Photo credit to iphonewiki.com.au.

*This blog post about an issue in the news is to replace the current events quiz I missed on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

La Verne, Calif. — When Xavier Jones collapsed after his heart stopped the day before Thanksgiving at La Verne Lutheran High School, his coach saved the player’s life with the help of a $1.99 iPhone application, reported Boston.com.

Phone Aid, the application, helped head coach Eric Cooper and assistant coach John Osorno admister cardiopulmonary resuscitation to start Jones’ breathing breathing again, reported Boston.com.

Photo credit to The Boston Herald.

On their final weekend of campaigning, the candidates for Massachusetts governor took advantage of the holiday spirit as both front-runners, Governor Deval Patrick and his Republican challenger, Charles D. Baker, employed Halloween-themed political tactics in the waning hours of a long campaign, reported the Boston Globe.

Both Patrick and Baker invited reporters into their homes as they handed out candy to trick-or-treaters, reported MassLive.com.

In the spirit of the holiday Sunday, The Boston Globe reported that Baker, along with supporters clad in orange-and-black T-shirts, toured the North Shore with volunteers dressed as M&M’s, who “crashed” Patrick’s campaign stops and mocked the governor’s unsuccessful push to remove the sales-tax exemption on candy and soda.

“Who is going to tell our kids they have to pay $50 million in additional taxes to support his overspending on Beacon Hill?’’ Baker said to roars from supporters in Beverly, according to the Washington Post.

Patrick dismissed Baker’s candy-tax attack as “another gimmick masquerading as a serious point,’’ and slammed Baker for focusing so much on the negative he is “scaring people,’’ according to the Boston Globe.

Baker also rallied with former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling in Chelmsford, while Patrick talked with voters at the 8/10 Bar and Grille in Everett, reported MassLive.

“We talked to Curt Schilling, and his price was too rich for Massachusetts,’’ Patrick told the Boston Globe. “Ask Charlie the question if he’d be willing to spend $75 million. Ask him if that’s a good way to spend taxpayer money.’’

Phish performs the Phish Festival in Coventry, Vt., AP File Photo

*This blog post about an issue in the news is to replace the current events quiz I missed on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.

UMass and Amherst police are preparing for the arrival of fans of the popular jam band Phish this weekend, reports the Daily Hampshire Gazette. The band is playing two concerts at the Mullins Center Saturday and Sunday nights and officials say they are ready for a large number of band fans who follow the group and are expected to carry illegal drugs including marijuana, mushrooms and nitrous oxide.

Patrick Archbald, deputy police chief at UMass Amherst, says his department is prepared to make sure attendees don’t try to camp in campus parking lots or linger around campus during the weekend. And as if the concert-goers themselves weren’t going to be enough to contain, Archbald said his department is concerned that many people will arrive on campus without tickets to the shows, simply to be part of the experience.

“We’re running this as two sold-out shows with fixed operational times,” said UMass Deputy Police Chief Patrick Archbald, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. “[...] We are not allowing camping or sleeping on university property,” he said, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

The expected drug use has led Amherst Police Chief Scott Livingstone to take extra measures to prepare. “We’re hiring extra people,” Livingstone said. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, often found at Phish concerts, can cause people who inhale the substance to pass out.

Despite his extra measures of caution, Archibald said police don’t want to interfere with people having a good time. “We want to work with everyone to make sure it’s a safe and successful event,” Archbald said, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. “That’s our overarching goal.”

Photo courtesy of aatcars.com.

The Milford Daily News recently published an editorial supporting the new Massachusetts texting ban that went into effect last week.

Just days before the ban took effect, a new study was released saying that in other states where a similar ban has been implemented, automobile accidents have not depleted — instead, in many of the states, crashes increased. While the study does not contest the danger of texting while driving, it’s evidence presents facts against the effectiveness of the ban producing safer roads.

“If we’re counting on texting bans to reduce crashes from distracted driving, they’re not doing that,’’ said Adrian Lund, president of the Highway Loss Data Institute, which conducted the study, reports the Boston Globe.

Massachusetts state drivers are not going to drastically change their texting habits based on a nearly impossible-to-enforce ban. The increase in post-ban accidents in states such as California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington are likely as a result of drivers making more of an effort to conceal their actions from authorities who may be watching on the road, as reported in the Boston Globe article. Authorities should be less concerned with the profit they will undoubtedly accrue as a result of enforcing this new ban and amp up their creativity when it comes to truly saving lives lost each year from phone use in cars.

The crosswalks now feature solar-powered, flashing, yellow-light pedestrian signs, among other improvements said Michael J. Giampietro, the vice president for finances and administrative services at the college.

The $25,000 renovations are a part of the college’s three-year capital improvement plan.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, also located in Western Mass., has had its fair share of crosswalk incidents. On average, four pedestrians have been severely injured by car crashes since the year 2000. According to walkinginfo.org, in 2005, on a $75K grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, UMass Amherst launched the Cross Safely Drive Safely program. The program resulted in a brief dip in pedestrian related accidents, but did not prevent additional accidents from happening in the past few years. In fact, the UMass Police Department issued a safety advisory based on an incidents rise last year.

UMass trustees recently awarded the university $546M for building construction and new housing in Amherst. None of the money is set to be allocated to improved crosswalk safety at a campus that thousands of pedestrians frequent each day.

Despite 2008 efforts to improve crosswalk safety at UMass, one must wonder if UMass is going to the greatest lengths possible to protect its pedestrians. After all, at a campus that claims to be seriously green, safe walking is a must.

Parks positively shaped the lives of all he met; and, even some that he did not. Gregory Pedersen, Vice President of Sales at King Ward Coach Lines (the bus service primarily used for band transportation), worked closely over the phone with Parks for more than ten years, and even after never meeting him in person, still testifies that Parks was “a real ‘pro’ and a truly great person.”

“George was always a pleasure to speak with — when you could reach him,” explained Pedersen, laughing. “It was always a challenge to get in touch with George because his voicemail box was always full. There were always lots of people trying to talk to him. He was just that kind of guy.”

“Even with all I knew he was always juggling, George never faltered in his professional, polite and charismatic demeanor. When he said he’d get back to you, he always did,” said Pedersen. “He never got flustered. He always kept his balance. I never once remember him losing his temper.”

“George was so passionate about the band,” said Pedersen. “He would have been proud to see them play in Michigan.”

John Farqharson, a UMass Senior, travelled to Michigan to support UMass in the football game. “Seeing our band perform so well at the ‘Big House’ made the whole trip worth while,” said Farqharson. “When the announcement was made about George before the band’s performance, the Michigan fans all gave a standing ovation, which was really nice to see that outpouring of support.”

At a press conference held at UMass Friday afternoon, UMass spokesperson Ed Blaguszewski said that plans are being made for a memorial held on campus. A date for the memorial remains to be announced.

Watch George Parks’ speech at the Minuteman Marching Band new building groundbreaking in October 2009.

In his 33-year-career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, music professor George Parks led the Minuteman Marching Band. (University of Massachusetts and The Boston Globe)

It seems it isn’t only the Cruises that are extending their budget to accommodate Suri’s expensive taste. According to the article, consumers spent $804 million on luxury kids clothes in the first half of the year.  And, that’s not all parents are emptying out their pockets for. Forbes.com says some of the nation’s top preschools will set parents back as much as $30,440 (the price of admission to New York’s Ethical Culture Fieldston School).

“I think spending on your children is a guilt-free purchase,” says Helen Job, director of youth culture for Stylesight, a trend forecasting company. Kids’ clothes, she says, “are a more accessible entry point into a brand.”

One has to wonder if the little ones would ever know the difference between a $750 coat and a $17.50 one. It seems that is besides the point — it is the family status earned for the childrens’ parents that drives this lucrative market. As far as I’m concerned, no child of mine will ever don a pair of $340 fur-lined boots that they will most likely outgrow before the value could ever be deemed “worth it.”

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. Nicole Caron, 19, is a sophomore Nursing major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was diagnosed with MS in November 2005. “My reaction to being diagnosed was complete shock,” said Caron. “I had never heard of the disease before and I had no idea what it was, at first.” Despite her disease, Caron is a full-time student who strives to make the most of her college experience and of her life in general.

Caron prepares to inject herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, by cleaning an area on her thigh with an alcohol swab in her dorm room at UMass on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Caron gives herself a shot three times a week. “I just put [the shot] into perspective,” said Caron. “I only need to take a shot three times a week to stay healthy, and it only takes two minutes out of my day so, I’m just grateful to have a medication that works.”

Caron prepares to inject herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, in her dorm room at UMass on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Caron gives herself a shot three times a week. “I actually only started using Rebif a week before I started school this year,” said Caron, who explained that she had to switch medications because her previous shot stopped working successfully. “So, I was nervous to come to school because that was definitely a big adjustment for me.”

Caron injects herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, in her dorm room at UMass on Thursday, November 12, 2009. “It really doesn’t hurt that much” said Caron. “And, it doesn’t really phase me because I want to be a nurse.”

Caron prepares to inject herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, by cleaning an area on her upper-arm with an alcohol swab in her dorm room at UMass on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Caron gives herself a shot three times a week. “The shot is like second-nature to me now,” said Caron. “I try to change the area in which I inject myself with the shot to avoid the build-up of scar tissue in one area.”

Caron studies for a test in the lounge area of her dorm building at UMass Amherst on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. “When it comes to school, I’m really grateful to have gotten into the Nursing program at UMass,” said Caron, who decided to pursue nursing as a career as a result of her diagnosis.

Caron spends time with Jake Standley, the new person she is dating, in her dorm room at UMass Amherst on Saturday, November 14, 2009. “Having MS doesn’t change my relationship with Jake,” said Caron. “But, it definitely is a little bit different for me because I’ve never been in a relationship with someone who didn’t know me when I was being diagnosed and was going through all of those initial challenges.”

Caron studies for a test in the lounge area of her dorm building at UMass Amherst on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. “I’ve always been really committed to my schoolwork,” said Caron. “But, now that I’m so motivated to be a nurse, I strive even harder in college.”

“I take about nine pills a day,” said Caron in her dorm room at UMass Amherst on Thursday, November, 12, 2009, who explained that she takes Neurontin, for the prevention and treatment of migraines, a multi-vitamin, Vitamin-D and Fish Oil, among other pills that help her to maintain her health in everyday life.

Caron takes a mid-day nap in her dorm room at UMass on Thursday, November 12, 2009. “For me, fatigue is definitely my biggest battle,” said Caron, who explained that balancing the college social scene is often challenging, as a result. “I have to put my health first, and I’m ok with that because I know that it will pay off for me.”

Caron washes her hands in the women’s bathroom in her dorm building at UMass on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. “Because I have MS, my immune system tends to be weaker than normal,” said Caron. “Especially around the time that I get my Zenapax infusion. Some of my medications compromise my immune system, and that’s one of them. So, I just have to make sure that I’m very careful about who I’m around and I definitely wash my hands often.” Caron gets an IV infusion of the drug Zenapax once a month. The drug is meant to work in tandem with her Rebif injection to bind to her cells and prevent the cells from attacking her myelin sheath.

Caron washes her hands in the women’s bathroom in her dorm building at UMass on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. “I wash my hands very often to avoid getting sick because normally manageable illnesses that many college students get could lead to an attack or relapse for me,” said Caron.

After washing her hands, Caron dries her hands in the women’s bathroom in her dorm building at UMass on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. Despite her clean habits, Caron suffered from the swine flu during the semester. “I had to go home for about a week to recover,” said Caron. “I was extremely fatigued, but luckily I recovered fully without any MS complications.”

Caron excercies on an elyptical machine in the John Quincy Adams Wellness Center at UMass Amherst on Monday, November 30, 2009. “I’ve always been pretty athletic,” said Caron. “I had to stop playing sports because of the repercussions of my disease, but working out at the gym is just as rewarding.”

