Blogs 12 Long Island

Another Bad News Day

By Colleen McVey

Another dark day for daily newspapers.

On Monday, Gannett (which owns USA Today  and more than 80 daily newspapers), The Star-Ledger of Newark, and The Oregonian in Portland all told their employees they will have to take furloughs (unpaid leave) to save money.

Also on Monday, another paper announced it is stopping the presses. After 174 years, a Michigan daily is canceling its print edition. We heard the same sad story last week from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and last month from the 149 year old Rocky Mountain News in Denver.

The news on our newspapers gets more frightening by the day. If a paper isn't shutting down, it's laying off workers and cutting back operations. Soon, the Ann Arbor News plans to publish only two days a week--Thursdays and Sundays. The Flint Journal, The Bay City Times, and The Saginaw News will be publishing only three days a week--Thursday through Sunday.

Advertising dollars are down and competition from the internet is up. How can newspapers survive these changing and challenging times? Someone has got to find an answer. People who lose their daily paper lose an important choice on where they get their news. To be well-informed we need local newspapers plus TV and radio news. I am a news "junkie." I listen to all-news radio in my car and at home I flip between news programs all day, and I start my day reading my newspaper. I never want to lose that and I want the REAL thing--not the internet.

News Hits Home

By: Colleen McVey

My 14 year old daughter is a big Chris Brown fan. Until a month ago his picture on her bulletin board meant nothing to me. Now that has changed.

 A few days ago we were in the car and the latest news on the Brown-Rihanna abuse case came on the radio. My daughter casually remarked that Brown could never have done what he's accused of. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was defending a man who is now charged with two felonies for what police describe as a brutal argument between the singer and his girlfriend.

I wasted no time using the news story, which she and her friends have been talking about, to talk about abuse - something we had not yet discussed.

First, I told her NO ONE should EVER hit her, but if someone does she should never keep it to herself.  I told her when it comes to abuse - it's a strict "one strike - you're out" rule"!  I told her about the countless news stories we've done about women who were beaten and bruised over and over again. Many blamed themselves or were too frightened to get help and too many ended up dead.

I think my very emotional reaction to her casual comment took her by surprise. I don't think she really understood how serious this issue is - I hope that's changed.

The Brown arrest just started the dialog. This conversation is far from over, especially now that we are hearing reports that Brown and Rihanna may have reconciled. If that's true, after he allegedly bit her on the ear and punched, hit, and choked her - then there are more lessons to be learned. I will make sure my daughter and I follow this story together.

Hard Times:Survival Guide

By Colleen McVey

I spent the first two days of this week sick in bed with body aches, fever, and fatigue. Finally, on Wednesday I felt much better--until I got my 401 K update in the mail. Then, I got sick to my stomach. Once again, our 401K took a hit.  No 48 hours of bed rest and lots of liquids will make this sick feeling go away. I'm trying to be optimistic. I really want to believe Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke, who told lawmakers on Tuesday that the recession might end by the end of this year. Of course, that's IF the Fed and the Obama Administration can get the credit and financial markets to return to some sort of normalcy. Not only is that a BIG IF, but the end of the year is still a long way off. I'm hoping my friends and family, who are struggling, can hang onto their jobs until then and beyond. Times are tough and frightening for just about everyone I talk to. At a time when we need to stimulate the economy by spending money, many people are holding back out of fear. Let's hope the federal stimulus money does what it is supposed to do; jump start the economy, get people back to work, and restore some consumer confidence. Help is on the way - I hope it is enough.

In the meantime, starting Sunday, News 12 and Newsday will bring you a special survival guide focusing on how and where to get help. Everyday there will be a survival guide story in the newspaper, then a special report on News 12 that night, and a live Long Island Talks on the issue of the day. The series will include  a a live 2 hour town meeting at 7 pm on Thursday, March 5th. If you need some help, I hope you'll join us.

Timeless Quotes

By Colleen McVey

Who said this?

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country; corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people, until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed."

or this...

"The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disentrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."

Those are the words of President Abraham Lincoln more than 140 years ago. That last quote was in his second annual message to Congress. I found it pretty amazing that Lincoln's fears and pleas to Congress in 1862 sound a lot like our current President's fears and pleas to Congress.

We all know some of Lincoln's most famous speeches, like the Gettysburg Address, but some of the other not-so-famous things he said have a timeless quality. 

I bring this up, becuase today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Now that we have combined Lincoln and George Washington's birthdays into one Presidents' Day, I feel like respect for their real birthdays gets a little diluted - maybe even forgotten - as we focus on Presidents' Day sales and the three day weekend. 

