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Editorials
Health Care Reform: The Cure Shouldn’t be Worse Than the Problem
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
More of this storyAt least be honest
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Letters
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Speech problems need more attention, money
Re: “Free speech therapy is school benefit for kids who stutter” (07-21-09)Your article was a most informative article. I applaud The Stuttering Foundation for putting out the brochure “Special Education Law and Children Who Stutter” because speech therapy is not even covered at all by some health plans. Furthermore, this benefit of free speech therapy applies to children with other types of speech and communication disorders as well.
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Thank you Valley Emergency Personnel
Thank you firefighters from Kern County, Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management and Air Attack Units.
More of this storyMy name is Tina Dowd, and I’m a student at Woodrow Wallace Middle School. I’m in 7th grade and I had the greatest time at Camp KEEP and I don’t think you should discontinue it. My best memory of Camp KEEP is belly biology because I liked touching the sea creatures. Not too long ago I got to go scuba diving under those docks, it reminded me of belly biology.
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Hospital Thrift Shop hopes to discourage theft
The Kern Valley Healthcare District Auxiliary would like to thank the community for all of its encouragement and patronization of our Thrift Shop; it is because of you that we are as successful as we are and, together, we provide important support for our Hospital while providing needs at an affordable cost. Considering the current financial crisis that our country and our state are encountering, which trickles down to us, we are grateful to continue to receive the generous donations we have been fortunate enough to enjoy in the past. And, perhaps in part due to these tough financial times, we have noticed that the theft of donated items left at our after hours drop box has increased. It’s unfortunate that some find it necessary to do this especially when we resell those items at considerably low prices. It is because of this increased theft that we’d like to remind you that we are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and always have a volunteer available to accept your donation. Of course our drop box is available for smaller items but we’d appreciate it if you’d help us discourage theft and bring your larger items during regular business hours. Thanks again for all of your donations and your continued support. And don’t forget, if the flag is flying, we are open!
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Nut cases behind no fish stocking ruling
I have been coming to the Valley for the past 45 years and have owned a home in Kernville. Recently having to sell that home but still coming to the Valley, I am so disappointed in the brain child/children who decided to end the stocking of trout in the river. After visiting this past week and talking to a number of business owners, it is scary to think that someone has the control over so many people and all because their thinking is that planted trout are harming the native fish population. My question is how was it decided that after so many, many, many years of stocking trout, planted trout are all of sudden “bad” for the river. Give me a break. How can I, as a former Valley resident get involved in getting rid of this irrational thinking. I did sign petitions while on my last visit. Valley residents, you had better take control of your situation and not let some outside nut cases dictate to you what they want and what will eventually hurt your businesses.
More of this storyOn Saturday, Aug. 15, just like third Saturday of every month, a group drove around the area collecting food to be distributed to The Food Pantry, God’s Storehouse, and The Salvation Army. This was the eleventh monthly Compassion Caravan – collecting about a dozen pickup trucks of food over the eleven months! Thanks to Brian Polston and all the compassionate members of the Family Life Center in Wofford Heights for all that food! Thanks, also, to the compassionate persons who used the collection barrels at the Southlake Sierra Gateway Market and Mt. Mesa Market and the collection container at Vons. A special thanks to Lucian Whitman of Kern River Novelty for all those clothes and shoes! To all the compassionate people in the KR Valley who are donating to all the care giving organizations – thanks! Let’s hear from you – tell us what you’re doing – share your compassion!
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Discrimination can’t end soon enough
Americans should applaud President Obama for signaling his intent to repeal the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act.
More of this storyYou saw my house when you rode by on your horse, the last time to get your cows. I have an idea, why don’t you ride on your horse and build a fence to keep your cows in and out of my yard. Or maybe if you don’t mind your cows missing, myself and all of Alta Sierra will have ground beef. This is getting old. I am the lady that had the pretty flowers. Also, the least you could do is take the patties with you! Clown.
More of this storyI would not like to see the sixth grade Camp KEEP trip be taken away. As a seventh grade class we all agree that it was a fun learning experience that is hands on and exciting.
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Alternatives for changing California
Try this alternative for changing Californias helpless political system. Go to www.repaircalifornia.org. This is a group seeking to have a new Constitutional Convention to change a few things.
More of this storyThe Nuui Cunni Farmers' Market, their vendors and the Kern River Paiute Council wish to shout out a huge "Thank You!" to the Kern River Valley communities and its tourists for supporting the valley's first Certified Farmers' Market these past 22 weeks.
More of this storyFor all of you thinking about taking classes at Cerro Coso Community College, be advised that you should not just walk in the first day and register. Quite often, in the past, classes have been closed when there where not enough people who signed up in advance. So if you are thinking about it go ahead and get in there early.
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Government managing healthcare?
Question. If the government can’t run the cash for clunkers program how are they going to manage our healthcare? God Bless us all.
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Animal Control takes killing lightly
I wanted to share mine and my family’s experience with this valley’s animal control. On Aug.17 I came home from work and thought my 15-year-old cat was getting into a cat fight. I walked outside to find her being tossed around by a huge brown pit bull. I tried to scare the dog away and eventually it let go. My poor suffering cat crawled under my car and slowly died. I immediately called the animal control and the first operated asked me, “Well I don’t know what you want me to do?” They finally sent animal control out even though I didn’t once see them drive down my street. My daughter got home and called once again to see if they had found the dog. They simply said no and that they couldn’t really do anything else. The thing we have trouble understanding is why this matter was taken so lightly. My cat could have been a toddler being walked down the street or even a small dog. We don’t appreciate being treated how we were. Our cat had been in our family for 15 years and now we don’t have her anymore because of a loose dog. Me, my family and our neighbors think that animal control should put a little more effort into helping us out. Don’t we pay their salary?
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Higher fees for sinking docks?
It’s great fishing on the lake, at least that’s what all the papers say. But if you want to fish from a boat I hope you like putting it in at the Main Dam boat ramp. At three dollars a gallon this puts you a long ride from the north end and even longer from the east end. Why?
More of this storyIt is no wonder that California is in financial trouble, there are more people on welfare in this state than many states have people. Also, our elected officials don’t know how to say NO to these squeaking wheels. Those on welfare should be required to do something for their keep. Oh yes they have rights and our politicians will continue giving into them as long as they receive their vote.
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Forest Service personnel appreciated
I recently took a trip with my son to Troy Meadow campground when I encountered automobile trouble. I would like to thank the Forestry personal especially Jim Yearwood, Kyle Villia, Glenn Villnueva, and Scott Russel for all of their help. Thanks to them I was able to camp three nights before AAA towed me home. Can’t say enough about the folks that work for the United States Forest Service. Being a local I sure do appreciate them and everything they do. Keep up the good work and have a safe year.
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Take down yard sale signs, already
My husband and I look forward to our usual Saturday morning drive to No-Got’s Swap Meet and garage/estate/yard sales. We head down the hill from one side of the lake to the other, hit No -Got’s first, we meet the usual vendors give a hi, check out what’s going on and then prepare for our trek around the valley to hit all the “sales.” Many, MANY times we have made the effort to follow signs that have been left from weeks before. Why can’t these signs be removed after your garage/estate/yard sales? How often have you had a yard sale and had a stranger pull up in front of your house a week or weeks later to ask “Where is the yard sale?” If the signs were taken down this wouldn’t happen, Duh! How is a person to know the difference between an old sign and a new sign? I am sure we are not the only ones frustrated by this.
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Using our soldiers for political gain
We are leaving Iraq. A war started largely by Richard Cheney, Vice President of the United States. His unprecedented eight trips to the CIA to get them to change their view that Iraq had weapons of Mass Destruction guaranteed that 4,000 Americans were killed, and 30,000 seriously and permanently injured for life. It had nothing to do with 9/11 at all.
More of this storyTo family, friends, co-workers, students, and neighbors who saw recent charges in contrast to the man they know as honest, inspiring, kind, generous, and law-abiding, a man shedding tears when witnessing injustice. Paul wishes to thank you for your unwavering faith in him. He wants you all to know why he chose to take a plea rather than fight to prove his innocence. He apologizes to you for making the choice but he felt he had no choice.
More of this storyAs I move on with my postal career, I will be promoted to postmaster of Lake Isabella effective Aug. 29, 2009, I would be remiss by not recognizing the community, employees and customers of the Weldon Post Office. I want to thank each and every one of them for the support they have given me during the past nine years. When I became postmaster no one informed me that I would see good friends move away and go to better places in the heavens, nor was I told that I would see children become young adults. I have been blessed to start my postal management career in a wonderful community. I look forward to serving the community of Lake Isabella, having new special pictorial stamp cancellations and watching the children grow up on this end of the valley. I encourage all former customers to stop by and say hello and look forward to meeting the new ones I haven’t met as yet. My door is open and I will do everything I can within postal regulations to provide the best service to the community. I would also add that I have left the Weldon Post Office in the very capable hands of Amee Smith, the current Officer In Charge, and wish her well in her endeavor to begin her career in postal management.
More of this storyThis letter may offend some of you, but I'm appalled at the way people think they can bring their animals into the local stores in the Valley where I shop. At a local grocery store the other day, as I was standing in the checkout line, I noticed a small dog in the area where small children sit, purses, or vegetables; among other items where people put their stuff in the front of the cart. I realize you love your dog, but please think before you do. Others like clean carts! I'm not against having dogs or animals in any way, owning two dogs myself. It doesn’t give me the right to take my dogs into a place of business that sells food that someone else will be eating.
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Columns
Mormon Country
Barrie Mann
More of this storyJim Beilstein
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Shephard of the Hills Lutheran Church, Lake Isabella
Touring Rushmore is more than a day trip
Marsha Smith
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Are we doing anything important today?
Sandra Hughes
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
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I attend many meetings around our valley and in doing so many times I hear the same speakers. Often the speaker’s program is the same but usually I still pick up something I missed the first time around. Over the years I have been present for many presentations by our local Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council. Although the basic principals are the same, I always come away with new information and amazement at the accomplishments of the Fire Safe Council members; each presentation is for me a new experience.
More of this storyClear moonless nights in August are the best nights to see for yourself how our Solar System is oriented within our Milky Way Galaxy. On many summer evenings every year I look above our southern horizon and stand in awe. The quote that always comes to mind is one credited to Einstein, “The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible.”
More of this storySandra Hughes
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Special to the SunBrandon Muncy
More of this storyDaniel Pope
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The task of calf branding a much anticipated event even for old-timers
Bob Powers
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
More of this storySandra Hughes
More of this storyAmong the oldest legends, the Sumerians saw their god of war, Nergal, with a bow an arrow in the stars of Sagittarius (saj-ih-TAIR-ee-us), the Archer. Later the Greeks saw a Centaur (torso of a man – body of a horse) with a bow and an arrow aimed at the heart of the Scorpion. Sagittarius is a member of the zodiac and so is very near the Ecliptic, the plane of our solar system. Over time, the Sun, Moon, and planets all appear to pass through the Sagittarius part of the sky.
More of this storyMarsha Smith
More of this storyMarilyn Benoit
More of this storySusan Barr
More of this storyDaniel Pope
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On Women's Equality Day- Are We There Yet?
Linda Meric
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
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Cattle Drives, Cowboys and Dinosaurs
Barrie Mann
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Rubber Ducks in training for race day
If you think the valley’s been invaded by ducks because of that continuous quacking, relax. It is only 1,000 rubber ducks undergoing strenuous training for the 22nd annual Rubber Duck Races on Saturday, Aug. 29. The Kern Valley Exchange Club sponsors the event, with the proceeds benefiting the organization’s local scholarship program and other youth-based activities. The event is a fun-filled day in Riverside Park in Kernville with lots of activities for kids. Folks come from all over to spend the day in the park and watch the races. To many, duck racing is seriously fun as attested by the cheering crowd lining the shore at the finish line.
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