The "anti-12-step program," as executed by INK high-end pen gallery owner Barry Rubin, has been a hit with the Alcoholics Anonymous people he knows.

Rubin came up with the 20 wisecracks, which have been printed on a set of coasters, T-shirts and tote bags, after spending time with a friend's adult daughter who has been through treatment several times. Or, as she described her situation during one stay, Just chillin' in rehab.

Rubin turned that into the coaster that reads: "CHILLIN' in rehab."

Rubin said when he talked to the woman's mom, the daughter would regularly interject a "12 Steps" principle. "She would say, You know, Barry, you must really make amends. And I'd say, 'What step is that?' She would tell me."

After this happened a few times, "I would just start laughing about it," he said. "So I called up my lawyer and said, 'Is "Step 12 1/2" available for copyright?' He said yes, and I said, 'Why don't you get it for me?'"

In two weeks, Rubin composed about 20 "anti-12-step" slogans. "I took Step 12 1/2 and I wanted it turned into something that people [who] were going through AA and other people could have a sense of humor about. The universal caveat, on the back of every one of the coasters, is 'Never drink and drive, period,'" said Rubin, who is giving a percentage of profits to chemical prevention agencies.

"So when you buy the coasters, even though they are making fun of Alcoholics Anonymous and the people in AA, you are contributing to the chemical dependency program. Coincidentally, the biggest customers have been AA people."

The coasters are being sold at Lunalux, I Like You!, CorAzoN, Chicago Lake Liquor, Lyndale Liquor and, of course, INK, which is located in the IDS Tower, site of my startribune.com/video with Rubin. The coasters are $12.50 and the website is www.Step12andahalf.com.

To be sure, there are people who will not find humor in wisecracks that include: "I'm not willing to make amends: They DESERVED it," "What a WASTE of 28 days," "Treatment is for QUITTERS" and "We know WHO YOU ARE."

"They're all objectionable if you want them to be," said Rubin, "and if you don't, they're not. There's a treatment center in Beverly Hills that has had, in the last few years, problems with people contributing, as a lot of organizations have. They bought them and had them around the room for a gala and now they want to sell them" to raise funds.

Lucci can get back to NYC

ABC's cancellation of "All My Children" means Susan Lucci can move back to her beloved NY City if she wants.

When the soap opera world's Erica Kane was at the Mall of America a couple of weeks ago signing her book, "All My Life," she discussed the show's relocation from NYC to LA: "It was a positive move for the show -- they built us a brand new studio in LA that was three times the one in New York. Most of us left New York kicking and screaming. Our homes are there, my children are there, our home is still New York. But fortunately, I get to go back and forth. I'm very grateful to 'All My Children' for working out that schedule for me so I could go and still come home."

Lucci is probably not as grateful about the cancellation because it made her look out of the loop, as whenever she was asked about the rumors on TV programs she said it wasn't coming from ABC and that she had been given story lines for the next year.

So long, Charlie

Shannah Henderson is no longer in the running to become "Sheen-ah."

Via e-mail Henderson, the "U" PR major from Lakeville, wrote: "I did not make the final cut for the Charlie Sheen internship, but thank you SO MUCH for the awesome article!"

Henderson also informed me that she is "now the PR intern for the MN-based author of a book about eating disorders, 'Just Tell Her to Stop.' [Becky Henry's] book is a thought-provoking read that takes a personal approach to discuss eating disorders, and I feel she is a perfect person to interview for a feature article."

Henderson is already a good little PR person; she knows how to work it.

After I wrote about Henderson making the final 50, someone informed me that another Minnesota college student was still in the running: Vanessa Graetz, a student at Northwestern College in Roseville. Graetz had made the cut from the original 90,000 applicants to the final 300. Graetz thought she was still in the running when the pool was winnowed to 50, but based on the e-mails Henderson shared with me, Graetz did not make it as far as the near-Sheen-ah. Not that the process was all that well organized.

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count. Attachments are not opened, so don't even try. More of her attitude can be seen on Fox 9 Thursday mornings.