Each week the Standard-Examiner hashes out issues large and small and takes a thumbs-up, thumbs-down stance. Have a thumbs-up or thumbs-down you’d like to give? Email a submission of 100 words or less to jmccabe@standard.net.

Here’s what we recommend this week for praise and criticism:

THUMBS UP: To the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, which today is sponsoring the state’s Free Fishing Day.

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as dipping a line and enjoying the outdoors. Youngsters these days, though, may not get the same exposure to angling that many of us did over the years.

Enter the Division of Wildlife Resources. Today, without a fishing license, you can take a family member or friend fishing and open their eyes to the joy of the sport.

A number of area waterways will be hosting special events through the day, and even have rods and reels available for your use. There’s no excuse to not get out on the water today and enjoy yourself.

THUMBS UP: To the Utah State Board of Education, which voted Thursday to draft a statewide school safety plan, a first in the state.

School safety is a major concern throughout the state, and we were pleased to see the state board address it in such a manner.

“I think it’s imperative in today’s times that we have a statewide school safety initiative,” state board member Terryl Warner said. “We have the senate president, we have the Legislature, we have the governor and, yet, we are kind of lacking on one and perhaps we need to follow Indiana, Texas and a couple of other states, but do something that is best for Utah and establishing a school safety plan.”

The Utah Safety Commission was created after the Feb. 14 Parkland, Florida, shooting. As part of the commission, Warner held town halls in Northern Utah during March and April to hear from the community. Now it’s up to the board to come up with a realistic plan for school safety in Utah.

THUMBS UP: To the Sounds of Freedom event, which began Friday and concludes today at Layton Commons Park.

The patriotic event features live music, and outdoor movie, flag ceremony with guest speakers, vendors and a car show. All proceeds from the event go to the Ogden Homeless Veterans Fellowship.

The festival shows appreciation for those who’ve served in the military, as well as their families.

“Basically, it’s a day to tell our veterans and everyone thank you,” event founder L.T. Weese said.

THUMBS UP: To the city of Ogden, which is nearing adoption of a proposal to create a downtown arts district.

Council reviewed the Nine Rails Creative District Master Plan this week, with an official vote on the matter expected later this month. The district, according to city project coordinator Sara Meess, is centered between Washington Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, from 24th and 26th streets. But the district will extend west to Historic 25th Street, north to The Junction and east into the east-central area. Artscentric connections will be made between the heart of the district and all three of the outlying areas.

Things like art crosswalks, upgraded streetscapes, a food truck hub, plazas, a gateway art installation and redesign of Lester Park are all part of the plan. We applaud the city for moving this much-needed plan forward.