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Grocery Chains Offer Free Antibiotics to Customers

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Good News Network
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free-antibiotics.jpgIf an antibiotic is just what the doctor orders for your infection this winter, you can get a free prescription at either Giant food store or Wegmans pharmacies. Both east coast grocery chains have decided to offer free generic antibiotics to customers, without a limit, during the next three months.

As competition for consumer dollars increases, Wal-Mart, with it’s $4.00 generic prescriptions, will lose some ground, here, in the race for pharmacy customers. Drug sales typically make up about 10 percent of revenue at grocery stores.

“We understand the economic pressures families are facing, including the rising cost of health care, which is something I’m especially concerned about,” says CEO Danny Wegman.  “We hope this program will help families better cope with those expenses.”

This is the first time Giant has offered a totally free program. In the past they have provided generic prescriptions for $3.99. “Times are tough,” said Robin Michel, executive vice president for Giant Food, which is based in Landover, Maryland. “We wanted to provide something to help customers – something they may need more of during the colder months.”

Publix, a Florida-based grocery chain, debuted a no-cost antibiotics plan for its 684 pharmacies in 2007. It filled its one-millionth free antibiotic a year ago.

Wal-Mart’s $4 plan, launched in 2006, is still extremely valuable to consumers because it includes drugs, unlike antibiotics, that are prescribed for many years on end.

Other stores that have lowered drug prices include Schnucks and Martin’s supermarkets.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 72-store family-owned supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. Giant has 184 supermarkets –164 with pharmacies — in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and D.C.

140 Year Old Lobster Set Free

By
Ashley Mischitelle
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lobster-20-lb.jpgLast week, the prospect that a 140-year-old lobster confined to a tank inside a New York seafood restaurant would ever see his ocean home again were bleak at best. Now, George, the 20-pound crustacean, will get a second shot at life after the good folks at City Crab and Seafood agreed to ship the lucky lobster to Maine, and release him back into the wild. 

As long as George remains in Maine, he won’t have to worry about ending his life in a pot of boiling water. Fishermen are barred from keeping lobsters that exceed the state’s legal size limit. View related photos and Full AP story at MSNBC.com.

Chávez Restores Free Home Heating Oil Program to U.S. Poor

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Good News Network
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The Venezuelan government reversed course Wednesday, announcing that its US oil subsidiary would continue to provide free home heating oil to poor Americans two days after the government announced that the program had been suspended. Venezuela reinstated the program, which saved some 180,000 US households around $260 apiece in 2008. That covered about one month’s heating bill. (Christian Science Monitor)

Stolen Endagered Birds Recovered

By
Gareth Bawden
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red-vented_cockatoo.jpgA pair of red-vented cockatoos, amoung the rarest birds in the world, were discovered in the Southmead area after being stolen from Bristol Zoo in England. The Parrots, native to the Philippines, will again be properly cared for and resume their critical role in a breeding program to ensure the continued survival of the species. (Read the full story at BBC)

Obama Ready to Go With Green Energy Plans

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Good News Network
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cfbulb.jpgGreen energy and proponents were elated on Thursday by President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus speech, which asked Congress “to act without delay” to pass legislation that included doubling alternative energy production in the next three years and building a new electricity “smart grid.”

He said he also planned to modernize 75 percent of federal buildings, which would save billions of dollars in the long term, and improve energy efficiency in 2 million homes to save consumers billions on their own energy bills. (From Reuters News)

Lessons From UK’s ‘Tightest Man’

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Gareth Bawden
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In times of financial hardship, it helps to have a role model like the father who was named by a UK TV show ‘The Tightest Man In Britain’.

He has worn the same shoes since 1987, does not visit the cinema or pub, and insists, “A lot of people can learn from me.” He did pay cash  recently (£540) for a new HD TV after his 14-year-old model broke.

If you want to read about how tight someone can be, the full story is on BBC.

Japan Geothermal Projects Pick Up After 20 Years

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Good News Network
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geothermal-Nesjavellir-Plant.jpgSeveral Japanese firms will kick off new projects to build geothermal power plans this year for the first time in nearly two decades.

With active volcanoes scattered around the country, geothermal energy has powerful potential as a domestic source of energy. The greener power plants emit far less carbon dioxide than their fossil fuel and nuclear counterparts. Mitsubishi Materials Corp, Electric Power Development Co, or J-Power, Nittetsu Mining Co Ltd and Kyushu Electric Power Co will lead the way. (Reuters News has the full report)

Turning Air into Water? Gadget Does Just That

By
Bryn Nelson, MSNBC
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water-machine-from-air.jpg

water-machine-from-air.jpgRemember those sweltering summer days when the air was so muggy you could practically drink it? A new home appliance is promising to make that possible by converting outdoor air into nearly 13 quarts of fresh water every day.

Originally envisioned as an antidote to the shortage of clean drinking water in the world, the WaterMill has the look of a futuristic air conditioner and the ability to condense, filter and sterilize water for about 3 cents per quart.

