Brownwood KUDOS.....

Sunday August 21, 2005
The Brownwood Bulletin - News
Beverage controls implemented for Reunion concerts
By Bill Crist -- Brownwood Bulletin

When it came time to plan the Fifth Anniversary Spectacular, organizers of the Brownwood Reunion Celebration wanted to resolve one issue that had been brought to their attention at each of the previous events: "Can you do anything about all the coolers at the concerts."

At each of the previous Reunion Celebrations, concert-goers were allowed to bring coolers filled with the drinks of their choice, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to the event. That situation, or BYOB, led to problems of over-consumption, underage drinking and excessive littering, Randee Green, Reunion's executive director, said.

"Reasons for this change are based on two primary goals -- ensuring public safety and better control of alcohol consumption," Green said. "The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) and other festival venues have found that by controlling access to alcohol, consumption rates and minors in possession are lowered, both of which improve public safety. Last year, the area surrounding the concert became a hazard due to all the discarded glass bottles."
-------------------
HPU improves ranking in American's Best Colleges
From Bulletin and university reports

Howard Payne University has climbed four slots to number 13 in the "Top Schools" category of comprehensive bachelor's colleges in the Western region of the United States, according to "America's Best Colleges 2006" published by U.S. News and World Report.
The report, published shortly after midnight Friday, positions HPU in the top 20 schools overall in the Western region. HPU was ranked 17th in the same category in the 2005 publication.
The news came just after students began arriving last week for the fall semester, for which classes will begin Tuesday.
HPU is also again ranked favorably in the "Best Value" category for 2006. The university holds the fifth slot among bachelor's degree-granting colleges in the Western region of the country.
-----------------------
Sunday August 21, 2005

Op Ed: Columnist
Putting 'good stuff' to read in schoolchildren's hands
Robert Brincefield

The face was familiar, his forehead a little higher and the remaining hair considerably more gray, but there he was a folk music icon of the 1960s on the cover of Update, the publication of the Newspaper Association of America Foundation. Peter Yarrow -- one third of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary trio -- is still using his music to promote social advocacy and create a better community. The trio was associated with songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "If I Had a Hammer," two songs that became anthems of the civil rights movement. Today, Yarrow's solo effort is directed at helping kids feel safe at school.
"Operation Respect: Don't Laugh at Me" is dedicated to creating safe, caring and respectful environments for children. The non-profit organization was founded by Yarrow in 2000 and is devoted to promoting a bully-free atmosphere. The cornerstone of the approach is "Don't Laugh at Me," a song written by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin and recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. The ideas promoted in the song have been used to create a character development curriculum that incorporates music. According to the magazine, the organization disseminates educational resources that are designed to establish a climate that reduces the emotional and physical cruelty some children inflict upon each other by behaviors such as ridicule, bullying and in extreme cases violence. Yarrow said that every day, as many as 160,000 children are afraid to go to school because of bullying.
Through music, video and classroom activities "Don't Laugh at Me" helps sensitize children to the painful effects of ridicule, disrespect, ostracism and bullying. The program focuses on fostering four characteristics of a caring community: the healthy expression of feelings; caring, compassion and cooperation; creative resolution of conflicts; and appreciation of differences.
--------------
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/