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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, May 1, 2008 Help cut wood and get doughnuts for pay There will be another wood- cut for Vernonia flood relief on Saturday, May 4. Volunteers should meet at the Wauna Credit Union parking lot (corner of Weed Ave. and Bridge St.) at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will finish cutting the deck of pine logs started last Saturday and go to the BLM cutting area near Scap- ponia Park for more work there. Volunteers need to bring field gear and sturdy boots; lunches with plenty of water to drink; chain saws and gas (Stihl has donated bar oil and oil to mix with gas); saw chaps, ear plugs, gloves, eyewear; split- ting mauls and wedges. Also needed are power wood split- ters, open bed pickup trucks and small trailers to haul wood. Everyone who comes out will sign up as a Columbia County volunteer. This will cov- er everyone in case of injury. Volunteer Robert Alverts has committed to bringing Krispy Kreme doughnuts again. Bear Creek Run will help feed hungry Get out those running shoes and mark your calendars for August 16, the date of the sixth annual Bear Creek Run/Walk. Beginning and ending at An- derson Park, this event boasts the diversity of a 5K Run/Walk encompassing a lap of Vernon- ia Lake, and a 10K Run that heads south along the Banks/ Vernonia Linear Trail. Both routes are flat and fast, winding through tree-lined sections of the trail, and providing wel- come shade for all participants. This event is a fundraiser for the Vernonia Cares Food Bank – an organization that has sup- ported local families for the past 23 years. In addition to entering the race as either an individual or a group, there are many ways you can help: Become a spon- sor, volunteer for advance plan- ning or the event, or come to cheer on those who run or walk. Be there at the finish line! It is said that charity begins at home – this is a chance to be a role model through all levels of support for this event. Did you know that statistics consistently show that one- third of the population who ben- efit from Vernonia Cares are lo- cal children? The saying – it is hard to play when you are hun- gry – is sadly true. The help and support of Ver- nonia residents is needed in or- der to successfully provide for approximately 11 percent of our community. Vernonia Cares is also aided through United Way of Columbia County. In addition to monthly groceries, Vernonia Cares distributes special food boxes at Christmas, containing the basic groceries for a Christ- mas meal. See the following website for more details of the run/walk: http://www.signmeup.com/579 93, or contact Race Director Maria Lemay at 503-429-1069. Online registration is encour- aged. Rewards are available for those who register before August 1. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay I am ticked, happy- s a d , worried and a lit- tle per- turbed t h i s week. I f green tea is such a wonder for all that ails a person why aren’t my fingernails getting stronger? Why are so many people getting maimed or killed in the smaller cities? Who among any of us has the right to say “this” is best for a child? Even if it isn’t old enough to talk, a child can feel and knows who loves it. When I was a child (oh yes, I was) at the age of 12 (the People that Be) decided with whom my sib- lings and I would live. I be- grudged both of my parents most of their lives because I had no voice. Does your phone have a half-finished sentence greeting you when you say hello? Two out of six times you can’t un- derstand what your ear is hear- ing. Now to the lighter side. The saga of my Tempo. It is really beginning to own me. I now can’t tell how much fuel is in the tank. I inquired of the price to fix the problem – the me- chanic called for a price, he said, “It costs what?” Oh, and for $60 more you get the whole unit, now I’m in shock. So I’m putting in five gallons at a time and computing my mileage while I save up my pennies. Eeeeeek. Oh yes, the garter snakes are finally out sunning them- selves at the lake. Time for another cup of tea. Chapter 2: Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m., Shadow and I were walking the lake – only I was gawking and gaping at the sky. There were eleven Osprey soaring and riding the air cur- rents above the lake. I watched til my neck was stiff and I was dizzy. Oh yes, also the fisher fold weren’t having much luck catching fish. I wonder why?? Ho ho. It was a grand sight. Just heard from my oldest grandson – he passed all his entrance tests into the Marine Corp. He is as happy as a clam. His mother and grand- mother have other kinds of thoughts – I’ve got three more grandsons the wrong age for this stage in life – Yes, I’m self- ish. How about you? Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District A film crew was in Vernonia last week working on the movie “Twilight.” Some signs, including a welcome sign, were changed to read “Forks,” the name of the city in the movie. New York Life Insurance Company Life Insurance - Long Term Care Insurance - Retirement Planning - Fixed Annuities* - Mortgage Protection Mutual funds - Business Insurance - IRA/SEP/TSA Jim Presley, Financial Services Professional Vernonia, Oregon Office: 503-429-0747 Cell: 503-929-3455 *Issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (A Delaware Corporation) Can You Fill These Boots? Call Chief Paul Epler @ 503.429.8252
