Pubdate: Sun, 28 Oct 2012
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Rebecca Daniels

HORTICULTURISTS UNITE

To the Editor:

I haven't lived in Mendocino County long, but I have lived here long 
enough to know that we are in the season of "The Harvest." The 
gathering for the Pumpkinfest, the familiar sounds of black 
helicopters, the smells of our youths clothing inundated with the 
dust and sap of local greenery being processed, and the smoke which 
dreams are made of begins rising in the air. You don't pay taxes on 
your crops, and even though many of you claim to be "Humanists" (and 
so was Jesus and Buddha, by the way), in truth you're probably too 
paranoid to belong to any church, so chances are you don't pay tithing either.

I myself do not favor what some call the crops of 4/20, but I do 
believe in capitalism, creativity, ingenuity, and philanthropy. So 
while your dream harvest comes in, I call upon you to consider this. 
The Fenton family lived in the house on Luce Avenue and have 
generously given to the community for years. At the time of the fire 
in September, 8 of the 13 residents were adopted or guardianshipped 
children. Although they had four biological kids of their own they 
also fostered many over decades and still provide housing for downs 
kids which typically don't survive the system very well. In fact 
three special-needs kids make up their current household. Their pit 
bull mix, Max, died in the fire, and their other pit bull mix, 
Popeye, died the night before. They lost everything and insurance, 
well who knows how much big brother will ultimately cover.

A lot of them work at a local grocery store and Taco Bell, and as of 
last week they finally got housing in Talmage big enough to house 
this family from a generous dentist named Oshinko. So if you have a 
cavity, give him a call and pay homage to those who give back. While 
I admit, I have never met this family in person, this writer did have 
a chance to speak to them on the phone. As is the case in this world, 
money can help so much, and since the origins of time, Pot-latch 
Societies contribute to the village as a whole. This is what The 
Harvest is originally about.

Then it came to me. The idea that just because no one has ever asked 
you to donate, doesn't mean you don't want to do a good deed.

There's a bank account set up at U.S. Bank and anyone can make 
anonymous donations to the Fenton family. A nondescript envelop in 
the night drop marked Fenton Fund is a good karmic deed for anyone to 
do. And although I do not favor all of the various crops of the 
season, I say horticulturists unite. Here's a real and tangible way 
to spark good will in your community.

Rebecca Daniels

Ukiah
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom