Upcoming City Meetings
These are regularly-scheduled meetings. Sometimes the dates or times are changed due to schedule conflicts among members, work session additions, holidays, etc. Last minute changes do occur at times. Please check the governing board’s website for updated information and agendas.
Lebanon Planning Commission: Wed., July 15, 6 p.m. at Lebanon Library, 55 Academy
Sweet Home Planning Commission: Thur., July 16, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Sodaville City Council: Thur., July 16, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 30723 Sodaville Road.
Sweet Home Park & Tree Committee: Tue., July 21, 4 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Sweet Home Fire Board: Tue., July 21, 6:30 p.m., at 1099 Long St.
Brownsville Fire Board: Tue., July 21, 6:30 p.m., at 600 E Blakely.
Sweet Home City Council: Tue., July 28, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Brownsville City Council: Tue., July 28, 7 p.m., at City Hall, 255 N Main St.
Sweet Home Community Health Committee: Wed., July 29, 4 p.m., at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
The New Era publishes announcements of upcoming events at no charge, as space permits. Free and nonprofit events are prioritized, but free services or events offered by for-profit businesses will also be included as space permits. To submit an event, email information (description, location, date, time and any other necessary details, as well as contact information for questions) to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event. Questions? Call (541) 367-2135 or send a message to the above email.
Class of 1971 reunion
The Class of 1971 will hold its 55th class reunion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at the Claud Cox Shelter #1 in Linn County Parks in Waterloo, near the corner of 2nd and Kay Street.
Lunch of catered sandwiches and salads will be served at noon, and a group photo will be taken at 1 p.m.
Please RSVP, and share any allergies by emailing [email protected].
Summer movies at
Sankey Park in SH
The Sweet Home Public Library will host Movies in the Park from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on the following days at Sankey Park, 847 14th Ave. Free to the public, snacks included.
July 17 – Hoppers
Aug. 14 – National Treasure
LCSWA summer
picnic Saturday
Linn County Small Woodlands Association will host its annual summer picnic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Fun Forest, on Berlin Ridge.
The event, sponsored by Jim Cota and Mike Melcher, is open to the public and is free, but registration is required and limited. Drinks and lunch will be provided.
Recreation equipment will be available for children as well as a bow-shoot course in the surrounding forest. The day will include review of a recent thinning project and a look at some old logging equipment at the award-winning property.
Registration is required at linncountyswa.com/event/lcswa-annual-summer-picnic and the exact address will be provided at that time. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
Christmas in July
this Saturday
Mrs. Claus and the Elves will host “Christmas in July” from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, at the American Legion, 109 W Holley Rd., Sweet Home.
The free family event will have hot dogs, gingerbread house decorating, cookie decorating, a North Pole knockdown, hidden elf game, teen photo scavenger hunt, toy donation bin, silent auction, kids activities, and door prizes.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to greet children with candy canes and small stuffies.
Summer Bands & Brews
at Strawberry Plaza
Conversion Brewing will host its annual series of Summer Bands & Brews on Saturdays at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Plaza, 847 S Main St., Lebanon.
July 18 – Pinstock and Ludicrous Speed Ska Revue
July 25 – Ruby and the Ramblers
Aug. 1 – Schwing
Aug. 15 – DTW
Aug. 22 – Arthur Buezo
Aug. 29 – Blessed Relief Jazz Trio
For more information, visit ConversionBrewing.com/upcoming-events.
LCSWA to hold
tour at Fun Forest
Antique logging equipment will be on display during a tree farm tour July 18 sponsored by the Linn County Small Woodlands Association.
The award-winning Fun Forest is the site for the annual LCSWA Summer picnic. Jim Cota and Mike Melcher will host the event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Fun Forest Barn on Upper Berlin Drive.
Drinks and lunch will be provided. Recreation equipment will be available for children. A bow-shoot course is available as well.
Cota will provide tours of a recently thinned 120-acre Douglas-fir stand. About half the stand was thinned in March. A 20-passenger trailer will be available for the thinning tour.
Cota, along with Scott and Robbie Melcher, were the Oregon tree farmers of the year and the top western states tree farmers in 2010.
The public is welcome. Registration is required. See www.linncountyswa.com for more details.
Activities at the
Healing Gardens
Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation invites people to enjoy the hospital’s Japanese healing gardens through several upcoming opportunities. To register, or for more information, contact Brandy O’Bannon at [email protected]. Or register online at samhealth.org/LebanonHealingGardens.
Aug. 14 and Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. – Garden Tour: One-hour guided garden tour, starting at the koi pond gazebo, Boulder Falls Event Center. Learn about the garden’s history, design and care while exploring both gardens. No registration required.
Aug. 17 and Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. – Stroll for Well-Being: An independent walking and journaling program designed to support mindful reflection. Journals provided during orientation session.
July 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Family Day: (11-12:30) – Children 6-12 are invited to this “storigami” experience to learn traditional Japanese paper folding while listening to a story read by paper artist Yuki Martin. (1-3) – Parents and children can enjoy a garden bingo activity and art project for glass plant stakes. (1-4) – Bonsai expert Lee Cheatle will lead a private bonsai class for adults 18 and over; small fee required for take-home bonsai.
Clothing donations
requested in Lebanon
Avamere of Lebanon is looking for donations for a BOO-tique they will hold for residents in October.
