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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2007)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Soaked up some California sunshine and culture recently during a visit south to historic Olvera Street in El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles. I was actually headed for Carlsbad in San Diego County, but decided to visit the birthplace of “L.A.” with family, who drove from Carlsbad to meet me and provide a ride to their home. While I awaited their arri- val, as they struggled through freeway gridlock, I managed to eat a couple of chicken tacos (my break- fast) at one of the several restaurants at the Olvera Street compound, which includes several historic buildings. There’s also a good range of booths selling Mexican curios (aka knick-knacks) and Mexican candy. Major sugar, but quite tasty. Sticky too. The collection of curios in- cludes maracas, which drew the attention of Natalie, nearly 5, and Ella, nearly 2. They loved the rattling so much that on the car trip from L.A. to Carlsbad they serenaded their PopPop (that’s me, Grandpa Bob) for about a hour as I sat in the back with them. It was Maraca Madness, a real battle of the beans, especially when they smacked each other’s maracas together. But eventually they fell asleep. One feature of Olvera Street is a traditional shaded plaza. It includes a statue of King Carlos IV of Spain (that’s IV for fourth, not Illinois Valley), who was responsible in 1781 for granting the land for the pueblo that became the city of Los Angeles. There was a group of elderly men in one corner, discussing world events and what to have for lunch. There was a stand called Mr. Churro. And there was a fruit counter with a young man in front who asked everyone if they’d cash a check for him. He had a lovely, melodious voice, but no takers on cashing his check. The fruit seller eventually made him leave, as he was annoying customers. Strangely, the only food sold on Olvera Street is Mexican cuisine. I loved it -- a place where all the menus offer soul food for those of us with Mexi- can taste buds. Olvera Street, across from Union Station, began as a short lane called Wine Street. In 1877 the street was extended and its name changed to Olvera Street in honor of Agustin Olvera, who owned a home at the end of the street across from the plaza. He was the first county judge of Los Angeles. (That’s it for the hard history today). Enjoyed the visit, but was pleased to head south to Carls- bad. Despite the maracas serenade. Senior Insurance Solutions Richard Chaffee Medicare Insurance Specialist WOW! Now Ø premium Medicare Supplement Available Blalock Insurance 328 Caves Hwy. 541-592-3373 illinois-valley-news.com (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. ‘Thank you’ submissions are not accepted as letters. * * * Presidential stem cell position criticized From Wally Hardie Selma Only this President Bush, with the button-down mind of a fundamentalist, would ever, ever consider putting the very slim possi- ble use of a stem cell in front of the life-saving po- tential of that very same stem cell. And yet, that is exactly what President Bush has done and is doing. It is diffi- cult, if not impossible, to believe that anyone, let alone the president, would not allow medical science to not only save millions of children suffering from life- threatening disease, but the millions yet unborn. One would have thought that this mindless thinking went out with the passing of the Dark Ages. But President Bush is living proof it has not. His being elected should make all of us much more aware of how one man will use his per- sonal views to push his own agenda and turn his back on the rest of mankind. It was this same think- ing that stoned witches, and condoned slavery. It is also a part of President Bush’s reasoning when he said, “I believe in DNA, but I don’t believe in evolution.” Why hasn’t someone informed him that DNA is evolution? But logic and the need to keep one’s job, I suppose, play a larger part than trying to educate a mind-set that is totally inflexible. Or perhaps Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson. *Fri., April 13: 69-33 *Sat., April 14: 57-41 0.63 *Sun., April 15: 61-35 *Mon., April 16: 67-33 *Tue., April 17: 51-37 0.47 *Wed., April 18: 55-35 *Thurs., April 19: 56-35 0.02 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in Cave Junction at Mountain Wind Farm. *Fri., April 13: 72-32 *Sat., April 14: 52-40 0.64 *Sun., April 15: 60-34 0.01 *Mon., April 16: 67-31 *Tue., April 17: 47-35 0.24 *Wed., April 18: 50-32 0.09 *Thurs., April 19: 58-33 0.03 it makes more sense when understanding this admini- stration is the most incom- petent and corrupt we have ever known. Bar none. Sp ecial interests boost forest recreation prices From Commissioner Charles J. Hurliman Tillamook County Attentive forest prac- tices guarantee needed dol- lars for campgrounds, out- door recreational desires and the environment that we have come to expect in the Northwest. Historically forest man- agement (timber harvest) was the funding stream that provided the needed dollars for recreation. Special- interest groups have at- tacked forest management with lawsuits to stop forest harvest. With the lack of forest management we are setting our forests up for uncertain, unstable futures. Thoughtful forest man- agement plans ensure pre- dictable timber and revenues for our schools and local economies, diverse habitats for wildlife and fish and recreational opportunities. I have issues with pay- ing more for recreational opportunities, schools, roads and social services, due to the inclination of special interests. Unplanned pregnancies: ‘People need to care’ From Mary Lefner, executive director, Pregnancy Center of the Illinois Valley On Wednesday, April 18 in a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law banning partial-birth abortion as constitutional. The issue of abortion has been politicized, argued and promoted for more than a generation so that the true understanding of the proce- dure is today misunderstood and taken for granted. The terms referring to abortion include words like “choice, the removal of fetal tissue, or the products of conception and the right to choose.” All these terms mask the reality of what is actually being aborted – a human life – a baby. The beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss said it best, “A person is a person no matter how small.” When- ever a life is ended prema- turely, no matter the circum- stances, there are psycho- logical, emotional and spiri- tual repercussions for every- one involved. At the Pregnancy Cen- ter, we know first hand that abortion is not the easy solu- tion to a problem, but the addition of many new prob- lems in people’s lives that usually last for years. Abor- tion not only ends a life, but it hurts women, often de- stroys relationships and scars futures. There are, however, positive alternatives. As a community, we need to help those facing an unplanned pregnancy with the support they need that doesn’t lead to regret and additional pain, plus elevate and encourage the standard of purity and marriage. To do any less is to continue to allow people to suffer and children to be lost. What is needed is for people to care. quality of living and positive climate for business. The potential effects to Josephine County’s criminal justice system with the pending cuts to the district attorney’s staff; reductions in the available county jail bed capacity; and downsiz- ing of the sheriff’s patrol will mean serious implica- tions to the future business climate and quality of living in Josephine County. The overall criminal justice system for Josephine County faces such drastic reductions as to place in question the ability for the county to maintain the safety and protection for existing or future citizens and businesses. Business group backs justice system levy From Alex Pawlowski, board president, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development (SOREDI) The SOREDI Board of Directors urges the voters of Josephine County to con- sider closely the immediate and long-term implications from the drastic cuts planned for the county’s criminal justice system. SOREDI also urges support for the proposed special property tax levy as presented by the county commission as a necessary short-term solution for maintaining the business and living environment in Josephine County. The quality of living and the excellent climate for business in Southern Ore- gon have long been among the most important benefits used by SOREDI to attract or retain businesses and jobs for the region’s economic growth. However, the pend- ing loss of substantial fed- eral funding from the Secure Schools and Communities Act poses a threat to the quality of living and busi- ness climate in Josephine County. SOREDI regularly works with business pros- pects looking to Southern Oregon as a possible loca- tion for an expansion or new investment, and those poten- tial businesses place a great deal of importance on the Soldier’s view: Insurgents must be out or ‘9/11’ again From Steve Lyons Cave Junction I received a communi- cation from the Patriot Guard organization that had a letter from SPC “Doc” Bryant Shurley, a 2/5 Cav, 1st CB U.S. Army medic who has been in Iraq nearly four months. Here are some excerpts that you won’t find in re- ports from the major media: “I’m tired of hearing the media’s skewed version, the politicians squabbling over what they read in a report, and the average ill-informed American ranting about things he knows nothing about. Since I’ve been here I’ve learned more about this country than a year’s worth of watching CNN. “There are three major factions here: Sunnis, Shi- ites and Kurds. The Shiites are in the majority, but Sad- dam was a Sunni, so he kept the Shiites in check. Every- one hates the Kurds, who are Christian and in the vast minority. The Kurds re- ceived the brunt of Sad- dam’s murderous tyranny. “Now that he is gone, the Shiites have taken con- trol of Baghdad. The largely peaceful Sunnis are now the victims of radical Shiite ter- rorism. So the young Sunni men, who can no longer go to work and support their families, do what all young men would do. They join (Continued on page 3) P.O. Box 1668 ~ 221-C S. Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction OR 97523 ~Life & Health Insurance ~Medicare Plans ~Independent Agent for Mary Reynolds Office: 592-6262 Fax: 592-6263 Cell: 660-7342 jeffersonstate@frontiernet.net Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (AKA Bob or El Jefe), Editor and Jan Rodriguez 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 70, No. 6 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Scott Jorgensen Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAYS (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Fridays 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 publication. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week. Cave Junction Wednesday, April 25 Numerous clouds breezing through High--68 Low--36. Thursday, April 26 Spots of sunshine High--68, Low--38. Friday, April 27 Infrequent sunshine High--70, Low--45. Saturday, April 28 Continued cloudiness High--74, Low--39. Sunday, April 29 Increasing sunshine blowing in High--75, Low--36. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Monday, April 30 More sun, wind then clearing High--70, Low--37. One year in Josephine County - $22.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $26.40 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 Tuesday, May 1 Mostly sunny with periods of clouds High--78, Low--38. The Kerby Transfer Station is open to help you... Hours: Mondays - Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information phone (800) 922-1025
