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24 New York City Schools Set for Solar Panels

NYC-Mayor-de-Blasio-solarschools-press-release

New York City Mayor de Blasio announced today the funding of 24 installations as part of the administration’s new green buildings plan, tripling the amount of solar currently planned on City-owned buildings, and marking another step forward as the City works to dramatically reduce its contributions to climate change.

The 24 new installations will be funded by $5 million in grants from under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative and a $28 million investment by the City. The planned 6.25 MW of solar power at these 24 installations will result in a reduction of more than 2,800 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year, as well as offer students an environmental curriculum where they can track in real time what the systems are generating and the emissions offset.

The new solar projects are part of a larger commitment, One City, Built to Last, announced at the start of Climate Week. Last week, Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City is committed to an 80 percent reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels by 2050.

“These 24 new solar installations at our schools mark a significant step forward, tripling the amount of solar currently on City buildings,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “In the next 10 years, we’ll retrofit every single public building with significant energy use, and catalyze the private sector to begin to do the same, charting a path toward an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050 and a total transition from fossil fuels. Our very future is at stake, and New York must continue to lead the way.”

One City, Built to Last focuses on dramatically reducing emissions from buildings, which account for nearly three-quarters of the City’s carbon emissions and commitd to installing 100 MW of solar power.

(SOURCE: NY City Mayor’s Office)

Doctor in Training Found Time to Thank Fast Food Employer 3 Years Later

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A doctor in her residency at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto was not too busy to remember her old boss at a fast food restaurant and take the time to send a thank-you note three years later.

Dr. Nabiha Islam, who still lives near the Dairy Queen in Markham, Ontario, expressed her thanks to Yvonne Lavasidis for her kindness and encouragement.

“You are an incredible boss,” she wrote. “I have thought of you and your kindness often. Thank you for allowing me to study for my MCAT’s in the back when no customers were around.”

New App Lets Patients Show Gratitude to Nurses, Doctors

She passed her Medical College Admission Test and is training in internal medicine.

Yvonne and her husband George are both college graduates and run their store at 7708 Kennedy Road with the help of a lot of bright students.

“I call them my kids,” Yvonne told the Good News Network. “I love every one of them.”

George’s friend, Peter Papadimitriou, posted a photo of Nabiha’s thoughtful note on Reddit, and news organizations worldwide have reposted it.

“If it brings a smile to people, I’m happy to share it,” said Yvonne.

(READ more from TODAY)

Photo courtesy of Yvonne Lavasidis

Turkish Students Design Electric Car to Go 1,500 Miles for $17

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Students working at Istanbul University have designed a sporty electric car that can travel 1,500 miles (2,500KM) using just $17 in electricity. A petrol-based car would need 26 times that much money for such a trip in Turkey.

On a six city tour last week, the students were able to travel 500km (310 miles) in their “T-1” on just a four-hour charge.

The lightweight car (1100 pounds/500 kilos) is no slowpoke. Engineering student Engin Topaloğlu told the Hurriyet Daily News the car can reach a speed of 80 mph (130 kph).

(READ the Hurriyet Daily News story via Good Morning Turkey)

Highway at night photo by Tambako The Jaguar, via CC license

Study: Talk Therapy May Trump Medication For Social Anxiety

Photo by Su nStar

Photo by Su nStar

“New research in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that for people with social anxiety, talk therapy may be a better option than medication,” writes a contributor to Forbes.

“The study is one of a growing number that suggests that talk therapy may rival medication for certain mental health disorders. And in the current study, cognitive behavior therapy (a positive thinking process) lives up to its reputation as the gold standard in psychotherapy.”

(READ the article in Forbes)

Photo courtesy of Sun Star

India Makes History With Successful First Voyage to Mars

Mars__atmosphere-Rover-NASA

“India has managed to do what few other nations have accomplished (and no other Asians): putting a satellite into orbit around another planet” — and on the first try.

The country’s Mars orbiter success was achieved on a much cheaper budget than ever before.

Scientists, including women dressed in saris, cheered as the photos of Mars reached mission control.

(WATCH the video below, or READ the story, w/ photo, from NPR News)

Mars Photo credit: NASA

Wish Granted: 90 year-old Woman Rides Horse for First Time

Przewalski's horse by Chinneeb - GNU

“It took 90 years for Thea Murphy to get on a horse, but about 30 seconds to fall in love,” reports the SF Chronicle.

Murphy’s maiden horseback ride was courtesy of a Napa nonprofit called Celebrating Seniors, which granted wishes for half a dozen elders in the North Bay. Murphy’s wish was to ride a horse — something the 50-year Napa resident had never done.

(READ the story, w/ photos, in the SF Chronicle)

Photo credit: by Chinneeb – GNU; Story tip from Mike McGinley

Cat Becomes Guide Dog to Blind Labrador Retriever

 

The most aggressive cat in the neighborhood, a stray animal at the time, was adopted by a woman with a blind and partially deaf dog.

A friendship between the two animals blossomed until the cat began taking Tervel the dog, who previously needed to stay in his basket, for walks in the countryside — “nose to tail.”

A new show, The Secret Life of Cats began airing last Sunday on Nat Geo Wild.

(WATCH the video above from Nat Geo Wild below)

Story tip from Micheline Muller

Couple’s Wedding Day Saved by Strangers from Craigslist

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A Texas couple on the eve of their wedding day was trying to sell furniture on Craigslist so they could buy the groom, who had just lost his job, a pair of shoes for the big day.

ABC News reports that Judy Wehrman, 39, who lives in nearby Missouri City, Texas, said she saw the price drop every day on Raul Martinez’ listing and sensed that they were desperate.

She and her husband gave the strangers $200 as a “wedding gift” and said, “Our goal was just to help out.”

WATCH: Widower Creates Museum of Love for Late Wife

She described feeling “blessed” to be able to “help others.”

(READ the story, w/ photo, at Yahoo News)

–Photo credit: firemedic58 / CC

An NFL Player Who Knows How to Treat People (Like This Bullied Preteen)

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J.J. Watt has never forgotten the challenges he faced growing up. Now, the Houston Texans’ NFL football player is dedicated to helping other kids overcome their pain.

In this inspiring video, Watt was introduced to 12-year-old Billy, who daily is harassed for the way he looks, talks and walks. Through the program, NFL Characters Unite that all has changed. To make sure it sticks, Billy was given a lifetime membership to the YMCA where he can play football with new friends who help boost his football aspirations.

Billy dreams of playing football. In fact, he wanted to sign up for his school’s football team but kids kept making fun of him, telling him he was too small and not good enough to play. Lacking confidence and support, Billy took what the bullies said to heart and chose to give up the sport he loves.

Despite being one of the most intimidating defensive lineman the NFL has ever seen, J.J. Watt, too, endured bullying from his classmates. Constantly picked on and told he was too small to play sports, he was determined to hard work and persevere. He learned to believe in himself, developed his athletic skill and went on to become a talented and respected defensive lineman.

NFL Seahawks Athlete Derrick Coleman Gives Up Plane Seat for Marine

In January, Watt surprised Billy, inviting him to the YMCA to play football. For the first time, Billy felt like a valuable member of a team, and through this activity, he was reminded of his passion for football and regained a belief in himself.

Characters Unite, USA Network’s award-winning public service program, was created to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in America. Other NFL players have joined the effort, supported by leading national nonprofit organizations.

(WATCH the video below – Screen grabs courtesy of USA)

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Bill and Hillary Clinton Celebrate Birth of First Grandchild

Hillary-hugs-Obama-WHPhoto

The Clinton became grandparents on Friday when their only child, Chelsea Clinton, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Charlotte.

The new mom announced the baby’s birth on Twitter early Saturday.

“Marc and I are full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky.”

(READ more from NPR News)

Above image is from 2010 White House photo

Mystery Clouds on Radar Turn Out to be Monarch Butterflies

radar-shows-butterflies-Natl-Weather-Service

The St. Louis office of the National Weather Service picked up more than precipitation on their radar recently. On a clear day with no clouds or debris in the air, they tracked a large changing mass that they believed could not be birds. The meteorologists were delighted to determine they must be migrating Monarch Butterflies.

“High differential reflectivity values as well as low correlation coefficient values indicate these are most likely biological targets,” explained the NWS on Facebook.

”A Monarch in flight would look oblate to the radar, and flapping wings would account for the changing shape!”

The orange and black North American butterfly travels thousands of miles every year to Mexico in late summer and autumn.

The NWS wished “good luck and a safe journey” to these “amazing little creatures” on their long journey south.

(READ more about the sighting in the Washington Post)

Story tip from Mike McGinley

Half of Scotland’s Power Comes From Renewables

Almost half of Scotland’s electricity consumption now comes from renewable source. Green energy output rose by almost a third in one year. (The Herald)

Navajo Nation to Sign $554 Million Settlement From U.S.

Navaho-girl-Wolfgang_Staudt-CC

After years of litigation, the Navajo Nation announced today a $554 million settlement from the U.S. government.

CNN reported, “The landmark agreement stems from a 2006 lawsuit in which the largest Native American tribe in the US says the U.S. mismanaged trust fund assets dating back to 1946.”

“It’s monumental. It will never completely redress the wrongs done to prior generations, but it’s going to allow some opportunities for future generations,” said Dana Bobroff, deputy attorney general for the nation.

