By the time you read this, you’ll either be crying, laughing, curled up in the fetal position, clapping, or losing your mind. It really depends on who wins and who you voted for in the presidential election.
I don’t know what’s going on yet, because it’s 3:30 p.m. on Election Day and we’re about to go to press. I do know I’m going to be relieved that the election is finally over—because y’all are dealing with some demons you created yourselves.
Calm down, everyone. Take a deep breath. Be an adult.
There will be another election in four years (hopefully). And by then, we’ll definitely have grown as a country, gone to therapy to get tips for how to play well with others, and coping mechanisms for how to deal with our own unmitigated rage at our supposed political enemies.
Maybe America’s New Year’s resolution could be to swear off social media, the internet, and cable “news.”
But, I’m guessing, that’s not going to happen. We just love to hate too much.
Meanwhile, in Santa Maria, there are children in public schools playing on concrete slabs while their playgrounds sit in storage somewhere thanks to some bureaucratic red tape. The COVID-19 funding allocations for four elementary schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District had a caveat that people forgot about or didn’t figure out until it was too late.
The construction companies that bid to construct these playgrounds needed to “show good faith that they are supporting people and businesses with disabled veterans,” district spokesperson Maggie White said. In the initial contract proposals, the bidders didn’t make a substantial effort, apparently, and it forced the school district to reject the proposals.
That delayed the playground installations, which were supposed to happen before the school year started.
Of all the specifics that could be tied to grant money. What in the actual world (bet you thought I was going to say something else)?
“Without a playground, they have many limited options during recess time. Many students are apathetic about going to recess, and a lack of opportunities is contributing to social and behavioral issues,” according to Fairlawn Elementary PE teacher Michael Clair, who spoke to the district’s board at a recent meeting.
Hopefully this next round of bidding goes better than the first, and the kids will get a Christmas present to start the year with.
But, for now, teachers and administrators at each of these school sites are doing their best to help the little ones get their energy out, connect with one another, and accumulate those social skills you can’t really get anywhere other than recess. And the school district has spent an additional $44,000 or so on purchasing activities, games, and equipment for the campuses, so their students don’t go insane.
Really, though, there’s only so much Connect Four you can play.
Adults aren’t playing when it comes to oil.
At a recent Santa Barbara County Planning Commission meeting about oil, someone pushed a staff member into a door because they couldn’t get into the packed meeting room.
Slow clap for that person. Maybe it’s time for recess.
Good luck, everyone.
The Canary’s hoping everyone doesn’t blow a gasket. Send anxiety reduction methods to canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 7-17, 2024.
