Intervention Down South

As more and more studies are run, the facts are coming out and they are conclusive: people with longer fingernails run a risk of injuring and infecting those around them. In fact, many people within the helping industries (dentists, nurses, caregivers) with fingernails longer than a quarter of an inch are now being asked to trim them back. Why? In medical studies, it has been shown that longer fingernails harbor high amounts of bacteria. Put this bacteria in combination with a long sharp fingernail, and you have a dangerous weapon.

This rampant spread of disease is a concern of many people regardless of age. That is why N.I.S.U.S. Network has outsourced its intervention to Southern Missouri this week, to a little four year old boy who only has the welfare of others on his mind. Noah, in his concern for public health, will often help those with long fingernails to shorten them by biting them down himself. It is our hope, here at the Network, that others will be inspired by his initiative to take matters into their own hands, and take a stand for public safety.

Intervention: You Ain't Keepin' It Real

In the restaurant industry, there is an ethical practice that is called truth of the menu. This entails that the restauranteur is obligated to provide an accurate description of ingredients or products that are to be consumed by the customer. This is an essential aspect to our dining safety. It becomes essential for those of us with food allergies, or with restricted diets. It is also an important factor towards being responsible consumers. When a food item is presented as Certified Organic, Cage Free-Free Range, or Free Trade, we have confidence in knowing that we are getting what we pay for.

In other industries this is not the case. A time or two I have received a not-so-great haircut from Great Clips. Another time I received a losing donut at Winchell's and a less than more better burger at Mo Better Meatty Meat Burgers(now closed). My favorite example has to be BEST Products(1957-1997), which has been closed now for more than a decade.

My hometown has been infected by this type of overly boastful marketing. Just around the corner from where I live there is a storage facility that claims to be an A+. From my observations over the last two years, it is my opinion that this grading is inaccurate. I have noticed the front security gate unlatched late at night and acts of vandalism scattered throughout the property. There is often empty alcohol containers laying about and on a few occasions I have seen the police on the premises doing some sort of investigating.

It is time that we, as consumers, take a stand against local businesses that do not keep it real.

Pac 'N' Save Intervention

Pack 'N' Save is the local grocery store in Seward. As is the practice of most grocery stores now, they provide sanitary wipes to clean the shopping cart handles. But how many people actually use them? How many each year become sick due to the flu virus, strep bacteria that they touch when shopping for groceries for their families?

This week's intervention was an effort to stop the spread of germs. I went into Pac 'N' Save, used their Sani-wipes, and cleaned the handles of each and every grocery cart in order to keep the people of Seward safe and healthy.

Concordia University Intervention #1

The recipient of this weeks intervention in Seward, Nebraska is the small Lutheran institution Concordia University. Formed in 1894, Concordia's current mission says that they are "committed to providing excellent professional and liberal arts programs in an environment that richly supports the Christian growth of its students." Like many other small schools unfunded by the government however, they have succumbed to the pressure to build the athletic program beyond their financial means in order to attract students.

Therefore, this week's intervention can be seen on the football field at Concordia. It is a small comment placed there to remind Concordians of their mission to all students, athletes as well as non-athletes.

Farmer's Market Intervention

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Clare Luce Booth(1903-1987) was a well known writer who wrote oft-quoted aphorisms such as, "No good deed goes unpunished." This aphorism has been one that I have spent many hours contemplating. Based on these contemplations I find myself questioning my own intentions. When I commit an act that I consider to be a good deed, am I searching for a return or some form of positive karma? Who am I trying to impress? Would I do these things if nobody would ever find out? Do I suffer from the Hero Syndrome, a phenomenon affecting people who seek recognition? Is it an altruistic deed? What am I looking for in return, or am I honestly looking to relieve the suffering of others?

The other week, I sat for a quarter of an hour thinking about this as a bicyclist's battery light drained. Should I overstep her personal space and flick the switch? Would I be crossing the line of bicycle etiquette? Or would I be saving her from a dangerous ride home in the dark? What risks are involved? Bicycle lights are one of those things that many bicyclists obsess over. They are fairly easy to steal, but are also a bit of a burden if they are to be removed every time you leave your bike. There are lighting systems that are well over a couple hundred dollars. This particular light was on the low-end, but on a dark road it could be worth it's weight in gold.

If I chose to flick the switch there would have been the possibility of a really awkward moment, just nano-seconds after I switched off her light. She would walk up and notice that I had invaded the personal space of her bike, her light would be off and any good samaritan explanation would seem unbelievable. The fact that I was uncertain of my own intentions would have produced a facial expression that would cause suspicion. What is the right thing to do? What would be my punishment for this good deed? Or would my punishment be a headline on the front page of the local paper that reported the death of a cyclist from the lack of adequate safety lights?

Regardless of what intentions I had or what my punishment would be, I chose to flick the switch and shut off the light. If not for the support of Operation Hometown Heroes, I do not believe I would have had the courage.

Intervention for the House of Davisson

The House of Davisson, founded by Harold Davisson, is a fixture in Seward, Nebraska's history. When you turn in the driveway, the first thing to see is a giant white pyramid: the cap to the largest time capsule in the world which you can read about here. Past the time capsule is a corrugated steel building which once housed an eclectic assortment of furniture, appliances, baby chicks, wholesale candy, and whatever Harold Davisson could buy in bulk, including boxes of corn flakes past their expiration date.

Near the main door, a six foot cement cigar store Indian stands guard. In this time of political correctness, when such a statue could be deemed racially prejudiced, I have created an explanatory plaque to be placed near the statue which explores the history of cigar store Indians and offers an explanation of its presence. Following is the text of this plaque.

Though at first glance this statue could be considered offensive or insensitive, the cigar store Indian has had a long history intertwined with the foundation of our country. First used in England in 1617, the cigar store Indian was one of many carved symbols placed outside shops to give customers a quick read of the contents within. The Indian, in particular, came to represent tobacconists, as they were the first to introduce the plant to Europeans.

In America, cigar store Indians came to represent general stores as well as places to purchase tobacco to many pioneers venturing west. Use of such sculptures declined in the late 19th century due to municipal ordinances banning the blockage of sidewalks.

Though comparable in the minds of some to other racial stereotypes such as the lawn jockey, there are some who choose to see cigar store Indians as examples of historical commercial practices and period sculpture. Its placement by Harold Davisson represents his desire to collect bits of the past, warts and all, for future generations.

This information has been provided by your friends at N.I.S.U.S. Network for Operation: Hometown Heroes

Trickle-Up Intervention

Shiny, Pretty Things

Not the over-the-top closets like those featured on the MTV show CRIBS, but I've got the biggest closet out of everyone I've known well enough to know how big their closet is. Truth be told, I share it with my wife and son. But, in my opinion, the 1/3 that is allocated to me is far too much space for one person. There is a functioning window, as well as two overhead lights. On occasion, I feel as if my clothing supply is inadequate from the space in between hangers. This is troublesome, considering I have accumulated a relatively large collection of clothing over the past 15 or so years.

In the early to mid nineties, like many naive and underprivileged college students, I got sucked into the credit card trap. I believed that I would eventually find the job and make the money to pay off whatever debt I accumulated during this time of struggle. After I finished my schooling and entered into the real world I realized that the time of struggle never ends. It just changes names and presents itself in different ways. Needless to say, spending habits are difficult to break, and there is never a time where one can step back and say "I make too much money now, I can finally use all this extra income to pay off those credit cards.

During the college years I charged an overabundance of excessively expensive clothing. It has been over a decade since these purchases, but I still have a decent portion of clothes from that era. The problem I am having with possessing these shiny, pretty things is that I no longer believe in their power to transform me into something I am not. Or their power to raise my status in the community. So they have been a chronic source of discomfort. Daily, I am reminded of my past insecurities and my need to mask them with these shiny, pretty things. I realize that there are many individuals out there whose wardrobe serves a different function. And that those with the purchase power to possess these things may not necessarily use them as a decoy, diversion or distraction...as I did. Some individuals might actually enjoy the superior quality of the material or stitching or rare color combinations.

As an affiliate of the N.I.S.U.S. Network and in conjunction with Operation Hometown Heroes I have finally redistributed approximately 3/4 of my clothing to a local thrift shop. Which will allow members of my community to pay a fraction of the cost for these high-quality clothing items. As well as support the mission statement of my local thrift store which reads: "we respond to major disasters as well as the development of depressed areas by providing medical supplies and equipment and humanitarian aid."

It is my hopes, through Operation Hometown Heroes, that the citizens of my community will enjoy these shiny, pretty things.

above right image: A New and Improved Closet