For American surf legend Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, the waves of the volatile Gaza Strip could be a key to Israeli-Palestinian peace. The 87-year-old Jewish wave guru has rustled up the support of Israeli companies and donors to buy 15 surfboards for Palestinians in Gaza as part of his Surfing For Peace program.
Young Teachers Commit to Denver’s Toughest Schools
Nearly 60 top college graduates have come to Denver from across America with the ‘Teach for America’ program as young teachers committed to working in Denver’s toughest schools. (CBS video) Very inspiring!
British Scientists Make Breakthrough in Understanding Huntington’s Disease
British scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding Huntington’s disease and are excited to be able to pioneer more effective treatment techniques.
Cat Reunited with Owner After 10 Years
A cat has been reunited with its owner 10 years after going missing. “To be able to hold him feels like a miracle," said the owner, who was traced via microchip after the cat was found 60 miles away. (BBC)
Blind Golfer Hears the Shot of Her Career
Sheila Drummond didn’t need to see her hole-in-one. She heard it.
Drummond, blinded by diabetes 26 years ago, experienced the highlight of her golfing career Sunday on a Pennsylvania 3-par hole, reports the Associated Press.
‘Miracle Dog’ Makes It Out Alive (Video)
Rescuers used a backhoe to save a 14-year-old dalmatian trapped in a storm drain for four days. (Video)
Kadhafi’s Son Unveils Libya Reform Plan
The son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Kadhafi, has announced reform plans, including an independent central bank, free media and a national dialogue on a new constitution to allow for political dissent. Click Read more for full story.
Garbage Strike Turns Many to Composting
"With Vancouver’s garbage strike entering its 30th day today, many households are turning to composting as a way to reduce the family footprint." (Vancouver Sun) Thanks to Ryan for link.
Weeds – The Next Big Energy Source
Until the day when we no longer need liquid fuel: "Scientists say a new generation of biofuel sources could yield cheap energy supplies that do not compete with food crops." Enter, the weed crop. (Reuters)
Projects Across the Nation Seek to Harness Wave Energy
Forty-five wave energy projects have been approved around the U.S. "It’s low visual impact… So far, these devices are attractive to marine life. There’s no noise generated. There are no moving parts about it." Oceanlinx is also developing a version that will desalinate water to turn sea water into drinking water. (Providence Journal)
Man Loses 300 Lbs. Without Help, Becoming Obesity Guru
Allen Bradley has lost almost 300 pounds without surgery or medication or diet experts. Following his own meal plan, Allen is down from more than 400 pounds to around 130, and has become an exercise fanatic. His wife has asked him to re-do their wedding vows. (BBC video) Great link, Andrew!
Poll: What Makes Teens Happy? Family Ties
“Spending time with family was the top answer to what makes teens happy, according to an extensive survey — more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13–24 — conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America’s young people.”
(NY Times) Thanks to Daniel for submitting
U.S. Breastfeeding Rates Rise to Record High
“The percentage of U.S. mothers who breastfeed their babies has reached the highest level on record amid mounting evidence that it provides many health benefits to the child, U.S. officials said Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control noted that it also conveyed health benefits to women, including decreased risk for the most common form of diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.”
(By Will Dunham, Reuters)
GNN-i Giving Away 10 Books in 10-Day Countdown
Continuing the celebration of Ten Years of Good News and in a 10-day countdown to our 10th Anniversary on August 31, I am giving away 10 books over the next 10 days to lucky winners from around the world. Each day, from August 21 through August 30 (New York time), I will be posting the details of a different book on the Web site. To win, all you need to do is be the first to leave a comment for me, and the book is yours! I will post these opportunities during all times of the day and night to give our international viewers an even shot at winning. Eight of the books are pictured to the right (being inspected by our Director of a-mews-ment). Watch the Web site tomorrow for your chance to win… Just another reason to value the Good News Network. It’s Seriously Good.
Geothermal Plants Would Tap ‘Ring of Fire’
A follow-up to our recent Science report on clean geothermal power: "The Pacific Northwest, which sits on the volcano-laden "Ring of Fire" bordering the Pacific Ocean, would seem an obvious spot to pursue geothermal power — which captures the Earth’s subterranean heat and converts it into electricity. They could generate enough power for 2 million homes." (Seattle P-I)
Successful Program Moves Homeless from Shelters, into Homes
A new approach is being heralded not only as more successful in fighting chronic homelessness, but more cost effective. Cities across the country are seeing reductions in the numbers of chronically homeless people thanks to effective and less expensive programs called Housing First. (CS Monitor)
Beyoncé Concerts Sponsor Food Drives in Five Cities
Pop singer Beyoncé is encouraging her fans to bring non-perishable food items to a pre-concert food drive in Los Angeles on September 2, as part of her Beyoncé Experience Tour. Past tour dates in Houston, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Chicago have yielded shipments of food for Second Harvest food banks locally. Fans are rewarded for the effort with prizes and seat upgrades…
The first 1,000 fans in each of the five cities to drop off non-perishable food items were scheduled to receive an autographed photo of Beyoncé, while any donated food items automatically entered the donor into a raffle for a chance to have their seats upgraded.
“Hunger affects every community in the United States,” said Beyoncé. “So I’m using my Tour and Survivor Foundation to bring attention to domestic hunger and joining forces with Pastor Rudy and America’s Second Harvest to fight hunger.”
Beyoncé grew up attending St. John’s Church with Pastor Rudy, where she learned at a young age the importance of reaching out and helping those who are less fortunate. It’s that upbringing that sparked the birth of her Survivor Foundation.
“Reaching out and touching lives is incredibly empowering. That’s why I want my fans to experience more than my music this summer. I want them to experience the joy of making a difference by helping someone else,” said Beyoncé.
More than 35 million Americans struggle with limited access to food. Any help – donating time, money or food – will make an enormous difference. You can find out more at www.beyonce.com, www.pastorrudy.net, or www.secondharvest.org.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Palestinian Teens Find Relief in UN Youth Centers
With border closures and increased poverty undermining the ability of Palestinian teenagers to get a good education and enjoy their time off, the value provided to tens of thousands of youngsters from UN-supported learning centers throughout the West Bank and Gaza is possibly the one stimulus that helps them overcome their stress and hopelessness.
Finding Heroism in Forgiveness
“Kim Crespi doesn’t think of herself as a hero. But earlier this month Crespi was honored as a Hero of Forgiveness.” She has forgiven her husband for stabbing to death their 5-year-old twin daughters. She visits him in prison every week, where he’s received medication for his bi-polar disorder, and can’t believe he is in jail, rather than a mental hospital…
For more inspiring stories of forgiveness, visit the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance.
Read my favorite story of forgiveness about the parents of Amy Biehl, a 26 year-old blue-eyed blonde valedictorian from Stanford, who was stoned and stabbed to death in South Africa in 1993. Her parents have picked up where she left off, taking up the cause for equality and jobs in black townships, even working alongside her killers…
Forgiving The Unforgiveable, GNN-i, October 1, 2001