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A24 THE COAST NEWS JAN. 30, 2009
JAN. 30, 2009 JEAN GILLETTE Small Talk Word watchers keep me on my toes I have a lovely friend who calls herself a “guardian of the language,” and she is. She teaches English to high school students who, in spite of the best efforts of their parents and a host of skilled professionals, come to her saying things like they “brang” that book home. By the time she is through with them, the worst of them at least appreciate that brang is not going to be found in the dictionary. The best of them write better than I ever will. (I made her stop sharing their papers to read. I was breaking out in hives of insecurity.) While the grammar police have knocked on my door several times over the years, I try to maintain my membership as a fellow “guardian of the language.” I do my small part, correcting elementary-level students on brung, bringed and brang and pointing out that while they may have done good they also did well. I thought I was holding up the flag by refraining from using words like parenting and unique, and insisting that toward and anyway never end in “s.” Then, just when I thought I was sneaking by, a friend sent me articles by two big-time linguists who have me wondering if someone might come and unceremoniously rip the literacy stripes right off my sleeve. Celestine Sibley, an Atlanta journalist who wrote until the day she died in 1999, had written a wonderful commentary about the “tacky” expression “you guys.” She heavily frowned on using “guys” as an all-inclusive noun for young and old, male and female. I don’t disagree. I just need to point out that, as much as we would like to, here in the melting pot of Southern California, most of us cannot claim a Southern upbringing and so do not have the luxury of using that graceful and accurate phrase, “you all.” We must remain tacky but practical until a better group reference is coined. I’ll get right to work on that. The second article was from the Wall Street Journal by author and militant language guardian John Simon. This was a review of the newest Grammar Police Bible, “Modern American Usage” by the late Wilson Follett. Had I harbored any serious illusions that I take my language seriously, Mr. Simon and Mr. Follett brought me up short. Of the book’s appendix, Simon says “Don’t skip it: Such a heedless appendectomy would cost you — in a mere 24 TURN TO SMALL TALK ON B10 on the RUN The Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon on Jan. 25 drew more than 10,000 runners and walkers from around the country and around the world. The 26.2- and 13.1-mile courses featured lagoon and beach views and live music to help motivate the runners. The events benefited many charities by raising funds and awareness. In conjunction with the marathon was the Keebler Kids Marathon Mile which took place on Jan. 24. The noncompetitive 1-mile run/ walk took place in Legoland for children 12 and under. Participants were treated to entertainment and refreshments along the route. Linda Machado, 35, of San Diego, finished the Carlsbad Half Marathon in 2:02:08. Photo by Patrice Malloy By Bianca Kaplanek COAST CITIES — None of them are old enough to vote. Not all supported Barack Obama.The temperature was freezing, the crowds were record-setting, the lines were long and they barely slept. But all that aside, a group of North County students who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 20 inauguration of the country’s first biracial president said the trip was worth it. “The atmosphere was just alive and vibrant,” Carlsbad resident Olivia Gardner said. “It was almost as if the city was celebrating continuously this historic event, and I got to be there and be part of it, which was amazing. You just got caught up in the emotion and the knowledge that this is history.” As members of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, a nonpartisan educational organization that selects students based on academic achievement and community leadership, Olivia and eight of her classmates from Santa Fe Christian Schools were chosen to attend the inauguration. Other attendees included Nelson Siu, Lauren Wong,Taylor Wurdeman, Brandon Min, Andrew Cassidy, Katie Sullivan, Kristin Wolfe and Harrison Collazo. Robert Roberts, a student at Earl Warren Middle School, also attended the event with his father, Solana Beach City Josh Spiker, 26, of Ventura, won the Carlsbad Marathon in 2:24:56. It was his first attempt at the distance. Photo by Patrice Malloy Jonathon Waltz and Erin Borzage, volunteers with Labrador Rescuers, pause for a photo with Maverick and Truman. Labrador Rescuers was one of the event’s official charities. Courtesy photo Councilman Dave Roberts. “I was amazed,” 13-yearold Robert said. “I was surprised at the crowds, but just being there was memorable. There was lots of enthusiasm.” “It was such a great experience to see the patriotism of the country and all the people getting very excited about the B SECTION Local students head to D.C. for inauguration VISIT TO THE CHIEF Solana Beach City Councilman Dave Roberts and his 13year-old son Robert, above, attended the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration. Not a fan of crowds or cold weather, Roberts turned down the tickets when he was first offered them. Realizing it would be a great experience for his son, he changed his mind. Courtesy photo Gus Challis, 2 1/2, of Carlsbad participates in the Keebler Kids Marathon Mile on Jan. 24. Photo by Patrice Malloy Grace Brock of San Diego. Photo by Patrice Malloy Paulina Ruelas, 7, Wilmington, Calif. Photo by Patrice Malloy future,” said Katie, a freshman who lives in Carlsbad. “It was really fun to actually be there and capture the excitement and be at the event to experience and witness a great moment in history.” In addition to attending the inauguration, the Santa Fe Christian group took part in several planned activities that began shortly after their arrival Jan. 17. One of the first events was a trip to the University of Maryland to listen to speakers such as former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Pulitzer Prizewinning biographer and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. “I thought the speakers had a good message encouraging kids to get out there and influence the world,” said Kristin, a freshman from Carmel Valley. But for the students, the most impressive speakers were not politicians. “My favorite was Desmond Tutu because he’s so funny,” said Nelson, referring to the South African cleric and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize-winner known for his opposition to apartheid. “Eric Weinmeyer was very inspirational,” Brandon said. “I liked his story of how he never gave up.” Weinmeyer is a blind climber who reached the summit of Mount Everest. “I didn’t really like the TURN TO INAUGURATION ON B10
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