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6A – Daily News – Friday, March 26, 2010 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 Seeing stars Did you hear? Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in town this week, not to mention Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. As you read in Wednesday’s Daily 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 News, and likely saw in other newspapers and every television station in the region, the two were in town for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fish Passage Improvement Project at the Red Bluff Diver- sion Dam. Schwarzenegger because the project will ensure continued flow of water to the agricultural community and the proposed Sites Reservoir — a big political football for the governor and Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, who was also in town. clout, but how was it much different that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tehama County Farm Bureau’s new headquarters on Sale Lane or the grand opening of Sier- ra Central Credit Union at Main Street and Adobe Road? There were people represent- ing the agencies that paid for the project, the folks who did the work and those representing groups that will benefit. There were plenty of “thank yous,” some speeches about “the long struggle to get where we are” and some more speeches conveying the gravity of the project to the community. Salazar because a good por- tion of the money for the project come from the American Recov- ery and Reinvestment Act — more commonly known as the stimulus package — pot. But maybe that’s just my take on things. Perhaps the dignitaries are clos- eted ichthyologists eager to get a first-hand look at the habitat of the endangered species the project is intended to protect. Either way, Red Bluff was the place to be for regional, state and some national news organizations Tuesday. That’s a rare thing. It’s almost unheard of for good news. Sure, media outlets from outside the area flock to Tehama County when there’s a par- ticularly horrible or gruesome story. But when was the last time they came to town for something positive? For the Daily News it was just another local news story. Yes, having a member of the sitting administration and a movie star- turned-politician gave the event a bit more Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. The biggest difference? Many young men in suits walking around wearing sunglasses with wires coming out of their ears. It is interesting for me, though, when a local event becomes a national one. It gives me the chance to see how other media outlets cover it and compare it to our coverage. The results are usually about what I expect — our coverage focuses on the local impacts and others’ coverage looks more at the broader impacts. Still, interesting. By noon Tuesday, the dust had settled. The dignitaries were in the air or on the road out of town, and the other media out- lets were right behind them. We headed up the street and got back to the business of covering the people and events of Tehama County. Just another day at the office. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527- 2151, Ext. 112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Young Marine thanks the group’s supporters Editor: Over the past six years the Tehama County Young Marines have had a lot of support, on the way to being named recipients of the 2009 Ful- crum Shield acknowledged by Secretary of Defense. These supporters under- stand and fathom the need for programs in youth drug demand reduction. These programs will help our youth to grow into the beneficial citizens that will possibly be in busi- ness, government or running for office. Most of the future adults will also be rearing astonishing children with a sense of responsibili- ty and not a sense of entitlement. This is a goal that many youth organizations try to accomplish, but their success is dependent on teamwork, it is possible. Teamwork is a valuable thing to have in a Your Turn community. Those who play by society's rules are a whole lot happier than those who won't. Many adults try to understand this but they some- times seem too busy. It's usually us youth who understand this. We look to those who are setting the examples. Sometimes that's not a good thing. I realize that trying to name all our supporters in this short piece wouldn't work too well, but I do have to mention the Police Activities League, Red Bluff Police Association, Corning Police, CHP, Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker and Business Connections as major supporters. Truly our supporters touched and changed our lives, they have been at our sides the whole way, we wouldn’t have been able to do this without them, Thank you. For a more complete list of our supporters, visit www.tehamacountyyoungmarines.com. Carlin Bowles, Red Bluff Editor’s note: Carlin Bowles is a Tehama County Young Marines gunnery sergeant. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), 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), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 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; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Spring is in the air and I can head outside Commentary Well, spring is finally here and there’s nothing better than being outside. One of the major negatives about winter is I’m shut up indoors. This one was especially tough, as we bought a house in November and moved in with hardly any furniture. Imagine being stuck inside a house with no place to sit - except the dining room? So, I gained 10 pounds – who cares? It’s bound to happen when one spends two months so close to the fridge. Got nothing to do? Take a few shorts steps across the floor and grab another sandwich and some chips. I like Ruffles. Throw in a tall glass of ale and that’s about thirty minutes of entertainment. There’s no question my kids took over the house this winter. That’s why I’m so happy the rain has stopped and warmer weather has arrived. I don’t mind winter so much, but for me there’s nothing better than being outside. This is especially true now that I have a back yard in which to kick back and relax. Toss in a garage that’s con- nected to an alley and I’ve got plenty of places to hide. Spring also provides a better answer to the continual kid ques- tion, "Where are you going, Dad?" It’s easier for me to say "out back" than "the other room." Besides, at least now they’ll follow me outside, which is where I would rather have them, anyway, than in front of the tele- vision or computer. I guess this is a trait that’s stuck with me all these years. I can still hear my father encour- aging us kids to "go outside and play" instead of hanging around the house. We didn’t really have a choice. It was more of a com- mand than a statement. But, that’s cool. I appreciate the fact that Dad figured there was more to life than being lazy bums lounging on the sofas. I can laugh now, but once he got us outside, we were usually put to work mowing a lawn or raking leaves. In the spring and summer, we had fruit trees that needed pick- ing up after. I can still feel those plums and peaches squeezing between my toes when I stepped on them. And if our dog had done his business near those trees – well, that just didn’t mix well with squished fruit. Alas, the joys of being outside, which is why we always had to clean our feet before coming back inside. I don’t think we humans were meant to be shut off from the outdoors. Sure, having a roof over our head for protection is necessary, but I believe our mental health improves with exposure to the ele- ments. I’ve played golf in a hailstorm, seen lighten- ing rip trees in half, and soaked up a day’s worth of sun at the beach. I’ve fished quiet creeks in the mountains at first light, and I’ve watched the sun scorch the sea as it set in the west. keeping my sanity is pretty darn important. How do you think I come up with all these columns every week? Being outside helps me process all the informational garbage I’m bom- barded with every day, and allows me to think in a more ratio- nal way. Pat Gleason Simply Put My apologies to Robert Frost groupies; he’s a poet. However, I’m just trying to show my gratitude to Mother Nature for giving me the chance to get some space and clear my head. In my line of work, that’s huge. I’m around kids all day, so This keeps my brain from freezing, like a computer screen with too many open applications. I don’t know if I’ve really thought about spring this way before, but I think it awakens our senses and revives our spirit. We can’t experience that by simply looking out our window. So, get outside and enjoy our Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us. spring. Have a great Friday. ———