a COOL community

The theft of televisions, gaming consoles, and games at Mourning Star, a nonprofit organization, got the attention of the community and soon found many neighbors waiting outside the center with TVs, XBoxes, PlayStations, and many games to take the place of the stolen items.

Mourning Star helps children grieving from the loss of a loved one. The counselors use the games and gaming systems as a way to connect with the children who are in need of assistance in going through the grieving process. Sheryl Sullivan, Mourning Star's program director, expresses her amazement in the community, "It is heartwarming to know that for every bad thief we have, we have 10 great people waiting to restore the damage they do if they have the information."

A local Inn even sent over a maintenance man to hook up the systems. Sheryl expresses that the gesture touched them deeply because she couldn't have hooked them up herself. The center even got help from Colleen Quinn, a local radio personality, who spread the word of the theft on her morning show.

Other community members stopped by to give cash to help replace any other items that might need replaced. Employees express that some of the money will be used to fix the window the thieves broke in through. With so many items being donated the center is receiving duplicate supplies. They express that they will be donated to other Mourning Star centers and a new facility planning to open early next year.

Here's to the community members of Hesperia, CA for helping out an important organization in its time of need-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the work an organization like the Mourning Star does? Do you know of a child who is grieving the loss of a loved one?

COOL inmates

A half a dozen minimum security inmates at the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck, ND are getting into the Christmas spirit by fixing up toys and bikes that have been donated since early November. These men are a part of the "Christmas Playpen" project which also includes the local paper, the Salvation Army, Go Mini's storage, Dan's Supermarket, and Trans Trash.

To date, the men have completed about 50 bikes and around 12 boxes of toys. The men express that they enjoy the process of fixing toys and bikes for children who more than likely wouldn't be receiving Christmas gifts.

James Thompson states, "Anything that requires using my hands, I like. I figured, if we're going to give back to society, we might as well start here."

Brandon Baumeister expresses that he not only likes the work because he went to school for auto and diesel mechanics but, "It helps out the kids too."

Brandon Anderson adds, "No. 1, I love helping out. The children getting bikes, that's the biggest sticking point for me."

Joe Jennings loves helping as well, "Doing this feels good and it feels good to give back and make sure kids have a good Christmas."

Here's to you inmates for making cool use of your time-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of this program? Would you donate toys for this cause?

a COOL thanks

As Thanksgiving and the holiday season comes upon us it's a good time to think about someone who has done something cool for us and not asked for anything in return. Whether it was being given something such as a coin for the parking meter, a meal when hungry, or shelter when cold, it's a great time to think where one might be if these cool people weren't there in the time of need.

This is the season of giving thanks and who better to thank than someone who went above and beyond without looking for something in return. The great thing about giving thanks is that it's easy to carry and doesn't have to cost a cent. Also, the affect it has on someone is great and most often will make their day.

Here's to all the people who have given their time, money, or self to someone or some cause without expecting anything back-THANKS-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Who would you like to take the time to thank during this upcoming holiday season? Why?

a COOL operation

Pursuing an active and athletic lifestyle can sometimes be taken for granted. For those suffering from permanent physical disabilities pursuing such a lifestyle can be daunting and in some cases never achieved. Thanks to the Challenged Athlete's Foundation an active lifestyle for those permanently disabled is no longer an unachievable goal.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation's Operation Rebound is a top notch program that supports American military personnel, veterans and first responders who have suffered permanent physical disabilities. The foundation, established in 1997, realizes the athletic pursuits in all people with challenging disabilities and assists their athletic capabilities by providing opportunities that lead to success in sports and all phases of life.

The Operation offers access to funding for athletic expenses ranging from equipment, training, and competition. They also support funds for Military Medical Center Physical Training and sports clinics.

Here's to Operation Rebound for allowing those suffering from permanent physical disabilities the chance to pursue their athletic endeavors-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For more information please go to: www.challengedathletes.org

What do you think of Operation Rebound's mission? How would you feel about pursuing your athletic endeavors if you were permanently disabled?

the COOL outdoors

Justin Ristine, 11, wanted to go hunting like his father. Mikey Williamson, 8, also wants to experience the joys of hunting. The only obstacle standing in Justin's way was that he was born with only one arm and Mikey has only two fingers and uses a wheelchair due to complications from spina bifida. Thanks to Youth Outdoors Unlimited Justin was able to go hunting and get his first deer while Mikey is planning to go in November.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited, a Moses Lake, WA based organization founded by Cindy Carpenter, helps children with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, who have an interest in outdoor sports, go on hunting and fishing trips. The organization runs totally on donations and it supplies everything to include hunting safety classes, the equipment, the trip, the food, and carries liability insurance.

