White House to Green House Again

Earth Day 1993, President Bill Clinton launched a major effort to conserve energy at the White House. The changes he initiated saved nearly a million and a half dollars in the six years they were used. During President Bush's administration, efforts at recycling were increased, but lost momentum as his two terms continued.

President Obama intends to set an example of green living at the White House in order to reduce further its carbon footprint. The Obamas have had a playground set up for the girls to play on outside. The area under the swing set is made from rubber from recycled tires. The first lady has already broken ground on an organic garden on the South Lawn.

The new president has other green initiatives for the White House, which haven't yet been revealed, but already some smaller changes have been seen. There's been a switch to greener cleaning supplies and outdoor maintenance products. Recycling efforts are being stepped up again too. For more on this, click on the link below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29944122/

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Obamas Walking the Talk

It's nice to know that some people in high places understand the power of setting a good example for others. Although new residents of the White House are allowed $100k to redecorate to suit their tastes, the Obamas are electing to foot the bill themselves. They made plenty of money last year on their own, and so they are not going to use tax payers' money to make the White House their own. What a novel concept. In the larger scheme of things, $100k is not a lot of money. In the message sent to Americans, particularly unemployed ones, it is huge. It makes the statement that somebody in the White House knows how to say, "no, thank you" when tax payers' money is involved.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/29/obamas-are-personally-pay_n_180551.html

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More Women who Made Their Mark in History

This is a story about five octogenarians and members of the Mary Mahoney Registered Nurses Club, a group that was formed on July 9, 1949. It got its name from the woman who was the first African American to graduate from nursing school, the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston. The year was 1879. If you click on the link below, you can read about Seattle Times writer Jerry Large's recent visit with five of the women from this club. We honor these women as we near the end of Women's History Month.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrylarge/2008946162_jdl30.html

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Slices of Silver

The unseen boat
slices the silver water
in an unfinished V.

© 2009 Beth Mitchum

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Conscious Acts of Kindness

There are a lot of ways to interact with the world, and more and more people are learning how to respond with conscious acts rather than reacting on pure adrenaline. When someone cuts you off in traffic or bumps you with their shopping cart in the grocery store, it can cause an adrenaline reaction. Adrenaline is a good thing when you're in a situation where you need to be on high alert, such as in survival situations. You need the "fight-or-flight" rush you get from adrenaline to get you out of imminent danger. However, most of us are not living in basic survival mode, so when we are faced with a situation in our lives where we get an adrenaline rush, we are not sure what to do with it. We feel as though we have been handed an either/or situation in which neither feels like the appropriate response. Neither fight nor flight feels like the right thing to do in the given situation. In the article that follows, we are told about a third response, which is not a reaction, but rather a carefully considered response, which stops negative energy in its tracks and initiates instead a chain of positive, conscious actions.

You may have already heard the story about the guy in the Starbucks drive-thru who paid for the order placed by the car behind him, which in turn created a chain reaction of cars paying for the car behind them. This happened originally during the holiday season in 2007. I remember hearing about it, although I didn't get too many details at that time. If you click on the link below, you will not only get the whole story, but a video of the news report that was aired at the time. This isn't exactly news in the sense of it just having happened, but this is the first time I've encountered this article, which was published three months ago. The article was sent to me by Ginny Hardie in Olympia, Washington. I'm glad to be able to hear the rest of the story and to share it with the readers of AGNADL.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arthur-rosenfeld/pay-it-backwards-an-act-o_b_151793.html

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Battle of the Hybrids

Things are starting to heat up in the market for hybrid cars. Toyota is now going to bring out another Prius model this year, while keeping the existing one on the market to compete against Honda's new lower-priced Insight, which will be selling for under $20k. I love that the market is big enough to get them to compete for lower prices and better models. I'm glad to see this turn of events, but I'm still not convinced any of them are worth giving up my 1995 Honda Civic DX that gets nearly 50 mpg on the highway and nearly 35 mpg around town. It's been paid for since 2001. Life without car payments is lovely.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39498

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(Responsible) Sex is Good for You

I could probably list way more reasons than five for having sex on a regular basis, but we'll stick with the material we have on hand. This first link offers you five good reasons to have sex today. This article was published just before Valentine's Day, but by all means, let's don't limit it to once a year.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-reasons-to-have-sex-today.html

Back to back (and any other position you prefer!) with that article is an item on great sex after forty. I fall into the after forty club, so I'm delighted to focus on that in the hopes of getting that good news to expand. Ahem. There is also an opportunity with the article below to win a romantic gift pack, so what are you waiting for? Get with it already!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/great-sex-after-forty-win-a-gift-pack.html

I have always espoused a policy of responsible sexuality. That includes not only making sure you're having safe sex, but that you're also practicing responsible sex, which includes being mature and considerate. You can have safe sex while running roughshod over someone emotionally. I'm just saying... Think about it.

