LETTERS 05/01/08

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Kim Kennaley

Kansas City

If people who drive to work each day just to sign in on their computers and work could just stay home and work on their computers at home:

•Use of gasoline would go down.

•Reduced need to build and repair roads might result in lower taxes.

•The air would be cleaner.

•Car insurance rates might drop.

•Companies would need fewer buildings.

•Fewer colds would be spread.

•The air would be cleaner.

Larry Kelley

Lee’s Summit

After teaching more than 30 years, most of those in the Kansas City area, and going on countless field trips, I just found a gem in Kansas City I didn’t know about.

The Discovery Center at Kauffman Legacy Park was the site of a recent field trip, and I was so impressed. We had been sent packets of pre-visit activities and supplies. And the center itself is a child’s dream come true: stuffed animals everywhere, live animals outside, a greenhouse full of plants, a chance to touch a snake and all kinds of hands-on activities to go along with the excellent program, given by friendly, well-trained facilitators.

I highly recommend that teachers everywhere check out this center. I plan to head back every chance I can get.

Deanna Whitford

Teacher, Holt Elementary School

Kearney

Last week was National Turn Off TV Week. I looked for mention of it or suggestions for TV-free activities in each day’s paper, but saw none. So, for families with younger children, I offer these simple and inexpensive ideas.

Instead of watching television, you can: work a puzzle, write letters to grandparents or soldiers, visit a nature center, blow bubbles, play board games, have a sing-along, try a new recipe, color or draw or paint, clean out a closet, play I Spy on car trips, plant flowers or veggies, look at photo albums, go to the park, have an at-home spa party and give each other hand massages and manicures, fly a kite, bird watch, visit your local library, build a blanket “fort,” volunteer, hold a progressive play date with a group of friends where children do one activity at each home, play catch, have a garage sale, visit a museum, take turns reading aloud or making up stories, or play in the sandbox.

Make your own list of fun things to do instead of watching TV.

Alyce Leytham

Lawson, Mo.

Regarding Kathryn Rainey’s letter (4/26) “Let Funkhouser do his job”): Please do not be taken in by the mayor’s baloney. On the very day Mark Funkhouser and the City Council voted to slash the zoo’s budget, these same individuals voted not to fill the police personnel that had been promised to the voters.

It is not a case of either the zoo or the police. It is neither.

Linda Brunk Smith

Kansas City

Sen. Barack Obama remarked recently that he had been running for president for 15 months. So have the other two candidates, Sens. Clinton and McCain. It occurs to me that they are neglecting their day jobs.

I’m paying their salaries, and I am wondering what I am getting for my money. There is no reason electing a president should take so long, and it isn’t over yet.

Mary Anne White

Bonner Springs

Reading Mike Hendricks’ column (4/28, Local) about men’s wedding gift registries brought back memories of our wedding in 1950. My Bride’s Book records that “a stag party for Bob was held at the home of Max Erath, where they watched television, played cards and gave Bob such things as a plane, tack hammer and tacks, mouse traps and other useful house tools. Refreshments of Dagwood sandwiches were served.”

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