The Omaha Children's Museum opened its doors to children suffering with weakened immune systems Monday evening, March 29.
The museum staff, who have been trained and supervised by medical professionals, wipe down and sanitize everything. The items that can't be wiped down are put away.
Executive director of the museum, Lindy Hoyer, expresses that this COOL event, Carefee Kids which ran from 5:30pm-8:30pm, is not about drawing huge crowds to the museum, it's about creating normalcy in the lives of the children and their families who live with compromised immune systems. Hoyer also states, "Every family deserves the chance to learn, play, and enjoy time together and we're very proud to offer this event that makes a visit to the museum possible."
Here's to you Lindy Hoyer, your staff, and others at the Omaha Children's Museum that make an event like this possible. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated and are very COOL! Stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Do you know of a museum or other venue that opens its doors to those suffering from compromised immune systems or any other ailment that makes it difficult to experience normalcy in their lives? What is it and what does it do?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
a COOL author on modeling COOL behavior
COOLITICS is geared towards everyone and hopefully it appeals to most but it is probably most important for the adults (all of us)-who have an affect on children, teenagers, or young adults-to talk, practice, and teach COOLITICS. Even if you don't think you have an affect on those mentioned above I am sorry to inform you but you do and it can either be positive or negative.
Barbara Coloroso, an author of many books covering such topics as: bullying, parenting, and conflict resolution, states, "parents must model (cool) behavior to create (cool), kind, empathetic children." I don't think I have to remind anyone that these children soon grow up to be adults and whether or not they grow up to be cool or uncool adults is on us.
Barbara asks some very enlightening questions, "How do you treat hired help? How do you treat someone that looks different from you? How do you treat someone who moves too slowly in the grocery store for you?" Some very good questions worth taking the time to think about.
Barbara also expresses that she wants to raise the type of child that will sit next to the new kid in class or one that tells others to quit picking on him/her. She goes on to state, "Parents (adults) need to help their kids see that everyone has dignity and worth, that they don't put someone outside a circle of caring, they don't make someone an 'it.' You don't have to like every kid in the classroom, but you do have to honor their humanity."
Here's to you Barbara, a COOL author who writes COOL, enlightening books. Stay inspired, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like more information about Barbara Coloroso or would like to purchase one of her books please visit: http://kidsareworthit.com
Do you know someone who models COOL behavior? Tell us about them.
An article about Barbara Coloroso first appeared in the Boston Globe By: Bella English (c) Copyright Globe Newspaper Company
Barbara Coloroso, an author of many books covering such topics as: bullying, parenting, and conflict resolution, states, "parents must model (cool) behavior to create (cool), kind, empathetic children." I don't think I have to remind anyone that these children soon grow up to be adults and whether or not they grow up to be cool or uncool adults is on us.
Barbara asks some very enlightening questions, "How do you treat hired help? How do you treat someone that looks different from you? How do you treat someone who moves too slowly in the grocery store for you?" Some very good questions worth taking the time to think about.
Barbara also expresses that she wants to raise the type of child that will sit next to the new kid in class or one that tells others to quit picking on him/her. She goes on to state, "Parents (adults) need to help their kids see that everyone has dignity and worth, that they don't put someone outside a circle of caring, they don't make someone an 'it.' You don't have to like every kid in the classroom, but you do have to honor their humanity."
Here's to you Barbara, a COOL author who writes COOL, enlightening books. Stay inspired, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like more information about Barbara Coloroso or would like to purchase one of her books please visit: http://kidsareworthit.com
Do you know someone who models COOL behavior? Tell us about them.
An article about Barbara Coloroso first appeared in the Boston Globe By: Bella English (c) Copyright Globe Newspaper Company
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
a COOL fishing tourney
Chris Dorogy, a Seneca Valley High School Senior in Butler County, PA, is coordinating the "Samuel Bucci Memorial Fishing Tournament" for his senior project to commemorate Sam's favorite pastime.
Sam Bucci was Chris's friend and teammate who tragically drowned with two other young men on Jan. 26 when the SUV they were riding in slid off the road and into a lake.