They seek donations of gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, purses, costume jewelry, hangers, shopping bags, clothing racks or rolling garment racks, and holiday-themed clothing.
Staff want to provide a fun (free) shopping experience to help their residents feel confident and comfortable while giving them the joy of shopping for themselves and boost their holiday spirit.
Donations can be dropped off from 1-3 p.m. on July 20-24 at the facility, 350 S 8th St. in Lebanon. There will be a barrel for donations in the front lobby.
Lebanon Concerts in the Park
The Lebanon Downtown Association will host free Concerts in the Park on Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. at Academy Square Park, 25 Academy St., Lebanon.
July 21 – The Koz Band (classic rock ’n’ roll)
July 28 – Disclaimer Band (rock ’n’ roll)
Aug. 11 – Jackson Michelson (country)
Aug. 18 – Brian James & The Revival (blue & soul with a punch)
Aug. 25 – The Strange Tones (blues noir)
For more information, visit LebanonDowntownAssociation.com
Native American
encampments in parks
A Native American Cultural Encampment will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 24-26, at Waterloo County Park, 39510 Gross St., and Aug. 28-30 at Cascadia County Park, 48241 Cascadia Dr., Cascadia.
Cultural encampment is a group of Native Americans from different parts of the U.S. gathering together and making village-type settings with tipis and tents as they share their individual cultures and traditional information with the community.
Activities include craft classes, Pow Wow style dancing, vendor booths, flute playing, family activities, and a lunchtime feast on Sunday.
For more information, visit naculturalencampment.org.
Jesus Festival making
return to Sweet Home
The second annual Jesus Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, in Sweet Home.
The event will include entertainment and activities, music and discourse, as well as a chance to interact with representatives of local churches. Admission is free and this is a come-and-go style event.
Saturday’s activities will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at Sankey Park, 877 14th Ave., and will include games and activities, including a bounce house and a RC racetrack, food, live music, a sermon by Derek Ader, and raffle prizes.
A community worship service will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday at Husky Field, 1012 22nd Ave. Praise in 3D will perform, and Isaac Hovet will speak.
For more information, visit celebratejesusfestival.org.
Lebanon Movies at the Mill
The Lebanon Downtown Association will host free Movies at the Mill on Fridays from 8-11 p.m., located at the old Scroggins Mill, 280 W Sherman St., Lebanon. Movies begin at dusk.
July 24 – Footloose (PG)
July 31 – Hook (PG)
Aug. 14 – How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
Aug. 28 – Grease (PG)
For more information, visit LebanonDowntownAssociation.com
Foster Dam road
closure July 29-30
The road over Foster Dam will be closed Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30.
Closures will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The road will be closed in order to conduct an inspection of the dam.
For additional information or questions, call (541) 942-5631.
Lebanon City
Council Filing
The position of mayor and three city council positions will be on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. City council positions are four-year terms; the mayor serves a two-year term.
The deadline to file as a candidate ends at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31. City officials with terms expiring Dec. 31, 2026:
Mayor of Lebanon – Currently held by Kenneth Jackola
Councilor Ward I (Oak Creek Precinct) – Currently held by Marcellus Angellford
Councilor Ward II (Pioneer Precinct) – Currently held by Dave Workman
Councilor Ward III (Santiam Precinct) – Currently held by Michelle Steinhebel
To qualify for candidacy, you must be a qualified elector, have resided in the City of Lebanon for six months immediately preceding the election on Nov. 3, are not an immediate family member of a city employee or seated elected officer, and live in the ward for which you are a candidate.
For more information, visit LebanonOregon.gov/wardmap-interactive. For questions, contact City Recorder Julie Fisher at (541) 258-4905 or email [email protected].
Mental health first aid classes
Linn County Health Services offers free Mental Health First Aid classes in Albany.
Registration is open for the following classes. Certification is provided. You must be 18 years or older to participate.
Adult Mental Health First Aid – Monday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Linn County Armory Building, 104 SW 4th Ave., Albany.
Adult Mental Health First Aid – Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mennonite Village, Lakeside Center, 2180 54th Ave., Albany.
Youth Mental Health First Aid – Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Linn County Armory Building, 104 SW 4th Ave., Albany.
For more information, or to register, visit LinnTogether.org/community-training/.
Classic car show
Lebanon Downtown Association will host its fifth annual Classic Car Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, in the Lebanon downtown core. The event includes a car competition, music and pin-up contest.
For more information, contact the LDA at 541-497-1415.
Mobile produce and health clinic
Volunteers are needed to help with free a Produce Market and Mobile Health Clinic held every last Wednesday of the month through October from 4-6 p.m. at Sweet Home Church of the Nazarene, 415 Holley Road, Sweet Home.
The next event is Wednesday, July 29.
Participants can receive fresh produce and access to services through a mobile health clinic at no cost. Help is needed to make it happen.
For more information, contact Tina Dodge at [email protected] or call (541) 730-3541.
Lebanon City-Wide
Garage Sale
Lebanon will hold its City-Wide Garage Sale Saturday, Aug. 15.
To sign up (for free), visit lebanoncitywidegaragesale.com.
Storytime at
Lebanon Library
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.
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.
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].
Church seeks help with hygiene supplies
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.
VFW open events
The VFW & AUX Post #3437 invites the public to its open house events, located at 580 Main St., Sweet Home.
Breakfast every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Poker night every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Karaoke every second and fourth Friday
Cook-Off competitions once a month