Letters to the Editor
Coach Houlihan uniquely qualified
May 21, 2013 —As boys basketball coach at Nevada Union High School, I have a unique opportunity to work with the football program in a meaningful way. We share young men and facilities virtually everyday.
It has been my honor to work beside to Dave Humphers for the past 17 years. From coach Humphers, I’ve learned the importance of team building and surrounding yourself with good staff. Our young men need to be surrounded by men of character. Coach Humphers has consistently put those kind of people in our student-athletes’ lives. Congratulations on a great run coach Humphers! Enjoy watching Gabe, Hank and Sophie play and grow up!
Learn more »Imagine reducing the triggers for violence
May 21, 2013 —I wanted to respond to Jodi McDonald’s recent commentary in Other Voices.
While I doubt that we would find agreement on the gun control issue … this is where we could come together: confronting the levels of acceptable violence in our culture. One cannot but wonder if this would be the meeting ground between the pro- and anti-gun law advocates.
Learn more »Politics as usual
May 21, 2013 —It’s sad that the Nevada County Republican Party, which has “unanimously passed a resolution”(!) concerning the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, can’t see past its misguided sanctimony. The pledge as it stands now (as modified in 1954) is one of the last vestiges of McCarthyism that we are still too scared to confront as a nation.
To me, it seems decidedly un-American and contrary to our declaration of religious tolerance. Sure, “… one nation under God …” got in there easy enough in one quick flash of legislative fear-mongering and red-baiting, but to even breach the subject of its removal or of its relevance … well, that’s just unpatriotic and quite possibly the work of Satan.
Learn more »Don’t short change traditional schools
May 21, 2013 —Recently, the Nevada Union valedictorians for the class of 2013 were announced. Of the 54 students named, 27 of them received their K-8 instruction in the Nevada City School District. Fifty percent of these outstanding students were educated in a traditional school, not a charter school.
My challenge to you is to research the value of traditional schools now that you have written a multi-page article on charter schools. As all fair journalists know, you must provide all sides of a story. It is your responsibility to cover traditional schools as well. I look forward to being interviewed to share the daily, brilliant events going on at Deer Creek School in the Nevada City School District.
Learn more »The brouhaha over the Pledge of Allegiance
May 20, 2013 —The brouhaha over the Pledge of Allegiance issue in North San Juan doesn’t come close to describing what is happening to our “pledge” throughout America.
Our shallow electorate has given up its supreme power to the elected who seek re-election through more government dependence … that is not a “republic.”
Learn more »Home values go up near trail access
May 20, 2013 —For those who doubt the increased the value of homes near horse riding trail access, I would like to refer them to a study named “New Research Finds that Homeowners and City Planners Should ‘Hit the Trail’ When Considering Property Values” (http://uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=14300). This research found that housing prices went up for every foot closer to the trail entrance. Ultimately, the study concluded that for the average homeowners were willing to pay a $9,000 premium to be located 1,000 feet closer to the trail. The researchers say their study is among the first to quantify the impact of multipurpose trail proximity on residential property values while isolating the results from the biasing effect of nearby property values.
With regard to the Lake of the Pines trail being private, may I reference a number of public trails in the area that enjoyed access from residential properties: Western States Trail, Hidden Falls, Meadow Vista Sugar Pines Trail, which is adjacent to prestigious Winchester Country Club, American River Parkway, Folsom Lake Trails, Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley and Pioneer Trail in Nevada City, just to name a few.
Learn more »‘Journey to the West’ an overwhelming success
May 17, 2013 —The Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra thanks the community for its overwhelming support of “Journey to the West.” It was a tremendous undertaking by the directors, designers, cast and crew, and we are pleased with the outcome.
Many patrons have expressed a desire to own the beautiful and mesmerizing music from the show, and the music CD is now available for purchase. The music is arranged and composed by Tynowyn Woolman and performed by The Orchestra of Heaven and Earth (which includes Tynowyn, Lisa Stine and Joe Fajen).
Learn more »Thank you to Lucchesi Vineyards
May 17, 2013 —Janis Jablecki’s family would like to let Linda and Mario know how grateful we are for your kindness and generosity. You went above and beyond to assist our family in the planning and execution of our special event. We were so fortunate to have such a beautiful setting, gracious hosts and wonderful wine! Lucchesi Vineyards was perfect for our very special event!
Allison Rodriguez, on behalf of Janis Jablecki’s Family
Learn more »Volunteer firefighting a patriotic act in and of itself
May 17, 2013 —I read in The Union today that the Nevada County Republican Party is indignant over the decision of the North San Juan Volunteer Fire Department to reduce the number of meetings at which the Pledge of Allegiance is said. Although the department revoked the decision (for other reasons), I’d like to publicly ask the Nevada County Republican Party to remove its nose from the business of my local volunteer fire department.
If they’re worried that this department is not displaying a proper amount of “patriotism,” I can’t think of a more patriotic act than volunteering one’s time to come to the aid of one’s community at all hours of the day and night by defending people’s homes from fire and responding to every medical emergency and rescue situation. Keep your politics out of my fire district, Republican Party.
Learn more »Asking the same exact questions of alcohol, caffeine
May 14, 2013 —Doctor Lasich’s recent letter to the editor inspired me to write in.
People ask a lot of questions about alcohol and caffeine, addictive and mind-altering drugs used for recreational purposes by the majority of adults in Nevada County.
Learn more »Questions for Doug LaMalfa
May 14, 2013 —We in Nevada County are in a newly drawn U.S. Congressional district with a freshman congressman, Doug LaMalfa, who outspent his opponent 10 times over, and we might reasonably have questions for him.
He’ll meet privately with his Tea Party Republican people, as he did in March, barring reporters and even cell phones, but all I can get is a form letter. A little research reveals that he is anti-government, hostile to exposure, has no town halls scheduled even though he flies back from Washington every weekend, is an extreme forced-birther, wants to repeal the new health insurance regulations, de-regulate guns, and generally molder in the barrel of rotten apples in the most obstructionist congress in history.
Learn more »Recognizing public servants
May 14, 2013 —The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) is a proud supporter of Public Service Recognition Week. It is a public education campaign honoring the men and women who serve our country as federal, state, county and local government employees.
Americans are served every day by public servants. They are the unsung heroes who do the work that keeps our nation working, whether it is border patrol officers, embassy employees, airport security, fire and police protection, mail delivery, Centers for Disease Control or processing Social Security checks.
Learn more »Grocery Outlet supports much-needed food drive
May 14, 2013 —Lori and Tim at Grocery Outlet, you have done it again. Thank you for hosting the Interfaith Food Ministry “Fill the Trailer” food drive. Thank you for promoting needed food items.
Thanks to all your employees for their enthusiasm and support. Thank you to the IFM volunteers for your efforts. AND a BIG thank you to all the customers who donated finances or food. Over $500 was donated and approximately $10,000 worth of food was given. Please know how important you are in the lives of families who are struggling to make ends meet. You are truly the best.
Learn more »Cuts to NU language classes s a disservice to students
May 14, 2013 —I’m extremely sad to read that Nevada Union decided to discontinue its long-standing French and German programs. I took German at NU more than 30 years ago.
After hearing his dynamic presentation at parent orientation, my husband and I enrolled our daughter in Mr. Kirkpatrick’s German class. She’s completed three years of German and plans to enroll in German IV next year. My daughter has benefitted from having the same teacher each year. In a large school like NU, making a lasting connection with an instructor has been invaluable.
Learn more »Join our youth in the campaign to ban plastic bags
May 13, 2013 —What a privilege attending a recent Nevada City Council meeting. With confidence and compelling reasoning, local students from several schools made their case for Nevada City to ban single-use plastic shopping bags. The Union has done a terrific job of covering this student-led campaign. Today they come before the Grass Valley City Council. Students pointed out Hawaii, cities in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Massachussets, Oregon, Connecticut and 54 California municipalities from Ukiah to Watsonville. Los Angeles and San Mateo County have said to their students, “We can do without this convenience.”
Four hundred bags per second are handed out in California daily, 500 bags per person per year used on average 12 minutes. Five percent are recycled and the others remain for hundreds of years. How did we shop before we had plastic? Was it that hard?
Learn more »Good samaritan steps in
May 13, 2013 —On April 23, my daughter took our wounded dog to the Alta Sierra Animal Hospital. It was after regular business hours, and we figured it may be a bit costly. I have cancer, need a bone marrow transplant and have no extra money at all. I am poor. My daughter was chatting with an older man before being called in. When she came out, the receptionist told her the man had paid our entire bill! Thank you, whoever you are. You helped us more than you know!
Jeanie Withers-Berg
Learn more »A stellar year for the NU Choir
May 13, 2013 —The Nevada Union High School choir students were fortunate this year to visit Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Finland and received historical background and cultural exchanges with Baltic area student singers. As ambassadors for Nevada County, they performed brilliant choral pieces from gospel to modern every day and received several standing ovations, even after Easter Mass. Students digested gratefully the importance of the funding and support they received from sponsors in our own community, including Telestream.
Please come to see their upcoming Spring Concert at Nevada Union May 16 and 23 and visit their website, http://nuchoir.org.
Learn more »A love letter to The Center for the Arts
May 13, 2013 —Wow! That’s about all I can say after attending the Chick Corea and the Vigil concert Tuesday night.
What an amazing group of musicians led by the incomparable Mr. Corea. I felt privileged to be in the audience experiencing their virtuosity. Thanks to Julie Baker, it’s becoming rare to say, “Can you believe they came to little ol’ Grass Valley?” We are becoming a stop on the tour for an increasingly large number of world-class artists. Bring ’em on, Julie … we’ll be there! Consider this a love letter to you, your staff, BOD and Center volunteers from a happy Center member.
Learn more »Construction worker helps senior citizen
May 13, 2013 —Thank you to the young construction worker on the McCourtney Road closure. Yesterday, I had an errand in Nevada City that should have taken an hour. Returning home to Polaris Drive at 11 a.m., I found McCourtney closed with a three-hour wait before the road would reopen. I turned around, had lunch and sat it out in the Kmart pharmacy area. Three hours later, the road was still closed. Finally, I caught the attention of a worker who escorted me the short distance to my turnoff. I am 92 and in constant pain with meds at home I had to take. This young man made a miserable experience tolerable. Without his kindness, my only choice would have been to go to the ER at the hospital.
Laura Maurice
Learn more »Drop personal issues and focus on citizen safety
May 10, 2013 —The members of Nevada County Professional Firefighters, Local 3800, are dedicated to providing the citizens of the areas they protect with exceptional emergency fire, medical and rescue services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
We focus on this every day, and the citizens of our area have a highly trained and competent workforce of firefighters protecting them.
Learn more »Your family may be suited to hosting an exchange student
May 9, 2013 —Many parents do not realize how well suited they might be to hosting an exchange student. Is your family flexible and open to new experiences? Do you eat dinner together? Do you enjoy doing things together? Do you have an extra bed?
Exchange students do not need their own room. They do not need a large house. Many of these students come from countries where smaller dwellings are common. What they need most is a bed and a place to feel welcome, nurtured and safe. Exchange students do not require a high-school-age host sibling. In fact, younger families often have an easier time accommodating an exchange student. Single-parent households can work out fine. Grandparents have been successful host parents, as well.
Learn more »A day to remember
May 9, 2013 —I attended the Kays-Ostrom track meet at Nevada Union High School on the afternoon of May 3. What a wonderful day — sunny, warm and athletes! Anyone who has followed Nevada Union sports over the last 60 years knows the names Kays and Ostrom and what they have meant to athletics in Nevada County.
There was circulating in the crowd — coaches and retired coaches, teachers and retired teachers, athletes and former athletes, students and former students, and parents of all — a real “Joy in Flatbush.” It was the triumph of right over wrong, and we didn’t even have to hire “Louie” Freeh!
Learn more »Stop overflowing sewage
May 9, 2013 —Now is the time to send a message to Auburn via an overflow sewage pipeline from Grass Valley. Hopefully, Auburn will then relay the message to Sacramento, where government people may pipe the matter directly to the Pacific Ocean, where it belongs. This would stop our creeks, rivers, the delta and the San Francisco Bay from being the main conveyors of pollutants to the ocean. This would allow all water-loving creatures to be very contented.
Dave Wilzbach
Learn more »Not my grandson
May 9, 2013 —Recently I received a phone call from a young man claiming to be my oldest grandson. I said, “Frankie?” He said, “Yes.” He sounded distraught and said that he needed my help. He was in the Philippines attending a wedding. I was very suspicious and asked the names of his sisters and brother. He then hung up.
Be aware! Be suspicious! They are after your money!
Learn more »‘The doughnut hole’
May 9, 2013 —In the continual discussion of health care and the Affordable Care Act, there is frequent reference to the “doughnut hole” of prescription drug costs. So just what is the donut hole?
Prescription drug benefits, Medicare Part D, became law in 2006 to help Medicare recipients with high drug costs not covered by Medicare Parts A or B or private insurance. In this plan, recipients paid an initial $320 deductible, then 25 percent of their medication costs until the costs to both recipient and drug plan reached $2,800. After $2,800, the beneficiary paid 100 percent of costs until the amount reached $4,550, considered a “catastrophic cost.” Medicare then covered all but 5 percent. The gap between $2,800 and $4,550 is the doughnut hole. Some recipients went without food or couldn’t pay rent once they entered the “hole.”
Learn more »Successful year for Nevada County Reads and Writes
May 9, 2013 —The Nevada County Reads and Writes program has had another successful year, thanks to the help of many people and groups, including Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, Nevada County Library, Friends of the Nevada County Library, the Bookseller, The Center for the Arts, Telestream, AJA Video, Nevada Union High School, Bear River High School, The Union newspaper and this year’s author Francisco X. Stork. We are Looking forward to another great program again in 2014. Thanks.
Jessica Hudson, county librarian
Learn more »Penn Valley businesses: true meaning of community
May 9, 2013 —Ready Springs School would like to thank our Penn Valley businesses for hosting our little ones on their annual walking field trips. These began a couple years ago as a way to help keep our campus quiet during our Star Testing in the upper grades and have become a treasured tradition for our lower grades. This year the kids visited Penn Valley Hardware, Daybreak Cafe, Penn Valley Fire Station, Northridge and Caleb’s Creamery. At Penn Valley Hardware, they were given a full tour of the store by employees with as much energy as the kids they were hosting, and then were able to plant flowers in permanent beds out back. They were also sent home with mini-greenhouses to plant at home. Penn Valley Fire Department gave a full tour of the station, introductions to the fire engines, and, of course, a turn at spraying water. At Caleb’s they had ice-cream. At Northridge they made pizza, and Daybreak Cafe treated them to cookies and lemonade. Thank you to our local merchants for treating us so well.
Rosie Mariani
Learn more »Second annual fire extinguisher training a success
May 8, 2013 —I want to give a shoutout to Kevin Menet, firefighter and public service officer with Nevada County Consolidated Fire District. NCCFD supplied the equipment, Kevin Menet supplied the training, and Eskaton supplied the hot dogs! We also want to thank the Eskaton Village Grass Valley HOA for use of the parking lot. We had 48 employees attend this training. A huge success! Thanks to the staff for attending and thanks to Kevin and NCCFD.
Remember “P.A.S.S.” — Pull-Aim-Squeeze-Sweep.
Learn more »Paying it forward
May 8, 2013 —I took my mom’s dog to the Alta Sierra Veterinary Clinic, which luckily was open at 6:30 p.m., for a small wound that needed stitches. While we were in the room, a man came in the office for something and paid for our visit without knowing how strapped for cash my mother was. It was a blessing because my mom is battling cancer and frequently commutes to the Bay Area for chemo and doctor visits and couldn’t afford this vet bill. I love how kind strangers can be for no personal reason or motive. I will be paying it forward.
Megan Negri
Learn more »The right to self defense predates the Second Amendment
May 8, 2013 —Regarding the Second Amendment and the right to self-protection: Going back to the dawn of civilization, before man-made laws, the right of self-protection was never questioned.
There was no debate over how many rocks, clubs or sharp sticks were necessary to defend one’s self or family from predatory people or animals. The right, no, the obligation to self-protection has changed only in the implements used in modern times. Now gun control advocates argue over the number of guns, bullets or clips necessary for the purpose. Be it sharp sticks, clubs, guns, ammo or clips, the right to self-defense predates the Second Amendment by millions of years.
Natural law still trumps man-made law.
Tony Rohl
Grass Valley
