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
