Cool “Drug Addiction” Images

Published August 28, 2010

A few nice drug addiction images I found:

Mel’s Diner

Image by Rusty Boxcars
PORT RICHEY – On Monday morning, outside the closed doors of Mel’s Diner on U.S. 19, they started to cry.

There was Brandon Taylor, who believes this place gave him the courage to fight a drug addiction.

Ruthie Arnold, who found an unofficial role as "Miss Ruthie," mother to everybody.

And Dawn Frye, who says she had only three things in this world: "I have my son, my boyfriend and Mel’s."

Mel’s Diner closed for good Sunday night after four years in business, leaving 40 employees without a job only two weeks before Christmas. It also left them without their work family.

"I’m nine months clean," said Taylor, a 21-year-old cook. "I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Mel’s."

"One person cries, and you’ve got 39 shoulders to lean on," said floor manager Robin Lane, 39.

Officials with the Fort Myers-based restaurant chain say they closed the diner near Gulf View Square Mall because it was losing money. Owner Chris Karakosta said the other locations had been subsidizing the Port Richey restaurant to the tune of at least 0,000 in the last two years.

He kept it open because of the loyal work force and in hopes that things would turn around, especially after renovations and the debut of an improved menu this September. But the results were disappointing.

Two of the other 10 locations, which he declined to identify, are also under review for closure. "The volume is just not there," he said. "We need to downsize. I don’t see 2008 being a banner year. We’re trying to position ourselves for 2008."

Former employees, many of whom got only minimum wage, said Monday they knew the restaurant had fallen on tough financial times. But they said they felt they were owed at least two weeks notice, especially given the time of year.

"He’s not getting a Christmas," said Jessika Bland, a 36-year-old server, holding up a photograph of her 7-year-old son.

The owners defended the timing of their decision, saying it would not have made a difference. "Is there ever a good time?" said managing partner Alan Kirchmeyer, who was at the restaurant Monday. He said employees would get their last checks Friday.

Karakosta said he would offer the workers transfers to other locations, though the closest one is in Sarasota.

Workers said they had tolerated late paychecks in recent months because they believed in what has become a solid, tight-knit community behind the doors of the shiny, ’50s-style diner.

M&M? That stands for regulars Mike and Miriam, who always order two decafs for breakfast and two iced teas with lunch. The last four digits of one worker’s personal cell phone number? MELS.

As if on cue Monday morning, regular customer Jim Hull of Port Richey pulled his van into a parking space. "I brought you girls something," he called out to a handful of the female servers standing in front of the restaurant.

He handed over the bag of chocolate and candy canes as someone broke the news that he wouldn’t be getting breakfast.

"Bless your hearts," he finally said. "You girls have been like family to me. This is a shock to me. I don’t understand it."

Later, the workers talked about whether they would see each other again.

Taylor’s face brightened at one point. He punched one fist into his hand and said, "You give this crew here an abandoned restaurant, and we’d make it bigger than Perkins!" His co-workers returned weak smiles but said nothing, and the idea died away.

Now some of those 40 workers say they plan to spend their holidays looking for a new start.

Taylor had already set up an interview later Monday afternoon at Carrabba’s. Nice place, he said, but not the same. "It’s not Mel’s," he said. "It’s a job."

My Christmas present from BigHugeLabs and Scout.

Image by RussellReno
1. Portrait – Sam 1, 2. Leroy just wanted to eat., 3. Hello Kitty Girl, 4. L5P Street Performer, 5. Pearls 3, 6. Two blue drops, 7. Booda Bear on sidewalk, 8. Beautiful Bride,