January 10, 2008

Share Some Good Stuff

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here are some recent feel-great stories:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. ” We’ve all heard it, and we all know it’s false bravado. Ugly taunts do hurt and can lead to a lot of misery, especially when the target is a child. Val is sharing the news about No Name-Calling Week. Read the story and mark your calendar. Val wasn’t sure this qualifies as a good-news story. Huh? Sounds like Good Stuff to me!

My old Buddy dog will be going to his final sleep tomorrow if he makes it through the night tonight. It’s been hard watching him become more and more frail and knowing that this tme was coming. He quit eating two days ago and there’s nothing more I can do for him except to ease this last journey. I’m especially tuned to animal stories these days, so the recent news about a man who went the extra mile for a dog in trouble really lifted my spirits.

Have you checked the back pages of your local paper lately? Do yourself a favor and make it a point to find the good news that never makes the front page. Those little tidbits are a great antidote for the depression the “big stories” seem to leave in their wake. Make sure you send me a link when you’re moved to blog about something good going on in your community. I’ll hook you up the next time we Share Some Good Stuff and then we can all feel a little better about what this world is coming to!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

January 8, 2008

Boy Scout saves president

I was a Cub Scout den mother when my son was young. I wasn’t very good at it and handed the reins over to someone more competent after the first year. My son opted for baseball over scouting after a few years, so he never went on to become a Boy Scout. I’ve been trying to remember the civic lessons we emphasized during his scouting years and I’m pretty sure “jumping in front of an assassin’s knife” never came up. The values that would spur one to do that were certainly stressed, though, and the world is today saluting an amazing young man who didn’t hesitate when he saw a chance to act.

Boy Scout Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim is being hailed as a hero in the Maldives after he stopped a man with a knife from killing President Abdul Gayoom.

“This fellow in the crowd with a knife in his hand attempted to stab the president in his stomach,” government spokesman Mohammad Shareef tells the Associated Press. “But a 15-year-old boy came in the way, and grabbed the knife. One brave boy saved the president’s life.”

Read the entire story at USA Today.

I don’t know how badly his hand was injured, but a report at International Herald Tribune states that he was unable to move some fingers after the incident. I hope the international community will help supply whatever support he might need to get back full use of his hand. I, for one, will gladly contriubte towards purchasing whatever exercise equipment he made need to help with rehab. Join me, won’t you, in saluting this young man who exemplifies all that the Boy Scouts stand for?

Photo credit:Haveeruonline

Technorati Tags: assassination attempt, Boy Scouts, current events, heroes, Maldives, Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, news

January 3, 2008

Share Some Good Stuff!

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here are some recent feel-great stories:

I think that I’m as excited as Val is about the search engine that is helping her support her favorite local charity. This is something we all can do, folks, so make sure you check it out!

Martin knows good citizenship when he sees it and wants to commend MIT for giving their course materials to African shcools that would not have been able to access it through regular online resources.

I can’t quit smiling about the recent news of a Hawaiian Monk Seal sighting on one of our local beaches, though I’m disappointed not to have seen it in person.

You don’t have to share your own local good news if you’re shy, but I hope you’ll make it a point to seek it out for your own benefit. I guarantee you’ll feel better about life once you’ve basked in the glow of some feel-good news. And hey - I’m here for you if you do want to share it. Send me the link to your good news story and I’ll include it in our next roundup of The Good Stuff

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

Hawaiian Monk Seal sighting

The Hawaiian name is `Ilio holo I ka uaua , “dog that runs in rough waters.” Better known as the Hawaiian Monk Seal, it is one of only two mammals believed to be endemic to our islands.* They are considered the most endangered marine species, with somewhere between 1200 and 1500 Hawaiian Monk seals thought to exist today. “Endemic” is the term used to identfy species which developed here and are found nowhere else in the world. Many people who have lived here for decades have never seen this beautiful, rare creatures, so it was a great surprise when one decided to spend New Years Day sunning on a popular beach on Oahu. The charming pinniped quickly drew a crowd of admiring onlookers who were held at bay by hastily constructed barriers. It’s against the law to approach or harrass our endangered seals, and most folks are aware of protection laws and respectful of the seals. Our delightful visitor was able to nap unmolested by its thoughtful admirers. It’s rumored that this may be the same seal which has been spotted on a beach at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station for several weeks. Unlike other species of seals which gather in large groups, Hawaiian Monk Seals are loners and rarely seen together (except for mothers and pups.) I’ve heard that Hawaiian Monk Seals are sometimes seen along the hiking trail to Kaena Point, the westernmost point on Oahu, but I’ve never seen one when I’ve made the hike. Maybe some day!

