Holidays in the Park
TOUR OF HOME WINNERS are: Oaks of Lebanon, for Best Use of Theme; Dave Workman, for Best Use of Lights; and Lissette and Aaron, for Most Creative.
PARK TREE LIGHTING WINNERS are: Willamette Manor/Strawberrians, for Best Use of Theme; Faithful Friends, for Most Creative; and Gypsy Spirit Dancers, for Best Use of Lights.
Image from City of Lebanon
City conducting tree trimming
The City of Lebanon has begun hanging door hangers for its annual tree-trimming program.
Between December and March, city crews will be trimming trees, shrubs and other vegetation that encroach on city right-of-way.
The tree-trimming program provides safe and usable right-of-way for pedestrians, vehicles, and maintenance equipment in streets, sidewalks, and alleys by meeting Lebanon Municipal Code 12.16.040, which requires a clearance of 13 feet above streets and alleys, 14 feet above streets on truck routes and 8 feet above sidewalks.
Properties that have vegetation in the right-of-way will be left a door hanger notifying them of the need for trimming.
Property owners who receive a door hanger have two options for vegetation trimming to comply with city ordinances:
♦ Call Public Works at (541) 258-4918 or email at [email protected] and notify them you will trim the vegetation; or,
♦ Have city crews trim the vegetation to meet code at no charge.
When city crews trim the vegetation, they will only trim what is encroaching the right-of-way, which will leave a straight cut on your vegetation and trees. If you have trees or shrubs that require special trimming or you would like to have it trimmed evenly, it is recommended that property owners complete the trimming.
Christmas tree permits on sale
Christmas tree permits for the Willamette National Forest can be purchased through Dec. 31 at Recreation.gov or go.usa.gov/x7pMN.
As an added bonus this year, fourth- and fifth-grade students who have an Every Kid Outdoors pass can apply for a free Christmas tree permit through Recreation.gov by entering their voucher or pass number when prompted.
For those without internet service, Christmas tree permits may also be purchased in person in Lebanon from Bi Mart at 2680 Santiam Hwy., or from these vendors in Sweet Home: Coffee Hut at 2450 Main St., Dan-Dee Sales at 610 Main St., Bi Mart at 1980 Main St., and Foster Lake Mall at 5470 Highway 20.
Local vendors will not be able to provide Every Kid Outdoors tree permits or passes. Permits are $5 per tree, with a limit of five permits per household. Recreation.gov charges an additional $2.50 service fee per order. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also need to set up or login to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.
Maps, which indicate where Christmas trees may be harvested, are available at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fseprd564462. Closures are in effect at both the Holiday Farm, Beachie Creek and Lionshead fire areas, so check the “Alerts and Warnings” feature on the above website for information on closures.
Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly. Most forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Forest staff recommend bringing traction devices and a shovel, extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Additionally, bring a tool for cutting a tree and a rope or cord to secure it to a vehicle. Tree cutting and travel may take longer than anticipated. Let a friend or family member know where you are going, get an early start, and leave the woods before dark.
Santa to appear at local bakery
Colette Bakery and Bistro will host Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 661 S. Main St.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Santa will sit in the window of the bakery and will, with his trusty HoHoHo microphone, read wish lists and talk to children. Due to COVID restrictions, Santa cannot hold children and will remain behind glass. However, cameras are welcome.
Christmas bazaar ends Saturday
Dec. 17-19 will be the final weekend for the Light Up the Yuletide Bazaar, held at Camelia’s Candles, 764 Main St.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For details, call (503) 318-9658.
Raffle drawing for Christmas food
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.
Friday, Dec. 18, is the deadline to apply for the Lebanon Christmas Toy Program at River Center Church.
For more information, call (541) 451-1271, or visit Facebook.com/groups/LebanonToyProgram.
Ready to weigh in on local culture?
Local residents are asked to take a few minutes and weigh in on what they think about local culture.
As part of its review of its mission and priorities, the Linn County Cultural Coalition has invited the public to take a brief online survey about local culture.
The Linn County Cultural Coalition is a nonprofit corporation that promotes development of the arts, heritage, and humanities in Linn County through periodic distributions of grant monies from the Oregon Cultural Trust (culturaltrust.org), supplemented by local donations.
One of 45 countywide and tribal coalitions organized to ensure that Cultural Trust dollars reach every county in Oregon, the Linn County Cultural Coalition awards grants to fund a broad range of activities, including arts education, historical preservation, community theater, concerts, and library programs for toddlers and elders.
From 2005 to early 2020, the LCCC has distributed more than $178,000 among 87 Linn County organizations. Recently those total dollars more than doubled, when the Coalition distributed Linn County’s share of Oregon Emergency Relief funds to nonprofits hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Coalition encourages all Linn County residents to take the survey, whether or not they are involved in arts, heritage, or humanities organizations.
“We want to know what local cultural assets people value the most, and what they feel is missing in Linn County culture,” said Rebecca Bond, secretary for the Coalition’s board of directors.
“The responses to the survey will help us sort out our funding priorities. And answering the six questions should take only about 10 minutes.”
The survey period runs through Tuesday, Dec. 15. The survey is available at linnculture.org.
Bond encourages respondents to also explore the Coalition’s new website, at linnculture.org. It includes a directory of the county’s cultural organizations, at linnculture.org/cultural-resources.
Christmas train ride for children
Kids can experience a special moment with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the Candy Cane Express train ride from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.
The event includes a catered buffet, treats, and a gift from Santa Claus. Meets at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Tickets are $60-80.
Tickets can be purchased online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/vip-candy-cane-express/dates.
Ugly Sweater train party for adults
Find the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear to ride the adult-only Ugly Sweater Express train ride from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25-48, and includes appetizers, music, photo booth. A full bar will be available. Meets at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St.
Purchase tickets online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/ugly-sweater-express-2019/details.
Soup Kitchen to offer free dinners
Lebanon Soup Kitchen is serving free Christmas and New Year’s dinners at the First Christian Church, 170 E. Grant St.
The Christmas meal will be served from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 25.
The New Year’s dinner will be served from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1.
Blood drives to be held in Lebanon
Blood drives are scheduled in Lebanon at three locations over the next month at the following times and locations:
♦ Tuesday, Dec 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lebanon Mennonite Church, 2100 S. Second St.
♦ Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy.
♦ Thursday, Jan. 14, at Grocery Outlet, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2540 S. Santiam Hwy. The American Red Cross bus will be at the store to collect donations.
Sign up by calling 1-800-733-2767 or visiting RedCrossBlood.org and inputting sponsor code LebanonGrocery Outlet.
World of Work now to be Jan. 22-23
World of Work, a hands-on event for adults and youth looking to find a career or a job, has been rescheduled to Jan. 22-23 in the Livestock Pavilion at Linn County Fair and Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E in Albany.
The free event, originally scheduled in November, 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.
To submit information about an upcoming event for inclusion in Around Town, send an e-mail or letter that includes the five W’s (What’s happening, when it’s happening, where, why, and who’s involved) and the H (how much). Events that are free or are non-profit will get first priority. Remember that the newspaper is printed at the end of the second full week of the month, so please time submissions accordingly. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Monday prior to publication. Send your information to [email protected] or mail it to: Editor, Lebanon Local, P.O. Box 39, Sweet Home, OR 97386. You are encouraged to call to make sure your information has arrived, but it must be submitted in writing.