Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2004)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 28, 2004 Now that I’ve passed the 60-year mark, being six decades and 1 week old, I am behooved (to mangle the language) to pass along valuable information and philoso- phical wandering. Such as the fact that there is no account- ing as to why one week after purchasing a big-ticket item that devastates your checkbook and nearly kills your wal- let, it will go on sale for at least 40 percent less than you paid. Or the fact that when a husband nearly tears apart the house -- looking in, through or under every drawer, cabinet, closet and loose floorboard -- he will be unable to find whatever it is he’s seeking. But his wife can open one drawer, or walk into a room, and find the missing item in plain sight. Although this has never happened to me, I will swear on (or at) whatever book you desire that said item was not available 30 seconds earlier. This is apparently attributable to Pack Rat Trading Monsters who live in our walls and in the dark places behind our drawers. They take stuff away when I’m … I mean when a hypothetical man … looks for it; then replaces it when he storms away stomping his feet, making guttural noises coupled with harsh words, and generally acting like a spoiled 4-year-old. I think that 60 nearly is a perfect time to be mid- dle-aged. And it makes me feel good that the age of 60 goes hand-in-glove, or foot-in-mouth perhaps, with driving 60 mph. That’s a perfect speed: 60 mph = 1 mile per min- ute. Way cool. A perfect age, and a perfect speed. Sixty is nifty. Here are some other tidbits of incredible knowl- edge that have come my way during the past 21,900-plus days, or more or less 525,600 hours that have comprised my life so far: *Upon discovering while shaving that your razor isn’t cutting it, or any beard even, check to be sure that the blade protector has been removed. *If electrical power to some part of your house abruptly stops; you’ve checked the circuit breakers, and there’s still no juice; push the reset button on the appropri- ate outlet or appliance, if the latter is an offender. Could save you lots of time. This has never happened to me; I heard about it from some other guy. *When working on a carpentry or similar project around the house, and your drill is not making the holes you need, check to be sure there’s a bit in the chuck. This also has never happened to me. Now that I’m 60, it seems that more brevity is in order, and so I’m going to end this particular column. But just a few more thoughts: To all who attended my birthday party on Jan. 20, or who telephoned or sent gifts or birthday cards -- thank you greatly. Your presence and your presents are much appreciated. You have im- proved my presence of mind. Muchas gracias! And my grateful appreciation to my loving wife, Jan, who arranged for the tablesful of terrific food from the valley’s own Kate Dwyer Catering at my party. It was a delicious time. Set up as an ideal the facing of reality as honestly and as cheerfully as possible. - Dr. Karl Menninger - 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 66, No. 45 Staff: Cindy Newton, Chris Robertson, Michelle Binker, Shane Welsh, Becky Loudon & Kacy Clement Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 3 P.M. FRIDAY (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can 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. POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE”, DISPLAY & CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication. Submissions must be resubmitted each week if the item is to run for more than one week. 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 c o n s i d e r a t i o n . H a nd - written letters that are dou- ble-spaced and highly legi- ble also can be considered for publication. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.) *** ‘Yes on 30’ From Laurie Prouty Cave Junction People should vote “yes” on Measure 30. The cost per individual is mini- mal - the gain for our schools, low-income sen- iors and mental health ser- vice is potentially of great magnitude. Endless cuts to needed services not only hurt our valuable citizens; they also hurt our local economies due to loss of family wage jobs. The tax increase pro- posed does not hurt the low-income wage earner; if you earn $20,000- $30,000, your annual tax increase is just $19 -- less than $1.60 per month. Here in Cave Junction there are already few or- ganized events for our youth. If the measure does not pass and we cut school electives, sports, and the classrooms get so large any hope of individual at- tention is lost, many stu- dents will lose their incen- tive to attend school. Something is dread- fully wrong with our soci- ety that we don’t value our children’s education more. If we are such a “progressive” nation, shouldn’t we ensure our schools have adequate fi- nancial support to provide our future with well edu- cated and skilled people? When I went to high school 35 years ago, three foreign languages were taught through all four years. At Illinois Valley High, only Spanish I and II are offered. How does this help our global communi- cation? We are going backwards in educating and providing for our youth. IVCRT Funds From Patricia Downing O’Brien The Illinois Valley Community Response Team (CRT) has served Illinois Valley for 10 years by implementing many needed services, creating jobs and helping the com- munity develop. Now the CRT has en- tered the last year as a fed- erally funded community organization. In spring 2002, the board committed to sustaining the organiza- tion past the end of the federal grant funding. The board concluded that the CRT’s mission of enhanc- ing “long-term, self- directed community well- being” is too important to expire when the federal grant runs out. To continue to be of service to the community, the CRT must now gener- ate its own revenues for community projects and grants as well as its own operating costs. Winning the Oregon Caves conces- sion contract was a huge step toward sustaining the mission and being able to continue helping the com- (Continued on page 3) CELEBRATING SUPER SIXTY - Old and new friends, including (from left) former longtime ‘Noose’ employee Virginia Gilliam, Jerry Lamb and Bob Gilliam, attended an open house at the ‘Illinois Valley News’ office on Tuesday, Jan. 20 to wish Bob Rodriguez (‘El Jefe’) a happy 60th birthday. The well-wishers enjoyed small talk and big stories as well as a multitude of delicious finger foods and a huge carrot birth- day cake, all provided by Kate Dwyer Catering. (Photo by Sam Newton) Knife and Fork Club The Knife and Fork Club is hosting a meeting on Monday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Riverside Con- vention Center. The program will be, “An evening with Dave Frohnmayer.” He is presi- dent of the University of Oregon at Eugene. F r o h n m a ye r a l s o served 11 years as Ore- gon’s attorney general. The doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. For reservations or information, phone Norma Lane at (541) 470-6124. Forestry Action Committee There will be a meet- ing at 1 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the lower com- pound of the USFS Illinois Plan Ahead for... * * * * * Felt Hat-making Workshop — Saturday, March 20, 2004 Call for more information & sign up Make a date to come by for a Ranch Tour Call for free mulch or pillow stuffing fiber Call & sign up for a Llama Packing Clinic April 17th, 2004 — learn how llamas lighten your load on the trail. Day Hike, Sunday, April 18 Contact Joyce or Harry Abrams llamuz@forestedgefarm.com 541-592-6078 Valley Ranger District, 26568 Redwood Hwy. There will be updates. This is the annual meeting, so new officers will be decided upon. “FAC strives to bring community members to- gether in a positive way. Together we can do a lot.” Anyone can attend. For more information, contact 592-4098.
