What’s The Word On Oprah?
Oprah Winfrey recently broke down during her show and confessed she smoked crack cocaine when she was in her 20s. Some have applauded her honesty. Others say it was just a publicity stunt. What do you think? Was Oprah courageous to admit her mistake or should she have kept her mouth shut? Let us know.
Moms needed: An item in last week’s Common Ground asked for experienced fathers to be mentors to single fathers in our community. We should have made it clearer that the CAPA Doula Project, sponsored by Catholic Family Service of Spokane, is always on the lookout for experienced moms in the community to help single mothers. Call at 456-7146.
No surprise here: A three-year study of newlyweds showed a strong link between alcohol consumption and domestic violence, according to a story in Glamour magazine. Husbands were under the influence 40 percent of the time when violence was reported. Alcohol may not cause violence, the study says, but if a man has a tendency toward alcohol abuse he is more likely to be violent, even when sober.
Winter recreation: The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring women-only snowshoe hikes and a winter canoe float, in February. For information, call 625-6246.
Attention fathers: Child magazine reports this month that showing physical affection to your sons will actually help their masculinity, not hurt it. The magazine reports: “Research shows that the single best predictor of masculinity in sons is actually the father’s warmth and closeness. One way of conveying these feelings is by being physically affectionate.”
Program change: The “Light the Way to Choice” march scheduled for today - the 22nd anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion - will now be a rally at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, N1620 Monroe.
March For Life: This pro-life march begins at 2 p.m. today at Deaconess Medical Center. Participants will march to the federal courthouse in downtown Spokane where a rally will take place until about 4 p.m.
Final thoughts: From “Compassion in Action” by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush: “When we don’t already know what is calling us to act, all we need to do is look and listen right where we are - it will probably be near. When asked where she thought people should start looking, peace activist Fran Peavey said, ‘There are opportunities for service all the time. One time, driving a cab, I picked up a woman in her nightgown. She had been walking in her sleep and she was lost. I helped her find her way home. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you can serve there.”’
ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo