Polk County Living 8A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 12, 2017 COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK Author Hopkinson to visit Dallas Browsing for books Award-winning Oregon author Deborah Hopkinson will read from her new book, “A Letter to my Teacher,” at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Dal- las Public Library, 950 Main St. The presentation will in- clude a writing activity and a chance to pen a letter of thanks to a teacher, in time for Teacher Appreciation Day, which is the first week of May. Copies of Hopkinson’s book will be available for purchase. 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). MICC lunch to feature foundation The Monmouth-Indepen- dence Community Founda- tion will be the speaker at Wednesday’s (today) Mon- mouth-Independence Chamber lunch forum. It is too late to order lunch, but you may still at- tend the forum. The forum will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the Polk County Service Club, 340 S. Third St., Independence. Forums are open to all chamber members, guests and friends, are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Registration is re- quested to help the host site properly prepare. More information: micc@minetfiber.com. Food for fines continues 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 through Saturday: 15 ounces or larger: canned fruit, vegetables, chili, soup (canned or dry), bottled or canned fruit juices; boxed hot or cold ce- real, pasta products, pasta s a u c e , p e a n u t b u t t e r, 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. Calligraphy class begins Tuesday A series of three calligra- phy classes begins Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Ex- tension Office, 289 E. Ellen- dale, Suite 301, Dallas. Classes will also be held April 25 and May 2. Partici- pants will learn the art of calligraphy, and create their own invitations, name tags, announcements, birth cer- tificates and more. No experience necessary. The class is open to people ages 8 and older. Each stu- dent will receive their own calligraphy pen to use and take home upon completion of the class. Class size is limited to 10 students. Cost is $5 for 4-H mem- bers and $7 for non-mem- bers for all three classes. Registration is required by Friday. To register or for more in- formation: 503-623-8395. Amateur radio tech class offered A free amateur radio tech- nician class license exam preparation class begins April 22 at City Council Chambers, 187 Court St., Dallas. The class will be held weekly on Saturdays through May 27 from 8:20 to 11:20 a.m. In the event of an emergency, our primary modes of communication may be disrupted. Ham radio is a third-tier fallback JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Customers look through books at the Friends of the Dallas Library’s book sale on Friday. The two-day library fundraiser featured hardcover and paperback booksof all genres. If you missed the event last weekend, the friends hold a second sale in October. mode of communication. The class will prepare par- ticipants to pass a techni- cian class license exam. There is no minimum age requirement. To RSVP or for more infor- mation: deansprague64@ gmail.com. Tickets for King’s Ball available Tickets for the King’s Mas- querade Ball Dinner and Auction on April 22 at Kings Valley Charter School, 38840 Kings Valley Highway, Philo- math, are available through Saturday. Tickets cost $10. Dinner choices are chicken gumbo or red beans and rice. A silent auction begins at 5 p.m. with dinner following at 5:30. A live auction will begin at 7:05. On-site child care will be available for $5. Kings Valley Charter School foreign lan- guage students will provide hot dogs, popcorn and a movie. There will be two rooms — one for smaller kids and one for tweens. For more information: Glenda Bush, gbush@ kvschool.org. SomeThings to host Out & About The Dallas Downtown As- sociation will hold an “Out and About in Dallas” at Some Things, 857 Main St., Dallas, Wednesday (today) from 6 to 8 p.m. An adult Easter egg hunt will be held and refresh- ments will be served. The quarterly events help pro- vide a way for community members to socialize and network with other mem- bers of the community and business owners. For more information: Emma Guida, 971-701-1880. Logger forum set for Tuesday The Marion/Polk Chapter of the Oregon Small Wood- lands Association will hold a logger forum Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Independ- ence library conference room, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Information about log- ging, loggers and logging jobs will be available. A moderated discussion will feature commercial log- gers discussing their equip- ment, capabilities, limita- tions, costs and time frames. There is no cost to attend and the public is invited. Monmouth will be recog- nized for the 15th year as a Tree City, USA. Volunteers are needed to plant trees at Gentle Woods Park, Madrona Park and on the Hoffman Road planter strip. Please bring gloves and shovels. For more information: Mark Fancey, community development director: 503- 751-0147. Brunk House to hold open house The Polk County Histori- cal Society will hold a spring open house at the Brunk House, 5705 Salem-Dallas Highway NW, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Auto Clubs of Salem will have refurbished vehi- cles for visitors to enjoy. The master gardeners, who work mostly in the vegetable and berry gardens, will hold a clinic to answer any ques- tions. Attendees may take a tour of the Brunk House for a do- nation. Pie, cookies and other desserts will be available. For more information: Jo Ann King, 503-838-6603, or Polk County Museum, 503- 623-6251. PC Museum to feature McArthur The Polk County History Museum will hold a special program featuring Scott McArthur Saturday at 1:30 p.m. McArthur, a retired attor- ney, local historian, 49-year member of the Polk County Historical Society, and au- thor of five local history books, will speak on short stories of strange things in Polk County. Light refreshments will be available. There is no cost to attend. For more information: 503-623-6251. Dallas Mat Club fundraiser begins The Dallas Mat Club’s flower basket fundraiser is underway. Twelve-inch hanging flower baskets featuring petunias with various annu- als are available for $30 each, made by Al’s Nursery. Orders are due by April 31. Flowers will be delivered by May 9. All proceeds benefit youth and middle school wrestling programs in Dallas. For more information: dallasmatclub@gmail.com. Master Gardeners MTAB to celebrate seek donations Arbor Day Saturday The Polk County Master The Monmouth Tree Ad- visory Board will hold an Arbor Day celebration Sat- urday at 9 a.m. at Main Street Park. Gardener Plant Sale Country Store