First Fridays downtown
The Lebanon Downtown Association hosts its First Friday events from 5-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month. With a special theme each month, downtown merchants invite the public to participate in the event, check out their businesses and enjoy historic Lebanon.
Sept. 6: Crafters Night
Oct. 4: Harvest Festival
Nov. 1: Chili Cookoff, Shop Small
Dec. 6: Christmas in the Park
Ask Your Master Gardener
Linn County Master Gardeners will host a free Demonstration Faire from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 185 Main St., Brownsville.
Meet your Linn County Master Gardeners.”Master your Garden” is a new project designed to answer your questions. Ask about beginning gardening, plant problems, soil, compost, container gardening, seasonal gardening, storing seeds, insects, benefits of native plants, gardening for kids and more.
Also, tour the local community garden and check out the native plant sale.
Healing Gardens Concerts
ArtsCare hosts a new summer concert from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital’s Healing Garden, 525 N Santiam Hwy., Lebanon.
Linger as you eat, socialize, read or stroll through the gardens. Staff and volunteers will be available to offer tours and information about volunteer opportunities and upcoming garden activities. The series runs through Sept. 18, featuring Sabina Monn, and is open to all to attend.
The ArtsCare musicians who perform these concerts are specially trained to provide music in a healing environment. To learn more about ArtsCare, visit samhealth.org/ArtsInHealth.
Chorus Rehearsal Invitation
The Lebanon Community Chorus is inviting new singers for its upcoming winter performance season. Rehearsals begin Sept. 12 and are held every Thursday (holidays excepted) from 7-9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1955 S 5th St., Lebanon
Registration is $30 and can be done in person during the first three rehearsals, or online at lebanoncommunitychorus.org. Feel free to observe rehearsal first to get to know the group better before deciding to register.
Director Terence Madlangbayan will lead the chorus in a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” as part of the winter concert, “Reflections of Life,” which takes place Nov. 24. Bill Langdon is the piano accompanist. Previously, LCC was led by a community volunteer, but now there is a professionally trained music director to lead the small ensemble.
The LCC is made up of nearly 50 talented singers from Albany, Brownsville, Lebanon, Sweet Home and surrounding areas. This non-auditioned chorus is open to all voices 16 years and older.
For more information, send an email to [email protected], leave a voicemail at 541.730.3335, or contact Board President Doug Young at 541.570.5474.
Trails Work Day
Build Lebanon Trails will hold a work day on the Eagle Scout and Old Mill trails from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Meet at the Gill’s Landing parking lot off E Grant Street.
Team up with BLT and 44 North Credit Union for a morning of trail maintenance. Volunteers will be spreading gravel along the Eagle Scout Trail and doing landscape maintenance along the Old Mill Trail. Please bring rakes, shovels or wheelbarrows for spreading gravel. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants with appropriate footwear. Sorry, no dogs allowed on trail work days.
For more information visit buildlebanontrails.com.
Learn to Square Dance
Lebanon Square Circlers announces this year’s square dance lessons will start at 6:30-8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
Each class, held every Sunday, is $6 per person or $15 for a family of three or more; the first class is free.
No partner is required to participate. Organizers point out that modern square dance is a great way to get low-impact exercise, stimulate the brain, and have a lot of fun in a family friendly, and smoke- and alcohol-free environment. No previous dance experience is necessary.
Those who enjoy line and contra dancing are invited to check out “our brand” of American folk dancing. Classes are taught by Shaun McKamey. For more information, call 541.401.9780 or visit lebanonsquarecirclers.com.
Healing Japanese Garden Presentation
Hoichi and Michiko Kurisu will present “Japanese Gardens as Healing Spaces,” from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Boulder Falls Event Center, 605 Mullins Drive.
Renowned expert Hoichi and his daughter will talk about the history, philosophy and design principles of these exquisite landscapes, revealing how the elements of stone formations, plants and cascading waterfalls cultivate mindfulness and instill tranquility by engaging the senses.
The event is free to attend but requires registration due to limited seating.
To register, contact Brandy O’Bannon at [email protected].
Monthly Women’s Meeting
After 5 Connection will host its monthly dinner and program from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Ma’s Restaurant, 2416 S. Santiam Hwy., Lebanon.
This month’s presentation, “I Love Goat Soap,” will include Colette Kemper, of Midnight Oil Farms, a family owned and operated business making soaps and shampoos. She will share about the many wonderful products her farm produces and sells from fresh goat milk and other ingredients, oils and butters with specific properties that benefit skin and hair. You are sure to enjoy hearing all about this interesting farm and business.
Guest speaker will be Tracey Mason, from Kuna, Idaho, to speak on “That One Call.” “When life stops in unfamiliar places that you never wanted to visit, it can be traumatic.” Join Tracey in a journey where God’s mercy, love and provision were present when everything seemed to be plummeting.
Cost to attend and dine is $18; please no credit cards. For reservations, contact Sherri at 541.258.6414, or Nancy at 541.259.1396 or via email at [email protected].
Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applicants for the upcoming Citizens Academy, to be held weekly September to November.
The program offers a unique and detailed look into the dynamic operations of LCSO. The nine-week Fall academy runs from Sept. 18 to Nov. 13, held 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday. There will also be one Sunday field trip to the firearms range and Animal Control; date to be determined later.
Students are introduced to each of our divisions and specialty teams. They receive classroom instruction and hands-on training in areas such as patrol, detectives, corrections, firearms, defensive tactics, traffic enforcement, narcotics investigations, swift water rescue and dive recovery, prisoner transport, and search and rescue.
The atmosphere at the Citizens Academy is fun and informative for attendees 18 years and older. Applications will be considered for those as young as 16, provided they take part with a parent or guardian.
For more information, contact Community Services Specialist Michael Mattingly at [email protected].
Indigenous Historian Speaker
The Lebanon Museum Foundation will host David Lewis who will speak on the subject of his book, “Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley,” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St.
A member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Lewis is a researcher, writer and assistant professor of anthropology and Indigenous studies at Oregon State University. As the former cultural manager for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, he planned and designed the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center in Grand Ronde.
Lewis specializes in the history of the Kalapuyans and other Western Oregon tribes, and he often publishes his findings for any interested readers on his website, the Quartux Journal (https://ndnhistoryresearch.com/). He currently resides in the former Chemeketa, now Salem, with his wife and sons.
For more information, call Linda at 503.707.1539.
Tomatofest
Master Gardener Sheryl Casteen brings back the second annual Tomatofest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 28, at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St., Lebanon.
As many as 101 varieties of tomatoes were available to sample last year. The event includes food preservation techniques, seed swapping and vendors, as well as a Master Gardener Clinic table.
For more information, contact Sheryl Casteen via email at [email protected]. Do not call the Senior Center.
Flea Market & Festival
Lebanon Mercantile and Menge Made will host a Fall Festival from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 in the downtown corridor.
Vendors are invited to participate by contacting the hosts. The event includes a talent and variety show. Anyone who wants to participate may contact the hosts. Twisty the Great will be walking around the downtown area to make balloon animals and perform a magic show.
Harvest Festival
Sweet Home’s annual Harvest Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Sankey Park, 847 14th Ave.
Activities include pumpkin painting, tree climbing, kid zone games, face painting, photo booth, bouncy house and slide, and pie bake-off and chili cook-off contests. More than 60 vendors will be on site with crafts, goodies, gifts and treats.
Taste pie entries for $3; sponsored by the Park and Tree Committee, proceeds benefit park projects. Taste the chili entries for $5 per person or $10 per family. Sponsored by Radiator Supply House and the Road Maggot Motorcycle group, proceeds benefit the Sweet Home Kids Food Pak, providing weekend meals to around 130 local kids each week.
For more information, or to participate as a vendor or contest entrant, visit sweethomeor.gov/community/page/harvest-festival-2024-0.
Hogwarts Event
The Lebanon Mercantile will host its annual Back to Hogwarts event from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 641 and 661 Main St.
Free Clothing Closet
FISH of Lebanon invites residents to its First Monday Clothes Closet event every first Sunday/Monday of the month at the First Presbyterian Church, 145 W. Ash St.
The clothing closet is open from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. The next First Monday events will be Oct. 6-7, Nov. 3-4, and Dec. 1-2.
FISH’s clothing closet has grown tremendously since it began over a year ago, with 75-100 shoppers every month shopping for themselves, teen-age children, friends and extended family members.
In addition to adult clothes (x-small to 5X) and shoes, there are infant and toddler clothes and other donated items. Sometimes there are also blankets, children’s books and other treasures.
For more information, contact FISH, 541-259-3200.
Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ Market will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Thursdays until Oct. 17 at the corner of Main and Grant streets downtown.
Vendors are selling hot food, fresh vegetables, vegetable plants, baked goods, meat, eggs, honey, flowers, mushrooms, fruit and more.
Hygiene donations sought
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 Bereavement 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].