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Opinion
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- Written by: Jim Tanner
Do you have parents or grandparents who might benefit from some energy efficient kindness? Thanksgiving can be more than a celebration of food and football.
Buying compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) is something you can do today. Not all CFLs are created equal, some actually work. CFLs are now available in the warm white color temperature which most people prefer for ambient lighting, and daylight balanced for task lighting. Replace their light bulbs and it's probably the last time they'll have to think about this chore for years to come.
If you're comfortable with tools, touch up the caulk or weather-strip around their windows and doors – especially if you can feel a breeze from any of them. It's not just energy efficient; it could help keep them warm during the winter.
As Harry Truman pointed out, “It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit.” Maybe all of the adult “kids” and extended family could “chip in” together and replace an older, inefficient heating appliance.
Newer EPA-approved wood burning stoves and inserts are markedly cleaner than old stoves, and produce significantly more usable heat from the same amount of wood. If your parents or grandparents still want to burn wood, the upgrade is a good investment in health and wood use.
Maybe replacing their 30-year-old propane furnace is going to have to be deferred; however, a professional tuneup, including accessible ducting, often results in a 30- to 40-percent improvement.
It’s too late to form an ad hoc family committee to contract the weatherization upgrade of your parent’s attic and crawl space or installing other major energy savings measures before Thanksgiving; however this Thursday’s celebration is only the kickoff of our holiday season.
Consider showing thanks by a “random act of kindness,” making their home more energy efficient and comfortable. You're not only saving them money, you're showing them how much you care.
Jim Tanner is a resident of Cob, Calif., who is always interested in learning about new and old tricks for finding shelter from the storm.
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- Written by: Franklin Ley
KPFZ, Lake County Community Radio, would like to thank all the attendees of the 2010 Halloween Bash.
Live music was only half the entertainment as guests got down and boogied in outrageous costumes.
There was no question who won the first place $500 cash prize. Mr. Big Head stole the show with his absolutely outstanding costume.
Second, third and fourth prizes went to Ms. Five Alarm Fire, Marilyn Monroe, and Granny-Good-Ones, respectively. But those weren’t the only great costumes. Find us on Facebook to see all of our favorites.
Successful events like this one take a lot of work and cooperation.
Special thanks to Rod Neswick for his pivotal role in organizing the evening, and for donating the $500 cash prize for the best costume.
Thanks also to our business sponsors, Tallman Hotel/Blue Wing Saloon, The Lakeport English Inn, Skip’s Sweet Shoppe and Main Street Pizza.
Many thanks to Rukkus, Off the Hook and Blind Monkey Band for rocking the house, and to the Music Man, Nick Biondo, for setting up the stage and working the board all night.
Everyone enjoyed Michelle Berger’s inspiring dance performances, and we sincerely thank her for being part of the show.
We also appreciate the way Xian Yeagan for shined his light on things.
We would further like to thank the Soper Reese Theater staff for being so helpful.
Finally, many thanks to the KPFZ events crew and volunteers for their dedication in planning, decorating, serving and cleaning up the event.
Franklin Ley is a KPFZ board member. He lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Steven Lehman
I was disturbed when I heard Jim Comstock's claim during the Veterans Day celebrations at Konocti Vista Casino on Nov. 11 that he had been waterboarded as a part of his military training and that he didn't think it was torture.
Comstock's Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) training did not subject him to the intensity or duration of the waterboarding torture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and many others for example.
Was Comstock intentionally trying to blur the distinction between a training simulation undergone by highly motivated military volunteers and the grim reality of real waterboarding?
Comstock's message to the community was that waterboarding is a legitimate technique and no big deal. I reject his assertion and point to US law, the Nuremberg trials, and international treaties where the U.S. is a signatory to support the fact that waterboarding is a crime of torture.
Our nation must not go down this slippery slope by “legalizing” criminal acts in the name of expediency or national security.
It is too easy for a U.S. president or other high ranking official to find a career-minded attorney to construct legal theories for anything and then later say, “The lawyer said it was OK.”
Their actions have stained the integrity of the U.S. and have given powerful propaganda and recruiting tools to the enemies of the U.S. They have put our troops in ever more jeopardy.
Leaders like Jim Comstock have a moral duty to uphold the rule of law and not to erode the spirit or the letter of the law, especially Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.
Making claims that misrepresent the nature of this issue does not help us to understand the nature and consequences of these heinous policies but rather to confuse and confound the general public and thereby protect the perpetrators.
Crimes of torture have been committed by the U.S. government under the direction of top U.S. Government administration officials by their own admission.
The U.S. attorney general is obligated to prosecute those officials under the rule of law.
Steven Lehman lives in Lower Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Frank Rivero
I want to express my sincerest appreciation to the voters of Lake County. It is both humbling and exhilarating to be selected to serve as your sheriff-coroner.
With your continued support Lake County will flourish and I will do every thing in my power to make our communities among the safest in the nation.
To the many hard working volunteers, supporters, and individuals and organizations that contributed to my campaign, I count among my many blessings the privilege of having worked with you and now, to serve you as your sheriff.
There are a great many people to thank; the list of volunteers and supporters is long. I do want to give a special thank you to my core campaign team for their advice and execution of key strategies that ultimately proved successful.
In addition, there are countless key volunteers who did so much to help get out the vote, from walking neighborhoods with me to making phone calls on my behalf and so much more.
Also, to the many supporters who made contributions of money, your generosity made it possible to reach voters through the media and direct mail, an essential aspect of our campaign.
It is difficult to find the right words to convey my thanks. My hope is that in due time you will see the fruits of your labor in safer communities, an open and accountable sheriff’s department, and in the shaping of a welcoming and economically viable Lake County in which all citizens can take pride.
I will take office on Jan. 5, 2011. In the meantime, a celebration of our victory is being hosted by our Native American friends at the Konocti Vista Casino and Resort on Nov. 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This no charge event will feature live music, complimentary food and is open to everyone in the community. I hope to see you there.
Frank Rivero is sheriff-elect of Lake County, Calif.