Wyden named head of public-lands panel

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has been named chairman of the U.S. Senate's Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, Wyden's office announced from Washington.

The chairmanship will provide a platform for Wyden to act on environmental and natural-resource issues.

Wyden said he intends to coordinate the subcommittee's efforts closely with those of Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., to examine whether taxpayers are getting a fair deal for oil and gas leasing on the outer continental shelf.

Jurisdiction of the subcommittee includes oversight and legislative responsibilities for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, the establishment of wildlife refuges and wilderness areas, and policies governing the extraction of natural resources from federal lands.

S.H. Charter School to hold open house

SWEET HOME - Sweet Home Charter School is holding an open house at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sweet Home Charter School is located at 1805 Long St., Sweet Home.

Storyteller to share tales from around the world

Allison Cox, a storyteller from Vashon Island, Wash., will share her art in a free public program at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Albany Public Library, 1390 Waverly Drive S.E.

Titled "All Together Now," Cox's program will consist of participatory tales for all ages and from around the world. Inuit, African, Native American and Scottish tales will be included.

Her performance is part of the mid-valley's fifth annual Tcha Tee Man Storytelling Festival, which runs Feb. 1-4. The other festival events will take place in Corvallis. For more information, call the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library at 766-6794.

Cox's Albany appearance is sponsored by the Linn Library League, a volunteer organization working for library service for all Linn County residents.

Memorial to hold can, bottle drive for camps

Memorial Middle School music department will be having a pop can and bottle drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in front of Memorial Middle School on Queen Avenue.

People can either drop off their cans and bottles or contact the school, before 3 p.m. Friday, at 967-4537 to have them picked up.

Funds from the drive will be used to help send students to band camp and choir camps this summer.

YMCA to offer triathlon training club

The Mid Willamette Family YMCA is hosting its second annual YMCA Triathlon Training Club, open to all members of the community.

The club is especially for those planning to participate in the Albany Sprint Triathlon, to be held in April. The program is geared toward new triathletes, but several levels of training will be available for experienced athletes as well.

The sessions will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 17-March 31, at the YMCA. Each session will include swim stroke analysis and turns, cardio conditioning, balance and flexibility sessions, and relaxation techniques. Running and biking routes will be introduced as well. Transition advice will be given, as well as pointers on hydration and mental preparation. Participants will also be encouraged to try the Lebanon and Canby Triathlons, both in May.

Leadership will be provided by Elke Asleson, former Ironman Triathlon finisher, certified swim coach, certified fitness instructor, and marathoner.

Registration is open at the YMCA, 3311 Pacific Blvd., Albany. Cost is $75 for YMCA members, and $90 for non-members.

For more information or to register, call the YMCA at 926-4488 or e-mail jasleson@msn.com.

Lebanon church to host indoor park for kids

LEBANON - Lebanon Church of the Nazarene, 600 W. D St., will host an indoor park from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, starting Feb. 7, so parents have a place to bring small children during the cold and rain.

The indoor park is intended for young children through kindergarten age. Parents can bring them to a safe, warm place to play and run while enjoying time with other parents. Supervision is not provided, and parents must come with their kids. There will be climbing equipment, ride-on toys and lots of room to run. There will also be an area for younger kids.

For more information, call 451-1550.

Democrat-Herald