Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/48396
6A Daily News –Wednesday, November 23, 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 Suited for job Editor: Some people go to work 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 every day and dread their job and what they do. Some peo- ple go to work every day and love what they do. Those are the people that take that extra step and the people that make their job worthwhile and have meaning. Michelle Highly at our ani- mal shelter is one of those people. Again, she posted a picture of a dog in need of a forever home. She uses every avenue open and available to her to find homes for these animals that cannot speak for themselves. I realize that Michelle is not the only person that works there, but she makes this such a part of her life, inside and outside of the shelter. She is always looking for families and people looking for pets and she's very good at match- making. My dog was a hand-off at the pound. He was being brought back in because his owner had land but no herd and no fences. She kept say- ing you've got to take this dog, you've got to take him home. I didn't want a dog. I wasn't there for an animal, I was there to sign my daughter up to volunteer. Well, it's been 4 years now and this dog is such a bless- ing. He has been such an amazing addition to our fami- ly, we refer to him as the four- legged brother. We go back from time to time to see Michelle and he gallops to the door. He's a big boy, so yes, he gallops. So in the month of giving thanks for our blessings, I am thanking Michelle for our dog and for the work she does to find good matches for count- less animals. Thank you all, who work with these animals. Tammy Sheppard, Red Bluff Thanks Editor: I want to extend a sincere thank you for those that sup- ported the Sacramento River Discovery Center's recent events. The Fall Walk-Run was an experience. Some of the brave people came from as far away as Mt. Shasta and most had never walked or run here before. The Red Bluff High School Key Club members that volunteered to help were wonderful, considering how cold it was at 7 a.m. We thank our supporters, wish "Run for the Needy" much success and will learn from their start time of 9 a.m., if we decide to hold the event again next year. The Red Bluff Recreation Area Walk/Run course, along the RBRA trails, is enjoying increased popularity as a result of efforts of Ronnie Gregory, Mendocino National Forest's Red Bluff Recreation Area manager. These 488 acres are a real treasure the public should be enjoying along the East Sand Slough and the Sacramento River. Speaking of trails, the SRDC is sponsoring a second Thursday Evening program at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Farm Bureau office, 275 Sale Lane, about the walking and biking trails in Tehama County and the possibilities to complete more of them The meeting will feature members of the Tehama County Transporta- tion, Tom Orr of Shasta Col- lege and the Red Bluff Plan- ning Department. To learn what happened at the first meeting you can read Tang Lor's Daily News article printed Oct. 27. For those that missed the SRDC Plant Sale, there are still plants available in the Discovery Center Green- house, you can visit the Cen- ter at 1000 Sale Lane, week- days from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make your selections, call the Center at 527-1196 or e- mail bhughe1@tehamaed.org. I want to encourage you to come to the RBRA and walk the trails, visit the 2 acre gar- den that is being brought back to life by a wonderful series of volunteers: Sharon Kessey, Randy Baker, Bruce Gray, Judy Burlison, Jane Nixon and Justin Thomas. This is propagation time and addi- tional volunteers are encour- age to come help create more plants for the May 12 Water- shed Celebration and Plant Sale, and to help with garden cleanup. Your Turn Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon are good times, but any time the center is open your assistance will be appreciated. This is a com- munity garden to teach people about low water use garden- ing with plants that attract good bugs (pollinators), but are not good deer food. Once again I want to thank the commu- nity for its support of the SRDC and look forward to having you visit the RBRA and the Discovery Center in the near future. Bobie Hughes, Red Bluff Domestic violence Editor: I would like to add a few comments to the Alternatives to Violence article. If you choose to leave an abusive relationship, do not expect law enforcement to pro- tect you. Do expect to be alien- ated from those whom you thought were your friends. Very often, the abuser is a very engaging, charismatic man and many will not believe he is capable of such bad behavior. It is easier to it blame you. On the flip side, others will surface to support you and give you strength to survive. These people are often referred to as Angels from Heaven. To the Angels in my life, love y'all. Vickie Darnell, Corning 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. Unfortunate reality (TV) Commentary "Do you know what I want to be when I grow up, Daddy?" "I am so proud of my little girl. You want to be a doctor? Or maybe a medical researcher?" "Don't be silly, Daddy. I want to be a reality-TV star." "Huh?" "I have it all figured out. First I'll make a sex tape with my boyfriend -- preferably a profes- sional athlete — and then I'll make sure somebody steals it and makes it public." "A what kind of tape?" "I'll pretend to be embar- rassed, of course. That will help me win a multimillion-dollar settlement -- and the ensuing publicity will launch my reality- TV career." "But, honey, what about your mother?" "Not to worry, Daddy. Mom will be involved. I'll get the whole family involved. After all, I need bit players to create conflict and good drama. You'll play the role of a prudish father." "But I am a prudish father!" "Oh, Daddy, you need to get with the times. America is much different than it was when you grew up. In the old days, people had to work boring jobs and produce some tangible value to get paid. Now all we need to do is be pretty and famous." "But your mother and I don't want a camera crew following us around in our home. We don't want our private lives broadcast for the world to see." "You are such a fuddy-duddy, Daddy. Look, most of our show will be fake anyhow. We'll make up family problems and pretend to solve them. It's like acting." "But it is not acting. Real actors are committed to their craft and study for years to evoke emotions and truths that help others better understand humanity." "You are so 1970s, Daddy. In the modern era, all you need to do is present a made-up story that captures people's attention and the ratings will soar. Then you get to hobnob with rich and famous people, live in big hous- es, drive nice cars and wear expensive clothes." "But I want my daughter to have wealth of spirit, not of material things!" "You'll change your mind once our brand is established. The endorsements will roll in. We'll be rich beyond belief." "Honey, do you remember where your mother hid the bour- bon?" "I'll get an offer to do a spread in Playboy and meet lots more professional athletes hanging out at Hef's mansion. I'll marry one, too. Our multimil- lion-dollar wedding will be broadcast for all the world to see!" "But your wedding should be a private affair for your family and clos- est friends! Privacy is a pre- cious, wonderful thing." "I know what you're think- ing, Daddy: that the obsession with wealth and fame among America's young people is a troubling turn of events. Fewer kids want to study to be doctors or engineers. They want to be rich and famous and superficial — just like the reality-TV stars." "That's right, honey. Your mother and I want you to find meaning and purpose in life. We want you to be a good citizen. We want you to find a career that helps others. We want you to have a family and know deep, last- ing love and happi- ness — not just super- ficial wealth and fame." Tom Purcell "Oh, Daddy, I can't help that that is what I want to be when I grow up. It's what lots of young Americans want nowadays. You're going to have to get used to it." "But, but —" "But what, Daddy?" "But you're only 5!" 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.