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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, October 1, 2009 Smith is now full-time Vernonia Fire Deputy Chief Dean Smith is now working full-time as Deputy Chief of the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District. Dance to benefit garden project A Country Dance will be held at the Vernonia Grange Hall, on North St., on Saturday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. (following Salmon Festival). Rebecca Arlint, a former Western Swing Instructor, will teach the Cotton Eyed Joe and 4-Count Swing with a half hour of instruction before the dance. Tickets are $20 per couple and can be purchased at Double C Tack, Cornerstone Naturals or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Ver- nonia Community Garden Pro- ject. Last First Friday of the year Oct. 2 Vernonia’s First Friday sea- son will close at the Scout Cabin in Hawkins Park on October 2. Are you curious about Solar Power? Several professional vendors will be there to answer questions and hand out materi- als about their businesses and solar power in general. Chip Bubl and the Columbia County Master Gardeners will again be there to answer your gardening, horticultural, and agricultural questions. Are you wondering, “What is that crazy plant that I can't get rid of?” Ask Chip and your local Ver- nonia Master Gardeners. The Vernonia Hands-On Art Floating Arts and Hand-Made Gifts Gallery will be in the Learning Center. Ike David from Portland will be performing live. Check out his folk/rock/blues riffs at: www.myspace.com/ikedavid This will also be the last Out- door Market of the season, so please come and encourage the vendors to return next year! Hours are from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. For more information con- tact: Erika Paleck at epaleck @gmail.com, 503-429-0898. Country Dance At the Vernonia Grange Hall Saturday, October 3, 2009 following Salmon Festival Activities 7:00 p.m. - $20 per couple Tickets at : Double C Tack, Cornerstone Naturals or contact Allison McLeod at 503-429-0734 Proceeds benefit Vernonia Community Garden Project. Vernonia Rural Fire Protec- tion District (VRFPD) now has a full-time Deputy Chief on duty. Dean Smith has been working for the district full-time since September 1. The board of directors officially introduced Smith in his new capacity to the volunteers and staff at a meet- ing on September 14. Smith is not, however, a newcomer to either VRFPD or Vernonia. After coming to Ver- nonia in 1987, he started as a volunteer firefighter in January 2003 and found his niche. After moving up through the volun- teer ranks to lieutenant, he was named deputy chief after the resignation of Fire Chief Paul Epler last November. At the same time, Ben Davis, another long-time volunteer who is em- ployed full time at Columbia River Fire & Rescue, was also promoted to deputy chief. Smith and Davis have been keeping the department going since then. Davis is still a Deputy Chief and the Training Officer for VRFPD. Now that the department has a full-time deputy chief, the board is looking to bring in a part-time fire chief, perhaps a retiree, to act in an administra- tive capacity. About his new status, Smith said, “I’m just happy to offer, or try to offer, some stability to our volunteers, new recruits and the community.” Smith can most often be seen driving the red command SUV. Wondering how you can help VRFPD? There is always a need for more volunteers. Currently, Smith is working to put together a Logistics Group for those who want to help but don’t necessarily want to fight fire directly. Call 503-429-8252 to volunteer or for more infor- mation on volunteering, or visit the VRFPD booth at Salmon Festival, October 3, in Hawkins Park. Page 7 Senior News Will be back October 15. Free lecture by local Dr. tonight Dr. Carol McIntyre, of Ver- nonia, will hold a free lecture at the Vernonia Community Learning Center on October 1, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can im- prove your health and see an acupuncture demonstration. ‘74 Class reunion Members and friends of Ver- nonia High School Class of 1974, are invited to join the class reunion on October 17, at Coyote’s Bar and Grill, 5301 W Baseline Rd., Hillsboro. If you plan to attend, please RSVP before October 15 to rlennen@hotmail.com. For more information, see w ww.Vernoniaclassmates.com. Music night to raise money for Mushatt Listen to good music and help Vernonian Darrold Mush- att raise money for a kidney transplant at the same time. The concert will be held at Vernonia Community Church on October 17, starting at 6:00 p.m. Donations of money and non-perishable food items will be accepted at the door. All proceeds go to help Mushatt’s kidney transplant fund. Strand, Dennis Chadek, Shawn Baker, Mark Brown, Elin Hayes, Clark McGaugh, Brian Maynard, Grant Williams, Burt Tschache, and Disaster Relief are just some of the entertain- ers who will perform. WANTED Volunteer Firefighters for the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Free Training, Evenings & Weekends REWARD Personal Satisfaction, Gain Valuable Skills, Help People, And Enjoy Making A Difference In Your Community For Information call 503-429-8252 Must be 16 years of age or older