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What’s happening around town Nov/Dec 2023

Linn County Arts Guild

Linn County Arts Guild showcases local artists offering handcrafted items for sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, located inside Sun Lane Stones, 846 S Main St.

Pawsome art show

Faithful Friends Animal Clinic presents its eighth annual pet-themed art show during the month of November, 185 N Santiam Hwy. The public may vote for their favorite works; prizes will be awarded to the winners. Proceeds benefit Paws Assisting Veterans, a non-profit providing service dogs to veterans.

Genealogical Society meeting

The Lebanon Genealogical Society will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Lebanon Public Library’s community room, 55 Academy St. The speaker will be Dave Dickson who will present an exhibit of train sets from Christmas long ago. There will be some trains set up to observe. There will also be a member cookie exchange. Please bring 12 cookies to share for the cookie exchange.

Mulled cider face-off

Lebanon Downtown Association hosts a mulled cider contest between downtown merchants for its First Friday even at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. Sample brewed cider from participating businesses downtown and vote for your favorite one.

Annual Christmas parade

Holidays in the Park presents “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” for its annual holiday parade and tree lighting from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Ralston Park. The event includes horse carriage rides, food, crafts and entertainment. The Twilight Parade begins at 5:15 p.m., followed by the lighting of the tree. Santa Claus will also be there.

Lebanon Historical Walk

The annual “Lebanon Downtown Historical Walk” will begin promptly at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Mayor Ken Jackola will guide the tour this year, beginning at the Old Town Mall, 743 S Main St.

The walk is a little more than half a mile to include visits at the Wells Fargo building, Donaca house, former Lebanon Express building apartment, and old Lebanon Billiards Parlor. History about other building will also be shared as the tour passes by them. The tour finishes at the Train Depot to enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, sconces, cookies and donuts aboard the Santa Maria steam train.

The tour is presented by Build Lebanon Trails, Lebanon Downtown Association and Lebanon Museum Foundation. Dress appropriately for the weather. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash and not allowed inside buildings. Arrive early to find parking, register and check-out a listening device.

“The Innkeepers” play

Satina Tolman, a local playwright, author and artist, invites the public to her original play production, “The Innkeeper,” from 2-3:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, and 7-8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Sweet Home High School Auditorium, 1641 Long St. Admission is free thanks to the support of sponsors.

With the mission of bringing people together through the arts, cast, crew and supporters organized the event to spread holiday cheer and share the true meaning of Christmas. The story follows the innkeeper and his wife as they retell the nativity story from their unique perspective. Tolman describes it as a “captivating tale that reminds us of the power of compassion, love and the true meaning of Christmas.”

For more information and updates about the event, visit the Facebook event page for “The Innkeepers.” For other inquiries or to become a sponsor, contact: [email protected].

Reptile adoption and fundraiser

Lebanon Mercantile will host Ramsdell Reptile Rescue for a fundraiser and adoption event from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Le Cirque, 661 S. Main St.

There will be a variety of adoptable reptiles, as well as “educational ambassadors” for photo-ops and close-up experiences. Feeders, plants, crafts and a silent auction will also be a part of the event.

Road Maggot toy run

The Road Maggots will do its 16th annual toy run at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Walmart.

Every year the Road Maggots gather in Lebanon to collect toys for the River Center’s Christmas Toy Program. This year the motorcyclists will meet in the Walmart parking lot for donuts, coffee and hot chocolate. All motorcycles and classic cars are welcome. They will depart in formation-style to “run” north to the downtown corridor and back south to the River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy, where they will deliver toys and non-perishable food donations.

For more information, call the Lebanon Christmas Toy Program at 541.451.1035.

Family Tree giving tree

The Lebanon Police Department hosts a giving tree in its lobby (40 N. 2nd St.) on behalf of Family Tree Relief Nursery. Interested people may pick up tags representing children up to 18 years old to help provide gifts and memories for children. Donated gifts must be unwrapped and returned to the police department by Sunday, Dec. 10.

Santa’s workshop

Small merchants downtown will host a “Santa’s Workshop” event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. Businesses along the downtown Main Street corridor will offer pictures with Santa, an ugly sweater contest, letters to Santa, photo booths, snow at dusk, crafts, games, coloring contests, giveaways, toy drives, special sales and more.

Pictures with Santa will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Papa’s, 804 S. Main St. Ugly sweater contest will be at 4 p.m. at Sun Lane Stones, 846 S. Main St. Santa’s mailroom will be at Beauty’s Bountiful Books, 696 S. Main St. “Snow” will fall at dusk in front of Le Cirque, 661 Main St. Many other merchants are offering lots of other things to do.

For more information, contact Lebanon Mercantile via their Facebook page, Facebook.com/lebanonmercantile.

“Interview” a high schooler

The Lebanon High School will host a job fair from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Business owners or managers who would like to do mock interviews with high school seniors may sign up by visiting https://forms.gle/PXW8yR26FsD7xtjZA. For more information, contact Wendy Eilers at [email protected].

2023 DSA awards

The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce is hosting nominations for their annual DSA awards. It is time to honor exceptional individuals, businesses and organizations that have shown a dedication to the community, exemplary service, and community leadership. Nominations will end Jan. 5. Awards will be presented Feb. 24 at the Lebanon Community Distinguished Service Awards at the Boulder Falls Event Center, 605 Mullins Dr., Lebanon. Find nomination forms online at https://lebanon-chamber.org/.

Cultural Coalition accepting applications
The Linn County Cultural Coalition is accepting proposals for grants to fund projects involving the arts, the humanities and heritage activities in Linn County.
The LCCC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Oregon Cultural Trust, a statewide entity established to promote and strengthen cultural organizations and activities in Oregon. Through local coalitions such as Linn County’s, the Trust distributes funding to all 36 Oregon counties and nine federally recognized tribes.
The LCCC has $22,000 available for grants in 2024. Grants typically range between $250 and $2,000. Applicants may be awarded less than the full amount requested. The grants are available to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status. An organization or individual sponsored by a qualifying nonprofit may also apply. Full guidelines for applying are available at linnculture.org.
The deadline for completed grant applications is Feb. 2, 2024. The coalition board will review the applications and decide on awards within a few weeks of that date. Grant applications are available online at https://linnculture.org/our-grants/. Applications can be submitted online or sent by mail to the Linn County Cultural Coalition, P.O. Box 69, Albany, Oregon 97321. For further information, contact Rebecca Bond at (541) 928-0911.

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.