BOGOTA, Colombia
The freeing of the 15 hostages of the Colombian rebel group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) has been confirmed. Reunited with their families, the former hostages are all reported to be elated and surprisingly healthy.
The rescue operation, first reported to have been something like a careful negotiation, is now revealed to have been a daring deception! Military rescue personal disguised as FARC members managed to convince the captives' guards that they were transporting the hostages in a helicopter. No one, even the hostages, suspected a rescue mission until they were well on their way to safety. Then the real rebels were overpowered and the hostages were told "We're the national army. . . You're free."
Famed hostage Ingrid Betancourt described the reunion with her family as "Nirvana, paradise — that must be very similar to what I feel at this moment. . . It was because of them that I kept up my will to get out of that jungle."
For the full story, visit http://news.aol.com/story/_a/freed-hostage-reunited-with-children/20080702152709990002
Thursday, July 3, 2008
"Urban Trails" Get Moving
MICHIGAN
The West Michigan Trails and Greenway Coalition is taking significant steps in order to increase the number of sidewalks, which they refer to as 'urbain trails' in their area. The community has expressed a desire for more sidewalks in order to allow for easier and more extensive circulation for those people in wheelchairs, as well as for the general public to get out of their cars and get walking! The grant's sponsors have been happily surprisd with just how universally supportive the community is. If the Federal Government approves this 'rails to trails' funding, then the residents of West Michigan will gain $50 million dollars to put towards their goal of decreasing people's dependency on cars, clearly a public benefit in this time of increased concern over enviromental issues and Michigan's suffering economy. The Disability Advocates of Kent County also report that they have been very impressed by the reaction of the community in favor of making the town more accessible for handicapped citizens.
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/grant_sought_for_urban_trails.html
The West Michigan Trails and Greenway Coalition is taking significant steps in order to increase the number of sidewalks, which they refer to as 'urbain trails' in their area. The community has expressed a desire for more sidewalks in order to allow for easier and more extensive circulation for those people in wheelchairs, as well as for the general public to get out of their cars and get walking! The grant's sponsors have been happily surprisd with just how universally supportive the community is. If the Federal Government approves this 'rails to trails' funding, then the residents of West Michigan will gain $50 million dollars to put towards their goal of decreasing people's dependency on cars, clearly a public benefit in this time of increased concern over enviromental issues and Michigan's suffering economy. The Disability Advocates of Kent County also report that they have been very impressed by the reaction of the community in favor of making the town more accessible for handicapped citizens.
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/grant_sought_for_urban_trails.html
New Silver Dollar First US Coin with Braille
Dallas, TX, US
In the spring of next year, a special new silver dollar will be available. The coin is to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birthday. Braille, of course, is the inventor of the tactile alphabet used by the blind.
The coin will feature Braille's portrait beneath the word "Liberty" on one side, with a picture of a schoolboy reading Braille with a crane perched on his arm on the other. Also, above the boy, will be the Braille character for "Braille," making this coin the first of its kind. While all US coins are recognizable to the blind by their size and texture, none yet have actual Braille characters printed on them.
"This is going to put Braille in front of people in a very dramatic way," said Chris Danielson, a spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind. NFB Executive Director Mark Riccobono said "It really expresses the hopes, the dreams and the independent spirit."
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/02/braille.coin.ap/index.html
In the spring of next year, a special new silver dollar will be available. The coin is to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birthday. Braille, of course, is the inventor of the tactile alphabet used by the blind.
The coin will feature Braille's portrait beneath the word "Liberty" on one side, with a picture of a schoolboy reading Braille with a crane perched on his arm on the other. Also, above the boy, will be the Braille character for "Braille," making this coin the first of its kind. While all US coins are recognizable to the blind by their size and texture, none yet have actual Braille characters printed on them.
"This is going to put Braille in front of people in a very dramatic way," said Chris Danielson, a spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind. NFB Executive Director Mark Riccobono said "It really expresses the hopes, the dreams and the independent spirit."
To read more, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/02/braille.coin.ap/index.html
Puppy Mill Refugees on Their Way to Safe Homes
FLORIDA
Over 100 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Tennessee, where they were found living in abominable conditions, were successfully transported to a Humane Society Facility in southern Florida. Over 1000 people then lined up in order to adopt these puppies and give them a new chance at a happy life.
the Update:
http://www.local10.com/family/16767513/detail.html
the original story:
http://www.local10.com/news/16744036/detail.html
Over 100 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Tennessee, where they were found living in abominable conditions, were successfully transported to a Humane Society Facility in southern Florida. Over 1000 people then lined up in order to adopt these puppies and give them a new chance at a happy life.
the Update:
http://www.local10.com/family/16767513/detail.html
the original story:
http://www.local10.com/news/16744036/detail.html
Angel at the Post Office
Tuscon, AZ, US
If you're a big fan of the "Best of Craigslist," you may already know this story. It's not a brand new bit of news. In fact, I read it months before the GNG was created. However, I remembered this story this morning and felt compelled to pass it along. From the Best of Craigslist, by an anonymous poster in Tuscon, AZ:
"This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God"
For a picture of Meredith and Abbey, visit the original post at http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/tus/487665904.html
If you're a big fan of the "Best of Craigslist," you may already know this story. It's not a brand new bit of news. In fact, I read it months before the GNG was created. However, I remembered this story this morning and felt compelled to pass it along. From the Best of Craigslist, by an anonymous poster in Tuscon, AZ:
"This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God"
For a picture of Meredith and Abbey, visit the original post at http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/tus/487665904.html
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