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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Like many men -- probably most -- I have trouble with
clothing. Not with wearing it per se, but with (a.) wanting to buy
new stuff, (b.) wearing “comfortable” trousers and shirts, mean-
ing that they’re worn and out of style, but not really worn out
except for being faded and slightly threadbare, and (c.) wearing
color and pattern combinations that cause people to gag, and
birds to crash into windows.
Some 20 years ago, I was going to a three-day conference
in Bend, which meant that I would have to wear different
threads each day. Jan, my loving, observant, and extremely
fashion-and-color knowledgeable wife, took pity on those who
would attend the same conference. She not only helped me
pack, but compiled a list of which items to wear together, day-
by-day. It helped immensely. I heard no birds smashing into
windows, and no one became physically ill. And I looked sharp.
Which reminds me of the story of the woman who gave her
husband a blue tie and a green tie for his birthday. He thanked
her, went to a mirror, and put on the blue tie. She looked at him
and said, “You don’t like the green one?”
For some reason, buried deep within the psyche of men
everywhere, we abhor trying on new clothes, especially in
stores. In fact, I recall the same syndrome when I was knee-high
to a bow-legged Chow. Going to a department store to slip into
new shirts and pants was as much fun as those old-style inocu-
lation clinics that used to be held at public schools. Besides,
sometimes the pins in the stiff, new duds stuck me. They hurt
more than the inoculations.
I’ve been lucky though, having Jan to advise me on what
clothes to purchase and wear. However, she has a kindly, yet
critical eye, and will advise me (“And where do you think you’re
going dressed like that!?”) if I attempt to leave the house
draped in bizarre combinations that could cause a public panic.
I’m grateful.
Many years ago, when I started a new job, she managed to
get me into a men’s store (probably with threats) and obtain
some new suits, separate trousers and sports jackets. New
shirts and ties too. Those were the days when suits came with
two pairs of pants. Boy, it was hot wearing them.
Anyway, my attire was superb; it attracted many compli-
ments. In fact, at a press cocktail party, where the fashion editor
of a major newspaper was a guest, he was miffed because my
attire got all the attention. My color combinations were
excellent; my tie was perfect; my cuff-links just right. And it was
all because of my wife’s skill, and eye for color and style. Can’t
say much for her choice in husbands, but …
Every so often, she is forced to take a deep breath, and
weed my closet to get rid of stuff that really should have seen
the inside of a trash can months earlier. I can’t seem to throw
away clothes. What’s wrong with a few rips, tears and tatters?
And I have a hang-up about wearing my “good clothes”
because I’m “saving them.” What I’m saving them for is not yet
known, so periodically they actually get worn (by me) for no
particular reason. It might be because I think there’s a deep-
rooted thought that if I don’t, my wife will notice that I’m only
wearing “comfortable” (old and worn) togs. Then she’ll want to
take me shopping for new stuff. Yikes! I’m still afraid of those
pins, you know.
Well, that’s it for this week. I need to move along. But first,
I’d better check with Jan. Hey, does this yellow-and-black
striped shirt with a torn pocket go with these turquoise-colored
pants that bag at the knees?
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 68, No. 12
Staff: Kacy Clement, Michelle Binker,
Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Nina Holm Consulting.
Advertising Design Consultant: Wonder Dog Graphics
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
DEADLINES:
News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters
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accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.)
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ers’ discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publishers. Unpublished letters
are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is
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POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY & CLASSIFIED ADS &
NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publica-
tion. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week.
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POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR 97523
(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
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* * *
‘Missed opportunity’
From ‘Dad, Mom, Jamie
& Nicole’
Cave Junction
Among the new teach-
ers at Illinois Valley High
School is one who we feel
isn’t the best.
This teacher doesn’t let
anybody make up their work
or get extra credit for addi-
tional work. We know that
our son and brother wasn’t
the best student, as he is the
kind who would take it easy
at the beginning, and then
make it up toward the end.
He was really trying
hard to pass this teacher’s
class,; he still had two week
left in her class to make up
the 2 percent he needed to
graduate, and the teacher
was unwilling to help him
graduate.
The teacher was more
concerned about teaching
him a lesson about facing
his responsibilities. We met
with the teacher to discuss
Virgil’s
situation. The
teacher flat out refused to
help him, saying that “He
needs to be a man and face
his responsibilities.’
Virgil is 17, and we
don’t believe he is a man
yet. He is still a teen-ager,
and he will make mistakes,
as he’s only human. We
were hoping the principal
would help us in our situa-
tion because she has the
authority to override the
new teacher’s decision to
not give any extra credit so
Virgil could graduate with
his class.
All his other teachers
believe in giving extra credit
to help the students pass. It
was really upsetting to know
that the principal wasn’t
going to step in to see Virgil
graduate with his class over
2 percent.
He is signed up with the
Navy for six years. His re-
cruiter was really hoping to
see him graduate with his
class, and that is when he
will become a man.
This letter will not
change the situation because
graduation was held Tues-
day, June 7. So we all
missed the opportunity to see
our son and brother graduate
with the Class of 2005.
We just want to let eve-
ryone know about the
teacher not willing to help
students pass the class that
all need to take to graduate,
because the teacher is more
concerned about sticking to
their word and not giving
extra credit to the students
who need it.
