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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, August 16, 2007 What was that in the river July 27? Residents along the Ne- halem River on Timber Road noticed a large amount of a milky substance in the river on July 27. According to Ray Hoy, of Oregon Department of Envi- ronmental Quality (DEQ), it may have been caused by the illegal dumping of a sand-fil- tered septic system. That would be consistent with the appearance of the water, but tests samples were not taken as it was determined there would be no way of knowing where the contaminant entered the river. DEQ did say the substance would have moved through the area within 24 hours and it would have been safe to be in the river after that length of time had passed. For future reference, envi- ronmental issues can be re- ported to the Oregon Emer- gency Response System at 1- 800-452-0311. Music kicks off 2008 United Way On August 30, in conjunction with the “13 nights on the Riv- er” concert by Michael Allen Harrison and sponsored by Betsy Johnson, United Way of Columbia County will be hold- ing their 2008 Campaign Kick- off. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in St. Helens, United Way will be located in the park next to the fence. United Way will be offering informational handouts, pro- gram representatives available to answer questions and share information, promotional items and something yummy for everyone. The public is invited to join them and learn more about how their donations to United Way of Columbia County help change lives within our com- munities. Enjoy first Clatskanie BluesFest Get your “blues shades” on and enjoy the first annual Clatskanie BluesFest “Rhythm on the River”, August 25, 1:00- 10 p.m. at Clatskanie City Park. The award winning Ellen Whyte will headline the event, with additional performances by Dangerous Dan and the Masters of Disaster, Kristi Nicholson, The Jumpers band, The Big Fish Blue Band and Terri Robb. The event will kick off with a 5k “Rhythm Run” beginning at 11:00 a.m. Participants will re- ceive a T-shirt and a pair of “Blues” sunglasses. Entry for the run is $10 and the concert is free! This is a non-profit event es- tablished to provide scholar- ships for promising local youth. Tax-exempt contributions may be made to the Clatskanie Foundation, P.O. Box 1052, Clatskanie, OR 97016, desig- nated for the Clatskanie Blues Fest, or call 503-728-4222 for more information. Don’t forget to save the date, August 25! Oktoberfest seeks softball teams Registration is open for the Mount Angel Oktoberfest men’s 24-team and 16-team coed softball tournament from Sep- tember 13 through 17. For in- formation call Robert Ro- driguez, 503-845-9272. Competition also includes a golf tournament at Evergreen Golf Club on Saturday, Sep- tember 15. The format is a four- person scramble. For golf infor- mation call Jeremy Reeding at 503-845-9911 or Bill Bischoff at 503-845-6644. The Official Oktoberfest Fun Run will be held Saturday, Sep- tember 15, at Humpert Park (Alder Street) in Mount Angel. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m., with registration and packet pick-up beginning at 7:30 a.m. Choose from a 5-kilo- meter (3.1 miles) run or walk and a 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) run. The cost is $16.00/person for either event and includes a T-shirt or $10/person without a T-shirt. Complete event infor- mation can be found at: www. racenorthwest.com. The Mount Angel Oktober- fest runs from September 13 through 16. While in Mount An- gel, be sure to visit the world famous Budweiser Clydes- dales in their stables at Saint Mary Church parking lot from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. all four days of Oktoberfest. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay This weather h a s jumped its track. I had to wear my gloves to w o r k Thurs- day morning. It woke up my friend Arther (itus). Did I sleep through Summer? Jamboree is gone. For me it was a pleasant success (of sorts). For several years, a lot of us have been asking: Where is the high school band? Well, by Golly, we got to see and hear it this year. It was great. The kids were great and should feel mighty proud of them- selves. Keep it up. Thanks to a band master that knows all kids have music in themselves if just given the chance to prove it. Speaking of high school. It’s that time of year and in life when all folks start thinking of class reunions. I received my letter this past week from someone I’d forgotten I know. La Grande Tigers will be hold- ing their 65th, and possibly their last one of the Class of ‘42. I can only send them an update and best wishes, but I do remember what was then. I was last “home” in about ‘99. I hardly recognized the old home town. It’s best to leave those memories in Memory Lane. Just a few random thoughts. The flying termites (big black ants) are back. So Kill, Kill, Kill. They love wood. If you’ve an outdoor dog – check to see his house is snug and dry, rain and wind are com- ing. Try to teach them not to bark or yodel day and night when chained outside. It is very upsetting to your neighbors. You can’t hear it if you’re not home, but they do hear it loud and clear. Time for fall closet clean-out. The city-wide yard sale will soon be upon us. If your garden is overproduc- ing, Vernonia Cares Food Pantry can help you find a home for the excess. Bring it in Tuesdays or Thursdays, we’re open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. From Vernonia Cares to all those that brought us their Saver Shields before July 31, when they expired: We were able to benefit with some need- ed items. thanks again for your caring support of our cause. Check cupboards for recalled foods Oregon state health officials have urged consumers to check their cupboards for any of 90 different canned food items recalled in the wake of four U.S. botulism cases. Two people in Texas and two in Indi- ana were hospitalized recently after eating a chili sauce manu- factured by Castleberry's in Au- gusta, Georgia. “Although no Oregon cases have been identified, we would encourage people to check the canned food in their houses,” said Susan Allan, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., state public health di- rector in the Oregon Depart- ment of Human Services. “Bot- ulism can be very serious, re- sulting in hospitalization for weeks or months, and some- times death.” The botulism was traced to one of Castleberry’s production lines, leading to the expanded recall of any food processed on that line. These include canned chili and chili sauces, stews, hash, corned beef and other items sold under several brand names, as well as Natural Choice brand dog food. State and federal agencies are working with grocers, food banks and other food distribu- tors to ensure that all recalled products are pulled from their shelves. “We have two concerns,” Al- lan said. “One is that smaller businesses may not be aware of the recall and may still have inventory on hand. The second is that many of the people who have already purchased these products may not hear about the recall and may open these cans later.” Allan advises consumers to double-check their canned food storage to make sure none of the recalled items are on their shelves. “We’re also asking their help in getting the word out to family or friends that may not be aware of the news re- ports,” she said. Recalled products should immediately be discarded or re- turned to the store where they were purchased. Foodborne botulism in the U.S. is now quite rare, with most cases outside of Alaska traced to improperly home- canned foods. This is the first time U.S. botulism cases have been traced to commercial can- ning defects since 1971. Ore- gon has recorded only eight cases of foodborne botulism since 1992. Swallowing even tiny traces of botulinum toxin can be lethal, which is why any questionable canned food should not be please see page 20 Home of Northwest Microbrews,Wines, Sandwiches, Coffees, Smoothies & More State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com ™ LLC 831 Bridge Street Vernonia, Oregon Open Daily 503-429-0214