Lest you doubt me on this, click on the link below to find out what Lily Allen of the United Kingdom has to sing about it. Apparently she's at the top of the charts with her song "Not Fair." Go on then, watch and giggle:
http://www.lilyallenmusic.com/lily/news/1757838

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So Far So Fast

Yesterday we posted our 100th article, which is pretty good considering this blog was launched on the day President Obama was sworn into office, which was just over two months ago. On one hand I'm amazed to have reached this benchmark already. On the other hand, good ideas generally stick around a while, and not so good ideas lose momentum. We're just starting to pick up steam around here. You'll notice the additional steam with the post that is to follow because it is about sex. Or really about health, but focusing on the healthy benefits of sex, particularly responsible sex.

This blog started with a simple idea. I have a friend who used to say frequently that she would love it if she could get good news stories somewhere instead of all the gloom and doom spewing from the airwaves and newspapers. While it is possible to catch the occasional heartwarming tale, compared to all the depressing news you get with it, it's like adding an ounce of pure, clean water to a bucket of mud. Does it make the mud any more palatable? Not so much. Instead of diluting the mud, the small amount of water just gets absorbed by the mud. So instead, we offer our readers a clean glass of water. Some people might think water is less exciting than another beverage to drink, but no one can sensibly deny that pure water is something you need for good health and well-being. Mud isn't. So responding to Mahatma Gandhi's famous challenge to be the change we want to see, we are being the good news we wanted to hear.

So we continue on to our next 100 blogs with gratitude in our hearts, knowing that our objective of providing all good news all day long is being met, and that the guiding principle of helping good news to expand, by focusing on it, is being manifested. Since we started this blog, we've discovered a radio DJ who has started broadcasting his "Only Good News" show in the morning. If you live within reach of the KJR Seattle 95.7 FM air waves, I highly recommend catching Kevin Ebi's morning program. He's a breath of fresh air to be sure. I'm not sure when Kevin started promoting good news, but I think it's great that there are at least two ways to get your news sunny side up if you live in the Seattle area: on Kevin's morning news program so you can start your day out right and at this blog site, where anyone in the world can get good news articles coming through 24/7. We've also found that every day, good news gets easier to find, and we actually end up with several items to choose from on most days. Either we're getting better at hunting down the good news or there is more of it being reported and we're attracting it our way. I personally think that good news is contagious. Just like bad news. Which would you rather see on the increase? Yeah, me too, so good news it is. Here's to 100 more good news posts. Cheers!

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Omnibus Bill Passes House

The House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Bill today. Since it has already passed the Senate, it now goes on to President Obama, who is expected to sign it. The bill is a collection of 170 separate measures that provides the government's highest level of protection on lands in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. It encompasses over two millions acres of wilderness, almost forty scenic rivers, and over 5,000 miles of national trails, and is the largest bill of its kind in twenty-five years. For more details, click on the link below:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/trailtalk/archives/165016.asp?from=blog_last3

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Locke Confirmed as Secretary of Commerce

Former Washington Governor Gary Locke was confirmed today as Secretary of Commerce after President Obama's first two choices withdrew themselves from consideration. Governor Locke was the first Chinese-American to become a state governor, serving from 1997 to 2005. I met Mr. Locke a decade ago while he was governor. He and his lovely wife came into the Waldenbooks at the Southcenter Mall in Seattle where I was working at the time. Mona Lee Locke was pregnant with their second child, Dylan, and had their two-year old, Emily, in tow. This must have been in early 1999, since Mona Lee was looking very pregnant at the time. She gave birth to Dylan in March of 1999. Their third child, Madeline, was born in 2004.

Gov. Locke came up to the counter while I racked my brain as to why he looked so familiar. When he handed me his credit card to pay for their book purchase, I read it and smiled at him. "No wonder you look so familiar." He laughed. Then I thanked him for the good job he was doing. Apparently politicians don't hear those two words a lot, that is, "thank you." He was a little taken aback but happy that someone had taken the time to acknowledge his efforts in a momentary exchange of basic humanity.

It's a shame to me that we are so hard on the very people who need us to support them, not by way of lip service, but by taking responsibility to be aware of what's going on in our communities and to remember to stop occasionally and say, "good job," even if we don't agree with them about everything. Sure, let them know what you would like to see happen that hasn't yet happened, but don't forget that they are human too and could do with a pat on the back now and then.

