Columns

Labor Day weekend was quite a treat for me, especially that Sunday.
I was aboard Air Force One and I visited the Oval Office, just a few feet from the president’s famous desk.
You might find that hard to believe, and if I tell you I wasn’t even in Washington, you are probably scratching your head more than an undecided voter.
OK, I’ll let you in on what went down.
My family and I visited the American Presidential Experience,, billed as a “nonpartisan interactive exhibit of the American Presidency.”

U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney (District 5) cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the Lancaster County Republican Victory Center Headquarters at 699 Lancaster Bypass East on Saturday, Sept. 1.
Several Republican candidates were there, as well as Taft Matney, chairman of the S.C. Republican Victory Centers. About 100 people attended the event.
Normal business hours for the Republican headquarters are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Bureaucrats are pushing a plan to raise taxes and increase spending on public schools. The districts spent $9.4 billion last year. Apparently $13,600 per student isn’t enough.
The plan will raise taxes across the state. Families and small business owners will be hardest hit. First, local taxes for public school operations would be eliminated and replaced with a new statewide property tax. Then the districts would get the chance to go back and (re)introduce “new” local taxes to supplement the state money.

It is a proven fact that children who are exposed to the arts perform at a higher level on standardized academic tests. Further, children and adults who have participated in, studied and/or enjoyed the arts in their lives become more creative thinkers and problemsolvers.

Music, in particular, affects performance. There are teachers who report that the responsiveness of their classes is greater when (intentionally selected) music is included in their learning
environment.