Letters: Free jazz ensembles, gateway monument, My Sister's Closet, MCCSC referendum

Best free surprise gift in Bloomington

We've only lived here two years, and we knew we'd enjoy many of the ticketed events at the IU Auditorium and the Musical Arts Center (MAC), but what a wonderful surprise to learn about the free Monday night Jazz Ensembles at the MAC!

We so enjoyed attending most every Monday night during the 2022-23 school year and watching the four different jazz ensembles with directors: Wallarab, Walsh, Raymond, and Wallace. We're attending this year, too, and anxious to see Boeyink's ensemble on Oct. 9, since Raymond is no longer leading an ensemble.

As a woman enthused to me last Monday night as we were leaving, "They are terrific, and it's free in this great facility. We're so very lucky to live here!" I strongly agree and encourage others to attend every Monday between now and Nov. 13. They will begin again in February 2024 and go through April.

Patti Day-Miller, Bloomington

A better statue

Regarding the Bloomington gateway monument, I think a more realistic depiction would be to add a bronze statue of (Mayor John) Hamilton in his best "I know best" stance to the top, looking down on his minions below, with both hands out-stretched, one hand seeking more tax dollars and the other holding the smoldering remains of the convention center plans with a wisp of smoke rising above representing the millions in collected tax dollars for the center but nothing to show for it.

James Montgomery, Bloomington

My Sister's Closet

On Oct. 2, a man broke into My Sister's Closet on South College Avenue. He stole over $48,000 worth of donated expensive jewelry, computer equipment and women's designer purses. He also did extensive damage to the store.

The mission of My Sister's Closet is to help homeless, jobless, post incarcerated and refugee women by providing them with clothing and job interview training skills. My Sister's Closet helped 232 women last year become more productive in society. My Sister's Closet operates on a very slim budget and secures grant money and donations to help fund this service.

My hopes are that someone with lots of money or many with a little money could donate what they can to help secure a building to buy near downtown so this public service can continue. The current building is slated to be torn down for a bigger convention center soon.

If you have the time, come and visit My Sister's Closet. It has all sizes of clothing and on the first Saturday of the month everything is half-price. I got a Chaps dress, Clark sandals with turquoise studs, watch and hat for $30. Check out My Sister's Closet at https://sisterscloset.org, Facebook.com/sistersclosetbloomington and Instagram.com/mysistersclosetin.

Julie Farris, Bloomington

Speaking native languages is a way to understand culture

I just finished reading your article about saving disappearing indigenous languages. I really enjoyed it.

I lived on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in the 1980s and worked for Sinte Gleska University. One of the requirements to get a degree from Sinte Gleska University was to take two years of Lakota language. It was required.

All ceremonies were spoken in Lakota. I learned quite a lot of the language during my time there. I believe all indigenous education on the reservations is now required for all students. There is no better way to understand your culture than through your language.

Julianna Dailey, Bloomington

'There has got to be another way'

I am Jewish, retired, living in Bloomington. Like many Jews everywhere I have been heartbroken over the loss of innocent lives in the brutal Hamas attacks.

At the same time, I find it hard to "stand for Israel" because I do not "stand" for Israel's bombing of hospitals, schools and civilian residences. I do not "stand" for the complete closure of Gaza, which will result in even more suffering and deaths. Further, I "stand" with the Israelis I know who are at their wits' end because of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's incompetence, corruption (I could go on and on).

Bottom line: The U.S. should support Israel — but only to the extent they can rein in Israel's vengeance against helpless Palestinian civilians. We may not witness their maimed bodies the way we can those massacred by Hamas: but brutal murder is still happening, and there has got to be another way than America's feeding this endless cycle of violence. May there be peace in Israel and in a forthcoming Palestinian state, in our days.

Merle Bachman, Bloomington

Early childhood education help is needed

With great respect to Louise Schlesinger (HT guest columnist 10/13/23) I am somewhat baffled by her revelation that she is voting against MCCSC's request for money to enroll all disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds in early childhood education, despite the fact the she acknowledges the effectiveness of the program. It seems she is willing to throw 1,200 disadvantaged kids under the bus because the administration's plan doesn't meet her political agenda.

If we don't stop graduating an ever increasing number of kids unable to make a decent living because they can't do the complex jobs that are available, our society will continue becoming more and more fractured. The only way to solve this increasing problem is to try something different, a whole bunch of things, because the old ways are not working and is now an existential crisis we have ignored too long.

Edward Ryan, Bloomington

Plans to vote for MCCSC referendum

I plan to vote “yes" for the MCCSC referendum on expanding pre-K education for children in the Monroe County Community School Corp. district, where many families cannot afford it. Educational access and fairness are at the heart of a strong community.

Louise Schlesinger (HT column 8/13/23) agrees pre-K is important but distrusts MCCSC to provide for our youngest school-goers. As a former department chair at Indiana University, when I initiated a joint MAT program for in-service high school teachers to qualify to teach in IU’s dual credit program, I had to collaborate with stakeholders to build an inclusive, quality program.

For its part, MCCSC is beginning with a quality pre-K program, accredited by the NAEYC. The expansion would adhere to state DOE early learning standards. Seeking not to disrupt current programs, MCCSC would take into account community providers, many of whom (such as IUB) meet the highest accreditation standards.

My “yes" vote for MCCSC's plan to expand access to quality early child education comes down to its track record. As a school district beloved for strengthening our community, it has educated my three children with diverse, dedicated, and professional teachers and staff at one of the lowest tax rates in the state.

Benjamin Robinson, Bloomington

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Letters: Free concerts, gateway monument, MCCSC referendum