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Baby Sea Lion Looking For Cuddles Hops on Kayak (WATCH)

baby seal Vincent Fejeran youtube video screenshot

“Anybody looking for a seal? I seem to have acquired one.”

That’s what a man named Vincent Fejeran playfully wrote, after he was out kayaking. A precocious baby sea lion just hopped aboard, nestled up against his back, and decided the two would be buddies.

The animal would not leave his vessel for almost 45 minutes.

(WATCH the video below)

Tainted Halloween Candy Is Just An Urban Legend, Say The Facts

Assuming I can avoid the treats until halloween :) On another note... I have decided to rename what I do to "photoadayish" as that is more accurate haha.

Good news! Stories of tainted candy aren’t any more real than ghosts.

Halloween brings plenty of scares — vampires, zombies, even Monster Houses — but there’s one thing you don’t have to fear: strangers putting something dangerous into kids’ trick or treat bags.

The rumors come around every year and, just like the holiday, are full of legends and superstitions, but there’s never been a single documented case of a child hurt by a stranger purposely handing out tainted Halloween candy.

Don’t take our word for it—just ask Joel Best, a professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware who’s been studying the urban legends of candy laced with poisons, drugs, or sharp objects since 1985.

For 30 years, Best has been studying reports of tainted trick-or-treat candy. He’s even gone back as far as 1958 and has never found a single case where a stranger handed out candy that had been tampered with.

CHECK Out: Rescued Baby Owl Dancing to ‘Monster Mash’ Is the Best Halloween Treat

People tend to be more in tune with the idea of candy tampering at Halloween through something called the “Phenomenon of Notice” – like when you buy a new car and suddenly see the same model everywhere. At this time of year, any reports of people finding foreign objects in food become more noticeable, even though it happens year-round when accidents happen at factories.

In the last fifteen years, Best has found reports of only about 7 pieces of candy that had a foreign object in them or their wrappers — and no children were hurt in any of the cases.

[UPDATE: After we published this article, we learned of news reports from Ohio about a razor blade in a candy bar. Police say the wrapper was opened, of course. Officers seized all candy from a home and did not find any others like the one turned in by a youth, whose age remains unreported, and they recommend throwing away any candy in opened wrappers, and inspecting homemade food items.]

RELATED: ‘Teal’ Pumpkins Signal Special Treats For Allergic Kids on Halloween

Those can account for some of the stories people pass along. Some other cases people hear about turn out to be illness or injuries that have no connection to trick-or-treating. One case was a family member adding something to the candy of their own child, which contributed to the myths we hear every year. But, Best says, the great majority of stories you hear about are hoaxes usually created by kids to scare their fellow trick-or-treaters.

This year, you might have seen on Facebook, a viral post about illicit drugs supposedly being readied to hand out to children. A photo of the party drug ecstasy was tagged with the suggestion that it was deliberately being made to look like candy.

The problem is, the drug traditionally is made in those shapes, as the name suggests, because it is a “party drug.”

Mr. Best discounts it as a non-threat, again repeating there has never been a case of anyone spending the money and time to taint candy with illicit drugs.

WATCH: Dad Builds Halloween Costumes Around Wheelchairs as a Nonprofit

To be on the safe side of ‘fright night’, check your kids’ candy for open wrappers and other hazards and discard those. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers safety tips for Halloween costumes, many of which cause the numerous holiday accidents that happen in the dark. Make sure costumes aren’t dragging so low that kids could trip; make sure their peripheral vision isn’t blocked, so they can see vehicles; and prohibit sharp objects. These overlooked costume problems account for the only common Halloween dangers we need to worry about.

  Pass Along the Facts: Click and Share… (Photo by Jeff Golden, CC)

Teens Create Pallbearer Program to Carry Homeless Vets in Final Hour

pallbearers Facebook U of D Jesuit High School and Academy

Dozens of high school students have volunteered to help give the homeless or lonely one last moment of dignity.

Their mission: carry the veterans who have no families to their final resting place.

Six teenagers from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in Michigan served as pallbearers this week at three funerals for deceased vets with no one to claim them.

RELATED: Dutch Families Tending Graves Will Never Forget Their American Liberator in WWII

Students at the school created the pallbearer program and, so far, more than 50 students have signed up for the program.

The veterans this week had served in the Army, Air Force, and Marines, and were buried with full military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

Good News: In a US first, New Orleans Finds Homes for All its Homeless Veterans

“The men we honored today put their lives on the line for our country and now they deserve our dignity and service in return,” senior Leonard Froehlich, one of the pallbearers, said. “We honor these service members by being with them…and that in itself is a privilege.”

(WATCH the Associated Press video below) — Photo: University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Facebook

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An Amazing Thank-You Sent to Blood Donors in Sweden is Just Perfect

A simple gesture is having a huge charitable impact, causing more people to sign up to give blood in Stockholm, Sweden. And everyone is wondering why no one thought of it before.

Every time a donor’s blood has saved a life, they get a thank you text.

Blodcentralen, the Swedish blood service in Stockholm, started sending the messages to remind donors how important their contributions are.

RELATED: Man With Rare Antibody Saves Two Million Babies with His Blood

Donors get their first “thank you” when they give blood, and later, they receive a follow-up text telling them when their blood has been used.

Blodcentralen also updates donors when blood supplies are running low so they can donate more.

“It’s a great feeling to know you made such a big difference and maybe even saved someone else’s life,” Karolina Blom Wiberg, a spokesperson for Blodcentralen, told The Independent.

Also Cool: Teen Athlete Says Apple Watch Saved His Life in the Nick of Time

The initiative came as a solution to the problem of declining blood donations throughout the country; Blodcentralen thought the service would be a good way to keep regular donors coming back more often.

It turns out, the texts have drawn in new donors, too.

People have been posting on social media their stories about the “thank you” texts they receive, and that’s encouraged their friends to think about donating, too.

Spread the Idea… (Click and Share) – Photo by DUP, CC

103-yr-old Dressed Like Wonder Woman Volunteers 5 Days A Week

mary cotter wonder woman costume kabc video screenshot

At 103-years-old, Mary Cotter is definitely one of the oldest living superheroes around.

For the past 25 years, this “Wonder Woman” has been actively volunteering at the Montclair Senior Center in California.

On her birthday earlier this month, she dressed the part – but it was business as usual: serving coffee and tea to her friends.

Elderly Man Gets Decades of Extra Credit, Returning Lots of Class Rings

To this day, she still drives to the center five days a week, and in leading by example, her message is clear.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that with age, you have to lose anything,” Brian Ross, a Montclair resident, told KABC.

(WATCH the video from ABC 7) Photo: KABC 

IKEA Lovingly Turns Kids’ Drawings Into Actual Plush Toys Sold for Charity

IKEA soft toys 2015 released IKEA

These soft, plush toys are going to raise a lot of hard cash to help children in need around the world – and it’s all thanks to IKEA, who recruited some kids as artists and toy designers.

Children at IKEA stores in 40 countries were invited to draw their “dream soft toy” for a good cause. Their drawings were reviewed last year and ten of the wackiest and sweetest were selected to become actual toys for sale in the Swedish furniture stores worldwide.

One Euro (about $2.00) will be donated for each soft toy sold, to benefit UNICEF and Save The Children.

dragon released IKEA

mouse released IKEA

monster puppet released IKEA

cyclops released IKEA

Every year since 2003, IKEA has donated €1 for every soft toy sold in IKEA stores in November and December. In 13 years, IKEA’s Soft Toys for Education Campaign has raised more than $84 million to support 99 projects in 46 countries.

(WATCH the video below to see all ten winners)

New Website Helps People Giving Up Pets to Avoid Shelters, Find Families

cute dog pebbles CC Travel and Roll

Having to give up a beloved pet is an incredibly difficult decision.

Fortunately, a new app makes that process a little easier—and keeps animal shelters nationwide from becoming even more over crowded.

Nearly 70% of pets throughout the United States are “re-homed” at least once in their lifetime–when a family gives them up to a shelter or another household.

Designed to help pet parents meet prospective adopters, and avoid shelters altogether, the PawsLikeMe platform matches adopters with prospective forever four-legged friends. It was also engineered as a way to match people and their animals, by facilitating a match based on what each person is looking for in a pet. This can give people some assurance that their specific cat or dog is wanted by another family—a feature that’s missing from the adoption marketplace.

LOOK: Dogs Stand Guard, Hold Vigil for Fawn Overcome by Wildfire

Keith Becher of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, loved his 4-year-old Golden Lab mix, Nico, to pieces. But after realizing that working two jobs just wasn’t fair to the pup, who often waited for him at home alone, he set out looking for an alternative to dropping her off at a shelter.

“I adopted her as a puppy because she was abandoned at the location of my former job, and I couldn’t fathom bringing her to the shelter. So I kept her,” he told Good News Network. “She is an active dog and it was hard on her with me working long hours. I couldn’t afford to send her to doggy daycare.”

After coming across an advertisement for PawsLikeMe on Facebook earlier this month, he filled out a pet profile for Nico, reviewed applications from prospective adopters, and arranged an at-home visit with the family.

Fortunately, it was a match; Nico now lives with a stay-at-home mother, has lots of room to run around, and enjoys playing with other neighborhood dogs.

RELATED: Swipe Right For Unconditional Love: App Pairs You With Adoptable Pets

“It was extremely difficult to give Nico up, but I am happy knowing that she will be well taken care of and loved in her new home.,” he said.

In the case of “re-homing,” the option is cost-free to the poster, and the prospective adopter pays $75, half of which goes to a local shelter or rescue. For shelters and rescues posting their pets directly, the entire adoption fee goes directly to that organization.

PawsLikeMe was created by Elizabeth Holmes, who has a background in finance and technology, and Marianna Benko, a social worker. Using their combined expertise, the women worked to develop an algorithm which matches people with pets based on lifestyle and compatibility, beyond just appearance or breed.

The result is a “personality test” that helps adopters get to know their potential pets a bit better, increasing their chances of making a perfect match.

Since the national launch last month, more than 75,000 people and 200 organizations have registered on the site. PawsLikeMe already has shelter pets listed for adoption in every state, and pets are being re-homed in 26 states.

pawslikeme screenshot algorithm Photo by Travel and Roll, CC

Each Year Pumpkins Get More Creative: These 8 Are Works of Art

A photo posted by @actingfat on

These pumpkin carvings are so intricate, it’s almost scary.

Edward Cabral, a young artist specializing in edible and very temporal art, spends three hours drawing his intricate designs, and another two to three hours carving the elaborate creations.

Check out this dazzling array of pumpkins made specially for the Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, Kentucky:

When it comes to Jack O’ Lanterns, the Chicago, Illinois artist is a rock star.

A photo posted by @actingfat on

Each one is a work of art.

A photo posted by @actingfat on

His carving of the iconic photo of Buzz Aldrin’s on the moon received an out of this world 2.6 million views on Imgur.

A photo posted by @actingfat on

Some are absolutely gonzo, like this Hunter S. Thompson pumpkin…

A photo posted by @actingfat on

…or this carving of a tiger jumping through a ring of fire.

A photo posted by @actingfat on

Any one of these could be a show stopper, from Broadway…

A photo posted by @actingfat on

…to Bladerunner.

A photo posted by @actingfat on

This is Cabral’s third year carving pumpkins for the Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular in Louisville.

These sculptures won’t last long past Halloween, but that’s fine with Cabral.

“I’m interested in making work that must be destroyed to be completed and many of the media I choose cannot be archived,” he says on his website.

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Named ‘Dog of the Year’, He Threw Himself In Front of Bus To Save Owner

Audrey and Figo ASPCA dog of year submitted

A golden retriever guide dog was honored this week with the title of ASPCA 2015 Dog of the Year for his courage and loyalty in the face of danger.

Last June, Figo was helping his blind owner, Audrey Stone, cross a major street in Brewster, New York.

As they did, a bus was quickly approaching.

Acting as much on his innate courage as his Guide Dog Foundation training, Figo immediately put himself in the path of the bus, sustaining a severe injury but successfully protecting Audrey.

Check Out: Nobody Wanted This Dog Because Of Her Looks–’Til One Family Came Along

Even after getting injured, Figo did not leave his owner’s side until help arrived.

While Audrey mended in the hospital, and media reports touted the retriever’s heroic deed, Figo recovered at a local veterinarian’s office, when the cost of his treatment picked up by an anonymous benefactor.

RELATED: 36 Golden Retrievers Rescued in Istanbul in ‘Largest’ Overseas Airlift

Weeks later, the two were joyously reunited – and the latest “Dog of the Year” award reminds them both of their enduring bond of friendship.

(Photos courtesy of ASPCA)

From Tiny Buddha: 6 ‘Love’ Challenges To Help You Live Better

We get so caught up in the rush of everyday life that we often forget to stop and really think about why we do things the way we do them. We fall into the same routines that keep us from really exploring the world around us.

After turning through hundreds of pages in Lori Deschene’s new book, Tiny Buddha’s 365 Tiny Love Challenges, I picked out my seven favorite tips for doing things just a bit differently.

Here’s hoping these suggestions, though they may seem small, will make a big impact on your life.

1. Tell someone who is rushing for your benefit, “Take your time!” to help alleviate their anxiety.

You could say this to someone who’s running late for lunch with you, or to a customer service representative who’s having difficulty with their computer, or to someone who’s telling you a story and struggling to express themselves. Lovely.

2. Start a conversation with a stranger

Comment on something about your shared experience (such as waiting in line or riding the bus) or offer a compliment. Remember, all of our friends start off as strangers.

3. Let someone off the hook for a mistake or shortcoming that won’t be a big deal in the grand scheme of things

Think about it: haven’t there been times that you wished someone would ignore your mistakes or shortcomings and just cut you some slack?

4. Do something alone today

Eat a meal at a restaurant, sit in the park drinking coffee, or go to a movie by yourself. While you are doing that, smile at the people around you whenever you make eye contact.

5. Do one small task so someone else won’t have to

Pick up a friend’s prescription, pick up your loved ones clothes, bring a busy coworker coffee, or do the chore at home that you usually expect the other person to do.

BONUS10 Questions You Can Ask Yourself To Become A Better Person

6. Let someone go ahead of you today

Let someone with only a few items cut ahead of you in line at the store, or let someone go first as they board the bus, or – even more challenging –let those cars go ahead of you from the merge lane.

Photo by Russ Morris, CC 

ALSO: 3 Myths That Keep You From Living Fully and Fearlessly

From TINY BUDDHA’S 365 TINY LOVE CHALLENGES. Copyright © 2015 by Lori Deschene. Reprinted with permission by HarperOne, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers.

Football Tackle Leaves One Paralyzed, Another Full of Guilt, Now Best Friends

Herman Jacobs and Marc Buoniconti screenshot HBO

A single play, for a single yard, shattered two football players’ lives forever — and made them best friends.

In the 30 years since that fateful day when Marc Buoniconti’s tackle of Herman Jacobs left him a quadriplegic, they have each carried the other through difficult times.

Buoniconti, a linebacker for the Citadel launched himself headfirst at Jacobs, who was carrying the ball for East Tennessee State on October 26, 1985. It was an accident, of course, but stopping the player with his head left Buoniconti paralyzed.

WATCH: War Veterans Reunite After Unknowingly Living 18 years as Neighbors

When Jacobs learned of Buoniconti condition, his own life began spiraling out of control over guilt. He lost interest in football, gave up a likely professional career, dropped out of college, and suffered from depression.

Buoniconti reached out to Jacobs in 2007 and their meeting turned into a solid friendship — even led to them being roommates for a while. When Buoniconti’s regular nurse fell ill, Jacobs took on care-giving duties.

The friendship turned Jacobs’ life around for the better, inspiring him toward a new degree and a culinary career.

RELATED: Hi-Tech Mouthguard Flags Concussion to Protect Athlete’s Brain

Likewise, Jacobs’ friendship inspired his old opponent throughout his days as president of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis — a nonprofit credited with various breakthroughs in spinal cord research.

The Project’s stellar research and new rehabilitation center at the University of Miami medical school leads Buoniconti to believe he will one day walk again because of the treatments.

(WATCH the Real Sports video below and READ more at the Miami Herald) — Photo: Real Sports video

For Many Breast Cancer Patients Yoga is Most Important Medicine

yoga for cancer CC pan american health organization

Breast cancer is a disease that affects more than just the body—so, to help heal the mind and the spirit, a holistic approach is often an important complement to medicinal treatment.

In recent years, a growing number of organizations have begun to bring free yoga classes to patients in treatment—the practice has been proven to help improve both their mental and physical health as well as overall quality of life.

A study conducted by an M.D. Anderson Cancer Center back in 2006 followed 61 women receiving 6 weeks of radiation treatment for breast cancer. Half the women took a yoga class twice a week while the other half did not. Compared with the women who did not take yoga, the women in the yoga group reported having more energy and less daytime “sleepiness.”

