Hands-on learning for pre-teens
Sweet Home Public Library will host Mechanisms, a hands-on learning activity, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Sweet Home Public Library, 1101 13th Ave.
Ward Christman will teach about simple machines, energy collection and storage, electricity, parts of computers and how they work and more. All supplies are provided.
Sign ups and regular attendance are required. This activity is recommended for third- through fifth-graders.
For more information or to sign up, visit the library or call (541) 386-5007.
Learn to be Master
Food Preserver
Deadline to participate in an eight-week 2018 Master Food Preserver Volunteer Training program is Friday, March 30.
The course provides in-depth research based training in all areas of food preservation including food safety. The classes are taught in a practical, hands-on manner appropriate for people of different educational backgrounds, learning styles, and food preservation experience.
As part of the program volunteers also develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking and self-confidence, while increasing their expertise in food safety/preservation. Most important, volunteers make an enormous contribution to the health and welfare of people.
The full-day classes will be held every Monday, April 9 to June 4 at the Community of Christ Church, 1485 Gilham Road, Eugene. To apply to be a part of the 2018 training program, applications are available at extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/food_safety, or at the Lane County Extension office, 996 Jefferson in Eugene.
Cost is $175, plus a minimum volunteer payback of 70 hours in the year following the training.
For more information or to request registration support, contact Nicole Wells at the OSU Extension Service in Lane County, (541) 344-5859.
PEO plant sale runs through April 9
Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter FA’s annual spring plant sale is under way, selling full and half flats of flowers, vegetables and assorted sampler trays. There are also geraniums, planters and hanging baskets.
Orders and money need to be completed by April 9. Proceeds will go into a scholarship fund.
If interested in purchasing spring plants, contact Lin Gagner at (541) 401-5676, or Mary Betts at (541) 409-3132.
KeyBank breakfast
networking event
KeyBank is hosting an Early Bird networking event from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at 1199 10th Ave.
The public is welcome. RSVP’s are requested, as this will be a catered event. Come and meet people you may or may not know.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Tess at (541) 367-5144.
Free tomato tips offered Thursday
Get some free tips on how to grow tomatoes and preserve your tomato harvest at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
A local Master Gardener will review tomatoes varieties that do well in this area and how to get them off to a good start for the best chance of ripe tomatoes this year.
Master Food Preservers will demonstrate how to dehydrate, can and make salsa from fresh red and green tomatoes. Salsa samples will be included.
The program is free and open to the public.
For more information and to reserve a space, call (541) 967-3871.
Deputy DA to speak on drugs in county
Michael Wynhausen, Linn County deputy district attorney and candidate for Circuit Court judge, will speak on “Drugs in Linn County” at a Forum Lunch sponsored by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Career Training Center, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
Wynhausen will discuss new trends in drug activity, as well as law enforcement and prosecutorial issues relating to drugs.
Cost is $15 per person and RSVP is required. To reserve a spot, call (541) 258-7164 or sign up at lebanon-chamber.org/events.
Aquatic fitness
class in Sweet Home
Aquatic fitness is a great exercise in water to stretch and strengthen the body, tone muscles and increase flexibility.
A 10-week class through Linn-Benton Community College will be offered from 7:30 to 8:20 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, April 4, at the Sweet Home High School pool.
Cost is $75. CRN number 40758. Please register online (www.LinnBenton.edu/register), by phone or in person.
Volunteers needed for cooking class
Volunteers are needed to help with a kids cooking class for fifth- and sixth-graders.
CHEF (Coast to the Cascades Health Education and Fitness) and the Linus Pauling Institute Healthy Youth Program are offering these cooking classes to promote healthy eating.
The classes are from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from April 4 to May 2 at the Sweet Home High School economics classroom.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact Krystal at (541) 768-5717 or by email at [email protected].
Buttercream cake decorating class
A new buttercream cake decorating class will be offered through Linn-Benton Community College, starting April 4 in Lebanon, and April 9 in Albany.
Learn simple techniques to come up with professional-looking results using buttercream icing to decorate cakes.
This four-week class will be from 6 to 7:50 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning April 4 at the LBCC Lebanon Center, 44 Industrial Way; and also from 6 to 7:50 p.m. on Mondays, beginning April 9 at the LBCC Albany Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW. Cost is $49.
For more information or to register, see the LBCC online schedule at http://www.linnbenton.edu/register, email [email protected], or call (541) 917-4840. A list of necessary supplies can be found at bit.ly/LBCCSupplyList.
Local spelling bee open to all kids
Students within the Sweet Home School District, including home schoolers, are encouraged to participate in the Oregon Statewide Spelling Championship.
To qualify for the contest, students compete in a written contest in their division – elementary (first through fifth grades), middle school (sixth through eighth) and high school (ninth through 12th).
The first competition will be at the school level, from which school winners from each division will compete at the district level. District winners then compete at county level, and county winners compete in the state contest.
The local district contest will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Sweet Home Charter School, 28721 Liberty Road.
For more information or to compete in the district contest, contact Sharon at (541) 367-4151 or visit http://www.oregonspellers.org.
