“VP Joe Biden tells Jerseyans Corzine will work for health care and the ... - Newark Star-Ledger” plus 4 more

VP Joe Biden tells Jerseyans Corzine will work for health care and the ... - Newark Star-Ledger
Alumni Offering Free Giveaways At OSU Events - Oklahoma State Athletics
MADD announces staff cuts as donations drop - Dallas Morning News
Tattoo artists ink in pink for cancer research funds - Toledo Blade
Women volunteer at Orland Park breast cancer walk - Southtown Star

VP Joe Biden tells Jerseyans Corzine will work for health care and the ... - Newark Star-Ledger

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 12:11 PM PDT

By Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau

October 19, 2009, 2:46PM

EDISON -- With dance music pumping, Vice President Joe Biden took the stage today at Middlesex County College to pitch Jon Corzine's re-election, saying the governor will fight for better health care and a stronger economy.

"We need folks like Jon today," Biden said to a cheering crowd of hundreds in a campus gymnasium. "We need smart, honest, serious and tough politicians who get it."

Vice President Joe Biden speaks last week about the economic recovery at the St. Louis County Police and Fire Training Center in Wellston, Mo.

Biden said he trusts Corzine's judgment on the economy, so much so that he has asked his opinion on how to handle the recession.

"I literally picked up the phone and called Jon Corzine and said 'Jon, what do you think we should do?'" he said. "The reason we called Jon is because we knew he knew about the economy, about world markets, about how we needed to respond."

Biden said the recession has been difficult across the country, but Democratic policies are helping the nation to turn the corner.

"Jon has said he's governed in hard times," Biden said. "Let's give the man a chance to govern in good times."

Corzine -- who introduced Biden as "my friend, our partner, a true champion of all our people" -- said his re-election would push the state in a progressive direction, toward President Obama's goals and away from unsuccesful Republican policies.

"The election is not about me. It's about the future. It's about our children," Corzine said. "Do we really want the failed policies of the past?"

"There's only 14 days to election day," he said. "I ask you to stand strong with me."

Three members of Congress revved up the crowd before Corzine and Biden took the stage, framing the governor's race as a battle between Republican "special interests" and "the little guy."

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) accused Republican challenger Chris Christie of being "in bed with the insurance companies." Rep. Rush Holt (D-12 Dist.) said Christie is a relic of the Bush administration.

"He wants to contine their ideas," he said. "He wants to work with people who are no longer there, and thank goodness."

The recurring campaign issue of access to mammograms resurfaced today, with about two dozen breast cancer survivors standing to the side of the stage.

"Can you imagine that Christie would allow all insurance companies to drop coverage for mammograms?" U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said.

Christie has denied his plan would affect access to mammograms, saying it's aimed at getting more people insured by increasing the availability of low-cost insurance plans.

About two hours before Biden spoke, hundreds of supporters and a small number of protesters began gathering at the college. A half-dozen Republican college students waved signs in support of Christie ahead of the 1 p.m. event that was held in the school's gymnasium.

One of the protesters, Rowan University sophomore Tom Szymanski, chanted "Christie" and "Down with Corzine, down with socialism" through a megaphone.

He said this week's planned visits by Biden and other national Democrats show Corzine can't stand on his "own failed record."

"There"s a lot of Democrats who support the Obama administration but don't support Corzine," he said. "They're trying to change these people's minds."

Bill Lavin, president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, said Corzine's furlough plan was disappointing, but Christie has an "anti-labor theme" in his campaign. He said the White House's support for Corzine is encouraging.

"We're glad to see the president and vice president are both behind the governor," he said. "Joe Biden has been a champion of firefighters' rights and the working man in general."

In addition to Biden, Democrats President Obama and former President Bill Clinton are expected to come to New Jersey this week to boost Corzine's campaign as the hotly contested gubernatorial race nears its final two weeks.

A Quinnipiac University poll that was released Wednesday showed Christie leading by just 1 point, 41 percent to 40 percent. Independent candidate Chris Daggett finished third with 14 percent.

Although Corzine's unfavorable ratings remain in the 50-60 percent range, he is now running about even with Christie in several public opinion polls. Christie's once-formidable lead has collapsed amid a barrage of Corzine attack ads and increasing support for independent Chris Daggett.

Clinton is scheduled to make two appearances tomorrow, first with Corzine's running mate, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), in Collingswood and then with Corzine at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

On Wednesday Obama is making his second stump visit to New Jersey, campaigning with Corzine at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Center in Hackensack. He previously spoke with Corzine at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel in July.

"It shows the commitment from the White House, and the belief that the momentum is with us, and we're going to win this election," Democratic State Committee Chairman Joseph Cryan said. "Bringing these guys in sends a message. They're not here if there's not a path to victory."

Cryan said Biden, who has campaigned with Corzine twice so far, is appealing to core Democratic constituencies like labor unions and law enforcement agencies.

Christie has downplayed the role of national political figures in his campaign.

After the gubernatorial debate Friday, he said he doesn't "expect many" national Republicans to visit New Jersey on his behalf during the final two weeks of the campaign. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have already campaigned here with Christie in recent months, but Christie did not invite other prominent Republicans like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"I think you've seen I've kind of gone it on my own for the most part," Christie said.

Despite the parade of top Democrats through the state, Christie said, "this race is between me and Jon Corzine.

"They may come in and say great things about Governor Corzine," Christie said. "But here's the thing that New Jerseyans understand ... If they re-elect Jon Corzine, it's not like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton's going to move into the Statehouse and help run the place -- they're going to be stuck with Jon Corzine."

Before Biden's visit, Christie strategist Mike DuHaime DuHaime said "This is the 'Save Jon Corzine from himself' week. No matter who he stands next to, I don't think it's going to translate any popularity over to Jon Corzine."

DuHaime said Christie will spend the week not at big rallies but "talking with real voters, real people who have been hurt" by Corzine's policies.

Statehouse Bureau reporter Claire Heininger contributed to this report.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Alumni Offering Free Giveaways At OSU Events - Oklahoma State Athletics

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 12:33 PM PDT

Oct. 19, 2009

STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State alumni Malone and Amy Mitchell have announced they are offering all current OSU students the chance to win customized Vespas in a move that will continue to raise the level of student interest and participation in OSU's winter sports.

At every basketball game and wrestling event this academic year in Gallagher-Iba Arena, student ticket holders will be eligible to win a variety of Vespa S50's, including ones that are orange with customized OSU logos, special coach's editions and a "Think Pink" special breast cancer awareness edition. Counting all 2009-10 home men's and women's basketball games and wrestling duals, as many as 43 of the popular scooters will soon be cruising around campus.

The Mitchells, who rank among the university's most generous all-time donors, originally brought the idea to the OSU administration as a way to drive student interest and attendance.

"We're grateful to the Mitchells for reaching out to the students through the athletic department," said Mike Holder, OSU's Director of Athletics. " They understand that students are the heart of the university and a great way to keep the students connected to the university after graduation is through athletics."

Students must be currently enrolled at OSU and must be present at the event to win.

The following information regards how students will be entered into the drawing for the Vespa giveaways:

•Men's basketball student ticket holders will be scanned upon entry of GIA. Names will be drawn at halftime and the Vespa will be given away in the second half of each game.

•Women's basketball game attendee's will scan their student ID cards at the Orange Rewards table each game in the east lobby. Names will be drawn at halftime and the Vespa will be given away in the second half of each game.

•Wrestling dual attendees will scan their student ID cards at the Orange Rewards table in the east lobby, and entries will be randomly drawn before the final match of every home dual.

The OSU men's basketball team, which has 18 home dates during the 2009-10 season, opens the year at home on Nov. 7 with an exhibition game against UCO, while the women tip off Nov. 10 against Washburn in the first of at least 17 home games this season. The Cowboy wrestling team's first home dual is scheduled for Nov. 20 against Arizona State, the first of seven matches in GIA this season.

The first Vespa was given away Friday night at the annual "Homecoming & Hoops" pep rally at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

MADD announces staff cuts as donations drop - Dallas Morning News

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:57 AM PDT

Citing a nearly 20 percent drop in donations, Irving-based Mothers Against Drunk Driving is cutting staff at its national office and at offices in 11 other states.

Private donations, government grants and corporate sponsorships to MADD National dropped between 15 percent and 20 percent to $43 million last year, said MADD National Chief Operating Officer Debbie Weir.

Notifications to employees in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Oklahoma, Virginia and Washington as well as at MADD's national headquarters should conclude this week.

Weir said staffing decisions are being made based on available funding versus expenses. In some states, the cuts will be minor.

"It's a very hard, very painful process," she said.

MADD started the year with 397 employees nationwide. Since them it has eliminated 55 staff positions, or nearly 14 percent of its work force.

Volunteers will pick up the slack in the affected states, helping to push an agenda that includes targeting underage drinking and stronger seat belt laws.

The lagging economy has forced dozens of nonprofits, including the American Lung Association and breast-cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to cut staff over the past year as corporate and private donations dwindled.

"Raising funds is very difficult during this challenging economy," Weir said, while noting that states with high unemployment rates tended to suffer the most. "Donors really have to look at their disposable income and as a result, giving is less."

With advocates in more than 300 communities, MADD lobbies against drinking and driving to save lives. It helped persuade Congress to raise the drinking age to 21 and helped reduce the number of traffic fatalities attributed to drunken driving. It also claims to have helped save more than 300,000 lives.

MADD celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005.

Weir said the nonprofit hopes the cuts will help secure MADD's future so it can continue its mission of savings lives by lobbying against drinking and driving.

"As the economy rebuilds, we will rebuild as well," she said.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Tattoo artists ink in pink for cancer research funds - Toledo Blade

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 12:40 PM PDT

Every time Carlene McLaughlin looks down at her leg, she'll be reminded of how lucky she is.

The breast cancer survivor participated in "Tattoo the Cure" on Sunday to raise money for cancer research.

