ART, ART, ART - Second Friday Art Walk in Downtown Cave Junction will be held May 11. Among participating businesses is An Artist’s Way, formerly BeBe’s Art For Everyone. An Artist’s Way will celebrate its name change with a grand opening. Refreshments and libations will be available. A special offer for purchases is in an advertisement in this issue. Plus, see the overall Art Walk schedule in a presentation on page 18, sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank and I.V. Community Development Organization.

DEFENSE FOR I.V. - A “Defend Yourself” workshop will be presented in Cave Junction on Tuesday, May 15, by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. The free presentation will run from 3 to 5 p.m. at Illinois Valley Senior Center on E. River Street. Sheriff Gil Gilbertson wants to help citizens prepare in case there is no funding for patrol deputies. A levy that includes such funding is on the May 15 vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots can be left at CJ City Hall until 8 p.m. the 15th, or sent to the county clerk’s office, but they must reach that office prior to 8 p.m. the 15th.

‘NATURE DOC’ - Dr. Margaret Philhower, who has a degree in naturopathy, is available in Illinois Valley providing natural alternative medical services. She will host a talk on hepatitis, its various forms and natural support for the body in combating it. It will be held at the Siskiyou Project building, 9335 Takilma Road. Philhower can be reached via 415-1549 or naturedoctor@frontiernet.net. See the story and ad elsewhere in this issue.

BURGLARY BEAT - Increased numbers of reports are arriving about valley residential burglaries, including some multiple incidents at the same addresses. Residents are advised to lock doors and windows, and ask neighbors to watch for unfamiliar and suspicious vehicles. It’s important to record the license plate and get a description of vehicles. For information about forming a Neighborhood Watch, phone the county sheriff’s office at 474-5123.

DIAPER DRIVE - Illinois Valley Pregnancy Center is seeking donations of diapers from Mothers’ Day on Sunday, May 13 through Fathers’ Day on June 17. The intent is to encourage those who have chosen life for their babies. Cloth and disposable diapers can be donated. Phone 592-6058 for more information, or visit the pregnancy center on S. Junction Avenue, a short distance past Fountain of Life Assembly of God Church.

BIG TOP BENEFIT - As a fund-raiser for Cave Junction Swimming Pool repairs, Illinois Valley Pool Committee is sponsoring Culpepper & Merryweather Circus performances on Thursday, May 17 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on the Junction Inn vacant lot. Advance tickets are available at Jefferson State Financial Services, Home Valley Bank, SOFCU Community Credit Union, I.V. Family Resource Center, I.V. Visitor Center, and Sterling Savings Bank. See the ad on this page.

BIKERS MDA RUN - “Partners For A Cure,” to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), will be held by motorcyclists Saturday, May 19. Lake Selmac Resort and MDA are co-sponsors. Registration will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at D&S Harley Davidson and Rhino’s By The Rogue. The run will conclude at Lake Selmac Resort, operated by Colin & Nona Clark, with a spaghetti lunch, live band, and prizes. To sign up, phone (541) 858-9815.

‘SMILEAGE’ REPORT - A recent study by Clemson University in South Carolina found that the average American walks approximately 900 miles per year. Another study by the American Beer Institute found that Americans drink an average of 22 gallons of beer a year. That means, on average, Americans get approximately 41 miles per gallon -- not bad.

NOTEPAD - Winner-take-all 25-cent bingo will be held Saturday, May 12 at I.V. Senior Center. There is an ad on this page ... A 50-cents-a-dip dinner will be held May 12 at Immanuel United Methodist Church in CJ. Check the ad in this issue ... Scout-O-Rama, a free event with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from Josephine County, is set for May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Grants Pass at Riverside Park … Teen-age workers still are available through I.V. Family Coalition. Details are listed in a paid message in this issue ... The Chateau at Oregon Caves is the site for the annual mixer of Illinois Valley and Grants Pass Chambers of commerce on Friday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. ... Brunch ‘n’ bingo will be held Saturday, May 19 at I.V. Senior Center by Belt Masonic Lodge. Details are in an ad in this issue ... “Walk For Life” is planned by I.V. Pregnancy Center on Saturday, May 19 on the IVHS track. Walkers with sponsors are sought ... Vacation Bible School will be hosted by Community Bible Church with an “Avalanche Ranch” theme June 25 through 29. It is for children age 3 through fifth grade.  Sheree Quate is in charge … E-mail comment: Calling illegal aliens “undocumented immigrants” is like calling drug dealers “unlicensed pharmacists” … Actual excuse notes to schools: *My daughter was absent Monday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the Marines. *Please excuse my son for being absent. He had a cold and could not breed well.

LAST WORDS - Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. (Gandhi)

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