Help! I Need Somebody

#224, October 24, 2007

Help! Not just anybody. Help! You know I need someone…

Now that I’ve implanted this fine tune in your head (an “earworm”, some call it), it’s time for us to talk, about rock. When we were young, oh so much younger than today, we never needed anybody’s help in any way… except when we did. And when we did, lucky for us if we had a place to go, something to do which would get us out of the rut and into the groove. In this modern world, where ruts can seem so many and grooves so few, we need to recognize, protect, and promote the grooves, the cool places that pull the young‘uns away from listlessness and lawlessness.

Like the Phoenix Theater. The Phoenix of late has been bubbling with innovative ways to engage the young adults of our community. The School of Music is back: our bi-monthly Sunday afternoon jam sessions are now weekly events, where up to a dozen kids of all skill levels (and sometimes their parents!) rock it up. There are two hours of free professional tutoring every Friday 3-5PM, and we’ve got the drum kit and amps on stage every day after school, young rockers serenading the skaters and snoozers. And now an art program: one of the Phoenix kids decided to start a graffiti wall art project, put on a concert and art sale, and raised $3000. His goal: give the kids a safe, legal place to paint -- special walls constructed behind the theater -- while building a volunteer crew to immediately remove any *illegal* graffiti thrown up downtown. Meanwhile, the Phoenix remains open for drop-in use every day of the year, and the Free Health clinic continues, into its fifth year, to serve several dozen of uninsured teens every Thursday 4-6PM.

The best things in life are free, but to provide them we need muh-uh-ney. Yes, the Phoenix needs your help, to keep the doors open and expand our programs. We’ve been lucky to get some large donations in the past, but now we’re out of the nest and must fly on our own. Weekend show ticket sales help, but most of our operating cash must come from donations and fund raisers. And that’s where you come in… through the front door. This Saturday, October 27, we give the kids (and their music) vacation and open the doors to adults, for the 5^th annual Phoenix Halloween Costume Ball. You will not find a Halloween party within driving distance that has a better combination of dance music, food, drink, atmosphere and the most amazing mix of costumes and characters… I guarantee it. Plus-plus, your $30 ticket sustains the treasure that is the Phoenix Theater. Tickets online at www.phoenixtheater.com, or at the door.

The Phoenix is also launching its new annual membership program. You can be a Friend of the Phoenix with a single donation or automatic monthly donations, ranging from “Roadie” at $20 (for under 20s only!) to “Superstar” at $2500. Donations come with premiums, too (tickets? lessons? a ten-minute drum solo?) See our website for details.

Another opportunity to help, for the more eco-minded: Petaluma Green Lane (www.healthycommunity.info/greenlane.htm) PGL was created to support “walking and bicycling around town”. Our projects have included the map kiosks built by PHS construction tech students, and the PGL map of Petaluma’s path and trail network. We need someone (or some two or three) who would ratchet PGL up a few notches: oversee the kiosk installation, manage map distribution, create a new YahooGroups, network with neighborhood groups for trail maintenance, lobby for more bike path funding… take your pick.

Finally, I’ve been thinking about putting some fraction of my now 224 columns into a book. If you know of a potential publisher, let me know. You can write me at bhagen@sonic.net, or leave a phone message with the Argus. I do appreciate you being ‘round!