Polk County Living 8A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 5, 2017 COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK Monmouth Police to host crafts Busy bee Children and their guardians are invited to Craft with a Cop at the Mon- mouth Police Department from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 5. The event is part of Na- tional Child Abuse Preven- tion Month, which is April. Children, their guardians and police personnel will create the most recognized symbol of child abuse pre- vention: Pinwheels for Pre- vention. Participants are encour- aged to wear blue, the color associated with Child Abuse Prevention Month. Other craft activities and snacks will be available at the after- noon event. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Community Calendar is a listing of upcoming events taking place in Polk County that are open to the pub- lic. To submit an event for calendar consideration, please send it at least two weeks before the actual event date to the Itemizer-Observer via email (ionews@polkio.com). Sons of Norway to hold potluck The Thor Lodge of the Sons of Norway will hold a potluck dinner and a pres- entation Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at 1625 Brush College Road NW, Salem. The presentation will cen- ter around a history of the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. There is no cost to attend. The event is open to the public. For more information: 503-302-7973. Connolly to visit Dallas library Oregon author Tina Con- nolly will visit Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St., Thurs- day at 7 p.m. Connolly is the author of several books and stories, including the sci- ence fiction/fantasy collec- tion, “On the Eyeball Floor: and Other Stories.” A selection of her work will be available for pur- chase. There is no cost to attend. For more information: 503-623-2633. DivorceCare launches Monday DivorceCare will begin Monday at American Gas and Technology Conference room, 1270 Monmouth Cut- off Road, Dallas. The 13-week class will meet each Monday at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25. Classes will include workbook journaliz- ing, study exercises, video lessons and small group dis- cussions. For more information: Restore My Soul Ministries, 971-301-2454. Arndt tells how to plan a road trip Steven Arndt, author of more than 10 “Roads Less Traveled in Oregon” books, will be a guest speaker at the Independence Public Li- brary, 175 Monmouth St., at 7 p.m. on Monday. The presentation is free, and will include refresh- ments. Arndt’s books are guides to back roads and special places in Oregon. His pas- sion was sparked by tours of Oregon and Washington back roads and byways he took with his uncle. His books share informa- tion about each out-of-the- way community, explaining how places were named, when they were settled, his- torical sites and events. He also writes about ghost towns of Oregon. For more information: Betty Plude: 503-838-1811. Second Saturday Family Art returns Second Saturday Family Art returns Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Independence Women’s Club, 340 S. Third St. Participants will take part in clay imprints: plaster re- lief with Mary Harden. There is no cost to attend. JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Trees at Left Coast Cellars in Rickreall are in full bloom and bringing out the vineyard’s pollinators on a sunny Friday afternoon. The stretch of mostly sunny days will end as April showers are predicted to return Wednesday (today). Children and their guardians are welcome to attend. MI Chamber lunch features foundation The Monmouth-Indepen- dence Community Founda- tion will be the speaker at the April 12 Monmouth-In- dependence Chamber lunch forum. The forum will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the Polk County Service Club, 340 S. Third St., Independence. Boxed lunch will be pro- vided by Critelli Sweets for $12. Lunches must be or- dered by noon on Tuesday. Forums are open to all chamber members, guests and friends, and are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Registration is requested to help the host site properly prepare. More information: micc@minetfiber.com. Free seeds available now The Monmouth Public Li- brary’s Seed Library is open. The Seed Library is a col- lection of donated seeds, vegetable, herbs and flowers that are available to both pa- trons and nonpatrons of the library. Seed packets are free. Adults may “check out” three packets of seeds per day. The Seed Library operates on an honor system. You be- come a member when you withdraw seeds to plant. Math: The new civil rights issue The Center for Academic Innovation at Western Ore- gon University will host a community lecture from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Instructional Technolo- gy Center, Room 205, on campus, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth. The lecture will be “Math: The New Civil Rights Issue,” presented by Sylvia Valdes- Fernandez. The lecture is free and open to the public. Fiddlers return to fairgrounds The Oregon Old Time Fiddlers ASsociaton will hold its annual state con- vention at the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 520 S. Pacific Highway (99W), Rickreall, Thursday through Saturday. The public is invited to at- tend a “Fiddle and Variety Show” at 6:30 p.m. on Fri- day. It begins with a group of young fiddlers, and contin- ues with fiddlers and special entertainment from every Itemizer-Observer corner of Oregon. The show will conclude at 10. Tickets for the Friday show will be available at the door: general, $7; students, $3; preschoolers, free. Look in the Itemizer-Observer for a $1 coupon. For more information: oregonoldtimefiddling.org. Quilts of Valor topic of discussion The Willamette Valley Women’s Military League will hold its spring meeting on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Murphy’s Grill, 288 E. Ellendale Ave., Dallas. A no-host lunch is avail- able. The program will be Quilts of Valor, with Tom Korn and guest as presen- ters. A quilt will be presented to Peggy Boquist, a retired U.S. Army major. Green bag pickup Saturday The Monmouth-Indepen- dence Food Project will host its bimonthly pickup on Sat- urday. Donors are asked to set their green bags on their doorstep first thing in the morning for pickup. Neigh- borhood coordinators will pick up food from 200 donors in Monmouth and Independence. The green bags benefit the Ella Curran Food Bank, which is particularly short on tuna fish. More donors and coordi- nators are needed. To sign up: www.monindyfoodpro- ject.com. WOU professor featured on PBS Western Oregon Universi- ty professor of history and gender studies Kimberly Jensen will appear in the PBS American Experience series titled, “The Great War,” to air from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. The series looks at the history around World War I in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the U.S.’s entry into the conflict. At least 25 historians were interviewed to appear, and Jensen was tapped for her expertise in women’s roles in history. Polk Pedalers meet for club ride The Polk Pedalers Bicycle Club will host its monthly ride at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Cyclists will meet at Courtyard Coffee House, 156 SE Mill St., Dallas. They will take the Valley Zig Zag Ride via Brooks and Woodburn roads, 40 miles, rated easy. All are welcome. Children must have an adult. All rid- ers must have a helmet. The ride is free. Carpooling is available. Food for fines kicks off Monday The Independence and Monmouth libraries will cel- ebrate National Library Week with a Food for Fines drive. The annual event allows local library users to help the Ella Curran Food Bank while reducing their library fines. To participate in the Food for Fines program, bring any of the following items to your library be- tween Monday and April 15: 15 ounces or larger: canned fruit, vegetables, chili, soup (canned or dry), bottled or canned fruit juices; boxed hot or cold cereal, pasta products, pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned meats (especially tuna), cooking oil; or 5-pound bags of sugar, flour or rice. For each item donated, the library will reduce out- standing fines by $1. Those who do not have overdue fines also may donate. For more information: Monmouth, 503-838-1932; Independence, 503-838- 1811. Hands-on science, creativity at library The Dallas Public Library will host the Makey Makey for students in elementary and middle school. The workshop will be at 4 p.m. on Friday. The Makey Makey is a cir- cuit board that can connect any conductive object to a computer, transforming everyday objects into mouse clicks or keyboard presses. Students can use the Makey Makey to create piano key- boards, custom video game controllers, gadgets, and other inventions. The workshop will teach students about electrical current and conductivity through the exploration of the highly modifiable Makey Makey. The project is supported in whole or in part by the Institute of Mu- seum and Library Services through the Library Services Technology Act, adminis- tered by the Oregon State Library. Cycling video to debut Monday Pressed Coffee and Wine Bar, 788 S. Main St. Dallas, will host a release party of the Ride Polk County cycling video on Monday at 6:30 p.m. A representative from Travel Oregon will be in at- tendance. Visit our website, www.polkio.com for local news, sports and community events. — WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 • Monmouth Business Association — 7:30 a.m., Hadley’s Radio Bakery, 165 Broad St., Monmouth. A meeting of business people, the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce director, and city officials. 503-751-0147. • Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Drop-ins welcome. For ages infant through pre-K with parent. Free, but donations accepted. 503-623-3397. • 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. • 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 Warren St. S, Monmouth. Free, but $3 donation suggested. Reservations required. 503- 838-2084. • Scrabble with Betty — 1 p.m., Independence Public Li- brary, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Scrabble games first Wednesday of every month. Free; refreshments and prizes available. 503-551-7687 or 503-838-1811. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutoff Road, Building E, Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503-831-5634. • 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 first Wednesday of every month. 503-689-7222. — THURSDAY, APRIL 6 • Dallas Lions Club — Noon, Hong Kong Restaurant, 325 Main St., Dallas. Everyone welcome. 503-623-8121. • 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. • Mom and Me — Salem Health West Valley, 525 SE Wash- ington St., Dallas (enter through emergency door on Clay Street). Breastfeeding support group. Free. 503-831-5593. • 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. • Homework, Hoops and Hotdogs — 5:30 to 8 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 SW 13th St., Dallas. Free help with homework for students in middle and high school. 503-917-9822, Nona Springer. — FRIDAY, APRIL 7 • Take Off Pounds Sensibly Club Meeting — 9:45 to 11 a.m. Church of Christ, 127 Heffley St. N., Monmouth. First meeting is free. 503-930-7936. • Altered Attitudes Alcoholics Anonymous — Noon, Dallas United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. 503- 399-0599. • Guthrie Park Acoustic Music Jam Session — 6:30 to 10 p.m., Guthrie Park Community Center, 4320 Kings Valley High- way, Dallas. Free (donations accepted). 503-623-0809. — SATURDAY, APRIL 8 • Donation Yoga — 11 a.m. to noon, Dallas Yoga and Bal- ance Studio, 115 SE Court St., Dallas. Bring a few cans of food or cash to donate to the food bank. 503-999-8016. • Guthrie Park Country Dance — 7 to 9:30 p.m., Guthrie Park Community Center, 4320 Kings Valley Highway, Dallas. Ad- mission: $5 per person; $15 immediate family rate; children 12 and under free. 503-623-0809. • The Original Independence Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Umpqua Bank parking lot, 302 S. Main St., Independ- ence. 503-881-9950. • Independence Riverview Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Riverview Park and Amphitheater, 50 C St., Independence. 503- 910-8193. — SUNDAY, APRIL 9 • Buell Grange Breakfast — 8 to 11 a.m., Buell Grange Hall, 5970 Mill Creek Road, just off Highway 22 northwest of Dallas. $6. 503-623-8462 or 503-843-4703. — MONDAY, APRIL 10 • 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., Monmouth Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S., Mon- mouth. Local orchestra for beginning through intermediate musicians. Meets every Monday. Players of all levels welcome. $25 monthly fee to cover expenses. 503-838-4884. • Brew and BS: The New Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on New Testament figures. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea, chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304. — TUESDAY, APRIL 11 • Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., First Presbyte- rian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Open to children pre- kindergarten and younger with parent/adult. Tuesdays through Fridays. Free. • Caregiver Connection — 2 to 3:30 p.m., Salem Health West Valley (Quiet Room, use ER entrance), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Free. 503- 831-5593. • Free Blood Pressure Checks — Salem Health West Valley, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. 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. • James2 Community Kitchen Meal — 4:45 to 6:30 p.m., Falls City Methodist Church, 242 North Main St., Falls City. Free. 503-787-3371. Continued on page 9A