Alternatives to couch life
Dear friends. My heart goes out to each of you. The cable signal might not. Yet, know that my sentiments are with you.
I have never received as much feedback about a column as I did for last week’s, “Is It Time to Cut the Cable Chord?” It’s “all quiet on the western front” right now. No news in my in-box. Some correspondents said their city doesn’t care. I believe that El Centro does, but the city has little power to change things. It is the way the law is written, and the law essentially frees cable from consumer regulation.
For large utilities, such as cable, there has been some federal regulation in the past, but it has declined over the decades. You may have noticed that an earmark of the current president is that he and the Republican Party are strongly opposed to any regulation of industries. Deregulation is not new, and it has occurred in Democratic administrations as well.
Thank your congressional representatives, too. Our problem with the lack of local TV stations is one very small outcome for not having elections that are less influenced by big money. The cable industry spends large on lobbying congress and state legislatures so we the people have little recourse in fighting the big guys. According to the Federal Communications Commission, “Most rates charged by cable television companies are not regulated by the FCC. Cable television service is regulated by state-approved local franchising authorities, usually city, county or other governmental organizations. Your LFA may regulate the rate your provider can charge for ‘basic’ cable service, though there is no FCC requirement for such regulation.”
That is, regulation is “kicked downstairs” to smaller, weaker governments that have little leverage over cable.
So, instead of sulking, let’s look at alternatives — singing songs around the fireplace and playing charades. Just kidding!
On Saturday night we went to a talk at the Imperial Valley Desert Museum in Ocotillo. Professor Carlos Herrera, Calexico homegrown, spoke about his book on Juan Bautista De Anza. It’s not about De Anza’s historic and well-known trek across our desert to present-day San Francisco but about Anza as the successful governor of New Mexico. In the 1700s New Mexico was Spain’s northernmost frontier, and the Spanish king needed a guy to keep it in Spanish hands. Anza was successful in doing this through warfare and diplomacy. Anza is regional history, and the museum provides experts and exhibits to bring local and regional history to us. Make use of it. If you are not into history, how about a desert hike? Be at the museum by 8 a.m., April 1. The hike is to Miller’s Spring, 3.5 miles. Moderate rating. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring lunch and plenty of water. Wear a sun hat. It is important to RSVP at (-760358-7016. How about stargazing? On April 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Desert Museum will offer a chance to view the Lyrids meteor shower through a telescope.
Perhaps you are a teacher or parent seeking a field trip for your students while the weather is still survivable. The museum also hosts birthday parties. There are field trip modules for hiking, coiled clay, geology or museum exhibits. Plan three weeks in advance by calling the phone number above or email: ivdmuseum@gmail.com
For additional info check out the IV Desert Museum’s web site: www.ivdesertmuseum.org
With the time change, days are longer. Take advantage of this week’s good weather, even rare cloudy days. Good weather is guaranteed or your money back! Get out to the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge Complex headquarters is located at 906 W. Sinclair Road, Calipatria. The headquarters includes picnic tables, a small gift shop and restrooms. Plus, there are docents of whom you can ask questions. But the action is outside. Go see the shore birds and the remaining migrating snowbirds before they fly back to Canada. When you are back home and tired, rent a Redbox video. Or play a game of Monopoly. Pencil in the name of your least favorite utility. I can think of at least one.