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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2012)
The INDEPENDENT, August 1, 2012 Backyard chickens can bring bears by Chris Thomas, Oregon News Service Free, fast food is an irre- sistible lure for bears, and education campaigns have long been in place in Ore- gon to encourage people to keep trash, and even bird feeders, away from bears. But the rise in back- yard chicken-keeping of- fers bears a new attrac- tion: chickens. Erin Edge, Rocky Moun- tain region associate with Defenders of Wildlife, says the good news is that mul- ti-strand electric fencing can keep bears away from chickens, “People taking these small measures to protect their investment in their chickens also pro- tects bears and increases human safety.” The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) estimates there are between 25,000 and 30,000 black bears in the state, and says they’re very active in midsummer, when their breeding sea- son begins. Reports of black bear sightings are al- ready on the rise along the coast and in the Eugene area. Edge says a shock from a strong electric fence is a quick lesson for any bear and can stave off future problems that could lead to a bear being put down or relocated, “We’re seeing bears that are escalating behavior faster with chick- ens than they do with garbage. They may break into structures faster. They may stick around longer.” Edge adds that bear fencing has additional ben- efits because it keeps out almost all other predators, too, such as coyotes, foxes and mountain lions. Guidelines for fencing design and voltage can be found at www.LWWF.org. ODFW black bear informa- tion is available at www.dfw.state.or.us. 50 Years Ago This Month The August 9, 1962, issue of the Vernonia Eagle included the following news story on the front page: Much of the meeting of the city council Monday evening was de- voted to consideration of the sewage lagoon and the correction of its inefficiency. A report from the engineers in- dicate that their study revealed that the present condition was due to low sewage flow, high evapora- tion and excessive seepage. Their recommendations for correcting it were as follows: 1. Return sewage flow to for- mer septic tank disposal system and allow floor of the lagoon to dry out. 2. Remove all vegetation. 3. Divide area into two sections by a four or five foot dike. 4. Rip bottom area to depth of one and a half to two feet in two directions, wet loosened earth and compact with sheepsfoot or grid roller. The first recommendation has been followed out now and the en- gineers are arranging with the original contractors to do the other work as soon as possible. The council took action, also, to have an ordinance prepared lowering the sewer use charge from $1.50 to $1.00. A representative of the Jay- Cees appeared before the council to present suggestions from Bruce Roberts for deepening the swim- ming pool at the diving board by moving bottom material upstream, thus creating an area of medium depth for use for swimming in- struction. It was the opinion of council that the area on the east side of the pool at the end of North street formerly used for instruction could still be used for that and that it was too near the end of the sea- son to make changes now. Information from Crown Con- struction company was that water lines in Second addition were pro- gressing satisfactorily and that sewer lines were the next problem. A supplier for sewer pipe is to be here this week to figure material needed. Other business included a change in names on a contract for a house in the OA addition and in- structions of the recorder to notify certain residents of defective side- walks which need repair. A deci- sion was reached to engage a sur- veyor to lay out the extension of Idaho avenue in the Oregon- American addition. Clean Teeth are Happy Teeth! We now offer Complete Dental Ser vices for Dogs & Cats Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Call for appointments 503-429-1612 Monday, Wednesday Wednesday & & Saturday Saturday Monday, a.m to to 4 4 p.m. p.m. 9 9 a.m 700 Weed Avenue,Vernonia Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay It was so nice the other afternoon to just sit on my 4’x8’ concrete block they call a patio and enjoy the sunshine. All of a sudden I notice a funny bump on one of my tomato plants. I stewed over this for several days. A friend came in, looked puzzled over it for a spell and said, “I think your plant is trying to tell you ‘I don’t be- long growing down side up’.” The bumps seem to be root nodules. Since they can’t find any dirt to sink into they will probably just sit there and be cute. Nice to know, I thought it might be a fungus of some sort. But, better still, was the fact that my Crab cactus had two big beautiful peach colored blooms on it. It hasn’t seen a bloom in over two years. I don’t know what it is celebrating. The fact there is sunshine, or the fact it stopped raining for a day or two. Now, down to the bee I seem to have that keeps buzzing around in my life these days. Have you ever had the feeling you were standing on the curb watching life go by?? Thinking of all the folks I knew in Vernonia (strange, my spell check doesn’t know Vernonia is a correct spelling) that have passed away in the last three or four months. Now since I have changed treatment days, I have heard of three acquaintances that are much worse off than I. One had a stroke, #2 had a heart attack, and #3 who is a diabetic with gangrene in one of his legs. Only way to stop it is amputation, he and his family say NO. He is up in age, mental- ly unstable, really in poor health. It seems to me there are a lot of us in dialysis fighting to stay ahead of our final destiny, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Yes, I’m in a FUNK. Look at the sunshine, enjoy it while you can. Eat sensibly, eat healthy, laugh and smile and maybe you can ward off some of the other bad side affects of what we call bad health. For now, bye. I’m off to Blue Grass again tonight. Wheeee…
