22
vernonia’s
voice in other words
january
2009
Voices In My Head: Cabin Fever
By P.J. O’Leary
By Nancy Burch
Monday, December 22 -12:00 PM
Power has been out for two days, 36 inches of snow is stacked outside the door and it
continues falling at about one inch per hour. There’s a stew on the woodstove with some
carrots, potatoes and a few choice bits of what’s left of the neighbor’s Highland Terrier. We
were lucky enough to capture her when her little legs got stuck in a snowdrift yesterday
afternoon. At this point, only the craftiest of neighborhood pets have avoided becoming en-
trees. Dogs and cats, bunnies and parakeets; all have given their lives to preserve humanity
in this tiny snow-bound community.
The citizenry, while not openly admitting to thoughts of cannibalism, seem to look at each
other with either fearful suspicion or gluttonous desire, depending on their degree of des-
peration. Mothers cling tightly to children for fear that they might wander off and be
snatched by a voracious stranger. People left with precious few resources save for a bottle
of Sweet Baby Ray’s Award-Winning Barbecue Sauce will, in time, develop a distorted
view of the traditional food-chain.
The Oregon National Guard completed a successful aerial drop at Spencer Park a few
days ago, but before relief volunteers could secure the cache, it was stolen by the packs of
Middle Schoolers who now inhabit the woods around town, living like wolves and pounc-
ing upon the weak and vulnerable. Law enforcement has long since given up trying to
maintain order, as even gangs of Cub Scouts have traded in their merit badges for lives of
pillaging and generally disruptive behavior.
The Mayor and City Council have barricaded themselves inside City Hall, hoping to keep
the hordes of hungry, raging townspeople at bay until federal troops arrive. More later---
So, how was your New Year’s? I’m not that much for resolutions, but I have decided that
I’m going to spend less time worrying about what people think. You know how sometimes
you feel like you might have a loose booger so you find a mirror to do a quick booger
check? It’s never there when you look in the mirror. It’s when you’re not worried about it
that you have one hanging out, flapping like a wind sock at a Seaside summer cottage.
Or, say you’re sitting in one of those vinyl waiting room chairs at the dentist’s office and
you move your leg. The resulting squeak sounds uncomfortably like the noise one makes
when he is suffering from a personal gas crisis. Three people look at you and smile and
shake their heads. You immediately endeavor to move your leg around again hoping that
by duplicating the noise it will become apparent to everyone that the sound was not what
they assumed. Of course, you can’t repeat the noise, so you’re left with that burning little
tinge of embarrassment.
From now on when that happens, I’m just going to smile back and give them my best Sarah
Palin wink.
ts le!
o
h llab
S
i
Flu Ava
On The Shelves: What’s Happening At
Vernonia Library
Vernonia
Healthmart Pharmacy
• All adult immunizations available.
• Prescriptions filled • Accepting most major insurance plans.
A parent in Halsey, Oregon, recently complained about the book entitled “Book of Bunny Sui-
cides” and threatened to burn it. To date, the Central Linn School Board is divided on the issue
of keeping the book or removing it from the library. The issue of censorship can be found in
Vernonia’s library board minutes in 1944 when “There was a discussion of the suitability of
detective stories for the library, a topic presented by the librarian. She was directed to write the
state librarian concerning this matter.” Although no further mention could be found concerning
this matter, “detective stories” did become part of the library’s collection. In the last twenty
years, the issue has only arisen a few times and mainly in connection with youngsters (what
they can check out or in regard to Internet use). We follow the guidelines of the American Li-
brary Association, whose belief is that “the primary responsibility for rearing children rests with
parents. If parents want to keep certain ideas or forms of expression away from their children,
they must assume the responsibility for shielding those children. Governmental institutions
cannot be expected to usurp or interfere with parental obligations and responsibilities when it
comes to what a child may read or view.” Our Internet policy is pretty much along the same
lines—Parents must read and sign a permission slip for any youngster under the age of 18 before
they are allowed to use the library’s Internet terminals. We do not have filters and recommend
parents use their best judgment when signing these permission slips.
Because library materials have not been exempt from scrutiny and challenges, the Oregon State
Library established the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse in 1987. This central clear-
ing house collects reports about challenges to library materials. (These challenges and actions
taken may be found on the Oregon State Library website.) Challenges against library materi-
als reported to this Clearinghouse have included Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin
Schwartz, A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle, The
Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans, Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey, and Draw Me a Star
by Eric Carle. As you can see, most of these books are mainstays of library collections. Rea-
sons for challenges include political content, sexual expression, or language offensive to some
people’s racial, cultural, or ethnic background, gender or sexuality, or political or religious be-
liefs. Materials considered obscene or inappropriate for children have often been challenged.
Materials are usually retained with no change, but some are reclassified from juvenile to adult,
with very few actually being removed from libraries.
At the same time, there are certain categories of speech such as obscenity, child pornography,
defamation, and “fighting words,” or speech that incites immediate and imminent lawless action
that are not protected by the First Amendment and may be censored.
Be assured that librarians are not censoring when they choose not to buy materials for the li-
brary. Expense, space, and lack of community interest are the main reasons patrons may not find
everything they wish in the library. Ask for material not found on the shelves and if it’s possible,
it will be made available. Libraries strive to serve the interests of the entire community.
W HAT IS Y OUR
N EW Y EAR ’ S R ESOLUTION ?
TO SAVE MONEY!
• Full selection of over the counter health care needs;
Vitamins, cold remedies, pain relievers & more!
YOUR HOME TOWN PHARMACY!
Better Service, Less Wait, & Same Co-Pay!
R x
Philip J. Darrah, Pharmacist
Monday thru Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM
503.429.0591
622 Bridge Street, Vernonia
vernoniaRX@yahoo.com
WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR SERVICE
0.30% APY* bonus rate available for members with a
Checking Account, Platinum Visa account or Mortgage Loan at
Wauna Federal Credit Union.
Don’t wait another year to pay yourself first!
1.800.773.3236
www.waunafcu.org
Call your Member Service Agent at:
Astoria Clatskanie St Helens Vernonia Warrenton
325.1044 728.4321 366.1334 429.8031 861.7526
*Member of WFCU only. Rate shown applies to balances of $500 and greater. All rates are Annual Percentage Yields and are subject
to change. Special certificate will automatically renew into a regular 12 month term certificate at the regular rate unless the credit union
is otherwise notified. Penalties for early withdrawal apply.
**Members of WFCU only. Rate shown applies to balances $80,000 or greater. A minimum balance of $500 must be maintained to
earn dividends. All rates are Annual Percentage Yields, are subject to change and are valid as of 01-02-09. Money Market Account
restrictions apply with a minimum withdrawal of $100.