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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2005)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 19, 2005 Flying high (33,000 feet, alcohol not included) at ap- proximately 500 mph, I found myself complaining about the Alaska Airlines two-hour plus flight from Portland to San Diego. Then the thought struck: “You idiot. If you were driving, it’d take you 18 hours or so, and you’d be exhausted! What are you complaining about?!” Besides that, I wouldn’t have been able to sip cups of decaf, and then use an excitingly tiny rest room (loads of fun when you’re in there and the plane hits turbulence) without stopping. And the “stopping” refers to driving, not using the rest room. Anyway, there we were winging our way to not-quite sunny SoCal for a short visit with family. On the approach to Lindbergh Field/San Diego International my mind was stirred, so to speak. Which reminds me of biology classes with live frogs, but later for that. Being a native San Diegan, who covered San Diego “Evening Tribune” bureaus in Escondido, Oceanside, Chula Vista and El Cajon, I’m rather familiar with the county. Which, by the way, is as big as the state of Con- necticut and now has 3 million residents. No wonder it feels so crowded. But about those memories flying by as we flew past. The former El Cortez Hotel, where my high school held proms, is now something else; a religious organization has it, I believe. The structure used to be one of the tallest buildings in Downtown San Diego, but no more. The downtown skyline is way different from when I rode city buses. Actually, I remember as a child riding trolley cars from the foot of Broadway, where Lane Field was located, to Balboa Park. Qualcomm/Jack Murphy Stadium, which holds 53,000 spectators, was built in 1967 and named after a San Diego “Union” sports writer, who led the charge (pun intended) for a stadium to house the Chargers and Padres. Wow - 53,000 folks in one spot: That’s more people than show up here for free wine-tasting. Then there’s the Santa Fe depot, from which I rode trains pulled by steam engines. The snack kiosk is still there in all its wood-and-glass glory, as well as the classic depot benches. The room still echoes too. And the marble rest room remains, but it’s a bit worn. However, the depot exterior, with its mission-style architecture, still shines, mostly. Dang pigeons. Oh, and there’s the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, a shining span I still resent. That’s because I thoroughly en- joyed riding the ferries, even at 5 a.m., when I was the only vehicle aboard. But I had a pastry (hauling buns) and hot food (move those beans) route at North Island Naval Air Station. The vending machines had to be serviced by 7 a.m. or else. Or else the Sailors, Marines and Civil Service workers would likely starve to death. Memories of my late mom were stirred by the depot and downtown, while as we flew over the South Bay I spotted the former Paradise Valley Hospital, which re- minded me of my late dad. He was a patient there during World War II because of a busted knee cap. It wasn’t from a war wound though. He was in military aircraft construc- tion during those years, and after work one night went ice skating with buddies. Unfortunately, he wasn’t too good at it and fell. Strangely, he ended up in the same facility just a few years ago, although it’s now a rehab location. One more memory was tabbed as we landed and roared past Ryan Aeronautical. Jan’s late dad retired from there years ago, and I used to chat with him when I had a wholesale milk route that included the Ryan cafeteria. Also, Charles Lindbergh worked on the “Spirit of St. Louis” at Ryan. Bit o’history there. That’s enough memories for this week. My next col- umn will be about something. I’m still trying to decipher the notes I took during the trip. Adios. Travel is only glamorous in retrospect. - Paul Theroux - Illinois Valley News (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including state- ments made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced let- ters written solely to this news- paper are considered for publi- cation. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters. * * * I.V. Lions ‘excellent’ From Will Melcher Cave Junction The Illinois Valley Li- ons Club allowed my dad the use of a power chair for the past three months until he received his own. He and I really appreci- ate the club for its help. I.V. Lions Club does excel- lent work in the valley for everyone in need. ‘The Real World’ From William Schneider Cave Junction All this touting of moral values. What? Want a gold star for acting like a decent human being? Not to diminish true heroes, but it seems that daily acts of decency get elevated to hero status. What’s with the fantasy land? Where are all these moral values for all the ex- pounding of their existence? It appears to me that peo- ple’s moral values change with their comfort zones and tolerance. What is the moral value in throwing dead cats and used oil cans into the com- munity drinking well? Who would do such a thing? I say, who in the world would pump millions of tons