February 2 - Professor Banjo

Paul Silveria performs for families and children with sing-a-longs, dancing games, and stories, all accompanied by lively old-time banjo music that everyone can enjoy.·Professor Banjo's shows are fun for a wide range of ages - from toddlers to tweens who still like to get up and dance around!

February 16 - The Reptile Man

Educational, humorous, exciting and fun, Reptile Man brings 17 reptiles for his Albany visit: pythons, a tortoise, a rat snake, and lizards. ·The Reptile man has been bringing reptiles to kids for over 20 years.

Both shows are at 10:00 a.m. in the Forum at Linn-Benton Community College. ·For more information, contact 541-917-7777 or visit the website at www.cityofalbany.net/cpas.

Free workshops help with home buying, breast cancer awareness 

Two free workshops in February and March 2013 offer Albany residents some education on home buying and breast cancer awareness.

Home Ownership: Am I Ready to Buy Now? 6:30-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Avenue SE. Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, a local nonprofit housing agency, will share valuable information about getting into and keeping a home. Registration is required. Call 541-752-7220, Ext. 300; e-mail info@w-nhs.org; or visit www.w-nhs.org

Breast Cancer Awareness. 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW, presented by SCREEN, a local breast and cervical health education program, designed to increase awareness about breast and cervical health and the need for early detection. This presentation will cover the most recent breast screening recommendations, resources for accessing screenings, some of the risk factors associated with breast cancer, and answer questions about who needs a mammogram and how often; breast self-exams; and screenings for the uninsured.

More information about these and other courses offered by Albany Parks & Recreation is at www.albanyparksandrecreation.org.

Gardening in the Pacific Northwest Winter brown bag lunch series continues 

Oregon State University Extension Service and Linn-Benton Community College cosponsor a series of short lunchtime sessions on popular gardening topics for Linn County gardeners this winter. Classes are at noon Wednesdays at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Avenue SE, and Thursdays at East Linn LBCC, 44 Industrial Way, Lebanon.

The talks are free and no reservations are required. Bring a sack lunch and meet other gardeners with similar interests.

Upcoming courses:

• January 30 & 31 - Growing Hops: For the Home-brewer in Your Life; Instructor Shaun Townsend, OSU
• February 6 & 7 - A Crash Course on Pacific Northwest Plant ID; Joleen Schilling, LBCC
• February 13 & 14 - Indoor & Outdoor Water Conservation; Kim Kagelaris, City of Albany
• February 20 & 21 - How to "Grow" Healthy, Living Soil; Rich Little, OSU Master Gardener
• February 27 & 28 - Edible Landscapes: Grocery Shop from Your Yard! Miriam Edell, LBCC.

Spring outdoor burning season opens March 1 

Some open outdoor burning is allowed in the Albany area in the spring and fall. Spring burn season starts March 1 and typically ends June 15, though it could end sooner depending on environmental conditions.

Residents served by the Albany Fire Department are allowed to burn yard debris such as natural materials from trees, shrubs, or plants; and no permit or fee is required. Other outdoor recreational burning, such as campfires or backyard fire pits, is also allowed.

Before starting a fire, call the Burn Information Line (541-451-1904) to confirm that burning is allowed that day and during what hours and be respectful of neighbors.

The Open Burning Guide for Citizens of the City of Albany & Albany Fire Protection Districts has more information and a list of materials that cannot be burned outdoors.

Volunteers provide free help with income taxes 

The AARP Tax-Aide program has trained and certified volunteers to prepare and file federal and state income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, free of charge, for taxpayers of all ages in Linn and Benton Counties. All tax returns are prepared on computers and filed electronically.

Volunteers are available February 4-April 16, 2013 at the Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW, and Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Avenue SE. Appointments can be scheduled at each location and walk-ins are welcome. Volunteers will be at the Senior Center 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; at the Library, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturdays.

For information about each site, leave a message at 541-602-5829 after January 15. A volunteer will return the call.

In 2012, more than 70 Tax-Aide volunteers filed more than 3,300 federal and state tax returns, with an earned income credit value of over $870,000 within the two counties.

Tax clients should bring these items when meeting with a tax aide:

• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents;
• Copy of last year's income tax returns;
• W-2 forms from each employer;
• Unemployment compensation statements;
• 1099 forms
• All forms indicating federal income tax paid;
• Child care provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number);
• Summary of receipts or checks for deductible items if itemizing.

The AARP Tax-Aide program is locally sponsored by RSVP and its partner locations.

Albany Parks & Recreation Department will have an Arbor Week kick-off event on April 13, 2013 and the annual Arbor Day celebration is Friday, April 26, 2013. 

Visit  www.albanyparksandrecreation.org/urban-forestry for more information. 

Is the Street Light Out?

Pacific Power is responsible for maintaining most of the streetlights in Albany. ·If you see one that's out or not working properly, you can report the problem to the power company directly online, or by calling toll-free 1-888-221-7070.

Albany Public Works Department will also report the problem. ·Call 541-917-7600.

Whether reporting the outage directly or to Public Works, provide the pole's location and, if possible, the pole number, which is located on a rectangular metal sign attached to the pole. ·It usually takes about two weeks to get the faulty light on the repair schedule.

Police Chief search underway 

The City of Albany is conducting a nationwide search for a police chief to replace Ed Boyd, who announced his retirement last fall and will leave the job at the end of May 2013. Applications for the position were accepted through January 25 and will be reviewed over the next few weeks.

Boyd's retirement caps a 26-year career in local law enforcement. He has been Chief of the Albany Police Department since January 17, 2006, following 19½ years with the Salem Police Department, where his last position was Deputy Chief in charge of the department's largest division, Operations, with 120 employees.

During his Albany tenure, Chief Boyd has overseen 94 personnel providing professional law enforcement services to the Albany community. City Manager Wes Hare has commended Chief Boyd for his integrity and leadership. "He is an outstanding chief who has led by example," Hare said. "Ed has been a valued member of our management team, and he will be greatly missed by those within his department and people throughout our organization."

"It has been my absolute honor and privilege to serve as the Albany Police Chief and to work with the dedicated men and women of the Albany Police Department," Boyd said. "Our mission is 'excellence through service.' It is demonstrated every single day in the work performed by our outstanding department.

"I especially want to thank my staff for their tireless work and support over the past 7 years. All the great things we have accomplished could not have been done without their dedicated efforts."

Hare hopes to have a new chief named before Boyd retires. 

More information will be posted as the process progresses.