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Kids urged to give up 100 Grand for a buck

BILL REED — THE GAZETTE

Halloween trick-or-treaters give dentists wicked nightmares, not because of their masks and fake blood, but because of the pounds of candy they carry home and gobble down.

Two Colorado Springs dentists have decided to do something about it. Instead of tossing and turning as visions of small mouths with cavities fill their heads, they’re buying back that candy at $1 per pound. And then the candy will go to U.S. troops overseas.

“Ditch the candy - that’s what we’re saying,” said Dr. Ralph Parkin of the Cheyenne Mountain Dental Center. Checkups and brushing are good, he said, “but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a healthy boost.”

The candy buyback is part of a national program, started in 2007, that includes a few hundred dentists. The dentists distribute their coffers of candy to troops through Operation Gratitude, a California-based nonprofit that specializes in care packages to overseas troops.

Exceptional Dentistry, run by Dr. Ron Charity, pulled in 200 kids and 500 pounds of candy last year. He gives the kids $1 a pound, plus a goodie bag that includes coupons to businesses such as Chuck E. Cheese and Mimi’s Café.

“We’re always talking about Halloween, because the average kid collects about 5 pounds of candy,” Charity said. “Nobody needs 5 pounds of candy, not just from a dental standpoint, but an overall health standpoint.”

The dentists don’t want to become Dr. Killjoy, though. They hope kids pick out some of their favorite candy, and then donate the rest.

“We don’t want them to feel like they’ve been robbed,” Parkin said. “We don’t want to steal their childhood.”

Kyshawn Suggs, now 11, was excited last year to sell the 6 pounds of candy he earned to Parkin.

“My mom said if I gave my candy to the dentist it would be for the troops,” said Kyshawn, a sixth-grader at Carmel Middle School. Both of his parents have served in the military, so he liked that idea.

Of course, there’s one irony to the program: Dentists are buying candy from children to save them from the horrors of tooth decay, then sending the candy to adults who, presumably, have teeth that can get cavities.

Parkin said he thought about that, and he’s tossing in toothbrushes for the troops as well. Charity said the candy will be distributed among many troops, their friends, and maybe the kids in foreign countries where they serve, so they won’t each be wolfing down the 5 pounds of sugary treats that many trick-or-treaters do. Moderation is the key.

He hopes adults are responsible enough to brush after consuming candy - a warning parents might want to take to heart before they raid their kids’ candy piles.

Otherwise, a sweet treat can turn into a nasty trick.

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Candy dropoff sites

Cheyenne Mountain Dental Center

Where: 1803 B St.
When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4, 5 and 7. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8
Prizes: $1 per pound of candy, plus a FireFly flashing toothbrush
More info: 576-1730

Colorado Balloon Classic offices in partnership with Cheyenne Mountain Dental Center

Where: 328 Bonfoy Ave.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 4-7
Prizes: $1 per pound of candy, plus a FireFly flashing toothbrush
More info: 471-4833 or 576-1730

Exceptional Dentistry

Where: 1675 Briargate Blvd., Suite A
When: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4
Prizes: $1 per pound of candy, plus a goodie bag with coupons to local businesses and a FireFly toothbrush More info: 574-1705

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No, we’re not going to talk about poisoned candy from China again. This time, it’s all about chocolate from Africa produced through illegal child labor and against international labor laws. In other words, most of the chocolate you buy at the local grocery store — be it caramel- or nougat-filled — does not conform to the standards of a “fair trade” product, fair trade being…

“an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards.” (Wikipedia link)

The chocolate you buy at the grocery store, then, will usually come from chocolate produced in West Africa, where more than half a million children work tilling the cocoa fields. You cannot guarantee that workers were paid a fair price, are not being exploited physically or economically, or that they’re not practicing destructive farming practices that will ruin the land — and hurt the people who live on it — for years to come.

What? That’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you’re biting into an almond Joy?

Well, it is for the Danielle Vitulli and her family. She’s aware of the chocolate issue, and she’s taking her knowledge to the streets:

The Chipeta Elementary School fourth-grader is one of thousands of American children taking part in a “Reverse Trick-or-Treating” campaign, which was launched by human rights advocacy groups last year to raise awareness of child labor problems in cocoa fields.

As she collects candy in her Pinon Valley neighborhood Friday night, Danielle will hand neighbors a piece of fair-trade-certified chocolate in return, along with a postcard explaining why the treat is different.

