No Baloney

When you walk into Albany’s No Baloney for a sandwich, salad, or soup you can count on being greeted by a hard-working staff and the scent of delicious warm, toasted sandwiches that will leave your mouth watering all the way to the check-out counter.

This busy little sandwich shop is a fantastic alternative to grab-and-go drive-thru food. They offer an extensive menu full of fresh ingredients that allows you to customize each order to your unique taste. Sandwiches and salads are made with enticing, healthy ingredients including freshly sliced deli meats and a wide array of crisp, flavorful veggies.

No Baloney offers classic “sub” sandwiches, but they also offer “grinders” as well. Grinder bread is thick, chewy and full of flavor. Not only is it delicious, it’s filling. One well-topped foot long can serve as both lunch and dinner for a light eater. Options like Texas Toast, marble rye, tortilla wraps and gluten-free bread are also available for those who prefer something other than your traditional sub-style roll.

If you like it old school, "Classic" sandwiches, such as the "Ham," "Tuna," "Turkey," and "Meatball" might just hit the spot. For a little more pizzazz, you can opt for one of their "Favorite” sandwiches, such as the "Italian," the "Traditional," "Club," "BLT," or "Veggie." If you prefer something a little more elaborate the “Premium" sandwiches, such as the "Philly," "Pastrami and Swiss," "Buffalo Chicken," "Crispy Chicken", "Chicken Cordon Bleu," and of course, the "No Baloney" may be right for you.

All of the standard sandwich toppings are available as well as many unique flavors. Green olives and bread and butter pickles will give your sandwich a little extra flavor. Veggies like onions and green peppers are offered both fresh and toasted with your sandwich, and signature sauces lather up these hoagies in style.

Salads come in fresh assortments with enticing themes such as "Antipasto," "Seafood," "Philly," and "Buffalo Chicken," with over 19 toppings available to customize your meal.

Kids meals offer sandwiches, "Mac 'n' Cheese," "Mickey Nuggets," and hot dogs, sided by your child's choice of apple sauce or chips.

Prices for a sandwich run from $3.49 to $7.99. Salads $6.99 and a kid’s meal are a reasonable $3.49. While this is a bit more spendy than dollar menu items or $5 sandwich deals at other establishments, you definitely get what you pay for here.

As someone who loves a good sandwich, I feel like No Baloney really delivers. The options are plentiful and well made, the ingredients taste fresh, and the sauces are delicious. The textures remind you that you are eating higher quality food, made to a standard that should raise the bar for their competitors. The ambiance feels like a family run shop, and despite the hustle and bustle of the lunch hour rush you'll feel right at home this well-kept little restaurant.

As one online customer review stated "The food is fresh and the help is dedicated to service." I guarantee you won't be disappointed when you eat here.

At A Glance:

• Check out No Baloney on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nobaloneysubsnsalads

• No Baloney got four and a half stars on Yelp reviews. Check out what other people had to say about it www.yelp.com/biz/no-baloney-albany

• No Baloney is located at 2250 14th Avenue Southeast, Albany,OR 97322

Lessons in Grace

Photo courtesy of www.wlandscape.net

I was having one of those days where my two little ones would not stop bickering. One of my older boys was complaining incessantly about everything that I asked him to do. I forgot to go to the store, I had assignments that were overdue for multiple classes, and my dog kept wandering off. Then I got a call that my Grandma was ill again and probably wasn’t going to make it. As I was trying to put out fire after fire my stress level hit the roof and that was it!

A tumble weed rolled through my kitchen and you could almost hear a faint whistling in the air signaling that a standoff was coming.

With a look on my face that screamed “I just dare you to poke your brother one more time!” I started barking orders at everyone in the room. I’d had all that I could take of the daunting, endless wave of everyone’s seemingly petty frustrations when I had real issues to deal with!

At the peak of my ranting my 14-year-old son emerged from the hallway and crossed the room with quiet intent. Just as I was about to give him the “What is it now!” he very gently reached his arms around me and just held me there.

