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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Continuing with last week’s abbreviated story of Bob’s
Excellent Nostalgia Adventure in San Diego, we find El
Jefe sweating and strolling along Tamarack Beach in Carls-
bad, thoroughly enjoying the shore birds dashing in jagged
formations along the edge of the foaming surf lines. And I
had to stop picking up shells and rocks because the weight
in my left jacket pocket was causing me to list to port.
I had planned to wear shorts to the beach, but discovered
that my white Oregon legs would have blinded everyone,
and so wore a light sweat suit instead. Besides lots of sea
birds looking for lunch, there were many surfers of many
ages, all wearing black wet suits. Close up the surfers all
have burned noses, salt water eyes and excellent biceps.
One highlight of my five-day outing (Jan stayed home to
take care of our menagerie) was taking my mother out for
Mother’s Day with daughter Vicki, son-in-law Matt and se-
riously teething granddaughter, Natalie Emma, coming right
up on the 9-month-old mark. We had a good time at brunch,
plus I got to visit my mom every day that I was in San
Diego, except the day I left.
On my arrival Vicki and Natalie picked me up at San
Diego International Lindbergh Field, and we immediately
drove to my desired location: Cabrillo National Monument,
past the always-impressive Fort Rosecrans National Ceme-
tery at the end of Point Loma with its ordered rows and
rows of white crosses.
Although I was “joking” last week, it’s possible that
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, credited with being the first Euro-
pean to set foot on what’s now the West Coast of the United
States on Sept. 28, 1542, is a relative. I mean, it could be?
Right? Right. Anyway, as a young child and even into my
20s I spent many hours at the old Point Loma lighthouse,
which still stands, although it’s no longer possible to climb
the winding staircase to the top from the inside.
The view from the visitor center there, added several
years ago below the lighthouse, provides a wonderful view
of the San Diego skyline, North Island Naval Station, Coro-
nado and the Silver Strand, and the mighty Pacific Ocean,
which lived up to its peaceful name the day I was there.
Another addition, besides the visitor center, is a display
in a separate building, providing a look at the men of the
19th Coast Artillery, who staffed Fort Rosecrans from 1936
through ‘47. There were fears of the coast being attacked,
and so two 16-inch guns and a fire control bunker were in-
stalled on the seaward side of Point Loma. I remember see-
ing the concrete and metal enclosures in the hillsides as a
boy. But I never knew that those guns could lob their shells
nearly 30 miles.
The fort also included a number of 155mm guns, and
several guns protecting the mouth of the harbor. The latter
weapons consisted of 37mm cannon each with two .50-
caliber machine guns mounted below. I was glad to finally
gain new knowledge about items I had wondered about for
the past 50-plus years. The display also included informa-
tion about camouflage netting that was placed over Pacific
Hwy. at the aircraft plants during World War II. I knew
about that, as my late dad had worked in one of them, but
again it was an eye-opener to read more detailed info.
After getting my fill of the military display, I headed for
Vicki’s car, where she was feeding Natalie. As I started
down the trail to the parking lot, the red-and-gold banner of
the 19th Coast Artillery was flapping strongly in the breeze
at the top of its pole. I took a long look at my hometown San
Diego, recalling many memories, and stopped. Then I stood
at attention, faced the banner, and gave it a sharp salute.
(Next week: Bob continues to stumble around his old
haunts.)
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
(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.)
* * *
‘No spray’
From Janet Hill
Cave Junction
As a resident of Illinois
Valley, I was concerned when
I found out recently that there
may soon be herbicide spray-
ing on wildlands near Baby-
foot Lake.
Apparently there is a spot
of spotted knapweed along a
U.S. Forest Service road in the
Onion Camp area, and after
the Biscuit Fire, conditions are
right for it to spread rapidly
and threaten many area wild-
flowers and rare plants.
The forest service is
working on a management
program to eradicate the knap-
weed which includes the pos-
sibility of using herbicides
(picloram or glyphosate).
I eat area produce and
drink well water as do many
others in the valley. I know
many wonderful families who
are raising children here. And
of course there is wildlife and
fish to be considered. The her-
bicide situation seems like a
frightening threat to the health
and safety of myself and my
friends.
As I thought further about
the situation, my worry gave
way to excitement. What a
great opportunity to build
community. People around
here care about their land and
JoCo sets initial budget
The $107.5 million budget
for Josephine County was ap-
proved by the county’s budget
committee Tuesday, May 13.
Approximately $31 mil-
lion will be allocated for the
general fund when the fiscal
year begins July 1.
However, because of ris-
ing personnel costs and a
smaller general fund the
county will face a $1.8 million
deficit.
The majority of funding
from the discretionary revenue
in the budget was allocated to
the sheriff’s office, which re-
ceived 48 percent.
Community corrections
received 13.2 percent. The
district attorney was allocated
9.4 percent and the planning
dept. received 8.4 percent.
Public health received 5 per-
cent.
Cash strapped govern-
mental departments did not
get any extra funding they
requested during the two day
hearing before the committee.
The lone exception was
$200,000 allocated from the
county’s contingency fund to
pay for repairs to the Dim-
mick Bldg. in Grants Pass.
The emergency repairs to
the building’s roof will give
public health employees a new
home after two years of plan-
ning to make the move from a
neighboring building.
Parks and community ser-
vices programs were com-
pletely absent from general
fund allocations.
The budget passed by a 5-
1 vote.
The final budget is ex-
pected to be adopted by the
end of June after going to the
county commissioners for fi-
nal approval.
see a revitalization of life; the
flowers are blooming, we can
see baby animals in the fields,
and we talk about the kind of
garden we’re going to grow
this summer.
Life is thriving all around
us.
One of our pregnant
women has begun labor, and a
new life is about to be intro-
duced.
Some days, the most pre-
cious sound is a baby’s laugh-
ter and the most beautiful
sight is a baby’s smile.
It’s great to be part of the
welcoming committee -- the
joys that are in store for this
family and community are
immeasurable.
water; it shouldn’t be too hard
for folks to get together and
find a local, grass-roots, non-
toxic solution to the knapweed
problem. Spotted knapweed
has been pulled by hand with
great success in many places,
including the valley.
If enough people are will-
ing to volunteer, and it would-
n’t take a lot, we can offer the
forest service a viable alterna-
tive to spraying. Isn’t our wa-
ter, health and communities
worth a little of our time?
‘New beginning’
From Mary Lefner, Liv-
ing Alternatives director
Cave Junction
Spring is a time when we
CONE TEN POTTERY
Decorative Tile Making Workshop
starts June 4
Summer Classes start June 24
Clay and Pottery Tools for Sale
360 Caves Highway
592-4646
The I.V. Lions Club wishes to thank
James Zeigler, owner/operator of
A thru Z Land Improvements & More
and David Potticary for the great job
they did in removing a stump for the club.
The I.V. Lions recommends
you give A thru Z and their
new stump grinder a try.
JOINT busts GP meth lab
Josephine Interagency
Narcotics Team (JOINT) de-
tectives made a dent in Grants
Pass’ methamphetamine pro-
duction last week.
JOINT detectives served a
search warrant on Thursday,
May 15, at the home of
Rowen Allen Grisham, 53, of
1761 Rogue River Hwy. unit
No. 2 in Grants Pass.
According to JOINT, in-
vestigators located and seized
clandestine lab equipment and
precursor chemicals inside
three vehicles owned by
Grisham.
A small quantity of
methamphetamine was also
found in Grisham’s apartment.
Grisham was arrested and
cited on charges of manufac-
turing/possession/delivery of a
controlled substance, posses-
sion of precursors and endan-
gering the welfare of a minor.
JOINT had received and
developed citizen information
that Grisham had been in-
volved in the manufacture,
sales and delivery of metham-
phetamine which lead to the
issuance of the search warrant.
Also living at the location
was Grisham’s 17-year-old
daughter, and wife.
The wife’s involvement to
this case is being investigated
and may result in additional
charges.
A special
thank you
to all who
attended the
memorial for
Jan Miles
and shared their thoughts of her.
Thank you to everyone for the
flowers, cards, love and support
you have all shown me.
A special thank you to my daughter,
Kathy, for all she has done.
Sincerely,
Ray Buckley
Know how to do good a little at a time, and often.
- Baltasar Gracian
Volume 66, No. 9
Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild,
Chris Robertson, Steve Fairchild & Becky Loudon
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
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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
Illinois Valley Blackberry Festival Committee meeting
Friday, May 23 - 6 p.m.
Cave Junction County Building
IVHS Activities Calendar
Brought to you by the folks at
592-3556
Cave Jct .
469-7545
Brookings/
Harbor
471-RIVR
Taylor’s
1/2 or whole Hams… $1.79 lb.
**********May Events: 7-10 p.m.**********
THURSDAY, MAY 22
*Scholarship Awards Night
6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 23
*District track at SOSU
11 a.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 24
*District track at SOSU
MONDAY, MAY 26
*No classes
TUESDAY, MAY 27
*Key Club meeting - lunch
Room 14
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
*Spring Sports Award
Night - 6:30 p.m.
*OSSOM meeting - ROTC
Lunch
*Friday, May 23 - Libby Goines
Folk – Jazz
Dinner special
Sushi - $5 per roll
*Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31
Dale & the Siskiyou Mountain Boys
*Thursdays - UBA-Star open mic with Jake Thompson
and SCRABBLE COMPETITION
*DINNERS SERVED* Thursday, Friday & Saturday - 5 p.m.
Prepared by Chef Michael Smith