Kidz Fest at Chevy Centre was simply spectacular

EDITOR:
My two daughters (ages 5 and 3), my niece and nephew (ages 6 and 4 respectively), along with my brother-in-law and myself, attended the 2006 Kidz Fest at the Cheverolet Centre on July 23. We had a spectacular time.
We were greeted outside by the MedEvac helicopter people and firefighters and their firetruck. From there, we went over to the Monster Truck and the rock-wall area. There was so much to do outside, we couldn't wait to get inside. Once indoors, we were greeted with bags to collect goodies. By the time we left (four hours later) we had filled more goodie bags than I could carry. The children learned about bike safety and received bike helmets.
We made pasta bracelets and played in a rice table. We took our photo with Scooby Doo and made the trip around the Bounce-a-Round area about ten times. The lines were not long and the wait was short for each activity. The arena was clean and well staffed with friendly people. It was so nice to be able to take the children somewhere and feel comfortable. There were many vendors, schools, and companies wanting our business, but not one of them made us feel pressured into buying or signing up or joining anything.
It truly was a Kidz Fest -- with a little fun for the grown-ups, too. Kudos to the planning team and the workers who made it a success!
LISA JACKSON
Poland
Kidz Fest stunt rider jumpingover children appalls reader
EDITOR:
Regarding the front page picture of July 24, in which Jeff Lenosky, a mountain bike stunt rider from Sparta, N.J., is jumping over 10 young volunteers at Kidz Fest at the Chevrolet Centre: What were the parents thinking allowing their children to participate in such a dangerous stunt?
This world is dangerous enough for our children, and setting them up for this just appalls me. I guarantee this will not be the only letter you get regarding this stupid form of enjoyment.
JOANNE COLBRUNN
Hubbard
Cruel theft of video cameradestroys family memories
EDITOR:
To the person or persons who stole the video camera from a property on Canfield Road: We know that you have to live in the neighborhood. You have had to watch my family playing in the back yard to have known about the camera.
You must not have a conscience or you were not raised in a loving home environment. The digital video camera that you stole has a year's worth of video of my precious new grandson. That video has memories that cannot be replaced. My grandson's first steps, his first time in a wading pool, on his trampoline and his first Christmas and birthday.
How could you be so cruel? If you are not a big enough person to return the camera at least please return the video memory card so we can have these pictures to remember. Just put it in an envelope and drop it in the mailbox of the home you stole the camera from.
DEBBIE LOVAS
Warren
The benefits of space travel
This is to reply to recent letters asking what benefits are derived from the space program.
I typed "space benefits" on a search engine, and here is a fraction of the benefits: laser angioplasty, programmable pacemaker, ocular screening, ultrasound scanners, portable x-ray devices, MRI, bone analyzer, radiation hazard detector, emergency response robot, emergency rescue cutters, upgraded firefighter airtanks and finally smoke detectors.
Just think what life would be like without these and all the other benefits from the space program.
MICHAEL MCCLEERY
Austintown