|
|
|
Q. Who is responsible for railroad crossing maintenance? The city or the railroad? The K and O (Kansas and Oklahoma) railroad crossing at First Street and Kansas is very rough. The crossings for that same track on Broadway, on 12th Street and on North Main are much smoother. Obviously someone knows how to do it right.
A. Poor Suzanne Loomis. The Go-To Gal is always bugging the Newton director of public works about something. But she’s always very helpful, and she yet again has provided insightful info.
Railroad crossings are the responsibility of the railroads. And, apparently, others have noticed the bumpy unpleasantness of the First Street and Kansas crossing because, according to Loomis, the city has met with railroad representatives and the Kansas Department of Transportation, and a crossing improvement project is planned for this fall. So maybe we won’t lose half our cups of coffee each time we cross the tracks. Which means Newtonians may have twice as much coffee flowing through our veins.
Hmmm ...
Q. How is it my teenager got into an R-rated movie at the theater? I thought they had to be with a parent or guardian if they were younger than 17.
A. The Classification and Ratings Board released their voluntary film rating system in November 1968.
The ratings have been tweaked somewhat since then, but the gist of it is to give people a guideline to look at in deciding how appropriate the film is for different age children.
Best estimates I found indicate about 85 percent of movie theaters agree to adhere to the MPAA guidelines — or at least say they do.
But the key words here are “voluntary” and “guideline.” The ratings are not legally binding. So, while the ratings indicate children younger than 17 should not be watching R-rated movies without a parent or guardian, there are no legal consequences if theaters — or parents — ignore the rating system.
Todd Miles, general manager of Chisholm Trail 8 Theatre in Newton, said the MPAA guidelines were created as guidelines for parents, not something for theaters to enforce.
“At our particular theater, we leave it up to the parents,” Miles said. “As long as it’s OK with parents, it’s OK with us.”
So, knowing the guidelines are voluntary, you now will be completely justified in stalking your children every time they venture anywhere near a movie theater. They’ll be so thrilled.
Until next time ...
Q. Who is responsible for railroad crossing maintenance? The city or the railroad? The K and O (Kansas and Oklahoma) railroad crossing at First Street and Kansas is very rough. The crossings for that same track on Broadway, on 12th Street and on North Main are much smoother. Obviously someone knows how to do it right.
A. Poor Suzanne Loomis. The Go-To Gal is always bugging the Newton director of public works about something. But she’s always very helpful, and she yet again has provided insightful info. Railroad crossings are the responsibility of the railroads. And, apparently, others have noticed the bumpy unpleasantness of the First Street and Kansas crossing because, according to Loomis, the city has met with railroad representatives and the Kansas Department of Transportation, and a crossing improvement project is planned for this fall. So maybe we won’t lose half our cups of coffee each time we cross the tracks. Which means Newtonians may have twice as much coffee flowing through our veins. Hmmm ...Q. How is it my teenager got into an R-rated movie at the theater? I thought they had to be with a parent or guardian if they were younger than 17.A. The Classification and Ratings Board released their voluntary film rating system in November 1968. The ratings have been tweaked somewhat since then, but the gist of it is to give people a guideline to look at in deciding how appropriate the film is for different age children. Best estimates I found indicate about 85 percent of movie theaters agree to adhere to the MPAA guidelines — or at least say they do.But the key words here are “voluntary” and “guideline.” The ratings are not legally binding. So, while the ratings indicate children younger than 17 should not be watching R-rated movies without a parent or guardian, there are no legal consequences if theaters — or parents — ignore the rating system.Todd Miles, general manager of Chisholm Trail 8 Theatre in Newton, said the MPAA guidelines were created as guidelines for parents, not something for theaters to enforce.“At our particular theater, we leave it up to the parents,” Miles said. “As long as it’s OK with parents, it’s OK with us.” So, knowing the guidelines are voluntary, you now will be completely justified in stalking your children every time they venture anywhere near a movie theater. They’ll be so thrilled.Until next time ...
