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He Saved Six Soldiers’ Lives With Innovative Use of Child’s Toy

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Aug 9, 2011

soldier-w-toy-truck

A remote control toy truck sent to a soldier in Afghanistan helped to save six of his friends after the toy triggered a bomb meant for the Americans.

In 2007, to help keep his brother safe, Ernie Fessenden teamed up with a hobby store owner in Rochester, Minnesota to create a radio-controlled model truck outfitted with a wireless video camera to check for bombs under trucks and along roadsides.

That souped-up toy ended up preventing the potential deaths of six soldiers two weeks ago in Afghanistan, after Sgt. Chris Fessenden lent the truck to a group going out on patrol.

Ernie learned about his invention’s success via email.

“At first I was just absolutely shocked,’’ Ernie told TODAY.com in a phone interview. “It could have been [Chris] out there. Then after that it was, ‘Do you need another truck?’’’

Microfinance Effort Matches Tiny Lenders with Kids Who Yearn for College Worldwide

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Aug 9, 2011

Vittana student from Vietnam

Another micro-finance initiative is improving the economic outlook for poor families around the world, this time through the financing of college tuition for students.

Although microfinancing usually raises funds for small businesses, the Seattle-based non-profit Vittana has been helping students around the world graduate from post-secondary schools by asking donors to pay for their tuition. Like the business loans, money for education can immediately steer a family out of poverty. And, so far, the Vittana record has been stellar.

Microfinance Effort Matches Tiny Lenders with Kids Who Yearn for College Worldwide

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By

Good News Network

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Aug 9, 2011

Vittana student from Vietnam

Another micro-finance initiative is improving the economic outlook for poor families around the world, this time through the financing of college tuition for students.

Although microfinancing usually raises funds for small businesses, the Seattle-based non-profit Vittana has been helping students around the world graduate from post-secondary schools by asking donors to pay for their tuition. Like the business loans, money for education can immediately steer a family out of poverty. And, so far, the Vittana record has been stellar.

Confidence in Obama’s Economy Rising for Millions of Employees Quitting Jobs

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Aug 9, 2011

businessman photo by Melenchon via Morguefile

Frustrated employees are voluntarily quitting their jobs at the highest level in almost three years as confidence rises that they will be able to find another, even with unemployment at about 9 percent for more than two years.

Almost 2 million Americans quit their jobs in May, a 35 percent rise from the lowest level in January 2010, according to the Department of Labor.

Program Vaccinates One Billion Children

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Aug 9, 2011

measles shots in Korea

The Measles Initiative this week announced it has vaccinated one billion children in more than 60 developing countries, making significant gains in the global effort to stop measles.

The child who received the history-making measles vaccination was one of 3.5 million immunized in Mozambique this May. The Measles Initiative began in 2001 with five founding partners – the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and World Health Organization. In 1980, before such vaccination programs, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.

Beach Sculptures Walk With the Wind

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Aug 8, 2011

Theo Jansen's beach sculpture

Kinetic sculptor and artist Theo Jansen builds free roaming beasts powered only by the wind using yellow plastic tubing readily available in his native Holland.

The graceful creatures evolve over time as Theo adapts their designs to harness the wind more efficiently. Some even store some of the wind’s energy in plastic bottle ‘stomachs’ to be used when there is no wind.

Comcast Offers Hi-Speed Internet to Low Income Families for $10/mo Keeping Promise to Regulators

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Aug 8, 2011

online-sales

Comcast is rolling out a new initiative in 39 states to help bring broadband internet to low income families at deeply discounted rates. The cable and Internet provider is making good on its deal with regulators who required the company to help connect low income households in exchange for approval of the company’s NBC Universal acquisition.

Comcast is offering the discounted service for $9.95 per month (with no price increases) to families that have at least one child receiving free school lunches, in locations where Comcast already offers Internet service.

Wind Energy Advances Across Iowa

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Aug 8, 2011

Hancock County, Iowa Visitor's kiosk - by Tim Fuller

Iowa is one of the leading U.S. states for wind power growth. The American Wind Energy Association announced Aug. 4 that Iowa generated 20 percent of its electricity from wind in the first quarter of 2011, up from 15% last year.

The industry is continuing to surge this year in Iowa with 630 Megawatts of construction underway. Only Texas has a higher amount of installed wind power capacity.

Marriage Proposal Accidentally Caught on Video Behind TV Reporter

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Aug 8, 2011

marriage proposal caught on TV camera

Elaborate marriage proposals are everywhere. But this Missouri man wanted to keep things simple.

When his girlfriend picked him up at the Kansas City Airport Thursday, he seized the moment and dropped to one knee.

But the private moment was accidentally caught on tape, in the background of a reporter’s LIVE shot.

Marriage Proposal Accidentally Caught on Video Behind TV Reporter

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Aug 8, 2011

marriage proposal caught on TV camera

Elaborate marriage proposals are everywhere. But this Missouri man wanted to keep things simple.

When his girlfriend picked him up at the Kansas City Airport Thursday, he seized the moment and dropped to one knee.

But the private moment was accidentally caught on tape, in the background of a reporter’s LIVE shot.