I realize there are crooked political figures, sometimes in very high places, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't stop and thank the ones who are doing their best to move their communities forward. I, for one, think that Mr. Locke will be an asset to the Obama administration. Congratulations, Mr. Locke, on your commission as Secretary of Commerce. At least one person from your former constituency is behind you, cheering you on towards success at this next stage of your career.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008888361_aplockecommerce.html

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The Colbert Room

In case you haven't yet heard, Colbert won the write-in suggestion for the NASA space station name contest. NASA will decide in April which name it will choose of the possibilities. They were, no doubt, surprised when Stephen Colbert's campaign to name the new room at the international space station after himself actually yielded 40,000 more votes than NASA's top contender, Serenity. Thus the power of the internet. I heard about the name contest on Facebook, and yes, I voted for him. I think it would be a fun thing to have a room named after one of America's contemporary comedians. Or they could always compromise and just name it the Laughter Room or the Funny Room, since those words are synonymous with Colbert.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008909877_apscispacestationcolbert.html

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Stock Market Rally & Real Estate Recovery

Everyone is being cautious about expressing too much hope over the changes, but things are definitely looking better on the economic front. Of course, it will need to be sustained if the improvement is to be felt nationwide. Since I'm not an economic expert, I'm going to give you some links to read to get further details, particularly since there are so many articles touting good news today. I welcome days like this!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008873008_apwallstreet.html


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/business/24markets.html?hp

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Welcoming Spring

Ah, Spring

Ah, Spring at last,
season poised between winter and summer,
gentle pendulum swinging to and fro
above this happy medium.
Gone now the chilling winds of winter.
Not yet the scorching rays of summer's sun.

Ah, Gentle Spring,
whose steady, soaking rains,
whose warm sunshine
make way for the greening of the earth.
Thank goodness for confused Spring.
One day echoing winter,
the next foretelling summer.

Ah, Spring,
season of change,
moment of rebirth.

Poem by Beth Mitchum
bethwor(l)ds: 20 years of poetry


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Pacific Northwest Arts: Jody Bergsma

Weekends at All Good News All Day Long are going to be more about travel and fun from now on and less about news. You get lots of good news articles during the week that center around green technologies, political changes, etc., but on weekends I'd like to change the focus and do less informing and educating and more entertaining, which can, of course, also be informative. So this week we are going to take a look at a Pacific Northwest artist I stumbled upon when I first arrived here in 1993. Her name is Jody Bergsma. Here's a link to her web site where you can browse her work online.

http://www.bergsma.com/

You can also find her prints, cards, bookmarks, mugs, and books, etc. in many bookstores and gift shops around the U.S., both online and in stores. If you are an artist or would like to explore the possibility of learning to paint, I highly encourage you to sign up for her blog. She's giving art lessons through her blog, which you would do well to investigate. Jody is an outstanding artist and a good teacher as well.

http://artwithheart.wordpress.com/

What brings Jody to my attention this weekend in particular is tied to a bit of personal good news. Not long ago, Jody announced a title contest for her new painting of orcas (a.k.a., "killer whales") cavorting in Puget Sound in the shadow of Mount Rainier. She announced this contest via her blog. I entered a title for the contest, and while I didn't win the contest, apparently Jody really liked the title I suggested. You can read the blog entry about the contest at the link above, and if you are interested, you can subscribe to the blog at the same place. For my title suggestion effort, Jody's crew is sending me a signed copy of the print, whose winning title is "Orca Strait: Your Journey to Paradise."

My suggestion was "Tahoma Breach," because the painting shows an orca whale breaching with Mount Rainier (also known to Native Americans and Puget Sound locals as "Tahoma") as a backdrop. If by chance you don't know this meaning of the word breach, a whale breaches when it leaps out of the water and comes down with a big splash. Wildlife researchers think this might have more to do with communication that sheer fun, but I rather like thinking that those orcas are just having a blast. It certainly seems as though they are enjoying themselves out there in the water.

Now go check out Jody's artwork at her gallery and sign up for her most excellent blog and learn how to do amazing water color art. If you'd like to check out Jody's books at Amazon.com, click here on the link that follows: Jody Bergsma's Books at Amazon

Editor of AGNADL

More Sierra Club Green Tips News

I was delighted to find out about Sierra Club's new Green Tips Library, but it looks as though the surge in communicating green news and helpful hints will also be seen in a new weekly newsletter. Check it out below and start getting helpful green tips coming to your email box. Guess I'm be filling my Green file with even more cool stuff. Yes, I have a file on my hard drive that is labeled Green. It holds interesting tidbits of information about greening my world. You should start a Green file too and start filling it with good articles about how each of us can make this world a greener and happier planet.