Chris decided on organizing a fishing tournament to keep the memories of Sam as an avid outdoorsman alive. Chris is hoping that the tournament will be a success so that it can continue every year. He plans on donating all proceeds to a scholarship fund in his good friend's memory. Donations will be collected through entry fees, t-shirts that will be sold, and any other monies donated at the tourney. Chris expresses that the scholarship will go to a senior at Seneca Valley who best exemplifies Sam's admirable qualities. Those eligible for the scholarship are seniors who plan on pursuing higher education at a technical school or university.
It's always difficult to deal with the passing of a good friend no matter how old they are or how old we become. Chris has decided to honor his friend and keep his memory alive, his dedication to honoring Sam and helping others in the process is commendable, inspiring, and COOL!
Here's to you Chris, I am sorry for your loss but am inspired by your efforts to keep your friend's memory alive. Stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like to help Chris keep his friend's memory alive and donate to the scholarship fund please attend this COOL fishing tourney-info below:
When: April 3-Registration 6am
Where: Lake Arthur at Rte. 528 boat launch
Cost: $20 adult / $10 students (including college)
Contact for more info: Chris Dorogy 724-766-8795
dkpgh@zoominternet.net
Do you know anyone who has honored a late friend in a COOL way? Who are they and how did they honor them?
Sam Bucci was Chris's friend and teammate who tragically drowned with two other young men on Jan. 26 when the SUV they were riding in slid off the road and into a lake.
Chris decided on organizing a fishing tournament to keep the memories of Sam as an avid outdoorsman alive. Chris is hoping that the tournament will be a success so that it can continue every year. He plans on donating all proceeds to a scholarship fund in his good friend's memory. Donations will be collected through entry fees, t-shirts that will be sold, and any other monies donated at the tourney. Chris expresses that the scholarship will go to a senior at Seneca Valley who best exemplifies Sam's admirable qualities. Those eligible for the scholarship are seniors who plan on pursuing higher education at a technical school or university.
It's always difficult to deal with the passing of a good friend no matter how old they are or how old we become. Chris has decided to honor his friend and keep his memory alive, his dedication to honoring Sam and helping others in the process is commendable, inspiring, and COOL!
Here's to you Chris, I am sorry for your loss but am inspired by your efforts to keep your friend's memory alive. Stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like to help Chris keep his friend's memory alive and donate to the scholarship fund please attend this COOL fishing tourney-info below:
When: April 3-Registration 6am
Where: Lake Arthur at Rte. 528 boat launch
Cost: $20 adult / $10 students (including college)
Contact for more info: Chris Dorogy 724-766-8795
dkpgh@zoominternet.net
Do you know anyone who has honored a late friend in a COOL way? Who are they and how did they honor them?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
it's COOL to go postal
You might have gasped at the blog title but please read on to see how COOL it is to emulate the following postal employees.
U.S. Postal Service workers stationed at the Oakland Station of Pittsburgh, PA pitched in for five postal bins of food for a woman, Ms. Lucille Zolkoski, on James Gambrell's mail delivery route.
Mr. Gambrell has delivered mail in the eastern tip of Pittsburgh's Polish Hill for about two years. He usually stops and listens as Lucille shares stories of her life with him. He became worried about her after she mentioned she didn't have much to eat. He quickly jumped into action and had a neighbor of hers go to the store for her after they both pitched in some money. From there, he approached co-workers at his station and they gave without hesitation. He was soon delivering those five postal bins of food to her. She was very grateful and a little embarrassed to be a recipient of their generosity. The generosity of Mr. Gambrell and a co-worker doesn't stop there, they are scheduling a social worker to visit with her in hopes of a more long term solution.
Mr. Gambrell and his co-workers at the Post Office Station in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh have showed how COOL it is to go above and beyond at work. Here's to you Mr. Gambrell and the rest of your POSTAL co-workers, keep up the great work, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond for another individual while on the job? Who are they and what did they do?
This story first appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette courtesy of the fine journalism by Diane Nelson Jones.
U.S. Postal Service workers stationed at the Oakland Station of Pittsburgh, PA pitched in for five postal bins of food for a woman, Ms. Lucille Zolkoski, on James Gambrell's mail delivery route.
