Public Access TV Producer: "Neighbors"

I think the alternative high school, class rooms across the town of Greenwich should have a 45-minute mandatory Chess session. At the session the students can either engage in the game, learn the Chess Song or watch an episode of NEIGHBORS. Phew! I said it, that feels good.

When my daughter was at Greenwich High School back in the '90s, the students that wouldn’t go to class, wouldn’t stay in school or had discipline issues were sent to Arch Street/Teen Center. Some of the attendees of Arch Street/Teen Center are now adults, mothers and fathers still living in and around the Byram area, and from my information, the thoughtless actions, which got them kicked out of the high school and into the alternative school are still present in their adult lives. Sad but true.

Last year I adopted a little Pit Bull from the Greenwich Animal Shelter. In the morning we’d walk up to the park, walk around then I’d roller skate while Shaqueeta that’s what I named the dog, laid down and chewed on her bone. Shortly thereafter a group of about 20 teenagers would drag into the park - some in groups bouncing balls, others walking and texting and the stragglers - bringing up the rear, an adult of retirement age. Let me tell you those young people paid that adult, little or no attention as he tried to engage them in kick ball or whatever. Most of the teens laid on the grass, others walked away from the ball field, making the adult have to call after them. In about 30 minutes the students and adult dragged out of the park - physical education requirement met.

I was told that the group I saw in the park were Greenwich High School students who went to class (rented space) at the Catholic church nearby. After getting that bit of information, I’ve dreamt of taking a couple of Chess boards, copies of the Chess Song CD’s and NEIGHBORS  DVD’s and running them over to the school and saying to the students, “You think you are going to be young forever, you’re not, and in the adult world consequences and actions are deep and long lasting. There’s 50-year-old inmates who have been serving time for an action they did at your age – now after having fifty years of their life spent being punished, forgotten behind prison bars, they’ve grown older and wiser, but they still can’t get out of jail. Hence the saying IF I KNEW THEN, [when young] WHAT I KNOW NOW [as an adult] I WOULDN’T HAVE,dot, dot, dot. Don’t let that be you.”

Listen, I’m not gonna kid you or myself, I’ve seen me on NEIGHBORS (Weds 6 pm & Suns 8:30 am), and I know that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for this gray headed, African American woman with a Spanish last name that has no consonants behind it, to demand a Chess program be instituted by the Board of Education (BOE), such is life. Heck, I’m still waiting to hear if NEIGHBORS will be accepted on GCTV; however, don’t focus on me the messenger, just get the message. Thinking is not a Geek/Nerd thing it’s a “make it or break it – do or die ” thing. I know the BOE can find Chess coinsurers and champions who are hiding in and around this town and pay him/her to engage "At Risk" elementary, middle school and high school students, in no cost Chess programs, or... just Keep watching NEIGHBORS on public access Ch. 88 Weds at 6 pm and Suns 8:30 am, or… learn Chess at the Byram Shubert Library, Thursdays at 5 pm http://www.greenwichlibrary.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp?libnum=2&EventType=ALL&Lib=2

We are still running the first episode of our third season. Every time you look at it you’ll see something you’ve missed. Like us at https://www.facebook.com/neighborstv our Matthew at https://www.facebook.com/YourCruiseTA.  Thank you for supporting NEIGHBORS.

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