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6A Daily News – Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Opinion 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 Texting coach Editor: 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 A young lady that I know is playing on the RBUHS vol- leyball team. Congratulations ladies on making the playoffs. I attended a game vs PV, of Chico, and the ladies jumped out to a 2-0 game lead against a very good team. They then lost the third game but had a 9-2 lead in the fourth game. PV went on a run of points and went ahead 11-9. I began wondering why the coach did not call a timeout or something to try to slow down PV. As I looked at the coach sitting on the sideline it was very apparent. She was tex- ting on her phone and not paying attention to the game whatsoever, not even glancing up at the crowd cheers. Soon others saw her con- tinue to text. Principle Glea- son was sitting on the end of the court watching all this. I wonder what he was thinking, if any thing. I continued to watch the coach and it was no surprise that she continued to text the entire game, which RB lost as you can imagine. The ladies gathered themselves together and won the fifth game and the match. I am sure that coaches are paid to give there advice and watch the game. Let me tell you RBUHS did not get their money's worth that night. Check the phones at the locker room and coach. If the ladies advance in the playoffs it will be because they have talent and determination, not coaching. Go girls. Jim Ross, Red Bluff Liberal slant Editor: Regarding the letter from Terry Puckett, complaining about the newspaper's liberal slant. I enjoy reading contrast- ing views from those on the left. It only reaffirms my conserva- tive beliefs. Remember what Marlon Brando said in "The Godfa- ther;" Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Vickie Darnell, Corning Start a new Christmas tradition Editor: As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to pro- vide Americans with mon- strous piles of cheaply pro- duced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is. It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chi- nese produced wrapping paper? Everyone, yes every- one, gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American- owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extrav- agant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Ben- jamins on a Chinese made flat- screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his dri- veway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or would like some rounds at the local golf course. There are bazillion owner- run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local break- fast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big national chains — this is about support- ing your home town Ameri- cans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning Your Turn lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, so you are looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restau- rants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater? Musi- cians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you really need to buy another 10,000 Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a $5 string of light, about 50 cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Ameri- can pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging Ameri- can small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imag- ine. This is the new American Christmas tradition. Tere Hancock, Cottonwood Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, 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), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. The real American Dream Commentary It's been getting to me, I must admit. Fifteen years ago, I bought my first house. I'd just started a freelance writing business and money was tight. An appraiser I knew told me about a fixer-upper in the coun- try he had just assessed. He was confident I could get a good deal on it. Boy, was he right. See, the owner of the house, an elderly fellow, was a hoard- er. The house was packed inside and out with junk -- unimagin- able piles of it. I made an offer and, regret- tably, it was accepted. My father and I worked non- stop for the first few years to get the place up to snuff. We filled Dumpsters full of junk. We renovated and improved. Just when I got the joint decent enough to live in, I moved to Washington, D.C., and rented it out. I rented it to the same nice couple for more than 13 years. Two months ago, I moved back to that house. This time, I have a talented construction fellow to help me. He has shown up every week- end since I moved in. We've been ripping the place apart inside and out to make it nice. There is dust everywhere. Mud, too. I spend every waking moment driving my old truck to Home Depot to pick up sup- plies, then going right back because I always forget some- thing. And I'm single-handedly try- ing to end the recession by spending lots of money. See, the rule of thumb with home renovations is that no matter what you think a project will cost, it will cost three times as much. So you factor in the fact that it will cost three times what you expect -- and it is still three times whatever you factor. In any event, living in a con- struction zone is living in a con- stant state of agitation and, as I said, it has been getting to me. But then I remember that I am living the American dream. You remember what that is, surely. It involves buying a home, holding on to it long term and paying it off. It involves a great deal of appreciation in value over time -- so that when you retire, you can sell the house and bank a bunch of dough. Well, a lot of Amer- icans aren't living that dream anymore. Many bought homes at inflat- ed prices during the peak of the housing bubble. Nearly 25 per- cent of them are in homes that are worth significantly less than they owe. I am just an English major but I predicted there would be a hous- ing collapse way back in 2005. I was living in D.C. and saw people speculat- ing wildly on houses, confident that no matter what they paid, they'd reap a huge windfall by selling the following year. Most of those people lost their shirts in 2008. The fact is the American dream is still alive. It just isn't as sexy as some would like it to be. some elbow grease. Sure, it is unpleasant to live in dust and mud for a spell. It is unpleasant to work hard and spend every waking moment at Home Depot. But that is how most of America's wealthy acquired their wealth -- through hard, dirty work over a long peri- od. Tom Purcell And when I remember this, the agitation of living in dirt and mud for another month or so doesn't bother me anymore. How blessed I am to have a shot at living the American dream. One way to create long-term wealth is to buy a fixer-upper, below market value, and put in Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or e-mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com. ———