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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2009)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 It’s always fun, in an odd way, to decorate for Christ- mas — the holiday “holy days,” the Yule holidaze even. (But beware of the Hollandaise.) Yes, decorating is plenty of fun: except perhaps when you have four cats. Yes, four cats; not as many as some folks; more than many others — especially those who have no felines. Cats love to help decorate. That’s “help,” as in, “not really!” They enjoy batting at dangling Christmas tree orna- ments. They enjoy seeing such ornaments fall to the floor. They enjoy the tinkling noise as said ornaments shatter and spread colorful fragments here and there. While you are unpacking your decorations, cats like to jump in the bags and boxes, and root around. And cats do not follow instructions such as, “Stop that, you beast!” Any humans who try to order a feline about find that despite the animal’s superb hearing, they cannot hear orders. But speaking of decorations, we had one cat years ago who managed to swallow some tinsel. Actually, the tinsel ended up coming out of both ends. A most-interesting situation. Cats also like to scare their humans by chewing on electric cords. Our fur snakes, especially the tuxedo guy, Jellirabbit, get a kick out of climbing the Christmas tree. And cats are not like dogs in that, first of all, a dog wouldn’t try to climb your Christmas tree. Except maybe if there was a cat up there taunting it. Anyway, Jelli claws his way up the tree close to the trunk; then perches like a predator, daring any- one to reach in to remove him. Meanwhile (while he’s climbing), the tree ornaments dance about, and some lose their grip. They fall, and he enjoys that. Actually, all four cats like to see items falling. They’ll go out of their way to push stuff off tables; then crouch and watch intently as said items tumble to the floor. Having cats means that you must learn to be peaceful because felines go a little berserk if they’re shouted at. So a calm approach (as in Silent Night) is called for. And you can find joy (as in Joy to the World) in that situation. Being calm and joyful are especially needed when cu- rious cats decide to stop the model train circling the Christ- mas tree; investigate the flame on your candles; or try to rearrange your Nativity scene. No matter whether you have cats or not: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. May you hear Silver Bells, maybe catch a glimpse of Good King Wenceslas or The Little Drummer Boy. As for me, I will think of friends and family as I recall: “Oh Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.” Merry Christmas to all. 30 years experience in water, sewer & pipeline construction, brush clearing, septic installation & utility line trenching Spe c ia lizing in a lt e rna t ive se pt ic syst e m s READY TO DIG & AIMING TO PLEASE 24 HOURS A DAY (5 4 1 ) 5 9 7 -4 4 8 6 CCB#159580 (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter- writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double- spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not ac- cepted as letters. Real justice From Lorraine Rafferty Selma The Social Justice Alli- ance should change its name to the Social Un-Justice Alli- ance. On its Website it advo- cates abortion. What is just about that? They are all for govern- ment-forced health insurance paying for abortions. What is just about that? On the Website readers have been encouraged to fi- nancially support Dave Toler for Josephine County com- missioner. Does this mean that Dave Toler has the same vision of justice as the Social Justice Alliance? Jack Brown is also run- ning for county commis- sioner. I believe he is a good man with a clear vision of what real justice is. He has spent his time and money to fight injustice. We need to do all we can financially and otherwise to get Jack Brown into office. If we truly want just gov- ernment we need to put just- minded individuals into posi- tions of leadership. Otherwise we have no reason to com- plain and ought to be happy with whatever we get, know- ing that we got exactly our just reward because we did nothing to fight for justice. Christmas offering From Lynn Boucher-Johnson Cave Junction This holiday season brings not much holiday cheer to some of my dearest friends. I submit this to hope- fully help and comfort them during this time. When I lost my parents a few years ago, these words brought me much comfort, as my father was called to Heaven and shortly after, my mother, on Christmas Day. I hope this brings closure and comfort to those who have lost a dear one: “We see the countless Christmas trees around the world below with tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow. “The sight is so spectacu- lar, please wipe away that tear, for we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. “We hear many Christ- mas songs, that people hold so dear, but the sounds of music can’t compare to the Christmas choir up here. “We send you each a special gift from our heavenly house above. We send you each a memory of our undy- ing love. “After all, ‘Love’ is the gift more precious than gold. It was always more important in the stories Jesus told. “Please love one another, as our Father said to do, for we can’t count the blessings or love He has for you. “So have a merry Christ- mas and wipe away the tears — Remember, we are spend- ing Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.” No on 66 & 67 From Roger King Eagle Point We need to vote “No” on measures 66 & 67, and here are a few points: 1. Oregon will be the highest income tax state in the country at 10.8 percent. 2. This corporate tax is up to 1 percent on all gross income for 2009 and beyond. A small business owner I know will have to pay $50,000. Then he deducts his expense and pays income tax. He will have to lay off em- ployees or sell his product for more money. He has to pay corporate tax even if he earns no profit. 3. These taxes are unnec- essary when the state has in excess of $3.5 billon in re- serve. 4. Why have people un- employed because businesses leave Oregon? How does this help our state? 5. Why would business come to Oregon if these measures become law? 6. Will this tax induce small business operators to relocate or outsource. Why lose more jobs in Oregon? Beware: Christian Taliban From Ed Russell Cave Junction In response to “Merry Christmas” (Illinois Valley News, Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16, 2009.) What part of Merry is hard to understand? And for the devout, aren’t there more important spiritual ways to celebrate the true meaning and experience of Christmas than to attack the civil liberties of other Americans? My great-grandfather was a Christian minister who fled Europe because of reli- gious persecution. He was Protestant and not of the then- and-there in-power Catholic persuasion. What kind of “Christian” are you? And what if some day your civil rights are disre- garded, and you are abused by a more powerful, or popu- lace, entity that deems you not so worthy? Who ya’ gonna’ call? P.S. What is this, “Our nation?” Would you ignore and disrespect, among others, the rights and religions of the original people of America, its First Nations, who made you the boss? I think that especially in the Christmas season, Chris- tians should do more of what Jesus did, and told us to do: “Pray unceasingly, and love one another.” Science’s fictions From John Bazen Cave Junction How many remember?: 1. The “hole in the ozone” above the South Pole in the 1980s (endangering all life). 2. The Earth entering into an “Ice Age” in the 1970s. 3. All the commercials about dinos “giving their all” to make crude oil, which was to run out by 1990. 4. In the 1950s, testing the H-Bomb was going to set fire to the atmosphere. 5. From the late 1880s through the 1950s: “Nebraska Man.” From one tooth, they built a man and a family. The next year the same farmer found a jaw with teeth, and the previous find fit this jaw perfectly. Sorry, it was a pig’s jaw and teeth. Yet it remained as a proven fossil of man for years after. As was the Pilt- down Man, a proven hoax; yet both still found in some textbooks? 6. Global warming? (Even though man can’t accu- rately predict the weather for next week?) 7. When the 1970 polar bear count stood at 5,000 animals, and today the count is 25,000. Yet, “they” claim they are endangered? Why? Can you say $$$? All this with the full co- operation of the lame media. The cause. “PhDs taught it (Continued on page 3) “Rotary Club of Illinois Valley thanks the following businesses and individuals whose contributions helped to make the 2009 I.V. Bikers Toy Run a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!” AND RENTAL CENTER Save $$$ Rent From Us: lawn tools, paint sprayers, carpet shampooer, plumbing tools, construction equipment, power tools and more! 434 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 Phone (541) 592-3540 Fax (541) 592-6841 Mon-Fri 7:00-5:30, Sat 8:00-5:00, Closed Sunday Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-publishers: Bob & Jan Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief: Michelle Binker 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 P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 72, No. 41 Staff: Zina Booth, Brenda Encinas, Scott Jorgensen and Millie Watkins Website design and maintenance by Ashgrove Visual Arts Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: Cave Junction Wednesday, Dec. 23 Sunny High--46 Low--30 Thursday, Dec. 24 Cloudy High--52 Low--34 Friday, Dec. 25 Periods of sun High--51 Low--35 Saturday, Dec. 26 Clouds and sun High--48 Low--33 Sunday, Dec. 27 More clouds than sun High--47 Low--26 Monday, Dec. 28 A thick cloud cover High--46 Low--34 Tuesday, Dec. 29 Rain High--45 Low--36 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. Gener- ally, one letter per person per month at publisher’s discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the publisher’s 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. SUBSCRIPTION RATES 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 Advertising doesn’t cost, It pays! Phone 592-2541 to reserve your space in the I.V. News Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall recorded at The End of the Road in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson: *Fri., Dec. 11 34 23 .12 *Sat., Dec. 12 38 32 .12 *Sun., Dec. 13 48 33 .04 *Mon., Dec. 14 40 34 .39 *Tue., Dec. 15 46 39 3.31 *Wed., Dec. 16 57 45 .43 *Thu., Dec. 17 50 43 .00 Following are the high-and- low temperatures and rainfall recorded at Oregon Builders Guild in Cave Junction: *Fri., Dec. 11 35 23 .18 *Sat., Dec. 12 38 32 .24 *Sun., Dec. 13 51 32 .10 *Mon., Dec. 14 40 35 .39 *Tue., Dec. 15 46 39 3.00 *Wed., Dec. 16 55 44 .22 *Thu., Dec. 17 50 41 .01 Ronan Country Fibers Living Canvas Tattoo Perpetual Flame Kauffman Wood Products G. Howard Cutlery Barlow Rock Junction Inn Nacho Mama’s Restaurant Michelle’s Family Restaurant Kate’s Redwood Bar & Grill Headers Tavern Holland General Store McGrew’s Restaurant & Lounge Jett Sett Frog Farm Southern Oregon Outreach Foundation Yanase Jewelers Evergreen Federal Bank Crocker Financial Services I.V. Guns & Ammo Heritage Moments Cabin Chemistry CaveNet/One Hour Photo Special Productions Bear Images Home Valley Bank Z Coffee Shear Madness Subway of Cave Junction Hair, Face, & Nail Place Oregon Electric Northwest Hairlines Simply Debbie’s Nails Cave Junction Liquor Store Down & Out Gutters River Valley Restaurant Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance Don’s Auto & Tire Center Shasta Fudge & More Crystal Kaleidoscope ALSO: Sons of God M/C Treehouse Florist & Gifts Shirley Trotter Mike Palmer Terry Frank Rosie Orozco Aunt Pat & Vicki Cave Junction Cares Joe Krauss Paul & Karen Bodeving Ted Crocker Dr. Thomas Housel DDS Lube-N-Shine Renee’s Place Bi-Rite Auto Parts Cave Junction Post Office Abiding in the Vine Carlos’ Restaurante River Mountain Printing Dr. Joe’s Pet Hospital Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. Oregon Caves Chevron Earth Friendly Kids Illinois Valley News Scooter Sky Taco Donna Joyce Judy & Lester Hoyle Jennifer Wheatly Mary Reynolds-Walter Sharon Work Colleen & Steve Wetmore Alice Crocker Carol Ronan Kathaleen Ponder Jim Frick “Merry Christmas to all!”
