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Our Public Employees Are American Heroes

By

Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm

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Aug 8, 2012

Officer Brian Murphy, policeman

Forget about going all the way to the London Olympics for heroes. This weekend, we saw real heroes right here in America.

First, look at the images from Pasadena, Calif., of cheering NASA scientists. (You can watch the elated moments after the Mars landing in the video below.) How fantastic that the American ingenuity of NASA scientists got us to Mars. It makes me proud to be an American. I can’t get enough of these images from when the probe touched down. These scientists are American heroes.

And there was another American hero this weekend: Brian Murphy. He is the police officer who protected the Sikh community in Wisconsin during that awful tragedy this week. Despite being ambushed and taking nine bullets, he waved off medical attention so the victims inside could get help instead. He is in critical condition in a local hospital, and he is an American hero.

Beautiful New Bird Species Discovered in Peru

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Good News Network

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Aug 8, 2012

Bird Sira Barbet

A colorful, fruit-eating bird with a black mask, pale belly, and scarlet breast- never before described by science- has been discovered and named a Sira Barbet by Cornell Univ. graduates following an expedition to the remote Peruvian Andes.

The team discovered the barbet on a ridge of montane cloud forest in the Cerros del Sira range in the eastern Andes. Steep ridges and deep river gorges in the Andes produce many isolated habitats and microclimates that give rise to uniquely evolved species.

Child Cholesterol Levels Improve Significantly in U.S. as Snacks Lose Fats

By

Good News Network

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Aug 8, 2012

hot dog

Against the drumbeat of bad news on obesity among American children, researchers have uncovered a cause for optimism: a steady and significant improvement in their cholesterol levels over the last 20 years — down 28% since 1988.

Manufacturers cutting the trans fats from cookies, crackers and french fries may have contributed to the dramatic decline, but exercise rates may also have improved.

Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Neil Young Sign up for Charity Concert for Poverty in NY Central Park

By

Good News Network

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Aug 7, 2012

Dave Grohl 2008 - Flickr user flimsical-CC

No one will be able to buy tickets to this year’s hottest concert featuring the Black Keys, Foo Fighters, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse in NYC’s Central Park. But you can earn points that will enter you in a lottery for the show’s 54,000 tickets by doing small actions that serve in the fight against global poverty.

By sharing the website with friends, signing a petition, or donating money, music fans can support a good cause and possibly win tickets to the September 29 show.

Boy Rallies Restaurants to Recycle Used Crayons for Schools in Need

By

Good News Network

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Aug 7, 2012

crayon pile from Outback Steakhouse

After a family dinner at a local Outback Steakhouse, Yoni Kalin noticed the waiters tossing into the trash small packs of crayons given out to young diners. He wondered how many thousands were being thrown out around the country at a time when news reports showed teachers digging into their own pockets to buy school supplies for students.

Inspired to take action, Yoni contacted several Outback Steakhouses to ask if they would collect the used crayons for him to recycle and donate to schools and shelters in need.

In the last several years, the boy, now 18, has coordinated 25 teenage volunteers to collect 100,000 crayons from 46 restaurants in ten states, while simultaneously reducing thousands of pounds of landfill waste.

Boy Rallies Restaurants to Recycle Used Crayons for Schools in Need

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By

Good News Network

-

Aug 7, 2012

crayon pile from Outback Steakhouse

After a family dinner at a local Outback Steakhouse, Yoni Kalin noticed the waiters tossing into the trash small packs of crayons given out to young diners. He wondered how many thousands were being thrown out around the country at a time when news reports showed teachers digging into their own pockets to buy school supplies for students.

Inspired to take action, Yoni contacted several Outback Steakhouses to ask if they would collect the used crayons for him to recycle and donate to schools and shelters in need.

In the last several years, the boy, now 18, has coordinated 25 teenage volunteers to collect 100,000 crayons from 46 restaurants in ten states, while simultaneously reducing thousands of pounds of landfill waste.

9-yo Boy Sells $3,000 in Lemonade to Raise Money for City of Detroit

By

Good News Network

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Aug 7, 2012

boy sells lemonade for detroit

A 9-year-old Detroit boy has earned national attention for setting up a lemonade stand to raise money for his cash-strapped city. He heard on the radio that the city was having trouble paying for the mowing of grass in city parks and decided to help.

His lemonade and popcorn business, which opened July 30, raised more than triple what the young man originally hoped and today Joshua Smith presented a check to Detroit officials for $2,832.

His work also earned him a Spirit of Detroit award last week and a $2,000 Rosa Parks Scholarship for college.

Possible da Vinci Painting Found in Scottish Farmhouse; Could be Worth $150 million

By

Good News Network

-

Aug 7, 2012

DaVinci painting question-Fiona McLaren found

An old painting, which shows a woman embracing a young child, was nearly thrown out on several occasions, but Fiona McLaren, 59, from Scotland decided to seek an appraisal recently after financial difficulties forced her to look for new resources.

The director of Sotheby’s in Scotland, Harry Robertson, gasped when he saw the artwork which had been given to her father by one of his patients.

(READ the story in the Daily Mail)

British Hometown Fave Andy Murray Routs Federer to Win Olympic Gold at Wimbledon

By

Good News Network

-

Aug 7, 2012

Andy Murray 2009 French Open- Yann Caradec

Four weeks to the day after Roger Federer downed him on the same patch of grass at the Wimbledon finals, Britain’s Murray dispatched the Swiss superstar in the Olympic men’s singles final, 6-2 6-1 6-4 to win Olympic gold.

The victory broke a losing streak for British tennis players at the hallowed Wimbledon grounds. Not since Fred Perry in 1936 has a British male won a major contest on the center court here.

While the ecstatic crowd, outfitted in Union Jack bowler hats yelled “An-DEE” (clap, clap, clap), Murray dismembered Federer in straight-sets that were brutal, beautiful, meticulous, and concluded by a pair of whipping aces.

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British Hometown Fave Andy Murray Routs Federer to Win Olympic Gold at Wimbledon

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By

Good News Network

-

Aug 7, 2012

Andy Murray 2009 French Open- Yann Caradec

Four weeks to the day after Roger Federer downed him on the same patch of grass at the Wimbledon finals, Britain’s Murray dispatched the Swiss superstar in the Olympic men’s singles final, 6-2 6-1 6-4 to win Olympic gold.

The victory broke a losing streak for British tennis players at the hallowed Wimbledon grounds. Not since Fred Perry in 1936 has a British male won a major contest on the center court here.

While the ecstatic crowd, outfitted in Union Jack bowler hats yelled “An-DEE” (clap, clap, clap), Murray dismembered Federer in straight-sets that were brutal, beautiful, meticulous, and concluded by a pair of whipping aces.

Continue

NY Police Save Baby Deer from 20-foot-deep Manhole

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2012

fawn with police rescuers in Suffolk County

Long Island police spent over four hours rescuing a trapped fawn that had fallen into a 20-foot manhole.

Landscapers working by a vacant lot under construction in the New York neighborhood of Mount Sinai called Suffolk County Police when they noticed the fawn had fallen into the manhole, police said.

Police took photos with the baby deer before releasing it back into the nearby woods.

(READ the story in Huffpost)

Olympic Champ Missy Franklin Dedicates 4 Gold Medals to her Grieving Hometown, Aurora, Colo.

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2012

Missy Franklin Gold Medal Ceremony London

17 year-old swimmer Missy Franklin is being called the new Michael Phelps, after winning four gold medals and a bronze in London and competing in almost every different stroke.

While training overseas, she heard about the tragic shooting at a Batman movie premiere in her hometown of Aurora, Colorado.

She vowed to do all she could to inspire her neighbors and friends back home, and her performance last week proves she delivered.

Mars Rover Beats the Odds, Lands on Red Planet, Beams Back Photos

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2012

MARS Curiosity first photo NASA

Facing unfavorable odds, the U.S. scored a huge victory, sticking a landing on the surface of Mars early Monday, setting down the largest and most sophisticated mobile laboratory ever deployed, which is now beaming back photos of the red planet.

NASA ground control engineers flew into a frenzy of high-fives, hugs and cheers after NASA’s Curiosity rover survived a perilous seven-minute plunge to the surface of the red planet.

Mars Rover to Attempt Difficult Landing on Red Planet Tonight

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Good News Network

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Aug 6, 2012

Mars Rover Curiosity NASA

After eight months traveling millions of miles, NASA’s largest and most complex rover ever will attempt a difficult and complicated Mars landing tonight, August 5.

The landing—or the crash—should be confirmed by about at 10:31 PDT (that’s 1:31 EDT on August 6). Here’s what you may want to know about this venture.

The rover, named “Curiosity,” and its spacecraft will plummet into the Martian atmosphere at 13,000 mph, then use a huge parachute to slow its decent to about 200 mph.

Social Impact Investment Bonds Catch on in Cash Strapped States

By

Good News Network

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Aug 5, 2012

change-for-good-Lostdog-dot-co-image

Kim Hartke, who served 14 months in jail for stealing a car to pay for her addiction, turned her life around in part because of financing provided to a social services program from an innovative type of bond.

The bonds are part of a new trend in social investing that is gaining some favor with cash-strapped states and communities that are looking to private investors to help pay for badly needed social services programs.

Discovery of “Cancer Stem Cells” Could Revolutionize Treatment

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Good News Network

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Aug 5, 2012

cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma-cc-Ed Uthman-flickr — A squamous cell carcinoma tumor - Photo by Ed Uthman, CC license on Flickr

Three independent studies have now shown that our understanding of the physical makeup of cancer tumors has been based on a myth.

The conventional view of cancer is that it results from genetic mutations within ordinary cells that cause them to divide uncontrollably into a tumour that can then spread to other parts of the body. This suggests all cancer cells are created equal.

But, a portion of the cells are now seen to be “cancer stem cells” which are responsible for causing a tumor to grow and develop. Treatments, therefore, can be focused on killing these cells rather than targeting the wider community of tumor cells.

(READ the story in the Independent) – Photo by Ed Uthman, CC license on Flickr

Covert Teddy Bear Airdrop Into Belarus Promotes Human Rights

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By

Good News Network

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Aug 5, 2012

teddy bear airdrop Belarus- STUDIO TOTAL photo

Belarus’ authoritarian President Lukashenko has sacked two of the nation’s top defense officials after two Swedish advertising agency employees piloted a light plane into the country’s heavily guarded airspace, dropping 879 teddy bears decked out in parachutes and slogans supporting human rights.

Following the incident, Belarus (also known as the last dictatorship in Europe) denied the flight took place but then jailed a journalist for posting a photo of the bears on the internet.

Endangered Whales Sing Like Birds in Recordings That Hint at Rebound

By

Good News Network

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Aug 4, 2012

Sue Moore listens for bowhead whales - NOAA photo

A University of Washington researcher listened to the audio picked up by a recording device that spent a year in the icy waters off the east coast of Greenland. She was stunned at what she heard: whales singing nearly constantly for five months using the most remarkable variety of songs.

In 2008, oceanographer Kate Stafford set out to discover how many endangered bowhead whales populated the area. The species was hunted to near-extinction in the 1800’s.

Endangered Whales Sing Like Birds in Recordings That Hint at Rebound

Most Popular

By

Good News Network

-

Aug 4, 2012

Sue Moore listens for bowhead whales - NOAA photo

A University of Washington researcher listened to the audio picked up by a recording device that spent a year in the icy waters off the east coast of Greenland. She was stunned at what she heard: whales singing nearly constantly for five months using the most remarkable variety of songs.

In 2008, oceanographer Kate Stafford set out to discover how many endangered bowhead whales populated the area. The species was hunted to near-extinction in the 1800’s.

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