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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules Against Fracking industry

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Dec 22, 2013

Farm in autumn VWV

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday struck down provisions of the state’s Oil and Gas Act that stripped municipalities of the power to determine where natural gas drilling activity could occur within their boundaries.

The long-awaited decision is a blow to a 2012 law promoted by Gov. Corbett and the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry as a means to create a uniform statewide standard for gas development.

By a 4-2 vote, the court ruled that taking away the right of localities to limit fracking is unconstitutional.

“With this ruling, municipal governments will once again have the ability to determine when and where fracking occurs in their locality,” said a local environmental group. “This is crucial for protecting public health, our environment and our communities.”

(READ the story in Phily.com)

Utah On Track To End Homelessness By 2015

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Dec 22, 2013

Homeless man by-miekaspop-Morguefile

The success of a 10-year initiative to end long-term homelessness could mean the closure of homeless shelters in Utah.

The state has reduced its rate of chronic homelessness by 69 percent since 2006, moving 2000 people off the street and into apartments.

Last winter, there were excess beds available each night in a Salt Lake City area emergency shelter, which officials attribute to the success of the rehousing program that places homeless families and individuals into permanent supportive housing.

Once they settle into housing, they can begin work on the issues that have contributed to their homelessness, according to the Deseret News.

(READ the story in The Independent)

[Editor Updated the link to replace with more recent article.]

Photo credit: Miekaspop via Morguefile.com – CC

Company Reinvents Rear Bike Wheel to Store Energy

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Dec 21, 2013

bike invention battery wheel-BBCvid

A new device has been launched that can transform almost any bicycle into an electric-hybrid vehicle.

The Copenhagen Wheel, named for the cycling-rich city, is a self-contained unit that replaces the rear hub of a bicycle wheel.

It stores energy, which can later be released if a cyclist needs help going up a hill.

(WATCH the video below from the BBC)

Donations Mean New York’s ‘Hero’ Guide Dog Will Stay With Blind Owner (UPDATE)

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Dec 21, 2013

blind man saved by guide dog

A hero guide dog and his blind owner who survived being run over by a New York City subway train drew enough private donations on Wednesday to keep the two together despite the dog’s impending retirement. (See original story here.)

“The spirit of giving, of Christmas, and all of that — it exists here,” Williams said, fighting back tears.

(READ the story in the Toronto Star)

Thanks to all who sent the link!

3 Young Wonders Changing the World

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Dec 21, 2013

glasses nonprofit Yash Gupta-CNNvid

Think kids today are spoiled? That they only care about themselves?

CNN Hero Yash Gupta says that’s far from the truth.

“I think there’s a misconception with our generation,” said Gupta, 17. “Many of my friends are doing things to improve their communities.

“Kids are passionate and can make a difference. It’s just a matter of finding out what you care about and focusing on that.”

For Gupta, it’s helping children see clearer. Since 2011, he has given out more than 9,500 pairs of donated eyeglasses through his nonprofit, Sight Learning.

(WATCH the video below and READ about all 3 young world changers at CNN)

Teen Spends More Than $500 Buying Gifts For Homeless

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Dec 21, 2013

teen Jessica Peterson buys homeless gifts

A Minnesota high school senior is a picture of the holiday season of giving, donating her entire paycheck to buy Christmas gifts for more than 50 homeless at the local shelter.

Jessica Peterson, 17, doesn’t earn much working at Taco Bell, but she wanted to do something special for those less fortunate. She spent more than $500 to purchase pants, socks and snacks for 58 people at the Stepping Stone homeless shelter in Anoka County.

Peterson and her family will deliver the gifts in person on Christmas Eve.

(READ the article in CBS News)

Thanks to Tracy Darling for submitting the link on our Facebook Page! – Photo credit: Stepping Stone Emergency Housing)

Lonely 85-yo Gets Christmas Day Offers and Cards After Placing Ad

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Dec 20, 2013

Irish Post photo-lonely James Gray w cards

James Gray has been “completely overwhelmed” by the huge response to his call for somebody to spend Christmas with after spending the past nine years alone.

The 85-year-old turned to The Irish Post in desperation earlier this month, placing an advert in the hope of finding someone to spend December 25 with.

Since his story appeared, the retired butler has been inundated with offers from prospective companions, as well as greeting cards.

Random Acts of Kindness for Kids – 17 Ideas for Raising Grateful and Kind Kids

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Dec 20, 2013

daycarekid

The holidays are mostly a joyful time for kids and adults alike.

They are also a time when parents hope their kids can be charitable and grateful rather than singularly focused on getting presents.

Kids absorb so much of what we do, that we have a huge opportunity to help them become kind and caring people. This blog post has 17 fantastic ideas to help us do that.

(READ the article in BradAronson.com)

Bill Gates Turns Out to be Reddit User’s Secret Santa

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Dec 20, 2013

Bill Gates plays secret santa

While everyone knows the best part of a Secret Santa gift exchange is finding out the identity of the gift giver, a Reddit user participating in this year’s online Secret Santa gift giving got the surprise of her life during the big reveal.

The user, identified only as Rachel, posted a list of gifts she hoped to get from her Reddit Secret Santa – makeup, nail polish, “glittery things” and an iPad. But that’s not what she got from Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

It turns out, all of the gifts were perfectly tailored to her interests.

(READ the story from ABC News)

Thanks to Bryan Huffman for submitting the link on our Facebook Page!

Unique Festival Lets Artists Trade Their Work for Healthcare

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Dec 20, 2013

painting a mural-ThirteenOrgVideo

More than 100 musicians, painters and performers took part this year in the second annual “O+” Festival in Kingston, New York.

Named for the blood type, the festival allows artists to barter their works and performances for health care in the form of back adjustments, blood work, dental fillings and eye exams.

Kingston dentist Thomas Cingel initially came up with the idea as a way to lure artists upstate. Dr. Cingel settled in the Hudson Valley for its natural beauty, yet missed the big city’s music scene.

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PETA Donates Furs (Yes, Furs) to Detroit Homeless

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Dec 19, 2013

PETA gives furs to poor-ORGphoto

PETA, the animal-rights organization, has donated more than 100 fur coats — and dozens of leather jackets, wool scarves and angora sweaters — to needy residents at a Detroit homeless shelter earlier this week.

“We can’t bring these animals back to life… but we can try to use these coats for an ethical purpose now,” the group’s spokesperson told TODAY.com.

Every year, the organization receives hundreds of furs from people who no longer want them, she said.

(READ the story from TODAY)

5-Year-old Signs for Deaf Parents During Holiday Concert

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Dec 19, 2013

signing girl shares concert with deaf parents

A kindergarten student at a holiday concert enthusiastically sang the songs with her classmates, but also used sign language and animated facial expressions to help her deaf parents in the audience enjoy the show.

This cutie has earned six million hits on YouTube in the nine days since it was posted.

WATCH the video below…

Social Media Mobilizes to Help Blind Man Keep Hero Dog

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Dec 18, 2013

blind man saved by guide dog

A heroic guide dog named Orlando is getting praise for saving his owner, a blind man named Cecil Williams, who fell onto the subway tracks in New York, and barking for help, which ultimately saved the man’s life.

The clever Orlando is set to retire — and Williams’ insurance will only pay for an actively working dog, so people are now tweeting the story and donating money to keep his hero by his side, along with a new service dog.

GM to Invest $1.3B in 5 Midwest Factories

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Dec 18, 2013

Ford painting plant

General Motors announced plans to invest $1.2 billion in new equipment and expansions at five Midwest factories. GM’s investment, mostly in three Michigan plants, will retain or add about 1,000 jobs, many of which are in the company’s Flint hometown.

The expansion plans were announced Monday, the same day a new study was released, compiled by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, that estimated the rescue of GM and Chrysler saved 2.6 million jobs in 2009 and 1.5 million in 2010.

New Zealand Man’s Offer of Home is ‘Miracle’ for Rescued Senior

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Dec 18, 2013

old-men-embrace

James Barber’s home goes up for auction today, but a “white knight” has rescued the 77-year-old from homelessness.

An anonymous Christchurch businessman was so taken by Barber’s plight that he is offering to buy him a house “to live out his days in peace”.

“I didn’t know there were people like this still about,” Barber said.

“Miracles do happen, there is no doubt about it.”

(READ the story from New Zealand’s Stuff)

File photo – Thanks to Michelle Keenan for submitting the link!

Secret Bids Guide Hopi Indians’ Artifacts Home

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Dec 17, 2013

Native American Hopi mask-EVEAuctionHouse

The U.S. Embassy tried to delay the auction of sacred Hopi and Apache artifacts in Paris but a French judge ruled that the items, irreplaceable and historic, would be sold to the highest bidder. More than 100 American Indian artifacts (24 of which were masks of religious value that were stolen many years ago) were about to go on sale December 9.

That’s when Annenberg Foundation Vice President and Director Gregory Annenberg Weingarten made the unprecedented decision to intervene. He knew he had to keep the plan a secret, even from the Hopis, so as not to inflate the prices.

There Is Some Good to Come Out of the Marathon Bombing

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Dec 17, 2013

FaceBook photo of the couple

For James “Bim” Costello, April 15th was one of the worst days of his life. At the finish line of the Boston Marathon when the bomb exploded, he suffered not only physical wounds but emotional trauma, after learning about his friends and their injuries.

“I soon wondered why and for what reason this had happened,” he wrote in a Facebook post this week.

Recovering in Spaulding Hospital, and still wondering what good could come from the tragedy, he met a nurse named Krista.

“After sharing a handful of conversations I realized not only how beautiful she was but also what a kind heart she had (and) somehow convinced her to attend a benefit with me,” Costello wrote.

After a few “inseparable months” he realized the silver lining of his involvement in the tragedy eights months ago: “It was to meet my best friend, and the love of my life.”

“We got engaged last night in the middle of the beautiful French city Lyon!!!”

(READ the story from CBS Local)

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