Superstar couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have donated two million dollars to help children affected by AIDS and tuberculosis in Ethiopia, announced the nonprofit group Global Health Committee (GHC) announced Monday.
Buyers of Low-Fuel Cars Get a Sales Tax Exemption
A new sales tax exemption that encourages Washington car shoppers to choose hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles will save them an estimated $18.6 million over the next two years. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Ruling Inspires New Hope For Transgender People
With the decision by Maryland’s highest court last week to block a referendum petition, Montgomery County’s law banning discrimination against transgender people takes effect immediately. The measure, passed by the County Council last year, prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to transgender people. (Washington Post)
Quickly Attract Things You Want NOW: New Tool
I am starting to use an incredible new tool for attracting into my life everything I desire for the future — and, quicker than ever.
http://mindmovies.com
It’s like VISUALIZING on STEROIDS!
It feels like any dream can come true now and so easily…. Visualization is a great way to consciously change your mind. Sports stars like Tiger Woods know the power of visualizing in creating the reality you want.
–a successful business
–a happy family
–a deeper spiritual connection
–financial security
–a healthy body
–rewarding friendships
Do you want to change your programming — those LINKS or GROOVES in your brain — so that you
can actually see and ACCEPT new opportunities? This is a wonderful way to do that.
Mind Movie is the name of this cutting edge visualization tool that will help you create the life you want.
Please check out this video for details:
http://mindmovies.com/vid1/?11031
I can’t wait to hear from you once you have made your movie. I might post mine on the Good News Network forums, although they are quite personal (what I want, and what I dream of creating).
With a big good news hug, (and thanks to Sun Star who supplied the photograph)
~ Geri
Cartoonists for Peace
It might not look like it on CNN, but the majority of people who live in the Middle East – Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens along with Palestinians – are rooting for peace. There are dozens of projects bringing Arabs and Jews together to show the positive face of the Middle East: Interns for Peace, Chefs for Peace, Belly Dancers for Peace, bloggers, musicians and even dentists in the name of peace.
One of the latest projects to land in Israel is Cartooning for Peace, founded by famous French political satirist, Jean Plantureux (Plantu). This past June, cartoonists from around the world gathered in Israel and the Palestinian Authority at four simultaneous exhibitions in Ramallah, Bethlehem, East Jerusalem and Holon.
Rip Tide Survival for Father and Autistic Son Adrift at Sea
After a rip current swept Walter Marino and his 12-year-old son, Christopher, out to sea, darkness fell, and the sound of rescue helicopters and boats died away. Despite the danger, Christopher, who has autism, was enjoying himself. The boy lacks a fear of death because of his autism and finds comfort in the water, Marino told CNN. Their unique circumstances helped keep them alive for more than 12 hours in the open ocean, Marino said. (Read the CNN story)
Dog Dials 911 to Get Help for Owner
Police say a service dog trained to use the phone called 911 and got help when his Scottsdale, Ariz., owner suffered a serious seizure. Buddy, an 18-month-old German shepherd, used his teeth to press programmed buttons until a 911 dispatcher came on the line.
Bangladesh Commits to Addressing Climate Change
Leaders in Bangladesh have created a National Climate Change Fund to help them anticipate the effects of climate change. The plan will also focus on the link between climate change, poverty, and health.
(read the full story at Environmental News Network)
Company Invents Tree Free Paper
Chicago paper company GPA has recently invented paper that does not require trees or water to make. The paper is made from inorganic mineral powders and is resistant to water, grease, and oils.
(Read the full story at Environmental News Network)
San Antonio is Going Green with Sewage
San Antonio aims to become the first in the nation utility to capture and sell methane natural gas as renewable energy generated by treating the city’s sewage — enough to fill 1,250 tanker trucks every day. (NOTE: story below may take a few seconds to load.)
Unicef: Child Mortality Down 27 percent Since 1990
Child mortality rates have dropped 28% worldwide since 1990, UNICEF reported Friday. Death rates of children aged five and under have even dropped by 60% since 1960. (Read more in USA Today)
Thanks to William F. for submitting the tip!
