LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, 2-23-2012

She needs our help
Editor: Healdsburg is a special community as we
all know, a community that embraces every resident as a member of
its broader family, a small town with an authentic heart. Who can
forget what happened when an outstanding Healdsburg High graduate,
Honza Ripa, was seriously injured: the community came together to
raise the funds necessary for Honza to get the specialized care he
needed and deserved. And the members of our Healdsburg community
are again stepping up to the plate to help raise the necessary
funds for another member of our Healdsburg family, Chrissi Brunkow,
so that she can receive the medical care she so desperately needs
and deserves.
Chrissi is the manager/buyer for Outlander on the square. All of
about 5 feet 2 inches tall, she has one of those warm, outgoing,
loving personalities with an additional sparkle from her Australian
accent that makes one feel he/she has known her forever. When you
shop at Outlander, you shop with Chrissi. Chrissi has been
diagnosed with Mesothelioma, that horrible lung disease caused by
Asbestos exposure. Because of the few cases of Mesothelioma
diagnosed annually in the US, and because of the complexity of the
cancer itself, there are only a few treatment centers nationally
which specialize in treatment for this disease. In California there
are two, one being at UCLA Medical Center where Chrissi will have
her surgery and follow up treatment. Unfortunately, Chrissi’s
health provider has denied coverage because UCLA is not in its
network. For Chrissi to be treated properly at a qualified
treatment center, the cost will total $150,000.
Once again, the Healdsburg community has taken on the challenge
of making sure that one of its own gets the medical treatment
necessary. And the response so far has been stunning, over $40,000
having been raised to date. Our local health club, Parkpoint is
holding a special event, a 2 hour Zumbathon for a $20 donation, at
every one of its clubs, with all the donations going to the
ChrissiFund. But, obviously more money must be raised to cover the
staggering costs of this treatment.
What can you do to help? Check out the website which David and
Janet Domeniconi, owners of the J.Howell Fine Art Gallery, and Jen
Buchignani, owner of the Skin Lounge, both in Healdsburg, have
created. www.chrissifund.com, to learn more about the disease and
the fundraising opportunities. Donations can be made through PayPal
as indicated on the website, or by check, made out to Chrissi
Brunkow, P.O. 2083, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Janet and David
Domeniconi are handling all donations, 100 percent of which will go
to cover medical costs. It sure would be great if you could help
support getting our darling Chrissi the medical care she so needs
and deserves.
Richard and Mary Burke
Healdsburg
 
Midweek market
Editor: I hope that many Tribune readers have
filled out and returned the survey at the end of Mary Kelley’s
column of February 16th titled, Mid-Week Market. For selfish
reasons and some not so selfish reasons, I would like to see the
market continue to have a mid-week market day.
Our family farms in Healdsburg, and we sell produce at the
Tuesday afternoon market. Most of our products need to be harvested
twice a week. Without a local mid-week market, we would have to
seek a space at another farmers’ market. I prefer to truck our
produce fifteen minutes to Healdsburg rather than forty minutes to
an hour, depending on which market would accept another vendor.
Many of the other markets are saturated and have waiting lists. If
the Tuesday market folds, all of the vendors would be looking for
another outlet.
I value our local agricultural heritage. When local prune
farmers struggled to make a living, many of the local farm families
converted the old orchards to vineyards as the region became
recognized for its world class wines. Now there are many grape
growers struggling to find homes for their grapes and thus another
good reason to expand the variety of products and create the kind
of biodiversity that will benefit every living thing.
The Tuesday market is not as busy as most of us would like. but
it is our local outlet. Many of us have been selling on Tuesdays
year after year. We have developed farmer/customer relationships
from our direct sales. Each year there are new vendors broadening
the array of products available and new customers. Besides fresh
vegetables and fruit, there are delicious baked goodies, honey,
jams, pickles, fresh baked bread, and local sustainably grown meat.
Tuesday’s are frequented by seniors, chefs checking for new items
to add to their menus, and, as of last summer, after school program
students from Healdsburg Community Center, looking for ingredients
for snacks that they prepared at the Center.
As for the best day and time for the mid-week market, I could
envision changing from Tuesday afternoon to Tuesday or Wednesday
morning, before the temperatures soar.
Our farms are here to stay because farmers love farming.
However, I would love to see our local market continue two days a
week at a permanent location that would be supported by the town of
Healdsburg with strong support from our local elected
officials.
Yael Bernier
Bernier Farms
Healdsburg
 
Hearsay Evidence
Editor: It is common knowledge that hearsay
evidence is not admissible in court. In my view, hearsay evidence
should not be considered in the court of public opinion unless the
source of that evidence is cited.
In response to my recent letter-to-the editor supporting and
applauding Bishop Vasa (Diocese of Santa Rosa) for his effective
defense of preborn humans at a recent Pro-Life rally in Santa Rosa,
Mr. John Harris attributes an alleged quotation to Bishop Vasa
without citing his source and supports this citation by stating
that the “Bishop of Santa Rosa” was “quoted as saying” these
words.
This is obviously hearsay.
For those interested in reading Bishop Vasa’s actual words in
the full context of his address at the January 22 Pro-Life rally,
you are encouraged to visit the site at the following link:
http://www.catholicadvocate.com/
2012/01/bishop-vasa-the-state-has-a-duty-to-defend-and-protect-life/.
While this may be a long web link, the Bishop’s address is
relatively short … and very powerful.
If you would prefer to learn the truth rather than rely upon
hearsay, please read his words in their full context and arrive at
your own conclusion. You don’t have to be Catholic to visit this
site.
Mel Amato
Healdsburg