Teen Invites Her 80-year-old Grandfather to Prom (Video)

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Apr 15, 2015

80-year-old James Drain never got to go to his high school prom. He never even wore a tuxedo in his eight decades of life.

This week, he got to do both.

His granddaughter, Joy Webb, got special permission from her Alabama high school administration to take “Poppa” to the prom as her date, and the two had what we can only imagine to be the time of their lives.

Ms. Webb said that Drain has brought “nothing but joy to her family” and was grateful for the opportunity to do something extra special for him.

Sounds like joy all around.

Breath Test Can Tell the Difference Between Heartburn, Stomach Cancer

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Terry Turner

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Apr 15, 2015

If doctors had a way to easily spot the difference between cancer and indigestion, it could save thousands of lives.

Soon there may be a simple test that lets them find stomach cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s easiest to treat. The symptoms — burping and heartburn — mirror too many minor health problems, and patients are often misdiagnosed until the cancer spreads. But new research could soon give doctors the tools they need to be right on the nose with their diagnosis.

Scientists from the Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Latvia believed there’s a way to “sniff out” stomach cancer in those stages because it has a unique smell.

Cat Sniffs Out Breast Cancer, Saves Owner’s Life

They focused on finding “breath prints” of cancer — the idea that people with cancer have chemical compounds in their breath, which don’t show up in people who are cancer free. They used a technology called nanoarray analysis to see if it can spot those minute differences in chemicals people breathe out.

The study builds on earlier work by Israeli, Latvian and Chinese researchers who first identified “breath prints” and suggested proper technology — or even dogs — could be used to sniff out cancer.

Early tests on 484 people found the nanoarray technology was 92% effective in spotting people in the early stages of stomach cancer. The researchers published their findings in the journal Gut.

Larger tests, involving thousands of subjects, are planned. If those go well, nanoarray analysis could be used to screen for stomach cancer within just a few years.

“Diagnosing cancer in its early stages offers patients the best chance of successful treatment,” Dr. Emma Smith of Cancer Research UK, told the BBC. “So research like this has potential to help save lives.”

Labradoodle Fetches Hope For Girl In Long Term Treatment

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Good News Network

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Apr 15, 2015

For a small girl, Caydence Brannaman has defied long odds. Born ten weeks early with a hole in her upper heart chamber and Pulmonary hypertension, it was determined that she would need open heart surgery. Not only that, tests showed that Caydence had Pulmonary Vein stenosis, which sent her family on a journey across the country looking for a suitable treatment.

By the time she got to the Ronald McDonald House near Texas Children’s hospital, she was in serious need of some comfort.

“Everything was new to her. She was so unsure of everything. We told her about the play room, the outside area and how much fun she would have,” said her grandmother, Patty. “But it was Mogie who turned Cayde back into that smiling little girl again.”

Mogie the Labradoodle is the Ronald McDonald House’s resident pup in Houston. He’s not a service dog (and therefore not required to sit still), so playfulness abounds when the two are together.

“When I got out of the hospital I didn’t feel very good, but Mogie would sit with me and give me kisses that made me feel better,” Caydence told Good News Network.

The two became fast friends when Mogie was just one-year-old, and Caydence was four.

“Running around and chasing Mogie….the exercise was good for her, and she wanted to play, something that sometime sick kids like Cayde find hard to do,” said Patty. “But when you’re doing it with your buddy for fun, it’s not like work.”

Cayde and Mogie have celebrated birthdays and other major milestones together, and have since worked together to bring awareness to the RMH Houston at fundraising events (once they both got over their shyness).

Sometimes, Caydence still likes to shut off the world and be alone, and when she does, her retreat of choice is Mogie’s dog house, where she’ll watch a movie on her iPad as Mogie stands guard outside, looking in.

Grandma has also been soothed by Mogie.

“Even if I just wanted to go outside and have a good cry away from Carlee and Caydence, Mogie seemed to know. He would just sit there with me while I tried to find answers to questions I could not answer,” Patty said. “Mogie was an amazing asset to Caydence’s growth…he got me through some tough times while learning to cope.”

Mogie still lives at RMH Houston where he provides love and support to hundreds of little ones throughout the year.

