Holiday events light up season in Lebanon area
November
Giving trees and toy drives: For those who want to buy gifts for children, holiday trees with recipient tags can be found at Lebanon Police Department, Walmart, Lebanon Community Pool, Lebanon Public Library, Valley Life Church, Calvary Chapel, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Lebanon Foursquare Church, Schmizza Pizza, Hollywood Studios, Hazella, and the UPS store. Gifts must be returned unwrapped and with tags attached. Return to the community pool Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m., or at Valley Life Church on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
CARDV accepts Christmas donations through Dec. 1 for survivors of domestic abuse. For more information, visit cardv.org/events/holiday-gift-program. The Lebanon Christmas Toy Program accepts donations at River Center, 3000 Santiam Hwy. Road Maggots will deliver Dec. 13 at noon.
Tree of Giving: The Lebanon Senior Center is hosting is sixth annual Tree of Giving program to support seniors who do not have family locally and who face hardship or isolation.
Area agencies can nominate seniors (50+) for the program. Applications will be available Nov. 16 through Dec. 18. A wish list is available for those who wish to contribute. Donations should be received by Dec. 21.
For more information, contact the Senior Center Office at (541) 258-4919.
Gift and Thrift Holiday Open House, Nov. 14: SafeHaven will host an open house at both its Gift and Thrift stores, including the Lebanon branch at 914 S. Second St. Stock up on holiday décor and Christmas goodies, and check out the storewide sale. The event includes prize basket drawings, holiday merchandise preview, design ideas and more.
Third Annual Holiday Sparkle Bazaar, Nov. 20-21: The Third Annual Holiday Sparkle Bazaar will be held at the American Legion Post, 1215 Pacific Blvd SE, Albany.
The bazaar, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Albany Unit 10, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.
Local crafters and home-based businesses will offer their creations and wares. Parking is available in the back, off 7th Street. COVID-19 precautions will be in place.
Your shopping helps support the auxiliary’s work for veterans, active-duty military and their families.
Turkey for Seniors, Nov. 24: Lebanon-area seniors can score a free turkey dinner this year as the Senior Center offers a drive-through-format banquet of turkey and all the trimmings.
Meals will be pre-cooked and just need a little reheating for the Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. Signing up is required before Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Recipients will be assigned staggered pick-up times to make for a smoother pickup process. Turkey dinner pick up will occur in the Senior Center front parking lot (follow signs for one-way traffic flow) on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
For more information or to sign up, call (541) 258-4919.
Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 25: The Lebanon Soup Kitchen serves a Thanksgiving meal from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at 170 E. Grant St.
Candy Cane Express Santiam Excursion Train, Nov. 28 – Dec. 20: The railroad hosts a one- hour train ride with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Tickets are $18-24; purchase tickets ahead of time online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/candy-cane-express-2020/dates.
December
Gingerbread House Contest, Dec. 1: Holidays in the Park staff invite families to decorate a gingerbread house and submit a photo of it by Dec. 1. For more information, visit online at Facebook.com/Holidaysinthepark.
Holidays in the Park, Dec. 5: Holidays in the Park This year’s theme for Holidays in the Park at Ralston Park is “A Whoville Christmas,” and will be lit up at dusk on Dec. 5. Due to COVID, visitors may view the display as they drive by on Park Street.
The event will be streamed online during the first week of December, including the Holiday Tour of Homes, music and announcement of winners.
For more information, contact Dala at (541) 619-0606.
Zoom with Santa, Dec. 5: Holidays in the Park staffers made special arrangements for Santa to Zoom with children who want to talk to him. To schedule a call, send a direct message on the Facebook page at Facebook.com/Holidaysinthepark.
VIP Candy Cane Express, Dec. 11, 18: Kids can experience a special moment with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on this train ride from 6 to 8 p.m.
The experience includes a catered buffet, treats, and a gift from Santa Claus. Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Tickets are $60-80; purchase online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/vip-candy-cane-express/dates.
Christmas quilt raffle, Dec. 15: A raffle drawing will take place for a queen-size blue and white quilt made by R. Nicholas. Proceeds will be used for Christmas food baskets for families working with the Linn County Juvenile Department.
Tickets cost $5 each or $10 for three, and can be purchased before Dec. 15 at the Linn County Juvenile Department. For more information, call (541) 967-3853.
Dec. 18 Deadline for Christmas Toy Program: Applications for the Lebanon Christmas Toy Program at River Center Church is due. For more information, call (541) 451-1271, or visit Facebook.com/groups/LebanonToyProgram.
Ugly Sweater Express, Dec. 19: Find the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear for this adult-only train ride from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-48, and includes appetizers, music, photo booth. A full bar will be available.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/ugly-sweater-express-2019/details.
Christmas Dinner, Dec. 25: The Lebanon Soup Kitchen serves a Christmas meal from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at 170 E. Grant St.
January
New Year’s Dinner, Jan. 1: The Lebanon Soup Kitchen serves a New Year’s meal from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at 170 E. Grant St.
