Cambrian letters

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009

The Cambrian Letters to the Editor, Sept. 10

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The Wright stuff

I’ve been wanting to write a letter to the editor for sometime now, about this or that, opinions mainly. I’ve refrained.

Then I ran in the Pinedorado 5-K this weekend. What I saw was priceless. Sarah Wright ran the race. That doesn’t mean much, unless you know she is visually impaired — blind. I’ve run in a few races and have seen people with all kinds of challenges do amazing things, but never a blind person. Wow!

To watch this kid grow up in such challenging conditions has been nothing short of astounding. I had the pleasure of listening to her nail “Danny Boy” a cappella at a funeral when she could not have been more than 12 years old. And now this! She is running races? This kid will be driving before you know it, I believe it. Only in this crazy little town.

I won’t even name her “guiding” angel that morning. No need in that. If there was a way to earn your way to heaven, the entrance might be through Gym One. I’m grateful to both of them for allowing me to witness it. Special.

I think Sara is trying to raise money for some other endeavor of her’s, an AFS trip somewhere. I’m sure it is worthy, everything she does is. I’d ask you to consider contributing. Call the high school if you want to help out. By the way, I beat her by almost a full minute.

Steve Kniffen Cambria

Fine Pinedorado

Dear Cambria,

Pinedorado was amazing this year! A huge thanks to President Mike Kenny and the Lions Club for all their hard work, and all participating clubs. You all did a fantastic job.

The parade was on a beautiful day, and we are fortunate to have experienced such lovely weather.

A special thanks to my driver, Mrs. Connie Jordan, for the use of my car, and the Sons of the American Legion for the yummy hot dogs.

This year’s car show, organized by Nate Fearonce, was a true delight and enjoyed by young and old alike.

Thanks Cambria for going above and beyond for a great weekend.

Max Stuczynski, honorary mayor

Cambria

They made it happen

Another successful Pindorado Parade has been accomplished and we wish to thank all the people who worked so hard and diligently to ensure its success. We especially want to thank: Greg Sanders in helping us financially to have the Atascadero High School Band and the San Luis Obispo Band participate in our parade; Sharon Jeskey, who directs the San Luis Obispo Band; Nate Conrad, who directs Atascadero Band; and Robert Blackburn of Blackburn Industries, who has been donating Pindorado Flags for well over 50 years.

Our outstanding announcers this year were Ruth Lee, Richard Berry, Greg Wilson, George Gray and Craig Johnson.

Thank-you to Bank of America, Dead Man Tell No Tales, Cambria Community Services District and West End Bar & Grill for allowing us to hook into their establishments for electrical power; and to Chauncy Quinn Lawson at Gasoline Alley for allowing us to use his two scooters.

Thanks to Jon Pedotti we again had a great judges’ reviewing stand. Thanks to Mark Kniffen and his middle school Leadership Class for handing out the Pindorado flags.

Thanks to Greg Sanders and Terri Sanders, Pam Chaldecot, Peggy Christianson, Steve Gryte, Dick Clark and John Angel for judging the parade. Thanks to the Sheriff’s Department and deputies for maintaining order in the traffic and handling emergencies throughout Cambria. And thanks also tothe many Lion’s Club volunteers who made this parade a success. YOU all made the parade happen!

Pete de Bruin, Ken & Betty Eberle, Mat Van Weerden, Ellie Brown

2009 Pinedorado Parade Committee

‘First, do no harm’

So, what’s the truth about school-based random drug testing? Does it effectively prevent or reduce school-age drug use?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reviewed all available studies on the effectiveness of school-based random drug testing as a means to prevent or reduce school-age drug use. The review, published in 2007, found “there is little evidence of the effectiveness of school-based drug testing in the scientific literature.”

Furthermore, and in a subsequent review published later that year, the AAP recognized that “it has not yet been established that drug testing does not cause harm.”

Among the potentially harmful effects they cited: “Students involved with illicit drugs may decrease their involvement in extracurricular activities to avoid drug testing. According to the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, students who spend time in extracurricular activities are 49 percent less likely to use drugs. Without engagement in such activities, adolescents have a higher likelihood of dropping out of school, becoming pregnant, joining gangs, pursuing or increasing their use of drugs, and/or engaging in other risky behaviors.”

No wonder the National Education Association, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Academy of Pediatricians all oppose school-based random drug testing in favor of alternative programs. And so should we.

There’s much we can do. Numerous life skills and drug avoidance curricula are available, and we’d do well to explore and employ the best of these strategies. We can educate our children to the dangers of drugs; prepare them with problem-solving and drug-refusal skills; build strong partnerships among families, schools and other institutions; and expand available counseling and after-school activities.

But there’s simply no good reason to pursue a course that offers no known good and might possibly do harm to our children.

Remember: “First, do no harm.”

Harold Light

Cambria

Thanks to the Legion A belated but very special “thank-you” to American Legiona Post No. 432 for an excellent dinner, outstanding company and a most enjoyable evening honroing families of active duty service members.

Special thanks to Ron Waltman and his crew — Ellie, Barbara, Glenda, Susan, Elizabeth and Chef David Siegele.

Addie Guidi, on behalf of the Guidi Family

Cambria