Visalia Times-Delta from Visalia, California • 22

2C Weekend, November 10-11, 2007 Times-DeltaAdvance-Register Cotton subsidies in bill concern some Comic Marilyn Martinez dies at 52 ernment took its case against American cotton to global trade court, claiming a.U.S. farm subsidy was driving down the worldwide price of cotton and harming Brazilian farmers. Two years later, the WTO sided with Brazil, an emerging cotton heavyweight, and forced the US. to eliminate that particular cotton payment Last month, a WTO compliance panel went a step further, saying the US. had failed to scrap another series of illegal subsidies paid to American cotton growers.

Those very programs have been left almost intact in the bill currently under debate, prompting outcry from reformists who want farm policy to support a more diverse produce basket "We're telling farmers to go ahead and grow conventional cotton for a market that has come under a WTO cloud," said Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that advocates for farm policy reform. 'All that does is get us into trouble with our trading partners." The panel won't make a final decision until mid-December, and American cotton industry officials said they were hoping by that time the WTO would reverse course. Frank Williams, tar right discusses the future of cotton with Paul Schnepf, far left and Nicole Mattern, second from right Nov. 2 in Fresno. In Central California, where farmers rely on irrigation pumps to water their furrows, a recent court ruling limiting water pumping to protect a threatened fish species could cut water supplies by as much as two-thirds next planting seasoa As textile mills moved offshore over the last decade to set up shop where labor costs are cheaper, the market for US.

cotton also shifted abroad. Pro with the WTO. For Williams, that risk, coupled with predicted water shortages, is too much to bear. "We can probably do just as well growing grain with just the same amount of water or less," said Williams, 56, who will uproot all the downy Upland cotton he grows in Fire-baugh, along the Central Valley's western edge, leaving in only an organic variety. "It's just not worth it" OBITUARIES The Associated Press ducers now ship 70 percent of their bales to foreign markets, often to mills and spinners in India, Pakistan and China.

That means domestic subsidy programs are increasingly prone to international scrutiny. In 2003, bitter arguments over U.S. farm support programs, including cotton subsidies, contributed to the collapse of world trade talks in Cancun, Mexico. In 2003, the Brazilian gov Jonne of Wylie, TX; Skyler of Visalia, CA and Nathan and Ava of Chino, CA. Sister Lucia Del aria and husband Nelson of Visalia, CA; sister Maria Griffiths and husband Bill of SD; brother Manuel Melo and wife Regina of Tulare and brother Jeremias Melo of Bis-coits, Acores.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Gerbig; mother, Leontina Melo; father, Joao Melo and a brother Joao Melo Jr. She was a great mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend to all. She will be greatly missed. Visitation will be Monday, November 12, 2007 from noon to 6pm at Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary and mass of the Resurrection will be Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 10:30 am at St.

Aloysius Catholic Church in Tulare. Burial will be Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at at the Riverside National Cemetery. Services Saturday Antoinette B. Phillips, 92, died Nov. 4, 2007.

Memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday Nov. 10, 2007 at at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Visalia. Antoinette Cote Phillips, 92, died Sunday, Nov. 4th, 2007.

Mass is Saturday, November 10, 2007 at a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Glcnda Sue Bourdon 70, died Nov. 3rd, 2007.

A memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church at 630 Park Avenue, Prescott, AZ. Goldie Moslcy Wood, 82 of Winston, Oregon, died Oct. 9th.

Graveside Service will be on Sat. Nov. 10th at Visalia District Cemetery The Associated Press FIREBAUGH Growing cotton has rarely been a more risky proposition than it is now, which is precisely why cotton farmer Frank Williams is planning to sow his fields with wheat From Williams' California fields to the Texas plains, farmers are plowing under cotton once the king of US. agriculture to seed crops that make more money. Cotton also has lost ground for another reason that became apparent this week as the Senate debated the 2007 farm bill: the United States' cotton subsidy program is enmeshed in a global trade battle.

Last month, the World Trade Organization ruled subsidies handed out to American cotton farmers broke international trade laws, opening the door for foreign countries to levy billions of dollars in penalties against the US. The current bill on the Senate floor leaves those programs virtually intact, despite the threat of further legal complaints and concerns that international sanctions ultimately could cause layoffs and patchy unemployment Monday, the Bush administration threatened to veto the multi-billion-dollar farm package wholesale, saying the Senate bill would impair negotiations i Jean Grant Jean Grant passed away at her home in Carson City, Nevada on Tuesday, November 6. She was 85 years young. She was born in 1922 in Windsor, Canada. Her family came to California in 1937 where she completed her education graduating from the nursing program.

She married Sidney Grant in 1943 and they began their family. They spent many years in Southern California with their six children, four girls and two boys. In 1974 she, Sid, and the youngest three children moved to Carson City, Nevada. It was during this time that Jean worked in a medical office as a medical transcriber, later becoming the office manager at a family practice with five doctors. In 1993 Jean and Sid returned to Visalia due to his failing health.

Sidney passed away in 1998. While in Visalia, Jean volunteered as an assistant to the church secretary at St. Mary's, served at a thrift store for the needy, and spent countless hours sewing for her grandchildren. In '200 1, Jean realized a long-time personal dream and became a Franciscan. The year 2002 found Jean returning to the blue skies of Carson City, Nevada where she was a volunteer at St.

Teresa's and was a member of the Secular Franciscan order. She is survived by a clan of kids and grandkids including daughter and son-in-law Helen and Barry Daughdrill of Atwa-ter, California, daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Don Hut-ton of Visalia, California, daughter Janice Grant of Jacks Valley, Nevada, daughter and son-in-law Jeanne and Donn Simons of Murrieta, California, son and daughter-in-law Brian and Peggy Grant of Visalia, California and son and daughter-in-law Jon Todd and Patrice Grant of Carson City, Nevada. Jean is also survived by twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Her family was her life and she will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to St.

Mary's Hospice, Comfort Closet Fund, 18653 Wedge Parkway, Reno, Nevada 895 1 1. Walton's Chapel of the Valley is handling the arrangements. Rosary and visitation will be held at Walton's chapel from 5:00 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 12. The funeral mass will be held at St.

Teresa of Avila Church at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13. Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES Marilyn Martinez, a stand-up comic who also performed on stage with other Latina comedians in the Hot and Spicy Mamitas, the Hot Tamales and the Original Latin Divas of Comedy, has died. She was 52. She died Saturday at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center of complications from colon cancer, said her husband, John David Crowder.

In interviews, Martinez said she worked with all-Latina comedy groups, in part to push back against her male-dominated professioa She and the other "mamitas" used humor to "challenge prejudice and stereotyping," according toa l999 Times article. Born Feb. 9, 1955, in Denver, Martinez discovered at a young age that she could make people laugh. She moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. By the 1990s she was appearing at the Comedy Store, where she became a regular.

DEATHS Ken Hill, 53 of Visalia, California died on Nov. 7th. Memorial Graveside Service will be on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Visalia District Cemetery.

OBITUARIES Don Childree Don was born to Mitchell and Minnie Mae (Carson) Childree on February 9, 1937 in Americus Georgia. At the age of 14, he moved to Visalia. He was a Car Dealer all of his life. His wife, Mary Ann Childree passed away in September of this year. He is also preceded death by his son, John Childree.

Don is survived by his children, Kelly Hoffman and wife Barbara, Garner Hoffman and wife Sherry, Terry Hoffman and wife Rita, Michael and wife Karen, Joyce and husband Richard and one daughter in law, Lynn Childree. His is also survived by 17 Grand Children and 4 Great Grand Children. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 10:00 am at the Exeter District Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at Evans Miller Exeter Chapel from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. Condolences to the family may be made at EMChapelaol.com Arrangements by EvansMiller Exeter Chapel.

Maria "Angela" Azevedo Maria "Angela" Azevedo, 76 years of age, was born on September 8, 1931 in the Azores. She has been a homemaker for 53 years. She has been a resident of Tulare for 36 years. She is survived by her sons: Joe Azevedo and wife Gloria of Tulare and Paul Azevedo of Morlow, Oklahoma, and her 3 Grandchildren and 1 Great grandchild. Maria was preceded in death by her husband Teodoro C.

Azevedo. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at Miller's Tulare Funeral Home from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:30 pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 10:30 am at St. Aloy-sius Catholic Church, 125 E.

Pleasant, Tulare, California. Interment will be at Tulare District Cemetery. The family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, 7425 N. Palm Bluffs, Ste 101, Fresno, CA 93711 or the American Diabetes Association, 55 Shaw Ste 105, Fresno, CA 93612. Lora Anderson Lora Anderson was born on April 20, 1975 in Visalia, CA to Jack and Rosemary Santos.

She passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2007, at the age of 32. She attended Elbow Creek Elementary School, graduated in 1993 from Golden West High School, and earned a BA Degree at California State University at Fresno. Lora worked as a substitute teacher for Visalia Unified School District for 5 years. Lora touched the lives of everyone she knew and met. She will be missed by everyone, but will remain in all our hearts forever.

She is survived by her husband, Christopher Anderson, daughter Alison, parents Jack and Rosemary Santos, sister Lisa and husband Brandon Glasgow of Citrus Heights, grandmother Mabel Goulart of Visalia, in-laws Vernon and Sharlene Anderson of Hanford, and will be greatly missed by her nephews, Shilo Bruce and Cordell Glasgow. A Memorial Service will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may go to: Alison Anderson College Education Fund at Union Bank of California. 4 1 Lyle R. Christman Lyle R.

Christman passed away in Sonora, California on November 5, 2007 at the age of 98. Lyle was born on February 17, 1909 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, a small town near Milwaukee. He grew up on his parent's dairy farm during the depression, when unemployment was high. By the 1940s, aircraft industries were becoming active. Lyle moved to California in January 1941 and obtained work with Lockheed Aircraft Co.

in Burbank. At that time he was able to attend U.C.L.A. and eventually obtained a degree in geophysics in 1953, which led to work with United Geophysical an oil prospecting company in Pasadena. He was with this company for 20 years. This work involved travel to various parts of the world including Africa, Jack King, M.D., 92, died Oct.

29. A memorial service 4 p.m. at Seventh-day Adventist Church, Porterville. Myers Funeral Service and Crematory, Porterville. Julio Wang Cho, 47, died Oct.

28th, 2007. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 AM at the Koinonia Christian Fellowship Church in Hanford. Interment will follow the service at the Hanford Cemetery. Lyle R.

Christman, 98, died Nov. 5, 2007. Graveside Services will be 10:00 am, Sat. Nov. 10th at Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba.

Services Sunday Emma "Wing" Chan, 93, died Nov. 4th. Services Nov. 1 1th. at 2:00 p.m.

at People's Funeral Chapel, Hanford. Fielding West, died Aug. 29. Memorial service 2-5 p.m. at San Diego Air and Space Museum, Balboa Park.

Louverne R. Soults, 100, died Nov. 6, 2007. Services will be held Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 at Tulare United Methodist Church, 228 W.

Kern Ave. at 11:15 am following the church service. Obituary policy The Visalia Times-Delta reports deaths and funeral information at no charge. For a fee. obituaries can include additional information in print and online at www.

VisaliaTimesDelta.com. Complete information is available from Visalia-area funeral homes or from the Times-Delta by phone at 735-3333, by fax at 735-3398. or by email at classiliedvisaliatimesdelta.com. 732-8371 24 Hour, CAFOUctfiS Australia, Canada and South America, as well as parts of the United States. In 1974 Lyle retired from active work.

To follow his interests in astronomy he became a volunteer trail guide at the Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation (SCICON) near Springville. He was with SCICON for 20 years, leading trails in astronomy, geology, and nature. Musically, he played the cornet in the marching band while attending U.C.L.A. Lyle square danced since the 1950s. His interest in radio led to becoming an amateur radio operator in 1955, with the call sign K6KCN.

As an amateur astronomer he joined the Tulare Astronomical Association in 1974. He also did volunteer patrol work with the Tulare County Sheriff Department. Lyle was preceded in death by his wife Vina, married 47 years and a grandson, Johnny and a great granddaughter Kim-berly. He leaves behind daughters Joyce and husband Frank Schiavo and Janice and husband John Grossi. He will also be missed by grandchildren Judy, Jill, Teri, and Candi, 6 great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren, 1 sister and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday November 10 at Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Friends of SCICON, P. O. Box 425, Springville, CA 93265-0426 Maria "Irene" Gerbig Maria "Irene" Gerbig was born on July 6, 1943 in Doze Rebeiras, Acores and passed away in Hanford, CA on Wed nesday, November 7, 2007.

She was 64. Irene enjoyed baking, crocheting, gardening, fishing at the coast and spoiling her grandchildren. Survivors include: her life partner, Joao Amarante of Hanford; son, Jon Gerbig and wife, Adriana of Wylie, TX; son Frederick "Lindy" Gerbig Jr. and wife Linda of Chino, CA; daughter, Michelle Gerbig-Metz and husband Jon of Chino and daughter, Debbie Gerbig of Visalia, CA. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Nicole, Dominic and Fred of Chino, CA; Serina and Jeremy of San Dimas; CA; Aaron and care of the details so take care of yourself." ljc.

From Our Family To At life's most difficult moments, our family is here to help. We can help relieve your loved ones from the anxiety and burden of making these decisions at a very difficult time for them. 1 Call today to speak to one of our Pre-Arrangemcnt Specialists for choice, trust and peace of mind. Yon may also visit www.dignitymemorial com Miller Memorial Chapel, A Name You Can Trust New Ownership Following Old Traditions T)ianity Miller Memorial Chapel "Let us take that you can Funerals Cremations Crematory on site 1 120 W. Goshen, Visalia Next to the Visalia Cemetery Evans Miller Exeter Chapel 425 N.

Kaweah Exeter John Guinn 559-592-5161.