Community sing-along
EDITOR: Charlie Seltzer, pianist and vocalist, will perform some of his favorite songs and lead a community sing-along at the United Church of Cloverdale on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.
All are invited to join Charlie and friends (aka “Charlie’s Angels”) in singing songs of peace, resilience, love and solidarity. A similar event was held recently in Ukiah, and the room was filled with voices raised in unison. It was an amazing experience, and those from Cloverdale who were in attendance decided to bring the experience to our own community.
Songs will include many favorites from “Let it Be” to “What a Wonderful World” and “You’ve got a Friend.” Tickets are $10 at the door and the event is appropriate for all ages.
Ticket proceeds will benefit the local Cloverdale outreach ministries of the United Church of Cloverdale which include Coro de Paz Children’s Choir, the Cloverdale Food Pantry, Free Friday High School Breakfast and the Wallace House.
Janice Timm
Cloverdale
Better and more just
EDITOR: A very important law for our local community went into effect on Jan.1 in California, one that has not been featured in many “new laws” reports. SB54, the California Values Act, supported by both Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jim Wood (thanks!), bars local and state law enforcement officers from arresting individuals based solely on civil immigration warrants, from asking about a person’s immigration status and from participating in any joint task force with federal officials solely for the purpose of enforcing immigration laws. The bill does not prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing federal immigration laws in California, it just says California will not use its own law enforcement resources to help in those actions. The law does not give a pass, however, to immigrants who commit crimes, since it exempts from the protections those immigrants with previous convictions for an estimated 800 crimes. It will also help local law enforcement to build the strong relationships necessary to public safety and community well-being, since immigrants often fear approaching police officers when they are victims of and witnesses to crimes and when local police are entangled with federal immigration enforcement. As Gov. Brown said when signing the law, “These are uncertain times for undocumented Californians and their families, and this bill strikes a balance that will protect public safety, while bringing a measure of comfort to those families who are now living in fear every day.” We have a better and more just California today because of The California Values Act.
Dave Henderson
Healdsburg
