Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2004)
Page 7 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Ed money sought by Wyden U.S Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) called on Presi- dent Bush to “reverse course” on his decision to only partially fund the “No Child Left Be- hind” (NCLB) law. He made the request after a White House an- nouncement indicated that the largest single program in the law will be under funded by $7 billion in fiscal year 2005. The presi- dent signed NCLB into law with 2005 funding au- thorization of $200 million for Oregon, but the White House’s actual budget re- quest now contains $69 million less for the state. Concerns about NCLB among school boards, par- ents, school administrators and teachers across the state prompted Wyden to begin a series of “listening sessions” last month to better understand how the law is actually being im- plemented in Oregon schools. While a variety of pro- posals have been made to address problems with the law, thus far school leaders and parents have told Wy- den uniformly that it is impossible to meet the law’s strict requirements for boosting test scores and student performance with- out the promised federal financial support. In a letter to the presi- dent, Wyden wrote, “Oregon schools have long held themselves to high standards and real account- ability and they support the ideal of leaving no child behind. I ask that you in- crease your budget request and work with Congress to ensure that the students in Oregon and the nation re- ceive the funding promised by No Child Left Behind.” The president’s budget request is not due to be delivered to Congress until Feb. 2. Wyden has supported full funding for NCLB since its enactment in 2002; however the presi- dent has never requested full funding. In 2003, Wy- den supported an amend- ment that would have pro- vided full funding, increas- ing federal support by $6.15 billion to match the level already authorized by law. A motion to allow the amendment to come to a vote on the Senate floor failed 51-44. A new sign, Pregnancy Center of the Illinois Valley, is due. Pregnancy center births new name Living Alternatives, a Cave Junction center for women and families ex- periencing pregnancy, changed its name this month to Pregnancy Center of the Illinois Valley. The center revolves around pro-life, encourag- ing women and families to make sound decisions which could help their new babies. The name change comes from the fear that “Living Alternatives” may discourage women who fear pregnancy from seek- ing help at the center. The new name gives a clearer representation of the cen- ter’s services. The pregnancy center offers assistance for expec- tant families. Assistance includes helping to teach women to become good mothers, helping them to become self-sufficient, and offering advice and coun- seling for first-time fami- lies. Funding for the center is provided through public donation. Currently, the center needs diapers (newborn to 5 months), baby wipes, breast pads, cribs, and general operat- ing funds. In addition, soft drink containers can be left at the center. The deposit will then be collected by volun- teer staff and used by the center as needed. Besides the new sign, which should arrive in a couple of weeks, the center will expand services to offer post-abortion coun- seling, abstinence educa- tion, and more data for first-time parents. For further information regarding services and do- nations, phone 592-6058. Arts council benefits from wooly fete Laughter, conversa- tion, llama watching and a buffet helped raise money for the Illinois River Val- ley Arts Council at its sec- ond annual Wooly Winter Gala on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Forest Edge Farms, 5489 Takilma Road. Highlights of the after- noon were the on-stage variety show by some of the valley’s best perform- ing artists; the progressive raffle of creative services and the artwork donated by Illinois Valley artisans. The generous partici- pation from an overflow crowd of I.V. artists and supporters of the arts made the benefit a financial suc- cess as well as a lot of fun. Council President Re- becca Pearson of BeBe’s Art for Everyone in Down- town Cave Junction re- called the council’s mis- sion, “To foster creativity and encourage the arts in Illinois Valley,” and noted its progress since being founded in 2001. Pearson said, “In just three years, through indi- vidual dedication, commu- nity participation, and part- nership with the I.V. Com- munity Response Team and Arts Council of So. Oregon, we have increased 2nd Friday Art Walk