Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2011)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, December 21, 2011 Between the Bookends by Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library It’s been an exciting and rewarding year for those of us associated with the li- brary. The two grants (Columbia County Cultural Coalition for expanding our Com- munity Reads 2012, and Meyer Memorial Trust for converting newspaper microfilm to digital format) will both significantly benefit the community in ways that would not have been possible without the gen- erosity of these two organizations. The li- brary was delighted to have been able to host two lively discus- sions (Controversial Ballot Initiatives of Oregon and Censorship in Literature) through the Conversation Project of Oregon Hu- manities. Author Robin Cody honored us with a visit to discuss his book, Another Way the River Has, for our Community Reads for 2011. Summer Reading was a huge success this year due to the en- thusiasm and creativity of Jennifer Moloney, Linda Johnston and all of the parent volunteers. This program receives significant funding through a Ready to Read Grant from the State Library. The After School program continues to have a large attendance of excited youngsters. We gratefully acknowledge the vital role played by the Friends of the Library. Their support of programs with supplies, refresh- ments, overnight lodging (when needed), and more, makes it possible for these activities to continue in our community. For the first time in many years, librarians in Columbia County have been meeting to discuss and plan for the future. These meetings have resulted in a County-wide Read for 2012 with a western theme. Books have been chosen for the various age ranges, and readers will be encouraged to read these choices — Hearts of Horses, The Devil’s Paintbox, and The Captain’s Dog — especially during the months of January and February. A flyer with the activities taking place in the various libraries will be avail- able shortly. We are pleased to announce that author Molly Gloss (Hearts of Horses) will be visiting with us on Monday, February 27, 2012, in conjunction with this county-wide event. Patrons have been generous in “adopting” books to be added We wish Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year ✠☎✡☎✠☎✡☎✠☎✡☎✠☎✡☎✠ Vernonia Dental Christopher M. Scheuerman, DMD 622 Bridge St., Vernonia • 503-429-0880 to the library’s collection. There are a few remaining on the dis- play table for anyone wishing to give to the library during this hol- iday season. Regular programs for youngsters will be suspended until after the first of the year, but movies will be shown on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 20, 21 and 22, and on Tuesday, December 27. All of these movies will begin at 3:00 p.m. The library will be closed on Saturday, December 24, and Satur- day, December 31, and will be open on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2. The Friends of the Library will be meet- ing Tuesday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. Book discussion group will meet Monday, January 30, to dis- cuss Addition by Toni Jordan. Also, copies of Molly Gloss’s, The Hearts of Horses, are available to read prior to her visit in Febru- ary. New acquisitions include Stephen King’s 11/22/63, Patricia Cornwell’s Red Mist, Stephen Hunter’s Soft Target, and Michael Connelly’s The Drop. Library staff expresses our thanks to everyone who continues to make the library and its programs a success, and we wish each of you a peaceful, rewarding holiday season. “What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may over- flow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” — Agnes M. Pahro 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 Internet: library@vernonia-or.gov Attorney general releases list of Oregon’s 20 worst charities Oregon donors should avoid giving to charities that spend most of their funding on tele- marketing and administration Attorney General John Kroger issued the annual list of Oregon’s 20 Worst Charities on December 14. “Most charities in Oregon do important work, helping the needy and supporting worthy causes,” said Attorney General Kroger. “But generous Oregon donors should be aware that some non-profits are little more than scams that provide little if any help to the causes they claim to support.” In order to avoid being duped by unscrupulous non- profits, donors should review the Department of Justice Tips for Charitable Giving at www. doj.state.or.us/charigroup . State law requires charities to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice disclosing how much money the organization raised and how the funds were spent. The Department’s Charitable Activities Section has identified 20 organizations that spent more than 70% of the dona- tions they collected on adminis- trative costs and professional fundraising. While guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggest that charitable organizations should spend at least 65% of their funds on charitable programs, every charity on the Department of Justice's list devoted less than 30% of their expenditures on charitable program activities. The Department of Justice previously identified the state’s 20 Worst Charities in 2010 and 2009. For the second year in a row, Shiloh International Min- istries topped the list. Shiloh In- ternational Ministries claims to solicit money to provide med- ical necessities and moral sup- port for needy children and to provide assistance to the homeless. According to its most recent financial filings, the California-based non-profit spent an average of $846,340 per year, 96.8% of which went towards management and fundraising. No. 2 on the list is American Medical Research Organiza- tion, which claims that it raises money to support medical re- search on the cause, cure and treatment of macular degener- ation. The Florida-based non- profit spent an annual average of $783,217, just 4.2% of which went towards its charitable pur- pose. The full list is available at w w w. d o j . s t a t e . o r. u s / c h a r i group/pdf/oregons_20_worst_c harities_2011.pdf There are currently more than 17,000 charities regis- tered with the Oregon Depart- ment of Justice, and many of them are actively seeking do- nations. By law Attorney Gen- eral Kroger cannot dictate how charities spend your money, but he is arming Oregonians with some basic advice to en- sure your gifts go to a worthy cause. Before donating to a charity, it is important to make sure the organization is registered with the Attorney General’s Office by searching the Department’s online database or by calling 971-673-1880. You can also visit www.guidestar.org, a na- tional clearinghouse of infor- mation on charities and their performance. Attorney General Kroger also cautions Oregonians to watch out for charities that send solicitations thanking you for your previous support or in- voices claiming you made a re- cent pledge when you didn't. These methods are intentional- ly confusing and dishonest ways to obtain donations. Consumers are advised against giving out their person- al information over the phone. Legitimate charities will accept contributions by check, which should always be made payable to the organization and never the individual collecting the donation. The Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section is responsible for en- suring that organizations solic- iting funds in Oregon register and file periodic financial re- ports showing how donations are spent. The section also protects the public against or- ganizations that attempt to mis- lead Oregon donors or that misuse charitable assets.