community/in other words
january1
2015
Warrenton Facility to Care for
Residents in Mental Health Crisis
An innovative community
collaborative has plans to solve a long-
standing health issue in the North
Coast area--respite care for individuals
experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The group plans to open a new 16-bed
facility in Warrenton that will care for
people in crisis situations instead of
using space in local hospital emergency
departments or transporting patients out
of the area.
The collaboration of community
health providers includes: Sumuer
Watkins, Clatsop Behavioral Health;
Scott Somers, Clatsop County; Erik
Thorsen, Columbia Memorial Hospital;
Michael Blauer and Bonnie Thompson,
Providence Seaside Hospital; and Leslie
Ford, Columbia Pacific Coordinated
Care Organization and Greater Oregon
Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI).
The team brainstormed ideas
on how to solve the problem and
realized that no one partner could
do so on its own. The team has now
pulled together resources and funding
to purchase a building in Warrenton
that can be converted into a respite care
facility for those having a behavioral
or mental health emergency – such as
extreme anxiety, depression, and mental
disorientation or suicidal thoughts.
“To date, GOBHI has
purchased the building and Providence
Health & Services has contributed more
than $70,000 for equipment at the new
facility,” said Leslie Ford, director of
clinical innovation at GOBHI. “We look
forward to our other community partners
contributing as much as they can to fill
this important need.” If anyone would
like to make a tax-deductible financial
contribution to the project, please
contact Tonja Hodgkinson of GOBHI at
541-298-2101.
The center, which has yet to be
named, is expected to be open in early
spring 2015. It will accept walk-in
patients from Clatsop, Columbia and
Tillamook counties, as well as referrals
from local police departments, hospitals
and medical clinics. The new center will
accept Oregon Health Plan members
and many other insurance plans. It will
be located at 326 SE Marlin Avenue,
Warrenton.
“There is a huge need in the
region for a center like this,” said Chief
Jason Schermerhorn, Cannon Beach
Police Department. “Trying to care
for those in a behavioral health crisis
can really tie up police and medical
resources, which in turn can create
other problems in our community.”
“I am so thankful for the
concerted effort that has gone into
creating a respite care center for Clatsop
County” adds Sheriff Tom Bergin,
Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office. “The
need is immense and the opportunity is
welcomed with open arms.”
About Greater Oregon Behavioral
Health
Greater Oregon Behavioral Health,
Inc., (GOBHI) provides community
mental health programs in Baker,
Clatsop, Columbia, Douglas, Gilliam,
Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow,
Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union,
Wallowa and Wheeler counties. GOBHI
is dedicated to the health care needs of
rural Oregonians with the triple aim of
better care, better health and lower costs
by promoting wellness and focusing on
the power of preventative and local care
in partnership with Coordinated Care
Organizations, including Columbia
Pacific Coordinated Care Organization.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Brett Costley
Senator Betsy Johnson
Stacey Lynn
Garrett Mullikin
Natassia Salinas
Michal Smith
Grant Williams
Photography
Tracy Easlon
Scott Laird
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Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
Creature Comforts: Bath Time!
By Michal Smith
Now is the time of year you
can’t seem to let the animals outside
without them coming back in with mud-
dy paws and/or having that “wet dog”
smell permeate the place. As a result, the
task of keeping the house clean can also
become overwhelming. Have you con-
sidered giving the dog a bath? The idea,
of doing it at home and the mess that can
be created can be frightening, and for
some it’s just not practical. A trip to the
groomer seems like way too much fuss
and cost.
BUT WAIT ~ NOW
THERE’S CREATURES U-Wash!
Dog (and cat) owners looking for
an alternative to costly trips to a groomer
are now offered the ability to wash their
dog themselves with the conveniences of
a groomer’s tools and equipment just in-
side Creatures pet store. Self-serve style
dog washing offers the perfect solution
for keeping animals clean and happy at a
much lower price.
Aside from the great value, Crea-
tures U-wash will soon be a convenience
difficult to live without. If you’ve
washed your dog at home, you’ll
appreciate no more backaches
leaning over the tub or sore and
bruised knees and soaked clothes.
No wet towels, no fur balls lining
the bathtub or clogging the drain,
no mess to worry about at all. Af-
ter a trip to your local pet store
– Creatures that is, Fido returns
home clean and happy, smelling
like a bouquet of fresh flowers.
The process is pretty
straightforward and our friendly
staff is always available to help
with questions or tasks. (1) Bring
in Fido/Fluffy to Creatures. Large,
medium and small dog size crates
are available to contain them un-
til you’re settled in (purse stowed,
coat hung up, apron fitted etc.)
and ready to put the dog in the tub. The
tub sets up off of the floor about 2 ½ feet
making it an easy task to accomplish
while standing. There’s a handy hydrau-
lic lift that’s used to hoist the heavier
dogs up and at a level comfortable for the
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
Lady’s Night Wed 5-12
Events
www.VernoniasVoice.com
dog to step into the tub. (2) Once the dog
is in the tub, you’ll secure them using
security loops which are attached firmly
to the wall. (3) Wet the dog, shampoo,
lather and massage, rinse and condition,
rinse again, then blow off the excess wa-
ter with our high force blower until the
fur is just damp, or dry if preferred. Tow-
els and a variety of brushes and combs as
well as nail trimmers are also available
for your use. (4) Top off the trip with an
ear clean and a skin moisturizing spritz
and Fido/Fluffy is ready for a night on
your best linen.
The price is only $15 per wash!
As always, Creatures promotes a fre-
quent washer program of buy 3 and the
4 th one is FREE! AND for an additional
$2 off per wash, bring your own towels!
Give a call to the store in advance of
your arrival so the store is ready for you
and your friend!.
Creatures is OPEN 7 DAYS
A WEEK Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun
Noon-4 at 503-429-PETS (7387).
Cedar Side Inn
Sunday Breakfast
Now serving 10am-9pm
Karaoke
New Year’s Eve Party
with Patrick the DJ
• Specialty hamburgers
• Draft beer & mixed drinks
• Pool tables & satelite TV
Sat, Jan. 10th
Dixie Wrecked
Sat, Jan 21st
Texas Hold Em
• Pool Tourny Most Friday nights
• Free Wi-fi
• Beer & Kegs to go
Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight •
733 Bridge St, Vernonia
“STILL BIKER FRIENDLY”
Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM
• 503-429-9999
3
Every 2nd & Last Friday
Taco Tuesday
from opening until 9pm
3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25
Ladies’ Night
every Thursday 6pm-close
• Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas
iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events
756 Bridge Street, Vernonia
503-429-5841
