LHS invites parents to scheduling meeting

LEBANON - Parents of students at Lebanon High School are invited to give their opinions on new proposed schedules at a special meeting Thursday.

The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school, beginning in the commons area. Depending on attendance, the meeting may be moved to another room.

Administrators are expected to announce a scheduling decision at the March 2 meeting of the Lebanon School Board.

The high school is eliminating its four-school "academy" structure and proposing one of two new schedules for the 2009-10 school year.

One would be a trimester system with five class periods per day. Under such a schedule, 27 credits would be necessary for graduation, as the current system requires.

The other would be a semester system with seven class periods per day. Under this schedule, graduation credit requirements would drop to 26.

Principal Mark Finch has said the school is trying to respond both to complaints about the academy system and financial realities that make it impossible to adequately staff such a setup.

Youth invited to sign up for swimming lessons

The Albany Community Pool is opening registration for spring youth lessons at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the pool, 2150 36th Ave. S.E. All classes are taught in accordance with the American Red Cross.

Classes will be from 6 to 8:05 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Cost is $34 for eight half-hour classes. Sessions are March 31 to April 23 and April 28 to May 21.

For more information, call the pool office at (541) 967-4521.

Memory specialist to speak at Lebanon luncheon

LEBANON - The next Forum Lunch of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce will feature a memory enhancement program led by speaker Kristen Thompson.

Sponsored by Linn-Co Federal Credit Union, lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the career training center at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.

Thompson is a speaker in the Portland-area professional circuit. She will lead attendees through practical exercises meant to benefit memory, and discuss how the power of a stronger memory can improve business.

The cost is $13 and reservations are required. Call (541) 258-7164 for more information.

Dinner, dessert auction will aid SAHS grads

An all-you-can-east spaghetti dinner and dessert auction will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday in the South Albany High School cafeteria, 3705 Columbus St. S.E.

The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Children 2 and under eat free. An immediate family of four or more is $20.

The dessert auction will start at 6:15 p.m.

All proceeds benefit the South Albany High School 2009 Senior Class Drug and Alcohol Free Party scheduled for June 3.

AARP driver safety class planned in Jefferson

JEFFERSON - A one-day, eight-hour classroom refresher course for experienced drivers is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Fire Department Administrative Office Building, 189 N. Main St.

The AARP Safe Driving Class, known as the 55 Alive/Mature Driving class, helps refine existing skills; develops safe, defensive driving techniques; and draws attention to age-related changes that may affect driving.

Participants receive updated information on changes in the driving laws. This class is hosted by the Jefferson Fire District and taught by an AARP volunteer.

Drivers who attend may qualify for an auto insurance premium reduction. There are no tests, and the cost of the class is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members, which is to be paid the day of the class.

Drivers are encouraged to sign up in advance as the class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (541) 327-2822 or stop by the main station.

Democrat-Herald