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Abolition Now! Ten Years of Strategy and Struggle Against the Prison Industrial Complex Abolition Now! Ten Years of Strategy and Struggle Against the Prison Industrial Complex is a new anthology of essays that celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first annual Critical Resistance conference, whose goal was to combat the growing Prison-Industrial Complex. The contributing activists, essayists and poets exhibit passionate and analytical analysis of the current Prison-Industrial Complex situation, its relationship to the Military Industrial Complex, media attitudes, detriments to collaborating with the state and prison abolition in general. One of the general themes is the general ignorance concerning the "domestic war on the poor and people of color." One essay argues that community policing practices, such as those outlined in Broken Windows by George L. Kelling and Catherine Coles, justify state violence and anti-vagrancy attitudes by targeting urban undesirables. Various Authors, Media Mouse http://www.mediamouse.org Book

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The Joy of Drinking Barbara Holland, in her characteristic lighthearted and whimsical style, has written this book as a paean to alcohol and the pleasure it produces. Aside from providing alcohol-based home remedies for numerous ailments, Holland writes about the drinking habits (and drinking abuses) of various historical figures, including Pope Leo XIII and Ptolemy. This book also summarizes how various cultures have – accidentally or purposely – created alcoholic beverages. Barbara Holland, Bloomsbury USA http://www.bloomsburyusa.com Book

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This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession Listen to an OnPoint radio interview featuring Daniel Levitin who has made a life of music, first playing it, then producing it for Columbia Records, and most recently as a neuroscientist specializing in how the brain interprets music.

In his book, “This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession” his research examines the roadmap of how music engages with virtually every part of the brain. Baby humans can hear music in the womb as early as 24 weeks, and so begins the process of acquiring musical schemas – patterns of rhythms, melodies, tones.

When we listen to music, our brain, in essence, plays a guessing game. First, the cerebellum synchronizes with the schema of the song or music style. Once it has the template down, it sets up certain expectations. When those expectations are delivered through the music, the brain feels elated at the reward and produces dopamine, often associated with other pleasurable activities like eating chocolate or engaging in sex. But even more curious, is the way the brain delights in deviation from the expected outcome, when the musical piece provides a departure from what was anticipated. “The cerebellum finds pleasure in adjusting itself to stay synchronized.”

Levitin’s own delight is not just in scientific explanation, but rooting music in broader and multiple contexts. Music has great social significance in its ubiquitous nature: “No known culture present or past lacks music.” It has influence on how we socialize in groups. “Around the age of twelve, music begins to serve a social bonding function and we use music to distinguish our social group from others.” Music is present in virtually every major life even that we experience, from mothers singing to babies, to weddings, parades and festivals, wars and funerals.

In a roundabout way Levitan’s work lends explanation to IPODs, long lines at music clubs and even the popularity of hip hop. In essence, our brains are conditioned to be addicted to music by exposure to it. The more music and music styles we are exposed to by age 10 defines the schemas or templates our brains understand, crave and know to bring us joy. With music programs being removed from schools, children rely more and more on the pop music accessible on the radio. As understanding and appreciation is narrowed, our brains latch on to the one style that rocks our world. Looks like rock n roll (and hip hop) are here to stay.
Daniel Levitin, Dutton Adult : http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/dutton.html 2006, Book

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The Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages: A Complete Course for Bars, Restaurants and Caterers Provides a comprehensive overview of issues and training standards for staff in businesses serving alcoholic beverages to the public, including hotels and room service, restaurants and clubs. Beth Dugan, Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. http://www.atlantic-pub.com 2006, Book

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The Substance of Style An insightful and interesting discussion about how U.S. society is coming into the Age of Aesthetics: Not only are our coffee shops, airports, restaurants, and malls being designed with an eye for aesthetics, but our electronics, offices, and even our fashions are more aesthetically pleasing than ever. According to Postrel, our increasing love of aesthetics is not merely superficial, but rather it is a reflection of our humanity. Most of all, this increasing appreciation of aesthetics fuels our creativity and even our economic growth. Virginia Postrel, Harper Collins http://www.harpercollins.com 2003, Book

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Cafe Europa: Life After Communism An insightful account of the evolution of cities in the Eastern Bloc after communism fell. It focuses on increased tourism and its affect on local lifestyles, with an emerging "cafe society" with cafe names reflecting a desire to be associated with the establishments in Western Europe. A great account of the challenges to be overcome in attitudes and ambitions, and the many barriers still isolating individuals from other countries. Slavenka Drakulic, Penguin Books http://www.penguinputnam.com 1999, Book

