The Californian from Salinas, California • 5

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 NEWS Senate Dems lack votes for health bill The Associated Press WASHINGTON Several Democratic senators withheld their backing Tuesday as party leaders tried to nail down support from moderates for the government to sell insurance in 4 "Stv competition with private companies as part of a sweeping health overhaul bill. In the House, Dem A Olympia Snowe Alvaro Medina of Creedmoor, N.C, examines his receipt Tuesday after making a purchase at a Super Target in Durham, N.C Reports show consumer confidence fell sharply this month. Employment uncertainly hurts consumer confidence Sale of Gulf of Mexico oysters to be banned The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS Federal officials plan to ban sales of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico unless the shellfish are treated to destroy potentially deadly bacteria a requirement that opponents say could deprive diners of a delicacy cherished for generations. The plan has also raised concern among oyster-men that they could be pushed out of business. The Gulf region supplies about two-thirds of U.S.

oysters, and some people in the $500 million industry argue that the antibacterial procedures are too costly. They insist adequate measures are already being taken to battle germs, including increased refrigeration on oyster boats and warnings posted in restaurants. About 15 people die each year in the United States from raw oysters infected with Vibrio vulnificus, which typically is found in warm coastal waters between April and October. Most of the deaths occur among people with weak immune systems caused by health problems like liver or kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, or AIDS. Some oyster sellers say the Food and Drug Administration rule smacks of government meddling.

The sales ban would take effect in 2011 for oysters harvested in the Gulf during warm The antibacterial process treats oysters with a method similar to pasteurization, using mild heat, freezing temperatures, high pressure and low-dose gamma radiation. But doing so "kills the taste, the texture," said Mark DeFelice, head chef at Pascal's Manale Restaurant in New Orleans. A Gulf Coast oyster or, better still, a plate of a dozen oysters on the half-shell is a delicacy savored for its salty, refreshing, slightly slimy taste. Some people add a drop of horseradish, lemon or hot sauce on top for extra zest. ocratic leaders were working to finalize the shape of a government insurance option in their version of the legislation, with many saying the effort got a boost from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's decision to include a public plan in the Senate measure.

Leaders in both chambers were having trouble with a handful of wavering lawmakers, especially in the Senate, where objections from one member can bring action to a halt. The first order of business for Reid was to convince senators to vote in favor of a motion to allow debate on the bill to begin. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, the only Republican to vote in favor of the Democrats' health overhaul plan, said she would oppose moving to debate because of her opposition to letting the government sell insurance in competition with the private market. Even so, many House liberals were energized by Reid's decision to include a government insurance plan in his bill, arguing it locked down more votes from moderates for the House bill because they were now less likely to face the prospect of supporting a controversial provision in the House that would not even come to a vote in the Senate.

the Conference Board reported shoppers' sentiments-about the state of the economy are the gloomiest in nearly three decades. Americans reported they plan to cut back on spending, in large part because they don't trust the job The unemployment rate is just under 10 percent, and economists say it could hit 10.5 percent next year. "It's hard to get a job, and the ones that are out there don't pay enough," The Associated Press CHICAGO The housing market and stocks may be looking up, but Americans just can't shake their job worries. In a sign that talk of an economic recovery has yet to soothe a recession-battered nation, consumer' confidence fell in October and came in well below what analysts expected. For stores, the reading is reason to worry that holiday sales might be even worse than they feared.

In a separate reading, Good news, i bad news WASHINGTON -The government will release third-quarter gross domestic product on Thursday and economists expect to see that the economy has awakened from its recession and is in the early stages of a recovery. Next week, however, the government will issue another set of figures expected to show unemployment rising toward and possibly above 10 percent OBITUARIES said Mitch Hicks, a 33-year-old from Hills-boro, who lost his job at a cabinet company a year ago and is still struggling to find work. The board's index of consumer confidence fell to 47.7 in October from 53.4 in September. Economists expected a small decline, to 53.1. There have been signs of recovery elsewhere: Corporate earnings are getting stronger, the stock market has regained much of its lost ground and figures due out Thursday are expected to show the recession officially ended in June or July.

And there was another indication Tuesday that the housing market is sfabilizing. The Standard Poor'sCase-Shiller price index showed home prices in August climbed for the third consecutive month. Sharon Jerndt, 47, is trimming her holiday gift list because she's scared of racking up credit card debt. She's also eating at home and skipping other indulgences. "I'm trying to only pay with cash," said Jerndt, who works as a court reporter in Chicago.

CONCORD, N.C. SEASIDE Hugh Van Valkenburgh Hugh Van Valkenburgh, 94, of Seaside, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Monterey. He was born Sept. 20, 1915, in Chicago, 111.

He was previously employed as an aerospace Engineer for Lockheed Aircraft for more than 50 years. Services: No services will be held. Cremation: To take place. Arrangements: Healey Mortuary and Crematory, 405 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas, www.healeymortuary.com HILO, HAWAII Vergil Earnest "Vic" Irvan bun Asians top vehicle reliability The Associated Press MICHAEL SCHAD ATTORNEY AT LAW SINCE 1983 FREE CONSULTATION PERSONAL SERVICE Robert "Rabbit" Henry Hoefke W.W Mir IS Mr.

Vergil Earnest "Vic" Irvan, 79, of Concord, N.C. passed away Sunday night, Oct. 24, 2009, at his home after losing a battle with stomach cancer. Vic was born Dec. 18, 1929, in Freedom, to the late Jefferson C.

"Buck" Irvan and Opal Hickey Irvan. He served in the United States Air Force from 1947-1950 as an Air Traffic Controller. A self-taught businessman, Vic owned and operated Associated Auto Wreckers in Seaside for 20 years before moving to North Carolina in 1978. Vic was the last promoter of the Old Concord Speedway. He worked on several NASCAR teams including Ed Negre's and Lake Speed's.

Vic was the manager of Irv an-Simo Racing for his son, Ernie and also worked as a spotter for him for many years. Since 1982, Vic had been the President and Co-Owner of Irvan-Smith, Inc. with his son-in-law, Kevin Smith. Vic's racing career began in 1952 in California and he spent many years on the dirt tracks racing open wheel cars in his familiar purple, "circle 9" car. He won many trophies, championships and was a California State Champion in the 60's.

He was inducted into the Watsonville Speedway Hall of Fame in 1998. Vic was an incredibly generous friend to all that he met. Near and dear to his heart were his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who brought him joy each and every day. He was preceded in death by son, David Wayne Irvan; daughter, Susan Irvan Lewis and brother, David Irvan. Surrivn: Vic is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Graves Irvan of the home; son, Ernie Irvan and wife, Kim of Wadmalaw Island, daughters, Sheryl Irvan Bradford and husband, Jerry, of Monterey; Tracy Irvan Smith and husband, Kevin of Concord, N.C; grandchildren, Chad Dotseth, Staci Graulich, Joey Bradford, Jordan Irvan, Jared Irvan, Scott Smith and Lauren Smith; great grandchildren, Kensli; Zach, Ella and Skye; brothers, Frank livan of Sapulpa, Okla.

and Cecil Irvan of Sacramento; sisters, Marie Moore of Prunedale and Anita Davi of Pebble Beach. Visitation: From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Wilkinson Funeral Home and will be at the home the remaining time. Funeral service: 3 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29, at Wilkinson Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Chaplain Karen Kaser Odor. Burial: Will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, N.C, 28081. Arrangements: Wilkinson Funeral Home.

100 Branchview Drive NE, Concord, N.C 28026, 704-786-3168. Online condolences: May be left at www Wilkinson funeralhome.com. EVEAL YOUR INNER BEAUTY DETROIT Asian automakers are still building the most reliable cars and trucks, with eight of the top 10 brands from Japanese and Korean companies, according to an annual survey by Consumer Reports. But several models from Ford Motor Co. are now consistently scoring above Honda and Toyota, the perennial leaders.

While Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand finished first for the second year in a row, several Ford models, including the midsize Ford Fusion and its cousin, the Mercury Milan, consistently have been at or near the top of their classes, a trend that led Consumer Reports editors to declare that Ford is now making some vehicles with world-class reliability. After Scion, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti and Acura rounded out the top five brands in reliability based on surveys taken in March of subscribers who own or lease 1.4 million vehicles. Ford's Detroit-area competitors, General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, didn't fare as well, however. Chrysler had only one model that Consumer Reports recommended based on reliability and its staff test, and the Chrysler brand finished last out of 33 brands sold in the U.S.

One third of Chrysler's models were much worse than average in reliability. Six models from GM were recommended by the magazine, but it's still inconsistent. Only 21 of 48 models the magazine studied scored average or better in reliability. Robert "Rabbit" Henry HoelVe, 61, long time resident of Hilo, Hawaii, died Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was bom Oct. 21, 1947, in Fort Totten, Long Island, N.J. He was the son of retired Army M'Sgt Robert C. Hoefke (deceased) and Alita (Shutes) Hoefke (deceased), long time owners of Cork Bottle North Salinas. Robert was the product of an Army family.

In his childhood he traveled from NY. to N.J., Mass, Japan, Salinas Hawaii and back to Salinas where he graduated from high school. Robert served his country honorably with the Marines in Vietnam. He always loved music and poetry. In his youth he played the violin and throughout his life he wrote poetry.

He also aspired to play professional baseball but Vietnam short circuited his plans. Robert ultimately returned to Hawaii and spent the last 29 years of his life there. Survivors: Robert is survived by daughter, Kelly Kaha-wai (Leo) of Hilo, Hawaii; son, Skye Ikefke of siblings, Jolita Wood (Don) of Snohomish, Kaye Bcechum of Fontana, Calif, and Ronald Hoefke of Florida, and rune grandchildren. ii i. FACE LIFT: A we aje, wrinkle and laxity of Uie tin naturally occur.

A face lift can narmoniously rejuvenate tlie face and take yean off your appearance MILITARY SERVICE The Salinas Californian designates OBITUARY PQtlCY The Salinas Californlan publishes limited obituary Information at no cost as a community service. Families who wish to include survivors and personal history may do so for a fee. Obituar les also appear on our Web site. wwwVrheCallfornlan.com. The deadline is 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday. "We Remember" items, which honor a previously departed loved one or friend. also may be purchased. Information: 754-413S. Thomas E.

Zewert M.D.. Ph. D. Bomrd Certified by the American Bomrd of Plosric Smrfery Harvard Trained Monterey 337 El Dwado Suite A I M4-98Q0 Salinas Office 424-7800 wertmd.com obituaries of military veterans with a flag to honor them for their service..