The INDEPENDENT, September 2, 2010 Veteran’s Program levy to be on ballot The Columbia County Board of Commissioners has formally approved a request from local veterans to refer a 5-year oper- ating levy to voters in the No- vember 2, 2010 General Elec- tion. The levy would provide stable funding for the Columbia County Veteran Service Pro- gram. In recent months, the Co- lumbia County Veterans Ser- vice Office has seen a record number of veterans, from past and current armed conflicts, applying for assistance. Veter- ans Program Officer Joe Pyle annually provides that assis- tance to 500 local veterans and their families. The Veterans Program assists veterans in applying for disability claims that cover physical injuries, mental health services, widow and family benefits, housing assistance and medical trans- portation needs, in addition to other services specific to veter- ans. The rate for this operating levy is proposed at 3.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, and would represent $3.50 to the owner of a $100,000 home. Estimates of how much money would be generated during the life of the levy are: $150,381 in 2011/12, $156,397 in 2012/13, $162,653 in 2013/14 $169,159 in 2014/15 $175,925 in 2016/17 According to the County Clerk’s office, September 7 is the last day to file arguments for or against any county-wide measure for inclusion in the County Voters’ pamphlet. The appropriate forms can be ob- tained from the Columbia County Clerk’s office at the Co- lumbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens. For additional information on voter requirements, call the County Clerk’s office at 503- 397-7214. Another measure that has been submitted for the General Election is Measure No. 5-206, which would change Columbia County Commissioner posi- tions from partisan to nonparti- san beginning in 2012. Plan for Vernonia’s First Friday events Vernonia’s September 3 First Friday event will feature a Textile Arts theme as a tie-in with the long-standing St. Mary’s Quilt Fair, September 16-19. There will be several dif- ferent demonstrations of textile arts including projects for chil- dren, various quilts from around the area, and yarn spin- ning demonstrations featuring Deb Taylor from Golden Spire farm in Clatskanie and Sarah Carrion of Vernonia. This event will be held in the Vernonia Community Learning Center and Courtyard at 939 Bridge Street, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Other activities include local machinist Jack Finzel demon- strating several of his scale model compressed-air driven engine models of antique gas and steam-powered engines; this is a teaser for the special display of full-sized antique en- gines that will be on display in front of the Vernonia Pioneer Museum on September 18. This month’s kids’ project will be painting the new First Friday Goat Banner for use next year. Last year’s has been up every month! OSU Extension agent Chip Bubl will again be on hand to answer your questions about agriculture, livestock or garden- ing and several local artisans and crafters will have hand- made gifts for sale. Nicole Grey will have her first art and photography exhib- it opening at the Blue House Café, 919 Bridge Street, adja- cent to the courtyard, where the Renegade Minstrels will per- form folk music with blues influ- ence that features Joe Sea- mons on guitar. Their music re- flects the range and richness of the Northwest, and their influ- ences include local legends Hobe Kytr and Dave Berg. For more info, call Erika at 503-704-5970 or epaleck@g mail.com, or check out the website: vernoniafirstfriday.org Page 7 Senior Center News Closed for maintenance: The center’s floors will be redone over the Labor Day weekend, requiring a change from regular hours. The center and the thrift shop closed at 1:00 p.m. today, September 2, and will remain closed through September 6. Every- thing will reopen on Tuesday, September 7, and regular hours will resume. Like everyone else, your senior center is struggling in this econ- omy and recently had to increase the center’s lunch prices by one dollar. The meals are still a bargain, at a suggested $4.00 dona- tion for those 60 and older, and $5.00 for everyone under 60. You can even get a full meal to go for only $5.00 by calling ahead and placing your order. Now they have come up with a win/win deal that will help every- one who enjoys their meals at the senior center. If you would like to buy a left-over entrée to take home, you can for only $2.00 per serving. To qualify, you must first eat lunch at the center, but there’s no better way to know you would like to have the entrée for supper, too, and at $2.00 per serving, it’s the best bargain around. Connie’s great breakfasts are also available on Fridays at the Senior Center, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast for all ages is just $3.50 per person. Maple bars are made fresh daily for $1.00 each! If you want maple bars for a gathering of any kind, call a day or two ahead and place your order. Those who are home-bound should check out Meals on Wheels. Call Senior Information Assistance Representative Rosie McCoy to find out how to put this great service to work. If you think it’s time to have your hearing checked, Columbia Hearing Aids offers that service free on the second Monday of each month. Call the center for an appointment. Calling needleworkers of all kinds – quilters, knitters, cro- cheters, etc.– come on in and join the Tuesday gatherings of nee- dle-workers, any time from 10:30 a.m. to closing. Join the fun on Friday afternoons, with games, especially pinochle. It’s a great way to occupy your time from 1:00 p.m. ‘til…the game is finished! The center’s board of directors’ meeting is held on the second Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. If you have ideas or sugges- tions, it’s a great time to bring them to the board’s attention. The lucky winners of the garden art fountain are Cindy and Andy Nebergall. Congratulations! Vernonia Senior Citizens Center: 446 Bridge Street Senior Information Assistance Rep: Rosie McCoy Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: 503-429-3912 Fisher birthday Early engines on display, Sept. 18 Sign up to be on Garage Sale map of the Early Day “hit and miss” or flywheel en- cause for party Gas Members Engine and Tractor Asso- gines, provided power for both Get on the map – The Ver- sign up by calling Helen Bate- A celebration for Genny Fisher’s 80th birthday will be held September 12, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Vernonia Scout Cabin. Fisher lived in Vernonia for many years and always worked to better the communi- ty, including her involvement with Vernonia Pride. Her many friends are invited to help Fisher celebrate her birthday. ciation (EDGETA) will host a small display of antique gas en- gines and drag saws on Satur- day, September 18, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in front of the Vernonia Pioneer Museum, 511 E. Bridge Street. The old engines, known as rural and industrial uses from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Contact Jack Finzel, 503- 429-0523, for more information or to participate. The Vernonia Pioneer Museum will be open extended hours that day to co- incide with the show. W E H AVE GPS ALVATION ) S F O N LA P S ’ D (G O nonia Community Wide Garage Sale map, that is. The 12th annual Community Wide Garage Sale will be held Sep- tember 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To be included on the map, Mariolino’s man at 503-429-6203. Maps will be available to the public on Thursday, September 16, and can be picked up from the box located on the empty lot next to Vernonia Realty, 953 Bridge St. Friday and Saturday Specials S PAGHETTI & M EATBALLS OR P RIME R IB 721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018