Let the sun shine

Cheers to Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, for peeking into the secrecy that often hides the inner workings of public agencies. Hundreds of exemptions to open government laws keep citizens from knowing what's going on.

Tunes in the key of home

A proliferation of good music is one of the elements that make the South Coast a delightful place to live. Cheers for the Oregon Coast Music Festival, which starts at noon today in Mingus Park.

They run toward danger

You probably were safe in bed when police and firefighters rescued four people from a midnight fire in Myrtle Point this week. Their courage helps ensure the rest of us can sleep serenely. Cheers.

Raining cats and dogs

Jeers to anyone who lets domestic animals reproduce randomly. Pitiful platoons of homeless kittens and pups aren't random accidents. They result from human irresponsibility. Please, have your pet fixed.

Beware of tide fools

Jeers to the cliff climbers and puddle jumpers who wade into peril at low tide. It costs the U.S. Coast Guard a lot to save those risk takers' lives, not to mention the grief when rescuers can't get there in time.

One person's trash ...

Cheers to Habitat for Humanity, proudly promoting its new "ReStore" with a grand opening today. The Broadway Avenue store will save earth's resources while saving money for penny-pinching handypersons.

Unenviable job

Nearly every criminal who goes to jail will get out someday. Then what? Cheers to Reedsport native Vicki Walker, soon to head Oregon's parole board. She's accepting the indispensable task of ruling the chronically unruly.