Underage Drinking and Driving

Friday, October 28th, 2011

Party Bus Driver Playing Police or Parent?

It’s that time of year when the wind starts getting colder and stinging the tip of your nose and fingers; leaves start changing to golden colors and drifting off the trees; and people start digging out their scarves and gloves from the back of the closet. It’s fall.

And with this time of the year comes pumpkin carving, sweaters and Homecoming – a quasi-holiday for schools that runs from September to November. Students can’t wait for festivities, which usually mean an early dismissal for a pep rally, parade, football game and dance.

Most people look back fondly on their experiences from Homecoming and the dance. How excited you were to get your new dress or shirt and tie; worrying about getting the flowers to match with you and your date’s outfits, making reservations for dinner; and planning the after-party with your friends.

Maybe you or some of your friends drank after the dance – or maybe even before the dance. You were all underage and alcohol is prohibited on school property, but that was a part of the Homecoming ritual – no big deal. Except for some teenagers in Highland Park, IL, underage drinking became a big deal.

Should Underage Drinking Be Tolerated under Certain Circumstances?

DUI punishments differ across the nation, depending on different DUI state laws, but one thing all the DUI laws agree on is that drinking and driving is a serious crime. When it comes to underage drinking, all 50 states enforce a zero tolerance policy which makes it illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle with any alcohol in his or her system if he or she is under 21.

Although these students were not driving, it is still illegal for the teenagers to be drinking since they were under the age of 21, but this is where a debate is beginning to brood. Most of us would probably agree that Cesar was in the right for calling the police, but The Chicago Tribune reported that experts are raising questions about the “fallout from such vigilance.”

Is it possible that after this incident students will drive themselves to the dance the next time instead of dealing with being reported by an adult? Then teenagers will be bypassing adult supervision and creating more danger for themselves and anyone else on the road.

While Cesar and others believe that the limo driver was just doing his job, some feel that the students shouldn’t have suffered any punishment since they at least took the initiative to get a sober driver for the night. Some people say that underage drinking is inevitable and that we should be encouraging students to consider alternatives to drinking and driving themselves.

In fact, many of the parents are upset with Cesar for involving the police. Although they may not be pleased with their children’s actions, some of the parents feel that the driver’s actions were uncalled for. One parent has threatened to sue the company Cesar works for, Any Time Limo in Addison, IL.

The company’s general manager, Alex Mich, told The Chicago Tribune that the company expects to lose some business over the ordeal but doesn’t care about the money. Any Time Limo is pleased Cesar did the “right thing.” Mich said that both parents and teens are warned that drinking, smoking and sexual acts are not allowed in the vehicles.

Limousine Driver Not On Board for Party in His Bus

On September 27, 20 teenagers headed for a high school Homecoming dance in Township High School District 113 boarded Leonel Cesar’s “party bus,” reported The Chicago Tribune. The white limo coach is equipped with a TV and stereo, costing $1,500 for three hours.

On their way to a restaurant in Chicago, one of the boys in the group asked Cesar to stop at his house in Highland Park. He came out of the house with a bag, and when Cesar ask him what he had, the boy told the driver it was none of his business and that the group would tip him well.

Cesar quickly put two-and-two together, figuring it was alcohol. He tried calling some of the teenagers’ parents but didn’t get a quick response. Some of the teens begged Cesar not to call their parents or police, and a few even offered him money, but Cesar refused.

Once police and parents arrived on the scene, there was mixed reactions. The police ended up issuing 13 underage drinking citations, while parents fumed – not at their misbehaved children but at the bus driver and limo company.

Cesar told The Chicago Tribune, that while some parents thanked him for reporting the underage drinking to the police, others told him his actions were uncalled for because it was Homecoming.

Are New Programs Encouraging Students to Drink or Keeping Our Roads Safe?

Beyond the debate on this most recent incident is the discussion on other programs that have been developed to encourage students to not drink and drive. In New Trier Township, Safe Rides has been attracting attention. The program allows students to call peer volunteers to pick them up from parties if they are intoxicated – no questions asked.

Some feel that by offering this service, students are only encouraged to drink because they have a safe way of getting home and not getting caught. While others say that whether we have people transporting teenagers or not, underage drinking will continue to happen. If we have no safe way of getting these children from one point to the next, they will only choose to drive themselves, which will only endanger even more people.

