Foundation grant deadline Feb. 13
The Sweet Home Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants to local nonprofit organizations.
The foundation’s goal is to provide funding and support to a wide variety of local projects and activities that provide lasting improvements to the community.
Grants are given in the following categories: Children and Families; Education; Livability and Arts and Culture. Grants of between $250 and $2,500 are normally awarded but consideration may be given to requests up to $5,000, based upon the project need and quality.
Grant application packets are available for download at http://www.sweethomecommunityfoundation.org. Completed applications must be returned to the Sweet Home Community Foundation, P.O. Box 24, Sweet Home, OR, 97386, by 5 p.m. on Feb. 13.
Grant applicants must be 501(c) 3 or other qualified tax-exempt organizations or the proposed project may be implemented in partnership or affiliation with such an organization.
Support for the Foundation is provided through the generosity of local businesses and individuals.
Grant award recipients will be announced in March.
New schedule for SH Chamber
Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center has instituted a new schedule of operation as of Feb. 2.
The chamber office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Although the office is closed on Mondays, staff can be reached by email at [email protected].
Chamber awards nominations sought
Nominations for this year’s Chamber of Commerce awards are being accepted.
The 71st Annual Awards Banquet will be held March 14. Nomination forms are available at the chamber office, 1575 Main St.
Awards are awarded for Business of the Year, Service Organization of the Year, First Citizen, Junior First Citizen, Distinguished Service, Woman of the Year, and V.I.P, the latter presented by the Presidents Club.
For more information or to learn about criteria for each award, contact the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce at (541) 367-6186.
NW Steelheaders to meet Wednesday
The Mid-Valley Chapter of the Northwest Steelheaders will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW, Albany.
This month’s will be speaker Chet Croco of Genuine Bellinger, a local manufacturer of custom rod-making supplies and equipment that markets its products internationally. Croco also provides high-end bamboo rod construction classes with attendees coming from around the world.
Door prizes and refreshments are included at the Steelheaders meeting. The public is always welcome and admission is free.
For more information contact Larry Bell at (541) 337-5427.
Expert to tell how to cut garden costs
Linn-Benton Community College’s Lebanon Center is offering a free Winter Gardening Series that meets Thursdays from noon to 12:50 p.m. at the Lebanon Center Annex, 44 Industrial Way.
This week’s speaker is Susan Morton, a Master Gardener and botanist, who will give a basic short course on “Gardening on a Shoestring” – what to use instead of high-priced items available at nurseries.
Pick up a complete list of topics and dates at the LBCC Lebanon or Sweet Home Centers.
Quartet to perform in SH church Friday
The Keepers of the Faith quartet will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at River of Life Fellowship, 1658 Long St.
The quartet was founded by a group of brothers from Hawaii and their cousins from Seattle, Wash., who have performed throughout the Northwest and Canada. A free-will offering will be taken for the group.
For more information, call (541) 367-5657.
Children’s play on stage at LBCC
The Children’s Theater at Linn-Benton Community College presents its 40th annual play “Follow Coyote” Feb. 6, 7 and 14 at LBCC’s Russell Tripp Performance Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany.
Set in 1842 on the Oregon Trail, “Follow Coyote” follows the story of 11-year-old William Armstrong, who dreams of being a hero but whose rash behavior results in he and his bossy sister, Sarah, becoming separated from the wagon train. With the help of a trickster, Coyote, William and Sarah struggle to rejoin their family. When matters go from bad to worse, William has to save the day.
Follow Coyote” is a coming-of-age story written by Dari Lawrie and directed by LBCC theater instructor Tinamarie Ivey.
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and at 2 p.m. on two Saturdays, Feb. 7 and 14. The Feb. 6 performance will be an American Sign Language performance.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online for no fee at http://www.linnbenton.edu/russelltripptheater, or at the Russell Tripp Performance Center Box Office from 1 to 4 p.m. the week of the performance, and at the door one hour prior to performance.
For more information, contact the LBCC theater box office at (541) 917-4531.
Library plans event for Feb. 7
Sweet Home Library will hold a free “Take your child to the Library Day” on Saturday, Feb. 7, filled with fun activities for children of all ages.
Parents and grandparents are invited to bring a child to the library, and help them discover the magic of reading. The library offers a world of books for children of all ages, as well as movies, magazines, special events, and much more.
Events on Feb. 7 will include Legos and crafts from 10 a.m. to noon, Storytime from noon to 1 p.m., Music with Steve Burtch from 1 to 2 p.m., and board games all day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, contact Library Services Director Rose Peda at (541) 367-5007.
Saturday poker night for B&G Club
Sweet Home Boys and Girls Club will hold a benefit Poker Tournament at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Sweet Home branch, 890 18th Ave.