Very quietly he whispered, “I love you Mom.”

It took my breath away. I broke down and sobbed like a baby on my sweet boy’s shoulder.

It was at that moment that I realized how many times I had looked at one of my children in a state like this and had passed off their frustrations as insignificant drama. I was deeply saddened at the realization that so many of those times all my kids really needed was a little validation and reassurance of my love and support. We all need that kind of validation sometimes. From the 2-year-old who lost his truck to the bully on the playground, to the retiree who just lost their spouse and has to figure out how to cope with life on their own. Life hurts sometimes we need to know  somebody cares.

My son taught me a lesson that day that I pray I will never forget. When the people in our lives break down in the ugliest of ways it can be easy to get defensive, or even to run away. He heard my struggle that day through all of my ranting and he chose to love me through it. When he crossed that room he brought me a grace and understanding that broke down every wall that I was trying to build up in my anger.

I would encourage that the next time you see your loved one, or even a stranger, losing it in an all-out rant, that you would look through the tantrum to the struggle and choose not to put up your defenses or make a run for the hills, but to face it, like a 14-year-old boy, and change their whole world.

Kimberly Bevel, Woman on a Mission

Image courtesy of www.flickr.com.

Washing housewares in the back room, stocking shelves, and helping at the counter never once distract Kimberly Bevel from greeting each customer that comes into her store with a warm, personal welcome.

"This is my mission," said Bevel, "to show every person walking into this store that they matter."

“I’m not above anything that needs to be done,” said Bevel. No job is too small for a woman with her vision. Her day is filled with cleaning, sorting, mending, picking up deliveries and lending a hand to anyone who needs her in the process.

Bevel is the driving force behind Lebanon's new store, Pay It Forward, where in the one year since the store has opened literally thousands of families have been blessed with food, clothing, pantry items, personal care items, and furniture.

Bevel cares for three special needs grandchildren. Several years ago she found out that one of them needed multiple brain surgeries. Bevel learned that her employer would not allow her the time off needed to care for the child and she lost her job, choosing to stay by her granddaughter’s side.

This decision was beautiful, but it came with a price. Without an income to care for the children Kim was stuck. After 14 days of eating nothing but beans, rice, and hot dogs Bevel prayed for help. She promised God that if He delivered them from this struggle that she would always strive to give back, and since that day this has become her mission.

Bevel recovered from her desperate financial situation.

Fueled by the compassion that she felt for others who needed help Bevel, and her friend Kathy Crewse, started using their homes to store items for people to come by and pick up whatever they had need of. Visitors were, at one point, averaging around 60 people per day.

“I was afraid that my neighbors were going to think I was dealing drugs,” said Bevel.

So they began to search for a building that would allow them to serve more people. On May 14, 2015, Pay It Forward had its grand opening.

In the true spirit of paying it forward, ALL of the merchandise in the store is free to whoever needs it.

In the nine months following the opening of her store, Pay It Forward recorded helping over 35,000 people.

The humble little store has since expanded to two locations, including a warehouse where Bevel spends countless hours in her office fielding phone calls and dealing with paperwork.

“My day starts at 4 a.m. and ends at midnight,” said Bevel. “I get the kids off to school and it’s off to work.”

Bevel had the help of her church and some community donations to get into the building, but she now works three jobs to pay the monthly rent for these buildings out of her own pocket.

Saturdays are often spent at the local park handing out “blessed bags” with her grandchildren, packed full of soap, toothpaste, socks, crackers, Ibuprofen, etc., to whoever has need.

Volunteer Marcy Murry was brought to tears recalling her experiences with Bevel. “She doesn’t take anything for herself. She goes over and above to help anybody with anything, anytime they need it. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

There are no paid positions at Bevel’s store, but not everyone is a volunteer, either. Bevel has opened her store to provide work for people serving community service, earning state cash assistance, and workers participating in the DHS Jobs program.

