Top Ten Good News of the Week (July 1-7, 2006)

By Good News Network Saturday, July 08, 2006

Archives - Week in Review

Here's the Top Ten Good News Stories of the Week -- published every weekend . . .

1) UK Creates its Largest Wetland to Benefit Birds and Flood-Control The UK is breaking down a sea wall in Essex to give a wide swath of wetlands back to the birds. The government-funded project costing £7.5m aims to replace bird habitats lost to development by creating the nation's largest area of wetland. (Earth)

2) Cheap Allergy Drug Found to Cure Malaria in Lab Mice "The breakthrough has excited researchers" because . . .
the allergy drug found to kill the malaria parasite is "already licensed for use in people", and because it is "no longer under patent, it will be possible to manufacture it at rock-bottom prices.... The drug could save 1 million children in sub-Saharan Africa every year. (Health)

3) Maine Extends Program Giving Laptops to Seventh Graders
Maine extended its successful laptop program in schools last week announcing a contract for Apple Computers to supply new laptops to more than 30,000 middle school kids and their teachers, and provide wireless internet and service throughout the next four years. Former Gov. King tells what it was like for Maine to start the program, how great are the rewards, and how other states can do the same. (Civics)

4) Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults
In two studies, researchers at the University of Illinois found that healthy seniors who practiced a combination of Qigong and Tai Chi three times a week for six months experienced significant physical benefits after only two months. (Health)

5) Congo Militiamen Disarm Ahead of Deadline
A "massive disarmament" took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week, days before a deadline. Hundreds of militiamen who were fighting in the bush, including at least 18 children surrendered, one explaining it was for the good of his country. (Civics)

6) Affordable Housing Built by Inmates Teaches Construction Skills
Community groups in Minnesota concerned with affordable housing are teaming up with groups of prison inmates who want to learn constuction skills while behind bars. They learn roofing skills while supervised on site or build modular homes while inside the prisons. This is the kind of win-win rehabilitation program for convicts (and society) that needs to be replicated across the country. (Civics)

7) Chicago Unveils Most Ambitious Bike Plan in US
Chicago has unveiled its new Bike 2015 Plan, designed to make the Windy City the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States. Work has already begun on 75 of the plan’s 150 strategies, including Constructing 10 miles of new bikeways in 2006, to help reach the plan’s goal of a 500-mile bikeway network by 2015. (Civics)

8) Silicon Valley Scrambles to be First to Produce Sporty Electric Cars
Tesla Motors' goal is to design a sports car that would go as fast as a Ferrari or Porsche — but run on electricity. Their first model, "a sleek two-seater called the Roadster" will be unveiled next month for prospective buyers in Santa Monica. (Business)

9) Buddhists Coexist with Tigers at Sanctuary
A remarkable monastery in Thailand cares for wild animals which are being squeezed off their land by too much development. A video shows tigers walking next to monks and allowing visitors to pet them, even wrestle with their cubs. The animal senses that the only thing in the minds of the monks is peace. (Inspired! Religion)

10) Street Piano Saved by Citizens Fighting Council Ordinance
Their piano was too heavy to haul up the stairs of their new flat so they decided to leave it on the sidewalk for the entertainment of all. They put a sign on it which simply read: "STREET PIANO: feel free to play any time between 9am and 9pm". The neighborhood loved the piano, the Council said it had to go... (Recreation)

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