Good News for January 18 from Mary Beth

Save the Children Begins Large-scale Relief Effort for Children in Gaza Following Cease-fire

Save the Children is moving quickly to deliver life-saving aid into Gaza for children and families in need, following the announcement of a cease-fire by all parties today. A truckload of 100 baby kits, 150 hygiene kits and more than 1,400 packages of diapers prepared by Save the Children was transported this morning into Gaza, where staff and local partners began delivering the items to families at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency shelters in Beit Lahia and Jebaliya.

Get the details on the project here.


South African authorities rescue 167 miners trapped underground for 24 hours

Some 167 workers trapped in a gold mine for more than 24 hours were safely brought to the surface late Sunday, the South African Press Association reported.

Read more about this story here.


In the pulpit, looking toward inauguration

All across a snowy Massachusetts this weekend, priests and ministers, rabbis and imams are reflecting on the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

The Boston Globe started a collection of inauguration sermons. Find out more here.


2 teens found safe in Eldorado National Forest

Two 16-year-old Elk Grove boys reported missing in the Eldorado National Forest were found safe today.

For details on the rescue, click here.


A sweet musical match made in the foothills

The stars are especially bright over Scotty and Sasha Prawalsky's Foresthill home on a recent night.

Tune into the song here.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 Good News Posts From Margaret

Plan for Blooms All Season Long With This Almanac of Perennials

"What do the demure foamflower of April, the outlandish peony of May and the wild goldenrod of September have in common? They are hardy perennials, plants that bloom in their season and then retreat slowly into the ground, to grow afresh the next year. "

Read more of this story here...


Scientists find way to remove lead from blood

"South Korean scientists may have found a way to remove dangerous heavy metals such as lead from blood by using specially designed magnetic receptors."

Read more of this story here...


Nintendo Wii Leads Record-Breaking Year for Games (NewsFactor)

"The video-game industry has officially defied the economic downturn, although Sony's high-priced PlayStation 3 lags lower-priced consoles. The NPD Group reported a record-breaking year for video games."

Read more of this story here...


The Mission Society celebrates a landmark birthday

"25 years ago, a small group of United Methodists had a passion to take Christ to the world's under-evangelized and unreached people."

Read more of this story here...