is seeking tax-de- ductible items they can re- pair or repurpose for a fundraiser in May. Items are needed now to allow time to make repairs. The Polk County Master Gardeners are a 501(C)3 nonprofit. Among the items needed include metal or wood objects, old gates, bot- tles, vases, notable dishes, garden pottery, tea cups, pitchers or bowls, bird hous- es, bird feeders, patio furni- ture, plant stands, iron im- plements, collectible an- tiques, and items that can be repurposed to be useful in a new way. Master Gardeners can arrange to pick up items. To arrange a pickup, Rachel Montesano: 917-219- 5629. Funds from the Master Gardener plant sale benefit Polk County libraries in Dal- las, Independence and Monmouth, fund plant clin- ics for the public, and help with supplies for demon- stration gardens in Polk County. For more information: 503-623-8395. River Gems returns to fairgrounds The 62nd Annual River of Gems, presented by Willamette Agate and Min- eral Society, returns to Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Highway W., Rickre- all, Friday through Sunday. The event will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fri- day and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $2. Children 12 and younger are free. Rocks and gems, jewelry, fossils, beads and minerals from around the world will be on display. There will be dealers spe- cializing in a variety of items from crystals to silver, dis- play cases with rocks, gems and collections from across the globe, and create craft demonstrations. There will also be free door prizes, a silent auction, grab bags, popcorn and a snack bar. Friday will be dedicated to school children. Content marketing class offered A free electronic media content marketing class will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Independ- ence library, 175 Mon- mouth Ave. The focus will be on using words and images to engage clients, customers and donors to drive action. The Salem chapter of SCORE — a service core of retired executives and part of the U.S. Small Business Association and Constant Contact — will sponsor the event. There is no cost to attend, but registration is recom- mended. For more information: carol@carolinfranca.com or call 503-623-0112. — WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 • Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon, Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Mon- mouth. For eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541-404-6517. • Polk County Republican Women — 11:30 a.m., Mur- phy’s Restaurant, 288 E. Ellendale Ave., Dallas. No-host lunch available; everyone welcome. 503-623-5759. • Respite care — 1 to 3 p.m., 182 SW Academy St., Suite 216, Dallas. Free child care for parents who need time to run errands, pay bills, etc. Free. Open for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. 503-877-8473 to reserve space. Diapers are pro- vided. • 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. • Free Blood Pressure Check Clinic — 2 to 3 p.m., Salem Health West Valley (surgery admitting area), 525 SE Washing- ton St., Dallas. 503-623-7323. • Monmouth Senior Center Music Jam — 6:30 p.m., Mon- mouth Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S., Monmouth. Open to the public; musicians of all types welcome. 503-838-5678. • Dallas American Legion Post No. 20 — 7 p.m., Acade- my Building, Room 108, 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. 503- 831-3971. — THURSDAY, APRIL 13 • Independence Downtown Association — 8 a.m., Inde- pendence Grill, 154 S. Main St., Independence. A meeting of business people regarding the vitality of Independence and its downtown area. 503-580-8525. • Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club — Noon, First Baptist Church, 1505 Monmouth St., Independence. Visiting Rotarians, 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., Dal- las United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. Free; everyone welcome. 503-623-8429. • Young Professionals Networking — 5:30 to 7: p.m., Mid-Valley Ford, 201 NE Polk Station Road, Dallas. After- hours social event for Polk County young professionals, aged 21-45. MacLarin Jones, 509-859-3779. • 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 14 • 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, Dal- las United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. 503-399-0599. • The Arc of Polk County Dance and Karaoke Night — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Academy Building, 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. For adults with intellectual and developmental dis- abilities. Admission: $3 (staffers and family admitted free). Snacks available for purchase. 541-223-3261. • Guthrie Park Acoustic Music Jam Session — 6:30 to 10 p.m., Guthrie Park Community Center, 4320 Kings Valley Highway, Dallas. Free (donations accepted). 503-623-0809. — SATURDAY, APRIL 15 • The Original Independence Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Umpqua Bank parking lot, 302 S. Main St., Inde- pendence. 503-881-9950. • Independence Riverview Market — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Riverview Park and Amphitheater, 50 C St., Independence. 503-910-8193. — MONDAY, APRIL 17 • Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon — 11:30 a.m., Dallas Civic Center, 945 SE Jefferson St., Dallas. Cost: $12 in advance; $15 at the door. 503-623-2564. • Central Lions Club — Noon, Independence Elks Lodge 1950 Dining Room, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-606- 2150. • Polk County Battle Buddies support group — 6 to 8 p.m., Veterans Services Office, 240 SW Washington St., Dallas. Support group for Polk County veterans. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. Free. 503-480-6254. • 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 wel- come. $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 18 • Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., First Presby- terian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Open to children pre-kindergarten and younger with parent/adult. Tuesdays through Fridays. Free. • Family Building Blocks Dallas play group — 10 a.m., Academy Building, 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. Suite 216. Play group for children and families. Activities and snacks provided. Free. RSVP, 503-877-8473. • 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 Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club — 6 to 7 p.m. weigh-in, 7 to 8 p.m. meeting, First Christian Church base- ment, 1079 SE Jefferson St., Dallas. Meetings offer programs and activities aimed at losing weight. Open to anyone. First meeting is free. • Dallas Wingdingers RC Flying Club — 7 p.m., Whit- worth Elementary School library, 1151 SE Miller Ave., Dallas. 503-623-7288. Continued on page 9A