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Articles from
February 2009
RIP
Saturday, February 28, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Politiclast is surely dead this time. Last post was more than a month ago.
I will read the local obits to find out who it was.
Note: It is ALIVE. Politiclast lives. Shortly after posting this-- it rose from the dead and promised more.
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Madera County
Saturday, February 28, 2009 ::
0 Comments
As bad as I think things are in Yolo County government right now ...thank God we don't have these problems.
Check out the situation in Madera County in this article.
Good grief.
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Library Advisory Board
Saturday, February 28, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I need to appoint someone to the Yolo County Library Advisory Board.
The Library Advisory Board Bylaws are attached.
The group meets every other month, so 6 times a year. There is a representative from each County District and one from the Board of Supervisors. The terms are for four years. The meeting is held at Central Services, 226 Buckeye in Woodland. The meetings are held in February, April, June, August, October and December on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. and usually run until about 9 p.m. It’s a good group that provides advice and community input regarding service development and priorities for the Yolo County Library.
Remember -- This is not a group that deals directly with the Woodland Library. That is run by the City of Woodland.
If you are interested in serving -- please let me know.
Library Advisory Board Bylaws (pdf)
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Community Service Awards 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009 ::
1 Comments
The Woodland City Council will consider the following recipients for the 2009 Community Service Awards.
Don Campbell
Chris Dreith
David Flory
Lenore Sharp
American Legion Post 77
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County Budget
Friday, February 27, 2009 ::
3 Comments
This post has been a long time coming but it is time.
The Board of Supervisors and Yolo County Department Directors just spent two days at the Woodland Community Center wrestling with the budget for 2009-2010. It is not pretty. Neither is the back of my big melon in this picture on the front page of the Daily Democrat.
Let me give you an idea of the kind of budget problems we are having.
The City of Woodland has a budget shortfall of about $3 million this year. They have reserves of $5 million.
The County of Yolo has a budget shortfall of $22 million and reserves of $4 million to $9 million depending on how you count it.
So why is Yolo County in this pickle? A couple reasons. First, as property tax (big deal) is flat or slightly declining we lose revenue. Second, as sales tex revenue (not such a big deal for the county) declines we get a double whammy. Finally, we have increased costs due to labor contracts. It is part revenue and part spending.
Another reason I think we are in this situation is that we are looking at the budget problem over 12 months and not 18. We could have acted back in late 2008 in order to have less pressure in 2009 but that did not happen.
At this point we are going to have several things happen for sure...
1) We are going to cut services and make many peopel unhappy
2) We are going to see dozens of people lose their jobs
3) People are going to see greater delays in getting services that Yolo County provides
4) People are going to pack the Chambers upset that the program that they like the most is being reduced or eliminated.
5) Every county employee is going to recieve a substantial pay reduction
I have to tell you that I am of the opinion that nothing is sacred. Programs like the Veterans Service Office, the Agriculture Department, and even some law enforcement funding that I normally would defend to my last dying breathe are open in my minds. We have no other choice.
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Not much water in there
Thursday, February 26, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Below I posted some information from Tim at the water district about how we do not have enough water in storage right now to make it over the summer.
I have not been up to Clear Lake or Lake Berryesa in a while but this picture from my favorite Boy Scout Troop says it all. This is right by the dam at Berryesa.
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Tazzina Bistro
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I have been meaning to write something about Tazzina Bistro for a while. I really dig that place. The problem is that I go there and come home so bloated (Art Pimentel like) that I can't type.
Last week Jenn and I headed downtown. My selection for the evening was the Shellfish Stew. It was absolutely excellent -- but here was the best part. It was not the main course. It was the brussels sprouts. They were the best I have ever had. Simply perfect.
This place rocks. Woodland should be happy to have Tazzina Bistro.
The other cool thing is that it continues to have a good crowd even with a slow economy.
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Rain baby rain
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This is from Tim at the water district. Important stuff --- rain baby rain.
YCFCWCD Board Members and other interested parties:
Here is a brief summary of precipitation and water storage changes at Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir from the latest storm (February 21 through 24).
This storm had about 2/3 the rainfall that the previous storm did. However, since the ground was already saturated, the runoff into the lakes was actually a bit higher than from last week's storm. The rainfall was more hit and miss, with our three rain gages recording quite different totals (2.8 inches at Clear Lake, 3.74 inches upstream of Indian Valley Reservoir, and 1.04 inches at the Dam itself). To repeat the message I sent you last week; water storage conditions at both Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir has not improved significantly. Unless the storms keep coming in March, we will still not be in a position to release water from storage for the upcoming irrigation season. We need a combined storage (Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir) of approximately 80,000 to 90,000 acre feet to begin releases. At the present time we have a combined storage of approximately 30,000 acre feet. A letter to that effect was sent to our water customers last week.