Jeff Brooks, who oversees the Safe Rides program, told The Chicago Tribune that the steps being taken in the real world to stop students from drinking are not working. He designed the program for one purpose, and that was to get teenagers home safely.

However, the superintendent of Township High School District 113 said that the actions of the students were unacceptable – whether they had a sober driver or not. School officials have suspended the students from athletic and other activities…….

The moral of the story is that if you are a minor, DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL ONTO OUR BUSES!!!!!

Fun Party Ideas

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Throwing a party? Serving the same old wine and cheese and listening to the same music you did when you were a teenager is a sure way to bore your guests.

The staff at Seattle Party Bus Rentals has compiled a list of our favorite new party ideas that can easily jazz up any event. Make your next bash one that will make you known as the party expert among your friends.

Edible Flowers
Flowers that can be used in cooking are the new rage among chefs wanting to spice up an old recipe. Not all flowers are edible and some can make you sick, so make sure the ones you use are safe to eat. Some edibles are: apple blossoms, carnations, chamomile, chrysanthemums, cornflower, dandelion, daylilies, gardenia, gladiolas, hyacinth, jasmine, lavender, lilac, orchids, primrose, roses, snap dragons, sunflowers and violets. Sprinkle some on salads, add them to a dip or use the sweet varieties to make your old dessert stand-by new and totally unique. You can also use them as garnishes on a plate or sprinkle them over the table as a colorful accent. Pick up a bunch in your grocer’s produce department or grow them yourself. If you plan on using flowers as meals, never use a chemical based fertilizer.


Design Your Own Drink
Forget the beer, wine and two kinds of liquor rule for parties. Instead, design a signature drink that defines you and serve it exclusively to your guests. Carefully choose the liquor, color, embellishments and type of serving glass. Look online for many trendy drink recipes such as a mojitos, mint julips, appletini cosmos and much more! Your signature drink may just be the new hit in the bar scene!

It’s All Fun and Games
Pull your old games out of the closet and set them up around the apartment for your guests to play. Monopoly, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, Cranium, Charades, Pictionary and Twister can be a good mix of games for strategy, intellect and physical ability. If you don’t have these games, you can create an old-fashioned carnival feel with darts, bozo buckets and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey.

Cookie Decorating
Everyone loves cookies, and decorating them is even more fun. Provide cookie dough (sugar works best) and a variety of toppings including frosting, sprinkles, candy chips, colored sugars and any other baking goods you think your guests will enjoy. Everyone can gather around a table and decorate together, encourage your guests to chat and get to know one another. Cupcakes also work great, just bake them ahead of time.

Dont Do This!

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Wow!  I guess this is why you shouldn’t pour gas directly into the carburetor—-

Turns out it was a combination of gas fumes, an open bucket of gas — and some questionable decisions — that caused Wednesday’s van explosion and fire that injured three people in Bellevue.

One of the victims told police the group had obtained gas from a gas station minutes before the explosion. They didn’t have a gas can so they filled an open bucket with two gallons of gas.

They had removed the cowling from over the engine, which is located between the two front seats. The occupants used a water bottle to transfer gas from the bucket directly into the van’s carburetor to keep the engine running.

The van became filled with gas fumes. After the vehicle stalled they tried to restart it and it exploded into flames, fire investigators said.

The two men and a woman suffered burns when the Dodge Chevrolet Ford Econoline van exploded around 2:20 p.m. The van had had pulled out of a Chevron gas station on the southwest corner of Kamber Road and 145th Place Southeast, made a right turn onto Kamber Road and then “just exploded,” according to Bellevue police spokeswoman Carla Iafrate.

The three burn victims, believed to be 30 to 40 years old, were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Iafrate said. The two men were in serious condition and the woman was in satisfactory condition on Wednesday evening.

All three are from Bellevue.

Initially, police said the van was a Ford. But they’re now saying it was a Chevy.

High School Dance Do’s and Don’ts

Friday, January 7th, 2011

The 2010 senior class is gearing up for the last dance of their high school career, the prom. Students and teachers alike spend quite a bit of time arranging this dance; everything needs to be perfect, right down to the colored streamers, music, fruit punch and other decorations. Do you find yourself getting nervous as the date draws closer? Are you worried something may go wrong? Well, let us look into some do’s and don’ts of the ever-famous senior prom.

Prom 2010 Do’s

When taking photos at prom, offer to pay for these if your date paid to purchase the prom tickets.

Be sure to choose a dress that fits correctly. No one wants to be uncomfortable during this night, it is the time to relax and have fun.

Make sure you shave your legs before attending the prom. Having smooth silky legs is important to looking your best. Enter the prom with confidence knowing you look amazing.

Visit a hair salon and have a professional style your hair a few hours before prom. Attending the dance with messy hair will draw away from the beauty of your dress you are wearing for the evening.

Do have fun and enjoy yourself. After all, you deserve to be at the prom. You survived four years of high school and now this prom is the last dance of your high school day, let loose and dance yourself right out of your heels!

Prom 2010 Don’ts

Do not forget your date’s boutonniere, and be sure you have both agreed on the color, as you do not want to show up not matching.

Do not allow drama to mess up your big night. Put all disagreements and arguments aside for the night. Remember, this is the time to celebrate, not fight.

Do not constantly nag your date for compliments. Give him some time, he is certain to notice all the time and effort you put in to look great for him and prom.

Do not forget to place a napkin in your lap when you sit at the table to eat.

Do not reapply your make-up on the dance floor or table. Politely excuse yourself, make your way to the restroom, and make your touchups it in private.

Do not forget to thank your date for attending the prom with you at the end of the night. This lets him know you appreciated his company and you had a good time.

Following these few do’s and don’ts for your 2010 prom can make a difference. Whether you follow all these steps or just a few, the main idea is to have the best night of your life. Celebrating the end of high school is a great achievement, have fun!

Prepare Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Monday, November 1st, 2010

It’s that time of year again–time to gather with friends and family, turn on some football, put away the bathroom scale and eat like you haven’t since … well … last Thanksgiving. This year, take a chance on preparing the meal yourself. It’s time to tackle hosting a holiday event. After all, cooking can be fun, rewarding and tasty.

Pumpkin Carving Injuries

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Be Careful!

Local health officials said carving jack-o’-lanterns is the No. 1 cause of serious Halloween-related injuries nationwide among children between 10 and 14 years old.

Emergency Medical Services Authority spokeswoman Lara O’Leary said Oklahoma City area paramedics typically take about a dozen children each year to local hospitals with traumatic injuries related to Halloween activities. Sharp knives that stick into the sides of pumpkins are a leading culprit.

Dr. Ryan Brown, an emergency room physician at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, said he recommends the use of electronic lights instead of candles inside jack-o’-lanterns as well.

“That pumpkin can get very hot (with an open flame),” Brown said. “It can be just like getting hot wax on your finger with that liquid inside the pumpkin.”

One alternative could be skipping the jack-o’-lanterns altogether. Glenda Mosby, an Oklahoma City mother of three, said it only took one year of pumpkin carving before her family switched to pumpkin painting — though not necessarily because of danger.

“I made my kids pull all the nasty stuff out of … the pumpkins,” she said. “They didn’t enjoy that.”

O’Leary and Brown said costumes are another major source of injuries during the Halloween season. Masks can reduce visibility, longer pieces can cause children to trip, some materials may be flammable and ill-fitting costumes could cause friction burns or cut off circulation.

“And parents are limiting the amount of time children have to trick-or-treat, so the children feel like they have to get as much candy as they can before they have to come home,” O’Leary said. “They’re at a fever pitch, running around in clothes they aren’t used to in the dark.”

Brown said preparation is key to avoiding Halloween safety problems.

O’Leary and Brown said costumes are another major source of injuries during the Halloween season. Masks can reduce visibility, longer pieces can cause children to trip, some materials may be flammable and ill-fitting costumes could cause friction burns or cut off circulation.

“And parents are limiting the amount of time children have to trick-or-treat, so the children feel like they have to get as much candy as they can before they have to come home,” O’Leary said. “They’re at a fever pitch, running around in clothes they aren’t used to in the dark.”

Brown said preparation is key to avoiding Halloween safety problems.

“If you’ll just do a dress-rehearsal before the actual event, you may save yourself a couple hundred dollars from an ER visit,” he said.

