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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 2011)
8 area news october11 2011 Dog Kennel Cover Project at the Holsheimer-Lamar Animal Shelter The Columbia County Humane Society, with the help of donated labor, supplies and finding, has partially completed a project to construct covers for their outside dog kennels. In June, Clare Conner, Columbia Humane Society board of directors’ vice president and a group of volunteers put together a building plan and materials list to estimate the cost. The following professionals volunteered and donated their time and expertise to get this project started. Alisa Werings of Dynamic Drafting Designs provided our construction drawings to submit to the City of St. Helens for approval. They required additional wind load engineering calculations which Andrew Niemi from Lower Columbia Engineering provided. Jim Rensch Construction in St. Helens signed on to be our general contractor and met with the St. Helens city inspector to complete the building permit process. Pam Rensch of Windermere Real Estate helped coordinate between the city, the county, and the engineer. After two months of decisions, obstacles, and waiting, CHS got their building permit in late August! CHS broke ground on the west side on August 29. Chuck Ruppert and Richard Wiser, both Warren residents with years of experience in construction, along with the help of Randy Perrin, a CHS board member, began digging the holes. Don’s Rental donated the 2-day use of the jack hammer. Knife River donated the cement that was poured with the help of volunteers and county inmate workers. Roger Kadell, Columbia County Animal Control Officer, provided county inmate workers to help with the construction labor as needed. “Without this contribution from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, this project would not have been done as quickly or cost effective,” says Chuck Ruppert who is coordinating this project for the dogs. CHS purchased the building materials from Casey Doss with Parr Lumber in Hillsboro and Mike McFarland with Dahlgren’s in St. Helens; each providing their lowest price possible, as their contribution. John Burger Heating and AC in Scappoose moved the air conditioner unit pro-bono, to create better clearance around the new structure. Jim Rensch and Chuck Ruppert continued the construction during the heat wave with the assistance of Randy, Pam, and Mike McFarland. In a few days the rafter boards were up and already the structure provides more shade for the dogs. On September 26, volunteers Columbia County Circuit Court Service Counter Reduces Hours In light of budget limitation it has become necessary for the Columbia County Circuit Court tot to reduce the hours it is normally open to the public. Starting October 7, 2011, the public counter will be closed to the public on Friday’s. There will be a drop box for court filings and payments which will be picked up at 5:00 PM. Any documents in the box before 5:00 PM will be file stamped with the current date. The courtrooms will be open for business as usual. This will be effective thru June 30, 2013. In addition to the Friday coun- ter closure, the Chief Justice has signed an order mandating full court closure for nine calendar days: November 25, 2011, March 23, 2012, May 25, 2012, August 17, 2012, October 19, 2012, November 23, 2012, January 18, 2013, April 19, 2013, and May 24, 2013. Staff will be furloughed during these dates but the judges will be holding pretrials and nonofficial meetings in chambers. Old, worn out and rusty? Need body work? Call... Meyer’s Auto Body •493 Bridge St• VERNONIA 503-429-0248 installed the metal roof, which matches the shelter. Thanks to our regular crew of Chuck, Jim, Randy, and county inmate workers, and extra hands with Barry Garske and Mark Herrick, all together they completed the roof in one day! While waiting for the metal roofing, progress began on the east side covers. Conrad Forest Products donated the pressure treated posts and beams from their Rainier plant. Again, Don’s Rental donated the use of the jack hammer and our crew of workers, including Lisa Beggio with CCAC and CHS, completed the holes for inspection. Unfortunately, CHS has now exceeded the amount of money raised for this project. In May, they raised $3,000 to start construction for the kennel covers with an estimated cost of $8,000 per side. From individual donations, discounted prices, and volunteer labor they were able to build one side for just under $3,500! The dogs, staff, and supporters of CHS thank the many people who donated their time, expertise, and money to this project. “CHS is hoping to raise another $3,000 to cover our expenses,” says Clare. “Our goal is to have both sides covered before the weather turns to rain.” So what’s happening for the cats? In May, they also raised $3,000 for a new intake building. Local architect, Laurence Hoppel presented CHS several options and cost estimates. The choices are to replace the existing modular construction building with a new one, or remodel the existing “old shelter” building. Each of these could cost $18,000 to $24,000. In the mean time, CHS is temporarily housing the cats, not ready for adoption, in other rooms on the property. They are working with Columbia County Animal Control to maximize the shared spaces at the animal shelter in order to provide the best care for the cats. CHS is committed to using the money raised for the cats to enhance these rooms where they stay, in the most cost effective way. (old shelter building shown) If you are interested in donating to either the dogs’ kennel covers or the cats’ intake room, or in volunteering to help, please go to their website at www. columbiahumane.org or contact the shelter at 503-397-4353. At CHS, they rely on donations and their volunteers to improve the housing conditions at the shelter for the dogs and cats while they wait for a forever home. Senior Center Activities 5-Area Luncheon: Monday, October 31st at the Vernonia Senior Center Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Fab- ulous breakfasts are available to the public on Fridays for a cost of only $3.50. The event happens at the Senior Center (446 Bridge Street) from 7:30 to 9:00 AM each Friday. Meal price in- cludes a beverage, too. Enter through the side, parking lot door. What a deal! Week Day Lunches: The Vernonia Senior Center offers nutritious and tasty lunches each weekday for a $4 donation for seniors over 60; cost is $5 for anyone under 60. To-go meals are available for $5. These are available to the public, not just Senior Citizens. (Mealtime is noon; late arrivals may not be served.) You can reserve your lunch by calling by 11:15 AM, or fur- ther in advance if possible, to assist the cooks as they prepare the day’s meals. Meals on Wheels are available for a $4 donations for seniors over 60. Please contact the Senior Center for an appli- cation. Maple Bars available locally! Con- nie King, the cook at the Senior Cen- ter, is making maple bars each day. The maple bars are available to the public, too, and only cost $1 each. Availabil- ity is subject to quantity on hand. You can assure yourself of a good supply by pre-ordering them directly from Connie by calling the Senior Center (503-429-3912) any week day, from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please allow one day lead time for larger orders. The Center’s front door opens at 9:00, but the side parking lot door opens at 7:00. Ah, sweet treats! Thrift Store: Bargain prices can be found in Vernonia’s Senior Center in their Thrift Store. The retail store is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Thrift Store provides funds for the Senior Center’s facility and its many activi- ties. Donations can also be dropped off during those same hours, and donated clothes need to be clean and in good condition so they are “sales ready”. We are offering half off during the first week of each month. Buy locally and support your local Senior Center. For after hours drop-offs please con- tact Pauline 503-429-5810. Special Days: On the last Wednesday of the month Wauna Credit Union will be serving ice cream. On the last Fri- day of the month we will serve birth- day cake and ice cream to celebrate that month’s birthdays. Membership Dues: Another way to support Vernonia’s Senior Center is to pay the $15 annual membership dues. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Senior Center. Anyone 50 and older may join. Questions? Call: (503) 429-3912
