Monday, May 30, 2005

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) is grateful for all of the men and women who have served in the U. S. military to protect and defend their country and to promote freedom, so that I can dress as a yard safety super hero and promote yard safety awareness. Often times, American citizens extend the concept of honoring war dead to all dead. I want to take a moment of silence to remember family members, friends, and fellow Americans who have passed away. (SILENCE) Also, I must remember the individuals who have died while grass cutting - killed by outdoor power equipment. (SILENCE) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there have been over 3,000 fatalities during the past 30 years. In recent years, there are still about 150 lawn mower fatalities each year. This is one reason that the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) campaign exists. It is unfortunate that war sometimes results in loss of life while fighting for your country as a true patriot. Again, I want to thank all of the American soldiers who have served and are currently serving their country. Furthermore, it is really unfortunate to die from a fatal outdoor power equipment accident. Wake-up America! Indeed, you can die from cutting grass. Think before you cut. It can kill you. BE SAFE! (tm) I hope that you enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend because the WAR DEAD and the LAWN MOWER DEAD WILL NOT. Again, I am very grateful for the WAR DEAD, and I recognize the LAWN MOWER DEAD. THANK YOU!

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Saturday, May 28, 2005

World Magazine Blog

World Magazine Blog

I am grateful for the opportunity to become a BLOG topic on the WORLD Magazine Blog on May, 26, 2005. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to hear and speak with Dr. Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-Chief of WORLD Magazine, during his travels to Pittsburgh (invited by the Reformed Presbyterian Church.) Dr. Olasky is a brilliant person with a very unique story and journey, parts that I could identify with personally.

For your information, "WORLD is a weekly newsmagazine, published 50 times a year. WORLD includes sharp, full-color photographs and offers complete coverage of national and international news, all written from a Christian perspective." (accessed from the World Magazine website http://www.worldmag.com/world_about_us.cfm)

May 26, 2005
Public service announcement
"Dr. Olasky: I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting you in Pittsburgh earlier this year. I approached you to present my yard safety awareness campaign, featuring my character Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man. Each year, there are about 400,000 lawn mower and garden-tool-related accidents. For instance, I had a lawn mower accident that resulted in the partial amputation of my left foot. Consequently, I have become an advocate and promoter of yard safety with the goal to significantly reduce these types of yard accidents. Also, I aspire to ride a lawn mower across America to create awareness about the importance of yard safety; I am still seeking sponsors and partners. I suggest that a column on yard safety awareness might be timely since the bulk of lawn accidents happen during the Spring season. Please visit my website http://www.rescuerick.com for additional information. Richard Mudrinich."
Posted by Olasky at
CST 09:24 AM Comments (33)

I provide the website address for the WORLD Magazine Blog (http://www.worldmagblog.com) as well as a brief biography of Dr. Marvin Olasky. Marvin Olasky is Editor In Chief of World Magazine, a professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, and author of 13 books including Compassionate Conservatism and The American Leadeship Tradition. He writes a weekly column for WORLD. Also, Dr. Olasky is a spiritual advisor to President George W. Bush.

Furthermore, I want to thank the many individuals who shared their comments and insights regarding this WORLD Magazine Blog item on yard safety awareness. Also, it was great to meet Dr. Olasky in Pittsburgh as well as the many excellent and supportive members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the Pittsburgh region. Please check out the WORLD Magazine Blog. Incidentally, I am a member of the Pittsburgh Servant Leaders and the Pittsburgh Experiment.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Tribute to Ernie's Live Journal

I want to share a wonderful surprise regarding Ernie (Krunk's boyfriend) in Chicago who has made the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) yard safety awareness campaign a part of his personal and professional life. Please check-out the posting to Ernie's Live Journal below. Also, I have provided a link to Ernie's Live Journal http://www.livejournal.com/users/la_bete for your information.

