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 ■ ■ •