A California woman says her pet shih-tzu, missing for the past five years, amazingly reappeared on her doorstep last week — even after the family had moved several times.
A reporter at KGET-TV talked to Madelyn about Prince’s return…
Missing Dog Shows Up on Front Porch After 5 Years
An Example of What Martin Luther King’s Birthday Should Be All About
Today the First Family honored Dr. Martin Luther King with a visit to Stuart Hobson Middle School, where they took part in a mentoring project organized by Greater DC Cares’ Mentoring Matters Initiative. In this photo, the President paints pictures of fruit in the cafeteria.
“This is just an outstanding program, an example of what Martin Luther King’s birthday should be all about,” he said. “I want to thank all the mentees and mentors who are participating.”
“Dr. King obviously had a dream of justice and equality in our society, but he also had a dream of service, that you could be a drum major for service, that you could lead by giving back to our communities. And that’s what this program is all about and that’s what these participants are all about.”
London’s Bike Superhighways Are Huge Success
Remember London’s bike superhighways that opened in July, leading, like spokes on a wheel, to the city center?
Now, the agency responsible, Transport for London, says the bright blue painted lanes have initiated a huge surge in cycling among Londoners using both routes, affirming their role as bike “Superhighways.”
NFL Backs Regulation for Youth Concussions on Football Field
The NFL is helping craft legislation in states around the country that would protect young athletes from the long-term effects of concussions.
The laws aims to raise coaches’ awareness of symptoms and prevent athletes from returning to practice or competition too soon.
New Tax Breaks, Bigger Refunds: Things You Need to Know
A handful of changes in the tax code could translate into a fatter refund check in 2011, thanks to the Small Business Jobs Act, passed in September and the historic health care reform law, passed in March. These laws offer hefty credits and deductions for capital investments and employee health insurance costs.
There are a number of other new things that taxpayers should remember. This year, they will have until Monday, April 18 to file their tax returns and pay any tax due. Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15. D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have three extra days to file this year.
New Tax Breaks, Bigger Refunds: Things You Need to Know
A handful of changes in the tax code could translate into a fatter refund check in 2011, thanks to the Small Business Jobs Act, passed in September and the historic health care reform law, passed in March. These laws offer hefty credits and deductions for capital investments and employee health insurance costs.
There are a number of other new things that taxpayers should remember. This year, they will have until Monday, April 18 to file their tax returns and pay any tax due. Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15. D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have three extra days to file this year.
Photographer Captures Upside of Recession
The recession was hard on a lot of people, but one Los Angeles photographer has found great personal satisfaction documenting the positive effects the recession has had on people.
Amid a downturn in her own career in advertising, Remy Haynes decided to come up with a project that would showcase her journalistic nature while uncovering the stories of people whose lives have changed for the better since the recession.
The Currency Project became a website with video interviews and posted stories, as well as a photo exhibition that ran in the James Gray Gallery.
Photo by Sun Star
Thriving Coral Reefs Discovered in Puerto Rico
With the overall health of Puerto Rico’s shallow coral reefs in decline, the recent discovery of abundant reef fish farther out brings hope that the stocks may help to replenish populations on shallower reefs.
NOAA-funded scientists found the extensive and biologically diverse coral ecosystems occurring at depths between 100-500 feet within a 12 mile span off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.
How to Care for Winter Skin
Cold weather changes can have serious side effects for skin. But if you’re the sensitive type, switching your entire regimen—i.e. risking reactions to new products— is likely to do more harm than good.
If you want some tips to beat the winter skin woes, click to read the seven that will matter most.
(Slideshow with 7 tips at Good.is)
Australia Footballers Fundraise for Flood Victims
Australian football star Tim Cahill and his Socceroo teammates have led sports fans in fundraising for victims of the Queensland floods.
The Everton midfielder used his two-goal performance not just to celebrate the team’s Asian Cup win but to mime a telephone to encourage donations to families hit hard by the deluge.
Homeless for 30 Days: Braving the Cold for a Cause
Last year Ryan Riddell was living in his 2,700-square foot home in Miamisburg, Ohio. But ever since January 1 he’s been braving the Ohio winter, living in a cargo van to raise awareness about homelessness in America.
“I never really realized how bad the situation was,” said the real estate agent and pastor. “It’s eye-opening to see what people who live like this have to go through.”
(READ the story at ABC News)
Pilot Refuses to Depart Until Funeral-bound Man Delayed by Security Can Board
A man stuck in airport security gridlock was finally able to say farewell to his murdered grandson after a Southwest Airline pilot refused to depart from the gate without him.
