Christmas tree
permits on sale
The Willamette National Forest is offering Christmas tree permits online through the Open Forest System.
Sales are in progress through Jan. 6. Permits will need to be printed to be valid. The pilot program allows you to purchase your 2019 Christmas tree permit from the comfort of your own home, or by using a mobile device, instead of traveling to a Forest Service office.
Willamette National Forest is one of thirteen national forests participating in the pilot program.
Traditional Christmas tree permits will still be available at local Forest Service offices or through participating vendors. Visitors can purchase permits and receive maps of cutting areas at USFS offices from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Permits are $5 each and allow the holder to cut one tree in designated areas. The Christmas tree maximum height on the Willamette National Forest is now 15 feet instead of 12 feet. Each household can purchase up to a maximum of five permits. Learn more about purchasing your Christmas tree permit online at openforest.fs.usda.gov.
For information, visit the website above or specific information about the Christmas tree program on the Willamette National Forest, or contact your nearest ranger district.
Leaf collection for two more weeks
The City of Sweet Home continues to collect leaves from residents.
The program will continue through Friday, Dec. 13.
The city asks that residents put loose leaves in piles on the street, away from parked cars and a foot away from the curb to allow for water drainage.
Leaf piles must not contain limbs, yard debris or any type of bagging materials.
City crews will collect the leaves upon request. To schedule leaf pickup please submit a work request through the city’s Mobile311 Citizen Portal or call Public Works Maintenance at (541) 367-6359.
Fundraiser to help
injured cycle rider
A raffle fundraiser is being held for Nick Reitz, a local motocross competitor who was paralyzed in a crash.
Reitz, a 2017 Sweet Home High School graduate, has been moved to a hospital in Colorado, in hopes that he can regain use of his legs.
Tickets are $10 for a drawing for one ton of Packsaddle wood pellets, donated by Phil Pollock. They are for sale at Sugar Vibes and Sunshine Espresso. The drawing will be Dec. 9.
Jamboree seeks
parade volunteers
The Oregon Jamboree is looking for local volunteers to help promote the festival by walking or riding in parades or by decorating floats.
You can help as little or as much as you want. The first event is the Sweet Home Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7.
To get involved, register at oregonjamboree.volunteerhub.com or contact Peggy at (541) 367-7799, ext. 130.
Dec. 3 deadline for
Master Gardeners
Master Gardener Volunteer Programs of Linn and Benton Counties are accepting applications for the 2020 program through Dec. 3.
Class dates will be March 5-Jun. 25, 2020 (about 70 hours).
Participants will learn about gardening in the Pacific Northwest from regional experts, discover how to research garden problems, and share their knowledge to help others succeed with gardening.Volunteers learn through a combination of classroom activities, online sessions and hands-on garden labs.
Participants do not need to maintain a formal garden.
Master Gardener volunteers grow everything from balcony tomato plants to formal gardens to urban farmlets to tiny bonsai trees – in community plots, containers on windowsills and home gardens.
Cost of training is $150; a limited number of partial scholarships are available.
Volunteers are required to give 45 hours by Oct. 31, 2020.
To learn more, visit extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/linn-benton or contact [email protected].
Holiday acitivities
Saturday in SH
Two holiday bazaars and a tree lighting are scheduled in Sweet Home this Saturday, Nov. 30.
– Sweet Home’s Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Veterans Club, 580 Main St.
– Girl Scout Troop 20244 will hold a bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St. Shop for goodies, visit witih Santa Claus and enjoy music from Praise in 3D.
– The community tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. at the new City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Cedar Shack will provide the now-traditional Yule Log and Coffee Hut will provide free hot chocolate following the lighting.
Santa Claus and carolers from the Singing Christmas Tree will also be present.
The event is free.
SAFE can drive
Sunday at SHHS
The Sweet Home SAFE Committee will hold a can drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, in the Sweet Home High School parking lot.
All donations will support the Senior Alcohol Free Entertainment event, which will be held on graduation night.
Runaway Santa 5K
for ABC House
Kick off the holiday season and support ABC House Sunday, Dec. 1, in the Runaway Santa 5K from 2 to 5 p.m. starting at 228 SW 5th Ave., Albany.
ABC House is a child abuse intervention center serving Benton and Linn counties.
The mission of the organization is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, supporting children as they find their voice and helping children and families heal and thrive.
The Runaway Santa Run will take participants on a tour of festive Downtown Albany and will take place prior to the Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade.
All participants receive a five-piece Santa suit and finisher medal. Runaway Santa Run participants will have the opportunity to join in the Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade with ABC House after the run.
Cost ranges from $25 to $45.
For more information, visit http://www.runawaysantarun.com, http://www.facebook.com/runawaysanta5k , or http://www.instagram.com/runawaysanta.
Free class on child abuse prevention
ABC House is offering a free class on how adults can take action to prevent child sexual abuse at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 228 5th Ave. SW, Albany.
“Darkness to Light: Bystanders Protecting Children from Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse teaches adults how to be an active bystander in child sexual abuse prevention and response. Participants will be given examples of boundary violations (warning signs of potential perpetrators of abuse) and inappropriate behaviors are shared, and the training highlights how to make spontaneous and planned interventions that reinforce boundaries and protect children.
They will learn simple and practical actions to protect children. The training combines videos and group discussions. Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance with their name on it. Depending on their profession, they may be able to earn CEU’s for attending.
Light refreshments are provided. Childcare is not available.
For more information, call (541) 926-2203 or email [email protected].
Chili, ski movie
and auction Dec. 5
Watch a classic ski movie, make and indulge in some top-quality chili, and support the Sweet Home High School Ski and Ride Club at its annual Chili Cook-Off from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the school’s Commons area, 1641 Long St.
Come dressed in your 1980s attire to kick off the season with Warren Miller’s classic 1985 movie “Steep and Deep.” There will be prizes for the best outfits.
Admission is $7, which covers movie admission, chili tasting and one raffle ticket for door prizes. Bring a family of four for $25. Doors open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 6:15 and silent auction ends after intermission, around 7 p.m.
Cost to enter the Chili Cook-off is $10. The winner selected by the judges will receive two lift tickets to Hoodoo. Popular vote winner will receive four Hoodoo Autobahn tickets.
Silent auction items include a season pass to Hoodoo, Oregon Jamboree tickets, a unit of lumber, a load of bark dust, wood pellets and rocks, along with gift baskets and certificates from local businesses.
For a Chili Cookoff entry form or more information, email [email protected].
Nazi survivor to speak at forum
Britta Lion Franz, who fled Nazi Germany as a child, will be the speaker at the Chamber of Commerce’s Forum Lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital – Training Center, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
Franz, now 91, will tell the story of how her family fled the Nazis when she was 9. Her father owned a clothing store, which still exists today.
Arriving in the United States. they began rebuilding a life for themselves.
Her father connected unexpectedly with a clothing shop owner who was willing to sell his shop and the story goes from there. Some clips from a film will be shown.
The lunch menu will be beef pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted carrots; rolls and butter; tossed green salad with assorted dressings and pie.
Cost is $15 per person and reservations are required by calling (541) 258-7164.
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.
No meal will be served Friday, Nov. 29, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The menu on Monday, Dec. 2, is beef cabbage bake or macaroni and cheese, broccoli, spinach romaine salad, onion roll and fresh apple slices.
The menu on Tuesday, Dec. 3, is chicken with peanut sauce and brown rice or Mexican pasta bake, mixed vegetables, romaine iceberg salad, herb roll and cherry gelatin with whipped topping.
Volunteers are needed for both kitchen help and meal delivery.
For more information, contact Norene at (541) 367-8843.