Good News for February 28, 2009 (posted by Mary Beth)

Small waterfall -- Big beauty


Recent rains have strengthened creeks and streams in our area. This little waterfall is just a few feet wide, but it is an evidence of God's touch and is a big beauty along a back road. - Photo by Mary Beth Magee (all rights reserved)


Sharing the Joy of Worship - a Devotion

"One of the hardest parts of relocating is (for me, at least) finding a new church home. Whenever I am out of fellowship, I feel hungry. My soul misses the nourishment of sharing worship and companionship with other believers. No matter how many wonderful inspirational books I read or gospel albums I listen to, nothing replaces the joy of being with others who share my faith."

Click here to read the rest of the devotion.


Broadcaster Paul Harvey dead at 90

"Broadcasting legend Paul Harvey has died at age 90. ABC Radio Networks spokesman Louis Adams said Harvey died today in a Phoenix hospital, near his winter home, surrounded by family members."

The rest of the story awaits you here.


I confess: I don't like these bands ...

"We all have those moments when talk turns to seminal artists. 'Hey, what do you think of Bruce Springsteen's new one?' or 'I don't know, man. I kind of like Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' better than 'Court and Spark.' '

How mortifying, then, when you have to confess: I don't like those icons. You know you're supposed to - judging from the mouths gaping in disbelief - but you simply don't."

Get the lowdown on how the music critics of the Boston Globe really feel here.


She turns cameras on American hunger

"An office party goes on without her, across town in an affluent world vastly different from the one where Mariana Chilton now finds herself. Her husband's tried calling. Twice.

And still she sits in dress slacks and stocking feet, gray suede shoes tossed aside, on the drab carpet of a row house in the Philadelphia projects, playing with someone else's children while her own three kids wait for Mom to come home."

Read more about Mariana Chilton's quest here.

Shot of the Day for February 27, 2009

At the Gallery (Copenhagen)

By Flickr Member @rild

Good News for February 27 (posted by Mary Beth)

The Week in Review - PTA Digest

"This week’s PTA Digest begins with the news of a law enforcement sweep of several cities across our country—a sweep that helped rescue a number of young girls from forced prostitution. We talk about it with Linda Smith of Shared Hope International. Next, in a culture that seems to revel in transience, Justin Taylor calls for the Biblical endurance of the saints. Finally, an enjoyable conversation with two Christians who are jazz musicians. We talk with Deanna Witkowski and John Patitucci about their music making and what is called sacred jazz. I hope you enjoy the PTA Digest. – Greg Wheatley"

Click here to listen to the podcast.


Pure Pork: Change? What Change?

"Back in 2006, when the Democrats took control of the House and the Senate, I praised them on BreakPoint for promising to clean up Congress. And especially for promising to put an end to the corrupt practice of earmarking—that’s when our elected representatives in Congress slip expenditures into the budgeting process without debate."

Read the rest of Chuck Colson's commentary here.


Octopus floods Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

"It's not surprising that with eight arms and inquisitive nature, the two-spotted octopus is pretty handy around its tank at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Still, those reporting for work Thursday at the popular beachfront attraction were caught by surprise when they were greeted by water lapping around the kelp forest display, the shark and ray tank and the rocky reef exhibit."

Dip into the story here.


Orchid Shows Brighten Up Winter's Last Gray Days

"Ka-bloom! It's time for the annual round of flower shows that help us forget about winter and start focusing on spring. Here are some of the best flower festivals to get you in the mood for spring greening."

You'll find the information here.

Good News From Mary Feb.27, 2009

Hope Flickers in Nairobi's Slums

Think you're going through tough times? Try living in a Nairobi slum.

Running water and electricity are rare; open sewage trenches are common. Many people use "flying toilets" -- waste-filled plastic bags tossed into alleys or the murky Nairobi River.

Kenyan migrants and African immigrants arrive daily looking for work and a better life. They typically find something far different.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Dobson resigns as chair of Focus on the Family

Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family but will continue to play a prominent role at the organization he founded more than three decades ago, The Associated Press has learned.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Squeezing in a conference call between classes

The Dobie Center, a dorm complex at the University of Texas at Austin, is 27 stories tall and boasts a cafeteria, a basketball court, a movie theater, and a pool.

But for students interested in business (at UT, 150 belong to the school’s entrepreneurship club), the Dobie Center is more than a place to live. That’s because 25 years ago, a young resident of the tower decided to make and sell low-cost PCs from stock components. Michael Dell scrounged up $1,000 and turned his room into a mini assembly line, and the rest is history.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Great Depression Cooking With Clara

How good of a cook is Clara Cannucciari, a 93-year-old great-grandmother and host of her own online cooking show?

She's so good, she claims to have gained weight during the Great Depression, according to her blog.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

'King of the Nerds' Goes Dancing

F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said that there are no second acts in American life. But that doesn't mean you can't try, especially after you've had one of the most famous first acts of your generation.

You may have read the news that Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, has signed on to compete in this season's Dancing With the Stars. The very idea that the man once called "The King of the Nerds" would be out tripping the light fantastic in competition with professional athletes, B-list movie stars and entertainers no doubt drew a derisive chuckle. Or perhaps just a sad shake of the head: What's Woz up to now?

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Friday, February 27, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Finding genes that make teeth grow all in a row

"Ever wonder why sharks get several rows of teeth and people only get one? Some geneticists did, and their discovery could spur work to help adults one day grow new teeth when their own wear out."

Click here to read more about these findings.


Balls Replace Chairs In Fort Collins Classroom

"You've seen those large exercise balls at the gym but now they're rolling into the classroom, where a Fort Collins teacher is using the balls to improve her students' concentration and posture."

Click here to read more of this story.


Month of potlucks set to highlight hunger

"The pastors were joking around on Facebook about how much Lutherans love potluck dinners.

But the conversation got them thinking about food and the many people around the world who don't have enough.

That's when a Virginia pastor came up with the idea for the month of potlucks project.

The plan is to set a potluck meal for every day in March and find congregations in the U.S. to host them. The potluck will include a program to raise awareness about hunger, and a collection will be taken for the World Hunger fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America."

Click here to read more about the potluck project.


Research reveals some of Alzheimer's secrets

"Scientists are unraveling some of the mechanisms behind the plaques in the brain that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, offering new leads for drugs to treat the fatal brain-wasting disease.

A team at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston reported on Thursday in the journal Science that amyloid plaques agitate a type of brain cell called an astrocyte needed for normal brain function."

Click here to read more about this research.


Time to Prune, Groom and Clear The Way for Spring

"You may be ready for spring, but is your garden? The final weeks of winter offer the last chance to clear away the remnants of last year's garden before new growth sprouts. "

Click here to read more.

Shot of the Day for February 26, 2009

Illuminate Yaletown (Vancouver)

By Flickr Member Sillygwailo

Good News Now for February 26 (posted by Mary Beth)

White Ribbon Alliance and CARE Launch Mothers Day Every Day: A Campaign for Healthy Moms and Newborns

"The well-being of women is central to a nation's health and prosperity. Today, the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA) and CARE, two organizations at the forefront of global women's health issues, joined a distinguished group of advocates to unveil Mothers Day Every Day, a campaign calling for greater U.S. leadership to accelerate progress toward safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth globally."

Read more about the initiative - click here.


Obama’s Overtures: Why the Islamic World Isn’t Listening

"In his first post-inauguration interview, with an Arabic language television channel, President Obama said he wanted to 'initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest' between America and the Muslim world."

Click here to read why Chuck Colson believes Islamic enthusiasm for President Obama's election has cooled.


'If it costs me my life to protect our land and people then that is a small thing...'

"As President Obama and military officials plan for a marked escalation in the number of American troops in Afghanistan, the powerful words of a fallen soldier show how much the mission continues to mean to the women and men on the ground.

Illinois National Guard Sgt. Scott Stream, 39, of Mattoon, Ill., was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan. He wrote to a friend on New Year's Eve. The Tribune received a copy of the letter from Stream's mother."

Click here to read Sgt. Stream's letter.


Facebook says it will be more democratic about important changes

"Facebook introduced Thursday a new system that will allow its members to participate more actively in crafting governing policies for the site and even vote on important changes. The announcement was a response to an uproar last week, when users learned of changes to the site's Terms of Use that they believed granted Facebook overly broad control over their personal data."

The rest of the story awaits you here.


Black Bear still seems headed east through St. Tammany

"A Louisiana black bear that has been moving through St. Tammany Parish was spotted Thursday morning along the Tammany Trace between Mandeville and Abita Springs, meaning the animal is continuing its eastward trek from Iberville Parish."

Although it isn't Yogi, you can say "Hey there" by clicking here.


Ailing baby giraffe is on the mend

"Not long after the 5-foot newborn giraffe unfolded her long limbs into the world, staff at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon knew there was something wrong. The downy beast was not able to suckle. Her mother was not producing milk."

Check in on little Molly right here.

Good News From Mary Feb. 26, 2009

Largest Gathering of Inmates and Children Looks to Break Cycle of Crime

The prison once deemed the most violent in America will be hosting the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their children next month to promote reconciliation and healing within families.

The Returning Hearts Celebration is expected to reunite more than 1,000 kids with their incarcerated dads at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola for a special day of activities and bonding. The annual event enables fathers who may not have seen their sons or daughters in years to seek forgiveness and build connections in an effort to break the cycle of familial crime.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Don't be fooled by work-at-home scams

He was out of work and desperate for money. So Wesley Bailey of Destin, Fla., went online looking for something he could do at home. He landed on the web site for Rebate Processor Jobs. It promised to teach him how to make money processing customer rebates.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Elie Wiesel Talks About Losing Millions to Madoff

When Elie Wiesel met Bernard Madoff over dinner about 20 years ago, the topic of money never came up. They talked about history, education and Jewish philosophy, and the then-revered money manager urged Wiesel to leave his teaching post at Boston University and join a New York college.

Madoff "made a very good impression," Wiesel recalled Thursday. "We spoke about education. ... Not the economy."

Click here to read the rest of this story.

'Unrestored' copy of first Superman comic book for sale

After being hidden away for years, a copy of the original "Superman and Friends" comic book will make a comeback -- at a price of about $400,000, a comic expert said Thursday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Chocolate 'makes for happy babies'

Scientists in Finland say eating chocolate during pregnancy may make for happier, livelier babies.

Click here for the rest of this story.

Thursday, February 26, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Orchids as Art, With a Nod to Brazil

"IF you expect the usual fantasy rain forest with orchids dripping from trees when “The Orchid Show: Brazilian Modern” opens on Saturday at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, you are in for a surprise."

Click here to read more about this upcoming event.


Retirement Ready

"President Barack Obama wants to fix the sorry state of retirement in the U.S. It won't be easy. But thankfully, someone has a roadmap.

Annamaria Lusardi, an economics professor at Dartmouth College and research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, is editor of the just-published book 'Overcoming the Saving Slump.'"

Click here to read about an eight-step plan.


Five Ways to Use Facebook as a Force for Good

"Facebook has been in the news a lot the past couple of weeks. While much of that news concerns the terms of service, in Catholic circles the debate has been about giving Facebook up for Lent. The push behind that movement is that, for many people, Facebook has become an addiction. They have been neglecting the real-life people in their lives in order to spend much of their time interacting with their on-line friends. Obviously, this is a problem. Nevertheless, Facebook , in and of itself, is moral-neutral. Like the Internet itself, and television before it, it can be used as a force for good or evil. So, then, how can Facebook be a tool for good?"

Click here to read the five ways.

Shot of the Day for February 26, 2009

Beauchille View (Scotland)

By Flickr Member jamescarrickphotography

Good News for February 25 (posted by Mary Beth)

Procter & Gamble and World Vision Equip and Empower Zimbabweans in Fight against Cholera

"As Zimbabwe continues to confront a cholera epidemic tied to failing water and sanitation infrastructure, a new World Vision project supported by the Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program is underway, providing Zimbabweans with the tools and training necessary to protect themselves, their families and their communities."

Read all about it here.


A Living Epistle: Oswald Chambers

"Many of us have read and re-read the best-selling devotional book of the 20th century, Oswald Chamber’s classic, My Utmost for His Highest. But it might surprise you to realize that Chambers never sat down to write this devotional classic."

Mark Earley's commentary awaits you here.


Save the Children in India CEO Tells the Truth About "Slumdog Millionaire" and Child Poverty

"Does the Oscar Award-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire,' tell the truth about child poverty in India? Thomas Chandy, CEO of Save the Children in India, answers the question posted on Feb.17, 2009 in an e-mail exchange with National Geographic's Marc Silver."

Get the answers here.


Chicago's Shedd Aquarium's most popular sights to return in May

"Shedd Aquarium's celebrated collection of marine mammals, missing in action since the aquarium shut down the Oceanarium in September to recoat its whale and dolphin pools, will be back on display beginning May 22."

More on the return of the collection is here.

February 25, 2009 Good News From Mary

How to Build a Stronger Prayer Connection

When you pray, do you sense God listening to you, or do your prayers seem to just float off into the air unheard? Do you hear what God has to say, or do you struggle to discern any message from Him? Do you pray frequently because you love to do so? Or do you often neglect to pray because you’re discouraged or worried that you’re somehow not praying correctly?

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Trusting God to Work Things Together for Good

I have concluded that I have very little ability to discern what is valuable in life and what isn't.

