vernonia’s
voice community news
april
2008
First Fridays Are
Back
First Fridays of Vernonia for 2008 begin on April
4th. This month’s events include “Flood Stories” at
the Library from 5 – 7 pm followed at 7:30 with the
first of two presentations of “Heidi” and “The Ugly
Duckling” at the Vernonia Grange. Under the aus-
pices of Vernonia Hands-on Art and the Chamber of
Commerce, a new series of First Friday events are
being planned through October. If you are inter-
ested in performing music, showing your artwork,
offering extended business hours or specials, or
sending us your own ideas for First Fridays, please
contact the Chamber of Commerce (503.429.5201
or info@vernoniachamber.org) or Vernonia Hands-
on Art (503.705.2173 or VernoniaArt@aol.com).
Woodcutting Help
Needed!
The Columbia County Flood Relief is requesting
help with woodcutting this month. On Saturday
April 5th and 19th the Oregon Society of American
Foresters is organizing crews that will be heading
out to cut downed logs for firewood to be used to
help flood victims.
Community members with chainsaws are asked to
come out and help. Chaps are required if you will
be cutting. Also needed are ten pickup trucks for
hauling the wood back to the distribution center as
well as people to split, load and unload the wood.
Bring work gloves and meet near the Wauna Credit
Union on Bridge Street at 8:30 AM.
For more information contact: Robert L. Alverts-
Woodcut Project Coordinator, phone: 503-639-0405,
cell: 503-577-0202, email: balverts@teleport.com
05
West Coast Bank Opens Support Account
for Vernonia Soccer Club
When torrential rains and devastating floods destroyed the Vernonia Soccer Club’s equipment shed,
balls, nets, goal posts and jerseys last year they knew they’d need to buy new equipment, and soon. That
time is closer than they thought thanks to West Coast Bank.
In conjunction with the Oregon Youth Soccer Association, the bank has opened a support fund for the
needy soccer club. Donations can now be accepted at any West Coast Bank location in Oregon and
Washington.
West Coast Bank Regional President Dave Hansen said,” We’re glad to be able to help replace the
Vernonia Soccer Club’s equipment with help from surrounding communities. We’re also pleased to an-
nounce our three-year commitment to the Oregon Youth Soccer Association.”
As the exclusive financial service provider for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA), West
Coast Bank will sponsor the Oregon State Soccer Semi-finals and Finals, the President’s Cup Finals
and Semi-finals, the NIKE Friendship Cup, Kohl’s Cup, Association Exchange and five West Coast
Bank Soccer Clinics for employee’s and customer’s children. Additionally, the bank will sponsor “West
Coast Coaching Clues” articles in OYSA’s Goal Post newspaper, two $500 scholarships to the Olympic
Development Program and a finance section on the OYSA website.
Founded in 1974, the Oregon Youth Soccer Association is a non-profit youth organization that admin-
isters, supports and grows soccer across the State of Oregon. Their current membership consists of 110
Soccer Clubs, 56,000 youth players and over 6,000 volunteers and coaches. For more information, see
www.oregonyouthsoccer.org.
Vernonia Jazzercise Announces Changes
Jazzercise dance-fitness classes formerly held at The First Baptist Church will move to the Vernonia Grange
Hall beginning Monday March 24th, 2008, according to Vernonia -area instructor Penelope Costley.
Costley also annouced the addition of Debra Bergerson and Jeana Gump as the newest instructors to join the
Vernonia Jazzercise team. Bergerson and Gump raise the number of local instructors to 4. Bergerson and Gump
will kick off their classes in April at The Vernonia Grange Hall 375 North Street.
“Our move to The Vernonia Grange allows us to better accommodate students with a convenient location and
comfortable workout space,” explained Costley. Classes will take place at the Vernonia Grange Hall at 5:30am
Monday, Wednesday & Friday; 8:15am on Saturday; 9:45am Monday, Wednesday & Friday; 7:15pm on Tuesday
and Thursday and 7:45pm (Express - ½ hour class) on Monday and Wednesday. In addition to regular Jazzercise
classes, Vernonia Jazzercise is also offering Jazzercise Personal Touch classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
5:30am, 9:15am and 6:15pm pre-registration is required for the Personal Touch classes.
Bergerson and Gump earned the right to teach Jazzercise by completing an intense three-day workshop
and performing a letter-perfect audition. Becoming a Jazzercise instructor requires
dedication and thorough training. After submitting adequate references and putting in
long hours of practice, Bergerson and Gump recently participated in a rigorous work-
shop in Portland, OR sponsored by the Franchise Programs and Services Department
of Jazzercise, Inc. They were required to learn approximately 15 Jazzercise routines
for their audition; pass a written exam on basic anatomy, exercise physiology and
nutrition; learn Jazzercise business practices; and become certified to perform cardio-
pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The 60-minute Jazzercise class includes a warm-up, high-energy aerobic routines,
muscle-toning and cool-down stretch segment. Jazzercise combines elements of
dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kick-boxing and more to create programs
for people of every age and fitness level. Alternative formats include Jazzercise Lite,
Jazzercise Personal Touch and Junior Jazzercise.
About Jazzercise
Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance
exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She
has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by
growing her program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a net-
work of 7,200 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.
The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pi-
lates, yoga, and kickboxing movements, has positively affected millions of people
worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flex-
ibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor. For more information on Jazzercise
contact Penelope Costley at (503)429-0196. For worldwide class information, go to
jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT.
Vernonia Rural
Fire Department
Looking for
Volunteer Recruits!
Starting Now!
60 Hours Free Training. Trainings Held
on Weekends thru May 10th.
Must be 16 years old.
Contact Chief Paul Epler if interested.
503-429-8252
Help Serve Your Community!
New Hours for Flood Recovery Assistance
Columbia County Flood
Waste Management Transfer
Recovery Center:
Station:
(503) 429-4948
Saturday Only 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mon., Tues.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wed.
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thurs., Fri., Sat. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Vernonia Cares Food Bank
Tues., Thurs. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.