Update re. Creating a Pro-Drug Environment

I met with the Tobacco Committee yesterday and we discussed the tobacco tents. Apparently folks had to purchase one full price item and then received a big ole' bag of "sample" cans, basically half can sized. The amount that one person received was basically equivalent to 3 whole cans of the stuff. Make of that what you want, but that really worries me.

Cool Clothes for Warm Weather

As you may know, my second home is on the Big Island of Hawaii. I am planning to visit in June, and see the new vent of the Kiluea eruption. Such expeditions require sturdy footwear, cool breathable clothes, and strong reliable flashlights, since the best show is at night. I actually found a site that provides all of the above, with really low prices. It is a military and police gear supply company called LA Police Gear: BDU Pants

I especially like these pants--durable, lightweight. I understand that they are created for military use, so obviously they can stand up to the rigors of lava fields. I am looking forward to being appropriately outfitted for the lava!

The Wiz of the West

The performance day of Missoula Children's Theatre's Wiz of the West was yesterday. Bravo to the actors--about 50 kids were cast in the show and did a phenomenal job. This is a project of the Tehama County Arts Council, and one member of our board of directors, Danna, coordinates it. She did such a great job. We are truly lucky to have her support.

Getting Clean and Green

My friend (and boss) Amy has begun using Shaklee green cleaning products in her home. She was worried about the amount of chems she was using around her adorable 4 year old son. Shaklee's stuff is natural, organic, and environmentally safe.

Turns out, Shaklee has been around since the 1950's. The company has been dedicated to natural methods and sustainable products. The company's products are the cleaning products of choice for a variety of environmental expeditions, including the Wild Dolphin Project. Get this:

"Shaklee is the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral certification and totally offset its C02 emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment."

Amy likes how the products smell, and they do a good job. She is particularly fond of the fabric softener. She bought the Get Clean Starter Kit, which includes a bunch of products; dish soap, laundry soap, scouring paste, fabric softener, hand soap, etc. If you want to check it out, visit Shaklee's website. I am ready to make the switch!

Thanks, Amy, for the info.

Creating a Pro-Drug Environment

So, those of you who know me, know that I work in Prevention. I run Friday Night Live, a youth leadership club dedicated to preventing alcohol, tobacco and drugs and their related problems like teen pregnancy and violence. We work on projects that we call "environmental prevention." Essentially, EP projects challenge the cultural norms that drinking/drug use are necessary to having a good time, or somehow essential to our community and cultural celebrations. We have worked on projects aimed at using events like Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink. Many alcohol/tobacco companies co-opt these events, which originally have strong cultural meanings (like Cinco de Mayo) and make them the debauchery holidays. They pollute our community landscape, and give youth the impression that drinking/smoking are the only things to do in such situations.

Thus is the case with the Red Bluff Round Up. Our rodeo is a longstanding tradition of tough men and women competing in a tough sport (not my thing, but very popular nonetheless). Somehow, this sport has become synonymous with chewing tobacco and beer. So much so, that the scoreboard is sponsored by a smokeless tobacco company, one of the large sponsors is a beer company, and barriers and barrels, decorations, etc. are covered in these advertisements. Those in attendance cannot get away from the ads. We are essentially telling kids who like rodeo that you can't participate in this sport without these products, creating a community and social norm that it is the thing to use when you watch or compete in rodeo. And we wonder why kids use these substances?

The smokeless tobacco companies go a step further, and during major fairgrounds events like the Round Up, will erect these pop-up tents at nearby convenience stores to give away product coupons. Doesn't sound too bad, right? A coupon that, in order to receive it, you must show proof of age, a coupon which will save you a dollar on a product that you were going to buy anyway, right? Sure, except that the law prohibits the giving away of these products, or the giving of "coupons" for the full amount of the product. The coupons are required to be used one per purchase. But the company folks come in and tell the store owner "they can use multiple coupons for one can" or the like, so folks are getting free product. They also are required by law to post a licensed security guard at the tent to check ID, but rarely do so. They also have their product name emblazoned on their tent, so thousands of passersby get a view of their logo.

These companies also will tell store owners where to place their products for maximum sales, fully ignoring state laws in the process. In California, tobacco products are prohibited from being self service. They must be behind the counter and the clerk must get it for you. The companies will insist that they place them in prohibited locations, sometimes offering incentives to stores that give the product/product ads prime in-store real estate.

