Thursday, January 8, 2009

Shot of the Day January 9, 2008

 Sun Trying to Come Through the Thick Snow  Clouds

Thursday Jan. 8, 2009 News From Mary

Rise Above Unexpected Challenges

Life rarely turns out the way you’ve planned. An unexpected diagnosis, a sudden job layoff, a surprise relationship breakup, an accident – all kinds of challenges can come into your life at any time and blow your best plans apart. When that happens, you have a choice. You can allow your circumstances to bring you down and try to survive in a miserable state. Or, you can decide to rise above your challenges so you can thrive despite them.

Click here to read the rest of this Good News story.

Microsoft's Ballmer touts 'best version of Windows ever'

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicked off the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday with an impassioned endorsement of PCs and a sneak peek at the company's future Windows 7 operating system.

Click here to read the rest of this Good News story.

Security Council calls for cease-fire in Gaza

The U.N. Security Council late Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.


A photo provided by the Israel Defense Forces shows Israeli paratroopers in Gaza on Thursday.

Fourteen of the council's 15 members voted in favor of the resolution, with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abstaining from the vote on behalf of the United States.

Click here to read the rest of this Good News story.

In Search of a Good Doctor

In response to my recent column on patients trusting doctors too much, several readers wrote in about the difficulty of finding or sifting through information on doctors and diseases. Many asked for suggestions, so a couple of weeks ago I contacted several nationally respected leaders in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, oncology, surgery and anesthesia and asked them to share their advice on researching doctors and diseases.

Click here
to read the rest of this Good News story.

So Much to Learn About the Oceans From Sand

As a young geophysicist in the 1980s, Rob Holman attended a conference in San Francisco that included a field trip to a beach. Dr. Holman, who grew up inland, in Ottawa, stared at the ocean, assessing the strengths and vectors of the waves and currents. But when he looked around, everyone else was studying the sand.

Click here to read the rest of this Good News story.

Good News for January 8 from Mary Beth

What is a "Good News Now" story? Different people might have different ideas about the answer.

To me, a good news story is one that gives a smile, an affirmation, a direction, a lift or a reminder of God's enduring love. I hope you'll agree that these stories fit the bill.


World Vision targets 50,000 people with emergency assistance


International humanitarian organization World Vision has launched an appeal for US $1 million to provide emergency assistance to 50,000 of the most affected people in Gaza.

Click here to read more on the effort.


Armed and Elderly: Japan's Unique Crime Problem


From electronics to entertainment, Japan is a trend setter. Let's hope its odd new crime wave is not. Click here for Chuck Colson's commentary on the situation and the possible implications for American society.


Outgoing President George W. Bush visits PA School

We've seen President Bush in classrooms before, and we saw him there again today, at the General Philip Kearny School in Philadelphia, celebrating the seventh anniversary of his signing of the No Child Left Behind Act. - on what is expected to be his second to last journey aboard Air Force One as president.

Read about his visit to the classroom here.



The results are in: Zagat comes to New Orleans, unveils latest survey


A case can be made that Tim and Nina Zagat are the most powerful people in the American restaurant business. The couple started the company behind those thin, maroon guides found all over any American city that boasts more than a handful of decent places to eat.

Check out the results of their survey here.



Some Mass. state lawmakers reject automatic raises

State lawmakers are lining up today to reject the 5.5 percent automatic pay raise that Governor Deval Patrick set in motion, saying that with local communities facing drastic budget cuts and families facing job losses, they could not pad their own pockets at taxpayer expense.

Can this be real? Click here to read the facts.


'Golden spike' high-rise urged at Sacramento railyard

Local exec Walter Horsting has long contended that Sacramento needs a giant "golden spike" landmark. Now he's touting a way to build it for free.

Click here to see his innovative plan.

Thursday, January 8, 2009 Posts from Margaret

Fresh Start for a New Year? Let’s Begin in the Kitchen

“PERHAPS, like me, you have this romantic notion of shopping daily — maybe even a mental vision of yourself making the rounds, wicker basket in hand, of your little Shropshire or Provençal or Tuscan village. The reality, of course, is that few of us provision our kitchens or cook exclusively with ultra-fresh ingredients, especially in winter, when there simply are no ultra-fresh ingredients.”

Click for this story…


The 15-Minute Tip: This year I resolve to ... profit

“How to make money from your -- and other's -- New Year's resolutions”

Click here for the rest of the story...


Motorola Announces Three New Phones (PC Magazine)

“Motorola on Tuesday announced three new phones, including the company's first phone made of recycled plastic, a ruggedized phone for AT&T, and a Web-optimized slab phone primarily for Asian markets.”

Click here for this story…


From Tears to Triumph

“I couldn’t pull myself away. The inscription, engraved on a gold plate, just below the image of two infants sleeping peacefully in an old-fashioned cradle, confirmed what I already knew — this was the memorial to honor my unborn children — the ones not with me because of abortion.”

Click here to read this story…


Girl raises money for troops

“A local (Amelia, OH) girl has raised more than $1,000 for care packages for troops by selling homemade jewelry at less than $3 each.”

Click here to read her story…