Schools need driver’s ed

Re: “Dallas County Grads Likely Won’t Earn Enough — Study finds that students aren’t leaving school with skills, education sufficient to support themselves,” Monday editorial.

All of us who live in Dallas have a vested interest in the future success of our kids. There have been some disconnects between local schools and the needs of local businesses.

In my industry, auto sales, we’ve had a shortage of quality technicians and sales people. Many local schools have outstanding auto tech programs, and graduate students who could become very successful sales people. Both of these jobs have the potential to pay six figures within a relatively short period of time. Often a technician is making more money than his classmate who pursued a four-year degree.

The disconnect comes with graduating students who can be hired and covered by insurance. An applicant without a driver’s license is not employable in our industry as they are uninsurable. Driver’s education has been removed from most high schools, leaving the task of getting a driver’s license up to the student on their own time.

A student who lives in a family that can afford a car for them to practice in and the expense of the class has no issues getting a driver’s license. Unfortunately many students don’t have the available car, time nor money to do this.

Don Herring, Dallas

Students lack stability

You state fairly that students aren’t pursuing skills, education sufficient to support themselves.

It’s hard when the economically insecure are consumed with problems such as hunger, lack of shelter, poor living conditions, health issues and sleep deprivation.

Children need some stability to perform at all in school. Texas ranks last in most measurements supporting families. A struggling entrance almost guarantees a struggling exit and nonperforming results.

James Roberts, Dallas

Stop subsidizing power

Re: “Abbott supports more nuclear power — Office calls for supply chain upgrades, research network to turn vision into reality,” Tuesday news story.

I support no tax subsidies for nuclear plants (or for fossil plants or solar and wind farms or electric vehicles).

Are we now talking about equal opportunity power source subsidies? What ever happened to the idea that the government should not be picking electric power source winners and losers by providing subsidies?

Since when should the government be subsidizing private industry? Shouldn’t power sources be chosen based on the economic benefits those sources bring to the market place rather than government subsidies?

Government subsidies distort the real price of electricity hidden by the taxes we pay. There must be compelling evidence such subsidies are in the public interest, and the real cost of the subsidies must be disclosed.

Thomas L. Darte, Greenville

Learn from voucher failures

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have already declared their intention to have the Texas Legislature vote on school vouchers. Why can’t Texas politicians learn from other states that have tried school vouchers and eliminated them due to the high cost of the program?

Arizona enacted school vouchers in 2022 and this year faced a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, much of which was a result of voucher spending.

Texas public schools need adequate funding, and that is where the governor’s focus should be. Rural school districts are to be congratulated for opposing the governor’s support of school vouchers.

Jack Noteware, McKinney

People have spoken

Re: “School voucher crusade is anything but conservative,” by Glenn Rogers, Nov. 13 Opinion.

Thank you, Glenn Rogers, for your thoughts on the continued push for school vouchers. Once again, Gov. Greg Abbot and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick seem willing to go to any extremes to promote their own agendas and that of their billionaire donors.

It doesn’t seem to matter to them that the people have spoken through their representatives against vouchers. As Rogers points out, it ‘s our public schools and teachers who are paying the price for their unyielding crusade. Quit holding them hostage!

Adele Younkin, Grapevine

Wings need seats

Re: “Can Bueckers have Clark-like impact?” by Kevin Sherrington, Sports Quick Take.

I’m delighted that the Wings got the first pick in the WNBA draft. Paige Bueckers is an excellent possible first choice, although there are other strong candidates.

Bueckers’ college coach Geno Auriemma hurt his credibility with his persistence that Bueckers was better than Caitlin Clark. He’s had to eat his words in many interviews since.

There has never been a player like Clark. Bueckers’ stats don’t compare; in fact, she’s not even in second place. Kelsey Plum is.

Wait till end of WNBA season next year and compare Bueckers’ rookie stats to Clark’s. Let’s see if it’s close. And you can’t ever overlook how Clark makes all the other players around her better and her enormous fan appeal.

A real disaster is that the Wings stadium only holds 6,000 seats. Can’t compare fan appeal if you don’t have seats to sell.

Larry Huddleston, Cedar Hill

Cowboys’ sky already fell

Re: “Is sky falling? Cowboys make some progress, but can’t catch Texans after metal falls,” by David Moore, Tuesday SportsDay column.

Is the sky falling? Nope, the sky fell several weeks ago. It fell when Jerry Jones decided to make the second worst decision in his career. Namely paying Dak Prescott millions, and now Prescott is smiling all the way to the bank.

Don Skaggs, Garland

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DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks started the season of giving with the team’s annual turkey giveaway. 

The Mavs players who took part in Wednesday’s holiday giveaway really put a smile on people’s faces.

This is the sixth year that the Dallas Mavericks have teamed up with Kroger for the Mavs Turkey Giveaway.

Some 300 families served by Buckner International, a faith-based nonprofit, were each given an entire Thanksgiving meal complete with a turkey and all the fixings. 

People were extremely grateful for the food and celebrity interaction.

“Honestly, I feel very blessed,” said recipient Ruby Martinez. “It’s very nice for their part to come out on their day off and come out and help the community. It’s very big from their part.”

“Whenever I was a little kid, I wasn’t in a very fortunate situation to have a lot of turkey, a lot of sides, a lot of food at the table,” said Mavs player Derek Lively II. “For me to give back, it means a lot to me just to make a little bit of a difference in somebody’s day.”

The famed Maniacs were also on hand to entertain people as they waited in line. 

One woman in line said the event made her forget her financial troubles for a bit. She left with food and a bunch of autographs. 

Support has poured in for Dallas restaurant owner Al Biernat, who died Nov. 13, 2024 after a fast-moving battle with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. A compassionate restaurateur for more than 50 years, Biernat will be remembered as one of Dallas’ most connected businessmen.

Biernat’s memorial is set for Dec. 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Dallas on 1707 San Jacinto St. All are invited to celebrate his life.

Valet parking is available — a flourish that Biernat would surely appreciate.

Near the end of Biernat’s life, after ALS symptoms robbed him of the ability to speak or eat, he told The Dallas Morning News he worried about leaving behind his wife of 45 years, Jeannie Biernat, and his three children. But, he said he also felt peace.

In a series of emails to The Dallas Morning News near the end of his life, Al Biernat said his faith led him through decades of a tumultuous restaurant business.

“I had a strong belief and confidence that God was with me along the way,” Biernat said.

He repeated that mantra often.

“I have learned to trust God,” he said, ”and keep my faith in all circumstances.”

Since Biernat’s death, friends and customers have honored his legacy in a flood of Facebook posts, emails to The Dallas Morning News and messages to his family.

Former Dallas Morning News dining review contributor Michele Axley said Biernat “was a thoughtful, prayerful, blessed man loved by many.”

Forrest Peterson, a server at Al Biernat’s for 25 years, said in early 2024 that Biernat was a servant leader who taught him grit and kindness.

“The way he treats people is going to be a legacy,” Peterson said.

One of the most succinct remembrances of Biernat comes from Brad Fuller, general manager of Al Biernat’s steakhouse and Biernat’s nephew. Uncle Al, as Fuller called him, had a big heart.

“Al has a special way of making everyone think they are the most important person in the room,” Fuller said.

Biernat’s family is gathering messages, stories and photos from friends and customers. Email FriendofAl@albiernats.com or write to 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, TX, 75219, c/o Al Biernat’s Personal.

Biernat’s celebration of life is Dec. 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Dallas, 1707 San Jacinto St., Dallas. Contact frontdesk@albiernats.com with questions.

For more food news, follow Sarah Blaskovich on X at @sblaskovich.