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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2005)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, November 30, 2005 As the song goes, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” despite help from our four cats. Right, we now have four cats thank-you-very-much. Their task is to ensure that the ornaments on our tree are firmly at- tached. This is accomplished in two ways: Either by climbing the tree, or batting at the ornaments when no humans are watching. They also have to supervise everything we do in the kitchen, and they enjoy snagging hunks of food, whether they’re in our hands (the food) or on a plate. I have to admit that they’re excellent snaggers. As well, they seem to enjoy stalking and attacking the Christmas train that circles our Yule tree. Whether the train is moving or not. Apparently it looks dangerous. So I’ve righted the caboose about 98 times, as it keeps getting knocked off the track. In fact, in one assault, one or more of the cats, probably “The Two Blacks,” man- aged to knock the roof right off the car. This is no way to run a railroad. Our feline fiends … er, friends also take pleasure in hassling ferny, tall stuff in vases. And one of their feet feats is to leap from the kitchen counter onto the dining room table. Quite interesting, especially when there are breakable items on the table. And when they hit the ta- ble cloth, which slides in really intriguing ways. Actually, they get into just about everything, includ- ing boxes and bags, and our bed. Ever slept with four competing cats? Not to mention “Rocky” the Pomera- nian and his world-class snoring from the floor at the foot of the bed. “Bingo” the Wonder Dog just goes into another room to sleep. He especially is fond of the living room couch, which I finally got paid off. That reminds me. On the day after Thanksgiving we had to rearrange the couch sections to accommodate the train track. Under portions of the couch we found the usual assortment of dropped food, and some cat toys. These furry meowers are really good at losing such items. I tired to get them to play with the toys, but they prefer ornaments. Dragging out the boxes and bags of holiday decor was a thrill, what with the kitties wanting to examine eve- rything. Actually, it was more thrilling while the Thanksgiving meal was being prepared. We finally had to corral them in a room away from the kitchen. It was either that or have a meal with cat bite marks on the food. Now we have the holiday decorations up, but I can’t say how long they’ll stay put. Maybe the cats are await- ing Santa Claws? Grants Pass Hearing Aid Center NOW HAS AN OFFICE IN CAVE JUNCTION Located at: 315 A. Caves Hwy. Illinois Valley Medical Center FREE hearing tests FREE hearing Aid cleaning FREE consultation Thursday, December 1 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call for an appointment 226-7307 Visit us online: illinois-valley-news.com 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 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 68, No. 37 Staff: Michelle Binker, Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Tabitha Jackson, Zina Booth. 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 publishers’ 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 (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. * * * Family Coalition grateful to IVHS for food aid From Carol Ronan, executive director, I.V. Family Coalition On the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 23, stu- dents of Illinois Valley High School delivered several boxes and bags of much- needed food to the Illinois Valley Family Coalition. The coalition wants to express deep gratitude for being the beneficiary of this food drive. Our pantry has been empty for more than two months. When hungry fami- lies come to us for help, it has been heart-breaking to send them away without food. While there are meal sites in Cave Junction, and a food pantry in Selma, being able to provide food locally for those unable to prepare meals is an invaluable re- source to hungry individuals and families in our commu- nity. I hope that the food drive was a fun competition for the students. Even more, I hope that the students un- derstand how much this food is appreciated by those in need. The students deserve appreciation for what they have accomplished on be- half of the needy in Illinois Valley. Ruling pleases radical preservationists From District 3 Rep. Gordon Anderson (R-Grants Pass) As you've heard in the news, Oregon's landmark property right’s law, Meas- ure 37, was tossed out by a Marion County judge. As vice chairman of the House Land Use Committee this year, I helped craft leg- islation that would clear up issues some felt were vague, but the Senate re- fused to compromise. This new court ruling only clouds the issue to please the radical environ- mental cause. The people of Oregon spoke very clearly when they passed Measure 37 by a 60 percent to 40 percent vote. The margin in Jose- phine County was more than 70 percent in favor. Voters have every reason to be out- raged about this latest development. The Oregon Supreme Court is speeding up the appeals process to hear the case in January, but it could be another year before this is resolved. Meanwhile, local gov- ernments are trying to sort out the claims process. This is the second time in the past few years the courts have tossed out a voter mandate on private property rights based on a technicality or some other warped logic. I’m not ready to give up the fight, and I hope that voters aren’t losing all faith in our initia- tive system. Thornhill, staff led IVHS football team to Sportsmanship Award From Dave Toler Cave Junction In a culture that so often awards victory above all else, it’s not easy to remem- ber that life is really not all about whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. And so it was with tre- mendous pride that I heard that the Illinois Valley High School football team has earned this season’s Jack Clark Sportsmanship Award -- an award that covers every high school football team in the entire Rogue Valley and Klamath Falls area Much credit goes to Bobby Thornhill and his coaching staff for being positive role models on the field -- even when they know the officials have made a bad call. Credit must also go to the parents of each I.V. Cougar player who exhibit the kind of val- ues that are truly important. But, of course, the most credit goes to each Cougar football player who always exhibited a positive attitude, regardless of what the score was or how players on the opposing teams were behav- ing. These are the kind of great values that will prove to be an incredible asset throughout their lives. As the representative for Illinois Valley on the Three Rivers School District Board, I am extremely proud of these students. It just goes to show that whether our students are in class or on the football field, the opportunity to practice positive values is all- present. The Cougars deserve recognition: I’m extremely proud of each of them. Former commissioner blasts current board From Tony Corriea Grants Pass In my opinion the county commissioners are glorifying the elected offi- cials while discriminating against the employees who serve the citizens (voters) of Josephine County. I believe our present commissioners are the worst we’ve had in years. The board continues to violate our Constitution that was supposedly designed to “make life better” for the people. It has been a year since the new commissioners took office, and there has been no net positive effect; only de- lusions about efficient, open-door policy, county being safe against crime, 24- hour patrol and fully opera- tional jail. The other delusion is that the commissioners will treat everyone with respect and dignity. Exam- ple: The elderly. The board wants to kick them out of the senior center and is going to shut down the Meals on Wheels and has told the Food Bank to go somewhere else for sup- port. We have an uncon- trolled board of county commissioners who are supposed to be the peo- ple’s elected representative but aren’t. We as voters can bring about the needed change, as 2006 is election year and it’s up to us as voters to choose how we want to live in Josephine County. (Continued on page 3) Linda Sallman 128 S. Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction OR 97523 541-592-4541 Across from Select Market on Redwood Hwy. Open Mondays - Fridays, 9 to 5 Auto - Home - Life - Commercial Illinois Valley Bikers 23rd Annual Toy Run Saturday, December 3rd, Noon to Midnight at the Junction Inn, Cave Junction entertainment at the JI - 'Valley All-Star Band' Poker Run starts at Noon Games Raffle Prizes Live local band Siskiyou Project On Sunday, Dec. 4 Takilma resident Kerry Whitehead will lead hikers up Hope Mountain Road to the Queen of Hills Mine area, then follow the BLM trail system through the forest on the return leg. This area is included in the East Fork Illinois BLM timber sale. Hikers should meet at 10 a.m. at the Siskiyou Project lower parking lot, 9335 Takilma Road. The hike will end around 2 p.m. Participants should pack a lunch. All toys collected will be distributed on Christmas Eve at the I.V. Senior Center. Hosted by ’Sons of God M/C’ For info phone Jeff at 479-9147 or Bob at 592-5208
