Bingo fundraiser for Christmas store
A bingo fundraiser for the Sweet Home Kids Free Christmas Store will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at RezRock, 1621 53rd Ave., in Foster.
The event will raise money for this year’s 11th Annual Sweet Home Kids Free Christmas Store, to be held in early December. The event gives local children a chance to “shop” for gifts for their family members.
Bingo admission is $15 and players will receive four bingo cards. The event will also include door prizes, concessions and lots of fun. For more information, call (541) 409-4276.
Seed Swap at Lebanon Library
Santiam Food Alliance will host “Seedy Tuesday” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St.
This is an opportunity to swap seeds with other plant enthusiasts. Bring seeds or plants to share, or just bring yourself. Bring envelopes and a pen, any seeds you want to share, as well as well-wrapped plants, tubers and bulbs. There will be a presentation on gardens as pollinator habitats, 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.
Lebanon chorus seeks singers
The Lebanon Community Chorus is seeking singers as it starts its 2025 schedule.
Rehearsals have started at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Lebanon.
The Lebanon Community Chorus is an unauditioned, mixed-voice chorus often accompanied by piano. All voices are welcome. Participants should be able to carry a tune, enjoy singing, and can cooperate in a musical environment with others.
The chorus’ spring concert will be April 27. Director is Terence Madlangbayan and the accompanist is Bill Langdon.
For more information, visit lebanoncommunitychorus.org.
SHCF accepting grant applications
The Sweet Home Community Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the
2025 cycle beginning Feb. 15. The goal of the foundation is to provide funding
and support to worthwhile community organizations and projects in the Sweet Home area.
Special consideration is placed on projects that can demonstrate lasting benefits to our
community.
SHCF Community Grants are available for up to $10,000. Applications can be submitted
online from our website, giveshcf.org/grant2025 from February 15 through March 31,
2025.
Grant applicants must be a 501(c) 3 or other qualified tax-exempt organization or the
proposed project may be implemented in partnership or affiliation with such an
organization.
Grant funds are provided through the generosity of local businesses, individuals and the
Sweet Home Community Foundation-Tim and JoAnne McQueary, Leave a Local Legacy
Endowment.
Grant award recipients will be announced in April.
Learn about pollinators
The 11th annual BEEvent Pollinator Conference will be held March 1, at the Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E, in Albany.
This year’s speakers include: Abigail Lehner of U.C. Davis, who will speak on “The Houdini Fly: Management Best Practices;” Nina Miller, of the Oregon State University Garden Ecology Lab., who will speak on “The Hover Fly: Predaceous Pollinator?”; Dr. Silvia Rondon director of OSU’s Integrated Pest Management Center, who will speak on
Integrating Pest Management in our Daily Gardening Practices;” Linn County Master Gardener Rene Miller, who will speak on “Native Mason Bees;” and Dr. Gail Langellotto, director of OSU’s Garden Ecology Lab, whose topic will be “An Update from the Garden Ecology Lab.”
The event will give participants a chance to learn more about how to support pollinators for a sustainable future, and get updated information from experts’ focused research, which they can apply to their property. A Q&A session will be held after each speaker.
Mason bee kits and other native bee supplies will be available for purchase, as well as Willamette Valley-raised cocoons. Also in attendance will be local vendors and related non-profits.
Sunshine Industries fundraiser March 1
Sunshine Industries will hold its annual fundraising dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at 1333 Clark Mill Road.
The event will include raffle prizes, a silent auction, dinner and a bar serving beer and wine.
Sunshine Industries provides a social and work environment for adults with developmental disabilities and serves a wide client base throughout east Linn County.
For more information, call 541.367.2765.
Mini Market Moves Location
The 3rd Saturday Mini Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 15 at Church of the Nazarene, 415 Holley Rd.
Vendors offer items such as sourdough bread, soaps, crafts, jewelry, cookies and wellness products.
Art show at City Hall
A new art exhibit is on display in the City Hall Gallery, 3225 Main St. featuring work of local artist Colene Wiley.
Wiley specializes in very fine line and pointillism ink, and watercolor pencil graphics. Many of her creations focus on animals. City Hall is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, except for legal holidays.
Rock and Mineral Show March 29-30
The 75th Annual Sweet Home Rock and Mineral Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, at Sweet Home High School.
This year’s theme will be “Knock on Wood.”
The event, hosted by the Sweet Home Rock and Mineral Club, includes raffles and door prizes, lots of rock and mineral displays, vendors, demonstrations, food and plenty of accessible parking.
Admission is $1 for adults and teens; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
For more information on how to participate, call 541.451.2740, 541.451.1577, or email [email protected].
Stage directors needed for 2025
Mid-Valley Productions, a non-profit live performing art and events company that aims to bring cultural, educational and entertaining experiences to the community, seeks directors for its 2025 season.
Last year MVP hosted 10 events, ranging from theatrical productions to documentary screenings to concerts at Russell Tripp Performance Center on the Linn-Benton Community College Albany campus.
For more information, email [email protected] by March 31.
Deliver for Meals on Wheels
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.
For more information or to apply, stop by the Senior Center, email [email protected], or call 541.812.6015.
Square dance lessons in SH
Sweet Home Squarenaders will host square dance lessons on Sundays from 2:45-4:30 p.m. at the Foster Elementary School gym, 5526 Poplar St.
First two lessons are free; $5 per lesson thereafter. No partner required. Mainstream level for beginners. Graduation in January. For more information, contact Rod Stidham at 541.367.4939.
Lebanon Library to Hold Author Fair
Friends of the Lebanon Public Library will host its second annual Author Fair, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
This year, Friends expects to have 12 speakers and more than 40 authors, providing a wide variety of genres including children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, sci-fi and fantasy, memoir, Oregon history, and more.
Attendees will have the chance to meet the authors, buy their books and merchandise; attend workshops, readings, and talks; connect with writers; and celebrate the literary talent in Oregon.
The Teen Advisory Group will also be there selling baked goods and snacks to raise money for teen programs at the library, while 3 Potato More’s food truck will be available for lunch options.
Please bring cash; some authors and the bake sale do not accept card payments.
Registration for authors to have a table is full, but to get on the waitlist, visit /www.lebanonlibraryfriends.org/author-fair. Proceeds from author tables benefit the Lebanon Public Library.
Powwow planned in Lebanon
The first annual Willamette Valley Powwow will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, at the Boulder Falls Event Center, 605 Mullins St.
Visit for traditional and contest dancing, drumming and singing, as well as Native arts and crafts, and food vendors. For more information, contact Laurie at [email protected].
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.
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.
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.
Farmers markets on Thursdays
Weekly winter farmers markets will be held Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. from Jan. 16 through March 27 at Santiam Place Event Center, 139 S. Main St., Lebanon.
For more information on how to participate, contact Belinda at (541) 418-2603 or [email protected].