Justin's mother, Jennifer, is ecstatic about the program, "You're not out anything. It's a wonderful program for the kids." Justin fired one shot and bagged a three-point buck about 120 yards away. Youth Unlimited donated the $500 Remington 700 rifle that went through a $6,500 renovation donated by Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks in Wyoming which made it easier for him to shoot. Justin explains, "There was no kick, it was like shooting a BB gun. I was very, very happy." A butcher shop in Ephrata is processing the meat and Justin's parents are having the deer's head mounted. Both services are being done free of charge.

Jennifer Ristine did have her reservations about Justin going hunting, "I was scared to death. "I thought, 'My kid with a gun?" However, after meeting Cindy she agreed with her husband, Roy, to sign him up, "I just felt comfortable with her."

Here's to you Youth Outdoors Unlimited and Cindy Carpenter for helping kids dealing with disabilities experience the great outdoors-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For more information bout Youth Outdoors Unlimited visit them at www.youthoutdoorsu.org or call Cindy Carpenter directly at 509-431-1604

What do you think of the Youth Outdoors Unlimited program?

COOL heels

Some boots were made for walking but these cool heals were made for helping women in their twenties, thirties, and early forties regain a sense of themselves as they recover from cancer treatment. The Pink Heals Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that focuses on helping young women "reclaim their mojo."

Through fun programs that help women regain their confidence Pink Heals aims to help young women regain their strength and beauty. They do this because surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can damage a woman's looks and confidence as they try to cope with being in what should be the prime of their lives. The brutal treatments can make it rather difficult to find a "new normal".

Pink Heals was founded and created by "Lisa" as she finished treatment and she was overwhelmed with emotions that included depression that followed the end of treatment. She was overcome with fear and helplessness as the feeling of "actively fighting" ended. Most of those around her assumed everything was over and that she should return back to normal. Her confidence and sense of self were shattered as she felt isolated and too young to have cancer.

Here's to you "Lisa" and Pink Heals as you help these young women regain their sense of confidence and mojo-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Please check out WWW.PINKHEALS.ORG if you would like to learn more or just to donate.

What do you think of PINK HEALS and their mission? Do you know someone who lost their sense of self, confidence, or looks after the active fight against cancer was over and found it hard to return to normal?

COOL coffee

As one enters an upscale coffee house, one is expecting to spend a higher price for a hot beverage than at the local diner or restaurant. Some might think that spending top dollar for a latte at Starbucks is just a waste of money as the economy continues to struggle. However, Starbucks is looking to stimulate U.S. job growth through what they are calling a "Jobs for USA" program.

First, Starbucks is doing it's part to stimulate U.S job growth by hiring around 200 workers a day as they look to remodel existing stores and adding 200 more locations through the next year. Starbuck's Corp's CEO, Howard Schultz, isn't satisfied with those efforts and wants to do more.

Starbucks is teaming with Opportunity Finance Network, a nonprofit group that provides loans to small businesses and community groups. The coffee chain will begin to collect $5 donations this November 1st with 100% of the proceeds going towards loans for companies that can add jobs or lessen job losses. In the past, the network has given loans that have gone to charter schools and grocery stores nationwide. Mr. Shultz expresses, "This is about using Starbucks scale for good."

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, is confident in the impact that a program like this can have, "I think it's a really worthy effort. In theory, this is a great idea and should have impact."

The next time you grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage don't forget about bringing an extra $5 along with you. It's probably about the cost of a fancy latte but it will go towards giving the U.S. job growth a boost along with giving you a morning boost as well.

Here's to you Starbucks, Opportunity Finance Network, and all those who contribute to giving our economy a much needed caffeine high-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Starbucks program to boost the U.S. job growth? Would you be willing to donate $5 after spending money to buy your favorite hot beverage?

a COOL artist

Sheila Lengle, 64-year-old part-time sales consultant, passionate artist, and breast cancer survivor is donating %50 of the proceeds from a silent auction for one of her paintings "Amy's Bouquet". This painting and several others of her original works are showing at Diane Venti's gallery on Sept. 23rd from 6-9pm. Ten percent of all sales will benefit breast cancer research.

Sheila believes she has not only survived cancer but that she has thrived over the disease. Today she show cases her art on her own website www.lengleart.com, produces Artcards for a kids store, paints wall murals, and is about to start art classes for kids. She also has a long term goal of openning another art gallery similiar to ones she owned in the past.

Sheila describes her art as being "bold, big strokes of vibrant colors." Please visit her website if you would like to experience her bright world of colors and get a hint of her survival attitude.

Here's to you Sheila for having the courage to face the battle of breast cancer and the COOL attitude to thrive and give back to others-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Experience Sheila's art at Diane Venti's Gallery: West Seattle's Alki Arts, 2828 Alki Ave. S.W.

What do you think of Sheila's will to thrive after facing breast cancer? What do you think of her art made up of "vibrant colors"?

COOL roller coaster riders

This past weekend was spent with family at Cedar Point riding thrilling roller coasters and eating good but not good for you park food such as french fries and ice cream. Throw in a few games and winning prizes and you have one COOL weekend. One couldn't ask for anything more.

However, there were a group of friends riding one roller coaster with us and they were the definition of COOL, good friends. One of the group of friends appeared to be legally blind as he wore big sunglasses that wrapped around his face. This man, they called "Shark", was sitting in front of my niece on one of the coasters. As the coaster whipped around bends and ascended and descended the tracks at a torrid pace, the man sitting beside Shark and the woman in front of him started yelling at him that he better not throw up. As the coaster came to a stop, readying to allow its passengers off the two friends of Shark began to tell him to turn to his right so that he might not hit them with any leftovers from lunch.

At this time, we did not realize that Shark was probably blind until we had exited the ride and were continuing our way to the next coaster when we witnessed the man sitting besides Shark helping him as he appeared to still be wobbly from his ride. The man had Shark's hands and was guiding him. I couldn't imagine riding a roller coaster without being able to see the curves and hills.

Prior to getting on the coaster as we were strapping ourselves in, Shark was having trouble buckling his seat belt and commented that he fit in the ride last year and his friend mentioned to him that he obviously gained weight over the past year.

We would see Shark and his friends two more times during that day and both times he had a hand on a friend's shoulder to help guide him through the busy amusement park. It is hard enough to navigate one's way around with a pair of good eyes as people make their way to their favorite rides. The pace is quick and people can be relentless and unforgiving along their way.

Watching Shark's friends joke and kid with him all the while caring for him during their trip to Cedar Point was a COOL experience. They obviously cared enough about him to make sure that his experience in the amusement park was a safe one all the while letting him see that he was one of them and would get no slack no matter how poor his vision was. Here's to you Shark's friend's for not only making his experience a cool one but ours one as well-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Shark's friends and how they treat him? How would you treat a legally blind friend and would you accompany them to an amusement park and ride roller coasters?

COOL lemonade

This past July 29th in Dell Rapids, SD Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) set up shop in the city park to raise money for children cancer research. Josie Hansen, an alumni of Dell Rapids High School, was there working for her third consecutive year, "I've always wanted to help kids, and this is something that's tragic and no child should have to deal with it."

You can find Alex's Lemonade Stands all over the country. Founded by Alexandra Scott when she was four years old and being treated for the type of cancer called Neuroblastoma, the lemonade stands have raised over 45 million dollars over the past 10 years. Alexandra was able to raise $2,000 at her first stand and donated the money to the doctors that helped her, "When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand and give the money to the doctors to allow them to help other kids, like they helped me."

Alex passed away in 2004 at the age of 8 but not before raising $1 million, with the help of others who were inspired by her and set up their own lemonade stands to assist her in her quest, for childhood cancer research.

Today her dream lives on through he family which set up the ALFS in 2005. The money raised has helped fund more than 200 research projects, create a travel program to help support families of children undergoing treatment, and develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer.

As Josie Hansen embodies Alex's spirit of helping others she states, "I don't plan on giving up anytime soon. It's something I'm very passionate about."

Here's to Alex, her family, and others who continue to do her work and keep her dream alive-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For further information, to set up your own stand, or to donate:
www.alexlemonade.org

What do you think of Alex's courage and those that continue to keep her dream alive? Would you be interested in hosting a lemonade stand for such a good cause?

COOL hats

Clifford Nulph 85-year-old of Saxonburg, PA broke his hip a few years ago and has been confined to a wheelchair since. Instead of allowing his disability to keep him down, he decided to dive in and start knitting hats. He figures he has designed and produced over 400 hats to go along with Steelers dolls and sock slippers, "I don't think that I've made two the same. I design my own patterns and choose the colors."

Clifford and his wife of 58 years, Shirley, donate the hats to many different charities to include the Cabot United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, and a local food bank. Families that have benefited from their donation have numbered at least 200. Susan Shaltes of Saxonburg and the Cabot United Methodist Church food bank coordinator states, "It's nice he thinks of the families. He's given so many away, who knows where they are."

The whole hat craze started when Clifford's daughter gave him a loom and taught him how to use it. Shirley states, "My daughter brought in the loom to teach him how to us it and she said 'Don't tell him, Mom, but that's therapy.'" Shirley also expresses that Clifford was beginning to lose upper body strength and this helped along with keeping him busy, "If he didn't have anything to do, it would drive him nuts--and me, too. He has to be busy."

Clifford, a retired heavy-equipment operator, acknowledges that you would never have seen him making hats prior to his injury and a nephew teases him that he wouldn't believe it in a thousand years that he would be making hats. Now, Clifford realizes that it's a hobby to stand the test of time, "I plan to keep it up as long as I can do it and I'm able. When you're 85, you never know."

Here's to you Mr. Clifford Nulph for not allowing your disability to keep you down and for thinking of others with your knew hobby-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Clifford's new hobby and his ability to handle his disability?

a COOL family

Lance Cpl. Nicholas O'Brien's family received the most horrible news from Afghanistan, he had been killed by an explosion of a roadside bomb. His best friend, Lance Cpl. Josh Cawthorn, who was within five meters of him, was sent off a bridge and into the water. Fellow Marines dragged him out of the water. Josh's right side of his face was crushed and he lost his right eye.

Josh has been through a couple of major reconstructive surgeries and is on the path of recovery that doctors estimate will take eight to ten months. Josh pushes through as he still mourns the death of his best friend.

The O'Briens, struggling with the loss of their son, have made a very generous and cool gesture. They have asked that instead of sending flowers to their son's funeral, donations be made to The Josh Cawthorn Fund.

The Josh Cawthorn Fund
C/O Shady Brook Baptist Church
2940 Belmeade Drive
Charlotte, NC 28214

Stacy Cawthorn, Josh's mother, is overwhelmed by the gesture, "It's beyond words on how much appreciation I have for them. Josh has one more set of parents now. They will be part of our family."

Here's to the O'Brien's for realizing the struggles of others as they mourn the loss of their own son-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the O'Brien's gesture?

a COOL lesson

As Katelyn Beamish, an 11-year-old Oswego, IL resident, started to learn to walk she was attempting to beat another family member when it came to accomplishing the monumental feat, her father, "I learned to move when my dad was in a wheelchair, and I took my first steps as he tried to walk in his walker. I remember seeing my dad next to me, trying to walk with me."

Katelyn's father, Michael Beamish, was making a routine traffic stop as a West Chicago police officer when a car hit him head on, dragged him, and ran over his legs. He spent a week in a coma, endured 10 surgeries, returned home in a wheelchair, and was unable to walk. He was released from the hospital about a month and a half after the accident and entered physical therapy with the need to learn to walk again.

Katelyn was beginning to try and stand up at the same time Michael started his rehab, "I was able to get up in a walker, but I was in a lot of pain doing it. Katelyn was progressing naturally. It actually became a thing in our family to see who would walk first. Katelyn ended up beating me, but not by much."

As they both progressed towards their goals they realized the importance of each step along the way, Katelyn was attempting to take her first unassisted steps and Michael was fighting to stand and walk again, "None of the doctors thought he would walk again, but he proved them all wrong," Katelyn proudly announces.

Today, Michael is able to walk but unable to return to his job as a police officer. He does help coach Katelyn's soccer but chronic pain keeps him from participating in the game as he stands on the sidelines and cheers. Katelyn expresses that her dad is doing pretty well despite the pain and is a role model,"We are all very proud of our dad for all that he has accomplished and teaching us that nothing is too hard to overcome."

Michael realizes how lucky he is, "I am doing better. I am so lucky to be alive; every day is Father's Day now."

Here's to you Officer Michael Beamish for overcoming a major accident, the pain, and for teaching such a cool lesson to your daughter and others-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Officer Michael Beamish's will to walk again and the lesson he taught his daughter?

a COOL love affair

Gerda Weissman Klein didn't have much to cling to back in 1939 except hope and the photographs hidden in her shoes of her family when her childhood was tragically interrupted by the invasion of German soldiers in southern Poland.

In the years that followed she would never see her family members again and spent exhausting days making clothing and parachutes for the Germans.

In 1945 Gerda and about 2,000 other females were forced to endure a 350-mile death march that left only 120 survivors. The women were abandoned by the Germans and the next day Germany surrendered and she was liberated. During the liberation Gerda met Kurt Klein who would end up being her lifelong suitor. Kurt eventually proposed to her and they wed in Paris and moved to Buffalo, NY in 1946. The two of them performed decades of community service and began the Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation that focused on tolerance, ending hunger, and recognizing those who didn't survive the Holocaust.

Not only did Gerda become an American citizen she developed a love so deep for the United States she wishes more people shared, "Frankly, I think most people don't appreciate our country. if you have been deprived of freedom as I have been, it is a miraculous thing. I love this country with a love that only one who has been homeless and hungry for as long as I had been can have."

Today, at 87, she spends her time stirring the hearts of Americans to love and appreciate what it means to be an American and educating others on the responsibility of becoming a naturalized citizen, "I want children to know it's a privilege to be a citizen. Being an American is an incredible gift. In the late autumn of my life, I am on a mission to pay back this country for all that was given to me. I want all colors, all races, all religions, and for every child to be free. I want to assure you that every dream can become a reality."

Gerda is a Holocaust survivor, an author, a motivational speaker and back on February 15th, Gerda was awarded the highest U.S. honor a civilian can receive, the Medal of Freedom, "It was the most wonderful thing. You didn't know if anybody was Democrat or Republican. We were all Americans."

Here's to you Gerda Weissmann Klein for developing such a deep love for America and choosing to share your love and life lessons with others-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Gerda and her story? What do you think of the love that Gerda has developed for America?

COOL gardening lessons

Students at Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ have learned many cool lessons through their gardening project to include delayed gratification, patience, and generosity along with the benefits of working hard and acquiring basic horticultural skills.