At $1,299, the 45-pound device doesn’t come cheap, and it is neither the first nor the biggest machine to enter the fast-growing field of atmospheric water generators. But by targeting individual households with a self-cleaning, environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water, Kelowna, British Columbia-based Element Four is hoping its WaterMill will become the new must-have appliance of 2009.

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Garage Invention Turns Restaurants Into Power Plants

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Good News Network
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vegawatt.jpgInvented in a garage, a new generator burns the used oil from restaurants’ deep fryers to generate electricity. The first Vegawatt is being tested at a seafood restaurant in Dedham, Massachusetts. So far, the system offsets about $2.50 worth of electricity with each gallon of waste oil poured into it. Vegawatt’s founder and inventor, James Peret, estimates that restaurants purchasing the $22,000 machine will save about $1,000 per month in electricity costs, for a payback time of two years. (Wired has the feature story)

First British Baby Born Without Cancer Gene (Updated w/ Video)

By
Laura Schier
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embryo_false_colour_4.jpgOn Friday, the first baby in Britain to be screened for a deadly breast cancer gene while still an embryo was born safely in London. The parents didn’t want to pass on the gene that would have ensured cancer in 80% of offspring. The technique used to ensure that the girl would be born free of the cancer gene is called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and has been used previously in Britain to prevent babies being born with more than 60 inherited disorders, including cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. (Times of London has the story)

Also, this video below, offers another version of the uplifting aspect of the procedure. 

 

Free Laptops Arrive for Kids in Mali (Video)

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Good News Network
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xo-laptop-mali-clasrm.jpgChildren in rural Mali are being given the opportunity to develop their computer skills, thanks to the charity, One Laptop Per Child. 30 laptops have arrived in one of Mali’s rural villages providing children with access to laptops — and the internet — for the first time. The pilot program was launched in November. (Reuters Video below)

Yo-Yo Ma Brings Remix Culture to Music’s Ivory Tower

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Good News Network
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yo-yo-ma.jpgPlenty of indie, hip hop, and pop artists have welcomed others to remix their songs online. Now classical music aficionados can get in on the act. Renowned cellist and 15-time Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma is hosting an online competition, inviting listeners to add their own accompaniment to his performance of the traditional hymn Dona Nobis Pacem, from his latest album, Songs of Joy & Peace. 125,000 had already participated by the date of this WIRED magazine article of December 22, 2008.

New ‘Recycled Water Bottle’ Phone Unveiled

By
Gareth Bawden
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motorola-w233-recycled-bottles.jpg The first major mobile company to make a significant step towards an eco-friendly cell phone has released a model made from recycled water bottles. The Motorola W233 Renew is pledged to be the worlds first carbon neutral phone. In addition it has been confirmed that the company will also offset the carbon dioxide used in manufacturing, distribution and operation by investing in renewable energy sources and reforestation. They were also able to reduce the size of the box by 22% and use recycled paper for the manual and other printed materials.

No prices have been disclosed as yet but the model is due to be showcased at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
(Info from Reuters News)

Boy Gets Specially Made Goalie Gloves by Puma

By
Gareth Bawden
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goalie-gloves.jpg A boy from Gloucester, England got the perfect gift this Christmas. His parents presented him with a pair of gloves designed especially for him by Puma. Joseph Pritchard was born with a condition that left him with two fingers and one thumb and found traditional gloves would fall off during Football practise. His parents wrote to several big sports companies to see if any of them would be interested in helping them with their quandry and were delighted when Puma called them and confirmed they would be only too happy. They even imprinted the 8 year-old’s name on the tabs.

The boy’s school has hailed the child as being an inspiration as he has also had a leg amputated and shows no sign of backing down from following his passion in sports. 

(News and photo obtained from  www.news.bbc.co.uk)

Bush Creates Largest Marine Protection Zone in the World

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Good News Network
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reefs.jpgWith the stroke of a pen today, President Bush will designate three new areas in the Pacific as Marine National Monuments to create the largest area of ocean protection in the world, measuring 195,000 square miles.

The three areas include the Mariana Trench and the waters surrounding three uninhabited islands in the Northern Mariana Islands, Rose Atoll in American Samoa and seven islands along the equator in the central Pacific Ocean.

(photo, right, by NOAA)

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$4M In Counterfeit Shoes Being Donated To Haiti

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Good News Network
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starbury one shoes

starburyone.jpgA shipment of more than 27,000 pairs of shoes will soon be on its way to a country in desperate need of a donations. The U. S. Customs and Border Protection is donating the counterfeit shoes, worth more than $4 million, to Haiti, after intercepting them at Port Everglades and the Port of Miami. (CBS-4 in Miami)

Newspaper Reader Donates Van to Theft Victim

By
Autumn
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NICE license plate

nice-license-plate.JPGThis warmed my heart, and I thought it deserved national attention: A Kentucky woman whose van was stolen while she was visiting her husband in a Lexington hospital has a replacement vehicle, thanks to the kindness of people who read last week’s newspaper story.

A 1993 Plymouth Voyager van was washed and given an oil change before being presented by Dana Hager, a teacher at Danville High School. “It’s always easier to give than to receive,” Hager said. “I was so glad to do it.”

