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Swings Placed Near Bus Stop Make Music When People Move in Harmony (Video)

swings at an Montreal bus stop

swings at an Montreal bus stopA  team of Montreal designers whose goal is to bring magic to everyday events, has placed an interactive installation of musical swings alongside a Montréal city street — next to a bus stop.

A fresh look at the idea of cooperation, the swings play a tune when pedestrians move in unison rather than independently.The result is a giant instrument made of 21 musical swings; each swing in motion triggers different notes, all the swings together compose a piece, the sounds of which emerge only from cooperation.

The project stimulates ownership of the public space, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, and creating a place for playing and hanging out in the middle of the city center.

Google Gives $23 Million To 7 Charities for High Tech Innovations

earthheart

earthheartAsserting that nonprofits now lag behind industry in technological innovation due to lack of funding, Google unveiled its remedy yesterday. It announced $23 million in grants to organizations that are advancing society but asking nothing in return.

Five million each are going toward projects that aim to prepare more minorities and women for careers in science, increase access to clean water and conserve endangered species and biodiversity.

The new Global Impact Awards go to:

The Happiest Thing I’ve Seen: Janitorial Cart Decked out With Holiday Cheer

drummer-ornament-ppdigital-morguefile

drummer-ornament-ppdigital-morguefileSue Wedemeier, who works at Mercy Hospital is disinfecting rooms every day with mops and sponges. But she is also infecting the patients and staff alike with a virus of holiday cheer, now that she has decorated every inch of her cleaning cart with Christmas decorations.

It’s hard to pass her cart these days without smiling. Decked out from top to bottom with lights, decorations and even Christmas music, she is like a walking, talking and singing holiday card.

Even the mop handle is painted like a candy cane.

THIS is Optimism: Woman Loses Hair, Gets Entire Head Covered in Tattoo of Curls

tattooed head-HEMEDIAfairuse

tattooed head-HEMEDIAfairuseA UK grandmother left completely bald after health troubles has thrown out her wig in favor of a tattoo covering her entire head.

Ann McDonald, 60, was inspired to get a tattoo that resembles dark curly locks, after becoming depressed having lost her hair, and frustrated by wigs and hats.

She says it’s changed her life and made her happier than she’s ever been.

This is Why You Should Never Judge Too Quickly

airline misunderstanding Ameriquest ad

airline misunderstanding Ameriquest adA series of funny TV ads produced by the mortgage company Ameriquest clearly demonstrate why it is not a good idea to judge our fellow human beings too quickly. Situations are often not what they seem.

Humor makes the point so very well in these clever ads.

Making Wishes Come True for Foster Children

violin lessons for black boy in fostercare-NBCvid

violin lessons for black boy in fostercare-NBCvidAn organization called One Simple Wish has granted the wishes of more than 3,000 foster children providing a small piece of comfort and joy to kids still in need of a permanent family.

12-year-old Kahlil always wanted music lessons, something most kids take for granted but which remains elusive for many in foster care. Thanks to One Simple Wish a donor was able to make Kahlil’s dream come true.

Alaska Inmates Find Identity in Orchestra

violin-strad-japanese-ladyblunt

violin-strad-japanese-ladybluntAfter serving a 14-year sentence for murder, no one would have expected Sarah Jane Coffman to go anywhere near the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center once she was released.

But every Saturday she makes the 10-mile drive with a viola in tow for orchestra practice at the prison just north of Anchorage.

Coffman is a founding member of the women’s string orchestra at the prison, playing since 2003.

Catholic Bishop Builds Peace Between Jews and Arabs in Israel

Cross on hill-Ibillin-MEEI

Cross on hill-Ibillin-MEEIIn contrast to what the news media portrays as a hopeless situation in the Middle East, there is an Arab village in northern Israel, Ibillin, where the leaders of tomorrow are gathering daily in school classrooms, Jews befriending Muslims befriending Christians.

At the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), children receive a superior education but also work together to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Middle East. MEEI has become a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land – and around the world.

Catholic Bishop Builds Peace Between Jews and Arabs in Israel

Cross on hill-Ibillin-MEEI

Cross on hill-Ibillin-MEEIIn contrast to what the news media portrays as a hopeless situation in the Middle East, there is an Arab village in northern Israel, Ibillin, where the leaders of tomorrow are gathering daily in school classrooms, Jews befriending Muslims befriending Christians.

At the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), children receive a superior education but also work together to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Middle East. MEEI has become a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land – and around the world.

Hero of the Year: Nepalese Woman Frees Children Who Live With Incarcerated Parents

CNN Hero 2012 - Pushpa Basnet-Nepal

CNN Hero 2012 - Pushpa Basnet-NepalPushpa Basnet, a Nepalese woman who runs a home for children so they don’t have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents, was named the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries, and when a parent is incarcerated and no other guardian can be found, children have little choice but to live in prison as well. Basnet, 29, decided in 2005 to give these children another option.

She started a home in Kathmandu where children can receive education, food, medical care and a chance to live a more normal life. She also runs a day care program for children who are too young to be separated from their parent. They can come out every afternoon from behind prison walls to play, color and learn music. With 40 children, ages 6 and up, living in the home and the day care toddlers she attends each afternoon, Basnet  has assisted more than 100 children of incarcerated parents.

The former social worker was chosen as Hero of the Year through a nine-week public vote held on CNN.com. For being named CNN Hero of the Year, she receives $250,000 to continue her work.

When accepting the Hero of the Year award, Basnet relayed a message to incarcerated children in Nepal.

“Mamu’s going to take you out from the prison, and you’re coming to my place,” said Basnet, who is called “Mamu” by many of the children.

