The INDEPENDENT, September 16, 2004
Swifts put on show in N.W. Portland
Join Willapa Hills Audubon
Society on September 18 to
see one of the largest gather-
ings of swifts in America, as
they arrive in cloud-like forma-
tions over Chapman School,
delight crowds of on-lookers,
and finally dive into the chim-
ney for the night.
This is the second year
WHAS will visit Chapman
School in Portland to experi-
ence the fall gathering of
Vaux’s swifts that roost in the
school’s old chimney.
Those attending with WHAS
may meet in Longview at 5:30
p.m. WHAS will provide a map
to Chapman School. You’re
welcome to bring your whole
family, chairs and blankets for
sitting, binoculars, even a pic-
nic dinner if you’d like.
Portland Audubon “Swift
Watch” volunteers will be there
to provide information about
the amazing birds and their
roost in Chapman’s old chim-
ney.
Call Susan, 360-423-9679,
or Linda, 503-556-9379, to sign
up and to get details on car-
pooling and where to meet.
SOLV’s Beach Cleanup Sept. 18
Saturday, September 18
marks the date for the 21st an-
nual Great Oregon Fall Beach
Cleanup. The event will take
place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. along the entire Oregon
coast. Volunteers may check in
at one of 42 meeting sites, pick
up a litter bag, and head down
to the beach to help improve
the coast for wildlife and winter
visitors. Coordinators suggest
volunteers bring gloves, wear
sturdy shoes, and be safe while
having a good time! Groups of
20 or more are asked to regis-
ter in advance by calling the
appropriate Zone Captain. Visit
the web site at <www.solv.org>
or call 800-333-SOLV for a list
of Registration Sites and Zone
Captains.
New this fall is SOLV’s “Ex-
press Check-In.” Volunteers
can save time by filling out the
Volunteer Registration and
Waiver form before the event.
The form should be printed and
signed, then turned in at the
beach to the SOLV representa-
tive at the registration table. In-
structions and forms can be
found on the web site.
Last fall, more than 4,400
volunteers removed 22 tons of
trash from Oregon’s beaches.
Many interesting items were
found including a hot water
heater, a kitchen sink, a fire-
place grate, and five sleeping
bags.
The first statewide beach
cleanup in the nation was held
in Oregon in 1984. Since then,
twice annual beach cleanups
have continued and over the
years, 149,000 volunteers
have removed 879 tons of
trash from Oregon’s coastline.
Beach cleanups have spread
to every state in the Union and
more than 100 countries
around the world.
“This is a great opportunity
for Oregonians and visitors
alike to take an active part in
preserving and enhancing this
great state’s public beaches,”
says Executive Director Jack
McGowan.
Organizers want volunteers
to have a fun and safe experi-
ence. Everyone should take
safety precautions while on the
beach. Don’t turn your back on
the ocean. Watch for sneaker
waves. Don’t play on or around
logs. Be aware of incoming
tides.
Along with SOLV, the
cleanup is coordinated by the
Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department, and the local
coastal haulers, plus the many
sponsors who support the
event.
www.agalis.net
By Jacqueline Ramsay
First
off, I do
not just
run the
streets to
f i n d
some-
thing to
g r i p e
about –
But, when is the highway crew
coming back to join all of Ver-
nonia’s side streets to the high-
way?? How about the “what is
it” at the light on Bridge and
Rose? How do you safely turn
right onto Bridge – 4–5–6–7.
Also – since cars have to
watch out for kids in a school
zone (who, by the way, should
have been taught in the first
grade, walk to the corner or
crosswalk, stop, look left, look
right, step off the curb, and
walk across the street), how
about mandatory in school, les-
sons by police to teach children
where and how to ride their bi-
cycles on streets made for cars
and trucks? They zip from
street to side walk – jump curbs
– when two are together they
zig the center of the street, split
one on each side and then stop
in your lane and look at you like
your car does not belong on
their street. Hello, chief.
Lovely weather, isn’t it? Re-
ally. Do you have your rain gut-
ters cleaned out? I don’t. Got
your windows washed on the
outside? Me, neither. Put in
your fall flowers? Who, me? It
is time to start cutting back or
tying off some of our summer
plants but the days are too
warm for yard work. Right?
What’s happenin’ at V.
Cares? At present – they are
Upcoming at
Chef, Christopher Cole
is now preparing his gourmet specialties on
Friday as well as Saturday Nights.
Do your taste buds a favor and
don’t miss either night!
Sept. 24th
Smoked Chicken Orchietta
Sept. 25th
Prime Rib
then Dance to the Music of
The Bats from 9-12:30
No cover
For information call
503-429-2701
Bits & Bites
The Junction
UNLIMITED
56K INTERNET
R ESTAURANT
AND
E3620 cw
B AR
Page 9
503-755-0900
11126 Hwy 202
Birkenfeld, OR 97016
down until October 5. But
check these dates – Oct 1,
there will be a chicken Bar-B-Q
at the Senior Center parking
lot; for those that don’t eat
chicken, there will be hamburg-
ers, trimmings included. Pro-
ceeds to V. Cares. Oct 2,
Salmon Bento at Salmon Fest
and the Lions will again have
the kraut and sausage. Pro-
ceeds to V. Cares, also. They
are both sponsored by other
folks in town. Come join the fun
food fests and help us help our
folks.
Also, note this, please. Ver-
nonia Cares is served by Unit-
ed Way of Columbia County. If
you work in the Portland metro
area and are giving money to
United Way Columbia –
Willamette, none of the money
is coming into our county. You
can, however, designate your
donation to “United Way of Co-
lumbia County” or any non-
profit organization in Columbia
County.
One more Bite – First day of
school, in the 20 mph zone,
sweet boy riding one of those il-
legal mini bikes in the street in
front of Washington Grade
School in front of kids and par-
ents – who’s in charge of who?
Gee – Since started this col-
umn they filled in the corner of
Rose and Bridge and under-
stand from a friend who asked
a worker – maybe by mid Octo-
ber our streets will connect with
the highway.
Yes, I will change my phone
message – before the snow
flies – Ho, Ho, I hope.
Question: What’s the black
bear on the lamp post on the
West end of town doing?
Historic Vernonia, Oregon
Salmon Festival 2004
Saturday October 2nd
FAMILY FUN FOR ALL
• Salmon Vewing
and Education
• Intimate Wine Tasting
• Hayrides
• Silent and Oral Auctions
• Scarecrow Creation
• Fine Art Contests
and Exhibits
• Pumpkin Carving
• Live Music