School Days

I have never had the privilege of sitting on the calendar committee for the schools. But I am sitting here reviewing next year’s calendar, and I have a pretty strong opinion about this one. This is WRONG; it is not good practice. It does not facilitate learning.
The first day back for teachers is Aug. 10, for students Aug. 15. The first 3 day weekend is Labor Day, Sept. 5. On Oct. 3 the first teacher in-service gives the students a 3 day weekend. Fall Holiday (just what is Fall Holiday?) is Oct. 28, another 3 day weekend. The second in-service is two weeks later on Nov. 14. We have a 4 day teaching week, and then a 2 day week with Thanksgiving Holiday from Nov. 23 – 25. Semester tests are scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16, early out on both days.


We come back to school on Jan. 3 after a total vacation of 17 days. And then we have another 3 day weekend for Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 16. We get a 3 day weekend Feb. 20 for President’s Day. And then my personal pet peeve, Spring Break is March 27 – 31. That is followed by Easter Vacation April 14 – 17, which is a Friday and a Monday, creating two 4 day weeks. This is actually three 4 day weeks in a row because the next Monday is an in-service, April 24. We get another 3 day weekend for Sports Day, May12. Graduation is May 19, and Semester Tests are May 24 and 25, early out both days.
This is just my personal opinion, but there are way too many short weeks. Ask any teacher how much teaching is accomplished on a 2 day week, or how students react when you have three 4 day weeks in a row. Spring Break was at one time for college students only. Junior high students come back from Spring Break thinking school is over. All of these little vacations create a break in the learning routine that is important to keep students on task. And then there is the issue of the expense of air-conditioning classrooms in southeastern NM. I do not know the cost per day, but we have been starting earlier every year, and it has to affect the budget.
Again, this is just the personal opinion of the writer, and does not reflect on anything except the school calendar. We have an excellent school system here in Carlsbad. Almost every teacher I know is doing their best to make our schools safe, friendly, positive learning environments. I am only voicing my opinion so that next year’s calendar committee might take some of these conderns into consideration. And because I can. God Bless America.

My Agenda

I received an email asking what my intentions were concerning my blog. What is my agenda? That is an extremely difficult question, because at first I didn't think I had one. After a little soul searching, I realized that, of course I do, or I wouldn't be posting.
So what do I want? I want to make Carlsbad a better community. I want to create opportunity. I want to create a sense of community spirit. Since I am not a wealthy person, the only way I have to influence the direction our town is taking is to express my opinion, and hope that others agree with me. I am pro-historical preservation, and I think that historical preservation will be a positive economic force in the development of our community. It is my strong belief that you can preserve history while making progress. You do not have to bulldoze everything that some people might consider outdated. People need to have a sense of pride in their community, and if their community is identical to every other community, then there is no reason for them to identify with a certain locality. We are proud to be from Carlsbad, not Anytown , USA.
What makes Carlsbad different from every other southeastern NM community? What do we have to offer? For a start, we have the Pecos River. We have the Caverns; we have an awesome climate with sunshine 360 days a year. We have hardworking people, and an energetic work force that is open to new ideas like WIPP. We are a forward thinking community. Whatever we decide to work toward as a community is possible. The forces operating in Carlsbad need to join together, and decide to put Carlsbad first. We all need to work to make our town a model for combining tourism, industry, and retirement.

Save the El Mirador

It has come to my attention that there is a possibility that Mr. Mathis is about to demolish the El Mirador Apartments on Greene Street. Please someone say this isn’t so. I heard this at a beauty shop, so I will not claim it to be a reliable fact, but this has to be looked into further. There have been too many demolished historic buildings downtown. I once heard this tree in the courtyard of those apartments is the oldest tree in town. It would make a wonderful boutique plaza. It can be saved. We do not need another parking lot or dollar store. I will look into this further.
Yes, this building is going to be demolished by Mr. Mathis. I do not know what he is planning. It might be too late to save this building. He is also wants to demolish the National Bank building that is a National Historical Landmark.

Things Needed in Downtown Carlsbad to Increase Foot traffic

Confectionary / Soda Shoppe (a Carlsbad tradition)
New Book Store / Music Store
Shoe Store (aimed at teens)
Tee Shirt Shop
Souvenir Shop
Used Book Store and Gallery for a seasonal photography display
Another restaurant / luncheteria
Window dressing (something to look at as you pass non-retail sites)
Awnings
Kiosk - information and directions for walking tour
Accessible ATMs (the Banks are there but people don’t like to go in)
Water fountains
Public Restrooms

Informational signs and photographs that give a small history of previous businesses, and building origins could give the tourists something to read as they walk by, and this will slow down the foot traffic which should increase profits.

Renovation of certain store fronts would return the feel of the area back to a historical ambiance. I loved it when Mickey uncovered the upstairs windows, and you could see the League of Women Voters sign.

Landlords who have empty buildings need to think of all the possibilities. Profits will be more stable when business are allowed to become established and known. Lower rents on a sliding scale for an initial period would allow some of these lower profit businesses to get established; then a graduated increase as profits increase would make sure the landlords receive proper compensation.

Downtown can remain a viable, inviting shopping destination if all concerned cooperate.

Don't Homogenize Our Town

In a time when we are in danger of all towns beginning to look just alike, please save the individuality of our communities. Don't let the urban planners cover the old charm with new shiney, plastic, cookie cutter sameness. For every mindless tourist you might make comfortable, there are hundreds who have the mental awareness to appreciate visual evidence that the old has evolved into the new. Our alleys and backyards are evidence of our history. The rock walls and the ivy represent our beginnings. The front facades of our downtown buildings have changed many times over the years, and will change again in years to come. But true beauty is found with a few cracks, a rock wall, a screen door, and a connection to how we arrived here. The identity of our children is built by a connection to their community. When all communities look just alike, then what connection will be made? How will they develop community pride if everything is the same everywhere? There is nothing wrong with cleaning and painting; there is nothing wrong with updating the facade of some buildings. But please, save what little historic corners and crevasses that are left. These small differences that make our town unique will cling in the memory of our children and the tourists passing through.

Alley between Canyon and Canal

looking east in back of Jill's and Choices

Rock Wall Pre 1900

old wall same alley

Behind 113 S. Canyon

same alley

Looking South

I assume everyone still has electricity!

The Mystery of the Human Condition

Most people have a sense of what is inheriently right. Whether you are talking about the golden rule or karma, most of us know that the old saying is true, what goes around, comes around. It seems to take others longer to figure out that rules are not obstacles. Rules, golden or otherwise, exist, because they are true. Helping young people figure it out is the objective, my job.

It is not that I think most people are good. I'm pretty sure everyone is both. The lousiest SOB you ever met might do a good deed now and then. And the neighborhood saint that does everything by the "Good Book" will occasionally slip a knife in the back of a friend. The human condition is the mystery. Navigating the ups and downs of this moral landscape results in learning.

Dealing with this mystery, and watching the next generation take up the banner is what makes life interesting. I see my job as trying to influence the thinking of the people who will be in charge of the nursing homes when us "old timers" are rocking in our rocking chairs. Now isn't that a scary thought?

Rethinking Community Service

The common practice of judges assigning or sentencing people convicted of crimes to community service should be rethought. At first it sounds like a good idea, the person who has committed some error pays back the community by picking up trash or performing some other community service. The county receives “free” labor, and the offender feels he has repaid his debt to society. It seems to be a win-win situation. Judges can make offenders accountable without filling up the jails.
No one has taken into account the effect forced community service has on young people. Over time, community service has become, not something you do because you have pride in your community, but a punishment for criminals. Many young people have a negative connotation of community service. They think community service is for “bad” people. The idea of volunteering time to make your community a better place has been obscured by the image of prisoners in orange vests picking up trash on the highway.
No matter what the cause, membership in youth groups like Boy Scouts, or Camp Five Girls has declined. A few youth groups are still strong, but fewer young people continue their memberships into their high school years. Many high school students have to work, are involved in athletics, or have other responsibilities. Their time is limited; in a world where parents are working, and single parents common, young people shoulder more responsibility than ever before. In addition, they’re influenced less by adults, and more by electronic media. According to the Dept. of Education, teenagers spend, on average, less than 24 minutes a day in direct contact with a parent or guardian.
A few years ago, a progressive school district in California decided to require 100 hours of community service over the four years of high school as a requirement for graduation. There was a community outcry that eventually succeeded in the requirement being dropped. Why would students or their parents object to helping their community? They were given a multitude of choices as to how they could complete the requirement. It was not centered on picking up trash. The students had many options. They could deliver meals to seniors. They could tutor younger students, or help coach youth athletics. They could volunteer at nursing homes, hospitals, or child care centers. They could volunteer at local parks or museums. There were few limitations on how they could fulfill this obligation.
Over a four year period, 100 hours amounts to approximately ½ hour per week. High school students spend that much time a week waiting in line at Taco Bell. Many high school students spend more time text messaging or playing video games. What makes the idea of helping their community so repugnant? Are we so busy making a living that we fail to give our children the ideals that foster community spirit?
The only answer to this question is the association teens make between community service and criminal activity. Teenagers have not changed much in the last 40 years. They do not respond to force; the carrot works better than the stick. Almost every teenager knows someone who has been sentenced to community service. They associate the idea of service with punishment. This needs to be changed. Most teenagers have an innate sense of what is right. They will respond to positive examples. Allow them to choose community pride and service.

Sent to Current Argus 7 – 17 – 05 / Published in Current Argus 7 - 24 - 05