I don't always see clearly which experiences are blessings and which ones do me harm. In fact, it's probably safe to say that I really don't even know — with complete certainty — what I truly want. That being the case, one of the most exciting steps I can take is to pray and ask God for things. I neither know which requests He'll grant, nor have the slightest insight into how He'll work through circumstances in granting those requests He does. But, in my experience, it's often been in the most improbable and unexpected ways.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Forget low-fat — calories count more in dieting

Low-fat, low-carb or high-protein? The kind of diet doesn’t matter, scientists say. All that really counts is cutting calories and sticking with it, according to a federal study that followed people for two years.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

The Barriers Fell, One Year, One Step at a Time

Ted Corbitt knew all about barriers in sports. One of America’s greatest distance runners, Mr. Corbitt, born in 1919, grew up in an era when, as a black athlete, he sometimes was not even allowed to compete in races.

So when Gail Kislevitz, a runner and author, interviewed Mr. Corbitt shortly before his death on Dec. 12, 2007, she thought she could guess what he would say to one of her questions. What, she asked him, surprised him most about the evolution of running over the years?

His answer was not what she expected. The biggest surprise, he said, was how women had taken to the sport.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Dying Wishes: Weddings to Helping Homeless

The bride was dressed in ruffled white and wore a tiara. The groom pledged to be her best friend forever. They exchanged rings, and the lucky North Texas couple swooned as they danced to their favorite song -- "Love Bug" by the Jonas Brothers.

They may be a tender age -- Jayla Cooper is 9 and the groom, Jose Griggs, is 7 -- but their parents were behind them all the way.

For Jayla, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and who, according to her doctors, may only have weeks to live, the "wedding" was less a dream come true than a last wish.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Starting a Vegetable Garden

"If you’ve never vegetable gardened before, you are in for a treat on many levels. Fortunately, growing vegetables is pretty easy. People have been doing it forever. Growing great tasting vegetables and staying ahead of problems does take a little knowledge and effort, but the following lessons will get you comfortably up and running in no time. The rest you’ll learn as you go, which is the real thrill of gardening; overcoming unexpected obstacles and ending the season with a hearty harvest. You literally get to eat the fruits of your labor. I warn you, it’s addictive."

Click here to read more.


Catholic tradition of almsgiving gets special emphasis during Lent

"Almsgiving is a practice in generosity expected from all Catholics, but the focus of it is even stronger during the season of Lent."

Click here to read more.


Like Father, Like Son: Author Stresses the Importance of Leaving Behind a Spiritual Inheritance

"Born and raised in Korea and transplanted to the United States in 1982, New York resident Daniel Kyuyong Lee recognizes the importance of words between a father and son--in any language."

Click here to read more about the author and his book.

Good News Now for February 24 (posted by Mary Beth)

Obama assures United States: 'We will rebuild' and 'recover'

"President Barack Obama called on Congress to address energy, health care and education programs, while warning that more money might be needed to aid banks."

Read the story and access the full text of President Obama's speech and LA Gov. Jindal's response here.


Chilling Free Speech: Mapping Political Persecution

"Dotting the streets on a certain online map are hundreds of red teardrops. Click on a teardrop at a particular address, and come up with the words, 'Patricia Greenwood. Insurance agent. $100.'

Miss Greenwood had better watch her back. Angry supporters of same-sex 'marriage' are using Google Maps to tell the world exactly where she lives, and that she donated money to support Proposition 8—the California initiative banning same-sex 'marriage.' Now, I made up the name Patricia Greenwood, but the names and addresses on this map belong to real people."

Click here to read the rest of Chuck Colson's cautionary commentary.


In education, furniture matters, too

"From the hallway, Abby Brown's sixth-grade classroom in a little school here about an hour northeast of Minneapolis has the look of the usual one, with an American flag up front and children's colorful artwork decorating the walls.

But inside, an experiment is going on that makes it among the more unorthodox public school classrooms in the country, and pupils are being studied as much as they are studying."

You'll find more on this experiment in education here.


Chicago to own landmark lighthouse

"The City of Chicago is set to become the official owner of the last surviving lighthouse in the Chicago area, a landmark previously owned by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Originally built in 1893, in time for the World's Fair, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse will be transferred to the city under the auspices of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar initiated the transfer on Tuesday."

The rest of the story awaits you here.


The Slaughter of Innocents: An Excerpt From Pastor's Blog

"The king cakes we are enjoying in this season have a hidden baby inside because Joseph and Mary hid the infant Jesus from the evil King. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod was jealous of the baby and sought to destroy him. Thus unfolds the slaughter of the innocents when King Herod murdered all baby boys in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger."

Read a pastor's perspective on Mardi Gras King Cakes here.

Shot of the Day for February 25, 2009

Spring

By Flickr Member catherineforbes

February 24, 2009 Good News From Mary

Breaking Free From Worry by Knowing Jesus

Have you ever been gripped by fear? You know the feeling. A shiver downs your spine. Your stomach has a sinking sensation. Your mouth goes dry. Maybe it happened when you were in a life-threatening situation, or at least you thought you were.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Research Makes Progress in Fight Against Flu

It has been the Holy Grail of influenza research -- how to create just one vaccine that will protect against the hundreds of different flu strains that exist every year. With a new scientific discovery, researchers are now a major step closer to that goal.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Music, memory connection found in brain

People have long known that music can trigger powerful recollections, but now a brain-scan study has revealed where this happens in our noggins.

The part of the brain known as the medial pre-frontal cortex sits just behind the forehead, acting like recent Oscar host Hugh Jackman singing and dancing down Hollywood's memory lane.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Coupons Are Hot. Clipping Is Not

Before heading to the grocery store, Miranda Wilcox jumps online, where she scours for coupons on half a dozen Web sites bookmarked on her computer.

Ms. Wilcox, a 32-year-old mother of two from Greenville, N.C., prints out some of the coupons. Others she uploads directly onto her supermarket rewards card. Recently, Ms. Wilcox shaved nearly $50 off a $120 shopping bill with the help of coupons she found on the Internet.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Fitness Isn’t an Overnight Sensation

Carl Foster, an exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, was amused by ads for a popular piece of exercise equipment. Before-and-after photos showed pudgy men and women turned into athletes with ripped bodies of steel. And it all happened after just 12 weeks of exercising for 30 minutes three times a week. Then there was the popular book, with its own before-and-after photos, promoting a program that would totally change your body in six weeks with three 20-minute exercise sessions a week.

There are many examples of people who took up exercise and markedly changed their appearance. But how long does it take? And how much time and effort are required? Six weeks sounded crazy to Dr. Foster.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Early steps, healthy habits lower risk of heart disease in women

"According to the American Heart Association, it is estimated that one in every three women die of heart disease. The choices we make each day impact our health in so many ways, including the amount of exercise we get, the number of hours we sleep and how well we handle stress. Some choices may not result in serious consequences, while others are life-changing. But what if the seemingly unimportant choices were the ones that mattered most, such as opting to take the stairs and not the elevator, or choosing baked instead of fried?"

Click here to read more.


Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Colds

"A walk in the sun may be better than popping a vitamin C tablet for boosting your chances of preventing the common cold or flu.

A new study adds to mounting evidence that vitamin C may have been stealing the spotlight all these years from the real cold fighter, vitamin D."

Click here to read more.


Coping with Your Husband’s Job Loss

"My cell phone rang on Monday morning while I was working at a client’s office. 'Lori, can you meet me at home? I’ve just been let go from my job.' I packed up and got in the car and started to drive, my heart pounding, my mind racing…then the tears started, and I began to pray.'

Click here to read more.


Good Health: Body, Soul and Spirit

"Did you know that our bodily, emotional and spiritual health are closely connected? Well, they are. If we guard our bodily health, it helps promote clear thinking and good emotional health, which are beneficial to our soul. If we seek to have good spiritual health, the resultant peace and joy will keep our bodies well and our emotions in line."

Click here to read more.


Signs of life

"Although you wouldn't know it from the behavior of the stock market, the economic outlook is turning just a bit less gloomy."

Click here to read more.

Shot of the Day for February 24, 2009

Aloha from Hawaii

By Flickr Member Babasteve

Good News From Mary Feb. 22, 2009

Brit Couple Saved After 40 Days Lost At Sea

A British couple have been saved from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean by an Italian tanker after spending 40 days lost at sea.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

More hospitals focus on mind-body connection

Popping a pill can cut your cholesterol. But did the doctor also prescribe cutting the stress that's eroding your immune system? Or teach you how to exercise without worsening painful joints?

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Lifeline for endangered albatross

The outlook for endangered seabirds looks better thanks to a scheme that reduces the numbers accidentally killed by the fishing industry.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Hello, goodbye: Rare, little green comet streaking past Earth

Tonight, skies permitting, a greenish, "two-tail" comet that likely contains ice and dust from the beginnings of the solar system will offer a celestial spectacle on its first — and only — fly-by of our Earth.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Strange fish has a see-through head

A bizarre deep-water fish called the barreleye has a transparent head and tubular eyes. Since the fish's discovery in 1939, biologists have known the eyes were very good at collecting light. But their shape seemed to leave the fish with tunnel vision.

Click here for the rest of this story.

Good News for February 23 (posted by Mary Beth)

Be Fruitful: Like Now

"Each NASCAR and Indy race begins with, 'Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.' Maybe the church should popularize the phrase, 'Ladies and gentlemen, start your families.' ..."

Click here to read Mark Earley's commentary.


Crushed for the Greater Good -- A Devotion

"Mama has several medications to take each day. Because of her swallowing problem, she has to take them through her PEG tube. Pills must be dissolved in water so they can flow through the syringe into the length of tubing we connect to the PEG."

Read more of this devotion here.


Catch Comet Lulin at Its Best!

"If you’re an astronomy buff, you probably know that Comet Lulin’s closest approach to Earth will occur Wednesday. It will be a mere 38 million miles away!"

Check out the comet's itinerary here.


Doctors tell how to lower costs without raising risks

"Are people putting their health at risk by deferring treatments to save money? Not necessarily, experts say. You can, in fact, prioritize and cut back in a way that scales back costs while also keeping you healthy. The key is knowing what is essential and what is not."

Get the facts from physicians by clicking here.


Seal populations continue to explode off New England

"If you’ve been on a Cape Cod beach this winter, you may have encountered an extraordinary animal comeback: Seals."

Click here to get the full story.

Monday, February 23, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Jamaica trip gives me lesson in humility

"I went to Jamaica expecting to give and wound up getting a lot more in return.

Fourteen women from four states took part in an eight-day mission through the Evansville, Ind.,-based International Orphanage Relief. The first night, as a means of introduction, we were asked to list our strengths and weaknesses."

Click here to read this story.


Universal Flu Drug Stops All Flu Types

"A new kind of drug cocktail kills all types of flu bugs and could protect against pandemic or seasonal flu."

Click here to read more about this study.


Lenten meals give families chance to teach important lessons

"It's not always easy to bring family members together for a tasty, nutritious and affordable meal. When Lent comes around, the need for meatless Fridays and the hope of teaching children about why Catholics fast and abstain from meat can make meal planning seem nearly impossible.

But two Catholic mothers in different parts of the country have a few solutions to offer."

Click here to read more of this story.


Urban Composting: A New Can of Worms

"ON a recent Saturday afternoon, Stephanie Stern and her husband poured 1,000 wriggling red worms from a brown bag into a plastic bin outside their bathroom, looked down and hoped for the best. "

Click here to read more.

Shot of the Day for February 23, 2009

Primary Colors

By Flickr Member Tanakawho

Good News for February 22 (posted by Mary Beth)

Save the Children Announces Grant from PepsiCo Foundation to Address Malnutrition in Developing Nations

"Save the Children announced it will receive a three-year, $5 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to help ensure the survival and well-being of children living in rural India and Bangladesh, which together are home to 40 percent of the world's malnourished children."

More on the announcement is here.



Country music singer/songwriter has music in his heritage

"Bo Porter started playing guitar at age six. The guitar he plays today, a 64 Gibson B-25, was given to him by his dad. By age seven Bo was touring throughout the South with his father Reid Porter and his bluegrass band . In the 1950’s Bo’s dad had a band called The Dixie Playboys that toured the southern parts of the U.S. If it’s musical heritage you’re looking for, Bo definitely came by it honest."

Click here for more about this interesting entertainer.


Small businesses in England help cooking oil move from restaurants to roads

"As he has done frequently over the past 18 months, Andy Roost drove his blue diesel Peugeot 205 onto a farm here, where signs pointed one way for eggs and another for oil."

Cruise on over to the rest of the story here.


Shot and paralyzed in 2006, Chicago bluesman feels pain of music but vows to walk, perform again

"Piano C. Red spent a lifetime singing the blues, but it wasn't until he was robbed, shot and paralyzed that Red said he truly felt the music's pain.

'More so now than ever before,' a gravely-voiced Red said, sitting in his wheelchair at a North Side nursing home.'It's been hard.'"

Read Red's story and his dreams here.



The American Bungalow: Where compact equals comfort

"Living in an American bungalow home may not fulfill the American dream for homeowners today who want footprints with mega space, yet those who adore these cool, compact homes cannot imagine living in any other style residence."

Click here for more on this American icon.


Allee Willis’ bubble-gum-pink house in Valley Village

"For the unsuspecting visitor, musician and artist Allee Willis’ bubble-gum-pink house in Valley Village is a winking, delightful shock. The William Kesling-designed property was commissioned by MGM in 1937 as the studio’s party house. Willis bought it in 1980 and has carried on the revelry ever since, throwing much-publicized bashes with regularity."

