Henrietta Hay's Column

Will Rogers commented some years ago, "All I know is just what I read in the paper." He would be a little startled at the growth of television and newsmagazines and all the other disseminators of news today, but he would probably just twirl his rope and go back to reading the paper. I hope I won't be accused of bias if I comment that, like it or not, most of what we know is still what we read in the paper.

I've been reading the papers more closely than usual lately and there have been some interesting goings on.

Since I have no children of my own in public school in Colorado, and since many of my friends are teachers and I want to keep them as friends, I usually stay far away from The battles over education. But I do think the current fight in Littleton is one of the more significant stories of the month. Littleton High School has become nationally known for its innovative programs. Under new requirements installed over the past three years and effective with the class of 1995, students at Littleton High School must prove their mastery of skills by passing performance tests.

But -- three new school board members were recently elected, and they voted to return the district to "traditional" education. At a meeting attended by some 600 people (about 580 more than usual), many students showed up carrying signs and defending the new program. Whatever the merits of the two sides, it proves again that change in education is not merely difficult to achieve; it is nearly impossible. Everybody is an expert. I do feel sorry for the kids in the class of 1995 who don't know just where or who they are.

And I wonder when the Colorado Legislature will quit micro managing the university system in the state. Colorado State University recently announced a sizable increase in salary for President Al Yates, one of the outstanding college presidents in the country.

A couple of legislators got bent out of shape and raised a public protest. Dr. Yates has a lot more class than the legislators. He asked that the raise be canceled, hoping that his action would allow higher education in the state to focus on more important issues.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the Wall Street Journal. I was quite unprepared for the latest in vacation spots -- the North Pole! For a mere $17,000 to $25,000 you can have a two-week jaunt that includes standing, or sitting or perhaps swimming at the North Pole. One company takes tourists by ski plane and dog sled. They do require, however, a "try-out" trip in northern Minnesota, including dropping through a hole in the ice into a northern lake.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the A more comfortable way to make the trip is by a Russian nuclear powered icebreaker departing from Murmansk. The ship includes a sauna and an Austrian chef. When it arrives at the Pole, the event is celebrated with champagne and a barbecue. Honest - that's what it said in the paper and surely you believe the Wall Street Journal.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the For the car buffs there are a couple of interesting tidbits. Chrysler is eliminating the ash tray on many new models, and adding a second cup holder. I guess coffee has become a lot more socially acceptable than tobacco. I'll buy that.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the And Volkswagen is harking back to the glory days of a quarter-century ago. Last week it unveiled the Concept 1, an experimental car that is a spittin' image of the original bug, the best-selling car of all time. It may be available in a couple of years, complete with anti-lock brakes and air bags. Wonder whether the sixties flower children now in their nineties pin stripes will return to their youth.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the There are several "who cares?" items. For $1000 a pop, a lot of people heard Barbra Streisand overcome her stage fright and walk off with well over $1 million. The annual "Cult of Stupidity" met for the 11th straight year in Boulder and 150 people plunged into the icy waters of a nearby lake. And did Heidi Fleiss name any names? Who cares?

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the Locally, the shoot-out between the city council and the county commissioners over the sewer plant continues unabated, and the new school board member is adding fuel to the fire over testing.

On to more frivolous matters. While waiting in my doctor's office one day I read the Looks as though we're in for an interesting time. It's a weird world we live in.