Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/749895
EarlylastmonthGovernorJerryBrownmade it official. "Denim" is now California's official fabric. I am guessing that more men like this decision than women. Since I have been retired for more than a year that fits me just fine. ItoldmywifeRoleedamany times that a T-shirt and a pair of Levis will always be my ap- parel of choice. That's good when it comes to our pocketbook as well. Since I am now in my late 70s and retired, dry cleaning for me is rarely re- quired or needed. My wife, who still has a great job working in our legislature, needs dry clean- ing services regularly. If I were Governor I would probably have vetoed that bill. Denim is still my favorite, but I don't think our government needs to tell us that. I remember decades ago when the state of California chose and approved an official state mollusk. As I was voting then on the floor of our state Assembly I suddenly learned that a mollusk was actually a snail. I know now that the world has a few types of that species. Australia actually has more than 3,000 different kinds of mollusks — snails. I am glad our culture tells us that we should at least be wear- ing some clothes over our bod- ies, but when did someone de- cide the government should tell us what that fabric should be? One of the reasons I voted against the official status of a mollusk is because it actually costs thousands of dollars for each and every piece of legis- lation that goes through the process in Sacramento. At that particular time, government apparently could not keep its nose out of what our favorite snail should be. One of the positive propos- als I was really involved with and helped pass in our Assem- bly was to change the rules of both houses to limit the number of bills being introduced. When I served, mostly in the 1980s, some 4,000 proposals were in- troduced each year. Our golden state has too many laws and regulations already. Before I continue, please tell me how and why you would have voted on the official mol- lusk or today's official denim fabric? I think this official denim matter would be more important to women than men because of something my wife has said to me a few times. First of all, let me tell you she is a very classy woman. I say that because when we both dress to go out on the town, I al- ways make certain I am clean and neat even though I would actually prefer to just put on a pair of Levis and a T-shirt. Depending on the place or event we are attending she has said on a couple of occasions; "Darling, are you going to wear that?" I pretty much always want to say something like; "We are going to leave some serious money at the restaurant, dar- ling, so why can't I wear what- ever I want?" However, after 15 years of being together, I have learned to instead say some- thing like; "Wait. Let me put on some slacks, dear. I don't want people to think I'm a slob, no matter how true." Yes, my friends. I say that because I am not stupid. Mytakeonthemovies "The Accountant," starring Ben Affleck, is a top quality action-thriller. The cast includes C. K. Simmons, John Lithgow and Anna Kendrick. Believe or not, this film also will teach you something about proper parenting. StanStathamserved1976-1994 in the California Assembly and was a television news anchor at KHSL-TV in Chico 1965- 1975. He is past president of the California Broadcasters Association and can be reached at StanStatham@gmail.com. StanStatham My take on California's official fabric I remember decades ago when the state of California chose and approved an official state mollusk. As I was voting then on the floor of our state Assembly I suddenly learned that a mollusk was actually a snail. 'Prank' was costly vandalism Editor: In his offering last week, your columnist and my friend Robert Minch boasted of de- stroying several sign posts in residential Red Bluff. He termed it a Halloween prank, while he was a high school ju- nior about 70 years ago. A prank is "a trick that is intended to be funny but not to cause harm or damage." Mr. Minch and his co-conspirators were engaged in vandalism, pure and simple. I thought sure the article was going to end with his profound repentance and a generous contribution to the city Public Works Department to compen- sate for what would have been hundreds of dollars in damage at current price levels. But the best he could mus- ter was, "Ah, such fond mem- ories, but kids, don't try this away from home." Tsk, tsk. — Linton Brown, Red Bluff Thanks for support of community Editor: Congratulations to all of the wonderful people of Red Bluff who sponsored me for The PATH Big Walk. Oh my gosh, they were so generous and we raised a whopping $2,900 for PATH. How amazing is that? They opened their hearts and wallets for a really important cause and it certainly showed. For those who for one rea- son or another couldn't help out, maybe they will be able to next year. God bless each and every one of them everyday. Thank you. — Rita Gall, Red Bluff My hopes now that Trump's in charge Editor: Now that firm daddy's in charge instead of soft mommy, I pray he'll make it clear that California and other states' fed- eral funding will be revoked if they've legalized marijuana. I also pray he'll walk the walk by deporting rather than welcoming those who have in- vaded our country illegally and are accordingly wrong- fully undermining our wealth, language, safety and culture. I also pray he'll institute election reform. That is, by requiring citizens to prove through testing that they have sufficient knowledge and intel- ligence to competently vote or hold public office. Finally, I pray he'll compel all citizens to stop allowing their dogs to pollute the peace, harass other animals, and un- dermine peoples' quality of life with incessant barking. That is, by requiring that offend- ing dogs be equipped with elec- tronic anti-bark collars. — Nathan Esplanade, Rancho Tehama Reader says 'poppycock' over salmon issue Editor: In a recent Daily News there was an article