Hot Button Editorial Blog

New Year's Eve Fashion

Those who know me best know I'm about the least qualified person to dispense fashion advice.

But right now that's just what I'm going to do.  Because this New Year's Eve, if you plan on going out and partying, there's one fashion accessory you just can't do without.

It's called a "Designated Driver."  Don't even think of leaving the house without one or you might risk social alienation, the scorn of your friends and family, or perhaps even a DWI or the blood of innocent victims forever on your hands all because of a simple fashion faux pas.

All this week KPLC has been airing news stories and public service announcements as part of our "Project Roadblock" outreach.  The message is simple.  If you drink, don't drive.  Bring a "DD" or take advantage of one of the local services this New Year's Eve for free cab rides or tows home.  Click here for more details.

Safety is always in fashion.  This New Year's Eve, and indeed anytime you leave home, don't let your celebration turn deadly.  If you drink, don't drive.

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Do you have a comment or reply to this Hot Button Editorial?  Please send it to hotbutton@kplctv.com.  We may post it here in the comments thread and/or use it in a Hot Button Rebuttal.

 What's YOUR Hot Button?  Friend Jim Serra on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc and join in the behind-the-scenes conversation!

Merry Christmas

Christmas is, as always, a series of wonderful snapshots; a reminder that in the midst of worries and challenges love, hope and joy always find a way to prevail.

Thanks to your generosity a number of local families are celebrating with toys and a special Christmas dinner they might not have had otherwise.  KPLC's Community Christmas in partnership with the Salvation Army Angel Tree received tons of food, toys and monetary contributions from as far away as Lafayette and Austin.  Thanks to all who gave and to the sponsors and volunteers who made it possible.

Lake Charles unwrapped its own Christmas present to Southwest Louisiana in the form of a new and improved Millennium Park.  As 2012 gets underway, so will work on even more lakefront improvements.

And just in time for Christmas came the reminder of a lovely 9-year-old girl named Madison Johnson of the Power of Words...how they can help or hurt people.  Let's hope her message thrives long after Christmas is over.

As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let's remember that the best gift around any Christmas Tree is the presence of family, friends and God all wrapped up in each other.

From our KPLC family to yours, a very Merry Christmas!

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Do you have a comment or reply to this Hot Button Editorial?  Please send it to hotbutton@kplctv.com.  We may post it here in the comments thread and/or use it in a Hot Button Rebuttal.

 What's YOUR Hot Button?  Friend Jim Serra on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc and join in the behind-the-scenes conversation!

Hot Button Feedback: The Power of Words

The following Hot Button Feedback is part of an ongoing series of commentaries from KPLC viewers.  It does not necessarily represent the views of the staff or management of KPLC and is presented as a public service.

Hi, I'm Madison Johnson and I'm 9 years old.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." As a nine year old this is a phrase I have heard  several times on the playground at my local elementary school.

I think that the famous quote should say. " Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names and words will hurt me. " Name-calling, sarcasm, insults, and negative words all will carry a sting of their own.  Sometimes this sting is long lasting .

Studies show that over 70% of people today have low self esteem because while growing up they heard negative words spoken over them.

My cousin Jade remembers the day that her 3rd grade teacher said that when she laughed she sounded like a hyena. Because of what her teacher said that day she didn't laugh out loud until the end of her teenage years. The power of a word.

Our words have the power to make a person feel like something or make them feel like nothing. Our words when spoken positively can have a life changing effect on other.  The power of a word.

I challenge you to begin to use your words wisely, choose to build others up and not tear them down, speak words of life over your friends , families, loved ones.  This world can be a better place using the power of a word.

Thank you.

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Dear KPLC viewers,

Do you have a reply to this Hot Button Feedback or a new Hot Button topic you'd like KPLC to consider?  Please @mail it to hotbutton@kplctv.com or you can friend me on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc.  We may post it here, use it in a future Hot Button, or ask you to record your own "Hot Button Feedback" to be seen on KPLC and kplctv.com.

Thanks,

Jim Serra, chairman, KPLC Editorial Board

Road Rants

I get lots of mail and calls from viewers telling me about your own hot buttons, and I'd say at least a third involve roads and drivers.

So word that state police are going to start cracking down on drivers who cruise, not just pass, in the left lane of Interstate highways, is welcome news.

I asked friends on my KPLC Facebook page about their own bad driver pet peeves.  Here's what they had to say:

First, distracted drivers, whether texting, reading, shaving, putting on makeup or whatever.  Annoying at best when they fail to go on green, or deadly at worst, as evidenced by what just happened on a Missouri Interstate.

Failing to enter a highway properly made the list.  Stopping in the entrance lane instead of properly merging or forcing another car to swerve left to avoid being hit.

Following too close.  Tailgating is a major cause of deadly accidents.

Those bright blue halogen headlights annoy many of you, making it hard for others to see.

And turn lanes are a source of annoyance, whether turning left from a travel lane or cars not pulling fully up to an intersection, blocking those behind them from using right turn lanes.

Too many holidays and indeed lives are ruined by careless driving.  A little courtesy goes a long way in keeping our roads safe for everyone.

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Do you have a comment or reply to this Hot Button Editorial?  Please send it to hotbutton@kplctv.com.  We may post it here in the comments thread and/or use it in a Hot Button Rebuttal.

 What's YOUR Hot Button?  Friend Jim Serra on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc and join in the behind-the-scenes conversation!

Educational Alliances

Among Southwest Louisiana's critical issues is how to develop a trained and educated workforce ready to respond to our region's economic and social challenges.

To solve problems, you first need alliances, and to forge alliances you first need to simply sit down and talk, putting the greater good and shared resources ahead of parochial interests.

I'm pleased to say that's happening among some key local players in the education field.  McNeese president Phil Williams, Sowela chancellor Andrea Miller and Calcasieu public schools superintendent Wayne Savoy have quietly begun regular meetings to discuss short and long term solutions to complex educational issues.  Much of the good news we're hearing of late is born of those discussions, and we are confident that as those talks continue, more solutions will be found.

Another educational alliance worth noting really caught fire after a KPLC news story.  The "Workready U" pilot project is an innovative idea of Sowela and the Literacy Council to open up career pathways for people in adult education.  After receiving TV publicity, the size of the program doubled within hours from 30 people to 60.  Scroll down for more information.

Talking produces alliances, and alliances produce solutions.  Let's keep those hits coming, in education and other essential fields.

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Do you have a comment or reply to this Hot Button Editorial?  Please send it to hotbutton@kplctv.com.  We may post it here in the comments thread and/or use it in a Hot Button Rebuttal.

 What's YOUR Hot Button?  Friend Jim Serra on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc and join in the behind-the-scenes conversation!

 

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ON "WORKREADY U" WERE PROVIDED BY SOWELA:

The "WorkReady U" pilot project is an innovative joint effort by Sowela and the Literacy Council. It helps to open up education and career pathways for people in adult education.

--People can earn their GED and take career/technical courses at the same time. Basically, it bridges adult basic education (ABE) and career and technical education (CTE), an innovative combination that can put people into a career faster.

--It's for people 18 and up.

--The program is limited to 30 people. (But it may double.)

--It starts in January 2012.

--It lasts for one semester.

--The "point people" in setting this up are Dr. Rick Bateman, Sowela's Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success, and Tommeka Semien, Executive Director of Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana.

--Sowela received a $100,000 Rapid Response grant to partner with the Literacy Council

--The project  offers coursework in two career and technical education programs for students that are simultaneously engaged in GED training offered by the Literacy Council. GED instructors will collaborate with the CTE instructors to ensure that reading, writing, math technical skill competencies are reinforced in both the GED and the CTE instruction. 

--GED students will be introduced to the MyFoundationsLab online mastery-based resource which will be integrated into the GED training. (Truth be told, I have no idea what this means.)

--The goal of the pilot program is to have students:

1. Complete the GED training program.

2. Completion of CTE courses that are part of a career pathway leading to high wage, high skill, high demand employment.

3. Demonstrate college readiness that allows on going training/instruction to move forward on the career pathway.

 

-This partnership illustrates Sowela's outreach into the community. It's underscores how Sowela ranks No. 3 in the nation in terms of growth among America's two-year public institutions, according to a survey announced last week by the educational publication Community College Week. (Enrollment at Sowela surged 23 percent from 2009 to 2010, which was the period surveyed. And it's grown even more since then, which is one reason why three brand-new buildings are going up.)

--Tommeka and Rick unveiled the program last week during the monthly Sowela segment on "Sunrise." That morning, nine people called to get into the program. By mid-afternoon, there were 20 calls, nearly enough to nearly fill the program -- and prompting the idea of doubling the size of the program (to 60). TV exposure works!

--For more information on WorkReady U, people may call 494-7000 or email to info@literacyswla.org.

Hot Button Feedback: Safe Holidays

The following Hot Button Feedback is part of an ongoing series of commentaries from KPLC viewers.  It does not necessarily represent the views of the staff or management of KPLC and is presented as a public service.

Hello, I'm Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier.

Since January 1, 2011, nine people in Calcasieu Parish have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.  An additional nine people have lost their lives due to impaired drivers on highways of Calcasieu Parish.  Many families have been devastated because of the events precipitated by the individuals that caused these deaths.

There are numerous ways other than physical violence to cope with the stress the holidays often bring.  Please take time to reflect on that over the next few weeks.

If you will be drinking during this holiday season, please do not get behind the wheel of an automobile.  Use a Designated Driver.

The holidays are a time when we should enjoy our family and friends at social gatherings, not at jails, hospitals, and funeral homes.

If we all work at this together, we can end 2011 with good memories.  Happy Holidays to all!

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Dear KPLC viewers,

Do you have a reply to this Hot Button Feedback or a new Hot Button topic you'd like KPLC to consider?  Please @mail it to hotbutton@kplctv.com or you can friend me on Facebook at Jim Serra Kplc.  We may post it here, use it in a future Hot Button, or ask you to record your own "Hot Button Feedback" to be seen on KPLC and kplctv.com.

Thanks,

Jim Serra, chairman, KPLC Editorial Board