Some of the numbers from the storm (February 21 through 24);
Precipitation at Clear Lake: 2.8 inches
Clear Lake elevation change at Rumsey gage: 2.05 feet to 2.75 feet (change of +0.70 feet) NOTE: We are getting closer, but need to be at 3.22 before we even BEGIN to accumulate "entitlement" water.
Precipitation at Indian Valley Reservoir: 3.74 inches upstream and 1.04 inches at the Dam
Indian Valley Reservoir water storage change: 23,116 af to 29,282 (change of +6,166 acre feet)
The weather service is forecasting some light precipitation through the rest of the week. The forecast at http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=CLKC1 <http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=CLKC1> predicts Clear Lake to rise almost to the magic 3.22 elevation on the Rumsey gage on March 1st. There is still hope!!!
Staff will continue to monitor the changing storage conditions. Water Conditions are updated daily on our website www.ycfcwcd.org <http://www.ycfcwcd.org> .
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one of you is screwing with me.....I just got this.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 ::
2 Comments
Hi, Matt Rexroad (rexroad).
President Putin (presidentputin) is now following your updates on Twitter.
Check out President Putin's profile here:
http://twitter.com/presidentputin
You may follow President Putin as well by clicking on the "follow" button.
Best,
Twitter
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How often does this happen?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 ::
0 Comments
How often do you get an e-mail like the one I just got ---
Hi, Matt Rexroad (rexroad).
Gov Schwarzenegger (schwarzenegger) is now following your updates on Twitter.
Check out Gov Schwarzenegger's profile here:
http://twitter.com/schwarzenegger
Best,
Twitter
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Bike Path Meeting at Community Center
Monday, February 23, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Tonight at the Community Center we had about 70 people show up to learn more about it.
Mostly they were a good group, but a couple people just could not get with the program. Instead of throwing out concerns or benefits the words chosen were clearly an attempt to encourage or discourage the total project. It was a little verbal tug of war that went on for more than an hour.
The other thing was that the people that were negative about the concept didn't even stay until the end.
In the end I heard lots of people say what was wrong with a particular path (mostly because it impacted them) but in the end it was mostly people that did not want it near them....anywhere but here. I did not hear anyone say a bike path was a bad idea.
It will be interesting to see the report put out by the team.
In the end, we just can't win. If you ask for community involvement early in the process we get yelled at for not having the answers. If we hold off until the decision time they scream because the deal is done. Oh well.
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Palms Playhouse hosts The Bottom Dwellers
Sunday, February 22, 2009 ::
2 Comments
Jenn and I are booked to watch one of our favorite bands -- the Bottom Dwellers and a band we have never seen Rowdy Kate play at the Palms Playhouse on March 6th. We have a prison guard on order to protect Woodland from our children.
You can get information on where to get tickets here.
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Board meeting on Tuesday -- February 24th
Sunday, February 22, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Not much on the agenda this week.
I get to present a resolution declaring Spay Day USA 2009. I think I have done this the prior two years too.
Item 2.09 designated the UC Davis Fire Department as a Yolo County Safe Haven. That is cool.
Item 2.16 is one that I have a question on. It is regarding spending $152k on a camera system that is required by federal law. That seems like a lot of money to spend when the cost of this technology is going down very quickly.
We get some more budget news -- that should be fun.
Should be over by the early afternoon. Unless someone tells a really long story or stories we should be out of there by 1pm.
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Think we have enough water? Think again.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This is from Tim at the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District ---
Here is a quick water conditions update following this weekend's storm.
Despite having received approximately 5 inches of rain in the Clear Lake watershed, water storage conditions at both Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir have not improved significantly. Unless this storm is followed quickly by equivalent or better precipitation events, we will still not be in a position to release water from storage for the upcoming irrigation season. We need a combined storage (Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir) of approximately 80,000 to 90,000 acre feet to begin releases. At the present time we have a combined storage of approximately 22, 000 acre feet. A letter to that effect will be sent to our water customers this week.
Some of the numbers from the storm (February 10 through 17);
Precipitation at Clear Lake: 4.69 inches
Clear Lake elevation change at Rumsey gage: 1.18 feet to 1.79 feet (change of 0.61 feet) NOTE: We need to be at 3.32 before we even BEGIN to accumulate entitlement water.
Precipitation at Indian Valley Reservoir: 3.77 inches
Indian Valley Reservoir water storage change: 19, 714 af to 21,869 (change of 2,155 acre feet)
Staff will continue to monitor the changing storage conditions. Water Conditions are updated daily on our website www.ycfcwcd.org <http://www.ycfcwcd.org> .
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I hate leaving money on the table
Monday, February 16, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Yolo Cowboy wanted to know how much it would take me to enjoy a new kind of drink. See his post here.
I went with $100 -- but I am no sure what the market will deal with here. If he comes in with the money for the Wayfarer Center I will film it and post it.
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uh oh -- Palo Alto
Friday, February 13, 2009 ::
0 Comments
What is it about utility departments?
This is crazy what is being alleged in Palo Alto. This is the kind of thing that makes people lose confidence in local government. Bad deal for all involved.
See article here.
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Air Quality Extends Lives
Thursday, February 12, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I am skeptical of some public health programs like needle exchanges and condom distribution because I think you are talking about voluntary behavior that people should handle personally.
One area that I think California has made huge gains in is air quality. Efforts to take smart steps forward (and even some mandates on businesses) have certainly led to a better quality of life and now we have evidence that it is extending lives.
Please take a look at this article here.
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Bike Path -- come learn, come comment
Thursday, February 12, 2009 ::
0 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2009
Alternative Transportation Corridor Community Meeting
(Woodland, CA) – Yolo County, the City of Woodland and the City of Davis are partnering on a feasibility study of possible alternative routes for a multi-use, off-road path for bicycles, pedestrians, equestrians and potentially low-speed electric vehicles between the cities of Woodland and Davis.
Yolo County and the cities of Woodland and Davis are seeking public input and dialogue on design and use of the corridor and possible alternative routes to ensure that all needs and concerns are considered as part of the study. A community kick-off meeting will be held on Feb. 23, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Woodland Community Center to provide the public opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and provide input into the design and use of the Alternative Transportation Corridor between Woodland and Davis.
What: Alternative Transportation Corridor between Woodland and Davis
Community Kick-Off Meeting
When: Monday, February 23, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Woodland Community Center, Banquet Room 2, 2001 East Street, Woodland
For more information contact:
Brent Meyer, City of Woodland
Phone: (530) 661-5947 / e-mail brent.meyer@cityofwoodland.org
Roxanne Namazi, City of Davis
Phone: (530) 757-5675 / e-mail: rnamazi@cityofdavis.org
Petrea Marchand, Yolo County
Phone: (530) 666-8128 / e-mail: petrea.marchand@yolocounty.org
For more information visit:
www.yolocounty.org <http://www.yolocounty.org/> (go to Community > Alternative Transportation Corridor)
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Not a penny
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The family of Abrahams is suing the City of Woodland. See article here.
I hope the city fights this. I know YCPARMIA will play a role but these people do not deserve one cent of the taxpayers money.
It does not say what sort of remedy the plaintiffs are seeking but I am betting that it is a big fat pay day and some sort of punitive damages. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
The Woodland Police officers were cleared. Now the taxpayers need to be cleared of this too.
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Daily Democrat Editorial: make it easier for K-12 district to pass parcel tax
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 ::
2 Comments
Today I did not see the Daily Democrat editorial on line. I just opened my paper and BAM. There it was.
The Democrat is arguing the threshold for a parcel tax should be lowered so they will be easier to pass. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
This whole argument kills me. This would be the same as arguing that too many kids are failing out of high school so let's not require math for graduation.
I know a fair amount about elections. School districts that are well run, manage their money properly, and make a solid case to the voters usually do fine in school bond and parcel tax elections. In the 1990s people used to point to Grant Unified in Sacramento and say -- "good grief it failed again, those poor people keep trying to pass a bond and it fails". Here is the secret to this test. Grant Unified sucked. They didn't deserve any more money to waste and the voters didn't want to give it to them. Is that wrong? Absolutely not.
The 2/3 threshold is completely appropriate for tax increases. Leave it alone. The voters are smart enough to figure it out.
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Spring Lake Dog Park
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 ::
2 Comments
Spring Lake residents are hacked off because the city is considering the location of dog park there.
I have gotten about twenty letters from people on the issue although I am not sure what I can do about it. Someone (thanks RG) sent me this website.
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This is the case that is going to change California
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 ::
1 Comments
This is the legal case that is going to change California. See story here.
58,000 people no longer behind bars in California means a big change. 58,000 people no longer incarcerated roaming the streets. Here is the crazy part -- I don't actually think it will significantly reduce the cost of Department of Corrections. The prisons will all still be 100% full. not 101% full but 100% full by design.
This will change how our cops do their jobs on the streets, it will change the level of safety on the street, and it will still cost billions.
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Murder Mystery at the Library
Monday, February 09, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Jenn and I had a great time at the Murder Mystery at the Library on Saturday night. They had a sold out Leake Room.
The evening starts upstairs with wine and treats. I am not a wine drinker so I had some kind of a cider. It was good. The food was great.
The food and stuff is upstairs along with some silent auction items. Jenn picked up two of those...joy.
I thought everyone on the cast did a great job. The cast of Art Pimental, Jim Hilliard, Jeff Monroe, Dave Flory, Al Eby, Martie Dote, Chief Sullivan, Anita Long, and BJ Ford did a fabulous performance. Librarian Sandy Briggs stole the show. She was clearly into her character and sold it well.
This is a great event for Woodland.
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Eating a farmer
Monday, February 09, 2009 ::
0 Comments
So I was interested in this story for the headline ...but then as I kept reading it says the the women speak a different language from the men. That is just like in my house.
Read story here.
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Academic Decathlon
Sunday, February 08, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I think this is my third year being a judge for the speech competition. Could be two but probably is three.
In the past I remember walking out the door thinking -- "wow, what a bunch of stars." Not so this year.
No one really hit a home run and one young woman walked in and said she did not have a prepared speech so we could just skip that part.
Another one of the students just got up there and started talking without ever really thinking about what she was saying. The only reason she got to a minute and a half was that she stood there silently for 30 seconds and then said thank you after I held up the pink card.
Very interesting. I don't even know the results but I hope Woodland did well.
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This is killing me
Sunday, February 08, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Tonight I came home from the library murder mystery and found this e-mail in my in-box. With the permission of the author I have posted it here.
For some reason I feel I am being pointed to do something here. Hector was in my class at Holy Rosary. Neal Roberts was two years behind us.
This one hurts.
Semper Fidelis.
Hi Matt,
I'm sorry that I don't know you, or remember you, as it has been several lifetimes since high school, but I was poking around on google just now, entering names of people I know to see what may or may not be out there, as I'm sure everyone has done from time to time. Anyway, I entered Hector's name and your blog entry from November of '07 popped up where you're talking about Hector and how you incorporate him into your daughter's stories, etc. I was stunned. But not really, because that's how he left his mark on all of us.
Hector was my first love, my first husband and is now my guardian angel. This coming May 26th will be 23 years (later correctd to 18 years) that he's been gone. I still think of him every day.
Yes, it's true that he died while over seas, on a "quick trip" to Zaragoza AFB, Spain. He had served in Operation Desert Storm from January of 1991 to April of 1991. In May he was offered an opportunity to go over to Europe for a 3 week tour. First stop was New York, next stop was England, last stop Spain.
Hector had been having very bad headaches, blurred vision and intermittent numbness and tingling on one side of his body. I, at the time, also having been in the Air Force, was stationed elsewhere for Desert Storm and all I knew of these symptoms was an occasional mention of "another sinus headache". Medical records which I obtained after his death showed that he went to the Air Force clinic, asking to be seen for these symptoms. The records show where the doctor actually noted that Motrin would be best, as this is probably from a recent episode of arm wrestling that he had participated in. Still enrages me after all these years.
After I buried Hector at Monument Hill in Woodland, I returned to our home base in Spokane, WA and signed out his records and took them home. Then I returned to where I had been stationed, away from Hector to tie up the loose ends there. One of the things I had to do was to go down to the base post office and close out my P.O. Box. One letter was in there. It was from Hector. It was postmarked the very day that he was hospitalized. It told of how his headaches increased in intensity during the first leg of the trip in New York. He had bought some Sudafed, but it hadn't helped. Then he went on to talk about seeing a doctor at the E.R. at Mildenhall AFB, England, his second stop on the tour. Hector told me that he had prescribed him a medicine called Fiorinal, and advised him to go back to see his regular doctor after he returned to his home base. He then told me that he had gone to the base exchange and bought some over the counter medicine that seemed to be helping him a little, but that (and this is the part that still makes me tear up to this day), he wrote, "but I'll be sure to keep you posted on my medical condition". This was followed by a happy face and a little "Ha Ha".
Apparently this letter was mailed the morning that he left England for Spain.
Later that same morning, as the plane that Hector was on gained altitude, the tumor that no one knew about, about the size of a golf ball, swelled, blocking all drainage of fluid from the ventricles in his brain. He became nauseous, incoherent and confused. When the plane landed at Zaragoza AFB, Hector deboarded the plane, took four steps and collapsed on the tarmac. He was taken a few places before ending up at a civillian hospital in the city of Zaragoza, itsself.
Two days later, I knew that my not hearing from him was more than just the inavailability of a landline, or him being busy exploring the country. I used Air Force connections to find a number to the base operator there. Then to the dorms, where someone told me that they were pretty sure I was looking for "the guy who is in the hospital", then to the base clinic where I was told where to find him. I called the hospital where he was, frantic and in a panic, only to find that no one there spoke English. The AT&T operator who was on the line with me translated and said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but your husband is in critical condition. They need you now. They didn't know how to find you."
First I threw up. Then I called my Dad, back in Woodland, who called the Red Cross. They couldn't believe that the Air Force didn't tell somebody something. They had to verify my story, and two and a half days later I was granted the emergency leave to fly to Spain to be with my husband. Two days later, I finally reached Zaragoza. When I got to the ICU and told someone who I was looking for, a man came flying out of the double doors with a clipboard and a pen and told me that I needed to sign here and here and here because they'd been waiting for me. Hector needed brain surgery. Now. He had been needing it for days. So I signed. And there I sat, not knowing what was wrong with my husband, how to speak their language or what to do.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an Air Force officer appeared, identifying himself as the Chief Flight Nurse from Zaragoza AFB. He was bilingual and would help me.
The surgery that I had signed for was to implant a shunt in Hector's skull to faciilitate the drainage of the fluids that had caused him so much pain. I honestly don't remember how much time passed before I could see Hector, but when I did, he spoke to me. He said "What took you so long?" Then he laughed. The next week was spent trying to figure out what was causing the fluid buildup, as the tumor was missed in the first MRIs. I was told that he had Meningitis. Then I was told that no, it wasn't that after all. Maybe it was an aneurism. Then one day, as the Flight Nurse and I were sitting in the waiting room, a first year resident came out to tell us in English that he had found the problem. It was a tumor, smack in the middle of his brain that was missed all this time because it was mistaken as a cloud in the fluid buildup.
Then the talk began of what to do about it. Was it benign, was it malignant? No way to tell til they took it out. This was sixteen days in to him being hospitalized. They kept Hector pretty sedated and advised me not to tell him anything, as it would upset him and raise his blood pressure. Whenever he asked me what was happening and why he was there I would say "they're figuring it out."
The surgery was scheduled. I waited. I prayed. I begged God and tried making deals. Four and a half hours after I said goodbye to him at the doors of the operating room, the surgeon came out to see me. And then I saw the Priest right behind him and I knew it was not good.
The surgeon told the Flight Nurse, who then translated to me, that the surgery was over, that he had survived the surgery and that the tumor was malignant and inoperable. His suggestion to me was to wait for him to be able to fly, then to take him home and take care of him for the time that he had left. How long that would be, he couldn't say.
An hour later I went in to see him. What do you say? Turns out I didn't need to say anything. His eyes told me everything without saying a word. He knew.
The next morning I came in and I told him that as soon as he was better, he would be moved to another room, out of ICU and I'd be able to spend more time with him. Then we'd go home and take some time off together. (I was only able to speak to him over a phone through safety glass because of the risk of infection). We were only able to speak a few minutes at a time, a couple of times each day.
About three days later I came in and was told that he was making an amazing recovery. He had been flirting with the nurses and was interested in looking at pictures. I was told that if this kept up for 24 hours more, they would release him to a normal hospital room the next day, and I would be able to be in the same room with him 24/7 until he was able to fly. I was so excited. I told him about it and he said "Who is with you?" I asked him what he meant and he said "All of them....who are they?" I looked behind me. No one that I could see. Then my blood ran cold.
I went back to my room and had all kinds of anxiety. I finally fell asleep at some point and during the night I had a dream about (or a visit from) Hector. He was laying on a hospital gurney which was parked exactly in the middle of a solid black line. He told me that he was tired and that he couldn't do this any more. I told him not to go. We hadn't had our baby yet. (We were to start our family once we were both back at the same base). He said he was tired and he really didn't have a choice. I woke up in a panic and I called the Flight Nurse and his wife at their house. They assured me that Hector was doing great, not to worry. It was just anxiety and in the morning I would see.
The next morning when we got to the hospital, I was relieved to see Hector sitting up his bed. It was just a dream. I told him that today was the day. I was going to get to hug him in person, not just over the phone. I told him that I was going to go to the base exchange to get some toiletry items for him so that I could clean him up. I would rent him a video and get him some magazines and a walkman. Because his speech was limited, I was used to his words sometimes not coming out right, but what he did next, I'll never forget. He waved at me and he said, "We love you." I said "WE? Who is WE?" He looked to his left and then to his right and then he said. "Us." I told him "I love you too." Then I left with the Flight Nurse the BX to get the things I'd told Hector about. I rented some funny movie and had bought him a 'Cure' tape and a Walkman. I got some soap, shampoo and deodorant. We got back to the hospital and went to the plate glass window, as I'd done each day, intending to pick up the wall phone and ring in to Hector's room to talk to him.
When I got to the window, the curtains were drawn closed and I could hear a ventilator. The Flight Nurse found someone to tell him why. Then he told me. At some point after we left for the store and before we got back, Hector stopped breathing. He'd had an infection which they say swelled up his neck, cutting off the ability of his spinal cord to send the message to his lungs to continue breathing. A disconnect of the line of communication between the brain and the lungs. He had been placed on a ventilator, but his brain was dead. He was gone.
After some time I was allowed to go in to say goodbye to Hector. I remember thinking that it was just some big mistake and if I could just touch his hand then he'd know I was there and it would be okay. But it wasn't a mistake and it wasn't okay. Ironically, the first time I got to physically touch my husband since his isolation was also the last time I'd ever touch him again. I held his hand, expecting it to wrap into mine but instead it just layed there, unresponsive. I got up to leave and came back to him three times before I was finally able to leave for the last time on the fourth try. I came out and told them to turn off the machines. He was 23 years old.
I was approached about donating his organs. I didn't want to hear about it. Both Hector and I believed in organ donation and had even had a discussion about it a few months earlier, while he was in Desert Storm, but I had just lost him. He wasn't even legally dead yet. I said I didn't want to think about it and I left the hospital. The next day my
Dad arrived. Hector's father had been trying his best to get there but was having trouble getting over. When my Dad arrived he talked to me and convinced me that it was the best thing to do, as his loss would mean a life saved to someone else. So I finally said okay. That same night they transported Hector to another hospital, where the transplants were to take place. The recipients were also there. I was driven to that hospital and escorted into an office where I again signed here and here and here. The 'counselor' at the hospital translated to me through the Flight Nurse that one of the recipients was a twelve year old little boy who was in need of a heart and both lungs. No one in Spain thus far had been a suitable match for him. Then came Hector Jimenez, Jr. from Woodland, CA. He was a perfect match. The parents of this twelve year old boy were in the waiting room and wanted to meet me and wanted to thank me for saving their son's life. To say that I was pi**ed off at the world and was bitter and hateful would be an understatement. Not to mention heavily sedated. I told the counselor that I was not in the mood for that. Tell them to thank Hector, not me. And then my Dad and I left the room. The Flight Nurse and his wife drove my Dad and I back to their personal home and we stayed at their house that night. He gave me a shot of something that allowed me to sleep til half way through the next day so I wouldn't have to think about what they were doing to my husband right then.
The next day I woke up to my Dad coming in to the room. He told me that it was over. I remember asking him "You mean I'm not married anymore?" He told me that he guessed that technically I was not. I went back to sleep.
An hour later the Flight Nurse's wife came in to tell me that Hector's Dad had arrived in Spain, but there was some kind of railway strike so he was taking a taxi from Madrid to Zaragoza to get here. This would be like taking a taxi from L.A. to Sacramento. This was before everyone had a cel phone, so it wasn't until his arrival at the hospital, where the Flight Nurse met him that he was told that his son was no longer alive. I can't imagine what that must have been like for him. He might have been my husband, but come on, this is the man's son we're talking about. It's not the same thing. And the fact that he had just missed him made it even worse.
The next few days were all about "arrangements". I was told that I was to accompany Hector back to the U.S. My Dad said no way. He was protective and wouldn't allow it. Hector's father spoke up then and volunteered to do it. Again...I can't imagine.
So he did.
Hector's funeral was on Memorial Day, (May 31st), 1991. The service was at Holy Rosary Church in Woodland and the military funeral was at Monument Hill. Complete with a 21 gun salute.
After the funeral I went to the base where we were stationed, (Fairchild AFB, WA). Like I said before, I got the medical records. I was beyond angry. I had to go back to my Desert Storm station base and that's when I got his letter. Then I was disgusted at how he was let down by the substandard medical treatment that he received by the military. I filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force. After 2 and 1/2 years and several denials I finally gave up, as it was dragging on so long that I was unable to move on in my life. I was living every day in the past, obsessed with getting back at them for what they did to Hector. By the time I dropped the lawsuit, 2 other members of Hector's flight team, also in their 20s had also come down with a cancer of some type. I can't say for sure, but my suspicion is Desert Storm Syndrome.
I have since remarried and now live in L.A. with two sons. One of whom is getting to be almost the age of the little boy who received a second chance at life from Hector.
I often wonder if that little boy made it. If he's still alive. If I'll ever know. I wish I hadn't been so selfish and immature and emotional and I wish I would have taken the time to meet his parents. If only to say that through their son, Hector would be able to have a childhood all over again. Something that Hector always said he'd like to do...be a kid all over again. And to tell them that they were lucky to be able to have his kind heart in their son, to sort of have him with them because he was really something special and that he was the kind of guy that people never forget. The kind of guy who someone names a character in their daughter's story after, two decades after he was gone.
Thank you for writing those words for me to stumble upon a year and a half later. I really appreciated reading it. And somewhere, I know that Hector appreciates it too.
Thank you,
Sharon
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City Park - I think I am done
Saturday, February 07, 2009 ::
4 Comments
I like taking my kids to the park. After nap it is tbe best place to take them to wear them out for an early evening. Adam and Abbie can run, go on the slide, climb up and down, and see other kids.
City Park on Cross is the closest to my house so that is where we go most often. The rule for me is that if you want to go to the park you need to walk down there. Daddy is not carrying anyone there or back.
The problem is the people we see in the park. I have been going there for more than four years and have probably had ten different occasions where kids around us have been behaving in a bad way. A couple years ago I actually called the police. I wrote about that incident here.
Today we were at City Park and the kids in the older playground probably dropped an F-bomb with every other word. I asked them to "watch the language" twice. These kids were probably ten years old with no adult accompanying them.
The last time we were there Adam walked over and handed me a cigarette.
I think today might have been the last straw for me at City Park. I really want to make City Park a place where kids like mine can play but I am done trying reclaim that park from people, language, and behavior that I would rather not have my kids around.
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Classic
Saturday, February 07, 2009 ::
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I often laugh at Abbie and Adam who constantly ask how old they need to be to drive, be in second grade, swim alone, or whatever is not currently age appropriate for them. Abbie then sometimes rubs it in by reminding Adam that she is older and will be able to do these things before he will. Well, it happens at the other end of life too.
This morning Jenn tells me that my Grandma needs cash. She will be 100 years old in June. So this morning after Academic Decathlon judging I head over to the Californian to visit and drop off the money.
When I walk in they are having lunch. Grandma is sitting at a table with three women ages 101, 84, and 83. Nice group of people.
We talked about all kinds of things. Kids, Woodland, Dudley Holman, the lunch .....all kinds of stuff.
After about 20 minutes the 101 year old woman says "Who is that?" referring to me. Grandma says "He is my grandson."
The 101 year old then says, "Grandson? You are not old enough to have grandchildren."
Classic.
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This is why I will never live in SF
Friday, February 06, 2009 ::
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Now this is just stupid. Thank you to PV for sending it my way.
The people of San Francisco are just insane. The crazy thing is that I can name four or five local elected officials in Yolo County that would vote against a store like this coming to their town if 200 people showed up to oppose something.
Read article here.
Reading this article makes me happy I live in Woodland.
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Here is a twist: I thought it would be art that inspired the tattoos
Thursday, February 05, 2009 ::
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For Immediate Press Release
Exhibit Title: The Late Shift
Show Dates: February 6th - 28th
Opening Reception February 6th
Featured Artists:
"Gorgeous George" - Tattoo Inspired Paintings Kristina McClanahan - Mixed Media Collages & Sculpture Clare Bailey - Mannequins Shannon Moore Jervis - Paintings & Clay Sculpture Ryanne Green (6 years old) - Acrylic Paintings
Gallery curator Clare L Bailey will be exhibiting her latest mannequins.
These large female forms are ornately painted with a story all their own.
One such example is the piece called "Drawing The Line" in which a beautifully detailed mannequin stands in a pool of sand while holding a pendulum. When the pedulum is moved it draws a line in the sand. Clare explains the subtle message behind this piece "We can draw the line without being negative or unmoving, while remaining firm in our boundaries."
Shannon Moore-Jervis is a gallery favorite. Her solo show last year was a great success. Shannon returns with new works influenced by studies of medieval art and stories of saints. 'Reliquary for Love', two hearts snuggled together, looks both ancient and vulnerable with its faded surface and hints of gold leaf. The birds perched atop of this mounted wall piece have adopted these hearts as home.
Moving beyond the body as his only canvas, tattoo artist "Gorgeous George"
created a stunning exhibit for The Blue Wing Gallery. By taking a risk and venturing into the gallery scene George is liberating himself from the traditional way of displaying tattoo art, which is usually limited to the walls of tattoo parlors and the bodies of the ink addicted. Until this exhibit some of his best work lay hidden under a layer of clothes viewed by a select few. Now even the faint of heart who would never consider getting a tattoo can have a one of a kind "Gorgeous George" masterpiece to call their own.
Mixed Media artist Kristina McClanahan adds a level of sophistication to the show. Using the text from old books and vintage ads as her primary inspiration she combines fabric, paint and paper to create truly unique works of art. An avid reader, Kristina's love of words is evident in her creations. Her portrait collages tell short stories, and the text infused on the faces provide a narrative or subtle link to the persona each image represents. An established artist, Kristina's style is easily recognizable while retaining a freshness. Her natural authenticity and unique use of her medium will continue to captivate her regular collectors and enamor new ones.
Our youngest contributor is 6 year old Ryanne Green. Ryanne asked to exhibit her work after attending several gallery openings over the last couple of years. Ryanne brought in some of her paintings to be reviewed by Al,Sandy and Clare and she explained that she "loves making art and wants to be like the artists at Blue Wing Gallery." Her original ideas such as "Poka-Dot Cat" and "Stripes The Raccoon" are sweetly rendered.Most of her pieces are acrylic on canvas while some have a few added surprises such as sequins and buttons.
Blue Wing Art Gallery
405 Main St.
Woodland, CA 95695
530-666-9498
www.bluewinggallery.com
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Elkhorn Library
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Note: I had read that Yolo County had a branch library in Elkhorn. I asked County Librarian Patty Wong about it. This is what she sent me. Looks like it was really in West Sacramento.
Elkhorn Village Library Branch
904 Sacramento Ave [Nearest Cross Street- Douglas]
Broderick, 95605 [West Sacramento]
Librarian Mrs. Adell Washburn
1961, Oct: B of S approves survey of services currently being offered in the East Yolo area
1962, May: CA State Librarian Shirley Brothers recommends in her report establishment of regional library branch in East Yolo section of the county to be housed in “commercial type building” a non-permanent arrangement, to be located in “general area of present library branch” in West Sacramento near the Post Office. She advises against looking for a permanent structure at the present time.
1968: Cal. State Library Report lists Elkhorn Village Branch for the first time. It is located in a 1,600 sq ft rented building and contains 9,000 volumes and is serving a population of 8,000 people in the Bryte/Broderick area.
1978: Last listing for Elkhorn Village Branch in the Cal. State Library Report. Volumes are now at 12,380 and they are serving population of 13,293
1977/8: Arthur Turner Branch, West Sacramento opens and Elkhorn closes
Source: Yolo County Library Archive Collection- East Yolo
Research by Katherine Proctor-Volunteer
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Nice calls
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 ::
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I have been getting so many nice messages and calls from the people out in the Elkhorn area about the trash removal that is being done.
I sent all the people that live out there a letter with all my contact information and what the trash removal program is. They really seem to like it. Dotty and Dave have been doing a great job of getting them some attention they deserve.
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Proof in the performance
Sunday, February 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Say what you want about CCPOA and the like -- but this kind of stuff rarely happens in state run prisons. See article here.
At one time in my life I actually thought privatization of prisons was a good idea. I really don't know. Government should run these places.
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Poll and Trivia
Sunday, February 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I have not been doing a very good job of updating the poll and trivia question on the right side of this page.
The poll is about McGowan's comments in the BOS meeting the other day. The trivia is some November election flashback. Let me know who gets 100% on the first try. We will do an honor roll.
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Story of the Day -- Woodland Woman Wrestler
Sunday, February 01, 2009 ::
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The news is full of stories about budget madness. The story of the day for me is about Fiona Wais wrestling in Hanford and getting 6th place.
That is awesome. I tell Abbie she can do anything she wants. If she wants to play football -- we will support her. If she wants to join the Marines -- go for it. I love it when young women like Fiona do things like this. It makes the path easier for my little girl when she comes along.
Read the story here.
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