Top Ten Good News of the Week (July 15-21, 2006)

By Good News Network Saturday, July 22, 2006

Archives - Week in Review

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

1) China to Invest $175 Billion in Environment Clean-Up - "China plans to invest $175 billion in environmental protection in the next 5 years, to curb water and air pollution so severe it causes riots and health problems..." For instance, sewage treatment plants will be built in 10 river valleys to improve water. (Earth)

2) Man Recovered From Parkinson's Using Holistic Regimen - In 1995, John Coleman was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and suffering from the loss of speech and the inability to walk 5 meters without assistance. To help himself, John decided to pursue homeopathy, alternative therapies, counseling, meditation and spiritual development. He was completely symptom-free within three and a half years. (Health)

3) 77,000 Acres of Pristine Forest Purchased for Protection in Guatemala
One of the largest and most intact privately owned forest lands in Guatemala is now protected from development. The Nature Conservancy purchased two pristine holdings totaling 77,000 acres in the heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve last month (Earth)

4) Mel Gibson Donates $1M for Mexico Disaster Recovery - While scouting locations for his film Apocalypto, Mel Gibson came upon a near apocalyptic situation in southern Mexico: the aftermath of Hurricane Stan. The storm ripped in October, killing 15 people and displacing 370,000. Gibson met with Mexican President Vicente Fox and told him he would donate US$1 million to help families rebuild. (Celebrities)

5) Using Only her Arms, Teen Swims Across Lake Ontario -"A 15-year-old became the first disabled woman to swim across Lake Ontario. Jenna, who has cerebral palsy, swam from Baird Point, N.Y., to her Ontario home town of Kingston using only her arms. Her marathon, dubbed the Kid 4 Kids Marathon, raised more than $50,000 for the Kingston YMCA." (Great Kids)

6) Stay Cool but Save Electricity (and Money) - With this week’s heat wave, demand for electricity is reaching peak levels in many parts of the country. The really good news is that there are many simple, no- and low-cost tips to become more energy efficient. Plus, you can earn tax credits just by making your home more efficient. Click to read the nine tips and information about the tax credits (Home Life)

7) Free Plastic Bags To Be Banned in Australia - The state government of Victoria will be first in Australia to charge for every plastic grocery bag used. Environment Minister John Thwaites said a similar approach banning free bags at some stores, and charging 10c for the plastic, had reduced bag consumption by 99 per cent. (Earth)

8) Toyota's Vision Includes Hybrid That Runs on Batteries - he president of Toyota North America, Jim Press, announced his company's plans to develop a hybrid vehicle that will run on batteries charged by a common electrical outlet. For long drives it will be able to use gasoline, or even alternative fuels like ethanol or bio-diesel (made from vegetable scraps or discarded cooking oils). Delivering an impassioned speech at the National Press Club Tuesday, Press highlighted the good news and presented a vision for the future... (Business)

9) Paralyzed Man Uses Thoughts to Move a Cursor: New Science - If you haven't seen this great news for improving the lives of the paralyzed, check out this man, who, with a small sensor implanted in his brain was able to control a computer, a television set and a robot using only his thoughts. (Science Report with video at the NY Times)

10) Online Video Gamers Pull Cancer Victim From Financial Fire - The World of Warcraft online forum chronicles the outpouring of generosity and goodwill by a gaming guild who came to the aid of one of its members. The group raised money for a fellow gamer who'd been attacked not by a minion of the legion, but by a tumor the size of a softball. (inspired by Recreation)

For a Daily Dose of News to Enthuse -- good news and inspiring stories since 1997 -- Visit the Good News Network, Geri Weis-Corbley, Editor/Publisher (c)2006