Thanks, Christine. It’s letters like yours that make those long nights of burning the midnight oil so worthwhile! Our goal has always been to produce the best magazine in the region and I appreciate your recognition of our talented staff.
-Lori

Dear Lori,

I moved to Nashville a couple of years ago from Philadelphia. I live near a creek and we have been seeing these dark, grey-blue crawfish-like things popping up in our lawns. I found a dead one under our kiddie pool a couple of months ago and the other day I saw a live one poking half out of the ground.

I never saw such a thing! I thought they lived in water, not in lawns! Too weird! Anyway, I found your article, "Amazing Crawfish Tales" on the web (June/July 2002) and couldn’t resist contacting you. I doubt if we could catch enough of 'em to even make a snack, since they're apparently underground and live in the mud or something. My dog gets a big kick out of watching them pop up in the grass.
Thanks!

Liz R.
Hermitage, Tennessee

Liz, thank you for such an entertaining letter about your close encounters with crawfish and for your interest in Inside Northside. We’re forwarding our current issue for your enjoyment.
-Lori

Dear Lori,

My colleagues and I talk a lot about our public school system, and many of us make decisions that impact elementary and secondary education. But how many state officials have first-hand knowledge about what goes on in Louisiana's classrooms?

I've got an idea. Why don't we ask elected officials to substitute teach without pay three times a year in a public school? We could call it the "Teach to Serve Program."
I was a substitute teacher last year for 11th, 6th and 7th grades in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools. I learned that teaching is hard work, and it is more difficult today because we often expect our teachers to be both teachers and parents.

I also learned that it is harder to be a kid today. Our young people encounter alcohol, drugs, pregnancy and violence at an earlier age. Every child can learn given the opportunity, but many issues today distract our kids from taking advantage of that opportunity.

Based on my experience as a substitute teacher, I will ask the legislature to consider a "Teach to Serve" law this spring. If improvements to our school system begin in the classroom, shouldn't our state officials spend some time there?

State Treasurer John Kennedy
Baton Rouge

Well said!
-Lori

Congratulations to Beverly Clark of New Orleans, winner of the October/November "Find the Hidden Phrase" contest.