Drinking and Driving Do’s and Don’ts 3

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Drinking and Driving Do’s and Don’ts
Chapter 3

So we all know life can just not go as planned some times. You are a conscientious  responsible person. You believe you have played by “life’s rules”, and yet you did not receive the expected out come. Now you find yourself in the back of a police car and on your way to jail. Here again there do’s and don’ts. However these do’s and don’ts are really in a category all there own. Unlike the previous ones, where by not adhering to them may cause a small inconvenience such as losing your car and job, not adhering to these may actually have physical implications (loss of teeth, etc.) so once again…

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!

Do – Tell the officer that you would really much rather sit in front. Sitting in back just seems so pretentious. And really, you hate receiving any type of special treatment.

Do – Smile when they take your picture. It’s just like when you look at those old photos’s of grandma and she just looks so darn unhappy. Your not paying through the nose here for a professional photographer here, it’s free. Might as well give a big ol’ toothy grin.

Do – Ask if they wouldn’t mind periodically checking for messages on your phone. Let them know that you receive automatic updates from the liquor store when beer goes on sale. And you’d be appreciative if they would keep an eye on that for you. (there might even be a six pack in it for them!)

Do – Also, with a real sweet face, ask if it isn’t too much trouble, would they mind finding a charger and plugging in your phone (Can’t get those updates if the phones dead!)

Do – Introduce yourself to everyone once you have been put into a cell. A nice warm firm handshake will set everyone at ease. It tells them “Hey I might be someone you’d like to get to know better.” You can’t have too any friends!

Don’ts

Don’t – Give the officer driving tips while on your way to the station. It’s kind of a macho thing with them. Personally, I think it’s just the typical “A” personality type that goes for these kinds of jobs. They just don’t take direction well from others.

Don’t – Ask the officer to turn on his lights and siren for you. We want to be sure that this is only used for real emergencies. The public wouldn’t take them seriously if they were used for our entertainment.

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Don’t – Ask the officer if he would mind putting your extra beer in the fridge when you get to the station. You’ve already asked him about your phone, let’s not over do it!

Don’t – Once you’re in jail, don’t just tell your Social Security number to your cellmate who is going to help you with your taxes. He’ll never remember it. Ask an officer for a piece of paper and write it down.

Don’t – Try to pass the time by starting a sing along. Some of your associates may not be able to carry a tune and spoil it for everyone. If you write poetry you might ask if they you like to hear some.

Don’t – Try to pass the time playing games that require paper and pencil like Hangman, you won’t have writing implements. Make it something simple and fun like, Duck, Duck, Goose! Musical chairs, easy stuff like that works great. And who couldn’t use the exercise!

Don’t – Talk about your love life in jail, no point stirring up natural desires. And for goodness sake DON’T BEND OVER TO PICK UP THE THE SOAP IN THE SHOWER!

Drinking and Driving Do’s and Don’ts 2

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Drinking and Driving for Dummies

Chapter 2

By Party Pam

Now let’s just assume for conversation sake that you are a responsible pro active drunk driver and you took all of the suggested precautions in lesson 1. You’ve got an attorney all lined up, you know the bus routes, you’ve arranged for a ride from jail, etc. So out you go drinking and driving. This would lead to the inevitable chat with the police officer. This is a crucial moment and must be handled correctly!

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!

Do’s!

Do – Assume that the officer has pulled you over because he is in-between calls and would just like to chat. Although keep in mind it is key that you control the conversation. Take some tips from Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham. The police did a few checks and then let her go on her way. Unlike Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie who seem to turn a simple traffic stop into an extended jail stay.

Do – If the Officer is the opposite sex, play the sex card (similar to the race card, but way more fun!) A little cleavage can go along way! Unless you are boxer Oscar De La Hoya that is.

Do – Carry a bag of Doritos in your car, the donuts is just a myth, they really love salt.

Do – Buy a Trunk Monkey. If you have ran your car into a ditch, you will want to quickly remove one wheel before the police arrive, it helps it appear as an accident.    Awesome Trunk Monkey video here.

Do – Practice your conversation you’ll be having with the Police officer. It’s best to practice with someone who doesn’t know you well so they don’t bring a bias into their observation. I would suggest perhaps asking your mailman if he (or she) would have just a moment to listen and offer some positive feedback. Steve Carell might listen, he used to be a mailman.

Do – Speak in a very soft sing song manner. If you see their eye start to glaze over, it’s a good time to raise up your keys and swing them gently in front of the officers face. It’s alright to leave them standing by the side of the road. Another officer will eventually happen along.

Don’ts!

Don’t – Assume that the officer has pulled you over to discuss your immediate condition. It’s like the neighbor coming over. You automatically assume he wants to talk about his missing chain saw, when he really wanted to ask you where you got your jeans! So no assumptions, very important!

Don’t – Mention politics. If the officer is not up on the latest issues they could begin to feel inferior and have a sudden need to show who is in control (especially if he is a Democrat!) Here is a small list of subjects to avoid. They are guaranteed to get someone all riled up. 1. Qur’an burning 2. immigration laws 3. legalizing gay marriage. These are touchy subjects…Just ask these congressman.

Don’t – Act like you are about to get sick. This is very effective when on a blind date, however police tend to associate this with drinking. Exactly what you don’t want. If you are getting sick, don’t let your daughter get pictures and then paste them on the Internet! Just ask David Hasselhoff the former star of Baywatch.

Don’t – Ask why he pulled you over. As soon as approaches the vehicle start talking. You need to set the ground rules immediately, you control the conversation, he does not. Taylor Swift needs some conversation control lessons, she should have slapped that jerk Kanye West right up-side his head!

Don’t – Offer the officer a sip of your beer if you have an open container. It is illegal for them to drink on the job. Though they might want to show they are just one of the guys and take a sip, they really could get into trouble.

So here’s how the conversation would go. Officer approaches your vehicle, you open your window and with a big smile you say “Oh hi! (long lost friend, now they’re trying to place you). It’s so great to see you! You haven’t changed a bit! (keep talking, no chance for him to respond) Wow I don’t even know how long it’s been. You sure look great! Well listen, I got to run, it sure was good seeing you!”. Now slowly drive off. A small wave and big smile and you should be down the road!

Of coarse keep in mind this is not a guarantee that your officer isn’t going to decide he’s got someone in the holding tank already who would greatly benefit from spending the evening and quite possibly the enter night in your company. So if you have somewhere you want to be the following day or a job you would like yo keep, I would strongly encourage you NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE!  If you do drink, get on a Party Bus to do it!

Prom Night

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

IF the title, “THS Investi gates: Prom Nightmares,” has you thinking “big fat, hot prom mess” with overweight girls bulging out of their too-tight prom dresses and boys in horrifyingly tasteless tuxedos, pimp hats and red shoes – may I suggest you find your kicks on the Internet.

Tonight’s episode of “THS” is not fun, and it’s not silly.

It’s the deadly business of kids who have been killed and maimed on prom night – and it ain’t pretty. But it is important.

In case you’ve been off ice road trucking in Alaska and missed it, the average American prom has morphed from a dress-up school dance to an out-of-control blow-out complete with its own industry that vies with Sweet 16 parties and bar mitzvahs as events so expensive parents take out second mortgages just to survive it.

Aside from the excess (some kids spend “between $30,000 and $40,000″ on their prom “necessities,” the show says), the great American prom is increasingly becoming a deadly affair.

“Prom Nightmares” visits the families who lost kids in car accidents, who have committed suicide on prom night, died from bad drugs and even the story of one girl who fell four stories off a hotel balcony after an alcohol-induced blackout (and survived).

It is terrifying.

For starters, there’s the story of Jillian Sabet, a girl who was elected both prom queen and class president on the day of the prom – and who was killed on her way to the dance when the car she was traveling in flipped over. No drugs – but no seatbelts, either.

Cathy Isford died on prom night after doing Ecstasy. Thirty-seven other kids took Ecstasy that night, but only Cathy got sick and died from it.

Chris Davidson, a triple-threat athlete on the eve of being honored for his role in starting a lacrosse team in his school, hung himself with his belt in his after-prom hotel room. And his heartbroken father is still trying to figure it out.

One bit of advice: if you are planning on attending the prom or have kids who are going to one, please make them watch this show. It will scare them so straight, they’ll stay home and rent a movie instead.

Bus Driver Caught Playing Video Games While Driving Route

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010