The Metro Monthly | June
We kick things off with an essay from Tess on her recent pro-bono PR campaign to save the public libraries in Huntington Beach. Cameron shares her summer plans (and new hobby!), Drew and Erin take us on a donut tour & coffee pairing for National Donut Day, and Lily curates a summer TV watch guide. We wrap up announcing three finalists for the Slack Emoji Contest.
Knows In a Book by Tess Finkle
I grew up playing video games.
My favorite was “Castle of Illusion” by Sega (IYKYK), starring Mickey Mouse. The premise is (was?) Mickey Mouse is on a quest to save Minnie Mouse from the evil witch, Mizrabel. Please kindly keep in mind that this was the early 90s, long before anyone would challenge the idea of Minnie “needing” to be rescued by Mickey and certainly long before any “witch-positivity” narratives.
I loved this game for many reasons. You should know that I am a big fan of dark plots and even darker endings (my favorite movie is Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo - 1958 - which has one of the most twisted endings in the history of film). I am drawn to the drama of dark entertainment for the obvious reasons: it’s a microcosm of the human experience. This game, Castle of Illusion, was a welcomed escape from the jolly Mickey I had come to know (and always questioned…) inside the ivied walls of Disneyland or the Mickey that loved to conduct inanimate, animated objects that conveniently doubled as an orchestra. This was “the other side” of Mickey: dark, determined, and arguably distraught. It felt very honest to me.
Hours of playing this game left a permanent imprint on me and fed an innate interest in siding with the underdog to help them.
This cultivated POV helped shape Metro. Who is the underdog, and how can we use the media machine (a mild upgrade from the virtual apples and magical marbles that Mickey Mouse could chuck at any roadblock in pursuit of saving Minnie in Castle of Illusion) to help them? Of course, not every client in Metro's history fits into this criteria, but plenty do over the last 18 years.
Not too long ago, I suited up in a way that I had not anticipated.
You may know that I currently live in Orange County (go ahead, throw your tomato. I hope it’s organic and cost you $45 at Erewhon). Specifically, I live in Huntington Beach. On one hand, living in Huntington Beach is like living in a California postcard. It’s the image you picture when someone says, “California Dreamin’.” But like anything that’s magical…Huntington Beach has a very steep downside. It's politics.
A handful of months ago, I learned that the mayor of Huntington Beach and her dedicated following were hazing the city’s local librarians. If you follow book bans, then you’re aware that books containing anatomical content, LGBTQ+ narratives, and celebrations of diversity are being stripped or banned from public libraries around the country. I will give you space to look into the context of how this came to be on your own if you wish to learn more.
Caught in the political crossfire are our beloved librarians. They are being bullied in the most horrifying ways across this country and accused of heinous acts towards their communities merely by giving access to information without bias.
Huntington Beach’s council is currently trying to privatize its award-winning Public Library. (Important note: Only 30% of Huntington Beach voted in the last election, which is how these…folks…were able to squirm their way into the council. So, if you’re not registered to vote, please understand the connection between LOCAL politics and your rights. Please register to Vote at vote.gov, and please take advantage of the day-off Metro gives the entire company on Election Day to vote locally if nothing else).
Privatizing the library means that every single librarian in Huntington Beach would be laid off, lose their pension and that uncredentialed staff with no education in library sciences would be implemented. There would be no on-site librarian, but a virtual librarian would be available. And, of course, the catalog of books would be significantly trimmed. Guess which books would be removed?
Since fall 2023, the Public Libraries in Huntington Beach have been “re-cataloging” books via a council-mandated order. Books that are “flirty” (your favorite young adult books, American Classics, and even Jane Austen novels) were taken to a hidden shelf that only 18+ can access. Books about human science, puberty, self-discovery - all removed. The teen section of the Public Library was fully eliminated.
I had heard rumblings of this, and I was upset. But I also find myself becoming desensitized to the headlines and newsbreaks that bombard us daily and make me feel powerless and disconnected from my definition of the word “humanity.”
Then, I heard that the librarians were being verbally attacked. Outside of the Public Library, as they enter the building, at the grocery stores, and when they attend City Council meetings to defend their sanctuary, their service, and their livelihood. I will not repeat the words that have been used, not just in Huntington Beach but around the country, in an effort to silence and remove librarians. To say they upset me would be a gross understatement.
So I suited up.
