Thumbs up to a brave couple

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2:34 PM Friday, October 23, 2009

Here are this week’s  “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” selections:

Thumbs up to the Butler County Health Department for setting up an H1N1 hot line for county residents to call to obtain information about the new flu strain. Officials said the department’s office has been flooded with calls from people concerned about the swine flu, so they decided to set up the hot line to provide information about the availability of H1N1 vaccine and free clinics where it will be offered. The hot line can be reached at (513) 887-H1N1 or (513) 887-4161. The first public clinic was conducted Friday, Oct. 23, and the second will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 24, at the Butler County Fairgrounds.

OK, if you love the Cincinnati Bengals and have an iPhone and $5 to burn, you might want to check out the new app that allows you to follow the exploits of Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson). Seriously. Fans of the flamboyant and narcissistic football star probably already follow his tweets on Twitter; now they can follow his life with pictures, videos and tweets with the $4.99 iPhone app. Enjoy it while it lasts, Chad. If it weren’t for the Bengals’ surprising 4-2 start this season, we doubt many people would be interested in tracking your every move — even if you offered the app for ochenta y cinco cents.

Speaking of famous athletes, the busy interchange at Interstate 75 and Ohio 63 in Monroe will get even busier when a new car dealership, Joe Morgan Honda, opens its doors sometime next year. The dealership will bear the name of the famed Cincinnati Reds second baseman and broadcaster, who is the majority owner in the venture. A groundbreaking is planned for Nov. 17 and Morgan plans to attend. We’re sure Monroe officials will roll out the red carpet when Little Joe arrives. So what’s next? A casino named for Pete Rose?

Thumbs up to the Monroe couple — Mike and Barbara Welsh — who both are battling breast cancer and are now receiving national attention because of their unusual story. The Welshes’ phone started ringing after staff writer Ed Richter profiled them as part of our series during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They were on the “Today” show Friday and are planning to do other interviews on television and radio. They are to be applauded for sharing their story with the rest of America and increasing the public’s awareness of this life-threatening disease.

Thumbs up to Tammy L. Robert of Middletown and Etta J. Caver of Fairfield, recipients of the AK Steel Foundation’s Steel Magnolia Award. They will be honored, for overcoming obstacles in their lives and positively affecting their communities, at a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Manchester Inn. The best part? The honor includes a $1,000 donation to a favorite charity in the honoree’s name. Robert chose Hands and Feet, a home-repair project administered by Berachah Baptist Church, and Caver chose Citizens Against Domestic Violence.

Those of us battling weight issues can take some inspiration from four employees at Middletown Christian School, who teamed up to lose a combined 200 pounds since last December. Superintendent Mark Spradling, financial officer Debby Turner, administrative assistant Gerri Young and business officer Sarah Gordon participated in the “Take Shape For Life” program, which they described as a safe and healthy weight-loss plan. We wish them the best of luck — and health — as they endeavor to keep the weight from coming back.

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