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4A – Daily News – Friday, November 26, 2010 Opinion Talking shop D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 You have no doubt noticed over the last week or so large color ads in the Daily News encouraging you to shop small on the inaugural Small Busi- ness Saturday. A simple message Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 that’s part of a nation- wide campaign to boost small businesses, which create jobs that pay liv- able wages. Small busi- ness is good for our economy and our com- munities, and Tehama County is no exception. There are plenty of good economic reasons to support small busi- nesses in our communi- ty, but there are just as many other reasons to do so. something unique? Something they won’t receive from anyone else? And if you are, in fact, in the market for a cookie cutter, chances are you’ll find one like no other at California Kitchen & Co. I’m not suggesting Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Something special Yes, there are massive stores here and in neighboring counties where shoppers can find nearly everything. But the small retailers in the community offer many one- of-a-kind and specialty items you won’t find in any big chain store. Why give a cookie cutter gift when you can show your loved ones how special they are with we never shop at bigger chain stores — after all, an X-box is an X-box — but a trip down the block might just sur- prise you with an item you might never have thought to give. Sizable selection The more we all sup- port local retailers, the more variety of retailers we’ll have from which to choose. The opposite is true, too. If you don’t support the hard-working business owners in your community, you don’t get to complain that there are not enough local shopping options. Secret savings For the life of me, I don’t understand why so many people leave Tehama County to go shop- ping — and not just during the hol- iday season. Sure, there are certain items you might only be able to find on- line or in Redding or Chico, but many make the trek looking for bargains on something they could have purchased locally. Add up fuel, wear and tear and your own time and suddenly that bargain isn’t such a bargain. And how many times have your bought more than you intended simply because you had made the trip? Significant spoils One of the key points of Small Business Saturday is that local purchases mean your money stays in your community. Your sales tax supports local services such as roads, libraries, street lights and police and fire per- sonnel. Your purchases help business owners pay rent, keep stock fresh and promote sales and new items. Your dollars pay the wages of employees, who in turn spend those wages locally, starting the whole process over again. The alternative is to invest in Redding or Chico’s roads and police, ensure you will continue to have to drive 30 minutes each way to shop from that merchant and secure a job that won’t be created here at home. Selfless stewards Those who own and manage local small businesses give back to your community in many ways. They donate to worthy projects, join service clubs that do good works locally and keep our down- towns vibrant, while other com- munities boast rows of empty storefronts. *** Black Friday is a term coined by the Philadelphia Police Depart- ment in 1966 to describe the crush of pedestrian and vehicle traffic due to after-Thanksgiving sales. If you’re one of those power shoppers who was in line during the wee hours this morning for your shot at a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, I hope you’ll rest up and meander through the variety of shops in downtown Red Bluff Sat- urday before settling in for the parade at 5:30 p.m. Our small businesses will appreciate your support, and so will your community. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403- 0100.Fax (202) 224-0454. Hair today, gone tomorrow Commentary Although balding is a blow to male vani- ty, it can be addressed in a variety of ways. One recourse is to shave the head. Make it slicker than a cue ball and hope you can carry it off without being considered a chemo victim. Professional athletes have adapted this solution. The world champ Ess Eff Giants have quite a few cue balls on their roster and many sport facial hair to counter the image. Cody Ross' bald pate began look- ing better after he began hitting home runs. My father began balding in his late 30s and I thought he didn't care one way or another until he paid Carl Coleman to apply Carl's "secret hair restoring treatment" con- sisting of hot oils and ice cubes. When that failed, father opted for an expensive toupee which he eventually discarded. Fortunately I am able to cross comb my hair, which looks very nice on me, whereas, on others, it looks ridiculous...or so family members tell me with a straight face. * * * With Linda closing her Facts and Fiction Book Store, we also lament the notice that Attorney Don Webster is retiring after 60 years in business...and that Gayle Kemp is doing likewise. In conversation with the lat- ter, we figured she also has been a fixture in Red Bluff for about 60 years. In the early days, her father Ray Hix operated successful eateries in the 600 block of Main, and Gayle must have gotten her start waiting tables or, as we said in the old days, slinging hash. We wish them well in their retirement...but would have preferred to see their smiling faces for a few more years. Speaking of retirement, the admirable Caryn Brown, Librarian at the Tehama County Library, is calling it quits after 30 some years among the stacks. Hers may be a hard act to follow as budgetary constraints grow. * * * The Cinderella Motel at 600 Rio St. was recently purchased by PG&E. Apparently they have soil issues that must be remediat- ed in some fashion. They are returning to the scene of the crime, so to speak. When I was a lad, I lived with my folks across the street at 635 Rio, and the PG&E “gas works” were in full operation there on the corner of Rio and Oak. We called it “gas works” because they featured two very large round tanks which acted as gas reservoirs for the city. They were con- structed in such a fashion that the dome of each could rise and fall depending upon the expansion and contraction of the gas. Sur- rounding the tanks were several shops and an office. I remember my first, and probably my last theft occurred in one of those shops. I had entered one shop, nobody was around, saw a bin full of brass fit- tings of some sort...and I pocketed a handful. Just then an employee entered, and asked me what I was doing with those fittings in my pocket. I told him a big boy had come along and stuffed them in my pocket...and I dutifully handed them over. The man said, “Thank you for returning them to me. You should watch who you hang out with from now on”. I was 5 years old at the time and I don’t think he bought my story, but I took his advice and have tried to refrain from acquiring other people’s property ever since. * * * My, but doesn’t the State Theatre look splendid with its new paint job? I wonder who painted it. I think it was son Brandon, but modesty forbids further inquiry. * * * The Headline of the July 28, 1913 issue of the Evening Sentinel read, “9 DAILY ELECTRIC TRAINS TO RED BLUFF IN 1915” and the article continues, “...pending the successful completion of a $6,000,000 Bond Issue.” Uh huh. It seems there is often some little detail to hinder such wonderful projects. Said projects are sometimes called “trial balloons.” Others might deem them wishful thinking. In either case a headline does not guarantee such projects will come to fruition. * * * C. Larimer, of “The Word Merchant” fame, long a staple here at the Daily News, has not had a prosperous time these last cou- ple of years. He and Betsy are liv- ing with relatives way down in the heart of Texas, and might welcome an email this time of year. His current address is cliff.larimer@yahoo.com. * * * Last week’s quiz was Robert Minch I Say first answered by N. Rick and L. Brown who knew that the home town for old time radio’s Lum and Abner was Pine Ridge, All My Children was Pine Val- ley...and The University of Arkansas is in Fayetteville. However, the all black U of A is located in Pine Bluff, thereby completing a hat trick of Pines. This week’s quiz: List the 7 Deadly Sins...and how many “Keys to Baldpate” in the novel written by whom? * * * N. Rick supplies this addition to the “your pet is dead” joke: Woman goes to the vet with a very limp duck. The vet checks it out and proclaims the duck is dead. The bereaved woman wants further evidence, so the vet trots out a Labrador retriever who looks at the duck and sorrowfully shakes his head. He then sends for his cat who also gives the thumbs down sign, this being a rare cat with thumbs. When the vet presents his invoice to the duck’s owner, she says.“You’re charging me $150?” The Vet replies, “Yes ma’am. $75 for the CAT scan, and $75 for the Lab Report.” Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff and former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine. He can be reached at rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102