For the record
EDITOR: Many thanks to the collaborations that have made attending city council meetings a breeze online. I just watched the most recent three hour meeting where most of the agenda was devoted to downtown parking concerns.
Several folks spoke on a myriad of concerns including the “known fact” that Fitch Mountain Eddie’s restaurant was ejected from our center to make way for parking. Having owned Big John’s Market since 1994 and the shopping center since 2003, I can state unequivocally that we have never ejected a tenant. The simple fact is the restaurant was struggling and their ownership asked for an early out from their lease in order to forestall bankruptcy.
We cancelled the lease with no penalties. Folks that shoot from their mouth without an ounce of knowledge do no service to anyone, including themselves.
John Lloyd, Healdsburg
Prune Pits’ first practice September 6
EDITOR: What do you do when you are 77 years old, spend hours and hours watching your grandson play in Little League and wish you could play, too? You ask the city to help you start a softball team for older people.
Thanks to Mark Themig, our Community Services Department Director and several of its staff, and Anna Grant, our Senior Center Director, now, I too, get to play ball.
Calling ourselves, “The Prune Pits,” our fall season begins on Wednesday, September 6, at 4:30 pm at the Healdsburg Elementary School field, 400 First Street.
The only qualifications are that you need to be 60 or older. It’s co-ed. You can play if you have a joint replacement, like I do. Never really played before? Neither have I. You can run as slow as a turtle. Or you can be a cheerleader (pom poms provided).
Those who show up on September 6 will have an opportunity to organize our training. Shall we play slow-pitch or fast-pitch softball? Shall we try to create two teams and aim to become competitive, or should we play “sandlot” baseball and work up to becoming competitive?
We’ll start with easy stretching exercises, followed by many forms of practice, including using wiffle balls, line baseball, improving our throws by aiming the ball for a large garbage can on its side. Little Leaguers may be willing to coach us. Your ideas are welcome, too.
Bring the equipment you have. Wiffle balls and bats (an easy way to start) will be provided. The fall season sessions will be a test for spring and summer sessions. We welcome any interested parties and all levels of experience or inexperience. Register now by calling 421-3324. The fall season fee is $5. If you have any questions, contact me at ge*****@so***.net or 707.490-4309.
Gail Jonas, Healdsburg
Healdsburg Confederates
EDITOR: I moved to Healdsburg back in February of 2000. Healdsburg fascinated me. I’d lived in Nebraska and then the Puget Sound area. Healdsburg was heaven in comparison. I like to know the history of the places I live. So I read history books about Healdsburg and the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. Healdsburg has a very interesting history. I hope Healdsburgers learn the events of our town’s past.
There are lots of references to the Civil War lately in our country. Statues are being torn down and removed to museums. What I remember reading about those times here is that Healdsburg was a Confederate town before the War of Secession began. Most of the locals supported the Southern cause.
One of the most prominent ones was Lindsay Carson, brother of Kit Carson, the famous explorer. Lindsay had a trading post outside of town and built a house on Healdsburg Avenue, which still stands a block north of the fire station. Lindsay married one of the young Donner girls who survived that perhaps cannibalistic winter adventure up there in the Sierra.
Lindsay and the other supporters of the Confederate cause left town and went off to fight in the war. They didn’t come back.
After the war many Union soldiers settled in Healdsburg. There is a special section in Oak Mound Cemetery devoted to Union veterans. Also we have streets names Grant, Lincoln, Sheridan and Johnson (Johnson was Lincoln’s Vice President).
Perhaps I am wrong in my remembrances of Healdsburg’s history in the mid 1800s in reference to that bloody war back east. Someone at the Healdsburg Museum is welcome to correct me.
I do agree with Rollie’s column that those civil wars back east are their problems, not ours.
Tim McGraw, Healdsburg
Wonderful community
EDITOR: Thank you so much to everyone who supported the “Save the Singletree Benefit Concert & BBQ” that Healdsburg Jazz and friends (Gina Riner, Jessica Felix, Dan Zastrow and Julia Lander) organized for us on August 20.
We’d like to especially acknowledge the businesses for their in-kind contributions and those who donated their time and talent to make this event happen: Brian Lehman Graphic Design, Robert Lunceford Authentic Audio, Party Tents & Events, Healdsburg Signs, Snap2 Marketing, Healdsburg Printing, Moshin Vineyard, Ramazzotti Wines, Lori and Ray Teldeschi, Rob Das and Beth Berkson, Minuteman Press, Franco American Bakery, Bear Republic, Costeaux Bakery, Downtown Bakery, Deux Amis Winery, Youngblood & Co. with Richelle Hart, Groupo Ayer y Hoy, Greg Hester Quintet and Blues Rocket.
We hope with your continued support that we can keep serving this wonderful Healdsburg community that we have been a part of for 18 years. We feel blessed and grateful for all the love and donations that came our way.
Nanci Van Praag and Dolores Rodriguez, Singletree Café
Join for all
EDITOR: Thanks to Chris Vanden Heuvel for his welcome to Healdsburg’s children and parents at the beginning of the school year. I especially liked the hopes he expressed on his little girl’s first day at kindergarten 10 years ago: “I wanted the school to love her, to foster her sense of wonder and curiosity in the world and to not have anyone tell her there was something she couldn’t do.” Let’s all join in that enterprise, for all kids.
Jane St. Claire, Healdsburg
