Too Much Skin; Too Much Alcohol

An MTV teen-aimed series called "Skins" is attracting a lot of scrutiny and also forcing national advertisers to drop the show.

Here are some national stories on the show and the ensuing controversy:

Crain's New York

The New York Times

Newsweek

Kansas and Colorado Special Interest Groups Copycat Indiana Lobbying Effort

While Indiana's so-called pro-consumer alliance of retailers pushes for alcohol deregulation, similar efforts are underway in Colorado and Kansas.

So comparable are the efforts, one can't help but wonder at what cabal these alcohol proponents got together to push both media and policy maker buttons.

Convenience store owners are taking their fourth run at the Colorado Legislature where the argument focuses on who can sell full-strength beer vs. beer with 3.2 percent alcohol content.

The same slogans, the same phrases, the same soundbites and the same PR campaigns are underway in both states.

Here's a sample from the Kansas group's website: "Coalition for Jobs and Consumer Choice (CJCC) is working with legislators, industry and community groups on a plan that would enable all retailers to sell full-strength beer, wine and spirits. This plan will present a unique opportunity to attract new business and jobs to Kansas, while improving the profitability of existing businesses."

Click here to download and view a photo of the propaganda being used in Colorado.

(BTW, the group pushing in Kansas includes Kroger and Walmart.)

Indiana FACTS Campaign

Recently, the Legislative Services Agency, a non-partisan branch of Indiana government, reported that revenue from expanded Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana would be minimal. Lobbying groups behind Sunday sales have been claiming Indiana would reap millions in new revenues.
 

Source: Indiana Legislative Services Agency

Quote of the Week on Sunday Alcohol Sales

"It's a couple million bucks, when every governor is looking for that without raising taxes," said Frank Coleman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a group pushing Sunday sales.

Source: Wall Street Journal article by Cameron McWhirter, 1-27-2011

Former Indiana State Lawmaker Turns Lobbyist

Former Indiana Lawmaker Trent Van Haaften has opened up a lobbying firm. Van Haaften, who lost his bid for Congress, chaired the two-year interim study committee on alcohol issues for state legislators.

Click here for the update in the Evansville newspaper.

Alcohol Headlines in Indiana

Judges to Hear Challenge to State's Alcohol Permit Process

Look Older than 40? Booze Bill Exempts You from Showing ID
 
State Fair Alcohol Sales Bill Appears Dead
 

Problem Drinkers Marry Later, Break up Sooner (IU Study)

Alcohol Headlines Across the Nation

OHIO

Pros, Cons Seen in Privatizing Ohio Liquor Sales

GEORGIA

Sunday Sales Bill Filed in Senate

TEXAS

Sunday Liquor Sales in Texas? No Way!

KANSAS

Groups For, Against Kansas Liquor Law Changes Turning to Economics

Webinar: Philanthropy and Social Investing

What matters in the decade ahead? Lucy Bernholz, author of the annual industry forecast series Philanthropy and Social Investing: Blueprint 2011, will discuss major trends that matter to nonprofits and philanthropists. The webinar will look at the changes that marked the last decade and posit several emerging and accelerating forces that will shape the sector in the decade to come.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

Host: GuideStar

Cost: Free

To register, click here.

Webinar: Building Sustainable Organizations

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Training and Technical Assistance Center (OJJDP NTTAC) will host a two-hour webinar on Thursday, February 24, 2011 on Building Sustainable Organizations.

Wheeler Winstead, a community development specialist with more than 30 years of experience, will discuss techniques to help organizations go beyond survival to thrive, even in times of economic downturn. More tips will be provided on securing and competing for federal funding as well as anchoring strong and sustainable groups in local communities.

Agencies that have developed successful sustainability plans will share their tips for success.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST

Host: OJJDP

Cost: Free

Contact: Kim Canter, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator for OJJDP National Training and Technical Assistance Center, at 703-225-2361, or email at kcanter@icfi.com.

For more information on NTTAC, please visit http://www.nttac.org.

This webinar is limited to 1,000 participants.