be a force for change

Let others know how you feel. A simple, heartfelt letter to your local media outlet tells others in the community that every effort to keep alcohol away from children matters.

Use the following letters as a guide, but submit your letter in your own words. Here are some other tips for your letter:

Make it newsworthy by tying it to something specific. Examples of news hooks might include: a recent news article where someone in the community was hurt by alcohol or a letter supporting the new Solano County Underage Drinking Adult Awareness Campaign.

• When possible, personalize your letter. (Something as simple as “As a mother of an “almost” teen, I’m concerned about …”)
• Be brief and to the point. Letters are usually 100 words or less. The longer the letter, the less chance it will fit.
• Be personal. Write as if you’re talking with a friend. Appeal to the average reader. Don’t use technical language or jargon.
• Make you beginning and end paragraphs powerful. Sum up your piece in the last paragraph with a strong message and call to action.

Some letter ideas:

Personal Story – Many people have been affected by alcohol abuse. Your story can help others face their own concerns.

Oppose Alcohol Advertising – Often these ads glamorize drinking. Point out to the readers how these ads can influence young children. Contrast the messages delivered by “cheerleaders”, “frogs”, and “attractive models” and the realities of underage drinking as depicted in the Solano County Underage Alcohol Adult Awareness Campaign.

Support Policy Change – Whenever a child drinks alcohol, an adult has been involved in supplying. Tell others how important you believe in tougher regulations around the sale and responsible serving of alcohol.

Encourage Parent Involvement – Have you found successful ways to communicate with your kids. Share those experiences with other parents.

solano county media list

THE DAILY REPUBLIC
1250 W. Texas, P.O. Box 47
Fairfield, CA 94533
425-4646, After hours: 425-5007
Newsline 425-5544
FAX 425-5924
Bill James, Editor bjames@dailyrepublic.net
drnews@dailyrepublic.com
klecluse@dailyrepublic.com Kathy L’Ecluse, City Editor, 427-6933
sarnquist@dailyrepublic.com Sarah Arnquist, County Reporter, 427-6953

THE VACAVILLE REPORTER
Steve Huddleston, Publisher/Editor
P.O. Box 1509 ( 976 Cotting Lane)
Vacaville, CA 95688
453-8149
Diane Barney, Editor
Dbarney@thereporter.com
448-2200
FAX 447-8411
newsroom@thereporter.com 448-2200
county@thereporter.com Jason Massad County Reporter,
453-8147
citydesk@thereporter.com Robin Miller, City Editor
453-8148
donnat@thereporter.com Keith Michaud, Editorial Page

THE VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD
P.O. Box 3188 ( 440 Curtola Pkwy)
Vallejo, CA 94590
(800-600-1141)
Ron Rhea, Publisher...........................707-553-6801
Newsroom 553-6840 Ted Vollmer,
Editor, 553-6827
FAX 643-0128
news@timesheraldonline.com
Mary@thnewsnet.com Mary Leahy, City Editor, 553-6840
Jbungart@thnewsnet.com Jack Bungart, 553-6836
Gmoberly@thnewsnet.com Greg Moberly, County Reporter
lerecia@thnewsnet.com Calendar
Matthias Gaffney, Asst. City Editor

THE BENICIA HERALD
P.O. BOX 65
Benicia, CA 94510
745-0733
FAX 745-8583
Email: Benheral@yahoo.com John Moses, Editor
Benheral@pacbell.net TS Owen, Asst. Editor

THE RIVER NEWS HERALD
P.O. Box 786
Rio Vista, CA 94571
374-6431
FAX 374-6322
Email: rveditor@citlink.net Kevin Jones, Editor

RIO VISTA BEACON
P.O. Box 726
Brentwood, CA 94513
Email: staff@bayareapub.com Harry Green, Editor

THE DIXON TRIBUNE
145 East A Street
Dixon, CA 95620
678-5594
FAX 678-5404
Email: editor@dixontribune.com Ben Edokpayi, Editor

DIXON’S INDEPENDENT VOICE
350 W. A Street
Dixon, CA 95620
678-8917 Weekly, Wed., Fri deadline
FAX 678-4056
Email: dscholl@onramp113.org Dave Scholl, Editor

THE TEMPEST( Solano Community College)
4000 Suisun Valley Road
Suisun, CA 94585
864-7000 X361 Mary Mazzocco, Instructor/Advisor
Tempest@solano.cc.ca.us

THE TAILWIND
60 th AMW Public Affairs
400 Brennan Circle
Travis AFB, CA 94535
424-2011 Editor: Staff Sgt.Candy Knight
FAX 424-3506
Tailwind@travis.af.mil

KUIC RADIO
600 Main St.
Vacaville, CA 95688
447-NEWS, 446-0200
FAX 446-0122
Email: cseats@kuic.com Cynthia Seats

RADIO
Rio Vista High School
410 S. 4 th Street
Rio Vista, CA 94571
374-2121