04
december
vernonia’s
voice what’s happening
2007
Readers Lend Their Voices...
Events Calendar
Dear Editor,
I appreciate the fact The Voice published my lengthy opinion letter titled Had
Enough Division in its November issue. Although I understand how the Voice
came to list the author as “Anonymous,” it had always been my intention to take
responsibility for the letter. If I do choose to be anonymous, I will use a pseud-
onym, say, Silence Dogood, she has a good pedigree.
-- Jim Tierney
Vernonia
Variety Show Features Talent and Promise
The third annual Hands On Art Vernonia Community Variety Show was held on
November 15 at the Washington Grade School. The program featured a wide range
of acts from music to dance to comedy, and was a fundraiser for the Vernonia Cares
holiday food drive and the Vernonia School District’s efforts to bring the Dallas
Brass to Vernonia for a performance in February.
Mistress of Ceromonies was Vernonia Mayor Sally Harrison who introduced the
acts. Among the highlights of the program were numerous dance numbers by the
Banks Performing Arts Academy, a performance by the new Vernonia Ballet, and
routine by Junior Jazzercise. Musical numbers were performed by Vernonia Strings
of Fire with Burt Tschache performing on guitar, MacKenzie Carr singing a cappel-
la, and Scarlet singing. A comedy skit was performed by Celia and Yoland Gendron,
and a Flamenco Dance by nine-year-old Grace Semerjian received great reviews.
Vernonia Band Director Rob Izzett prefaced his performance on the Euphonium
with a short talk about the visit by Dallas Brass, explaining that the group is nation-
ally known, and plans to give workshops with student musicians during the day, than
perform a concert in the evening, inviting the school band to perform with them on
stage as part of the show. Izzett encouraged the audience to purchase tickets from
school students, as the students earn opportunities to participate in the Dallas Brass
program through their ticket sales. The Dallas Brass visit is scheduled for February
1st. Tickets are $10.
Vernonia Cares finished the evening with a large basket of donated canned goods,
and everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to experience the local talent and the
many promising newcomers.
Christmas Food Box Donations Needed
Vernonia Cares Food Bank plans are well under way to offer Christmas food
boxes to low income households within the Vernonia community. Registration
opened November 1 and the deadline is December 6.
Turkey donations have been flocking in. Thanks to Vernonia resident, Patty Fo-
gel, a broker with Century 21 All Professional, she stepped forward with a generous
donation of 150 turkeys for this years Christmas food boxes. Thank you Patty! This
donation will allow Vernonia Cares to stretch resources into the New Year for cli-
ents.
The holiday food box will contain the basic groceries for a Christmas meal.
“Our target group is the households who fall within the food bank income guide-
lines,” said Vernonia Cares Director Sandy Welch. However, we really want to
reach out to anyone without the funds to purchase groceries for a Christmas Holiday
meal. After all, what’s Christmas without at least a special meal?” adds Sandy.
Vernonia Sentry has offered to help in the collection and storage of turkeys pur-
chased at the check stand. Sentry will also accept monetary donations by citizens
who wish to sponsor a Christmas food box for a family at the cost of $30.
One hundred percent of food and cash donations stay in Vernonia for distribu-
tion to families in the immediate area.
For additional information, contact Pat or Bob Stacklie at 503-429-7563.
A Spirited Old-Fashioned Christmas
December 1, 5:00 pm
Lighted parade at 5 pm starting at WGS and ending at City Hall.
Community Christmas Tree Lighting 5:30. The VHS band and
choir will be performing and will also be serving refreshments.
“Christmas in the Country” Booster Club Bazaar
December 1, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and December 2, 12:00 pm -
5:00 pm
Anyone wanting to volunteer a few hours of their time to call
Corrie Smith @ (503) 429-1052 or email VernoniaBazaar@aol.
com.
Where: Vernonia Middle School
Vernonia Holiday Market at the Vernonia Community Learning
Center
December 7, 14, 21, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Friday Open Air Market moves indoors for the Holidays. Join
us for handmade crafts, delicious food, music, and socializing with
your neighbors. Do you have a craft to sell? Tables are available-
call Scott at 429-0520.
Grey Dawn Gallery - Winter Exhibit Opening Celebration
December 7, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and December 8, 10:00 am -
5:00 pm
Please join Grey Dawn Gallery for the opening of their new winter
exhibit. They will be displaying work from internationally acclaimed
photographer Christopher Burkett. They will also be introducing
intricate bronze wildlife jewelry from artist Cavin Richie. Also on
exhibit will be work from Jacques & Mary Regat, Jeff Patterson, J.E.
Tosoni, Ian Christopher and Dave Johnson.
Show opens with their annual Christmas party on Friday, December
7th, 6:00 - 9:00 pm and continues with refreshments on Saturday,
December 8th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Christopher will be present on
Friday evening. Regular gallery hours are Monday - Saturday from
10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Exhibit will be on display through February 29,
2008.
Where: Grey Dawn Gallery 879 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064
More Information: 503-429-2787
FREE Conscious Communication Workshop
December 7, 6:30 pm
Cedar Mist Studios is holding a FREE workshop entitled “Con-
scious Communication.” This will prepare you to communicate di-
rectly with people in your life and reduce stress and liberate your life
energy - good skills for the holidays! Call 503-429-2103 to reserve
your place.
Victorian Christmas at the Grange
December 7 - 7:00 pm
Vernonia Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
December 14, 7:00 pm
The Vernonia Ballet will perform The Nutcracker in the Gymnasium
at the Vernonia Community Church.
The performance is free.
Open Mic Night at the Grange
January 12 - 7:00 pm
For more information and pictures from past events visit our
events page at www.vernoniasvoice.com/events.htm
Holiday MarkeT
Fridays 4 to 7pm
december 7 , 14 & 2 1
Local & hand-crafted
food, goods, & gifts!
Good times & good people!
Join in the fun!
Cost is $5 per table. If interested please
contact Scott at 503-367-0098
or the VCLC at 503- 429-1030
First Fridays of Vernonia is a new cultural event held every month
on the first Friday. Centered around the Vernonia Community
Learning Center and its gallery space, First Friday brings our com-
munity together to share food, conversation, and the arts.
The First Friday Committee is looking for performers, artists, ven-
ues, events businesses, and idea-people to help make this event
grow and expand. Help showcase the arts in Vernonia. If interested
in getting involved please contact Julie at vernoniaart@aol.com.