Sunday, February 22, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Flower Gardening - Consider A Cutting Garden

"Everyone loves to give and receive flowers. So great is their appeal, that fresh cut flowers play a role in the celebration of holidays and the milestones of family and personal life over much of the world. It is a particular luxury to have fresh flowers on display at home on a daily basis. What a delight it is to be surrounded indoors by bouquets and arrangements of fragrant, colorful blossoms - to have a bit of the garden in the house."

Click here to read more.


The Day After Fat Tuesday

"Nobody likes to poop on a party, but it is quite obvious that we have lost sight of the true meaning of the festivities. If I thought that this next point would be contested by many, I might actually do a survey to verify it. But if we were to ask the average crowd on Bourbon Street during a Mardi Gras celebration, “What day is tomorrow?” I am willing to bet that many of them would not really have a clue what we were really asking. Midnight on Fat Tuesday is not just the end of the party, it’s the beginning of something much more significant and much more important. It’s the beginning of Lent. The day after Fat Tuesday is Ash Wednesday ."

Click here to read more.


Park service plans for day when home for Hansen's patients will close

"The National Park Service has begun a process that will determine the future of Kalaupapa as the most important chapter in its history slowly comes to an end.As a home for Hansen's disease patients, its designation for more than 140 years, Kalaupapa will close when the last patient dies."

Click here to read more.


Showing up, but not signing up

"Joining a church doesn't make sense for Jonathan Busarow right now.

He's a graduate student at Ohio State University who doesn't know where he'll live in a couple of years. He doesn't have extra money to donate or a lot of time.

But he still wants to worship, so he regularly attends Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in German Village."

Click here to read more.

Hanging Moss.....Florida

By Flickr Member Only By Grace

Good News for February 21 (posted by Mary Beth)

Being frugal is IN!

"Cecilia Dames, an expat Midwesterner who has lived in Europe for the past 17 years, noticed it when she returned to St. Louis for a recent family visit.

'Conspicuous consumption is out,' she said. 'Conspicuous frugality is in.'"

Get the lowdown on being frugal here.



Ax masters: Father-son team fixes, builds guitars for stars and the not-so-famous

"On the busy Main Street just north of Winchester Center, two huge storefront windows reveal hundreds of guitars hanging on the walls. One entire wall is devoted to basses, while Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, Gretsch Country Gentlemen, Rickenbacker, PRS, and Gibson Les Pauls and SGs line another wall. Behind the display area, another 160 guitars wait patiently in their cases for the expert touch of luthier Jim Mouradian and his son Jon of the Mouradian Guitar Co."

Click here to read the rest of this harmonious story.


Steeling their Courage: Naming the beams for Dana Farber patients

"It has become a beloved ritual at Dana-Farber: Every day, children who come to the clinic write their names on sheets of paper and tape them to the windows of the walkway for ironworkers to see. And, every day, the ironworkers paint the names onto I-beams and hoist them into place as they add floors to the new 14-story Yawkey Center for Cancer Care."

Share this uplifting story here.


The World Revels in Mardi Gras

"Mardi Gras celebrations are not limited to New Orleans. Take a tour of the variety of ways various places observe the day."

Join the party here!


An out-of-this-world move to save Saturn

"Saturn owners (in some circles they are called fans) obviously are concerned about warranties and service for their vehicles after financially troubled General Motors announced it would phase out the product. They received some good news today, with the circulation of a letter Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak sent to owners."

More on the plan here.


6,000 inspiring miles

"This can be a bad world, full of self-interest and hard-heartedness, but every now and again something comes along that is dazzlingly generous and full of the excitement of life. Today's 'something' is a movie about a bicycle journey that three young men took across the United States to raise money for two causes - the American Diabetes Association and the Kupenda foundation for disabled children in Kenya."

Click here for more information.

Saturday, February 21, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Peanut Flour May Ease Peanut Allergy

"Eating a tiny bit of peanut flour every day may increase peanut tolerance in children who are allergic to peanuts, a new study shows.

But the scientists who conducted the study aren't recommending their strategy as a do-it-yourself treatment for peanut allergy."

Click here to read more about this study.


Ministry partners with the U.S. Navy

"Unsafe drinking water causes illness: more people have died from water-borne diseases than from war."


Click here to read how the Navy is helping.



Three Big Questions for the Frantic Family

"The vast majority of families I know —including mine —would admit that one or more of the following adjectives apply to them: reactive, scattered, frantic, chaotic, stressed. Kids who are being shuttled from school to soccer to ballet to baseball to piano lessons to birthday parties are not turning out the way their parents want. And parents who are doing all the shuttling and working and cooking and cleaning and socializing and exercising are not feeling fulfilled.

They're looking at each other and wondering, Is this how life's supposed to be? And when they see everyone else is scattered and stressed, they come to the conclusion, maybe it is.

Life is not supposed to be lived this way. Yes, it will be busy and demanding at times, but our lives should be lived with a sense of purpose that allows us to be the people we're meant be. In order to restore sanity and clarity to our family and to live with greater context and purpose, we need to answer and act upon three big simple questions:"

Click here to read more.

Shot of the Day for February 20, 2009

Lanterns

By Flickr Member Cassia

Good News for February 20 (posted by Mary Beth)

Prime Time America: PTA Digest for February 20

"This week’s podcast begins with a conversation with attorney David Gibbs III of the Christian Law Association. David and I talked about the recent passage in the North Dakota state house of a measure that would give a fertilized human egg the status and rights of a human being. Next, Dr. David Stevens talks with us about the growing occurrence of autism in our country. And finally, some spring gardening tips with Melinda Myers. I hope you enjoy the PTA Digest. – Greg Wheatley"

Listen to the podcast here.


Feeding Frenzy: Stimulating Times for Lobbyists

"The feeding frenzy has started. I was on an airplane the other day heading to the funeral of a very dear friend. Next to me was seated a man in a business suit who, I noticed, was poring over a statute printed off the Internet related to lobbying."

Click here to read the rest of Chuck Colson's commentary.



Niles, IL man nears 100–and he's still working

"Anxious employees clinging to their jobs in these uncertain economic times might do well to heed advice from Max Fabian, who next month hits the century mark and is still working. Make yourself invaluable, he says. And pay attention to the boss."

More of his wisdom awaits you here.


Tipsheet: Shooting in B&W

"Since a couple of black-and-white images have won contests lately (partly because of the winter themes), and this month's theme is black-and-white, I figured it might be a good time to go over some tips on shooting in B&W."

Get the lowdown on shooting better photos here.


Calling All Readers: They're giving away books!


"If you enjoy books, you'll want to check out BookTrib, a website offering information, reviews, news and free books. Each week, five books are given away. Interested readers can select the book they find interesting and register their email for a chance to win the book. You can even ask to be reminded to enter each week! BookTrib is a full service portal dedicated to bringing all the news, blog, sites, and information about books, writers, and readers under one link. One place to stay up-to-date about the world of books and everything related to them."

Click here to read all about it.


When Details Get You Down: Maintaining a spiritual life amid war, famine, and plague is what made Gregory the Great

"How can I maintain a spiritual life while dealing with people's incessant problems and needs? The question didn't originate with a pastor whose cell phone kept interrupting his prayer life. It goes back at least as far as Gregory, the first practicing monk to be elected, over his own objections, to the papacy."

You'll find more on Gregory's life here.

Friday February 20 Good News By Mary

Chinese New Testament Makes Its Debut

A Bible publisher's answered prayer is about to become a dream come true for potentially millions of Chinese Christians: a modern translation of the New Testament in their own language.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Heart Stents Found as Effective as Bypass for Many Patients

One of the largest clinical trials to compare stent therapy with traditional heart bypass surgery in patients with severe heart disease has found that those receiving stents were not at higher risk for having a heart attack or dying and were less likely to suffer strokes.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Go with the cash flow

Ten personal-finance steps every college freshman should take.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Retirement Guide for 40- and 50-Somethings

While your quickly-diminishing 401(k) may make you think you've sealed the deal on working until the day you die, things aren't quite as bleak as they may seem.

In fact, 40- and 50-somethings who play their cards right can enjoy retirement pretty much on schedule (give or take a few years). Not only do they have 15 to 20 years until retirement, but they also have another 10 to 20 years after that before they withdraw most of the money from their retirement plans. That leaves plenty of time for the market to recover -- and for their portfolios to their recoup losses, says Bill Hunter, vice president of retirement products at Fidelity Investments.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Laser therapy promising for smaller strokes

An experimental stroke treatment that sends laser beams into the brain may help patients with milder strokes lessen their crippling effects, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Friday, February 20, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Lent time to reflect on Christ

"Think of Lent as a time to get pumped up for the Big Game.

On Easter, Christians will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that he died for their sins.

During the Lenten season, which starts next week on Ash Wednesday, churches encourage people to reflect on God and their own spirituality."

Click here to read more.


Which Online Brokers Keep Clients Happy?

"When investors' portfolios plunged last year, so too did their satisfaction with their online brokerages, according to a new survey. That's hardly a surprise -- people blame the weatherman for rain, too. But some brokerages held up much better than others, showing that when it comes to keeping clients happy, size, reputation and communication are key."

Click here to learn more


Unusual Electronic Properties In Bismuth-based Crystalline Material May Lead To Better Computer Chips And Solar Cells

"The scientists determined that a crystal made of bismuth, iron and oxygen can perform an electronic feat typically not feasible with conventional semiconductors. It acts as a reversible diode – essentially an electronic turnstile that lets current flow in one direction under certain conditions and in the opposite direction under different conditions. Traditional semiconductor diodes are not reversible – the direction of current flow that they allow is fixed during fabrication."

Click here to read more about this discovery

Shot of the Day for February 19, 2009

Girl with Guitar

Photo by Flickr Member Romi4jesu

Good News From Mary Feb. 18, 2009

Adopting Me: An Adopted Child Shares His Perspective

The day was no different than any other. It was the fall semester of my sophomore year in college; the changing colors of the leaves against the backdrop of weathered stone buildings made the walk to my dorm seem like a stroll through a promotional brochure for the university. I scanned my ID card to enter my residence hall, unlocked my room, and closed the door behind me.

Then I opened the letters from my birthmother for the first time.

Click here to read the rest of this story

Prayer: What the Guy in the Pew Wishes the Pastor Knew

n the last couple of years, I have become a Pew-Spud. If people who occupy their time sprawled in front of the television are couch-potatoes, it figures that those who spend their Sundays soaking up sermons in church auditoriums are pew-spuds. And after over 40 years of pastoring, I have become one. It's not all bad. In fact, I'm enjoying it, even though I still relish the opportunity to preach.

I keep reminding our pastors that when I drop in on their services, I come as a worshiper and not as a critic or advisor or their mentor. I come as a fellow believer. I consider myself a good audience for a preacher. I want him to do well, I pray for him and work at listening.

But, I'm about to violate that unspoken contract with our pastors. I need to tell you something that weighs heavily on my heart. Pastor, you need to give some thought to what you say from the pulpit. No, I'm not referring to the sermon. You seem to be doing well on that. I'm talking about what you say to the Lord, your prayers in the worship service.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Events recall WWII Japanese detentions

Kristine Minami was in college before she learned that her father, grandmother and uncle had been essentially jailed by the U.S. government for the crime of being Japanese.

The detention of 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II was not discussed in Minami's household. She learned about it in the 1980s through the National Day of Remembrance, which was observed around the country Thursday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Danton wreck found in deep water

A French battleship sunk in 1917 by a German submarine has been discovered in remarkable condition on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

The mystery of Ireland's worst driver

Details of how police in the Irish Republic finally caught up with the country's most reckless driver have emerged, the Irish Times reports.

Click here to read the rest of this story and a good laugh!

Good News for February 19 (posted by Mary Beth)

Wal-Mart Foundation donates $75,000 to World Vision

"Wal-Mart Foundation has teamed up with World Vision to help families in impoverished Chicago communities by providing them with clothing, toiletries and household items through their Family Essentials Program. This program provides support to unemployed women who are searching for a job."

More on the partnership is awaiting you here.


Campbell's changing tomato soup recipe to lower sodium content

"Campbell's tomato soup is one of the top 10 grocery items purchased each week in America, according to its manufacturer. The company announced Wednesday that it has reformulated its century-old recipe to contain just 480 milligrams of sodium per serving, a level considered healthy under federal guidelines, company spokeswoman Juli Mandel Sloves said Wednesday."

Get the rich and steaming details here.


Southwest to serve Logan International Airport by fall

"Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said it plans to begin flying out of Logan International Airport by the fall, a long-awaited move that could drive down airfares for Boston passengers."

You'll find the rest of the story here.


'Revolutionary Road': Narcissism as Virtue

"Moviegoers are flocking to see their favorite stars from Titanic, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, reunited on the silver screen. But what the Oscar-nominated film Revolutionary Road serves up—and certainly what the critics are eating up—is rank, vile narcissism at its epic worst."

Chuck Colson continues his commentary here.


Wild West, family style

"Throughout five decades, a small unassuming western clothing store has sold countless cowboy hats, boots and belt buckles to generations of area residents -- and made numerous lifelong friends in the process."

Learn more about the success of this family business here.


Joe Icet's life is a field of greens

"In the early ’90s, as Joe Icet’s divorce was going down, he was sick of his life. He didn’t have many friends. Tired all the time, he spent weekends resting so he could drag his sorry self to work on Monday. He worked in Baytown, repairing chemical plants’ refrigerator systems. That job left him as unsatisfied as the meals he microwaved."

Learn how Joe changed his life AND made a difference here.



Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship

"The coach never considered any other option. It didn't matter that his DeKalb, Ill., High School basketball team had ridden a bus two and a half hours to get to Milwaukee, then waited another hour past game time to play. Didn't matter that the game was close, or that this was a chance to beat a big city team."