on the plight of the salmon. I have been looking into this for some time now. In the article, two implica- tions are made. First. "Environmentalists and many scientists argue that the only way to bring back wild fish is to remove dams." Poppycock. In many cases, ri- parian bypasses could be built that would allow the fish to return to their spawning grounds naturally. In fact those waterways should have been included in the building plans for the dam in the first place. Now there is something useful for the eco- nuts to work on instead of just opposing any project that might involve moving a shovel full of dirt. Second. Throughout the ar- ticle it is implied that there is a difference between "wild salmon" and "hatchery fish." Has anybody told the fish this yet? Or maybe the "natural" female just doesn't know to yell rape when a "hatchery" stud approaches her roe bed? Give me a freaking break. The hatchery smolt made it past all those striped bass wanting to eat him for lunch, and worked his way out to sea and then he avoided all the commercial fishermen's' nets, so that after two years growing and maturing he finally fought his way upstream all the way back to Battle Creek just to face fish discrimination? Where did these people park their brains? They spent so much time in school that they forgot to take them along when they graduated Summa Cum Dummy? Can we get a conversation started addressing how we solve our salmon problem here in the north state? Here's an idea. We con- nect Lake Shasta to the Sac- ramento River at Anderson by building a riparian stream be- tween the Pit River branch of the lake and Cow Creek. Then we plant some of the fish re- covered from New Zealand in the McCloud branch of the lake and let them establish their own travel plans. Whoa. That was a rush. — Fred Boest, Red Bluff Your opinions Cartoonist's take Doing the laundry is probably not thought of as a very manly thing to do. I've done it for years and am not embarrassed. A lot of men are control freaks and enjoy being in charge of our re- spective destinies. Having something to wear is an es- sential part of ev- eryday life, so it is an impor- tant place to exercise control. I always hated going to get a fa- vorite shirt and wonder where it might be if not in the drawer. Is it folded up somewhere laying somewhere else? Is it still in the dyer? Or will I find it buried deep in a basket full of dirty clothes? I hated that experience, so many years ago I decided to just do the laun- dry myself. Besides, with work- ing spouses, we all need to do our fair share, right? The job has certain ad- vantages. How else can you can feel useful, sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking your morning coffee and checking your smart phone. If there's a load going in the trusty wash- ing machine, then you're work- ing. There is no easier way for someone with a lazy streak to feel productive, believe me. Of course, the job must be done properly. Which items and colors go in what pile? Which settings do you use? Heavy duty, permanent press, hot, warm or cold water? It's all up to you. And there are stains to deal with. Your spouse prob- ably wouldn't remember your dribbling spaghetti sauce down the front of your favorite shirt. But you do, and give it a shot of stain remover. The simple act of clothes sort- ing evokes a certain therapeutic satisfaction, as well as choosing the proper settings. Dark clothes are usually a no-brainer, unless there is something brand new in a bright color. One of my early learning experiences involved a little something that was hot pink which resulted in a very unat- tractive tint to an entire load. Whites are also easy. Use the heavy-duty cycle, hot water and almost always add bleach. Front-loading washing ma- chines are a relatively recent development. I had a top loader for years and would probably still be using one if our homes hadn't required stacked units. When the washer and dryer sit side by side, it is extremely easy to pull them out and check their connections. With a stacked unit, you pretty much just pray that all is okay back there. I know that dryer vents and hose connections are important. But one just doesn't walk the heavy stack out and take a look back there as often. Front loaders use "high ef- ficiency" detergent, which re- quires very little to get the job done. Thanks to the big box stores I have enough for at least the next five years. I used to involve my son in doing the laundry. I would pile the clothes on the edge of my top loader and my little man would reach up and push them in. The dryer was easier, as I would pile them on the door so he could push them in. He also enjoyed being spun around on the floor in the empty laundry basket. He loved that. Clothes should be folded or placed on hangers right out of the dryer. Far less wrinkles this way. I don't fold very well, but when they're my clothes it doesn't matter. My wife would do a much better job, but I think she has realized that a poor fold- ing job is a reasonable compro- mise to the alternative. And as for ironing, who does that any- more? That's why we buy per- manent press clothes, right? Corky Pickering and his wife relocated from the Bay Area to Cottonwood in 2014. He recently retired from the federal government as an attorney advising law enforcement. He has been a rock and roll bass player and a Marine JAG. He can be reached at thecork6@ gmail.com. Corky Pickering A musing on laundry for men and exercising control GregStevens,Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EDITORIAL BOARD How to have your say: Letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and no more than two double-spaced pages or 500words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@ redbluffdailynews.com Fax: 530-527-9251 Mail to: P.O. Box 220, 728Main St., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS Corky Pickering Stan Statham OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, November 10, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4