Don’t turn off TV, but do view wisely
This week is as good a time as any not to turn off TV per se but to consider in seriousness the worth of what one watches on it and resolve to change for the better. I rarely view news programs, particularly the local ones, as they seem little better than trivia and gossip, and the only merit to the PBS ones, “The News Hour” and BBC, is in the lack of advertising. I take the paper out of habit, not because it is superior to TV, although I consider that reading is superior to passive absorption of entertainment/information, and in such a sense, the newspaper is preferable to television. The information channels mentioned have struck me in the past, when I did have cable, as superficial and limited compared to reading books on the subjects covered.
TV is a device that can be passively employed to entertain one, particularly if one lives alone and feels the need for some sort of companionship, albeit of an electronic nature. Reading requires an effort, and it should be encouraged due to the mediocrity, stupidity, silliness and sinisterness of so much TV programming. Other than sports, the only items worth mentioning are some PBS shows, some AMC films and TCM, which stands out for the quality of its presentations. Using Netflix for videos and reading books makes for a sane and healthy alternative to the junk on the TV wasteland, and I recommend such to the public.
Salisbury has an excellent public library with many worthwhile resources. Why not use it and give up the garbage you pay to watch?
ó Richard Nash Creel
Salisbury
Impressive show
Wow to Anne Scott and the Waterworks. They upped the bar. They set a new benchmark. They had the 50th artshow. Almost all the artists were invited to set up booths in the Trolley Barn, probably 50 booths of quality. Really amazing.
When I walked in I was so impressed. Was I really in Salisbury ó not Charlotte, or Greensboro, or even Winston-Salem? Not to mention all it brought together ó Carolina Artists, Railwalk, East Square, LookingGlass, Plein Aire, and many many more. A big hats off to the Waterworks. Salisbury has so much artistic talent.
ó Jackie Wilson
Salisbury
Artistic discovery
Yesterday morning I finally spotted the equine sculpture my 4-year-old has dubbed “Cactus” on the grounds of the Rowan Museum. What a delight!This piece by Katherine Apple, along with the 13 other wonderful sculptures that comprise the outdoor exhibit “Discover What’s Outside,” has brought us so much pleasure that I write to extend my appreciation and applause to the Salisbury Public Art Committee, to Lynn Raker and the city, and especially to the generous artists for sharing their creations with us.
To anyone in need of a bit of cheer, I encourage you take a healthful stroll downtown to discover these treasures for yourself. And while you’re at it, pause and admire the beauty of spring that currently surrounds us.
ó Anne Waters
Salisbury
Touch a truck
On behalf of all the children, parents, grandparents and adult children that attended the “Touch a Truck” event April 18, I wanted to thank the Salisbury Parks & Recreation Department. What a great event!
There were children climbing through an ambulance, operating a Salisbury city crane truck, pretending to drive bulldozers, standing in amazement at the huge Army National Guard firetruck and sitting in wonder on the inside of a Med Center Air helicopter. This was a wonderful opportunity for learning and for children to become familiar and even more comfortable with many of the service vehicles that are used in our community.
Thank you to all of the employees that were there to interact with the children and for the many hours before the event that went into making these vehicles clean and presentable; even the garbage truck was shining! To all of the companies represented: Salisbury-Rowan Utilities, City of Salisbury, Salisbury Police Department, Salisbury Fire Department, Food Lion, Rowan County EMS, Army National Guard, Allied Waste Services, Carolinas Medical Center, Rowan County Rescue Squad, P&J Tire & Trucking Co., Salisbury-Spencer Trolley Works, NuCare, Chandler Concrete and W.A. Brown ó thank you!
ó Cybil Jones
Salisbury
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