of pollutants, many of which are deadly, into the commu- nity air and water supply each year? What is the moral value of dumping trash in the for- est or trashing a forest? What is the moral value of allowing one’s barking dog to disrupt the peace of an entire neighborhood? What is the moral value of standing against terrorism in the United States or Mid- dle East, when daily people are being hacked, shot and raped to death by the thou- sands in Darfur, Sudan, right down the road from Iraq, right after the horror in Rwanda? Not valuable enough economically to rate any moral value or not enough to intervene? What is the moral value of women going to abort the children of other mothers on the battlefield? But, oh so moral at the pro-life rallies. What is the moral value in destroying our planet and its people in an insane frenzy to produce and con- sume at the expense of all things living? What is the moral value of dealing with countries that have abysmal human rights records, like China or Saudi Arabia? What is the moral value of being a Christian or a Muslim, while ignoring the teachings of the prophets of the peace and love that is the force called God or Allah? How do I know they are being ignored? All I have to do is open my eyes and see the world today. While there are many decent people with consci- entious moral values, much of U.S. government and population have a long way to go before this moral val- ues bubble floats any dis- tance in the real world. I guess what makes me so angry is not that we, (through ignorance, not to be mistaken for stupidity) do wrong, but it is the compla- cency and failure to address and amend these wrongs once they are seen as such. Now, that is stupid, see- ing as how it is our species that will also pay the inevi- table price for our lack of moral values. edy for timber profits. Sen. Wyden must stand up for Oregonians and de- feat Smith’s exploitive law- less logging rider. Americans are standing to- gether to support victims of such a horrible catastrophe, all Smith can think of doing is to exploit this awful trag- Awesome Father Class The Most Important Role of Your Life Meet with other fathers to discuss: Parenting challenges Decision making Handling stress Child behavior Discipline 10 weekly classes beginning Monday, Jan. 31 7 to 8 p.m. 215 Caves Avenue, Cave Junction Phone Scott - 592-6444 Sponsored by: Siskiyou Community Health Center and Commission for Children and Families Biscuit rider disgust From Justin Rohde Cave Junction No words can describe my disgust at Sen. Smith’s attempt to exploit the lives of the tsunami victims by attaching a Biscuit rider to the relief bill. This bill, instead of helping needy survivors, mandates logging thousands of acres of old-growth re- serves and roadless areas in the on the most botanically rich national forests in the United States: the Siskiyou National Forest. His lawless Biscuit rider would take away legal rights that public citizens have, and would mandate tearing into the Siskiyou Wild Riv- ers areas, costing taxpayers in excess of $35 million. Smith has disgraced this country to the point of ab- surdity. At a time when all WHEELER TOYOTA 6th Street (Between ‘J’ & ‘K’) PARTS 476-5206 SALES 476-6858 SERVICE 476-9379 *J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Stud y SM . Study based on a total of 51,208 consumer responses indicating owners reported problems during the first 90 days of ownership. www.jdpower.com **BEST BUY EMBLEM is registered trademark of Consumer Digest Inc., used under license. † Cash back from manufacturer. APR financing on new models through Toyota Financial Services with approved credit. Tier I & II only. Offers can not be combined and may vary by region. Ends 1/31/05. See dealer for details. ©2004 Graham Advertising. All rights reserved. 0105 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 67, No. 44 Staff: Kacy Clement, Becky Loudon, Michelle Binker, Kina Perez & Shane Welsh. Advertising Design Consultant - Wonder Dog Graphics 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. How do you keep an eye on mother nature? At Farmers®, we understand that insurance is about getting you back where you belong should the unexpected happen. That’s why we specialize in providing Auto, Home and Life insurance policies based on your needs. Call me today to find out how you can save money by covering your insurance needs through Farmers. While you’re getting back to nature? Find weather, news, sports and more on the go. We make it easy with easyedge. SM • Get FREE easyedge access for one month. SM Application and overage charges still apply. • Try Picture Messaging and easyedge Downloads on our selection of camera phones. SM ESPN BottomLine™ Atari ® Centipede ® Ebert Mobile Movie Reviews 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 place your address here Standard charges apply starting in the second month. Must call to cancel. Service Agreement and U.S. Cellular ® approved CDMA 1X equipment required for easyedge SM Enhanced Wireless Service Plans. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2004. ©2004 ESPN Internet Venture. 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