“Summer camps just for kids with chronic diseases are booming — places to finally meet someone else with Tourette’s tics or slice open a cow’s heart to see what’s wrong with their own. Now research suggests these special camps may offer lasting therapeutic value.” (Associated Press)
Dalai Lama Addresses 15,000 People in Seattle (Video)
The Dalai Lama used his last speech at the five-day conference in Seattle, Washington to talk about compassion. He says compassion is the seed for all good things in the global community, even though a little fight is sometimes necessary!
Students Bent on Fighting Racism and Encouraging Cultural Diversity
A group of students in Nova Scotia bring the fight against racism to their school by encouraging people to embrace cultural diversity organizing a mini-United Nations. (Truro Daily News)
Drug Rehab Project Gets Encouraging Results
In Ho Chi Minh City an pilot project investment of $105 million in rehabilitation and vocational courses for drug addicts has paid off with 71 percent of them finding jobs and 13,700 rejoining their communities. (Thanhnien News) Is it encouraging to see countries treating the effects of drug addiction as a public health issue rather than a personal problem?
World’s Oldest and Deepest Lake Saved by a Woman Honored Today for Activism
Concerned with Russian plans to route a major oil pipeline within 900 yards of pristine Lake Baikal, a woman led thousands of people into the streets; collected over 20,000 petition signatures; and summoned flash mobs to pass out cloudy bottles of water to raise awareness. The pipeline was subsequently rerouted and the woman today is in San Francisco to receive the 2008 Goldman Environmental Prize, along with 6 other activists. The Chrisitan Science Monitor tells Marina Rikhvanov’s story. (Thanks to Steve G. for submitting the link.)
Baikal, also known as the “Blue Eye of Siberia”, is the world’s oldest and deepest — and largest — freshwater lake, home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world.
Improving Stoves Saves Fuel – and Lives – in Bangladesh
95 percent of people in Bangladesh burn traditional fuels like cow dung in clay stoves that produce smoke, carbon monoxide and carcinogens which cause serious health problems and even deaths in families. Now, 35,000 improved stoves have been sold — with 10,000 being built every month — that are 50% more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. (Reuters has the story)
Passenger Train Service Between Bangladesh and India Resumes After 43 years
Train service resumed after 43 years between Bangladesh and India after being suspended during wartime in 1965. The train named “Maitree (Friendship) Express” carried 370 jubilant passengers and journalists toward the boarder as dignitaries cheered from the platform.
Seahorses Return to Thames River
Despite almost vanishing because of pollution, seahorses are now back and thriving in London’s Thames River. Thanks to improved water quality other species are also making a comeback in the river, which is now home to more than 120 species of fish. (Video)
Extinct Plants Rediscovered in Flora-Rich Queensland
50 plant species new to science are discovered and documented in Queensland, Australia every year. In fact, two plant species thought to be extinct since 1873 were rediscovered this year in the area of Cape York. (Queensland government’s State of the Environment report, 2008)
Inmate Hopes to Go Free After Secret Revealed (Video)
Lawyers in two states recently took the difficult and unusual step of breaking confidences to right what they saw as wrongs in controversial murder cases.
2 Extinct Plants Rediscovered in Flora-Rich Queensland
50 plant species new to science are discovered and documented in Queensland, Australia every year. In fact, two plant species (herbs) thought to be extinct since 1873 were rediscovered this year in the area of Cape York. (Queensland government’s State of the Environment report, 2008)
Bid Your Inner Bitch Bye-Bye: 7 Tips to Squash Your Sugar Habit
Are you often overcome with an urge to splurge on candy, cookies, and chips – and then afterwards do you become an argumentative Sugar Shrew? Do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but also stock up on soda and chocolate — and then get depressed as the bathroom scale numbers move highter and higher? Do you feel like a sad, moody, anxious sugar addict with zero will power?
Take heart. You can quit — or cut way back on — sweets and processed, “much-like-sugar carbs” such as white bread, white rice, and pasta. The best part is, when you curtail your consumption of these “culprit carbs,” you will likely be able to say farewell to your sugar-triggered, inner bitch.
I am proof of that!
“The Best Job I have Ever Had in My Life”
“After the sudden death of her 26-year-old daughter left five grandchildren in her care, a Detroit woman and her husband returned to Africa to raise their new brood and watch the coconut trees grow. But the universe had other things in mind for Viola Vaughn and she started a school for hundreds of girls who were falling through society’s cracks.” (CNN Heroes)
Thanks to Alyssa Holiday for sending the story!
Making Kaua‘i’s Beaches a Little Safer One Tube at a Time
Kauai’s sometimes treacherous beaches will be a little safer thanks to an inexpensive solution dreamed up by resident John Tyler. Lifeguards can’t be everywhere, so rescue tubes will be placed at unguarded beaches. (Kauaiworld.com)
I Meant to Invite You Sooner — Free Business Coaching
HERE IS SOME EXCITING NEWS! … One of the Great Mentors featured in my tele-seminar series and eBook, David Neagle, who in chapter 3 of my new $1 eBook reveals the ‘Secrets of the Mind-Money Connection’, is offering to coach you for a whole day for free!…
Boy With Autism Helps Save Mom in Labor (Video)
On the first day of April, which is “Autism Awareness Month”, an eleven year-old Salt Lake City area boy reacted to an emergency with mature awareness, despite his autism. He found help for his mom in the nick of time.
Neighbors Bestow RV on Homeless Man Evicted From Treehouse
A man down on his luck had been living in an amazing treehouse he constructed on city property in Seattle for the past several years. Last week the city took action to evict him, but his concerned neighbors who benefitted with his presence (the vacant lot was always kept clean and the crime rate kept low as he looked after the place), have rallied together to buy him a used RV.
Two stories to read: Seattle-area residents who’d read the fiirst news report, of the impending eviction, were outraged and called for — and received — a delay in the legal action against the ingenious tree-house maker. (Seattle P-I then followed up with the photos and story of the happy ending. Now, people are trying to come up with a place to park the RV!) Thanks to Sondra Lewis (and also Cynthia S.) for submitting the story!
Sight Restored After 66 Years
John Gray, 87, injured during a bombing raid in the Blitz was told he would never again see through his right eye, but surgeons have now restored his sight after 66 years. (BBC via Ananova News)
Dalai Lama Supports Chinese Olympics Calls for Calm and Cooperation
In a news conference today, the Dalai Lama discussed recently protests surrounding the Olympic Torch, urging supporters to keep the demonstrations peaceful, defending freedom of speech, and supporting China’s role as host of the Olympics. His values of compassion, tolerance, empathy and cooperation are in full view in this fascinating piece of tape.
Bangladesh Street Kids Turn From Begging to Banking
“Raju’s life changed after he discovered an unlikely profession for a street child: banking. The 16-year-old boy started working for the Children’s Development Bank , a Bangladesh-based lender that is owned by a non-government organization and managed by street children. He now earns $30 a month and can save a portion of his income.” (Reuters-India)