(READ the story from CNN)

Photo by Wolfgang Staudt, via CC license – Story tip from Michael Stypa

Are Bees Back Up On Their Knees?

Bee-flying-flower-Danny_Perez_Photography

“We still don’t really know why Colony Collapse Disorder was happening, but it looks as if we are turning the corner,” writes Noah Wilson-Rich, the founder and chief scientific officer of the Best Bees Company. “Scientists I’ve spoken to in both academia and government have strong reason to believe that C.C.D. is essentially over.”

“This finding is based on data from the past three years — or perhaps, more accurately, the lack thereof. There have been no conclusively documented cases of C.C.D. in the strict sense. Perhaps C.C.D. will one day seem like yet another blip on the millennium-plus timeline of unexplained bee die-offs. Luckily, the dauntless efforts of beekeepers have brought bee populations back each time.”

(READ the Op/Ed by Noah Wilson-Rich, the author of “The Bee: A Natural History,” on the New York Times)

Photo by  Danny Perez Photography – Story tip from Michael Stypa

Neighbors Hang Christmas Lights to Cheer Man After Shocking Cancer News

Henderson-family-Christmas-EvanBurgher

Once neighbors in Shoreline, Washington, learned about Frank Henderson’s terminal diagnosis and his love for the holiday, they started getting into the holiday spirit, decorating their houses with lights in September to show solidarity.

“It wasn’t necessarily meant as ‘We’re going to celebrate Dad’s last Christmas’ — as funny as that is, that’s what it’s turned into, which is wonderful — but it’s really more about the Christmas lights, because my dad’s kind of a nut-job when it comes to that,” Thea said. “Loves them to pieces. … It’s insane. That [first] night, there was a string of lights, and then, the next day, neighbors just kept putting them up.”

(READ Chris Serico’s story, w/ photos, from TODAY)

Photo credits: (above) Evan Burgher (front page) George Redgrave, via Flickr – CC

Story tip from Judy Ritchie

60,000 Volunteer for Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Canadian-beach-cleanup-GlobalNewsVid

60,000 Canadians fanned out along the nation’s 125,000 miles of coastline Saturday cleaning up litter in the 21st annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.

According to the WWF, the shoreline cleanup is the largest direct action environmental program in Canada with six cities participating.

“It feels good to do the right thing,” said one observer.

(WATCH the video below or READ the story from Global News)

 

Historic Drop in Federal Inmates Comes as Left and Right Find Common Ground

prison-cells-open-Timothy_Pearce-CC

New federal and state policies designed to divert nonviolent criminals away from prison have resulted in a “historic” drop in the US prison population, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Perhaps more surprising, many Conservative politicians agree with Attorney General Eric Holder’s “lighter touch.”

“The number of federal inmates has fallen by 4,800 since last year to a total of 215,000 – the first time the federal prison population has registered an annual decline since 1980.”

(READ the story from CS Monitor)

Photo credit: Timothy Pearce – CC license

USC Surgeon is First to Use Robotics to Remove Kidney Tumor in Outpatient Surgery

surgeon-Inderbir_Gill_MD-Keck-Medical-Center

Keck Medical Center of the University of Southern California (USC) is the first medical center in the world to use new robotic technology in an outpatient procedure for a kidney cancer patient.

The 62-year-old patient, Gary Fradkin, went home the same day, three to four days less than patients typically experience with kidney cancer surgery.

Urologic surgeons at the USC Institute of Urology, part of Keck Medicine of USC, used a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared laparoscopic device, the high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) surgical ablation system for ablating intra-abdominal tumors. The system enables surgeons to penetrate the abdominal cavity with keyhole cuts to eliminate tumors of four centimeters or less.

(READ more of the story from Keck Medicine)

Photo from Keck Medical Center, surgeon Inderbir Gill, M.D

Meet Us in Chicago 9/28 for a Beach Party!

the dock in chicago

Come join Geri and other positive-minded folks in Chicago this Sunday (9/28) at noon for a Good News Network Meet-and-Greet.

We are meeting at The Dock at Montrose Beach where there will be good food, wine and party gifts. The forecast promises a beautiful day with sunny blue skies and a high of 76 degrees.

Click for a map and phone number (they have parking!)

Hope to see you there!

-Geri

The Tiny Fish That Captures More Carbon Than the Rain Forest

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The secret to Costa Rica’s deep-carbon sink is a tiny fish that lives so deep that very few people have ever seen one alive.

The little lantern fish, Symbolophorus, are smaller than your finger. Every night, all around the world, huge numbers of glowing fish rise from the depths of the sea, eat heaps of carbon-rich plankton, and then drop back down again sealing the carbon in their waste.

(READ the story from The Tico Times)