The pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, the Times is offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
The Lawrence Times does not publish staff editorials (unsigned opinion columns, usually about the topics we cover, that many news publications run).
Want to submit a letter or column to the Times? Great! Click here to find out how.
OPINION COLUMNS
Tom Harper: Project underway to restore Reuter building in downtown Lawrence (Column)
The former Reuter Organ Co. building in downtown Lawrence has a rich history, yet it was in such poor condition that its new owner was considering demolition. Instead, he chose to preserve it for future generations, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Patrick Schmitz: Bert Nash will continue to support gender-affirming care (Column)
”I urge the residents of Douglas County to join us in supporting gender-affirming care and standing in solidarity with transgender and gender diverse individuals in our community,” Patrick Schmitz, CEO of Bert Nash, writes in this column.
Max McCoy: Report reveals ‘dysfunction’ at Haskell University. We owe the past – and future – much more. (Column)
”The release of the BIE’s investigative report on Haskell is a start. But more is needed, including a criminal investigation into the abuses uncovered by the report,” Max McCoy writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Tom Harper: The story behind Aladdin Cafe, celebrating 24 years in Lawrence (Column)
Mohammed Iskandrani opened Aladdin Cafe 24 years ago after his mother told him she would move to Lawrence from Jordan if he would open a restaurant, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Tom Harper: Project to bring new life to prominent downtown Lawrence building
”Lawrence is fortunate that 3D Development and Q39 have decided to take on the (former Lawrence Journal-World) building as a redevelopment project,” Tom Harper writes in this column.
Courtney Farr: How bowling one Sunday changed my life (Column)
”Every time we have an event, I wonder if this is the day that alters someone’s life for the better. … If nothing else, someone felt a little less alone in the world,” Courtney Farr writes in this column.
LETTERS TO THE TIMES
Letter to the Times: Heartfelt thanks to the helpers
”My sister and I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who was there at the accident scene trying to help,” family members of three Nebraska residents who died in a crash in Lawrence last month write in this letter.
Letter to the Times: Kansas attorney general’s remarks about KU students are shameful
”Kobach, … protests such as these (including their counterprotests/students showing displays of opposition) are evidence that the educational mission of KU is vibrant,” Philip T. Duncan writes in this letter.
Letter to the Times: Car crashes are a serious public health concern
”If Lawrence is serious about achieving zero road deaths and making streets safer for all road users, then our engineering road design standards must change to center safety over faster throughput for cars,” Hilary Carter writes in this letter to the Times.
ORG CORNER
Patrick Schmitz: Bert Nash will continue to support gender-affirming care (Column)
”I urge the residents of Douglas County to join us in supporting gender-affirming care and standing in solidarity with transgender and gender diverse individuals in our community,” Patrick Schmitz, CEO of Bert Nash, writes in this column.
Community Children’s Center: Here’s how we can bolster early childhood care in Lawrence (Column)
”High-quality care is vital as in the first few years of life, children build more than a million new neural networks every second, and the rate of growth and learning is massive. … We have the chance, as a community, to set our children up for a better life,” Will Averill writes in this column.
Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners: Groovy Garden Show to offer something for everyone (Column)
”Gardening feeds the soul and provides a sense of peace and hope for the future,” the Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners write of the free, upcoming Groovy Garden Show.
FROM THE STACKS
Note: Staff members at the Lawrence Public Library write blog posts about books, bookish things and other media. The Times is reposting some of those blogs in this feature, From the Stacks. Find many other blog posts, titles referenced in these posts and much more on the library’s website, lplks.org.
From the Stacks: Who is David Lowery?
“David Lowery fans: I hope you’re free to join us on Nov. 3 at the Lawrence Arts Center. You can expect an irreverent, wide-ranging conversation about the business of rock music, the Internet, capitalism, and maybe even a little math,” Library Director Brad Allen writes.
From the Stacks: Unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence candidates
Here’s a series of unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence school board candidates, based on favorite books they shared with the Times.
From the Stacks: An interview with Bathsheba Demuth ahead of her Wednesday event
“One of my favorite books of the past couple years is Bathsheba Demuth’s award-winning ‘Floating Coast,’ so I was pleased to see that the author is part of this season’s speaker series at KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities,” Jake Vail of Lawrence Public Library writes.