Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2006)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, June 1, 2006 Drinking and graduation don’t mix Things to consider before getting a tattoo or piercing With prom and graduation season officially upon us, now is the time to be thinking hard about talking with teens about drinking. It can be fun for teens, as they celebrate their success of the past year and prepare for the future, but it can also be very dangerous. This time of year is notorious for heavy drinking with end-of-year par- ties and prom coming up. Are you informed about lia- bilities for hosting parties where alcohol is served to mi- nors? Are you prepared to talk to teens about how to prevent alcohol poisoning and other negative consequences of risky decisions they may make around drinking? Below please find a few helpful tips for parents, as well as links to a few resources that may be helpful in keeping your teens safe. TIPS FOR PARENTS • Discuss the rules for prom and other end-of-year gradua- tion type parties. Make sure your teen knows not only your rules but the school’s rules re- garding violations. • Pick a curfew that is rea- sonable for both you and your teen for special party or event nights. Be sure your teen knows there will be conse- quences for violating curfew and follow through if rules are not followed. If there are plans for after the party or event and your teen will be spending the night somewhere other than home, be sure you know exact- ly what those plans are and confirm with the host of the par- ty, or parents of the friend whose house your teen will staying at, that a responsible adult will be around and that no alcohol will be served. • Talk to other parents about party plans and make sure you are all aware of your teens’ plans and that those plans are something you have approved. • Consider hosting a party at your house or at a local com- munity venue so teens can have a safe and alcohol free place to go. • Model responsible drinking behavior. Although it may be tempting, try to avoid telling any tales of your own drunken escapades in favor of discus- sions about your expectations and the importance of making healthy decisions. • Keep your alcohol locked up and inaccessible to anyone underage. • Don’t provide alcohol to mi- nors. Drinking under the age of 21 is against the law and you can be held liable for supplying alcohol to a minor. • Discuss the possible con- sequences of binge drinking and make sure your teen knows what to do in the case of alcohol poisoning. Share with them the fact sheet on alcohol poisoning. • Know your teen’s trans- portation plans. If they plan to take a limo or other rented ve- hicle to the party, talk to the limo driver or company before- hand and make sure they are clear about not allowing alcohol or other drugs in the car. A par- ent should check the limo be- fore teens leave to be sure there is no alcohol in the bever- age containers inside the limo. • Do not rent hotel rooms for your teen and their friends. • Consider sending a safety reminder via text message to your teen’s cell phone. Click on the following website to do it online, http://www.centurycoun cil.org/promtext/index.php REMEMBER - YOUR IN- FLUENCE STILL MATTERS Source: Julie Rosenbluth, M.P.H., American Council for Drug Education With the popularity of tattoos and body piercings growing – particularly among young peo- ple – the Oregon Health Li- censing Agency (OHLA) wants young Oregon consumers to be thoughtful before taking the tat- too or piercing plunge. Piercing Thoughts, a new public education campaign that focuses on tattoo and piercing safety and health, brings a fresh message that asks young people to “Think Before You Ink” and “Be Aware…of After- care.” “While tattoos and body piercings have become more mainstream and accepted, there are still potential risks in- volved,” said Susan K. Wilson, OHLA Director. “We want young people educated about those risks and knowledgeable about the process if they de- cide to get tattooed or pierced.” OHLA is working with high schools and colleges across the state to distribute brochures focused on tattoo and piercing safety and health. The state consumer protection agency is artists/permanent color techni- cians, out of a total of 264 com- plaints concerning the 15 pro- fessions regulated by OHLA. Visit <www.oregon.gov/ OHLA> for more information on the OHLA central agency and on body piercing and tattooing regulation in Oregon. Cub Scout Pack seeks adult help Would you like to be part of a great organization that strives to build the character of young men to become future leaders (doctors, teachers, dads and businessmen)? Cub Scout Pack 201 is looking for caring, enthusiastic people to serve on our committee or to help out in other areas. Call 503-429-8133 if you are interested in being part of Cub Scout Pack 201. The 2006-07 calendar year is now being planned. Don’t miss out on your chance to get involved and make a difference! Outdoors-Woman workshop offered Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is offering a great opportunity for women to learn fishing techniques us- ing inflatable pontoon boats and float tubes at a Becoming An Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program workshop, June 24, at Magone Lake near John Day. The “Fishing and Floating” workshop is a one-day event where participants learn an- gling techniques as well as wa- ter safety and navigation skills in pontoon boats and float tubes. ODFW provides all the equipment needed, including float tubes, pontoon boats, waders, fins, life jackets and fly rods. Breakfast and lunch are also included in the $40 regis- tration fee. START PLANNING YOUR WEDDING HERE Dianna’s Formal Affair New Arrivals – Great Selection Best Prices & Don’t Forget We Rent Tuxedos, too! 33555 E. Columbia Ave. Lorelei Village, Suite 211 Scappoose 503-543-0291 Hrs: Tues-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 10-4 also partnering with other state agencies, youth centers and youth-focused organizations to get the word out. Two new brochures with up- dated information have been produced and are being distrib- uted, Piercing & Tattoo Safety and Piercing & Tattoo After- care. Aftercare is the steps con- sumers need to take to prevent infection and assist their new body art in the healing process. There are currently 410 reg- istered body piercing techni- cians and 147 licensed facilities in Oregon, while there are 409 licensed tattoo artists/perma- nent color technicians and 189 licensed facilities. Permanent color technicians are licensed with tattoo artists due to the similar nature of their work, but permanent color technicians fo- cus on cosmetic and medical, rather than decorative or figura- tive, uses of coloring or mark- ing human skin. There were 15 consumer complaints against body pierc- ing technicians in 2005 and 29 complaints against tattoo N o w O f fe ri ng W ed d in g I nv i t at io ns & M o r e www.diannasformalaffair.com TUXEDO RENTAL, FORMAL & CASUAL DRESSES, JEWELRY & MORE BOW workshops are de- signed to teach women basic skills for outdoor recreational activities and provide a positive outdoor experience. This work- shop is one of several offered around the state as part of the BOW program. “Women learn best by trying activities, and BOW workshops give them the chance to do just that in a casual, non-threaten- ing environment,” said Mary Hoverson, ODFW’s regional BOW coordinator. “This work- shop is designed for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome.” Hoverson noted that space is limited, and encouraged in- terested women to register as soon as possible. Registration forms are available at ODFW offices throughout the state, or on-line at www.dfw.state.or.us under Outdoor Skills/Edu- cation. 3rd graders make quilt for raffle Ms. Judy Gingerich’s third grade class at Washington Grade School in Vernonia re- cently completed a class quilt project. The 26 students began working with Mrs. Miller on an almost-queen size quilt in Oc- tober 2005. Each student de- signed and machine stitched a square. Ms. Gingerich sewed the squares together and the class layered and basted the quilt. Every student then spent some time hand quilting. Ms. Gingerich and Alice Smith did the finishing touches. Vernonia Community PTA members cut the fabric. All fabric and sup- plies were donated. The students voted to raffle the quilt and send the money to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tickets are available until June 13, at $1.00 each or six for $5.00. To buy tickets, call the grade school at 503-429-7941 and leave a message for Betsy Miller. Quilt is pictured on page 32. June 13 ~ Last day of School