Library open on limited schedule
The Lebanon Public Library has opened to the public, on a limited schedule, as of June 15. Library staff will sanitize surfaces regularly, practice social distancing and quarantine returned materials.
Library hours will be from noon to 6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
Library patrons are encouraged to wear masks, but it is not required. Linn County Consortium Libraries are not sharing materials at this time, so patrons will be limited to Lebanon Public Library items only.
The library will limit occupancy to a maximum 25 percent capacity inside the building, and entrances will be monitored by library staff to ensure maintenance of occupancy levels.
Plexiglass shields have been installed at the circulation desk, as well as hand sanitizing stations, and floor markers to ensure the safety of patrons and employees.
Public access computers will be available but will be limited to 30-minute sessions. All computers stations will be cleaned after use. Use of study rooms will be limited to 1-hour.
The library will continue to provide curbside service to vulnerable members of the population during these hours: 10 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, contact the library at (541) 258-4926, visit www.LebanonOregon.gov/library, like the libary on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofLebanon or follow on Instagram at Lebanon_Library.
Playgrounds open in city parks
Lebanon has opened its city skatepark and playground structures in all city parks, in response to new directives from the state.
Courts used for sports involving physical contact will continue to be closed, according to a June 16 city announcement.
Signage will be posted at all parks identifying the symptoms of COVID-19 and requesting people to return home if they experience those symptoms, along with a contact number for help.
Business support during COVID-19
To better support local businesses during the COVID-19 health crisis, Linn-Benton Community College’s Small Business Development Center has created a new platform for virtual business forums, called Let’s Keep Connected.
The site offers three virtual town hall forums per week, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
Content will vary and include information on funding programs, other resources and updates, and Q&A sessions with SBDC Advisors and other local agencies and organizations.
Check it out at letskeepconnected.org and sign up for one of the upcoming town hall forums. All events are free, but registration is required.
More information is available at www.linnbenton.edu/extended-learning/small-business-development-center/index.php.
LBCC ‘Going into Business’ workshop
Linn-Benton Community College’s Small Business Development Center will offer a live remote workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11, on “Going Into Business.”
Instructor George Medellin will lead participants through the key elements of starting their own business: rules, regulations, financing, customers, markets and feasibility, and more. The workshop is free but registration is required.
For more information or to register, visit bizcenter.org/centers/linn-benton-sbdc/our-classes.
Gallery reopens, with reduced hours
Gallery Calapooia, a local cooperative arts venue, has re-opened, as of June 16. Reduced hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Virtual First Friday receptions are now held live on Facebook. See the gallery’s Facebook page for the next reception, July 3.
Gallery Calapooia, located in the historic Flinn Block in downtown Albany, and recently celebrated its 6th year of bringing fine art to the community. The gallery is the cooperative effort of 21 artists. Gallery Calapooia is a nonprofit organization and donations to it are tax-deductible. For appointments or more information, call (541) 971-5701 or visit www.gallerycalapooia.com.
Sr. Center offering limited services
Lebanon Senior Center is slowly re-opening, following the state’s approval of Linn County’s entry into Phase 2 of the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The center is offering one-on-one services, by appointment, which include foot care and reflexology, tech time, and more. Cleaning protocols will be in place, and participants will follow social distancing guidelines. The Senior Center will provide masks for those who don’t have them.
Starting the week of July 6, the Senior Center will offer some outdoor exercise classes and other small groups, with a maximum of 10 participants per class. A detailed schedule will be made available.
The Senior Center has been offering offering classes, groups and activities through Zoom, YouTube and Facebook over the past two months, she said, and will continue to do so. Seniors wishing to participate can get help by contacting the Senior Center.
The Senior Center will continue to be locked and only opened for the limited classes and groups scheduled. Senior Center staff are available by phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Also, the center will continue to offer grocery and prescription pick-ups for seniors and those whose immune systems are compromised. It is also continuing with its Friendship Phone Brigade, reaching out to seniors in the community, by phone, once or twice a week to chat and check in.
Follow the Lebanon Senior Center on Facebook, for the most up to date information, class schedules and information sharing.
Cyclists ride along McDowell Creek Road Saturday, June 13, during the 28th Annual Srawberry Century, which attracted 196 riders from across Oregon and as far away as Kansas. This year’s ride was by donation only, with proceeds going to the Linn County Food Bank. Riders started from the Lebanon Church of Latter-Day Saints because Lebanon High School facilities were closed. Routes ranged from a 13-mile Family Route to the Epic Century, which took riders through Crabtree to the Scio area, back through Lacomb and Berlin to Sweet Home, around Foster Lake and south to Brownsville, before returning to Lebanon.
Photo by Scott Swanson
Ribbon cutting at Three Bridges
Build Lebanon Trails will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Three Bridges project on the north end of Cheadle Lake from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 30.
The ribbon cutting will be held at the north entrance of the park, at the boat dock.
The free celebration marks the recent opening of the bridges located near the Cheadle Lake north parking lot. Donors who were instrumental in the procurement and placement of the bridges, a crucial link in Lebanon’s trail system, will be honored.
Since the first bridge was placed in position, on Dec. 10, 2018, the other two have been positioned and other necessary work has been done, leading to the opening of the route for trail users.
For more information, contact Rod at (541) 409-1302.
Star Spangled Celebration
The Lebanon Strawberry Festival and Western Display Fireworks will be presenting the Star Spangled Celebration – Fire in the Sky at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, from Cheadle Park.
Fire in the Sky fireworks will go higher in the sky this year so Lebanon residents can see them without leaving home.
“We are excited to be able to present a spectacular display of much larger and higher aerial bursts that can be seen from almost anywhere in Lebanon and still comply with social distancing guidelines.” said Cindy Kerby, board chairperson.
Parking will be strictly enforced. There will be no parking or gathering allowed at Cheadle Lake Park, on the trails throughout Cheadle Lake, or the surrounding areas. Parking will not be allowed on roadsides or along the highway. Illegal parking will not be allowed and parking laws throughout the city will be enforced. Community members are encouraged to enjoy the fireworks from the safety of their homes.
The walking path at Cheadle Lake will be closed starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, for the safety of the fireworks team and the community. Cheadle Lake Park will be closed starting at 6 p.m. to all guests.
For more festival updates and information, visit:
Website: www.lebanonstrawberryfestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebanonstrawberryfestival/
Email Us: [email protected]
Library summer reading program
Also, the Lebanon Public Library will be offering an abbreviated Summer Ready Program beginning July 1 and ending July 31.
Starting Wednesday, July 1, readers of all ages can pick up a reading log at the Library. Once the reading log is completed, participants may bring it back to redeem for a prize. Prizes this year include books, Franz Iced Animal Cookies and Springbank Farm u-pick blueberry coupons. Virtual Storytimes will continue throughout the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additional programming will include Take and Make Crafts for teens and adults and a few other fun surprises.
For more information, call the Library at (541) 258.4926, go to www.LebanonOregon.gov/library , like us on FaceBook at ww.facebook.com/CityofLebanon or follow us on Instagram at Lebanon_Library.