilled cheese with Daiya cheddar, French fries and sassy slaw on grilled sourdough. “Sassy slaw is a take on the classic coleslaw. I love the combination of flavors in this sandwich with crispy and melty textures from the fries, slaw and cheese,” said chef Becky Waterman.

• Kun FusionGrill featuring the “Grown Up Grilled Cheese” with choice of protein, cheddar, Sriracha aioli and Kunfusion sauce on grilled Texas toast.

• Agate Alley Bistro featuring a grilled cheese with gravlax, Tillamook vintage extra sharp white cheddar, whipped cream cheese, capers and roasted scallions on grilled focaccia. Garnished with cucumbers and pepperoncinis.

• Sammitch Food Cart and Truck (all three trucks) featuring the “CheezyMMMitch” with mozzarella, feta, Havarti, cheddar, provolone and brie. Optional: bacon and/or tomato. Gluten-free bread or lettuce wrap options available.

• Wild Duck Cafe featuring the “Black Forest Ham and Grilled Apple Cheese” with freshly sliced black forest ham smeared with sweet onion marmalade and grilled on Challah bread with charbroiled green apples, double cream brie and smoked gouda cheese. “This rich, classic, French inspired sandwich is perfect for the spring to summer transition,” said chef Hallie Hinchee.

“I am excited to try all of the grilled cheese sandwiches and the grilled cheese ice cream sundae featured by Red Wagon Creamery,” said Williams. “And thank you to Killer Burger Eugene for matching the average restaurant donation to FOOD For Lane County.”

Sometimes we merely hear about them in passing, other times social media blows up with mentions of them. The increasing popularity of days recognizing food items, people or even pets has been astonishing in recent years.

These weird national holidays come up far more often than you think. So which ones need a little more love? And which ones are actually taken seriously? Here are a handful just around the corner, and a few extras to look forward to in the future.

National Star Wars Day, May 4: “May the ‘fourth’ be with you.” Celebrated by super fans across the world, today is the perfect day to play hooky and watch all of the Star Wars films back to back. Or, you can go to Ontario, Canada where the holiday originated, to celebrate.

National Lost Sock Memorial Day, May 9: Killing it in the creativity game. Acknowledge this day for your favorite socks that were once two, but are now one. Unaware of its creator, use this day to dispose of your single socks so that maybe they too can rediscover their other halves in “sock heaven.”

National Love a Tree Day, May 16: One that shouldn’t be too hard to do, show the trees outside of your home some extra love today or even plant a new one. Here are more ways you can celebrate this day.

National Wine Day, May 25: Falling on Memorial Day and Monday night TV, this year could possibly be the best thing to ever happen to this drink. Share your passion with this fan page.

National Leave The Office Early Day, June 2: Marking my calendar. Created by Laura Stack, an employee productivity specialist, as an incentive for employees to get their work done early and take the rest of the day off. Yes, this is real.

National Doughnut Day, June 5: Holding a unique meaning, National Doughnut Day was created by The Salvation Army to honor women who served doughnuts to soldiers in World War I. A fundraiser was held in 1938 with a goal of raising money for the Great Depression. Check out how people celebrate here and here.

National Girlfriends Day, Aug. 1: Celebrate the special bond of friendship with your most beloved sisters, mothers and friends and let them know how much you mean to them. Who run the world? Girlfriends. Find where it actually all began.

National Kid Day, National Family Day and National Friendship Day, Aug. 3: Smart planning, creator of these holidays. Read more about all three here, here and here.

National Cheese Pizza Day and National Bacon Day, Sept. 5: Can you say best day of the year? Check this out to see who really seized the day. 

National Pumpkin Day, Oct. 26: As we should be celebrating this all month long, here is a little way to help you brainstorm your celebration early.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, Nov. 12: The most wildly specific day out there, learn about it here.

National Cookie Day, Dec. 4: Easily the sweetest day of the year, start counting down the days with this as an incentive.