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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 15, 2007
With the 900-mile traveling cat, Charlie, joining our grand-
daughters in San Diego County, we’re down to four fur
snakes in our home, which is still a lot of felines. Yes, I know
that others of you have more cats than we, but I’m writing this
column and you’re not. Wow, what a catty remark.
We decided to relocate Charlie to Natalie, 5, and Ella, 2,
in the seaside city of Carlsbad for several reasons. One is that
he is smaller than our other kitties, and Maui the Marauder
was always stalking him and pouncing. Of course, she hates
all other cats, including her son, Bubba Bigfoot. The poor guy
(Charlie) couldn’t even take a nap without Maui showing how
mean she can be.
So when “Nat” and
“A-ya,” as she calls her-
self, stayed with us re-
cently for three-plus
weeks, we saw how well
they got along. They
genuinely like each
other, and Charlie was
thrilled to have two lil’
girls who would play with
him and give him plenty
of attention. Jan went
back to Carlsbad by car
with our daughter, Vicki,
and the girls, along with
Charlie. He made the
900-mile trip quite nicely,
what with having his
own cat carrier, litter box
and the run of the car when he wanted. He also enjoyed the
motel room on the way down too.
Nat and Ella, plus Vicki and her husband, Matt, are enjoy-
ing their new friend, who likes being “the only cat.” He likes
climbing to the top bunk to sleep with Natalie. We (especially
Jan) miss Charlie, but it’s better for him in his new location. He
gets taken for walks in his new harness; and it’s a safer
neighborhood for him because of his escapist tendencies. We
live on a busy street, but our Carlsbad contingent lives on a
quiet cul-de-sac. So even if he gets wild-eyed and runs out
the door, he’ll be much safer.
While I was visiting Carlsbad to get Jan and come back to
the valley, I took Natalie to a movie, “Monster House.” It was
kinda’ weird, being a mix of science fiction, horror and fantasy
with animated char-
acters. Five separate
times Nat covered
her face and watched
scenes from between
her fingers to lessen
the fright factor. She
likes being scared
though, and realizes
that it’s not real. The
movie didn’t scare
me. I only covered
my face twice.
In the theater
lobby there was a
large replica of the
Simpson Family to
tout the new flick, which attracted a lot of attention. Not as
much as Charlie gets at his new home though.
Have fun, ol’ buddy, we’ll come visit!
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Seat ing is lim it ed. Call now!
•
Thursday, August 30, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
150 Lewis Court, Cave Junction
RSVP by phoning 541-592-2290
Hosted by David P. Soares,
Regional Vice President
Genworth Financial
Refreshments provided
Long term care insurance underwritten by Genworth Life InsuranceCompany. © 2006
Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Genworth, GenworthFinancial and the Genworth logo are
service marks of Genworth Financial, Inc.37676 01/01/06
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. 22
Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Jennifer Newsted
Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
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& 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
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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.
‘Thank you’ submissions
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* * *
Of cougars, chickens,
dogs and hot lines
From Jim Lombardo
O’Brien
Is there a cougar prob-
lem in Josephine County?
No child has ever been both-
ered by a cougar.
I have lived on 200 to
500 acres surrounded by
thousands of acres of BLM
land for 35 years. Raised six
kids. I have lost many chick-
ens to minks and coons, but
never been lucky enough to
see a cougar.
Most large-livestock
attacks are by dogs. People
like to say, “It was a cou-
gar.” They patrol their place
with a .357 because some-
one saw a cougar.
Did the cougar, (in the
July 28 Courier) come back
six times to get six chickens
or carry them off all at one
time? Why leave chickens
where cougars can get
them? If a cougar killed any,
they would not be left be-
hind. If she found dead
chickens it was not a cougar.
A few years back,
someone kept a baby goat
for people who went on va-
cation. It “baaad” the first
day and into the second
night. Then a cougar got it.
Fish & Game sent a man
with dogs that tracked it 5
miles into the wilderness,
then shot it. I feel that’s en-
trapment.
A hot line keeps bears
away from bee hives here. It
works to keep animals out
or in. It’s cheaper and works
24 hours a day. A .357 mag-
num doesn’t.
The article said that
cougars are eating all the
little fawns. I have seen
eight dead little fawns this
year. All were killed by cars.
Should people form a group
and get government officials
to do something to get rid of
cars?
Why is this lady the
only one in the state having
cougar problems? Just
talked to the guy setting bug
traps out for the state. He
has walked across tens of
thousands of acres in Jose-
phine and Jackson counties
for years. He has never seen
a cougar.
In April, I lost 15 chick-
ens in one night. Set out a
Have-A-Hart trap. Got a
mink. Took it 5 miles out
Lone Mt. Road. The next
night it got two more.
The Internet says that
mink can go 15 miles a
night for food. I put up a hot
line. No more problems.
CJ firm announces
spray-on firebreak
From James Walmsley,
manager, SNUFF-IT, LLC
Cave Junction
This letter is in response
to the letter in the Aug. 8
issue of this newspaper in
which the letter-writer la-
mented the fact that she had
spent $4,800 for a wildfire
defensible space.
One should always ask
for a current contractor’s
license and verify its valid-
ity by phoning the contrac-
tor’s license board. Sec-
ondly, never pay until the
work is finished properly.
Sadly, the Aug. 8 letter-
writer knows this from her
bitter experience. What
many do not know is that
for not a whole lot of money
they could purchase a spray-
on firebreak which covers
2,500-to 5,000 square feet
depending on the thickness
applied (1/4 inch is recom-
mended).
This liquid polymer fire
gel comes in one-gallon
plastic containers with a
spray nozzle that attaches to
a garden hose. You adjust
the spray nozzle and apply
to most anything that will
burn. After the fire threat
passes, the product can be
washed off with the same
garden hose.
This fire gel is non-
toxic and is environmentally
friendly, but very slippery so
walking on it isn’t recom-
mended. Rick’s Copy Ex-
press has a video on display,
or a video can be
downloaded
at
www.wildfireoptions.com.
Loss of rock structure
leaves him dismayed
From Jack Heald
Cave Junction
I am shocked, angered
and saddened at the destruc-
tion of the Cave Junction
rock icon on the parking lot
in front of the former Select
Market.
There is no doubt that
the I.V. Chamber of Com-
merce and other organiza-
tions will miss the billboard
signs placed on it to an-
nounce various events.
As far as I know, the
new property owner, Home
Valley Bank, didn’t notify
anyone that the rock struc-
ture was going to be demol-
ished. It was paid for by
Select, I.V. Community De-
velopment Organization and
HOVA (One-Ninety-Nine
Visitor Association).
The structure was made
of beautiful and special
rocks donated by local citi-
zens. Rocks included black
and snowflake obsidian,
lava pumice stone, onyx,
local rhodonite, and Oregon
Caves marble. The structure
fit well with similar con-
structions around town.
Now it is gone, and
many likely will miss it.
‘A pompous fool’
insights provided
From Jim Finley
Grants Pass
He thought himself a
great leader. He garnered
the necessary people to get
himself elected to the na-
tion’s highest office under
suspicious circumstances.
Once in office, he sur-
rounded himself with
cronies he knew he could
trust and that would obey
his every command. His
way was the only way for
the country.
After getting a mandate
from the people (he
thought), he strutted,
boasted and continually told
the people what he knew
they wanted to hear. Well
established as leader of the
world’s most powerful na-
tion at the time, he was sure
that his every wish would be
his government’s command.
Having discredited his
opponents and declaring
them as unpatriotic, he was
given total authority. He
knew that his culture was far
superior to some of the
weaker nations.
At this time, he had his
propaganda apparatus pre-
pare reasons to preemptively
attack the weaker nations
because they were a threat
to his superior society.
It so happened that one
of these nations had large oil
resources which his nation
needed. Once the propa-
ganda apparatus convinced
the population of the grave
threats the inferior nations
posed, he launched pre-
emptive strikes.
His overwhelming
forces with their superior
fighting skills and equip-
ment conquered the weaker
nations with lighting swift-
ness, shock and awe. After
these initial successes, he
strutted and bragged that his
superior society would
eliminate the unfavorable
elements of these others
societies and make the
world a better place.
Weeks turned into
months, and months into
years. During these years,
his arrogance and pompous
attitude alienated a majority
of the world. His enemies
increased in number and
strength; thus his losses, bad
decisions and popularity
were becoming a serious
threat to his nation.
Even with his waning
popularity, bad decisions
and battle losses, he kept his
country on the path to de-
struction. When his generals
tried to inform him of how
bad his war efforts were, he
would replace them with
generals who agreed with
his strategy.
If by now you haven’t
guessed this pompous fool:
It was none other than
Adolph Hitler. The oil re-
sources were Romania’s
Ploiesti oil fields destroyed
by massive bombing raids
during World War II.
Senior Adult Foster Home
Where compassion comes naturally
and happiness is homemade.
< Cave Junction’s ONLY adult foster home
within the city limits
< More than 20 years of combined experience
with senior care
< Three private rooms available
< Phone Cory or Tami TODAY for a tour
592-6309
Supported by the community for the community!
Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance
offers number of support groups
Beyond Abuse- For women
who have or are currently
experiencing abusive
relationships. This group
explores the relationship
between substance abuse and
domestic violence and will
focus on issues including
depression, self-esteem and
self-care and the strengths of
the survivor.
Meets Tuesday 6 - 8 p.m.
PTSD and Trauma Support
Group- For women who have
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder due to trauma from
sexual assault, domestic
violence or childhood sexual
abuse. The group focuses on
healing the trauma and
learning about PTSD.
Meets Fridays 5:30 - 7 p.m.
at the IVFC building.
Upcoming Groups
Helping Children Who have
Been Exposed to Batterers-
Education for parents and
grandparents of children who
have been exposed to
domestic violence. Also helps
parents who have experienced
domestic violence understand
the impact on their children
and themselves.
Sexual Assault Support
Group- Educational and
support for women who have
been sexually assaulted.
Illinois Valley
Safe House
Alliance -
More Than
a Safe Place
For more information or to
enroll, phone 592-2515
LIVING WELL (chronic disease self-management)
Are you or a loved one living with arthritis, cancer, heart dis-
ease, diabetes, stroke, asthma, or other
chronic diseases?
Stanford University designed the Living
Well With Chronic Health Problems work
shops to help those who have significant
health problems learn how to take control
of their care in order to live happier and
healthier lives.
Sign up today (6 classes in each series)
No charge - Registration required - Enrollment limited
Contact: Bernadette, 864-9611 www.sohealthyoregon.org
Class begins: Aug. 21, Tuesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
All workshops will be held at The Washington Outpatient
Center, 1505 N.W. Washington Blvd., Grants Pass.
Brought to you through a partnership of local health and human
service providers in collaboration with the Rogue Valley Council
of Government Senior and Disability Services.
Heritage Center
of the
Illinois Valley
24195 Redwood Hwy., Kerby
Thursdays - Mondays, 11-3
Admission charged
541-592-5252