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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2007)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, December 13, 2007 What are your chances of a deer vs. vehicle collision in Oregon? Vehicles in Oregon are at relatively low risk of colliding with deer, according to State Farm Insurance ® claims data. Using its data from the last half of 2006 and the first half of 2007, and motor vehicle regis- tration counts by state from the Federal Highway Administra- tion, State Farm estimates the chances of an Oregon vehicle colliding with a deer over the next 12 months at one in 295, which places the state 33rd na- tionwide. During the last year, 2,064 of State Farm’s Oregon cus- tomers were involved in deer collisions, up 280 from the year before. Leading the nation in fre- quency of deer collisions is West Virginia. The company estimates the chances of a West Virginia vehicle colliding with a deer over the next 12 months at one in 57. That is nearly three times more likely than one estimate of the possi- bility that a person will be audit- ed by the Internal Revenue Service in 2008 and 5,000 times more likely than another approximation of the chance that an individual will be struck by lightning between now and a year from now. The state in which deer-ve- hicle collisions are least likely is Hawaii (1 in 16,624). These in- cidents are ten times less likely in our 50th state than they are in any other state. State Farm’s data shows the total number of deer-vehicle collisions in the United States has increased 6.3 percent over a year ago. The average property dam- age cost of these incidents was just under $2,900, up 3 percent from a year ago. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ® , there are approximately 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions annually in the United States, causing more than 150 fatali- ties and $1.1 billion in property damage. These collisions are more frequent during the deer migra- tion and mating season in Oc- tober, November and Decem- ber. The combination of grow- ing deer populations and the displacement of deer habitat caused by urban sprawl is pro- ducing increasingly hazardous conditions for motorists and deer. Here are tips on how to re- duce the chances of a deer-ve- hicle collision: • Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas. • Remember that deer are most active 6-9:00 p.m. Hey Kids & Parents too Santa Claus is Coming to Banks! Saturday December 15th. From 11a.m, to 2 p.m. With Stockings for All Santa’ s Helpers Provided by Banks Fire District 13 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171 • Use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways. • Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds – if you see one, there is a strong possibility others are nearby. • Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles. They don’t work. • If a deer collision seems in- evitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle. Between the Bookends By Susan Cackler, Library Assistant Banks Public Library Take a break from the hustle and bustle of this time of year and curl up with a book from the li- brary. Re-visit an old fa- vorite author or branch out and try something new. Nothing beats a good book on a rainy day. Bring your knitting or other portable craft to the community room at the library on Wednes- day, December 5, for an evening of crafts and conversation. The Friends of the Library host this craft night the first Wednesday of every month from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Join us for Preschool Story Time Wednes- days at 10:15 a.m. This event is geared toward 3-6 year-olds, but younger siblings are welcome. This month Miss Kathy will read on the following themes: December 5th: Castle Chaos December 12th: Baaaaa Humbug December 19th: Holiday Joys The Friends of the Banks Public Library can always use your support. You can make a tax deductible donation, become a member, volun- teer, or bring your recycling to Swatco on the second Saturday of each month. Money that the Friends raise helps the library purchase Cul- tural Passes, upgrade equipment and purchase books and movies. New Books: My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abi- gail and John Just the finest in Adams, edit- ed by Mar- collision repair garet Hogan and C. James Taylor. This non-fiction work presents letters be- No Custom Work CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 tween the president and his wife from their courtship on through their marriage. Spanning nearly 40 years, the correspondence reveals one of the most intriguing and inspirational part- nerships in American history. The couple were apart more than they were together and used let- ters (addressed to “My Dearest Friend”) to share their lives, debate current events and address the concerns of raising their children. This collec- tion includes letters never before published. Loving Frank , by Nancy Horan. In this histori- cal novel, fact and fiction blend together. It chronicles the love affair between Mamah Borth- wick Cheney and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright was commissioned to design a home for Mamah and her husband and a rela- tionship developed between them during the construction of the home. Mamah struggles with her roles as mother, wife, lover and intellectual. Horan takes what had been a footnote in the ar- chitect’s life and makes it a compelling story that illuminates Mamah’s influence on Wright. On the lighter side is Mommies Behaving Badly , by Roz Bailey, author of Postcards from Last Summer and Retail Therapy . This witty nov- el follows the adventures of one woman who’s discovering a new state and a new state of mind. When Ruby Dixon’s car is stolen—again—on the day her husband is offered a job in Portland, Oregon, it seems clear to her it’s time to give up stressful New York city. But life in the “bucolic burb” she lands in takes some adjustment. Holiday closures: The library will be closed December 24, 25 and January 1 for the holidays. Banks Public Library: 111 Market Street. Hours: Mon., Fri., Sat., 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Wed., Thurs., 11 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. when school is in session Phone: (503 ) 324-1382 for information (503) 846-3245 to renew material Internet: www.wccls.org Browse library resources, reserve or renew materials online. Call for information. SUNSET LAUNDRY Wash…$1.25 Dry…25¢ 180 S. Main St. • Banks, Oregon S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES 2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE • S UCTION H OSES • A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2” A MERICAN & M ETRIC F ITTINGS • B ULK O IL P RODUCTS 276 S UNSET , B ANKS • 503-324-9808
