in other words
march7
2013
WOEC Current: News and Notes From the Co-op
Budget Billing/ Energy Assistance Available to Help
By Marc Farmer
As the economy continues to
lag and colder weather persists, we want
to make sure our members know that
WOEC provides assistance to them in
several different ways.
First, we have been offering a
program called Budget Billing or what
some of our members like to refer to as
an Equal Pay Program. This program
allows our members to average out their
monthly bills making it easier to budget a
set amount each month. It eliminates the
ups and downs of electric bills by taking
the last 12 months usage and averaging
it out over the next twelve months,
which is especially helpful during the
high bill winter months. This program is
available to our members who have been
a member for at least one year, and can
be done by stopping in at our office or
over the phone to sign up. To qualify, a
member must have their current balance
paid in full prior to being placed on
Budget Billing. This also must be done
before an account has received a shut off
or disconnect notice.
This leads into the second
assistance we offer, and that is to work
with our members in making a signed
payment arrangement. In the event one
of our members finds themselves in a
position of not being able to meet their
current balance, but would like to have
the past due amount averaged over a 6
month time period, this program allows
it to be added on to the current monthly
bill. If a member has been offered a
payment arrangement in the past and
failed to follow through, they will not be
eligible for a new payment arrangement.
The third way we offer
assistance is in working with several
outside agencies that offer financial help
to our members in need. These programs
include Oregon Heat, Community
Action, Care to Share, and St. Vincent
de Paul. Oregon Heat and Care to Share,
St. Vincent, and Community Action have
variable amounts they can contribute
based on criteria they have established.
We refer our member to these agencies
based on need and the ability to qualify
for funding. Our staff implemented a
program several years back that we call
“Care to Share” and have raised and
donated over $10,000. They WOEC
Board of Directors has donated $5,000
to Oregon Heat and $5,000 to Care to
Creature Comforts ~ What’s New
By Michal Smith
Exciting things are happening at the Creatures
Pet store this month.
First, we’ve added Buxton Feed Company
(BFC) non GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)
feeds for chickens, rabbits, goats, swine and horses!
According to the World Health Organization, Geneti-
cally Modified Organisms (GMOs) are “organisms in
which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in
such a way that does not occur naturally.” Not only are
BFC feeds best choice for the animals, they’re good
for our local economy. BFC feeds are milled on site in
BUXTON, OR! Just think how fresh that makes your
animal’s food! Plus, BFC employs an animal nutrition-
ist that ensures the proper ingredients are going into
every bag. Local + quality – you can’t beat that! BFC
is also able to and willing to custom mill feeds as well-
ask for info on this in the store. In order to keep this
venture sustainable, we are offering these feeds at a
5% discount when your feed order is preordered and
prepaid for the following week(s) order. This business
model will benefit both Creatures and our customers–
we won’t be required to store large quantities and the
customers are able to get exactly what they want and
save money!
Second, new patterns and styles in the Lupine
Company collars and leads are in the store and in time
to strut Fido and/or Fluffy around the lake and down-
town Vernonia in the latest colors and designs. Lupine
products are guaranteed and are a great value to owners
whose dog or cat chews through the Lupine lead or col-
lar. Customers simply collect what is left of the collar
or lead; bring it back to the store (or send it directly to
Lupine); pick out another collar or lead (of same retail
value) and pay nothing – you are back in business and
at no extra cost. Bring it back as often as it happens-
hence the lifetime guarantee!!
Thirdly, over the course of this month we’ll be
expanding our in-store stock of dog and cat food to in-
7
Share each of the past several years to
help our members. Anyone wishing to
donate to our Care to Share program can
do so by stopping in our office to make
their donation. Every donated amount
helps to keep our friends, neighbors, and
fellow members warm and bright.
Our fourth opportunity to work
with our members through energy
efficiency tips and programs through
our news articles, Ruralite, our website,
through Touchstone Energy connections,
and also by stopping by our office to pick
up information.
Please contact us so that we can
assist you in meeting your energy needs.
Our office is located at 652 Rose Ave.
in Vernonia. Phone: 503.429.3021 or
800.777.1276
clude Blue Buffalo, Iams, Science Diet and Eukanuba.
These have been widely asked for and so we are re-
sponding. On that note, we can order in a variety of
brands on a weekly basis so if there is a brand or specif-
ic flavor you’d like to purchase here locally, checkout
our website www.creaturespetshop.com for a complete
list or email creatures@frontier.com your request for a
list and we’ll be happy to send one out to you.
Lastly, new for our store is the implementation
of consignment sales of large animal tack and sup-
plies such as saddles, bridles, bits, blankets, pads, etc.;
sheep, goat, cow halters and show equipment, etc. etc.;
as well as small and medium sized animal care items
such as crates and grooming equipment; small animal
cages accessories, etc. So when you’re cleaning out
the barn, shop or garage, consider this easy way to earn
some extra cash. BONUS: any proceeds of the sale of a
donated item will go directly to Bailey’s Pantry to sup-
port needy pet nutrition in our community! Contact us
directly for more specific information. 503-429-7387
Natural Path to Health ~ Chinese Five Element Theory: Part Two, Wood
By Dr. Carol McIntyre
In this article we will visit the
Wood element in detail. I do hope this
is helping to stimulate your interest in
Chinese medicine. Ask more questions,
make more connections and learn more
about yourself and how this medicine
can serve you.
Wood: Wood is related to the
Liver and Gallbladder. It represents
Spring. The beginning. New. Movement.
Initiative. Decision making (this is
specifically related to the Gallbladder).
It is symbolized by bamboo because it
grows so quickly, sometimes a number
of feet over night. The emotions related
are all- but specifically anger and
depression. Any physical manifestation
of imbalance would be that of stagnation
and explosive movement including
arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s, epilepsy
and depression. A quote from the
classics relating to this element is: “The
softest and the hardest”; represented by
the living wood (softness, living, sap
wood). Sour is the taste. Harmony is the
desired outcome. Desire to be straight
and spreading. Its color is green/blue.
Wood element organs are the
ones that start you off on a task and
give you the strength and energy to get
through it. The Gallbladder starts you
off and the Liver provides endurance. As
mentioned previously, wood is governed
by metal, gives earth strength and is
engendered by water. It signifies the
beginning of the journey. The rhythm
of wood is what provides endurance
and planning as the Liver plods along a
task. The Gallbladder initiates the rise of
yang energy and the Liver continues to
embrace the yang rising. Again, another
start/beginning.
This begins the process a human
being must go through to reach complete
oneness. In this sense, you could start
at the Gallbladder and work your way
around the respective of the twelve
organs clockwise until you end up at the
Triple burner, relating this to the cycle
of human life. The Gallbladder is birth,
Triple burner being the creation/thought/
conception of life. This signifies the
oneness of two human beings coming
together to start the cycle of life once
again.
In clinic, I see many pathologies
relating to the organ system of Wood
element. Many people have been
exposed to toxins throughout their life.
The Liver filters toxins and becomes
stagnated with exposure to too much.
Also, the Liver is the only organ in
Chinese medicine that is related to two
jiaos, both the middle and lower jiao.
In the middle jiao its function is related
continued on page 11
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
503/429/7972
SEEDLING SALE
Saturday, March 9, 2013
8:30 AM-
2:00 PM
20 species -
some bag
quantities
Pacific Pride
(Lawrence Oil)
St. Helens, Hwy 30
COLUMBIA COUNTY SMALL
WOODLANDS
ASSOCIATION
Information:
(503) 556-8800
or (503) 543-2434
