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As the waves of pink battle for our attention, purple stands on the sidelines. For a few minutes, we were paying attention to the purple. But, it's over. Now pink is front and center at stores, on football fields, and in October conversations.

For what it's worth, October isn't just Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple is the color that is supposed to remind you of domestic violence. Funny thing, that, considering it was a Baltimore Ravens player who got everyone talking about that thing we try to pretend doesn't exist. 

But now we've stopped talking about it. Now we're moved on to pink.

So much pink.

It really isn't a competition; one thing is not related to the other. But when we talk about awareness and where we are as a society, I think it's very safe to say that we are far more aware of breast cancer than we are domestic violence. The conversations that were happening on social media a few weeks ago certainly proved that true. From victim blaming to minimizing the situation, we've got it wrong.

We need to keep talking about domestic violence. 

Center for Victims is leading that conversation. They do it every day of the year, but they ramp up their efforts in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, they're taking the conversation to the streets with an event in Market Square on October 10th. Here's the text from the press release.

“Purple is the New Pink” for October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Center for Victims Spreads Awareness, Painting Market Square Purple, October 10

PITTSBURGH –District Attorney Stephen Zappala  and David Hickton, U.S. Attorney of Western PA, join Center for Victims (CV) for the “Purple is the New Pink” awareness event at 11:00 am in Market Square on October 10. Those attending will be welcomed with awareness materials, food, prizes, giveaways, and more sponsored by local partner businesses.  The event features a live WAMO 100 broadcast from 12-2 pm with on-air radio personality DJ Mike Dean, music, and a prize wheel courtesy of WAMO 100 and First Commonwealth Bank.

                “Recent news events  shine a spotlight on this cruel and violent issue. Let's remember you don't have to be the wife of a pro athlete to be a victim,” said Laurie MacDonald, president and CEO, Center for Victims. “Domestic violence knows no boundaries and is a pervasive problem in our country. This October, more than ever, we have a unique opportunity to create widespread awareness and effect real cultural change.  Stand up against domestic violence, wear purple, and be the change you want to see against these vicious acts.” 

                District Attorney Stephen Zappala said “Center for Victims is the comprehensive provider of services, advocacy and education for victims of all crimes in this region.  A leading agency since 1976, CV provides services to victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and all other types of crimes in Allegheny County.”

Participants at the event can honor domestic violence survivors and loved ones by choosing to artistically create a community “peace quilt” square which will be added to an ever-growing peace quilt art installation at Center for Victims’ offices in East Liberty.

Observed since 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month focuses on violence prevention and reaching out to victims and their loved ones, honoring those who have died.  Local residents are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.centerforvictims.org.

Center for Victims is the most comprehensive, inclusive provider of services, advocacy and education for victims of all crimes.  Since 1976, CV has been the leading agency in providing services to victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and all crimes in Allegheny County.

Website:      www.centerforvictims.org

Twitter:        @center4victims

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/centerforvictims

If you have a few moments to spare, stop by and join the conversation.

Talking about the hard stuff is the only way we can make things better.

Fall Fell

Easy Corn Chowder

I'm not entirely sure why I have ten pounds of frozen corn in the freezer, but I do.

So.

Corn Chowder. It had to happen.

I have a mission in mind for a roasted corn chowder with poblano peppers, but this isn't it. This is the "I couldn't find poblanos and there isn't enough time to be messing around" Corn Chowder that I've been known to make when in a hurry. It's about as straight forward as you can get. Which, sometimes the simple things are the most delicious. And that's just fine.

Corn Chowder

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove minced garlic
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
3 cups milk
3 cups frozen corn
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cornstarch 

1. Place the butter in a large nonstick pot. Melt it over medium to low heat then toss the onion and garlic in there. Stir every minute or two.

2. While the onion is working its way to being clear, chop and throw in the potatoes and celery. Remember to stir so that your onion doesn't stick.

3. Take 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of corn and place them in a food processor or blender or whatever. You just need to smash them together to create a sort of creamed corn.

4. Toss the creamed corn into your pot. Cook with medium heat until everything starts to boil. Add the remaining milk and corn. Stir, stir, stir. Allow the soup to cook at medium heat until it boils, then reduce the heat to low so that it all simmers.

5. Throw the cream, salt, pepper, and oregano in there.

6. Mix the cornstarch with a tiny bit of water then throw it in the pot as well.

7. Keep cooking the Corn Chowder over medium heat until the potatoes are soft and the liquid has thickened. It takes about 10 minutes.

8. Tah-dah! You have a nice simple Corn Chowder that everyone seems to like. Enjoy!