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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, January 3, 2008 Auditions now open for “Grease” Auditions for “Grease”, the ShoeString Community Play- ers’ (SSCP) annual summer musical for 2008, will be held Tuesday, January 8 through Thursday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Olmscheid Auditorium, St. Helens High School on Gable Road. According to “Grease” direc- tor, Bill Cade, SSCP is looking for volunteers to round out its production team. Positions available include choreogra- pher, music director, choral di- rector and rehearsal pianists. “Grease” performances will be July 5, 11, 12 and 17-19 at 7:00 p.m., plus Sunday mati- nees July 6 and 13 at 2:00 p.m. The ShoeString Community Players is an all volunteer, Ore- gon non-profit organization es- tablished in 1982 and support- ed in part through member- ships and the business com- munity. For more information, con- tact director Bill Cade at 503- 397-3245 or at www.sscpmusi cals.com. Will FEMA affect taxes or benefits? Some Oregon disaster aid recipients have expressed con- cern that their state and federal grants might cause them to lose Social Security benefits, pay additional taxes, or give up income-based benefit pro- grams. Officials with Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emer- gency Management Agency (FEMA) say those concerns are unfounded. In most cases, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration do not count federal or state disaster aid as income. Here are answers to the most common questions: Question: If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Se- curity payment for every $2 earned. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security? Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) are not counted as income. Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to in- crease to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Temporary Assis- tance for Needy Families (TANF) administered by the Children, Adults and Families (CAF) group of the Department of Human Services? Answer: No. Grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income in determin- ing eligibility for any income- tested benefit programs funded by the U.S. government or State of Oregon. Question: Do any FEMA or Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay I t ’ s Christ- mas Eve morning. I awoke from a dream of remem- bering reminis- cences on my mind. You savvy? Bygone years. I’ll pass them on, maybe stir up some happy thoughts for you from your long agos. The earliest recall I must have been four or five. The gift was a layette for my (Effanbee Bubbles) baby doll. I still have them both, although “Effie” is worse for the wear as I left her out in the dew one night – blis- tered her hands, legs, feet and fingers – but I still love her. Her eyes still open and close, though. Do you suppose that state grants count as income? Answer: Yes. The IRS con- siders mitigation grants to make homes and businesses safe from future disasters as taxable improvements to pri- vate property. However, these mitigation grants are awarded separately from grants to indi- viduals registering for disaster assistance. For information or to find copies of Social Security publi- cations, visit the website at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Disaster legal services are now available Disaster Legal Services are now available to Oregonians, according to the Oregon Emer- gency Management Agency (OEM) and the Federal Emer- gency Management Agency (FEMA). The toll-free number is 1- 800-452-7636. Call M-F 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The purpose of Disaster Le- gal Services (DLS) is to help provide for disaster legal serv- ices for low-income individuals who, prior to or because of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs. When the President de- clares a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through an agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the Ameri- can Bar Association, provides free legal help for victims of that disaster. FEMA utilizes this agreement under the au- thority of Section 415 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re- Page 9 lief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 100-707). The assistance that partici- pating lawyers provide typically includes: · Assistance with insurance claims (life, medical, property, etc.). Please see page 20 BUDGET HEATING & COOLING Full Service, Sales and Installation. 27 years experience. Visa & Master Cards accepted. was an early sign of being a bad parent?? Jumping ahead to the teen years. A radio (my very own) from friends and patrons I worked with in a cafe. Then the first Box of Candy from a fellow. Aaah – no, I didn’t keep the box. Then came marriage – a practical gift of card table and four folding Cosco chairs. My grandkids are still sitting on the chairs. Don’t wear the jewelry much any more. Now it’s flowers, candy, nuts and cheese, but my teenage granddaughter made my Christmas this year. She called (from a grocery store) to ask me what she needed be- sides celery, onions and carrots for her stuffing (“I’ve got the bread mix and chicken broth.”)? Hal-a-loo-ya – she’s learning how to cook. Christmas Day my family was house-bound with colds, so I stayed home. A great big Thank You to Bill James and family for having and hosting the Christmas Dinner in the Scout Cabin. Cheerful, warm, bright and friendly, even saw it on Channel 6. Ham and turkey, plus candy and cookies and cakes. And with the snow com- ing down it was an almost per- fect Christmas Card day. Thank you again, Bill. This has been a real White Christmas. Don’t forget Ver- nonia Cares food bank. Re- member the Vernonia Senior Center and the Golden Oldies. Remember to smile and say Hi. In The Service Air Force Airman Patrick R. Peets has graduated from ba- sic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. F re nin i a r e T During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organiza- tion, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and re- ceived physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate de- gree through the Community College of the Air Force. Peets is the son of Patrick and Tracy Peets of Vernonia and a 2007 Vernonia High School graduate. g Vernonia Community Emergency Response Team Recruiting New Members Eleven weekly sessions of C.E.R.T. training to include: • Fire Suppression • Light Search & Rescue • Utility Control • Disaster Medical Operations Classes Start January 17 th at 7p.m. in the Scout Cabin at Hawkins Park, Vernonia 503 233-3133 To apply, contact Sgt. Mike Kay 503-429-7335 Vernonia Police Department 3215 NE Couch st Portland, Oregon 97232 • CCB #147995 Must be 16 years of age and have a valid drivers licence
