I’m just wondering about pirates, tourism, motorized mascara and more

Add comment April 13th, 2009

Random things I’m wondering about:

AYE, WE CAN, YE SCALLYWAGS! — Don’t you wish President Obama would send a video directly to those Somalian pirates, speaking their own language, kind of like he sent a Farsi-subtitled video last month to the Iranians? Of course, this one wouldn’t be so nice. It could go something like this:

“Avast, ye, lily-livered squiffies. I be placin’ a black spot on all ye swashbucklers if ye be messin’ with me mateys agin. An’ ye be seein’ the rest o’ ye scallywags in Fiddlers Green.” Local folks who prefer to momentarily forget about the real-life drama on the high seas, though, can stick with romanticized pirate lore and check out Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” at Christian Youth Theater shows May 1, 2 and 3 at Hononegah Performing Arts Center in Rockton.

ROCKFORD TOURISM POST — What would be the top priority be for the Director Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Culture and Special Events, if indeed Mayor Larry Morrissey decides to replace the retiring Cyndie Hall? Making sure the public understands what the person is doing for the job that paid $75,483 would be a start.

FAST-PACED MENTAL HEALTH BUREAUCRACY — Anyone else surprised by the name Rapid Reintegration, a new state program aimed at getting the mentally ill out of nursing homes and into their own places? Rockford’s Janet Wattles Center is the first in Illinois to be selected to carry out the program. Seems like attaching the word “rapid” to the name holds every bureaucrat’s feet to the fire.

LUCK OF THE DRAW –  What would you do with an extra $15,000 or $35,000? Though I’m among the 54 percent of those surveyed in an AP Poll who will use (have used) tax refunds to pay off credit cards or other bills, if I won raffles in the next few weeks to benefit Rockford groups, I’d spend some of it on a vacation or a newer vehicle.  The raffles: $35,000 to benefit Keith Country Day School. The drawing is Sunday, and tickets cost $100. You also could win up to $15,000 (or a vehicle) in The Literacy Council’s Three-Vehicle Raffle. The drawing is May 16, and tickets cost $25.

VIBRATING MASCARA — Ladies: Is the relatively new Lancome motorized mascara all it’s cracked up to be? Lancome’s Oscillation Mascara uses a vibrating brush and a smooth formula to wrap every lash up to 360 degrees. Some say yes, it’s worth it; others, no. You can try it out April 22 at Bergner’s at CherryVale Mall as National Lancome Makeup Artist Alex Sanchez gives you makeup tips. You pay $50 to reserve your spot, but you’ll get to use that money to buy Lancome products, including the Oscillation Mascara for $34.

CAYLEE ANTHONY — Where does Nancy Grace get all those pictures and videos of a happy little Caylee Anthony at home or her grandparents’ house. Seems like I see photos I haven’t seen before whenever I tune into her TV show. Given Grace’s tone against Caylee’s mom, Casey, I can’t imagine the family is providing them to her. Prosecutors said Monday they’ll seek the death penalty against Casey, who is charged with murdering her 2-year-old daughter. “Nancy Grace” airs at 7 p.m. and is rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on HLN (Comcast 26).