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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2005)
The INDEPENDENT, December 1, 2005 New website helps with energy costs and bill paying Nearly $12 million in grants was announced last month by Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General Hardy Myers for home weatherization and bill paying assistance for low in- come Oregonians. Additionally a new website has been estab- lished to help Oregonians ac- cess information about energy assistance programs, energy saving, and cost-saving strate- gies. The new website, www.war- moregon.org, is a product of the Oregon Department of En- ergy. It is designed to provide Oregonians with an array of re- sources to help contain energy costs both at home and at work. The site includes infor- mation on weatherization, bill paying, energy use reduction, and offers many other impor- tant energy-related tips de- signed to save Oregonians money and preserve re- sources. Above, Seth Brock performs on November 18 at the Hands on Art Variety Show held at Washington Grade School as a benefit for hurricane Katrina victims. More on page 28. JUST JANIE’S Welcomes You to the Annual “Christmas in the Country” Bazaar at Vernonia Middle School Cafeteria Sat. December 3, 10am – 5pm Sun. December 4, noon – 5pm Featuring Handmade: •KITCHEN TOWELS •SCRUBBIES •CHRISTMAS CARDS •BRACELETS •DRIED FLOWER ART •LOW SUGAR BAKING And NEW This Year ***SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD*** Holiday Bucks drawing will take place at noon Come join the fun and support the local Booster Club The grants secured by the Attorney General through utility settlements are expected to as- sist about 15,000 Oregon households with bill payments and weatherize the homes of more than 1,000 families. The grants provide $5.5 million to help pay the energy bills of low- income households through Oregon HEAT, a non-profit company committed to raising and coordinating resources to help low-income Oregonians meet their household energy needs and move them toward energy self-reliance, and Ore- gon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Such assis- tance has amounted to about $300 per household in a typical heating season in the past; however costs are expected to rise significantly during the coming winter months. Another $4.5 million is being allocated to weatherize low-income dwelling units, including exist- ing housing and new, energy- efficient housing yet to be built through programs conducted by OHCS. “This winter Oregonians will be faced with record heating bills,” said Attorney General Myers. “These grants will have an immediate and lasting im- pact on the Oregonians most victimized during the price spikes of 2000 and 2001.” See page 19 Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Ye p , it’s get- ting on to the H o l i - days. I ’ v e b e e n wearing my win- ter caps in and out of doors lately, it’s keeping my brain cells warm so I can mull things over faster. I see they have new signs posted along the school cross- ings. Good. While on this sub- ject – how long has it been (or was there ever) since there was a flashing light at or over the school area?? I’ve been here since ‘86 but a friend in- sists it’s there. Those of you that stayed away from the Hands on Art Variety Show (for whatever rea- son) missed a very enjoyable evening. Singing, dancing, act- ing, readings, recitations, gui- tar, violin, spoons and Sally’s Hat Parade. But, now I must di- gress to say Vernonia needs a Community Stage Building all on the ground floor where all can go without going up or down stairs. We have a jewel or two in this town that need to be heard. Yes, for one, I am speaking of Cindy Ball. She is a singer’s singer. I, for one, think she could sell tapes. Why isn’t there a place for folks to keep alive or hone their talents? I un- derstand Hands on Art wants to make their talent show a yearly event but, if forced to be held where the incapacitated can’t easily get, it will be under-at- tended as it was on the 18th. I’m not alone in this thinking. You don’t think so, call for a vote. Now – how come the lake is allowed to be so low?? There is water in the river. The sun is re- generating the silt and algae and lilies are growing when they should be dying. Fix the pipe and fill the lake. Please. We advertise our lake and walking paths. Out-of-towners are jealous of it and our quiet walks in the wooded areas. A suggestion – Stop blowing leaves on the paths, fix the pipe and protect it with an outer cov- er. Homeowners wrap pipes to keep them from weather dam- age. You used to see asbestos (or some such stuff) wrappings on culvert-type pipes or am I too old to recall seeing it in out- of-the-way places like a ranch house in the hills? Ok, I’ll hush now with a tip from a 1927 cook book – to cook strong flavored vegeta- bles such as cabbage, cauli- flower, etc., they should be cooked uncovered, so it won’t permeate the house.