Mr. Gambrell has delivered mail in the eastern tip of Pittsburgh's Polish Hill for about two years. He usually stops and listens as Lucille shares stories of her life with him. He became worried about her after she mentioned she didn't have much to eat. He quickly jumped into action and had a neighbor of hers go to the store for her after they both pitched in some money. From there, he approached co-workers at his station and they gave without hesitation. He was soon delivering those five postal bins of food to her. She was very grateful and a little embarrassed to be a recipient of their generosity. The generosity of Mr. Gambrell and a co-worker doesn't stop there, they are scheduling a social worker to visit with her in hopes of a more long term solution.
Mr. Gambrell and his co-workers at the Post Office Station in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh have showed how COOL it is to go above and beyond at work. Here's to you Mr. Gambrell and the rest of your POSTAL co-workers, keep up the great work, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond for another individual while on the job? Who are they and what did they do?
This story first appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette courtesy of the fine journalism by Diane Nelson Jones.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
a COOL attitude
First off, I would like to congratulate Gabourey Sidibe on her Oscar nomination but most important I want to congratulate her on her COOL attitude towards some of the criticism she has received about her weight.
Yes, some of the criticism has been rather harsh but she has been very COOL in how she has responded to it. Basically, she hasn't dignified the criticism with a response, only stating that she has learned to love herself, is fine with the way she looks, and if her body ever changes she will be fine with that as well. Her attitude appears to be not only a COOL one but a healthy one as well. Here's hoping she continues to keep that COOL attitude and have a long successful career in Hollywood or wherever her journey leads her next.
Here's to you Gabourey, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Do you know someone who has been criticized for their appearance yet keeps a COOL attitude about themselves and how they respond to the criticism?
Yes, some of the criticism has been rather harsh but she has been very COOL in how she has responded to it. Basically, she hasn't dignified the criticism with a response, only stating that she has learned to love herself, is fine with the way she looks, and if her body ever changes she will be fine with that as well. Her attitude appears to be not only a COOL one but a healthy one as well. Here's hoping she continues to keep that COOL attitude and have a long successful career in Hollywood or wherever her journey leads her next.
Here's to you Gabourey, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Do you know someone who has been criticized for their appearance yet keeps a COOL attitude about themselves and how they respond to the criticism?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
a COOL bonus check
It's COOL to see individuals do COOL, generous things with their money and it's even COOLER when high priced athletes get into the act, especially when we all too often see them making the headlines that aren't so favorable towards their family, team, city, or fans.
Former New Orleans Saint Linebacker, Scott Fujita, who recently signed with the Cleveland Browns gave half of his Super Bowl bonus check to charity-half of it to Haiti relief efforts and the other half to coastal restoration in New Orleans. Though he is leaving the Saints for the Browns and some fans might be upset, hopefully they will think more of his charitable act than of him wearing a different football jersey this season. I can't remember the last time an athlete leaving a city did such a COOL thing. He has stated that the city of New Orleans has been good to him and his family and wanted to do something to show his appreciation to the city. I can't think of a COOLER thing to do.
Hopefully, other high priced and not so high priced athletes leaving a city they have played or lived in will be inspired by Scott's COOL act and do something as COOL or COOLER to show their appreciation for the support they received through the years. Here's to you Scott Fujita, have a great injury free season, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Who do you know that has done something COOL with a bonus check? Who are they and what did they do?
Former New Orleans Saint Linebacker, Scott Fujita, who recently signed with the Cleveland Browns gave half of his Super Bowl bonus check to charity-half of it to Haiti relief efforts and the other half to coastal restoration in New Orleans. Though he is leaving the Saints for the Browns and some fans might be upset, hopefully they will think more of his charitable act than of him wearing a different football jersey this season. I can't remember the last time an athlete leaving a city did such a COOL thing. He has stated that the city of New Orleans has been good to him and his family and wanted to do something to show his appreciation to the city. I can't think of a COOLER thing to do.
Hopefully, other high priced and not so high priced athletes leaving a city they have played or lived in will be inspired by Scott's COOL act and do something as COOL or COOLER to show their appreciation for the support they received through the years. Here's to you Scott Fujita, have a great injury free season, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Who do you know that has done something COOL with a bonus check? Who are they and what did they do?
Friday, March 5, 2010
COOL music
Music, in and of itself is COOL no matter what style you like to listen to, dance to, or play. It can spark a memory, take you to places you've been or hope to go, relax you, comfort you, or just plain help you to pass the time away. Hames Music of South Carolina has gone one step further to enhance the COOLNESS of music.
Hames Music has proudly created OPERATION: GUITARS FOR GUARDS-They have partnered with the SC National Guard Units to supply them with acoustic instruments as they depart for missions overseas. They express the idea is to take a little bit of home with them as they serve our nation. The acoustic instruments include guitars, mandolins, banjos etc. Hames accepts donated instruments and will repair, restring, set-up, and tune them for the service man or woman who receives it.
Lt. Col. Clarence Bowser of the S.C. Army National Guard expresses that these instruments have been a blessing and really help the service men and women pass the time as they wait for assignments and think of going home.
Music has always been a COOL way to express oneself or to help one escape the normal stresses of daily life. One can only imagine the stress our service men and women face on a daily basis while serving overseas so the generous gift of an acoustic instrument can go a long way. One doesn't have to be able to play it to receive the benefits of it, one can listen as a fellow service member strums away on a recently tuned guitar and find their way back home even if it is only for a few minutes. Those precious few minutes are very important and may just help one get through another day which means another day closer to actually going home.
If you have an old acoustic instrument laying around not being played I encourage you to do a COOL thing and donate it to HAMES MUSIC, you can feel safe that they will make sure that it finds a pair of appreciative hands which will undoubtedly play for very appreciative ears.
Contact Hames Music: hamesmusic.com / or call 864-489-1166 or 843-468-9495
Here's to you Hames Music-stay positive, stay generous,and STAY COOL!
Was there a time when music helped you get through a difficult time? How did it help you and were you playing or listening to it?
Hames Music has proudly created OPERATION: GUITARS FOR GUARDS-They have partnered with the SC National Guard Units to supply them with acoustic instruments as they depart for missions overseas. They express the idea is to take a little bit of home with them as they serve our nation. The acoustic instruments include guitars, mandolins, banjos etc. Hames accepts donated instruments and will repair, restring, set-up, and tune them for the service man or woman who receives it.
Lt. Col. Clarence Bowser of the S.C. Army National Guard expresses that these instruments have been a blessing and really help the service men and women pass the time as they wait for assignments and think of going home.
Music has always been a COOL way to express oneself or to help one escape the normal stresses of daily life. One can only imagine the stress our service men and women face on a daily basis while serving overseas so the generous gift of an acoustic instrument can go a long way. One doesn't have to be able to play it to receive the benefits of it, one can listen as a fellow service member strums away on a recently tuned guitar and find their way back home even if it is only for a few minutes. Those precious few minutes are very important and may just help one get through another day which means another day closer to actually going home.
If you have an old acoustic instrument laying around not being played I encourage you to do a COOL thing and donate it to HAMES MUSIC, you can feel safe that they will make sure that it finds a pair of appreciative hands which will undoubtedly play for very appreciative ears.
Contact Hames Music: hamesmusic.com / or call 864-489-1166 or 843-468-9495
Here's to you Hames Music-stay positive, stay generous,and STAY COOL!
Was there a time when music helped you get through a difficult time? How did it help you and were you playing or listening to it?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
a COOL family of women
This blog will be a little if not quite different than past ones because I do not know the names of the people I am blogging about but I think that's what also makes the story cool.
I spent yesterday in the hospital while my wife underwent surgery that will hopefully help us to have children in the near future, we were in there pretty early, 6:30am. Around 9:00am, after my wife was finally wheeled back into surgery, I ventured with my book, newspaper, and coffee out to a waiting area that offered a variety of seating options including huge rocking chairs which I eventually decided to settle into. The huge rocking chair that I chose was situated next to five women also waiting for a loved one in surgery. While they chatted amongst each other I consumed coffee and paged through the daily paper. Now, I don't want you to think that I was eavesdropping but I rather enjoyed their conversation that I could ultimately hear just because of my proximity to them.
Throughout the day they were humorous and serious depending on the topic they covered. They discussed many different areas of their lives and I know I shouldn't mention this but I joined in their conversation when I heard one of them ask the group who was going to be on this years Dancing With the Stars. Not hearing anyone respond I took my attention from my paper and politely added seven out of the eleven names I knew and apologised for not knowing the other four. This discussion quickly lead to discussing this years American Idol, something else I shouldn't mention, and our opinions on the singers and the judges. I don't watch either of these shows unless my wife is present with me, although I am not a fan of these shows it gives my wife and I quality time together as I take an interest in something she enjoys. I was glad that I had knowledge of these shows and was able to engage in conversation with these ladies.
The way this family of women talked amongst each other I could tell how much they loved, cared, and supported each other. I don't think they realized how much they were supporting me while I waited for my wife in surgery. Even though the surgery would be considered routine there were still some unknowns going in, as the doctors stated, and that can make for a rather nerve racking time while waiting. I felt a bond with these ladies as we continued to converse on and off throughout the day. I was comforted and relaxed as time seemed to slip away and we were both eventually given updates on our loved ones-good news for both I might add.
I never got any of these women's names as they never got mine either. We never properly introduced ourselves but there was never a need, there was a cool bond formed that didn't require proper names. I passed the group of ladies and saw them one last time as an orderly wheeled my wife down the hall to the elevator. I wished them well and a safe trip back to Erie, PA. It might sound sad or ignorant that names were never passed forward but I think that's what's cool, names were not important at the time as we all waited for news on our loved ones. I feel I came to know this family of women, not by knowing their names, but by knowing the common bond we shared.
I want to thank these women for supporting me through a difficult day by dedicating this blog to them, they were kind, funny, thoughtful, and most important-COOL! If they ever come across this blog I hope they will know who they are but I also want them to remember that I will deny ever talking about Dancing With the Stars or American Idol-LOL! Stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Have you ever been in a situation where names were not exchanged but you formed a cool and common bond with someone?
I spent yesterday in the hospital while my wife underwent surgery that will hopefully help us to have children in the near future, we were in there pretty early, 6:30am. Around 9:00am, after my wife was finally wheeled back into surgery, I ventured with my book, newspaper, and coffee out to a waiting area that offered a variety of seating options including huge rocking chairs which I eventually decided to settle into. The huge rocking chair that I chose was situated next to five women also waiting for a loved one in surgery. While they chatted amongst each other I consumed coffee and paged through the daily paper. Now, I don't want you to think that I was eavesdropping but I rather enjoyed their conversation that I could ultimately hear just because of my proximity to them.
Throughout the day they were humorous and serious depending on the topic they covered. They discussed many different areas of their lives and I know I shouldn't mention this but I joined in their conversation when I heard one of them ask the group who was going to be on this years Dancing With the Stars. Not hearing anyone respond I took my attention from my paper and politely added seven out of the eleven names I knew and apologised for not knowing the other four. This discussion quickly lead to discussing this years American Idol, something else I shouldn't mention, and our opinions on the singers and the judges. I don't watch either of these shows unless my wife is present with me, although I am not a fan of these shows it gives my wife and I quality time together as I take an interest in something she enjoys. I was glad that I had knowledge of these shows and was able to engage in conversation with these ladies.
The way this family of women talked amongst each other I could tell how much they loved, cared, and supported each other. I don't think they realized how much they were supporting me while I waited for my wife in surgery. Even though the surgery would be considered routine there were still some unknowns going in, as the doctors stated, and that can make for a rather nerve racking time while waiting. I felt a bond with these ladies as we continued to converse on and off throughout the day. I was comforted and relaxed as time seemed to slip away and we were both eventually given updates on our loved ones-good news for both I might add.
I never got any of these women's names as they never got mine either. We never properly introduced ourselves but there was never a need, there was a cool bond formed that didn't require proper names. I passed the group of ladies and saw them one last time as an orderly wheeled my wife down the hall to the elevator. I wished them well and a safe trip back to Erie, PA. It might sound sad or ignorant that names were never passed forward but I think that's what's cool, names were not important at the time as we all waited for news on our loved ones. I feel I came to know this family of women, not by knowing their names, but by knowing the common bond we shared.
I want to thank these women for supporting me through a difficult day by dedicating this blog to them, they were kind, funny, thoughtful, and most important-COOL! If they ever come across this blog I hope they will know who they are but I also want them to remember that I will deny ever talking about Dancing With the Stars or American Idol-LOL! Stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
Have you ever been in a situation where names were not exchanged but you formed a cool and common bond with someone?
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