ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz'ber'e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

• ROSES to an oasis of balmy green economic news in a nation of woes and concern. We're talking about this week's unveiling of the much-anticipated Halo conferencing studio system, developed by Hewlett-Packard Co. with the help of expertise from our very own HP campus.

Already available primarily in the more rarified corporate offices across the nation, this system enables business people to meet in electronic conference rooms, courtesy of an agreement with Marriott Hotels.

In a time of spiraling gasoline prices, this has much to recommend it (although we're not certain that the airline industry would agree).

We're proud of the people behind the technology, and we hope it will be a great market success.

• ROSES to Nick Wallace of Kings Valley, a man who can legitimately say he shared a car ride with a wounded bobcat and lived to tell the tale. In case you missed this great story last week:

Wallace was driving home from work on the evening of Tuesday, March 11. When he turned onto Maxfield Creek Road, he saw what he thought was a very large cat lying injured in the middle of the pavement. He did something amazing; he stopped, picked up the unconscious animal and set about getting it some medical attention.

Thing is, the bobcat woke up, in the way you'd expect an injured wildcat to wake up in a car: with ears flattened back hard, teeth bared, growling loudly.

"The energy and anger were in his eyes," said Wallace, who describes himself as "a computer guy," with no wildlife experience. But Wallace did something else we might not all have done: He stayed calm. He figured that the bobcat would be reassured and calm down if he stayed cool and made no sudden moves. His strategy worked.

"His eyes had been glazed over with anger, but then he relaxed and settled back, and the spirit of the creature returned and his normal eyes settled back."

Eventually, Wallace was able to get the bobcat medical attention through the Chintimini wildlife refuge, whose director, Jeff Picton, deserves a rose, too. So does the veterinarian who donated his services to fix the bobcat's broken teeth. The bobcat is otherwise doing well, and he soon will be returned to the wild.

Wallace, who said that he has no pets, hopes to be there, to say good-bye.

And in marked contrast:

• RAZZIES to whoever is shooting people's pet dogs in Albany. So far, no dogs have died, but two owners in two weeks have reported that someone shot their pets.

This not only is illegal, cruel and expensive (costing the dog owners thousands in veterinary expenses), it poses an obvious danger to passersby.

To anyone with information about the two dog-shooting incidents in North Albany: Please call the Albany Police Department at 917-7680. You could be saving a life.

• ROSES to the seventh- and eighth-graders from Philomath Middle School who served up a St. Patrick's Day lunch for seniors during a celebration o' the green at College United Methodist Church. They were observing a fine Irish tradition - including all generations in a celebration. We hope that the youngsters, who regularly visit with the seniors at College United Methodist Church, are setting a trend regarding holidays, but we're pleased to report that their example is by no means isolated.

We're fortunate to have an active community of young people who find many ways to contribute to worthy causes.

A recent (and very popular example) is the three "Mr." pageants at Crescent Valley, Corvallis and Philomath High Schools. Not only are the associated events fun for the participants, their families and those who attend, they also raise serious money for Oregon hospitals and other nonprofit organizations. Thanks to them all.

• ROSES to to Judy Juntunen and the local Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War members, who last weekend placed a new marker on the grave of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Thorp, one of two Civil War generals buried in Oregon. He died in 1915, and if he ever had a headstone, it went missing long ago.

Now his very old grave has a new headstone and so do six other Civil War veterans who lie in the Crystal Lake Cemetery in south Corvallis.

These final tributes recognized departed soldiers in what remains the bloodiest four years in our nation's history. Yet consider this: When we speak of the conflict from 1861-1865, many of us actually are talking about our great-grandfathers.

It is not too late to honor them for their part in preserving the Union. We're certain they would be pleased that The Sons of Union Veterans have placed 71 new markers on Civil War veterans' graves in the past three years.