Letters to the Editor 9-15-16

CPAC raffle
Editor: The second annual Cloverdale Performing Arts Center fundraiser raffle is underway, so step up to support your local theater while giving yourself a chance to win one of three cash prizes. In fact, if you buy three tickets you could win all three prizes, a total of $3,500.
“Last year we raffled a house on Kauai for a week and that was great, but we decided to try something different so this year there will be a draw for cash prizes,” says board member Bob Scott.  “We think three chances to win will spread the fun, and also we heard from some folks in the community that a trip to Hawaii is great for a lot of people, but not everyone is in a position to take advantage of it. And we haven’t yet met the person who couldn’t put a cash windfall to good use.”
Fundraisers are a fact of life for most nonprofits and without community support for fundraisers, CPAC could not continue to bring live theater, Books on Stage and the ever-expanding Open Mic program to the community. We’ve booked some great music for 2017, too, and a successful raffle this year will help us to keep on bringing great entertainment to our town. And as ticket prices do not cover the costs of running the theater, we are deeply grateful for the support of the wonderful people of Cloverdale.
The draw will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, during the Chamber Mixer/CPAC Announcement Party. It is always a terrific party where the whole town mixes and CPAC announces with great fanfare the plays of the 2017 season. You need not be present to win, but why miss such a great party?
First prize is $2,000, second prize is $1,000 and third is $500. Tickets are three for $25 or $10 each and are available at all CPAC events at 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., (894-2214) and from any board member. They may also be purchased at Mail Center, Etc., 207 N. Cloverdale Blvd., (894-3222) and Bolt Fabric and Home, located at 219 N. Cloverdale Blvd. (894-2658).
Dobie Edmunds
Cloverdale
Help for adult children of alcoholics
Editor: I am writing this letter in response to the article “Hope and healing from a dark past.” It is wonderful there is more awareness and help available to people who have experienced childhood trauma. I too grew up in a home where there was violence, abuse and neglect. This abuse was passed down from many previous generations and I am grateful I was able to get the help I needed to heal, find compassion and forgive. The 12 steps provided me with this gift.
But my primary motive in writing this letter is to let people know there is already a wonderful recovery fellowship that focuses on childhood trauma. It is commonly referred to as ACA, or Adult Children of Alcoholics (and other dysfunctional families). The group was formed back in 1978 and is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. ACA is a recovery program for adults whose lives were affected as a result of being raised in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family (including abuse). And it would also apply to children who were raised by people struggling with addiction.
Many, if not most, of our members lived in households where there was emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse. And oftentimes the parent or caregiver suffered from various forms and severities of mental illness.
There are meetings all over the globe. In fact, we have a group in Cloverdale. And due to the sensitive nature of the information that is typically shared, we formed a “women only” meeting. We found this to be more conducive to shares which oftentimes relate to childhood sexual trauma. And because so many of our members suffer from PTSD as the result of the abuse, we try to only share in a general way; so as not to re-traumatize other members with graphic details at meeting level. However, members are encouraged to work with a sponsor or fellow travelers, so they have an outlet for detailed sharing of their stories. This deeper level of work is important in working through the grief, in order to get to a place of healing.
And the great news? The literature is already in place. Nobody has to reinvent the wheel. The literature is available at the public library and on the ACA website: www.adult
children.org.
Our group in Cloverdale meets on Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m. We are located at 122 North Main Street. There is also a great co-ed group that meets in Santa Rosa on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at the senior center at 704 Bennett Valley Road. There are also meetings in Cotati, Ukiah, Sebastopol, Petaluma and Napa, just to name a few.
And in keeping with the 12th Tradition which states “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities,” I sign this letter:
An anonymous and grateful member of several 12 step fellowships, including ACA, Cloverdale
Health fair and heritage event this Saturday
Editor: The Cloverdale Cultural Committee promotes the importance and value of cultures and the positive interactions among people from diverse backgrounds. This year they will bring together two great events; the Cloverdale Latino Independence Day Celebration and the Bi-National Health Fair. These events will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds.
The health fair will bring together federal, state and local agencies, community based organizations and volunteers to promote and celebrate the physical and cultural health and wellbeing of all Cloverdale residents. The committee also welcomes and encourages residents from nearby cities to attend. There will be health screenings, flu shots, health insurance evaluations and information.
The Latino Independence Day Celebration will provide an afternoon of music and entertainment, including Ballet Folklórico, kids’ games, crafts and activities, food vendors and free prize raffles. There will also be a Latino Pioneer roundtable discussion where five immigrants from the 1940-50s will share their experiences, to provide you with an insight into Mexican American history. Save the date, bring your families and friends and have a great time.
If you or someone you know might be interested in sponsoring this great event or if you would like to participate and promote the services that your organization offers please contact Janet Anguiano, Cloverdale Cultural Committee Chair at 494-1617. She looks forward to hearing from you and thanks you for your support and consideration.
The Cloverdale Cultural Committee
Cloverdale
GOP women to meet in SR
Editor: The Santa Rosa Republican Women Federated will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa, from 6-8:30 p.m. The dinner meeting is open to the public. Featured speaker Brenda Schmale will speak on “Gun Rights and the Second Amendment.” Schmale is president of the NRA Members’ Council of Sonoma County. Her credentials include CA Dept. of Justice Firearm Safety Certification Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol and Shotgun Instructor and Range Safety Officer. She also provides instruction for the Valley of the Moon Trap Club and Women on Target shooting clinics. She has been nominated for the Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award.
At our meeting, Brenda will give us information on protecting our Second Amendment rights and why we need to be able to possess or carry a firearm. She will also update us on all the new California laws that have been recently passed.
Also speaking will be former Marine Lt. Col Charlie Schaupp, who is a candidate for the 4th Assembly district seat. Both speakers will be answering questions following their presentations.
Sandy Barklow
Santa Rosa