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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1995)
Page 2 Th» INDEPENDENT, Dec. 6,1995 INDEPENDENT Hie Serving the upper Nehalem River valley. Published twice monthly on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, by Public Opinion Laboratory Ltd., 725 B rid g e S tre e t, V ernonia, OR 97064, as a free new spaper. E ditors and P ublishers, D irk & Noni Andersen, (503) 429-9410. OWDIDATf D£& AT£ L i £ I h / oa / ' t Give generously to help our neighbors This is Vernonia Cares Food Drive week and a good time to remember that you can help others while also helping yourself. Yes, that reference is to income taxes and, if you are fortunate enough to have an income large enough to itemize your deduc tions, you can reduce that tax liability by sharing some of your good fortune with valid charitable orga nizations. Vernonia Cares is a good place to start, but it’s not the only choice. Other good targets could be your lo cal fire district, local library, Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, senior citizens’ center, scouting, Lions Club or Boosters. And this is a short list. If your income doesn’t allow you to make a cash donation, you can still help. Perhaps the most valu able contribution any individual can provide is his or her own effort and dedication. It doesn’t cost any money, but it brings satisfaction that money can’t buy. Volunteering doesn’t always have to be to an agen cy or organization, either. Perhaps you know some one who is a 24-hour caregiver and could use a few hours of respite every week. Maybe you could make yourself available as a surrogate parent or grandpar ent to some youngster who needs attention. If you are healthy and strong, you could carry firewood for a neighbor, friend or relative who isn’t blessed with vig orous health. One thing is certain. Anyone who wants to help make this a better world must start in the same place—within himself or herself. e certain of the facts before making decisions The Vernonia City Council has been asked to op pose a liquor license for the Cindernook because they had male strippers one time and people have “heard” they plan to have female strippers. The com- plainers generally hide their lack of specific knowl edge by saying they “heard,” “were told,” or “under stand” such plans have been made. What they don’t say, because they can’t, is that they talked directly with either the owner or manager of the establishment. Until council members or city officials ask the re sponsible people what their plans are, they should not pass judgement. It is the responsibility of the mayor and council to first ascertain what information is valid and, only after doing so, make a decision. This process should apply regardless of the question before the city and regardless of the type of business. An improperly run restaurant or auto repair shop can do a great deal of harm, but few council mem bers would consider limiting such businesses without first obtaining sufficient information. Some citizens object to the sale of liquor; that is their right. Some citizens make a legitimate living selling liquor; that is their right. The council would be wise to make decisions based on facts, not on rumors or innuendo. "T W A w rY o u Y ol » L>O a / z T T ell TH£- ~TRUTU A bo u t M e i I Ike Soys » By David Michael Jones, member Izaak Walton League, Nehalem Valley Chapter The Christmas season is upon us and it is traditionally the time of love, joy, and sharing between neighbors, family and friends, as well as the celebration of the birth of Christ. In the past I have mentioned some books th a t are of in te re s t to spo rtsm e n and sportswomen as gifts that can keep on giving throughout the year. Books are one of the most constantly “giving” presents that there is. I am currently reading a book by Roderick L. Haig-Brown called A R iver Never Sleeps, which is one of the Classics in fishing litera ture. At the start of the book, Haig-Brown is a beginning steelheader who is able to go out only when he is not working as a member of a logging crew in the late 1920s. Some of his first fish taken in the pursuit of steelhead are Dolly Vardens. Haig-Brown is also known for his “sea son s” books named F isherm an’s Spring and so on through the four seasons. These books are all written in a down to earth style by a man who obviously loved his rivers and fishing. They are well worth adding to one’s library or shopping list. Mountain in the Clouds, by Bruce Brown, subtitled A Search for the Wild Salmon, would be of interest to anyone interested in salmon. The December issue of Flyfishing maga zine has a center section which is a catalogue of books available through Frank Amato Publi cations, PO Box 82112, Portland, 97282- 9912. It includes a large variety of books on flyfishing and tying, but there is also a selec tion of river maps, books on fishing pole con structio n and oth er types of fishing, with around 100 titles available. Anyone interested can call 1 -800-541 -9498 for orders or informa tion. K a ufm an n’s S tream born at 8861 S.W. Commercial, Tigard 97223, is a good source of fishing literature and also carries a lot of Frank Amato Publications. The phone number there is (503) 639-6400. Many years ago, when I began cooking on a tugboat out on the Pacific, I bought myself a large set of Gerber knives in a beautiful wood carrying case and they have served me well over the years. This is a M ade-in-O regon product and one with which I have had good luck. Another Oregon company that I like to buy products from is Leupold. They once fixed a pair of 9 x 35 binocs for me that I had treat ed a little rougher than I should have— and didn’t charge me a thing. I have used a 3 to 9 variable scope of theirs for years with no prob lems. When I look out the window at the rainy weather and realize how many years I hunted in this kind of weather with that scope, I am truly amazed at its continued good perfor mance. Testing a product in the field is probably one of the best ways to improve it and put it through the rigors that it would have to be subjected to every day by customers. For a number of years I used (and still use) hunting clothing and accessories made by Kathy Kelly Design at 20080 S.W. Jaquith Road in New burg 97132. The phone number there is (503) 628-3695. When you call there, you will be greeted w ith “ House of W hispering F irs” , which is the name of Kelly’s Victorian gift shop, which she runs out of the same location. What an opportunity for the Christmas shop per— hunting clothes and accessories and a gift shop—all in one location. I can vouch, as a bow and rifle hunter and a fisherman, that Kelly’s clothes, packs and other accessories are warm, quiet and durable. I also find her clothes a big help when I am photographing in our great outdoors here in the Pacific North west. I would like to close with the mention of a plant and animal book called Western Forests, which is a field guide to the western forests and woodlands of North America. For the Iza ak Walton League I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy and fulfilling holiday season and a new year and future filled with knowledge and growth. Our best to you all. Izaak Walton L e a g u e m e e tin g s a r e the third Wednesday of each month, Vernonia Public Library at 7:00 p.m. The public is welcome ’ ’ ■ *** • . } 4L "• .»1 ■ J * » ’ • < . ■ *. ■ ».• •_i ■ ■ •
