A man I rode with on the elevator recently reminded me that something good always comes of bad. We had just met in the lobby, both of us headed up to make a condolence call at the apartment of a mutual friend. I could tell from the way he pushed the buttons that he had been to their home many times. I had not. I had been friends with George for 45 years but had never been to his apartment — or met his wife and children. His father had just died at 89. I informed this man, making small talk, that even though I lived just down the street it had taken a loss to bring me to George’s home. “Something good always comes of bad,” he offered as the elevator opened, spilling us through George’s open door and into the crowd inside.
Something Good Always Comes of Bad
An Astronomy Book the Blind Can Appreciate
Telescopes have captured astonishing images of far-away galaxies and other cosmic mysteries.
Now, a new book called Touch the Invisible Sky is helping everyone appreciate those pictures, even people who can’t see.
It uses raised lines and textures to help blind people understand astronomy.
(READ or HEAR the story at National Public Radio)
A River Runs Through CA Valley Again
Legal action has resulted in the revival of a California stream that had been diverted leaving behind little more than sand and rocks. One of the largest river restoration projects in the country has invited back a gentle current of water and in turn the birds, fish and fowl that once thrived here a hundred years ago. (New York Times News Service via Taipei Times)
Monkey Brains In U.S. Make Robot Walk In Japan
New research allows rhesus monkeys in North Carolina – just by thinking – to control robotic arms & legs all the way in Japan. Scientists expect application of this technology to help paralyzed individuals as soon as next year. (Information Week) Thanks to Steve Coombes for sending the link!
Discover the Hidden Plan of Your Life with Numerology: Free Tele-seminar w/ Carol Adrienne Jan 24th
Numerologists believe that each of us is born with a purpose that can be known through studying the name we were given at birth and also our birthdate. From these, they are able to calculate exact ages for major transitions. Join Carol Adrienne and me on Thursday night, January 24 and find out more about this fascinating field. The Great Mentors tele-seminar call will be recorded and available free via phone for serveral weeks as well… (More info about signing up for the program and receiving instant access to the phone numbers on GreatMentoring.com)
Carol Adrienne, Ph.D–an internationally-recognized author and life coach, first discovered this system when she changed her name, following a divorce, in the early 1970’s. Key elements of this relatively simple system can taught in a few minutes, and have lifetime benefits as a tool to help clarify decisions and validate events. In this teleseminar, Carol helps you tune into the meaning of your day of birth. This one simple number is like a giant beacon communicating your unique perspective in life, helping to attract people and events that help you fulfill your purpose. I want to give you an idea of the accuracy of this system sharing some information from the birth chart and forecast prepared by Carol for me. You’ll see for yourself the accuracy of these birth number predictions!
Learn how your day of birth might affect your choice of career and compatibility in relationships. Carol will share how you can analyze your full birthdate to find a key element of your life purpose. She will also show you how to find out what’s in store for you in 2008. Carol welcomes questions from participants about how to use their numbers to best advantage. You may email questions to Geri before the seminar for consideration.
Carol Adrienne, Ph.D., is an internationally-known author and intuitive counselor whose books on numerology, purpose, and change have been translated into over fifteen languages. Adrienne has appeared on Oprah, who praised her book, The Purpose of Your Life: Finding Your Place In The World Using Synchronicity, Intuition, And Uncommon Sense
, as a “must-read.” Other books include Find Your Purpose, Change Your Life; When Life Changes, Or You Wish It Would; The Numerology Kit; and Your Child’s Destiny. She co-authored with James Redfield The Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide and The Tenth Insight: An Experiential Guide. (Tele-Seminar begins promptly at 8:00PM EST (5:00 PM Pacific).Google Commits $25M Toward Global Warming, Poverty, and Disease
Google’s philanthropic arm on Thursday said it is taking aim at global warming, poverty, and pandemics with millions in cash and the Internet giant’s global resources.
They chose five of the world’s ills and crafted core initiatives to best match Google’s strengths.
(READ the AFP story from Google News)
Greenpeace Applauds Apple for New Arsenic and Mercury-Free Laptop
Greenpeace applauded Apple for the release of its new greener MacBook Air laptop, particularly its mercury and arsenic-free design, reports the iPod news blog. It is also the world’s thinnest computer, unveiled, at this week’s Mac Expo in dramatic fashion, by Steve Jobs as he slid it from an envelope. (Video and Story) Thanks to Jim G. for the Greenpeace tip.
