We're almost at the end of the bloody campaign trail.....

It hasn't been easy being my sweetie pie's campaign manager,but we've managed to achieve almost all the tasks and goals that we set for ourselves. Being a team of two, along with a few stalwart walkers and talkers and a lot of faithful supporters,
we have managed to cover a lot of neighborhoods going door to door in the last few weeks. And now, that the many forums and "talkathons" and TV appearances are behind us, we are really able to relax and complete the neighborhood door to door meetings making new friends as we go along.
Speaking of new friends, it has been an absolute pleasure during the campaign to really get to know all the candidates. Even though we may not always agree, there has been a high level of respect and camaraderie amongst the seven City Council candidates. It has been an unforgettable experience and one both Russell and I
will remember with positive feelings-regardless of who wins-all of us have comported ourselves with grace and good humor.
In other words, we are all winners and our city is lucky to have such wonderful citizens willing to sacrifice family time for the good of the city. I am proud to have been a small part of this process and I thank each candidate and wish everyone good luck on November 4th.

Signs of old times

Russell needs to ride his bike even more now
with the economy sliding downwards...
we've pulled our remaining funds out of the
market and will wait this one out for awhile.
I really don't know how the US Government
can expect us to fund this "bailout" when we
are all broke. Will there just be a mass printing
of more money? Yikes.











Here's an old familiar photo-cars lining up
for the cheapest gas in town ...
and in the state!

















It was $2.98 two days ago and is
now $2.95.....note the radio station
call numbers.....

The month of September has been great!

Our good friends Andrew and Toni came
over to visit with us for a few weeks.
It was a wonderful visit and we were able
to take them to some places that they had
not seen before. It's always fun to show
your country off to your friends .....

Andrew and Toni resting in the shade
at Luscher Farm after our little walk...
up and down Cooks Butte.















We took Toni and Andrew to the Redwoods
outside of Crescent City after they
recuperated a few days from jet lag





















They were very impressed and
had several nice walks through the forest.
















Then we drove back up the coast to the dunes
near Florence Oregon.















Here is an example of the roads we took
while exploring the Redwoods.
















A fine example of Americana Dining at it's best!
This restaurant in Crescent City had very tasty
breakfasts!















Another tall tree!



















Florence Beauty Shop
...it was foggy in the mornings....

















This covered bridge was about 25 miles
outside of Florence on the way to Eugene.
Andrew found an article about it in our
Florence hotel-great find!
















Toni, Andrew and Kathe in front of the dunes
















Before we went on our little road
trip to the Redwoods and the Dunes
We had an Open House for Russell's
campaign. Here's a local resident and
great musician Jim Bolland playing
delightful music at the Open House....



















An almost full moon over Florence






















Two days before Toni and Andrew left
to go back to Scotland
Russell and Toni went for a big bike ride
ending up at Riccardo's Ristoranti in Lake Grove
It was the best Italian food Andrew has ever
had outside of Italy. We all loved it!
This is our fabulous waiter with me....















and here's Andrew, Russell and Toni...
















Both Toni and I had the polenta with sausage..
yummy ......

Russell is running for City Council

I cannot think of a better person to be on our City Council. It's not just because Russell is my sweetie pie, but because he has more common sense, pragmatism and a forthright way of looking at issues than most people. Especially the folks occupying seats in City Council right now.

They have spent our money with no permission from us, squandered our tax reserves and not maintained our infrastructures as they should have. We now are looking at approximately $150 million dollars in needed repairs to our sewer system and upgraded water supply system. That doesn't take into account the streets in disrepair and important school needs. Meanwhile the current City Council is spending $187,000 on yet another hired consultant and study on the not needed and not approved Safeco Building that is costing us $1,000,000 in an interest only loan!

So, Russell is running for City Council- not for the need of power, but for the greater good of our city. Hopefully, he and others like minded running for city council will win this November and the city can once again be managed by fiscally responsible councilors. Councilors that not only know the value of a dollar but also respect their constituency, value their opinion and want their input on important issues.

Here's his blog site- http://russelljonesforcitycouncil.blogspot.com/