Letters for July 13, 2006

Meaty issue
Re: “It’s no laughing matter” (Newslines, CN&R, July 6):

One step forward, two steps back. I picked up CN&R and was heartened to see that Bob Speer had covered the anti-KFC protest by PETA supporters educating our community about KFC’s cruel factory farming. The article was well-written and unbiased.

The two steps back came later in the day at a Chico Natural Foods meeting where the general manager and a few members and staff gathered to discuss an upcoming vote on allowing dead animal flesh to be sold in the store. The sample ballot asks for a “Yes” or “No” vote, then goes on to survey voters on what type of flesh they would like the store to carry, how they would like their flesh served (fresh, frozen or cooked), and how much they would spend for the flesh weekly.

The ballot was a menu for flesh-eaters. The ballot might change a bit before it’s sent out, but I doubt the bias will be removed. I understand this to a point. I myself am extremely biased toward not eating animal flesh.

I’ve supported CNF for two decades because it is the only vegetarian store in town that doesn’t serve animal flesh. If the vote sadly goes the way I think it will, I’ll no longer need to shop at CNF because I’ll be able to shop at any other grocery store in town that sells animal flesh. I’m calling on the vegetarian members of CNF to vote no, and for our health-conscious community to support this important local business.

Daniel Donnelly
Chico

‘Memorable time’
I am an 83-year-old evangelist who is very amazed at the lack of concern exhibited by places of worship in regards to our country and its conception.

On July 4, there was a program held at 6 a.m. [at First Church of the Nazarene] to pay respect to those who 230 years ago pledged their lives in order to promote freedom and liberty for the future of a new nation.

With a listed 72 organized churches in this area, it would seem reasonable that there would be some response from a few. None of the pastors, none of their associates, none of them made an appearance.

Was it too early? Did it conflict with other plans? This is a sad testimony for a people whose heritage has been grounded in the sacrifice of gallant folks of all walks of life. It was a historical meeting on the Fourth, and those few of us who were there shared a memorable time.

Louie Ricci
Chico

Why the static?
Re: “Radio waves” (Letters, CN&R, July 6):

It’s been a long time since someone aired his grievances against KZFR 90.1 FM on these pages. There’s a reason why. In the last couple years, KZFR has changed considerably. I’m sorry, Mr. Lennox, if you had a traumatizing experience, but with the hiring of paid staff (this 26-year-old being one of them,) professionalism has increased around here.

We are open to all types of music and informational programming (within reason, of course), and we’re always looking for new programmers! The next new programmer training starts Sept. 20. Just call the office at 895-0706 or come up to the fourth floor (suite 411) of the big pink building on the corner of Fourth and Broadway to get an application. Fill it out, come to the meetings Sept. 20 and 27 (Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.), and after that it’s up to you to set up a one-hour tech training, sit in with your favorite programmers for 10 hours, and pass the certification test.

We have open slots late-night, or you can wait until someone quits (which can happen unexpectedly). We also have openings on the Program Council and Board of Directors, so you can join the “hippies and liberal elitists” in the decision-making process. We are your community radio station. If you don’t like it (or if you do!), step up.

Alina Neacy
KZFR operations coordinator
Chico

Note to Rep. Herger
Come on, Wally, get behind the paper trail for voting. It is a check that will help balance out the fraud that has been perpetuated by electronic voting. It is definitely hackable, and already too many real accounts of vote falsification have been proven.

And by the way: How many more lives have to be sacrificed before you, sir, are going to realize that Bush’s win-win situation ain’t going to happen in Iraq? Outsiders tried to force their ways on Vietnam (I know, I was there) for over 30 years. Between the Brits, French and USA, we were not successful in forcing our will on them. Peace be with you.

Bob Travers
Chico

Out of the park
The Chico City Council unanimously voted to fund the First and Verbena neighborhood park. Councilmember Steve Bertagna (candidate for Board of Supervisors) was quoted as saying, “My feeling is we might have a home run here in terms of what the neighborhood wanted….”

Bertagna’s boastful comment on his batting prowess makes him sound like a heavy hitter for neighborhood parks. His overall batting average, however, reveals a dismal failure at bat. Just two days earlier, Bertagna and his pro-development teammates on the council, Dan Herbert (up for reelection) and Larry Wahl, struck out on three successive trips to the plate, voting not to fund parks for the Ceres neighborhood, southwest Chico neighborhoods and northwest Chico neighborhoods. Remember, this is the same team that voted not to save Bidwell Ranch as open space. That’s four strikeouts in a row before getting a single hit.

Bertagna, Herbert and Wahl are way out in left field when it comes to knowing how much our community values its parks. It’s time to break up their team. Let’s put these guys on the bench for good in November.

“Home run” points go to councilmembers Maureen Kirk, Scott Gruendl, Andy Holcombe and Ann Schwab for voting in favor of funding for all four of the proposed neighborhood parks. Let’s keep them at bat.

Karen Laslo
Chico

Thank you
The Gridley High School Class of 1976 would like to thank Jeff, the owner of Hemingway’s restaurant in Chico. Three weeks prior to our 30th class reunion, due to unforeseen circumstances, the place where we were going to have our reunion just didn’t work out for us. Jeff closed his restaurant on Saturday night, June 24, to accommodate our reunion. We ended up with a much better menu than we anticipated. The food and service was a delightful experience for all of us. Thank you, Jeff and your staff, for making our reunion a successful one.

Terri LaViolette
Chico

More thanks
Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho hosted its 11th annual Microbrew Fest on June 10, and once again it was quite a success. The event raised over $42,000 that will be dispersed to numerous local charities and programs within our community through a grant award process. The 1,100 participants in attendance tasted a large variety of beer from 38 different breweries and sampled various foods from the participating sponsors. We want to give a special thanks to all the volunteers who made it possible for a club of 22 members to host such a large event.

Our sponsors and breweries have already committed to next year’s event. Be sure to mark your calendars for June 9, 2007, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Manzanita Place in Chico. If you are interested in finding more information about Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho, you can check our Web site at www.sibidwellrancho.org.

Barbara Heidinger
Chico