Ernie's Live Journal
12th May 2005
1:15pm: yard safetyTo increase yard safety awareness, Hilary has given me a print out to put in my office. It now resides above my computer for all to see who come into my office. Please visit
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) to learn more about yard safety.

Thank you Krunk for your efforts to promote yard safety awareness!

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

20,000 Rescue Rick Visitors

I really liked the movie "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Also, I like that 20,000 visitors have come to the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) website. It is yet another milestone in the yard safety awareness campaign. I hope that the presence of this website and the heightened awareness of the campaign leads to the prevention of yard accidents.

Think before you cut. It hurts. (tm)

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Professional Golfers' Association of America

Dear PGA:

There is another super hero in town. I am a long-time fan of the Professional Golfers' Association of America, including a long-time golfer. Presently, I am a disabled person. Nonetheless, I present to you Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) - a yard safety super hero. About a year ago, I had a lawn mower accident that resulted in the partial amputation of my left foot. Consequently, I have been an advocate and promoter of yard safety, with the goal to prevent these outdoor power equipment accidents from happening to other people. Furthermore, I have been a renaissance yardman, utilizing various art forms to communicate my safety message. We all recognize the talent and care require to manicure golf courses - some of the greatest landscape architecture in the world. Thus, I want to partner with the PGA about the possibility of dedicating one day each golf season as Yard Safety Awareness Day. Each year, there are about 400,000 individuals (about 20% children) who experience lawn mower and garden-tool-related accidents, often times resulting in severe and life-altering outcomes. Since golf is America's fastest growing sport enjoyed by millions of people and played on natural turf, I ask for any assistance that you may provide to facilitate this humanitarian idea. Please visit the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) website at http://www.rescuerick.com/ for additional information. Also, please visit the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man BLOG at http://rescuerick.blogspot.com/ as well. Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at (724) 347-4078. Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)
2122 South Hermitage Road
Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148
United States of America
1-724-347-4078
rtmudrinich@msn.com
http://www.rescuerick.com
http://rescuerick.blogspot.com/

Church

It is Sunday. I go to church.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I believe.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

White House Lawn

I want to grass cut a strip of the White House lawn, as part of a national yard safety awareness campaign. Also, I want to meet President and First Lady Bush.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Saturday, May 14, 2005

Agway Lawn & Garden Day

I had a great day on Saturday, May 14th at the Agway in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. The Agway hosted a very nice festival atmosphere for its lawn and garden customers, including the appearance of the Froggy 95.1 van on location. I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce the concept of my yard safety awareness campaign. I look forward to appearing on Froggy 95.1 to communicate my message. Also, it was a pleasure to meet with a few Mercer County political figures. Furthermore, I enjoyed visiting with the folks at Animal Appeal, a very dedicated regional caretaker of homeless animals (primarily cats and dogs). I had a few delicious hotdogs at $0.25 each. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide a few Rescue Rick (sm) leaflets to a dedicated and responsive administrator at Hermitage Schools. I am trying to make a difference.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Radio On-Air

I am getting more radio appearances. During the past few weeks, I have been on Ocean 98 "Bulldog & the Rude Awakening" (WOCM) in Ocean City, Maryland; 98.9 KQRC "Morning Show with Johnny Dare" in Kansas City, Missouri; Z93 WKQZ "Joe & The Poorboy" in Saginaw, Michigan; SPIN 103.8 "SPIN Talk with Jack & Ali" in Dublin, Ireland, etc.

Recently, I was on the WPLR 99.1 ("Connecticut's #1 Rock Station") "Chaz and AJ" radio show on Tuesday, May 10th to promote yard safety. I have pasted the link http://wplr.com/caj/log.html and section from "Chaz and AJ" web log for your review.

"Our next guest was quite a piece of work... Rescue Rick.Rick is from Pennsylvania; and he cut his toe off with his lawn mower. Ever since then he's made it his mission to discuss "lawn mower safety". He's compiled a website at Rescue Rick.com complete with pictures of his foot minus the big toe, pictures of him mowing his grass in a cape, and looking like any of the nerds in the Revenge of the Nerds movies.If you want to know more about lawn mower safety; or if you'd like to see the website of a really bizarre person... check out Rescue Rick.com. Check out the Merchandise Shop complete with T-shirts."

I really appreciate these radio appearances, however, I want to make one comment. I do not think that my campaign and character are bizarre. If I want to promote grass cut safety while mowing artificial turf, then that is bizarre. There are many thousands of people who get hurt each year with millions of potential candidates. It is a real and serious issue. It is not bizarre. Ironically, creative people who innovate are often times viewed as critically different. Nonetheless, I suggest that the slogan of Apple Computer is 'think different." At one time, I think that someone probably said that the computer was bizarre. The television was bizarre. The car was bizarre. The fax machine was bizarre. Yard safety super hero was bizarre. Think different.

I am looking forward to a yard safey awareness segment, featuring Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man, to be broadcast over 1010 WINS in New York City next week. Thank you for the huge opportunity.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Grass Cut Food

I present a few ideas to maintain high-energy levels while you grass cut.

Oatmeal: A serving of oats provides plenty of slow-release carbohydrates, which will give you more sustained energy than, say, processed sugar. Oatmeal has also been shown to lower cholesterol. Have it for breakfast or anytime, and add skim milk and dried fruit for extra nutritional punch. Instant oatmeal offers much the same benefits as rolled oats, but avoid presweetened brands, which have a high sugar content. If oats are good for a work horse, I suggest that oats are good for the grass cut person.

Sports Drinks: Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are lost in sweat. Sports drinks help put back electrolytes and stimulates thirst to drink more fluids and maintain hydration. Sports drinks give working muscles more energy to help fight fatigue and provide a mental edge - stay alert and stay safe.

Often times, yard accidents happen due to fatigue. I offer just a few suggestions to maintain high-energy levels to get the job done.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

World Series of Poker

Dear PartyPoker.com:

I am so excited about the upcoming World Series of Poker. I am not a big poker player. However, I want to attend the event and promote yard safety awareness. There are many poker players who use outdoor power equipment to manicure their lawns and gardens. I want to gain some publicity to convey this yard safety message. Incidentally, my friend won the PartyPoker.com tournament to qualify for one of the seats to the World Series of Poker. I understand that he will be wearing a Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man T-Shirt (tm) during play at the WSOP table. Please visit my website http://www.rescuerick.com for additional information on my yard safety awareness campaign. Thank you.

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)
2122 South Hermitage Road
Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148
United States of America
1-724-347-4078
rtmudrinich@msn.com
http://www.rescuerick.com

First Warner Theatre

Last week, I visited New Castle, Pennsylvania to promote my yard safety awareness campaign. I met many nice and supportive people in the community. I want to take a moment and share a wonderful experience with the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) community. I visited the first Warner Brothers theatre. Apparently, Time Warner is active and supportive of this highly visible restoration project. Also, I understand that Time Warner plans on holding a few movie premiers in New Castle once the restoration is complete. As a renaissance yardman, I have a goal of making the "Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man" movie. Actually, I have had conversations with a few filmmakers.

"In 1907, the Warner Brothers opened their first silent film theatre in downtown New Castle, Pennsylvania. Nearly 100 years later a joint venture was formed between the developers of Cascade Riverplex, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of New Castle to adapt five buildings into a regional destination theme-oriented marketplace." (Accessed on May 14, 2005 from http://www.firstwarnertheatre.com)

There are considerable roots in the entertainment industry in Western Pennsylvania. I suggest that we fill some of the abandoned steel mills with film and television production studios.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Post It

I just got home from another exciting day from driving and walking around the county, handing out leaflets on yard safety. My stops today included: a local radio station, local newspaper, restaurants, bars, convenience stores, grocery stores, fitness center, bowling alley, roller skating center, hospital, social clubs, and golf courses, to name a few.