Dog training classes offered at LBCC
Are you training your dog, or is your dog training you?
Linn-Benton Community College will offer two dog training classes at the Lebanon Center, 44 Industrial Way.
Dog Training I will teach students how to positively motivate their dogs to respond quickly despite distractions, and to reliably come when called. This five-week course runs from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. Thursdays, beginning April 5. Cost is $69.
Dog Training II will focus on skills learned in Dog Training I, including practice in precision heeling, new tricks, and politely greeting strangers. This class will be an excellent way to begin preparing for therapy work, rally obedience, dog sport competition, or taking the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. The five-week course runs from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. Thursdays, beginning May 10 at Linn-Benton Community College Lebanon Center, 44 Industrial Way. Cost: $69.
Dogs must be current on shots and students must bring a completed dog history to the first class. Forms available at LBCC centers. Please register online (www.LinnBenton.edu/register), by phone or in person.
LBCC offers class
in Android skills
Know your Android well?
A three-week class on the world’s most widely used mobile platform will be offered Mondays from 5:30 to 7:20 p.m., beginning April 9, at Linn-Benton Community College Lebanon Center, 44 Industrial Way.
Participants should bring fully charged Android phones or tablets to class to learn about the device’s core functions and settings. The class will include fun apps, synching devices with participants’ Google accounts, and exploring how to connect a home computer to share pictures and videos. Cost is $59.
Science Pub on
OSU research
Larry Landis, director of the Special Collectio0ns and Archives Research Center at Oregon State University, will discuss the origins of OSU research and its connections to contemporary issues at the Corvallis Science Pub, at 6 p.m. on April 9 in the Old World Deli, 341 2nd St. in Corvallis.
The event is free and open to the public.
Many of OSU’s enduring research projects began in the early 20th century. Some of them continue to have relevance today, such as the univeristy’s renowned hops and wheat breeding programs, according to Landis.
Among his topics will be early work in soils, forestry, home economics, social sciences and humanities.
Due to the continuing popularity of Science Pub, attendance will be limited, and advance registration will be required. Registration is available online or by calling University Events at (541) 737-4717. People who arrive without a ticket are welcome but will not be admitted to the reserved seating area until 6 p.m.
Podcasts of previous Corvallis Science Pub events on topics such as roadside geology of Oregon and the bond between people and dogs can be viewed at communications.oregonstate.edu/podcast.
Watercolor painting in Brownsville
“A Solid Start in Watercolor II,” the second DVD Series by Lynn Powers, will be presented by Alice Tetamore from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for five consecutive Saturdays starting April 14, at the Brownsville Art Center, 255 N. Main St.
The series is designed especially for beginning watercolor artists or those desiring to improve their watercolor techniques. Attendees will paint along with the video, learning about reflected light, glazing, masking, correction painting techniques and tricks unique to watercolor. Then they will do a second project on their own. Line drawings are available for the lessons.
Class size is limited to a maximum of six spaces. If you took “Solid Start in Watercolor I,” the supplies are the same with the addition of a small bottle of masking fluid, Pedeo Drawing Gum and a used brush about size six for masking. A full materials list is available at the Art Center. You do not need to have done the first series if you have some basic experience with watercolors already. Also, 140 lb Arches cold press watercolor paper will be provided for class paintings and for the small practice paintings included in the instructions.
Cost for the series is $25, which includes a $5 non-refundable pre-registration fee. To register, contact Alice at (541) 466-5782 or via email at [email protected], or stop by the Brownsville Art Center.
Republican Spring Gala April 20
The Linn County Republican Party will hold a Spring Gala at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the Willamette Conference Center at the Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road, Albany.
“Politics is funny business,” featuring Loren Spivak, a free market warrior, comedian and economist. There will be a silent auction, prime rib dinner and no host bar.
Tickets are $50 per person, $90 per couple, or sponsor a table of eight for $360 (prices good through April 1). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.LinnCountyRepublicanParty.org, or call/text (541) 619-3041.
SHHS Ham Bingo to be held May 19
The annual ham bingo will be held May 19 at Sweet Home High School.
The fund-raiser will be for SHHS Forestry club and S.A.F.E. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the high school cafeteria.
This is a family event with door prizes and raffle. Cost is $20 for four cards.
For more information, contact Karla Burcham at (541) 401-3339.
Meals on Wheels
weekly menu
Meals on Wheels, also known as Your Table or Ours, 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, March 30, is breaded baked fish with Tartar sauce or turkey patty with gravy, whipped potatoes, cut green beans, French bread and coconut treasure cake.
The menu on Monday, April 2, is beef chili with beans or chicken penne pasta, herbed carrots, marinated spring garden salad, seven grain roll and mixed fruit.
The menu on Tuesday, April 3, is beef Spanish rice casserole or King Ranch Chicken, green beans, spinach Romaine salad, multigrain roll and seasonal fresh fruit.
Volunteers are needed for both kitchen help and meal delivery.
For more information, contact Norene at (541) 367-8843.