Rotary thank you
EDITOR: Thank you, Healdsburg, for making our Plaza a showcase of the spirit of America on July 4. Your presence and enthusiasm demonstrated without a doubt your love for our great nation and what it stands for on its 242nd birthday.
The day was a kaleidoscopic display of Norman Rockwell imagery: a parade of over 250 children in patriotic attire, a six-foot apple pie with ice cream, snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, games, races, face painting and a band concert in the bandstand playing John Philip Sousa marches. Tons of smiles and laughter. What could be more American?
The Rotary club of Healdsburg Sunrise was honored to offer all this to you without charge. Most of our expenses were met by very generous sponsorships and donations from local merchants, too numerous to list here.
Those who purchased racing ducks for the Duck Dash also helped pay expenses — in addition they took home some wondrous prizes. Donations at our free concessions were also greatly appreciated. Any profits from the event will be used to fund scholarships and other community events put on by our club. We, along with the community, thank you for your support.
There is indeed much to celebrate about America. Thank you all for contributing to this enjoyable display of shared love for your country. We are already looking forward to next year’s birthday party.
Douglas D. Pile, MD
Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise
Clear your calendar to impact what matters most
EDITOR: If your vacation plans are flexible then you’ll want to be in town on the evening of August 13 and participate at the Healdsburg High School gym in creating a roadmap for the future, one that includes you.
Have you heard about the SDAT visit? (SDAT: Sustainable Design Assessment Team is a grant opportunity, awarded to only eight communities in the entire U.S. in 2018 by the AIA).
 The American Institute of Architects (AIA) was here in 1982 and are returning after 36 years with a team of nine nationwide volunteer experts from various disciplines, to recommend a fresh Healdsburg roadmap — but they need to hear what’s on our minds.
The Monday evening meeting will be set up so the SDAT’s members can truly listen to you; and so we can listen to each other and view our concerns from different perspectives. Don’t let your ideas and dreams be left unsaid. Participate in creating a healthy future for us, our families and our whole community, by showing up.
If you remember when the AIA R/UDAT (Rural/Urban Design Assistance Team, the AIA program that studied Healdsburg in 1982 and provided a roadmap for the future) was here in 1982, how the whole community was engaged and how the recommendations that came out of that visit guided decisions that affected Healdsburg for the next 30 plus years, you’ll recognize this is an historic moment for now and generations to come.
Your voice counts. Show up on Monday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Healdsburg High School Gymnasium. Plan to arrive a bit early. This all-inclusive gathering will provide free childcare and Spanish interpreting.
Merrilyn Joyce
Healdsburg SDAT Steering Committee member
It was just ducky
EDITOR: I want to thank the kids of all ages who showed up in the Plaza for the annual Fourth of July Kids Parade and Duck Dash presented by the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise and the City of Healdsburg. I know your paper was there taking photos. I encourage everyone to check out the slide show on your website at www.healdsburgtribune.com. Have a great rest of the summer and I look forward to celebrating with all of you again next year on July 4.
The Sunrise Rubber Ducky
Healdsburg
Golden Gate Bridge vs roundabout
EDITOR: People of Healdsburg, do you how long it took to build the Golden Gate Bridge? Four years. Construction began in 1933 and completed in 1937. We are now on year three on the roundabout. Recently a semi truck was unable to make a wide turn at the construction site, tying up cars. A construction worker had to direct traffic to allow this truck to back up. Instead of spending funds on our needs, it’s going to the roundabout and the brick wall surrounding it. By the way, the wall has already been hit. People of Healdsburg: let your voices be heard.
Ken Buchignani
Healdsburg
Volunteer drivers needed
EDITOR: Every day, thousands of cancer patients often need a ride to and from their treatments. In the absence of available and affordable transportation, patients have difficulty obtaining needed medical care. That’s why volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program is so important.
Volunteer drivers that donate their time and vehicle can provide as many rides as they want. As a Road To Recovery volunteer driver and cancer survivor, I know that when cancer hits, it hits from all sides. Lacking transportation to treatments shouldn’t be one of the problems, that’s why I volunteer.
To learn more about the program visit cancer.org/drive or call the Santa Rosa society office at 545-6720.
Ken Mooney, Volunteer Driver, American Cancer Society
Sebastopol
