Binge Drinking Now... Heart Disease Later?

Teens, young adults and drinking. 

It’s harmless fun and a normal part of growing up, right?

So we shouldn't worry too much about it, right?

Well if you need another reason to take teen drinking seriously here’s one. Binge drinking between the ages of 18-25 may increase risk of heart disease later in life. According to a study by Shane A. Phillips, PT, Ph.D. recently published in the Journal of the American Collegeof Cardiology, "Regular binge drinking is one of the most serious public health problems confronting our college campuses… and there may be serious cardiovascular consequences in young adults." Apparently binge drinking causes changes in two cell types that control blood flow. These changes were equivalent to those of a lifelong heavy drinker, and are a precursor for developing heart disease.

For the health of our kids now (and decades down the road) we need to take a serious look at our attitudes about partying and binge drinking. Our kids count on us to set the limits to keep them safe. That's easy when they’re little and the rules are simple, “Look both ways before you cross the street.” The issues get more complicated and confusing as they get older...and they challenge the rules seemingly indefatigably. I know that the possibility of a heart attack decades from now won't deter a kid from drinking (at 20, I would have rolled my eyes if my mom had told me this.) But it is a reminder to me that youthful risky behaviors can have unforeseen and life-changing consequences,so it’s important that I keep talking with my kids about alcohol and drug abuse (and accept their inevitable eye rolling with good humor.)

Your Vote Showed How Important Our Veterans Are

Collectively we hold image of a soldier returning from serving our country- a young man physically injured rebuilding his life in the civilian world. Here's two facts to consider:

• that soldier may be a young woman, and 
• her war wounds may not be physical but psychological.

And that's where Guardian House comes in... 

Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company – VETHELP provides Guardian House, a transitional home for homeless, female veterans, who are striving to regain independence. Because you voted to say this is important to our community, they were chosen as the winner in Home depot's Aprons in Action contest to win $25,000 for renovations to Guardian House. They plan to use the $25,000 to provide additional living space in the home by demolishing unusable space and rebuilding to promote healthy living for the female veterans. Partnering with Team Depot and volunteers from Rebuilding Together Saratoga County to complete the project, the new addition to their facility would include a study/office for veterans actively seeking employment and completing school work. They also plan to incorporate an exercise room that will promote overall wellness for the mind, body, and soul as well as an outdoor gardening area to promote a positive and creative outlet. The additional space will be converted into a storage area which will be utilized as veterans accumulate household belongings in preparation of their transition back into the community and independent living. They will also paint, install Sheetrock and insulation, and provide landscaping.

Thanks for voting to help our veterans!

Leadership Lessons from the Playground

Robert Fulgham summed it up quite nicely, “All I really need to know l earned in kindergarten. Play fair… don’t hit other people … clean up your own mess… learn some and think some…hold hands and stick together.”  Wise words to guide children...and adults.

Think of all the daily problems that could be avoided if we just applied that sandbox wisdom.  A brief glance at today’s local news stories: college students cheating on assignments, a hit and run accident and a brutal domestic homicide, clearly demonstrates that at least some adults have lost sight of those basic fundamentals of living honestly and compassionately. I certainly don’t mean to trivialize such serious issues, but I do think that as we grow up our behaviors (both good and bad) can have a greater impact. So the bullying behaviors in the playground can later manifest as relationship or sexual violence.

So that’s why it’s so important, not only to teach kids right from wrong, but also to teach them how to stand up for what’s right. The Ballston Area Community Allies, works with kids to promote healthy relationships and youth leaders for  positive change.



“ Love the answers those kids had.  They really get the message.”   

Benita Zahn from WNYT News

On May 3, 2013 the youth in the Community allies are organizing the 2^nd Bullying Awareness March beginning at 3:30pm.at the Ballston Area Community Center (BACC) located at 20 Malta Avenue in Ballston Spa. At last year’s march the youth shared their concerns about bullying with District Attorney James A. Murphy -Ballston Spa School District Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Dragone, Mayor John P. Romano. As one 10 year old boy said after last year’s march,  "I think we can at least put our best efforts into it and we tried our best to stop bullying, so hopefully it will work."  

 

If you, your child, or your organization, would like to join our march, call BACC (518) 885-3261

This Weekend's #1 Spring Cleaning Task

Why is this important? Because abuse of non-prescribed medications by teens is a rapidly growing trend. Teens often feel these drugs are 'safe' to take because they are medicine. They report it's easier to get prescription and OTC drugs than illegal drugs, and they know they can get a buzz from the drugs they find in the medicine cabinet in their own home or at friends’ or relatives homes . What they don't realize is that using these drugs can have dangerous consequences when not used as intended. While parents talk to their kids about the dangers of marijuana or other illegal drugs, they rarely discuss the risks of taking medications to get high. A quick step you can take to curb teen drug abuse is to safely discard expired or unused medications. That's why the Shenendehowa Community Coalition coordinates mdication disposal days like this one.

Only 2 Days Left to Vote ... Help our Local Veterans

Guardian House, located in Ballston Spa is an innovative program run by the Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company that helps our returning female veterans integrate back into the commuity and achieve self-sufficiency. You can help support Guardian House by voting for them in the Home Depot Aprons in Action facebook contest. Vote now to support our local vets!

You Can Change the World Today

Cancer… it’s a scary word. We all hope for the day when we find a cure for cancer. According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) it takes about 8 years to develop a successful new drug for treating the disease. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society supports research, patient services and public awareness. You can help LLS achieve their vision of helping blood cancer patients live better, longer lives, simply by enjoying a night on the town this Wednesday night.   Vapor Night Club, the Refrigerators, silent auction… all for $10 to benefit this great cause. As they say at LLS, You can change the world today (and may I add have a great time doing it!).

Denim Day

Imagine if the clothes you wore to work one day made a political statement about unthinkable injustice that was still resounding 16 years later. 

Imagine if that wardrobe selection on one April morning started a global movement to challenge social attitudes about sexual violence. 

Imagine that women all over the world still continue remember an injustice done to one young girl in 1997, first by a rapist, then even more appallingly by the legal system that was supposed to protect her. Why do they remember? Maybe because even 16 years later victims of rape still can’t be certain that they won’t be victimized by the legal system.  

That’s why people in nations across the globe and 20 states in the US recognize Denim Day by wearing jeans to work to bring awareness about sexual violence. Because like those members of the Italian Parliament we’re still working to combat the stigma and social attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence. 

This year April 24^th has been designated as Denim Day. Won’t you join me in recognizing Denim Day:

1)      Read the story.   That was 16 years ago… is it possible that this same injustice could happen in a courtroom today? Maybe. Rape victims still sometimes feel like they’re on trial instead of the accused…and many don’t pursue prosecution for this reason. Who wants to risk being victimized yet again in court?

2)      Take a stand on Denim Day… wear jeans, share the story… talk about our social attitudes about sexual assault.

 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

There are Only Two Ways to Live

At today's Crime Victims' Vigil two articulate young women, both survivors of crimes, spoke eloquently about  how the actions of one person have forever changed their lives. One woman's life  was changed in a millisecond as she was struck by a drunk driver as she stepped out of her car at a gas station. The other endured almost a decade of victimization, as a relative exploited her trust and innocence as he sexually abused her from the time she was four years old until she became a teenager.

As the candles were lit, vigil attendees spoke the names of loved ones whose lives were taken from them far too soon. A child whose life ended after just a few years... because someone drove drunk. A daughter killed by a boyfriend, leaving behind children who would never know their mother. And on...Each year a scroll with crime victims names is displayed at the vigil... there are now 456 names on the scroll. At the vigil it's impossible to think of crime as just statistics. Numerous display boards show photos of love ones lost, but never forgotten.

Despite personal grief, many attendees also offered prayers for families in Newtown, Connecticut and victims of the Boston bombings, where tragedy struck so many at once.  John Kelly,  whom District Attorney Jim Murphy recognized at the vigil for a lifetime of work helping crime victims, offered words to reflect on as we recover from such mass violence, "There are only two ways to live your life... just two. One is in fear; the other is with hope."

Crime Victims' Vigil: Remembering…Healing ... HOPE

Remembering…Healing ... HOPE

This Sunday, April 21^st I will once again be attending the annual Crime Victims’ Vigil. It’s certainly not an event I look forward to … but I’m there every year. Why? Because it’s important.