"I'll remember how very lucky I am and how fortunate I am that I survived it," said Mrs. McLaughlin, 62, of West Toledo.

"Tattoo the Cure" event raises money for cancer research

She didn't flinch as Ryan Thomas, a tattoo artist at Body Design, 2712 Sylvania Ave., inked the signature pink breast cancer ribbon with a butterfly next to it onto Mrs. McLaughlin's left calf.

"I wanted it where I can see it, where I can enjoy it," she said.

It matches the celebratory purple butterfly tattoo she got on her chest when she was declared cancer-free two years ago.

She learned she had cancer in December, 2006, when she went for a routine mammogram. The disease was caught early. Now Mrs. McLaughlin encourages nearly every woman she meets to get regular mammograms.

Most people who came to the "Tattoo the Cure" fund-raising event got tattoos in honor of someone they know who has or had breast cancer.

Pat Nopper's mother-in-law died of breast cancer and her sister is undergoing treatment for the disease.

"Oh, I just love it," she said as she glanced in the mirror at the pink ribbon with a red heart in the middle on her left shoulder.

"It will always remind me of them," said Ms. Nopper, 58, of West Toledo, getting emotional. "When I think of the pain they went through and are going through, this is nothing."

Her granddaughter, Paige Nowak, 16, came with her to support "Nanny" and was disappointed she was too young to get a tattoo. It seemed everyone else got one, including her mom, which inspired Ms. Nopper to get hers. "It's just a really neat idea," Ms. Nopper said. "It's permanent. I'll always have it."

She planned to go right to her sister and show her the tattoo.

A steady stream of people came to Body Design yesterday to honor their loved ones with the tattoos and support the cause, said Boomer Reynolds, a co-owner of the business that started two years ago.

"We had so many people coming in for cancer ribbons on a regular basis, it really is big in tattooing, so we wanted to do this as a way to help those people and to raise money," he said.

It was personal for him, too, because his mom died seven years ago of breast cancer.

For $50, which is less expensive than the traditional $75 minimum, customers could choose from a variety of ribbon designs.

The ribbons with butterflies, cherry blossoms, and wings were among the most popular. People opted to get them on their wrists, ankles, backs, and biceps.

Another option: A temporary tattoo for $10, for younger clients or those uncomfortable with needles. Paige did get one of those.

T-shirts were on sale, too, for $10.

Aubri Hill, 21, of West Toledo donated a total of $120 and got two tattoos, a temporary one, and a T-shirt.

She got a ribbon with a butterfly on her ankle and a ribbon with the cherry blossom tattooed on her back to honor her cousin and neighbor, both of whom are breast cancer survivors.

"Breast cancer is such a hard thing to go through and I wanted to do this for them," she said. "It's a really good cause."

Meghan Best, a local income development coordinator with the American Cancer Society, came to thank the tattoo shop workers for organizing the event. "It's definitely one of the more unique events for us, and it's just so creative," she said. "I think maybe it provides some closure and some healing with that constant reminder. It's like wearing heirloom jewelry. People like to remember their loved ones."

For those squeamish about getting a tattoo, everyone yesterday described it like the sensation of a foot or hand falling asleep and little pulses of pressure.

If you missed it this time around, don't worry.

Mr. Reynolds said organizers plan to make the cancer fund-raiser an annual event and are also plan an autism awareness event for the early spring.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Women volunteer at Orland Park breast cancer walk - Southtown Star

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 12:33 PM PDT

Leslie Susralski and Colleen Harvey were not among the hundreds of participants in Sunday's breast cancer walk in Orland Park, but the two women have a keen understanding of the event's importance.

Susralski and Harvey are breast cancer survivors. Rather than walk the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk, the women volunteered at the event, handing bottles of water to the walkers and runners in Centennial Park.

Harvey was excited to play a role.

"Last year at this time, I was going through chemotherapy," said Harvey, a resident of Shorewood. "I decided, 'If I feel good, I'm going to go out and do something.' I have hair this year, so life is good."

Harvey, like many participants in Sunday's walk, wore a pink survivor's ribbon. The mother of four has been cancer-free for one year after undergoing a mastectomy as well as radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

"You always need volunteers," she said.

Susralski worked the water station with her grandchildren Allie Susralski, 13, of Oak Forest, and Frank Ketnar, 12, of Tinley Park. She wants the next generation of her family to be aware of the disease, she said.

"(Volunteering) is good for them," said Susralski, an Orland Park resident who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

She underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and has remained cancer-free.

"I was very lucky, very lucky. That's why you do your mammograms," Susralski said.

Harvey said she was inspired to see both survivors and their families participate in the walk.

"It's a strong movement, and it's good to see women be together," Harvey said. "It's definitely inspiring to be here and see everyone. It's a bond that you have that you can't articulate."

An estimated 8,800 Illinois women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 1,970 will die from the disease, the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Illinois women, according to the American Cancer Society.

As part of a national effort, which last year raised more than $60 million, nine Illinois Strides events are expected to raise $2.4 million. Since 1993, 5 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $340 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Breast Cancer

Monday, October 19, 2009