Polk County Living
8A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 2, 2015
COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK
’Tis the season
Santa train, parade
of lights Saturday
The Santa train will come
to the Independence Cine-
ma from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sat-
urday.
The event, sponsored by
the Independence Elks
Lodge, Independence
Downtown Association, and
Friends of the Independence
Library, will include gifts and
candy for all children
younger than 12.
Santa will be available for
photos. Hot chocolate will
be served.
The Parade of Lights will
be at 5 p.m. starting at First
Baptist Church, down Main
Street, through downtown
Independence, and finishing
at the Independence Civic
Center.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Annual holiday tree
lighting Friday
The 48th annual Holiday
Tree Lighting at Western
Oregon University will be at
6 p.m. on Friday on campus
at the giant Sequoia tree
near Campbell Hall.
The event includes a holi-
day parade at 6, followed by
indoor programs at 7. A tree
decorating contest, pictures
with Santa, choir perform-
ances by elementary school
students and a cookie bake-
off are highlights of the
evening.
Dallas Winterfest
hosts Santa Friday
Dallas Winterfest will be
from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday on
the Courthouse Lawn.
The event will feature a
visit by Santa Claus, lighting
the Christmas tree, caroling,
hot cocoa and cookies.
Food trucks will be in the
area from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Businesses will be open later
to accommodate shoppers.
The event is sponsored by
the Dallas Area Visitors Cen-
ter.
For more information:
503-623-2564, or www.dalla-
soregon.org/Winterfest.
Get a IHRC giving
tree tag at library
A holiday giving tree to
benefit the residents of Inde-
pendence Health and Reha-
bilitation Center will be at
the Independence Public Li-
brary through Dec. 16.
Descriptions of items
needed are printed on the
decorations on the tree. Visi-
tors may select a decoration
or two, purchase the items
and return them unwrapped
to the library front desk.
Gifts will be wrapped and
delivered to the center for
the holiday celebrations.
For more information:
Liane Moser, 503-838-2240.
Gift cards will help
deployed soldiers
The Oregon National
Guard Association is collect-
ing gift cards for the neediest
families of deployed Oregon
National Guard soldiers.
Gift cards for groceries,
toys, clothing stores or gaso-
line greatly help families in
need who live all around the
state.
To help, send gift cards to:
Oregon National Guard As-
sociation, P.O. Box 14350,
Salem OR 97306.
Trinity Lutheran to
hold concert series
Trinity Lutheran Church
in Dallas will kick off its De-
cember Concert Series Sun-
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
A home of of LaCreole Drive in Dallas shows of holiday decorations. Polk County is
hosting several holiday events throughout December. See Page 2A for a roundup of all
the festivities.
day with “Festival Carolers.”
The concert will be from
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Festival Carolers singers,
dressed in Victorian cos-
tume, will be lead through a
series of classic yuletide
songs by director Soleveig
Holmquist.
Cookies will be served fol-
lowing the concert.
For more information:
503-623-2233.
Dallas Library seeks
‘Mitten Tree’ gifts
The Mitten Tree at the
Dallas Public Library needs
your warm donations. Now
through Dec. 20, patrons
have the opportunity to dec-
orate the tree with mittens,
scarves and warm hats.
Items will be donated to Dal-
las Christmas Cheer and the
Dallas Resource Center to
help those in need.
The library also is collect-
ing new children’s books —
toddler board books, picture
books and juvenile chapter
books — to donate to Christ-
mas Cheer. In addition to
mittens and books, the li-
brary is a donation site for
the Dallas Food Bank.
For more information:
503-623-2633.
Library to host a
‘Coloring Night’ out
Miss coloring books? Dal-
las Public Library has just
the thing for you: “Coloring
Night for Adults” on Thurs-
day from 5 to 7 p.m.
Coloring has been shown
to relieve stress and promote
creativity in adults — and
guess what else? It’s fun. No
supplies are necessary. The
library will provide free col-
oring pages, colored pencils
and pens, and cookies and
tea to snack on.
For more information:
503-623-2633.
‘Soup Bowl’ dinner,
auctions Thursday
Dallas High School’s art
department is holding its
16th annual Soup Bowl Din-
ner, Auction, and Art Show
on Thursday.
The event will take place
in the DHS Forum, with din-
ner served between 5:30 and
6:30 p.m. A variety of soups
will be offered, and they are
all you can eat. The soup is
free once you buy a hand-
crafted ceramic bowl, made
by DHS art students, for $10.
Diners then can bid on
items in the silent auction.
All proceeds benefit the art
department.
For more information:
503-623-8336.
Independence or by contact-
ing 503-931-6968 or 503-
522-3062.
MICC forum hosts
Toys for Tots
Dallas High School’s FFA
program will be selling
Christmas trees at the Dallas
Rite Aid parking lot, 178 W
Ellendale Ave. until Dec. 20.
Lot hours are Monday
through Friday, 4 to 7:30
p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to
7:30 p.m. and Sunday 11
a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tree prices are: Douglas fir
— $3 per foot; Grand fir —
$4 per foot; and Noble fir —
$5 per foot.
For more information:
503-623-8336.
The Monmouth-Indepen-
dence Chamber of Com-
merce December forum will
be a chance to assist Toys for
Tots in helping ensure fami-
lies in Monmouth and Inde-
pendence have a happy hol-
iday.
Participants will help
package items for delivery to
local families. Attendees are
encouraged to bring a toy to
donate to the drive.
The forum is from noon to
1 p.m. on Wednesday at Toys
for Tots, 535 G. St., Inde-
pendence.
For more information:
503-838-4268 or www.micc-
or.org.
Salem Community
Chorus to perform
MPCCP share how
to care for stray cats
Salem Community chorus
will perform its annual con-
cert of Christmas music on
Sunday at Christ Church in
Monmouth, 412 Clay St. W.,
at 3 p.m.
Directed by Anna Robin-
son, the 60-member choir
will perform classics ranging
from “Jesu, Joy of Man’s De-
siring” to “The Grinch.”
Admission is free, but do-
nations are welcomed and
will benefit Christ Church
and choir projects.
For more information:
503-838-3777.
The Marion Polk Commu-
nity Cat Program will host a
meeting from noon to 1:30
p.m. on Saturday at the
Willamette Humane Society,
4246 Turner Road SE, Salem.
Attendees will learn the
truth about common myths
about community cats, in-
cluding hard topics like cats
and wildlife, and why Trap
Neuter Return is effective to
humanely control cat over-
population.
A tutorial will be given to
build a feral cat den, as well
as instructions and limited
supplies to build a den.
Snacks will be provided.
For more information:
ccc@whs4pets.org, or 503-
585-5900, ext. 313.
Dallas FFA selling
Christmas trees
Help Baby Jacob
and his siblings
The Independence Elks is
hosting a spaghetti dinner
and toy drive benefitting
Jacob Anderson and his sib-
lings Saturday.
Christmas Spaghetti Din-
n e r Ex t ra va g a n z a i s a
fundraiser to assist Jacob,
who is battling hypoplastic
left heart syndrome, and his
family. Dinner is at 5 p.m.
and admission is $10.
The event will feature a
spaghetti and salad dinner
with dessert, a 50-50 raffle,
Santa raffle and live blues
music.
People are asked to bring
an unwrapped toy for Jacob’s
four siblings: a 4-year-old
sister, two 8-year-old sisters,
and a 12-year-old brother.
Tickets can be purchased
at the lodge, 289 S. Main St.,
Eat spaghetti for
FCH Mountaineers
A spaghetti feed and
bingo night will support
Falls City High School’s girls
basketball team.
The event is from 3 to 6
p.m. on Saturday at the com-
munity center in Falls City.
There will be bingo, all-
you-can-eat spaghetti, salad,
bread, and a silent auction.
Prices are $5 for adults, $4
for kids aged 5 to 9, $3 for
kids 4 and younger, or $25
for a family, which includes
parents and kids only.
Bingo cards will be 50
cents each or three for $1.
The silent auction will end
at 5:30.
LIBRARY CALENDAR
DALLAS
950 Main St. • 503-623-2633
www.ci.dallas.or.us/library
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 11:15 a.m. — Story
time.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 1:30 p.m. — Lego
building.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m. — Adult color-
ing night.
• Monday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. — Paws to
Read, read to the dog with Percy.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 11:15 a.m. — Story
time.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. — Afternoon
story time.
—
INDEPENDENCE
175 Monmouth St. • 503-838-1811
www.ci.independence.or.us/library
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. — Fam-
ily story time.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. — Cuen-
tos in Español.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m. — Scrabble
with Betty (adults).
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. — Chess
Club (irst grade and older).
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. — Commu-
nity ESL.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. — Reindeer
games and crafts.
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. — Fam-
ily story time.
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. — Cuen-
tos in Español.
—
MONMOUTH
168 S. Ecols St. • 503-751-0182
www.ci.monmouth.or.us/library
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2:30 p.m. —
Builders club (K-5).
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 10:15 a.m. — Pre-
school storytime (2.5 to 5 years).
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 10:15 a.m. — Tales for
tots (story time for babies and toddlers).
—
WAGNER
COMMUNITY LIBRARY
111 N. Main St., Falls City
503-787-3521, ext. 319
www.facebook.com/
WagnerCommunityLibrary/timeline
• See the library’s Facebook page for up-
coming events.
Community Calendar is a listing of upcoming events tak-
ing place in Polk County that are open to the public. To
submit an event for calendar consideration, please send it
at least two weeks before the actual event date to the
Itemizer-Observer via fax (503-623-2395) or email
(ionews@polkio.com).
—
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2
• Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank
— 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutof Road, Building E,
Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members.
503-831-5634.
• Scrabble with Betty — 1 p.m., Independence Public Li-
brary, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Scrabble games irst
Wednesday of every month. Free; refreshments and prizes avail-
able. 503-551-7687 or 503-838-1811.
