The wonderful thing about finding your life’s purpose is that you never know when it will be revealed. Years after her tortured grieving over the death of both parents, Lynn Hughes started a summer camp for bereaving kids.
The non-profit Comfort Zone Camp is designed to bring healing during the beginning of the grieving process. The camp now operates in five states and has served 2,900 children, ages 7-17.
Chefs need to introduce this “delicious” fish to consumers, says a new government study looking at how to curb the rapid growth of lionfish, an invasive species not native to the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA researchers suggest that approximately 27 percent of mature lionfish will have to be removed monthly during an entire year for its population growth rate to be reduced to zero.
But the good news is that the invasive fish happens to be delicious, with a delicate white meat tasting similar to a snapper or grouper.
Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but have established themselves from North Carolina to South America. Scientists and public officials are seriously concerned at the effect lionfish are having on reef ecosystems, since this predator is capable of rapid population growth and outcompeting native fish for food and territory.
They are a popular aquarium fish that were likely first released in Florida waters in the mid-1980s. Since then, the species has spread rapidly.
A new study headed by researchers at the University of Rochester finds that women are attracted to men wearing the color red.
Even though women are unaware of the effect, the study shows there is a marked increases in men’s attractiveness, status, and sexual desirability when women view men wearing or bordered in red.
A car that is powered by methane gas produced by human waste has been launched and its makers claim drivers cannot tell the difference.
The Bio-Bug is a Volkswagen Beetle converted by a team of British engineers to run on biogas, which is produced from human waste at sewage works across the country.
They believe the car is a viable alternative to electric vehicles.
The International Press Institute named Iranian journalist and dissident Akbar Ganji as this year’s World Press Freedom Hero, in recognition of his decades of work defending freedom of speech and equal rights for all, in the face of continued harassment and imprisonment.
Often called ‘Iran’s most prominent political dissident’, Ganji spent six years in Iran’s infamous Evin prison for a 1999 series of articles which he, (along with investigative journalist Emadeddin Baghi) wrote on Iran’s notorious ‘chain murders’, for the daily publication, Sobh Emrouz.
His expose is credited with spurring the defeat of a number of conservative candidates in the 2000 elections.
In December 2000, two months after the elections, Ganji was arrested and accused of endangering national security and spreading propaganda. He was eventually sentenced to six years in prison, much of which he spent in solitary confinement.
Despite the brutal prison conditions, Ganji continued to write.
His ‘Republican Manifesto’ outlined the steps by which Iran could achieve a secular democracy, and emphasized respect for human rights, an independent press and an independent judiciary.
He was released in 2006, and left Iran immediately. He has since continued campaigning for freedom and liberty for Iran and for all nations.
“We are delighted to name Akbar Ganji our 59th World Press Freedom Hero”, said an official for the Press association. “His courage in the face of intimidation and his continued fight for truth and justice should serve as an inspiration to all of us. His struggle is especially relevant now, in light of the continued persecution of political prisoners in Iran.”
Ganji was involved with the Iranian revolution at an early age, even joining the Revolutionary Guard, a branch of Iran’s military constituted after the 1979 revolution, but he soon grew disillusioned with the ideology of the revolution he had supported, as ‘one despotic kingdom replaced another despotic kingdom’.
In the mid-1990s, he turned to journalism. In 1998, a year after the election of then-obscure cleric and reformist Mohammad Khatami to the presidency in the 1997 elections, Ganji spoke out against the dangers of a fascist interpretation of religion. He was arrested and sentenced to a year in prison, but was released after three months. He has also written about his opposition to velayat-e-faqih, (the clause in the Iranian constitution that calls for an Islamic jurist to serve as the Supreme Leader of the government).
The honoring of Akbar Ganji was unanimously approved by the five-member IPI World Press Freedom Hero jury. Ganji will be one of 60 World Press Freedom Heroes honoured in a ceremony to commemorate IPI’s 60th year of defending press freedom worldwide at the IPI World Congress in Vienna and Bratislava, from 11-14 September 2010.
Jewish businessman Robert Harush who grew up in France decided to spend part of his fortune on renovation of a large Muslim house of worship outside Paris, in an effort to promote co-existence.
Even after living through a rocket landing near his second home in Israel, he has not harbored any ill-feelings against the Arab side and is a strong supporter of co-existence.
Many states are implementing a tax holiday in the coming weeks, hoping to boost retail sales and let struggling families get more for their money in a down economy.
Illinois began on Friday waiving its 5 percent state sales tax for ten days on certain purchases, including school backpacks, pens, notebooks, and most clothing items under $100.
The Land of Lincoln joins 18 other states, ranging from Florida to New Mexico, Maryland to Virginia, in offering a tax break this year — the highest number since New York first launched a tax holiday in 1997. Most of them begin this weekend and are pegged to school shopping.
North Carolina’s back-to-school tax holiday this weekend is the nation’s most generous. The state’s 5.75 percent sales tax is waived not only on clothing and school supplies under $100 per item, but also on computers under $3,500, computer equipment under $250, and instructional materials under $300.
