Horse visits to help mental health
Linn County Animal Rescue and Linn County Mental Health host regular visiting sessions with horses for the developmentally disabled and people suffering from PTSD.
For more information on joining the sessions, or to volunteer, call (541) 258-3422.
Disaster prep
seminars planned
Linn-Benton Community College will offer a new workshop designed for those living in the Pacific Northwest to learn personal preparedness and supply readiness.
In the one-day workshop, individuals will learn about local hazards, emergency disaster plans, home preparedness, community resources, and more. Learn skills to mitigate a disaster’s impact, with tips for both natural occurrences and those human-induced.
Instructor Sierra Anderson is a current volunteer for Red Cross Disaster Response and the Benton County Sheriff’s Department CERT program. Anderson has a bachelor’s in public health from Oregon State University, with a minor in environmental occupational health and safety.
During winter term, there will be three offerings at three locations: LBCC’s Albany Campus, LBCC Benton Center in Corvallis, and LBCC Lebanon Center. All workshops will be held in January.
For times and dates or to register, contact Extended Learning at (541) 917-4840 or visit linnbenton.edu/extendedlearning.
Church service for lonely, discouraged
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Lebanon invites the public to participate in its The Longest Night Service of Remembrance at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at the corner of Milton and Williams streets.
The purpose of the event is to encourage those who are lonely and discouraged after the loss of loved ones. The service will include a liturgy of candle lighting, singing and quiet time.
For more information, contact the church at (541) 451-1159 or visit http://www.facebook.com/St.Martins.Lebanon.
Video contest for workplace safety
Oregon high school students may enter the annual “Speak up. Work safe” video contest organized by Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition.
Submissions must be entered by Friday, Feb. 1. The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500, and students will earn a matching amount for their school.
Students must create a 90-second or less video that inspires young workers to do at least one thing differently to stay safe on the job.
The video must include the theme: “Speak up. Work safe.” The video must educate young workers about the importance of speaking up in the workplace. Participants are encouraged to develop a key message or slogan, use humor, and get creative while emphasizing ways to protect themselves – and their co-workers – from getting hurt on the job.
Submissions will be judged on certain criteria, including:
– An original health and safety message that appeals to teen workers and safety educators;
– Overall production value (video/audio quality, acting, and editing); and
– “Speak up. Work safe.” theme is used effectively.
Videos can be submitted online or mailed. Contest winners will be unveiled at a screening event in spring 2019, and winning entries will be posted on YouTube.
For contest information, including rules, tips, entry forms, workplace safety and young worker resources, and a playlist of past finalist videos, go to https://youngemployeesafety.org/contest.
Teacher of Year
nominations
The Oregon Department of Education is accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year through Jan. 31, 2019.
Regional Teachers of the Year will receive a cash prize of $500 and will be celebrated across the state. The 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash prize (with a matching $5,000 going to their school) and serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers.
Anyone can nominate a teacher. To submit a nomination, visit oregonteacheroftheyear.org.
Class for health improvement
A team of physicians, nurses and dietitians at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital will lead a Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) class starting in January for people struggling to get their weight or overall health under control.
Samaritan staff will lead the 18-session class on Mondays and Thursdays, from Jan. 21 through March 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the hospital.
For more information, or to register, call (541) 451-6313 or visit samhealth.org/LebanonDiabetes.
Meals on Wheels
weekly menu
Meals on Wheels offers lunch at the Sweet Home Community Center to seniors over 60 at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Senior Center serves a separate lunch on Wednesdays.
First-time diners are invited to come in and have a free lunch to give it a try.
Suggested donation is $3.50. All meals are served with milk, coffee or tea upon request and diabetic desserts are available on request.
The menu on Friday, Dec. 21, is a Christmas special dinner: homestyle turkey patty or pork choppie, both with gravy, whipped potatoes, broccoli, oatmeal bread and lemon blondie.
No lunch will be served Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24-25, due to the Christmas holiday.
Volunteers are needed for both kitchen help and meal delivery.
For more information, contact Norene at (541) 367-8843.