RELATED: One-Day Cancer Treatment Ends Weeks of Daily Radiation Visits

Other research has shown that yoga can help breast cancer patients reduce stress and fatigue levels, improve their sleep cycle, and help them learn better mind-body control.

A certification in yoga therapy requires hundreds of hours of specific training—Ellen Patrick, owner of the Breathe Easy Wellness Center in New York City, has over one thousand hours. Every Wednesday at 6:30, she teaches at Mount Sinai’s Dubin Breast Center.

“On a physical level, it is very challenging to teach these women, as they are in varying stages of physical recovery and have had to undergo different forms of treatment,” Patrick told Good News Network. “Some women are dealing with the effects of chemotherapy like nausea and fatigue, while others are finished and are hoping to rebuild strength, flexibility, range-of-motion and stamina.”

Check Out: 8 Ways to Love Yoga Even If You Have No Flexibility or Balance

Patrick conducts her classes through a partnership with Kula for Karma, a nonprofit group that brings yoga to cancer patients, adults with special needs, caregivers, veterans, domestic violence victims, at-risk youth, and veterans.

One of her former students still practices yoga back at home, and believes it will be part of her life forever.

“I was feeling so worried and concerned about my upcoming biopsy and tests, and then I started thinking that I should try and do some yoga poses that I learned in class,” said the student, who wishes to remain anonymous. “I did the one when you bend the knees and you’re rocking, also the one when you put the feet together and open the knees. I started to breathe deeply, and slowly, I finally fell asleep.”

ALSO: Lower Risk of Breast Cancer with Mediterranean Diet and Extra Olive Oil

Kula for Karma was founded in New Jersey in 2007 by a woman named Geri Topfer, who wanted to bring yoga to underserved communities that might not otherwise have access to it. To date, the organization has launched 600 different programs on the East Coast.

Jody Winsick-Soluri of Hillsdale, New Jersey says that throughout the course of her treatment, these yoga classes have helped her get ready to face the hectic day ahead.

“The first class was overwhelming, because I didn’t realize how much my physical strength deteriorated,” she explained. “But now, the Monday classes help me kick-start my week physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. To have an hour of quiet uninterrupted time to shut off my brain rejuvenates me. If I miss a week, I definitely feel a difference in my strength, balance and state of mind.”

Photos: Pan American Health Organization, Eli Christman CC

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Rescued Baby Owl Dancing to ‘Monster Mash’ Is the Best Halloween Treat

owl-and-puppet-monster mash RaptorRehabber-youtube

Oakley the owl is one lucky little bird.

Rehabilitating baby owls can be a tricky job—if you’re not careful, they can imprint on you as a surrogate parent, making it nearly impossible to release them back into the wild.

Baby Oakley’s rescuer, known as the Raptor Rehabber, has gone to great lengths to make the owlet comfortable, while still avoiding becoming a recipient of the creature’s imprint.

In order to feed the bird, he calls like a Great Horned Owl to signal mealtime, and, to actually feed Oakley, he camouflages himself under a sheet with holes in it.

CHECK Out: Tiny Owl Stops Boulder Law Enforcement Officers In Their Tracks

He provides puppets and stuffed animals to give the baby comfort, including this animated plush toy that plays a recording of “Monster Mash.”

Watch as he celebrates Halloween by keeping time with his buddy—the video’s a real hoot!

ALSOThis Seagull’s Got Talent: Watch Him Tap Dance

(Enjoy the video from Raptor Rehabber below)

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Man Aims to Reunite 100 Homeless Folks With Families, to Honor His Uncle

Miracle Messages-website

This gentleman is on a mission to reunite 100 homeless people with their families as a memorial to his “Uncle Mark,” a man who spent 30 years on the street.

Kevin Adler left his California home to travel around the country and help the homeless find their families using nothing but social media and his smartphone.

WATCH: Every Week Boy Packs 100 Bags w/ Food and Hope for the Homeless

He asks them to record a video message, which he uploads to YouTube and social media sites under the project name, “Miracle Messages.”

The first post was made in San Francisco, a few days before Christmas last year. A man named Jeffrey recorded a message for his sister, and, within an hour, someone had tagged her as the likely relative.

People in Jeffrey’s hometown raised $5,000 to help him reunite with his sister one month later.

