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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Keep band kids in the spotlight

Re: On the march toward glory photos, Nov. 17

Thank you for your recent photo essays about the marching bands featured at the Florida Bandmaster's Association, or FBA, event held on Nov. 3 at Clearwater High School and the recent event at Tropicana Field.

There can never be enough good news reported to your readers about the bay area students who participate in the band programs. These kids deserve your coverage and public recognition because they are playing good music and doing great things.

Each kid in a band in Pinellas County has to pay weighty dues out of his or his parents' pockets just to participate. Our Florida legislators consistently cut funding to the arts just so that their bottom line looks good. In addition to dues, the band kids have the cost of renting uniforms and instruments. Many carwashes and various fundraising events are held just to meet those expenses.

Then those kids practice weeks and months in the Florida heat and humidity to learn the music and the marching drill prior to reaching a level worthy of presenting the program to their peers at a football game and then later in competitions. It's challenging to march to a different time than the time you are playing.

You rightly reported that these kids are worthy of the press and public acknowledgment. Kids who participate in a musical program at their school are learning musical skills, personal discipline and leadership that cannot be learned in a classroom. You recently published an article regarding the benefits to our future, the students in Florida, from participating in a music program.

It is my hope that you will continue to publish articles about the incredible bands in the area of your readership. The average voter needs to know the good news coming out of our public schools regarding the music program. Our legislators are not paying attention.

Meredith Yacavone,Clearwater High School Tornado Band parent

Re: Ironman Triathlon World Championship 70.3 Nov. 10

Come cheer those in next triathlon

Our daughter registered participants for two days, and she directed bicyclists at the corner of Chestnut Street and Fort Harrison Avenue the morning of the race. She finished there at 9 a.m. and came for breakfast. At 9:30, she told me it was time to go and cheer the runners on. She carried two chairs and the signs she had made, and we went to the corner of Turner Street and Bay Avenue.

She had cheered Ironman competitors in Hawaii, so she was experienced. She had made three signs. One said, "You Go Girl," because women made up only about 25 percent of the contestants in the race. Then she had "Go, Go, Go" in five languages, and "Good Luck" phrases in Spanish and French, to which one man called out, "Where's the German?"

Well, we stayed on that corner until 2 p.m., and we were getting a little hoarse by then, but the runners were so appreciative of our cheering them on that it was hard to leave. It was fun and really exciting, and next year we'd like to have 100 people at that corner with us, cheering on these brave souls who have the stamina to compete in this contest.

We're going to add Greek and Italian to the signs. We're also going to have a "You Go Guy," sign. We thought we heard music coming from somewhere, and we might bring some next year if the weather is as beautiful as it was for them.

It's just one day out of the year, so instead of complaining, come join us and cheer and have fun. We can even have picnics there. Mark your calendar, and we'll see you there.

Aloha!

M. L. Kulaas,Clearwater

Re: Big hotels? First, road study story, Nov. 13

An alternative to road study plan

Dear Clearwater leaders,

No. The beach roadways do not have enough capacity to support additional traffic. May I have the $31,000 that you were going to pay a fancy consulting firm? Thank you.

Carrie Hart,Clearwater

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You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified November 22, 2007, 22:34:35]