Give military a Halloween this season - by Monica

Tomorrow is Halloween (or for me, I celebrated Halloween the last two days and will spend Halloween night working, but that's beside the point). For kids though, that means one thing...candy.

For dentists though it means another thing...cavities.

But Waterford Township dentist Kurt Heuerman wants to put good use to the extra candy that kids are bound to get (instead of stuffing it in their faces to the point of throwing up).

If you have extra candy, Heuerman will give you $2 for every pound of candy and will donate this candy to the military who won't get a Halloween at all this year. So then the men and women overseas who don't get to celebrate with their children can at least eat a Hershey bar and think of home.

From 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, the dentist office will be accepting unopened candy to send overseas. The office is at 4450 Walton Blvd. in Waterford Township. Call 248-674-0495 or visit www.thewaterforddentist.com.

To read the original story by Carol Hopkins on The Oakland Press.

Taylor Swift - by Kristy

Taylor Swift has a new album, "Speak Now" which was released this week. Taylor is a fantastic and creative artist who is inspiring to all her fans across the world. I admire her for her courage as she lives her life in the spotlight with such grace.

Trunk or Treat - by Kristy

Trunk or Treat is an amazing event that is held in many cities all over the country during the week of Halloween. The idea is to provide young children with a safe and friendly environment for trick or treating. The events are usually held at churches, but can be held at any public area in the community. People volunteer and park their cars around a parking lot and kids can come around and get candy from trunk to trunk. Usually these events are held during the day and are specifically targeted for children who live in urban cities that aren't completely safe to trick or treat from home to home at night.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Trunk or Treat event in your area! It's fun for both kids and adults!

The day has come where zombies rise from their graves - by Monica

Every guy I know has a plan of what they will do when there is a zombie attack on the world someday.

Well, on Saturday, be ready to put that plan into action, guys! Because the zombies will roam the earth.

But don't shoot these "zombies" in the head, because these zombies are actually doing something for the good of humankind...instead of eating their brains like most of us know zombies for.

On Saturday night in Hazel Park, at least 900 people are dressing up at zombies and roaming around the city, freaking out unsuspecting people.

And they are doing this for a cause -- to donate food to St. Justin's food bank in Hazel Park that recently ran out of food and, therefore, has to turn away homeless families. The only admission fee for this event is to bring three cans of food for St. Justin's. I think it's great what Mikel McClellan, 23, and Jonas Grabill, 21 (the creators of the Zombie Walk) are doing.

This is a fun way to help those in need.

If you are interested in attending Hazel Park’s Zombie Walk, meet outside of the Hazel Park City Hall at 111 E. Nine Mile Road dressed as a zombie.

For more information, read my article about the Zombie Walk on the Oakland Press' website.

WEAR PURPLE TODAY - by Monica

“All are equal in the eyes of the force. Give everyone the same size of portions. And rid the world of being bias.”- Tai-Da Vrikaurvan

In the morning, when you are in your closet picking out what to wear for work or school, I strongly recommend that you pick something purple.

Why you may ask?

Because today, Oct. 20, people from around the world will be wearing purple in memory of the six gay boys who committed suicide this year due to harassment and bullying. I want the whole world to look like Barney exploded today -- where you can't go anywhere without seeing purple.

No, today is not about your specific beliefs – it’s about dignity for ALL humankind. It’s not fair that people are made to feel lesser than others because of their sexual orientation.

So, I hope that all of you reading this will take a stand for all those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community who are being treated less than they deserve. Take a stand to show that this is not right. Show those who are bullied that they are loved and supported and that life does get so much better.

To read the article I wrote in the Oakland Post and to find out more information about Spirit Day, go to “Fight bullying by wearing purple on Spirit Day.”

Fun Things to do in October - by Kristy

-Visit a cider mill



-Go on a hay ride



-Try a seasonal drink from Starbucks, like the pumpkin spice latte



-Pick apples/pumpkins



-Check out some haunted houses



-Attend costume parties



-Carve a pumpkin



-Trick or Treating

Thirty-three Chilean miners rescued! - by Monica

Imagine being trapped underground, no clothes but the clothes on your back, no bathrooms, no showers and hardly any room to move around, with 32 other people for a little over two months. I personally wouldn't want to be trapped anywhere for two months, let alone underground with the constant possibility that the earth above you may cave in at any moment. I would just assume I was a goner.

But these 33 men were not goners, which was a miracle in itself, and the video above, watching the men emerge from the ground, gave me chills. As many of you have probably heard, due to all the coverage in the news, 33 miners in Chile were trapped in a mine for 69 days. And Wednesday, all 33 of them were rescued.

Coming up from the ground, seeing the sunlight for the first time in 69 days, would definitely make you stop taking things for granted, that's for sure. These men had so much strength and so much hope. I would personally be sitting in a corner, panicking, if this happened to me. But, no, they remained positive, which I think is the reason why they survived. They didn't give up hope.

Read original article by Associated Press on Oakland Press' website.