I just warn parents to talk to their kids about alcohol and tobacco, to refrain from using these things in front of their kids, and to counter the social norm that alcohol and tobacco use are okay.

Starbucks

So, we all know that Starbucks has a bad rep, being corporate and ruthless in their takeovers of small markets and such. My most favorite Lewis Black bit is about the Starbucks with a Starbucks across the street, in the same building as the first one. He claims that the only people who would need that kind of Starbucks saturation would be Alzheimer's patients. I would disagree with that--there are Starbucks that are smelly, grimey or otherwise undesireable which warrant another option. There are also days that require another cup of coffee, incognito (I mean, who wants to go back again and again for a fix from the same all-seeing barista? Caffeine paranoia, anyone?). But this is not why I needed to write to you today.

I like the "vintage" Starbucks cups. They are marketing their Pike's Place Roast in honor of their original store in Seattle (opened in 1971 for anyone who cares). They have rolled out the original, double tailed mermaid design in brown on their cups, all of their promo signs are written like cafe chalk boards, and there are these cute green cup spout stoppers that you can get. Those are completely unnecessary and wasteful, especially if you are (and you SHOULD be) using your own cup. But I love little details and gadgets and these are cool nonetheless.

Here's the thing about Starbucks, though. First of all, I am adverse to spending $4 on a cup of coffee. I just can't justify it, especially when regular food is now a fortune and you have to be a millionaire to fill your car's gas tank. I have been getting just brewed coffee, but even that, at a buck seventy-five, is pricey when you consider I can make it myself for mere pennies. Second of all, I go through cycles of not being able to tolerate their coffee. It is so darkly roasted that it tastes scorched to me, and I am not happy with it. I drink espresso elsewhere and it is rich, chocolaty and not BURNED. But at Starbucks, they pride themselves in this roasting style.

But I love to sit there in the squishy chairs, slowly sipping a cup of joe, talking with my companion, whomever they may be (oh, who am I kidding? It will be mom). It is amazing that Starbucks has built an empire on selling a stimulant drug in an environment for relaxing.

Okay, gotta go get a cuppa.

Brie and other random loves

I love Rouge Et Noir Brie. It is a California company and the brie is creamy, sweet and so tasty. We put it on crusty bread from Raley's--I think its called a pugliese bread.

I love cheap, fruit flavored wine. There is one in particular, Fruitezia, that has a tropical flavor. It is slightly carbonated and a little tart.

I like pepsi, and Red Robin burgers, and mochas from Starbucks. I love Simply Orange juice.

There you go. I think I have the munchies.

Youth Acting Workshop

As part of the build up to our Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) residency week, the Tehama County Arts Council hosted a Youth Actors Workshop. On Saturday, nearly 30 kids in kindergarten through 6th grade joined us at the Tehama County Department of Education. The workshop leaders were high school students and veterans of MCT's past. They hosted a series of theatre games in an effort to build confidence and teach some audition skills.

The event started off with a game of charades, which started out as just an activity to pass the time, but as the children arrived it became an excellent icebreaker, and an opportunity for the kids to start getting on stage. Then they were split into 3 groups and participated in creativity games, movement exercises, and volume and enunciation. The youth leaders were great, patient, informative and very supportive. They also were very clear about the possibility of not getting cast in the play, and that they should not be discouraged, but to try again the next year.

I am thrilled to be a part of any opportunity to encourage the arts for children, and loved that this was a youth driven project! We will definitely pursue this project again next year--some of the kids there would like to see it happen every weekend!

Missoula auditions for this year's production, The Wiz of the West are Monday, 4/21 at 3:30 at the Vista School gym. Performances are Saturday, 4/26 at 3pm and 7pm.

Local Food, Trying New Restaurants

For the past several weeks we have been eating out more than usual--we have been extremely busy and either don't find time to grocery shop, or are too exhausted to cook what we have. It's okay, since I have gotten to try a variety of new-ish places in town.

We have eaten lunch at the new Cowgirl Cafe a few times. This is the place on Main St. that used to be Red Rock Cafe, and before that, The Feedbag. They focus on burgers and other hearty, "cowgirl sized" fare, or at least that is how their pancakes are described. I really loved their green chili cheese burger. It was a well seasoned burger on a toasted bun and topped with jack cheese and an ortega chili. Really tasty, and huge! I was also a fan of their patty melt, and they put it on sourdough for me instead of the rye it usually comes on (I HATE RYE BREAD!) Apparently, Cowgirl Cafe is a franchise, and there are others like it all around California. The theme is really appropriate, this being cow country and all, and I am sure it will be packed solid when the Red Bluff Round Up starts next weekend. The decor is very rustic, with barbed wire and rope motifs framing the old rodeo posters and western accoutrement adorning the walls. I particularly love the horsey next to the front door which serves at their mailbox. I am always disappointed that they serve Coke products instead of Pepsi, but have really liked what I've seen so far.