So today let us remember our 16th President who was born in a one room log cabin in 1809 - and despite the lack of a formal education - grew up to be our nation's greatest leaders, who still inspires Presidents today.     

Puppy Love

By Colleen McVey

       Did you hear this week's story about the Florida couple who loved their dog so much that they cloned him?  They saved the Labrador's DNA and when he died they paid a California company $155,000 to clone him in Korea.

Now, I know what it is like to love a dog. My dog, Allie, is part of our family and my constant companion - but isn't cloning and spending that much money way over the top?

As I read the report, I couldn't help but think of all the ways that money could be spent. How about putting a child through college?  Feeding a family in need?  Helping someone save their home from foreclosure - and the list goes on and on and on.

This couple obviously loves dogs (they have 10) and they can do what they please with their money, but I  don't get it.  Cloning is an extremely expensive, temporary fix.  Like their beloved "Lancelot," "Lancelot Encore" (yes, that's the puppy's name) will also die someday. There's no amount of money that will stop that from happening.

Instead of cloning, what about adopting?  I love those bumper stickers I see all the time that say, "Don't Shop - Adopt".

I've had three dogs - all adopted - and I know we gave them a better life and vice versa.

We got Allie six years ago. She was dropped off with all sorts of physical and emotional problems. We got rid of the worms, fleas, ticks, and eye infection with medicines and surgery, but the emotional issues were another challenge. Allie, who was a year old, was never socialized so she was afraid of everyone and everything. After years of love and patience, she is an amazing dog.

Even if I had $155,000 to spend, I would not clone the dog I love so much. I know I will lose her someday, and then, after awhile, (the last time I had to wait six years) I will adopt again. 

   

    

Happy Birthday Dr. King

By Colleen McVey

 What a year to celebrate Dr. King's Birthday!  First - on his real birthday, January 15th, a plane crash lands in the Hudson River and everyone walks out alive. It was the miracle everyone needed .   

And now, on the holiday we honor Dr. King - we wake up to a picture postcard Island. It is beautiful - so bright and clean - a rare winter wonderland.     

That's how I look at the week ahead. Bright and clean. A rare sight. A sign of hope.

Year after year - decade after decade - we questioned whether Dr. King's dream would ever be realized. Now, 40 years after his death, Barack Obama will be sworn-in as President and the hopeful crowds that cheer him on are a patchwork of colors and backgrounds.  Happy Birthday Dr. King!

I know the snow will melt and the skies will gray - but for now, I'm enjoying the shimmering sight for as long as it lasts.

      

A Parent's Worst Nighmare

By Colleen McVey

   A parent's worst nightmare - I've read that headline too many times in my career and it hits home again with the tragic death of a 14 year old in West Babylon.

   I can't stop thinking about Garrett Quedens and his family. It is such a heartbreaking loss of a young life. What Garrett and his friend did on New Years Eve kids do all too often. I know a few parents who realize it could have been their son or daughter.  I hear about "close calls" all the time.

  Last year, a friend's 14 year old son passed out on a frigid night and his "friends" ran away in fear. He was lucky someone found him and called an ambulance. He had to be hospitalized for hypothermia.

 Another teenager I know was smart and brave enough to call an ambulance when her 16 year old friend passed out after doing shots of vodka at a New Year's Eve party. When they got to the hospital they found out another student from their high school was there having his stomach pumped.

 And in my own family a few years ago, my son was caught trying to leave the house with a water bottle filled with vodka. He was Garrett's age at the time.  We were lucky he didn't get too far.

 Even though kids learn about the dangers of drinking and drugs from their parents and in school - a lot of them just don't get it.  They don't believe it will hurt them. I wish I could watch over my children at all times, but I can't, so I will just keep talking to them about doing "the right thing." I just hope and pray they listen and will learn from Garrett's tragic death.

Belated Blog

By Colleen McVey

It's about time I update my blog - sorry!

First, I want to thank everyone for your posts and prayers over the past few months. I am feeling much better and it's good to be back!

Now, for my Christmas wish. Let's all Stop, Slow Down and Smile. I was out shopping and it was crazy in the stores and on the roads. Everywhere I went - impatient drivers were honking at each other.  In West Babylon, a woman was nearly hit by a car when she walked into the road to move a runaway shopping cart on Montauk Highway. This woman was trying to help and the cars just kept speeding by her - some honking their horns like it was her fault. Then I passed an accident on Bethpage State Parkway. There was an officer on the scene and again horns were honking because traffic slowed down. In the stores - there were long lines and long faces. No one was smiling. I know everyone is in a rush - time and patience are running out - but we all (including me) need to take a deep breath and just relax. I recently read a story where researchers found smiling is contagious. So smile and pass it on. Put the "happy" back into Happy Holidays!

