Tempe Tuesday Talks 5/26
Howdy folks! Well, it’s Tuesday once again. But of course it feels kinda like a Monday since we had yesterday off, right? Memorial Day. A wonderful way to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for us all through military service. My grandfather, a silent screen actor, died in World War I. My father, a journalist and artist, was in World War II. My brothers both served in the Air Force in the 1960s and 70s. One avoided the Vietnam draft by enlisting in the Air Force. I am proud of their service.
Well, here we are tip toeing into June. And we have been doing this quarantine for 2 1/2 months now. Sigh. Don’t know about you, but I am so over it in one way, yet I have learned so much about myself, my family and humanity, in general over these past few months. Last Thursday, I had the great privilege of attending Tempe High School’s graduation. What a strange and wonderful event! A drive thru graduation, where all of the graduating seniors drove in a long parade of cars, decorated pick up trucks and even one motorcycle. Got to see our own Keshawn Thompson get his diploma. It truly was a celebration and an example of great creativity on the part of the school staff and administration.
Well, as we go into this four day week, the Tempe Coalition is busy as usual. We keep on keepin’ on! The Opioid Committee meets tomorrow to strategize with our City and Community partners. We will continue to work on how we manage our plans for Celebrating Champions For Youth (November 18th) and we will figure out the alternatives for the youth who will not be attending the CADCA Mid Year in Nashville. We will prevail! We will have the 3rd in our 4 part workshop on cultural competency this week. See the tempecoalition.org home page to learn more and sign up! Next Tuesday we will provide an RX 360 workshop for the City of Tempe employees and the community at large.
OK. It’s time to walk the puppy, visit the Tempe Town Lake and carpe that diem! Have a great week, friends. We have come this far and we can keep this party going! Stay safe, healthy, positive and moving forward.