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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2005)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Last week we made another of our famous dashes to San Diego to visit and help our daughter, Vicki, and 2.5-year-old granddaughter, Natalie, who pro- nounces her last name, “Kaplan,” as “Krappin.” These dashes involve working like crazy, with the “Noose” staff pitching in like troopers (or troupers, whichever you prefer), so we are able to leave the of- fice at noon Tuesday to catch a 3 p.m. Horizon Air flight from Medford to Portland, and then an Alaska Airlines flight to San Diego, arriving there at approxi- mately 7 p.m. Then we have three days in our native county until we need to leave from San Diego International/ Lindbergh Field at 10 a.m. Saturday, etc., arriving back in Medford at 3 p.m. It’s a bit rushed, but own- ing your own business simply requires that sort of scheduling. Besides, we enjoy doing it, and seeing our family down south is worth any effort. Vicki’s husband, Matt, was away for five days at a training seminar. They live in Carlsbad, where traffic continues to grow, right along with housing prices. We were finally able to finish sanding and painting most of a bedroom set for Natalie’s new room, as Vicki is due to deliver a baby in early May. Preparing the furniture turned out to be the easy part. The tough part was hauling everything upstairs (there’s a kink half-way up), and then assembling the bed. Fortu- nately, Jan has the brain of a creative engineer, so with her smarts and my muscle the job was done. Also, Natalie “helped” by handing us every tool in sight, plus screws, and poking her head in front of whatever it was we were doing. And we loved it. On Friday night last we experienced an out- standing thunderstorm: It was hard to believe that it was happening in sunny San Diego. Thunder and lightning abounded, along with intense rain. The rain caused some flooding and mudslide problems at loca- tions including a section of Tijuana, and a small piece of Point Loma. And it didn’t help a neighborhood in Oceanside, adjacent to Carlsbad, where several houses already were shifting and collapsing due to the soil moving about because it’s super-saturated. Also Friday we had a “Half-Birthday Party” for Natalie, including half a cake. She sang right along with us, including, “Happy Birthday to you.” Funny. As a bona fide 2 1/2-year-old she has perfected the exclamation, “No!” Talk about the terrible twos. But actually she does quite well. We took her and Vicki to a Japanese buffet restaurant at a large mall, where I ate enough food for three guys. This place, Onami’s, has a menu that will not quit, including sushi and desserts. It took me several trips with differ- ent plates to even sample a portion of the offerings. Then later (much later) that day I got a craving for nachos, which was satisfied with an order of same from Rubio’s, with carne asada. Yes, I am getting older; I can tell because I find myself talking about food. Just like my parents did. Yikes, now what? I’m liable to start talking to myself. What? Nothing! Wait, what did I say? Never mind. Our flights, courtesy of our son, Michael, went well. I always clutch up a bit because we fly “space available” on standby basis. Usually it works out, and this trip was no exception. Although in San Diego I looked out my window and told Jan we were so high that the people below looked like ants. She replied, “Those are ants. We haven’t taken off yet.” Anyway, one flight attendant’s tongue slipped, so when he welcomed us aboard in San Diego, he called the plane a “scarecraft.” We all got a good laugh. I don’t believe in slips like that being some sort of des- tiny prediction; and we’re here to prove it. In fact, (this is a non sequitur) we reached Portland 15 min- utes ahead of schedule. The only scary part of the trip was being the last two standby people called to the gate in San Diego. But we made it. There were a lot more details I was going to pro- vide about this trip, such as my taking Natalie to a nearby YMCA for “gymnastics.” It’s a 45-minute play session, where one of her favorite attractions is something she calls the “marshmallow pit.” It’s pretty neat; I’ve jumped in it myself a cou- ple of times. And I was going to tell you about the special game she made up at a park near her house. I pulled her there in her wagon, and helped her down a slide several times. Her game: While standing, bury your feet in sand; then ask Pop-Pop (that’s me) to come figure out what happened to her feet. When Pop-Pop peers down, you swiftly bring up one of your feet, thereby spraying yours truly with sand. This is followed by one of the happiest chuckles around; only a 2.5-year-old can laugh that way. Well, it only took two times for me to figure out the game. Now, excuse me. I need to go wash, as I still have some sand caught in my eyebrows. (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. * * * Horse sense From Dave & Sally Marsh Cave Junction We are the ones who had the horse caught in a stock panel in deep mud. Our daughter, grandson, and our friends, the Ma- honeys, tried unsuccessfully to free her. In desperation, we called Illinois Valley Fire District. We were impressed with the professional way in which they went to work. It was obvious that they are well-trained in handling ropes, pulleys, slings, etc. One of the team mem- bers, De Spellman, came by a few days later to see how the horse is doing. What a wonderful, caring group of volunteers we have in our valley. ‘Forks’ water From Geraldine Davidson Cave Junction “Forks” State Park is about to lose the water pro- vided by the city of Cave Junction, as “first bridge” will be replaced this year, and the pipes under it will be removed. I know that people here have busy lives, but I am hoping that some will write one more letter or make one more telephone call. I think that potable wa- ter at parks is important for several reasons including clean water for the inevita- ble injuries. “Forks” already has flush toilets and they would be replaced, at con- siderable expense, by out- houses. The growth of our com- munity makes all our parks more important. The density of housing in and around Cave Junction will make this green, open space more valuable to all of us. People can help by writ- ing the mayor and city coun- cil at city hall in Cave Junc- tion. The fax number is 592- 6694. People also can write Oregon Dept. of Transporta- tion Highway Division at 345 Agness Ave., Grants Pass 97528. ‘Stimulating’ discussion From Michelle Binker Cave Junction First, let me make plain that meth is one of the most vile substances a person could ever ingest, and that the personal and social costs resulting from its use are crippling our communities. A recent town hall meeting held to discuss combating this stimulant was truly enlightening. However, I could just taste the irony (mmm… cream, please, and two sug- ars) as the panel chairman, Congressman Greg Walden, announced that free doses of Our Favorite Stimulant were available at the back of the auditorium, courtesy of a Grants Pass-based caffeine cartel. Goodness knows those attending the early morning meeting were happy to hear it. Indeed, we applauded the news. (Editor’s Note: Michelle Binker is a staff writer for “Illinois Valley News.”) ‘Rightness and righteousness From Alison E. Cleveland Illinois Valley Once again the Hydra of imposed morality has shown her omnipresence. Myrna Shaneyfelt and her hapless band of minions show amazing flexibility, as they stoop to an incredibly new low in their overtly sententious crusade against democracy, basic human rights, and women’s rights in the impudent campaign against the “Vagina Mono- logues.” This latest audacious imposition of their impossi- bly myopic, ultranarrow, fundamentalist worldview further demonstrates that this sect of neo- conservatives will stop at nothing to impose their un- wanted agenda on all of so- ciety. These “1 percenters,” are the Hell’s Angels of Christianity, who by choice, use hate-mongering, intimi- dation, and obstreperous tactics to deter freedom of choice, freedom of speech, and self-determination, as they attempt to speak for all Christians. To this I say, “no.” Let’s look at rightness and righteousness. Rightness: Our autono- mous and democratic consti- tutions, state and federal, have provided us the guar- antees of freedom of speech, pursuit of happiness, equal- ity, and self-determination. They include in our communities plurality of religion, freedom to wor- ship, or not. Also, to define and practice our individual code of ethics, and morality; to form our individual spiri- tual, and non-spiritual belief systems as defined and pro- vided by our constitution, and state and federal laws. Righteousness: An overly sententious and sub- ornation of individual rights, and beliefs. A subjugation of liberties, and a denial of one’s freedom of spiritual and religious expression. An imposition of a monotheistic institution, and censorship. I say that we should speak up and speak out for democracy and against cen- sorship. ‘Sheeple’ concerns From Catherine Austin Cave Junction Dr. Lawrence Britt has written on fascism and come up with 14 characteristics. (The parenthetical notes are mine.) *Powerful, continuing nationalism (flags every- where, intolerance to dis- sent). *Disdain for the recog- nition of human rights (Abu Grabib and Guantanamo). *Identifying enemies or scapegoats as a unifying cause (roundups of immi- grants; spying on and turn- ing in sympathizers). *Military supremacy (the new federal budget calls for heavy slashing of do- mestic programs, and a third from education, but an im- mediate request for $80 bil- lion more for the war in Iraq, and other military in- creases). *Rampant sexism. *Controlled mass media (media consolidation owned by Bush Administration supporters, White House- paid pundits posing as inde- pendent reporters, lack of truly diverse voices). *Obsession with na- tional security (Dept. of Homeland Security, which is more about surveillance on citizens than preventing an attack). *Religion and govern- ment intertwined (Bush’s (Continued on Page 3) Saturday, Feb. 26 First Show: 6 p.m. - ‘Mulan 2,’ G - 79 mins. Second Show: 8 p.m. - ‘Raise Your Voice,’ PG - 147 mins. Showing in the Snack Bar: Taylor Dogs - $1.50 Nachos - $1 Popcorn Candy Soda 10 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. Pain - Stress - Injuries Deep massage - CranioSacral Therapy Monday - Friday by appointment Senior Discounts - Gift Certificates - Elmer G. Letterman - Illinois Valley News An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe Come One, Come All! It’s time for baseball season! Registrations for the 2005 baseball season will be held Sat., Feb. 26 and Sat., March 5 at Lorna Byrne Middle School. ‘Players’ Mechanics Clinic’ will be held Sun., Feb. 27 and Sun., March 6 from 2 - 5 at Jubilee Park. Registration will be open on these two days also. You Must be registered to participate in the clinic. We need adult volunteers to help with the clinics and the baseball season. For further information contact Janet Ewing, Information Officer, at 659-8618. 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. 49 Staff: Kacy Clement, Becky Loudon, Michelle Binker, Nina Holm Consulting, 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. SUBSCRIPTION RATES If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance. - George Bernard Shaw - 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
