UK Hostage Released in Iran

After two and a half years as a hostage in Iran, Peter Moore has finally been released.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8435075.stm

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Pugs Vacation at Oregon Coast

This is an awesome video of a pug taking the kids to the Oregon Coast.  It is very well done and quite enjoyable.  A big thank you for my neighbor, Jocelyn, who is part of the Pug Rescue efforts in the Seattle area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FcFfsnHzEI

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Soccer-Playing Pachyderms

Does your elephant play soccer?  No?  Well, check out this video to see a few who do.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20091230/video/vod-jumbo-crowds-watch-elephant-soccer-4390867.html

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Christmas Miracle Birth

A huge thank you to Lee Harris, author of Never Let Your Cat Make Lunch for You, for this story link.  It is an amazing story of a Christmas Eve double death/life situation.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/miracle-mom-baby-die-labor-revived/story?id=9442043

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Latin America Opens the Door a Crack for Same-Sex Marriage

The first same-sex marriage was performed in Argentina on December 28, 2009.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/28/argentina.gay.marriage/index.html

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Australian Man Redistributes Belongings at Christmas

You know the saying, "One man's wealth is another man's treasure."  One Australian man started giving away his possessions at Christmas time last year and is back at it this year.  Those who are in need of items, simply come to where he has his wares displayed and take away whatever they want.  What a great idea.  There are so many of us who have way too much, while some of us don't have what we need.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BN08420091224

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Silent Film Animal Fun

Adjust your viewing screens to maximum cuteness. The footage of the panda cub and mom is long, but adorable. If you pay attention to the herky jerky maneuvers of cub, you'll get some idea of what it is like to move through the world with severe vertigo.  I swear you could juxtapose footage of me trying to get to the bathroom in the dark of night, and the choreography would be astoundingly similar. Substitute the mama bear for my bed. Of course, I don't view this experience in my life as anything resembling cute, but the pandas are precious.

Thanks goes to Gimundo.com for this video tipoff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUuRD1p4PSk&feature=player_embedded



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Cute Animal Videos

Here are some cute animal videos to help make your day.

http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/beyond-cute-animal-videos-teach-humans-how-to-be/

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Loads of Good News Sites

Since I started this blog, I have discovered lots and lots of good news sites.  I plan to let this one fold at the one year anniversary mark.  It has served its purpose and now there are many places to find good news.  I am including a list of those sites and will include it again at the folding on this blog which will be on January 20, 2010, exactly one year after this blog started.  Many thanks for your faithful readership.  It's been a learning experience and a lot of fun.

http://www.happynews.com/
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
http://www.goodnewsblog.com/
http://gimundo.com/

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White Christmas in the Florida Keys?

The Weather Channel is making a white Christmas for one neighborhood on Summerland Key in Florida.  What better place to host a temporary snowstorm?  It's 70 degrees outside, but there's a huge mound of snow in the yard of one family.  The whole neighborhood has gathered to enjoy it.

http://www.weather.com/tv/programs/WhiteChristmas.html

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Goodwill Santa

A tough year got amazingly easier for 100 people who encountered the Goodwill Santa in Portland, Maine.  Thanks to Gimundo.com for this good news article.
http://gimundo.com/news/article/maine-secret-santa-hands-out-10000-at-goodwill-shop/

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US Senate Passes Health Care Bill

It is interesting to me that this articles states that the bill guarantees access to health insurance rather than to health care.  That seems skewed to me still.  Shouldn't the focus be on access to quality health care rather than access to health insurance?  That still leaves the insurance system as the focal point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/health/policy/25health.html?_r=1&hp

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Seattle Tops US Cities for Being Literate (Again)

One of the things that made me happy to move to Seattle 16 plus years ago was that it had the most libraries and bookstores per capita.  The city ranks as one of the top US cities in this category every year.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-12-21-literate-cities_N.htm

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Second Boeing 787 Takes Flight

A second dreamliner has lifted off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

http://www.nwcn.com/news/business/Second-787-to-fly-tomorrow-79860917.html

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Santa Cops Making the Season Brighter

Pierce County, Washington police officers have been delivering Christmas to unsuspecting needy families for years.  

http://www.nwcn.com/video/featured-videos/Santa-Cops-deliver-gifts-to-families-in-need-79878792.html



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Same Sex Marriage Rights Granted in Mexico City

Same-sex marriages and adoptions have been legalized in Mexico City.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/21/mexico.gay.marriage/index.html

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Uganda Bans Female Genital Mutilation

No, it isn't a pleasant topic for discussion, but it is good news indeed that Uganda has outlawed female genital mutilation.

http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/ugandan-parliament-outlaws-female-genital-mutilation/

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Health Bill Passes the Senate

So the US is making some progress towards health care reforms.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/us/21vote.html?_r=1

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Preliminary Legislative Panel in Vermont Votes Against ATV Use on State Land

More to come on this in January when the full legislation takes on this issue in January.

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2009/associated-press-12-15-2009.html

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Getting Closer to Health Care Reform?

According to the news coming in, we're getting closer to an agreement on health care reform.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/health/policy/20health.html?_r=1&hp

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Making Headway in Copenhagen

Key heads of state reach an agreement in regards to climate change action.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8421935.stm

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Amazing Story About a Man and His Mugger

Many thanks to Gimundo.com for two really good news stories today that I want to pass on to my readers.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/man-buys-dinner-for-his-mugger/

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Falling in Love Over a Plane Crash?

Most people know when and where they met their spouse or partner and can offer lots of interesting details, but this couple's story is really unusual in how they met.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/flight-1549-survivors-fall-in-love-after-plane-crash/

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Ways to Give Green Gifts Through Charitable Giving

Ever feel like you really didn't need anything else but people around you are just determined to give you a gift during the holiday season?  Well, here's a way to give them a gift suggestion that keeps your cupboards, drawers, and closets from getting more cluttered.

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4960

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A Creative Way to Save Coral Reefs

Mexico opens a new marine museum.

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4962

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More Fuel-Efficient Boeing 787 Takes its Maiden Flight

The new Boeing 787 is more than just another pretty face on the runway.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2010517208_danny16.html

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Paying in Forward in the Diner

I love stories like this.  Thanks to Gimundo.com for providing the story for our 400th post.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/restaurant-diners-pay-it-forward-all-day-long/

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World's Biggest Wind Farm to Be Built in Oregon

The world's biggest wind farm is going to be built in Oregon, starting in 2010.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40827

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Washington, D.C. Votes in Favor of Same-sex Marriage Equality

The Washington, D.C. city council has voted 11 to 2 in favor of same-sex marriage equality bill.

http://www.passportmagazine.com/blog/index.php?/archives/424-Washington-D.C.-City-Council-Votes-in-favor-of-Marriage-Equality-Bill.html


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Boeing 787 on Maiden Voyage

The word finally does spring to mind automatically, I must say.

http://www.nwcn.com/news/business/Boeing-787-to-take-flight-today-79303707.html

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He Gets By With a Little Help from His Friends

Ever heard that saying, "If I'd thought I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of my body.  Well, Larry did take good care of his body and at 107 is still going strong.  However, his money isn't. But never fear, when you are as nice and happy a fellow as Larry, people look out for you.  Thanks to Gimundo.com for this great story.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/107-year-old-who-outlived-savings-gets-help-from-friends-and-strangers/

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Sometimes It Pays to Yell

Before they cut off life support for woman in coma, her husband yelled at her.  Her response?  She woke up!

http://gimundo.com/news/article/man-wakes-wife-from-coma-by-yelling-at-her/

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Greening Your Christmas Tree Options

Trying to figure out the greenest way to have a Christmas tree?  You're not alone.  Here are some facts that may help you decide.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/fake-real-greenest-christmas-tree.html

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It's Good to Let Your Kids Get Dirty

If you believe television commercials, then you'll think that the worst parents are those who allow any sort of bacteria to get near their children.  The opposite is actually closer to the truth.  Let your kids get dirty.  Exposure to a little dirt and bacteria helps their immune system develop healthfully.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/play-in-the-mud-stop-allergies.html

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Texans Elects Openly Gay Mayor

Um, er, well, you could knock me over with a lavender feather over this tidbit of news.  In Houston, no less.  Wonders never cease.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BC06920091213

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Bagless Brits

From Gimundo.com comes this link to an article about a town in England that kicked the plastic bag habit and started a trend.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/british-town-celebrates-a-year-without-plastic/

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Eco-Gift Wrapping Japanese Style

I have mostly given up gift wrapping these days, at least using regular gift wrapping paper.  I have been on a mission to find more eco-friendly ways to deliver gifts ever since our local recycling facility stopped taking gift wrapping paper several years ago.  At first they merely barred the foil-based wrap, which is entirely understandable.  I have to guess that people were trying to stick that in too with other holiday gift wrap, so they barred it totally.  Since then I have not bought any gift wrapping paper at all.  One year a lot of the earth-friendly charities I donate money to were sending out recycled paper for wrapping packages.  I used that until I ran out, but I have been supplementing wrapping paper with gift bags that can be reused many times over if you are careful with them.  Usually I simply reuse the bags I've gotten myself with gifts rather than going out and buying more.  Sometimes I use tissue paper because there is no recycling ban on tissue paper.  Some places may still be taking wrapping paper in their mixed paper recycling, and that is great, but I am always looking for ways to reduce my carbon footprint and since the holiday season is the worst time of the year in terms of garbage, I try to stay aware of alternate methods of gift wrapping/giving.  The link below takes you to another idea.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/eco-friendly-wrapping.html

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Edible London

To maintain a well-balanced diet, I recommended eating London.  Check out this video of the building of an edible model of the city of London.  Yeah, I know you have more important things to do, but what the heck?  This link comes to us via Gimundo.com.

http://gimundo.com/videos/view/edible-london-skyline/

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T'is the Season for Lovingkindness (All the Time)

In the midst of the craziness of the season, focus on lovingkindness.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/loving-kindness.html

Editor of AGNADL

Same Sex Marriage Rights Advance in NJ

A step backward in New York regarding same sex marriage, but a giant leap forward for their NJ neighbors.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/08/new.jersey.same.sex.marriage/index.html

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US Moving Forward in Health Care Reform

Is there light at the end of the tunnel in US health care reform?

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200912082117dowjonesdjonline000569&title=us-senate-democrats-reach-broad-agreementon-health-bill\

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A Gift That Keeps On Giving

Here's an interesting gift suggestion and even a good idea for the rest of the year.

http://precycle.tonic.com/

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Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

The following link takes you to a story about an unusual friendship amongst a bear, a lion, and a tiger.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40794

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In the Wrong Line of Work

Obviously I am in the wrong line of work.  I should be photographing my kitties in wigs.  Or better yet, letting someone else pay my superstar kitty models for a photo shoot.  I'd be their agents.  Three of my four cats have look-alikes in this video, so I already know how they look in wigs--styling.  Thanks to Gimundo.com for this video tidbit from the world of feline fashion.

http://gimundo.com/videos/view/kittens-in-wigs/

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Another Positive News Site

My good news today is that I found yet another upbeat, positive news site.  I think it is rather telling that when ordinary citizens start blogging news, there are plenty of people who want to read and report upbeat stuff over the sensational garbage we are often fed through the main media channels.

http://www.happynews.com/

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Promising Trend in the US Economy

With the number of job losses slowing down, the US economy is showing signs of turning around.

http://www.care2.com/causes/politics/blog/employment-poised-to-turn-positive/

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Ford is Already Making More Fuel-Efficient Cars

If our politicians would make it imperative that U.S. automakers sell cars with better fuel efficiency, then we could have cars like those Ford is already making and selling Europe.  The technology is already there.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40782

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U.S. Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly

For the first time since December 2007, the U.S. national unemployment rate decreased.  It dropped from 10.2% to 10%.  Although this isn't a huge drop, it is the best we've seen in two years and may signal the beginning of better times for workers in the United States and the economy overall.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125993225142676615.html?mod=rss_Today's_Most_Popular

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Coca-cola On the Path to Greenhood

Here's an update on the greening progress of cola giant, the Coca-cola corporation.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40776

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Beluga Whales May Get Some More Real Estate

Over 3000 square miles of the Cook Inlet in Alaska have been proposed by federal regulators as critical habitat for the beluga whales in that area.


http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2009/anchorage-daily-news-12-02-2009.html

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Coyote Stowaway

Still shaking my head over this story link submitted by Lee Harris, author of Never Let Your Cat Make Lunch for You.  Sometimes coyotes will go to tremendous links to hitch a ride to California.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/luckycoyote.asp

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Name Your OwnTaxi Fare

Thanks goes to Gimundo.com for this story about a cabbie in Vermont who lets his customers pay what they want to pay.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/taxi-driver-lets-passengers-pick-their-own-prices/

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Fueling From the Other End

One thing the world has a lot of is cow manure.  Why not put it to good use?  This farm in Vermont is doing just that.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40644

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Retailing Behemoth Making Positive Recycling Steps

When you hear the word "Walmart," you don't generally think of a green company.  Whatever you thought in the past, you may have to change your thinking because that, it seems, is what Walmart is starting to do as a company.  Click the link to read about recycling improvements the company is making.

http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/wal-mart-announces-plan-for-recycling-cardboard-waste/

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