Behind the Headlines

Engineers DO have a sense of humor.
Martin Klein, an engineer for Compact Power Inc., which makes lithium ion automotive batteries, was a speaker at the recent SAE Detroit chapter meeting at Monroe County Community College.
Commenting on a fellow speaker’s remark that nowadays batteries are “sexy,” Mr. Klein said it didn’t seem so when he told his dad he was getting into the field.
Then he told this “story” about a subsequent encounter with his dad:
“He said I got a new battery for my hearing aid and it’s one of your competitor’s.
“I said, Oh really. What kind is it?
“About 3:30,” his dad reportedly replied.

–Charles Slat

The only complaint I heard from any of the fans who gathered for the Peter Facinelli’s meet and greet Saturday at The Mall of Monroe were from those who didn’t know that photos or autographs would cost them some cash.

Autographs were available for $25 and photos for $40, with partial proceeds benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a charity that supports childhood cancer research.

After I heard one fan fussing, I asked her where she got her information because that detail was well publicized locally. It turns out she lives out of town, and heard about the event second-hand.

Another fan also didn’t want to spend that much money on a meet and greet, so she and the granddaughter just stood by to the side to catch a glimpse of the movie star and then went home.

As I explained to them, fees for autographs (or the requirement to purchase a specific item to get the autograph) are common practice in the celebrity world. I’ve seen that procedure as I sought out autographs from authors and actors I enjoy, and some of my relatives and friends have seen that at comic book events.

But it is also common practice to donate at least part of those proceeds to charity, and Peter’s benefit was for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

– Paula Wethington

Peter Facinelli, one of the stars of the “Twilight” movies, tweets.

He tweeted in advance about his appearance today at Frenchtown Square mall, now known as Mall of Monroe.

So if you are wondering why there were people in line from other cities and therefore would not have seen the local advance coverage, the reason is some of them found out about the event from the actor’s own publicity.

Here’s his twitter.

Here’s his fan web site.

– Paula Wethington

The Monroe County Health Department has been sending out fliers with the H1N1 vaccination clinic schedule.

Details at monroenews.com.

– Paula Wethington

The Monroe Evening News has set up a special page on its web site for local links and headlines on h1n1 influenza.

In the meantime, here are some of the national and regional headlines this weekend on h1n1 influenza:

• CNN: Obama declares h1n1 emergency.
• CNN: Hand sanitizer in short supply as flu hits (hint: look around your medicine chest, disaster supplies and school supplies before you go shopping – you may already have plenty for your family).
• Detroit Free Press: Long lines await flu shots.
• Toledo Blade: Flu scare boosts calls to janitorial firms.

– Paula Wethington

Did you see the GetMommed.com by Kleenex advertisement in the Sunday coupon books? It’s part of the Kleenex marketing campaign during cold and flu season.

This is a fun site! Go check it out.

I got matched with Lisa as my “mom.” She’s the crafty mom.

– Paula Wethington

The Monroe County Health Department currently has a notice on its web site that the agency is temporarily out of seasonal flu vaccine.

The Health Check expo that was held Wednesday at Monroe County Community College announced a couple of days in advance that the seasonal flu vaccine would not be available.

We’re also getting word of mouth reports that many of the area pharmacy and drugstore supplies are out, or nearly so.

If you are still looking for the seasonal flu vaccine, the best thing to do is watch for updated announcements from the Monroe County Health Department.

In the meantime, the first H1N1 vaccines are starting to arrive in the area, and the Monroe County Health Department is posting those clinic schedules on its web site.

– Paula Wethington

Are you wondering how to handle out-of-pocket expenses for cold and flu medications, unexpected school closings, sick leave policies and doctor visits when your family is on a budget … but someone got sick with “flu-like symptoms”?

Check out the H1N1 influenza archives at Monroe on a Budget.

– Paula Wethington

The Monroe County Health Department in Monroe, Mich., has announced its flu clinic schedule for H1H1 virus.

You’ll find the pdf at the health department site.

– Paula Wethington

New Bedford Academy in Lambertville, Mich., has closed for the week because of high numbers of students reporting illness.

Report from The Monroe Evening News.

– Paula Wethington

News media across the country are picking up on this headline – and it was reported on page 10A of Wednesday’s edition of The Monroe Evening News.

There is now an interactive web site designed to help influenza patients determine whether it is time to call your doctor or stick with home remedies.

It’s at H1N1responsecenter.com.

– Paula Wethington

The Detroit Free Press has a special page on its site about H1H1 flu with national, state and Detroit news feeds.

– Paula Wethington

Michigan isn’t on the priority list based on flu activity to date, but the H1N1 vaccine shipments are starting.

CNN story.

– Paula Wethington

Are you frightened by the cost of candy, costumes, parties and decorations for Halloween?

Chat with Paula Wethington of Monroe on a Budget about how to keep your holiday expenses on the frugal side. Go to monroenews.com or follow #trickortreat hashtag on Twitter at 8 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 30.

She’ll have tips on buying fall decorations, costume ideas that won’t break your budget, how to manage the candy expenses for trick-or-treat, cheap tricks for the kids to carry their candy, and information about free or low-cost Halloween events in Monroe County.

Here’s a link to her holiday archives.