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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2006)
The INDEPENDENT, April 6, 2006 Page 7 Community Don’t miss this year’s Cantata Library Book “He’s Alive!”, A Celebration cantata performances — Fri- Sale – April 8 of the Living Lord, written by Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhoades will be featured by the Vernonia Community Choir at this year’s Easter Cantata. Narrated by Carl Pense and Kellie Murray, soloists will in- clude Carl Pense, Marc Farm- er, Brittany Murray, Ruth Grim- srud, Cheryl McNeill and Sandy Welch. Admission is free to all three day, April 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 15, at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m., in the Washington Grade School gymnasium. Author April Henry will be speaking and signing books at the Vernonia Public Library on Saturday, April 8, at 2:00 p.m. Also on April 8, the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will be held at the Library from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is always a great way to increase your home library at pennies on the dollar. Phone scam targets Medicare beneficiaries Seniors and people with dis- abilities are being warned of a telephone scheme that asks Medicare beneficiaries for money and checking account information to help them enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this scheme is called the “$299 Ring” for the amount of money Medicare beneficiar- ies are talked into withdrawing from their checking accounts to pay for a nonexistent prescrip- tion drug plan. These cases can be reported to local law en- forcement agencies or by call- ing toll free 1-877-772-3379 (1- 877-7SAFERX). Complaints have been made against a number of different companies, but authorities be- lieve that the companies are the same and are mostly based outside the United States. As soon as CMS receives the complaints, they are investigat- ed and referred to federal law enforcement authorities. No Medicare drug plan can ask a person with Medicare for bank account or other personal information over the telephone. No beneficiary should ever pro- vide that kind of information to a caller. Beneficiaries should contact their local police de- partment if they believe some- one is trying to take money or information from them illegally. People with Medicare should also remember to watch for anyone trying to take advan- tage of them and take steps to protect themselves by remem- bering: • No one can come into your home uninvited. • No one can ask you for personal information during their marketing activities. • Always keep all personal information, such as your Medicare number, safe, just as you would a credit card or a bank account number. It is important to remember that legitimate Medicare drug plans will not ask for payment over the telephone or the Inter- net. They must bill the benefici- ary for the monthly premium. Typically, that amount is set up as an automatic withdrawal from the beneficiary's monthly Social Security check. Benefi- ciaries may also opt to pay the monthly premiums in other ways such as writing a check or setting up automatic payments from their checking accounts. Whenever you have a ques- tion or concern about any activ- ity regarding Medicare, call toll free 1-800-633-4227 (1-800- MEDICARE). Welcome Additions Kaden Elijah Christopher Hendrix pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Fran and Bob Hendrix of Vernonia, and Donna and Jim Wright of Pa- coima, California. Great-grandparent is Hazel Hendrix of Coffeyville, Kansas. Cole Aden McCants-Enos Kaden Elijah Christopher Hendrix was born January 28, 2006, to Crystal and Kelly Hen- drix of Vernonia. He weighed 8 Cole Aden McCants-Enos was born March 10, 2006, to Sarah McCants and James Enos of Tigard. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Diane Mc- Cants of Tigard, Cynthia Watts and Dale Pearson of Birken- feld, and Ken Kelley of Arizona. Great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Kelley of Oklahoma. Senior News By Karen Miller Moth- er’s Day Fashion S h o w coming in May here at the Cen- ter; read this col- umn for informational updates! April 10, Monday, an attor- ney will be here at the Center to help you with processing a will; if you need that assis- tance, please call my office for sign up times and reasonable fee. Community Action Team’s Preventive Health grant for swimming will be starting again on Tuesdays. we have room for eight people on our Columbia Rider bus. Swimming will be at the Forest Grove Aquatic Cen- ter from 11:00 to 12:50. Call my office to sign up. Willoughby Hearing is here every second Friday of the month for your hearing aid needs. If our Senior Center sign is out late on a week night or Sat- urdays, we are open! Are you confused and still have questions about the new prescription drug plan through Medicare or general insurance questions? If so, a SHIBA vol- unteer is available; SHIBA (Se- nior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) is a group of trained volunteers who help seniors with questions about benefits. Call for an appoint- ment. CAREGIVERS and interest- ed public: CPR/First Aid Class will be held at the Head Start Building April 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $25.00. Call 429- 9243 to sign up. Community Action Team has several programs that might fit your caregiving and house- keeping needs. Call my office for an appointment. Now taking sign ups for the next AARP Safe Driving class. Seniors: Be thinking about city clean up day coming April 22. On this day, volunteers will come to your house for some outside cleanup. But, to help facilitate this project, you need to call and sign up with Genny Fisher at 429-4019 or let us know here at the Center. Early sign up for yard help is advised. Also, they are looking for volun- teers to be part of the clean up Vernonia Day. If this might work for you, we’ll be anxiously awaiting your call. Thanks to all the Vernonia volunteers in this community!! Sponsored by Vernonia Pride, SOLV and the City of Vernonia. We have a tax preparation volunteer that is available to help you with your tax needs. Call for an appointment. If you know of a senior who would like a visit from the Se- nior Advocate or has any senior needs and concerns, call our office. REMEMBER: • Pastries and bread Wednesday a.m. • Bingo, Mondays at lunch. • Music with the Golden Oldies on Wednesdays. • Games on Thursdays. • Willoughby Hearing every second Friday at 11:00 a.m. • Sign language class at 9:00 a.m. on Mondays. • Breakfast every Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., $2.50. INFORMATION NUMBERS Senior Advocate...429-9112 Senior Center.......429-3912 Transportation......429-4304 S up p o r t th e ad v er t is e r s w h o m ak e t hi s ne w sp a p e r F RE E Camelot Care Center Your Painting & Interior Specialist Vernonia, Oregon 503-830-6057 CCB# 159353 Skilled Nursing and Long Term Care Deficiency Free Survey 2005 Private and Semi-Private Suites Available Dedicated And Caring Staff 3900 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove • 503-359-0449