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B&G Club to hold Mask-Arade event
The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam will hold a Champions of Children Mask-Arade fund-raiser beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in both Lebanon and Sweet Home.
The event will include a live auction and dinner from 7 to 8 p.m. and live music from 8 till 10.
Appetizers, dinner and live entertainment are included in the admission – $1,200 for a table of six, in-person, or virtually (two adults) for $300. Virtual attendees will have access to the silent and live auctions via their tablets or smartphones. Their appetizers and drinks will be delivered.
Due to state mandates, capacity is limited for actual attendees.
For more information, contact Shyla at (541) 258-7105 or by email at [email protected].
City leaf pick-up; here are rules
The City of Lebanon has begun its annual curbside leaf pick-up, which runs through December.
To participate:
♦ Pile leaves in a row on your street a minimum of 18 inches away from the curb.
♦ Keep leaf rows less than 3 feet high.
♦ Do not block bike lanes, sidewalks, pathways, mailboxes, driveways or intersections with leaf piles.
♦ Place leaves separate from garbage cans and yard debris bins.
♦ Remove obstructions, such as basketball hoops and parked cars, to allow for leaf pick-up equipment to collect leaves.
♦ Crews will not pick up yard debris, tree branches, grass clippings, construction materials or garbage during leaf pick-up operations.
For more information, contact the city Public Works Department at (541) 258-4918 or email [email protected].
Virtual 5K to help ABC House efforts
ABC House is hosting a Virtual Holly Jolly 5K, its annual fundraiser, Nov. 21 – Dec. 6 in a nod to COVID safety, .
The 5K features a reindeer theme, complete with antlers and jingle bells for each participant. Sign up and complete the virtual 5K on your own or with your team (trail, hike or treadmill) any time between Nov. 21 and Dec. 6. (It’s more fun with friends.) All proceeds go toward ABC House’s efforts to help local children who are in crisis.
Packet pickup will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at ABC House, 228 SW 5th Ave., Albany.
Cost is $40 per person. If T-shirts or medals are not ready for pickup by Nov. 20, another pickup date will be held in December for late orders.
Register at raceroster.com/events/2020/33233/virtual-holly-jolly-5k.
For information, contact Leslie Fager at [email protected] or at (541) 926-2203.
Mystery solving for seniors planned
Residents 50 and older are invited to participate in a Zoom-format Mystery Team activity from 2 to 3:30 p.m Nov. 16 and 23.
“Unsolved Case Files puts you in the shoes of a cold case detective tasked with solving a murder that happened decades ago with only the original investigator’s case file. Think you can find out who really killed Jamie Banks on Nov. 20, 1992? Are you as good as the detectives on TV?
To be assigned to the case, call the Senior Center at (541) 258-4919.
Webinar on beating the holiday blues
Beat the holiday blues by joining an expert to delve into how our expectations impact our emotions and overall experience of the holiday season in a Zoom-format “Mind Matters” seminar from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, hosted by the Lebanon Senior Center.
Participants will learn how to recognize when expectations get in the way of feeling good, identify signs that change is needed, and explore tools to help change the way you think and perceive, so that you can get the most out of your holiday season.
Call 1-877-853-5247 (toll free) to get an emailed link or visit us02web.zoom.us/ j/83216198279 (Meeting ID: 832 1619 8279).
World of Work to offer career help
World of Work, a hands-on event for adults and youth looking to find a career or a job, will be held Nov. 20 and 21 in the Livestock Pavilion at Linn County Fair and Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E in Albany.
The free event includes hands-on displays and exhibits, and networking opportunities. Youth and adults are invited to attend and learn about Linn County’s keystone businesses and industries – transportation and warehousing, heavy and domestic construction, electrical, railroad, public safety, healthcare, real estate, automotive, production and manufacturing, graphic arts and robotics.
Sponsors and participants include: Weyerhaeuser, Papé Machinery, RAM Trucking, Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub, KnifeRiver, Rick Franklin Corporation, Albany Eastern Railroad, ENTEK, RELCO Truss, Canaga Point S, Briese Custom Concrete, Keller Williams Laura Gillott Home Team, McCallam Rock Drilling, Oregon Home Team at Premiere Property Group, Lebanon Fire District, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, PacificCorp, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Lebanon Police Department, NW Apparel and Graphics, The Skallywags robotics club, Boys & Girls Clubs and more.
Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.
For more information, visit www.wowlinncounty.com.
Local drives to boost blood supply
The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season.
The Red Cross will hold a blood donation session from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
The traditional slump in blood donations between Thanksgiving and New Year’s comes as the blood supply already faces challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. Required medical treatments and emergencies don’t pause for the holidays or a widespread coronavirus outbreak.
Make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Those who give blood during the Thanksgiving season, Nov. 25-28, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last.
For those who are unable to give in Lebanon on Nov. 25, six donation events also being held in Albany over the next two weeks. For details on those, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=97321.
Also, blood drives will be held in Lebanon on Dec, 9, at Crowfoot Baptist Church, 699 Cascade Drive, and on Dec. 10 at the Lebanon Safeway, 1983 Main St. For details on those, visit www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=97355.
