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Letters - March 13

ISSUE | FLOWER CHILD Studied approach As the manager of Campus Philly's Open Arts program, I was thrilled that the Philadelphia Flower Show saw student attendance double ("Time to break it all down," March 9). This year marked the first time Campus Philly was able to promote the show through its Open Arts program.

ISSUE | FLOWER CHILD

Studied approach

As the manager of Campus Philly's Open Arts program, I was thrilled that the Philadelphia Flower Show saw student attendance double ("Time to break it all down," March 9). This year marked the first time Campus Philly was able to promote the show through its Open Arts program.

Open Arts offers free membership to students at Campus Philly's 31 partner colleges and universities, supported by foundation and corporate sponsors.

Open Arts' promotion of the Flower Show included a campaign promoting the event's student ticket rate; recruitment of on-campus student ambassadors to attend the Flower Show and promote it through social media; and a college night at the show.

This collaboration between Campus Philly and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a great example of how we can help students connect off campus and experience one of Philadelphia's leading events.

|Erica Hawthorne-Manon, Open Arts Program Manager, Campus Philly, Philadelphia, openartsphilly.com

ISSUE | STEM

Not cut out for it

As Mariandl M.C. Hufford notes, it is crucial for teachers to encourage girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math, the STEM subjects ("Start early to have girls consider STEM careers," March 9). But many students, girls and boys, are deterred from taking Advanced Placement biology because teachers are choosing to dissect cats in teaching anatomy. Under Pennsylvania law, an alternative to animal dissection must be offered. However, this is not made clear to students.

Teachers should be encouraged to use models and computer simulation in place of cat dissection to encourage students of both genders.

|Michelle Reeve, West Chester

ISSUE | CLINTON E-MAIL

BlackBerry overload

In the Hilary Clinton e-mail scandal, the volume of 55,000 pages represents a fraction of the total and raises the question: How could she have time to tend to affairs of state?

|Laurence Milkowski, Springfield, milko3037@verizon.net

ISSUE | STATE STORES

Can only get so much from these bottles

Gov. Wolf would like to generate more revenue from the State Store system by expanding hours, including Sundays and holidays ("Wolf's liquor store plan meets skepticism," March 7). While that would make it easier for present customers, it would do nothing to attract and bring back consumers now enjoying competition-driven prices and greater variety in neighboring states, nor those shopping online.

|Ralph D. Bloch, Warrington, ralphdbloch@yahoo.com

Liquor Control Board can improve efficiently

Gov. Wolf's plan to modernize the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board deserves more thought than The Inquirer's back-of-the envelope math ("Wolf's liquor store plan meets skepticism," March 7). To suggest that the only way to increase profits is to increase gross sales by a percentage is silly. The governor's plan is driven by the State Store system's ability to increase revenue with a smaller percentage increase in costs and virtually no increase in staffing.

|Wendell W. Young IV, president, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, Plymouth Meeting

ISSUE | OFFICER DOWN

Gun-control efforts honor Wilson's sacrifice

The grandfather of slain Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III, referring to police protesters, said he didn't "see anybody carrying a sign for my grandson" ("A city's loss and a family's," March 8). But our group has been organizing against gun violence for two decades in the neighborhood where the officer gave his life. We mourn the Wilson family's loss and invite others to join our campaign against illegal gun transfers to prevent further tragic losses, whether police or civilian.

Both alleged perpetrators' guns were almost certainly obtained through illegal means.

X-Offenders will host its annual rally against illegal guns on Sept. 12 at the recreation center at 22nd Street and Lehigh Avenue, steps from the scene of this tragic shooting. Our hope is that Harrisburg will stop illegal gun transfers.

|Wayne Jacobs, executive director and cofounder, X-Offenders for Community Empowerment, Philadelphia

ISSUE | YOUTH AID

Amid plenty, antipovery program goes bust

Build On, a national nonprofit that has successfully sought to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy, has decided to close for lack of funds ("Phila. students lose a lifeline," March 10). In a country proud of its status, wealth, equality, and compassion, it's sobering to note that while Build On's student participants are facing the anxiety of dealing with problems of survival, many Americans are facing the anxiety of choosing between the $349 Apple Watch and the version that costs upwards of $10,000.

|Presley R. Brown, Langhorne, brow294@msn.com