Be part of emergency response
Linn County residents are invited to step up and make a real difference by joining the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sponsored by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
CERT volunteers help their neighbors when it matters most, which includes supporting emergency operations, sharing preparedness information, and strengthening community resilience. The program offers free training, hands-on skills, and meaningful opportunities to serve.
Learn more and apply at https://buff.ly/wD04Smh. Questions can be directed to Meghan Becker at [email protected] or Shari Barrett at [email protected].
Free trees for Sweet Home kids
Sweet Home Public Library in partnership with Neighborhood Forest is giving Sweet Home kids a free tree sapling to celebrate Earth Day.
Families can sign up now through March 15 to reserve a tree, which will be available for pickup at the library during Earth Day Week (April 22). There are three easy ways to get involved: register a child for a free tree, purchase a tree if you don’t have a child (a “Buy One, Fund One” program), or help sponsor trees for local kids – just $5 puts a tree in a child’s hands. Learn more and sign up at NeighborhoodForest.org/registration-services/?school=156576.
Lunch for seniors
St. Helen Catholic Parish invites the community to a senior citizen lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the church, 600 6th Ave., Sweet Home. For more information, call 541-367-2530.
Advanced directives for believers
St. Helen Catholic Parish will host “Life Affirming Advanced Directives,” presented by Dr. Ruth Hayes-Barba at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the church, 600 6th Ave., Sweet Home. For more information, call 541-367-2530.
Lebanon garden beds available
Porter Park Community Garden in Lebanon has 15 raised garden plots available for rent.
The Community Garden was built by the city to give Lebanon residents a place to garden and promote a healthy community through fresh garden-grown produce and enjoy a community of gardeners.
Located at 2240 Porter St., the rental plot includes soil, compost, water, basic gardening tools to use on-site, and support from Master Gardener and Community Garden Coordinator Sheryl Casteen.
Impromptu garden classes or mentoring available upon request. Application documents can be found at LebanonOregon.gov/535/Porter-Park-Community-Garden, or send an email request to [email protected].
Foster Road to be
closed Feb. 9-12
The road over Foster Dam will be closed Feb. 9-12 as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance workers perform spillway gate inspections.
Vehicles will not be able to pass during that time until completion of the project.
For more information, contact Lisa Maguire at (54) 623-1338.
Nonprofit Summit
Feb. 12 in Albany
The annual Willamette Valley Nonprofit Summit returns Thursday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at YMCA, 3201 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany.
The one-day summit includes keynote speakers and breakout sessions to fuel nonprofit success. Speakers this year are Marion Clark Jr. and Coach Mary Stade, both of Willamette Valley Jaguars. Breakout sessions include topics on grant writing, nonprofit law, board engagement and more.
Cost is $32 per person if registered by Jan. 31, after which time the price is $42. Register online at https://bit.ly/3YuqPA4.
Bake sale Feb. 13
at Willamette Manor
Willamette Manor will host a bake sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at 176 W. C St. in Lebanon.
Buy red velvet, carrot, chocolate, vanilla or tuxedo cakes and sweetheart cookies. Chocolate-dipped strawberries are also available. Costs range from $12 to $24. Proceeds support life enrichment programs and activities for seniors.
Pre-orders are recommended by Feb. 9. Limited quantities will be available the day of the sale.
For information or to pre-order, call (541) 405-4859.
Valentine’s Brunch
at Sweet Home VFW
Sweet Home VFW will host a Valentine’s Brunch fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Veterans Club, 580 Main St.
Tickets are $25 for the Brunch Buffet, with an add-on Mimosa Bar for $10. Also, a VIP ticket including both, plus five raffle tickets, is available for $30 per person. VIP tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Others are available at the door.
In addition to a buffet spread that includes sweet (pastries, waffles and pancake bites, yogurt and fruit), savory (fritatta squares, bacon and sausage, quiche and breakfast potatoes) and “grazers” fare (a charcuterie board and bagels), the event will include raffle basketball and prizes.
Proceeds benefit the Kids Christmas Store. For information, contact the VFW at (541) 972-8556.
Sweetheart Valentine Dance
Riverview PTC and Explosion Dance Team will host a Sweetheart Valentine Dance from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Riverview School, 1011 Mountain River Dr., Lebanon.
There will be music, prizes, dancing, pizza, concessions and professional photos. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person, $20 max per household.
Seedling Sale, Woods
Fair Feb. 14 at Expo Center
Linn County Small Woodlands Association will hold its annual Seedling Sale and Woods Fair from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Linn County Expo Center.
The seedling sale will offer a limited number of Oregon white oak and dwarf Oregon grape seedlings on the day of the sale, as well as the opportunity for buyers to pick up plants they have pre-ordered.
The Woods Fair will offer a variety of quality local wood work – jewelry, kitchen utensils, bird boxes, walking sticks and even chess sets in past years. Also included are staffed informational booths that can be useful to tree growers. To register as a vendor, email [email protected] or text (541) 223-3935.
Profits from the sale fund college and 4-H scholarships.
Volunteers are always welcome. Volunteer by emaiingl [email protected].
Seed Swap Feb. 17
at Lebanon Library
The Santiam Food Alliance’s annual seed swap and gardeners’ gathering will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St.
Admittance is free and all are welcome. Bring seeds to share, if you have some. Tubers and other roots are welcome, too, provided they are wrapped or clean. Be sure to bring envelopes and a pen so you can collect seeds shared by other gardeners.
This year’s Seedy Tuesday will open with a presentation by Linda Ziedrich on unusual vegetables and how to grow and use them, based on her book “The Curious Kitchen Gardener,” which was published last spring by Timber Press. Seeds will be available for most or all of the varieties she discusses.
The event will also include a Master Gardeners’ advice table and an information table staffed by the Lebanon Garden Club.
Seedy Tuesday is a project of the Santiam Food Alliance, with co-sponsorship by the Lebanon Public Library, the Lebanon Garden Club, and Linn County Master Gardeners.
For more information about the Santiam Food Alliance, visit santiamfood.org or the Santiam Food Alliance Facebook page.
Republic manager to
talk recycling at lunch
Julie Jackson of Republic Services will speak on Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act during the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Forum Lunch Friday, Feb. 27, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
The event runs from 11:30 to 1 p.m. and includes networking opportunities, drawings and a 50/50 raffle. Cost is $23 for chamber members, $30 for future members.
Jackson, the company’s municipal manager, will discuss changes in how materials are collected, sorted and paid for under the new state law, passed last year, and how those changes impact local businesses.
To RSVP, visit www.lebanon.chamber.org or call (541) 258-7164.
Woodland management
training offered by OSU
Oregon State University is offering Master Woodland Manager training starting March 5 through its Forestry and Natural Resources Extension.
This is a high-level course for private landowners who are interested in an intensive forest management training and sharing the knowledge gained through this training with people in their local communities.
Basic experience or knowledge in entry-level forest ecology and/or management is required.
Each session will be held every other week from March through May and will be outdoors at
various woodland locations throughout Linn, Benton and Polk counties. Instructors will include
forestry service agencies and organizations, OSU faculty, and a number of other local
professionals.
Advanced registration is required, as capacity is limited. For additional details and cost, and to register, visit https://beav.es/x2K, email Crystal Kelso at [email protected] or
call (541) 730-3539.
Rural Living Day
returns March 7
Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program will hold its annual Rural Living Day Saturday, March 7, at Junction City High School.
The event provides rural landowners and stewards an opportunity to learn about a variety of
subjects such as composting, soils and pastures, hay assessment, weed management, tree identification, septic systems, chainsaw safety, food preservation and more.
Morning refreshments will be provided. Participants should bring their own lunches or plan accordingly.
Advanced registration is required as capacity is limited. For additional details and to RSVP, visit https://beav.es/RLD, email Crystal Kelso at [email protected] or call (541) 730-3539.
America’s anniversary
contest for kids
The Santiam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution encourages students to enter the America 250! contest for a chance to win a field trip across the nation in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, July 4, 2026.
The contest invites students in grades 3 thru 12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them for an opportunity to travel to some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
The question is: What does America mean to you?
Submit artwork, including physical art through a high-res photo, or a short written response (up to 100 words for grades 3-5, 250 words for 6-8, and 500 words for 9-12). Artwork attachment should not be larger than 30MB and must be in one of the following file formats: PDF, JPG, PHG, or HEIC. See Official Contest Rules for full details.
Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 30. Students under age 18 must have a teacher, parent or legal guardian upload the entry through the submission portal.
For more information and to apply, visit America250.org/fieldtrip/application/
Lebanon winter
farmers market
Lebanon Downtown Farmers Market will open its Winter Farmers Market on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. until March 27 at the Santiam Place Event Center, 139 S Main St., Lebanon.
SNAP match up to $20. To be a vendor, email [email protected] with your information and, if approved, we will send you an application link.
Saturday Market
monthly in SH
Third Saturday Markets are returning this year, starting Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Church of the Nazarene, 415 Holley Road.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The monthly event will run through April, featuring local vendors and all sorts of goodies.
Baby and Preschool Storytime
Lebanon Public Library’s storytimes will continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 55 Academy St.
Baby and Me StoryTime is held at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. This is designed for ages 0 to 24 months and their caregivers. Those that attend will enjoy interactive time with their child through stories, finger plays, rhyme time and more.
Preschool StoryTime is held at 10 a.m. every Thursday. This allows children 3 years old through kindergarten to explore their world interactively through books, songs, finger plays and crafts.
For more information about storytimes at the Lebanon Library, call 541- 258-4926, visit www.ci.lebanon.or.us/library, or follow the library on social media.
Second annual Lebanon Powwow
The second annual Lebanon Powwow will be held on Saturday, May 30, at Lebanon High School, 1700 S 5th St.
This is a family-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free cultural event that is free and open to the public.
The powwow is coordinated by Laurie Regalado through the Native American / Alaska Native Education Program. The purpose of the event is to celebrate and share Native culture, honor traditions, uplift Native youth, recognize elders and graduating seniors, and bring the broader community together in a respectful and educational way.
The event will include grand Entry and powwow dancing, drumming and singing, special dances – including tiny tots, cultural and educational components, and Native vendors offering handmade items, art and food.
Vendor applications are currently being accepted. For an application, email [email protected].
Additional details, including the full schedule, will be shared closer to the event date.
Square dance lessons
open to public
Lebanon Square Circlers offers square dance lessons Sundays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
No experience required. The first class is free and cost thereafter is $6 per person or $15 per family. All ages are welcome.
Shaun McKamey will be the caller/instructor.
Square Circlers also hold dances on the first and third Saturday nights of each month at the Lebanon Senior Center.
For more information, call (541) 401-9780 or visit www.lebanonsquarecirclers.com.
Church seeks hygiene help
Crowfoot Baptist Church operates a hygiene supply program for families in need. They are in need of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, hand soap, feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads), razors, shaving cream, dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, bleach, toilet paper, garbage bags.
To donate, or for more information, call (541) 258-3138, or visit the church during open hours (T, W, Th, and Sun from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m) at 699 Cascade Drive.
Suicide loss support group
Lebanon Area Mental Health Alliance hosts a Suicide Bereavement Support Group every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 Santiam Hwy. in conference room 1 and 2. Park and enter at the back of the building.
For anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one by suicide, struggles with previous attempts or attempts from a loved one, or if suicide has had an impact on your life.
A licensed mental health therapist will facilitate the meetings. For more information, contact Dave Butler at (541) 936-2580 or via email at [email protected].
Animal rescue
helpers needed
Linn County Animal Rescue needs volunteers for its nonprofit work outside Lebanon. For those interested in a rewarding time spent with animals, consider joining LCAR which has horses, minis, cows, sheep and senior dogs. There are two shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Volunteers can work with the livestock or dogs, or both.
Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed. For more information, visit lcarhorse.org or call (541) 258-3422.
Urgent need for Meals
on Wheels delivery
Meals on Wheels of Sweet Home is in urgent need of volunteer drivers, delivering free meals to local seniors and disabled adults in the Sweet Home area.
Delivery days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The role is best suited for people available in the mid-day, as meals go out at noon. Volunteers work one to two days a week for about 2.5 hours each shift.
Meals on Wheels is managed by Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments and operated by local volunteers. Volunteers package fresh meals in the kitchen and the drivers deliver them. Many local people count on this food as a primary source of nutrition.
Email to [email protected] or call Heidi at 541.812.6015. Each volunteer must fill out an application and complete a background check.
Museum needs
help from locals
East Linn Museum is seeking volunteers and items that are needed for the operation of the museum.
The museum needs volunteers for its operations to replace retiring volunteers. New volunteers are not required to know anything about the museum or how to operate a computer. The museum operates three days a week from Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Supplies needed by the museum include: copy paper, postage stamps, legal size envelopes, paper towels, toilet paper, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner and Ajax.
For more information, call the museum at (541) 367-4580.
Free dinners on Mondays
Sunshine Industries invites the public to a free dinner every Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 1333 Clark Mill Road. Because everyone matters.
Free health
clinic Tuesdays
The East Linn Community Clinic is held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 1600 Main St. in Lebanon.
This is a medical clinic that provides primary and acute medical care for under- or uninsured individuals. On select nights, Western U COMP-NW offers osteopathic manipulative medicine to treat chronic and acute pain. Patients may walk in or schedule appointments.
For more information, call (541) 758-3000 ext. 115.