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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2012)
6 community news february14 2012 First Friday Says Goodbye For five years, First Friday has been a hallmark of Vernonia’s summer season. The events, held the first Friday of every month from May through October, were designed to be a celebration of arts and community. Visitors were able to enjoy educational demonstrations; the talent of local artists, crafters and musicians; Scouting and children’s’ activities; and connecting with friends and neighbors. It was a gathering of community that was enjoyed by all – visitors, vendors and volunteers alike. Declining attendance at First Friday events has peaked interest in finding a new way to serve the original mission of bringing art and community together in Vernonia. As a result, First Friday is disbanding and its committed volunteers are joining forces with the umbrella organization— Vernonia Hands-On Art Center, a 501 (c) (3) non- profit—to host three events in the upcoming year. The updated vision includes a focus on local art and artists, collaboration with other community organizations, creative activities for children, as well as opportunities for adults to visit. Plans for 2012 include an expanded celebration as part of the Jr. Salmon Auction in May, a New Year’s Eve gala, and another yet to be determined event. Stay tuned for details. For those who will miss the beautiful products of local crafters, be sure to stop by the new Made in Vernonia store where you can view and purchase a variety of unique items from a selection that continues to grow and change. We are looking forward to an exciting new year. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more info, please contact Erika Paleck (503)704-5970, or epaleck@gmail.com. Why not pay off your mortgage before he heads off to college? CASA Hires New Volunteer Coordinator Seeks more volunteer advocates to help children in Columbia County Debi Sakamoto of Portland has joined the staff of CASA for Kids as its new part- time volunteer coordinator. Sakamoto has volun- teered as an advocate for two years with the CASA program serving Multnomah and Wash- ington counties. She previously was a regional vice president for public affairs with Key Bank. “We are so exciting to have someone with Debi’s diverse ex- perience as a CASA, a volunteer coordinator and in the corporate world,” said executive director Kathryn Bourn. Hiring a part-time vol- unteer coordinator was made possible by a grant from the Or- egon Community Foundation. Sakamoto will enable the program to support more Court Appointed Special Ad- vocates (CASAs), Bourn said. CASAs are trained volunteers assigned to advocate for one foster child or siblings. In order to comply with National CASA Association standards, local programs have to provide the equivalent of one full-time co- ordinator for every 30 CASAs, Bourn explained. The program currently has 21 CASAs serving 57 children. “While we have dou- bled our number of CASAs in the past year, we are still strug- gling to keep up with the need to provide advocates to foster chil- dren,” Bourn said. The number of Columbia County children entering foster care skyrocketed in the last half of 2011, Bourn said. “We have so many children coming into foster care that the Department of Human Services is having to place them in foster homes outside the county. That’s unusual. Columbia County used to have enough non-relative fos- ter homes to take care of all of its children coming into foster care and even take foster children from surrounding counties.” The increased number of foster children also resulted in Colum- bia County Circuit Court adding additional hearing days for its juvenile dependency cases, she noted. Columbia County DHS currently has more than 150 open cases affecting 250 abused and neglected children. “Foster children who have a CASA have the best chance for a successful life,” Bourn said. She cited studies showing that children with a CASA are more likely to experi- ence stability if they return home to their parents and more likely to be adopted if they aren’t able to safely return home. CASA for Kids is cur- rently recruiting new advocates for its upcoming training. The 30-hour training begins Tues- day, Feb. 28, in St. Helens and Wednesday, Feb. 29, in Rainier. The free training continues on Monday and Wednesday eve- nings and on Saturdays through March 12 at the Riverside Com- munity Church in Rainier. Bourn emphasized that CASAs come from all walks of life and no special education or career experience is required to become an advocate. “We cur- rently have CASAs who have been mechanics, EMTs, educa- tors, nurses, realtors, homemak- ers, and business persons,” she said. For more information or to apply to become a CASA, visit the program’s website at www.casaforkidsinc.org, email info@casaforkidsinc.org or call (503) 366-4133. Rightline Expansion Approved For Enterprise Zone Incentive U.S. BANK SMART REFINANCE 4.25 Pay off your home faster with a U.S. Bank Smart Refinance. % What’s the smart solution to being mortgage freeB 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: APR * Fixed Rate up to 15 years • 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 VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR & RE Warranty on all parts and labor Now offering 2 and 4 wheel alignments 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. Next to Storage, Too 503/706/9409 Rightline Equipment, Inc., has been approved for a three-year property tax abatement on new capital investments at their plant in Rainier, Oregon. The company, a manufacturer of world-class lift truck attachments, will undertake a significant expansion of its plant and workforce during 2012. This manufacturing outfit qualified for a property tax incentive due to its location within the Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone and the firm’s pledge to expand its workforce by at least 10 percent. The Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone was created to stimulate private investment and job creation by offering 3-5 years of property tax abatements on new investment in manufacturing, processing, fabrication, and distribution projects. This enterprise zone encompasses an array of prime, developable industrial land in and around Rainier and Clatskanie, Oregon. Columbia County, the cities of Rainier and Clatskanie, and the Port of St. Helens are the public sponsors of the enterprise zone. The Columbia County Economic Team serves as the zone manager and liaison to companies interested in expanding or locating within the area. The mission of the Columbia County Economic Team is to deliver business-driven economic development services to retain, grow, and attract businesses to Columbia County. 291 A Street call Kim Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos
