Welcome to another edition of Northeast Notes! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More than 190,000 women and 1,900 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society. Become informed about breast cancer, and support survivors by wearing pink. I know I’ll be wearing my pink ribbon lapel this month.

For all the latest news on what’s going on in Harrisburg and in Northeast Philadelphia, check out my Web site, www.senatorstack.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter@SenMikeStack.

Senior Expo is Friday, October 9

The location has changed this year, but my annual Senior Expo will continue to provide helpful information, resources, and fun.

This year’s Senior Expo will take place on Friday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Canstatter's,
9130 Academy Road.

Residents in the 5th Senatorial District are welcome to this free event to meet with representatives from city, state and federal agencies. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact my district office, located at 8016 Bustleton Ave., at
215-695-1020.

The Arts Would Suffer Under Proposed Tax

I recently joined my colleagues, Sens. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) and Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery), with scores of art students and professionals to protest the proposed arts tax that was included under the latest state budget agreement.

This proposal adds sales tax to the cost of tickets to plays, museums, musical concerts and zoos across the state. With the sales tax rising to 8 percent in Philadelphia, it will cause a greater burden on individuals and families who want to visit a museum, see a show or go to the zoo.

The arts are hurting already during this economically challenging time, and this tax will provide more pain to a key part of our regional economy.

I will continue to voice my opposition to this flawed proposal as we debate the state budget.

Prevention is Best Medicine for Oncoming Flu Season

Flu season is approaching, and this year we are dealing with two separate strains of flu: The usual “seasonal flu” as we know it, and the H1N1 flu, commonly known as “swine flu.”

The federal government and our state government health agencies are right on top of this. There will be a vaccine available this autumn for the high risk groups - and eventually everyone.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a wealth of information on influenza in our state, as well as a Web site specifically designed to address the H1N1 strain.

In the meantime, families can take a few simple steps to protect themselves from the flu: Wash your hands frequently, talk to your family doctor about your options and getting flu shots for you and your family, and finally, if you’re sick, stay home and get well.