      

A Great Summer Read

By Colleen McVey

    Sunday I did one of my favorite things - I sat at the beach and read a great book. But this book was different. I couldn't put it down - I finished it in one day and now I am passing it on to my husband, Tony, and my children Matt, Greg, and Maggie. The book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Randy died July 25 from Pancreatic Cancer. His book is about the last lecture he gave at Carnegie Mellon University last September ( Randy was a professor at Carnegie Mellon). At that time, he knew he was dying - but his book is not about dying. It's about living - or more importantly - it's about how to lead your life. In Randy's words - " if you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you." His thoughts are so simple and honest. His story is inspiring and has special meaning to me.

This summer I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma which requires surgery. I will admit I've been feeling sorry for myself - but I found Randy's book at just the right time. It helped me realize that what I have is a benign bump in the road - not a roadblock. I will be away from the anchor desk for a few weeks, but I should be back by the end of September. So - I have a good "summer read" for you - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pancreatic Cancer Walk

By Colleen McVey

       This summer my 17 year old son and his friends are wearing purple wrist bands to remember his friend Casey's mom , Donna, who died last month of pancreatic cancer. She was only 42 years old. She was diagnosed just a few months ago. Her death was sudden and devastating.

      17 years ago this month, my mother-in-law died of pancreatic cancer. She didn't feel well in February - she died in July. Again, it was sudden and devastating. This disgusting disease robbed my children of ever knowing their grandmother, who was one of the most loving, nurturing women I've ever known.

      9 years ago Marc Lustgarten died of pancreatic cancer. He was only 53 years old. Marc was a Cablevision executive who was - and still is - loved and respected by many people in this company.

      When Marc was diagnosed there were few places to turn for help, so he helped establish The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Its goal is to find a cure. By the time most people are diagnosed - the prognosis is not good. Right now, the only hope is science. We need scientists to unlock this mystery - and they need money to do their research.

     This Sunday - you can help. Grab your sneakers and join us for the 8th annual Pacreatic Cancer Walk at Old Westbury Gardens. The goal is to raise $1,100,000. Bring your family and friends. The walkers range in age from babies in backpacks - to grandparents pushing strollers - and everyone in-between. The walk begins at 9:30 rain or shine - and you get more information on how to register by calling 516-803-2304 or go to www.lustgarten.org .

     I'd love to see you there!

Graduation Growing Pains

By Colleen McVey

Parents of recent high school graduates - how are you holding up?  It's been about 2 weeks since your son or daughter walked across that stage and does it feel like they kept walking?  Did they instantly become more independent? 

I know, for me, by this time last year the excitement of that beautiful day was replaced by frustrating, sleepless nights.  When my son grabbed that diploma he somehow graduated from my firm grasp. Our strict curfew went by the wayside because of nightly graduation parties - and once they finally ended - it was time for the nightly good-bye parties as each friend left for school.  I'll admit it was maddening.  My son was leaving me even before he left for college! 

Now - 12 months later - I have a theory about this stage in our lives.  Do you remember 19 years ago when you were expecting your child, and you couldn't sleep a month or two before he or she was born?  I always thought that was nature's way of preparing parents for the sleepless nights ahead. 

Well, I think it's happening again. These sleepless nights are preparing you for what's ahead, and by the time the end of August rolls around, you'll know it's time for them to go. 

Good luck, and have a great summer!

Feline Follow-Up

By Colleen McVey

     Thanks, Jim, for sending me the information about PetPeeves Inc.  I did go to their website and found something that might help Charlene - who is also having a feral cat problem. Charlene - take a look at PetPeeves Inc. and The Long Island Cat Project's websites.  They may be able to help in your neighborhood.

    Since I blogged about the cats in April - five new kittens have been born.  They made their first public appearance last week. I'm sorry, but I used to think kittens were so cute. Now I just see them as future stray cats!  I also had a 400-dollar vet bill after my dog tried to chase a cat off the deck and fell down the steps when the cat came back at her. Allie split open the bottom of her paw - needed antibiotics - and had to go back to the vet every few days for bandage changes. My dog is the size of a small pony. I was lucky she didn't break her leg!