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,
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& 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