(WATCH videos of Mogie playing with Cayde and other children below)

Houston we have landed.. And look who is glad Cayde is back at her Houston Ronald Mcdonald Home. Mogie and Cayde get a little time together not so sure who missed each other more.. So lots of kisses and hugs and some fun.
Posted by Caydence's Spirit on Friday, January 3, 2014

Mogie lives at Ronald McDonald House Houston and spends his days comforting children with critical illnesses.
Posted by Mogie on Thursday, March 6, 2014

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4 Steps to Ease the Stress of Tax Day

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Apr 15, 2015

It’s Tax Day in the United States today, a time when stress mounts so much that it becomes almost dangerous to be on the highways. Due to a spike in driver stress levels, there are more deaths by car accident, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. An ongoing Gallop survey showed that April 15 was tied as the 2nd most stressful day of the year, behind a day with mass tornadoes.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to better cope with tax-time panic (and, we didn’t mean to further panic you with the highway statistic). According to Stanford psychologist Dr. Megan Jones, who also serves as Chief Science Officer at the self-improvement website Lantern, the solution comes in four steps:

STEP 1: Pivot Your Perspective

Because your chance of feeling daily stress is the same if you make $40K per year versus $160K per year, realize that more money does not make you less stressed — but your attitude about money can.

STEP 2: Look Forward, Not Back

For many couples, conflict arises during tax season because one partner tends to spend more while the other saves more. Rather than looking back at what each of you did in 2014, use tax time to make 2015 financial resolutions, based on saving, spending less or earning more.

STEP 3: Be Proactive

Because money-related stress is often related to a feeling of helplessness, choose a simple action (such as selling an old item on Craigslist), that you can implement immediately to start positively impacting your savings.

STEP 4: Box It Up

To manage different sources of stress, visualize “boxes” where you can put each stressful obligation when you’re not actively engaged with it. Avoid thinking about tax and money issues until you consciously decide to take them out of a mental box, and do something about it.

All of these steps are based on a proven approach utilized at Lantern.com, where users engage in daily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—a type of therapy that examines self-destructive thinking patterns.

Find this article helpful? Please SHARE below… (Photo by Sal Falko, CC)

Iran to Appoint Female Ambassador

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Good News Network

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Apr 14, 2015

Iran is set to promote its Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to be the first female ambassador abroad since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Telegraph)

Scientists Find Two Proteins That Can Suppress Cancer

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Terry Turner

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Apr 14, 2015

Israeli researchers have discovered that a “Jekyll and Hyde” protein, long linked to causing cancer, may also be able to stop the disease from spreading in the body.

The protein, p50, has been linked in studies to several different kinds of cancers, but scientists have now found that in high concentrations, p50 actually has the opposite effect — it dramatically slows the growth of cancerous cells.

“The p50 protein is quite reminiscent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” said Prof. Aaron Ciechanover, who won the 2004 Nobel prize in chemistry.

Australian Researchers Discover New Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer

He says before it can cause cancer, p50 has to hook up with another protein, p65.

“We found that when there is an over-expression of the protein p50, it has nothing to hook up to, and it thus hooks up to itself,” Ciechanover said

When that happens, Ciechanover said, the protein “changes its spots” and starts suppressing the growth of cancerous cells.

Three Little Girls Retake Viral Photo to Celebrate Remission From Cancer

“In this study, it does this by producing other proteins that are known cancer suppressors.” Ciechanover told Haaretz.

The new research was done at Ciechanover’s lab at the Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, led by Dr. Yelena Kravtsova-Ivantsiv, and published in the journal Cell.

The research also found that another protein, KPC1, showed promise in suppressing the growth of cancer cells. KPC1 is also involved in producing p50 in the body.

Mystery Donor Gives Her Diamond Engagement Ring to Couple in Need

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Good News Network

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Apr 14, 2015

A New Mexico woman’s engagement didn’t work out, but instead of selling her diamond ring, she wanted to find a deserving couple to give it to. After posting the offer on Facebook, she received many stories, but one stood out.

Dozens of entries were submitted to the Inhabitants of Burque Facebook page, dedicated to Albuquerque stories. Josh Michaels told his tale of wedding woes last Monday and was chosen as the winner.

Engaged to Laura Aitken since 2013, Michaels was diagnosed with a rare form of stage four cancer. With so many medical bills, he has been unable to purchase a ring for Aitken, who has loyally stuck by his side through the ordeal.

By Tuesday, the anonymous ring donor was so touched by his narrative that she chose him as the recipient of the $2,100 diamond ring.

Thankful for the mystery benefactor’s generosity, Micheals proposed again to his girlfriend, expressing his love while slipping the antique style sparkler on Aitken’s finger.

The couple was also assured by its prior owner that the ring was filled with “positive vibes.”

(WATCH the heartwarming video below or READ more from KRQE)

Story tip from Emily Griebel

Dancing Coffee Shop Employee Gets Free Vacation From Fans (WATCH)

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Good News Network

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Apr 14, 2015

Sometimes, it pays to be quirky.

Terri Marshall, an employee at a McMaster University coffee shop in Hamilton, Ontario is one of those folks who displays exuberant happiness every time she sees a customer. And when you win something from the store’s “Roll up the Rim” game, she is going to make a big deal. A big, happy deal.

A group of students decided that this Tim Horton’s employee, who does a whole song and dance when you win, should be rewarded for her day-brightening moves, so they collected money and surprised her with a check in the amount of $1,445.26. That’s exactly the amount she needed in order to take a very special vacation.

Fast Food Worker Who Stood Up For Blind Customer Gets National Praise

We’re assuming they pulled her out from behind the counter for a run-of-the mill, ordinary giant group-dance –but then surprised her with an over-sized check. Marshall added to the merriment by announcing that she and her husband would be celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary.

(Watch the video below)

Space-Out With This Spectacular GoPro Spacewalk Footage From NASA

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Kristy Cooper

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Apr 14, 2015

If you were blown away by the scenes in the movie “Gravity,” wait until you see high-def video of the real thing.

Earlier this year, NASA attached GoPro cameras to astronauts Butch Wilmore and Terry Verts before they took their spacewalks on the International Space Station. Uploaded by NASA last week, the breathtaking imagery offers us an opportunity to feel like we’re in the cosmos.

On February 25th, the spacewalk, also known as EVA (extravehicular activity), was performed to provide general maintenance on the space station. Wilmore and Verts took six hours to ready the craft for future space missions, and a one-hour video documents their foray.

Astronaut and Rock Star Record First Earth-Space Duet (WATCH)

A 40-minute video from March 1st shows the astronauts installing new communications equipment to be used by partnering commercial spacecraft.

According to the Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities agreement, NASA is committed to explore all of the possibilities associated with private spaceflight. The high-quality videos give the world a little preview before that galactic dream “takes flight.”

(WATCH the amazing videos below / at the bottom, NASA experts discuss the walk over footage)

IKEA to Upgrade 10,000 Refugee Family’s Tents to Modular Solar Shelters

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Good News Network

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Apr 13, 2015

For years, millions of families seeking shelter from war and other turmoil have had to live in refugee tents made of little more than tarps thrown over wooden or metal frames. In some cases, this antiquated method of housing turns out to be the family’s only home for a decade or more.

Fortunately, the IKEA Foundation has teamed up with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to design the “Better Shelter,” which is safer, sturdier, easy to transport and assemble, and can house five people at a time. It boasts built-in solar panels that can charge batteries and power four hours of LED lighting at night, and can better protect its inhabitants from rain, heat, and wind for up to three years — six times longer than the lifespan of tents used in many refugee camps today.

After two years of design work and testing them with 40 refugee families in Ethiopia and Iraq, Better Shelters and IKEA announced plans to produce 10,000 of them starting this year.

“Putting refugee families and their needs at the heart of this project is a great example of how democratic design can be used for humanitarian value,” IKEA Foundation spokesman Jonathan Spampinato said in a statement. “Refugee families and children can have a safer place to call home.”

LEARN more about their design in this Better Shelters video below.

Applaud IKEA by Sharing (below)…

Strangers Help Animate 6-ft Dummy to Create Performance Art

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anton hecht

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Apr 13, 2015

As an homage to Ray Harryhausun and his films like Clash of the Titans, I thought it would be fun to shoot an art project similar to the movie, but on a smaller scale. As it turns out, it was not fun… it was really, really hard. But when I decided to let strangers step in to help, the result was magical.

I had wanted to make this for video for about 2 years, and I thought that to begin, I would have to make a model by hand. However, fate decided to show me the dummy for sale online at a very reasonable price.

We started shooting the video on February 3rd as part of the Connect 2 Digital Scheme at the UK Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Ceredigion. I often work with the public community groups, so I wanted the animation process itself to become a performance of the people. We decided to try and get the public to move the figure and be in the video with us, making an aesthetic out of it’s creation. I worried that this would slow us down, or that people wouldn’t come over and help, but I was amazed at just how willing people were to be a part of it. When we set up — rather than me forever running after people and asking them to help — there was a continuous slew of people asking to play along.

