Event promoters look as if they are pushing for high profile events in the Inland Empire, and boosting business. The area is not known for drawing in the highest caliber of performers, but on occasion a few roll on by. Local casinos offer more than just the traditional forms of entertainment nowadays. It’s not just about playing some slots, downing some drinks, and catching a show. It’s about drawing them in with a concert or a hot new club, and then luring them in to stay where they can play the games.
It seems to start off in a few different directions, but all are angled at the same goal. Billboards along the freeway constantly advertise upcoming shows. Radio and television spots do their part as well, and the casino web sites keep up to date calendar of events posted with additional attractions. Many of the casinos have their own design departments, but it seems that local design firms in the Inland Empire could also develop promotions such as these and attract more attention.
A great deal of business and a bit of culture often comes through the IE via nearby casinos. It may not be the kind of crowd draw that is received in larger neighboring cities, but it does prove to bring more business to the area and more of an opportunity to avoid such a long commutes for an evening out.
I tried to catch the wind
But instead the wind caught me,
It raised me to great heights before
I landed in a tree.
I tried to catch my shadow
But I failed at all my chances,
For my shadow is quite eloquent
At eluding my advances.
I tried to catch a falling star
But the closer it drew near,
I backed away out of its path
Overcome by awesome fear.
I tried to catch the fairy
Who came to get my tooth,
But instead I learned I wasn’t a
Conniving enough sleuth.
I tried to catch a quaint snowflake
But instead I caught the flu,
Now I’m confined to my bed
For a week or perhaps two.
I tried to “catch you later”
But got badly misdirected.
Called another friend instead
So now you feel rejected.
I tried to catch a nap,
Forty winks or maybe more.
But as soon as I dosed off
You came knocking at my door.
I tried to catch the bus
To get away for a short while;
But just as I neared the door
It pulled off and the driver smiled.
Enough is enough already
It has finally become clear,
I’m not a very good catcher
And I’m not in very good cheer.
So I throw in the quitter’s towel,
Don’t want to catch a thing.
‘Cause I’m tired of always trying
And never catching anything.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, though delayed in publication, is expected to be available early 2006.
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