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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2010)
14 in other words april13 2010 On The Shelves: What’s Happening at the Vernonia Library By Nancy Burch National Library Week—April 11-17—is a national observance spon- sored by the American Library Asso- ciation and libraries across the country. This celebration of libraries was first held in 1958 and is celebrated in various ways by libraries throughout the nation. The Vernonia Public Library will be celebrating by having an in- library scavenger hunt, a coloring con- test, and a special presentation by B.J. the Clown. B.J.’s presentation will take place Thursday, April 15 at 6:45 PM and will be sponsored by the Friends of the Library with refreshments following the program to be provided by the Vernonia Study Club. These two organizations have been instrumental in helping to make the library a success in our com- munity. The Vernonia Study Club has been in existence since the 1920s when it provided impetus and funding for the establishment of a library in Vernonia. Through the years this organization held events to raise funds for shelving and other improvements to the library. More recently it has provided the library with a laminating machine, a book binder, an audio sound system, and a display for DVDs. The Friends of the Library has only officially been in existence as a tax-exempt organization for about ten years. This group is instrumental in helping provide services and materials that are not covered by the budget with B.J.’s performance being just one exam- ple. Passes to the Children’s Museum and to OMSI, snacks and craft supplies for the after-school program, the license to show movies in the library, and new shelving for videos and DVDs are just some of the extras that are available to patrons made possible by the Friends of the Library. These organizations have made and continue to make valuable contributions to the benefit of the library and its patrons. If you are interested in knowing more about either or both of these groups, just talk to a member fol- lowing B.J.’s performance or ask library staff for a contact number. Upcoming Events Thursday, April 15, 6:45—B.J. the Clown Movie Matinee, Saturday April 24, 2 p.m.—The Princess & the Frog Book Discussion, Monday April 26, 5:30—Mutant Message Down Under Mature Movie, Thursday April 29, 6:30—The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock Be a Piece of the Puzzle: Who is Watching Whom By DeAnna Pearl, Vernonia Prevention Coalition The most heartfelt statement that is said time and time again is, “It is all about the kids.” There is a huge cadre of volunteers living in Vernonia work- ing together just to help plan and implement program- ming for youth. So, one could say, there are a large number of people watching after our Vernonia youth. But what is not being said is the number of kids watch- ing adults. They are studying the adults just as closely as they themselves are being watched. According to the 2007 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, Columbia County 11th graders report that they believe parental disapproval of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use is only 78%, while the state average of 86%-- meaning kids in Columbia County think 22% of parents think it’s OK for kids to use these things. Kids report further that from their points of view the Verno- nia community disapproves of these uses 8% less than that-- at 70%! Bottom line is that the perception of youth in Columbia County-- Vernonia included-- is that par- ents don’t care (and their community cares even less) about the abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATODs)! Even more worrisome is our 8th graders also report that their perception is that adults in our communities don’t believe use of ATOD’s are harmful “How can they say that,” you ask? Well, it is all about a kid’s perception and how they see things. Yes, we can say that most parents don’t approve of uses of ATOD’s. However, most experts say, 99% of what parents and adults DO is what influences kids; not what they say. Young people look up to adults as role models and guides to help them in decision-making, including judgments around ATOD’s. If most parents and adults say they don’t approve of the abuse of ATODs, then kids must be seeing something different. Think about that. It’s not just what we say, it’s what we do that really matters. Do we as adults tell kids not to drink and drive, but then do so ourselves? Do we tell kids not to smoke-- cigarettes or pot-- but turn right around and do the opposite? Do we talk about the dangers of prescription drug addiction but self-medicate ourselves? Good News! We can change the perception of our Vernonia youth just by doing. It can be done without focusing energy on fear and negativity. We can start by following the same sage advice we give our kids: Don’t Start and if you already have, find a way to stop. Please don’t drive under the in- fluence of ATODs. Call a friend if you have been drinking and never ride with someone who has been drinking or using. TAKE A MO- MENT-- Visualize what you want for the kids in Vernonia. Write it down, type it up or draw it out. More so, ask kids what they envision for them- NOTICE / ADVERTISEMENT Notice is hereby given that the County of Columbia (hereinafter “County”) is accepting proposals for Deconstruction or Demolition Services for structures purchased by County due to irreparable flood damage incurred during the 2007 flood event. The project (hereinafter “Project”) will be known as the COLUMBIA COUNTY FLOOD MITIGATION DEMOLITION PROJ- ECT. Proposals will be received until: 4:00 p.m. on the 20th day of April, 2010 by Dan Brown at the offices of Community Action Team (“CAT”) located at 125 North 17th Street, St. Helens, Oregon Specifications for the COLUMBIA COUNTY FLOOD MITIGATION DEMOLITION PROJECT are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the offices of CAT located at 125 North 17th Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Dan Brown, CAT Flood Administrator, is the person designated for receipt of Proposals. Proposals will be opened on the 20th day of April, 2010, immediately after the deadline for Proposal submission at the offices of CAT. The contract is not for a public work subject to ORS 279C.800 to 279C.870 or the Davis- Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141, et seq). This Project will use a combination of federal grant funding for Hazard Mitigation As- sistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (“HMGP”) awarded to Oregon Emergency Management (“OEM”) by the Federal Emergency Management program (“FEMA) and funding from the Community Development Block Grant program (“CDBG”) made available by the Or- egon Business Development Department (“OBDD”). The County has contracted with CAT to provide flood program and project management services for the HMGP and CDBG activities. selves. Share your vision with your family, friends and community. Take action to work together to make it happen. It might be the best thing we can DO for our kids. Remember, they are watching. The Vernonia Prevention Coalition partners with many groups, parents and adults in the commu- nity that make a difference. Be a Part of the Puzzle in making a healthier and safer community. For more information, contact DeAnna Pearl at DeAnna@verno- nia-or.gov or (503) 369-7370.