Even though it didn’t rain or snow the whole day — which it does a great deal in Aberystwyth — there were still plenty of bumps along the way. The dummy constantly needed adjustments, and pieces kept falling off as we went along, but after shooting from dusk till dawn, we managed to get it across the finish line.

The dummy references texts like Pinocchio, Mannequin (whatever happened to the actor in that? I think he was called Robert Downey something… ?) Winter’s Tale, and all those other stories where figures come alive. It also looks at changing the way animation works; pushing it to the limit on how you can create motion and making the process a performance.

(WATCH our video above…)

She’s Officially Celestial: Malala Gets Astroid Named After Her

By

Terry Turner

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Apr 13, 2015

She fought for girls’ rights, survived an assassination attempt, and won the Nobel Peace Prize all by the time she was 17 years old. Now Malala Yousafzai has a celestial body named after her.

An astronomer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory discovered the asteroid back in 2010 and the International Astronomical Union Committee on Small Bodies Nomenclature announced last week it is now named after the Pakistani teenager who stood up to the Taliban.

Yousafzai became the youngest person to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her activism in support of a girl’s right to attend school. In 2012, Taliban gunmen shot her, leaving her severely wounded in a failed assassination attempt. She’d drawn the Taliban’s ire after becoming an outspoken critic and symbol of resistance to Taliban efforts to quash education for girls in Pakistan.

“If anyone deserves to have an asteroid named after them, she does,” said Amy Mainzer, who discovered the asteroid. She wrote on the Malala Fund blog, “We desperately need the brainpower of all smart people to solve some of humanity’s most difficult problems, and we can’t afford to reject half the population’s.”

Asteroid 316201 Malala lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, in our solar system’s main asteroid belt. Four kilometers across and described as the color of “printer toner,” it takes five-and-a-half years to orbit the sun.

Mainzer said she decided to name her discovery after post doctoral student Carrie Nugent pointed out to her how few asteroids have been named “in honor of the contributions of women and particularly women of color.”

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL

(Photos) Meet Two Adorable Baby Otters Named ‘Monterey’ and ‘Jack’

By

Kristy Cooper

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Apr 13, 2015

Sometimes, cheesy can be downright cute.

Just look at these adorable North American River Otters, named Monterey and Jack, born to their mother, Brie.

After the rare birth, the otter family was introduced to the world over the weekend by the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

“We haven’t had baby otters here since 1988…it’s quite rare for them to be born in captivity, so we’re thrilled about the birth,” Zoo Director Ted Fox told TODAY.

Baby_Otter-newborn_RosamondGiffordZoo — Photos by Jaime Alvarez, Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Weighing just four ounces at birth on March 8th., the kiddos aren’t expected to be opening their eyes for another four to five weeks, but guests will be able to catch a glimpse of them chowing down soon enough. When they’re old enough, the two will be added to the zoo’s regular otter exhibit.

Baby_Otters_in box-RosamondGiffordZoo — Photos by Jaime Alvarez, Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Monterey and Jack will be continuously observed as they get to know their new surroundings, as will mom, Brie, who was named for her favorite toy: a piece of cheese.

Something tells us her new pups will be way more fun to play with.

For more information on the baby otters, zoo visitation hours and admission prices go to rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

Why Does This Astronaut Have Two Dogs On His Official NASA Portrait?

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Good News Network

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Apr 13, 2015

Saturday was National Pet Day, but for astronaut Leland Devon Melvin every day is a day for pets–even the day he was scheduled to sit for his official NASA portrait. He insisted on including his two furry babies in the photo.

An engineer, athlete, and mission specialist several times over, Melvin is also a proud pup papa, and he wants the entire universe to know it.

Homebound Elderly Across America Will Get The Gift of Puppy Love

Melvin played for the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys before an injury led him to change career paths. He then went partially deaf after an underwater training exercise, but pushed on to fly missions on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Later he became head of NASA education, and served as co-chair of the White House Education Task Force.

While all of these accomplishments are astronomically amazing, being a dad to dogs Jake and Scout, seems to be at the top of the list.

Does this mean they’re officially stars? Affirmative.

Over and out.

What We Can Learn From James Bond About Living a Meaningful Life (007 Tips)

By

Nico Rose

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Apr 13, 2015

62 years ago today, the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published on April 13, 1953. The English author, Ian Fleming, was a journalist and naval intelligence officer, who started writing the book at his Goldeneye home in Jamaica. “I wanted Bond to be an extremely dull, uninteresting man to whom things happened,” he told the New Yorker. But his 12 Bond novels and two short-story collections are anything but dull.

James Bond films are boisterous, testosterone-laden fantasies, but the most famous of secret agents can teach us a lot about a live well-lived. And I am not (necessarily) talking about the best way to serve a Martini. Here are 007 pieces of wisdom that can be distilled from 62 years of suave and savvy Bond culture:

1. Don’t get irritated

James Bond is always “cool” – at least, that’s the impression he makes on others. He focuses on the situation at hand and the overarching goal of his mission and never gets sidetracked, except for the occasional tête-à-tête – but even those often serve a purpose, e.g., annoying one of the evil dudes. At the end of the day, this is a lesson about mindfulness – which has shown to be associated with positive outcomes in several important life domains, including mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships.

2. Take immediate Action

007 is not much of a planner. He makes up his mind and improvises a lot of his moves on the spot, relying on his wits and physical abilities. He knows that the life as a super-agent is full of surprises and events that one cannot really prepare for. Therefore, he sticks to a few big goals and decides on the next-best move “then and there.” The ability to cope with uncertainty and unforeseen events is a critical element of resilience.

3. Show Self Respect

James Bond never questions his abilities, he never falters or hesitates. While a real-life person cannot (and maybe shouldn’t) be equipped with an equally high level of self-confidence, this is probably a lesson about self-efficacy, the “power of believing you can.” Self-efficacy is the scientific version of Henry Ford’s aphorism: “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” By believing that we can reach a certain goal, we are increasing the likelihood of actually getting there. This has been extensively demonstrated in the area of work, education, and sports.

4. Always Carry a Secret Weapon

When in desperate straits, 007 always has one more trick up his sleeve, usually a tiny gadget given to him by the armorer “Q”. Seen through the lens of Positive Psychology, this part refers to the very unique set of signature strengths that we all possess – and that we should rely on when to going gets tough, since using our personal strengths is associated with a higher likelihood of reaching our goals. Additionally, this point shows that other people matter. Even a lone wolf like Bond needs other people’s support at times.

5. Act with Style – And Simplicity

James Bond portrays a unique style, and understands that style is mostly about simplicity. He’s always dressed and groomed extremely well – which means he sticks to time-tested essentials. The suits, the hairdo, the watches all seem to say “Don’t get carried away by fashion, or unnecessary details. No frills.” This is also a lesson on efficiency. Barry Schwartz calls it the Tyranny of Choice. Bond knows that sticking to certain defaults is one of the most intelligent ways to avoid unnecessary decision-making – thereby saving up mental capacity for more precarious moments in life than choosing what to wear for dinner.

6. The true significance of your current Mission will become clear later, in the Bahamas

This point has a lot to do with the “connecting the dots,” which was part of Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement speech. Life can only be lived “forward,” but the sense-making happens when looking backward. Hence, we have to embark on the journey without necessarily knowing where it will end –or what it all means. We have to get moving, anyway. Otherwise, we won’t even make it to the Bahamas. This resembles the process of how entrepreneurs are finding ideas for their next start-up: they acquire knowledge in different areas of life and only later on start to recognize relationships or patterns in those seemingly unrelated events or trends in the external world.

7. You are in Her Majesty’s Secret Service

This is the most important principle, though it may not seem straightforward. Even though James Bond seems like a cynical, ruthless, and at times even nihilistic person, he’s definitely not. He is an agent in Her Majesty’s Secret Service, fighting for the safety of his country and “the free world” in general. He is not in it for himself. James Bond clearly has a higher purpose and acts according to certain unshakable values. Research has shown that people who perceive their life as having a strong purpose are more focused, resilient, and inventive in pursuing their goals. As such, having a strong purpose is the foundation for all the above-mentioned principles.

(SHARE this Bond Wisdom with your friends below)

___________________________

Although I wish I would have done so, I didn’t come up with this stuff myself. I first heard about the “James Bond Philosophy of Life” at the University of Pennsylvania shortly before Christmas 2013 from the magnificent Esa Saarinen, a “star” philosopher from Finland.

