Small U.S. businesses thrive with Ethiopian woman's help

Alfa Demmellash grew up on less than a dollar a day, and against the backdrop of torture and murder. But these days she's living the American dream and helping others do the same.

"Entrepreneurs are at the very heart of what the American dream is all about," says Demmellash, a native of Ethiopia. And from her small office in Jersey City, her nonprofit, Rising Tide Capital, is helping small businesses flourish.

Robin Munn, who runs a flower shop in Jersey City, says the skills she learned through Demmellash helped her transform the way she operates her business. "I was thinking about closing, but once I started taking the classes I found that the fire came back."

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New Slidell health clinic will provide more access to the poor, uninsured

"The poor and uninsured will have greater access to pediatric care through a new health center that is a collaboration between Slidell Memorial Hospital and St. Charles Community Health Center, healthcare providers say.

The St. Tammany Community Health Center, slated to open Wednesday at Slidell Memorial, will be the first federally qualified health center in St. Tammany Parish, officials said."

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Health games become serious business

Videogames were once blamed for rising obesity rates but are now being championed by the medical industry and for use by government departments for their health benefits.

Games like Electronic Arts' "EA Sports Active" and Nintendo's "Wii Fit" have got players of all ages moving -- and game developers and investors looking for hot new titles to cash in on this booming segment of the market.

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Strengthen your team and impact the world: World Vision puts a new twist on teambuilding experiences for businesses

"As the economy has tightened, high-end sales meetings have gone by the wayside. Companies continue to look for innovative and less expensive ways to build teams, have fun, and do good all at the same time. World Vision has created a dynamic opportunity for businesses to inspire their co-workers, and band together to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need. In a short period of time, employees can assemble anywhere from 500 – 5,000 kits, which will dramatically change the lives of the children and families who receive them."


To learn more about this program, click here.

Faith

By Flickr Member ArteZoe

Disabled children to get new playground in Folsom

"Mia Garza is like many other 2-year-olds. She keeps her mother, Anita, busy as she quickly maneuvers around neatly organized chairs and tables during a recent community meeting in Folsom. Mia’s giggling even draws the attention of speaker Jim Pelley, who quips, 'I love the laughter in the background.'

But Mia is not your average toddler. The smiling tot suffers from cerebral palsy and uses a walker to get herself around."

Click here for more on the efforts of adults to bring play to children with disabilities.

Couple floats into zero gravity nuptials

The bride wore white and earrings resembling tiny planets, the groom a tuxedo and cuff links shaped like spacecraft, and the wedding party attended in blue jump suits.

New York City couple Erin Finnegan and Noah Fulmor floated into matrimony on Saturday thousands of feet (metres) above the Gulf of Mexico in what organizers said was the world's first weightless wedding held in zero gravity conditions.

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