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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2009)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, October 15, 2009 Between the Bookends By Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library Recently I was asked what I like best about working in the library. Tak- ing everything into consid- eration, I would probably say that getting to know the patrons and their read- ing habits well enough to choose books they will en- joy is the most enjoyable part of my job. Even so, it is always a big help when patrons make recommendations of books they would like to read and of books they have read and enjoyed immensely. Sometimes a pa- tron has discovered an author of which I’m com- pletely unaware. Such was the case with Char- laine Harris and her Southern Vampire series featuring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Dead and Gone, Book 9 in this series, is one of the newest acquisitions with most of the others in this series now available in the library. Three books were highly recommended by patrons during this past month. One is a work of historical fiction by author Jennifer Chiaverini, known for her Elm Creek Quilt series. Entitled, The Lost Quilter, Chiaverini’s newest work finish- es a story begun in Runaway Quilt—the story of a runaway slave who reached Elm Creek through the Underground Railroad in 1859, only to be captured and returned to Virginia. Even though this book is purely fiction, it vividly re- minds the reader of how inhumanly African- Americans were treated in the Confederate South in the mid-1800s. All of this series by Chi- averini may be found in the library. The Help by Katherine Stockett, the second Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Ave. Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Thur. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., when school is in session. Phone: 503-429-1818 Midway Veterinary Clinic patron recommendation of the month, is also set in the South, but in the early 1960s. It is about a young white woman who becomes interested in the plight of black ladies’ maids and writes their stories about mistreatment, abuse and heart- breaks while working for white families. This is a beautifully written, thought-provoking book. The third recommendation is a completely dif- ferent type of book from the previous two. In Sto- ries of Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology, author David B. Williams discusses building stones that have been used in America, the his- tory of their use by humans, their geological for- mation, and how they were quarried. This book reads like a wonderful travel guide as it stimu- lates the reader’s curiosity about seemingly common materials such as marble, slate, sand- stone, granite, etc. For something a little out of the ordinary, give this book a try. Other new acquisitions include Rough Coun- try by John Sandford, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg, Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman, The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans, Half Broke Horses by Jean- nette Walls, and Best Friends Forever by Jen- nifer Weimer. Remember that the afternoon reading pro- gram is again taking place on Tuesdays from 3:30 till 4:30. Youngsters from grades K-6 are welcome to enjoy stories and crafts under the di- rection of Jennifer Moloney. On Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, Oc- tober 31st, movies will be shown at 2:00 p.m. The featured movies will be Scooby Doo and the Goblin King, and Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie. Mature movie night will be Friday, Octo- ber 30th, at 7:00 p.m. with The Witness, starring Harrison Ford. Monthly book discussion will be held Monday, October 26th at 5:30 p.m., with George Bryon Wright’s new novel, Driving to Vernonia, being discussed. Remember to check out the display of “Patron Picks” for books recommended by local readers; remember to guess the weight of the pumpkin and the number of Halloween goodies; and re- member that Vernonia’s Ballot Drop site is the li- brary—Look for the gray metal box just inside the double doors on the left. Senior Discounts Open in Vernonia Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for appointments 503-429-1612 805 Bridge Street Vernonia Small and Large Animals Oregon State Police offer tips for children’s Halloween safety The Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearing- house and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Chil- dren (NCMEC) understand par- ents and children have con- cerns when planning for Hal- loween activities. “Child safety is important year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay ex- tra attention to their surround- ings and not let their guard down,” said Nancy McBride, National Safety Director of NCMEC. “It is important that parents exercise a few basic safety precautions to help en- sure that Halloween is both fun and safe.” The “Trick or Treating” safe- ty tips below, as well as free Children Identification Kits available in Spanish and Eng- lish, are available to help par- ents keep their children safe. 1) Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “Trick or Treating.” 2) Accompany younger chil- dren to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are fa- miliar with every home and all people from whom the children receive treats. 3) Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior per- mission from their parents or guardians. 4) Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accom- panied by a parent or guardian. 5) Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night. 6) Make sure children are able to see and breathe proper- ly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly “I have a choice each day. I choose to be positive. Make it a splendid Sunday, magnificent Monday, terrific Tuesday, wonderful Wednesday, thrilling Thursday, fabulous Friday, and super Saturday." Lee Anne Krause www.pamperedchef.biz/leeannekrause 503-816-9810 leeannekrause@gmail.com marked as flame resistant. 7) Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside. 8) Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious inci- dents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority. 9) Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is not my father/mother/guardian; and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting. 10) Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community cen- ters as a good alternative to “Trick or Treating.” Available year round through the Oregon State Po- lice – Missing Children Clear- inghouse (OSP MCC), ID Com- plete Child Identification and DNA kits are a wonderful method to be prepared in case your child ever becomes miss- ing. “These kits are not only helpful when you need them most, but they are also a great way to open up communication lines with your children regard- ing child safety,” said Judy Hayes of the OSP MCC. The child ID Complete kits were purchased with money raised during the 11th Annual Oregon State Police Missing Children Golf Benefit held in Salem last month. More than $14,000 was raised this year that will help buy 26,000 child ID kits. Obtaining a child ID Com- plete kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse can be done by calling 503-934-0188 or, out- side Salem, 1-800-282-7155, or e-mail child.idkits@state.or.us. Pro- vide your name, address, num- ber of kits needed and a call back phone number when making a request.