PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 22, No. 22 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” November 15, 2007 WGS Safety Patrol helps students who must cross state highway Home burns Crossing a state highway to get to school can pose some tricky situations for both pedes- trians and drivers. The Wash- ington Grade School (WGS) safety patrol is generally on duty from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. and from 2:50 to 3:05 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays the afternoon time changes to 1:20 to 1:35 p.m. Fifth grade Safety Patrol stu- dents at WGS, and the Educa- tional Assistants who supervise them, are working hard to make this daily activity safer for both pedestrians and mo- torists. They would like you to be aware of some procedures that must be followed while they are on the job. When a patrol member rais- es his/her flag, it is a warning to motorists that children are ap- proaching to cross the street. They are also calling the mo- torist’s attention to their obliga- tion under the law to respect the rights and safety of pedes- trians at crosswalks. WGS patrol members can’t stop traffic. Traffic has to stop for them. The flags will not go out until both directions of traf- fic have stopped, and it is safe for students to cross the street. Once students have safely crossed, flags will be pulled in, signaling that traffic can again move through the intersection. Please be aware when ap- Please see page 4 Events usher in Holiday Season: Vernonia tree lighting Home on Alabama Avenue in Vernonia was destroyed by fire. See story below. Family home destroyed by fire Monday Christmas Bazaar Fourteen firefighters re- tween five and nine years of at Senior Center sponded to a house fire at 966 age, Mrs. Norton’s father and a Alabama Avenue, shortly after family friend. November 17-18 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, but couldn’t save it. According to Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Chief Paul Epler, the home of Darryl and Theresa Norton is a total loss. Also living in the home were the Nortons’ three children, be- Fortunately, no one was in- jured in the fire, which ap- peared to have started at the chimney. The home was in- sured. The family stayed at the Ver- nonia Inn Tuesday night and were scheduled to meet with a Red Cross representative. Always good for a variety of gift items, don’t miss the Christmas Bazaar at the Ver- nonia Senior Center this Satur- day and Sunday, November 17 and 18, starting at 9:00 a.m. There will be wood prod- ucts, gifts, jewelry, knitting and more. Everyone is encouraged to participate in a spirited, old fashioned Christmas celebra- tion on December 1, being put on by Vernonia Pride. There will be a lighted pa- rade with big trucks, cars, and any other thing on wheels, such as strollers, wagons, etc. youth are also encouraged to join in. Everyone is encouraged to dress in Christmas attire, even if only a Santa hat. Santa will be leading the pa- rade starting at 5:00 p.m. at Washington Grade School and ending at City Hall, where the Christmas tree will then be lit. Businesses are encouraged to decorate and to remain open during the festivities. The Vernonia High School band and choir will be perform- ing, selling hot chocolate, and offering pictures with Santa for your children or pets. They are raising funds to bring the Dallas Brass Band to Vernonia. Don’t miss this traditional kickoff to the holiday season. Banks bazaar, dinner The annual Banks Union Point Cemetery Dinner and Holiday Bazaar will be Satur- day, December 1. The bazaar will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Yankee Pot Roast Dinner will be served from noon until 7:00 p.m. All proceeds support the More on page 4 Music, dance and comedy, Nov. 15th Music, comedy and dance are featured as Vernonia Hands-on art presents its third annual Community Variety Show on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Washington Grade School. Admission is $5 for adults, and two cans of food for chil- dren. Proceeds will help two pro- grams: the Vernonia Cares hol- iday food drive and the Vernon- ia School Bands’ efforts to bring the Dallas Brass to Vernonia.