Letters to the Editor 3-7-13

Two-way, no parking
Editor: Regarding the Foss Creek Circle dilemma, if the primary problem was not enough room for all the 2-way traffic to navigate safely with the Post Office being a major tenant on the route, I propose this solution:
Return to 2-way traffic, as the status quo is failing and flawed, and an opposite-circle routing impairs a vital loading dock access. However, to solve the original issue, let’s eliminate all on-street parking on Foss Creek Circle so there would now be ample room for 2-way traffic.
This would solve one problem, but create a smaller one for those residents and businesses that utilize the on-street parking that I’m proposing to eliminate. However, on Grant street there are many on-street parking choices, a very short walk away. Of course, each residence and business does have parking on-site, the street is merely overflow.
Two way, with no on-street parking! Thoughts?
Tom Kiff
Healdsburg
Rio Lindo Orchestra
Editor: The congregation of the Healdsburg Community Church wishes to thank the Rio Lindo Academy Orchestra for providing special music for our church service on Sunday, March 3. The orchestra’s inspirational music had been chosen and was expertly led by Conductor Rochelle White. A moving introduction was made by Rio Lindo graduate, David Kabanje. We are always blessed when students from the academy’s various musical groups join us.
Dennis Tarr
Transitional Senior Pastor, Healdsburg Community Church
Who’s watching your kids?
Editor: I saw something very disturbing on my walk in Badger Park Saturday afternoon. I saw a Hispanic woman with two small boys in the playground. She was obviously their nanny. What caught my attention was her lack of attention to the youngest child. He was, maybe two years old, climbing on the equipment, but very unsteady. I was afraid he might fall and the caretaker was on the other side of the playground. Then, much to my dismay, I saw her proceed to take the older child out of the playground to the bathroom. She was in the bathroom,  leaving the toddler out in the playground all by himself. Not only was there a wall obstructing her view, but she also had the door closed.
I ran over to the bathroom and told her it was very dangerous to leave a baby by himself. She said it was fine and acted like there was nothing wrong. She took her time and finally walked back to the playground.  
To the parents of the two beautiful little boys — Do you know who’s watching your kids? She’s obviously very irresponsible.
Sherrie Susman
Healdsburg
Local play
Editor: “The Angel of Chatham Square” is a triumph, both for the Raven Players and for author Audie Foote. We’ve seen Audie on stage in many roles with the Raven Players, and this time he also wrote the play that he and a wonderful cast are acting in. Based on a true story, with great dialogue that’s both humorous and heartwarming, this is a play my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed. Don’t miss the final performances, March 7, 9, and 10.
Jane St. Claire
Healdsburg
Encore Events fire
Editor: We are saddened to announce that we had a large fire at our Encore Events Rentals location in Healdsburg location on Feb. 12. Most importantly, no one was hurt and we are currently rebuilding our Healdsburg inventory and working on a new showroom and warehouse location in Healdsburg.
We want all our customers to know that we are still open for business as usual, and have a satellite office in Healdsburg as well as our full showroom and warehouse in Petaluma.
Please feel free visit us in our Petaluma showroom, call us at 763-3322 or 431-3500, or email us at

ev****@en*****************.com











. Thank you for your support, loyalty, and business during this time.
Heather Nelson
Healdsburg
True marriage
Editor: Our council member’s position, to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act which was reported in The Healdsburg Tribune as  “City takes vote on Marriage Equality” was certainly not the vote of the good citizens of this city.
To be against same sex marriage is not a matter of “discrimination” but rather a denial of the clear teachings of God’s Word in our Bibles. God calls homosexuality an “Abomination.” It was punishable by death, as written in the Old Testament. And we read in the New Testament that God even “gives up on the Homosexual” if they don’t change their lifestyle.
If anyone doesn’t believe this, I can show them the actual verses in the Bible. It is sad that many of our churches are so lukewarm that they have stopped speaking out against the many immoral practices of this age. If they did, we wouldn’t have this problem.
I truly believe that very good gospel preaching church in Healdsburg should speak up against the evil of same sex marriage. God established marriage as between  a man and a woman.
To go against the pure and holy teachings of our Almighty God is like spitting in His face.
I have lost respect for our council members because of their uncaused for action against true marriage.
Rev. Maurice Wilcox
Healdsburg
Planting seeds of jazz
Editor: A heart full of thanks to our Healdsburg community for the private donations and grants that made it possible for world famous Jazz Musician Marcus Shelby, his band, Bay Area Choir Co-director Tiffany Austin, and Jazz Great Faye Carol to inspire our Healdsburg Freedom Youth Jazz Choir and their peers who enjoyed the show. Last Thursday, in honor of Black History Month, these world acclaimed musicians led our Youth Jazz Choir in music that rocked the Raven Theatre. More than 900 Healdsburg and Geyserville children from 3rd – 6th grade classes were riveted during two full house performances of jazz.
Healdsburg Freedom Youth Jazz Choir also benefited from weekly rehearsals throughout February with Shelby and Austin, who offered our children a deep look into the core of blues and jazz that are the basis of the American songbook. These budding musicians and singers boldly performed in front of their peers, playing instruments and raising their voices, while they sang scats and shared their feelings, improvising with the music. The powerful performances of these children led by these professional musicians, offered their peers a glimpse of black history with the introduction of spirituals from the civil rights movement, as well an original composition written by Marcus Shelby honoring Harriet Tubman.
In the weeks of rehearsals, children learned by singing of many hardships encountered by slaves. One song told the story of how slaves risking their lives for freedom had to wade in the water to clean them of all scents as they tried to escape. Also during the performance, Shelby introduced the music of jazz masters such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. The children echoed back these names to commit them to memory.
To watch our children dancing in their seats, clapping and waving their arms, and singing refrains to the spirituals made my heart sing.
Thank you Healdsburg community for your generosity in planting the seeds of jazz in our children during Black History Month. A special thanks to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, under the direction of Jessica Felix, and to all those that make jazz and music education a reality in our town week after week, year after year!
Marie Gewirtz
Healdsburg