Salem-News.com Christmas articles

Kids Will `Shop With a Cop` in Mid-Valley Cities

The "Shop with a Cop" events are a great opportunity for police officers to interact with children that may only have had a negative experience with law enforcement.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The need is greater this year as state troopers, county deputies, and city police officers reach out to help over 600 kids shop for special gifts this holiday season at three locations in Linn, Benton and Marion counties. It is part of their area annual "Shop with a Cop" event.

For the 14th year, Corvallis and Albany-area police officers will help local disadvantaged and foster children shop for Christmas gifts as part of the local "Shop with a Cop" program. Last year, 181 children left with smiles on their faces after purchasing videos, clothing, toys, and other special gifts while shopping with state, county, and city police officers.

"We all are experiencing in some way the impact of the economy and most of these children would receive very little even in the best of times," said long-time "Shop with a Cop" organizer, Ms. Reita Wyatt.

`Shop With a Cop` in Salem Helps 415 Local Kids

Law Enforcement for Youth says they are pleased to announced that their 2007 Shop with a Cop program was a resounding success.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Shop with Cop program partners disadvantaged children with a law enforcement officer to shop for a holiday gift. The kids are selected through several agencies including the housing authorities of Marion County and Salem, Salem/Keizer Schools, crisis centers and others,

Steve Polanski with Law Enforcement for Youth, says their local all volunteer non-profit organization conducts this event from fundraising to the coordination of the shopping day. Each child is provided a $25.00 gift card.

Willamette National Forest Christmas Tree Permits Now Available

Be well prepared for your Christmas tree outing by bringing a handsaw or axe as well as winter clothing and safety equipment.

(DETROIT, Ore. ) - Christmas tree permits are now available at Willamette National Forest Ranger District offices in Detroit, Sweethome, McKenzie Bridge, and Westfir, as well as several area businesses.

Personal use permits are $5 each, and allows the holders to cut one tree and a maximum of five permits can be purchased by one household.

Good Tidings From Salem-News.com

Editors note: The sharing of this poem is a gift, which we accept with much thanks to Hank. Happy holidays!

(SALEM) - Friends, Readers and All Others:

This year’s Christmas season is so fraught with dire possibility and definite debacles, on nearly every side, that reminiscence from the ‘70s brought out again a moving moment-then, from BCR, prior to her six-year illness with Alzheimer’s.

SO --with some small misgivings, but encouraged by the kind comments over some past months from so many of you, here’s Bea’s “70s Moment” to add its solid strength to your Holiday Season, whatever it may be --with Best Christmas Wishes from Op Eds/Salem-News:

A Christmas Lesson (VIDEO)

Artist Glen Bledsoe shares a memorable story of he and his brother, one Christmas back in time.

(SALEM) - This is the story of one of my first lessons as a teacher, thought I was too young to know it at the time.

When I was just a boy, I taught my youngest brother to write... with a little incentive using a letter to Santa.

It's one that has been told to my students for years, and now it's your turn.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Santa to Handout Candy Canes Saturday in Keizer

This very special event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM.

(KEIZER) - For forty-five years, Santa Claus has made a special trip from the North Pole on a Saturday before Christmas to visit Keizer area children and hand out candy canes.

Santa has confirmed he will visit Keizer on Saturday to continue this tradition.

Because Santa’s sleigh is being tuned up for his rounds on Christmas Eve, Santa will, once again, be driven around the area by Keizer Fire District fire trucks.

Keizer, Dallas Fire Departments Hosting Annual Breakfast With Santa This Weekend

KIDS! Santa is scheduled to make an appearance at each of the events.

(KEIZER) - The Keizer Volunteer Firefighters Association will hold its annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, at the Keizer Fire Station, 661 Chemawa Rd. NE in Keizer.

Hours of the breakfast are 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

The Dallas Volunteer Fire Department's annual "Breakfast with Santa" will be held on Saturday, at the fire station, 915 SE Shelton St.

Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and juice will be served from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Police in Linn And Benton Counties to Participate in Two

Each child has a $25.00 shopping limit and works their way around the store with a police officer to find gifts for family and friends.

(ALBANY ) - For the 12th year, Corvallis and Albany-area police officers will shop together with local disadvantaged and foster children for Christmas gifts as part of a local program called "Shop With a Cop".

Last year, 153 children shopped with state, county, and city police officers in the two very successful events while purchasing videos, clothing, toys and other special gifts.

The event is sponsored mainly through donations from police officer associations, private individuals, and K-Mart, Target, and Wal-Mart.

Christmas Tree Cutting Permits Now Available

When traveling out to find and cut your own Christmas tree in Oregon, remember safety first.

(SALEM) - For many families, it is an annual tradition to brew up some hot chocolate, wrap the scarves up tight and travel deep into the woods in search of that perfect Christmas tree.

However, this year, you may have to drive a bit further.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is not offering Christmas Tree Cutting permits on the Santiam State Forest this year.

Santa Claus Arrives at the Salem Riverfront Carousel (VIDEO)

The holiday season was put in motion Friday at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel.

(SALEM) - This is the third year that Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrived in Salem by train. Between rainstorms, at least 250 people gathered to watch for the Portland Western Railroad pull in, Santa and his entourage waving from the caboose.

The special delivery has become a holiday treat for hundreds of area kids and families and an event they’ve been waiting for, well, since last Christmas!

“What we’re trying to create here is a family tradition,” said Marie Bradford, Director of the Riverfront Carousel.