We also have eaten at Carlito's. This one is in the spot Francisco's used to be in. Man, do I miss Francisco's, with their tasty white sauce on their chili rellenos...mmmmmm! But Carlito's has impressed me as well. First of all, when I walked in with my 16 month old neice, she was handed crayons and a placemat right away, which curbed a tantrum. At my first visit I ordered Chili Verde, and it was wonderful, tender and juicy and perfectly seasoned. They also remembered to leave the guacamole off (I am deathly allergic to avocados, and I always tell servers that. I have actually had restaurants forget to hold it, scrape it off my entree, and cover up the green residue with sour cream. So then I eat it and spend the rest of the day in a Benedryl coma). The second visit I had Pollo al a Crema, which was very good, sort of tart and creamy, with nice vegetables and a sauce that was really tasty on rice. I did not like the chips on the table, however. They tasted as though they were cooked in really old oil. The salsa was good, but the chips were terrible! The restaurant's decor has not changed much since the building's Francisco's days, as it still has the beautiful mural of prominent Latino figures on the back wall, bright colors, etc.

I love food, so as I try various places, I will report to you.

Prom Project Update

The Prom Project has now held 2 boutiques, and they have been a smashing success. We have given away about 20 dresses, and still more keep rolling in. We actually received 8 dresses and a big box of jewelry just today. It has been unreal, how supportive people are of the project.

It is so neat to see the girls shop for their formal wear. They are all so surprised at how nice the dresses are--I guess they assumed we would have old grandma dresses and thrift store cast-offs to offer, so we hear a lot of exclamations of "Wow, these dresses are really nice!" I am so honored to be a part of this project. I do the prevention education portion, and all of the young people have been really good listeners, asking questions and participating. I know they are just doing as a means to an end, but I hope at least some of the info will sink in.

New Opportunity: Getting Paid for My Opinion!

Who knew that there were people out there that want to pay for my opinion? Sure enough, Pay Per Post does. I was so completely skeptical about such a thing--getting paid to blog, but I did a google search on it anyway, and found Pay Per Post. It was pretty easy to sign up for, although I really got a crash course in how my particular blog worked--I had to learn about RSS, and how to add things to the HTML, etc. I feel so smart! Let's see if I get paid to blog.

I am so looking forward to researching new and interesting products, websites and services that I might never have known about. I am also really looking forward to paying off my insurmountable credit card debt with the proceeds of posting. I am really enjoying learning about new blogs through Pay Per Post as well--I always check out their Blog of the Day, and aspire to one day be one! These are people who get paid to blog.

So, every now and then, I will get sponsored to discuss products and services that I would be talking about anyway. I love to review stuff, but anything that I get compensated for discussing, I will let you, my readers know about. But, hey, if you are a blogger, check out Pay Per Post, and get paid to be opinionated! I will let you know once I get my first paycheck if it is worth it to get paid to blog

The Prom Project is Up and Running!

We kicked off the Prom Project yesterday. The boutique looked beautiful, as we decorated conference room A in teal, orange, yellow and lime (sounds awful, I know, but it matched our comfy orange lounge chairs and throw pillows). We had a small turnout for the first day, but as it is a minimum day at the high school each Monday, we figure kids just went home and forgot about us. We had a lot of support from the media! The Red Bluff Daily News, Redding Record Searchlight, and Channel 7 all came out and did pieces. The RBDN had us front page, above the fold, and ch. 7 had us on the 11pm news (and I hope the news today). The Searchlight only publishes the Red Bluff section twice a week, so we look forward to their piece as well.

Because of the buzz created, we have been inundated with calls and visits of people donating more things, asking to be a part of the project, and just sharing their prom stories. The other blog, My Prom Story, has been so well received. It has been amazing having so many people share their prom experience, and wishing this year's prom-goers a great time.

Note: The photo above is from the RBDN article.

New Project!

