Germany agreed Thursday to turn more than 60 former military bases into nature preserves, “with the aim of creating vast new green oases and sanctuaries for rare species of birds,” reports the AFP.
Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said an ongoing overhaul of the German armed forces had made it possible to set aside more than 31,000 hectares (76,600 acres) of forests, marshes, meadows and moors.
(READ the full AFP story at France24)
File photo by michael loadenthal, CC
Devotees celebrating the first International Yoga Day today have a science-backed reason to love the ancient practice. Since the yoga-honoring day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2014, a study was released that shows yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, may contribute to heart health as much as doing aerobic workouts like cycling or brisk walking.
Based a review of 37 clinical trials, researchers found that doing yoga, with its breath control and body stretches, lowered blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate and other cardiovascular risk factors in increments comparable to those seen with aerobic exercise.
“Taken together, these improvements could facilitate and complement a regimen toward better cardiovascular health,” said Paula Chu, a doctoral candidate in health policy at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who led the study published in December, 2014.
Not only is yoga a medical benefit, the postures, which can be done at any age with adaptations, are believed to help nourish self-awareness, control stress and develop physical strength and balance.
Thousands of celebrities, soldiers and politicians in India stretched out in sun salutations and downward dogs on June 21 to mark the day. See more celebration activities from NBC, here.
“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition,” said the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. “It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”
Photo submitted by Michelle Ploog
When it came time for Abby Grubbs to celebrate her tenth birthday, she told her parents she didn’t want a new barbie, a LEGO set, or neon colored hair braids. At least, not for herself.
The young cancer survivor said she wanted to give the presents, instead, to children in the pediatric cancer center at a hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. So, last Friday as part of her “off chemo” birthday celebration, she and her mom wheeled a wagon full of LEGO toys through the ward.
Abby just wrapped up two and a half years of treatment for leukemia and recently got the green light to leave cancer behind her.
LEGO sets were Abby’s gift of choice because they don’t take much physical energy but they occupied her mind while she was sick. Team JOEY provided the sets, in part through Abby’s birthday donations. She also brought books from another favorite kids cancer project, Kate’s Kart.
“She really understands what a difference it makes to have that something that we may think is a small gift, but can really a make a huge difference in the ability to get through a tough medical procedure,” Abby’s mom, Sherry Grubbs, told TODAY.
(WATCH the video below from WANE News or READ more from TODAY) – Photo from Heroes Foundation
An American who made his fortune through gambling and investing in real estate has created the largest block of conservation land privately owned East of the Mississippi.
M.C. Davis (pictured, left) has stage 4 lung cancer, but is leaving an extraordinary legacy. He spent some $90 million to buy 54,000 acres in the Florida panhandle from timber companies who had destroyed the natural habitat.
The 70-year-old, who was raised in Santa Rosa county, is restoring the property he named Nokuse Plantation to its original splendor as a longleaf pine forest.
NPR reports that he has managed already to produce a haven for threatened species, “an ecological hotspot, filled with wildlife…eagles, ospreys, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, armadillos.
“This is a 300-year project,” said Davis describing his plantation to Florida State University’s Research in Review. “That’s what it’s going to take to return this to the old-growth longleaf environment that once stood here.”
Davis is also on a personal crusade to teach young people the importance of saving wildlife from the ravages of growth and development, having built a $12 million science and learning center in Walton County. The grounds, indoor theater, and massive nature displays of the E.O. Wilson Center are all free – part of his charitable effort to help educate Florida’s youth about saving the planet while there’s still time.
(READ the full story from NPR) – Photo of M. C. Davis and E. O. Wilson via Nokuse.org
Chef Willy Fontanez was having an off day when he spotted a “rough-looking” person passing by his food truck, La Gumbo Ya Ya, which was parked in a downtown Oklahoma neighborhood.
“Good morning!” Willy called out to him. “Have you eaten lunch yet?”
The answer was no– so Fontanez asked him what he wanted.
“I was just thinking about having to throw away so much food when someone was in front of me that was hungry,” Fontanez told Good News Network.
Since that day in July, 2013, hundreds of folks in need have received thousands of free meals from La Gumbo Ya Ya. No matter where Fontanez and his wife, Rachel, park their big purple truck, it is recognized as a safe place to ask for a meal.
“They can order anything on the menu–gumbo, Po’ Boys or any of our other Puerto Rican specialties–and get a drink, like any other customer,” Fontanez said. “Sometimes they only have a few coins but they want to pay, so we take it… It’s about giving them dignity and a smile.”
Fontanez, who has served in the U.S. Army and as a youth minister, has dedicated his life to being of service to others. His grandparents, who hailed from Puerto Rico, always held gatherings where food was of the utmost importance, and they always kept their home open to those who needed a meal or a place to stay.
“I started a food truck because it was less expensive than starting a restaurant. I never knew how exciting and humbling this journey would be,” Fontanez said. “It’s sad that more restaurants don’t give food away. There is a lot of waste there.”
As for whether or not folks may take unfair advantage, Willy isn’t concerned in the least.
“We can’t control others and what they do, all we can do is love. You gave a blessing to someone, and their choices don’t take away our love,” he said.
Other food trucks in Oklahoma do similar things, so the folks at La Gumbo Ya Ya are in the process of forming an alliance of food trucks that offer free meals to those in need, no strings attached.
As for Fontanez, he hopes to have a second truck on the streets by this fall, but needs to raise about $20,000 to do that.
“Even when we have a low sales day, if we can give a few meals away, I’m happy with that,” he said. “I take that positive feeling home to my family.”
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After 79-year-old Jack Maier won the lottery in 2006, he decided to use the winnings to rent a bunch of billboards around town to remind young women to pay attention to their health.
The billboards going up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin cost $2,000 each for only one month of advertising, but after losing his wife, Myrna, to breast cancer, Maier was determined to urge other women to get mammograms, and second opinions.
He won more than $300,000 in the SuperCash jackpot and says he’s going to continue his personal crusade until he runs out of money.
(WATCH the video below or READ more from the Journal Sentinel) – Photo: Journal-Sentinel Video
We posted a Mothers Day video last month showing kids reassuring moms about their parenting abilities through heartfelt letters. Now, Minute Maid is back again with a reminder to dads everywhere that they’re #doingood.
When a single father is asked how he is performing as a dad, he responds with doubt and hope.
Then they asked his son.
The heartwarming response is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
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With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday in America, I thought I’d remind you about our Good News Network Gift Memberships.
For $15 you can buy a 1-year Gift Membership that includes access to free, downloadable eBooks and audio programs.
Our Member Gifts come from authors and experts in their fields with titles like Live Happier, Live Longer (for the over 50 crowd); Relationship Help is Here; and High-Powered Mentoring for 7 Areas of Your Life.
(The Gift Certificate is automatically emailed – or you can download it and present the gift in person, or mail it.)
Remember that anytime of year, becoming a member is a great way to support the website.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dad figures out there…. xxoo –Geri
Dance teacher Shirley Clements may be ready to retire, but this video (above) shows she can still work that “Uptown Funk.”
The 60-year-old plans to leave her teaching job at a Canadian high school next year, but to kick off her final act she took to the stage during a student hip-hop competition. It was a thrilling reminder of why she’s the teacher.
Dancing to the Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hit, “Uptown Funk,” she was the center of attention all the way to a head-spinning finale.
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In an effort to accommodate those who just can’t tear themselves away from their smartphones as they walk around campus, Utah Valley University has added a “texting lane” inside its student center.
The stairways are now divided into lanes for walking, running and texting.
The special designation is a clever way to promote safety and was created by a team of students charged with enhancing the center’s design through the use of art and graphics.
“We used that fact to engage our students, to catch their attention and to let them know we are aware of who they are and where they’re coming from,” said Matt Bambrough, the university’s creative director. “The design was meant for people to laugh at, rather than a real attempt to direct traffic flow.”
A student posted a photo of the special stairway to social media, and it has gained international attention for the school of 31,000 students in Orem, Utah.
(WATCH the video below from Today or READ more from Utah Valley University)
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Father’s Day can sometimes get less attention than other holidays– especially in the gift department– with everyone taking mom out for brunch on Mother’s Day or giving flowers on Valentine’s Day. But its significance is at the core of our society and is arguably one of the most meaningful days of the year for families to celebrate. It is a time to reflect on not only the father in your life, but the symbolism of what fatherhood should look like and all the men that encompass great fatherhood, whether it be biologically or emotionally.
As a celebration of Father’s Day (and not wanting to give short shrift to dads, after our fun Favorite Momisms article in May) we asked some New Yorkers to share some memories that will amuse and inspire you.
“Fatherhood taught me more about life than anything else. I learned to cherish the moments because time moves so quickly. First, your children are in diapers, then you blink and they are in school. Blink again they are in college, and then before you know it, they are grown with their own careers and families. It was the greatest gift, because I learned to cherish every moment as time marched on.” –Tom Pozsgay, Watch Director, WP Diamonds
“There are two very important things we need to discuss. (To his daughters) When you go out on a date, don’t forget a quarter for the bus and ten cents for the payphone. You are valuable, beautiful women. Have respect. If a man is fresh with you, walk out, call me, and I will pick you up. Otherwise, get the bus or a taxi to me and I will pay for it. (To his sons) No one should have dirty shoes, since it is a reflection of cleanliness. You can have very little money, but that does not give you the right to have dirty shoes.” –Jorge Torres Davila
“My father would end all of his talks with me saying, ‘Be a good boy, watch yourself crossing, and come home right after school.’ I knew it was his way of telling me all is right with the world.” –Tony Gallo, Retired NYC Firefighter and Former Marine, Senior Director at Sapphire Protection
“A good father never blames his farts on you.” –Martin Lopez, English Teacher, Xavier High School
“Dad would always say ‘winners never quit, and quitters never win.’” –John McGee, Art Director
“It’s taken me a lifetime to realize this, but my father has always had my back. He’s supported me throughout the ups and downs. He is an amazing person…really I wouldn’t be who I am today without my dad.” –Thomas Duane, Artist, Artwork by Thomas Duane
“My father wisely told me that urinals and sandals…don’t mix.” –Joseph Font, Healthcare Analyst
“When I was around 9 or 10, I used to run to the end of our street where my dad would be coming home from work, and he would slow down and let me jump up on the bumper of the hatchback, driving back down the street to our house. I loved that.” –Nouelle Dorrow, Graduate Student at Columbia University and Intern at International Rescue Committee
“A long time ago, when my daughter was just a little girl, she loved visiting me at my studio to watch me design and make jewelry. I loved spending time with her while telling her what goes into making jewelry and showing her my sketches for new designs. With endless curiosity and infatuation, she used to listen and watch me while I worked.
One day, with big eyes, she came up to me and handed me a piece of paper with a drawing of a lizard. I asked her what it was and she answered, ‘This is my new jewelry design. It is going to be a pin. This is for you, Daddy. Because Daddy deserves nice jewelry too.’ Brought tears to my eyes knowing my little girl loved me so much and wanted me to have something special. . . So I did! I produced the lizard pin she drew for me and to this day I still wear it as a tie pin. Such a special piece forever making me proud to be a Daddy who is blessed to have a wonderful daughter. ‘Because Daddy deserves nice jewelry too’” – Sinork Agdere, Designer, Lord Jewelry
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This little girl is absolutely overjoyed. It’s her birthday, and she’s celebrating with her father, whose birthday is also coming up. But instead of receiving gifts, this British dynamic duo decided to combine their ages and pay the fun forward with 39 random acts of kindness.
Amélie and her father Lee Beck, spread their generosity on strangers by “granting wishes,” writing letters of gratitude, and doling out adorably decorated pencils.
The father-daughter team compiled a list of possibilities and whittled it down based on their budget. Lee told the Good News Network the goal of remaining anonymous was foremost in their plans. Then, the two took to the streets.
“There are still quite a few people who don’t know who did it, and that is quite exciting,” Lee said in an email. “Hopefully the experience will stay with them. There are already people saying they will do something on their own special days!”
Amélie was over-the-moon excited to complete every single task.
“Overall, I was humbled by her understanding of our actions, and her non-judgemental attitude over the various people we helped. It was clear that she liked helping others, and that each person, animal or cause we helped was important in their own right, Lee said.
For the duo, the biggest surprise was just how much people loved making wishes; they left pennies for folks with a sign that read “Make a Wish” under their local “wishing bridge” and Amélie delighted in watching from afar.
They made their lovely video with the idea of inspiring others to do the same. For those who want to embark on their own kindness journey, the pair suggest starting with a few free and cheap acts, just one per day.
The family has since received many letters of thanks from people who discovered that the two were responsible for the 39 acts, even though initially they were done anonymously.
WATCH the video above to witness all 39 acts of kindness.
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A 10-year-old’s dream of becoming a fireman came true when he got a chance to test his skills after a fire broke out at a neighbor’s home.
Isiah Francis and his friend, 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes, were playing video games in Orange County, Florida, this week when they smelled smoke next door.
The boys rushed into their neighbor’s burning home and carried two of his children to safety. 
Jeremiah told WFTV, “That’s what any one person would’ve done, to, like, kids in danger – you just go in and help them.”
The boys called 911 while the children’s father tried to extinguish the fire.
Isiah says he wants to be a firefighter now more than ever.
(WATCH the video below or READ more at WFTV) – Story tip from Carilyn
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A new class of drugs shows promise in stopping migraines before they start. The drugs have cut the number of migraines in half among more than 50% of patients in clinical trials — and prevented all headaches for 10% of them.
The drugs target a particular chemical in the body — calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The chemical helps control blood vessels and plays a role in transmitting pain signals to the brain. Scientists believe CGRP contributes to causing migraines.
The new drugs use something called monoclonal antibodies — made from proteins in the immune system — to reduce the levels of CGRP in the body. The idea is to disrupt the pain messages that CGRP carries to the brain.
CHECK Out: Asthma Could Be Cured Within 5 Years With This New Breakthrough
Four companies – Alder Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Eli Lilly and Company, and Teva Pharmaceuticals – have been conducting separate trials and each have reported similar results.
“The potential of these new compounds is enormous and gives us real hope that effective specific treatments for migraine may be on the near horizon,” Dr. Peter Goadsby of the University of California, San Francisco, told NBC News.
Monoclonal antibodies can be expensive, and the researchers have no idea yet how much the drug will cost or how often patients may have to take it.
(READ more at NBC News) – Photo by allspice1
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What better way to say you love the environment than by building a heart-shaped solar power plant?
This is what the “Heart of New Caledonia” plant will look like when it’s completed on the
French island in the South Pacific. A local beverage company has contracted Conergy Australia to build it.
It was inspired by the nearby landmark, “Coeur de Voh”, or “Heart of Voh” — a naturally heart-shaped mangrove forest, pictured at right.
When finished, the plant will generate enough electricity for 750 homes and reduce carbon emissions by two million tons over it’s 25-year life expectancy.
(READ more at the Guardian) – Photos: Conergy Australia; Bananaflo, GNU
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Americans officially have an ally when it comes to fighting off telemarketers in their homes and spammers on their cell phones.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved new rules Thursday that allow phone companies to act on behalf of their customers by utilizing new technology to block auto-dialed robo-calls and spam texts. The new rule encourages every telecommunication company to make use of this “do not disturb” technology to benefit the public.
At the same time, a bill before Congress would allow the FCC to increase the maximum fine it can impose on violators from $16,000 to $25,000.