Dustin Platt celebrated his 100th article last week as a food writer for the San Francisco Examiner. In addition to recipes, he discusses food history, philosophy, and the culture that develops around the table.
This is one of my favorite recent articles:
In the heat of early afternoon, when the kitchen is already the hottest room in the house, the desire to cook wanes fast.
Why not take the opportunity to appreciate the fresh plethora of fruits and vegetables available from your local gardens and farmer’s markets. As with strawberry bruschetta, it also gives one the opportunity to experience foods in their natural state, as well as experiment with favorites new and old.
Fresh sweet tomatoes off the vine tantalize the tongue, while creamy cheeses wash the acid away. Red onion becomes an artform all its own when seasoned with red wine vinegar.
Click below to find more examples of how to combine oils, vinegars, sugars and salts to create a tap dance of flavors, like the food-loving rodent Remy does, in the great animated foodie movie, Ratatouille…
According to Energy Collective, a historic era is upon us because solar power has become affordable. More specifically, solar power has become cheaper than nuclear power.
The article sites researchers from Duke University in North Carolina, who found that the cost of “producing photovoltaic cells (PV) has been dropping for years … at the same time, estimated costs for building new nuclear power plants have ballooned.” Thus, it’s cheaper to put solar panels on houses than to build a new nuclear power plant to service them.
Stranded by a severe thunderstorm in eastern Ohio with a group of soaked strangers in a glassed-in gas station booth with no power, all of us cowering from fear of the lightning strikes all around and 60-mph winds, I realized I really, really needed a dose of good news… I asked the other travelers if anything good had happened to them lately…
The number of terrorist attacks worldwide in 2009 fell by about 6 percent from the previous year, and the number of deaths from these attacks declined by about 5 percent — marking the second consecutive year that attacks and fatalities from terrorism declined, according to the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Terrorism 2009, released August 5.
The 2009 report states that al-Qaida suffered several significant setbacks in 2009 as the result of Pakistani military operations aimed at eliminating militant strongholds. According to the report, al-Qaida also suffered leadership losses and experienced increased difficulty in raising money, training recruits and planning attacks outside of the region.
“The Obama administration has been working to strengthen the nation’s counterterrorism strategy,” said Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, the State Department’s coordinator for counter-terrorism, particularly seeking to “shape and constrain the environments where terrorists operate.”
A British solar energy firm is encouraging UK homeowners to embrace energy-saving technology by installing free rooftop photovoltaic panels on their homes.
HomeSun has stated it intends to give away £1 billion worth of free solar panel installations in England over the next three years — retrofitting up to 2.4 million homes.
Envisioning a new business model, the company plans to recoup its outlay by collecting money from the government’s new feed-in tariff program, which allows solar energy to be sold back to the National Grid.
The opening of a new movie theater may not sound like a big deal. But for Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin, it’s something to celebrate.
And one documentary playing there is especially salient. It features the father of a Palestinian boy shot by Israeli soldiers who made his organs available to Arab and Jewish kids.
This week, President Barack Obama awarded the 2010 Citizens Medal to 13 outstanding Americans who have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”
The Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian honor in our nation. For over 40 years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized America’s most respected heroes and public figures like Muhammad Ali, Colin Powell and Bob Dole, as well as everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings to establish a scholarship for students in need.
This year, the President decided to try something different, asking the American public to nominate selfless heroes from their community. The White House received over 6,000 nominations from around the country.
The 13 award winners include a widow who lost her husband on 9/11 and turned her grief into hope for Afghani women whose husbands were lost to the Taliban; a school bus driver who delivers hot meals and coffee to New York City’s homeless 365 nights a year; a North Chicago nurse who opened a live-in center for helping pregnant teenagers.
Watch the video of the White House ceremony below, or go to the White House Citizen’s Medal website to watch interviews with any of the winners… Here are some of the winners and their stories:
When a pregnant teenager with no place to stay arrived at her door, Daisy Brooks welcomed the young woman in. What followed was a lifelong commitment to helping many of North Chicago’s young mothers and their infants. Brooks opened Daisy’s Resource and Developmental Center to serve as a dormitory, school, and catalyst for young women to improve their lives. Brooks receives the Citizens Medal for offering guidance and support to young women.
Jorge Muñoz has given his time, energy, and resources dedicated to feeding the hungry, while demonstrating the enduring American values of sacrifice and kindness. Muñoz receives the Citizens Medal for his service and dedication to creating a more hopeful tomorrow for the less fortunate among us.
He was runner-up for CNN Hero of the Year in 2009, and featured here on the Good News Network.
Beginning with a wagon full of coffee and sandwiches, Lisa Nigro’s mission to aid those living on the streets of Chicago has inspired us all. Her wagon gave way to a restaurant for homeless men and women, expanding with partner organizations to provide housing, job training, and vital support to Chicagoans affected by poverty.
Nigro receives the Citizens Medal for her tireless service to her fellow citizens.
After losing her husband in the attacks of September 11, 2001, Susan Retik Ger found a cause in educating and training Afghan widows and their children. She understands the importance of empowering women touched by personal tragedy and her strength of spirit has healed hearts, and fostered mutual understanding and a common future. Retik Ger receives the Citizens Medal for advancing women’s rights and demonstrating the power of America’s ideals.
Cynthia Church turned a personal battle with cancer into a force for progress and change. Dismayed by the lack of resources for women of color with breast cancer, Church founded Sisters on a Mission, Inc, an African-American breast cancer support network in Delaware. Church receives the Citizens Medal for confronting the scourge of this terrible disease and working to halt its spread.
Physical limitations have not hindered Mary K. Hoodhood’s determination to strengthen her community. Though a car accident left her paralyzed, Hoodhood began volunteering to feed the hungry through her local Meals on Wheels program. In 2001, Hoodhood founded Kids’ Food Basket which provides meals to thousands of children in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Hoodhood receives the Citizens Medal for her remarkable efforts to nourish our nation’s children.
Parent and advocate, Kimberly McGuiness has been a true champion for deaf students. Her persistent letters, phone calls, and visits to state legislators helped spur the passage of Georgia’s Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights. She has led workshops, counseled parents, and changed lives, raising awareness and support for deaf education. McGuiness receives the Citizens Medal for demonstrating the results one citizen can achieve.
For decades, Myrtle Faye Rumph has lent her talent and compassion to impacting the lives of at-risk youth. Her commitment to reducing gun and gang violence in her community has steered countless young men and women away from dangerous habits, and altered the course of their futures. Rumph receives the Citizens Medal for her tireless efforts to replace violence and despair in her community with a beacon of hope and humanity.
This week, President Barack Obama awarded the 2010 Citizens Medal to 13 outstanding Americans who have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”
The Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian honor in our nation. For over 40 years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized America’s most respected heroes and public figures like Muhammad Ali, Colin Powell and Bob Dole, as well as everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings to establish a scholarship for students in need.
This year, the President decided to try something different, asking the American public to nominate selfless heroes from their community. The White House received over 6,000 nominations from around the country.
The 13 award winners include a widow who lost her husband on 9/11 and turned her grief into hope for Afghani women whose husbands were lost to the Taliban; a school bus driver who delivers hot meals and coffee to New York City’s homeless 365 nights a year; a North Chicago nurse who opened a live-in center for helping pregnant teenagers.
Watch the video of the White House ceremony below, or go to the White House Citizen’s Medal website to watch interviews with any of the winners… Here are some of the winners and their stories:
Paying tribute to those dads who serve as an inspiration, but don’t necessarily get recognition, Sears has awarded Charles Muller of Rensselaer, N.Y. $30,000 worth of labor and materials to advance his work in his Albany community. 125,000 votes in an online contest judged him to be the most worthy grand prize winner out of ten finalists.
“Charles Muller is a true unsung hero who converted a run-down building into a center to feed children living below poverty levels in Albany, N.Y.,” said Ty Pennington, Sears spokesman. “He has stepped forward and made a true difference in many lives, and I am proud to work with Sears to help shine a light on his selfless service.”
“I am truly honored to have been selected as the winner, and am touched by the overwhelming support and votes I received from friends, family and members of my community,” said Muller.
Muller will be using the $30,000 grand prize from the Sears Blue Tool Crew to help restore a building used by the local Boys and Girls club that is in desperate need of repair. If not for this prize, they would have had to close the building.
In a nomination essay, Muller’s son wrote, “My dad bought some old broken down garages on the worst street in Albany, NY and turned them into a feeding center for children who are living below poverty levels… (He) rebuilt it into a full commercial kitchen, dining hall and food storage center… He even built a bigger center that would not only feed children, but help clothe, mentor and tutor them. It took him seven years and all of his spare time.”
Muller originally wanted to use the grand prize to finish a project that gave inner-city kids jobs at a bakery to help them develop a good work ethic, but then he heard that the Boys and Girls Club would shut down unless the building could be repaired.
All 10 finalists are winners and will receive $3,000 in tools from the Sears Blue Tool Crew.
Muller’s story, along with the story of all 10 finalists, can be viewed at www.searsunsungheroes.com.
A massive free health clinic for uninsured people in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday morning attracted nearly two thousand people, from infants to the elderly, all taking advantage of free doctor attention, blood tests and cancer screenings they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.
The C.A.R.E. Clinic (Communities Are Responding Everyday), sponsored by the National Association of Free Clinics, is the seventh clinic offered around the country to give uninsured people a variety of tests, from HIV to cancer screenings, mental health services, and routine physicals, all at no charge.
The wonderful thing about finding your life’s purpose is that you never know when it will be revealed. Years after her tortured grieving over the death of both parents, Lynn Hughes started a summer camp for bereaving kids.
When a pregnant teenager with no place to stay arrived at her door, Daisy Brooks welcomed the young woman in. What followed was a lifelong commitment to helping many of North Chicago’s young mothers and their infants. Brooks opened Daisy’s Resource and Developmental Center to serve as a dormitory, school, and catalyst for young women to improve their lives. Brooks receives the Citizens Medal for offering guidance and support to young women.
