http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_212_John_School.mp3 Former prostitute Norma Hotaling talks to Dick Gordon about her school for men arrested for soliciting sex - "John School". Plone 2.0 http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_212_John_School.mp3/logo.jpg http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_212_John_School.mp3 <h4>JOHN SCHOOL<br /></h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/e5103e0fdbf662881c9afb75a47be4f0" alt="WBNorma-at-podium.jpg" height="100" width="100" />Norma Hotaling talking about her time on the streets<br /></p><p>Norma Hotaling was a prostitute and drug addict for a decade before she turned her life around.  Then, with the help of a cop who had arrested her numerous times, she began what she calls a "John School" - the First Offender Prostitution Program.</p><p>Located in San Francisco, the school caters to men arrested soliciting sex for the first time. The men agree to pay $1,000 to attend an intense day-long session.  If they don't re-offend for a year, their records are cleared. <br /></p><p>The most effective part of the program is a tough confrontation with a number of former prostitutes, including Norma. <br /></p><p>Norma talks to Dick about her past and why her "John School" is so effective that it's being copied around the country.       </p><h4><br /><a title="Add To This Story" class="addbtn" href="resolveuid/cc2a8297b6c0d5c86538f03c46448d35" target="_self">Add to story</a><br /></h4><h4>THREE STRIKES</h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/86022ea36c2c1f7c892331d3dbd414c9" alt="Marion Downs" height="100" width="100" />Marion Downs, competing in a mini-triathalon<br /></p><p>Listener Art Mines sent an email to suggest a story. This is what he said: "I think you'll find my colleague and friend who is 93 years of age a living inspiration".<br /><br />He was right. His friend is Marion Downs and she is full of stories, many of which involve brushes with death.</p><blockquote><p>I used up all my choices of ways to die, so I can do anything I want.<br />- Marion Downs</p></blockquote><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/8e375342e67ba7ea4a7f55138035212b" alt="blizzard 1" height="100" width="100" />The 1935 blizzard <br /></p>The first story she told Dick happened when she was 21. It was 1935, Northern Montana. There was a blizzard. Her thermometer read 60 below. The gas in the furnace was frozen. Marion found herself outside with her 3 month-old child, crawling on the ground looking for a cabin. <br /><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br />You couldn't see in front of your face... You had to feel your way, and we got there [to the cabin] till the blizzard wore itself out six days later. We survived and survival is the name of the game. <br />- Marion Downs</i></p><ul><li>See <a title="Living Life to the Fullest" href="resolveuid/f6868ba2be5da9dba3e389649bb7f850" target="_self">photos of Marion</a> in action</li><li>Learn more about <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/slhs/mdnc/" target="_self">Marion's "real" job</a></li><li>Find out about Marion's book <a href="http://www.coldtreepress.com/catalog/book/80/" target="_self">"Shut Up and Live!</a> <br /></li></ul><a title="Add To This Story" class="addbtn" href="resolveuid/cc2a8297b6c0d5c86538f03c46448d35" target="_self">Add to story</a><br /><h4>Your Story - Richard Watson </h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/c64807777474b91153d2e5a2220fd82d" alt="Richard Watson" height="100" width="100" />Richard Watson</p><p>Richard Watson called in to tell us a story from his time serving in Vietnam.  He was a "forward observer" during the war, which meant he was in charge of directing his troops safely from one point to another. One day, he nearly directed his troops right into a bluebird's nest. He still treasures the memory of how he and the troops in the battlefield skirted around the nest.<br /></p><br /> Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:00:00