EDITOR’S BLOG — VOTING EXTENDED THROUGH THE WEEKEND: After receiving good suggestions for book titles — and sub-titles we need to choose the best options. Just use the clickable poll on the right and vote for your favorite titles (up to three) — Click VOTE after each choice. Then, go to the second poll and do the same for up to 3 sub-titles. Thanks! (YOU must be on the homepage to view the poll, and some people using IE browser need to scroll down. Cheers! Geri
POLL: The Best Title for My Book
Program Helps Kids Put a Stop to Bullying
Galesburg, Illinois 4th- and 5th-graders are benefitting from a new lesson plan by a former police officer that guides students through different situations they may encounter with bullies. He explains the difference between joking and bullying and offers tips for handling bullies. (Register Mail) Thanks to Andrew for the link!
Charitable NBA Players Untarnished by League Troubles
As the NBA basketball season opens this week amid scandal, many players continue to be excellent and charitable role models. "Emeka Okafor of the Charlotte Bobcats spent his summer touring hospitals and blood clinics in Africa, and conducting basketball clinics overseas." (CS Monitor) Thanks to Steve Ghent for the link!
H&R Block Offers Free Advice To Fire Victims
H&R Block and Operation HOPE are partnering to assist those impacted by October’s wildfires by offering free amended 2006 federal tax returns to enable disaster victims to recoup their losses more quickly.
Transport Canada Approves 100% Electric Car
Transport Canada confirmed Friday it has authorized a Toronto-based electric carmaker to produce a ZENN (zero emissions, no noise) vehicle for the Canadian market.
Not All Southern-Style Foods are Bad
Boiled peanuts possess qualities that protect against illnesses like cancers, diabetes and heart disease, according to a study from A&M University. (Atlanta J-C) Steve Ghent sent this link saying, "I actually just bought a bag of boiled peanuts after reading this article. I haven’t had any in years!"
A Beautiful Mind: the Schizophrenia Artist
"A 43-year-old photographer and writer was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1996. On World Mental Health Day, he delivers a unique personal insight into how his condition has nurtured his artistic expression." (BBC w/ gorgeous photograph) Thanks, Andrew, for the great link!
Youth Orchestra of Venezuela’s Poor Wows the World
"The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela’s poor has been wowing the world, and arrives next week at the New England Conservatory." (CS Monitor) Thanks to Steve Ghent for the link!
College Grads Travel in RV Interviewing People Who Love Their Jobs (Video by GNN-i)
College Grads traveled across the country interviewing people who love their jobs. Their tour just ended and Brett says they are tired but looking forward to the future (though with some trepidation). The Good News Network caught up with them in Washington, D.C mid-way through their cross-country pursuit for people with passion… (seattletimes)
German Film Takes on Racism with Laughter
"An encounter between German Neo-Nazis and a mixed-race boy with an Afro wouldn’t usually seem to be a laughing matter, but it is in the new film "Leroy." A german director takes a different approach to dealing with Nazism — raising the issue through a romantic comedy." (AFP) Thanks to Brian for the link!
3-Year-Old Survives Plane Crash
A 3 year-old child survived a plane crash thanks to her Grandfather’s excellent care in protecting her for the flight.
Bystanders Help Out When $15,000 From Armoured Car Hits the Road in New York
“Three bystanders helped pick up $15,000 in dollar bills that flitted across a Long Island road after falling out of an armoured car on Halloween, according to two volunteer police officers at the scene.” (AP)
Firefighter Heroics Saved 4 from Calif. Blazes
A dramatic air, ground rescue came with seconds to spare saving 4 firefighters and a boy thanks to a helicopter pilot hero. (AP)
Halloween Candy is Safe, After All
Once again we set out on Halloween to de-bunk the myth that trick-or-treat candy is in need of an x-ray before our children are allowed to dig in. (See our Oct 1999 GNN-i report)
Fact: There has never been a single confirmed serious injury from “tainted treats” having been altered by a stranger since fears began spreading among the public in the late 50’s…
Cirque du Soleil Founder Brings Water to Poor Nations
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte unveiled Monday a new foundation, One Drop, that will help the world’s poorest countries gain access to precious clean water, funding the program with (Canadian) $100 million. READ the report from CTV News, or at Cirque du Soleil
A Restaurant With No Prices
Like the One World Cafe in Salt Lake City, at the Karma Kitchen in Berkeley, Calif., "customers pay what they want – including nothing – for a meal. You are free to leave whatever you like when you are done." (CS Monitor) Thanks, Steve!
Anti-Emigration Strategy: Small Mexican Towns Try to Create Jobs at Home
"In rural Mexico, locals try to make a brighter prospect out of staying home." (CS Monitor) Thanks to Steve Ghent for the link!
Frog Killer Fungus ‘Breakthrough’
New Zealand scientists have discovered that common eye drops used by humans may be a lifesaver for frogs protecting them against the disease responsible for wiping out many of the world’s amphibian populations. (BBC, or more recent Nat’l Geographic )
Mexican ‘Bomberos’ Helping California Wildfire Effort
More than three dozen Mexican firefighters have been tackling California’s wildfires in what officials say is the first time firemen from south of the border have battled blazes on US soil. "Firefighters are firefighters; it doesn’t matter if they’re Mexican or American…"
How to Protect Yourself From Latest Credit Card Scam
I received a warning today of a telephone scam involving credit cards. I always check Snopes.com to see if email stories are true. They verified this one is true, but not new. The warning contains excellent advice for avoiding scams, so I am passing it along to you on the Good News Network. This slick sting can fool even the smartest consumer because they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want…