So, :emma: goes to Live Oaks School - a very nice school in Milford, and there's a bunch of nice people that work and volunteer there. Among those volunteers are the PTA, and their Rock Wall Committee.

As some of you might know, the PTA is basically charged with getting the parents and teachers talking to each other about ways that they can make the school better together a better place for everyone - you know, the usual stuff.

Anyhow, they managed to get the idea for buying a rock climbing wall to be installed inside the school's multimedia room - aka gym/lunch room. It's a good idea, and lots of the parents were behind it from the start. But it cost about $5000, so there was fund-raising a plenty - right down to the wire.

Here's where it gets good. One of the members of the committee approached a local business to make a donation - something that had happened with several other local businesses. The problem with this one? It's Penthouse Boutique. Of course, the person who asked for the donation was smart enough to go to the parent company, Horizon Media Group of Hartford.

From the New Haven Register:
Schools Communication Coordinator Kathy Bonetti said the system has clear guidelines that must be followed for a donation to be accepted. Donations are not permitted from businesses that promote substances, alcohol, tobacco, firearms and pornographic items, Bonetti said.
First of all, what are "substances" - aren't tires a substance? Food? And does that mean that the local beverage distributor can't donate several cases of soda for a school function? Or that a local drug store chain can't donate something for a fund-raiser?

The fact that this appeared in several local newspapers (Connecticut Post), on tv, and even on the Adult Video News website is interesting - and disturbing. The New Haven Register says Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. "refused comment on Quinn’s offer because it was a cheap attempt to garner free publicity." Obviously Mr. Mayor finally learned his lesson from the last time he dealt with Penthouse Boutique when they opened - he just wouldn't shut up about them.