MORE: Inspiring Stories about the Homeless and People Who Care About Them

A man named Johnny received an overwhelming response after not seeing his family in 33 years. All his siblings recorded videos in response, and they all flew in from across the country with their partners and kids to reunite in person.

Right now, Adler is working his way down the East Coast, an unstoppable force determined to deliver 100 miracles.

(WATCH the WMUR News video) — Photo: Miracle Messages

Grafting Fruit Tree Branches On City Trees to Grow Free Apples

Guerrilla Grafters screenshot Fair Companies

The sterile, ornamental fruit trees of San Francisco will be returned to their “roots”, thanks to a group of urban agriculture activists known as the “Guerrilla Grafters”.

The city’s barren population of apple, plum, and pear trees lining parks and street corners will begin to bear new life—and the fruit they produce will be free for all–if grafters get their way.

Good News: 50,000 Food-Bearing Trees Planted To Fight Caribbean Hunger

Members of Guerrilla Grafters make a simple incision in the tree, splice in a small cutting from a fruit-bearing species, and tape it up. If done correctly, the new branch grows into the tree and eventually starts producing edible fruit.

In total, there are 10,000 public fruit trees throughout San Francisco, which could feed many of the city’s poor.

RELATED: Bangladesh Slashes Hunger Rates in Half, Becomes Model for Rest of World

The alterations to public trees are technically illegal, and the California city will have to deal with possible rotting fruit.

In any case, the group’s founders want their civil disobedience to bear its own fruit– through added attention given to “food deserts” and hunger in the city.

(WATCH the video below from Fair Companies or READ more at Web Urbanist) Photo: Fair Companies video

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Farmer Returns 700 Acres of California Coast to Native American Tribe

Photo used with permission of The Trust for Public Land/Brendan Moriarty
Photo used with permission of The Trust for Public Land/Brendan Moriarty

A California landowner is returning his family farm to a neighboring Native American tribe that was forced inland, away from their breathtaking coastline, 150 years ago.

The small, water-poor reservation that became home for the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians has become 18-times larger, and for the first time in more than a century, will reach to the Pacific coast where they and their ancestors once hunted, fished, and roamed free.

Bill Richardson’s family bought the 688-acre property in 1925, which features dense redwood forest, towering coastal bluffs and waterfalls along the Pacific Coast Highway.

After five years of fundraising by the Sonoma County government, The Trust for Public Land,  private foundations and groups, the newly established Kashia Coastal Reserve restored ownership of the land to the tribe, after Bill agreed it was time the land was returned to its original inhabitants.

CHECK Out: Irish Town Builds Memorial to Thank Native Americans Who Helped During Famine

Sonoma County contributed two million dollars for the project, while another six million was raised by the coalition of groups seeking to buy the property for the Kashia. In exchange, the California Coastal Trail will extend north for one mile across their land, giving the public access to a cliff walk overlooking this dramatic stretch of coastline.

The Tribe will manage the land as protected open space, and a demonstration forest for educating and engaging the public about the history and practices of native people in the area.

RELATED: Stories of Native American Good News

The Pomo Indians will get to start using the land immediately, the same coastline where their ancestors harvested and lived off of the plentiful abalone.

Richardson will get to live out his days on the mile-long stretch of property—and be buried on a hillside when he passes on.

(WATCH the video below from KNTV) — Photo used with permission of The Trust for Public Land/Brendan Moriarty

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Texas Cops Give A Father 3 Car Seats, Instead of a Fine

two cops carseats KVUE video screenshot

When a Cedar Park, Texas police officer came upon a man parked in a truck with an expired registration, he noticed that three small children sitting in the back didn’t have car seats.

Instead of issuing a citation and fining the man, they decided it was better to help, than to make the situation worse.

“If we gave the man a ticket, those kids would still need to be driven somewhere with no car seats,” Officer Justin Gower told KVUE recently.

He learned from other officers that the man in the truck had been living in the vehicle or a motel and trying to save up money for his family.

RELATED: Police Pull Family of Four From Car, Tuck Them In At a Motel

Gower decided to call for backup and when Officer Cale Hawkins arrived, the two decided to pool their money and visit a local Walmart to buy the car seats themselves.

The cops, both fathers, then personally installed the three pink safety seats for the girls, ages 1, 3, and 4.

