9-11 Started this??

After reading the articles in this section, I decided I needed to say something about what several people keep bringing up: We are fighting terrorists because they started all of this with the tragedies on 9-11. Let's for a moment forget that there were no Al Qaeda terrorists in Iraq before we got rid of Hussein. Let's for a moment forget that the Taliban and Al Qaeda are in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Let's instead look at the incidents that happened on 9-11.

The official report states that the two towers fell due to fire weakening the steel web structure of the buildings. The government states that the tops of the buildings became unstable and collapsed onto the floors beneath causing a chain reaction collapse. Very little information is given about building 7's collapse. Building 7 collapsed the same way, however, it wasn't hit by any plane and wasn't on fire. The only thing it had in common with the other towers is that it was leased and insured by the same corporation.

That information in and by itself may seem like the rantings of a conspiracy theorist, but there is more. Over 110 senior military, intelligence, law enforcement and government officials have gotten together along with architects, pilots, engineers, and 9-11 survivors to share their knowledge about the impossibility of our government's claims. They believe that all 3 buildings were brought down through controlled demolition. Most notable of all is General Wesley Clark, former Commanding General of European Command, and Commanding Military Officer of NATO. Go to patriotsquestion911.com to see for yourself.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion on this matter, and you may think I'm off my rocker if you wish. But, if you don't at least look into some of these things...If you just take your favorite media personality's opinion for fact...your opinion counts for little.

If these people are correct in their accounts of the events of 9-11, then we as a people need to do something about the leadership of this country from top to bottom....public and private. If these accounts are true, then we have been wasting American lives, the lives of innocent (and not so innocent) Iraqis, and billions upon billions of our hard earned tax dollars because of a lie promulgated by government and corporate leaders.

I pray that's not the case.

McFarland High School's Global Classroom

A journey of patriotism, diversification, and globalization presents a matter which demands informed and tolerant future generations, and in this vein, several educators have met that requirement with finesse. Longtime fifth grade teacher and Show-choir Director, Char Gaines, has tirelessly taken hoards of students and parents alike to Washington DC for many years, touring America’s political system and historic wonders. Through her direction, our students have performed in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Miss Gaines reflects one of McFarland’s finest cut diamonds, and we are fortunate to have this caliber of teacher and humanitarian. On those same notes, Mrs. Murillo, MHS’s Spanish teacher, travels abroad with her class to Spain and Morocco. I, myself, the AP Literature teacher, travel abroad with students taking them to London and Paris, and this year we will add The French Riviera, Florence, Pompeii, and the Island of Capri to our itinerary. The students work to earn their trips as well as fundraise.

I, also, just returned from touring the Ivy League colleges with three of my students, along with Martin Mares of Tulare County, the founder of the Ivy League Project, USA. My students met admissions officers from Yale, Princeton, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Wellesley, Columbia, and Brownsville Prep School. These admissions officers and tour directors spent ample time dialoguing with my students about their opportunities as well as answering their questions regarding their personal concerns of college life at Ivy Leagues. At Brownsville Prep School, New Jersey, we met with a particular admissions officer of whom we are quite fond. Vicki Garza-Martinez, an MHS alumnus, dashed happily about Brownsville’s campus as well as her new home, remembering that she too stood in my students’ shoes a few years ago. Vicki, also a graduate from Princeton, now travels back to the San Joaquin Valley recruiting students for Brownsville Prep School and encouraging the Ivy League experience. The mini homecoming amidst Brownsville’s rolling green hills highlighted familial spirits in our quest for higher education. As we toured the East Coast, Israel Guerrero, Ivan Marquez, and Maritza Duran’s hopeful eyes opened wide while strolling MIT’s unorthodox research building reminiscent of Disneyland, while meandering next to Yale’s library of rare books, and while enjoying a sandwich at Subway in Princeton’s quaint neighborhood. Several times my students turned to me and with their contemplating gazes asked the culminating question: “Oh Miss, do you think I can do it?” to which I replied, “Of course you can!” Where there is hope, there is a vision, one which we leaders cultivate in this journey through McFarland—a great reason for pride in our community and schools.

Kathy Rowland,

MHS English Department Chair and resident of McFarland

The War on Iraq; Remembering Vietnam

I try not to think about the war in Iraq. I have a nephew in Iraq now. This is his second deployment. I had hoped the war would end before he had to go back. Obviously it didn't, and if history repeats itself, probably won't for several years. People are tired of the politics between the President and Congress. People are tired of their children dying. I realize the death counts are lower than Vietnam, but if your kid is there, it isn't a matter how many lives have been lost. It's the knowledge that your child is there and could be the next victim of a roadside bomb or suicide bomber or friendly fire. You want your child safe and you want them home in America. I was a little girl when Vietnam started, and became a young woman before it ended. I was in the 4th grade, when a former neighbor and family friend was killed in action in Vietnam. I remember the long drive to Boron High School where we attended the funeral for Gene Ross. After that, the war became more personal to me.I worried about it more than my parents or teachers thought. I would see war footage on the news, or pictures of children bleeding and bandaged in the Life magazines. I had bad dreams that the Vietnamese came to the United States and were hunting us. I wonder if our school age children have the same fears regarding Iraq. When I was in 7th grade, Jane Fonda started speaking out against the war, everyone hated her. Draft dodgers headed to Canada. Mohammed Ali refused to fight. Americas voice raged for a few more years then finally the President heard. Once he made up his mind, it didn't take long to bring our troops home. Hopefully our next President will listen with an open mind and trusting heart to what America wants. End this war and bring our children home. I love America.

Writing as therapy

On a recent Monday evening, kids in a drug rehabilitation program at Juvenile Hall were afforded a rare treat. Jennifer Baldwin, Contributions editor for the Bakersfield Californian newspaper, dropped in to speak about journalism.

Avenues to Change is a 32-week, in-custody program for adolescents who have been court ordered for criminal offenses and have histories of substance abuse problems. Through mental health counseling, program activities, school and positive peer and staff relations, the wards will hopefully be able to reintegrate into their communities after their release.

Jennifer Baldwin was a participant in a volunteer program called the Monday Night Mentors. The mentor team recruits role models from the community to speak to the wards about things that may interest them, from job or educational opportunities to inspirational encouragement. Jennifer’s talk about her job at the newspaper and the requirements to be a journalist was most interesting to the kids because they already kept journals at part of their program.

Jennifer told them that anyone who puts their thoughts down on paper was a writer. She read an eloquent story from a contributor to illustrate how regular people can be as skilled at telling a story as someone who writes for a living. Then she read a letter from a woman who submitted her story to Your Words about growing up in the '40s and her ideas about the youth of that time. Jennifer invited the kids to write down their thoughts about that letter and read them to the rest of the group. Their responses were very thought provoking.

It was a great evening and a wonderful experience for the kids.

— Sarah Webb

Here are the stories written by the teens:

I think everything that you said was very good and I have respect for how things ran back then. I think things changed because of how much techniques have changed. Things got easier so more people started to lay off of being so strict. Also I think if parents would discipline their children more, maybe kids would not get in as much trouble as they are now.
— Anonymous

I understand exactly where you are coming from, yet, I disagree. In today’s modern society, with the rapidly increasing cost of living, it is almost always necessary for both parents to be off at work to support their families. You are totally right though; if parents were more involved with their children, there wouldn’t be so much juvenile delinquency. I grew up in a single parent family. It was just my mom, little brother, and me, and mom had to go to work. I was in day care after school, and on my own a lot, caring for my brother. She is a wonderful mother and she had no choice but to go to work. Now, at 17 years old, I am sitting here in juvenile hall. I know from personal experience that parent involvement is a very important factor in child/adolescent development.
— Olivia, Bakersfield

Now days, I think we should help our parents because they work to hard to put a roof over our heads. I think kids should work not just for their parents, but for themselves also. So they could be responsible for what they do. My parents raised me. They were really strict, but when I turned the age of 14 I just started doing whatever I wanted to do. Then I got into the wrong people and started doing drugs, and then I just did not care what I’ve done to my family and they could not even get me to come home. I would stay away from home for weeks at a time. So I think drugs are really powerful. I’m glad I came to A.T.C.
— Carissa

I disagree with what you said about there was no kids using drugs, alcohol, and gangs. There has always been drugs and gangs. But back when you were a kid parents were more strict and the law had more control over the people. Also times were harder and kids had more responsibility. I feel kids these days are more rebellious and parents are more lenient.

My feeling towards your opinion is that not all people are the same and you shouldn’t categorize people. There were lazy people in your day and if you used drugs back in the time you are talking about, you were more ashamed and you probably were looked down on more.

Drugs were worse back then and not very many people used them so they seemed like a really bad thing to do. (They are really bad.) Drugs were probably not as strong as they are now. I think drugs are starting to do more damage to people and putting people in the gutter quicker.
— Nathan

I think she had a reason to not get into any of the drugs and gangs because in her time she had to worry more about working and staying alive. Probably, during her time it was more of a depression time, it was a shame if you got arrested or was into the drugs. In her area there probably wasn’t any of those bad things. She didn’t have any time to think about trying any drugs.
— Victor

I felt her opinion was good because she was able to stay away from the alcohol and drugs. Also she was a hard worker and she stayed out of trouble by working. And I could also stay alcohol free and drug free by keeping busy and working hard.
— Cody

— In my opinion I think Betty does have a reason to say that kids now a days get in more trouble with alcohol and drugs. Because in the area she was in people didn’t use alcohol and drugs or at least she didn’t want to believe so. But I also think that she doesn’t really have the right to classify all juveniles as parties and drug users. We are not all the same and even if we do use it doesn't mean that we are bad people and that we can’t make it out there. She might also say that now a days we use more drugs could be because they weren’t as popular then, as they are now.
Robert

When I was growing up I lived in the middle of nowhere. We also had no running water and no bathrooms. I hated having to take out “the bucket.” My mom, my sister, aunt and uncle and me all lived in a big log cabin. We would always play in snow and have lots of fun with each other. After a while of having good old days my uncle passed away and times got hard. My sister was only like 11 years old and got into drugs. I always said “I will never turn out like Dianna.” But no matter how good my childhood years were I still got into drugs and gangs and also ditching school and running from my problems. I have been into about nine programs including about six group homes and nothing has changed my way of thinking.

Now that I have been in A.T.C. and have learned ways to get through my problems with others and not on my own I have learned the world doesn’t revolve around me! My whole family and good friends have been hurt by my mistakes and now I want and need to make a change in my life.

In this program I have met the best counselor ever who has taught me many things. I have picked up lots of tools to use and work with when I hit the double doors.
I just want to let you know that if it wasn’t for programs like this I would never have wanted to change my life.
— Kathleen B.

Back then parents would work in the fields. They would take their kids to work with them so they can help. So kids had responsibilities. The family would get together and money to was a problem. It was never enough. Now days kids wouldn’t care. They would go out party, do drugs whatever they can do. Some wouldn’t even be home with their parents and a lot of gangs broke out. Like where I lived I seen a lot of fights. Parents fighting over their son knowing they were involved. And a lot of drugs being sold. People getting killed for being on the wrong side. Half my family was in it. It brought us a lot of trouble. Shit happens. Only if some people had good lives and a good education they would be something and have things in their life.
— Cheyenne

Kids back in the day worked hard and had responsibilities. They ate dinner with their parents but now these days kids aren’t like that. We go out and do what we feel like. It’s not right no but that’s how some people are these days. To go see a movie today is usually $8 or up for adults. I’m pretty sure it was a lot cheaper then. A soda pop is $1.50. I agree that families in 1940 stuck together more and done things together as a family. They seem to have got a long a lot better then most families today. Most teenagers go off, don’t come home, use drugs. Families today aren’t as civilized. My parents try hard to keep the family a family and do activities but I never got involved. I wish my life was more like yours, that I wasn’t a trouble maker and I stayed together with my family. Things are different now. There are a lot of single moms because their husband either go to prison or leave them.
— Eden

Now a days the world is very different from what it use to be. More people are very selfish and violent. People tend to be more out spoken some are responsible others are very irresponsible. I was very irresponsible person because I chose to do drugs and be out doing very bad things acting like I was 18 and sometimes I would act like I was 21 old enough to drink and disobeying my parents was very cool for me back then just because I never got attention from neither my parents. I thought they didn’t care about me because they were never around to say I love you or talk to me about what’s right and wrong. I grew up with four brothers and four sisters and two other siblings I don’t even know how they look like, I just know there somewhere out there. But now that I’m in here it’s help me be more understanding about my life and how no one can make a difference in my life but me. I now understand that even though I been threw the worst things in life I need to keep my head up and try to make the best of it. I wish everything could be like how it was in the 1940s because back then it was very peaceful and more respectful. I bet that if each and everyone of us made an effort to change their lives the world would be a much better place for everyone to feel safe.
— Esmeralda

My name is Britteny. I’m 17 years old and these days is hard being a kid. Theres gangs, racial act, juvenile halls and sometimes we just grow up to fast. Back in your day there weren’t that many things to do. Your parents were around. Now these day we grow up around drugs, gangs, racism, and crimes. Sometimes its hard to get out of those things because you get to used to them. Or we grow up thinking its okay. I know me growing up I was around gang, drugs and crimes. So I got involved. I never had bother my parents just a mother. We had good schools but the people that went there didn’t care what you felt.

Children do keep very busy by doing drugs or gang crimes and later in life they’ll learn its not worth it. But some people need to learn how to accept people for who they are and get them on the right tract and let them express there feelings about their lives.
— Britteny

Reasons for Pride in the City of McFarland

The City of McFarland’s quaint history still rings true today. The community was founded as a result of one family’s journey, and as families still journey here, they celebrate small-town quaintness but with extended opportunities as never before. McFarland Activities Committee now arranges four major family-oriented events citywide which our community supports with enthusiasm. The new Cinco de Mayo Chair and seasoned educator, Mayela Bujanda-Medina, organizes various grand extravaganzas for the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

With each changing season, some of our families enjoy parenting international students. These families affect those young lives dramatically by immersing them into an American democratic lifestyle, one they will forever cherish. Ag teacher and longtime McFarland resident, Mike Elliott along with his wife Susan, hosted Shuhrat Ergashev of Uzbekistan in 2003-2004. Shuhrat came to McFarland High knowing spoken English but struggling with written English. In the beginning of that year, AP Literature was daunting to him, but he ended the year with confidence in his writing skills as well as with an edge on study skills. He now sends e-mails noting his many thanks to his American parents and teachers at McFarland High for helping him through his own national tests, ones he had to pass in order to advance to a university. A part of his national tests included a thorough analysis of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Shuhrat currently works for the Uzbekistan Consulate. With similar enthusiasm, dairy owners, such as Mr. and Mrs. Cardoza, happily open their home to Russian students and eagerly show these young citizens life in rural America.

Step into the world of McFarland and you will continue to uncover unique opportunities for students here. The philosophy, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” describes our local people who shower our graduating seniors with scholarships averaging $250,000.00 a year. McFarland High School also has the largest percentage of students who enroll at Bakersfield College in this county. In addition, we have a special grant with Paramount Farming whose generosity never ceases to amaze me. Upon partnering with Paramount Farming and CollegeBoard, we are implementing SpringBoard, a direct instructional curriculum which embodies multiple-modality techniques for collaborative learning that will support our AP programs and AVID programs in order to increase greater success for all students. Each year our percentages for students attending UCs grow. For example, several students currently attend UC Davis and look forward to their graduation next spring. Just this past May, Lizzette Medina, a former MHS student, earned her four-year degree in Molecular Cell Biology from Berkeley’s Pre-Med program. In 2006, Rocio Bravo, daughter of Jorge and Delia Bravo, entered the Ivy League experience at Brown University and will continue her second year this fall.

Patriotism, diversification, and globalization are matters that demand informed and tolerant future generations, and in this vein, several educators have met that requirement with finesse. Many times, former coach, Jim White, made our cross-country teams national champions who received national recognition in Sports Illustrated. Adding to that ground-breaking status, longtime fifth grade teacher and Show-choir Director, Char Gaines, has tirelessly taken hoards of students and parents alike to Washington DC for many years, touring America’s political system and historic wonders. Through her direction, our students have performed in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Miss Gaines reflects one of McFarland’s finest cut diamonds, and we are fortunate to have this caliber of teacher and humanitarian. On those same notes, Mrs. Murillo, MHS’s Spanish teacher, travels abroad with her class to Spain and Morocco. I, myself, the AP Literature teacher, travel abroad with students taking them to London and Paris, and this year we will add The French Riviera, Florence, Pompeii, and the Island of Capri to our itinerary.

I, also, just got back from touring the Ivy League colleges with three of my students, along with Martin Mares of Tulare County, the founder of the Ivy League Project, USA. My students met admissions officers from Yale, Princeton, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Wellesley, Columbia, and Brownsville Prep School. These admissions officers and tour directors spent ample time dialoguing with my students about their opportunities as well as answering their questions regarding their personal concerns of college life at Ivy Leagues.

At Brownsville Prep School, New Jersey, we met with a particular admissions officer of whom we are quite fond. Vicki Garza-Martinez, an MHS alumnus, dashed happily about Brownsville’s campus as well as her new home, remembering that she too stood in my students’ shoes a few years ago. Vicki, also a graduate from Princeton, now travels back to the San Joaquin Valley recruiting students for Brownsville Prep School and encouraging the Ivy League experience. The mini homecoming amidst Brownsville’s rolling green hills highlighted familial spirits in our quest for higher education.

As we toured the East Coast, Israel Guerrero, Ivan Marquez, and Maritza Duran’s hopeful eyes opened wide while strolling MIT’s unorthodox research building reminiscent of Disneyland, while meandering next to Yale’s library of rare books, and while enjoying a sandwich at Subway in Princeton’s quaint neighborhood. Several times my students turned to me and with their contemplating gazes asked the culminating question: “Oh Miss, do you think I can do it?” to which I replied, “Of course you can.” Where there is hope, there is a vision, one which we leaders cultivate in this journey through McFarland—a great reason for pride in our community.

Kathy Rowland,

MHS English Department Chair and resident of McFarland

Military solution invites violence

Just as many in our nation felt fearful and angry after the 9-11 attacks on our soil, surely we can understand how the Islamic world now feels angry and fearful of the U.S. - due to our military presence in Iraq. This war has had the opposite effect from that which was originally predicted by President Bush and his advisers. It has moved the world farther from peace, freedom and democracy. If we continue to seek a military solution to the many problems facing the Iraqi people, we invite violence in return.

Loving my wife

Loving my wife...
There is no one person I would rather be with at any time or any place then the wife I have & love so dearly... Belva Dawn Knight... To love & cherish so fine a lady... to hold such in my arms is as heaven on earth... to look close into her eyes... no gleam so cute... never a sight better... no other neither younger or older... could ever delight my heart as Belva... none other than my love for my wife... for our
Lord God Father... in Heaven has blessed this man...
one April 1st... was a new dawning in my life...
Belva Dawn my wife for life...

What do i think of the war in Iraq.

I think we need to win the war in Iraq as quickly as possible by whatever means necessary. The more time we use the more casualties for both sides.

When Hitler became a threat what did the US do? After the Japanese invaded American soil what did the US do? What happened to the Soviet Union during Reagan's leadership? What happened after 9/11? The answer to this question is still being written.

I think the best advise (dialogue) the US leadership (President Bush) can give leaders of any country that threaten the US interests in any way shape or form is for them to think about Hitler, Pearl Harbor and President Reagan.

Can anyone answer this question for me

What do I think about the war in Iraq?

I have got one question for that.

I wonder if President Bush has any family members fighting in Iraq?

I doubt it.........

Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour – Welcome Baby Softly

Research is clear that breast milk is optimal nutrition and the perfect, life-sustaining food for babies. Breast milk provides nutritional and health advantages that last far beyond infancy, and offers health benefits for mothers, as well. Nearly all women are able to breastfeed when they receive consistent, accurate information. When they are supported by the healthcare team, family, and community in an environment that is breastfeeding-friendly they will breastfeed.

Highlighting the importance of protecting breastfeeding, especially in the first hour after birth, is the theme for the 2007 World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour – Welcome Baby Softly.

Breastfeeding in the first hour or so after birth has been linked to positive health outcomes. This gives immediate protection from bacteria and viruses that the baby is exposed to, less risk of jaundice, improved milk production and less blood loss in the mother. One study published in Pediatrics in 2006 found that these health outcomes are so important that 41% of infants worldwide who die between 2-28 days of life could be saved by this simple intervention of breastfeeding in the first hour.

According to Rebecca Mannel, president of the International Consultant Association, infants are born with heightened senses that seem to program them to quickly get to know their mothers and find the breast, often attaching by themselves when left undisturbed on their mothers’ chest.

“In the early moments after birth, babies are in a quiet, alert state and ready to learn,” says Mannel. “Babies use all five senses to explore that world. They use their eyes to memorize their mothers’ faces, their ears to associate her voice with her face, and their sense of smell to guide them in finding the breast. Their sense of taste is also at a heightened state, and they are particularly drawn to the flavor of breast milk.”

“Research shows that babies come into this world seeking close contact with their mother’s body,” she says. “When mothers hold their babies skin-to-skin immediately after birth, their babies are kept warm, they regulate their heart, respiratory, and oxygen saturation rates, and they do no feel pain as acutely. All of this means they are calmer, happier, and cry less.” Does the hospital where you are going to have your baby or had your baby do this? Ask your hospital?

According to Mannel, providing a supportive breastfeeding environment can make the difference. ILCA encourages hospitals and birthing facilities to delay routine medical procedures until after the first hour or two, and to help mothers and fathers enjoy this important time together. Do Kern County Hospitals do this? Ask your hospital? Request BF support.

ILCA also encourages hospitals to establish a breastfeeding-friendly environment by following “The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” outlined by the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and to establish “Baby Friendly” status as a goal for their facility. This coveted designation recognizes hospitals that have created an environment that supports and protects breastfeeding. Do we have a hospital with this status in Kern County? Ask your hospital? Ask them to apply.

Likewise, individual clinics and community locations can establish a breastfeeding-friendly atmosphere through such things as providing places for women to breastfeed or express their milk if they desire privacy, encouraging mothers to breastfeed, and making appropriate referrals for assistance when needed. Valley Plaza has a family room for this purpose.

The state of California has a Breastfeeding Law to allow for places for women to breastfeed or express their milk at work. Does your place of employment have this? State Farm and Aero Energy do in Bakersfield.

Kern County has many International Board Certified Lactation Consultant’s (IBCLC); you can find them at www.ilca.org “Find a Lactation Consultant Directory”.

In Kern County, Clinica Sierra Vista W.I.C. Program has two IBCLC’s and the “Comfortline” has volunteer IBCLC’s and Certified Lactation Educators answering breastfeeding questions to help babies’ breastfeed.

Enid Phillips, IBCLC, is the Breastfeeding Coordinator for Clinica Sierra Vista WIC.

Freedom isn't free

What do I think of the war in Iraq? I think it is a necessity. It is necessary to preserve the freedoms we as Americans have taken for granted for so long. Many seem to have forgotten the events of 9/11/01. To prevent further attacks on our own soil we need to sharpen our focus & kick butt & stop worrying about being politically correct or offending any certain group or person. I also believe we need to let our military run the war, not Hollywood, the politicians or the media. My grandfather served in World War I, my dad in World War II, & my son is currently on his 2nd tour in Iraq, and to them, and the thousands of others who have fought for this country I am eternally grateful.

When will it be over?

With so many Americans dying most likely everyday in Iraq, the question comes to mind: "What are our people still doing over there?" It is obvious that Americans are not wanted over there, and our help is not wanted by a great deal of the people. I would love to see some of our tax dollars spent on issues here at home.

Young fisherman

Here is my 14-year-old grandson, Edvin Lynch, an exchange student from Sweden, learning how cool and relaxing the Kern River Canyon can be on this hot summer weekend.

He is an outstanding Motocross rider in Europe and finished 4th this year in European point standings in his division. The photo shows him representing Sweden at Gdansk Poland in a National Motocross event this year.

Aunt Mae and the Masked Avenger

Several years ago, someone mentioned the term “Latch Key Kid” and I said “What is that?” They explained “OH! That is a kid who gets home after school while both parents are still at work, so they wear a door latch key around their neck, tied to a shoestring so they can get into the house.” I thought about my days back in Arvin, California where I had grown up in the 50’s and remembered, neither of my parents were home when I got home. “Why, I was a latch key kid!!!” But, wait – I never had a key, because none of our doors had locks on them, not even the bathroom door. If it was closed – it was occupied, and you were supposed to hold it.

We use to go away for mini-vacations a weekend or even up to a week and when we got home, our mail was neatly stacked on one end of the couch, leaned against the arm and the newspapers were stacked against the other end’s arm. The milkman would have come in and changed out your milk, butter and filled the egg bin from the refrigerator. In the earlier days the ice man also let himself in and added ice to the top of your ice box as needed, and emptied the drip pan of waste water. With all of these people in our house, unsupervised, and yet nothing was ever missing.

In 1957 my Aunt Mae DeRossette came from Shivley, Kentucky and lived with us for a year or so, after my brother, Leo got married and moved out of his room. She was a very rotund woman who had developed a fixation on television sports, which back in those days was solely devoted to Wrestling and Roller Derby. I remember walking home from school and hearing her, more that a half mile away from home, hooping and hollering at the top of her lungs about the dirty tactics being used by the players on teams which were named things like “The Thunderbirds” and “The Outlaws”.

She took her sports very seriously and she knew that if she would scream loud enough the players would hear her warnings to watch out for this player or than obstacle, thus she could save them from disaster. Then she cursed the players who had planned dirty tactics, condemning them to Hell, for plotting against “Sweet Nell” or “Molly Mae”. They were all voluminous women in tight-fitting narrow waist skating outfits who were the team big scorers. And who knows, the shows were being broadcast from Strelich Stadium in Bakersfield, only 30 miles away and the players might have occasionally thought, “Wait, what was that I just heard???”

Her enthusiasm only increased with Tag Team Wrestling. Long before the World of WWE, we had very colorful wrestlers such as “Georgeous George”, “The Masked Avenger”, “The Crippler”, “Tricky Nick Bockwinkle” and “Cowboy Ellis”. I came in one day and she was sitting on the edge of the couch, almost foaming at the mouth wriggling and twisting to help the Thunderbird players win. I committed the ultimate sacrilege by telling her that it was all staged, and that the winners were rigged. One week, one team was the hero and the other the villain, and next week it was all reversed. Never did they win by more than two points and it was always a last minute cliff hanger save, when the hero or heroine clinched the winning points from the evil opponent pulling out a win from a certain crushing defeat. You would have thought I had said a bad word at supper. I was in the dog house, but what did a 12-year-old kid know?

Now, I told you that in preparation for this. Our bathroom was very small. You went in a narrow corridor, past the shower which was off to the right, and the toilet was tucked in the end with a sink directly in front of it. The sink had two faucets, HOT and COLD about 6 inches apart. You had your choice, freeze or scald, but nothing in-between. Slightly beneath the sink on the far wall was a unvented, ceramic gas wall heater that you lit with big wooden bluetop kitchen matches.

It was the warmest room in the house in the winter and my favorite reading room my “Mad” magazines in because I could rest the comic book on the rim of the sink, lean forward and read while I was on the pot. My father finally figured out why I was taking so long in the bathroom and used to sneak down the hall and burst into the bathroom and confiscate my magazine.

I got use to listening for him because the metal grate over the floor furnace in the hallway would creak as he snuck down the hallway and I would hide the magazine before he burst in. One Saturday morning, I had assumed my favorite position in “the reading room” when I heard my Aunt Mae doing her little pee-pee dance in the hallway, so I got up and gave up the bathroom to her. She rushed past me as I opened the door. I went back to my bedroom, which was located diagonally across the hallway.

I closed the door, thinking “The smell that is going to come out of there in the next couple of minutes wasn’t going to be pleasant.” I laid on my bed and resumed reading my latest Superman Comic. The creaking of the grate in the hallway did not even register as I read onward. Dad had snuck down the hallway and in a giant burst of energy he ripped the door to the bathroom open, leaping in to snatch my comic book.

Now, Aunt Mae was quite large and kind of assumed the available space around the toilet when she sat down. When dad burst through the door, she stood up screaming with her pantaloons around her ankles. As she stood up, she ripped the sink off the wall in front of her and water began spewing all over the floor. Dad instinctively dove to the floor to turn the faucet valves off and Aunt Mae started jumping up and down screaming bloody murder at the top of her lungs. Whether she was trying to get away from the hot water or my dad was not clear, but she wound up stepping on his hand.

My mom came running as well as three of the next door ladies. I opened my door just as dad was leaving the bathroom, holding his hand, Aunt Mae screaming in the background and Mom and the neighbor ladies pumping questions from the front. Dad gave me a death stare as he passed. Sure enough, bright and early the next day, the bathroom had a big chrome latch on the door.

I was truly a latch key kid and me and my “Mad” magazines never got disturbed again.

The End

The voodoDogs Rock Amigos Cantina 8 4 07

The 'Voodo Dogs' Rock, yea they do, They transfixed the crowd at Amigos Last night, And rock they surely did. from the moment I got there and Angie asked me what I was drinkin, to when i had to go I really had a good time, Kudos to jermeny for Bringing in such a fine group. he realy did us alla favor.

On vocals we had, Richard Lee, Bass was provided by, Rick Fox, Slamming drums by, Tom Baratta, and the great, John Sanchez on electric guitar. They were to start at 7;30pm and they did, how often do ya see that happening. they right into song and from the get go, they howled n rocked all night. They have been together 8years hails from parts unknown, but they said they're from Ventura. Nice town, i like it there, for one thing it's cooler there! These guys are total pros all the way, I heard only one thing that werent perfect, but im not going to mention it. Just a lil thing that nobody elese probally notised.

From 7;30pm to afyter 11pm they jammed and rocked the place. Much to the joy of those who were there, people danced and sang along, everyone had a grand time, even me.

Their best songs to me were, 'Miss You','Purple Rain', that was very good, 'Sweet Emotion', The Pink Floyd song, 'Time' and the Led Zep medley that they played, drove everyone there nutz, John on guitar shone like a Diamond, playing as close to Jimmy Page as anyone I've ever heard, The crowd went limp after he played a perfect copy of Jimmie's immortal lead solos on 3 songs. I loved it, They also did well on 'Bowie's, 'Fame" and "Feel Like Makin Love". This group is so very pro, from one song to the next without a break, no tuning up, no bull, just full throttle rock n roll old school, and they played the songs their way and it was good, 'Life in the Fast Lane" was cooking, "Man in a Box" was also a stand out. These guys don't just jam, they are consummate pros and they play songs, music, for those of us who dig this sort of old school stuff, But I still say how can Led Zep ever go out of style, Simply great. Hope they come around again.

Richard Lee on vocals drove all the points home with nary a bad note, his high energy out put was insane, It even tired me out to see how much he was putting out!, Rick Fox on bass and B/g voices really impressed me as his background vocals were spot on and his bass lines were in the pocket, he jammed like glass. Tom Baratta on drums laid down the most perfect drum beats, every roll was right on and he played his heart out, These guys earned every cent of whatever they got paid, if you ever get a chance to see them, check 'em out. They don't disappoint, They rock!

Vincent Leeds

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fGroupID=2223

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