Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/54502
4A Daily News – Friday, February 3, 2012 Opinion New name, new vision 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 Warren Buffett once said, "If you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more produc- tive than energy devoted to patch- ing leaks." This is certainly analogous to 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 what's happening as the Daily News and newspapers across the country switch vessels from our traditional print products to elec- tronic products via the Internet and mobile devices. I spent the early part of this week in San Jose with the key executives from the company that oversees MediaNews Group and California Newspaper Partnership, the owners of the Daily News. The newly formed company, which also controls the Journal Register Company, is named Dig- ital First Media. Print folks have been told that we need to look toward the future ever since I got into the business, but what I heard this week was refreshing — not just a vague order to embrace new technology and figure it out as we go, but a detailed and tested plan to trans- form the company into a leader in modern delivery of news and advertising. It won't be easy, and the speak- ers said as much. The alternative, though, is to stay the course, watch print revenue continue its slow decline and eventually close our doors when we can no longer afford to employ enough people to put out a quality newspaper. This doesn't mean we're plan- ning the end of the print version of the Daily News. It could happen sometime in the distant future, if it can no longer support the expense of production and physical distrib- ution. So what does all this mean for you? Change should be expected, but most of it will take place here in the office and should not impact subscribers. Redbluffdailynews.com will take on a new look and become easier to navigate. Content will be richer and allow visitors to con- sume much more news from around the state, nation and world with- out having to venture to other sites. You will be able to receive more and better breaking and useful news on your cell phones and other mobile devices as it produced. Design and building of print ads and pages will take place off site and be done by far more talented designers than reside here at our office. Being relieved of page design will allow the newsroom to dedi- cate more time to gather- ing the local news and sports you value most in our products. More news, faster news, Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. duced by Digital First this week. Similar improve- ments will be happen- ing for advertisers, but I'll let somebody from that side of the building speak to them. For those thinking this is all talk, Medi- aNews is the third com- pany to be managed under this plan. Each of the first, though some- what smaller in scale, has become a resound- ing success. A proven plan that will improve our exist- ing products and pre- pare us to remain viable in the long term — I'll be putting my energy into hopping that vessel and leave others to patch leaks. improved web interface and sharp- er looking pages — these are the side effects of our transition into the digital age under the plan intro- Chip reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by editor@redbluffdailynews.com. 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. Great minds... Commentary There was no need to adjust your set when reading last Saturday's edition of the DN in which Dr. Harrop, in his column, dis- cussed the local Tea Party dust up and also Newt Gingrich's lack of qualification to become President, just because I had written on the same subjects the day before. It was merely a coincidence, which verifies the premise that great minds run in the same channel. I struck a match on Friday and the good doctor created a bonfire Saturday with his erudite variations on the themes. DN columnists have great fun with one another via such horseplay. Speaking of horses at play and at work, the missus and I thought the new HBO series "Luck" would be of interest when we began viewing it Sunday. However, we did not watch it to its conclusion. It was very well filmed, the sets impressive and the horses showed a lot of spirit. Even the cast- ing, particularly that of Dustin Hoffman, was right on…but the dialogue proved to be so foreign to our ears that we could not fol- low the plot to a satisfactory conclusion. We have seen horse races, but have not hung out at the track. The first race filmed was excit- ing and one felt booted and spurred with the riders. The second race featured a horse breaking a leg and being "put down." These things happen of course…but we decided that our living room was not the proper venue. Oh well, the baseball season is just around the corner. Go Giants! *** This business of book selling runs counter to the expectations of friends and relatives requesting gratis copies. That rela- tives get free copies, is a given, but close friends of the family presents a gray area. When approached by a long time friend, I cautiously work into the conversation my asking price. However, when ringing up a sale on the cash register…figuratively speaking, I occasionally detect a small gust of disappointment wafting across the desk. Reporting this later to the missus, she com- mented that I was being overly sensitive, that business is business and I should get on with it. She concluded by reminding me to drop off a free copy to her sister. *** A reminder that the Manton Madcap team of Merry Standish will be doing their outrageous standup comedy on Feb. 4 at the Manton Corners. As the venue is an historic tavern, the minimum age is 21. However, if you are young, hip and want to be exposed to adult humor, you might grow a mustache and take your chances. Their ad, however, did not indicate a maximum age, so I guess old dogs wanting to learn new tricks will be tolerated. *** Speaking of old dogs, former President Jimmy Carter, being interviewed by TIME, replied when asked if voters should care about the faith of candi- dates, "I think moral values would be a better way, but I don't see how you can separate faith from moral values. I also don't maintain that you have to be a Christian to exhibit those char- acteristics in private or public life." I'm with you on that one, Jimmy. However, when asked if to be politically successful one must be able to square dance, he said, "Not exact- ly, but if I hadn't been a square dancer, I wouldn't have been President." I did not read further. *** Clever quip: Noting that return on invest- ment in contemporary art has been outper- forming the stock market, writer Bill Sapor- ito suggests," If the next 10 years are any- thing like the past 10, you should buy abstract art over abstract mortgage deriva- tives." *** S. Barkel sends in this bit of humor: The current plight and sinking of the Italian liner Costa Concordia reminds one of a comment by Winston Churchill. After his retirement, he was cruising the Mediterranean on an Italian liner and asked by reporters why he chose an Italian ship. He replied, "There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship. First, their cuisine is unsur- passed. Second, their service is superb. And then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about women and children first." *** Last week's quiz was answered by my Robert Minch I Say sister, L. Smith. It is not that she is not capa- ble of answering all quizzes. She is smart enough, but figures others not so endowed, should have a chance. Anyhow, she named the Red Bluff High School official pep song as "On ye Spartans!" and gave one of our classic yells, "2...4...6...8! Who do we appreciate? Spartans! Spartans! Rah!" Smart girl that Smith woman. I sold her my book at only half price…. This week's quiz: A repeat question: "Railroad crossing, look out for the cars. Can you spell that without any 'Rs?'" And when was the War of 1812 fought…and what kind of dogs run in a Greyhound race? *** Mixed emotions department: A reader, who prefers anonymity, graciously dropped off two jars of her homemade pomegranate jelly. We were enjoying it on our Sunday waffles, when the missus decided to make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. It is my habit to eat same while read- ing the S.F.Chronicle. However, I was so absorbed in reading while scarfing down the sandwich, that I failed to notice that half was going into my mouth...and half down the front of my pearl gray sweater. Fortunately I was able to shed the sweater and soak it in cold water. But the pomegranate peanut but- ter experience was worth it. *** I called my stockbroker and asked him what I should be buying. He said, "If the current administration is in office much longer, canned goods and ammunition are your best bets!" 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. Thompson can be e-mail at