“I get to be a part of a team and be surrounded by supportive people,” said worker Zachary Wisterman.  “There is so much compassion in Pay It Forward and it roots from Kim’s heart in this place. You can call Kim day or night and she’ll be there.”

Bevel’s heart reaches far beyond her home and Pay It Forward. She sends every item that is donated that can’t be used to overseas charities that re-purpose them for use in less fortunate countries. “Nothing is wasted,” said Bevel.

Regardless of the daily heap of work on her plate Bevel holds great anticipation for her plans for the future.

“My goal is to have a Pay It Forward store in every town in Linn and Benton county. I would like to find a larger building where we could offer more services to the community here in Lebanon as well.”

On top of working three jobs Bevel is a full-time student working toward s a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in hopes of being able to get involved in helping troubled youth. “Someday I would love to have a big old house on a piece of property so that I could do foster care for kids who need help,” said Bevel.

Until that day, and imaginably every day after, Bevel plans to continue to put her motivation into action, living a life that breathes a remarkable love for the people around her. Her powerful and encouraging words echoing in all that she does:

“Everybody matters; I want them to know that.” 

At a Glance:

• Pay it Forward is located at 525 Main St. in Lebanon. 
• Store hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday 1-6 p.m., and Saturday 12-6 p.m. 

• The phone number for the store is 541-405-438

• Kimberly Bevel has earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, an associate’s degree in chemistry, and a certificate for business law.

• Here is a link to an article printed by the Lebanon Express when the store opened in 2015 lebanon-express.com/news/local/pay-it-forward-business-gives-to-community/article_82ddec95-3b5c-5d39-bbb1-9819c20ab3af.html
• Here is a link to an article by the Fox 12 Oregon from Nov, 2015 www.kptv.com/Clip/11997546/pay-it-forward-store-helps-lebanon-community                                         

• Pay It Forward’s Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/PayItForwardLebanon

• Bevel has six children of her own and 17 grandchildren. She has also been a foster parent for 19 more children.

Cheesy Stuffed Burgers

Albany is now home to a humble little food truck with an arsenal of flavor that is sure to give the local fast food joints a run for their money.

"Cheesy Stuffed Burger" resides in a modest little parking lot right where Highway 99E splits at the overpass. Offering car-side service with a smile, these guys deliver food in record time that will surely hit the spot, and then some.

Business Insider awarded with the title 2015's the Best Burger in Oregon, saying  "Cheesy Stuffed Burgers is just as decadent as it sounds." 

Ingredients are bought locally, and the simple, straightforward menu offers dishes that have been skillfully crafted time and again to produce an award-winning burger that you won't forget.

If you believe in the old saying "go big or go home," this is definitely the place for you. The patties are thick, juicy, and extra cheesy. A small variety of burgers are available but the options are impressive. If you like it hot, you can opt for the "Spicy Sriracha Meltdown." Or, if you've got bacon on the brain(and lets face it, who doesn't!), the "Guacamole BBQ Bacon Lover" might be just what your taste buds are looking for.

The list of premium toppings offers unique ways to customize the flavor on the "Bacon Lover" or the "Three Cheese". Options like blue cheese crumbles, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and guacamole give you numerous possibilities for building your perfect burger.

The basic fries come in a bag that couldn't possibly contain the massive pile of potatoes that it's meant to hold. If you upgrade to the "Bacon Cheddar Fries" the thick blanket of chopped bacon resting on top might give you the impression that there is nothing but bacon in this bowl; but rest assured, there is a hearty pile of sloppy, cheese-covered fries patiently waiting for you just below. When asked what he thought about the Bacon Cheddar Fries, one customer smiled and murmured just one long word in satisfaction "baaacccooon!"

 For those out there who want a healthier option, "Cheesy Stuffed Burger" also offers a non-stuffed vegetarian burger, and kids meals are available as well.

If you're in the mood for a new cultural experience you can try a bowl of Filipino-style Lumpia.  These little rolls are similar to Chinese-style spring rolls. They are meticulously hand wrapped, deep fried, sliced, and served with a delicious semi-spicy, sweet dipping sauce. Lumpia can be done in many ways, and although this wasn't the best that I've ever had, it certainly wasn't bad.

