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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, February 19, 2009 Page 7 Community Help available with Medicare choices If you have Medicare health insurance, you can switch to a different insurance plan until March 31. For example, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan offered by one insurance company, but you are not hap- py with the plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan. Columbia Co. SHIBA (Se- nior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) volunteers are holding a walk-in clinic for any- one with Medicare issues on Wednesday, March 11, at the Scappoose Senior Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. No ap- pointments are needed, you can just show up. Please bring paperwork showing your cur- rent coverage. If you have a more complex Medicare problem, call the Scappoose Senior Center at 503-543-2047 to have a SHIBA volunteer call you back. SHIBA volunteers are trained by the state to help peo- ple with Medicare. They do not recommend particular pro- grams, but help people sort through alternatives to find the best fit for their situation. Looking for something “cool” to do? Special Olympics Oregon hopes to raise $100,000 this month in the first-ever Polar Plunge Columbia. At 11:00 a.m. on February 21, individuals and teams from throughout the Portland area – led by business leaders, celebrities and law en- forcement – will make a mad dash into the river from the beach on NE Marine Drive. Proceeds from the event will go toward continuing the organiza- tion’s mission: to deliver sports training and athletic competi- tion to thousands of athletes in local communities state-wide during the winter, summer and fall sports seasons. “Even in these challenging economic times, we’re proud to say that we’re still serving all of our athletes statewide, by offer- ing them sports training and 37 local competitions year-round,” said Margie Hunt, CEO of Spe- cial Olympics Oregon. “Events such as the Polar Plunge in Portland, and a similar plunge in Bend help us tremendously in meeting the goals of our mis- sion. We will continue to serve all those in Oregon – individu- als and families – who are af- fected by intellectual disability. And we thank our dedicated volunteers and sponsors – firm- ly committed organizations such as Law Enforcement Torch Run and Mattress World – who are giving so selflessly to ensure that our events are suc- cessful and our mission is served.” Like its sister event, the Po- lar Plunge Deschutes, the first annual Polar Plunge Columbia has already touched the hearts of many who are taking part with unbridled passion and ex- citement. Polar Plunge Columbia will take place on February 21, at Broughton Beach, Portland; on the south bank of the Columbia River, east of the intersection of Think you can IMAGINE…GREEN? See if you can you IMAG- INE…GREEN with ideas that celebrate sustainable ideas to use, reuse, and recycle. It’s an opportunity to share what you do to help the environment. Send your ideas to IMAGINE… GREEN, 725 Bridge St., Ver- nonia, OR 97064, or email to rebecca@the-independent.net. Here’s one IMAGINE… GREEN idea: Take lint from your dryer, mix with melted wax from candle ends, pour into the cups in a cardboard egg car- ton. When wax sets, tear apart for fire starters. This also works using sawdust mixed with melt- ed wax. NE 33rd Avenue and Marine Drive. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. – the plunge is at 11:00 a.m. The event is hosted by Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), a law enforcement- driven program for Special Olympics. Those interested in participating must raise a mini- mum of $50.00 prior to plunge day in order to plunge. Founded in 1972, Special Olympics Oregon is a year- round program offering Olympic-style sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through Special Olympics, people with intellectual disabili- ties have the opportunity to be part of a worldwide sports movement. In sport, these ath- letes gain self-confidence, so- cial competency and other en- hanced skills, both physical and social. Registration information and a full schedule of events can be found at www.soor.org. Home of Northwest Microbrews,Wines, Sandwiches, Coffees, Smoothies & More Alley Auto Wrecking ✮ ✮ Gasoline 503-429-7581 Most parts under warranty Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed Sunday and Monday 54372 Nehalem Hwy South, Vernonia, OR 97064 6 miles south of town on Hwy 47 Buying unwanted vehicles with clear title ™ LLC 831 Bridge Street Vernonia, Oregon Open Daily 503-429-0214 Senior News By Karen Miller, Senior Advocate Community Action Team N o news is g o o d news so t h e y say…but here’s a f e w things: O u r Senior Police Academy is go- ing well. We meet on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Last week we dis- cussed the what and hows of makings of drugs in and around town, and in your cabinets as well… Call my office to sign up for our next AARP class; fees have gone up to $14 or $12 if you are a member. Seniors in need of legal aid advice? Call me to see if you qualify. For our Senior Center mem- bers: Don’t forget our birthday celebrations here are the last Friday of the month. Ice cream and cake at lunchtime and a free lunch for those celebrating a birthday during the month. Between the snow and flu, we hope everyone is getting on the road to recovery. Till next time. INFORMATION NUMBERS Senior Advocate...429-9112 Senior Center.......429-3912 Transportation......429-4304 Want to know what happens around here all year? Get The Independent delivered to your home for a year for only $20.00 Call today to start your subscription 503-429-9410