I sat at my computer on some Saturday and drafted a document, “Bookloose: A PR Campaign to Protect Librarians and Access to Information.” The name “Bookloose” came to me when a girlfriend was initially filling me in on what is happening with HB’s (Huntington Beach’s) City Council. I involuntarily uttered, “What is this, Bookloose?” And I really liked it. Hopefully, you’re aware of the 1984 gem “Footloose” (and its less incandescent 2011 remake), in which the High Schoolers of Small Town, USA, are forbidden from dancing. Dancing leads to the devil, per the plot. The movie also has B-line arcs about book banning. My point is a town that can’t dance and a town that can’t read (my town) - for nearly identical reasons - felt like an uncomfortably organic pairing.
Of course, I then realized that Footloose turns 40 in 2024. The media machine LOVES an anniversary—as if the concept of time is even real. It’s a tactic for coverage, nonetheless. So, “Bookloose” - LFG.
I was not on a quest to save Minnie Mouse. Maybe a quest to save the Public Library from destruction, and certainly a quest to help the generally defenseless librarians from being unjustly vilified. When I saw these librarians at the podium of the City Council meeting, sobbing, begging for mercy…begging not to be pulled away from the institution that they love and the families they have grown with for decades, and pulled away from the countless, free community programs (Free English Classes for Green Card applicants, Homework Help for Kids, the “Fix It Club” to teach children how to work together to fix things)...and then to witness the worst kind of human in the stands shout obscenities at the librarians…it became a quest for me. Ready player.
I realized that in just 2 weeks' time of drafting my mini (Minnie?) manifesto, it was National Library Week. I will peg the launch of Bookloose to this! I found my librarian spox, specifically Barbara Richardson, who ran the local Children’s Library for nearly 30 years in HB. Her heartfelt speech at the City Council podium GOT TO ME, so I got to her. We launched on KTLA (shout out to Cameron and Rebecca for helping me get this over the finish line).
Don't mess with Barbara Richardson
Three days later, I ran a press conference in the courtyard of the Mayor’s Office in HB to announce the introduction of the Bookloose Ballot Initiative to overturn the unlawful shenanigans and allow the HB Community to vote vs. leaving the power with the current city council. Every major local news crew attended, and Barbara, along with other local 501c3 organizations, gathered to talk to the media and make sure the broader HB community was aware that this was happening.adly, many people were completely unaware. At one point, I looked up and saw the otherwise unchecked Mayor peeping out of her office window and looking down on a strike back. It was giving Mizrabel. The whole thing was starting to feel meta and retro.
The news anchor uses the exact script I wrote - verbatim
About two weeks later, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” covered the news of Huntington Beach and its looming book ban.
The coverage that was garnered helped secure community buy-in to advance the ballot initiative.
I am now in pursuit of 20,000 signatures (from locals) to officially get this issue on the ballot. The petition was officially approved and stamped last week, and my P.T. Barnum wheels are spinning.
And as of this last Tuesday, June 18th (this week), the company that was set to privatize our library (LS&S is their name, around since the 80s and cannibalizing small town libraries ever since) withdrew its proposal entirely and has walked away, knowing that their contract will be challenged by the Community petitioners and to avoid a likely lawsuit. The Bookloose efforts, along with other local activists, have worked, and we will continue to push to get this on the November ballot to stop LS&S or any other company from trying again. Huzzah!
The point of this essay is to remind you of the following -
PR - if done correctly - is a superpower. It may not always feel like it on each of your accounts, and that is fair. The mechanics, however, are incredibly transferable. At its root: A + B gets you to C. You can apply this to nearly anything you wish in life, and it is an undeniable advantage to know how to…get people to care. That is what you do.
It’s easy to surrender to the “new normal” of what feels like endless depressing changes that are happening in our communities. This is more than upsetting headlines, these are changes across policies that impact our rights and can leave us feeling like residents of a faux-democracy or “the upside down.” If you find yourself feeling strongly about something happening in your backyard, remember that you are in a unique position to do something about it. And leadership at Metro is available to soundboard and/or support efforts to leverage the tool of PR (done correctly) to combat the unwanted changes around us.
The Media Machine loves a clever campaign - make it interesting and use the playbook. Catchy names, great spox, timely anniversaries, well-written scripts and pitches (NO FLUFF, but maybe a healthy dose of showmanship), leveraging a wider stream of conversation, etc. Know the (video) game you’re playing and outsmart it.
Donating your time towards things that are important is worth your consideration. Yes, it’s a nuanced conversation (add it to the list!). Priorities and obligations vs. the measure of time. This will be different for everybody who is reading this essay and has reached its homestretch (if you have read this far, you are likely a great candidate for volunteer work). Allow yourself time to think about what you care about, even love, and ways in which you can bring more of it into your life through volunteer work. Or, when you’re scrolling, allow your mind to be in a mode that seeks opportunities to get involved. One hour, one day, one month, etc. I know some of you already do! Talk to co-workers about your experiences. Maybe it’s infectious?
I was the first one at this company, and I am still down to get in the trenches and do whatever needs to get done to make it happen. Humility makes life more enjoyable (and this is coming from a Leo…)
I will close with my favorite quote of all time. It just hits.
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” - EB White
May the force be with each and every one of you.
Best,
Tess
Beach Days and Knitting Nights with Cameron Knoblock
The Summer Solstice is here and we’re excited to hear what everyone has planned for the summer. To kick things off, we asked Cameron to share the adventures and hobbies she’s eyeing this season.
Local Travel
This summer, I have some exciting local trips planned. Next weekend, I’m heading to Santa Barbara with my boyfriend—his first time there! I’ll be back in Santa Barbara again for the 4th of July weekend, staying at my friend’s parents’ house. It’s one of my favorite cities in California – I love the relaxed vibe there. I’m looking forward to hitting the beach and pool, exploring more restaurants, and shopping downtown. I might have a weekend camping trip with some friends in August. We camped in the Los Padres National Forest a few years ago and are planning another trip soon!
My New Favorite Hobby
My current favorite hobby that I will be working on this summer is knitting. My friend taught me and some of my other friends how to knit at the beginning of this year, and so far I’ve made a scarf (just in time for the hot weather), some coasters (currently making more and planning to make matching placemats), and a trivet for my kitchen. I’m still at a fairly beginner level but I’m excited to make more crafts!
Summer Reading
I recently read “This Summer Will Be Different” by Carley Fortune (shoutout to LKG!) and it was the perfect beach read. I’ve read all three of her books and highly recommend! I have “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt on my list, and right now I'm reading “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch. It’s a sci-fi thriller that's different from what I usually read but trying to mix it up!
What I’m Watching
My summer TV binge will be one of my favorite reality shows that just came back for a new season, Love Island UK. Because what is summer without Love Island??
National Donut Day with Erin Pratt and Drew Johnson
National Donut Day was on June 7th, and although Drew’s clickbait Slack message tricked a few of us, we’re all in for a real treat today. When you think about donuts, coffee naturally comes to mind. And what’s a better duo than coffee and donuts? Drew and Erin, of course!
When we decided to ask Erin for her take on donuts, pairing them with Drew's coffee expertise was an obvious choice. What followed was a culinary adventure with roots in Wisconsin that extended to San Diego and Portland. Follow along below!
Erin: I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that for all the years I lived under my parent’s roof, our family had donuts every single Sunday after church. It was our family tradition (but certainly not a unique one where I grew up); my dad would take my brother and me over to the bakery after mass where we could pick out three donuts each, and my grandparents would join us at our house to indulge. Perhaps the donuts were my dad’s way of bribing us to go to church…eventually, I figured out I could still eat the donuts even if I skipped church. Sorry, Dad!
For your enjoyment, here we are devouring our “Sunday donuts” in an Arizona hotel room in the very early 90s. Our Sunday donut tradition held strong even when away from home.
After moving away from Wisconsin in my early 20s, I realized I took for granted many of the fantastic things that make Wisconsin Wisconsin….bubblers, supper clubs, cheese curds, and even certain types of donuts! So when Jovania asked us to do a donut day and coffee pairing, I thought it would be fun to pay homage to my homeland by sourcing some of my childhood favorites that are hard to come by out West.
Erin’s “Wisconsin” donut selection from Christy’s Donuts in Point Loma
Erin: First up, the “Cruller” (pronounced by many Wisconsinites like “crawler”). Not to be confused with the more widely known “French Cruller,” this very dense, hearty donut with a perfect layer of sweet glaze is a Wisconsin staple, made popular by the Dutch and German populations in Milwaukee in the early 1800s according to this article. I have yet to find a donut exactly like this outside of Wisconsin, but the closest thing we could find on the West Coast is known as a Buttermilk or Buttermilk Bar.
Drew: Lordy, Erin was not kidding when she said “dense and hearty!” I underestimated these Dutch/German delights and ordered two - wholly unnecessary. One will do. My buttermilk bar was flavored “Arnold Palmer,” so it had the same dense body as a cruller, but with a tangy lemon glaze. The bread wasn’t too sweet, so I paired an iced, half-sweet, Vietnamese mocha with it. The hint of chocolate from the mocha helped smooth out the tanginess of the west-coast cruller, and the smoky, intense finish from the Robusta beans (Key differentiator of Vietnamese coffee) kept me refreshed and invigorated, preemptively combatting the fatigue that can accompany any dense meal.
