Opinion, Analysis, Discussion
A day in the life of the Fabulous 54
June 18, 2013 —With concern I read George Boardman’s letter (The Union May 30).
Apparently he has unanswered questions regarding the legitimacy of obtaining valedictorian honors at Nevada Union.
Learn more »No elephants at the fair
June 18, 2013 —I send you this plea. Please help be part of the solution and do your part to stop perpetuating the abuse of these endangered animals that God gave us to admire, respect and care for — elephants that are treated badly can behave badly and this is not a risk that our community or any other need to commit to.
I pray that you make the right decision and do something to help keep these animals from being used this summer at our fair for entertainment and financial gain, based on the common concern for the animals and our children. Hear the voice of the people that speak for the elephants who have no voice.
Learn more »Elephant rides at the fair a bad idea
June 18, 2013 —I am writing in regards to the Have Trunk Will Travel company and their proposed rides at the Nevada County Fair this year.
While not only disgusting to see someone treat an animal that way, I find it very disappointing that the board for the Nevada County Fair would even propose such erratic, irresponsible and abusive people to come to the fair. Being born and raised in Nevada County and having attended the Nevada County Fair for countless years, I think that this type of behavior from individuals is not something that should be represented or condoned in a county which respects and loves animals.
Learn more »Rethink the elephant ride idea
June 18, 2013 —I am concerned about the proposal to bring elephants to the fair this summer. It’s been well-established that using animals for this type of entertainment is abusive and inhumane.
Our county is much more progressive than would be demonstrated by having this at our fair. Please reconsider and do not invite this into our community.
Learn more »Elephant rides are inhumane
June 18, 2013 —This letter is directed to Sandy Woods, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds:
I would like to send you a quick note on my stance for the proposed elephant rides for the Nevada County Fair 2013.
Learn more »PETA says elephant organization abusive
June 18, 2013 —I’m writing to express my opinion opposing elephant rides at the Nevada County Fair this year.
If People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has labeled this group an abusive organization, it is an abusive organization. I have been financially contributing to PETA’s investigations fund for years as they are one of most effective animal welfare groups in the country.
Learn more »No elephant rides at the fair!
June 18, 2013 —I am writing to implore the people of Nevada County not to allow elephant rides at our county fair. The company called Have Trunk Will Travel has been videotaped abusing their elephants with bull hooks and electric prods.
The bull hook is a steel rod resembling a sharpened fireplace poker. It is used to prod, hook and strike elephants to achieve a desired behavior.
Learn more »Elephants at fair shows poor judgment
June 18, 2013 —I am appalled at the lack of judgment the county fair is showing by contracting with a company that has allegedly abused their animals.
Not only is this disgusting due to the possible abuse of animals that have no voice in their treatment, it is also potentially dangerous for the fair attendees, as abused animals are unpredictable and can cause serious injury or death.
Learn more »Elephant ride a special experience
June 18, 2013 —This is an open letter to all of you that have become so blinded that you can only see one way, which is “Don’t touch, own or use any animal.”
Yet many of you own horses and you put bits in their mouth to ride, or go to a horse race as the jockey whips the animal the whole time.
Learn more »Why we have a whooping cough epidemic
June 18, 2013 —In case you haven’t noticed, our community is coughing its collective head off these days. Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough” (or “pooping cough” as a young patient recently called it), is the most poorly controlled bacterial vaccine-preventable disease in this country, and we are currently seeing widespread disease in our area.
It is not a matter to be taken lightly. Pertussis is highly contagious, and while it causes an awful and prolonged cough illness in the healthy population, it is well known to be a killer of the very young.
Learn more »A student’s kind gesture
June 17, 2013 —Thank you to Maya Anderman for her heartfelt tribute to to her English literature teacher, Michael Cartan, who is about to retire from his 38-year career in the classroom.
Amid what often seems a high-speed, surface-skimming style of life, it is heartening to find that there are still teachers and students willing to make the slower and more arduous journey into the depths and intricacies of great literature. They have surely discovered a treasure trove of immense riches together.
Learn more »Walker does not reflect values of local Tea Party
June 17, 2013 —Considering the daily blunders from Washington, D.C., do we need to address the local Tea Party leadership? Alas, Michael Walker creates chaos and dissension, showing how little he understands the values of our hard-working Tea Party members.
As an active four-year member of NCTP (and board member for most of those years), I am qualified to speak on behalf of Nancy Garcia, our president.
Learn more »Misinformation from former Consolidated HR director
June 17, 2013 —In article dated June 11, “Former HR director, firefighters square off,” Lisa LaBarbera was caught taking pictures of two firefighters’ trucks in The Union parking lot. This is illegal. Why did Lisa take those pictures, and what does she plan to do with them?
In response to LaBarbera’s less-than-accurate statement, “Grueneberg had way less experience of this district than the current chief at that time …”: The fact is Keith Grueneberg is one of the founding fire chiefs who created Nevada County Consolidated Fire Department. He has more knowledge and experience than she thinks. Try 38 years!
Learn more »‘Baseball for All’ has another good season
June 14, 2013 —Nevada County Challenger League, “Baseball For All,” just finished its 11th season of baseball fun for children and adults with special needs. We would like to thank Nevada City Little League for continuing to host our charter and to Ted White and the Nevada Union High School baseball program for being the best “buddies” ever. We would also like to thank our sponsors: Amerigas, Dokimos Pharmacy, Bob Foster Construction, Nevada County Association for the Developmentally Disabled and Moule Paint and Glass, for making our season possible.
Julie Zumwalt
Learn more »With great appreciation
June 14, 2013 —Our family extends our deepest appreciation to all of the wonderful family and friends who joined us in “Sweet Adeline” Gillespie’s celebration of life memorial service. In particular, we want to thank administrator Mary Eaton-Campbell and all of the great staff at Eskaton Village for the great care, support and service they provided to our mother over the past nine years and especially during the last few weeks of her life.
From the maintenance staff to the resident care assistants to the medical technicians, everyone was always friendly, caring and compassionate. We also want to thank Hospice of the Foothills, its Compassionate Care Center staff and especially her case manager and registered nurse Rebecca Wies for the expert and wonderful care they provided in our mother’s final couple of weeks. We are deeply appreciative of the beautiful Compassionate Care Center we are blessed to have right in our community. Finally, we are very grateful and appreciative of the wonderful care nurse practitioner Susan Claydon and Dr. Christopher Claydon provided to our mother over the years. We are fortunate to have these outstanding health care professionals and care providers in our community. With great admiration and appreciation for all you do.
Learn more »Well done Mr. Cartan and Miss Anderman
June 14, 2013 —Hats off to Nevadad Union High School student Maya Anderman for her wonderful tribute to an outstanding instructor, “Farewell to Mr. Mike Cartan.” As a former school administrator, it is so refreshing to hear students sing the praises and show the respect and reverence for a teacher who has truly touched and changed so many of their lives over the course of a teaching career.
We witness, in this single article, the ending of an extraordinary teaching career of Mr. Cartan and the beginnings of another successful young life in the likes of Miss Maya Anderman. Well done Mr. Cartan and Miss Anderman!
Learn more »Is incest next?
June 14, 2013 —A cautionary note: A hundred or even 50 years ago, marriage between same sex couples was inconceivable. Now it is being debated by the Supreme Court. The debate does not concern itself with morality or religion. The debate is about civil rights. Is it the right of two people of the same sex to be legally married?
At the present time, marriage between persons of the same family (a father and daughter, a mother and a daughter, etc.) is not only inconceivable, it is repugnant. But what does the Supreme Court do in 25 or 50 years when it reviews a case under the guise of civil rights, demanding the right of a brother and sister to legally marry?
Learn more »Principal, teacher deserves recognition
June 14, 2013 —Ms. Sara Guzik, principal and second- through eighth-grade teacher at Echo Ridge Christian School in Nevada City, has been selected to receive a 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award. Many teachers were nominated for this award, but Excellence in Teaching Selection Committee selected just 10 outstanding teachers from around North America.
Here are just a few things that are impressive about Ms. Guzik:
Learn more »In the best interest of pets
June 14, 2013 —I run and ride daily in and around Nevada City, and I see a lot of irresponsible pet owners. I’m writing on behalf of the animals. Dogs are often running unleashed, and invariably, the owner says (sheepishly), “He doesn’t bite,” which is not always the case, since a dog will do what it needs to do to protect its owner. Today, an owner said those words to me, and she added, “Just kick her.” I love animals, and that’s the last thing I want to do, and it’s appalling to me that she said that. Yesterday, we found a very skinny cat who had egregious injuries on her face and was missing an eye. As we called Animal Control to report it, a neighbor yelled, “Before you do anything drastic, check with the owner. She’s elderly and sick.” With empathy for the owner’s condition, my husband said, “What’s drastic is allowing this animal to suffer like this.” The humane thing to do in this case is to put the cat down. An animal lover is a steward and takes care of their best interests. When that doesn’t happen, the animal suffers.
Michelle Newbon
Learn more »Like it or not: Mercury threat exists in Gold Country fish
June 13, 2013 —A recent opinion column by Robert S. Shoemaker deceptively stated that “very small amounts of mercury have been found in fish.” While correct, it is also true that it takes only a very small amount of mercury exposure to poison a fetus in utero, resulting in permanent developmental disabilities.
If you are a pregnant woman, it is important to eat fish, which are an essential source of omega-3 fatty acids, but you need to choose fish that are lower in mercury, such as wild-caught salmon.
Learn more »Pioneer Park Memorial Day ceremony a disappointment
June 13, 2013 —The 9 a.m. Memorial Day ceremony at Nevada City’s Pioneer Park was very disappointing. A friend who was there said it was pathetic. While I didn’t time the ceremony, I don’t think it lasted more than five minutes. The following things were omitted that could have added substance to the event and made for a more meaningful ceremony for the audience:
1. Color Guard detail marching up to present the colors for the raising of our flag.
Learn more »Pioneer Park Memorial Day ceremony a disappointment
June 13, 2013 —The 9 a.m. Memorial Day ceremony at Nevada City’s Pioneer Park was very disappointing. A friend who was there said it was pathetic. While I didn’t time the ceremony, I don’t think it lasted more than five minutes. The following things were omitted that could have added substance to the event and made for a more meaningful ceremony for the audience:
1. Color Guard detail marching up to present the colors for the raising of our flag.
Learn more »Open letter to the CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds regarding elephants
June 13, 2013 —I understand that the argument goes we did it in the past, so we should keep some tradition and continue this practice of using live creatures to entertain us. I point out in the past we had slavery, and the medical community bled patients to help them recover when in fact the cure was no such thing. Often our memories of the past are much more positive than the actual reality.
Some traditions are best passed on, and as we grow as a people, we move beyond our past and progress to behaving more thoughtfully and humanely. At least that is the hope. Using these elephants to ride as a way to entertain our youth is setting a poor example for our children. Animals are live beings and deserve to be cared for thoughtfully and humanely once we domesticate them.
Learn more »Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop there in a pinch
June 12, 2013 —I was getting bicycles ready to take the family on a bike ride along the Truckee River. My youngest son’s bike was broken.
I went to the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop to see if they could help me out. The employee looked for a spare part, but the part was on back order. The owner of the shop overheard our conversation and told the employee to take the part needed off one of his new bicycles.
Learn more »“Iffy” letter recently published
June 12, 2013 —You did not only the community, but also journalism, a disservice by printing the Letter to the Editor from Tim McCall in Saturday’s (May 25, 2013) edition titled “Freedom at Risk.”
Mr. McCall repeatedly claimed the government is “lying to the people” but gave not a single example of it to back his claim.
Learn more »Host and exchange student this summer
June 12, 2013 —You may not be able to explore the world this summer but you can bring a part of the world to your door by hosting a Lions Youth Exchange student from July 6 to 20. This is a cultural exchange to increase world understanding and establish friendships.
Students range in age from 16 to 19. Boys needing host families are from Israel, Italy and Switzerland. Girls are from Germany, Israel, Italy and the Netherlands. If this piques your interest for July, please contact Lion Leal Portis at 530-265-3887.
Learn more »The elephant in the room
June 12, 2013 —It’s shocking that the organizers of the Nevada County Fair openly support cruelty to animals — there’s no other way to interpret their support of the notorious “Have Trunk Will Travel.” This is an outfit that was caught on tape beating elephants with metal-tipped bullhooks and shocking them with electric prods. We know that elephants are keenly intelligent and need to roam for many miles every day and not live in chains. We know that the only reason they comply is because they live in fear of being hurt. Elephant rides have no place at the fair or anywhere. If it has any integrity, the board will do an about face on this reckless decision.
Jennifer O’Connor
Learn more »Fire Safe Council offers free defensible space labor
June 12, 2013 —Recently, I went to the offices of the Fire Safe Council in Grass Valley, located on Main street, and was greeted with courtesy and my situation was given immediate attention.
Within a couple of weeks, a team of eight young people, working through the AmeriCorps organization, with the guidance of a Fire Safe Council supervisor came to my property, and spent the day doing some heavy clearing of brush and berry bushes around my home.
Learn more »Host and exchange student this summer
June 12, 2013 —You may not be able to explore the world this summer but you can bring a part of the world to your door by hosting a Lions Youth Exchange student from July 6 to 20. This is a cultural exchange to increase world understanding and establish friendships.
Students range in age from 16 to 19. Boys needing host families are from Israel, Italy and Switzerland. Girls are from Germany, Israel, Italy and the Netherlands. If this piques your interest for July, please contact Lion Leal Portis at 530-265-3887.
Learn more »