Caron exercises on a mat at the John Quincy Adams Wellness Center at UMass Amherst on Monday, November 30, 2009. “For the first year after I was diagnosed, I only had enough energy to go to school and other than that, I slept,” said Caron. “So, being back at the gym is really refreshing.”

Caron does laps in the Boyden Gymnasium pool at UMass Amherst on Thursday, November 12, 2009. “I like to swim because it’s a different, fun way to work out when I get tired of exercising in the gym,” said Caron. “I try to change my workouts and try new cardio so that I’ll continue to do it. Exercising helps my MS so much that even when I don’t feel like doing it, I just remind myself of the pay off, and swimming is a great way to stay active.”

Caron takes a quick break while doing laps in the Boyden Gymnasium pool at UMass Amherst on Thursday, November 12, 2009. “Exercise improves my energy levels,” said Caron. “And, since fatigue is my biggest battle, I exercise to combat that and also because it makes me feel healthy and happy, and I think that’s really important when it comes to taking care of yourself.”

Caron poses with her roomate, Erica Smith, 19, also a sophomore at UMass, in the lounge of their dorm building at UMass Amherst on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. “Erica is a great support system for me,” said Caron. “Our parents grew up together, so I’ve basically known her all of my life. Rooming with her was a great decision because she already knew about my disease and helped me cope with the transition to college tremendously. She is such a good person.”

Caron prepares to inject herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, by cleaning an area on her upper-arm with an alcohol swab in her dorm room at UMass on Saturday, November 14, 2009. While doing so, Caron sported her MS-150 t-shirt. The MS-150 is a 150-mile bike ride that raises money for the research of a cure for MS. “I’ve done a lot of work advocating for a cure for MS,” said Caron, who has raised over $50,000 for the research of a cure for MS so far. “The MS-150 race is my favorite event that I’ve participated in so far.”

Caron injects herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, in her dorm room at UMass on Saturday, November 14, 2009. While doing so, Caron sported her MS-150 t-shirt. The MS-150 is a 150-mile bike ride that raises money for the research of a cure for MS. Other fundraisers for a cure in which Caron has participated include a nationwide lollipop sale, a video contest and an auction at which she made a speech that significantly influenced the level of bids. “After I spoke at that event, over $4,000 more were raised than in years past,” said Caron. “From the event, I ended up receiving $2,000 to put towards  any MS causes of my choice. I donated the money to the MS camp that I go to, the MS-150 and a myelin sheath repair study. It was such a rewarding experience to know that my words could help raise money for a cure.”

Caron holds an exercise ball during her workout at the John Quincy Adams Wellness Center at UMass Amherst on Monday, November 30, 2009. Caron sported her red MS bracelet, which is much like a LiveStrong bracelet, during her workout and usually wears the bracelet everyday. “The bracelet says ‘hope’ on it, and ‘hope’ is my favorite word,” said Caron. “I have so much hope, and wearing the bracelet is just another way for me to be positive in my everyday life.”

Caron laughs while relaxing in her dorm room at UMass Amherst on Saturday, November 14, 2009. “It’s pretty easy for me to stay positive about my disease,” said Caron. “I want to look back on my life and remember happy times, despite any disease that I may have. I think that’s the only way to live your life.”

Caron smiles in the lounge of her dorm building at UMass Amherst on Saturday, November 14, 2009. “I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have at least been diagnosed with this disease,” said Caron. “Because, there are a lot of people who wait 15 years before they’re diagnosed, and I only needed to wait three weeks. I’m healthier because I received proper treatment earlier and for that, I am so grateful.”

Caron smiles while preparing to inject herself with Rebif, a medication that is meant to keep Caron’s cells from attacking her body, by cleaning an area on her thigh with an alcohol swab in her dorm room at UMass on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Caron gives herself a shot three times a week. “I consider myself lucky that my body has accepted the medications that I’m on,” said Caron. “There are so many more people who are worse off than I am.”

Caron poses by a window in the lounge of her dorm building at UMass Amherst on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. “I just want to fight this disease and basically beat it,” said Caron. “You have to own your disease; you can’t let it own you — that’s my main motto.”

See the full take of my photo story here.