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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2009)
community october 22 2009 Intruder Alert – Safe Computing Practices: Why I Like Firefox By Burt Tschache How many of us enjoy watch- ing television shows, news, documenta- ries or other informational videos on the Internet? With the speed of broadband Internet and the new computer proces- sors even live Internet TV is a reality. I’ve watched numerous live newscasts, sporting events and speeches real-time, with great quality, over the Internet. However, there are risks associ- ated if one visits sites that are not quite as reputable. Just recently, Mozilla’s Firefox browser was updated and during the update process they provided what is known as a click-through to the Adobe website so users could update their Flash player (used for playing videos) if they were using an older version. There have been problems with the older versions of Adobe Flash and even their stalwart PDF Reader. There have been security holes found in the both of them that Adobe has been slow to patch. When Firefox installs a new version, the program checks all the at- tached software that is run by the brows- er and developed by third parties. Firefox will allow you to choose not to check for version compatibility, but advises against it as it can cause op- erational problems and in the case of se- curity holes, co-option of your computer without your knowledge. This is not good, especially if you do not have up to date security software or no security software at all. I won’t tell you what I think about that as this is a family news- paper. On Thursday, September 20 th , about 6 million people upgraded to ei- ther version 3.5.3 or 3.0.14 of Firefox on its debut. A little more than half of them were found to be running an out- dated version of Flash. Sadly, only about 35 percent of those informed they had an insecure installation clicked on a link to upgrade to the latest version. Maybe people just like living on the edge with that sense of danger lurk- ing around the next click on a cyber link, but it seems like rather a fool’s errand when the update is free and the possi- bility of system corruption or infection seems so likely. It is not so much a mat- ter of if something will happen as when it will happen. Now I must admit I dislike hav- ing to pay some of the exorbitant pric- es for software these days, but this is a FREE update and people aren’t taking advantage of it. Hopefully, the point is moot here in Vernonia and we are all keeping ourselves out of harm’s way when we surf the Internet. I happen to like Firefox as a browser because: 1. it’s free; 2. it has all manner of plug ins and add ons that are also free; 3. it runs very well; and 4. it’s not made by Microsoft. I could add more, but I’ll keep it at that. I’m even a beta tester of Firefox, so I’ll live on the edge that way and keep my Adobe Flash up to date. Besides, I am really enjoying watching some of the new videos on YouTube and Google about supervol- canoes. Geology is another interest of mine beyond music, computers and a myriad of other topics. That is the beau- ty of the Internet; you can find so many different topics of interest to quench your thirst for knowledge. Let’s be safe out there. Burt Tschache is the owner of B&B Com- puting in Vernonia. He can be reached at bnb998@msn.com or 503-429-0817. My Three Day Journey: Walking 60 Miles Every Year For Cancer By Jeana Gump the world did not prepare me for the reality of putting Since 2005, I have participated in The Breast my shoes on and walking 20 miles in one day. I didn’t Cancer 3-day walk. It has changed me in countless follow the first suggestion of all 3-day walkers: buy ways. I have walked with thousands of men and wom- bigger shoes. I ended up with 11 blisters and in the en that I do not know. I have listened to their stories end, they were my downfall. I made it through most and learned from them. Some are stories of survival of day 2 and just could not walk anymore. Given my and strength and others of determination to strength, that have ended finish what I start, in tragedy. My reasons I got home and for doing this walk have promptly signed changed over time; this up for the 2006 year I walk for anyone that 3-day in Seattle. has ever battled any kind I finished every of cancer and won or lost mile of that walk. the fight. So many people When I walked that I know have either into camp on Day fought this battle them- 2, I felt the most selves or watched a loved profound sense of one fight it. accomplishment. In 2005, I signed I had done what up to walk in the Seattle I set out to do. 3-day walk for purely self- That was until I ish reasons. As a stay-at- met a woman as I home mom, I was really walked on Day 3. Vernonian Jeanna Gump (left) and friends in San looking for a way to get She had just gone Francisco in 2008. Gump has participated in The away for a weekend. In through her 11 th Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk for the last three years, and round of chemo- hindsight, the 3-day was is headed back to walk sixty miles again this year. therapy and was probably not the best choice, as it challenged me in ways that I was not pre- cheering me on to make it up one of Seattle’s endless pared to be challenged. It was hard. I had trained. I hills. At the end of the walk, I was fully prepared to do trained for five months prior to the event. The longest it again in 2007. I did it again, alright. I walked a relatively flat training walk I did was 9 miles. All of the training in but hot and not quite as scenic walk in Phoenix, Ari- zona. On that walk, I met three other repeat walkers from different parts of the country. They too were on this journey by themselves. The four of us walked all three days together and finished together. On that walk, I met a man and his wife who walked in memory of the man’s first wife who had died of breast cancer. Each year, someone I meet on the walk has inspired me to walk yet again. In 2008, I went to San Francisco and joined the virtual group of walkers that started it all in 2004- - The Sybermom Strollers. Sybermoms is a parent- ing message board that came together and walked in numerous walks under that team name from 2004 on. I had walked as a Stroller in 2005 and 2006, and in 2008 I was able to join fellow Sybermoms. The three of us walked all 60 miles in San Francisco, and this year I will walk with them again, as well as a friend of mine that walked in 2006, and the three women I met in Phoenix in 2007. All together, there are seven of us. This should be one of the most amazing walks yet. Since 2005, I have walked over 300 miles, not including the training. I have raised over $11,000. I have dedicated my time, my sweat, my aches and my blisters to this walk. I believe that we will make a dif- ference. I believe that we will find a cure and I be- lieve that my children and grandchildren could live in a world without breast cancer. That is why I walk now. As of today, I have met my fundraising goal. That does not mean I have stopped fundraising, though. If you wish to donate to my cause, please contact me at 503- 343-9769, or e-mail me at jandjgump@verizon.net. CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED JOIN OUR TEAM Columbia County Rider is seeking a transit driver for the Nehalem Valley Fixed Route service. The NVFR provides public transit service from Verno- nia through Nehalem Valley to the Tri Met Willow Creek Transit Station in Hillsboro with one early am trip and one pm trip. A current minimum Class B CDL with air brake restriction lifted is required for this position. Passenger endorsement is also required, however the endorsement may be obtained after hire. Applicants will demonstrate a professional manner, reliability and be customer service oriented. Applications may be picked up at the CCRider Transit Vernonia office, located at 1001 Bridge St., Verno- nia or call (503) 429-4304. Delivery driver for Vernonia’s Voice. One day a month for approximately 5 hours. Must have own vehicle and proof of insurance. Call Scott at 503-367-0098 Classified Ad Rates Text Only Ads $10/month Rideshare/Carpool Ads FREE FOR SALE RIDESHARE/CARPOOL Treharne Firewood Service - Fir cut, split and deliv- Vernonia’s Voice would like to encourage conservation through shared rides and carpooling. Do you want to share ered - $150/ cord local. Jerry Budge 503-429-1811 FOR RENT Small House (620 sq.ft.) 1 bedroom, 1 bath, complete- ly remodeled, fenced yard. No pets. $450/mo., $450 security deposit, $100 cleaning deposit. Available 10/15. Call 503-970-0554 your daily commute? Have an appointment? Do you shop out of town regularly? Please submit your FREE Rideshare ad by the 20th of the month to ads@vernoniasvoice.com. Looking for someone that goes from Vernonia to Hwy. 26 at Staley’s Jct. around 6AM and back about 5:30PM. Can help with gas. Tues-Fri, hours are flexible. Email: liquidpicaso@ hotmail.com or call 503-708-7484 1 BR, 2nd fl. apt for rent in Vernonia, $ 440.00 per Monday-Friday to Murray and Millikan Way (close to Nike month, inc. water, sewer, garbage, 1st, last & security campus), Beaverton. Leave Vernonia at 7:00 AM, Leave Beaverton at 5:00 PM. Flexible departure times. email: desposit. Call Jeff @ (503)-429-6611 SERVICES katlarsenpdx@hotmail.com Sundays to Clatskanie. Leave Vernonia approx 8:45AM. Leave Clatskanie approx 1:30PM. Email: laird.kate@gmail. com or leave msg 503-429-0520 Critter Sitters and More - In home pet care while you’re away. Your pet will be safe, fed, and comfortable in their own environment. At each visit we will provide feeding, fresh water, walk and playtime, clean litter box, give medi- cation, etc. Also the added home security of bringing in the Need Food Asssistance? - We’re willing to help. Verno- mail, rotate lights and drapes. Will be bonded and insured. nia Cares Food Bank, 627 Adams Avenue. Open Tues and Thurs, 10AM-2PM. Call 503-429-1414. 503-929-0389 crittersitter@vernonia-or.com PUBLIC NOTICES
