14
community
december
2009
Who’s On Your List This Holiday continued from front page
normal monthly budget.
So, with that in mind, Vernonia’s Voice went out in
Vernonia recently to see what kind of interesting gift ideas
we could find locally. Here’s what we found:
Out on a Limb and Buckleberry Cottage are
holding their annual Winter Event, so if you are having any
trouble getting in the holiday spirit, stop by just south of
town next to Storage Too. They have everything you need
for the holidays-- ornaments, decorations, holiday dishes,
cookie jars, and great hostess gifts for those holiday parties.
It’s like a winter wonderland inside! The Winter Event
only runs through December 18th, so you won’t be doing
any last minute shopping here-- just make sure to stop by
early before the best stuff is all gone.
Double C Tack has everything a horse lover
might need.
They have a
whole rack
of
reason-
ably priced
gift-type
items. They
also have lo-
cally hand-
made wallets
Camouflage Luggage at Double C Tack.
for $50, and
a three-piece
set of Camouflage luggage for $129. Camarda Gardens,
who shares space at Double C Tack, has some locally hand-
made rings and earrings that are very reasonably priced as
well. Don’t forget-- Double C Tack has a 10% discount
coupon in their ad in this month’s Vernonia Voice, so you
Voice readers can save yourself a few bucks by shopping
there.
Grey Dawn Gallery has your higher end items--
beautiful art pieces that would really show someone how
much they mean to you. Among some items that we really
A handmade Murray Carter Knife, available at Grey
Dawn Gallery.
loved was a hand carved salmon wood sculpture by artist
J.E. Tosoni for $500, a handmade knife by local craftsman
Murray Carter for $1195, and “Sushi Fanatic,” a bronze
sculpture by Jacques and Mary Regant at the special price
of $1975. Heidi Brown of Grey Dawn Gallery noted that
a number of the pieces they have in stock will be seeing a
price increase at the beginning of the new year, so it may
be a good time to buy a Christopher Burkett framed photo
or a Regant sculpture before they go up.
Clever Cricket is your place to find items for the
little ones on your list. They have all kinds of handmade
and learning toys, games and other items. There are lots
of items from Melissa
and Doug, including
handcrafted
puzzles
for between $5-$15,
and Magician’s Ap-
prentice Kits-- there’s
a card, a coin and a
rope trick kit-- each is
$39.99. I also found a
beautiful handpainted
child’s table set with
two chairs, painted by
a local Vernonian, for
$150. There’s much
more-- stop by and take
a look.
Agalis Com-
puters has a full selec-
tion of hands-free head-
sets for your cell phone,
You’ll find puzzles and
and since it becomes il-
other learning toys at The
legal in Oregon to drive
Clever Cricket.
and use your cell phone
unless it’s hands-free on January 1st, this might be a practi-
cal gift for someone on the run. Agalis also has a great se-
lection of gift bags-- free wrapping paper with purchase!--
and a selection of batteries, especially button batteries of all
sizes. For someone with a home office, or actually anyone
for that matter, a surge protector is also a practical gift.
Gretchen’s Saddlery has handcrafted leather
wallets and belts. I own one of Gretchen’s wallets, and just
about the time a mass-produced wallet would be starting to
fall apart, my wallet from Gretchen is just starting to break
in. Same with the two handmade belts I own-- I expect
them all to last for years and years. It’s quality craftsman-
ship made right here in Vernonia. They are priced around
$60 and worth every penny.
Cornerstone
Naturals is the place for
antique jewelry, collect-
ibles, and of course teas,
spices and other natural
and herbal remedies--
these might make some
good stocking stuffers.
They also have some
beautiful tree ornaments
for between $2-$10.
They have a collection of
vintage sock monkeys-
-I’m not sure what you
do with a sock monkey,
but I’ll bet it would be one Almost as fun as a basket of
Sock Monkeys! At Corner-
of the more unusual gifts
stone Naturals.
received this year! They
also have a one-of-a-kind
1950’s hand carved oriental themed chess set--it’s amaz-
ing!-- for $150.
Creatures and Vernonia Florist are offering
a 25% discount on everything (except dog and cat food).
They have pet toys and supplies for your best friend on the
Creatures side of their store, and a really beautiful gift shop
with Christmas ornaments, decorations, stuffed animals
and other gift ideas on the florist side. Voice readers, make
sure to grab that coupon and get some really great savings!
True Value Hardware has a myriad of practical
gift ideas for the the holidays. Just walk in and start looking
around and you’ll find ideas galore. A couple ideas I jot-
ted down while walking through: Bogs waterproof shoes,
$55, and boots, $70; a large hand-truck for someone who’s
always moving things for $55; a Honda power washer for
$350; and for the kids, there’s basketballs, footballs, vol-
leyballs and kickballs.
So there there you have it-- some great ideas for
ways you can find some practical and unusual gift ideas
and support local businesses this holiday season. If you
haven’t crossed everyone off your list yet, you won’t have
far to go. Happy Shopping everyone, and a Happy Holiday
Season to all!
Photo: Clatskanie Chief
The longest 72 hours
you’ll ever spend at home.
Are you prepared?
A winter storm hits and the power goes out.
Rain swollen rivers flood the region. Icy condi-
tions keep you stuck at home without heat.
Even though our emergency teams in Columbia
County are equipped for the unexpected, severe
winter weather could leave your family stranded
for days. Columbia 9-1-1 urges your family to
prepare a 72-hour kit that will help you survive
for up to three days.
Communication. Keep fresh batteries in a porta-
ble radio and a fully charged cell phone on hand.
Pack all of these items in a large waterproof tub or
garbage can and store it in an easily accessible place.
Go to www.redcross.org for more detailed ideas.
Finally, when the weather is threatening, or
there’s a disaster of any kind, stay informed.
Listen to the radio, or if you have power, rely
on the internet for updates. Follow emergency
instructions as best you can. Columbia 9-1-1 asks
for your help in keeping the emergency phone
lines clear---only call 9-1-1 for life-threatening
emergencies. As always, we will be assisting
emergency personnel around the clock to keep
everyone in our communities safe.
Water. Provide a gallon of drinking water per
person per day.
Food. Store a generous supply of canned or
dried foods; include a can opener. Remember
your pets too.
Light. Have a flashlight at the top of the tub;
extra batteries are a good idea.
Warmth. Your kit should have a blanket for
everyone, plus warm clothes, hats, gloves and
socks. Plan to layer up.
First aid. For starters, a kit should have ban-
dages, gauze, tape, antiseptic, pain medication
and scissors.
Your family should also have a disaster plan.
Discuss where to meet inside and outside your
own home, what to do if you are separated and
whom to call for help or to leave messages.
Include phone numbers for utilities and our local
public information call center. Also consider
making plans with your neighbors.
Columbia 9-1-1
Communications District.
Always there.
P.O. Box 998 St. Helens, OR 97051
Administrative Office: (503) 397-7255 Non-emergency Dispatch: (503) 397-1521 1-800-696-7795
www.columbia911.com