Right now, it looks like the Vitulli family are the only locals participating in Reverse Trick-or-Treating, but they don’t have to remain so. If you’d like to hand out fair trade chocolate on Halloween night, browse your local Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, Mountain Mama or other natural food store. The candy may be more expensive, but you can be sure your money is going into the hands of farmers and workers and into the health of their land and our planet. (And the chocolate itself? Really, really yummy.)

For more information on Reverse Trick-or-Treating, visit www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/reversetrickortreating. And to become educated about the fair trade movement in general, visit the International Fair Trade Association at www.ifat.org.

And if you see Danielle out in your neighborhood, be sure to tell her way to go on her youthful energy, compassion and hope for the future. And her vampire costume is pretty awesome, too.

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Photo caption: Danielle Vitulli, left, and Darcy Naugle are taking part in a “Reverse Trick-or-Treating” campaign that was launched to raise awareness of child labor problems in cocoa fields. The girls plan to give candy and a message about fairtrade chocolate to people who answer the door. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

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I received the recall through e-mail, which I don’t usually trust, but the claim has been verified over at snopes. Sherwood claims that none of the candy was vended in the United States, but keep an eye out for the gold coins anyway, just to be safe. For more information, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s explanation of the incident.

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Best of all, there’s a great Halloween Photo Contest that I think is right up the alley of Pikes Peak parents. There’s three categories: best child in costume, best pet in costume and best pumpkin. If you can dig up the best picture in any category, your photographic skills will be rewarded with a SONY CyberShot Digital Still Camera package and a write up on the Life section’s cover on Tuesday, Oct. 28th. The contest runs through Oct. 23.

So what are your kids begging to be this Halloween? What do you think are going to be the most popular costumes this year?

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Gazette photographer Christian Murdock got some great footage of kids playing in the water at the season opening of the Uncle Wilber fountain. Check out the video by clicking here or on the above photo.

The Memorial Day event at Evergreen Cemetery offered lots of fun, including volunteers dressed as soldiers from the Civil War, World War I and more. Above Chad Herrera-Woodburn, 8, tried on the hat of Andrew Camp, dressed as a soldier from the British Cavalry in World War I in a photo by Jerilee Bennett.

Military reporter Tom Roeder took a ride in an Air Force Thunderbird, part of the precision flying team that traditionally buzzes the Air Force graduation ceremony. Click here or on the above picture to check out the video, or click here for Roeder’s article about the Thunderbirds.

And our resident mommy blogger Heather discovered an important signal that summer has begun: ants. Click here to read her account.

So what did you get up to this weekend? Did you discover an activity you’ll do again throughout the summer? If so, share with all of us. Next holiday weekend, I’d like to do something more fun that home improvement!

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Here comes Peter Cottontail!

Have an egg-ceptional Easter at one of these fun, Spring celebrations:

Natural Egg Dying
March 22, Fountain Creek Nature Center
Wear old clothes and bring six hard-boiled eggs to learn how to make natural dyes using plants. Participation is $3 per person and registration is required. Call 520-6745 to save your spot.

Victorian Easter Egg Hunt
and Tea
March 22, Miramont Castle
Kids 10 and younger can hunt for eggs in the castle’s garden (or indoors if the weather necessitates), followed by a simplified high tea service in the Queen’s Parlor Tea Room. Tickets are $31 for one adult and one child, and $11 per additional child and $17 per additional adult. Call 685-1011 or click www.miramontcastle.org for details.

Easter Egg Hunt
March 22, Falcon Baptist Church
This free event lets kids up to age 12 hunt for eggs. Call 495-3859 or visit www.falconbaptist.com for more information.

Chocolate Bunny Walk
March 22, Bear Creek Nature Center
Kids age 3-10 ‘earn about rabbits and meet real rabbits from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Then join a Bunny Guide as you hike to look for goody-filled eggs along the trail. Participation is $5 per person and reservations are required. Call 520-6387 to register.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

Gizmo and Gabby the Clown await the start of the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in this Gazette file photo. This year’s parade is at noon Saturday, on Tejon Street from St. Vrain Street to Vermijo Avenue.

Tonight

Teen Night
Hillside Community Center
Teens can join basketball, volleyball or foosball tourneys, play video games, dance or chill in a safe environment. Admission is $2, although snacks and drinks are extra. Call 385-7900 for details.

Free Community Concert
First United Methodist Church
The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony inspires with Vivaldi and Dvorak at this free event. For details, call 633-3901.

Saturday

5k for St. Patrick’s Day
Acacia Park
A flat 5k run, followed by a Leprechaun Fun Run for kids. Registration is $22 in advance or $27 on race day. Leprechauns participate for $5. Call 635-8803 or visit www.csgrandprix.com for more information.

25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Beginning at St. Vrain and Tejon streets
Over 100 units will roll festively down the streets of downtown Colorado Springs during this free parade. Click www.csstpats.com or call 635-8803 for details.

Explore the Galaxy
Palmer Lake Branch library
Take off into outer space by conducting galactic science experiments and making a miniature galaxy to take home at this free presentation. Call 481-2587 or visit www.ppld.org for details.

American Girls Tea — You’re a Shining Star!
Mikasa space at the Promenade Shops at Briargate
Be a part of a fashion show and enjoy tea, crafts and door prizes at this event, suitable for kids 7-12 accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. Call 260-6882 or visit www.ppld.org.

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And, don’t forget, on the pages of your Gazette, where we host an annual “Peep-o-rama.” The contest challenges readers to create a diorama with Peeps confections to be judged on visual appeal, creativity and best use of Peeps. (Only 3-D dioramas are eligible for prizes.) The cream of the crop will be featured in The Gazette March 23, and winners will receive prizes from Just Born, the makers of Peeps.

Just check out these pics to see the creativity of last year’s first and second place entries: The Red Hot Chili Peepers and Castle Frankenpeep.

(Click here for the blow-by-blow from last year’s competition.)

Want to join in the fun? Here’s all the pertinent info:

• Deadline: Noon on Monday, March 10
• How to enter: Bring the diorama to The Gazette in downtown Colorado Springs at 30 S. Prospect St., or take detailed photos to send to editor Bill Reed (bill.reed@gazette.com).
• More info: Posted at www.gazette.com under the Life tab. Or give Bill a call at 719-636-0226.

Sniff, sniff. It sounds like such fun, and yet I’m unable to participate as a Gazette associate. Rats! Not that employees don’t get in on the fun: Check out the silly Peeps, The Movie film clip the newsroom put together last year.

Movie here!

Good luck, parent peeps!

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CAROL LAWRENCE, THE GAZETTE - Megan Chacon tied ribbons to Valentine’s Day balloons at Springs in Bloom on Wednesday afternoon. The florist, which is at Colorado Avenue and Sahwatch Street, will be taking holiday delivery orders as well as walk-ins today until supplies are gone.

In addition to your significant other, remember that your kids love to know they’re loved, too. And it’s not too late to find your own, unique way to express that love. Take a look at Parent writer Pam Hoskins’ advice in this month’s Pikes Peak Parent. Though originally geared toward how to tell your child Happy Birthday, the suggestions work well for Valentine’s Day, too.

• Write a message of love on the bathroom mirror with lipstick or a dry erase marker.
• Other places for loving messages: Buy a take-and-bake pizza and arrange the toppings to spell “I Love You!” or the shape of a heart.

• Order a cookie bouquet from Cookies by Design, 3315 N. Academy Blvd. Call 380-1130 for details.
• Send flowers or a balloon bouquet, which are available from local florists and grocery stores. (Check with your child’s school in advance if you are planning on delivering them to campus.)

The more mature set (perhaps a bit above the kids’ heads) can celebrate Love Day by saving the newsprint edition or printing out a copy of today’s Life section cover story, which contains several hilarious love-themed MadLibs.

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The presents are unwrapped.

But the holiday spirit continues to stick around. That is, until we take down the Christmas tree, the last vestige of holiday cheer. Now it’s just the long, dark and cold march towards — hmm, what’s the next holiday? — Valentine’s? St. Patty’s? Sigh.

If you can get out of the post-holiday funk long enough, we found something nice for you to do with that now dead and dessicated live tree you bought this year. Use the services of the Tree Recycle program, which costs only $5 and benefits local youth sports programs. As an extra bonus, the service sends the tree through a chipper and will load your vehicle with the wood chips to use around your yard, if you desire.

The program is accepting trees Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and after that, you may have to bribe your garbage man. Click here for The Gazette’s list of participating locations.

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