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Google Rigs its Technology so Sick Boy Can Virtually Throw Ceremonial Pitch From Miles Away

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Jun 14, 2013

Pitch controlled by robot and Google

13-year-old Nick LeGrande has always dreamed of throwing out the first pitch at an Oakland Athletics baseball game. Wednesday night, with a life-threatening illness and too sick to take the mound, Nick was granted his wish through the use of Android technology and the kindness of Google.

The cross-country pitch in Kansas City was made possible by a telerobotic pitching machine that received signals from Nick’s own pitching motion. Nick viewed a big screen that televised the field and the catcher who was waiting at the plate for the robotic toss.

Chalk and Blackboard $25; Making Friends With Neighbors… Priceless!

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Jun 13, 2013

smiles on Ayden Byle chalkboard TorontoStarvideo

When a new neighbor moved in and began writing messages on a chalkboard in his front window, life changed on Atlas Ave.

Aimed randomly at people using the sidewalk, his funny and inspiring messages about happiness, or finding a wife, have made Ayden Byle, 36, the toast of his Toronto neighborhood.

“It’s not too late to be a ROCK STAR!” is one of his folksy chalk-isms.

(WATCH the video or read the story from the Toronto Star)

Thanks to Anne Corke for submitting the link from Canada!

Supreme Court Rules Human Genes May Not Be Patented

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Jun 13, 2013

Supreme Court building

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that human genes cannot be patented, a decision that could shape the future of medical and genetic research and have profound effects on pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Simply because Myriad Genetics Inc. found the location of genes that were linked to breast and ovarian cancer, wrote Justice Clarence Thomas, doesn’t mean they should be able to claim patents on them.

“That discovery, by itself, does not render the BRCA genes . . . patent eligible.”

(READ the story in the Washington Post)

Amazing Makeovers Melt 20 Years Off Tourists in New York

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Jun 13, 2013

Makeovers Before and After

Every Thursday, this makes me cry.

After celebrity stylist Loius Licari scans the crowd outside the TODAY show at Rockefeller Plaza, he chooses two women who want — and sometimes desperately need — a makeover.

When the hosts, Kathie Lee and Hoda, finally unveil the women and their stylish new looks, friends and families always gasp in shock over the transformations. Many times, the new haircut literally strips decades from the women’s faces.

Gay and Disowned, Boy Wins Bigger Family on TV, Proves He’s Got Talent

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Jun 13, 2013

Jonathan Allen Americas Got Talent

Jonathan Allen stunned the crowd after taking the stage in America’s Got Talent. His back story already brought tears to the eyes of a wider television viewing audience, but when he opened his mouth, he amazed the judges with a stunning rendition of Luciano Pavarotti‘s ”Time To Say Goodbye.”

He received a standing ovation from all four judges, with Howie Mandel commenting that he had earned a much bigger family after displaying his talent and heart.

Dog Survives 4 Days Trapped Under Boat in Upper Chena River

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Jun 13, 2013

flooding-brisbane-Elspeth-and-Evan-flickr-cc

Nobody expected to find Cutie alive, that much is certain.

But there the little, black-and-white dog was, trapped under the bow of the overturned boat she had been riding in four days earlier when it flipped in the upper Chena River and was swept downstream by the strong current.

Oprah Donates $12 Million to Help Build African-American Smithsonian Museum

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Jun 12, 2013

Smithsonian Af-American rendering-SmithGroup

Oprah Winfrey is donating $12 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — the museum’s largest donation to date. In recognition, Winfrey’s name will be on a 350-seat theater in the museum, which is currently under construction and set to open in 2015.

“I am so proud of African American history and its contributions to our nation as a whole,” said Winfrey, who has been a member of the museum’s advisory council since 2004. “I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in their footsteps.”

Another Wedding Party Runs to Camera – This Time From Star Wars Scene

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Jun 12, 2013

wedding party chased by Snowwalkers

Remember the World’s Best Wedding Photo we saw last month that had dinosaurs in the background? Another creative wedding photographer, this time in Toronto, has borrowed the idea to serve up a Star Wars theme via Photoshop for the bride and groom.

“There was a shot floating around the internet last week of a bridal party being chased by a dinosaur,” wrote the photographer on their blog. “Because Leslie (and us) are huge Star Wars nerds! We couldn’t resist their bridal party getting chased by a squad of Imperial AT-AT Walkers!”

Remote Villagers Celebrate Aussie Couple who Helped Save Tree Kangaroos

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Jun 12, 2013

conservation tree kangaroos-Tenkile

A fascination with unusual kangaroos has led an Australian couple on a 10-year journey in the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea.

The two zoologists have spent the past decade trying to save the critically endangered species of tree kangaroo, which had been hunted almost to extinction by locals whose menus included the animals.

Their numbers dwindled to fewer than 500 before Jim and Jean Thomas arrived and set up the Tenkile Alliance, to involve 50 villages in the conservation effort.