• Yarning for Others — 3 to 5 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal
Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. Knitters and crocheters
gather to make clothing and accessories for those in need on
the irst Wednesday of every month. 503-689-7222.
• Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon,
Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For
eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541-
404-6517.
• Brew and BS — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486
SW Levens St., Dallas. Free. Bring your own brew — beer, cofee,
tea, cider, wine. Moderated discussions on topics of religion and
science. 503-831-5593.
• Indoor Play Park — 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday through
Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. For
children ages infant to pre-K, and conversation time for parents.
503-623-3397.
• Senior meals, Dallas — 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday,
LaCreole Manor, 204 SW Walnut St., Dallas. Free, but $3 dona-
tion suggested. Reservations required. 503-623-6232.
• Senior meals, Monmouth — 11:30 a.m. Monday through
Friday, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth.
Free, but $3 donation suggested. Reservations required. 503-
838-2084.
—
THURSDAY, Dec. 3
• James2 Community Kitchen Meal — 4:30 to 6 p.m., Dallas
United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. Free;
everyone welcome. 503-623-8429.
• Dallas Lions Club — 11:30 a.m., Hong Kong Restaurant,
325 Main St., Dallas. Everyone welcome. 503-931-9860.
• Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club — Noon, First
Baptist Church, 1505 Monmouth St., Independence. Visiting Ro-
tarians, guests and prospective Rotarians are welcome to these
luncheon meetings. Free. 503-838-4884.
• Dementia Support Group — 9:30 a.m., Monmouth Senior
Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. A group for people cop-
ing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. 503-838-
5678.
—
FRIDAY, Dec. 4
• Altered Attitudes Alcoholics Anonymous — Noon, Dallas
United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. 503-
399-0599.
• Guthrie Park Acoustic Music Jam Session — 7 to 10 p.m.,
Guthrie Park Community Center, 4320 Kings Valley Highway,
Dallas. Free (donations accepted). 503-623-0809.
• Take Of Pounds Sensibly Club Meeting — 9:45 to 11 a.m.
Church of Christ, 127 Heley St. N., Monmouth. First meeting is
free. 541-327-1730.
—
SATURDAY, Dec. 5
• Polk Community Free Clinic — 7 to 11 a.m., Trinity Luther-
an Church, 320 SE Fir Villa Road, Dallas. Free medical and mental
health care for uninsured and underinsured. Held on the irst
and fourth Saturday of the month. 503-990-8772.
• Monmouth Senior Center All-You-Can-Eat Community
Breakfast — 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Monmouth Senior Center, 180
S. Warren St., Monmouth. Cost: $6, adults; $3, children under 12.
503-838-5678.
• Rickreall Grange Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rickreall
Grange Hall, 280 Main St. (99W), Rickreall. Multiple vendors.
Also selling fresh-baked goods. Kitchen serving breakfast and
lunch. 503-623-8289.
• James2 Community Kitchen — Sack Lunch Saturday, pick-
up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dallas United Methodist Church, 565
SE LaCreole Dr., Dallas. Free; everyone welcome. 503-623-8429.
—
SUNDAY, Dec. 6
• Polk Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Polk County Fair-
grounds, 520 S. Paciic Highway (99W), Rickreall. Admission: $1;
children 12 and younger, free. Early admission from 6 to 9 a.m.
is $5. 503-428-8224.
• From the Heart Community Sing — 1:30 to 3 p.m., St.
Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. Free
singing lessons; all ages are welcome. 503-559-5205.
• Rickreall Grange Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rickreall
Grange Hall, 280 Main St. (99W), Rickreall. Multiple vendors.
Also selling fresh-baked goods. Kitchen serving breakfast and
lunch. 503-623-8289.
—
MONDAY, Dec. 7
• Central Lions Club — Noon, Independence Elks Lodge
1950 Dining Room, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-606-
2150.
• Willamette Valley New Horizons Orchestra — 6:30 to 8:30
p.m., Central High School band room, 1530 Monmouth St., In-
dependence. Local orchestra for beginning through intermedi-
ate musicians. Meets every Monday. Players of all levels wel-
come. $25 monthly fee to cover expenses. 503-838-4884.
—
TUESDAY, Dec. 8
• Caregivers Support Group — 2 to 3:30 p.m., West Valley
Hospital (Quiet Room, entrance through Emergency Depart-
ment on Clay Street), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Meets on
the second Tuesday of the month. Free. 503-831-5593.
• James2 Community Kitchen Meal — 4:30 to 6 p.m., St.
Philip Catholic Church, 825 SW Mill St., Dallas. Free; everyone
welcome. 503-623-8429.
• Take Of Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club — 6 to 7 p.m.
weigh-in, 7 to 8 p.m. meeting, First Christian Church basement,
1079 SE Jeferson St., Dallas. Meetings ofer programs and activ-
ities aimed at losing weight. Open to anyone. First meeting is
free.
—
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9
• Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank
— 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutof Road, Building E,
Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members.
503-831-5634.
Continued on page 9A