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To students at Mankato East High School who got together to promote Teen Read Week in an effort to urge their peers to read more than the required books from class.

The effort was part of the American Library Association’s Family Literacy Week. With so many electronic forms of entertainment and enjoyment available for teens, it was refreshing to see these kids promoting the oldest form of knowledge known to man: books.

Books contain more information than Twitter or Facebook or MySpace. They offer more insight into the dilemmas of human existence than the latest video game.

Because books are more comprehensive than these other electronic forms of entertainment, they offer a longer, more detailed story, prompt more thought and may require more effort.

It was good to hear of young people still seeing the value of books and the printed word.

Drug collection plan promotes safety
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To Blue Earth County for developing the first prescription medication collection plans in the state approved by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

The plan involves setting up a voluntary collection of old prescription drugs or other dangerous substances in order to prevent them from being used unsafely or disposed of in ways that could harm the environment.

Law enforcement officials are required to be on hand during the collection. The drugs will be incinerated. Collection organizers say they will also collect illegal drugs with no questions asked. This may allow parents or friends of drug users to help dispose of drugs that may be harmful.

All in all, it’s good to say Blue Earth County taking the lead in this kind of prevention. If it stops just one person from using a drug unsafely or stops one bottle of pills from entering the environment, it will be a worthwhile program.

Plasma TVs out, less expensive TVs in
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To the decision by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to replace expensive 50-inch flat-screen plasma televisions in a Minnesota sex offender treatment facility in Moose Lake with smaller, less expensive models. Each luxury set costs a reported $1,576 (not including a $706 mounting bracket) so the savings to taxpayers, while not making a dent in the national debt, is noteworthy enough.

Sure, some have complained that the governor is doing a little grandstanding here, but what if he is? Television shows look good enough on smaller, cheaper sets. And with the economy as it is, what better time to be thrifty with the public’s money? Supporters of the facility point out that the sex offenders aren’t there to serve time for crimes, but they’re there to prevent them from offending again. They also say televisions have clinical value for those in the program.

Fair enough. Still no reason why they must have luxury TVs.

—Free Press editorial board

MSU soccer players good role models
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Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camp Oz. This is a day camp put on by ISJ for kids who have lost a parent or sibling. Held at Camp Patterson, kids enjoy a jam-packed day of fun, arts and crafts, food, sharing and activities.

One of the highlights of the day for the kids was meeting the Minnesota State University womens soccer team. Lead by head coach Peter McGahey, the entire team showed up dressed in their Mavericks warm-up gear, with incredible energy and huge smiles on their faces. The girls all took time out of their busy Saturday (during Homecoming Week) to have lunch and play soccer with these kids.

To say I was impressed by their behavior would be an understatement. They were warm, friendly, genuine and a lot of fun. They were the kind of role models our kids need. Not only did I witness great athletes but also great character.

These girls don’t just learn how to be a great soccer player with Coach McGahey — they learn about leadership and volunteerism and how important it is to give back to the community.

With all the negative things we read about our youth, it’s nice to witness things like this. The Mavericks will have a new fan in the crowd cheering them on this season.

Susie Schmitt, North Mankato