Ahhh, May…A beautiful season in North Texas to be on the road. The bluebonnets are blooming, the big Texas sky is clear and bright, and the roads are, for the most part, dry. Even for the daily commuter, it’s a nice drive to and from work.

But suddenly there’s the sound of squealing tires, breaking glass, crashing metal…and as the dust and engine steam clears, you’re stunned by the sight of the mangled mess of a motorcycle strewn across the road…and where’s the rider? A nightmare scenario, repeated too often on our Texas highways. A moment’s inattention, and a rider is injured or even killed, and the repercussions are horrific for everyone involved. Every biker is someone’s coworker or neighbor, and every hurt biker has a family, friends, and loved ones who suffer with them.

The same is true for drivers; the injuries and physical suffering may be less, but the emotional toll is great for the motorist and his family. Being the unintentional cause of injury or death to a fellow human being is devastating to a moral person’s conscience, and is an often overlooked side effect of traffic accidents. Here’s what you as a driver can do to avoid that tragic situation:

PAY ATTENTION. Talking on the cell phone distracts you more than you think, and in the second or two that your eyes are off the road while you answer calls or change radio stations, anything can happen.

LOOK TWICE. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can easily be hidden by objects inside or outside the vehicle, and may look farther away than it is. Also, bikers adjust position within lanes to be seen more easily, to adjust for wind and passing vehicles, and to avoid road hazards. It only takes a couple of seconds to look each way twice.

MAKE ALLOWANCES. If it’s raining or dark, the single lights can blend in with other traffic, so watch out. If traffic is slow or stopped, let that biker with his signal on over in front of you or to the shoulder; motorcycle engines are air-cooled, so they need to stay moving.

STAY BACK. You know how you hate it when another vehicle is tailgating you right on your bumper? Imagine how it feels to someone out in the open with no metal cage around them. Remember that motorcycles often slow down by downshifting, thus not activating the brake light, so give us extra following distance. If two people are on a bike, balance is more difficult, stopping distance increases, and maneuverability is reduced, so back off even further.

Bikers, YOU must do your own part to stay safe. Take (or re-take) a Riders Safety Course. Wear protective gear. Don’t ride impaired. Pay attention. Ride Like You Are Invisible. And to everybody: Let’s be careful out there.

Motorcyclists groups across the country have joined in a “Share the Road” campaign. May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, and the nation’s 7,000,000 motorcyclists remind drivers to watch out for them on the road. This columnist is one of them.

Author, and film maker, Jackson Katz, recently made some appearances in Denton County. His most famous work, a film called “Tough Guise,” explores the media’s influence on men who posture as ‘tough’ to hide socially unacceptable feelings of fear and insecurity.

Katz spoke at length about the problems created by labeling sexual assault and domestic violence as “women’s issues.” In reality, sexual and domestic violence occur as the result of male behavior. Over 99% of rapes are committed by men, as are the majority of domestic violence assaults. So why are these crimes termed “women’s issues?”

And why is that a problem for men?

Labeling violent crimes against women as women’s issues is a mistake that ensures the continuation of gender violence.

Confusion is generated when we say “women’s issues” instead of “men’s violence.” The line between victim and perpetrator is blurred. Most men are not rapists, but most men are not interested in the topic of rape, either. Newspapers use passive language to further disconnect men from the violence experienced by women, with headlines that declare “Two Women Assaulted Near University,” and “Domestic Violence Victim Killed.” There is no mention of the men who perpetrated these crimes, thus the focus is on women and the gendered nature of the violence is lost. Most school and university violence prevention models are actually risk reduction programs aimed at girls and women, not boys and men. We teach our daughters the warning signs of abuse in dating relationships, to only go out with groups, and never leave a drink unattended. But what do we teach our sons about men’s violence against women? Nothing. When violence against women is a “women’s issue” we don’t have to do anything about it. As a result, men rarely challenge or confront other men on their sexism.

Katz notes that men have a personal stake in ending violence against women. The victims of this violence are our partners, our friends, our sisters, and our daughters. Eighteen million fathers have daughters who were raped by a man. Our partners may trust us less because of previous abuse at the hands of another man, making intimacy in our relationships difficult. Men’s violence against women diminishes our lives, too.

Finally, referring to these crimes as “women’s issues” allows men to avoid responsibility for the abuse perpetrated by other men; it allows us to not pay attention. As men, violence against women and children is our issue, and it needs to be labeled as such.

By calling men’s violence what it is, we take a first step towards stopping that violence. As an old friend, Claude LaBrosse, once said, “Violence against women will end when men decide it is time for it to end.

Resources for Men:
Denton County Friends of the Family 940-387-5131
Jackson Katz: www.jacksonkatz.com
The Men’s Resource Center for Change: http://www.mrcforchange.org/

Mark Sandel is an Associate Professor of Social Work in the College of Arts and Sciences at TWU. He welcomes comments or suggestions for future columns at msandel@twu.edu

May is National Fitness Month and Jazzercise of Denton is looking for 20 women to take part in our Fit & Fine Challenge. If you need to loose 15 pounds or more, improve muscle tone, reduce stress and develop better nutritional habits our challenge is for you.

This program is devoted solely to women who need accountability, feedback and motivation to begin and keep going with a program. Upon acceptance, you will be measured, weighed and have your body fat analyzed. Participants will also begin attending our workout program to help them burn calories and increase muscle strength and tone.

Each week you will be in touch with your designated Fitness Coach who will provide you with nutritional information and feedback. You will also weigh in each week with a fitness coach. Upon completion of this program, one participant will be selected to be profiled in an upcoming Lifestyles magazine with her testimony and results!

The program is 12 weeks long, begins May 11th, and the total cost is $149. If this sounds like a program that will work for you call us at 940.891.4566 immediately to reserve your spot!

It only takes a small change. Instead of telling yourself you can’t, tell yourself you can. Let our fitness coaches help you make being active part of your everyday life!

Spring is a favorite season for many. Trees and grass become lush with vibrant hues of green. Colorful flowers dance in the breeze as if spring were a melody. After winter we welcome the change; out with the old and in with the new. Nature has set the stage for a beautiful season. You should too. With your hair as your “mane” accessory, embrace change and spring forward.

Hair trends this spring reflect individuality and ease. Growing pains are a thing of the past. With the right color and cut, transitioning from the trends of 2008 can be effortless. If you are growing out short hair and are at that mid length stage, there are plenty of options to look stylish in 2009. Mid length hair is a good compromise for femininity, without the hassle of keeping long tresses pristine. Love your short hair? Sassy short cuts show that short hair can still be ultra feminine, especially if layers are taken advantage of and the fringe is cut right to suit your face shape. Long hair cut to create shapely curves and layered to frame your face will give a fresh new feel and enhance volume and bounce. This year fringes are being worn super short, full fat and eye tickling, or visor like and layered. Warm, rich and vibrant red tones and highlights are the must have color additions to your hair style this spring. Adding highlights or color to any length will add depth and movement creating a hairstyle unique to you.

We invite you to visit HeadRush the Salon for a complimentary consultation as we embrace the change of spring.

When it comes to home furnishings this season, anything and everything goes. New and old, traditional and modern, exotic and familiar, it is all coming together to make up today’s home. Everybody is looking to define themselves and to express their own unique personality by leaving their stamp on home décor. The mixing of styles and periods is creating a whole new genre of living spaces.

This season it is all about vibrant patterns and high fashion mixed in with traditional staples. Expect to see Art Nouveau and Art Deco inspired colors and patterns, animal prints, geometric shapes and motifs, along with stripes, and paisley throughout the stores this spring. Don’t be afraid to mix these wild and bold accessories into your existing spaces. The collision of differing and sometimes clashing styles is giving birth to new interpretations of design.

Along with the mixing of different eras, the reinvention of a style is at the forefront of design. Pieces that are traditional in nature with a modern twist are taking the lead in 2009. You want to achieve timeless elegance with sophisticated modern style.

While going green is still at the top of the trend board, look to see it broaden in selection and step up its’ game in today’s market. New products such as silk-like eco-bedding are rising in popularity. Not only are you saving the environment and promoting a friendlier lifestyle, you can do it luxuriously. This next level of silk-like linens is created from organic materials such as processed wood-pulp and is given gorgeous color through the use of non-toxic dyes.

Whether it is organic or vintage, from today or yesterday, the 2009 trend in home furnishings is eclectic. So don’t be afraid to express yourself and make a statement!

The Acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) has recently been called the latest SUPER FOOD! Since your body can absorb liquids faster and more efficiently , Acai Juice is an excellent way to get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Eurobotanicals Acai juice has the highest ORAC value on the market today with a value of 3,023 per ounce! The ORAC of the Acai Berry is higher than any other edible berry in the world. The juice is loaded with anti-oxidants, protein building amino acids, omegas for brain function, fiber for digestion and proteins for energy. This powerful blend can help the mind and body function to its highest potential. Benefits of the Acai berry include an energy boost, promotes sound sleep, detoxifies your body, slows down the aging process, and improves vision just to list a few. Experience the power of Acai juice.

Two months ago, Salon NV’s owner, Jennifer Schindler began drinking Eurobotanical’s Acai juice. During a Spring Break trip she visited California and forgot to pack her Acai juice. “I noticed a difference in my energy level right away.” She also stated, “Something was missing, my body noticed it right away. I loved the vacation, but I couldn’t wait to get back to the Acai!”

Available online at www.ebacai/moore and at Salon NV – 401 South Locust Street, Suite 103 in Denton, 940-442-5853