(WATCH the video or read the story from ABC.au)

125,000 Masterworks Available for Free Reproduction by Anyone

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Jun 12, 2013

Vermeer The Milkmaid-Rijksmuseum

Many museums post their collections online, but the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has taken the unusual step of offering downloads of high-resolution images at no cost, encouraging the public to copy and transform its artworks into stationery, T-shirts, tattoos, plates or even toilet paper.

The museum, whose collection includes masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Mondrian and van Gogh, has already made images of 125,000 of its works available through Rijksstudio.

Pentagon Becomes a Major Wildlife Protector

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Jun 11, 2013

Vandenberg Air Base - NASA

Many of the nation’s 440 military bases were established in what were once sparsely populated hinterlands.

Now, with urban sprawl pushing up against perimeter fences, the Defense Department has quietly joined with conservation organizations to become a major protector of wilderness and ranch lands.

The environmental protection initiative has created more than 260,000 acres of new sanctuaries — off limits to development in perpetuity — for some of the rarest plants and animals on earth.

(READ the story from the LA Times)

Photo: Vandenberg Air Force Base north of Santa Barbara

A Green Leader, Philadelphia Captures Water Where it Falls

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Jun 11, 2013

Philadelphia sidewalk greening-plants

Every year storm-water run-off causes nearly 10 trillion gallons of polluted water to be dumped into America’s rivers and oceans. As cities across the country struggle to comply with federal regulations surrounding pollution, Philadelphia is emerging as a model of innovation in water management by opting for cost effective natural solutions that save its two rivers from excessive run-off.

Some of the more simple ideas put into practice include distributing free rain barrels to residents and planting strategically located rain gardens in parks, on curbsides and on rooftops. More expensive goals include resurfacing roads with porous materials.

Bald Eagle Population Surges in Wisconsin

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Jun 11, 2013

eagle-cam-nest

In 1973, the state’s natural resources department was able to find just 108 breeding pairs in the state.

Today, Wisconsin’s population of bald eagles is soaring, and state officials said this week that eagles are occupying nests in nearly every county of the state.

This year’s eagle population is expected set a record — more than 1,337 pairs.

Populations of osprey, another fish-eating bird of prey, also have been on the rise.

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Ohio Police Department ‘Ticketing’ Kids Wearing Helmets

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Jun 11, 2013

helmeted boy Brimfield Police FBPage

In Brimfield, Ohio, watch out if you are a kid on a bike. You might just get pulled over by the cops.

As written on the department’s Facebook page, Brimfield officers are encouraged to write as many tickets as they can targeting that specific group.

“My officers will have a quota for tickets … at least one per shift. We are going to be profiling, too,” Chief David Oliver wrote last week. “I am strongly encouraging my officers to write as many as they can, every shift, every day.”

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The American Dream: From Migrant Worker to Vineyard Owner

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Jun 10, 2013

Vineyard owners Ceja Vineyards-webphoto

As the U.S. Congress begins debate on immigration reform, learn about an American success story for two immigrants who became passionate about growing grapes.

Amelia moved to California from a small village in Mexico when she was twelve and old enough to pick fruit in some one else’s vineyard.

She and her husband bought their first plot of land in 1983 and now own a multi-million dollar Napa Valley business called Ceja Vineyards.

American Auto Industry About to go on Hiring Spree

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Jun 10, 2013

Ford factory worker woman in pink-FORD

The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to meet that demand for vehicles in 2013.

More than 11,000 employees will be hired this year by the big three car companies alone, which doesn’t include parts dealers and manufacturers.

Portland Gym is Free if you ‘Pay it Forward’

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Jun 10, 2013

Gym Beastfit Nation Pays it Forward

Beast Fit Nation in Portland offers free workouts, the only catch is you have to “pay it forward.”

“It’s the world’s first free gym. Everything is free you don’t have to pay me a dollar,” said Sergio Jones, founder of Beast Fit Nation. “All you have to do is promise me you’ll do three random acts of kindness after you leave. You will help out somebody else.”

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50 Cool Things About Johnny Depp at Age 50

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Jun 10, 2013

depp

The actor who could have probably done all right for himself as a pretty boy found a way to prove he was more than just a set of cheekbones and has become one of those rarest commodities in Hollywood: A totally unique specimen who appeals to men, women and children of all ages.

On the occasion of his turning 50 years old (on May 9), enjoy these 50 reasons why Mr. Depp remains Mr. Cool.

UPDATE: Hero Dog Arrives Back in Asia After Facial Surgery in US

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Jun 9, 2013

hero dog Kabang

Thronged by news photographers and well-wishers, Kabang the hero dog arrived back home in the Philippines yesterday after 8 months in the U.S. enduring intensive surgeries and treatment for cancer and heartworm.

Kabang became a national hero in 2011 after she lost her snout and upper jaw running in front of a motorcycle in what her owner said was “a deliberate act to save two girls who were crossing the street,” according to GMA Online.

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