Good News for January 23 from Mary Beth

Protection of vulnerable people must be top priority in eastern Congo, says aid agency

"As Rwanda and DRC join forces against rebel militias, protection of civilians must be the priority, warns humanitarian agency World Vision."

Read more on the situation here.


'Seven Pounds': No Room for Grace

"This Christmas, the movie Seven Pounds was advertised as a feel-good, inspirational film. Rarely has an advertising campaign been so wrong. The odd thing is that the movie actually does come close to being inspirational—but in the end, it completely misses the mark."

Click here for the rest of Mark Earley's commentary.


London school teaches art of positive thinking

"Class helps students shrug off life's everyday disappointments and depressions." Click here for more about this lesson in living.


All alone on the deep blue sea

"Rich Wilson has been sailing a 60-foot racing yacht around the world by himself for 2-1/2 months through stormy seas."

Join his lonely voyage here.


Volunteers of all ages learn value of time spent doing good works

"The volunteers, all senior citizens, have arrived for the afternoon shift. Promptly at 2 p.m. on a chilly day, Paula Harrington slides open the glass window of the Carmichael Food Closet to serve the first client waiting in line."

Read the rest of the story here.


Family Pro: Showing up is the key to raising kids

"Jim Mazzaferro learned a lot about how to be a parent before he became one.

One of the key lessons was simple: Show up."

Click hear for more on the subject.


Tired of the teen diva thing?

"The Woodlands' Kathryn Hallberg, 14, is a young songwriter with heart, talent and a new album. She wrote her first song at 11."

Tune in to the music here.


Two classic N.O. Steak houses are sizzling again

"The events of August and September 2005 were brutal in countless respects. In the arena of fine dining, that was especially true of those who make a living preparing -- or find living more enjoyable while eating -- high-quality steaks."

Click here to bite into the rest of the story.

Shot of the Day for January 6, 2009

the light at the end of the year

By Flickr Member go_fili

Oregon physician to help Congolese refugees

This Wednesday, a Bend volunteer doctor with Medical Teams International departs to care for families fleeing the rebel fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Randall Jacobs will work in a Ugandan refugee camp where thousands of Congolese people are seeking medical care, food, clean water, and shelter. Jacobs, a physician at Bend Memorial Clinic, will serve a month-long assignment in Uganda. He joins Colleen Bradley, a volunteer nurse from Montana, and additional staff from the agency's Ugandan office.

For more of the story click here.