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.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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.
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.
"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.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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