Commentary

May 24th, 2007

by Evelyn Madison

Sometimes life throws us curve balls. Two such things were thrown at me this week -- both tugged at my heartstrings in opposite ways. The first one was letting go of a dear friend of many years, Dr. Frank Goldsmith, DVM. Frank died May 4 of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and a Memorial Service for him was held May 15. As evidenced by standing room only at his Service, he was a loved and respected person.

Frank started out as a veterinarian in Rancho Bernardo 34 years ago, the first one in Rancho Bernardo. He was invited by a friend of mine to be a speaker at a small gathering that I attended. I immediately liked him, and for the next 34 years he took care of all my cats. Oh, I don't remember how many that was, because he also took care of some of the 'homeless' cats that came to my door that I would take to him. One time he was caring for one of my cats that was really sick, so instead of leaving it at the clinic overnight, he took him home with him so he could watch him closely. During that 34 years, unfortunately, he had to put several of the animals to sleep because of illness that couldn't be overcome. He was so compassionate, and I think it hurt him as much as it hurt me, but he agreed with me each time that it was best for them so they would not suffer any longer. The last one was three years ago with my 22-year old cat that came here as a small kitten. Frank took care of him all those years, and told me the last time the cat was in for a checkup that he was one of two 22-year olds that Frank had as patients. Each time we lost a loved animal Frank donated, in memory of our cat, to an organization that he supported, and always sent us a sympathy card with a hand-written note.

Over the years my boys teased me and said that I spent more money on vet bills for the cats than I did on their health. Of course we know that's not true, but you do have to take care of your animals the same -- after all, they are family too!

Many years ago Frank recruited me to work with him on the Clean Foundation, and I did so willingly as I respected him and felt strongly about the mission and what he was trying to accomplish. I worked with him for several years.

He was a soft-spoken, kind, gentle, and compassionate man; I never heard him raise his voice or say a negative thing about anybody. He was very supportive of me in many endeavors in the community, as well as at the time of my husband's death and my bouts with cancer, although in the later times he and his wife, Sandy, were going through some of those same trials and tribulations. The community, the world, has lost a wonderful human being, a great friend; one that I loved like a brother, and I will miss him!