Nico Rose is a psychologist with a doctoral degree in business administration. He’s Head of Employer Branding at Bertelsmann. Since 2008 he has been a management coach at Excellis and in 2010, was awarded with the German “Coaching Award”. Nico has authored articles, appeared in German newspapers and magazines, and is a regular keynote speaker at human resource conferences. In 2012, his latest book “Lizenz zur Zufriedenheit – Positive Psychologie in der Praxis” (License for Satisfaction: Positive Psychology in Practice) was published. He lives in Hamm, Germany with his wife and a son and blogs about Positive Psychology at www.mappalicious.com.

Photo credits: (top) ClaraDon (middle) bionicteaching

Artist Adds Human Faces to Scary Ebola Protective Suits

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Good News Network

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Apr 13, 2015

Los Angeles artist Mary Beth Heffernan is the rare person who decided to actually try to solve a problem half way around the world.

Last summer, Heffernan, who is also an art professor at Occidental College, became obsessed with the images of Ebola health care workers in those white ghost-like protective suits.

She wondered, ‘Why don’t they put photos on the outside of the suit showing the health care workers wearing big smiles?’

And then she thought, Maybe I am the one that is suppose to do this.

(WATCH the video below or READ the story from NPR) – Photo by Marc Campos courtesy of Occidental College

Sheriffs Pack Patrol Cars With Little Orange Boxes of Sunshine

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Good News Network

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Apr 12, 2015

In Minnesota, Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies are patrolling downtown Minneapolis carrying boxes filled with granola bars and other nutritious goodies to hand out to anyone in need on the streets.

The deputies’ cars are being filled by the nonprofit group, Matter, which wants to get healthy food to people who aren’t going to food banks. The faith-based charity launched in 2000 partnered with food giant, Cargill, during March Madness week to raise $46,000 for the 2nd annual “Food Madness” day, where volunteers packed 23,000 meal boxes.

Patrol vehicles will be loaded with the bright orange cartons that Sheriff Rich Stanek says will help officers to immediately help people they come into contact with.

(READ more from Minnesota Public Radio) – Photo via Matter’s FB Page

After 2-Year Campaign, Lowe’s Falls in Line With Bee-Lovers

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Good News Network

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Apr 12, 2015

Environmentalists are praising the Lowe’s hardware chain for making a commitment to eliminate neonicotinoid pesticides –a leading contributor to global bee declines – from its stores.

Following a two-year public campaign urging Lowe’s and other garden retailers to take action, the company announced Thursday it will phase out neonicotinoids as suitable alternatives become available.

“Following studies that say many factors, including neonicotinoid pesticides, could potentially damage the health of pollinators, Lowe’s has committed to take several steps to support pollinator health,” says the company’s new Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Honey on Tap Directly From Your Beehive Without Disturbing Bees

Lowe’s also promises to offer greater non-neonic product and organic selections and work with growers to eliminate the use of neonic pesticides on bee-attractive plants. The company also says it will try to educate customers about pollinator health.

Friends of the Earth and its allies led the campaign that urged Lowe’s and others to drop neonicotinoids and neonic pesticides from their shelves. More than one million people signed petitions and thousands of activists delivered letters directly to Lowe’s stores in cities across the U.S. and Canada asking for this change.

A study released by Friends of the Earth and Pesticide Research Institute, Gardeners Beware 2014, showed that 51 percent of garden plants purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart in 18 cities in the US and Canada contained the pesticides at levels that could harm or even kill bees. In the past year, more than twenty nurseries, landscaping companies and retailers—including Home Depot, Whole Foods and BJ’s Wholesale Club have taken steps to eliminate bee-killing pesticides from their stores. The UK’s top garden retailers including Homebase, B&Q and Wickes, have also stopped selling neonicotinoids.

“We are pleased Lowe’s is listening to consumer concerns and to the growing body of science telling us we need to move away from bee-toxic pesticides by taking steps to be part of the solution to the bee crisis,” said a director at Friends of the Earth. “Bees are canaries in the coalmine for our food system and everyone, including the business community, must act fast to protect them.”

America’s Largest Grocer Rolls Back Organic Food Prices

The European Commission in 2013 banned the use of three neonicotinoids on flowering plants after the European Food Safety Authority found that exposure to the chemicals created “high acute risks” to bees.

Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing their use after President Obama last year established a national Pollinator Health Task Force to study the causes of colony collapse disorder. Pesticides, varroa mites, viruses, and fungi all appear to contributors to the widespread death of bees. Until the study is completed, the EPA said last week, it was unlikely to approve new uses for the class of pesticides.

Other governments aren’t waiting for definitive studies. Last week, the City Council of Portland unanimously approved a ban on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides on city-owned property effective immediately.

(Photo: Wikipedia)

Woman Feigns Injury to Rescue Scared, Starving Dog

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Good News Network

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Apr 12, 2015

As soon as they found out that an emaciated dog was roaming in the woods of Evans Creek, Amanda Guarascio and Dylan Parkison were on the case.

For months, random hikers had reportedly been throwing the dog food to help keep him alive, but could never get close enough to capture him.

Amanda, who is president of Lost & Founds Pets WA State, spent the entire day trying everything she could think of to lure the dog to a lead, from tempting him with bologna and hot dogs to laying in the fetal position and faking injury, risking an attack from the unknown dog now known as “Baby Bear.”

Though he sometimes growled, Baby Bear was as much of a gentle giant as Guarascio hoped he would be. He eventually allowed her to cuddle up against him for warmth. She chronicled the moment on Facebook:

“I got down on the ground with my back to the pup. . . and slowly started crawling backwards towards where he was laying.”

“Once he started to get uncomfortable, I curled up in a ball and stopped moving. The next hour was spent slowly inching closer and closer to Bear.

“By now, Dylan had pulled back up across the road to watch us, and was also warning cars that her insane girlfriend was laying on the side of the road and not to hit me (please).”

“Finally, I got right up next to Bear. He growled a little bit, so I started whimpering and yawning (which is a calming signal), and continued to slowly get closer and closer until I was rested up against the sweet little Baby Bear! (At one point, he got up to try to find us shelter because he saw me as a pathetic human girl that had no survival skills, he sort of took me under his wing!)”

Before Dylan could approach to slip a lead on Baby Bear, a truck came and scared the pooch away.

Strangers Rally for Dog in Colorado Rescue at 14,000 Feet

The two women, from Enumclaw, Washington returned later that night and found Baby Bear in exactly the same spot. It was then that they were finally able to slip on the lead.

“The slip lead part got interesting, as I was so tired and it was really dark so I couldn’t see what I was doing,” Guarascio continued on Facebook. “I ended up resting the slip lead on his snout, and accidentally put my fingers in his mouth and nose. He wasn’t amused, but he allowed it!”

He then decided walking was no longer an option, so Guarascio carried the big pup down the mountain, into Parkinson’s truck, and over to a vet’s office.

Baby Bear, who is believed to have been separated from his family, is currently being treated for some bumps, bruises, and mild skin infections. He should be good as new in no time, and if his family isn’t found, the folks at Useless Bay Sanctuary, in Seahurst, Washington will make sure he finds a new forever home.

SHARING is Caring (do that below)…

And the Happiest City in the United States is…

By

Good News Network

-

Apr 12, 2015

Which big cities in America have the most people who are thriving?

According to the 2014 Well-Being Index, Sarasota, Florida is probably the happiest metro area in the country.

Renown for its sandy beaches, the community is characterized by residents with particularly good health, low financial stress and supportive relationships in their lives.

Of the largest 100 cities in the U.S. polled by Gallup-Healthways, the top five with the greatest well-being also includes Honolulu, Hawaii; Raleigh, North Carolina; Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California; and El Paso, Texas.

The report is based on responses from more than 176,000 randomly-selected adults across 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey included questions about what people like to do and if they achieve their goals– and if they like where they live and feel safe.

Of the top ten best cities to live in, two were in Texas, two were in California and two in North Carolina.

Here are the top 10 cities on the list:

Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Raleigh, North Carolina
Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California
El Paso, Texas
Austin, Texas
Provo, Utah
San Jose-Santa Clara, California
Washington, DC and Northern Virginia
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

People in these cities exercised more often, were more healthy, and less obese.

You can see all the findings in the report, released last week, including the bottom ten cities, which reported the least amount of well-being– five of which were in Ohio.

SHARE the Good News (below) / Photo of Saratoga by Lawrence Lazare (CC)

STEP 1: Pivot Your Perspective

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); STEP 2: Look Forward, Not Back

STEP 3: Be Proactive

STEP 4: Box It Up

1. Don’t get irritated

2. Take immediate Action

3. Show Self Respect

4. Always Carry a Secret Weapon

5. Act with Style – And Simplicity

6. The true significance of your current Mission will become clear later, in the Bahamas

7. You are in Her Majesty’s Secret Service

STEP 2: Look Forward, Not Back