Letters to the Editor 12-12-13

Eco-learning center
Editor:   
I could hardly contain my excitement when I read the Harvest Section of the Oct. 31st Reveille. Thank you for covering all that inspiring information that I wasn’t aware of! First was the article about the locally-grown and processed hops for a local craft-beer company.  Then the lengthy article about Lou Preston who is not just another mono-cropper of grapes but embraces diversity in his organic farming.  He is actually a steward of the land. understanding that to reap, one must give. He farms with a conscience; improving the soil, creating habitats for birds, beneficial bugs and plants and realizes the importance that farming has in the sustainability of a community.
Next was about the Young Farmers’ Guild in Sebastopol but expanding into other communities, thanks to Evan Wiig.
On to the article about the County High School programs teaching classes in agriculture and viticulture with internships and culinary programs.  Next was a long article about bee-keeping and Mr. Byrne who is making fermented mead.  Then the article about growing flowers and Bonnie Z’s statement that when they had only grapes growing there were no birds but now with the flowers, the birds are back.  Lastly was the new wool mill in tiny Valley Ford (there are only a few of these in our country) that processes the wool and includes a retail store for locally-made artisan products.  There is a “wool revival’ and a huge movement away from synthetics.  These local sheep are being raised sustainably.
With all this going on elsewhere in the County, can anyone still doubt that Cloverdale should get aboard this train by creating our own Agrarium/Ecolarium Learning Center which includes: commercial kitchen, Ag. museum, farm center with art/artisan/craft training? The perfect place to create a “destination” on Thyme Square. If the whole community got behind this, there is no reason this cannot become a reality. We can do anything we decide to do.
Mardi Grainger, Cloverdale
Gun culture
Editor:   
When I was a small boy we played “Cops and Robbers”, and “Cowboys and Indians”. The latter is now politically incorrect.
We carried toy pistols/cap guns complete with cartridge belts and holsters. They carried the logos of Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers, and the Lone Ranger. We were imitating what we saw in the movies. The villains and heroes were readily identified.
By the time I had reached the age of ten, we had moved to Healdsburg and WW11 was in full bloom. Hollywood featured war movies and the newsreels at the local theater were more of the same. Soldiers were our heroes and a whole division down from Washington State spent the weekend in Healdsburg, encamped all up and down the highway.
Our local postman, Gridley Clement (spelling?) made the most marvelous wooden reproductions of the M1 Garand rifle.
They included intricate detailing and were painted in very realistic colors. Although they were at 2/3 scale, from a short distance they looked very real. We did not point them at the police and the police had nothing to fear from a ten year old. I don’t know why I was chosen as a recipient, but after all these years I still remember him and the toy rifle. We played soldiers, crawling behind the hedges of Healdsburg searching out the enemy. Once again we were imitating Hollywood. By the time I entered High School, we had moved to Humboldt Co.
All of my peers were hunters and had access to .22 rifles, high powered hunting rifles, and shotguns. DURING THIS ERA THERE WERE NO SCHOOL SHOOTINGS OR DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS. There were two firearm killings that we heard of, and both involved adults, alcohol, and jealousy…
Flash forward about 50 years; Hollywood now often portrays the white male policeman as bungling, dumb or corrupt. Army officers and soldiers are characterized as cruel and corrupt. Computer games are programmed for every type of violence imaginable. When someone fails in life, it is always another’s fault.  Is it any wonder that we have drive by shootings, and school shootings?
Outlawing toy guns would have no more effect upon shootings, than the outlawing of toy cars would have upon drunken driving. Our culture is decaying and those that would legislate social behavior instead of making a correction in the home are only adding to the problem.
Don Dunn, Cloverdale
That ‘green thing’
Editor:   
Well, folks of Cloverdale, here we are with that green thing impersonating a sculpture on our sidewalk downtown, imposing upon our freedom of choice to view it or not. I’m calling it the “Grinch who Stole Christmas from Cloverdale.”
G. Lovato, Cloverdale
Thought provoking column
Editor:   
First I’d like to welcome Paula Wernn Ronlund back for her family time without the concerns of the city. Going back a couple weeks now to her first commentary on her return about the hysteria over the “toy” gun down in Santa Rosa demonstrations.
I felt she had the best handle of the situation of anyone reporting or writing letters to the daily paper down there. She and her husband had first hand information.
It is not a “toy” when it will shoot a pellet or a BB that will pierce the skin of a human. A toy shoots little powder caps that make a noise when struck with a device called a “hammer.”  Thanks for such a thought provoking column.
Secondly I’d like to extend Paula’s second thoughts about the safety of crossing the street. I think we need more emphasis put on the pedestrian walking down the avenues with ear pugs and looking at texting cell phones. How? I would like to suggest that every teacher in the Cloverdale School District spend 15 to 20 minutes in the kindergarten through 8th grades teaching looking both ways, making it “cool” to have reflective tape or something on clothes worn at night. Teachers in grades 9 through 12 should be talking about the same things but since this group will be or are driving, time should be spent on driving concentration, not talking with heads turned to passengers or distractions from radios, CDs or cell phones.
Now carry this just a bit further. Every service organization’s leader, every boss with employees and even the clergy could bring this type of safety information to their group, either in verbal form or in their newsletters or bulletins. Thanks Paula for keeping these subjects in the forefront.
Donald Reed, Cloverdale