editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
)HEUXDU\ 6HUYLQJ 'DQYLOOH Teen Esteem By Fran Miller The statistics are startling: if a teen begins drinking at age 15, he or she has a 40% chance of becoming an alcohol-dependent adult; 67% of these 15 year-old drinkers will experiment with elicit drugs. Alcohol, which can affect the natural development of the teen brain, is implicated in the top three causes of teen fatalities. And, one out of two eighth graders have experimented with alcohol. The pressures faced by today’s youth can often lead to risky behaviors such as underage and binge drinking, drugs, prescription drug abuse and sexual activity. And, the limited reasoning skills of an under-developed adolescent brain often lead to perilous choices, made without regard to consequences. The high-risk behavior of today’s youth High school students participate in the “Teacup Analogy” requires the watchful eye exercise with Teen Esteem volunteer presenter Jill Daniels. and guidance of not only parents, but also community members and neighbors. Never before has the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” been more apt. Teen Esteem is that village. Teen Esteem was founded in 1994 by Linda Turnbull out of concern that many young people were lured to risky behaviors that could potentially lead to negative lifelong repercussions. Executive Director Turnbull and her team of four part-time staff members, a board of directors, trained volunteer speakers, and community volunteers work together to equip, educate, and empower teens and their parents on issues related to health, well-being, self-respect, and respect for others. Through volunteer speakers and ongoing interaction with school administrators, counselors, law enforcement, doctors and parents, Teen Esteem has the ability to accurately access current youth culture and trends, and in turn, relevantly address high school and middle schools students throughout the Tri-Valley area with their “Healthy Choices” presentations. Teen Esteem speakers are young adults, trained to deliver an informative, dynamic, and memorable message. The parent education team includes community professionals who, through informaGet S.M.A.R.T. tional events, equip parents as to how A Teen Esteem tool to use when mak- they can best prepare their child for ing a difficult decision or avoid a difficult the turbulent adolescent years. situation: Get S.M.A.R.T. A presentation example includes S – Say no. Be comfortable using this the “teacup analogy” exercise: three super important tool! volunteer students each choose a M – Make up your mind about your cup- a red plastic cup, a chipped values. Do it now, not later! ceramic coffee mug, or a fine china A - Accountability. Make friends with teacup. They are asked to describe those who support you and your values! what their cup is used for, how they R – Respect. No one wants to be feel about it, how long they will treated with disrespect. Treat others with keep it, and if it is special. Resultrespect, even if they don’t act like they ing dialogue is reflective of how the want it! students view themselves and how T – Think beyond the moment. It they allow others to treat them: Party could save you from broken dreams and cup: flashy, pretty, no worth, disposLOTS of heartache. See Teen continued on page 10
Local Postal Customer
02324 34$ U.S. Postage 0!)$ Permit 263 !LAMO #!
ECRWSS
Tao House
Tao House - Gateway to Eugene O’Neill’s Legacy By Jody Morgan The dramatic views of Mount Diablo enjoyed by Eugene O’Neill and his wife Carlotta are accessible to Tao House visitors free of charge thanks to the perspicacity and perseverance of a few individuals who persuaded Congress to create a unique arrangement between the Eugene O’Neill Foundation and the National Park Service. A memorandum of agreement defines the partnership between the Foundation that saved the property
Rehearsal for The Straw: Left to right, Eden Neuendorf as Eileen Carmody, Megan Miller as Miss Howard, Keith Jefferds as Bill Carmody, and Valerie Weak as Mrs. Brennan.
from becoming one more hilltop housing development and the Park Service that preserves it. Park Service rangers maintain the house and grounds and guide visitors through O’Neill’s secluded haven. Foundation volunteers provide artistic and educational programs that highlight O’Neill’s impact on American theatre. The only American playwright ever awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, O’Neill used the Volume III - Number 4 $40,000 sum the 1936 honor brought with it to 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 purchase a 158-acre Danville ranch in 1937. (925) 405-6397 Carlotta oversaw the design and construction Fax (925) 406-0547 of their retreat blending the couple’s interest in Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Oriental art and philosophy with Spanish coloeditor@ nial architecture appropriate to the site. A 1941 yourmonthlypaper.com Life Magazine photo shoot provides detailed documentation of the interior décor. (Destined The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily for a December issue, the spread was replaced reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not at the last minute by pages on Pearl Harbor.) responsible for the content of any of In the study where Eugene wrote A Long Day’s the advertising herein, nor does
See Tao House continued on page 14
publication imply endorsement.