Local Amador County Restaurants are speaking out against violence on Thursday nights throughout April.  The restaurants, Taste, Bellotti's and Caffe Via D'Oro, The Twisted Fork and Jose's, each have selected a Thursday night in April to promote healthy relationships while helping local victims.  The restaurants in Plymouth, Sutter Creek, Ione and Jackson have teamed with Operation Care to build awareness about sexual violence.  Patrons will enjoy a magnificent meal and a night on the town, while taking action toward building healthy relationships and community.

Here are the details:
    Taste - April 3  209-245-DINE TASTE website   
    Bellotti's/Caffe via D'Oro  - April 10
        Bellotti's website  209-267-5211   
        Caffe via D'Oro  209-267-0535
    The Twisted Fork (Ione Hotel) - April 17  209-274-2003
    Jose's Mexican Restaurant - April 24  209-223-3886

Gather your friends and enjoy a great meal at one of our local supporting restaurants.  Be sure to tell them you're there for Operation Care!

Wednesday, April 23, Californians across the state are urged to break the dress code and the silence by wearing jeans to participate in Denim Day California, sponsored by Operation Care and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA.)  The Denim Day campaign  began in 1999 as part of an international protest of an Italian High Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans.  The Court dismissed charges against a rape suspect because his 18-year old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack.  The Court stated in its decision that "It is common knowledge...that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them...and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might."  The judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand that coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape.  The unpopular verdict became an international symbol of myth-based injustice for sexual assault victims.