Local Banks

As some of you know, Occupy Healdsburg is urging people to move their money from the huge corporate national banks to smaller local banks, because the local banks actually use the money locally. That helps our economy. The Press Democrat this Sunday points out a good example. First Community Bank, Exchange Bank, and Luther Burbank Savings are lending money to Habitat for Humanity to buy foreclosed homes and rehab them for low income families. I have moved my money from Bank of America to Exchange Bank, which offers scholarship money (when possible) for junior college students.

Yesterday more than 300 people attended a memorial celebration of the life of Bob Boardman, a huge turnout from all over. Bob's gusto and positive attitude were maintained right to the end. His kith and kin did him proud on Sunday. We won't see his like again. He left an aching absence in our town and in my life.

The Windsor Democrats held a candidates' presentation forum for Democrats running for congress in our new district. In the end they made no endorsement. County Supervisor Mike McGuire read a letter from Assemblyman Jared Huffman. Jason Liles endorsed Stacey Lawson of San Rafael. For what it is worth--very little?--I support Normon Solomon, a sensible progressive with a long local record of working actively for peace and for help for those in need.