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Ford Gets $5.9 Billion Loan to Retool Plants for Energy Efficient Cars

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Good News Network
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Ford's plug-in motor

ford-plug-in-motor.jpgThe Department of Energy announced yesterday they finalized a loan of $5.9 billion for Ford Motor Company to transform factories across Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio to produce more fuel efficient models.

The loan is part of the Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which supports the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies. The loan for Ford Motor Company is the first to be finalized since the program was appropriated by Congress in the fall of 2008.  
 
This announcement builds on steps taken by the Obama Administration earlier this week to require an average fuel economy of 35.5 miles per gallon from U.S. automakers by the year 2016.  That standard will reduce oil consumption by an estimated 1.8 billion barrels, prevent greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 950 million metric tons, and save the average car buyer more than $3,000 in fuel costs. The funding announced today will help Ford meet those targets.

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$1 Million to Four Changemakers From Coca Cola

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Good News Network
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water-jug-africa-ashoka

water-jug-africa-ashoka.jpgA winner and three finalists from the Changemakers/Global Water Challenge are sharing a $1 million gift from the Coca Cola Foundation to bring clean water and sanitation to the far corners of the Earth.

“We believe (it) will start a ripple effect in their communities and create scalable, replicable and sustainable models that can be applied around the world,”  said Paul Faeth, President of Global Water Challenge.

More than a billion people worldwide lack a consistent supply of clean water and 2.6 billion do not have access to a safe toilet. But solutions abound…

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Massachusetts Health Care Honored as Government Success

By
Christine Vestal, Stateline.org
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mass-health-employee-website.jpg
mass-health-employee-website.jpgAs the Obama administration and Congress debate the details of a national health care plan, the state that paved the way for universal coverage was honored in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 14.
The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority — a key component of Massachusetts’ landmark universal health care program — was among six government initiatives to receive the 2009 Innovations in American Government Award  from Harvard University.
“The Commonwealth Connector has been the capstone of health reform in Massachusetts. It is the arch between public and private insurance and it was politically instrumental in bridging liberal and conservative policy goals,” said Urban Institute health care expert Randall Bovbjerg, who analyzed the program for Harvard.
The awards, which highlight successful programs with the hope of replicating them elsewhere, are given by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  Idaho, Chicago, Milwaukee, Wis., Kingsport, Tenn., and Washington, D.C., also took prizes, which included a $100,000 grant each to cover the costs of spreading the word about their innovations. Their programs range from a mental health system for youth in Milwaukee to a cost-effective satellite mapping program that measures water evaporation in Idaho.  This year’s winners were chosen from more than 1,000 applicants.
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Exercise Can Extend Survival Even in Oldest of Old

By
Michelle B
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tennis-oldsters

tennis-oldsters.jpgEven in the “oldest old,” a little physical activity goes a long way, extending life by at least a few years for people in their mid- to late 80s, Israeli researchers found. The three-year survival rate was about three times higher for active 85-year-olds compared with those who were inactive.

Indeed, it seems that it is never too late to start,” the researchers wrote in Monday’s Archives of Internal Medicine, which published the study.

(Continue reading in HealthZone)

Photo courtesy of Sun Star 

Coco Chanel: The Orphan Who Transformed Fashion

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Good News Network
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coco-chanel.jpg

coco-chanel.jpgShe dared to be different. Before Chanel, no one casually wore a dress in black. In the new film, Coco Before Chanel, we see “a penniless orphan transform herself into a fabulous designer who transformed ladies’ fashion.”

In the late 1800’s, living on her own and earning money as a seamstress during the day, Chanel one day found herself surrounded by beauties topped with hats like “cakes on their heads.” Disgusted with women’s fashion, she was “driven to design a simpler silhouette,” even cutting her boyfriend’s clothing down to fit her slim figure.

“Other women noticed Chanel’s chic, beautiful style and began to buy her clean-cut, simple clothes.”

(Read more about Coco w/ photos, or hear review, at NPR)

The French film (with subtitles) opens next Friday in the U.S. in a limited release.  See a trailer here.

Artist Paints Homeless to Lift Homeless (w/ Video)

By
The Sequoia project
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drawing-david-hummer.jpg

drawing-david-hummer.jpg Artist David Anthony Hummer’s paintings are collected worldwide but his real passion is blossoming back in his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin among the county’s 1000 homeless people.

Hummer began painting the faces of weathered homeless men and women after a Manhattan business trip with a fellow gallery owner. He had just exited a gallery in which people regularly purchase works of art priced in the millions. He noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk with a sign on his lap asking for help. This extreme contrast of poverty and wealth hit him with a shock. (Portrait, right, Cassandras Peace by David Hummer)

His work has evolved from wistful and light brushstrokes capturing children in red wagons into realistic portraits of homeless people, ever hoping to create an awareness of this growing problem. He abandoned his gallery business and spent the next 15 years producing these portraits and working with homeless shelters.

After returning to the city of his roots, Hummer is now helping local homeless vets through the Randlin Homes program. He has recently donated 7 large homeless portraits from his collection to sell as a benefit to Randlin Homes, which is helping to get homeless vets back on their feet.

“For me, as an artist, these compositions keep me alive and interested and fresh,” said Hummer. “The new work evolves (when I ask) myself what I can say about this person, composing and orchestrating new images that allow me to make my connection to the subject, which in turn will allow the viewer to make connections.”

Watch the local news report below, and view more of his gorgeous work online at
DavidAnthonyHummer.com.

Writing and editing by Geri; Thanks to the Sequoia Project for submitting the links!

A New Way to Turn Plastic Into Fuel

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Good News Network
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envion-plastic-to-oil-generator.jpg

envion-plastic-to-oil-generator.jpgA company in Washington, D.C. opened a new a $5 million plant this morning that it says will annually convert 6,000 tons of plastic into nearly a million barrels of something resembling oil. The product can be blended with other components and sold as gasoline or diesel. Their proprietary process uses infrared energy converting one to the other for about $10 a barrel, he said.

Montgomery County, just north of Washington, is giving the Envion company a free supply of plastic and a spot at its waste transfer station.

(Continue reading in New York Times)

Imam Urges Muslims to Sign Organ Donor Cards

By
Michelle B
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muslim-service-mecca-ali-mansuri-cc-license.jpg

muslim-service-mecca-ali-mansuri-cc-license.jpgWith Ramadan ending in the coming days, Imam Habeeb Alli is making a special point of what he calls the greatest act of charity a Muslim can make during this holy month – signing an organ donor card.

“This is one of the greatest charities we can do,” he says, adding that Ramadan, which ends Monday, emphasizes charitable giving. Alli says his group drew on the writings of several top Muslim thinkers to show that the vast majority support organ donation. “It has the validity of scholarship,” he says.

(Continue reading in Toronto Star)

Photo: Muslim Holy service in Mecca- by Ali Mansuri, CC license 

Canada Curbs Antibiotics for Ear Infections

By
Michelle B
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amoxicillin.jpg

amoxicillin.jpgThe unwise practice of routinely prescribing antibiotics to kids suffering from an ear infection is coming to a formal end in Canada.

The Canadian Paediatric Society today instructed doctors to watch and wait for 48 hours before using antibiotics to treat most ear infections in healthy children over six months of age.

About 95 percent of the time, an acetaminophen like Tylenol alone works just as well to treat the kind of ear infection that preschoolers with a cold are prone to, said specialist Dr. Joan Robinson in a statement. She said the main reason for the treatment change is concern about increasing resistance to antibiotics by over-prescribing them.

(Continue reading in HealthZone)

Implanted Tooth Helps Restore Vision in Historic Surgery

By
Bob Lee
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eye-iris

eye-iris.jpgA 60-year-old woman can see again after a tooth was implanted into her eye in a historic Miami surgery.

The months-long procedure had never been performed in the United States before, CNN reported yesterday, but was successful in reversing her vision loss due to Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

(Continue reading in UPI)

Need to Breathe Easier? Get a Houseplant

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Good News Network
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golden-pothos-plant.jpg

golden-pothos-plant.jpgOzone, the main component of air pollution, or smog, also infiltrates indoor environments like homes and offices. Ozone can be released by ordinary copy machines, laser printers, ultraviolet lights, and some electrostatic air purification systems, all of which contribute to increased indoor ozone levels.

Now, researchers are touting the use of common houseplants as a cheap way to improve indoor air quality and help people breathe easier.

(Read more in Pollution Online)

Thanks to Fred Werner for submitting the link. 

U.S. Crime Rates Down in 2008

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Good News Network
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nycity-skyline

nycity-skyline.jpgThe FBI estimates the number of violent crimes in the U.S. declined for the second year in a row, according to figures released Monday.  Overall property crimes also dropped in 2008, marking the sixth straight year of decline.

The estimated number of violent crimes overall declined 1.9 percent, while the number of offenses per 100,000 people declined 2.7 percent from 2007.

The estimated volume of property crimes decreased 0.8 percent in 2008 when compared with 2007 estimates — a drop of 1.6 percent per capita for the year.

For each of the four violent crime offenses, the 2008 estimates declined when compared with estimates for 2007. The murder and nonnegligent manslaughter estimate dropped 3.9 percent; aggravated assault declined 2.5 percent; forcible rape declined 1.6 percent; and robbery was down 0.7 percent.

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A Paw and a Prayer: Pilots Save Shelter Animals

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Good News Network
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pilot-paw-mike-rigg.jpg

pilot-paw-mike-rigg.jpgLady Di is a lovely purebred collie with a pleasant disposition, just like many of dogs dumped at shelters which euthanize animals by the dozens every week because they lack enough would-be owners. But she is one of the lucky dogs. She got a plane ride away from death row when shelter workers knew she stood a better chance somewhere else.

Donating their time, planes and fuel, volunteers in Pilots N Paws fly these pets away from overwhelmed shelters to communities where they’ll stand a better chance of adoption.

This week, Pilots N Paws is seeking to transport 5,000 animals to safety in a flurry of flights designed to raise awareness of the charity and draw attention to the importance of spaying and neutering. (Their website is down right now, but try back later and look at the photos and donate a bit if you can…)

(Continue reading at WTOP News)

Thanks to Maxine Hillary for submitting the link! 

Cow Power Electrifies Vermonters

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Good News Network
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cows-in-dairy-farm

cows-in-dairy-farm.jpg Cows producing electrical power? On six farms in Vermont, cow manure is used to produce methane, which in turn runs engines that generate power. Vermonters are even willing to pay a premium to use this home grown, total green electricity.

Video below may take a moment to load… 

(New Video) Dad Hugs Instead of Yells When Daughter Throws Ball Back

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Good News Network
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baseball-stadium-busch

baseball-stadium-busch.jpg In Philadelphia a man makes a great catch of a foul ball, leaning over the rail in the upper deck. After receiving high-fives from those nearby, he hands the ball to his little daughter. The toddler promptly throws the ball back on the field.

The reaction of her dad was priceless — a perfect role model for parents everywhere…

 

David Byrne Bike Racks in NYC

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Good News Network
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david-byrne-bike-rack.jpg

david-byrne-bike-rack.jpgDavid Byrne is an avid cyclist and an artist too. The musician who formed the Talking Heads band back in the 1970’s submitted designs to the New York City Department of Transportation for nine bike racks to reflect the character of the neighborhoods where they are installed, like a dollar sign for Wall Street.

They will brighten the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan for one year, after which they will be sold through Pace/MacGill Gallery, which represents Byrne’s artistic endeavours.

(Read more and see the slideshow at Wallpaper.com) 

5 Creative Uses for Coffee

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Good News Network
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coffee

coffee.jpgMade too much coffee? Got extra grounds? Before you throw it in the sink, consider one of these ideas.

It even keeps away ants. I will have to try that… Brought to you by AltUse.com.

(Continue reading at Mother Jones)

Woman Brings Real Hope to End Stage Cancer Patients

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Good News Network
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lazarex-cancer-foundation-logo.gif

lazarex-cancer-foundation-logo.gifOne upstart nonprofit is giving hope to “end stage” patients by providing assistance to defray the costs associated with the patient’s participation in FDA clinical trails.

“Unfortunately, most trials aren’t in someone’s backyard. So we fly them or we pay for their apartment or their gas or whatever it is they need.”

To fatten their checkbook and help more people, the Lazarex Cancer Foundation, founded in 2006 by Dana Dornsife after her brother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, throws major events almost monthly, like the marathon yesterday in Oakland.

“We help patients take advantage of medical breakthroughs today, because they may not have a tomorrow.” (image, right, Lazarex Cancer Foundation logo)

(Continue reading report by Times-Herald)

Farmers Markets Double Nationwide with White House Next Location

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Good News Network
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farmers-market-produce

farmers-market-produce.jpgOn September 17th, 2009, a Fresh Farm Market will open by the White House in Washington, D.C.– just weeks after President Barack Obama wished for a market during his national forum on health care.

Recognized as a benefit for farmers, consumers and ultimately the health of the community, the growth of farmers markets has been slow and steady.

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognized 1,755 fresh produce markets across the United States. Now, there are more than 4,685.

(Continue reading at Ode magazine)

Beautiful Plus-Sized Models

By
elizabeth Allen
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plus-size-model-nicole-lebris.jpg

plus-size-model-nicole-lebris.jpgHere is a featured slideshow of lovely and famous plus-sized models. One has written a book about her love/hate and finally triumphant relationship with the fashion industry… A real encouragement for all women.

Model Nicole Lebris, right, has appeared in ad campaigns for Fruit of the Loom, Lane Bryant and Marina Rinaldi. She is also a professional makeup artist.

(See all the photos at Fox News)

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