April 28, 2009

3/29/2009 Letters to the Editor

City hall, look at the trees

I really like trees and their natural shapes including big trees, small trees, wide trees, narrow tall trees, even trees that shed lots of leaves on my yard.

You will find that most trees have real personalities, and each variety of tree has its own special type of bark, leaves and shape.

Trees talk when the wind blows through their leaves and branches and even drop limbs in protest, occasionally.

Birds live and sing from them and raise families in some of them every year.

Their shade is so refreshing in the hot summer.

Written in 1913 by Joyce Kilmer, a World War I hero, this poem captures the feelings of many tree lovers.

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

For many years trees were planted along the old Cleburne streets without thought to the utility line interference potential.

Now these same trees are large and add so much to this city’s beauty and deserve more respect than what some have given them, as evidenced by the chop jobs done on them recently by utility line pruning crews.

No doubt the electric lines need clearance, and we realize this is true, but surely the city can convince these crews to use more imagination and expertise when doing their trim jobs.

Some trees were probably there before the lines were strung, but regardless of that, the lines do need clearance. Please have it done respectfully.

On Westhill, some of these pruned trees resemble split rooster tails as the tree centers have been removed.

They look like heck!

A little more time spent could have allowed for these tree canopies to be bobbed off straight across leaving a nicer balanced look.

The cost would be increased somewhat, but the appearance of these trees for the next few years would be so much more attractive.

When trees look and feel better, so do the birds and citizens.

City hall folks, please give this some thought and work with the trimmers and utility people so beautifying techniques can be used on these trees and others that are trimmed in the future.

By the way, the work done on West Earl Street has made the those citizens happy. Thanks.

However, Meadowview Drive is still a long-lived disaster. Those citizens have to feel neglected.

Improving this street could help alleviate heavy traffic on South Nolan River Road mornings and afternoons during school rush.

I certainly appreciate all the work done by city departments and hope that you will take these comments as friendly reminders that when criticism or comments are courteous and constructive, things seem to work out to the mutual satisfaction and admiration of all.

Monte Swatzell

Cleburne

Don’t miss ‘Aida’

I have been involved in community theatre since 1982, being a part of 50-plus shows.

Occasionally I have had the opportunity to sit back and look at something I have been a part of and know that it is good.

I got that experience last year when Carnegie presented “Man of La Mancha.”

I am now experiencing the same euphoric feeling with Plaza’s presentation of “Aida.”

The opera “Aida” was written by Giuseppe Verdi and opened at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on Dec. 24, 1871.

In 1998 another version of the same book, “Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida,” opened at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.

With music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang, it wasn’t long before the show opened on Broadway.

As “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida,” the show ran at the Palace Theatre from March 23, 2000, to Sept. 4, 2004, for a total of 1,852 performances.

The show won four of the five Tony Awards for which it was nominated, including best original musical score. The original Broadway cast recording also was the Grammy winner for best musical show album.

The talent in the Plaza production is incredible.

From the leads down through the chorus, it is a strong, solid show. The leads, supporting leads, and many in the chorus, come from the Metroplex area.

That they are willing to voluntarily drive to Cleburne for all the rehearsals and the six weeks of shows is testament to their love and belief in the show itself.

Everyone in Cleburne needs to see this show and thank them for sharing their talent with us.

“Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida” is a rock opera based on the story of Aida, a Nubian princess who is captured by the invading Egyptian armies led by Capt. Radames.

The captain is betrothed to Amneris, the Egyptian princess and daughter of the Pharoah. “Aida” is the story of three people who are forced to make difficult choices that will alter history forever.

“Aida” continues through April 25.

There are shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday afternoon matinees, plenty of opportunity for everyone to see this wonderful show.

Visit www.plaza-theatre.com or call 817-202-0600 for information and tickets.

Come see this amazing show. You will not be disappointed.

Dick Helmcamp

Cleburne