Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2005)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 10, 2005 Page 4 It’s a horrid choking and hacking sound, coming as it does in the wee hours (no pun intended) after midnight. It’s a sound that causes sleepy people to arise frantically with their eyes popping and hearts pounding. “Where is it?” asks one spouse. “At the foot of the bed!” responds the fellow spouse. “Get it off the bed!” shouts the first spouse. But sometimes it’s too late. Alas. And a magnificent, amaz- ing and totally startling mass -- some call them hairballs -- is deposited, usually on a spanking clean bedspread. Such is life for those who live with cats. If you’re “lucky,” you get the gasping critter onto the floor, where it strategically places its meteor-like hairball on the car- pet. Or perhaps on a piece of clothing that has found its way to the floor. If you’re really unlucky, the internal projectile misses a basket full of clean laundry. It’s something to pray for. Residential felines are strange little creatures, resembling Big Cat Predators, and acting that way too. Being nocturnal, they sleep a lot while we stupid humans are awake. It’s esti- mated that cats sleep approximately 80 percent of their time. This is, I feel, so that during the other 20 percent, they can work to keep us awake by demanding that we pet them. Or they leap into bed, landing on uncomfortable places, and rub themselves on their human being servants. It’s sort of fun watching them play, but it seems as though sometimes the play is pretty close to biting the jugular or rip- ping out the guts of the other kitty. Our new arrival, “Flint,” is growing, now weighing more than 3 pounds, and he takes on 16-pound “Bubba” with aplomb. Occasionally he pays for it, which I can tell by the kitten squeaks. But “Bubba” also has taken on the task of grooming the little black guy, although at times I think it must hurt because of the baby snarls from “Flint.” Meanwhile, the cat that should be doing the grooming, “Bubba’s” mom, “Maui,” hisses and growls at “Flinty,” so he’s somewhat intimidated. Not a lot, but some. He’s a feisty little guy. So far, no hairballs from him. But his two companions make up for it. And he’s probably in training. Hairball hacking is better than any alarm clock I’ve ever used. Plus, you don’t have to clean up after an alarm clock. Fine Dining Steaks - Chicken - Fish - Large Hamburgers Restaurant separate from lounge Family Dining - Children Welcome Banquet Room for special parties Non-smoking - Rear entrance & parking New Children’s Menu - Daily Specials Friday Special - Prime Rib Open 4 to 9 p.m. 7 days 592-2892 or 592-4222 (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. * * * Peter Maluk ‘dedicated’ From Lorna Byrne Middle School staff Cave Junction Peter Maluk has dedicated the past 10 years of service to Lorna Byrne Middle School (LBMS) and Illinois Valley at- large. He has agreed to a change by accepting a posi- tion as principal of Fruitdale Elementary School in Grants Pass. His agreeability and acceptance of this new change and challenge in his life shows his trust and faith in the school, staff and commu- nity to continue a vision of progressive growth in the betterment of our community. It is with great regret that we let him go to continue to use his leadership strengths to guide, direct and facilitate a school and community with greater need. The staff at Lorna Byrne have not let go easily, and have a desire to show “Mr. Maluk” how much our school and this valley have valued and appre- ciated the 10 years of dedica- tion and direction he has pro- vided to students, staff and families. If families or individuals want to express their thanks, thoughts of appreciation or wishes of goodwill and fare- well; letters, cards or notes of gratitude can be addressed to our longtime principal and sent to LBMS, Junction Avenue, Cave Junction. They will be given him prior to the begin- ning of the new school year and the beginnings of his new adventure with Fruitdale Ele- mentary. The LBMS staff would like to show “Mr. Maluk” just how much our valley has ap- preciated his efforts. Bluegrass treat The valley’s finest news source ... 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. 21 Staff: Kacy Clement, Michelle Binker, Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Tabitha Jackson, Nina Holm Consulting. Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAY (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Friday 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. Generally, one letter per person per month at publish- 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 inordinately long in the publishers’ opinion. 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. 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 - $36 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR 97523 From Joe Ross Roseburg It was a treat to experience some of Oregon’s best Blue- grass music at the Siskiyou Bluegrass Festival at Lake Selmac on July 30. All the performers were well-rehearsed, entertaining and professional. I was amazed by the wealth of great talent in Southern Oregon, and one group even traveled all the way from Bend to perform. What a beautiful location for such an event. The crowd, numbering in the hundreds, was very appreciative, in- volved and responsive. At only $10 for adults, the price was a real bargain for 12 hours of captivating entertaining music at lakeside. The joyous Blue- grass sounds on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass got everyone’s toes tapping. My hat is off to the busi- nesses and volunteers who worked hard to host such a well-organized, down-home event. A benefit for the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Bluegrass festival’s success will allow the chamber to spon- sor other events, support local business, and promote tourism. Every regional chamber should be as visionary and so inclined to partner with the Bluegrass music community to present a day (or better yet, a full weekend) of family ori- ented entertainment that em- phasizes pickin’ and grinnin.’ ‘Beautiful Earth’ From JoAnne Stone Cave Junction I was poisoned by surprise at a roadside vegetable stand last week. As I approached the register to pay for my produce, a man was spraying for bugs underneath a produce table. Those of us concerned about the quality of our air, food and water, should take the time to think: What are we doing to ourselves and our beautiful Earth? Ruination view From Shannon Wilson Eugene Being a former Selma resident, I recently spent a few days in the valley and the fol- lowing were the blaring wrong- headed practices perpetrated by a few who seem intent to ruin Illinois Valley for subsequent generations. Allowing a bunch of Cali- fornia developers to slap up 400-plus crackerjack tract homes on a flood plain in Cave Junction. These 400 new resi- dences will place a huge strain on the river, as well as kill off diminishing salmon runs. Every I.V. resident, not the developers, will pay in the end. Dumping thousands of gallons of water every day onto hay fields on 100-degree days at the expense of a dying river and dying salmon runs. To allow BLM and the county to continue to remove the biggest and most fire- resistant trees surrounding resi- dential areas, thus creating a great tinderbox in the valley to burn every home when a fire does sweep through. Allowing the Siskiyou National Forest and federal jack-booted thugs to degrade the beauty of the Siskiyous, and shutting down the most- visited part of the river, Eight Dollar Mt. Road, during the height of the tourism season, knowing well that tourism is the greatest contributor to the local economy. There will come a day when auto fuel is $5 per gallon or more where clean water, viable salmon runs, population, and local food production will determine whether a commu- nity survives or not. 9/11 theory From Kristine Strohl Cave Junction Someone at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. must have recognized the importance and credibility in Dr. David Ray Griffin’s pres- entation concerning the Bush administration’s participation in the 9/11 attacks and their deliberate manipulation of the facts in the 9/11 Report. In his presentation to the National Press Club on June 22, Griffin explains the Bush administration’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks and how they manipulated the testimo- nies given to the commission and their findings. Griffin points out: “The Commission’s investigative work, however, was carried out by its staff, and this staff was directed by the White House’s main inside the Commission, Philip Zelikow, a fact that the mainstream press has not em- phasized.” Griffin concludes: “What we need now is press that will let the American people in on this development -- which is most important, given the fact that the official story about 9/11 has provided the pretext for virtually every other horri- ble thing this administration has done.” Treason, murder and lying to Congress are not easily re- ceived by anyone against any- one, especially our national leaders. But aren’t we obli- gated by more then 112 incon- sistencies and our morals to scrutinize 9/11 with as much intensity as Nixon and Clinton were scrutinized? Painfully, as it might be, we have to investigate this momentous event with clear and open minds and hold our leaders accountable, or be slaves to their ploys. To accept a cover-up, and ignore the truth, would be as destructive to our country as any bomb. Comments can be sent to Abbie Jossie at 3040 Biddle Road, Medford OR 97504. Manage resources From Stephanie Friedman Cave Junction South Deer EA From Dorothea Hover-Kramer Cave Junction Here’s what the public might not know about the En- vironmental Assessment (EA) for the South Deer Landscape Management Project (OR 110- 05-10). Although the public com- ment period regarding the document ended Aug. 8, BLM official Abbie Jossie is willing to consider public input until the Record of Decision is is- sued in the next weeks. The EA is a 133-page document that is well written, but clouds many of the facts of which we the public should be aware concerning the planned “treatment” of our highly visi- ble public forest land consist- ing of nearly 7,500 acres in the Deer Creek area. Although several alterna- tives are proposed, including the sensible #4, the Natural Selection Alternative (NSA), prescriptions for treatment of the forestland so far focuses on #2, which is basically to cut and burn or both. “Cutting” is mitigated by promises of “structural reten- tion,” which essentially means that 16 to 25 trees (less in some areas) will be left standing while everything else is clear- cut. We need to imagine what one acre of land looks like with 16 trees on it. “Burning for fire fuel re- duction” means that everything but 8-inch-diameter pines and 13-inch hardwoods will be destroyed in certain areas and burned every five to 10 years in perpetuity. Imagine the smoke and air pollution of last winter as a continuing scene. Also, such fires hasten the distribution of trees attack- ing fungi and beetles. “Replanting” can happen immediately or within two to three years depending on fund- ing, and it will take approxi- mately 20 to 30 years to cover denuded hillsides to have tree cover. It will take decades more for soil and wildlife to recover. The beloved Thompson Creek Overlook Trail will be obliterated by the plan, and overall, the scenery and beauty that attracts us as residents and tourists will be severely de- graded. It is interesting to hear from people in our community that seeing logging trucks carry- ing one or two old-growth trees makes them feel like there are jobs for people in the commu- nity. Are the few jobs being created even going to local people? There are other ways in which sustainable forest jobs could be created for many more valley residents, such as logging smaller-diameter tim- ber, and thinning, which would help lower fire hazards. Currently, our old-growth forests on public land are being logged for the benefit of a few people and corporations with- out regard to the long-term effects on these unique natural areas. The American people, to whom these forests supposedly belong, are being short- changed without necessarily being aware of the severe and complex ecological damage to public watershed areas. Throughout history, civili- zations have declined due to desertification. Guarding and protecting our water resources should be one of our greatest priorities, especially as an edu- cated society with the advan- tage of learning from past so- cieties that have failed to do so. The damage that is being done to our pristine watershed areas in the name of free enter- prise will have lasting conse- quences, not only for the natu- ral areas, but for the people who live in our communities. Logging in these sensitive ar- eas is interrupting the natural cycle of post-fire regeneration that I have seen with my own eyes. One of the companies logging these areas is Silver Creek Timber. It has been fined (by the U.S. Forest Ser- vice) for violating terms of the Bald Bear Sale contract of cut- ting undesignated timber. I feel that the forest service needs to review and change its policies in regard to listening to the concerns made by the people of this county during the public comments periods for timber sales. It seems that these com- ments, which have largely been opposed to these timber sales in old-growth, and now (Continued on page 5) Madrone Adventist Elementary School Excellent Academic Curriculum Quality Christian Values Safe Environment Individual Attention Registration: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. Grades 1 through 8 School starts at 8 a.m., Monday, Aug. 22 Phone 592-3330 4300 Holland Loop Rd. Cave Junction, OR How do you like my new summer haircut? Star Quest Call or email and come for a visit. Joyce & Harry Abrams 592-6078 llamuz@forestedgefarm.com