Each week the students, approximately 620 in number, donate a harvest of fresh fruit and vegetables to the Kyrene Family Resource Center, which distributes the food to needy families within the school district.

Many of the students are realizing the cool lessons they are learning:

Fourth Grade Student Gabby Walton-"I really like gardening, getting dirty, and working hard. It's important to all of us."

Carter Westlund realizes patience is needed in waiting for seeds to grow-"It was really hard to wait because pumpkins take a long time."

Jaden Bills, fourth-grader, soaks in the peace not present in the classroom-"It's a lot calmer our there; you can hear the birds chirping. It's a fun place to be."

Rich Pysher, fourth-grade teacher, revels in the fact that his students are learning the "value of delayed gratification-"Today, many payoffs are immediate and patience is not in high demand. When students plant seeds, they don't see any immediate results. If they stop tending to the garden because of that fact, they'll never see results."

Mr. Pysher expands on that thought-"Someone once said that 'To plant something is to believe in tomorrow.' I think working in the garden helps students to expand their time horizon, and to understand the value of patiently tending and nurturing something until it is mature enough to show results."

Darcy DiCosmo, Cerritos Principal, also witnesses gardening's benefits-"Our students take such pride in knowing that their efforts to grow and harvest fruits and vegetables will help families in need. Working in the garden gives them a sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment."

Here's to the students and teachers of Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School for realizing the extended benefits and lessons of gardening-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the lessons learned by these students? What other life lessons can be learned from gardening?

a COOL pledge

All 134 Juniors at the University Preparatory Academy, a charter school with small class sizes in Detroit, have paired up and pledged to the Detroit City Council to graduate in 2012. Detroit is nationally known for having a poor high school graduation rate, 62% graduate while 21% drop out.

Charles Pugh, Detroit City Council President, encouraged the Juniors to complete school on time and to help each other along the way to ensure they all go to college. Also, to assist the Juniors to be successful in their pledge, tutoring is mandatory as is the involvement of parents.

Challenges do arrive for these students from their neighborhoods, friends, and school workload. Elaine Davis, 17, who will be the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college states, "We face the same problems as other kids. We come from the same neighborhoods." Fellow classmate, Kia Benson, 16, is grateful for the support of her peers, "We said we would help each other no matter how hard school gets for us. We have each other's backs." She reiterates, "The pledge means you are not only responsible for yourself but for another person and their fight to finish school."

CEO of New Urban Learning, which runs the school, Doug Ross, is impressed with these students who want to spread their pledge to other Detroit high schools to show that their goals are achievable, "Part of the message is if they do this-and they will-it's not about chance or luck or fate. It's a decision. It's a choice."

Here's to the Juniors at University Preparatory Academy for pledging to not only graduate and go to college but for taking on the responsibility of helping each other along the way-stay positive, stay generous, STAY COOL!

What do you think of the pledge these students took to graduate and to help each other achieve a higher education?

a COOL pitch

Tim Lincecum, 26-year-old pitcher and two-time Cy Young Award Winner of the San Francisco Giants, pitched in $25,000 to the Bryan Stow Fund to help pay the 42-year-old paramedic's medical bills and expenses.

Bryan Stow is a longtime Giant fan who was attacked and beaten last month outside Dodger Stadium. After the Dodger's season opener Mr. Stow, a father of two, was heading to his car when he was jumped and beaten. Bryan remains in the hospital and is currently in a medically induced coma. There is a $150,000 reward for anyone who has any information about Mr. Stow's assailants. So far no arrests have been reported.

The young pitcher states, "This was a senseless act of violence and I wanted to help out Mr. Stow and his family. I encourage Giants fans to support Mr. Stow in a positive way and hope there are not any more unfortunate acts between fans in this great rivalry."

The Giants have also donated $10,000 to the Stow fund and have currently raised $70,000 in all.

Here's to Tim Lincecum, a young talented pitcher who has been voted the best pitcher in the National League back to back years (08'-09'), who made his best and most important pitch to Bryan Stow in hopes of helping him and his family recover from a horrific incident-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Tim Lincecum and his donation of $25,000 to the Bryan Stow Fun? If you would like to donate:

Send check to: The Bryan Stow Fund, San Francisco Police Credit Union, C/O San Mateo Branch, 1495 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402 or online at any bank listed at http://www.cuswirl.com.

COOL puppies

The Puppy Program of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the birth of the 500th puppy to be born into the program, Dolan. He will be trained by the TSA's National Explosives Detection Canine Team to eventually be able to detect explosives in airports and other transportation systems nationwide. The K-9 Team was created post 9/11 to help fight terrorism.

