200 firms in Shanghai’s carbon emissions trading scheme cut their CO2 output by 5.3 million tons in 2013, according to state-owned media in China.
UPDATE: Little Danny Gets 100,000 Birthday Cards, Truckloads of Gifts
It took multiple hours and several trucks to bring home all of the cards and mountains of gifts sent to Danny Nickerson from all over the world.
The boy, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last fall, celebrated his sixth birthday on Friday climbing through bins of packages at the post office after visiting LegoLand with his cousins and riding in a fire truck.
“It’s taken a lot of stress off of us and thinking about him being sick,” Danny’s father Daniel Jameson told reporters
Photo credit: Danny’s Warriors on Facebook
Former Army Man Sets Up Taxi Service Employing Former Soldiers
34 years after retiring from the Army, a former British soldier has started up his own taxi business employing ex-servicemen hoping to help them adjust to civilian life.
In Tolworth, England, Paul Reynolds, 58, started Heroes Cars and currently employs five drivers.
The business also plans to pay back a percentage of its profits to charities that help to rehabilitate soldiers.
(READ the story from the Guardian)
Photo credit: Steve Lyon, via CC license on Flickr
A Growing Movement To Spread Faith, Love — And Clean Laundry
Laundry is a time consuming chore for many people, but for the working poor, the cost of visiting a laundromat is a huge hurdle.
At a strip mall in Huntington Beach, Calif., people line up for hours waiting for a chance to do their wash for free. As they file in, volunteers direct them to the commercial laundry machines and free supplies.
“Laundry Love” is a ministry that raises money to pay for detergent and provide quarters for the machines. Started by an Episcopal congregation, the idea has spread to more than 70 churches, mosques and synagogues around the country
(READ the story from NPR News) – Story tip from Linda G Shepard Salzer
Photo credit: moonux via CC license on flickr
Photo of the Day -Texans Give to Border Refugee Children
A Dallas grandmother has organized a grassroots effort to provide care packages for children caught at the border.
Cindy Cole said she was tired of seeing the protests and politicians arguing about the influx of unaccompanied minors at the border.
Cole, who is a nurse, created a Facebook post asking for volunteers to help. She thought she might be able to fill 50 boxes, but donations and offers to volunteer exploded.
600 boxes and backpacks were delivered this week to Catholic Charities for distribution to the children, who Cindy says “have nothing.”
She continues to organize for these refugee children at the Facebook Page called Operation Matthew 25. She is using donations for dozens of children’s books and wants to send 200 backpacks to the San Antonio location.
(READ the story from CBS-Dallas) – Story tip from Ann Grannan
Local Hero’s Story Prompts Huge Volunteer Effort
A man who rose from humble beginnings in Nigeria to become a U.S. Army-trained combat medic and the recipient of 13 military awards earned during two deployments in Afghanistan was shocked this week when he learned his New Jersey town was honoring him in a huge way.
George Alakpa — a Ph.D. microbiologist who today is 80 percent disabled as a result of his war injuries — has not had an easy time of it since returning home to Sussex County 21/2 years ago.
But the outpouring of support he has received since the New Jersey Herald first reported on his difficulties last month has been unlike anything he ever thought possible.
(READ story from the New Jersey Herald)
Scotland Protects Seas and Reefs
Seabirds and reefs with feather stars and a large clam that can live for centuries are among the species that will benefit from 30 new marine protected areas, the Environment Secretary has announced.
Approximately 20% of Scotland’s seas are now in marine protected areas with the North East Faroe Shetland Channel estimated to be the largest such area in the European Union.
Scotland’s seas are the fourth largest in the EU and support many habitats and species including cold water coral reefs, 22 individual species of whales and dolphins and almost half of the EU’s breeding seabirds.
(READ the story from the Evening Telegraph)
Photo credit: dachalan on Flickr with CC license
US Durable Goods Orders Rebound in Positive Manufacturing Sign
Orders for jetliners, machinery and other long-lasting durable goods rebounded last month in a positive sign for the important U.S. manufacturing sector, the Commerce Department said Friday.
The June increase of 0.7% was the fourth in five months and a signal of stronger overall economic growth this year, reports the Los Angeles Times.
(READ the story from the LA Times)
Canada’s Crime Rate Down to Lowest Levels Since 1969
Police-reported crime statistics for 2013 show overall declines for most types of crime, including the national homicide rate which fell to its lowest rate since 1966. (Report)
Scotland’s Renewable Energy Equals Removing Carbon of Every Car for a Year
The carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere in Scotland by renewable energy projects since 2012 was the equivalent of halting every motor vehicle journey for an entire year, according to Scottish Renewables.
Scotland produces the equivalent of almost half its electricity demand from renewables, more than doubling output since 2007, Scottish Renewables said.
(READ the story from The Scotsman)
Image credit: The Climate Group – CC license
Police Rescue Giant Sea Turtle From Car’s Trunk
After a shootout and high-speed chase (both initiated by the suspects), Costa Rican police found a giant endangered leatherback turtle in the trunk of the car — still alive.
It was destined to be sold and eaten as a delicacy, but the officers were able to take the turtle back to the ocean and release it.
(READ the full story from the Tico Times)
Photo credit: Public Security Ministry
This Blind Man Tutors Young Readers, An Example to All (WATCH)
Jeff Balek was born blind, but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing one of his favorite past-times – teaching children who can see how to read.
With no transportation of his own, getting to the program is a labor of love, but Balek says volunteering through the YMCA in Charlotte, NC to help children overcome their reading barriers has enriched his life in ways he never imagined.
Each week, Jeff follows the readers along in braille. For the kids, he’s living proof that any obstacle can be overcome.
He’s one of 500,000 YMCA volunteers across the country – of all ages and backgrounds – who are working with Ys in their communities to help people learn, grow and thrive.
(WATCH this special reading buddy below)
Tiny Disabled Dog Walks Again With Wheels Crafted From Toys
A tiny Chihuahua born with a genetic defect is now back in action, thanks to some ingenuity — and a little faith — from an Indianapolis veterinarian.
Other clinics suggested euthanizing the baby, but Amy Birk of The Downtown Veterinarian wanted to help the couple whose Chihuahua gave birth to pup without front legs.
She went beyond what most would do, becoming innovative and nurturing for the little guy named Turbo.
(READ the story, with precious photos, from TODAY.com)
Grandpa Surprises Everyone With Age-Defying Dance Moves (Video)
All it took was the right song for this oldster to take possession of the dance floor and become the life of the party.
Watch what happens when “Rock Around the Clock” starts playing at this wedding.
The man, who uses two canes to walk, literally throws them away, as he feels the music begin to take over his body.
Katy Perry Helps Teachers With Supplies
In the two months since Katy Perry and the office supply company, Staples, joined forces to help teachers, money has been donated to fund 287 classroom projects to benefit 23,679 students heading back to American schools this fall.
Staples ignited the effort with a $1 million donation to the DonorsChoose.org charity that has helped fund more than 450,000 classroom projects for teachers nationwide.
A new video debuted this week starring Perry encouraging others to donate to the campaign, “Make Roar Happen,” for teachers. (See the video below)
You can help fund classroom projects in your own local community by donating $1, or more, at DonorsChoose.org or at your local Staples store (or online at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen). Donations will be used where the donation was made. Customers who spend $10 or more at any Staples store will receive a unique code good for a chance to win two tickets to a Katy Perry concert. Enter the code online until Sept. 25 at MakeRoarHappen.
Win A Trip to Meet Katy Perry
For those individuals that create a video ‘roaring’ about their teachers, education inspirations or school, they could win a trip to L.A. to meet Katy and attend her concert on September 19. Upload your ‘Roar’ video (you must be 18 years or older) before the end of Sept. 3. Use a hashtag when sharing them: #MakeRoarHappen
“I’m glad to partner with Staples on my Prismatic World Tour to raise awareness and funds for DonorsChoose.org, and to remind my fans that a small gesture can make a large impact on the very basic materials classrooms need for teachers to help students reach their full potential,” said Katy Perry.
Seniors Use Roommate-finding Agencies to Cut Costs
Life might turn into “The Golden Girls” for some of the thousands of aging Americans taking part in home-sharing programs around the country that allow seniors to stay in their homes and save money while getting some much-needed companionship.
“It’s a wonderful arrangement,” said the white-haired Rosenfeld, who when asked her age will only say she’s a senior citizen. “The way the rents are these days, I couldn’t stay here without it.”
(READ the story at the Wall Street Journal)
The OM Pyramid Meditation – Join Buddha Maitreya Live Online July 27th
Buddha Maitreya offers a simple OM meditation from his Shambhala Planetary Healing Center & Monastery in California to help all of humanity align.
You can attend live online from anywhere in the world – all you need is a computer, laptop or ipad and good internet connection that allows you to receive streaming video and audio.
He radiates the Monadic influence to help each and every one of us heal and awaken the natural qualities of our Buddha nature or Soul.
The next OM Pyramid Meditation & Dharma Teaching with Buddha Maitreya the Christ will take place on Sunday July 27th at 1.30pm PDT. The meditation normally lasts about 2 hours although it is a live event and timings may vary.
More info at:
https://madmimi.com
www.buddhamaitreya.org
(Also check out www.buddhamaitreya.org for the radio interview by Mitchell Rabin from A Better World TV)
Image of the Day – Ballet Helps Overcome Adversity
A Boise teenager is beating the odds after finding a passion at Ballet Idaho.
The 15-year-old is perfecting turn-outs and pliés, hoping for a future in the ballet — a completely different world compared to the one he was born into.
He was born prenatally exposed to drugs, and went through withdrawal as a premature infant.
(WATCH the video below or READ the story at KREM-TV)
Love For the Elderly: Teen Boy Sends Letters to Seniors
13-year old Jacob Cramer wants to cheer up lonely elderly people and he’s chosen an old-fashioned way of doing it. He is writing letters.
Since July 2013, Jacob has recruited friends, and even organizations, to help compose personal letters for delivery to senior centers. So far, strangers have reached out in friendship from all over the world; some close to the Cleveland suburbs where the effort began and some as far away as Europe and Asia.
The enthusiastic response for his nonprofit group, Love For The Elderly, inspired him to launch a website and social media campaign to spur more letter writing.
To help out, you can send a letter or card to the postal address below. They also have an online submission form. (Use this when writing from another country.) If mailing your own personal card or letter, please make your handwriting legible so the seniors can read it. Typing is a good option too.
Send to:
Love For The Elderly
42 Pepper Creek Dr.
Pepper Pike, OH 44124
(LEARN more at lovefortheelderly.cf)
84-Year-old Neighbor Rescues Dog From Pack of Coyotes
84-year-old Dolores “Dolly” Jefferson was getting a cup of coffee, when she heard a “commotion” in her backyard, the Illinois Daily Herald reported. When she looked outside she saw a one-hundred-pound coyote nose to nose with her neighbor’s small dog, Roxie. Soon there were five coyotes in the yard.
With the wild animals poised to pounce, the octogenarian sprung into action.
“I ran outside screaming as loud as I could and shooed the coyotes away.”
(WATCH the video from NBC or READ the story from the Yahoo News)
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