Apalachihola, FLA, US
Fish and wildlife authorities were summoned to a quiet neighborhood near Alligator Point, FLA, last Saturday to investigate reports of a wild bear roaming the streets. Indeed, a 375 lb male black bear was discovered in the town, and quickly shot with a tranquilizer dart. The beast, however, managed to lumber off into the Gulf of Mexico before succumbing to the dart's drug, putting itself in imminent danger of drowning.
Adam Warwick, fish and wildlife biologist, didn't hesitate to come to the helpless animal's rescue. Rushing into the sea, he managed to wrestle the huge body back to shore, where it was hoisted on to a truck and safely relocated to Osceola National Forest.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
After Half a Century, Legendary Pranksters Come Forward
University of Cambridge, UK
It was June of 1958 when the students and staff of Cambridge University awoke to the greatest stunt and mystery they had ever seen: a car parked on the apex of he Senate House roof. Police and city officials were bamboozled, and failed in every attempt to get the car back down. Eventually, it was blow-torched in to pieces and removed bit by bit. Over the years, no one was able to solve the mystery of how the Austin Seven had gotten there. Only the Dean of Caius, Rev Hugh Montefiore, had a feeling he knew the culprits, and rather than turning them in, he sent them a case of champagne.
Now, 50 years later, the group of 12 engineering students lead by Peter Davey has come forth at their class reunion. At long last, they've revealed the secret of how they hoisted the Austin Seven to the top of the 70-ft building using scaffolding, some steel rope, and a couple of pretty girls to distract any passersby who became suspicious. The groups only regret? That the car wasn't left as a monument for all too see.
Read the full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1030091/Revealed-50-years-The-secret-greatest-student-prank.html
It was June of 1958 when the students and staff of Cambridge University awoke to the greatest stunt and mystery they had ever seen: a car parked on the apex of he Senate House roof. Police and city officials were bamboozled, and failed in every attempt to get the car back down. Eventually, it was blow-torched in to pieces and removed bit by bit. Over the years, no one was able to solve the mystery of how the Austin Seven had gotten there. Only the Dean of Caius, Rev Hugh Montefiore, had a feeling he knew the culprits, and rather than turning them in, he sent them a case of champagne.
Now, 50 years later, the group of 12 engineering students lead by Peter Davey has come forth at their class reunion. At long last, they've revealed the secret of how they hoisted the Austin Seven to the top of the 70-ft building using scaffolding, some steel rope, and a couple of pretty girls to distract any passersby who became suspicious. The groups only regret? That the car wasn't left as a monument for all too see.
Read the full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1030091/Revealed-50-years-The-secret-greatest-student-prank.html
Friday, June 27, 2008
Non-Profit Organization Comes to Farmers' Rescue
Ellendale, ND
North Dakota farmer Richard Olson feared for his family's livelihood when he suffered a debilitating accident last year. Without being physically able to plant the farm's crops, Olson faced the prospect of renting out their land and loosing the farm forever.
Thanks to Bill Gross, professional UPS pilot, that didn't happen. In his spare time, Gross runs an organization to help struggling farmers like Olson to make it through the year. Gross, who grew up on a farm, recalls how different farming used to be: "Years ago, when there was an accident or an injury, neighbors would usually come and help each other. Nowadays, there are fewer family farms and fewer children on those farms, and it's just not as easy for neighbors to help one another anymore." It's no wonder, when you consider that the number of farms in the US has dropped 67% since 1910.
Gross's organization, Farm Rescue, aids families like the Olsons by helping with the planting and harvesting - not by giving handouts. Says Gross, "We don't give out money to farmers, this is not a handout or a bailout for any farm family. It's just to help them through the year so they can continue." And it's working. Of the 60 or so farmers Farm Rescue has helped, "[m]ost of [their] cases are success stories where [they] help the family out and the next year they're able to do it on their own."
Read the full story at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/06/25/heroes.gross/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
North Dakota farmer Richard Olson feared for his family's livelihood when he suffered a debilitating accident last year. Without being physically able to plant the farm's crops, Olson faced the prospect of renting out their land and loosing the farm forever.
Thanks to Bill Gross, professional UPS pilot, that didn't happen. In his spare time, Gross runs an organization to help struggling farmers like Olson to make it through the year. Gross, who grew up on a farm, recalls how different farming used to be: "Years ago, when there was an accident or an injury, neighbors would usually come and help each other. Nowadays, there are fewer family farms and fewer children on those farms, and it's just not as easy for neighbors to help one another anymore." It's no wonder, when you consider that the number of farms in the US has dropped 67% since 1910.
Gross's organization, Farm Rescue, aids families like the Olsons by helping with the planting and harvesting - not by giving handouts. Says Gross, "We don't give out money to farmers, this is not a handout or a bailout for any farm family. It's just to help them through the year so they can continue." And it's working. Of the 60 or so farmers Farm Rescue has helped, "[m]ost of [their] cases are success stories where [they] help the family out and the next year they're able to do it on their own."
Read the full story at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/06/25/heroes.gross/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thursday, June 26, 2008
After 8 "Deaths," Kristy Sanderson Looks Forward to Sweet 16
15 year-old Kristy Sanderson must be part feline, because she's living her ninth life. Born with serious heart problems, she was expected to live only a few weeks. Doctors attempted open-heart surgery on the infant with disastrous results; she died a total of 8 times on the operating table. Miraculously, the surgeons were able to resuscitate baby Kristy and fit her with the world's tiniest pacemaker.