UPDATED: Bin Laden’s Son Wants to be Peace Ambassador
Osama bin Laden’s 26-year-old son Omar wears dreadlocks and a biker jacket and tells the AP “there is a better way to defend Islam than militancy: Omar wants to be an “ambassador for peace” between Muslims and the West.” (Today)
Couple Reunited After 60 Years Apart Since the War
“When Anna Kozlov caught sight of the elderly man clambering out of a car in her home village of Borovlyanka in Siberia, she stopped dead in her tracks, convinced her eyes were playing tricks.
Firefighters Praised for Icy Dog Rescue
“Let other folks retire to warm climates,” said a Wisconsin resident whose poodle was rescued, after it had fallen through the ice, by a firefighter rescue unit with self-inflating wetsuits and ropes. “I’m spending the rest of my days where the weather may be cold, but the hearts are warm.” (Associated Press has the story of the rescue of Buddy)
Green Visionaries Unveil Plan for World’s First Carbon-Neutral, Waste-Free, Car-Free City
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is awash in profitable oil reserves yet pouring billions into renewable- and sustainable-energy technologies to build the world’s first zero-emission city, “a metropolis that emits not a single extra molecule of carbon dioxide — the cause of global warming”. Abu Dhabi’s green ambitions extend well beyond the construction of a city for 50,000 residents using no cars and lots of solar energy…
The World Wildlife Fund and Masdar, The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, this week launched a “Sustainability Action Plan” to deliver the world’s greenest city – Masdar City. Located near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, aiming to exceed the 10 sustainability principles of “One Planet Living™”– a global initiative launched by the Worldwide Fund for Nature and environmental consultancy BioRegional.
Customer Surprises Waitress With Help for College
A waitress was overheard by a customer while talking with her co-worker about the struggle to pay for college textbooks. After the customer left, Hayes found a note that said, “Good luck with school,” which included $400 for books. “Now I know I need to work on my indoor voice,” Hayes told KMBC’s Jere Gish.
Hotels Offer Beds Free to Stranded School Groups
Two hotels in Saint John are offering school groups free accommodations if the roads are too dangerous to travel.
The management of the Fort Howe Hotel and Courtenay Bay Hotel made the decision on Monday following a weekend accident that killed seven Bathurst High School basketball players and a teacher.
(READ the story from the CBC)
Arab Sitcom Becomes Surprise Hit in Israel
Every week in Israel, thousands of Jewish families open up their homes to an Arab family. The latter are only fictional characters — from the hit Israeli sitcom Arab Work — but still, many say this is a critical marker in (pop culture) history. (Photos, story and audio at NPR)
Ballet Dancer, 88, Makes Debut
“An 88-year-old Cambridgeshire man has starred in his first ballet after taking up dance at the age of 79.” (BBC) Thanks to Mary and Chris for the submission!
GM to Make Biofuel Out of Garbage
General Motors Corp. is planning on making biofuel with garbage at a cost of less than a dollar a gallon, the company’s chief has said.
The US automaker has entered into a partnership with Illinois-based Coskata Inc. which has developed a way to make ethanol from practically any renewable source, including old tires and plant waste.
Hundreds Of San Diegans Help Make E-Waste Event a Success (Video)
Hundreds of San Diegans spent their day saving the environment by dusting off those old computers, printers, and VCRs and bringing them to a special event, hosted by TV’s 10News. (I Love A Clean San Diego sponsored this event.)
Fostering Success After Foster Care: Boy Turns Bad Experience into Inspiring Program
For youth “aging out” of the foster care system at age 18, thrust out on their own, homelessness or crime can be a consequence of efforts to support themselves. Now, a service in Milwaukee gives young adults the guidance, financial assistance, and occasional “kick in the butt” needed to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Eco-Car Just Down The Road (Video)
Tired of gas prices? A prototype for an “extreme hybrid” car that runs for 40 miles at 60 m.p.h. on electric battery power alone is on exhibit at Detroit’s International Auto Show.
How The Bucket List Film May Change Your Life & Make You Happier
A corporate billionaire and a working class mechanic have nothing in common until they’re forced to share a hospital room. Once there they discover a common spark of eagerness for devoting the rest of their lives to accomplishing all their unfulfilled desires. As many as possible before they “kick the bucket.”
Together they embark on the road trip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest. Each goal checked-off gives them the joy that had hitherto been elusive.
The film, The Bucket List opened on Christmas Day with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the title roles inspiring the public to make their own life lists and start tackling some of their own goals now, instead of waiting for “the right time.”
