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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2016)
july7 2016 VERNONIA’S volume10 issue13 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community Open Air Market is Back for Another Season The Vernonia Open Air Market is back for another season with a great group of vendors. The market has returned to the same location on Adams Avenue where they had a successful season last year. The market is open on Saturdays from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The Vernonia Open Air Market features local vendors selling fresh grown produce, baked goods, locally roasted coffee, textiles, pottery, jewelry, art, and more. “Our rule is that anything sold here has to be handmade or homegrown,” says market organizer Bill Langmaid. Langmaid says he expects there to be more produce for sale as the market gets further into the growing season. Signage on the Linear Trail and at the entrance to town has helped make the market more visible. “The park hosts at Anderson Park, Mel and Adam, have been sending a lot of people our way as well,” says Langmaid. “We had a few down years while we were trying to find a permanent home,” says Langmaid. “It was good to connect with the city and get permission to close and use Adams Avenue again this year.” A Facebook page has also been created to help promote the market. Go to “Vernonia inside jail operations report 8 rescue pets at creatures 9 summer in vernonia 10 4th of july parade Columbia Pacific CCO Exceeds Oregon Health Plan Performance Measures Open Air Market” and like their page and keep watching for online coupons for discounts. The page recently featured a coupon for 10% off. Customers could show each vendor the coupon on their hand held device and receive the discount at each booth they shopped at. Langmaid says there will be more coupons and specials advertised on the Facebook page throughout the season. Langmaid says there is always room for more vendors at the market. Anyone intersted in more information should contact Bill Langmaid at bill@rangelights.com or call 971-998-3705. Langmaid says the market has been averaging eight vendors each week; during the 4 th of July weekend there were 11 vendors. The market will be open during Jamboree weekend. It will run through the end of September at their location on Adams Avenue, and will have their final weekend at the Salmon Festival in Hawkins Park on the first Saturday in October. Columbia Pacific CCO achieved 100 percent in Oregon Health Authority’s recently released fourth annual Metrics Report. The metrics show how well each of the state’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) do in caring for their Oregon Health Plan members. The report showed that Columbia Pacific CCO met or exceeded all 18 quality performance metrics for which CCOs are accountable. The report also shows the amount of incentive payments CCOs will receive, based on their overall results. In addition to achieving 100 percent of the quality measures, Columbia Pacific CCO will receive additional funds from a bonus pool. “This shows the great strides that primary medical care, dental care, and mental and behavioral health clinics and organizations working with Columbia Pacific CCO have made in the past four years,” said Safina Koreishi, MD, medical director for Columbia Pacific CCO. “They continue to develop and implement systems and processes to improve clinical care. Every year the improvement target is raised, so continued improvement is always needed to get patients the health screenings and care they need.” “The latest performance report shows CCOs across the state are providing higher qual- ity care for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members,” said Lynne Saxton, Oregon Health Author- ity (OHA) director. “OHP pa- tients are enrolling in patient- centered primary care homes, using emergency rooms less frequently and getting more ef- fective care for chronic diseases. Oregon’s incentives are produc- ing better results for members and for taxpayers.” “Columbia Pacific CCO works with our clinical partners and provides technical assistance to help implement better treatment processes to improve patient care and access to health services,” Dr. Koreishi said. “We also offer patients small incentives for getting preventive care and immunizations, to better protect their health.” Over the past year, Columbia Pacific CCO has implemented the following health and wellness support for the communities it serves in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties: • Clinical education for health care providers about chronic pain and opioid prescribing, as well as two new clinics for patients with persistent pain (now each county in the CCO has a pain clinic). • Rehabilitation and detoxification services in St. Helens. • The First Steps program, which gives incentives to women who get early prenatal care and do healthy activities for themselves and their babies. • A text to quit smoking cessation program is offered free to anyone living in the CCO’s region, not just OHP members. continued on page 13 Community Action Team: The First 50 Years Part 3: Making Co- lumbia County Homes Safer and Healthier By Leanne Murray 3 free Community Action Team (CAT) is celebrating its 50 th anniversary. For 38 of those years this local non- profit agency has been in the business of helping Colum- bia, Clatsop and Tillamook county residents make their homes healthier, safer, and more energy efficient. One of CAT’s primary strengths lies in the fact that there are three “sides” to the organiza- tion. Staff members are able to refer clients internally to multiple programs, ensuring as many of their needs are being met as possible. This article introduces readers to the impact CAT has had in Colum- bia County through four of their Community In- vestment Department programs. Affectionately known as the “sticks and bricks” programs, this department assists clients in the three-county area with their physical struc- tures. CAT’s Lend a Hand Program has improved livability and safety for Jan The Lend a Hand Rogers. She is now able to watch the birds she loves from her wheelchair. Program provides minor cial capacity to complete the nomical.” repairs and necessary ac- work on their own. That may Rogers has lived cessibility upgrades that in- not sound like a lot, but for in Columbia County for al- crease livability and safety CAT client Jan Rogers* in most 40 years; five years ago for senior, disabled and vet- Scappoose, “the changes it she purchased a single-wide eran homeowners and renters made in my life were astro- manufactured home just a who do not have the finan- continued on page 11
