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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2003)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 5, 2003 Regional Investment Board is seeking new board member CARLSBAD – After encountering humungo swarms of traffic along the way, we arrived on our “vantastic” land voyage on last Thursday evening around 9:20 in the coastal city of Carls- bad in our native San Diego County. Not too bad, considering that we didn’t leave the Laguna Seco Campground near Salinas, Calif. until nearly 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Then we meandered toward Monterey to catch Hwy. 1 because of wanting to capture the scenic route southward. One of us, whose initials are El Jefe, was driving the used camper van we recently acquired, trying to overcome his acrophobia (fear of heights), while the chief navigator (Jan) kept describing the awe- some, sheer drops off the side of the roadway down to the Pacific Ocean. Our odyssey of oddities began on Tuesday morning last, as we finally got out of Cave Junction at 11:30 a.m. It took us two and a quarter hours via Hwy. 199 and Hwy. 101 to reach Eureka on our way to visit our daughter, Vicki, and her husband, Matt, and especially our 5-month-old granddaughter, Natalie. By the way, 199 is called “Redwood Hwy.,” but it’s actually made of asphalt. However, we did see some lovely redwood trees along the way. We spent the night in a so-so campground near Garber- ville after rolling up only 216 miles. But we (especially the driver) were tired, and decided to stop. Oh, and there is a restau- rant directly in Garberville called Nacho Mama, but it was closed. Rolling out of bed early the next day, we were able to get on the road again at 10:35 a.m., only to be stopped 20 minutes later for nearly a hour because of a massive landslide. We watched a parade of dump trucks and then got rolling again, but stopped for lunch in Laytonville. This has been a laid-back trip, so to speak, as we nor- mally take the Interstate 5 every-man-for-himself speedway. Plus the scenery on I-5 is a boring as bat poop. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at 3:20 p.m., paid our five bucks toll at the south end, and then it took us 38 minutes to navigate through San Francisco, enjoying the sights that included numerous sushi bars, interesting buildings and equally as interesting people. Driving 101 means that you’ll be streaking along at 80 mph (those 65 mph maximum speed signs mean nothing down here), and suddenly you’re faced with a sea of red stop lights. Then it’s stop-and-go for miles; suddenly opening up to 80 mph again. And there seems to be no reason for why the traffic slowed down. Go figure. To make a long story shorter, we spent the night at that Laguna Seco site mentioned earlier, and then enjoyed the drive through Monterey, Carmel and other Big Sur locations. We stopped for a late breakfast at a lovely restaurant alongside a stream, where we ate outside, and where jays, crows and other assorted fowl landed almost atop our meals, and demanded that we share. It was fun. At the same spot, Jan looked at a sweater. I looked at the price tag. It read $650. She didn’t get the sweater. Onward we drove through the postcard beauty of God’s land, stopping at Point Piedras Blancas to watch two beachloads of elephant seals. Quite a sight. The road kept stretching out; we kept driving. Sooner than you’d think we went through Santa Barbara, and reached Los Angeles around 7 p.m. More intense traffic. But we were playing music from the ‘60s and made it through. By the time we reached San Clemente, it was shortly be- fore 9 p.m., and after a bottle of juice we decided to press on for San Diego County. We reached Matt and Vicki’s house just be- fore 9:30, and have been having a good time. El Jefe is “working” on relaxing. Natalie is beautiful, sweet and outstanding. The weather is great. And that’s it for now. I’ve got to deal with some more relaxing. Illinois Valley News An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523 Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Volume 65, No. 46 Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild, Chris Robertson, Sharon Silva & Becky Loudon Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 3 P.M. FRIDAY (Ads will be accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.) POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. One letter per person per month. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the editor's opinion. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $20.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas Counties - $24.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state -$28 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523 (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary expressed in letters to the editor are strictly those of the letter- writers. * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are acceptable for consideration. Hand- written letters that are double-spaced and highly legible also can be con- sidered for publication. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.) * * * ‘Losing Grayback’ From Larry Warnicke Cave Junction I just received a disturbing letter from the U.S. Forest Service. They’re planning to remove 50 percent of the Lit- tle Grayback Campground 12 miles east of Cave Junction along Oregon State Highway 46 (Oregon Caves Highway). The forest service re- ceived funds to improve the campground and instead they’re planning to close half of it because of low usage, and to reduce the environ- mental impact on Sucker Creek due to the septic tanks in the ground. A few months use of the campground would cause less damage than having a single- family dwelling along the creek for one year, as it has no showers. This type of septic is good for the ecosystem and does no damage to the fish along Sucker Creek. As many of you know, we are losing our lands every day in the name of environmental quality. As the economy grows along with the popula- tion of the Illinois Valley this campground will be very valu- able to the public in the future. Spending tax money to take away our lands is ridicu- lous and needs to stop now. The funds should be spent to improve the Little Grayback Campground. However, taking away 50 percent of the campsites is unacceptable. This camp- ground is one of the few on the west coast where you can go and experience the out- doors without being stacked on top of each other. To lose any part of it would be sad, and I for one am not going to except our government clos- ing any part of our dwindling recreation areas. You may think you are only one person, however your input will make a differ- ence. It only takes a few min- utes of your time to phone or write, and we can save this campground for our use in years to come. As you know, there aren’t many camp- grounds in our area, or any as pristine as Little Grayback and we need your help to save it. Phone or write to the Dis- trict Ranger at Two Rivers Zone, 26568 Redwood High- way, Cave Junction, OR. 97523 or phone 471-6522. All public comments need to be in by Wednesday, Feb. 5. There’s only one week to save Little Grayback. We need to keep our pub- lic lands to use not lose. Evergreen appreciates From Lisa Van Brunt Assistant Principal I appreciate the many civic and religious groups, clubs and individuals from Illinois Valley who have do- nated generously to the chil- dren of Evergreen Elementary. Donations of cash, books, equipment and clothing go a long way to ensure our stu- dents have what they need to be successful in school. Many of our loving citi- zens in the valley sought ways to brighten the winter holidays for some of our students and their families who are feeling the pinch of our current econ- omy. Their concern for and interest in our students does not go unnoticed. Our students are often made aware that people in our community care enough to make sure the students have a warm coat to wear or a book to read at home. It is through such concern and involvement that we all provide the best possible learning environment for our students. We cannot do this job alone and we truly appreciate both the one time gifts and the regular gifts that come our way. Continued support will help maintain a quality learn- ing experience for each child we serve. The Jackson-Josephine Regional Investment Board is seeking a new member. The prospective candidate may represent either Jackson and Josephine County and may represent either the pri- vate or public sector. The board is specifically seeking candidates with a financial or banking background, or other- wise representing the financ- ing industry. This 17-member board, appointed by the county com- missioners, is responsible for the Oregon Lottery Funds set aside specifically for regions within the state for Economic and Community Develop- ment. The board meets monthly, alternating between Jackson and Josephine County. During the past biennium (2001-03), the board was re- sponsible for allocating ap- proximately $1 million dollars to area communities and non- profit organizations in the ar- eas of community facilities and infrastructure; feasibility studies and technical assis- tance; and industry and work- force development. Applications are available at the Southern Oregon Re- gional Economic Develop- ment Inc. office or through either county. For information phone Colleen Padilla, project manager or Gordon Safley, executive director at (541) 773-8946 or (800) 805-8740. Daughters love From Shari Kaye Talent, Ore. I was first introduced into T. Lund’s life when I was ap- proximately 13-years-old. He and my mother were married and lived in Long Beach, Calif. at that time. From the time I met him, I thought, “Wow,” he seems like a great guy. Well, let me tell you that this man has always gone above and beyond the call of duty as a new parent to three girls. He took on three daugh- ters along with his new bride, which in itself is quite a chal- lenge. We ranged from 7-to 13-years-old. We are now 37, 34, and 31, and have children of our own. As the eldest, I can tell your that my dad, T., has al- ways been there for me through all the trials and tribu- lations of being a teen girl, to now being an adult. He seems to always have an answer or advice to help to me through any situation. T. is not only the best at being a music teacher, but has been a major inspiration in my life, and will always be the “best dad” in the world to me. I am very proud of you dad with your accomplish- ments in your life, and as your daughter, will always support and stand behind you in the years to come. The World could use a few more “T. Lund’s,” don’t you think? Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays Proceeds to benefit the Illinois Valley Rural Fire District Saturday, Feb. 8 - 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cave Junction County Building ONLY $6 One never realizes how much and little he knows until he start talking. - Louis L’Amour-