Letters to the Editor 2-27-14

Thanks Windsor
Editor: Thanks to ALL the people who participated in and attended the Windsor Talent Show. We had a LOT of fun and the Windsor High Jazz Band was so hot everyone got up and danced while the scores were being tallied. DVDs can be purchased online at Windsorperformingarts.net and you can go to http://cwindsorandbeyond.wordpress.com/ to see a slideshow of the acts! Thanks Windsor.
Heather Cullen
Windsor
Be Bald
Editor: I am writing this letter in hopes of attracting a few more people to volunteer to have their heads shaved and raise more for pediatric cancer research. As some of you know this event started in 2012 with little knowledge of what the event was about and to be honest, we really didn’t know what we were doing either. In 2013 we became more organized and made the event all day with live music. We grew from nine shavees to 17 last year and raised $17,599.
With less than four weeks until the event we have only recruited six shavees and that includes myself and my event partner Dennis. I can tell you that this year event promises to be our biggest and best to date. We have been working closely with KIN and can promise you it will be a day you don’t want to miss.
However with all the event planning that is happening, we are missing what lies at the core of the event and why I put in countless hours of work, people standing in solidarity of children with cancer by shaving their heads. Pediatric cancer research is underfunded because it doesn’t have the returns on investment that big pharmaceutical companies want.  The cancer itself has to be treated differently in children than adults.
I can tell you firsthand that having your head shaved for the cause will mean more to you than your hair ever has. Most of us are fortunate enough that we will never have a child with cancer fighting for their lives.
You can sign up by going to http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/Windsor.  Please also feel free to email me at wi****************@gm***.com. Be a hero for kids with cancer. Please join us Saturday March 22 from 2 – 9:30 p.m. at KIN.  There will be live music and drink specials all day.
Matthew Joffe
Windsor
Local Dalai Lama Awardee
Editor: On behalf of the Season for Nonviolence Coalition of Sonoma County, I am happy to share that James “Alex” Alexander,our keynote speaker at the 2014 kickoff event, was honored for his work by the Dalai Lama this past weekend in San Francisco.
This year he represents one of 51 individuals from around the world to receive the “Unsung Heroes of Compassion” Award. The award celebrates extraordinary efforts of individuals who dedicate their lives to alleviate the suffering of others. This years honorees are from 18 countries and include doctors, nurses, teachers, non-profit workers and others. Alex was recognized for his tireless, compassionate work in and out of prison which began more than 20 years ago when, among other things he co-founded a GED tutoring program for fellow prisoners.
Three years following his release he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Psychology, completing the study he began in prison.
Currently he is the lead facilitator for our local Alternative to Violence Project, a program that he was introduced to during his incarceration, a program he said changed the course of his life and is still motivating every atom of his being to love everyone. He exudes joy, his smile is radiant and his inspirational story, powerful.
Alternatives to Violence Project is an international program dedicated to reducing the level of violence in our society which offers varied workshops, teaching nonviolent skills and techniques that were used by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. More Information can be found at www.avp.org. The goal of the annual 64 day Season for Nonviolence is to promote such programs and the local calendar of events can be found at www.mettacenter.org/season.
Margaret Koren
Windsor