The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Nurturing parenting class

Family Tree Relief Nursery offers a free “Nurturing Parenting Class” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at 3111 S Main St. Transportation assistance and childcare is available. Dinner included. The program features activities to foster positive parenting skills with nurturing behaviors, promote healthy physical and emotional development, and teach appropriate role and developmental expectations.

For more information, contact Emilia at 541.967.6580.

Community Dinners

From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunshine Industries is throwing a free dinner every Monday night. It is open to all, and free at 1333 Clark Mill Road.

Master Food Preserver training

Monday, Sept 18, all applications are due for the multi-county hybrid training for the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Food Preserver program. In this training program, applicants will learn food safety in the home kitchen, science of home food preservation, research-based methods of food preservation, food security, the community food system, adult education models and best practices in volunteerism. This training is being offered in the following counties: Benton, Columbia, Clackamas, Douglas, Lane, Linn, Marion and Polk counties. Apply to be a volunteer at https://beav.es/TmH. Orientation will be held 6-8 p.m. on Sept 19.

Farmers Market

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Public Parking Lot, 1141 12th Ave., Sweet Home. Local Farmers offer fresh, locally grown produce and products from their farms.

Two days of Oktobrewfest

Conversion Brewing hosts Oktobrewfest starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 and continues at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 833 S Main St.

Costumes are encouraged, and Oktoberfest foods will be available. Beer games run from 6-8 p.m. Music featuring Ty Curtis will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday. Drinks from Conversion Brewing, Calapooia Brewing, Tallman Brewing, 2 Towns Cider, and Vivacity Spirits.

Community Market

Saturday, Sept. 23, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Public Parking Lot 1141 12th Ave., Sweet Home. Calling all shoppers! Our Community Market has artists, food trucks, farmers, and vendors of any kind! All vendor spaces will be free, and open to sellers of all kinds. Register here: https://www.sweethomeor.gov/community/webform/community-market-vendor-registration

Senior Center Lunch

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm at the Sweet Home Senior Center 890 18th Ave., Sweet Home. Every Wednesday the Sweet Home Senior Center sells delicious hot lunches to the community. Senior Center membership is not required. $5.00 dine-in Served 11:30 ~ 12:30 $5.50 take-out Please call 541-367-4775 at least a day ahead if you’re picking up take-out for 3 or more lunches to ensure we have enough to serve everyone. Thank you **50 cents extra for take-out containers**

SafeHaven Rescue Roundup

SafeHaven hosts its annual Rescue Roundup fundraiser from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Albany Boys & Girls Club, 1215 Hill St. SE., Albany. Event includes dinner, and live and silent auctions with more than 200 items to bid on. Tickets cost $65 per person, or table sponsorships at $500. Purchase tickets online at https://safehavenhumane.org/event/roundup/. For more information, email steph@safehavenhumane.com.

Audition for a local play

The Art & Culture Committee of Sweet Home is holding auditions for “The Innkeepers” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Sweet Home Senior Center, 890 18th Ave., Sweet Home.

The committee is looking for people who like to sing, act, speak or play an instrument for this theater play that will be performed on Dec. 9-10.

The original stage production written by a Sweet Home resident is the story of the nativity as told from the perspectives of the innkeeper and his wife. There are also musical numbers throughout the program. The acting parts have very little to no speaking but the actors need to be animated in facial expressions and deliberate in body language. The narrators need to have good voices full of expression. We have narrators but also need back up ones in case of illness or emergency. We will need back ups for all parts, including singers as well. If you think you have what it takes and want to participate in something amazing, please join us at auditions!

For more information, contact Satina Tolman on Facebook or by texting 541.619.8651.

Harry Potter First Friday

Lebanon Mercantile hosts the “Back to Hogwarts” scavenger hunt, trivia night and costume contest for the Lebanon Downtown Association First Friday event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, 641 Main St.

Grab your wands, don your house colors and get ready for an evening of mystery, enchantment and wizarding wonder as you step into the magical world of Hogwarts.

Wear your finest robes, house scarves and wizarding attire to truly immerse yourself in the Hogwarts experience! Show your house pride as you interact with fellow Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. Le Cirque hosts a costume contest; judging starts at 6:30 p.m. for best in show, Harry Potter, Harry Potter 13 & under, and 13 & below all costumes.

Embark on a thrilling scavenger hunt across the grounds of downtown where you’ll encounter hidden clues, magical creatures and wizarding challenges that will test your knowledge and skills. Unravel the mysteries, solve the puzzles and collect house points along the way to win fabulous prizes.

Downtown eateries will keep you fueled throughout the night with magical treats and refreshing concoctions that will transport you straight to the wizarding world.

This event is open to witches, wizards and magical creatures of all ages.