Helping create a seamless education system in the state
Thanks to Cityview and Nick Fetty for a great article (“To College and Beyond,” June 25). The article sheds light on an exciting new program administered by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission on behalf of Governor Culver — GEAR UP Iowa.

Funded by a $16.8 million Federal grant, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is charged with significantly increasing the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The program encourages young people to have high expectations, study hard and pursue success in college.

GEAR UP Iowa will work closely with our partners to create a seamless K - 16 educational systems in the state. Development of a shared agenda and action plan to improve college readiness in local communities; increased collaboration, joint programming and local policy initiatives among partnership members; and collaboration among community-based partners to provide a wealth of supplemental services to students and families outside of “school time” are the stepping stones toward realization of the premise that with the right approach, all students in Iowa can attend and succeed in college.
John E. Gilman
GEAR UP Iowa Program Planner
(For more information on the GEAR UP Iowa program, call 725-3406.)

Big talk for a tiny man
For North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, regarding his threat to bomb Hawaii on July 4, a response in kind — Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf, nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah.
Jennifer Nosbisch
Des Moines

No more tributes for the ‘King of Pop’
Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” is dead. The media has been an endless player piano roll extolling his memory — he sang, he danced and he grabbed his genitals. His act was an endless jejune road show with screaming fans swaying like lemmings as he waved a sequined glove. Oh, but he was a genius on, and especially off, stage. Who other than a brilliant “King of Pop” could admit to inviting young boys into his bed for “sleepovers” after a hit of “Jesus Juice?” What average person would bribe parents to keep quiet about pimping their kids to a middle aged man? What other millionaire pop star could speak publicly in a phony, high-pitched voice calculated to maintain his bogus man/child chiaroscuro? The king has been dispatched — no more tributes. And please, no one light an eternal flame. We need to conserve energy.
Gary Wilson
Des Moines

Thanks for making a little girl cry
I recently returned from the North Side Branch Library. Until just that minute when I walked up to the automatic doors did I have any idea that the branch would not open until 1 p.m. For me that is no big deal. However at the same time that I arrived another fellow and what appeared to be his granddaughter approached. When the little girl learned the library was not open it broke her heart.

I am sure the change in opening times is due in part to summer vacation schedules for library employees. I am also equally certain that the change in library opening times is due to budgetary constraints. Of course the library and all other city departments would have adequate funds if we in the neighborhoods were not forced into subsidizing all the tax credited, tax forgiven and tax increment funded development projects in downtown for the well heeled and well connected.

I understand this. But a little girl does not. Thank you, Public Library of Des Moines, the city council, Polk County, the State of Iowa and the United States government for our skewed, regressive tax system that is ruining an economy and making a little girl cry.
Bob Jewett
Des Moines

Correction: In last week’s Belly Up column (“Sinners & Saints Rock Bar,” July 25) we mistakenly reported one of the owners name as Brian Naddy. The correct spelling is Brian Maddy.

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