(WATCH the video below from KVUE)

Obama Wants to Dump the Constant Testing of No Child Left Behind

President Obama has given standardized tests a failing grade and wants to limit their involvement in U.S. classrooms to no more than 2% of students’ and teachers’ time.

“Learning is about so much more than filling in the right bubble,” he said in a White House video.

A new action plan was released yesterday in response to parents and teachers who have complained for years that students are spending too much time taking too many tests.

White House photo
White House photo

CHECK Out: The “World’s Best Teacher” Gives Kids Choices – Instead of Tests

American students in major cities take roughly 112 standardized tests during their elementary and secondary school years. Eighth graders are the most heavily tested, spending up to 25 hours during the school year filling in their multiple choice answers.

The administration now believes all the time spent memorizing facts has taken the joy out of learning–not just for kids, but for the teachers who are restricted in their creativity. The president suggests the time could be better used for them to take up a musical instrument, study a new language, or learn computer code.

Obama said the Department of Education intends to work with states and school districts to make sure certain testing principles are put in place so that assessments are not consuming too much instructional time and creating undue stress.

“Tests shouldn’t occupy too much classroom time, or crowd out teaching and learning,” wrote Obama in an open letter. “And, tests should be just one source of information. We should use classroom work, surveys, and other factors to give us an all-around look at how our students and schools are doing.”

RELATED: Alabama’s New Education Standards Praised for Being Pro-Science

No Child Left Behind is currently U.S. law and any major adjustments would require Congressional approval, so the White House has laid out a plan urging legislators to follow the lead of many states by enacting new guidelines.

Ten states have already conducted assessments or streamlined statewide and local standardized tests. New York has limited the amount of time that can be spent on state – and district – level standardized tests to just 2% of class time. Since 2010, New Mexico has reduced the time spent every year on the tests by an average of a half-hour each year – with some districts cutting the time by three hours.

ALSO: Girl Wins Top Prize Inventing Ebola Test That’s Cheaper, Better, Faster

North Carolina, Rhode Island, Delaware, Florida, Tennessee, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and DC have all taken some steps toward the improvements the president is calling for — to make tests worthwhile, to enhance learning in the classroom, and to limit the tests as only one measure of a student’s performance. 

(WATCH the White House video below – only on Facebook)

If our kids had more free time at school, what would you want them to do with it? A) Learn to play a musical instrument?B) Study a new language?C) Learn how to code HTML?D) Take more standardized tests?Take the quiz, then watch President Obama's message about smarter ways to measure our kids’ progress in school.

Posted by The White House on Saturday, October 24, 2015

Giant Eyeballs Painted on Parent’s Home for Halloween is Surreal Treat

Halloween House Instagram christinemcconnell

Kids lucky enough to step up to this house are in for tricks and treats.

Children throughout this mysteriously unnamed California neighborhood have been dragging their parents to see the “Monster House,” an eight-eyed, multi-fanged Victorian house belonging to the parents of Christine McConnell, an artist, photographer, and year-round Halloween fan.

Inspired by the movie, Monster House she spent four days converting her childhood home into a haunted mansion that comes to life.

 

“It came out even neater than I had planned,” McConnell told TODAY. “It was a bit of a madhouse once the eyes were up. Tons of people were stopping their cars to take pictures.

Believe it or not, the entire project only cost $250 for paint and materials — the green lights being the most expensive part.

It's now a Monster House ????

A photo posted by Christine McConnell (@christinehmcconnell) on

 

This isn’t the first time McConnell has scared up attention for her creations: she’s also a baker who’s gained Instagram notoriety for horror-themed treats.

A new cookbook featuring these creepy concoctions, Deceptive Desserts: A Lady’s Guide to Baking Bad! is due in bookstores in March.

(SEE more images, like those above, from McConnell’s Instagram page)

Scare Up Some Ideas For Halloween, Share It…

In New ‘Barbie’ Video, Little Girls Imagine Big Careers–and Land Them

girl veterinarian barbie ad mattel screenshot

This is definitely the kind of playtime we can get behind.

In the video below, hidden cameras have been set up to capture adults’ reactions when tiny career women are dropped right into their dream jobs—a museum tour guide, a veterinarian, a college professor.

It’s not until the end—and many chuckles later—that we realize it’s all pretend.

For now.

(WATCH the video below)

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