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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 2010)
18 in other words february 9 2010 Be a Piece of the Puzzle: Reaching Our Greatest Potential By DeAnna Pearl, VPC Director Have you ever had a fleeting thought of, “if I had only done [this] I could have been [that]?” There are times in our lives when we are presented with dilem- mas in which we choose or don’t choose depending on our circumstances: A recov- ering addict regrets having picked up their first drug; a young mom wishing she had applied herself more at school so she could have graduated. Our past experiences and our cur- rent conditions we live in influences our choice-making. In the prevention world, these experiences and current conditions are measured by Risk and Protective fac- tors. Risk factors are characteristics of individuals, their families, schools, and community environments that are associ- ated with increases in alcohol and other drug use, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropout, and violence. They attempt to measure an in- creased likelihood that children and young people may develop such problem behav- iors. For example, an unsupervised child will more likely make unhealthy choices Our combined efforts are to en- without knowing or recognizing the long- or.gov/community_coalition.html. Does this mean someone who courage community involvement, men- term consequences. Protective Factors are associated lives in poverty will always make un- torship, school improvements, classroom with reducing the potential, or influencing, healthy choices? NO. Does this mean the prevention activities, ATOD Free athletes, healthy choice making. They include fam- citizens who live in Vernonia need accept agency collaboration, policy enforcement, ily, social, psychological, and behavioral the heightened level of alcohol and drug smoke-free parks, family-friendly com- characteristics that can provide a buffer for abuse because of loss of jobs, flooding, munity events, mentorship training, par- young people. These factors counteract and rural location? NO. Risk factors will enting classes and more. Like the addict who encountered the effects of risk factors. For example, a always be there. But it is the influence of youth experiences being bullied and he or the protective factors that have the greatest a recovery program (protective factor) or the young mom who got her GED (protec- impact. she feels more confident to say, “Stop.” The very mission of the Verno- tive factor), it’s never too late to reach to- In a nutshell, the greater the num- ber of risk factors, the more likelihood of nia Prevention Coalition is to increase the wards your greatest potential. Interested in knowing more about unhealthy choices. The greater number of protective factors in Vernonia and its sur- protective factors, the more likelihood of rounding community. The VPC partners increasing protective factors or participat- making healthy choices. Supporting an in- with other entities such as individuals, ing in trainings? Please contact DeAnna dividual by exposing him or her to positive churches, city government, police and fire Pearl at (503) 369-7370, DeAnna@verno- experiences can better influence healthy departments, business owners, families, nia-or.gov or stop by her VCLC office. civic and other county coalitions. beliefs and clear standards. W i t h o u t addressing the risk factors, which per- have choir members from 5 different churches. petuates a negative By Linda Cahill The reason I wanted to write about this is community norm, twofold. I wanted to clear up some confusion, and there is a greater What is an Easter Cantata? That’s a good to invite others to join us. Even though we try to likelihood of self question and one that I have been asked a lot over advertise a lot every year, I know that there are a lot destructive behavior the years. Simply put, a Cantata is music that is of people who have never heard of the choir. I’m by both youth and sung. A Sonata is music that is played. So 25 years hoping that when people hear about it they will want adults. For more ago when the community choir was first formed in to join us. We do a really nice production every year information, go to Vernonia I had asked people to sing “A Cantata.” with beautiful scenery and great costumes. We have http://vpd.vernonia- Later we decided to call the choir The a lot of fun, but it would be more fun if we could It’s Time To Prepare For The Easter Cantata Community Choir. But, for some people the “Easter Cantata” title stuck. I’ve tried putting “A Musical Drama” on our posters to clarify what people would see when they came to see our performance every Easter. But still we have some confusion. It is now and always has been comprised of people from several churches. Some people have sung who didn’t go to any local church and some others who came from out of town to sing over the years. Presently we get more singers, actors, behind the scenes people, costumes makers, etc. You don’t have to sing well to join us-- just come and help us “Make a Joyful Noise” as we sing about the glorious Resurrection of Christ. We practice every Sunday at 3:00 PM at the Vernonia Grange on the corner of Washington and North. Later we will practice twice a week. If you have any questions, please call me at 503-429-1161. Banks Resident Fights Cancer continued from page 10 going through this for her gro- ceries.” The family is not trying to get a free ride, but are looking for support and assistance, Cin- dy stresses. They have placed items on Craigslist to get rid of stuff and make a little money to put toward bills, and Cindy said they will likely bring photos of those items to the fundraiser. “My mom’s been in tears because people still care, people want to help someone they don’t even know,” Misty said. “It’s definitely opened my eyes to the good in people.” Cindy has gotten insur- ance coverage through the Or- egon Medical Insurance Pool, which covers high risk individu- als. Coverage for her cancer treatments will begin on July 1, after the six-month pre-existing condition period ends. The family has nothing but positive things to say about Providence Cancer Center. “They’ve been wonderful up there,” Cindy says. “They make you feel like you’re at home. I’ve never felt so at ease walk- ing into a hospital.” The Linke family lived in Vernonia for nine years, un- CLASSIFIED ADS til 1998, when they moved to Banks. If you go: What: Angels Making a Differ- ence benefit dinner for Cindy Linke Where: Sherwood Elks Club, 22770 SW Elwert Road, in Sherwood. When: February 14, 2010, din- ner served at 4:30 p.m. For more information see www. angelsmakingadifference.or, or call Misty Maller at (503) 730- 2819. This article has been published at April’s website http://www.ex- aminer.com/x-19696-columbia- county-buzz-examiner. Classified Ad Rates Text Only Ads $10/month Rideshare/Carpool Ads FREE Free Classifieds Ads In February! To place your ad call 503-367-0098 or email: Scott@VernoniasVoice.com FOR SALE FOR RENT For Rent-Two bed, one bath house, large fenced yard, 4 Studded Snow Tires - Only used two seasons. $600. 503-429-7554 245/75R16 No rims. Excellent condition! $230 obo. For Lease or Rent - 4 bdrm, 2 bath completely remod- 503-690-0146 Hillsboro eled home. $1200/mo water & sewer included. Pets negotiable. 503-556-0005 Treharne Firewood Service - Fir cut, split and deliv- For Rent-Cozy 1 bedroom home w/den & utility rm. 4 ered - $150/ cord local. Jerry Budge 503-429-1811 newer appliances. covered deck & fully fenced big yd. No need for a car here. No smoking. $650 rent per mo. + $400 security dep. Carol @ 503-429-6425. PUBLIC NOTICES RIDESHARE/CARPOOL Do you want to share 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 Monday-Friday to Murray and Millikan Way (close Need Food Asssistance? - We’re willing to help. Verno- Vernonia - 3 bedroom, 1 bath, $850 First, last and to Nike campus), Beaverton. Leave Vernonia at 7:00 nia Cares Food Bank, 627 Adams Avenue. Open Tues and deposit. Call Ken or Helen 503-429-6203 AM, Leave Beaverton at 5:00 PM. Flexible departure Thurs, 10AM-2PM. Call 503-429-1414. times. email: katlarsenpdx@hotmail.com or 503-429-1032