James Franco, the star of 127 Hours, was honored Saturday for his involvement with an organization that encourages actors, artists and musicians to donate their time and talent to children battling serious medical conditions.
James Franco Honored for Work With Critically Ill Kids
Obama Loosens Travel Restrictions on Cuba
U.S. President Barack Obama has loosened travel restrictions on Cuba to allow religious groups and students to travel to the communist country. The White House said Friday the measures are aimed at developing “people to people” contacts through more academic, cultural and religious exchanges.
The Answer in Tucson, is Blowing in the Wind
What started out as a memorial for a little boy has become a gift for a community in need of smiles.
Ben’s Bells has never seen so many volunteers, painting, assembling and hanging ceramic wind chimes from random branches and playgrounds around the city of Tucson. Hundreds came out to help hang these gifts for citizens to find and take home.
WATCH the Making a Difference video below, or at MSNBC…
Refuge Teaches Women to Make Candles in the Darkness of War
Prosperity Candle provides women living in distressed areas around the world the tools and distribution they need to start their own companies making and selling beautiful candles.
They wanted to prove their business model could benefit struggling women in any other part of the world, so the Massachusetts-based company launched their pilot project in Baghdad, in the midst of war and exploding bombs.
Refuge Teaches Women to Make Candles in the Darkness of War
Prosperity Candle provides women living in distressed areas around the world the tools and distribution they need to start their own companies making and selling beautiful candles.
They wanted to prove their business model could benefit struggling women in any other part of the world, so the Massachusetts-based company launched their pilot project in Baghdad, in the midst of war and exploding bombs.
Extra Money in US Paychecks Means ‘We’ Can be Stimulus
The $858 billion tax plan approved by Congress in December included a surprise 2% reduction in payroll taxes for 2011, in what amounts to a $120 billion bet that Americans will spend the money and help juice the economy.
If you earn $100,000 a year or more, that temporary tax reduction will mean an extra $2,000 this year — almost $40 more in your paycheck every week.
How will Americans stimulate the economy?
(READ the story in the USA Today)
Missing Dog Shows Up on Front Porch After 5 Years
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
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…
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.
