Blogger Roundup: The Neighborhood Blogosphere

The Sachem community has no shortage of opinions, and our guest bloggers on Patch regularly contribute to the vibrant conversations that take place in the barber shop, on the street corner or in the parking lot after a school meeting. Patch brings those conversations into one meetinghouse. Here's a roundup of the latest blogs in our community.

The tragic mass shooting in Newtown Conn. continues to capture the attention of many opinion-makers, and Cindi Sanson-Braff weighs in for the second week in a row to discuss how Newtown will impact us beyond 2012. Her blog posts examines the "blame game" that often follows horrific events such as this, and Braff offers the possibility that we need to strike a balance between gun control and the need for greater outreach with mental health support.

Sadly, she closes with this true sentiment: "As we lay 2012 to rest, we will be ringing in the year 2013 with the ominous sound of a death knell."

Make Your Life Count

Christina Fifield-Winn writes more generally about the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings with a discussion of our supposed impending doom on December 21, when the Mayan calendar allegedly "ran out."

In this inspiring blog, Winn offers the suggestion that, rather than focus on how life is going to end, we should focus on making the life we have a better one. Recognizing that our lives can be taken away from us in an instant, Winn states we should cherish our time spent with loved ones, and devote more time to enriching the lives of others. Click on the headline and read the entire post: Winn also pledges to donate $1 of every sale of her new book SUKI to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and to the victims of the Newtown Connecticut massacre.

Have A Pet-Friendly Holiday Fete

Pet-lover Marc Rosenzweig reminds us this year that if we have pets around the house during Christmas time, there are some serious hazards to the four-legged family members.

Is your wreath made from real Holly leaves? Got mistletoe hanging in your doorway or poinsettias perched on your fireplace hearth? Keep in mind that these plants are toxic to animals, and should be kept out of reach so they don't ingest them.

Rosenzweig also warns us about our tree decorations; those beautiful, seemingly harmless things we don't often consider deadly, can cause real harm, such as tinsel in the intestines, and glass ornaments that can shatter.

Read Rosenzweig's blog for some great tips on how to keep everyone in your family, including the furry members, safe and happy during the holiday season.

Want to blog on Patch? Click here, apply, and get started!