Ruben Rosario make a good point.

Read this, and remember...

"...until women can move freely and think freely in their homes, on the streets, and in the workplace without the fear of violence, there can be no real freedom."

My New Favorite Pizza

So I have been absent for a little while. I've been studying for the GRE and getting back to classes... but now I'm back! And I'm here to share with you a little secret that Gesta discovered in Dinkytown:

Mesa- Pizza by the Slice

This amazing little pizza parlor has an incredible selection of the most imaginative pizzas possible. Their menu includes such delectable choices as Southwest Taco pizza, Chicken Cordon Bleu pizza, and Macaroni and Cheese pizza. Of course, they always have staples like cheese and pepperoni for the less adventurous. For $3 ($2 for the basic cheese or pepperoni), you get a freshly warmed giant slice of pizza to enjoy while people-watching out their big storefront windows. Or, if you live in or around the U of M area, you can have your Mesa pizza delivered. Mesa Pizza most definitely makes it on my elite list of Twin Cities True Value Meals.

Click here for the full menu.

Police Women

While I don't so much enjoy TLC's Todders and Tiaras (a heinous show about young children and their pageant-crazed parents), I fell in love with the channel's Police Women of Broward County. The show features four of Miami's most dedicated police women arresting sex offenders, working undercover to break up drug rings, and somehow always finding time to care for their children. It is without a doubt one of the most real, empowering, and inspiring shows I've found. Finally, a show that holds hard working women in high regard!

We've come a long way....

Even though we still have a LONG way to go, at least commercials like these aren't commonplace anymore.

New Minnesota Laws

Effective August 1 of this year, Minnesota will be enforcing harsher penalties for sex trafficking. Minnesota has also changed the definition of sex trafficking and has increased the fines for trafficking.

See page two of this document for the whole story.

Let's hope these tougher laws help make a positive difference!

It's About Time!

Reparative therapy, in use since the late 20th century, is a form of “therapy” aimed at changing homosexuals into heterosexuals. Research has shown that such therapy is not only ineffective, but can be harmful as well. Although the American Psychological Association (APA) removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-I) in 1973, it has still encouraged mental health professionals to refer troubled homosexuals to reparative therapy.

On August 5^th, 2009, the APA adapted a new resolution officially rejecting the effectiveness of reparative therapy. This resolution declares that “Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation” (Judith M. Glassgold, PsyD). Instead, therapists are encouraged to work with clients in more creative ways to address concerns about homosexuality and religious conflict. This is a small, but important step toward ending discrimination toward homosexuals and increasing acceptance of homosexuality. And it’s about time it happened!

See the articles below for the full story:

New York Times

American Psychological Association

Freebies!

Alright foodies, here's one for you.

If there's anything I love more than food, it's free food. And guess who's giving it away?! Arby's is giving away freebies every Wednesday till the end of the summer!

August 12th- Free Roast Chicken Club with soft drink purchase
August 19th- Free FruiTea with sandwich purchase (these teas are awesome!)

August 26th- Free Roast Beef 'n Cheddar with soft drink purchase

Enjoy it while it lasts!

The Problem with Pageants

“Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, good mother, good looking, good tempered, well groomed and unaggressive” -Leslie M. McIntyre

The other night I watched an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras, TLC’s show detailing the lives of several young children involved in pageants. While I’m sure quite a few viewers would agree that placing your four-year-old daughter in a pageant is a waste of time, money and an unnecessary stress on the family, I’m worried about the deeper implications of the pageant.

The Miss Universe Organization, owned by Donald Trump, holds a number of pageants each year, including the well-known Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageants. While the Miss Universe Organization website boasts that the group has become an “international organization that advances and supports opportunities for… young women,” one has to wonder just what kind of opportunities this organization holds. Let’s look at a Ms. magazine article:

“[To compete in the Miss USA pageant,] today's "delegates" must be between the ages of 18 and 26, single, and willing to parade in a swimsuit. They can't be engaged, previously married, or have children. Each must cover her own expenses (sponsorships defray some costs). The winner receives a trophy, cash prizes and sponsorships totaling about $200,000, luxury digs in New York City for a year, and she must represent the organization during her "reign." The other 78 contestants get to pay for their plane tickets home.”

Hmmm. Is this the kind of ephemeral fame and fortune we want to raise our daughters to lust after? Let’s read on. 


“The real winners are, of course, Donald Trump and CBS. After tallying the more than $10 million extracted from the host country, the seven-figure exclusivity deals given to pageant sponsors, and the sale of broadcast rights to roughly 110 countries, the final score is at least $100 million for Trump and CBS, and zilch for 78 of ‘today's women.’ ”

Ms. magazine, 2000

Don’t you think the thousands of dollars contestants spend on pageants could be put to better use? What about the months’ worth of pageant events contestants are required to devote to proving themselves worthy of the top prize? Couldn’t this time be better spent?

Let’s be honest. If the Miss Universe Organization was truly concerned with advancing and supporting young women, they would be giving prizes to worthy women all over the globe regardless of their age, marital status, or how they look in a swimsuit. Pageants like those held by the Miss Universe Organization are most interested in the money these women can bring to the Organization, not in the positive difference each of these intelligent, talented (and, by chance, beautiful) women can make in the world.

Lucia's Restaurant

For over two decades, Lucia’s Restaurant has graced Uptown with its presence. Situated on the corner of W 31^st St and Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis, Lucia’s dwells beneath understated blue awnings. If you happen to drive by in the winter months, it’s easy to overlook Lucia’s behind the snow banks. But take a stroll through uptown in summer and you won’t miss the ebb and flow of patrons through Lucia’s blue door.

Inside, the sights are simple; pure ivory walls, bright oak floors and royal blue accents clear the visual senses of unnecessary distractions and prepare the palette for a journey of its own. The menu, created weekly, features fresh, locally grown and seasonal foods carefully prepared to satisfy even the most discriminating of tastes, all presented by the most professional and knowledgeable of wait staff. On some nights, owner Lucia Watson may even stop in to pay a visit to your table.

I had the privilege of dining at Lucia’s last night. First, I enjoyed the freshest of mixed green salads drizzled in the house vinaigrette. For my entrée, I enjoyed curried chicken served with jasmine rice, steamed vegetables and three summer chutneys. Each of the chutneys was Indian-inspired and added a lively kick to every bite of chicken. I finished with a deconstructed German chocolate cake. While the goo was a little sweet for my taste, the chocolate cake and plain whipped cream were a marvelous combination. Overall, a wonderful meal.

If you visit Lucia’s, be prepared to spend $30-40 per person (this estimate includes an appetizer and entrée). For us college folk, this makes Lucia’s more of a special occasion indulgence than an everyday meal. That said, make your reservations several days in advance. Lucia’s has a come-as-you-are dress code, but as is often the case, better dress = better service. After dinner, stop at Lucia’s Wine Bar (next door) for a fine glass of wine, then head over to Magers & Quinn Booksellers to browse great books at discounted prices. You won’t be disappointed.