Christmas in the Barn
Maple Market Upcycled Furniture & Home Decor will host its annual “Christmas in the Barn” event from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday thru Sunday, Nov. 10 to 12, at 36417 Airport Drive, Lebanon. Find decor and gifts, and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages.
African Children’s Choir
The African Children’s Choir returns following a moratorium due to the pandemic. The tour stops in Sweet Home for two performances: 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at Sweet Home High School, and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Hillside Fellowship, 501 Nandina St.
They will then perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Northwood Christian Church, 2425 Harvest Lane, Springfield. Free admission; donations accepted.
The International nonprofit organization Music for Life brings the tour to the U.S. with more than 50 stops across the country. The African Children’s Choir will perform popular children’s music, traditional spiritual songs and African cultural pieces.
The choir is composed of African children aged 10 to 12 years old who come from vulnerable backgrounds, hardships and lack of education, yet they represent the potential of the African child to become leaders for a better future. The choir is part of a larger, international, Christian organization called Music for Life, which provides thousands of impoverished children throughout Africa with the education, discipleship and leadership skills needed to rise above their conditions so they can bring positive, lasting change to their families, communities and countries.
“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” Choir Manager Tina Sipp said. “These concerts provide hope and encouragement, not just to our audiences, but to the children whose lives are forever changed by their experiences with the Choir.”
A full list of tour stops can be viewed at https://africanchildrenschoir.com/tour-dates/.
PEO Wreath Sale
PEO Chapter FA is selling fresh noble fir wreaths and poinsettias for order. The wreaths cost $25 and have cones, bows and added greens. Poinsettias come in red, pink, white and marble, and cost $10 (four-inch pot), $15 (six-inch pot), and $30 (eight-inch pot).
All orders must be prepaid by Nov. 10. For more information or order forms, contact Mary Betts at 541.409.3132 or Pam Heberle at 909.747.5094.
Free Band Concert
The Willamette Valley Concert Band will present a free Veterans Day Concert at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Lebanon High School Auditorium, 1700 S 5th St., Lebanon.
The concert, “Stars, Stripes and Harmonies Of Freedom,” will open with, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Emma Christensen will share the stage directing the band. Mike Merrill, an award-winning composer and founder of Two Bridges Music Press, will conduct alongside Evon Lightfoot, a recent graduate of Corban University. Both are auditioning for the artistic director position. The Willamette Valley Concert Band, a nonprofit, has about 60 members ranging in age from young adults to senior citizens. Donations are appreciated.
Livestock Association Meeting
Linn County Livestock Association will host its fall meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Brownsville Baptist Church, 27910 Seven Mile Lane, Brownsville. A chili dinner will be included with members’ $20 dues.
The LCLA meets twice a year. At this meeting they will update on topics such as predator control, weeds, farm services, soil, protein tubs, wool and the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, as well as hear from Linn County Sheriff about concerns.
Anyone interested in the livestock association may contact Lynden Brown at 541.258.8263 for more information.
Ag Expo
Willamette Valley Ag Expo will be held Nov. 14 to 16 at the Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Rd., Albany. There will be 200,000 square feet of exhibitors, equipment, seminars and classes. Admission is $4 per person; free parking. For more information, visit http://www.WVAexpo.com.
Skate Park
Youth Outreach
Jackson Street Youth Services will host “Skate Park After Dark” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Sweet Home skate park.
As part of National Runaway Prevention Month, the street outreach team will offer karaoke, hot food and drinks, rain gear, clothes, and resources for youth ages 10 to 24. For more information, text 541.745.4591.
Holiday Sparkle Bazaar
The American Legion Auxiliary Albany Unit 10 will host its sixth annual bazaar on Nov. 17 to 18 at 1215 Pacific Blvd SE, Albany.
Crafters, culinary creators and home-based business representatives are invited to share their goodies as the community begins holiday shopping. Vendors are currently wanted. For more information or to book your space, contact Michelle at 541.409.4170 or via email at [email protected]. Proceeds support programs for children and youth in Linn County.
Good Grief Event
The Sweet Home Evangelical Church will host a “Good Grief” event at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Sweet Home Evangelical Church, 1347 Long St.
The community event is organized by a team of locals who have experienced unimaginable losses themselves and wish to support those grappling with the profound pain of loss.
There will be two seminars, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, contact Jim Corley at (520) 401-0349.
Chili and
cornbread contest
St. Helen Knights of Columbus will host its annual chili and cornbread contest at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 600 6th Ave.
There is no charge to enter the competition or sample the entries. Donations accepted. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each, six for $5, or 25 for $20; available for purchase after Saturday and Sunday masses. Prizes include a handcrafted trout rod, wine, goody baskets, a bicycle, handmade crafts and more. Proceeds benefit annual K of C college scholarships and more.
For more information, call 541.223.1413.
Fire Dept. Sharing Tree
The Sweet Home Fire District hosts its annual sharing tree for the holiday season. Tags will start showing up on the tree beginning Nov. 6. Applications for your child are due Dec. 1 and available at https://bit.ly/47dfw1K Reminders for those submitting applications:
1) Make sure that the child’s other parent hasn’t already submitted an application. They can only be submitted once. And they must live with the parent submitting the application. Putting a child in twice puts them at risk of being taken out altogether. If you are unsure if they are already on the list, you can contact us to find out.
2) The child must live in the Sweet Home school district. If you don’t live inside the SHSD boundaries, you are not eligible.
3) If your child is over 12, you need to fill out an application at the PD.
4) Remember that people in our community are graciously providing gifts for your children so keep that in mind when giving gift suggestions. We will automatically delete suggestions for video games and gaming systems.
Gifts must be returned by Dec. 5. They will be delivered to the children Dec. 14-15. For more information, call 541.367.5882.
Holiday Bazaar
Sweet Home Genealogical Society announced its annual Holiday Bazaar is coming up and they are accepting reservations for vendors.
The bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, at 1223 Kalmia St. Tables/spaces can be rented at $20 for a five-foot table and $30 for an eight-foot table (price is for both days). Cash or PayPal accepted. To reserve a spot, call 541.818.0578 or email [email protected].
Cultural Coalition
accepting applications
The Linn County Cultural Coalition is accepting proposals for grants to fund projects involving the arts, the humanities and heritage activities in Linn County.
The LCCC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Oregon Cultural Trust, a statewide entity established to promote and strengthen cultural organizations and activities in Oregon. Through local coalitions such as Linn County’s, the Trust distributes funding to all 36 Oregon counties and nine federally recognized tribes.
The LCCC has $22,000 available for grants in 2024. Grants typically range between $250 and $2,000. Applicants may be awarded less than the full amount requested. The grants are available to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status. An organization or individual sponsored by a qualifying nonprofit may also apply. Full guidelines for applying are available at linnculture.org.
The deadline for completed grant applications is Feb. 2, 2024. The coalition board will review the applications and decide on awards within a few weeks of that date. Grant applications are available online at https://linnculture.org/our-grants/. Applications can be submitted online or sent by mail to the Linn County Cultural Coalition, P.O. Box 69, Albany, Oregon 97321. For further information, contact Rebecca Bond at (541) 928-0911.