Part of the solution

Editor: If you watch the news on TV, listen to talk radio, read
newspapers and magazines then you must surely think everyone in
this country is mad about something. I cannot remember a time in my
life when there seemed to be so many disgruntled people spouting
off, waving signs and complaining publicly about anything and
everything. All of this discontent is aided and abetted by certain
entertainers and politicians who are financially profiting
handsomely for their efforts by encouraging dissatisfaction.
I’ve been so turned off by this rash of dysphoria that I found
myself reminiscing about happier times and I remembered the lyrics
to a song that was popular when times were tough—“accentuate the
positive, eliminate the negative, and don’t mess with Mr.
In-between.” And I realized how so many of our local organizations
and citizens are the epitome of those lyrics.
The local Healdsburg branch of AAUW {the American Association of
University Women} is a perfect example of being part of the
solution and not part of the problem. They are getting ready for
their 2010 Historic Healdsburg Homes Tour which takes place Sunday,
May 2nd. This is the annual fund raising event for the
organization’s scholarships and educational fund which not only
sends girls to Stanford science and math camp in the summer but
extends help to reentry women who have completed two years work at
Santa Rosa Junior College and are ready to complete their degrees
at a four year university.
The home tour involves so many of our local residents. Not only
home owners who offer their houses for the tour but think of all
that work to get them spit and polish ready. There are committee
members soliciting donations for the raffle; docents must be found
for each home; dozens and dozens of home made cookies to be baked
for the refreshment house and dozens of other chores to make this
event a success. It takes a village to make this tour a success.
But aren’t you glad you live in a village where your friends and
neighbors are part of the solution?
Lucie Jensen
Healdsburg