Letters to the Editor 2-20-14

Jazz on the Menu
Editor: I am writing to encourage your readers to participate in Jazz on the Menu next Wednesday evening, Feb. 26 by dining at one of the fifteen downtown restaurants that will feature live jazz. The diners and the restaurants will be supporting the Healdsburg Jazz Festival’s music education programs in our local schools.
After 36 years as a public school teacher and administrator, I joined the festival board of directors in 2011 to help coordinate education programs. Since then it’s been my privilege to schedule and attend the Operation Jazz Band and Black History Month assemblies and performances and to act as a liaison to the schools.
In all my years as an educator, I have never seen finer music enrichment and appreciation programs than the ones Jessica Felix and Healdsburg Jazz offer our students. Professional musicians, led by outstanding musician/educators Babatunde Lea and Marcus Shelby, present lively, engaging and exciting sessions to hundreds of K-6 students each year. The kids see how jazz is made and learn about the history of the music and the people who have created it. They experience the music directly, they meet the musicians, and they make music with them. And they love it!
Healdsburg Jazz is inspiring and informing future musicians and music lovers by presenting these free programs to the schools. We deeply appreciate the support of the community members and restaurant owners who are helping us raise the funds we need to bring them back year after year — by joining us for Jazz on the Menu.
Randy Coleman
Healdsburg Jazz
The return of the gnome
Editor: I want to thank the person who returned my gnome. It means a lot to me. It was in Thursday’s Tribune, the 13th, and I looked out on my back stairs the next day and there it was. Again, thank you very much. You did the right thing.
Maryann Matelli
Healdsburg
Help at the pantry
Editor: The letter to the editor on Jan. 22 from the Healdsburg Food Pantry Board of Directors was very good. There are a lot of people who currently help and those who have helped in the past. Recognition should also be given to them. I would like to note that Annie Catelli who just turned 99 has been helping out for many years and has had to quit because her doctor said she no longer can drive. There are many others who have donated their time also. So I wish to give recognition to all of them also. Thank you all.
Vyvyen Wedgewood
Healdsburg
Fire free
Editor: In light of the unexpected drought, Laura Tietz deserves even more credit for reducing the fire danger on Fitch Mountain with Fire Free Fitch.
Richard Ganz
Healdsburg