More was donated to the victim, like money for gas and offers of meals. (Read more in Kentucky.com)

 

10 Most Inspiring Stories for 2008

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Good News Network
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softball_selflessness.jpgThese are some of top good news stories from last year that really tugged at the heartstrings. They were also ten of the most popular stories of 2008 according to viewers of the Good News Network. Grab a box of tissues, and cheer for the hero dogs, inspiring teens and selfless citizens…

1) Moment of Mercy Stuns Crowd at Softball Finals – During collegiate playoffs, a member of one women’s softball team hit a home run over the fence, but collapsed with a knee injury after rounding first base. Players on the opposing team asked umpires if they could carry her around the remaining bases so that her home run could be counted as her own — her first home run ever. (Video with photo, here) Video courtesy of Positive Coaching Alliance, www.positivecoach.org


2) A Victim Treats His Mugger to Dinner – Julio Diaz bought his mugger some dinner and possibly changed the teenager’s life. The man earlier handed over his wallet to the knife-wielding teen, and as a result had to ask for it in order to pay the tab at the diner. (When he got his wallet back he gave the kid $20 and likely a new lease on life. (NPR story and audio)samritan-buys-gas.jpg

3) Good Samaritan Buys Strangers’ Gasoline – A Portland, Oregon man surprises strangers at a gas station, offering to pay their tab if they ‘pay it forward’. David brought tears of joy to the amazed drivers saying, “Just do something nice for someone else, whatever is in your budget to do for someone else.” (CNN Video at Good News Network)

4) Sheriff Suspends Foreclosure Evictions Against Innocent Renters – Even renters who have not missed a payment are caught in the foreclosure squeeze nationwide, but now Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has taken a stand saying he would help innocent renters who are playing by the rules, but whose landlords are facing foreclosure, by protecting them from surprise eviction. (Video and text story)hero-dog-argtna.jpg

5) Argentine Dog Saves Abandoned Baby – A newborn Argentinian baby abandoned outdoors in cold winter by her 14-year-old mother was found being kept warm by a farmer’s dog that moved it under cover and placed it alongside her own brood of puppies. (BBC has a video and story)

6) Coffee Customers Pay It Forward, and Forward, and Forward – Even in these tough times, it is becoming “downright common” for Starbucks customers at this drive-thru window to pay the bill for the car behind them. One cashier has even seen 15 cars of kindness in a row…  Even in Wal-Mart people are paying it forward. (CNN video at Good News Network)kindness-crd-77.jpg

7) Kindness Tornado Rips Through Town – Without warning Biddeford, Maine experienced a tornado of kindness on Thursday. Residents were lifted up and spirits were tossed into unfamiliar territory as Michael Chase of the Kindness Center churned up a whirlwind of “100 acts of kindness in 100 minutes.” (Good News Network w/ photos)

8) Hero Dog Wouldn’t Leave Kittens in House Fire – In Australia a terrier has surprised and delighted fire-fighters by refusing to leave a litter of newborn kittens caught in a raging house fire. Leo the dog, had refused to leave the house choosing instead to guard a cardboard box containing 4 new-born kittens. Firefighters found the box and rescued the lot. (Video, story and photo at GNN and Reuters)

9) Wave of Human Compassion Holds Back the Flooding -Hundreds of people in Quincy, Illinois are bending over shovels with a single task: filling sand bags for delivery down river to people they don’t even know. Helping hands of all ages filled a million and a half sandbags todog-helps-dog.jpg bolster levees for towns along the Mississippi River. (NBC News Video from GNN)

10) Dog Pulls Injured Dog From Highway Dodging Traffic – Footage from a traffic camera overlooking a busy freeway in Santiago, Chile captured a dog performing a heroic act — pulling an injured friend from oncoming traffic. The hero dog dodges out to drag the severely injured canine across lanes of traffic as cars swerve around it. Rescue workers arrive to help the dog in the end. (Good News Network)

 

Solar Installation Nearly Doubled Last Year in Calif.

By
Jenny Cellander
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esolar-panels.jpg Despite the turbulent economy, or perhaps because of it, the amount of electricity generated in California by solar energy soared in 2008 — and applications for rebates under the state’s Million Solar Roofs program reached record levels in the last five months of the year.

“While we don’t have the final numbers yet, it appears we nearly doubled the amount of solar installed in 2008 versus 2007,” said Molly Tirpak Sterkel, director of the California Solar Initiative. “That’s a magnificent story.” (Updated link – San Jose Mercury News)

Four Steps to Get You Mentally Ready for 2009

By
Marlene Chism
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smiling woman relieved

smiling woman relievedIn the new year, if you begin to “spiral down”, no matter what the reason, it is a sign. Something is out of whack. If you don’t feel hopeful about your relationship, the economy, or your career; if you see others who seem to have it all figured out and secretly envy them; if your projects overwhelm you, you need something to help you spiral back up.

Even though an occasional dip is normal, it doesn’t mean you have to stay there for long. Here are four ways to move yourself through the valley so you can ascend the mountain.

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