Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/533409
GregStevens,Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EDITORIALBOARD 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, 545 Diamond Ave., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS As mentioned in previous columns, I head over to the Tehama County Library each month to comb through microfilm and harvest items for the 100 years ago... feature that appears each day on the community page. Themonthlytaskisone of my favorite duties be- cause I enjoy history and of- ten come across gems that bring a smile to my face. One such ap- peared in the May 21, 1915 pa- per in the form of lyrics to a song that had been rewritten to celebrate Red Bluff. You see, the town was planning a shindig for May 22 to celebrate the com- pletion of the paving of Main and Walnut streets for the first time. While some would suggest that original pavement still graces Main Street today, the project must have been a huge deal to residents who were weary of the dust and mud of busy, unpaved streets. Of course, we know some- thing else happened that day that was sort of a big deal — the eruption of Lassen Peak at 4:30 p.m. Talk about a fire- works show. The lyrics are meant to be sung to the tune of "The Little Ford Rambled Right Along," which was about 50 years before my time. If you're equally un- familiar with the tune, visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3gs_wqA8W_U or consult someone your senior. In addition to celebrat- ing Red Bluff, the song issues a challenge to continue to take pride in our town mov- ing forward. As I look around it would be easy to be cyni- cal and focus on crime, graf- fiti and other issues every city faces. But that would discount the good work and civic pride all around us, from tradi- tional service clubs that give out thousands in scholar- ships to groups like Cleaner Greener Red Bluff that roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to make our town better. The local Cornerstone Community Bank recently unveiled a television com- mercial that highlights folks here in Red Bluff and the good work they do. I know most of them and it's nice to see them recognized in such a way. While much has changed in the last hundred years, there's still plenty to be proud of right here in Red Bluff. Hope you enjoy the song as much as I did. TheNewsMay21,1915 The celebration to be held in Red Bluff tomorrow has brought out some peculiar talents in response to the call for a general ratification of the paving of our main street. The latest and one of the best contributions to this collection of commemorative verse is a song from the pen of Mrs. J.J. Worthington, for many years a resident of Red Bluff, now of Sacramento. The song is to be sung to the tune of "The Little Ford Ram- bled Right Along." It should be the duty of some of the numerous committees to or- ganize a chorus to sing this song Saturday evening on Main street. Here it is. There's a pretty town by name, Red Bluff, whose people are the best for they're made of good stuff, they have planned a cele- bration for the twenty-second of May and this they will give in an up-to-date way. They have paid their good money to have the streets paved put in some new sidewalks and had the awnings razed their homes are neat and their yards of flowers full and their slogan is The City Beautiful. Chorus: And the little old town im- proves right along. And the little old town im- proves right along. They have paved Main Street and Walnut, too, built a new Post Office and will bridge the Sand Slough. Of nice new homes there are not a few. I wonder what next they are going to do? Build a new hotel right up- to-date and swell? And the little old town im- proves right along. The women bought a park site, without much ceremony, which they will beautify some day (when they get the money), Riverview, upon the bluff, with vale and mountain grand, and the Sacramento at your feet like a silver strand. Boost in the motto and they work with might and main to beautify their city and sustain its good name. Men, when you pave more streets just listen to them — "hark, be sure," right through the center, to put a little park Chorus All praise to the women! They respond to every call, and all work together for the common good of all. You've a right to be proud, good people of Red Bluff, for your rep is mighty good and that is the truth. Cleanest town in the valley in every respect, we are told by the man sent out to inspect. You can keep it so by an al- together pull and never cease to work for The City Beautiful. Chorus ChipThompsoncan be reached at 737-5042 or by email at editor@ redbluffdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @editorchip. 545 Diamond Ave. The little town moves right along Cartoonist's take The motto of the New York Times is "All the news that's fit to print." It is apparently no longer a slogan applicable to the media. Recently a certifiable nut case walked into a church and gunned down 9 people therein. That's news and newspapers print news. However, what possible good can come from printing the name of the perpetrator and publishing his stated reason for killing people? The press hasn't always been that irresponsible when it came to news and the people's right to know. FDR was a U.S. President who suffered from paralysis of his legs, and it was an unwrit- ten pledge amongst the press that he would only be photo- graphed standing unaided or when seated. JFK, an acknowl- edged womanizer, was, during his lifetime, protected to a de- gree, by the press from his pec- cadilloes. However, Bill Clin- ton was not afforded that pro- tection, so the times they are a changing. What we can learn from this is that the crazies and their man- ifestos do not need to be ex- plained chapter and verse to the public. It is obvious that expo- sure is what they crave and their imitators are standing by to do the same. The more sensational the crime, the more encouraging it is for copycats. So, what to do about it? I suggest something unlikely to be adopted by the press, but an idea that should be consid- ered. 1) Assign the perpetrator a number. No name, just a number. He stands trial and if convicted goes down in infamy but not by name. 2) His manifesto is never revealed. That's it. No fame, no fortune, no acknowledgement that he or she had a mission. Anonymity is what they deserve. The reading public should be content to live with that. ••• When does science conflict with religious dogma? Often, I would say. However Pope Fran- cis has decided to join forces with those concerned with global warming. This, for many believ- ers, puts the stamp of approval on the concept that warming is man-made, immoral and some- thing that should be addressed by all. However, there are those in the scientific community who say, tut tut, we have had cycles of weather for centuries, the ice ages for example, and this cur- rently is just another warming cycle. Nothing man can do to prevent it. Pope Francis, please copy. ••• A company that evaluates and manages 401 (k) accounts states, "The next time someone offers you advice about your retirement or the stock market, ask them to sign this statement: "I, _____, as your advisor, will act as a fi- duciary and only give you advice that is in your best interest." The company then adds, "If your ad- visor will not sign this statement, run as fast as you can in the op- posite direction and find one who will." This, in my opinion, is an af- front to anyone to ask them to sign such a statement. It reminds me of the McCarthy era where people were asked to sign state- ments of fealty to this country, and that they were not, nor had ever been, a member of the com- munist party. The financial advi- sors whom I know disclose their fees and their responsibilities to their clients to the extent there is never a question of an advisor giving their clients advice not in their best interest. ••• Sign on a Septic Tank Truck: "Yesterday's Meals on Wheels" Sign at an Optometrist's Of- fice: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place." ••• The burros were incensed. Jackie and Janey stuck their noses through the spaces of the metal fence to let me know they wanted to talk. They had just heard from one of the horses that a National Miniature Don- key show was being held at the fairgrounds, and sponsors pro- claimed it would be a huge show with exhibitors coming from as far away as Texas and Canada. Apparently this news was trou- bling to our burros. "What is this 'Miniature Don- key business,' asked Jackie. "They are very small donkeys," I replied. "Well," Jackie said, "We are burros…in fact 'wild' burros, and we are defined as 'small don- keys.'" "So?" "So what do these 'miniatures' do that we don't do better?" "An article in the paper said that these miniatures participate in events like team driving, bar- rel racing and snigging." Janey weighed in. "Barrel rac- ing? You must be kidding. And what is snigging?" "Snigging is where a donkey pulls a 60-pound log through a course, or so says the article," I reported. The burros digested this in- formation and then the older Jackie said, "I don't think we would be interested in perform- ing such nonsense. We are con- tent right here on the ranch, and are here for our unique looks. No backpacking, no barrel rac- ing and no snigging. If this event comes around next year, we will pass. Besides, these so called 'miniatures' can't be too happy. We could hear them kicking the gates at the fairgrounds all night long. Such goings on." The horses, overhearing this conver- sation, nodded in agreement. We at the ranch prefer our "small donkeys" just the way they are; not trained but compan- ionable. Just the way they were when rounded up and placed in holding pens east of Susanville, ready for adoption. ••• Some may complain about the Royal Canadian Mounted Po- lice, but you rarely hear about the positive things they do. On a bitterly cold winter's day several weeks ago in Northern British Columbia, a RCMP con- stable on patrol came across a motorcyclist swathed in protec- tive clothing and helmet and stalled by the roadside. "What's the matter," asked the policeman. "Carburetor's frozen," was the terse reply. "Pee on it. That'll thaw it out." "I can't," said the biker. "OK, watch me closely and I'll show you." The constable promptly warmed the carbure- tor as promised. The bike started and the rider drove off, waving. A few days later, the detach- ment office received a note of thanks from the father of the mo- torbike rider. It began: "On behalf of my daughter Jill...." Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and author of the "The Knocking Pen." He can be reached at rminchandmurray@ hotmail.com. I say Some things we don't need reported While much has changed in the last hundred years, there's still plenty to be proud of right here in Red Bluff. Sounding off A look at what readers are saying in comments on our website and on social media. We love Mel. We will miss you, but this is a well-earned retirement. Mary Pryde: on the retirement of Mel Clatty, Sr. Maintenance at the fairgrounds. Nice to know we still have a year round market. Terry Compton-Friedemann: On Frontier Village farmers market moving to Home Depot. Chip Thompson Robert Minch OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, June 26, 2015 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4