"Big Cheesy Burger" isn't the most expensive place in town, but I wouldn't exactly call it cheap either. Diners should expect to pay a reasonable $6.79 to $8.99 for their burger, but sides and drinks are ordered separately and priced individually. Souped-up fries and Lumpia will run you anywhere from $2.99 to $4.99, so come prepared.

All in all this place really delivers. "Cheesy Stuffed Burgers" put their name on the map for their first location in Corvallis, but after only seven weeks in Albany, these guys are on their way to making this new location a hometown favorite. With friendly service and delicious food, this place is definitely a must try!

At a Glance:

• "Cheesy Stuffed Burger" is located in Albany at  815 SE 9th Ave, Albany, Ore. This  truck is open for business 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
• Their Corvallis truck is located at 1545 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330. This location is open Sunday-Wednesday 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. and Thursday-Saturday 7 p.m-2:30 a.m. 
• Check out "Cheesy Stuffed Burger" on the web at www.cheesystuffedburgers.com
• Check out the article on "Cheesy Stuffed Burger" winning "Best Burger in Oregon" for 2015 www.businessinsider.com/best-burgers-in-america-2015-12
• Try making your own cheesy stuffed burger. Here is a link to one recipe that you might enjoy grilling at home www.food.com/recipe/cheesy-bacon-stuffed-burgers-476656

Extra Help for LBCC Students and Staff

Image courtesy of www.flickr.com.

For many students, attending college is a serious financial burden, and here at LBCC there are programs designed to help relieve some of that burden.

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) offers a multitude of services to both students and staff members ranging from food boxes, through the LBCC Lunchbox program, to providing personal care items, and even diapers and wipes. Clothing racks with professional style clothing are ready to be picked through and sent home with those who might need a wardrobe boost for job seeking or work.

The only requirement for these complementary services is to show your LBCC ID card at the SLC office located at the east end of the campus courtyard, and the they will be happy to set you up with what you need. These services are designed to cover students and staff and their immediate families, so don't forget to mention the family and pick up a little extra for them as well.

Those who want to get involved in keeping these programs running are welcome to participate in campus fundraisers, like the current "Can the Dean" food drive, organized by SLC Community Outreach Coordinator Kaela Fuller, or the Thanksgiving food drive in October, headed by Chairwoman Tammi Drury, LBCC Transcript Degree Evaluator. Donations of food, personal care items, or professional style clothing can be dropped off at the SLC office any time the doors are open.

For those who aren't financially able to contribute, volunteers are also much appreciated. Proceeds from the Hot Shot Coffee House help to fund the LBCC Lunchbox program as well, so students in need of a caffeine boost can get their coffee and spread the love at the same time.

This kind of support is a wonderful gift to our campus community and their families, but can more be done?

"The SLC wants to hear from the students and the ideas that they have for offering more help," said Barb Horn, adviser to the SLC.

If anyone has an idea for a new fundraiser or service that could further help our students and staff, ideas are both welcomed and encouraged. Drop in at SLC anytime and get let your ideas meet with people who truly have a heart for building up their community.

At a Glance:

• The LBCC website is www.linnbenton.edu.

• The SLC website is www.linnbenton.edu/current-students/involvement/student-life-and-leadership/student-leadership-council.
• The LBCC Lunchbox website is www.linnbenton.edu/current-students/involvement/student-life-and-leadership/student-resources/lb-lunch-box. 

•  People interested in participating in the Thanksgiving Food drive, or want to sign up for a food box can email Tammi Drury at Tammi.drury@linnbenton.edu. 

• The SLC also offers help to offset the costs of graduation caps and gowns, and even offers loaners. For more information email Barbra Horn at hornb@linnbenton.edu.

• Common supplies needed for distribution at the SLC are canned proteins, veggies and fruits and toothbrushes.