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2009/03/green-your-wardrobe-buy-vintage.html

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Sierra Club's New Green Tips Online Library

By now most of us have picked up a lot of green tips over the years from various periodicals and awareness campaigns, but the Sierra Club is taking it up a notch with their new Green Tips Library. Information is organized into categories for ease of navigation: Travel and Transportation; Home and Garden; Food and Drink; At the Office; Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle; Parent's Corner; Social Life; Health; and Holidays and Weddings. There's something for everyone with room to grow the database. There are updates on different ways to recycle as more places open their doors to new ways to recycle what used to go in the trash. So don't think there isn't anything new to learn just because you're already a pro at recycling.

http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/

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US Backs UN Gay Rights Statement

President Obama has reversed yet another Bush-era stance for the United States. Yesterday the Obama administration officially endorsed the United Nations statement that calls for a worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality. 66 members of the U.N. had already signed the statement. President Bush had refused to endorse the measure last December when it was brought up at the U.N. General Assembly. With this lack of support, the U.S. had been aligned with the 70 nations who still treat homosexuality as a criminal offense, prosecuting those engaged in homosexual acts with punishments that include the death penalty. President Obama would also like to end the limitations on gays in the U.S. military (the infamous "don't ask, don't tell" policy.


http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/us-backs-un-declaration-on-gay-rights-20090319-92c0.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_gay_rights

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Quick Thinking Pilot Averts Collision with Van

You gotta love Reuters "Oddly Enough" news feed. It's a great way to start the day scratching your head, wondering what on earth some people are thinking. This one today is a classic example of that. The good news of course is that it has a happy ending, although no doubt there were a few scary moments for the 80 passengers on board a Philippine airplane that was attempting to land at Legazpi airport.

Apparently a couple in a van were driving across the runway as a Cebu Pacific airplane was landing. The quick-thinking pilot managed to take off again, avoiding certain collision with the van in its path. It seems that the son of a local aviation official was teaching his girlfriend to drive, using the runway as a driving range of sorts. The man in question has now been suspended from duty.

Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal told the press, "It could have been a disaster if not for the presence of mind of a veteran pilot."

Personally I would like to nominate the "driving teacher" for a near-miss Darwin Award. If you're not familiar with the Darwin Awards, you should become acquainted with them. They are given out on behalf of people who rather ingenuously remove themselves from the gene pool. I for one am delighted that this man and his girlfriend will be receiving only a near-miss honorary mention, since they probably would have taken out dozens of other unsuspecting bystanders with their thoughtless stunt. It's a airport, for goodness sake. What was he thinking? Ah, obviously, NOT! Anyway, all are safe thanks to the pilot of the Cebu Pacific airplane.

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE52G2ZW20090318

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Emerald City Just Getting Greener

Years ago when I was extolling the virtues of living in the Seattle area, a friend of mine from "back east" commented that it sounded like Seattle was the land of Oz. I, of course, burst out laughing and said, "Well, it isn't called the 'Emerald City' for nothing." Over the years Seattle has gained a reputation for lots of different things, including this past years' title for world's worst handling of a major snow event in a large US city. If Seattle didn't actually win that title, it jolly well ought to have won it for the disastrous mishandling of the storms that brought a foot of white stuff to the Emerald City. Still it was an adventure, and hopefully we all came out of it wiser. Now we're on to greener pastures, and I really mean greener. More composting and recycling is available in one of the most seriously dedicated-to-recycling cities around. Check out Nicole Brodeur's article on taking recycling/composting up another notch. Hit it, Nicole.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2008871285_brodeur17m.html

Editor of AGNADL

Out of the Green Closet

Every day it seems like I stumble across not one or two, but multiple articles about advances being made in green technologies and green practices. I'm going to group several together to catch my readers up a little bit about what is going on in the world of green research. It's not that the work hadn't already begun before President Obama took over the presidency, but the political climate before his arrival was more hostile than supportive. Now that the tables have turned, the technological ideas and advances are being released from scientific closets all around the world.

In this first article you can learn about how a noxious gas, hydrogen sulfide, can be used as a renewable source of hydrogen gas. This gas, which smells of rotten eggs, is found in large quantities in the Black Sea. To get down and geeky, check out the link below:

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39456

Scientists at the University of Southampton are mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis to produce a new generation of solar cells. This article is even geekier, so prepared to learn something:

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39456

Now if we could really bring down the cost and ease of using solar power as suggested in the article below, we'd be on to something. What has stopped so many from jumping on the solar power bandwagon is cost and installation, but this article talks about hooking up to solar power for two dollars a day, using a panel so simple to install that you can do it yourself in an afternoon. I am so on that one when it hits the market.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39420

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Semi-Spring Snowfall Surprises Seattle

Okay, so I know spring is officially still a week away, but the snow that is falling down fast and furiously in the Seattle area is so not in the forecast. Lows in the mid to upper thirties, highs in the mid to upper forties. Rain for four days straight. That's what my computer says is what we should expect. Apparently this is the winter to expect the unexpected at least in this neck of the woods. Let me know if you've got other stuff going on in your part of the world.




In the final photo with the purple crocuses, I had to bounce the snow gently from the flowers so you could see what was under all the white. It's no wonder the flowers are all blooming so late and so reluctantly. From now on, I'm tossing out the weather maps and forecasts and, like a good Taoist, I'm just going to pay attention to nature's predictions.

Notes to self:
1. If crocuses are still debating in February about coming out, spring will be late.
2. If daffodils and narcissus are holding themselves close and tight in March, ditto.

Editor of AGNADL

Better Late than Never

It would have been nice if big business had shown up a little earlier for the wedding between Global Economy and Global Stewardship, but at least they're finally starting to file into the building and take their seats. A survey commissioned by Deloitte took the pulse of 220 directors at U.S. companies who were making at least a billion dollars in revenue. It indicates that a growing number of corporate boards of directors are becoming more interested in climate change and corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S).

Eric Hespenheide of Deloitte's Enterprise Sustainability Group explains, "CR&S is about managing risk, generating value and ensuring the long-term viability of an enterprise. It includes consideration of the interdependencies between environmental, social and financial performance, including new views on regulation, accountability, transparency, corporate governance and the potential impacts of climate change on business operations."

Over 75% of those who responded to the email survey claim to have a moderate understanding of business risks and opportunities connect to CR&S. 50% believe that paying attention to CR&S issues is built into their business strategy and risk management.

For more on this growing trend, which appears to be driven by the public's commitment and attention to environmental concerns, click on the following article:

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39432

Editor of AGNADL

Seed Business is Booming

Every heard of the "victory gardens" they used to have during the second world war? Well, we are seeing a resurgence of those home-style gardens with the cost of food fluctuating. It makes sense to me. I certainly plan to do more growing than buying of the veggies and herbs I use this year. Polish up your green thumbs and get to work, if you haven't started already. It's nearly spring. Lots of things can be started inside until they can be transplanted outdoors in warmer months.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2008829989_seeds09m.html

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Developing Renewable Energy Projects on Federal Lands

Now there's a concept for you. Using lands the public is already paying for as places to work on renewable energy projects. As Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said, "More so than ever, with job losses continuing to mount, we need to steer the country onto a new energy path." We can put people back to work by creating alternative energy sources on land that already belongs to us. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. That whole smart grid idea. Use the sun in the desert while the sun is shining and use the wind from blustery regions when the wind is up. Channel all this collective energy and spread to areas that need it. Learn more by clicking below:

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE52A64Q20090312

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39446

Editor of AGNADL

More Financial Good News

The stock market closed up the third day in a row, and the Dow is back to being over 7000. I call that a reason to smile a while.

Editor of AGNADL

Sometimes the Unexpected is Very Good

Although a .05% drop in retail sales was expected for the month of February, there was only a .01% percent drop. Considering January retail sales were up a surprising 1.8%, that's pretty good news. These sales figures are a good sign for the economy and could very well indicate a slight shifting in the economy for the better. Analysts and economists suggest that lower gasoline prices allowed consumers to direct more of their disposable income away from the gas tank and into stores. While much of the sales is being directed at discount retailers, surprisingly enough much of it is also going to furniture stores.

The experts, of course, caution against getting too excited about this slight change, but I think we should cheer on any good news. Welcome into our hearts and homes whatever good news comes our way to encourage even more of it to come knocking at our doors. If we make good news welcome in our lives, it will be more inclined to unpack its bags and settle in for a good long stay. Heck, I'm inviting it to move right on in and make itself at home at my house. Mi casa es su casa!

For more information, click on the link to the New York Times article below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/economy/13econ.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig

Editor of AGNADL

Green and Growing

The number and types of U.S. farms is growing. According to a new farm census, there are more small farms than there were five years ago. There are also more very large farms. The only size of farm that has decreased is the mid-sized farm. U.S. farms are run by increasingly more women and minorities since the 1992 census. The types of animals and crops being raised is also becoming more diverse. Organic farming in particularly has shown a dramatic increase with over a half million acres on nearly 12,000 farms having been converted to organic methods since the last census.

President Obama appointed a long-time supporter of sustainable, organic farming, Kathleen Merrigan, to be the Deputy Secretary of the USDA. If confirmed, she'll be a key player in developing USDA policies. When Merrigan was administrator of the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, she helped write and put into action the U.S. organic food law.

A People's Garden has been established at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was started by Tom Vilsack, the Agriculture Secretary. The purpose of the People's Garden is to showcase eco-friendly gardening practices, which include conservation of water and indigenous planting.

