Village mentors shape troubled youths into successful adults
Iowa City writer Barbara Robinette Moss described growth from a hard Alabama childhood to success, crediting mentors including a kind dentist and his wife. She urged volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and informal mentoring, noting every child benefits from guidance. The talk touched on the Columbine era and the need for attention from adults.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Barbara Robinette Moss
Iowa City
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Moss
Zeus
Alabama
Angela
Frank McCourt
Big Brothers
Big Sisters
Dylan Klebold
Eric Harris
Nevada Nuclear Gaffe Raises Voter Attention
On his Iowa trip the president joked about pronouncing Nevada and nuclear, a small misstep that unsettles some listeners amid energy concerns. The exchange shows the campaign’s focus on pronunciation and messaging as he presses issues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Nevada
Enthuse debate spurs Iowa reader to question usage
An Iowa teacher voices concern about enthusing as a back-formation from enthusiasm. The piece surveys dictionaries and usage panels, noting critics’ disdain and the term’s colloquial status. It cites Webster’s Usage and American Heritage, with examples like diagnose and donate as accepted back-formations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Webster
Roger
American Heritage
Theodore Bernstein
Enthuse
Iowa City
The Gazette Letter Submission Policy
The Gazette accepts letters up to 300 words and requires name street address and daytime phone. Only name and hometown will be published. One letter per writer every 30 days. All letters may be edited. Address box 511 Cedar Rapids IA 52406 fax 319-398-5846 email gazedit fyiowa com
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
the Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Governor Vilsack urged to veto Iowa teacher pay bill
Cedar Rapids Education Association president Gary Anhalt argues the $300 million plan, funded partly by borrowed dollars and local resources, is not ready. He cites five years of local planning, unanswered questions, and calls for a sustainable, well-funded, implementable system before approval.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gary Anhalt
The
Gazette
Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Education Association
Des Moines
Iowa State Education Association
Vilsack
Teachers should blame themselves for low scores
A column argues that educators like Ted Stilwill shift fault to working parents and poor child care, claiming schools failed students over decades. It condemns blaming families, urges accountability, and stresses need for strong curriculum and critical thinking to compete internationally.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ted Stilwill
Iowa Department of Education
Iowa
Stilwill
U.S
Scouts Hurt For Doing Right
Gilbert Hawkins of North English laments Iowa City school board discrimination against the Boy Scouts for seeking leaders of honor. He condemns social and financial penalties on those who do right and cites Bible verses to warn of divine judgment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City School Board
Boy Scouts
America
Gilbert Hawkins North English
Ex Libris praised in bemused reading survey
The editorial notes widespread declines in daily reading of books magazines and newspapers citing NPD Group Gallup polls and Bush’s quips while praising Anne Fadiman s Ex Libris as a fine little book about the joys of reading amid a culture driven by speed and distraction
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
NPD Group
Gallup
Washington Post
Bush
al Smith
New York City
Yale
William F. Buckley Jr
Wise
Oprah Winfrey
Barnes, Noble and Borders
Samuel Pepys
Iris Murdoch
Anne Fadiman
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mark Bowden
Jerry Elsen
Dave Storey
Scott Swenson
Peg Schmitz
Webster's Dictionary of English Usage
Carl
Kane
Rob Peter
Paul
Maa
Chicago Tribune
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