Hate group?

The Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka KS is under fire.  They have picketed funerals of service men and women and now threatened to picket at funerals for the Sandy Hook Elementary victims.  They say that God is punishing America for it's tolerance of gays and lesbians and use that platform to protest.  Several petitions have been started on the White  House website to label the church as a hate group.  The petitions have reached 475,000 signatures which is way more than the 25,000 needed to receive a White House response.  hate group

Christmas card record

A young boy wants to make the Guinness Book of World Records by receiving the most Christmas cards.  He wants to see it happen before he dies.  Dalton Dingus is 9 and doctors sent him home with only one week to live.  Since his request for Christmas cards has gone worldwide, his health is improving.  His mother says that he's laughing more and she calls it "A Christmas miracle."  Christmas card wish

No more candy cigarettes

A soda shop in St. Paul has pulled the candy cigarettes from their shelves.  Even though it was their best selling candy, they don't want to be in trouble with a law that states fake smokes and cartoon lighters cannot be sold.  The law is aimed at keeping kids from picking up the habit of smoking.  soda shop

11-year old makes a difference to soldiers

Savannah has her own soldiers.  Young children who write letters to US servicemen and women.  She started the letter writing campaign when a friend's father was sent to Afghanistan.  She wanted to write a letter to each of the 700 in his group.  As she found out that this was going to be more than she could handle alone, she enlisted the help of others and now sends to more groups. Her friend's father has returned home just in time for Christmas and told her that it was very uplifting to get the letters and see the smiles on faces as he passed them out.  Savannah's Soldiers

Is there life out there?

A sun close to our own solar system has been discovered that may have 5 planets in it's system.  One of which looks to be a "water planet" that could sustain life as we know it.  habitable planet?   

Never diet again

This is written by someone in the UK but this is also a good project for us here in the US.  The dieting industry makes billions of dollars a year on a product that doesn't actually work.  Then people are blamed for not trying hard enough.  Statistics show that yo-yo dieting is worse for you than being big.  It is the healthy habits that work even if you don't lose weight.  It's time we stop shaming people and start accepting that we are all different.  So this year, the new years resolution is to get rid of all those diet books and supplies.  Read about it here.

golden retrievers sent to help

Lutheran Church Charities from Addison IL has sent 8 golden retrievers to help comfort people after the Sandy Hook shooting.  Their first job was attending the funerals of the first two victims buried on Monday.  The dogs are nonjudgemental, loving, and accepting of everyone.  It makes it so easy for those grieving to open up with the dogs even if it's just to pet them.  golden retrievers

Twinkies are back!!!

Well...almost.  They should be available to fill Easter baskets next year.  It seems that Hostess has about 2 dozen companies bidding on their products.  It looks like Walmart may be a front-runner when it comes to buying Twinkies.  If they win the bidding war, I wonder if they'll allow other retailers to sell them.  It's not the end of Twinkies.

Keep on Truckin' Team Jayden

Jayden Lamb would've been 9 on 12-12-12.  Unfortunately Jayden passed away on November 27 after a battle with cancer.  His family has started a campaign to pay it forward in his honor.  They have been doing random acts of kindness for strangers and urge others to do the same.  They've got a facebook page and want those that join "Keep on Truckin' Team Jayden" to post on the facebook page about what they've done to help others.  It doesn't have to be monetary; just pay it forward with kindness.  An anonymous donor dropped a ring valued at $2,000 into a Salvation Army kettle along with a  note that said, "paying it forward Jayden style. God bless."  Jayden Lamb remembered

Quick thinking Santa

The Mall Santa at Boise Town Square Mall was ready for a sleeping baby.  When a mother was about to leave the line without having her little one's picture taken because he had fallen asleep, Santa convinced her to bring him up anyway.  He then pretended to be asleep on his oversized chair with the sleeping baby on his tummy.  The picture has gone viral.  smart Santa

Smart cups

Drink Savvy is a company that has created products that will change color if it comes in contact with date rape drugs.  This could possibly save a lot of people from unknowingly ingesting the drugs.  smart cups

monkey visits Ikea

A monkey dressed in a coat was found wandering around the parking lot at an Ikea store.  It was cornered by store employees who waited for animal control to arrive.  The monkey is now at a shelter and it's owner is fighting to be reunited with her "family member."  wandering monkey

Elf on the Shelf

The LeBonheur Hospital in Marietta Georgia is always looking for ways to help their patients beyond simply providing them with medical care.  The children's hospital treats about 250,000 each year.  Their window washers dressed up like super heroes and plan to make it a regular occurrence.  Now Elf on the Shelf has arrived.  One on each floor and nurses are already seeing changes in some patients.  Elfy visitors. 

man lives in canoe

Michael Richard Smith is living in a 14 foot canoe in Boston's inner harbor.  He docks and pitches a tent at night.  Everything he owns is in his canoe.  It doesn't worry him that everything is out in the open because those that could get to him would have to be in boats and he says that boat people stick together.  Because he's kept to recreational areas, the Police and Coast Guard are leaving him alone.  canoe home

website for White House petitions

The White House maintains a website for petitions launched by citizens.  Before any of the petitions will even be considered a response, they have to get 25,000 signatures.  There are some strange and crazy petitions listed there.  One wants a fully operational death star, another asks for a nationalized Twinkie industry, and yet one more claims we should have motorcycle riding judges who are judge, jury, and executioners.  petitions

The Bounty's last voyage

Captain Walbridge chose to take the Bounty out to sea when Hurricane Sandy approached.  It was a fateful mistake.  Him and one of his crew members lost their lives and the ship went to a watery grave.  If they had stayed in port, it was certain that the ship would suffer great damage but no lives would have been lost.  It was a difficult decision for the Captain but most in their right mind would've chosen lives over the ship.  details

No doomsday on December 21

The Government now has a website dispelling the myths about December 21.  It talks about "scary rumors about the world ending in 2012 are just rumors."  Those that believe the world will end on December 21 are going to be disappointed.  Hope is that those who are vulnerable will not do something crazy.  NO doomsday

Taylor Swift in Central Park

Taylor Swift was seen with Harry Styles from One Direction.  They were enjoying Sunday in Central Park with friends.  The zoo was on their agenda for the day.  They were photographed watching the seals.  outing

Homeless man barefoot again

The homeless man was given a pair of boots by Officer Lawrence DePrimo.  A tourist happened to take a photograph and it went viral.  The man was spotted barefoot again and when asked about the boots, he said that he had to hide them.  They're expensive boots and his safety would be in danger if he were wearing them.  Sad truth on the streets