Think before you cut. It hurts. (tm)

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Gates Foundation

Ms Jones:

Thank you for your response. My yard safety awareness campaign does promote education and health. Please visit http://www.rescuerick.com for additional information. I really want to ride a lawn mower from Washington DC to Seattle, Washington (Washington Squared) to create awareness about the frequency and severity of outdoor power equipment accidents. Like Bill Gates, I am an adventurer and pioneer. I want to establish the National Yard Safety Grass Cut Trail (tm), similar to Lewis and Clark. I want Bill Gates to be involved with this concept and event. If not, I must find someone else, even a different trail. Thank you.

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)
2122 South Hermitage Road
Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148
724-347-4078
rtmudrinich@msn.com
http://www.rescuerick.com
http://rescuerick.blogspot.com

Mr. & Mrs. Gates, Please Send Money

Mr. & Mrs. Gates:

Thank you for establishing your foundation. I am a friend of Dr. Jared Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University. I am a Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business alum. Furthermore, I am a yard safety super hero - a real-life caped crusader promoting grass cut safety.

I present to you Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm). About a year ago, I had a lawn mower accident that resulted in the partial amputation of my left foot. Consequently, I have become an advocate and promoter of yard safety, in particular grass cut safety. Each year, there are about 400,000 lawn mower and garden-tool-related accidents throughout America. Furthermore, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) is a renaissance yardman who utilizes various art forms to communicate the yard safety message, including performance art and technology. I present a few concepts below for your consideration: (1) Lawn Mower Ride Across America and (2) Yard Safety Educational Software. Please visit the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) website http://www.rescuerick.com/ for additional information. Also, at this stage, I am acting as an individual - an advocate. Eventually, I want to establish the Yard Safety Foundation; I have been wiped-out financially due to my accident.

(1) Rescue Rick (sm) - Coast-to-Coast (National) Grass Cut Trail 2005 (tm)

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) plans to ride a lawn mower across America as part of a national yard safety rollout campaign. He wants to create awareness with regards to the frequency and severity of lawn mower accidents. Therefore, Rescue Rick (sm) wants to charter a course and grass cut a trail through towns and alongside highways across America from Coast-to-Coast during Summer 2005 with several demonstrations on the ferocious capabilities of lawn mowers as well as presentations on lawn mower safety to prevent lawn mower accidents. I realize that lawn mower manufacturers have made great strides to enhance the safe use of their various outdoor power equipment. Nonetheless, there are still about 100,000 lawn mower and 400,000 garden tool related accidents each year. I visualize a few variations of the national grass cut trail, including Washington DC to Seattle, Washington - Washington-to-Washington or Washington Squared.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) seeks to collaborate with various organizations to educate and participate during this grand expedition. I want to develop some relationships with various organizations including, government, government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations to literally roll across America promoting grass cut safety. I want to showcase leading experts involved with yard safety, healthcare professionals, and fellow amputees at events stages along the grass cut trail. In addition, I welcome the opportunity to work with various individuals, corporations, and non-profit groups to help with the planning and delivery of this expeditious journey. Furthermore, I recognize the importance to educate people of all ages. I view schools, youth groups, civic clubs, and senior centers as a natural forum to communicate the yard safety message. In particular, I recognize that children and teenagers should learn more about grass cut safety before they come of age to cut the grass. Also, I welcome the professional lawn service and related products community to get involved.

Also, I need mass media to reach as many people as possible to communicate the yard safety message. Therefore, I would like to make a Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) film documentary about this unique expedition to share with the public (smile, say cheese)! Heck, it is time for the yard safety reality television show - adventures of a yard safety crew and its campaign rolling across America - Letterman to Leno! I envision a comedy mixed with the serious message of yard safety, including some neat and interesting cameo appearances. Therefore, I strive to promote yard safety and rescue millions of people from an often times serious injury. Think Big. Dream BIGGER.