For more bites of those tidbits click below:
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/feed/feed-latest.html#2

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New Meaning for the Phrase "Global Warming"

I love the idea of getting the inside of the earth, where things are pretty darn warm, to heat the outside of the earth (inside our homes, not outside) with geothermal energy. It sort of gives a new meaning to the concept of "global warming." We can warm our globe in winter by the tapping into the inner furnace of the earth. That's a pretty cool idea, er, maybe cool is not a good word to use there, but you get the idea. So does the U.S. Government apparently, because it has earmarked $84 million for geothermal energy projects (which translates to new jobs, by the way) over the next few years.

Read more about the benefits and expansion of geothermal energy by clicking the link below. It isn't a long article, and it isn't filled with technogeek jargon, so go, be ye informed, and remember that I called geothermal energy the "new global warming" first. Then embrace your inner geek and try to drop the phrase "geothermal energy" nonchalantly into your dinner conversation tonight to impress your friends and family.

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4606

Editor of AGNADL

Christian the Lion Goes to the Movies

If you have not yet stumbled across the YouTube.com sensation, "A Lion Called Christian," you really need to click on the link below and view this now at the Borders web site. In 1969, two young men bought a cub at Harrods and lived with him in London until he was too large to stay in their flat any more. They knew they had to release him back into the wild, so they took him to Africa. A year later they went back to visit him, even though they had been told that he had become the head of his own pride and would no longer remember them. This video reveals the amazing power of love between animals and humans, and will make you cry, so go ahead and grab a tissue before you watch it. You'll be glad you did. We'll wait here for you.

The story is now not only a published book, A Lion Called Christian, but it is also a full-length movie. Got your tissue ready? Good, then we present to you the YouTube.com sensation, "A Lion Called Christian." Don't say we didn't warn you about the need for a tissue.

http://www.bordersmedia.com/features/video/lioncalledchristian.asp?cmpid=SL_20090310_REW

Editor of AGNADL

Celebrating Green Women During National Women's History Month

This year's theme for National Women's History Month is "Women Taking the Lead To Save Our Planet." Every year the National Women's History Project (NWHP) chooses women in history to honor. Because of the focus on women involved in protecting the earth, they are featuring Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring. She is considered to be the founder of the modern environmental movement. There are many other honorees, which include women from all walks of life and occupations, all of whom have been visionary leaders in helping us to become more aware of our need to care for our planet. For more information, click on the link below:

http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/national-women-s-history-month-salutes-green-women-leaders/

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Spring Forward to Florida

As we set our clocks forward today--wait a minute. Did you remember that today is the first day of Daylight Savings Time? No? Go change your clocks. We'll wait.

Good, you're back. As I was saying, as we set our clocks forward an hour, let us also cast a glance forward to the arrival of spring. It is, of course, already there in Florida, though they did just have another cold snap recently. Let's take a look now at spring through the lens of Norma Mitchum in central Florida.










Jealous? Well, don't be. Spring will arrive soon enough in your neighborhood and with it even more flowers blooming and birds singing. Enjoy the moment, whichever moment in time you find yourself. If you can't wait for spring, then you might try hopping a flight to central Florida for a week or two. I'm sure the airlines can squeeze in a few more of you.
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Approaching Spring Gets Winter Hiccups in the Pacific Northwest

"Shivering Crocuses" was taken by Flo Harrah of Canada. This shot was taken last week near Vancouver, B.C., during a brief snow hiccup in the midst of spring trying to replace winter.


"Mixed Mediums" was taken by Beth Mitchum of USA. This was taken in my yard on Puget Sound this morning. Last night we were "treated" to a snow/hail storm, which I dubbed "snailing" for lack of a better word. I had never seen this combination of precipitation forms before. It was as though Mother Nature got an artistic streak last night and decided to experiment with mixed mediums.


"Fairy Crossing" was also taken by Beth Mitchum in her yard on Puget Sound. I guess I should post a warning sign now for the fairies to watch their footing on the slick bricks.

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Sundays are Fundays!

From now on the Sunday editions of All Good News All Day Long are going to be devoted to photos from around the globe of beautiful scenes. So send your photos of flowers and animals and spring coming to your neighborhood. You can also send photos of your travels, once you get your boots laced up and your feet back on the road again. I need a break from blogging and really, a picture does paint a thousand words...so you will get fewer words on Sundays and still feel richer for it.

We will post photos only to this site and will not distribute them elsewhere without explicit approval. We ask readers to honor this policy as well. Any other action is an infringement of copyright law. All photos posted here are done so with permission from the photographer. If are interested in posting someone's photos at your website, contact us here at: allgoodnewsalldaylong@gmail.com and we'll pass on that request to the photographer in question. You will be contacted by the photographer directly regarding permissions. Everything on this website is copyrighted by law.

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Happy Reversal in Health News

A press release from Judy Waxman, Vice-President for Health and Reproductive Rights for the National Women's Law Center, reports that the Obama Administration has officially announced that it is taking action to rescind Bush's harmful "midnight HHS regulation." This action, a parting shot from the Bush Administration, threatened to undermine patients' access to vital health care services and information. It was particularly bad news for women's reproductive health issues and put women at grave risk. More news will become available in the coming month while this issue is being addressed. More information is available through the link below:

http://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=3514§ion=newsroom

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Gossip at the Watering Holes of the Vulnerable

President Obama is reversing Bush policy on endangered species by restoring the regulations that require U.S. agencies to consult with independent federal experts to determine if their projects have the potential to harm threatened and endangered species. President Bush had removed such restrictions, allowing agencies to implement programs without consulting either the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), thereby recklessly endangering vulnerable species. Today President Obama is issuing a presidential memorandum, which will require departments to consult with these two agencies once again on matters that potentially impact fragile habitats and species. This action will put us back in the place we were before the Bush administration loosened these restrictions. The departments of the Interior and Commerce will be also looking at whether a new rule needs to be established which codifies the traditional practice of consultation under the Endangered Species Act.

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2009/washington-post-03-03-2009.html

The state of California reverses August 2008 stance on state of the Pacific fisher. The California Fish and Game Commission has designated this mammal as a candidate to be listed as a threatened or endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act. They are also reviewing the species to determine if full protection is needed. The Commission originally had followed a recommendation by the Department of Fish and Game to reject the petition to list the Pacific fisher. When a public-records act request from the Center for Biological Diversity showed that most of the department’s own biologists had in fact supported accepting the petition, the commission decided to revisit its ruling. The fisher may also end up as a candidate for federal protection. Although the Bush administration decided in 2004 that the Pacific fisher needed federal protection, it claimed there was a lack of resources to provide that protection. With the change in administration, it is likely that the fisher will fall under federal protection in the near future.

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2009/pacific-fisher-03-05-2009.html
Editor of AGNADL

Green Hair Anyone?

Okay, well, how about a green hair salon then? Read about how Kara Walston is thriving with her eco-friendly hair salon--Hush Hush Bang Bang in Costa Mesa, California. It evolved from her practice of being environmentally friendly at home and just naturally extended to her business too. If you're an east coaster, you could check out Sprout: An Organic Salon in Baltimore, where according to Melissa Daum, the manager, when her clients walk inside, they aren’t accosted with the smell of ammonia. Instead, they’re greeted by natural fragrances. Hey, I might be able to go to a place like that. They even recycle their hair clippings. If you're in Jersey, you can visit a salon that's so green, even the name is green. Verde, French for green, is located in Collingsworth, New Jersey. You can recycle your old hair dryers and curling irons there and get a 15% discount on new products. If the old items still work, they get donated to a woman's shelter. To learn more about these fabulously green-built and green-operated salons, click on the link below:

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39407

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Walking for Water in the City of Angels

Walking seems to be a recurring theme I'm encountering today. Think it's a message? Yep, me too. But here's some news for you folks in L.A. There's going to be a "Walk for Water" event on March 22, 2009. For the press release and more information about this awareness raising event, click on the links below:

http://www.marchforwater.com/marchforwater/March_for_Water.html

http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5985/content.jsp?content_KEY=5365

For those of you who don't live in Los Angeles and won't be able to get involved with this event, you can still read up on it and make the switch to tap water from bottled water, if you haven't already. Stainless bottles are extremely durable and can be refilled and cleaned over and over again. No chemicals leaching into your water from the breakdown of toxins in plastic bottles and no landfill pile-ups from discarded water bottles. If you need to filter out unpleasant tastes or odors in your water, there are plenty of companies out there that have been manufacturing filtration systems for years. I use a Brita system and have two stainless steel water bottles I fill all day long. Make sure your water bottle is not plastic-lined. I've seen a few stores trying to pawn these off on partially-aware consumers, but your water is still coming into contact with plastic, which may or may not be one of the safer types of plastics to use.

While you're walking with your snazzy stainless steel water bottle clipped to your belt, chant this Navajo prayer and embrace the beauty all around you.

"In Beauty may you walk.
All day long may you walk.
Through the returning seasons may you walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may you walk.
With grasshoppers about your feet may you walk.
With dew about your feet may you walk.

With Beauty may you walk.
With Beauty before you, may you walk.
With Beauty behind you, may you walk.
With Beauty above you, may you walk.
With Beauty below you, may you walk.
With Beauty all around you, may you walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
lively, may you walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
living again, may you walk.
It is finished in Beauty.
It is finished in Beauty."

