Letters to the Editor 3-31-16

Donate to Cloverdale Ponytail League
Editor: Spring fever is here and it’s almost time to play ball. The Cloverdale Ponytail League needs your help getting ready for the 2016 summer softball season. We have four divisions of play to accommodate 200 girls ages 5 to 18. We are proud to be part of the Amateur Softball Association’s Junior Olympic program, which is one of the largest and fastest growing amateur sports association’s in America today.
We are seeking team sponsorship in the amount of $300. As a sponsor, you will be recognized at each game by the announcer, highlighted in the Cloverdale Reveille, and also on signs at the ball fields. You will also receive a photo plaque and if your team wins first place in their division, you will receive a trophy. In our 30-year history, we have never turned away a player who could not afford to play. We are very proud of this and are seeking scholarship sponsors in the amount of $75, which would provide a scholarship to players with a financial need. Our scholarship sponsors will also be recognized in the Cloverdale Reveille, and on the signs at the ball fields.
Won’t you join us in providing a summer fun activity for the youth in our community by becoming a team and/or scholarship sponsor? We would like to have our sponsors in place no later than May 1, so we can order necessary equipment. We would greatly appreciate any contribution and we thank you again for your continued support.
Please mail your tax deductible donation before May 1 to:            Cloverdale Ponytail League, 111 Brookside Dr. Cloverdale, CA. 95425. For more info call 894-2466
The Cloverdale Ponytail League Board of Directors
Cloverdale
Garden club plant sale
Editor: The Green Thumb Garden Club of Cloverdale is holding its annual plant sale Saturday, April 9, at the Ace Hardware parking lot, 750 South Cloverdale Blvd. Come shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but get there early for the best selection.  There will be a wide variety of vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers, as well as flowers and landscape plants, and admission is free.
This sale benefits the nonprofit club, which uses its funds to educate its members, and also funds a scholarship for the Junior college.
Jennifer Weiss
Cloverdale
Documentary recommended
Editor: A few weeks ago I saw the documentary “Who Do We Invade Next?” Michael Moore made his point in such a gentle and humourous way yet it was very powerful. I recommend that everyone see it as it is a real eye-opener.
I think it should be shown at the middle school and definitely at our high school here in Cloverdale. It points out how our country could be better off with a government that took care of its people in a more (God forbid) loving attitude. Concern and focus on bettering our social structure is not a bad thing if it comes from the heart and is not enforced as socialism or communism. Bernie Sanders strikes a nice balance.
We are told that America is the greatest blah, blah, blah. How arrogant is that? We all have something to learn from each other in order to evolve into a peaceful world. Meeting violence with violence will never get us there. We will have to lead our leaders to a more group-oriented country and surrender our involutionary values of “me-ness.”
Mardi Grainger
Cloverdale
Toastmasters On The Move
Editor: What do Lee Menicucci, Tim Allen, Leonard Nimoy and Peter Coors all have in common? Well, you may have guessed, they were all Toastmasters. What do Toastmasters do anyway; raise a glass and say a few words at special events? Emcee the Citrus Fair Parade? Well yes, sorta.
Toastmasters is an international organization with over 330,000 members. Here in Cloverdale, as in most Toastmasters clubs throughout the world, members meet to improve their speaking, listening and thinking skills. Cloverdale Toastmasters meetings are structured to allow everyone present to have an opportunity to participate. Members are motivated by life-long learning and the self development that comes from participating in Toastmasters. Toastmasters learn by doing, and by helping each other. Meetings are open to the public and guests are always welcome.
Leadership and development of new! leaders is another facet of Toastmasters. Ever been asked to be the Treasurer of the bridge club, President? Would you know how to function in these officer positions? You would know if you had been involved in Toastmasters. Toastmasters can also give you an edge allowing you to demonstrate poise and confidence when you find yourself in leadership roles. Whether you’re an executive or a stay-at-home parent, a college student or a retiree, you will improve yourself; building skills to express yourself in a variety of situations. You’ll open up a world of new possibilities: giving better work presentations; leading meetings – and participating in them – more confidently; speaking more smoothly off the cuff; even handling one-on-one interactions with family, friends and colleagues.
Cloverdale Toastmasters recently have moved meetings to the Karma Cafe: 124 South Cloverdale Blvd. We still meet 7 to 8 a.m. on Fridays (some holiday weekends are exceptions). Meetings are a great way to start the day and the weekend. Meetings are open to anyone 18 years of age or older who are interested in developing their leadership and speaking skills and who like to have fun. Our meetings are always fun and educational; providing unlimited opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you are on the move in your career or in the community, Toastmasters can give you the edge you need to get ahead of the competition.
Why not join Cloverdale Toastmasters for a cup of coffee or breakfast this Friday at 7 a.m. at the Karma Cafe. We are on the move, are you?
Richard Butler
Cloverdale
Save the date
Editor: Calling all past and present Cloverdale firefighters. Cloverdale Fire will be celebrating 130 years of service on Saturday, May 21, in downtown Cloverdale at the plaza from 5 to 10 p.m.
Come down and enjoy a no host bar and live music by the band “Locked N Loaded.” Apparatus tours, volunteer firefighter recruitment, and vendors will also be present.
Mahkayla Miller
Cloverdale