The man, whose 3-year-old grandson was to have life-support turned off that night, had arrived two hours ahead of his departure time for the domestic flight.
Despite explaining his predicament to the security staff, he recalled that no one cared at all to help him through the long lines to ensure he could board before takeoff.
Fortunately, his wife had purchased his flight on a caring airline, and she told the ticketing agent about the tragic reason for his trip.
After arriving at his gate 12 minutes late, shoes in hand and out of breath, he was greeted by Southwest Air personnel: “Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we’re so sorry about the loss of your grandson.”
As the pilot walked him down the jetway to the plane, the grieving grandfather thanked him profusely.
The pilot summed up his decision, saying, “They can’t go anywhere without me, and I wasn’t going anywhere without you.”
(READ the letter from his wife to Chris Elliot)
Pilot Refuses to Depart Until Funeral-bound Man Delayed by Security Can Board
A man stuck in airport security gridlock was finally able to say farewell to his murdered grandson after a Southwest Airline pilot refused to depart without him.
The man, whose grandson was to have life-support turned off that night, had arrived two hours ahead of departure time for his domestic flight.
Thanks to the complete indifference of the security staff he encountered, he was given no assistance as he struggled to make it through long lines in time for takeoff.
L.A. Hits 20 Percent Renewable Energy Goal
Other localities can learn something from the second most populous city in the United States.
Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa made a commitment in 2005 to increase the portion of his city’s renewable energy use from 5 to 20 percent by 2010. He announced this week the achievement of that goal after the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power calculated its 2010 renewable energy portfolio.
7-year-old Teaching Mom to Speak After Stroke
Three years ago, a stroke left Angie paralyzed on her right side and without the ability to speak. She has undergone speech therapy over the years, but it is her daily reading lessons from her 7-year-old daughter that is really making the difference.
Before the stroke, Mackenzie and her mom would regularly read together. Afterward, the young girl automatically jumped in, turning their sessions into lessons, with herself as teacher.
She went back to basics first, teaching her mother the alphabet and numbers.
(READ the story in the Austin Statesman)
Outpouring of Encouragement Helps Staffers Cope With Tragedy in Cong. Giffords’ Office
Since last Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, Ariz., Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ district office has become a mecca for mourners and well-wishers, and today there was a welcome surprise as Pam Simon — one of the staffers injured in the shooting — returned to the office for the first time.
The office has hosted a stream of constituents, friends and volunteers offering condolences and long hugs.
Staffers decided that opening the office on Monday morning as usual would send an important message.
“No act of depravity would be enough to close down this small little outpost of our government,” he says. “The office is open, our government is open, our democracy is open and that hasn’t changed.”
(LISTEN to the inspiring story or read it at NPR’s All Things Considered)
Panera to Open Another Pay-What-You-Want Cafe, This Time in Portland
Panera Bread will open its third nonprofit restaurant Monday in Portland where customers pay what they want for food — using donation boxes, instead of cash registers.
Panera opened community cafes last year in Clayton, Mo., and Dearborn, Mich., owned and operated by the nonprofit arm of the national restaurant chain.
The question was, “Will people step up and help each other or will they take advantage?”
So far, people have stepped up. Panera said about 20% of the visitors to the cafes leave more than the suggested amount, 20% leave less and 60% pay what is suggested.
(READ the AP story at USA Today)
EPA Vetoes Permit for Largest Mountaintop-removal Mine Ever Proposed
The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday issued its first-ever retroactive denial of a mining permit, rejecting plans for the largest-ever mountaintop-removal coal mine in Appalachia. The agency vetoed the crucial Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce Mine in Logan County, W.V., which had earlier been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The EPA had warned the company to revise its plan to be more protective of water quality and affected ecosystems. It reviewed more than 50,000 public comments on the proposed mine before issuing the denial.
Fashion Icon Donna Karan Honored for Haiti Relief Efforts
One year after a devastating earthquake rocked the island nation of Haiti, thousands of families remain sheltered due in large part to efforts supported by fashion designer, Donna Karan.
Deeply moved by the earthquake’s impact on the Haitian people, Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation partnered with ShelterBox, an international disaster relief organization to provide emergency shelter and life-saving equipment to disaster survivors.
Wave of Gifts in Name of Comic Book Heroes Continue for Japan’s Orphans
A wave of anonymous donations in the name of a 1960s comic superhero, a character who began as an orphan, is spreading across Japan, benefiting homes for underprivileged children and other charities.
The donations are giving average Japanese citizens something to find hope in, becoming part of “a heartwarming story in a time of social anxiety,” said national broadcaster NHK, who has made this a top news story this week.
(READ the stories at CNN.com and Reuters)