Print friendly
E-mail story
Tip Us Off
iPod friendly
Comments
Bookmark This
del.icio.us.
Digg!
furl
google
newsvine
reddit
technorati
Facebook
Yahoo!I completely concur with the sentiments expressed in the Angry Poodle's rant about the lack of private support for education in Santa Barbara (and the whole country) [ "Yo Perro También," May 3]. It sickened me and many others to see St. Francis hospital fold, so that bazillions could be raised to bolster Cottage Hospital’s expansion. But I don’t think the way to go about the education crisis is to insult those very folks who could and should make a difference for the youth of our county. These children should be our priority because they may well be our future leaders, especially as we age and look to them for their wisdom, compassion, and support. If we don’t educate them, good luck to us!
Ty Warner and many other folk whom you barely camouflaged in insulting and demeaning terms, have done a great deal of good for our community. They are indeed rich and committed people who pick and choose their causes—albeit usually because their lives have been impacted by some crisis or cause. Or in some cases, they may jump on the bandwagon so to speak, because their other well-heeled friends are supporting that particular cause. Many of the “has-been rock stars” and “over-the-hill celebrities” have never ceased to come out to help address various community needs and have been incredibly effective.
I think praising their generosity and imploring them to examine the deplorable lack of funding for teachers, facilities, and educational needs in this area would be the way to go, rather than insulting them. Remember, you catch more flies with honey. The Angry Poodle went too far this time, not in intent but in content. Shame on you.—Ronnie Haran Mellen
• • •
Thank you, Angry Poodle, for your insightful commentary on the Santa Barbara School Board's latest decisions. Not mentioned, however, was that part of the budget slashing included music programs—pathetically small and underfunded to begin with.
To that end, and in direct response to Nick Welsh's mention of wealthy residents who might wish to redirect their attention to local education issues, I'd like to make everyone aware of a special program at the amazing new Twelve35 Teen Center (1235 Chapala, at the corner of Victoria). The center provides a great alternative to teens just "hanging out," and, most importantly, houses a recording studio—the Musicbox—where kids can learn music, have access to instruments, play with the latest and greatest recording equipment, and actually record their own CDs. What the schools can no longer provide can be found at Twelve35.
But, of course, it takes money to make these services available. Presently, the studio is staffed and supported by Notes for Notes, a local organization comprised of passionate volunteers dedicated to keeping music education alive by providing equipment and venues for music-making. The Musicbox fills an educational abyss that the school board has helped to deepen dramatically. But even more importantly, given the studio's location in the Twelve35 Teen Center, it just might inspire a kid to trade an ice pick for a guitar pick.
You can contribute to the Notes for Notes effort via donations of instruments, recording equipment, computers, music instruction, promotion and marketing, or direct funding. Please consider helping this most worthy and needed project. Call 679-1129 or email philipgilley@notesfornotes.org. —Michael Marans
Previous Month
Comments
Discussion Guidelines
Post a comment