Published: October 11, 2008 11:41 pm            

Five-part lecture series praised

THUMBS UP

Thumbs up to the fantastic five-part lecture series presented in Enid by J. Rufus Fears during September and October. Monday is the last lecture in the series, and it’s titled “America’s Legacy of Freedom: Can We Keep It?” It will be presented at 7 p.m. at Enid Symphony Center with a reception afterward.

This series has regularly drawn between 300 and 400 people. Participants have wildly praised the series as insightful and helpful, particularly in a presidential election year.

We commend the partnering educational organizations, businesses and individuals who put together this program and sponsored the lecture series so it could be presented free to the public.



THUMBS UP

Thumbs up to Enid CARE Campus, which cut ribbon this past week on a newly renovated building.

It was a true celebration of the community’s accomplishment and a recognition of those who helped achieve this milestone.

Also, a big thumbs up to former Sen. Robert Milacek who paved the way for this group with his suggestion of a center to help child abuse victims in Garfield County. From that first effort, Garfield Child Advocacy Center began. It’s important to have a place where abused or traumatized children can feel comfortable. Many have worked very hard to serve children in this community and this is a great accomplishment.



THUMBS UP

Thumbs up to another fantastic United Way Chili Cookoff event.

We always look forward to the annual chili cookoff, which raises several thousand dollars for the United Way. The event has grown in popularity over the years, starting at raising around $3,500 and raising all the way up to over $13,000 this year.

It’s good to have a community event people can get into and also raise money for a good cause. Thanks to all the chili cooks and businesses and organizations participating in this year’s cookoff.



THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs down to the continued slide in the markets. Amid all the promises of a bailout, of rescuing failed mortgages and of pumping more money to get banks to start doing business with one another again, there still is a huge lack of confidence in the financial markets.

The bailout was an aggressive step, unprecedented in fact, in trying to stave off economic disaster. It appears disaster is coming anyway; however, the hopes are the bailout or rescue plan will mean the sharp pains will be shorter lived than usual.

There has to be some way to bring more stability into the markets where worldwide panics and emotion don’t completely devastate people’s stock portfolios or retirement plans. There is no excuse for it, and policies must be developed to protect retirement plans in particular in the future.

We hope wisdom overtakes the panic and emotion in the coming weeks to provide some stability.



THUMBS UP

Thumbs up to the upcoming flu shot clinics that will be taking place throughout Garfield County.

There is no excuse for people who need flu shots not to get one. Most places of employment offer the shots at a reduced cost. Garfield County Health Department will hold clinics that will provide free flu shots, and other flu shot clinics are planned. See the News & Eagle for information on all these clinics.

We encourage all people to get a flu shot this year.