Editorial

A Few Lingering Days, Then We All Go Back to School

 

Perhaps because it is a metaphor for our ambivalence toward the end of summer, twilight seems especially precious these days. The long shadows come earlier, and the night shadows and sounds set in well before eight o'clock.

In this wistful time we wish everything would stand still - that school would not start, that the nights would not cool the lake below swimming temperature, that the maple leaves would not turn, and that asters and chrysanthemums would just hold off a bit.

For a moment life seems fragile and peaceful, the slant of the sun's light seems more dramatic and house lights come on earlier. Chatter inside the house becomes louder, matching the sounds of crickets and locusts outside, as everyone acknowledges that family members will soon scatter into their fall routines.

If there is a national marker of growth, it must be the first day of school. On that day of change and familiarity, tension and reassurance, children can see the changes of the summer reflected in their classmates: The summer's work, reading and playing (not to mention video games, movies, overnight confabs, phone calls and text messaging) - and, well, time - render everyone a little new and a little different in a school that may be wholly new or just somewhat different. This is Heraclitus' words exemplified: You cannot step into the same school twice.

And on the cusp of this new semester, we all have responsibilities to see that children make it through: Studies have shown that some children "disengage" from school as early as third grade.

But other studies have shown that children whose families take their education seriously will do better in school. These families meet their children's teachers, visit the schools, but, most importantly, make certain that children have a quiet place to study and that they do their homework each night.

The community, too, has a responsibility to make sure that children are offered the best and can take advantage of what is offered. The McGaw YMCA, Family Focus, INVEST and several local churches   - and doubtless others - have mentoring and tutoring programs that welcome volunteers.

In addition, both school districts have indicated they need the involvement of parents and the community. School District 65, which operates the K-8 public schools, is implementing a parent engagement initiative to draw the parents and guardians of its students into a more active role in their children's education.

School District 202, Evanston Township High School, has adopted a Board goal of making the Board more accessible to the community and opening more avenues of communication.

So when the school doors open next week, they are open to the entire community.

Louder

By Charles Wilkinson

Am I the only one bothered by the sound level of life these days? Noise, like the word "more" in my previous effort, preoccupies my sensitivities lately with, I believe, good reason. Let me preface what follows with the admission that my hearing is not what it used to be, so I doubt if I am being finicky about the subject. A few examples:

Just recently I attended a wedding that was stunningly beautiful in every respect but one - conversation over dinner. My ears were not the problem so much as the amplified poundings of the music that had me wishing I knew how to read the lips of the person next to me. Leaning in helped considerably, but I kept feeling I was missing more than I was catching, smiling as if I understood when I really did not, replying generically at best and making do.

The experience reminded me how difficult it is these days to find a restaurant where the noise level invites rather than discourages comfortable conversation. Mostly the background music is at fault. Sometimes, however, especially with younger crowds and "in" spots, intimate talk tries to survive by becoming noise, fighting to be heard.

Last week, a candidate for a Richter- scale reading, a four-wheel boom box, pulled up next to me at a stoplight. Closing my windows could not keep my car from vibrating with the bass belchings of what someone else called music.  While praying for the light to change so the pollution would move on, I thought "Dolby" or "THX" and movie trailers and wished I had a remote in hand to turn down the volume the way I can for TV commercials.

At a Cubs game a vendor with a voice like Ethel Merman on a wide-open mike hawked hotdogs to the bleachers - it felt like he was behind home plate. At least he had the excuse of the crowd's excitement to justify his howling.

"Louder" is becoming a way of life, and I wonder why; that is, until I see so many young and not-so-young people's ears wired to their i-pods, cell phones and the like.  Then I think of them at rock concerts, in their cars, at their parties - their hearing assaulted by the amplified explosions of their music - and realize that, for many, louder is not only becoming habitual but, quite probably, also necessary.

There seems to be no answer in sight - or sound.  As I mentioned earlier, my hearing is not what it used to be so I tend to need loud and sometimes louder. But, please, not THAT loud!

The Chosen Ones

By Peggy Tarr

   One night I was shocked by a news report on a (religious?) minister who had bilked insurance companies out of thousands of dollars by filing fake automobile accidents. The minister declared that he could not have done so if the "Lord" had not let him.

I couldn't believe my ears.  This minister was including his "Lord" in the perpetration of his crimes. As far as this minister was concerned, he and those who aided and abetted him in these crimes were ordained "the chosen ones," special beings who had permission from above to do whatever they saw fit. They were in their Lord's pocket -or was it that their Lord was in their pockets.  Shameful.

In one of Zora Neale Hurston's stories, a jack-leg minister tells how he verified his call to the ministry. He stretched out in the shade of a log and asked his Lord to pick him up and put him on the other side of the log in the hot sun if he had not been called.  To no one's surprise, including his own, he was not picked up and put on the other side.  His conclusion was that he had been called. I guess "the chosen ones" can set up their own standards of validation.  Hmmpf.

Recently I chatted with some friends about cruel, insulting and embarrassing comments a boss frequently made to underlings. 

The excuse (not offered by me): The boss was not really mean-spirited, inconsiderate or unkind. The boss just did not realize that the comments were hurtful. Obviously, bosses must be among "the chosen ones," and whatever "the chosen ones" say or do is okay. 

Groan.

A great wail awakened the god "WAS" from a nap. The god sat up and looked at its map, peered over the map at the world below, appalled and saddened by all its woe... woe caused by the greedy ones, woe embraced by the needy ones.

The man hit his wife unmercifully. He was frustrated, and somehow his wife was always the source of his frustration, the cause of his loss of control.  If you don't believe it, just ask his wife.  She'll tell you in a minute that she's to blame and thereby excuses her husband for all the bruises he inflicts on her. He's one of "the chosen ones."  How else can one explain his right to abuse her?

The plantation owners cracked their whips on the backs of the slaves. The slaves belonged to them. In the minds of the owners and of the slaves, the owners could not possess slaves unless the owners were "the chosen ones." selected by the almighty to lord over people not equal to them.  Hogwash.

The mightily armed and economically advantaged countries waged war on other countries, whenever and however they wanted to, for whatever reason they cared to give. They did so because they had the power to do so, and they justified their power and wars in the name of gods. They were "the chosen ones."

Moan.

None of the world's offenses had the god "WAS" led. Weeping, God WAS went back to bed.

Letters

Design Evanston Sees with a Clear Eye
Editor:

Many, many thanks to Design Evanston (see Eye on Evanston in the 8/9/06 RoundTable), the voice of sanity in our little town. So many recent decisions regarding development have been strange but not wonderful. Some aldermen seem so dazzled by the offer of a financial contribution by a developer that they seem oblivious to the ultimate costs and the impact borne by the City. Others just appear to have cast their lot with the developers and have forgotten that they have major responsibilities to all of us.

We do have a couple of heroes, who deserve thanks and recognition.Aldermen Moran and Wollin have been noteworthy for their dedication to the public good and for their plain old common sense. It seems to me that one thing missing from the total muddle is responsible guidance from the City staff. Yes, the Council decides policy and whatever, in the end, but staff could do a better job of providing perspective, and at least appear to be on the side of reason and civic responsibility.

It is truly a sobering experience (try it sometime) to sit in the Council Chamber and see the parade of gentlemen in black suits who fill the entire left hand side of the room. Who pays their salaries, I often wonder. We know whose interests they are looking out for - where is the equally impressive team looking out for ours?

I guess I should confess that I am still chafing over the Council's bizarre decision to reject the Darrow Corners proposal. To reject that modest proposal - fully-funded - as if it threatened the very underpinnings of Evanston life, to ignore the public benefit of 27 attractive units that would be affordable to working people and then turn around and approve a giant glass box that will tower over everything in every direction, cause traffic problems galore and will add to the potential glut of very expensive units - I just don't get it.

The next time Richard Koenig comes to town, he should be leading a much longer parade of gentlemen in black suits, and he should demand all sorts of give-aways from the City of Evanston and offer a pittance in return. This might be easier for some of our aldermen to comprehend. That is, if Mr. Koenig is ever willing to repeat his dreadful experience in Evanston.
-- Frances Seidman

Cheap Shot at Lovely Building
Editor:

I would like a chance to respond to what I believe was a cheap shot leveled at School District 65 by Alderman Steve Bernstein in last week's RoundTable ("Building a New Civic Center Without Bricks and Mortar; What Does Evanston Want?"). Alderman Bernstein states that "we don't want something like [the District 65 administration building] with it's atrium up to the sky and grandiose boardroom. It's out of character - especially when the District is cutting educational programs."

First of all, District 65 has not cut any "educational programs" since 2001. I was chair of the finance committee when we had to cut $3.5 million (less than 5 percent) from our $80 million budget. It was painful but necessary, and the District has been solvent and operating in the black since that time.

Additionally, it is tiresome to continually hear the building referred to as the "administration building." It is called the Joseph E. Hill Education Center and houses all of District 65's early childhood education programs, the Jordan Teacher Center and SPAAC, and was funded through a referendum passed in 2000.

As Alderman Bernstein should know, District 65 could not use the referendum funds for the operating budget. The linking of the construction of the JEH Education Center to the cutting of educational programs was misleading and irresponsible.

The Joseph E. Hill Education Center is a beautiful and welcoming building for District 65 families, teachers and staff. I served on the building committee and I am very proud of whatever I may have contributed to the construction of the Joseph E. Hill Education Center.
--Greg Klaiber

Honeybee Casualty
Editor:

I once thought honeybees as benign
And assumed "incidents" misdefined
But I have a new respect
Having felt the effect
Of over twenty stings all combined

--Robert J. Bagby

City Should Subsidize Public Transportation, Not Parking
Editor:

In the Aug. 9 article "City Focuses on Downtown Retail Mix," Assistant City manager Judy Aiello said a group of downtown Evanston merchants want the City to provide reduced parking rates for their employees. I'd like to propose an alternative, which will take advantage of two of downtown's best features: an abundance of convenient public transportation and light automobile traffic.

Hundreds more automobiles, driven by downtown workers, will clog the parking lots and create traffic jams. Pedestrians, bikers and downtown residents will have to deal with greater congestion, less friendly streets, increased noise and air pollution.Merchants, other employers and the City might more sensibly create an alliance to subsidize public transportation fees for their employees. Reduced transit fares may encourage workers to ride, perhaps walk around the City a bit, perhaps stop in a bookstore or coffee shop before going home. Secondly, secure bike racks near work places will also encourage employees to bike to work or bring their bikes via bus and then bike in the parks after work.

Our aldermen talk about keeping Evanston livable.To do that, we will all have to consider how heavy automobile traffic makes urban areas less desirable and less of a community. The rising cost of gasoline provides some incentive not to use that car every day.Forward-thinking businesses and City planners can add other creative incentives to keep Evanston livable.
-- Betsy Bouchard

Council Should Reconsider the Real-Estate Tax Referendum
Editor:

As a passionate affordable-housing advocate for many decades, I am appalled at the actions of the City Council this past week in supporting a referendum question asking for an increase in the Real Estate Transfer Tax of 20 percent to fund affordable-housing efforts. I care too deeply about this issue to subject it to a ballot question without community input and strong consensus.

There is no question that we need to find new and creative ways to assist those among us who cannot afford market-housing prices, either by rental or by purchase. I have never been to a needs-assessment meeting where the need for more affordable housing has not been one of the top three issues to be addressed. We know we need to do more; it is the "how" that is the problem. Interestingly, it is our state that has begun to take the lead in this area, recently passing legislation to enact several creative ways to assist our low- and moderate-income populations.

We in Evanston have the philosophy, the intellect, the commitment and the compassion to address this problem. Subjecting this issue to a sham referendum - which by its very question and particular wording is bound to fail - is an assault to our common sense.

I urge the Council to reconsider this action at their next meeting.
-- Sue Brady