Navajo Chant

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Happy News for the Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal, which is critically endangered and headed toward extinction, has a better chance now of making a comeback. The Marine Conservation Biology Institute reports that Hawaii is slated to receive millions of dollars in the new federal budget for the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan. These funds will help to save the monk seal, America’s most endangered marine mammal and one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world.

For more information on the Hawaiian monk seals and how you can help, click on the link below:

http://www.mcbi.org/what/monk_seals.html

Editor of AGNADL

Cruise Line Not Only Recycles, it Donates

Holland America, a Seattle-based cruise line started a new program last year. It's call Ship to Shelter. The program involves taking those unused portions of shampoos and lotions, sorting them into bins, and bringing them through customs to be donated to charitable organizations such as the Cooperative Feeding Program. They in turn give out the free supplies to homeless people. Although it's a lot more work for the cruise line to gather, sort, and get the items through customs, the extra work enables people who otherwise might not be able to afford these toiletry items to have free access to them.

According to Marti Forman, the CEO of the Cooperative Feeding Program in Florida, the program came not a moment too soon. With charitable donations down right now, many organizations don't have the extra funds to make toiletry items available. Feeding people has to be their first priority. Thanks to Holland America, they don't have to make a choice between giving out food and giving out self-care items to the homeless. Holland America has also expanded this donation movement to passing on televisions, uniforms, office supplies, plates, eating utensils, and pots and pans.

To learn more, click on the link below, and while you're thinking about it, consider making a donation of time, money, or unwanted goods to your local charity to give them a helping hand during a time when they can surely use it. I have several bags of donation items that are waiting in my garage for me to drop them off somewhere. This is the week I'll get off my duff and make good on that intention. What about you? What will you do this week?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/01/ship.to.shelter/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Editor of AGNADL

Who Knew? Some Interesting News Tidbits from Care2

Who knew that eating berries could help you stave off cancer? Or better yet, that using the freeze dried version of berries, specifically black raspberries, was even more effective? Link below to learn more about this nutrition magic:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/better-berries-to-fight-cancer.html

Who knew that breastfeeding was better than bottle-fed? Okay, so most of us already knew this, but did you know that more manufacturers are now making glass baby bottles to fill the need for a bottle parents can feel better about when mom expresses milk in advance to have it on hand for when she wants to escape for a little while? Well, they are, plus they're also making safer plastic bottles to use when you need something more lightweight. Link below to learn more about this:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/second-best-to-breast-glass-baby-bottles.html

Editor of AGNADL

Public Libraries are Alive & Well

Despite economic challenges in other sectors, the public library system is alive and well in the United States. Being a published author, I'm an unlikely candidate to be saying, "Why buy that book when you can check it out for free?" But I know there's a time and a place for everything, and if you need a reminder that there are lots of great free things to do in this world, here's a reminder that free books, videos, and music are only a library away. A world of ideas and a world of fantasy worlds awaits the mind eager for mental adventure and stimulation at your local library. Cost: Nothing. Value: Priceless.

Then when things turn around for you, and they will get better, go back and start buying lots and lots of books so people like me can afford to have time to write them. In case you weren't aware of it, most writers, unless they are monumentally famous, still have other jobs, leaving their writing to be squeezed into available free time slots. We use our free time to create something for you to read in your free time. So, yes, buying books is important. But if you need to cut back for a time, don't forget that you can still enjoy good reads without busting the budget. While you're at it, see if your library has a section of donated books that you can purchase at obscenely low prices, thus building your personal library while helping your local "Friends of the Library" volunteer groups help out your local branch. It's a win-win situation for the patron and the institution.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/socialist-propaganda-to-benefit-librarians-and-the-libraries-that-recruit-them.html

Editor of AGNADL

Laughing Babies

Regardless of what is happening in your life right now, this video is bound to make you smile and probably giggle too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HhCqRjjFGI&feature=PlayList&p=1425740C92CF433B&index=14

Editor of AGNADL

Take Charge of Your Health to Pay Less for Health Care

King County has instituted the "Healthy Incentives" program to create a culture of self-care among county employees. It ties the cost of health care to the commitment their workers make to take better care of themselves through diet and exercise. The principle behind this is that these wellness-focused employees will have fewer lifestyle-based chronic illnesses, which cost more in terms of medical costs, absentee rates, and personal tragedies. Although health care costs are on the rise, instead of passing on a higher share of health care cost to employees, the program actually lowers costs for those people who do the work of self care, taking part in health-enhancing activities. Not everyone is thrilled about the program because of the levels of accountability involved, but others are glad someone is holding them to their commitments.

For more info, click on the Seattle Times article link below:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2008798417_wellness01m.html

Editor of AGNADL

More signs that spring is around the corner. These photos are from Brownsville, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula. Send us your photos that show that spring is on its way to your neighborhood.


Editor of AGNADL