At 4 p.m. the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church will be full of people remembering…grieving…honoring… and healing. There will be many familiar faces from past vigils. Their grief may be less raw…time moves forward; but their losses no less devastating. Other faces are new; this is their first vigil.

Each year District Attorney Jim Murphy honors individuals who have committed their lives to supporting crime victims and protecting their right. These folks always seem humbled by the recognition; they  do this difficult work not for glory, but for justice.

The heart wrenching stories of how crime has taken a son or daughter, has  shattered dreams, or has left a survivor forever scarred, remind me that newspaper accounts about crime can’t possibly convey it’s impact. I think we become desensitized as we read the paper or watch the evening news; the vigil has the opposite effect.

Each year I’m left with one haunting image. There is a scroll with the names of victims written on it. Each year more names are added to the scroll. I recall a decade ago when I first attended the vigil that the unrolled scroll reached to the first few pews of the church. At my first vigil looking at all the names on the scroll I was overcome with sadness. Each year as the scroll unrolls farther down the aisle, almost past the confines of the room, I think, “Is there no end?”

Such sadness--you may question why I go year after year. Because, like Pandora’s box, just when all seems lost the vigil evokes a beaming light radiating throughout the room- Hope. In a room filled with people whose lives have been shattered by crime and whose loved ones have been taken from them, there is support, healing and hope. May we soon see the day when that scroll stops with not one more name added.

Crime Victims’ Vigil

4 p.m. Sunday April 21, 2013

New England Congregational Church

24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs

"Our Whole Community Needs to Work Together"

Pete Bardunias, president and CEO of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, said it best , "These are times our whole community needs to work together to make sure everyone has a good quality of life.” Those are good words of wisdom for building a healthy and vibrant community.   

And that’s what happened at the Women in Business Showcase yesterday. From health screenings to financial health and fitness to fine food provided by Pasta Pane, Chamber women represented their businesses. One business, Cengage Learning, was a prime example of Pete’s strategy of working together to improve everyone’s quality of life.  



DVRC's Kate van Buren  and Erin Coffin
of Cengage Learning helped create the employer awareness kit. 

Cengage, created an employers’ toolkit increase awareness of how relationship abuse can affect the workplace, which they distributed at the Business Showcase. The toolkit, which has an employee awareness poster and a resource guide for managers and supervisors, is designed to give businesses tools to promote workplace safety and to offer resources if an employee experiences relationship abuse. Looking at the resource guide, one business executive remarked, “I’m going to keep this in my files, because I know that someday I’m going to need this. It’s nice to know I’m prepared.”  

To get your employers toolkit, just call DVRC at 518-583-0280… it’s good to be prepared.

Is the Answer as Simple as Kindness?

Lately, we’ve seen national news stories about teen sexual assaults (Steubenvuille, Ohio and Saratoga, California). In recent posts I’ve spoken a lot about underage drinking as a contributing factor. But underage drinking and impaired judgment alone don’t explain why these assaults occur. These assaults have occurred at parties, among friends, even with bystanders observing, laughing and taking photos while the boys take advantage of a drunk girl. We may think of a rapist as a masked stranger who jumps out of the bushes with ill intent. In reality the victim generally knows the rapist. He may be a boyfriend, a date, a family member, an acquaintance or a co-worker.  

That’s the part that has the community confounded. We think rapists are evil people who consciously harm. Yet, in Steubenville the boys never identified that they were sexually assaulting a helpless victim. Onlookers didn’t intervene either. How is it boys who are ‘good kids’ are committing these acts? I recently read an article by Kim Simon, No More Steubenvilles; How to Raise Boys to Be Kind Men, about how we’ve created a culture that contributes to sexual violence. It’s an interesting look at a complicated problem.  

It Can Happen Here Saratoga

Just a few weeks ago I was writing about the Steubenville, Ohio rape case. As I spoke about the volatile mix of underage drinking, cyber-bullying and sexual assault, I noted this could happen anywhere…it could happen here. Today’s news echoes a similar incident in Saratoga… not Saratoga County, NY but Saratoga, California. Tragically, in this case the 15 year old girl committed suicide after the alleged assault. 

This case is still being investigated, but how many such tragedies will happen before we take a firm stand on underage drinking?  

