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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2011)
community news County Cultural Coalition Seeks Board Member The Columbia County Cultural Coalition, the county arm of the Oregon Cultural Trust, seeks candidates for its Board of Directors due to a recent resignation. The term for this unexpired position is two years and ends December 31, 2013. Board members are usually elected for three year terms, and directors may serve additional consecutive terms. The Coalition Board meets monthly excluding December at varying locations throughout the county; currently, meetings are held the last Monday of the month from 3 – 5 pm or 4 – 6 pm depending on meeting location. The Columbia County Cultural Coalition Board’s purpose is to insure the implementation of the Columbia County Cultural Plan through the 2011 County Courthouse Improves Recycling Program use of appropriate benchmarks, and ensure that Arts, History, Heritage and Humanities are all represented in a way that fairly encourages county-wide participation in cultural activities. The Board administers an annual grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust and solicits applications and awards grants to cultural organizations within the county. Nearly $50,000 in grants has been awarded since the Board was established over five years ago. The Cultural Plan and grant information may be found at www.columbiacultural.org If you are interested in serving on the Cultural Coalition Board, please send an email by November 21 to info@ columbiacultural.org or call Board Treasurer Tobie Finzel at 503.705.2173. Flu Vaccinations Available Columbia County Public Health has received flu vaccine and is giving shots at walk-in clinics on Fridays, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM, and 1:30-4:30 PM, except for Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day at the Public Health clinic, 2370 Gable Road in St. Helens. No appointment is necessary for the walk-in clinics. Appointments for flu shots on Wednesdays can be scheduled by calling the Public Health Foundation main number, 503-397- 4651, ext. 2003 or 2010. The Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire District and Public Health will host a flu-shot walk-in clinic from 10 AM to 2:30 PM on Tuesday, November 22 at the november8 During the first week of October 2011, the Columbia County Courthouse and Annex implemented an expanded recycling program intended to capture recyclable items discarded by employees at their desk sides. During a waste sort analysis last August, it was determined the Courthouse and Annex currently recycle about 40% (by weight) of waste generated by Courthouse Employees. Office paper is obviously the most common recycled item from the Courthouse and Annex but office paper was also the most common item found in the trash be land filled. Previously, employees were supplied only garbage containers at their desk sides. Now, employees have at their desk side a small garbage can attached to an 18 quart recycling container. The Columbia County Solid Waste Department expects the implementation Banzer Road Fire House, 69500 Banzer Road in Mist. The fee for vaccinations is $15, but can be reduced on a sliding scale, based on ability to pay. The vaccine is intended for the uninsured and underinsured. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is also important for people who are at higher risk of severe influenza and their close contacts, including healthcare personnel and close contacts of children younger than six months. Anyone can get the flu, but rates of infection are highest among children. of desk side recycling to increase recycling (by weight) with a reduction in garbage bills as the Courthouse and Annex generate less land fill destined waste. According to the DEQ, in 2010 Columbia County businesses and residents recycled nearly 38% of discarded materials, by weight. By implementing the desk side recycling at the Courthouse and Annex, Columbia County hopes to lead increased recycling practices by local businesses and residents. If your business would be interested in improving your recycling program to potentially reduce your garbage bill, contact the Columbia County Solid Waste Coordinator, Roy Weedman, at 503.397.7263 or roy. weedman@co.columbia.or.us for more information or to scheduled a site visit. Young children, people age 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system can get much sicker. Those who are vaccinated are protected, and also may avoid spreading influenza to others. More information is available from the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/flu. Anyone with questions about whether or not they should be vaccinated should contact their physicians. News from P.E.O. The Vernonia Chapter of P.E.O. has been busy this year. Living up to their mission, several scholarships have been granted to local women including: a grant to a VHS graduating Senior, Rachel Brown, who is now attending Corban College in Salem, studying History; Shawna Naeve, studying to be a Veterinarian Technician; and Kelly Martinez, studying Education, and doing her practice teaching in Vernonia. Kelly and Shawna are both doing most, if not all, of their course work online. The Chapter is gearing up for the Christmas Bazaar, and will be selling wreaths, an ongoing project for more than 15 years. They are being sold on a pre-order basis, and orders are being taken now—contact Mary Tolonen (Ph: 503-429-4814 or 503-429- 7214) or Katie Poetter (503-429-0700). Wreaths will also be available at the Bazaar. The price this year remains the same as previous years--$18.00 for a 20- inch fresh and fragrant wreath. All of the proceeds go toward helping women attain their education goals. At a recent meeting it was decided to honor the chapter’s longest-standing member, Claudine East. Claudine has remained committed and active in the local chapter for fifty years. It was her wish that, in lieu of the traditional pin awarded fifty-year members, the money be used for scholarships; a donation will be made to the Marguerite Scholarship fund in her name. The Marguerite Fund awards scholarships to Oregon women who will be attending Oregon Schools. Congratulations, Claudine! Why not pay off your mortgage before he heads off to college? PEACE Patterson Ceramics Holiday Pottery Sale Hosted by Grey Dawn Gallery 879 Bridge Street, Vernonia All Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Vernonia Community Church Gym November 24th, 1-4 PM We will provide Thanksgiving dinner (turkey or ham) at no cost. Everyone is welcome! If you would like to be a part of these festivities, donations and volunteers will be gratefully accepted. Please contact Cathy at 503-429-8033 or Dennis at 503-429-0335. U.S. BANK SMART REFINANCE 4.25 % APR * Fixed Rate up to 15 years Pay off your home faster with a U.S. Bank Smart Refinance. What’s the smart solution to being mortgage free? A Smart Refinance from U.S. Bank. Refinance into a 15-year mortgage and you’ll save big on interest, build equity faster and be mortgage free before you know it. With a U.S. Bank Smart Refinance, you’ll enjoy: • No closing costs • Easy application process • No points or fees • Free setup of bi-weekly payments Smart Refinance is only one of many mortgage refinance options that U.S. Bank offers. Make a smart move and contact your local branch, usbank.com, or call 888-444-BANK to discuss all of your refinancing options. Vernonia Branch 905 Bridge Street 503-429-6271 usbank.com | 888-444-BANK (2265) *4.25% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available for 15-year first position home equity installment loans $40,000 to $250,000 with loan-to-value of 70% or less or 80% or less depending on market. U.S. Bank Package required. Higher rates apply for higher LTV or other loan amount. Automatic payments required. Loan payment example: on a $40,000 loan for 180 months at 4.25% interest rate, monthly payments would be $300.91. No customer paid closing costs, APR is 4.25%. Payment example does not include amounts for taxes and insurance premiums. The monthly payment obligation will be greater if taxes and insurance are included and an initial customer deposit may be required if an escrow account for these items is established. Offer is subject to normal credit qualifications. Rates are subject to change. Property insurance is required. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. Home Equity loans and lines of credit are offered through U.S. Bank National Association ND. ©2011 U.S. Bancorp, U.S. Bank. Member FDIC 5 November 25th & 26th, 10am-5pm November 27th, Noon to 5pm December 3rd 10am-5pm December 4th noon to 5pm