Click here to read the story behind an act of true sportsmanship and compassion.

Thursday, February 19, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Controlling Humidity for Indoor Plants

I now know why my houseplants are getting brown leaves even though I have been watering them.

Click here to read more about houseplant care

Fast vs. Loving One's Neighbor

"I once ate chicken pot pie on Good Friday. It was the day I got home from the hospital after the birth of my first child. My very kind non-Catholic neighbor made us a welcome home dinner. I did a quick mental appraisal of the situation. I could either stick with the Good Friday rules on abstinence and offend my neighbor, or I could eat the meal graciously and demonstrate my appreciation for her thoughtfulness. I chose the second course of action."

Click here to read more


Catholic legislators must protect life, pope tells Speaker Pelosi

"Pope Benedict XVI met privately with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, and told her that all Catholics, especially those who are lawmakers, must work to protect human life at every stage."

Click here to read more about the Pope's meeting with Nancy Pelosi.

Shot of the Day for February 17, 2009

Arrangement #3

By Flickr Member Ruthieonart

Good News From Mary Feb. 18, 2009

Knitting 'can delay' memory loss

Engaging in a hobby like reading a book, making a patchwork quilt or even playing computer games can delay the onset of dementia, a US study suggests.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Mammoth skeleton found nearly intact in Los Angeles

The nearly complete skeleton of a massive Columbian mammoth who died during the last ice age has been dug out of a construction site near the La Brea Tar Pits in downtown Los Angeles, a remarkable find even in the fossil-rich area, scientists said Wednesday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

It’s a Great Workout but Forget the View

Eighteen years ago, Ronnie Guie considered buying a treadmill or a stair-climbing machine to stay in shape. Then one day on his lunch hour at Con Edison in Astoria, Queens, two co-workers invited Mr. Guie to take a walk to the top of the 10-floor building. He was breathing heavily by the time he got there, but was hooked: he had found his workout for free.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

The Many Shades of Cancer Fatigue

I’m tired.

I found out 10 months ago that I had prostate cancer. Since then, I’ve had surgery, started hormone therapy and finished 33 sessions of radiation. And, man, it wears you out.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Toy Fair Has Something for Everybody -- Even Kids

Thousands upon thousands of toys ... and not a child in sight. Welcome to the New York Toy Fair, the destination for adults who have decided what children will want under their Christmas trees next winter, whether the kids like it or not.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Good News for February 18 (posted by Mary Beth)

Care Net Joins Suit to Defend Docs Serving in Pregnancy Centers

"Care Net, represented by attorneys from Advocates International, filed a motion to intervene Monday in three lawsuits involving a federal law protecting the rights of medical professionals to practice without being forced to perform abortions. Care Net is defending the interests of more than 470 medical pregnancy centers within its network and the licensed professionals that serve within these centers. Joining Care Net as intervenors are: Heartbeat International, Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, Concerned Women for America, The Fellowship of Christian Physician Assistants, and New Jersey Physicians Resource Council."

Read more about their stand on behalf of life here.



Miracle Cells: The Real Success Stories

"Many who listened to President Obama’s inaugural address believe he means to spend taxpayer money on research that destroys human embryos. Before he does, I hope somebody brings to his attention the story I’m about to tell."

The rest of Chuck Colson's commentary awaits you here.


Gardening boosts men's love lives, claims study

"Can doing work in the garden improve your love life? It can, according to this British study."

Read more about the findings here.


Victoria Osteen on Balance

"Lakewood co-pastor Victoria Osteen juggles being a wife and mother of two with a demanding career. (And somehow she still has time to work out three to four times a week and bake a chocolate cake from scratch every week.)"

More on her busy life here.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009~~Good News Stories (Margaret)

Facebook backtracks on terms of use after protests (AP)

"In an about-face following a torrent of online protests, Facebook is backing off a change in its user policies while it figures how best to resolve questions like who controls the information shared on the social networking site."

Click here to read more of this story


Weed Control Without Chemicals

"'Weed control without chemicals' may conjure up unpleasant thoughts of getting down on your hands and knees in the yard on a hot day and pulling out stubborn weeds by hand. But weed control without chemicals needn't be so primitive, so mindless. In the resources to which I provide links below, I discuss a variety of weed-control components to be used in planting beds. They should be used in conjunction with each other. Weed control without chemicals can be tough work, and I want you to work smarter, not harder. No need to revert to the Stone Age!"

Click here to find out how


Flunking out

"At long last, the federal government is set to spend a ton of money on America's public schools. The economic stimulus bill signed into law Tuesday roughly doubles, to $100 billion, emergency aid for public schools -- including more money for disadvantaged and disabled children, for Head Start, school renovation and more.

Now that Washington is spending so much to revitalize our schools, it's a good time to ask how our children are faring in the classroom compared with other youngsters around the world. The answer is: Not very well. "

Click here to continue reading this article

Good News From Mary Feb. 17, 2009

The Untold Ordeal of a Christian Convert in Saudi Arabia

Christian converts in Saudi Arabia go through many untold ordeals at the hands of government officials and other Muslim fundamentalists because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

As reported by Open Doors, the Saudi authorities have arrested 28-year-old Hamoud Bin Saleh simply because he gave testimony of his conversion from Islam to Christianity, and also of his critical posture of the kingdom's judiciary on his website.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

UK 'eyes' to hunt for other Earth

The telescope Nasa is preparing for launch next month won't reveal if there is intelligent life in the Universe, but it should at least provide concrete evidence that there are places like Earth for ET to live.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

How Growing Up in a Recession Can Shape a Child's Future

K. Esther Szabo was a small child when the recession of the early 1970s sent her family's fortunes into a tailspin. Her father, an economist, struggled to find work, and her mother worried about paying the bills. The family eventually filed bankruptcy.

The tensions at home put a permanent mark on Ms. Szabo. To help her family, she started working at age 8, doing chores for neighbors, and has been working ever since. When a personal-finance class in college introduced her to the idea that calamities like the one that crippled her family could be avoided with careful planning, she found the idea "mind-blowing," she says. She now co-owns a Los Altos, Calif., financial-planning firm.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Obama: Stimulus lets Americans claim destiny

Racing to reverse the country's economic spiral, President Barack Obama signed the mammoth stimulus package into law Tuesday and readied a new $50 billion foreclosure rescue for legions of Americans who are in danger of losing their homes.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

New foreclosure defense: Prove I owe you

Kathy Lovelace lost her job and was about to lose her house, too. But then she made a seemingly simple request of the bank: Show me the original mortgage paperwork.

And just like that, the foreclosure proceedings came to a standstill.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)

Mediterranean Diet Helps Women's Hearts

"Pass the olive oil, please. There's more good news today for people who eat a traditionally Mediterranean diet.

American women whose diets are high in monosaturated fat, plant proteins, whole grains, and fish are significantly less likely to develop heart disease and stroke, according to a study published in Circulation."

Click here to read about this study


MyFaith.com Announces GodTube Alternative

"MyFaith.com announced today plans to launch a new video sharing site for Christians with the theme 'Broadcast Jesus'. For over 10 years MyFaith.com has served believers on-line with valuable content and resources, helping Christ-followers grow in their faith. Now under new ownership, MyFaith is re-launching as a new video sharing website in early 2009. MyFaith will continue focusing on Jesus and becoming a community of believers sharing God's love with one another and with the world."

Click here to read more.


CURE introduces patients to the true Healer

"If you have ever wanted to make a permanent impact on someone's life, but are not sure you have the time, a CURE short-term mission trip could be for you."

Click here to read about CURE's mission trips


Combat changes in appetite, mood with exercise

"As you learned in last week's column, you can avoid problems such as hypothermia, frostbite and heart attack when out in the cold if you dress properly, stay hydrated and avoid overexertion. The cold winter months can also bring about changes in appetite and mood, even though we don't hear as much about it."

Click here to learn about winter weather's affect


Brands you know pay you back

"I'm a fan of Google. I'm hooked on Apple's iPhone. And I love that Danone yogurt, thanks to its low-cal version that still tastes like the real thing. But who would've ever thought that the brands I know and love could pay me back?

It turns out America's Top 100 brands (as ranked by BusinessWeek and InterBrand) would have generated a 31% return from 2000 through 2008, while the S&P 500 left you with losses to the tune of 28%."

Click to read more

February 17 is a Good News Day (posted by Mary Beth)

Eight Is Enough?: In-Vitro Fertilization and Nadya Suleman

"By now you’ve heard more than you wanted to hear, probably, about Nadya Suleman, the California mother of six who recently gave birth to octuplets. Her story has dominated talk radio and cable news."

More of Chuck Colson's commentary here.



Chicago, Seattle first markets to get instant Starbucks
"
Starbucks Corp. will launch its new instant coffee product next month in Chicago and its home turf of Seattle, with a full-scale, national offensive set for the fall."

Get the scoop here!



Does the United States make anything anymore?

"It seems like the country that used to make everything is on the brink of making nothing. But manufacturing in the country isn't dead, it's just becoming more efficient."

Produce the rest of the article by clicking here.


Folsom, CA - The Heritage of a Gold Rush Town - Part 1

"We in Folsom are blessed with a treasure trove of historic buildings, larger than life characters and pivotal moments in time. Our heritage is all around us, and we are close enough to touch it, to feel it, and be part of it."

Investigate the background of a piece of history here.



In New York, working to help their school in Haiti and its city

"For two decades and more, Haiti, a land of grinding poverty, has endured coups, riots, a repressive military regime and hurricanes, travails that have often been overlooked beyond its borders. But one group of 60 Haitians, most of whom live in Brooklyn, has worked hard to maintain a bond with one small part of their homeland."

Read more about this dedicated group here.



A Biblical Pattern for Conflict Resolution

"In Acts, chapter 6, we have the election and ordination of the first Board of Deacons. The new committee was formed because of a dispute—sound like your church? There were two kinds of poor widows in the early Christian church: Palestinian (Aramaic speaking) widows and Hellenistic (Greek speaking) widows."

The complete article awaits you here.

Shot of the Day for February 16, 2009

Drama Queen and a Joker

Art Work by Flickr Member banginiukas_mano_draugas

Kotryna Zukauskaite e-mail katrez@gmail.com

Good News for February 16 posted by Mary Beth

The Peril of Disregarding the Past: Liberalism and Conservatism

"In a recent New York Times column, David Brooks told a story that perfectly captured the divide between what I call 'traditional conservatism' and liberalism—'liberalism,' which historically is a good term, but has been perverted."

Read the rest of Chuck Colson's commentary here.



Astronomer says Texas fireball was big meteor, not debris from satellite collision

"The fireball that streaked across the sky and alarmed numerous Texas residents was likely just a big meteor and not wreckage from colliding satellites, experts said Monday."

Get the rest of the space story here.




Do you belong to Facebook, forever?

"The blogosphere is abuzz after a popular consumer affairs blog pointed out changes to Facebook's terms of use that the social networking Web site quietly made earlier this month."

Want to know more? Click here.



Nation's Oldest and Largest African-American Sorority Partners with CARE to Empower Women Worldwide

"Inspired by its century of service and mission to empower communities worldwide, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is partnering with CARE to advance the movement to end global poverty. The nation's largest and oldest sorority has made A POWERFUL NOISE Live its official event for International Women's Day."

Join the excitement by clicking here.



Amid turmoil, think long-term

"Your 401(k) plan is bloodied, the Dow keeps diving, and you're wondering what to do next. So we called Robert Glovsky, president of Mintz Levin Financial Advisors. For the past five years, Wealth Manager has selected the firm as one of the nation's top for wealth management. Forget about wealth. Right now, we'd happily take survival management."

Get the expert's advice here.


Howlin' Wolf NorthShore to open in Mandeville, LA

"The Howlin' Wolf is expanding from the Warehouse District to the far side of Lake Pontchartrain. Howlin' Wolf NorthShore is scheduled to open on Friday, March 6. The opening night is a benefit for the Mandeville police and fire departments."

Who'll be there? Click here to find out.

Good News From Mary Feb. 16, 2009

Silly Prayers

Is there such a thing as a "silly prayer"?

If you want to dialogue on a topic that has dual perspectives from those inside of the church bottle, as well as the culture reading the label on the outside of our bottle, this is it.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Ideas on Rebuilding Your Nest Egg

I recently heard someone make a wisecrack that the only two good financial positions these days are: Cash and Fetal.

If you are a part of the human race, you are very aware that 2008 was a devastating year for investors. Now, there was a time when that wouldn’t have included most Americans. But that was then, this is now. Today’s investors aren't just the rich, Wall Street types. They are us. Today most Americans are dependent on their own investment prowess to prepare for their futures. That means most retirees don’t have the old fashioned pension plans to fall back on. And those who do are becoming increasingly concerned that those “guaranteed” nets may not be there when they lean back.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

10 Easy Ways to Get Organized

1. Hang up your keys. (Preferably by the door.)

2, Find a place for your purse, coat, gloves and other frequently used items and always keep them there.

3. Make your bed each day as soon as you crawl out of it.

Click here to read the rest of these easy ways to get organized.

Rush is on to tailor cancer care

The days of one-size-fits-all cancer treatment are numbered: A rush of new research is pointing the way to tailor chemotherapy and other care to what's written in a tumor's genes.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Four new pennies chronicle Lincoln's rise from log cabin

The first of four new pennies chronicling Abraham Lincoln's rise from a small Kentucky cabin will be put into circulation Thursday to honor the 16th president's 200th birthday.

Click here to read the rest of this story.