Adolescent drinking is not a rite of passage. Many teens think social drinking and even bingeing are normal when getting together with friends. Teenagers bodies and brains are still developing. Parents, this is important. Any alcohol use jeopardizes your son’s or daughter’s well-being. Adolescent brains function differently. When in emotionally charged situations adolescents do not make decisions using the same rational processes as adults. So although your teen is generally responsible, he/she may behave very differently under  peer pressure and fueled by alcohol. 

There are far too many of these stories of teen lives destroyed when a ‘party’ gets out of control. Your values shape your child’s decisions more than you think. Letting your kids know you do not approve of underage drinking (even if other adults have different views on this) does influence their decisions. Talk to your kids about this and don’t provide alcohol to minors.  

Tomorrow: Alcohol is just one contributing factor in sexual assault like those in Steubenville. Social norms about respecting women and obtaining consent are key factors.

When Abuse Leaves the Home and Comes to Work

What happens to your staff at home stays there right?  Did you know 21% of US employees experience relationship abuse? Of these, 40% report being harassed while at work. Indeed, 64% of victims report that their work performance is significantly impacted by their situation; they also average 26% more tardiness and absenteeism than those not experiencing abuse.

 

What would you do if your employee disclosed he/she was abused at home? It's hard enough running a business and addressing the needs of your employees at work. A manager's job gets even harder when an employee's home life impacts their work performance... and can also impact the safety of their co-workers. What can you do?

 

Cengage Learning, a leading educational services company is working with Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County (DVRC) to help employers make a difference in the lives of their employees, and in their own bottom line. Volunteers from Cengage Learning have created a simple and easily accessible toolkit for employers to use and share with their employees. There are many early warning signs of relationship abuse. And there are easy ways to help. Employers can make a real difference for their employees and for their business.

 

The toolkit designed by Cengage helps you to focus on running your business. Did you also know that DVRC provides no-cost assistance to employers to help them best respond when domestic violence affects their employees or workplace. Call DVRC at 518-583-0280 to receive the toolkit or to talk with our staff about your concerns.

 

You can also speak with Cengage and DVRC directly this Wednesday, April 17^thfrom 11:30 – 1:30 at the Women in Business Mid-Day Showcase at the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

 

Aprons in Action- cast your vote today

"When our perils are past,
shall our gratitude sleep?"

George Canning

You can help Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company secure $25,000 from the Home Depot for renovations to Guardian House, a housing program that helps female veterans transition back into the community and self-sufficiency. The proposed plans include a study area to help vets improve employment opportunities, an exercise area , and a garden... renovations to support our female vets in mind, body and spirit.

Please help Home Depot  support our local vets by visiting their Aprons in Action page on facebook and selecting Saratoga County RPC- Vet Help. They're in a close race to be the winner... your vote can make the difference, so don't wait!  You can vote every day until the end of April.

https://apps.facebook.com/apronsinaction/

Sole Survivor- What You Need to Know After a Sexual Assault



 These shoes represent the 123 sexual assault survivors
DVRC assisted last year.

DVRC’s Sole Survivor project aims to increase awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault. Awareness alone isn’t enough. It may be an interesting fact that DVRC assisted 123 survivors of sexual assault last year alone, but it’s not enough to just know the numbers. When I look at 123 pairs of shoes, I think about 123 people whose lives were irreparably changed because of the assault. In my April 9th blog post I spoke about the victims of sexual assault who never seek services from an agency like DVRC. Those people far outnumber the ones who do.

Why don’t people seek help? For many it’s simply because they never imagined ever being a rape victim and after the traumatizing assault they didn’t know where to turn. If someone you know is even in this situation, here’s what you need to know:

What to do if you are raped…

1. Go to a safe place

2. Do not shower, bathe, urinate, douche, or brush your teeth

3. Save all clothing from the assault

4. Do not disturb the crime scene

5. Seek medical help at the hospital
6. At the hospital a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner can collect evidence that can be used to prosecute the crime if you choose to do so. You do not need to make this decision right away, but having the forensic exam preserves the evidence while you decide.