Additionally, if you tell the salesperson on the line to stop calling, they must adhere. In the past, people had to add their names to the government’s “Do Not Call” list, either online or by mail. Now, if you tell them to stop calling, they have to take your number off their list.
In one recorded instance, someone wrote to the FCC complaining that he received 27,000 texts in 17 months after he got a new phone number. The new rule states that if you take over someone’s old number, telemarketers can only call you once.
(READ more at the Washington Post) – Photo: hyperomer, CC
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At one time, Edson Zimba only took from his native land of Zambia. Now he gives back.
For twenty years he combed the bush of Zambia’s Luangwa National Park, a remote reserve known to tourists as a place to experience wildlife undisturbed. He hunted buffalo, elephant and hedgehog.
Zimba was a poacher.
But he grew weary of hunting the increasingly barren brush. So when he was asked by a non-profit environmental group to turn over his gun in favor of farming, he quickly accepted their offer.
Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) is in the business of providing alternative life choices for would-be poachers, teaching them beekeeping, vegetable gardening and carpentry.
The group has taught Zimba sustainable farming techniques so that he now yields enough to feed his family.
And what’s left, he sells to COMACO for its food processing facility, which manufactures It’s Wild food products, sold in markets across Zambia.
In recent years, eighty percent of farmers in Zambia couldn’t grow enough food to make ends meet. The fallback, according to COMACO’s founder, Dale Lewis, was poaching.
“The (agricultural) technology is there,” says Lewis, “but what’s been lacking is an organization that can change a way of life… and be a solution for conservation.”
One reformed poacher says, before, he was a destroyer. Now, the farmer calls himself a human being.
Zimba tells Al Jazeera America, that COMACO “upgraded our minds.” He says, “I’m living much better than in the past.”
(READ the full story from Al Jazeera America)
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High School valedictorian Konner Sauve had a surprise for all his fellow students in his graduation speech — he was the person who had been anonymously praising each and every one of the school’s 657 students on Instagram.
He created the account for “thebenevolentone3” eleven months before graduation and began commenting on pictures of each student at East Valley High in Washington state, emphasizing their best qualities.
After Konner revealed himself, the comments started pouring in to thebenevolentone3 Instagram account, praising his nearly year long effort:
“You are a champion!”
“This story made me so emotional. What a beautiful selfless thing to do for those around you.”
“I am so proud that you are part of our future. It gives me hope that my kids will have great role models to look up to.
“I knew I wanted to do something different, something to lift people up, but didn’t want to make a huge thing about it,” Konner told TODAY. “Then I figured out a way to be subtle while still inspiring them and making them feel good about themselves.”
(READ more, and see more comments, at TODAY)
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Americans gave $358 billion to charity last year, the fifth year in a row that generosity has increased over the previous year, and marking an all-time record.
That’s $3 billion more than the previous record set in 2007. And if you factor in the amount of time people in the U.S. volunteer every year, Americans are tied for first as the most charitable people on the planet per capita.
The Giving USA Foundation reports more than a million American charities received a share of those contributions, Most of the money, $258 billion, came from individuals who, on average, gave 5.7 percent more than they gave 2013.
Foundations, bequests and corporate donations also increased.
“We saw several very large gifts greater than $200 million,” said Patrick Rooney, Associate Dean at Indiana University and a member of the Giving USA Foundation. “These gifts are high impact and are addressing many critical issues of our time, particularly medical research.”
Donors gave to their favorite causes, but contributions to cultural, environmental or animal based charities enjoyed the fastest growth last year, according to the New York Times.
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For Throwback Thursday, here’s one of the sweetest news stories from 2014, which somehow slipped past everyone at Good News Network.
This husband with Alzheimer’s may have been a little lost, but when police found him, they realized the mission he was on was so romantic, they needed to step in to help him carry it out.
The elderly Little Rock, Arkansas resident was determined to continue an annual tradition to honor his wife, and had wandered two miles from his home when officers spotted him.
He was able to deliver his touching gesture, after all, with a little help from city police.
(WATCH the video below from Steve Hartman) Photo: CBS video
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