Letters to the Editor 1-8-15

Big John’s Secret Santa
Editor: While shopping at Big John’s on New Year’s Eve in the mid-afternoon, I was the happy recipient of payment for my groceries from their “Secret Santa” clerk. I am very grateful and appreciative  for the $47.88 amount of groceries I received without charge. I apologize for being stunned and speechless at that moment. For those of you that don’t know, if you are a senior citizen, you can ask for a 10 percent discount on your groceries  every Tuesday.
The Lloyds are definitely generous and community friendly.
Sharon Cowley
Healdsburg
Another successful Rotary crab feed
Editor: Healdsburg Rotary is proud to announce that we did it again … another successful Crab Feast that generated tens of thousands of dollars. Those dollars will go right back into the community to fund worthwhile causes and organizations in Healdsburg, as well as international causes that are in need of support. Our major international cause is the eradication of polio, and Rotary International is very, very close to achieving that goal. On the local level we support Healdsburg area schools, youth programs, healthcare, student enrichment, the library and museum, the Raven & Jazz Festival, and numerous other local endeavors. We have an established student scholarship fund that provides annual funding for Healdsburg-area students who are off to college.
We wish to thank all of our donors, sponsors, friends, contributors, volunteers, and all those who attended the Crab Feast. Special thanks to all those businesses who donated auction items and dinner wines.
The Crab Feast is our major fund-raiser, but we also engage in numerous other activities. We work hard to make Healdsburg a better place to live, and we have a good time in the process.  We’re always looking for new members, new ideas, and community support. To learn more about Rotary, ask a Rotarian or join us for lunch on Mondays at Tayman Park. Or visit our website at healdsburgrotary.org. We invite your participation and we are thankful for your support.  Come join us !
Kent Mitchell & Grady Wann
on behalf of Healdsburg Rotary
Value to nature
Editor: So Ray Holley believes that ants have no value in the ecosystem. Every so often I hear this kind of thoughtless, juvenile expression that certain species are inferior, stupid, dangerous, without value, etc. My immediate reaction is an intense need to remove myself from such a person. I get a creepy feeling of being in the presence of someone who may be stuck in a pre-Darwinian paradigm, looking at nature as a pyramid of sorts, with Homo sapiens on the top. Perhaps with him or herself on top. So convenient.
I will not try to convince Ray Holley of any species’ value, because I don’t look at nature this way. However, if he wants to put other species on a value spectrum he is well advised to ponder his own value to nature.
Heidi Marino
Healdsburg
Go Ducks
Editor: It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a devoted Oregon Ducks football fan. I’m a proud alum and my child is the ninth Duck in our family. You can imagine how elated I was to see Marcus Mariota and my Ducks defeat the FSU Seminoles yesterday. Yessirree! After 70 percent of the ‘Noles players walked off the field without a handshake, several of our players began the Seminole chant replacing the words with, “No Means No,” and they used the tomahawk symbol to emphasize their words. They were trying to hold an opposing peer player accountable for some of his actions off the field. Coach Helfrich has announced he will discipline the men. I say, “NO!” Violence against women, children, and animals is a big part of the NFL. Where does it start? It starts with peers who are willing to put up with it! The men of U of O who stood up publicly have my admiration. Let’s all join them! Go Ducks!
Judith Sanderson
Healdsburg