The decisions are yours to make:

1. You do not have to report to law enforcement to receive help.

2. A DVRC advocate can accompany you to medical services or to report the crime if you choose to do so.

3. We can discuss your options and available resources.

4. We are available 24 hours a day by calling 518-584-8188.

 

Let's See Your Shoes Today

DVRC's staff taking a step to end sexual violence

April is

Sexual Assault

Awareness Month

 

Help us to increase awareness .

This Thursday, April 11^th, 2013 take a stand against sexual assault. Let your friends know you're working to end sexual violence.

Today, change your facebook profile picture to a pair of your shoes and tag us to the photo. Remember to like our facebook page.

 

April 11th... Let Your Shoes Say It For You

 Sole Survivor
These shoes represent 123 sexual assault survivors ...
are there another 492 we don't see?

Saratoga County… it’s a safe community, good neighbors, cultural activities galore, economic growth. Even the best communities have their problems… and often they are hidden. We’re just not aware if we don’t see it. Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services assisted 123 sexual assault survivors in 2012 alone. Looking at the shoes I get a sense of just how many people that number 123 represents. That’s a lot.

The U.S. Dept. of Justice, reports that only 20% of sexual assault victims ever seek help from an agency such as ours. I imagine four more double flights of stairs representing the estimated 492 sexual assault victims we didn’t see, those who didn’t know where to turn for help… in 2012 alone. In Saratoga County? Who knew?

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Help us to increase awareness of sexual assault. Why?

· So that survivors of sexual assault get the support they need to recover, heal and find a measure of justice.

· So that we can we can reduce the number of sexual assaults in our county.

· Because even one victim who is sexually violated is one too many.

 

Help us to increase awareness. Please join me this Thursday, April 11^th, 2013 and take a stand against sexual assault. Change your facebook profile picture to a pair of your shoes and tag us to the photo. And remember to like our page!

https://www.facebook.com/dvrcsaratogany

My shoes...standing for what I believe in

 

Related post:http://maggiefronk.blogspot.com/2013/04/sole-survivor123.html

If you need help or know someone who may, you can call our hotline 24/7
518-584-8188
You are not alone

                   

 

I'm Not Laughing this Time

I talk a lot about ending relationship abuse--all forms: dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. It sounds like an easy task doesn’t it? I’ve even had people say, “Who could possibly be in favor of those things?” Good point.

Sometimes, the hard part is recognizing the slippery slope of behaviors that lead to abuse. When does teasing become bullying? When does grumpiness after a hard day become a pattern of verbal abuse that leaves a partner continually walking on eggshells to avoid an outburst? When does phoning a dating partner often to check in become controlling and harassing?  When we see the news headline or the Lifetime movie, the abuses are always clear. But in our day to day life, it’s easy to totally miss behaviors which by themselves don’t seem outrageous, but when they become a pattern can be devastating.

Last night my family was watching America’s Funniest Videos. Along with the cute pet antics and adorable baby videos there are always: plenty of collisions involving vehicles from tricycles to monster trucks, gravity-inspired falls, crotch mishaps… and pranks.  Last night’s show had one segment with an older brother wearing a frightening mask to scare his younger sibling in the shower...while videotaping the whole incident.  The younger boy was clearly upset by his brother’s intrusion… and kept saying so as the camera rolled.  I have two sons so  I've heard my share of brothers annoying each other. Grown up now they’re great friends, but as we sat on the couch last night I thought I saw the younger one shake his head remembering.

As I watched the show I, too, was shaking my head-- not only was brotherly bullying seen as funny, but funny enough to send in and share the moment with the whole country on prime time TV. Wasn’t there any adult somewhere along the line to say, “That’s enough” before that scene played itself out in my living room? Well I guess I was wrong, because that video was selected as the grand prize winner … worth a $30,000 prize. Wow that’s a big reward for a bullying behavior. Talking to the younger sib, Tom Bergeron said, “You didn’t seem scared… just really POed.” Yeah… so why did we reinforce this as funny by selecting it as the big winner?

Schools tell us bullying is a huge problem. We try to teach kids to be an ally and stand up for others. Yet a family-friendly TV show just ‘endorsed’ bullying behaviors, accompanied by the laughter of the audience and a big check.  Is it any wonder our kids get confused?   

Thinking Outside the Lunchbox

I love it-- thinking outside the box to find creative solutions to everyday problems.  