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Panhandling This problem-oriented policing guide focuses on panhandling. An important distinction is drawn between passive panhandling (solicitation without threat or menace), which is often a low priority for police, and aggressive panhandling (coercive and threatening solicitation), which can sometimes warrant an arrest. Profiles of panhandlers indicate that, contrary to popular belief, only a minority are homeless. Motivations for panhandling include disinterest in or the inability to maintain regular employment due to substance abuse problems. Among the people most likely to give money to panhandlers are college students, women, and minorities. The report also discusses economic, social and legal factors that influence panhandling levels and also poses questions to help cities assess their local problems with panhandling. Examples are provided of effective tactics employed in cities throughout the U.S. Research across the nation suggests that the most effective panhandling laws and the ones most likely to survive legal challenge are ones that prohibit aggressive panhandling and panhandling in specific locations as opposed to the prohibition of all panhandling. Michael S. Scott askCOPSRC@usdoj.gov, U.S. Department of Justice http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/ Book

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Underage Drinking This problem-oriented guide discusses the issue of underage drinking. It addresses psychological motivations that contribute to underage drinking, such as the belief that it can serve as a ‘rite of passage,’ and also describes environmental factors, such as media saturation and price discounts. The guide reports that one of the most commonly cited reasons for underage drinking is simply “the absence of alcohol-free places to socialize…outside of school” (8, 40), which leaves minors with no other choice but to attend events where alcohol is served. In addition, common ways that alcohol is obtained and places where it is consumed by minors is identified. A list of questions is also provided to help cities analyze their distinct local challenges with underage drinking, along with a specific set of responses that can be used by safety officials, bar and restaurant owners, and parents. These include such tactics as the implementation of Responsible Beverage Service programs and social norms programs. The report repeatedly emphasizes the fact that the police alone cannot implement these suggestions. Instead, the most effective approach involves the formation of a partnership or coalition comprised of diverse stakeholders from safety, hospitality, and community perspectives, who are willing to work together on tackling underage drinking. Kelly Dedel Johnson askCOPSRC@usdoj.gov, U.S. Department of Justice http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/ 2004, Book

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Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation Anyone interested in learning about the rise of the generation born after 1980, and the impact they are having and will have on our culture, economy and future should read this book. The most protected generation (Baby on Board), raised by older Boomers with more time and resources to invest in their children, is creating a cohort of high achievers with strong values and close ties to each other. For most, the internet has always been a tool, using the personal computers they have always had, and connecting to friends by cell phones, instant messaging and other technology that their Boomer parents never had or imagined. With such a unified voice, they can rapidly switch trends and buying patterns, challenging companies to reach them and keep them interested. For those in community planning and development, this book contains information on how to fashion new environments for a growing number of people migrating back to cities. The class of 2009 is expected to be the largest in U.S. history. Are you ready? William Strauss, Vintage Books - Random House http://www.randomhouse.com/index.pperl 2000, Book

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Fixing Broken Windows Founded on a basic principle that a neighborhood declines from the simple lack of attention to fixing a broken window in an abandoned building, this book takes a new look at crime prevention by controlling disorderly behavior in public spaces. Such an approach was used in New York City where subway fare-beaters and jaywalkers were arrested, fines were imposed on those whose cell phones rang in movies and theater productions, and smoking was banned in entertainment businesses. Setting new standards for public behavior in public spaces creates an environment where serious crime cannot flourish, but ordinary life and business can. George Kelling, The Free Press - Simon & Schuster, Inc. http://www.simonsays.com/ 1996, Book

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Assaults in and Around Bars This is the first in a series of problem-oriented guides written for police. This particular guide focuses on the social, physiological, and environmental factors that can contribute to aggression and violence in and around bars. These include high-risk establishments, such as dance clubs, high concentrations of bars, aggressive bouncers, drink promotions, low ratio of staff to patrons, and lack of comfort and crowding. To address these issues, specific strategies are presented on how to reduce the alcohol intake of patrons and how to make bars safer. Other critical factors include community support, voluntary cooperation of bar owners and managers, as well as fair and consistent enforcement of liquor license laws. Example questions are also provided on incident characteristics, victims, offenders, locations/times, management practices, and regulation/enforcement practices that can be used to identify local trends and issues. Michael S. Scott askCOPSRC@usdoj.gov, U.S. Department of Justice: Community Oriented Policing Services http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/mime/open.pdf?Item=271 2004, Book

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Urban Tribes: A Generation Redefines Friendship, Family and Commitment The Boomers rebelled from their conformity parents to discover themselves - the "me" generation. The Millennials are exerting their entitlement, raised by overprotective Boomer parents during the prosperity of the 1990’s. The X’ers, often known as the "latch-key kids" and the "lost generation" had to find new ways to get recognition and support as they followed the direction of the early Boomers who said "be whatever you want to be" but left them as children while they developed their own careers. Ethan Watters portrays the X generation as the ones who moved back to the cities, especially those tolerant of diversity and alternative lifestyles, and formed their own support networks, what he refers to as "urban tribes." Go to the Burning Man convention held every August and see how this generation is the creative class of Richard Florida’s book. Great insights and great understanding of a generation stuck between the bookends of Boomers and Millennials. Ethan Waters, Bloomsbury http://www.bloomsbury.com/usa/ 2003, Book

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Smashed While some may raise their eyebrows at the idea of memoirs written by 23-year-olds, Koren Zailcka’s literary debut would be less potent from an older author. Zailcka’s first work chronicles her alcohol consumption from her first drink, at 14 years old, through college. As aged, she immersed herself in an alcohol culture in which nearly every aspect of her social life revolved around consumption. Most striking in the book is Zailcka’s recognition that far from being outside the norm, her behavior was acceptable and not particularly unique within university culture. Koren Zailcka, Viking, 2005, Book

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The Rise of the Creative Class In The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida, currently a professor of public policy at George Mason University and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses an emerging phenomenon: the creative class, comprised of various creative professionals including (but not limited to) professors, engineers, architects, and musicians, is growing to nearly one-third of the U.S. population. But most of all, they are fueling our economy and adding vitality to U.S. cities. Richard Florida, Basic Books http://www.basicbooks.com 2002, Book

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Faces Along the Bar This book traces the important role of the saloon in the evolution of American culture and society, including the purpose it played in the working class neighborhoods of the industrial era. The saloon’s early history was as an all male drinking establishment, so much so, that some installed urinal troughs at the base of the bar (a photo of one in New Orleans is included) to support the adage that you don’t drink beer, you just rent it.

As women sought places to meet and socialize, back rooms were added, with food, and with separate entrances. Even today, in older cities, you can observe the two entrances, and the men’s room in the bar and the women’s room in the restaurant area.

These back rooms later became organizing halls for unions, and the author observes that Babe Ruth’s father owned the "Union Saloon" and was a prominent union organizer.

Most of the book traces the history of the saloon in Chicago, the importance of being a regular, games, gambling, story telling and the "free lunch" of saloon lore.

Anyone interested in the evolution of the "third place" and the history of drinking establishments will find this an insightful book. The prohibition movement was as much about taking away the halls where workers gathered against the companies they worked for as it was promotion of temperance in alcohol consumption. This is very similar to the many codes and regulations followed today based upon French law when the Monarchy sought to surpress activities in cafes during the revolution. Madelon Powers MPowers@uno.edu, The University of Chicago Press http://www.press.uchicago.edu 1998, Book

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Leading Beyond Tradition: A Breakthrough Strategy for Law Enforcement A combination of business principles and community policing, Leading Beyond Tradition presents a tool box of cutting edge strategies that address the gaps in traditional policing. A Case study using Six Sigma is applied to a city’s entertainment zone, identifies defects in police processes and suggests repairs that reduce wasted city and department time and money. William E. Cooper bipd1@comcast.net, 3-Star Publishing, 2005, Book

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Mediation Practice Guide: A Handbook for Resolving Business Disputes Written in a user-friendly style, the book is intended for lawyers and businesspersons alike and provides invaluable and straightforward understanding of key suitabilty, preparation and advocacy issues in mediation.

Bennet G. Picker, American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, 2004, Book

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Proximate Special Effects Familiarization and Safety This hardbound book is primarily intended for pyrotechnicians,
fire inspectors, production managers, event sponsors, venue managers
and educators and students in the theater arts. It discusses professionalism, permits, inspections by AHJ’s, general use and product descriptions, firing systems, and tools and supplies. J Larry Mattingly, American Fireworks News http://www.fireworksnews.com/proximate.htm Book

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The Psychology of Safety Handbook This text for safety professionals, students, and others concerned with the reduction of injury in organizational and community settings discusses how psychology influences the safety and health of people. In the first section, Geller (psychology, Virginia Tech.) discusses safety theory and a variety of approaches, such as behavior-based programs, ergonomics, government action, and poster campaigns. Other sections cover human barriers to safety (such as human nature, perceived risk, and stress), behavior-based psychology, behavior-based intervention, actively caring behaviors, evaluation, and maintaining involvement. The Psychology of Safety Handbook not only teaches principles and practical procedures for improving safety-related behaviors, but also illustrates how to increase people’s willingness to use these techniques to create a Total Safety Culture. E Scott Geller, Lewis Publishers http://www.ramex.com/lsmenu.html Book

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