A bag of grocery items with developed pictures was mistakenly taken from a checkstand at Safeway on Monday, Feb. 18. The pictures were of a recent Hawaiian trip and grandchildren playing basketball. I would really appreciate it if the person who got home with the extra bag would return the pictures to Safeway. Enjoy the free groceries, but the pictures are of great value to us. Please return them. Thank you.

Chance for change

While watching the political debates, I witness that everybody is talking about change. Here is one proposal for change that should appeal to both parties: I propose that both the Democrats and the Republicans adopt co-presidential platforms at their respective conventions.

Clinton and Obama would be a very strong Democratic team. And I suggest that McCain run with Huckabee for the Republicans. Each one has much to bring to their partnership. In November one partnership would be elected.

Both co-presidents would share power and responsibility equally. They would agree upon their agenda and proposals before bringing any matters before Congress.

Now is the time for real change.

Hill concert

We would like to thank everyone involved in making the Josiah Hill benefit concert a huge success! Many people came together to make this event happen and the community responded in a most generous way. Over $4,000 was raised to help the Hill family pay some of their medical bills.

A very special, huge thank you to Perry Cole, director of the Mid-Columbia Community Choir, for being the key organizer of this musical evening. Without his expert direction in so many different ways, this benefit would not have happened in the grand way that it did. Thanks, Perry!

Stop proposals

Help stop the casino and Broughton Resort proposals.

Every so often there are pivotal points in history — when decisions are made that alter destiny. Twenty years ago the landmark decision was made to pass the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Act. We are at another one of those critical points now and your involvement is needed.

In the next few months testimony will be given and decisions made that may inexorably increase the impact of development on the Gorge landscape, forever. This is the choice before us: Should we allow two big-profit private developments in one of the last best places, an international scenic and geologic wonder; in a place we love and call home, the Columbia River Gorge?

The first potential development is the proposed casino in Cascade Locks. If allowed, it will generate enormous growth, traffic and development pressure. Three million people, nearly the population of the entire state of Oregon, are expected to visit the casino annually. Imagine an additional one million more cars on our Gorge roads yearly.

Public hearings will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations: Cascade Locks on March 10, Stevenson on March 12 and Hood River on March 17.

The second proposal, the Broughton Landing Resort, would create an instant town of 250-plus expensive private condos and townhouses adjacent to a state park in an area zoned for recreational use inside the boundary of the National Scenic Area. The Gorge Commission is considering changing the rules for one developer and approving this housing development.

Public comments are being accepted until March 11 at www.gorgecommmission.org. The commission meets on March 11 at the Best Western Hood River Inn to deliberate and vote on this issue.

What can you do? 1) Educate yourself. 2) Attend the March meetings on both developments. 3) Write an e-mail or letter. 4) Join with others and organize! Friends of the Columbia Gorge can help. Visit www.gorgefriends.org to learn more.

Thanks to Debi

For nearly three years, Debi Gallagher has served the Hood River Youth Lacrosse Club and community as an ambitious and attentive president. She energized the club with much-needed organization, new equipment and a plethora of accomplishments many have taken for granted.

Debi is stepping down this year to take on a new challenge as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, another very worthy endeavor. While the HRYL bylaws forbid payment or gratuities to its directors, this club feels indebted to Debi for her hard work and persistent energy.

Perhaps this letter will serve as a token of the club’s sincere appreciation for all that she has done. Our children are better off as a result of having Debi in their lives.

McCain not ‘green’

Whatever Sen. John McCain may be, he definitely not an environmentalist. The League of Conservation Voters, an independent organization that tracks and records all House and Senate votes on environmental issues, has just released the voting record for the first session of the 110th Congress. McCain’s score was ZERO. He was the only Senator to duck all 15 votes on issues tracked by LCV.

McCain’s lifetime environmental issues score in the Senate is a miserable 24 percent. McCain has a history of siding with the polluters and special interests, and a consistent pattern of ducking important environmental votes.

Thanks from Hills

We’ve have always felt very privileged to live in the Columbia Gorge because of its unsurpassed beauty, it’s myriad of recreational opportunities, and the wonderful fruit and produce grown here. But never have we appreciated the Gorge community like we do now.

Last summer our 17-year-old son, Josiah, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, an autoimmune disorder that causes a bone marrow deficiency and hence, life-threatening anemia. We discovered a durable treatment for it that was offered only at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md.

When our insurance refused to pay for out-of-state services the Lord providentially provided the required deposit for us to take Josiah back as a private pay patient. His treatment was expected to be four weeks, but complications kept us in Baltimore for seven weeks.

Josiah came home much improved and in January his doctor declared his bone marrow “fixed”! However, the charges at Johns Hopkins passed our initial deposit and we owe money. We still await the final bills, but.

While we were gone, Diane Beterbide, Josiah’s piano teacher, mounted a fund-raising drive and was supported by many individuals, businesses and churches in the community. She suggested a benefit concert on Josiah’s behalf to choir director, Perry Cole and miracles followed.

We were amazed to attend the concert last Saturday night (Feb. 23) and find close to 100 participants and the Riverside Community Church packed full of people who enjoyed an evening of outstanding music.

The English language does not have a word or phrase big enough to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has given of their time, talents, or finances to support us through this ordeal. We are awed by the support of friends and strangers in this Gorge community. There couldn’t be a better place to live!

As inadequate as it is, Thank you!