For Shelters of Saratoga (SOS), the creative approach brought an opportunity to provide delicious, nutritious meals to the homeless in their emergency homeless shelter while also supporting local youth and inspiring them to become active helping the less fortunate  in their community . 

For several months, students in the BOCES culinary program have been preparing meals for guests at the SOS homeless shelter.   Now they’ve been selected to participate in a nationwide State Farm Neighborhood Assist contest to win $25,000.  Those funds will be used to purchase the ingredients needed for the preparation of meals each weekday for the 32 homeless adults residing at SOS. But they need your votes between April  4 to April 22 to be selected for the $25,000.  

Simply log onto your Facebook account and click on the link below. Then vote "Culinary Kids Caring" until "0 votes remain" (you can vote 10 times with just one visit.)   

VOTE HERE

Sole Survivor...123

Byron R. White was right, “Short of homicide, [rape] is the "ultimate violation of self." 

At DVRC we see women and men who have experienced that ultimate violation… and who have survived.  And what do we mean by survive? Each individual’s path to recovery, healing and trust is different. Some may try to just move on with everyday life and put the sexual assault out of their mind… only to have it creep back in weeks, months or even decades later. 

Some may choose to report the crime and through the courts seek a measure of justice for themselves and the hope that their actions will prevent another rape from happening. Sometimes the road to justice itself can be difficult and traumatizing. As Freda Alder said, “Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused.” 

The path from victim to survivor is as individual as the people who have trod those miles. Last year, DVRC provided counseling to 123 such survivors…123.  Some came to us only after long periods of keeping the rape a secret, but found healing once they sought support. Each journey is different. If you or someone you know had been sexually assaulted, you are not alone and we can help. 

DVRC’s Sole Survivor campaign is a pictorial tribute to the brave souls who have traveled that path from victim to survivor. 123 …it’s just a number, but each pair of shoes represents one person who has experienced that ultimate violation. When I look at the shoes, I cannot help but imagine the person who may have been wearing those shoes, and I begin to think about the people I know and imagine if 123 people I knew had been raped.  And then I realize what a huge number 123 really is, and I want to take action: first to make sure that every victim has access to support… then to work to reduce that number. 

123 is 123 too many.

If you need help or know someone who may, you can call ourhotline 24/7
 518-584-8188

Put Yourself in Her Shoes

Shoes… Can you think of  an apparel item that’s more universally connected to us? Shoes protect us on our journeys. Support us. Keep us warm and dry. And footwear certainly expresses our individualism. Stilettos, hiking boots, flip flops, sneakers… they tell a lot about us.  In our everyday language, the mention of shoes is often a call to empathy and human connection:

             Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.

              Those are going to be hard shoes to fill.

               None of the village’s children have ever even worn shoes.

 



Every pair of shoes  below represents one rape crisis client at DVRC in 2012.

 

Think about it... every pair of shoes represents one rape survivor helped by DVRC  in 2012

When we read in the newspaper about a rape happening, we’re shocked and concerned for our community’s safety, but do we think of that victim and how the assault will change her/his life?  I’m often struck by our desire for the media to tell us more, to answer all our  unanswered questions… I think we forget that there’s a victim out there who  was traumatized by the assault and whose life continues to be impacted every time (s)he watches the evening news, walks to class and sees  a campus safety alert, or overhears a conversation at the water cooler. It’s easy to forget that news reports are about people and that rape changes a person’s life forever.  But when I look at their shoes, I’m reminded.

The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches.

 Irish proverb

Shoes ... in Reflection

 

It looks like the piles of shoes at DVRC  that I mentioned in yesterday's post have taken to the streets. If you're pondering what this is about, here's  something to guide your thinking.

The solemnity of the War Memorial in Congress Park, provides the right ambience for this young woman to contemplate the shoes on their first public appearance.

Shoe Obsession.. or Something More?

Shoes! This is a familiar scene in DVRC's offices this week. In fact, we have about 13 piles that look just like this.

 

What's up? Are we cleaning out our closets? Was there a big sale at Shoes-R-Us? Have we hired someone named Imelda? Why are shoes suddenly so important to us?

Check the blog all this week for more info. (Hint: It has nothing to do with April Fools Day.)