All the puppies in the program are named after a 9/11 victim in hopes of honoring their memory. Dolan, the newest member of the program, is named after Captain Robert Eward Dolan Jr. who was a victim of the attack on the Pentagon. Lisa Dolan, the late Captain Dolan's wife, expresses her gratitude, "My children and I are very excited to have a puppy named in Bob's memory. Bob began his military career as an explosives ordinance expert. When he was killed at the Pentagon, he was working on Homeland Defense, and so it's very fitting to have one of the TSA puppies named for our hero. Knowing "Puppy Dolan" will one day be an explosives detection canine in the service of our country is reassuring. Dolan's future career keeping travelers safe is a fitting addition to Bob's legacy of freedom."

The program has been around for nine years, based at Lackland Air Force Base, and about half of the 500 puppies are still working in the field while others have become breeders. The dogs go through a very extensive training program and are fostered out to families in the San Antonio or Austin areas from ten weeks to 12 months of age. The families provide a nurturing environment for the puppies to grow and develop mentally as well as socially while the TSA supplies the food, equipment, and all veterinary care.

John S. Pistole, TSA Administrator, is proud of the things the program has accomplished, "We are proud that the program has provided hundreds of world class puppies over the past nine years. Our dogs continue to perform at a high level and enhance TSA's explosives detection capabilities."

The TSA is hoping to expand to 200 puppies per year who need fostering. For those of you presently living or planning on living in the San Antonio and Austin areas and interested in fostering a TSA puppy please visit www.tsa.gov and in the search area type "puppies" or call 210-671-1624.

Here's to all the puppies who are born into the TSA Puppy Program and named after a victim of 9/11-keep sniffing-stay puppy like, stay tail wagging, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the TSA's National Explosives Detection K-9 Team and the puppies born into the program? Would you be willing to foster a puppy from 10 weeks old to 12 months of age?

a COOL basketball player

Robert Brown, a talented 6'5" guard scoring more then 21 points a game for Clermont East Ridge High School basketball team in Florida, decided to play his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA to become "a more complete player and more well-rounded person."

Brown, a Virginia Tech recruit as a junior, didn't want to just breeze through his last year at East Ridge High, "I didn't want to get complacent and just be OK with coasting through East Ridge. Being here made me correct bad habits, and work hard. I tell people I'll pretty much put up with whatever I have to do to get better, to be ready to play next year."

At the Academy, Brown spent two hours in mandatory study-hall sessions, went to bed at 10 p.m., and awoke very early so that he could be in formation at 6:05 a.m. to march to breakfast in full uniform. Not exactly the schedule most highly recruited high school basketball stars keep.

Here's to you Robert for not taking the easy way out and committing yourself to being a more complete player and person-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Robert Brown's decision to leave Clermont East Ridge High School to play basketball at Hargrave Military Academy?

a COOL saint

St. Baldrick's foundation is "a volunteer driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives."

St. Baldrick's recently held an event in Reno, NV to honor a girl, Tracey Zamora, who lost her battle with brain cancer last year when she was only 12. Tracey was from Sparks, NV and the local firefighters went bald to help raise money for research for childhood cancer.

Sparks firefighter, Kevin Jakubos, who met Tracey through a community outreach program states, "I was with her through her journey of cancer. I never heard her complain. It was amazing to see that in a fifth-grader."

St. Baldricks, since it was founded on March 17, 2000, has funded more for children cancer research grants than every organization except the U.S. government. John Bender, Tim Kenny, and Enda McDonnell planned on raising "$17,000 on the 17th" when they decided to turn their company's St. Patrick's Day party into an event of head-shaving to raise money for kids with cancer. That day they ended up raising more than $104,000.

St. Baldrick's Day head shaving events have since expanded into every state and have surpassed the $90 million mark for cancer research. The events are held annually on St. Patrick's Day.

Here's to the the St. Baldrick's Foundation for raising so much money for a serious cause through such a fun event-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Please visit www.stbaldricks.org for more information, to donate, or to hold your own event.

What do you think of the St. Baldrick's Foundation and their efforts to raise money for children cancer research? Would you shave your head for charity?

a COOL ex-con

Mr. Earl Baldwin burst through a door and caught up to the man he was chasing and slammed him up against a chalkboard. The 25 people sitting quietly in the room, eight of them teenagers, looked on at the reality happening before them. The eight teenagers sat back in their chairs and knew all too well what it's like to be apprehended and handcuffed.

Earl Baldwin, an ex-con, was playing the role of a cop and attempting to make the play look as real as he could for the teenagers, adjudicated youth in CISP, Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Juvenile Court's Community Intensive Supervision Program.

Mr. Baldwin was released from prison a year ago, at the age of 41, after serving more than 18 years for burglary charges. He partnered with Cynthia Hopson-Smith and purchased the former Pittsburgh Headliners on East Ohio Street and changed the name to Hallelujah Anyhow!! Gospel Talk Barber Shop. He hired several men he met in barber training in prison and started mixing haircuts with social and spiritual outreach in the streets.

Mr. Baldwin's plays are geared to show young men that they have options available to them besides violence. The plays incorporate angry, frustrated, vulnerable characters in real life scenes that often play out before abuse and shootings happen. He expresses that unchecked anger is the nemesis of many dysfunctional families.

Today Mr. Baldwin is married and owns a business with the intention of opening another one, "I had a pop who didn't care about me. I was going to get in a bus in a space where they put luggage to get away," he hopes to provide hope to those in the same situation, "Nobody said, 'C'mon, Earl, this is the way.'"

Here's to you Mr. Earl Baldwin for not only turning your life around but for showing the youth of today that there are options besides violence-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Mr. Baldwin and what he is doing with his life now?

a COOL dance

Over the past weekend Penn State University's annual IFC/Panhellanic Dance Marathon raised a record $9.56 million for pediatric cancer patients.

Around 700 dancers began to dance the weekend away Friday to benefit the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hersey Children's Hospital. The weekend marathon, or "Thon" as it is known by students and alumni, is witness to dancers dancing for 46-hours and is quite possibly the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

This year's total surpassed last year's of $7.8 million and over all has raised more than $69 million. The marathon has currently been home to dancers for more than three decades.

Here's to the students of Penn State for enduring many hours of dancing for a cool cause-stay positive, stay generous, and when I say STAY you say COOL...STAY...

What do you think of the efforts of these tireless dancers and the amount of money they raised over the weekend? Would you ever attempt to enter a dance marathon?

a COOL skirt

Tim Deegan, First Coast News chief meteorologist in Jacksonville, FLA, wore a hot-pink skirt as he ran Sunday's 26.2 with Donna Mission. The race is The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer and "raises funds for ground breaking breast cancer research and empower women living with breast cancer."

Mr. Deegan wore the skirt for a fundraiser Citi Women's Network sponsored. $26,200 was the goal set and Tim agreed to run a mile in the skirt for every $1,000 raised. Prior to the race he wasn't sure of the total money raised but was confident that the goal would be reached and ran the entire 26.2 miles in his new skirt donated by SparkleSkirts.

Tim is the husband of race founder, Donna Deegan who is a two time breast cancer survivor. Mrs. Deegan started the Donna Foundation to help women battling breast cancer make ends meet financially, "Fortunately for me, I have a well paying job, understanding bosses, good insurance, and a support system second to none. Many thousands of women don't have that, they don't have the time to worry about whether they will be there to watch their children grow up because they are worrying about whether they have enough money to keep a roof over their heads."

Tim found he has a new appreciation for all women as the day's temperature only reached 36 degrees, "It was nice and breezy, as a meteorologist you like to be very sensitive to the changes." He even expressed that he should add a "women's" wind chill factor to his future forecasts.

Tim did receive some compliments on his Sunday attire as Donna noticed and joked about, "Everybody said 'Tim, I've never seen anybody look better in a skirt,' which offended me a little bit."

Here's to you Tim Deegan for running the extra mile(s) and enduring the COOL breeze-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of Tim Deegan and his decision to run a marathon in a hot-pink skirt to raise money for breast cancer?

Special Valentine's Day Quote:

"All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."
Charles M. Schulz

a COOL coop

Back on August 14th, 2010, Cooper Doucette, 15-year-old sophmore at Nashua North Hills High School in Nashua, NH, suffered an injury that broke his 5th cervical vertebrae while taking part in a football drill during practice. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he received treatment and care that helped to stabilize him. After undergoing surgery to repair his broken vertebrae Cooper took the challenges of rehab and recovery head on.

Along with the surgery, rehab, and recovery comes the stress and financial burdens that can really take a toll not only on Cooper but his family as well. To assist them in dealing with these stresses "Supa Coop" was formed.

"Supa Coop" is a "committee of family, friends, teachers, coaches, and members of the community who are trying to raise awareness and funds to help Cooper as he rebuilds his life with hope, independence, and dignity." The goal of "Supa Coop" is to help alleviate certain stresses which will allow Cooper's recovery to be the main focus of him and his family.

For more information about Cooper Doucette, to learn about certain fundraising events such as the Polar Plunge, or to just donate please visit www.supacoop.org. Also, please click on Cooper's facebook page link for pictures and medical updates.

Here's to the family and friends of Cooper who realize the importance of living with hope, Independence, and dignity-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of "Supa Coop" and their efforts to help Cooper and his family alleviate some of the burdens that come with such a tragic injury?

COOL reading

There's nothing like getting up in the morning, brewing a fresh pot of coffee, and retrieving the morning paper to view the happenings either in the sports page, local news page, front page, or the arts and entertainment page. Sitting in your preferred spot and reading while enjoying your favorite brew really sets the tone for the day.

Another cool section to read in your preferred paper is "Random Acts of Kindness (COOLNESS)" that usually appears at least once a week. The stories range from simple acts of kindness in a grocery store line, some shoveling during the winter months, to offers of being carried up ramps at a sporting event or changing seats so that the climb up the ramps won't be necessary. Usually the kind (cool) act is performed by a complete stranger who wishes to remain anonymous. The stories are short in nature but tend to leave a lasting impression on the recipient of the cool act and the reader.

The next time you find yourself browsing through your newspaper, either paper or online version, search for these random acts of coolness stories, they are sure to get your day started off right and just might motivate you to spread some coolness in your world. Keep reading, stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Have you found a "Random Acts of Kindness" section in your preferred paper? What do you think of the stories and how do they effect you?

a COOL day

It is said that most people live an eight day week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Someday. Someday is a significant day in many lives. People leave important things to get done on Someday. Someday they will thank friends and family or tell them that they love them. Someday they will spend more time with their children. Someday they will get around to doing that one thing they really enjoy or look for that job they really want.

The problem is, Someday always seems like tomorrow. The cool thing is that people can begin to live a nine day week. That ninth day is Today. Do those important things today, thank friends and family today and tell them you love them today. Spend more time with your children today. Do the thing you really love today and go out and get that dream job Today.

The cool thing is there is no better time to do something than Today and better yet, everyday is Today.

Here's to those that take advantage of the ninth day of the week, Today. Go enjoy it and remember there is never a better time to be cool than Today-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What day do you do most things on-Someday or Today?

a COOL turnaround

John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg, FLA has been known for fights, pepper spray, arrests, and teachers begging for help. So far this year it appears to be a better educational facility as student fights are down, teacher morale is up, and the parents relieved.

Rosa Robinson, a parent of a seventh-grader and chair on the school advisory council, states, "It's been pretty peaceful...you can walk the hallway and feel the difference. Before, forget about it. It was running around and craziness."

Last year, 2009, prior to the holiday break the school had racked up 40 arrests but this year they saw only 16. A staff survey rated morale as good as "high" to "good" at 60% which only last year had very low morale and prompted one staff to state, "We have no control of this school." Even the students attitudes are changing for the better, "People's attitudes are changing," says Chrisaih Ware, 14.

The reasons for the positive change range from expectations of student behavior have been made more clear, and consequences are quick and consistent. Some "chronically disruptive" kids have been given the opportunity to continue their education at alternative schools and teachers have credited the positive change to a new leadership team that now "takes care of problems and corrects them."

New Principal, Barry Brown, is hesitant to wallow in the praise, "I don't want the praise to be premature." He prefers to wait to the end of the year and gauge the progress then. Steve Frump, geography teacher, sees and praises the difference, "I haven't had to deal with in-class disruptions at nearly the level I had to last year."

John Hopkins has shown promise and has lots going for it: A student newspaper that is nationally recognized, An orchestra that is among the best, and a Chorus and drama program that constantly gets superior ratings.

Here's to the new principal and staff at John Hopkins Middle School for continuing to believe in their facility, their students, themselves, and for realizing the importance of an education for the youth of today-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the positive turnaround John Hopkins Middle School has made concerning the negative behaviors that once graced its halls and the staff that continues to endure there?

COOL hockey fans

Singing in front of a crowd can be daunting enough for an 8-year-old girl without the help of a technical malfunction that cuts out the microphone in mid-song. That's exactly what happened to Elizabeth Hughes in front of hockey fans at a Connecticut Whale game, members of the AHL (American Hockey League), as she sang the national anthem.

As her voice rang out and the fans stood, Elizabeth's microphone went silent and after a brief moment of awkwardness the crowd joined in to sing along with her until the end. In the brief moment of silence one could hear one ignorant fan laugh but then quickly shushed as the rest of the fans sang out loud.

Elizabeth kept her cool and sang along after ignoring the rude laughter. Another cool moment could be heard as the hockey team members began tapping their sticks at the conclusion of the song and the fans rewarded her with loud applause.

Here's to all those hockey fans who came to Elizabeth's support and showed what it means to be COOL-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of these hockey fans and how they supported Elizabeth as she managed through a technical malfunction in her attempt to sing the national anthem?

Check out the video at http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/hockey-fans-to-the-rescue-after-little-girl%27s-mic-fails-during-national-anthem

COOL quotes for the new year

"What the New Year brings to you will depend on what you bring to the New Year."Vern McLellan

"One resolution I have made and try to always keep is this-To rise above the little things"John Burroughs

"A Happy New Year! Grant that I may bring no tear to any eye, When this New Year in time shall end Let it be said I've played the friend, Have lived and loved and labored here And made of it a happy year."Edgar Guest

"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions."Joey Adams

"Youth is when you are allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you are forced to."Bill Vaughnv

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."Bill Vaughnv

"People are worried about what they eat between Christmas and New Year, but they should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas."Author Unknown

"Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right."Oprah Winfrey

"New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time."James Agate

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man."Benjamin Franklin

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want-Traditional Irish Toast

Here's hoping you had a cool and safe New Year and wishing you enjoy cool times, meet cool people, and continue to do cool things throughout the year-stay generous, stay positive and STAY COOL!