par- ticipation; had a public mural project with chil- dren; built two floats for parades; brought more art into the public schools; and helped develop So. Oregon Arts Guild. “We are now ready to take our next step in be- coming a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which is part of our goal today,” Pearson concluded. Performing artists were Libby Goines as em- cee, Carol Valentine and Jack Dwyer, The Sasquatch Faithful (Brian Marsh, Randall Cranor and George Shook), Roger Brandt, Alan Laurie, and Libby Goines Brian Alec Thom in performance. Artists who donated work were Gwen Childs, Marilyn Moore, Bruce Stone, Andrea Brinkman, Leslie Kingsford, Brian We picked blackberries at a friend’s ranch last sum- mer, where the berries were growing along his irrigation ditch. I was surprised when I saw a “wall” of blackberries. They had grown in and among the various trees, reaching to heights of nearly 10 feet. No one had been picking in this area, and what I saw looked like “millions” of luscious blackberries just waiting to be picked. Aunt Pat and I grabbed our buckets and began picking as high as we could reach. Doug and Melanie unloaded ladders and began picking the high ones. I got a ladder to pick the higher berries. There I was, perched on the ladder, looking at the “wild” blackberries. In the 40 years I’ve lived in Illinois Valley, I had never seen anything like it. I was happily picking, and as I stretched to reach the berries almost out of my reach, the ladder wobbled. My first thought was that if this ladder tipped, I could fall face first into those berry vines. Remember that blackberries have “millions” of thorns that prick your fingers. I’m sure that Melanie and Aunt Pat got tired of my saying, “Ouch, ouch.” We spent about three hours picking berries, and came away praising God for giving us the opportunity. The thought came to me that many people are living their lives teetering. Teetering is wobbling, wavering; and is an unstable state. Our spiritual lives must be placed on a firm foundation, and it must be the Lord Jesus Christ. We must give up “my way” and go “His way” – that is, the way of the Cross and repentance. The Bible speaks of us dying, that we may live. What dies is our pride, our self and our will. If we have one foot in the world, and we try to have one foot in Heaven, we will not make it. It is important to have balance in our lives. We must not fall into sin, and we shouldn’t “play in the devil’s play- ground.” If we are reaching into the glitter of the world, we can be lured off-track. That means that our ladder could tip, and we could fall head-long into the briars. Make no mistake: Thorns of sin prick you because sin has a price. We have God’s Holy Spirit with us to lead us, guide us, strengthen us, and steady our ladder. When we follow the Word of God and our focus is on Christ, we will live with His peace covering our lives, and His joy in our hearts. Our foundation is stable; our lives are steady; and our hope of Heaven is sure. [Editor’s Note: Life Lines is a Christian, Cave Junction-based, volunteer grass-roots prison ministry and food distribution organi- zation. It can be contacted at (541) 592-3643.] Alec Thom, Kathleen Jones, Louann Person, Bob Burt, Rebecca Pearson, Kathy Ratiu-Kelley, Cat Moresco, Steve Chandler (Rock-It-Of-Oregon ), Penny Niemi and Ernie Elmer (Second Wind Stu- dio), Pearlene Gavlik, and Reni Shaeffer. Businesses that do- nated work or services for the art raffle and door prizes were Yanase Jewel- ers, Simply Threadful, East Fork Ranch, Blue Moon Books & Coffee, Clear Spaces Gallery, Taylor’s Sausage Country Store, Rising Suns, Moondance Soap, Kendall Art Glass, and the Tim Wallace Band. Coffee Heaven provided coffee. Credit goes to Becki Pearson for organizing the raffle; Penny Niemi for organizing the buffet; Alan Laurie for the invitation art; Mary Reynolds for producing the program and Joyce Abrams for organiz- ing the variety show. (Related photo on page 8) Elementary Schools Menu Sponsored by ‘Illinois Valley News’ 321 S. Redwood Hwy. 592-2541 THURSDAY, JAN. 22 *A fish tale, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, super sub sandwich, garden salad FRIDAY, JAN. 23 *Clerical day No classes MONDAY, JAN. 26 *Rib-B-Q sandwich, hamburger, cheese pizza, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, chef salad TUESDAY, JAN. 27 *Pasta, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, ham & cheese sandwich, garden salad WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 *Hot diggity dog, hamburger, cheese pizza, poor boy sandwich, Cobb salad 1-541-476-2127 Please don’t litter! (R)