TV Star’s Death-Defying Tortoise Escapes Recycling
A tortoise belonging to Welsh comedienne Ruth Jones is recuperating at home after a lucky escape from a recycling plant. The Fifty five-year-old tortoise, Tom, was rescued by staff before being ground up by a recycling machine after the pet had vanished five weeks earlier from home. He must have crawled into the bag. (Edie.net has the story)
Report: Schools Offering Fewer Soft Drinks
Sugary soft drinks accounted for less than a quarter of the beverages sold in schools last year, demonstrating that a voluntary transition toward healthier drinks is working. Editor’s note: For those who think it doesn’t matter, consider that last year my pediatrician told me the number one concern he had about young people today is calcium loss due to consumption of sodas, of all kinds… (Associated Press story via USA Today)
6 Alternatives to Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is a popular choice for many boomers struggling with knee pain and osteoarthritis. But a broad new study confirms earlier findings that healthier alternatives work just as well as the expensive surgery. (NOTE: story below may take a few seconds to load.)
Lost Cat Returned Home After Nine Years
A British couple have been reunited with their missing cat after nine years of believing she had been killed by a car. The 15-year-old ginger cat disappeared in 1999 and was found less than half a mile from her home. (Reuters via MSNBC.com)
National Day of Encouragement- September 12
A visionary group of teenagers in Arkansas identified the biggest problem facing youth and society today — the lack of encouragement. The students felt the best solution for addressing the root of many negative problems today was to confront the discouragement first, and to empower one another through words and acts of inspiration and support. They launched a national day of encouragement and chose September 12 in hopes of balancing the discouraging feelings of 9/11.
This “Day of Encouragement” was conceptualized in June, 2007 by a group of high school students attending a leadership camp at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. The students were challenged to determine what they believe to be the biggest problems facing high school students today and to devise a solution. While alcohol, drugs and violence were identified as serious problems, one group determined the basic problem facing youth in schools, and society in general, was a “lack of encouragement.”
The day is now endorsed by both Presidents George W. Bush, and his father, George H. W. Bush, and by celebrities such as comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and is gaining momentum. The elder Bush said of the Day, “Acts of kindness and encouragement can go a long way toward helping an individual achieve success.”
Andrew Baker, organizer of the National Day of Encouragement and executive director of the non-profit Encouragement Foundation, said, “Our goal is to challenge people not to just think about the idea of encouragement, but to do something that will encourage someone else … even if it’s simply speaking a kind word.”
Participation in this year’s National Day of Encouragement is widespread; from small towns to major cities, schools to corporations, public figures to private citizens. Watch the video and then, continue with the story below:
Communities nationwide are planning Red Cross blood drives, sending text messages and care packages to those affected by recent hurricanes as well as to first responders, and asking people to sign encouragement cards that the National Guard and personal military advocates will distribute to troops abroad and at VA hospitals.
Marine Reservist, Paden Timms of Arkansas said, “The cards are great! They help remind us of home and that is really cool. When you are in a hot, hostile and strange place it is nice to get notes from the kids back home.”
To find out more about the National Day of Encouragement or to check out tools and resources online, visit www.LetsEncourage.com.
Firefighter Saves Cat With Mouth to Mouth
A firefighter broke new ground Tuesday when he saved a house cat with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He had rescued the cat from a burning, second-floor apartment in New Bedford “and it really needed air and it couldn’t wait,” he said. (Read the story in SouthCoastToday.com or watch the raw video)
Pooch Comes to Helpless Neighbor’s Aid
A little dog — a fluffy white bichon frise — helped lead owner to an elderly neighbor who collapsed in a nearby apartment. The Associate Press reports on MSNBC.com.
2008 American Government Innovation Awards
Sweeping the honors for this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards are three states: Missouri, for its successful approach to rehabilitating juvenile offenders; North Carolina, for its ambitious college preparation program for disadvantaged kids; and Arizona, for its one-of-a-kind prisoner re-entry system.
The awards, which highlight successful programs with the hope of replicating them elsewhere, are given by Harvard University ‘s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Flawless, Historic Start for World’s Mightiest Particle Collider
Particle physicists were jubilant yesterday after the long-awaited startup of a mega-machine passed its first tests with flying colors. Two beams of protons sped around a 17 mile track toward a collision designed to help scientists learn about the essential makeup of the universe.
Cheers, applause and the pop of a champagne cork marked the historic moment in Geneva, as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) turned on the switch that will lead to an expansion of human knowledge. (Read text below the video)