Special event to raise money for SPEAR

By Mike Bush
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CAROLINE MOHLSTROM DC is a consultant to Suicide Prevention Education Action Resources helping to promote positive self-esteem in pre-teens and teens. SPEAR is having a Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event on Saturday, Aug. 11 in El Dorado Hills. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

What: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event

Who: Suicide Prevention Education Action Resources (SPEAR)

Where: Holiday Inn Express, 4360 Town Center Drive in El Dorado Hills

When: Saturday, Aug. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $20 per person and $35 per couple in advance. The day of the event it’s $25 per person.

Information: Call Vivian Figueira at 530-676-2119

EL DORADO HILLS — A person’s self-esteem — in particular pre-teens and teenagers — can be seen in the way they present themselves to family and friends, Caroline Mohlstrom DC believes.

“Posture can provide information on non-verbal communication and emotions,” said Mohlstrom.

Mohlstrom is a chiropractor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neck and back. She has been helping people for 22 years. She moved to California a year ago after selling her practice in Chicago and now runs the Oak Hills Chiropractic Center in El Dorado Hills.

She said if a person has a closed posture, it gives the impression of detachment and wanting to be alone. Closed arms across the body is one of the signals.

An open posture is often perceived as a friendly and positive attitude. The head is raised and open palms are indicators two examples given by Mohlstrom.

“You’re welcoming the world,” said Mohlstrom. “Your posture and body language can facilitate communication.”

A year ago, Mohlstrom, who turns 58 this month, met Vivian Figueira, the founder of Suicide Prevention Education Action Resources (SPEAR,) at a social function in El Dorado County.

SPEAR is a non-profit organization that conducts workshops in performing arts to enhance self-esteem among pre-teens and teenagers. Work is done in front of and behind the camera for productions. This includes career planning, interview techniques, social etiquette, speech improvement and wardrobe.

Building self-esteem

The women found they each felt strongly about building the self-esteem of pre-teens and teenagers and that a positive self belief is critical as they become adults. Both feel pre-teens and teenagers need activities to continue building their self-esteem.

“She understands the connection with body movement, and the connection between the brain and the physicality of it,” said Mohlstrom of Figueira.

Figueira added, “I think it’s a good thing.”

In 1993, Figueira lost her daughter, Koreen, to suicide. Koreen was 37 at the time.

“She was never diagnosed with any disorder,” Figueira said.

“Now, it’s all about helping the children,” Figueira said.

This upcoming school year, Figueira and SPEAR will be teaching performance art classes to pre-teen and teenagers at Pleasant Grove Middle School in Rescue.

The classes are expected to start toward the end of August.

Melissa Carroll, a counselor at the school, approached Figueira and SPEAR about working with the students. Carroll has the support of Dave Scroggins, Pleasant Grove principal, Figueira said.

Start with good grooming

The classes have a curriculum.

“We start off by teaching the students good grooming and build from there. We talk to them on how to build their self-esteem with voice projection, script writing, monologues and personality development,” Figueira said.

Learning the art of voice projection in front of and behind the camera instills confidence, and as Figueira put it, “that’s where the jobs are.”

Figueira knows about the performing arts very well. She worked as a model and then a teacher at Barbizon Modeling School in San Jose, Reno, Nev. and Las Vegas, Nev.

Figueira said many people she talks to think most pre-teens and teenagers who have limited self-esteem come from minority or low-income families. She added that is far from the truth.

Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event

To raise funds for SPEAR there will be a Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 4360 Town Center Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Along with sampling wines and olive oils, there will also be appetizers, desserts and chocolates.

Nugget Market, Safeway and Mechanics Bank, all in El Dorado Hills, will provide dessert treats.

Robert Aragon and Richard Noyes will play light jazz during the event.

Tickets for Wine and Olive Oil are $20 in advance and $35 for couples. The day of the event, tickets will be $25 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased at the Mountain Democrat, 1360 Broadway in Placerville; We Olive, 1000 White Rock Road in El Dorado Hills; Mechanics Bank on Town Center Drive in El Dorado Hills and 3 Brothers Restaurant, 3421 Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

Proceeds from the ticket sales help purchase learning materials and books for the middle school classes. The money will also help in funding field trips.

For additional information on the event contact Figueira at 530-676-2119.

For more information about SPEAR visit spearsaveskids.com.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter.