For patient Robert Valderzak, last month’s earthquake was a blessing in disguise. In June, the 75-year-old lost his hearing when he fell. He has been in the VA hospital since then.
But, following the earthquake which measured 5.8, the man who sat in silence for months, sat up in his bed and announced to his kids that his hearing had returned: “I can hear everything, people in the hallway.”
In New Zealand, a knitting circle formed for prisoners is churning out hats, slippers and scarves to donate to those in their community in need.
“The knitting does great things for the men’s self worth as well,” reports 3-News.
“It’s productive, you can see what you’ve produced, it goes to Women’s Refuge so it goes to a good cause,” says an incarcerated wool-spinner.
(READ the story from New Zealand’s 3-News)
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Life may give you plenty of opportunities to gripe, but knowing the right way to complain and get a positive result in return can be tricky in most everyday situations.
By being assertive when an issue arises, instead of whining, you can complain effectively, says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness
Researchers say they found a common cause behind the mysterious and deadly affliction of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, that could lead to an effective treatment.
The discovery could also help in developing treatments for other, more common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s, said Dr. Teepu Siddique, a neuroscientist with Northwestern University whose pioneering work on ALS over more than a quarter century fueled the research team’s work.
College football star Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in his left leg in 2009. But, the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year beat the disease, and came back to play his senior season at Boston College in 2010.
After being passed over in the NFL draft this past April, the New York Giants took a chance on Herzlich, bringing him to training camp as an undrafted free agent.
Now, that the Giants have officially hired him to join the team, he is the feel-good story of the summer.
A surprising aerodynamic innovation in wind turbine design called the ‘wind lens’ could triple the output of a typical wind turbine, making it less costly than nuclear power.
Some major wind projects are already projecting costs significantly lower than coal power — $80 per MWh for wind versus $90 per MWh for coal — and that is without government subsidies using today’s wind turbine technology.
Imagine if a breakthrough came along that potentially tripled the energy output of those turbines. Well, such a breakthrough has already been achieved and deployed by Japanese researchers looking for an alternative to the dangerous nuclear power plants there.
A surprising aerodynamic innovation in wind turbine design called the ‘wind lens’ could triple the output of a typical wind turbine, making it less costly than nuclear power.
Some major wind projects are already projecting costs significantly lower than coal power — $80 per MWh for wind versus $90 per MWh for coal — and that is without government subsidies using today’s wind turbine technology.
Imagine if a breakthrough came along that potentially tripled the energy output of those turbines. Well, such a breakthrough has already been achieved and deployed by Japanese researchers looking for an alternative to the dangerous nuclear power plants there.
The United State military, the nation’s largest energy consumer, is embracing conservation and sustainability as a way not only to save energy but to maintain national security and keep more troops out of harm’s way.
Defense officials expect to trim at least $1.6 billion in expenses after investing $780 million in new energy-savings projects between 2004 and 2011.
A renewed focus on energy efficiency within the Obama administration has prompted the Defense Department to set a more aggressive emission-reduction target than any other federal agency: 34 percent by 2020, instead of the 28 percent goal set for the federal government as a whole. Many of the projects that will help the agency achieve that goal already are under way.
“The volatility of the oil market in recent years and how that drives your budget has made us realize that we need to become less dependent on oil,” said Joe Sikes, the Defense Department’s director for facilities energy.
“Delivering fuel to the front, is very dangerous,” said Sikes. “Truck convoys are prime target for attacks, so if you have fewer convoys it probably makes it safer to fight the war.”
Sikes oversees a $120-million-a-year conservation program focused on making all 300,000 buildings on military bases in the United States and beyond waste less energy. Project activities include insulating buildings, equipping them with solar panels and installing electric meters to track energy consumption. All buildings, which come in every size and shape, will have meters by 2012.
Earlier this year, the Army announced that it would lease 4,000 electric vehicles over the next three years for passenger transport, security patrols and delivery services at its bases nationwide. The Army is also in the early stages of testing hybrid military logistics vehicles for possible purchase — all part of an effort to dramatically reduce its dependency on oil.
Similar initiatives can be found across all branches of the U.S. military.
In March, the U.S. Air Force flew, for the first time, an A-10 Thunderbolt II military jet on a blend of biomass and conventional fuel. On Earth Day next year, it will be the Navy’s turn to demonstrate its commitment to alternative fuel technology. That day, a so-called Green Hornet F/A-18 jet powered by fuel made from the camelina sativa plant mixed with regular jet fuel will take off from the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, southeast of Washington.
As has been the case before, the military can be a trailblazer for the private sector. The nation’s Defense Energy Support Center recently signed an agreement with the Air Transport Association of America, which represents all major commercial airlines, to promote commercialization of environmentally friendlier aviation fuels. The airline industry and the Defense Department together consume more than 1.5 million barrels of jet fuel daily, which means such collaboration, if successful, could have a major impact on fossil-fuel emissions.
“By combining our talents and experience, we are better positioned to explore cooperative market engagement for fuel,” said James May, the association’s president and chief executive, in a statement March 19. The collaboration would help improve the financial prospects for alternative fuels and accelerate fuel certification efforts, he added.
The Defense Department is also continuing to serve as a test bed for new technology. The agency is inviting private companies to demonstrate their new energy technology on a military base and is funding the projects with $30 million from its conservation budget. A couple of projects are already under way — one energy data management project and one focused on innovative photovoltaic (solar) buildings.
“We provide that initial market for these companies, and in some cases it will help our mission, too,” Sikes said.
(Source: the US Department of State)
The United State military, the nation’s largest energy consumer, is embracing conservation and sustainability as a way not only to save energy but to maintain national security and keep more troops out of harm’s way.
Defense officials expect to trim at least $1.6 billion in expenses after investing $780 million in new energy-savings projects between 2004 and 2011.
A renewed focus on energy efficiency within the Obama administration has prompted the Defense Department to set a more aggressive emission-reduction target than any other federal agency: 34 percent by 2020, instead of the 28 percent goal set for the federal government as a whole. Many of the projects that will help the agency achieve that goal already are under way.
“The volatility of the oil market in recent years and how that drives your budget has made us realize that we need to become less dependent on oil,” said Joe Sikes, the Defense Department’s director for facilities energy.
“Delivering fuel to the front, is very dangerous,” said Sikes. “Truck convoys are prime target for attacks, so if you have fewer convoys it probably makes it safer to fight the war.”
Sikes oversees a $120-million-a-year conservation program focused on making all 300,000 buildings on military bases in the United States and beyond waste less energy. Project activities include insulating buildings, equipping them with solar panels and installing electric meters to track energy consumption. All buildings, which come in every size and shape, will have meters by 2012.
Earlier this year, the Army announced that it would lease 4,000 electric vehicles over the next three years for passenger transport, security patrols and delivery services at its bases nationwide. The Army is also in the early stages of testing hybrid military logistics vehicles for possible purchase — all part of an effort to dramatically reduce its dependency on oil.
Similar initiatives can be found across all branches of the U.S. military.
In March, the U.S. Air Force flew, for the first time, an A-10 Thunderbolt II military jet on a blend of biomass and conventional fuel. On Earth Day next year, it will be the Navy’s turn to demonstrate its commitment to alternative fuel technology. That day, a so-called Green Hornet F/A-18 jet powered by fuel made from the camelina sativa plant mixed with regular jet fuel will take off from the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, southeast of Washington.
As has been the case before, the military can be a trailblazer for the private sector. The nation’s Defense Energy Support Center recently signed an agreement with the Air Transport Association of America, which represents all major commercial airlines, to promote commercialization of environmentally friendlier aviation fuels. The airline industry and the Defense Department together consume more than 1.5 million barrels of jet fuel daily, which means such collaboration, if successful, could have a major impact on fossil-fuel emissions.
“By combining our talents and experience, we are better positioned to explore cooperative market engagement for fuel,” said James May, the association’s president and chief executive, in a statement March 19. The collaboration would help improve the financial prospects for alternative fuels and accelerate fuel certification efforts, he added.
The Defense Department is also continuing to serve as a test bed for new technology. The agency is inviting private companies to demonstrate their new energy technology on a military base and is funding the projects with $30 million from its conservation budget. A couple of projects are already under way — one energy data management project and one focused on innovative photovoltaic (solar) buildings.
“We provide that initial market for these companies, and in some cases it will help our mission, too,” Sikes said.
(Source: the US Department of State)
Many bright teen aged students these days are coming up with science projects that would even be awe-inspiring as a college thesis. From exploring the effectiveness of cancer treatments to revolutionizing the disposal of plastics, these students prove you don’t have to be an adult to have amazing, world-changing ideas about science.
Take a look at 20 amazing science fair projects, including one girl’s chemical-sniffing LEGO Robot that keeps humans at a safe distance from toxic materials.
Supported by a grant from Homeland Security, a 16-year-old even came up with a devise that can reliably detect nuclear weapons and explosive materials in vehicles pass as they drive through his sensors.
(READ the story at MNN)
Thousands of women who were publicly absent for much of the conflict in Libya have gathered in Martyrs’ square in Tripoli to mark the end of the Gaddafi era.
They’re calling it the ‘million woman march’ in Libya, said Al Jazeera’s Anita McNaught, reporting from the square where the family-friendly evening.
“There is an absense of rifles and guns in the air,” McNaught said amid scores of flags waving. “It is remarkable to see an event like this with families all together.”
Thousands of women who were publicly absent for much of the conflict in Libya have gathered in Martyrs’ square in Tripoli to mark the end of the Gaddafi era.
They’re calling it the ‘million woman march’ in Libya, said Al Jazeera’s Anita McNaught, reporting from the square where the family-friendly evening.
“There is an absense of rifles and guns in the air,” McNaught said amid scores of flags waving. “It is remarkable to see an event like this with families all together.”
A new law passed by the California state Assembly could, for the first time ever, make it legal for a corporation to put social responsibility before shareholder profits.
State law currently requires corporations to put financial interests first, and any corporation not doing so could face legal action from shareholders.
A new law passed by the California state Assembly could, for the first time ever, make it legal for a corporation to put social responsibility before shareholder profits.
State law currently requires corporations to put financial interests first, and any corporation not doing so could face legal action from shareholders.
After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Ruth Johnson found a way to use her extensive real estate experience to “give back” to those who serve unselfishly in our communities — not only veterans, but firefighters, police officers, teachers and healthcare workers.
For the Homes for Heroes program, she recruited real estate agents, lenders, insurers and home inspectors to provide significant discounts and rebates to the heroes of Minnesota.
She later realized that not only was it the right thing to do – it’s good business too. “It is a win-win situation,” she explained. Through ‘word of mouth’ affiliates see their businesses growing after joining the program.
“The saying ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ goes hand in hand with my decision to be part of the Homes for Heroes program,” said Johanna Roy, a realtor in Vadnais Heights, MN. “It gives me great pride to finally give back to those that give so much to others.”
The program was so successful, it spread nationwide. Heroes across the country now register on the website every day looking to save money on their purchase, refinance or residential rental. The website matches them with affiliates in their area.
(WATCH the video below, and view another and read the story in Wisconsin‘s News8000)
After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Ruth Johnson found a way to use her extensive real estate experience to “give back” to those who serve unselfishly in our communities — not only veterans, but firefighters, police officers, teachers and healthcare workers.
For the Homes for Heroes program, she recruited real estate agents, lenders, insurers and home inspectors to provide significant discounts and rebates to the heroes of Minnesota.
In 1995, 62 year old Wilma Melville and her black lab Murphy were deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing for search and rescue work.
Devastated by the experience, Melville saw a national need to better train and increase the number of professional canine rescue teams.
She founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit that partners shelter dogs with firefighters. The 131 FEMA certified teams trained for free, have deployed to 80 missions worldwide, including the World Trade Center on September 11th, the earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in Japan and the tornado in Joplin.
In 1995, 62 year old Wilma Melville and her black lab Murphy were deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing for search and rescue work.
Devastated by the experience, Melville saw a national need to better train and increase the number of professional canine rescue teams.
She founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit that partners shelter dogs with firefighters. The 131 FEMA certified teams trained for free, have deployed to 80 missions worldwide, including the World Trade Center on September 11th, the earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in Japan and the tornado in Joplin.
The gifts keep coming to Antonio Diaz Chacon, after his quick actions rescued a little girl following her kidnapping several weeks ago. Two gifts, in particular, are cause for celebration.
Whirlpool honored the hero Tuesday afternoon with the delivery of a brand new washing machine and dryer, along with instructions for technicians to provide “White Glove VIP Treatment”.