You can learn more about Hawaiian Monk Seals at the page dedicated to them on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

*the only other mammal endemic to our islands is the Hoary bat.

Photo credit: Craig Rowland for the USFWS

Technorati Tags: endangered species, Hawaii, Hawaii marine life, Hawaiian Monk Seal

December 27, 2007

Share Some Good Stuff!

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here are some recent feel-great stories:

Karen made me smile with her story of how the US Navy came to the rescue of a young girl who became ill aboard a cruise ship.

Val found an uplifting story about a forward-thinking social entrepreneurial program that is making life better for disabled adults.

Pelf’s submission is not a story from mainstream news sources, but just this once I’m bending the rules. Pelf is soliciting bloggers for a group-writing project titled 31 Ways to Save the Ocean. Go read her post, pick a topic and blog about the things we all can do to keep our oceans clean, healthy and productive.

Finally, I had to share the good news when the Keiki Slippah Project brought Christmas to local kids who live on the beaches or in homeless shelters.

I know there are many more encouraging stories out there, especially this time of year when good will abounds. A lot of my readers have scaled back their online time in favor of holiday activities and family togetherness this week. As the holidays wind down and we get back into our same old dull routines, I hope you’ll make it a point to look beyond the headlines for the Good Stuff, and then come share it with the rest of us! Post your story on your blog and submit the link to me anytime to be included in the next roundup!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

Share some Good Stuff

There are good news stories spilling out of the newspapers and over the airwaves this week, as the holiday spirit of goodness and charity overflows. Is there a feel-good story you’d like to share? Blog about a story from your own local news sources and send me the link. I’ll do a roundup this evening and hook you up with a link. Look beyond the ugly headlines today and Share Some Good Stuff!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

December 20, 2007

Share Some Good Stuff

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here’s some recent feel-great stories:

Corrin found a heart-warming (and foot-warming!) story about a twelve year old girl who is collecting Socks for Soldiers. She’s doing a spectacular job of it, too!

You all know that the problems of children and the homeless are the ones that tug most fiercely at my heartstrings. Karen blogged about an alumni association that is making a homeless child’s dream come true. That’s what I’m talking about!

My pal Val has some good news that hits closer to home. She’s very proud of her young son who got caught committing random acts of kindness. Knowing his mom, it doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s such a good kid!

And, finally - I had a hard time selecting good stuff to share this week simply because I found so many wonderful stories! The holidays bring out the best in people, and I shared several stories about good people doing good things. Ah, lucky we live Hawaii!

Does the front page of your local paper sometimes make you feel like the world is a terrible place? It’s not, you know, but you may have to do a little sleuthing to find the evidence. Skip over those bleak headlines every now and then and go right to the inside pages. Dig out the stories of hope and kindness. Make sure you let me know when you blog about the Good Stuff so I can help you share!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

Sharing Some Good Stuff

Good news stories abound this time of year. I’ve scoured local news sources so I could share some of them with you.

The Friends of Waianae Library are helping harried parents keep their keiki occupied during these last days of the countdown to Christmas. What are you going to do, now that the tree is decoreated, the gifts are all bought and wrapped, the menu is planned … and the little ones are restless and getting a little cranky with no school to distract them? If you live in Waianae you’re going to sign them up for the Twelve Days of Christmas at Waianae Library, which runs much like the summer reading programs offered by libraries everywhere. The children commit to read one book a day, and public libraries are also offerring public readings, puppet shows and other programs to keep the little ones occupied and save their parents sanity.

Folks around the island have been supporting various holiday giving programs and now are busy distributing gifts of aloha to families in need. I found a video on KGMB 9 News about Angel Tree gifts bringing the spirit of the season to children and even some seniors for whom Christmas would have been just another day without the generosity of strangers.

University of Hawaii med students have long provided a vital service by visiting homeless shelters and providing basic medical care. This week they’re putting away their stethoscopes and sharing some holiday goodwill. On Saturday the UH med students will host a party for the children at the Next Step transitional shelter in Kaka’ako. They’ll decorate the shelter, have cookie decorating and an ice cream sundae bar - all activites guaranteed to bring smiles to some children who have seen hard times!

One more good-news story: A lot of veterans of World War II still feel the gulf between our contry and Japan, never having gone beyond the animosity that abounded in those dark days. A group of US and Japanese veterans, recognizing that there’s not much time left to heal that breach, got together for a few days of fellowship and a softball game this week and found that new friendships can heal old wounds. Their game was played at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu, not too far from where I live. I wish I’d known in time to attend. I’m not much into sports, but I’d love to have cheered these eighty-year old ballplayers who were doing much more than just hitting balls and running bases!

The project that is most dear to my heart this holiday season is the The Slippah Fund, which my readers generously joined me in supporting. I’ll have an update and some first-person reporting for you in a few days. Watch for it!

Have you looked behind the headlines lately to find the good stuff hidden on the back pages? I know there are wonderful things going on in your neck of the woods, too, especially this time of year. Why not share it? Find a local good news story, write a post about it on your blog and send me the link. I’ll be doing a round-up of your Good Stuff late today!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

December 13, 2007

Share Some Good Stuff

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here’s some recent feel-great stories:

Two young people in Norwell, Massachusetts came up with a charitable program that benefits the givers as well as the recievers. Chatbug Karen shared their story.

The Kiwanis Club in Marlboro, New Jersey is looking out for kids who might not be able to look out for themselves Val is praising them and the other organizations that assisted the project.

In the aftermath of our recent storm, I found that adversity can bring out the best in people.

Isn’t there some good news in your own community that you’d like to share? Write a post about it and send me the link. I’ll hook you up with a link above. Let’s ignore the ugly headlines, dig down deep and Share Some Good Stuff!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

Good stuff around Hawaii

The storm that disrupted out lives last week was every bit as fierce as many hurricanes I’ve experienced. Here on the Waianae Coast it caused a lot of inconvenience, expense, stress … and a lot of goodwill. Neighbors helped neighbors get fallen trees off of their homes, folks shared defrosted food rather than toss it out and many of us had others coming to our doors just to make sure we were okay. The three bags of ice brought to me by a thoughtful neighbor were more valuable than gold. The storm struck on a Tuesday night and many (including my sub-division) did not get power back until Friday (there were even a few folks who had to wait longer than that.) By Saturday, though, life was getting back to normal, even for our neighbors who live on the beaches. I’m really proud of the way our community pulled together in the face of adversity.

In other news around the island, is there anyone who doesn’t know that Hawaii is going to the Sugar Bowl and a large contingent of loyal fans will be going with them? Out very own Colt Brennan came in third among Heisman Trophy finalists, proving it isn’t just local loyalties that make UH the team to watch!

We’ve long needed an affordable way to visit inter-island. The Hawaii Superferry has stirred a lot of controvery and the launch of service was delayed several times, but today may finally be the day that regular service becomes a reality. I can’t give it my 100% support - their initial foray should never have happened without proper studies of the impact on our sensitive marine environment, and the lack of cultural sensitivity was appalling. I hope today marks the beginning of a workable plan that will bring folks together in support of this valuable service.

Finally, foodie that I am, I can’t sign off without telling you that a future episode of No Reservation on The Travel Channel will feature Chef Anthony Bourdain eating local grinds. Everyone knows we live in paradise. Now you can all know about the aloha that goes into the foods we eat!

Have you looked behind the headlines lately to find the good stuff hidden on the back pages? Find a local good news story, write a post about it on your blog and send me the link. I’ll be doing a round-up of your Good Stuff late today!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme