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Written by: Jim Lyle

Published: 22 July 2007

Created: 22 July 2007

Last Updated: 22 July 2007

About six or seven years ago (while still living in Lake County) I got interested in Arundo donax. I thought it was beautiful (and still think so), but as I began to learn about it, I also learned about how invasive it is. There is also some history (which I have not verified) that it came into California from Old Mexico. One thing that may not have any credence in supporting that history is, however, interesting and related.

In California, I have seen (in museums and as decor) some of the old Mexican "donkey" carts which had wooden wheels, and wood framed side walls with infilled verticals of ... yes Arundo donax (in the Orient the peasants use bamboo in much the same way). I, myself, made some folding screens with Arundo donax in fill. When dried slowly, it isn't so prone to split, and it stays very strong if you seal (varnish or lacquer) it after it has dried, but not cracked.

But the thing that really got me interested was the many things that the Orient does with bamboo ... and why not us with Arundo donax. One thought was making paper with it. I got so excited, I went up Highway 101 to the Samoa Pacific Paper Co., and managed to get to one of their vice presidents (when I explained to the reception secretary why I was there, she said, "Oh, you need to talk to our Arundo man."). I got to spend almost a half hour with him. When I first started to sell him that Arundo would make paper, he was both amused and nice ...

He stopped me, said that they had in fact made paper from Arundo (because he had badgered the other executives until they tried it), and, yes... it makes very good paper. But!!!

But! Two problems. To get the quantity it would require (it isn't economically viable to go out and mow fence rows and ditches) it would require large plots of land that can be inundated, much like ... in fact, exactly like ... the areas that grow rice. And ... rice will produce more income than the worth of Arundo for making paper. At least, so say the paper people. He did, however, say that they would be glad to use any Arundo that anyone might bring to them. Unfortunately, however, all the paper mills are where forests are, and Arundo is nowhere the trees are. So now we also have a problem of logistics. Damn! Back to square one.

Arundo also makes a good penny whistle if you know how ... and I do (my grandmother from Arkansas taught me how to do it when I was a kid; she used to tell me that she had been a tomboy when she was a little girl).

Dried and varnished (or lacquered) Arundo does make a good in-fill for decorative screens, baskets, lamp shades, trash baskets, shutters, beach mats and such. It can also be laced into a running fence (rope or light wire) much like those which have wooden lath verticals.

But none of that is going to keep up with the over growth that is possible.

My next fantasy ... one I have not pursued ... is that the biomass of Arundo (and, by the way, the hydrilla and other water weeds) could be dried, compressed and made into fire logs. I am absolutely convinced that somewhere there is a combination of material and need for such ... but I haven't the capital to experiment or prove.

And, finally, I am quite cynical about the governmental and political churn that surrounds such problems. I think, in the long run, the real byproduct of such materials and problems, is the publicity opportunity for politicians and capitalists. Problems and/or opportunities like these are great opportunities for noise and apparent action which in fact goes no where, but it can be used to screen and divert attention while the darker side of "business as usual" does as it usually does.

Jim Lyle lives in Yountville. He is a past poet laureate of Lake County.

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Written by: Laurel Elliott

Published: 21 July 2007

Created: 21 July 2007

Last Updated: 21 July 2007

There is a misconception that unions are still like the days of Jimmy Hoffa. The truth is, that Service Employees International Union (SEIU)/California United Homecare Workers (CUHW), is not. I have been involved with this union for some time now and have seen firsthand the caring people who are involved and most of them have been subjected to this misconception because of the large corporations and politicians that play their hands to make it seem that way, that all unions are "bullies."

SEIU/CUHW is a "No Strike, No Lockout" union, which means that they don't really have the same powers that most unions have. They have to rely on the good sense and morality of the counties that administer the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, and try to compromise on every situation, knowing full well that they are representing, not just the IHSS providers, but the consumers as well, and need to provide various protections to those people, especially when it comes to "freedom of choice."

This union worked and is still working in conjunction with the consumers, to find ways to help them live better lives and protect them as well. I know, in fact, that this union has tried many ways to come up with ideas for a compromise here in Lake County, but instead was rejected over and over. They are then being subjected to the conception that the union is here to "bully" this county.

The fact is, our county Board of Supervisors has been bullying the union, knowing full well that the union doesn't have the same powers as any other union and can only ask for the county to help represent the program in an ethical, moral, and professional manner.

The recent history of our board has shown the people in Lake County that they do not represent us and the people in Denise Rushing's district proved that, by electing her into office, thereby replacing someone who didn't want to support the community.

The remaining board members should take a long look at themselves and consider their constituents and know that they have the power the vote either for them, or against them, and they'd better do it soon, or the reality of a recall could be a rude awakening.

Laurel Elliott is an IHSS care provider. She lives in Nice.

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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 20 July 2007

Created: 20 July 2007

Last Updated: 20 July 2007

It’s time to read that old Faustian play, Damn Yankees, again. Everyone has forgotten. In the show, Joe Hardy agrees to give his soul to the devil if the devil helps him and his favorite team (Washington Senators) beat those damn Yankees. The devil agrees. Joe is happy when the devil gives him youth, athletic ability and stardom. He’s especially happy when his Senators beat the Yankees. Joe is not pleased, however, when the devil comes to get him.

Unfortunately, fantasy tales are sometimes true. Without knowing, baseball players today are making contracts with a real devil. They take steroids that make them strong and famous and help them win championships. In high spirits for a while, they have a change of heart when the devil returns with health problems and early death. Tragically, they have to pay the devil’s price. If Ken Caminiti had known the devil was coming for him at age 41, he might not have enjoyed those 40 home runs he hit for the San Diego Padres in 1996. He might not have celebrated so much when they won the division.

Sorry to say, the devil isn’t only interested in baseball players. He’ll make a pact with anyone who doesn’t have vision. He particularly likes the, “I’ll hate myself tomorrow but I’m going to love you tonight” ladies. Smokers enjoy good nicotine feelings and doing things with their hands while lighting up but, when the devil comes with emphysema and lung cancer, they have a change of heart.

Trying to be secular, parents and teachers don’t tell kids about Joe Hardy and the devil anymore. Too many are easy prey for the actual devil and make deals they regret. They get pleasure now and don’t know there’s going to be hell to pay later.

Darrell Watkins lives in Kelseyville.

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