(WATCH the 2 videos about Pushpa below, and SEE the moment she won, or READ more about her work at CNN)

Source: CNN

Hero of the Year: Nepalese Woman Frees Children Who Live With Incarcerated Parents

CNN Hero 2012 - Pushpa Basnet-Nepal

CNN Hero 2012 - Pushpa Basnet-NepalPushpa Basnet, a Nepalese woman who runs a home for children so they don’t have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents, was named the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries, and when a parent is incarcerated and no other guardian can be found, children have little choice but to live in prison as well. Basnet, 29, decided in 2005 to give these children another option.

Experts: Giving Money to a Good Cause Can Fuel Happiness

winter-dad-son

winter-dad-sonMoney can buy you happiness, especially if you share it with others.

“There is some science to this, literally,” said Robert Ashcraft, executive director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University. “There are studies done about the physical and mental reaction that people have in the act of giving time, as well as money.”

Find a cause that speaks to you, share a few dollars and wait for the endorphins to hit.

Susan Sarandon, 50 Cent Among Stars Honoring CNN Heroes in Gala Award Show

CNNheroes-group-2012

CNNheroes-group-2012Heroes, not celebrities, will be honored tonight in a red carpet gala as the sixth-annual CNN Heroes award ceremony airs LIVE from Los Angeles.

Celebrity presenters, who will read the incredible stories of each of the ten heroes, include Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Glee’s Jane Lynch, David Spade, and Modern Family’s Rico Rodriguez.

Each of the ten finalists already received $50,000, but one will be named CNN Hero of the Year and receive an additional quarter million dollars to continue their work.

Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and hip-hop star 50 Cent will also join host Anderson Cooper for CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, December 2 at 9pm ET. Three-time Grammy Award winning singer songwriter NE-YO is set to perform as the musical guest.

The event will be preceded by “CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight.” Cooper interviews Ben Stiller, Christy Turlington Burns and NE-YO about their passions and charity work, on behalf of foster care, Haiti, and maternal health. The hour will feature live red-carpet coverage and interviews with luminaries in attendance.

“As we enter the season of giving thanks, we are grateful to these talented and caring entertainers who are joining us in this celebration of the human spirit. We appreciate the time they’re taking to raise awareness for the life-changing work of this year’s CNN Heroes,” said Kelly Flynn, Senior Executive Producer for the “CNN Heroes” initiative, CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight and CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.

Now in its sixth year, the CNN Heroes initiative has received more than 45,000 nominations from more than 100 countries reporting on everyday heroes doing extraordinary work.

Click to see the Top 10 CNN Heroes and see their charities that will be honored tonight.

More at www.cnn.com

New York Students Provide Truckload of Supplies to Schools in Afghanistan

Afghan kids get backpack donations -NATO photo

Afghan kids get backpack donations -NATO photoSchool supplies traveled 7,800 miles from New York to Afghanistan after students from Windsor Central High School collected more than 70 boxes for the children and teachers overseas.

The simple project was dreamed up by a teacher at the school, now deployed in Afghanistan, who understands that basic school supplies might have the potential to influence a child to become a doctor, lawyer, or teacher.

Lego Surprises Boy After Hearing He’d Saved for Years to Buy Discontinued Toy

birthday gift surprise - YouTube family video

birthday gift surprise - YouTube family videoA Massachusetts boy who believed that his dream toy was no longer available received an amazing surprise on his 11th birthday – all courtesy of Lego.

James Groccia of West Boylston, who has Asperger’s syndrome, set his heart on the expensive Emerald Night Train set over two years ago and began saving money.

Much to the family’s dismay, in those two years the Lego company had discontinued making the set — and its price in online shops had doubled.

Lego Surprises Boy After Hearing He’d Saved for Years to Buy Discontinued Toy

birthday gift surprise - YouTube family video

birthday gift surprise - YouTube family videoA Massachusetts boy who believed that his dream toy was no longer available received an amazing surprise on his 11th birthday – all courtesy of Lego.

James Groccia of West Boylston, who has Asperger’s syndrome, set his heart on the expensive Emerald Night Train set over two years ago and began saving money.

Much to the family’s dismay, in those two years the Lego company had discontinued making the set — and its price in online shops had doubled.

Missouri Couple Hopes to Live as Normally as Possible After Winning Half of Powerball Jackpot

lottery Powerball winners missouri

lottery Powerball winners missouriTo announce one of the biggest events of their lives together, Cindy and Mark Hill returned to the place where it all began — the high school where they became sweethearts in the 1970s.

Surrounded by family and friends, the two were introduced Friday as winners in this week’s huge Powerball lottery.

Missouri Couple Hopes to Live Normally After Winning Powerball Jackpot

lottery Powerball winners missouri

lottery Powerball winners missouriTo announce one of the biggest events of their lives together, Cindy and Mark Hill returned to the place where it all began — the high school where they became sweethearts in the 1970s.

Surrounded by family and friends, the two were introduced Friday as winners in this week’s huge Powerball lottery.

Anonymous ‘Santa’ Hands Out $100 bills in Storm-hit NY

100 Dollar bill w/ Secret Santa stamp

100 Dollar bill w/ Secret Santa stampA wealthy Missouri man posing as “Secret Santa” stunned New Yorkers, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.

The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands.

Anonymous ‘Santa’ Hands Out $100 bills in Storm-hit NY

100 Dollar bill w/ Secret Santa stamp

100 Dollar bill w/ Secret Santa stampA wealthy Missouri man posing as “Secret Santa” stunned New Yorkers, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.

The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands.