Letters to the Editor 11-27-14

All male cast
Editor: To quote Rollie Atkinson’s article (“Palm Drive’s high wire act set to debut,” Nov. 20):
“The efforts to reopen Palm Drive Hospital will be successful because of the ‘overwhelming support of community leadership’ and the ‘incredible lineup of talented’ doctors and specialists being attracted to the new Sonoma West Medical Center model, said Hino.
“‘Without those doctors we’re dead in the water,’ said Hino. ‘We’re looking at a cadre of high-ability physicians who want to remain independent and make Sebastopol their home base.’”
Unfortunately, the lineup of doctors is all male, including women’s health. Can a hospital be truly successful by leaving out half of the human race? Many of us are unhappy by what seems like a deliberate choice to not recruit female physicians. And, many won’t talk about this.
Please look into this. Thanks,
Ruth Bystock
Santa Rosa
Helping feed the hungry
Editor: This year we celebrate the 13th annual Parade of Lights in Guerneville and D&G Equity Management and Russian River Vacation Homes are celebrating by collecting funds for the Russian River Food Pantry. What started out as a simple gesture — making sandwiches, hot chocolate, cider and cookies for people setting up for the parade — has grown into a holiday party with appetizers, pork sliders and vegetarian chili. Parade participants are still the main focus, but the community is invited to join us for finger-warming cups of hot cider and chocolate and snacks starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Instead of declining grateful tips and payment, we’re putting out donation jars. One hundred percent of the donated funds will go to the Russian River Food Pantry, which was established in 1986 and provides food to Lower Russian River area residents on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information about the food pantry, call 869-2514.  
Donation jars will remain in the D&G Equity Management and Russian River Vacation Homes offices at 14080 Mill St. (corner of 4th and Mill streets in Guerneville) throughout the holiday season. The public is welcome to stop by after 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 for the holiday celebration (or during business hours through Jan. 2) to make a contribution. Questions may be directed to

me***@ri********.com











. Thank you Sonoma West Times & News, for continuing to support the Russian River community and helping us to do the same.
Megan Perkins
Guerneville