Our dear friend, Dr. Frank Goldsmith, DVM

And now, the other end of the spectrum. Last Friday I witnessed another event that I had heard about but didn't know the impact it would have on me, much less the people who benefited from this "giving from the heart." One of my sorority sisters, Leona Stringfield, had been telling us about the program her son and some friends of his were doing -- refurbishing bicycles and giving them to needy people for transportation. The event last week happened at North County Solutions for Change in Vista, an organization that helps 'homeless families' get back on their feet. Mark Stringfield and friends, Dick Gordon, and Jack and Carol Cox, showed up at the facility with a trailer, a car trunk, and an SUV all loaded with bicycles of all sizes and colors, in addition to some 'scooters' and other tot-size bikes -- 24 bikes total, plus the other items and some helmets. All of the items had been refurbished, cleaned up, painted if needed, new parts as necessary, and ready to GIVE to some needy people. The eyes of some of the residents were like saucers when those bikes were being unloaded and moved into the facility -- it was like a kid in a candy store, they couldn't decide fast enough which one they liked best. One little boy, Manuel (about 2-3 years of age) came in and grabbed a scooter. His mother kept trying to get him to check out the bikes, but he wanted that scooter and he knew how to ride it. I think he ended up with the scooter and a small bike. His sister Bianca got a bike and went out the door very proud and with a big smile on her face too.
	When the bikes were being unloaded, there was a little boy sitting on the curb up the driveway a little ways, sitting there looking very forlorn with his hands cupping his sad looking little face. Chris was his name and he lived close to the facility - played with the kids there most of the time. We asked him if he had a bike and he said "no" so we asked Mark and Mark asked him if he would like to have a bike. His eyes lit up like stars and he came running over and picked out one that he liked. He couldn't wait to jump on that bike -- he knew how to ride it, and did so even though the seat was way too high for him, so Mark lowered the seat for him, made sure everything was good, showed him how to change gears and what happens when you change gears, and little 7-year old Chris rode around there with a smile on his face that went from ear to ear, like he had won the lottery. And I think he felt that he had!
The bikes arrive and now it’s time to unload them! Twenty three bikes plus several scooters, trikes and other fascinating gifts to keep young kids occupied,out of trouble, and smiling a lot . . . laughing even!	Another very emotional scene was the very last one -- one of the residents was helping do some mailings for the facility. She had picked out a bike for her daughter and told us, with tears streaming down her face, how much she appreciated it. The story was that her daughter had been taken away from her. Her daughter had had a bike and it was stolen so she had to walk to school several blocks away with a heavy backpack, although she had a little friend who had a bike and would share and walk/ride with her. The woman was so happy to have a bike for her daughter now and couldn't wait for her daughter to come home on the weekend to give it to her. She was so appreciative she just couldn't quit thanking Mark and friends, with tears still streaming down her cheeks, and tears streaming down our cheeks too. This project came about in late 2005 when the Canyon Springs Church gave $100 per couple as a Kingdom Assignment and told them to go out and do some good in the community -- however they wanted to use that money to help someone else. The next day, Mark said his wife, Karen, was at work when someone asked her if she knew of anyone that needed a bicycle. Mark said "it was a vision" that started this project; the $100 and the $100 from Jack and Carol Cox got the ball rolling and before they knew it they were being given bikes from a lot of people -- Mark said at one time almost the whole downstairs of his home was filled with bikes in all conditions. Other people were donating small amounts to help purchase needed parts. To date "Mark and his team" have refurbished about 80-100 bikes, scooters and other small items. The Alpha Project has been the recipient of about 30+ bikes so far; the 25+ items for Solutions for Change, and the others went to good homes as well. When asked how many hours they spend on this project they averaged it at about 6-8 hours for 3-4 people at a time, and they work on it every other week, as time allows. My guess is they put in a lot more time and effort than will ever be acknowledged, but I'm sure the smiles on those faces and the 'thank-yous' make it all worthwhile!
	The unloading continues and, soon, mommies come to look at the bikes . . . soon joined by eager kids in wide-eyed amazement. This youngster to the right didn’t want a bike . . .he wanted a scooter and wouldn’t hear of anything but a scooter. He got his scooter. Chris, below, was not originally sheduled to get a bike . . . but he looked so forlorn that hearts melted and folks figured out how to get him his bike.

Slow down and solve the gasoline price problem
by John Smylie, San Marcos

As Pogo used to say: "We met the enemy and he is us." In my background as an engineer I performed numerous transportation system energy analyses. I analyzed transportation energy consumption for air cushion vehicles, steel wheel rail systems, magnetically levitated rail systems, high speed (500 mph) vacuum tube systems, personal transportation systems (both electric and gasoline powered) , and automated highway systems with conventional automobiles.

All transportation systems share the same characteristic with respect to energy consumption. Once the vehicle speed increases beyond about 60 mph, the air drag becomes the primary element in energy consumption (except for the vacuum tube systems). A reduction of 10 miles per hour at highway speeds will result in an increase in efficiency of between 15% and 25% . A reduction of 15% in gasoline usage will result in a reduction of between 20% to 30% in imported oil. Our domestic oil production is still about 50% of the total gasoline consumption. Therefore, a reduction of 15% in total domestic use results in a reduction of twice that amount in imports. You can speculate on what would happen to the price of crude oil and gasoline if imports dropped 20%.

Yes, you say, but what about the loss of time if you slow down. A typical 15 mile commuter trip at 60 mph takes 15 minutes. The same trip at 70 mph takes 12.8 minutes. What are you going to do with that extra 2.2 minutes? Obey the speed limit and the gasoline price problem would be solved, at least on a temporary basis!

We had more intelligent congresspersons at the time of the first oil crisis. Congress reduced the speed limit on all Federally supported highways. The gasoline lines disappeared. The current congress seems to want to punish the shareholders of the oil companies. Oil companies do not pay taxes or penalties. Shareholders pay.