An Arnold Palmer Buttermilk Bar from Doe Donuts paired with a Vietnamese Mocha from Cafe Ume
Erin: Next on my list, the “Pershing'' or “Persian”, which seem to be interchangeable names according to most sources. This is another common fixture at Wisconsin donut shops, and it makes sense considering they originated directly north of the state in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The donut shops outside of the Midwest usually just call them cinnamon buns, which I think is pretty misleading because cinnamon rolls are in a category of their own! A Pershing is essentially a cinnamon roll made with donut batter, fried vs. baked, and lightly glazed or frosted depending on the bakery.
Drew: Pershings are one of my new faves - take the cinnamon roll, but make the dough even lighter and fluffier! Nothing too complex in the flavor profile here, so I chose to accentuate the cinnamon with an iced, half-sweet cardamom latte. The cardamom balances the bitterness of the espresso, softening its sharp finish into a lighter, floral warmth which gives the spiciness of cinnamon a place to shine in every bite.
A Pershing from Coco Donuts paired with a Cardamom Latte from Holly Rose, brewed with Portland-local Sterling Coffee Roaster’s “Blendo Stupendo”
Erin: Last but not least, the classic “Long John” - this traditional, rectangular donut is more widely known as a “Bar” across other parts of the country, but in Wisconsin we call it a Long John, and they are most commonly seen with vanilla/white frosting. In fact, I had never had one with maple frosting until I moved to LA. On the West Coast, I can only find them as “Chocolate Bars” or “Maple Bars,” never vanilla, but I think you can easily imagine what one would taste like with white frosting. Fluffy, a bit springy, sweet and satisfying. Please read this fellow Wisconsinite’s history of the Long John if you want to take a deeper dive. I echo every word written here!
Drew: Now, this one was a challenge for me as I have always avoided Maple Johns because maple and frosting are both sweet and can be overwhelming together. However, I may have been converted! By pairing with an Americano, the sweetness and warmth of the Maple John is counterbalanced by the cool, sharp, earthy flavors of pure espresso (I get it now, Sabrina). At its core, this combination is a rom-com city-girl meets country-boy match made in heaven, and I highly recommend it. I can only imagine this combination tastes better with vanilla.
A Maple John from Coco Donuts paired with an Americano from Fleur de Lis Cafe, brewed with Oregon-local Sisters Coffee Roaster’s “Espresso Blend”
Drew: This journey has been enriching to say the least. Every facet of the doughnut experience has a small world of its own to experience from flavor profiles to history and culture. I found doughnuts I didn't know existed and even came to love a classic I had written off (deepest apologies Maple John). Most importantly though, we got to see a childhood photo of Erin partaking in her Sunday doughnut tradition. That was the real treat.
Also please enjoy this photo of me with far too many doughnuts that were given to me for free because I showed up to Coco Donuts 15 minutes before close.
A Summer Watch List, Curated by Lily Preis
Looking for something to watch while you cool down inside from the summer heat? We asked Lily to curate a list of her favorite binge-worthy shows for the season. Check out her recommendations:
Hacks
My mom recommended this to me. I really wanted to not like it since she kept nagging me to watch… I was hooked after the first episode. It’s funny but real, ironic but honest, and overall wholesome, hilarious, and even heartwarming. Jean Smart as Deborah Vance is iconic, the rest of the cast is likewise fabulous, & the writing is brilliant.
White Collar
This is probably the most addicting show I’ve seen. The charming characters and entertaining cases on top of all the bromances make it the perfect everyday show. I got my roommates hooked (forced them to watch it) and we always have it on in our apartment!
Palm Royale
Okay, I haven’t actually started this one yet, but I am SO excited to. I have yet to dislike a Kristen Wiig project, plus what’s not to love about a 70s beach high society?
Bridgerton
I’ve been slightly let down by the second installment of episodes, so much so that I still haven’t finished them. However, I still think it’s a must-watch. To be fair, last season was by far my favorite, soooo I don’t think Penelope’s drama can compare.
Smallville
When I started watching this with my roommate, neither of us realized how much of a commitment this show was. The first few seasons were to die for: the perfect mix of a teen drama and superhero show. But as the seasons kept coming and the plot grew more outlandish, it sorta lost its charm. Our plan is to continue to make a dent once we finish the other shows!
The Bear
The show is excellent (Jeremy Allen White aside)! After every episode, I felt like I could do (and cook!) anything. I was immediately invested. I can’t wait for the return of the perfect hot mess of a show.
Announcing the Finalists of the Slack Emoji Contest
Our three finalists for the Slack Emoji Contest are Sammy, Adrienne, and Ellie. You can vote for your favorite via this form HERE. We also will post a call for votes today in Slack.
:itsfine: by Sammy
:tightbob: by Adrienne
:toadscreaming: by Ellie