The teacher said doing it
for one would mean having
to do it for all the kids.
Our family is really
hurt. We all missed a big
moment in the life of our son
and brother. Thank God that
he did not give up. We are
very proud of him.
(Editor’s Note: A fee was
paid for the preceding letter).
Illinois Valley Grange
From Crystal Griffin
Cave Junction
I wonder how many
people know about the Illi-
nois Valley Grange.
It has been in the valley
since 1907 -- that is 98 years.
Many may not know
that the grange is a commu-
nity service organization.
Some 200 people are given
food each month. The
equestrians, 4-H, and Girl
Scout groups have their
meetings at the grange hall
without charge.
On second and third
Sundays the grange has a
fund-raising breakfast. My
husband and I are members,
and have eaten many Sun-
day morning breakfasts,
sometimes bringing our
children and their families.
The meal is delicious, and
served by some of the
grange’s volunteers. They
are very friendly and kind.
The grange also has
bingo fund-raisers. You get
better odds than the lottery.
People should consider
coming to the breakfasts and
for bingo. It is a worthwhile
organization. For informa-
tion people may phone Ken
Phillips at 592-4478.
Medicare drug help
From Mark McClellan,
administrator, The Cen-
ters for Medicare & Medi-
caid Services (CMS)
Seattle
CMS is in the process
of implementing Medicare
prescription drug coverage.
All Medicare benefici-
aries -- no matter how they
get their health care today,
or whether they have exist-
ing drug coverage -- will be
eligible for drug coverage
under a Medicare prescrip-
tion drug plan. These plans
will cover brand name and
generic drugs.
And, very importantly,
there will be extra help for
those in need, which is why
I am writing this message.
We are committed to
making sure that everyone
who qualifies for that extra
help gets it. Almost eight
million people will auto-
matically qualify for extra
help. People with Medicare
and Medicaid, people in a
Medicare Savings Program,
and those who receive Sup-
plemental Security Income
will receive a letter from
Medicare telling them they
will receive the extra help
automatically so they do not
have to apply.
The notices may be
viewed at cms.hhs.gov/
medicarereform/lir.asp.
Those who receive this letter
should be assured that this
sands of community out-
reach events during the next
six months to let people
know about this important
and significant extra assis-
tance for drug coverage.
We need assistance in
spreading the word about
the extra help, which will be
available to help those in
need pay for the new and
comprehensive Medicare
prescription drug coverage.
means they will have con-
tinuous prescription drug
coverage with small out-of-
pocket costs.
Additionally, there is
extra help for people who do
not automatically qualify,
but who do have limited
income and resources. The
Social Security Administra-
tion (SSA) is working with
CMS to help these people
apply for this extra help, and
obtain pre-qualified for this
assistance before the enroll-
ment period for the prescrip-
tion drug coverage plans
begins in the fall.
Social Security will
mail letters and applications
to nearly 19 million people
beginning through August.
We encourage everyone to
fill out this application so
they can get the extra help
from Medicare to pay for
their prescription drug cov-
erage. This letter can be
viewed at ssa.gov/
o r g a n i z a t i o n s /
medicareoutreach2/ on the
Web. Select “Application
for Help with Medicare Pre-
scription Drug Plan Costs.”
We’re committed to
making sure that everyone
who qualifies for extra help
gets it. Medicare and Social
Security will conduct thou-
Medical marijuana
From ‘Bear’ Marston
Cave Junction
The Supreme Court did
it: I heard this morning, June
6, that the court decided it is
OK for federal cops to arrest
medical marijuana users.
I assume that the Su-
preme Court has never heard
of overcrowded prisons.
I recommend that if you
are arrested for growing or
smoking, refuse to pay any
fines. Do the time. Crowd
the system.
(Editor’s Note: Following
the ruling, the Oregon Dept.
of Human Services is tempo-
rarily halting issuance of
medical marijuana registra-
tion cards. DHS will continue
to process applications, but no
cards will be issued until the
Oregon Dept. of Justice pro-
vides further direction.)
at Pottsville
Saturday, June 18, 9 to 5
Sunday, June 19, 9 to 4
Parade of Power
Charlie West Valley Country Band
Food Booths - Wagon Rides
Tractor Pulls at 2:30
Skills of Yesteryear events & exhibits
1929, 5 HP Sattley
Flea Market both days
For information phone (541) 479-2981
2-Day Event at Jubilee Park Pavilion
Friday, June 24: 50-50 Poker Run at 11 a.m. (open to all
vehicles). Lunch available from 11 to 4. BBQ tri-tip or
Chicken Dinner, 5:30 to 7. Sock Hop & Rock to Live Music,
7 to 11 ($5 at the door)
Saturday, June 25: Antique & Classic Car Show, 8 a.m. to
11 p.m., awards at 3. Come early for All-You-Can-Eat
Breakfast, 7 to 11. Lunch served noon to 4
Guide Paws 4-H Demonstrations, Oregon Lions Mobile
Health Screening Unit (free for all ages), Face Painting,
Local Artisan Booths, Raffles & 50-50 Drawings, Live DJ
playing 50’s, 60’s, 70’s Sock Rock
Advance tickets available for Friday BBQ Dinner & Dance
available at The Book Exchange, Tender Treasures &
Home Valley Bank.
For more information phone 592-3689 or 592-6442