Sarasota’s Homeless May Soon Enjoy The Opera Season

In 1697, Poet/Playwright William Congreve wrote the tragic-drama, The Mourning Bride.

That work produced a number of, now well known, quotes. Among them:

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."

It’s probably not likely that Kelly Kirschner, a city commissioner in Sarasota, Florida, had that quote in mind when he recently made a suggestion for "shooing" the homeless out of one of the city’s parks.

An article in the South Florida Herald-Times said that Commissioner Kirschner had suggested the "… piping opera or classical music" as a potential solution for deterring the homeless from "congregating" at the Five Points park.  

Homelessness And The Fury Of Mother Nature

The Atlantic seaboard was pummeled by Tropical Storm Ida for three days during the latter part of last week.

Ida brought with her heavy rains and highs winds (which at times measured in excess of 70 mph) that left behind a swath of devastation – including 6 deaths across 3 states.

In Virginia, several barges, which were carrying hazardous materials, were broken loose from their moorings due to the large waves and sustained high winds caused by the storm. One 700 ft. oil tanker was even driven aground after breaking loose.

In North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, the American Red Cross kicked up its efforts to offer emergency services for those affected by Ida.  

The Homeless Are People All Year ‘Round

This is an "interesting" time of year for me where this blog is concerned.

Halloween is behind us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And Christmas is not too far behind.

It’s also the time of year when I seem to get quite a bit of "extra" email in my inbox.  

Sometimes Saying “Sorry” Just Doesn’t Cut It

One of the realities that every homeless person faces is a potential encounter with local law enforcement.

There are numerous reasons why these types of encounters occur. And, to be sure, there are those homeless who do bring it upon themselves.

Then there are those times when these "run-ins" with the law happen because local law enforcement officials behave in an overly zealous manner. Unfortunately, these latter types seldom end on a good note and either come close to being – or actually are – nothing less than police harassment.  

Anyone Can Make A Difference

I read quite a number of news articles and blog posts about homelessness from all around the nation each week. Then, whenever a homeless advocacy group releases a report or study, I end up reading those as well.

Most of the time, there isn’t a great deal of it which is positive.

A local government is passing ordinances to further limit the activities of the homeless; police are ordering the dismantling of homeless encampments; homelessness is increasing but homeless services are not; and so forth.

To be quite honest, it can be a bit overwhelming – and depressing.

Every so often though, one of the articles or posts is uplifting and inspiring.

Such was the case yesterday.