(2) Rescue Rick (sm) - Grass Cut Safety Educational Software, Comic Book, Radio & Television, and Videotape

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes to develop a new, first-of-its-kind educational Rescue Rick Educational Software™ to help people learn more about grass cut safety™, leading to the prevention of lawn mower accidents. The Rescue Rick Educational Software™ will provide in-depth information on grass cut safety collaborated and endorsed by leading professionals in leading amputee, health, insurance, and outdoor power equipment organizations. The goal is to give people convenient and easy-to-understand information about these highly preventable lawn mower and related grass cut equipment accidents. Rescue Rick (sm) encourages health insurance companies to offer reasonable discounts or rebates to individuals and groups that complete the grass cut safety educational software. Rescue Rick (sm) suggests that the software be made available in both primary and secondary markets where grass cut products are sold and serviced.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes an easy-to-read educational comic book that features Rescue Rick (sm) delivering grass cut safety operating tips and preventive measures. The Rescue Rick Comic Book™ is intended to supplement (not replace) the lawn equipment operator's manual.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) wants to enter the world of children educational television. In particular, it will draw attention to my nine toes with a basic math theme. For instance, a children television show could have a brief segment where the camera zooms in on a normal set of feet with ten toes. The announcer (Rescue Rick) counts 1-10 with the respective numbers appearing on the television screen. Then, the camera pans over to my feet, with the counting numbers 1-9 appearing on the screen. The announcer (Rescue Rick) will say, “Ten take away one.” Then, the children scream, “NINEEEEEEEEEEEE! The big toe piggy went to the market and did not come back.” Furthermore, the television segment introduces children to the world of disabled persons – some people are different and we all live together. Eventually, Rescue Rick (sm) would like to expand into cartoons, movies, radio, and theatre. The driving force behind the use of the various educational mediums and artforms is to amplify the yard safety message through repetition and variation.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) develops the storyboard for a grass cut safety videotape - the Rescue Rick Safety Video™.

In addition, I have attached a few leaflets that promote the Lawn Mower Ride Across America and the Rescue Rick Yard Safety Awarenss campaign. Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at (724) 347-4078. Take care!

Think before you cut. It hurts. (tm)

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
2122 South Hermitage Road
Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148
724-347-4078
rtmudrinich@msn.com
http://www.rescuerick.com
http://rescuerick.blogspot.com/

Find A Cure

I want to find a cure for yard accidents, in particular grass cut accidents. I believe that the solution partially rests in the analysis of human behavior via cognitive psychology, etc. In addition, I believe that there is room for improvement in educating both buyers and users of outdoor power equipment - at time of purchase and time of use. Furthermore, I have a few safety ideas for outdoor power equipment manufacturers to enhance safety design features. Nonetheless, we all need to improve.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I am grateful for my mom. Also, I want to suggest to all mothers the importance of adding yard safety to the skills and tools that you give your children. Each year, children represent about 20% of all people who get hurt from outdoor power equipment related accidents. Furthermore, I encourage all mothers to give their children the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) yard safety tips, to become better prepared and more knowledgeable about using outdoor power equipment. I recognize that motherhood introduces considerable responsibility. Please visit the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) website http://www.rescuerick.com to learn more about yard safety. I do not want your baby to get hurt.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm)

Friday, May 06, 2005

Rescue Rick Tattoo

The Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) yard safety campaign has entered into a whole new market. Indeed, Rescue Rick (sm) is a renaissance yardman utilizing various art forms to communicate the yard safety message. The latest art form is body art - the tattoo. I visited with a few tattoo artists located in Sharon, Pennsylvania who are very excited to add the signature Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) profile shot to their tattoo inventory. It means a tremendous amount to me that an individual would put the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) logo on their body as a gesture to promote yard safety. Grass Cut and Rock On! Thank you for your body talk!