Helping with social issues
Khalid Muneer,
As we approach the holiday season, we must not forget how it brings friends and family together to enjoy good food, share stories and enjoy each other’s company. Sadly, this time of year also generally sees an increase in domestic violence due to the financial burden it imposes on the families. Harbor House is a dedicated program that helps victims of domestic violence find safety and begin a fresh start. In 2018, they helped over 5,400 people, and they have even bigger plans for 2019. Their goal is to increase the financial resources to ensure that victims have shelter, food, clothing, and also dedicate resources to the children so they can have a chance for a brighter future. We must recognize Harbor House and other organizations such as Second Harvest for the excellent work they do in dealing with the social issues facing us in Central Florida.
Exploring the universe
Pamela Nabors,
The year was 1977. NASA launched the Voyager probes to study the outer planets and space between them, and I had just started college to study words and minds and the space between them. Has it really been THAT long?! I remember when the probe was a plot twist in “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” where — spoiler alert — V’Ger becomes a self-aware space probe (I know, bad movie, but you get the point!). Last week, Voyager 2 left the warmth of our solar system to explore interstellar space. Forty years and still going strong while continuing to transmit even more incredible images and information about the universe.
School start times key
Kathleen Oropeza,
A recent study from the University of Washington echoes a longheld finding that there is a direct link between more sleep and better academic performance as a result of moving middle and high-school start times to 8:30 a.m. Yet Orange County high schools start at 7:20 a.m., an hour and 10 minutes earlier, which the study concludes is brutal for teenagers. Back in 2008, new members to the Orange County School Board were elected over a heated debate on this issue. The evidence is clear, teenagers would benefit from more sleep and a later start time. What’s the holdup?
Cockfighting is cruel
María T. Padilla, It may be too late to prevent a ban on cockfighting in U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, contained in the farm bill just approved by the Senate and House. That’s a good thing. Most states prohibit cockfighting, banned in Florida since 1986. The territories complain they lacked input in the bill, which destroys jobs and revenue. Fair enough, but cockfighting is cruel and undeserving of any patrimony or cultural designation. Puerto Rico and other territories should launch “re-education” campaigns for children and remain vigilant, for the diehards may keep the so-called sport clandestinely alive. Sigh.
Enjoy holiday music, arts
Michael Slaymaker,
Let music and the arts brighten your holiday season. Don’t sit at home watching TV. Go out and experience all the brilliant music and arts Central Florida has to offer this holiday season. You can never go wrong with the Orlando Ballet’s Nutcracker. A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre was delightful. Central Florida Community Arts concert was called Let There Be Joy! The Orlando Gay Chorus’s concert is entitled Tinsel in Technicolor. There are also hundreds of churches and schools who have been practicing for months to entertain you and help put you in the spirit. Enjoy!
How to ‘Give Smart’
David D. Swanson,
What do you do when approached by someone panhandling for money? It’s tough. You get that pang of empathy compelling you to help, but you have no idea if the money will be used positively. Well, it won’t. However, thanks to the City of Orlando, you have a new option. Mayor Buddy Dyer announced in his State of Downtown address the Give Smart campaign. When you encounter a panhandler or a homeless person, you can now text “Give Smart” to 85511 and donate. Your gift will be distributed to local service providers who are helping our most vulnerable citizens.
Trade-tariff impact
John Thedford,
Orlando is the growing epicenter of theme-park tourism. A key impact from trade tariffs is a potential reduction in salary for incoming tourists from other states. As we know, Florida has no state income tax and is heavily dependent on consumer/tourist spending and sales-tax revenue. With nearly 75 million visitors annually, a shift in tourist spending could heavily impact Central Florida. While the impact may not be immediate, in the next several years Florida may experience a downturn in our tourism economy. How do we continue to entice visitors whose travel budgets may be reduced or eliminated due to trade tariffs?