Kristy's had to have the pacemaker changed out a few times since then. And, for the rest of her life, she'll have to get a new one every 8-10 years. Still, says the teen, "There’s barely a day that goes by when I don’t think how lucky I am to be alive."
Kristy is able to lead a normal life, and is looking forward to her 16th birthday.
Read the full story at http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/49709/Sweet-16-the-girl-who-died-8-times-as-a-baby
Kristy's had to have the pacemaker changed out a few times since then. And, for the rest of her life, she'll have to get a new one every 8-10 years. Still, says the teen, "There’s barely a day that goes by when I don’t think how lucky I am to be alive."
Kristy is able to lead a normal life, and is looking forward to her 16th birthday.
Read the full story at http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/49709/Sweet-16-the-girl-who-died-8-times-as-a-baby
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
3 year-old Successfully Calls 911 for Ailing Mother
Guthrie, OK
3 year-old Madelyn Eaves knew just what to do when her mommy fell down in a faint, thanks to a simple song she'd been taught: "911, green!" Her mother, 24 year-old Jessica Eaves, suffers from vasovagal syncope, a condition which causes her to faint regularly. By itself, the condition is not life-threatening. However, Ms. Eaves is three months pregnant, and even a slight fall could be hazardous to her health and the baby's. That's why, just a week before she fainted, Ms. Eaves taught her daughter the simple lyrics "911, green!" and showed her how to press the number buttons, followed by the green button on her BlackBerry phone. 911 operators were able to reach the house by asking little Madelyn questions about her house and the cars parked nearby. What a clever mommy and daughter combo!
To learn more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371229,00.html
3 year-old Madelyn Eaves knew just what to do when her mommy fell down in a faint, thanks to a simple song she'd been taught: "911, green!" Her mother, 24 year-old Jessica Eaves, suffers from vasovagal syncope, a condition which causes her to faint regularly. By itself, the condition is not life-threatening. However, Ms. Eaves is three months pregnant, and even a slight fall could be hazardous to her health and the baby's. That's why, just a week before she fainted, Ms. Eaves taught her daughter the simple lyrics "911, green!" and showed her how to press the number buttons, followed by the green button on her BlackBerry phone. 911 operators were able to reach the house by asking little Madelyn questions about her house and the cars parked nearby. What a clever mommy and daughter combo!
To learn more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371229,00.html
Outward Bound Team Safe and Sound
Fresno, CA, US
Searchers have found nine missing teenagers and two missing adults who were part of an Outward Bound hike in the central Sierra Nevada. All eleven of them are fine. The group failed to meet up with the next guide in their journey, and were officially reported missing on Wednesday. Fortunately, just hours after the report, the group was found safe at the Florence Lake Store, where they had hiked to call for help.
For details, visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-25-hikers-california_N.htm?csp=34
Searchers have found nine missing teenagers and two missing adults who were part of an Outward Bound hike in the central Sierra Nevada. All eleven of them are fine. The group failed to meet up with the next guide in their journey, and were officially reported missing on Wednesday. Fortunately, just hours after the report, the group was found safe at the Florence Lake Store, where they had hiked to call for help.
For details, visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-25-hikers-california_N.htm?csp=34
Coming Soon to an Airline Near You: In-Flight Internet Acces
If you're anything like me, by now you're used to hearing the latest "how-the-airlines-are-going-to-screw-me-over-now" news stories. For the cause of saving the airlines' gas money, we've lost free baggage checking, free food, and free drinks. We have to pay extra to reserve window, aisle, and exit row seating. One by one, the pleasures of airline flying are being taken away.
That's why I was excited to read that American Airlines is trying a new approach: offering something extra. Starting Wednesday, passengers on select flights will be able to test in-flight internet service. In the coming weeks, the internet will be made more widely available, for a cost of about 10-13$, depending on flight length. There will not be any attempt by the airline to filter what passengers have access to; any inappropriate material, such as pornography, will fall under the same category as a carried-on magazine or DVD, and flight attendants will be responsible as always for enforcing protocol.
It remains to be seen whether this internet service will be worth the money. Of course, if it's painfully slow, intermittent, or otherwise unreliable, I don't imagine it'll take off. (No pun intended, but now that I've made it, HA!) On the other hand, if I could chat with my friends, watch You Tube videos, read movie trivia, or even update the Goose from 30,000 feet, I'd probably fork over the 10$. Sure is a hell of a lot more tempting than that 5$ bag of "trail mix".
To find out more, visit http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/coming-soon-internet-at-30000-feet/20080624143909990001
That's why I was excited to read that American Airlines is trying a new approach: offering something extra. Starting Wednesday, passengers on select flights will be able to test in-flight internet service. In the coming weeks, the internet will be made more widely available, for a cost of about 10-13$, depending on flight length. There will not be any attempt by the airline to filter what passengers have access to; any inappropriate material, such as pornography, will fall under the same category as a carried-on magazine or DVD, and flight attendants will be responsible as always for enforcing protocol.
It remains to be seen whether this internet service will be worth the money. Of course, if it's painfully slow, intermittent, or otherwise unreliable, I don't imagine it'll take off. (No pun intended, but now that I've made it, HA!) On the other hand, if I could chat with my friends, watch You Tube videos, read movie trivia, or even update the Goose from 30,000 feet, I'd probably fork over the 10$. Sure is a hell of a lot more tempting than that 5$ bag of "trail mix".
To find out more, visit http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/coming-soon-internet-at-30000-feet/20080624143909990001
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