At work we are hosting the Tehama County Prom Project, an opportunity for foster, homeless, and other teens in need in our communities to get formal wear and accessories for that very important teen rite of passage--the PROM. We have been collecting dresses, suits, shoes, jewelry and bags for several months now and have amassed a stock of close to 150 dresses. Mens wear was harder to come by and we have fewer offerings for the gentlemen, but we still have a few choices, including a tuxedo rental and some rental discounts.

In addition to receiving beautiful formal wear, the youth will be participating in a Prevention Lounge, and place set up to provide prevention education and safe prom tips to assist the youth in making healthy decisions come prom night.

Along with the Prom Project, we have started a new blog called My Prom Story, and have invited people to share the good, the bad and the ugly (dresses) from their prom. The blog site is www.mypromstory.blogspot.com and it has been such fun to accumulate the prom stories. Starting Monday we get to begin giving the formal wear away. I am so excited for these young people!

Non-Shakespeare Fun in Ashland

Lithia Park is a beautiful attraction in Ashland. With a roaring creek running through it and lovely vegetation, it is a very relaxing place to hang out. You will invariably run into interesting characters around the park, musicians, jugglers, folks practicing fencing...

Festival actors hold talks in the park for free, and prior to most evening performances is the Green Show, a fantasic dance show. There are also fairly low cost attractions that are put on by OSF, like backstage tours and play previews.

The shopping opportunities are amazing. Their are several highly eclectic shops, specialty foods stores, bookstores, vintage clothing stores.

If I were an outdoorsy type, I'd ski at Mt. Ashland, or hike or raft. But I am not. So I haven't.

Ashland part 2

During my last trip to Ashland, culinary experiences were nearly as important to me as theatrical ones. I took my brother (the other theatre geek in the family) with me, for our almost annual trip together. We had lunch one day at Pilaf, a spectacular poly-ethnic restaurant. I particularly enjoyed the Mediterranean selections, including fabulous pita bread and hummus, and so many of their selections are vegetarian, and so healthy. Really tasty food, and my brother, a confirmed meat-and-potatoes person, was satisfied. The restaurant was closed for a while, but their website says that they will be back up and running.

We had dinner at Standing Stone Brewery. That was fantastic, despite the long wait to get a seat. The atmosphere was exhilarating, with live music, beer brewing paraphernalia adorning the walls and the noisy, talkative clientèle. We had a beer sampler, a cute tray of shooters containing their 7 brews, arranged from lightest to darkest. Their Honey Ale was sweet and refreshing, and my favorite, though the stout was particularly interesting, strong and complex. That was my bro's favorite. The food was great, too. He had buffalo burger, and I ate yellow thai curry. Both dishes were strong enough flavors to really stand up to the beer.

We had another lunch at a little deli on the main drag, but I forgot the name of it. Its a shame, since it was such a great little place. We had hearty soups and some really tasty sandwiches made with excellent bread and cheeses. Attached was a little culinary shop featuring hard to find spices and condiments, a wide selection of wines and other treats.

In the next installment: What else to do in Ashland

Ashland

I am practically salivating to get to go to Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival this year! I want to see their Midsummer Night's Dream. It is difficult to justify the travel costs, the membership and the tickets when everything is so expensive and I am struggling to save money and pay down debt, but Ashland and OSF really rejuvenate my spirit.

Last year I saw The Rabbit Hole, a beautifully done drama about a family coping with the accidental death of their toddler son. It was heartrending and funny, and the tragedy was dealt with in a very real manner, and with a light touch rather than being over the top. It was staged in the New Theatre, which I love. It is so intimate that it makes me feel like we are in the know, we are part of the action. I have always loved black-box staging. The first show I saw there was Macbeth, and it was brilliant! They pared it down to bare-bones, with a mere 6 actors in the cast, no set besides a round stage with a blood pit at the center, plus thrones and other items brought on as needed. It was staged in the round, so actors entered and exited right next to you. During fights, actors would dip their hands into the pit and mark their opponent with blood. No weapons were used, just the pantomime and the blood, but it couldn't have seemed more realistic. It was magnificent.

We also saw On the Razzle last year in the Angus Bowmer Theatre, and I must say, I was a little disappointed with it. It was a farce, with mistaken identities, crooks on the lam, and young lovers trying to elope. All the makings of a great comedy, but it just felt hollow to me; it was over the top with the acting (yes, I realize a farce ought to be over the top--this was cloyingly so) and overdone. The set, I must say, was magnificent, as were the costumes. I just didn't really enjoy this show.

More later on my Ashland favorites!