The INDEPENDENT, March 17, 2005
By Jacqueline Ramsay
W e
had rain,
yes, we
did.
It
m ade
the earth
smell dif-
fe re n t,
didn’t it?
It even
made me stop and grab a few
dead flowers out of my wheel
barrow garden. Even gave me
the itch to start looking at flower
starts. Where did January and
February go?
There is always something
new going on around you un
less you have your head in the
pillow.
When Mt. St. Helens blew I
was watching the news - awe
some - yes. I called a couple of
friends - no, they weren’t
watching the news. Huh...
Last Friday, I was on my way
to Astoria by the back roads -
strange sight - a chopper with
a drag line and water bucket
trailing under it? Are they prac
ticing for fire season?? I’d only
seen this on TV. Neat, but scary
when you consider all it entails.
The lake has been very busy
the past ten days - trees in
bloom, fish, boats, kids, fisher-
people and dogs, but still quiet
for those who want to just sit
and enjoy the sun and view and
visit with strangers to our lake.
For all who enjoy Wednes
days at the Senior Center and
the music - Spring is here. The
music was Fan-Tab-U-Lous.
There were 15 members in the
Golden Oldies on March 9 and
in today’s English, they were
rockin’, jamming and playing off
of each other. Western 40’s
tunes and Christian, even a bit
of Ireland. It was great.
Thank you, Duke, Eleanor,
Darrell, 2 Bobs, DeLores, 2 Als,
Everett, Dorothy, Pat, Mike, Ne-
cia and Todd. Folks, if you ate
and ran you missed a wonder
ful “Down Memory Lane” expe
rience. It was Foot Stomping
Good. Lots of dancing includ
ed.
Vernonia Cares wishes to
pass this word along to those
that have said “Yes, I can help!”
We can use a few gents and or
ladies in the repackaging de
partment. It’s easy to learn how
and not hard work. We even
furnish aprons and gloves.
Drop in and talk to Sandy.
You want to know what gets
my goat about the 6 o’clock
news? You’re busy, got an ap
Symptoms begin with a
fever that lasts for a couple of
days and can reach as high as
103° F to 105°F. The fever is fol
lowed by a cough, runny nose,
and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Along with these symptoms, is
a red, blotchy rash that devel
ops first on the face along the
hairline and then spreads to the
rest of the body.
Adverse complications of
those who become ill are rela
tively common, including ear
infection, diarrhea, and pneu
monia. Less commonly, but of
more concern is the possibility
of encephalitis, a severe in
flammation of the brain, or
death.
Those who suspect that
they, or someone in their fami
ly, may have measles should
not go to a clinic unannounced.
They are advised to call their
healthcare provider and make
an appointment, so other pa
tients and medical staff will not
be unnecessarily exposed.
People born before 1957 are
presumed to be immune. For
younger people, it is recom
mended that vaccinations be
kept current. This includes
small children and college-
bound students, who should re
ceive a booster.
pointment but want to hear
what they say is next. Good,
you’ll catch it just before you
leave — ho, ho — three minutes
of... you can’t wait any longer
and the dog is the only one that
hears what you were interested
in.
News should be news, not
interruptions of pills, etc.
Transfer an existing balance from
your high rate credit card to a
low rate Wauna Federal
N 1S\ C ard a n d SA V E !
Measles makes unwelcome visit
to Washington County; watch for
symptoms, get booster for kids
At least one case of measles
was confirmed in mid-February
by Public Health Officials in
Washington County, as well as
one presumptive case. The two
individuals were admitted sep
arately to Portland-area hospi
tals. Medical providers who
may find cases compatible with
measles should contact their
local health department.
Measles is a disease that
occurs most often in the late
winter and spring and can eas
ily spread among those who
are not immunized.
“Measles is a highly conta
gious, vaccine-preventable dis
ease that can cause grave
harm or illness,” explained Dr.
Jay Kravitz, Health Officer for
Washington County. “The rea
son that we don’t see this po
tentially serious illness, as in
the past, is because of the im
portance placed on vaccina
tions. We would recommend to
everyone that they keep their
vaccinations current."
When a person infected with
measles sneezes or coughs,
droplets spray into the air and
can remain active and conta
gious for up to two hours. Peo
ple who contract the illness are
usually contagious from about
four days before their rash
starts to four days afterward.
Page 9
Wauna Federal Credit Union
Limited Time Special
VISA Balance Transfer Rate
Rate as low as
APR
Got an existing balance on a high rate credit card
You’ll also enjoy a great low rate on all of your
that’s charging too much in interest costs? Move
charges with a Wauna Federal VISA card, too
that balance to a Wauna Federal VISA card during
So stop paying 13%, 15%, or even higher on a big
our limited time special offer and pay as little as
balance on your other cards. Move that balance to
6.45% APR on the transfer balance.* And that rate
a Wauna Federal VISA Card and save BIG every
doesn’t go away in a few months. You’ll enjoy that
single month. Cali or come in to a Wauna federal
special rate as long as that balance remains.
branch near you to apply today.
WAUNA FEDERAL
Credit Union
Your hometown financial solution
800-773-3236 • WWW.WAUNAFCU.ORG
A s to r ia
(503)325-1044
• W a rre n to n
(503)861-7526
adjusted tortie regular APR. This offer expires on March 31, 2005
. C la ts k a n ie
(503)728-4321
• V e r n o n ia
(503)429 8031