Buy-in is $50, which includes pizza and a drink ticket. Re-buys are $25 each, and add-ons are also $25. Participants must be 21 or older.
To register, visit http://www.bcggreatersantiam.org or call (541) 367-6421.
Trail clean-up to prep for local runs
Feel like working off some stress?
Volunteers are needed for a work party that will be doing some maintenance (read: wiping out blackberries and ivy) on the South Hills Trail from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.-ish Saturday, Feb. 7.
The trail will be part of the route for the Sweetheart Run 5K and 10K on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Work that needs to be done includes clearing blackberries, picking up trash and possibly spreading some gravel. Grab some friends and come meet some new folks while helping your town.
Meet at the junction of Elkhorn Street and Old Holley Road. For parking, follow 10th Avenue south into the Canyon Creek neighborhood, turn right on Pinetop then right on Elkhorn and follow it around to the gate.
Participatants should bring gloves and any combination of the following they have available: pruners, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, weed whackers, etc. For more information, contact Jon Meier at [email protected].
Seedling sale this Saturday at Expo
The Linn County Small Woodlands chapter will hold its annual seedling sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Linn County Fair and Expo in Albany.
The sale will include a wide variety of conifers, hardwoods and shrubs.
Prices for conifers are $1.25 to $1.50 depending on species. The prices for the hardwoods and shrubs are $1.50 to $3. Bagged sword fern will be available at $5. Some of the trees and shrubs are excellent for smaller places around a home, flower in the spring and/or have nice fall colored leaves. Most seedlings will be 2-year old bare root or plugs, directly from the nursery.
An information table will be available to view samples, see pictures and read information about the seedlings. An OSU Extension-trained master woodland manager will be there to answer questions and provide information on which trees are best suited for a particular planting site.
For the fifth year, there will be display and sale of local wood products.
Portions of the money earned will be used to help fund the Linn County Chapter’s educational programs for youth in Linn County. These include 4-H and college scholarships.
For more information, contact Fay or Sherm Sallee at (541) 451-5322 or email: [email protected].
Help elderly as ombudsman
Training to become a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer will begin Feb. 24 in the Eugene area.
To be accepted into the five-day training program, those wishing to apply should do so no later than Saturday, Feb. 7.
Trained volunteers advocate for seniors who are living in long term care facilities and are trained to educate, investigate, and advocate for the rights of the resident and learn to be a “problem solver.” They often are the first to spot and report elder abuse but also can resolve many quality of care issues independently to meet the rights and desires of the resident.
To apply, visit http://www.oregon.gov/LTCO to download an application or contact Gretchen Jordan, coordinator of volunteers, at 1-800-522-2602.
Create floral gifts for shut-ins Feb. 9
The Sweet Home Garden Club invites local residents to help make floral arrangements for Sweet Home shut-ins at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the fellowship hall at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church, on the corner of 1st Avenue and Highway 228.
For more information, contact Vivian at (541) 367-8894.
College Night at LBCC Monday
Thinking about attending college, or looking to improve your job skills?
Plan to attend College Night 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, on the second floor of the Calapooia Center at Linn-Benton Community College’s Albany campus, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW. The event is free.
Visit with faculty advisors and explore your degree and career options. Learn about LBCC’s degree partnership programs with Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology, and special admissions programs.
Information will be available on financial aid, scholarships and how to earn college credits while still in high school.
A Look Beyond the Books” showcases clubs, co-curricular programs, theater, music, and short-term training programs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Forum building, room F-104.
Campus tours will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.
Register online at http://www.linn-benton.edu/college-night or call LBCC Admissions at (541) 917-4847.
Dinner get-together for women Feb. 10
Lebanon’s After Five Connection invites all women to its monthly dinner meeting, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Kings Coffee House, 651 Main St. in Lebanon.
The program includes guest speaker Roberta Morin of Hereford, a retired teacher and night club singer whose family numbers two children, 23 exchange students and nine foster children.
Berlee McEwen of Albany will teach gift basket making.
Cost is $7. Credit cards cannot be accepted.
For reservations or more information, contact Nancy at (541) 259-1396 or Norma at (541) 259-5672.
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 lunch menu on Friday, Feb. 6, is fish patty with tartar sauce on a bun or kielbasa with mustard, also on a bun, baked beans, pineapple slaw and lemon whip.
The menu for Monday, Feb. 9, is homestyle turkey patty or liver and onions, both with gravy, whipped potatoes, Scandinavian blend vegetables, bran wheat bread and chocolate pudding.
The menu for Tuesday, Feb. 10, is lima beans with ham or spaghetti with meat sauce, country trio vegetables, broccoli raisin salad, oatmeal roll and golden fruit cup.
For more information, call (541) 367-8843.