"Clubstitution"

by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal Feb 4, 2009


Here's some good news - not everyone is participating in this economic downturn.

I heard a report on public radio that some businesses are actually enjoying increased revenues. The example they used came from a spa in Massachusetts. The owner reported a sales increase of 10%, and no one was more surprised than she.

It turns out that spa patrons were using a strategy called "substitution." As I understood the term, it means that no matter their economic situation, people will continue to pursue pleasure and self-fulfillment. The only difference is that instead of taking the cruise of a lifetime, they are substituting more affordable diversions closer to home. This woman, for example, was unable to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but she could afford a weekend of pampering at a local spa.

In other words, they substituted a more affordable luxury. For some of us it may mean grabbing a candy bar instead of enjoying a four-course meal. For others, it means passing up that trip to Italy, and instead signing up for an Italian cooking class.

Club Ed - with hundreds of classes and workshops - can help in this phenomenon. I hereby coin a term : "Clubstitution."

If you find - for economic or other reasons - that you won't be trekking across Asia this summer, you can always sign up for the Club Ed backpacking course. You will hike the hill country, and it will cost less than a hundred bucks. That is "Clubstitution!"

I leafed through my catalog and came up with several more "Clubstitution" ideas for you:

- Instead of experiencing the wonders of Istanbul, "Clubstitute" Beginning Belly Dance. It's a 5000-year-old art form that will help you shed inches and attract attention.

- Lost your seat on the next space shuttle? "Clubstitute" Backyard Astronomy. You can travel the universe right outside your back door.

- About that trip to Italy. We offer a new Pizza and Pasta class - taught by Anthony Coden, a professional chef from France. If you can't go to Europe, we'll bring Europe to you!

- Considering calling in a landscaper? We have many options to "Clubstitute." Make your own Garden Pavers, build your own Raised Bed Gardens, learn to install a Rainwater Collection system.

- Yearning to whitewater raft down the Colorado River? "Clubstitute" River Kayaking, right here on the gurgling Guadalupe.

- Can't even manage that weekend spa trip? Don't need it - we have several Yoga and Massage classes. One is self-massage, so you don't even need a partner!

- Can't travel at all? "Clubstitute" Travel Photography, and live vicariously through others' work.

You get the idea.

And if you still insist on traveling, Club Ed can help anyway. Sign up for Gina Henry-Cook's "Free Vacations" workshop. She'll show you how to go ahead and take that cruise, and get paid for doing it!

That would have to be the ultimate "Clubstitution!"

XXX

Club Ed offers hundreds of classes you can "Clubstitute!" Visit www.clubed.net to sign up, or call 830-895-4386.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.

Backpacking

As published in the (Kerrville TX) Community Journal, Oct 15, 2008 - Phil Houseal

In America, we don't consider "walking around" a sport. But hiking and backpacking are hugely popular in Europe, and there is a segment of Texans who see the trail less traveled as a highway to adventure. Anthony Coden, a native of France, wants to lead us down the path to his world of discovery, fresh air, and better fitness.

But it takes more than just putting one foot in front of the other. There are rules.

First, there is a difference between hiking and backpacking.

"When you backpack you are carrying your house," Coden said. "When hiking, you just carry your water, map, compass, and snacks. When you hike you go in and you go out; when you backpack you are staying."

In Europe, especially in Britain, land is open for public access. Coden notes that Texas has good hiking trails, but they are far apart and require some travel to reach.

"Big Bend is an amazing place," he said. "The problem with Texas is the amount of travel between locations. It's just big. Water is also a problem, because you have to carry 10 or 15 extra pounds just to have water."

Part of Coden's teaching is geared to dispelling the romance many have when it comes to backpacking. His is a no-nonsense approach. He believes in the "no trace" principal - carrying out everything you carry in. The rest of his course will address practical matters such as how to set up a campsite; making a fire (with one match!); purifying water; what food to bring; and what clothing to wear.

"Gear is very confusing," he said. "There is so much of it on the market. What does it all mean? What is the difference between wool, silk, cotton, and all the synthetics? I will dispel lot of that confusion."

And sorry, techies - no global positioning satellites for you. Coden will be teaching people to use a compass to find their way back from the wilderness.

"A GPS is a cool tool, but it will make you more stupid," he said with a laugh. "We all have an internal compass, but if we don't use it enough it becomes dull. I know it works because no one has been lost forever!"

Coden, who also teaches cooking and ping pong, prides himself on his ability to break down complex issues for the lay person. But he also has a passion for this activity.

"This class is more about people having an understanding of backpacking," he said. "It is something I love to do."

XXX

Anthony Coden starts his backpacking series on Oct 23, with classes following on Nov 1 and Nov 8. To learn more about this and hundreds of other lifelong learning classes, call 830-895-4386, or visit www.clubed.net.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.