Driving Services Help Senior Mobility Without Spending Public Money

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Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org

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Aug 8, 2011

elderly hands on the steering wheel

The Independent Transportation Network of America (ITNAmerica), a national organization is helping older people with their transportation needs at a time of dwindling state and city funds and growing demand.

Most impressive, the ITN doesn’t rely on state money. They recruit a roster of drivers large enough to guarantee seniors rides 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of ITN’s successful initiatives is to allow elders free rides if they are willing to donate their cars to the program.

Driving Services Help Senior Mobility Without Spending Public Money

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Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org

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Aug 8, 2011

elderly hands on the steering wheel

The Independent Transportation Network of America (ITNAmerica), a national organization is helping older people with their transportation needs at a time of dwindling state and city funds and growing demand.

Most impressive, the ITN doesn’t rely on state money. They recruit a roster of drivers large enough to guarantee seniors rides 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of ITN’s successful initiatives is to allow elders free rides if they are willing to donate their cars to the program.

UCLA Summer Academy Steers Foster Children Toward College

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Aug 7, 2011

photo by Sun Star

For foster children, the prospect of ever completing college is remote: fewer than 3% of all kids in foster care ever earn a degree.

But a privately funded pilot program at UCLA hopes to improve the odds.

The kids live on campus, study, go on outings and for participating, they get laptops, flip cams and four UC credits.

Solar Powered Swim Suit Charges Your Phone

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Aug 7, 2011

solar bathing suit

A solar-powered bikini designed by Brooklyn-based designer Andrew Schneider is now available for charging your cellphone or iPod right on the beach.

The high-tech swimsuit comprises thin, flexible photovoltaic film strips and USB connectors.

Purple Heart Medal Returned After Yearlong Search for Fallen WWII Soldier’s Family

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Aug 7, 2011

Purple Heart photo by Jonathunder -CC license

Corrado Piccoli’s sisters had no idea his Purple Heart medal, awarded posthumously after the 20-year-old was killed in action in 1944, was even missing.

But 65 years later, after the medal was purchased in an antique store, the buyer had an idea that it belonged to someone special, and vowed to find its original owner.

“I really felt like he was talking to me throughout the process,” Zachariah Fike told The Associated Press, after the culmination of a yearlong search.

Friday Jobs Report Better Than Expected, Workers Paid More Too

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Aug 7, 2011

business-graphic-up

The U.S. job market beat expectations, with the nation adding 117,000 net jobs in July, a number that beat the forecast of economists, who were expecting no more than 90,000. And it was an overwhelming relief for investors, who just lived through two of the most brutal weeks in Wall Street history.

Workers were paid more, too. Average hourly wages showed the biggest monthly gain since 2008. More jobs and better pay means people have more cash to spend, helping the economy grow.

How a 21-Year-Old Design Student’s Sleeping-Bag Coat Could Break The Cycle Of Homelessness

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Aug 6, 2011

homeless coat/sleeping bag is called Element-S (for survival)

A 21-year-old design student in Detroit redesigned the winter coat to help homeless people suffering from relentlessly cold winters. The ankle-length “Element S” is hooded, self-heated and waterproof, but it also transforms into a sleeping bag at night.

Not only that, her Detroit Empowerment Plan envisioned that the coat be made by a group of homeless women who are paid minimum wage, and fed and housed while creating the coats. The plan now creates jobs for those who desire them and coats for those who need them at no cost.

“The goal is to empower, employ, educate, and instill pride,” writes Veronika Scott, the coat’s creator. “The importance is not with the product but with the people.”

Donations to the project are tax-deductible. Visit the website to find out more ways you can help, like donating hot glue guns or thread.

(WATCH the video below from CNN, or READ an interview at Fast Company)

How A 21-Year-Old Design Student’s Sleeping-Bag Coat Could Break The Cycle Of Homelessness

Most Popular

By

-

Aug 6, 2011

homeless coat/sleeping bag is called Element-S (for survival)

A 21-year-old design student in Detroit redesigned the winter coat to help homeless people suffering from relentlessly cold winters. The ankle-length “Element S” is hooded, self-heated and waterproof, but it also transforms into a sleeping bag at night.

Not only that, her Detroit Empowerment Plan envisioned that the coat be made by a group of homeless women who are paid minimum wage, and fed and housed while creating the coats. The plan now creates jobs for those who desire them and coats for those who need them at no cost.

British Air to Send Jumbo Jet of Aid to Drought-hit Africa, Irish Famine Memory Spurs Donations There

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Aug 6, 2011

BA jets - BA will fly aid to Africa

In the coming days, British Airways will send a jumbo jet full of supplies for crisis-hit East Africans.

Carrying aid from Oxfam and Unicef, the Boeing 747 will have the capacity for 110 tons of cargo and will take relief to people suffering from famine, disease and drought in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The plane will leave from Stansted airport in Essex on Friday, August 12, bound for Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, despite persisting economic problems, more than 7 million Euros have been donated by citizens to famine relief — more, per capita, than any other country in Europe.

Toronto Thrill Seekers Can Walk on Building’s Edge 116 Stories Up

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Aug 6, 2011

Edge-walking atop CN tower in Toronto

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, has become Toronto’s most extreme attraction. Thrill lovers will walk on the edge of one of the world’s tallest buildings — 116 stories high above the ground. Visitors will walk with a guide, in groups of six, while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system.

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