Newsworthy

Enough of the Woods!

I’m not quite sure what the newsworthiness is, or fixation on poor adult behavior – but can we please stop hearing about Tiger Woods' pathetic choices. Honestly, I don’t care what happens between he and his wife. I’d like to be able to turn on the television and not hear about the possibility of the newest mistress stepping forward, the payoffs that are going to happen to the mistresses, and to his wife or the trysts with various women that are somewhere between mistress and wife. It’s a disgusting amount of money that they are talking about. $1 million to her, $3 million to her, somewhere between $300 million and $500 million to the wife depending on how long she decides to put up with him (or vise versa).

This weekend, I went to the annual Melodies of Christmas at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady. It’s been part of my family’s Christmas tradition for the past 14 years. This year, the Melodies celebrated its 30th year with yet another heart-warming, Christmas cheer-filled – and gut wrenching show featuring some of the most musically talented students in our area high schools. For those that have never gone to the performance, or seen it on television (it’s shown in the Capital Region on WRGB on Christmas Eve), the show is a fundraiser for the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The gut-wrenching part comes at the end, when children who are going through, or have gone through the Center are brought up on stage to sing Silent Night. Anyone with a heart, is on their feet for a standing ovation and tears in their eyes.

It all began 30 years ago as a caring grandfather found out his granddaughter had cancer. It started as one show at the Palace Theater in Albany, and has now expanded to 4 sold out shows each year at Proctor’s in Schenectady. Having this Center established in Albany means that children are able to receive treatments and research is done that give children in our area a fighting chance. They no longer have the only options of going to New York City or Boston, they can also receive services here. Thirty years ago, only 20 percent of the children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders had a chance of survival. Today, those odds have increased to 80 percent. That's news!

The Celebration this year marked a poignant dedication as well. They announced that over the past 30 years, this show alone has raised over $6 million. The Center has now been re-named to be The Melodies Center, with dedication and thanks to WRGB, Freihofer Baking Company and Price Chopper. I brought the Woods into this because on my way to work today, 2 radio stations were referencing the money involved. It really sickened me to think if she stays or if they keep their mouths shut, they can have this many millions of dollars. I think about how much good use that hush money can be - to this Center, or to other Centers out there that can make the difference in hundreds or thousands of lives.

Poor, stupid choices by high profile people does a world of nothing for me. Grass roots efforts that bring about hope, change and the possibility of a better life (especially for a child), there’s the news I want to hear about. That’s newsworthy.

Here's a clip regarding this year's performance, as well as the announcement of the dedication: