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The INDEPENDENT, October 21, 2010
Between the Bookends
by Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
The first frost of the season,
followed by a gorgeous sunny
day is a superb example of the
stunning autumns that we ex-
perience here in Vernonia. The
September issue of Sunset
magazine even featured an ar-
ticle about our phenomenal fall
colors in an article listing Ver-
nonia as one of the “great fall
trips” to experience in the Northwest.
To further experience this distinctive time of year,
you might want to check out the October/ November
issue of Reminisce magazine entitled, “Recapture Au-
tumn Magic” which features pictures and stories of
past Halloweens, a 1957 hunting trip in Michigan’s
Manistee National Forest, and playing six-man football
in the 1930s. Making “spooktacular” Halloween treats
or chill-chasing soups from recipes found in the latest
issues of the taste of home magazines are other ways
to find pleasure in this incredible season.
October’s movie at the library will feature a typical
fall activity—football. Remember the Titans starring
Denzel Washington is much more than just a football
story. Based on a real-life drama, it is a celebration of
how a town torn apart by resentment, friction and mis-
trust comes together in triumphant harmony. The pub-
lic is encouraged to enjoy this uplifting movie on Thurs-
day, October 28, at 6:30 p.m.
We were delighted to have had local author, Nel
Rand, discuss her latest novel, The Burning Jacket, at
the September meeting of the book appreciation
group. Plans are being made for another local author,
Cathy Lamb, to visit the library and discuss her newly
released novel, Such a Pretty Face. A date for this
event will be finalized at the October 25 meeting, when
the topic for discussion will be As I Lay Dying by
William Faulkner.
October once again signaled the beginning of the
after-school activity/story time for school aged young-
sters. This takes place on Tuesdays (when school is in
session) at 3:30 p.m. and is under the capable, imagi-
native direction of Jennifer Moloney. Youngsters are
encouraged to attend and share the stories
and fun with their friends.
Thanks to a grant from the Vernonia
Prevention Coalition, the library is continu-
ing to add items that will aid youngsters, as
well as adults, in making wise choices.
Some of the topics which have been cho-
sen deal with bullying, anger, peer pres-
sure, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.
Search “VPC” on your next visit to the li-
brary to find more specifics on these items.
A nice selection of books for youngsters
has been added—thanks to the Friends of
the Library and donations made to the
book fund. These include The Busy Little Squirrel,
Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin, One More Acorn, and
Kindergarten Cat. Your generous donations to this
fund now total over $600.00 and are greatly appreciat-
ed.
New acquisitions for adults include Freedom by
Jonathan Franzen, Safe Harbor by Nicholas Sparks,
Bad Blood by John Sandford, and The Blessings of the
Animals by Katrina Kittle.
Remember that ballots may be dropped at the li-
brary during regular library hours as well as 12-8 p.m.
on Election Day, November 2nd.
“I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It’s apples and cider.
It’s an airborne spider.
It’s pumpkins in bins.
It’s burrs on dogs’ chins.
It’s chilly red knees.
It’s nuts on the ground.
It’s a crisp dry sound.
It’s green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.
It’s clouds in the sky.
It’s fall. That’s why…
I love fall.”
Author unknown
Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Avenue
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tues., Thu. 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
Parents: Help prevent youth drug use
Brad Witt is proudly suppoted by:
• Oregon State Firefighters • Oregon Nurses • Oregon Police
• Oregon League of Conservation Voters • Oregon AFL-CIO
• Oregon Education Association • Building Trades • NARAL
• NRA • Planned Parenthood • Steelworkers • Sierra Club
• Longshoremen • Humane Society • AWPPW • LEKTRO
• Musicians • Teevin Bros • AFSCME • Tyack Dental
• SEIU • School Employees • AFT • Basic Rights Oregon
United Food & Commercial Workers • Van Dusen Beverages
Recent data reveals trou-
bling increases in youth drug
use in America, so Gil Ker-
likowske, Director of National
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP),
recently urged parents and
community leaders to take ac-
tion to prevent and reduce drug
use.
Last month, the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Ser-
vices Administration (SAMH-
SA) released data showing
drug use in the United States
increased significantly between
2008 and 2009 – with 1 in 10
youth ages 12-17 and 1 in 5
young adults ages 18 to 25 re-
porting drug use in the last
month.
Particularly troubling is a 17
percent increase in the rate of
prescription drug abuse among
young people aged 12-17, be-
tween 2008 and 2009. More-
over, treatment admissions for
prescription painkillers in-
creased more than four-fold
from 1998 (2.2%) to 2008
(9.8%), and the latest data from
the Monitoring the Future study
show seven of the drugs most
commonly used by teens are
over-the-counter or prescrip-
tion drugs.
“Prescription drug abuse is
at record levels, attitudes about
drug use are eroding, and
drugged driving is disturbingly
common,” said Director Ker-
likowske, “Now more than ever,
families must recognize early
signs that children may be us-
ing drugs and take immediate
action to protect them from the
potential of a lifetime of drug-
related consequences and
harm.”
Director Kerlikowske cited
three steps parents can take to-
day to prevent drug use:
1. Talk to your kids about
drugs. Research shows par-
ents are the best messengers
to deliver critical information on
drug use. Make sure they know
of the harms that can result
from drug use and that you
don’t approve of them. For tips
and parenting advice visit
www.TheAntiDrug.com.
2. Learn to spot risk factors
that can lead to drug use. Asso-
ciation with drug-abusing peers
is often the most immediate risk
factor that can lead young peo-
ple to drug use and delinquent
behavior. Other risk factors in-
clude poor classroom behavior
or social skills and academic
failure. Parents can protect
their kids from these influences
by building strong bonds with
their children, staying involved
in their lives, and setting clear
limits and consistent enforce-
ment of discipline.
3. Go through your medicine
cabinet. More than 70 percent
of people who abuse prescrip-
tion drugs get them from
friends or family – often from
the home medicine cabinet. Im-
mediately remove unused or
unneeded prescription drugs
from your medicine cabinet. Go
to http:// www.whitehousedrug-
policy.gov/publications/pdf/pre-
scrip_dis posal.pdf to learn how
to properly dispose of prescrip-
tion drugs.