Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20561
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 – Daily News – 7A Diverse judicial panel will hear Prop 8 appeal SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Two judges appoint- ed by Democratic presidents and one named by a Republican will decide if a San Francisco trial judge improperly struck down California’s same- sex marriage ban, a federal appeals court announced Monday. Judges Michael Hawkins, Stephen Reinhardt and N. Randy Smith of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals were randomly assigned the landmark case from the court’s pool of 27 active judges. The panel is scheduled to hear arguments next week over the constitutionality of the voter- approved ban, known as Proposition 8. Reinhardt, a 79-year-old Los Angeles resident, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 and is regarded as one of the 9th Circuit’s most lib- eral jurists. Hawkins, a 65-year-old Arizonan, was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Smith, 61, was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2007 and keeps his chambers in his native Idaho. Proposition 8’s sponsors are appealing Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s August ruling that overturned the 2008 law as a violation of gay and lesbian Californians’ civil rights. They argue that Walker ignored a U.S. Supreme Court prece- dent from 1973 that held the U.S. Constitution does not recognize marriage rights for gays. Observers predicted the panel’s makeup makes it less likely Walker would be reversed. ‘‘Anyone who follows the 9th Circuit closely would say that this a very good panel for the Prop 8 opponents and a very bad panel for its defend- ers,’’ said Arthur Hellman, a University of Pitts- burgh School of Law professor who is an expert on the court. ‘‘I expect a 2-1 decision, with Reinhardt and Hawkins outvoting Smith.’’ Proposition 8’s supporters had the same inter- pretation, and reiterated their plan to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. ‘‘Judge Reinhardt’s inclusion on the 9th Circuit panel adds more weight to what the Prop 8 Legal Defense team has said since this case was filed in federal court: We fully expect that it will ultimate- ly be decided by the highest court in the land,’’ the California Family Council, which was part of the coalition of religious and conservative groups that backed the 2008 measure, said in a statement. When they meet in San Francisco on Dec. 6, one of the issues the judges will consider is whether the ban’s backers had the authority to bring the appeal after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown decided not to challenge the lower court ruling. Officials from conservative Imperial County have asked the 9th Circuit to allow them to repre- sent the state’s interests if the panel decides that Proposition 8’s sponsors lack standing. SEASON Continued from page 1A angel tree may do so by contacting Severs or social worker Maria Navarrete. The difference between the two toy programs is that while toys from the Stuff the Bus are for any child, the Angel Tree is for a specific child. “Any toy donations are welcome,” Navarrete said. “At the end of the season (of collecting for Angel Tree) there are always children that haven’t been picked so Stuff the Bus is for those children so that everyone gets some- thing.” Toys are already beginning to trickle in, but many more are need- ed before the toys are given out Dec. 17-22 to preregistered families, Major Susan said. “Each card represents one child and we still have more than 500 to get,” Major Susan said. The community response to the news that cupboards were bare has been great, but there is still the need to fill food boxes for the 250 families who pre- registered during the first two weeks of November, she said. Donations, especially those for holiday food boxes, are always wel- come, Major Susan said. There is still a need for people to step-in and adopt a family as a part of the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family pro- gram, Navarrete said. “Families from the Adopt-a-Family pro- gram are those who are in need of a little more than what we’re typical- ly able to give,” Navar- rete said. The Salvation Army is also planning the annual Tis the Season Food Drive, which takes place 2 to 8 p.m. Tues- day, Dec. 7, in the Raley’s Supermarket parking lot where chan- nels 12 and 24 will do a live broadcast. Volunteers are needed for the event with seven or more needed for 2 to 4 p.m. and about 20 needed for 4 to 8 p.m. to receive and sort donated food and to clean up afterward. The Salvation Army is also holding its annu- al fundraiser Run for the Needy, which is set to start at 9 a.m. on Dec. 11. The races will be held rain or shine at the Diversion Dam. Registration for the one-mile, 5 and 10k races is $20 with a t- shirt and $15 without and can be done ahead of time or at 8 a.m. on Dec. 11. A special Guns and Hoses competition has been added although so far only three partici- pants are signed up with two from California Highway Patrol and one from Red Bluff Fire Department. For more information on any of the Salvation Army events call 527- 8530 or visit www.red- bluffsalarmy.org. Con- tributions to the pro- grams can be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 935, Red Bluff. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdai- lynews.com. GEORGINA GRACE (KECK) SMITH BORN SEPTEMBER 6, 1919 Georgina went home to the loving arms of the Lord November 19, 2010. A resident of Red Bluff, CA for 50 years. She was 91 years old. She had a beautiful garden. She was on a bowling lea- gue for about 10 years. She loved cooking, baking, gar- dening, bowling, and taking care of her family. She had a big, kind heart. She was married to Al Keck for 38 years. He passed in 1980. She then met a wonderful man Clifford W. Smith, they were married for 30 years until his passing in 2006. Previous owner of Manton and Red Bluff Trading Post. She was predeceased by her husband Clifford W. Smith and her son James Keck of Saratoga, CA. She is survived by Daughter Nancy Clark, Stepson David Smith, Stepdaughter Susan Young, Daughter in law Betty Keck; Grandchildren: Kathy Clark, Suzie Conant, Dianna Innerst, James Keck II, Bruce Keck; Step Grandchildren: Jacob Smith, Nathan Smith; Great Grandchildred: Buddy Graham, Trisha Strider, Shelby and Lauren Innerst, Lacey Meinke; Great Great Grandchildren: Autum Graham, Jennica and Jaycob Meinke and numerous neices and nephews. will love and miss you forever, the best Mama, Grandma, Great Grandma" Per Georgina’s request there will be no services. "You will always be in our hearts and memories we Obituaries SERGE BIRK Serge Birk passed away on November 22, 2010 at his beloved "River Retreat" in Dairyville, CA, with his wife and love of his life, Beth at his side. A worldly man from the beginning, Serge and his twin sister Catherine were born in Paris, France on March 23, 1949. The family moved to Montreal, Canada in 1952, where, like most boys in Canada, he wanted to grow up to be a professional hockey player. The hockey stick was easily replaced by a surf board however when the family moved to southern California in 1959. Serge’s charm was noticed early on in the Golden State when talent scouts visiting his elementary school chose him to appear on the popular Art Linkletter Show. Serge received his B.S. in Fisheries from Humboldt State University in 1973 and quickly put his education to good use as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. He lived on the island of Ilo Ilo which was so isolated that he did not learn of Nixon’s resignation until he spotted a newspaper headline referring to President Ford in Manila some weeks after the fact. Serge worked on another global concern after he re- turned to the United States. Serving as an observer with the NOAA Tuna-porpoise program, he developed his own brand of détente while on Soviet fishing boats months at a time. This program resulted in improved fish- ing techniques which dramatically reduced mortalities of dolphins in commercial tuna fishing. Serge then headed back to Palau. Known affectionately as "starfish man" on the island, he developed a program to limit the population of starfish that was destroying Pal- au’s reef. To no small extent, his efforts contributed to Palau remaining one of the most desired and pristine div- ing spots in the world. Other public service included working for the Bureau of Reclamation, serving as the Environmental Director for the Central Valley Project Water Association, and most re- cently as the Natural Resource Manager for U.S. Forest Service at Lassen National Forest. He was a proud mem- ber of Class XXXI of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Even those who briefly knew Serge knew his life-long passion was aquaculture. He often joked, "Some people play golf, I grow fish." Serge spearheaded two aquacul- ture enterprises. In conjunction with the Washoe Tribe in Genoa, Nevada, Serge founded and operated Gourmet Prawnz, Inc. with Dick Butler in the 1980s. Utilizing geo- thermal resources and innovative techniques, they devel- oped a sustainable system for prawn production. Later he established Redclaw Lobster in Red Bluff, CA and held the only license in California to grow the Australian Redclaw Lobster. His business also included angel fish and koi. Serge loved scuba diving, salmon fishing, Hawaiian shirts, photography, collecting classic cars, "adopting" palm trees and succulents for his River Retreat, practicing yoga, and listening to the Rolling Stones - all with his trademark enthusiasm. He was also known for hosting an annual "40 - Something" party for his wife. Serge was a loyal and generous friend, a hardworking RITA ROSE ALTON January 15, 1918 - November 25, 2010 ter battling cancer. Rita was born in Silver Lake, Missouri, then moved with her family to California at four years of age. She graduated from Lathrop Junior High in Santa Ana. At fifty eight years of age, she moved to Oregon to help care for her youngest daughter’s children. When she was eighty years old, Rita moved to Red Bluff. Rita was one of nine children born to Rosa Mary Layton Resident of Red Bluff. Passed peacefully in her sleep af- and innovative colleague, and a loving, devoted, and pro- tective brother. Most of all, he had limitless love for Beth, his loving wife of 25 years. Together they island hopped, collected ethnic art from around the world, and celebrat- ed every sunrise and sunset together on their piece of paradise on the Sacramento River. One need only look at the numerous joyful photos of Serge and Beth displayed at their home to recognize their love for each other. Serge is survived by his wife Beth (Dairyville, CA), his and Harry S. Tucker of Perry County, Missouri. She is sur- vived by her sister Eleanor Tucker; her two sons Dan and Bob Alton; her three daughters Judy Johnson, Pat Alton, and Susan Bradley; her daughter-in-laws Susanne Alton and Lucinda Alton, her grandsons Chris and George Brad- ley, Andrew, James and Robert Alton, Raymond Hall, Mike and Kevin Lundquist and Timmy Toohey; her granddaughters Christina and Karen Alton, Tonya Stewart, Tina Brown and Teri Alton and her great grandchildren Ashley Stewart, Courtney, Morgan and Samantha Brown, Camdyn Alton, Tiffany Hall, Graciela and Gabriela Ramirez, Jessica Dixon and Jodi, Jessica, and Joshua Lundquist. Rita worked on her brother’s ranch in Southern Califor- twin sister Catherine (Evanston, IL), his sister Natalie (Sac- ramento, CA), brother-in-law and sister-in-law Del and Donna Whitaker (Elk Grove, CA), nephew Sammy Wayhou, his niece Delany Whitaker, and in-laws Kay and Elbert Whitaker. A celebration of Serge’s life will be held Sunday, De- cember 12 at 1:00 pm, Los Molinos Veterans Hall, 7980 Sherwood Blvd. In lieu of flowers, contributions in mem- ory of Serge may be sent to Tehama County Education Foundation for the SERRF program, P.O. Box 525, Red Bluff, CA 96080 and St. Elizabeth Hospice, 1425 Vista Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080. nia before her marriage. After she was widowed in 1968, she moved to Oregon to help raise her daughter Susie’s children. She received recognition as a volunteer for serv- ing lunches at the Senior Center where she loved to play Bingo. She loved to shop and enjoyed living in her Red Bluff apartment before her stroke in 2001. After her stroke, she kept her spirits up and had a smile for every- one she came in contact with. Rosary will be Tuesday, November 30 at 7pm and the Service will be Wednesday, December 1st at 10am. Both will be held at the Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers. The family of Georgina Smith would like to thank John Campbell and the whole fire dept. Also all EMT personnel for the kind treatment they gave to my mother and grandmother before her passing on 11/19/2010. You are all wonderful and thank you for the work you do. Sincerely Nancy Clark, Kathy Clark, Sue Conant, Buddy Graham, Trisha Strider. Located in Chico, CA The family of Georgina Smith would like to thank Dr. Cheung, Dr. Wickenheiser, Dr. Dahnke and the staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital. “Jim” her nightshift nurse for all the kindness you gave to my mother and grandmother before she passed on 11/19/10. Thank you all for the work you do. Sincerely 529-3655 www.affordablemortuary.net Nancy Clark, Kathy Clark, Sue Conant, Buddy Graham, Trisha Strider. owns and operates the only on-site crematory in Tehama County. • Your loved one NEVER leaves our care. • For your peace of mind, we personally perform cremations on site. • No hidden charges. If cremation is your choice, there really is no other choice for you than the cremation experts at Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers. Contact us today so we may answer your questions. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers Funerals • Cremations • Prearrangements 816 Walnut Street | Red Bluff (530) 527-1174 www.chapeloftheflowers.net Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers Red Bluff Simple Cremations & Burial Service Family owned & Operated Honor and Dignity 527-1732 722 Oak Street, Red Bluff, FD Lic. 1931 cremation your choice? Is