from the editor
welcome/opinion
february7
2013
As you page through this issue
of Vernonia’s Voice you may notice a
few new features and items. I mentioned
a few issues ago that we are taking this
start of the New Year to re-evaluate
some of the ways we are connecting to
the community. We recently sat down
with a group of our readers and asked
them some pointed questions through
a survey as well as a discussion to find
out what we might do different to better
serve you. We heard many great ideas
and are already beginning to incorporate
a few of them. This month we are add-
ing a word puzzle as well as your month-
ly horoscopes. We are also adding a new
feature as we recognize a volunteer of
the month at the Vernonia School Dis-
trict. We have also added a new column,
“The Scuttlebutt” which will give you
news and tidbits about the people, places
and businesses around our community.
And due to popular demand we have
added a report from Vernonia City Ad-
ministrator Bill Haack which will allow
citizens to stay informed of the business
and projects the City is currently en-
gaged in. Over the next several months
expect to see other new content that we
plan to add. We hope you find these
changes in our print edition helpful, fun,
informative and entertaining.
By Amanada Mikalow
up with hormones and chemicals like
animals in slaughterhouses are. You can
see on your meat label whether the ani-
mals are farm raised or not.
Speaking of changes, we are also
in the process of creating a completely
new website for Vernonia’s Voice. Al-
though still a work in progress, what we
are working to create is a site where all
Vernonians can go to get more current
news, see more photos of events and
keep up on what is happening around
Vernonia. We are linking this new site
to Facebook, which will allow folks who
use that social media outlet to stay con-
nected and interact with us. We have
lots of ideas about how to use this new
tool and we will be implementing them
slowly as we transition to this additional
way of presenting our product. Stop by
www.vernoniasvoice.com or checkout
our Facebook page and like us. We are
really excited about these changes and
the new opportunities they provide and
hope you will join us.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Lynn Berry
Mark Brown
Dr. Kenneth Cox
Bill Haack
Bonnie Harris, M.S.Ed.
Ms. Luna
Dr. Carol McIntyre
Amanda Mikalow
Gayle Rich-Boxman
Sarah Rossi
Wolfgang Rotbart
Michal Smith
Melissa Zavales
Scott Laird
Editor and Publisher
An Opinion: Becoming a Vegetarian
I decided to become a vegetar-
ian six months ago when I saw a PETA
video. PETA stands
for “People for the
Ethical Treatment
of Animals.” The
video showed me
the horrible condi-
tions of slaughter-
houses and the life
of the animals we
eat on a daily basis.
I was devastated to
see how these poor
animals lived. I im-
mediately decided
to keep meat off of
my plate for good.
When time
came for our senior
year projects at Ver-
nonia High School I was stuck deciding
on a subject to pursue. I had to write a
speech, make a poster board and spend
time with a mentor who would help me
with my project. Then it hit me; I could
teach people about the vegetarian life-
style and the positives of living it.
My project was a big success.
I showed the sad and awful conditions
of national slaughterhouses around our
country. I also tried to influence people
who do eat meat to choose organic farm
raised animals and showed them the
beautiful and healthy life of animals on
farms. I know not everyone is going to be
a vegetarian but I want people to enjoy
their meat and have a clear conscience
at the same time. Animals on farms have
more room, better food and are not filled
Many people have asked me
if I would consider just eating organic
meat instead of being a vegetarian. I
have thought about it quite a bit but the
thought of eating flesh, an animal that
has eyes and a nose and mouth like me,
made me sick.
I have influenced two people so
far to try the vegetarian lifestyle and they
have had great success. I will continue
to teach people just as I taught them. I
encourage people to try one vegetarian
meal a week, whether it be soup, pasta
or a grain. There are many great vegetar-
ian recipes online, and they’re not hard
and don’t require an abundance of ingre-
dients but still are very delicious.
Not only is being a vegetarian
good for the animals, it’s also good for
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
Lady’s Night Wed 5-12
you. According to the American Diabe-
tes Association vegetarians on average
live five years longer than a meat eater;
we are also at a lower risk of heart dis-
ease, diabetes, obesity,
and high blood pres-
sure. If not for the ani-
mals, do it for yourself
and your family.
I
personally
feel great not eating
meat and I love to see
the people around me
keeping meat off their
plate. I plan on being
a vegetarian my whole
life and to keep spread-
ing the word of my life-
style.
I hope tonight
you decide to have
black bean soup instead
of pork chops.
Photography
Susan Ely
Scott Laird
Gayle Rich-Boxman
Want to advertise?
Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
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Vernonia’s Voice is published
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of each month.
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
www.VernoniasVoice.com
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