2009 Lantern Award winners to be honored tonight

"Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association will honor the 2009 Lantern Award winners for excellence in manufacturing and community involvement at a reception this evening at the Governor's Mansion.

Lantern Award winners are selected based on their contribution to their local community, including employment growth and facility expansion. Each business must also demonstrate sustainability by remaining in operation at least three years prior to the nomination."

Click here for more on these businesses.

Strategies: Shriver's big on small loans, for good reason

It was an ordinary day at the San Francisco offices of Kiva — the online community that enables people to loan very small amounts of money to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing countries.

The young president, Premal Shah, and CEO, Matt Flannery, were in the midst of one of their daily arguments. All of a sudden, with no warning, in walked the first lady of California, Maria Shriver.

Click here to learn more about Kiva and micro-loans.

Parton delivers 'Many Colors' patch to scouts

"Country singer Dolly Parton delighted hundreds of Tennessee Girl Scouts when she made a surprise entrance at a ceremony to present them with a patch created in her honor.

Parton appeared on stage at the Pines Theatre in Pigeon Forge, where 400 Girl Scouts were receiving the new 'Coat of Many Colors' patch. It is named for Parton and her 1971 song of the same name."

Click here for more on this special occasion.

Church Reaches Out to Job Seekers in El Dorado County, CA

"Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, CA is teaming with Cameron Park Rotary to host an 8-week Job Seekers program. Other churches in the area will be referral partners in the project.



The first session begins on June 29, at the church."

Click here for more on how the family of God is reaching out to job seekers.

CCM Legends Reunite

"Nearly forty years into their respective careers, Christian music pioneers Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy have finally recorded a full length album together."

Click here for more on this "decades in the making" project.

Fox steals more than 100 shoes

A fox has been unmasked as the mystery thief of more than 100 shoes in the small western German town of Foehren, authorities said Friday.

Click here to read more about the shoe stealing fox.

Lost High School Class Ring Returned to Its Owner -- 47 years later

"Jill Bakke was weeding her flower bed recently at her Oak Park house when she found a school ring from Oak Park and River Forest High School, Class of 1942. Engraved inside were three initials.

Someone else might have shrugged.

Bakke, a software tester, set to sleuthing."

Share Bakke's search by clicking here!