September 2002

09.23.02: Had your fill of mean-spirited reality TV? One overlooked television program reveals the best in people without sugarcoating. [more] New York Times

09.20.02: In Philadelphia and eleven other cities, the marvelous transformation of abandoned lots reveals the power of community. [more] CNN.com

09.16.02: A regular feature in the Detroit Free Press offers common-sense solutions to the challenges of positive parenting. [more] Detroit Free Press

09.13.02: September 21 will be the first Peace One Day, and one small California town is leading the celebration. [more] Tahoe World (California)

09.12.02: Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela speaks out on the aftermath of September 11. [more] Newsweek/MSNBC.com

09.09.02: A supermodel making a difference? At least one is committed to improving self-esteem in teenage girls. [more] New York Times

09.06.02: The Sopranos may be television's most popular and most violent family, but can anything good come from the show? [more] BeliefNet.com

09.05.02: Sure, everyone knows bananas are a great source of potassium. But environmentally sound paper, too? [more] National Post (Canada)

August 2002

08.30.02: Learning by doing -- it's an educational formula that's worked for kids for fifty years. [more] Smithsonian Magazine

08.28.02: MeeWee Productions makes hip-hop music a positive, uplifting part of a child's education. [more] Duke (University) Magazine

08.23.02: A Palestinian voice of moderation and peace is striving to rise above the negative noise created by suicide bombers. [more] New Zealand Herald

08.22.02: A brain is a terrible thing to waste -- and it lasts longer better with nutrition and a good workout. [more] National Post (Canada)

08.21.02: The 2002 Earth Summit begins next week in Johannesburg, and the US won't be there. Will anyone take the lead on environmental sustainability? [more] CommonDreams.org

08.20.02: A constructive youth training project in Boston's South End puts a fresh new face on the historic Harriett Tubman House. [more] Boston Globe

08.19.02: Lilo Wittenborn's parents welcomed her into the world on the most bittersweet of days: September 11, 2001. [more] The Observer (London)

08.15.02: Two near-death experiences -- one on September 11 -- are just the catalysts one man needed to change his live for the better. [more] San Francisco Chronicle [SFGate.com]

08.14.02: With his wide-eyed daughter looking on, a father sets a positive example that honesty is always the best policy. [more] Seattle Times

08.13.02: There's hope in Israel that a new proposal to add a day to the weekend could work wonders for a nation on edge. [more] Jerusalem Post

08.12.02: A community historian brings a passionate spirit to her drive to bring dignity and honor to the generations of Filipino-Americans in Chicago. [more] The Chicago Reporter

08.09.02: A new book offers a fresh idea: give environmental resources an economic value, and we can both protect them and save public money at the same time. [more] Orion Magazine

08.06.02: In South Africa, a major mining company -- with nearly a quarter of its workforce HIV-positive -- makes aggressive AIDS treatment a benefit of employment. [more] BBC News

08.05.02: Manute Bol, the biggest -- and the tallest -- basketball player to ever come out of the Sudan, is spreading a message of shared humanity in the US and bringing hope to people back home. [more] New York Times

08.02.02: Boulder, Colorado is "un-chained" and a cut above when it comes to community support for locally owned businesses. [more] Utne.com (Utne Reader)

08.01.02: Teenagers agree: emotional cruelty from their peers is what concerns them the most. A new survey looks at ways to solve the problem. [more] CNN.com

July 2002

07.31.02: This summer, not one but many Washington DC museums are celebrating the contributions of extraordinary women. [more] New York Times

07.30.02: Hundreds of vacationers basking in the sun and surf of Cape Cod join the grassroots effort to keep forty stranded pilot whales alive. [more] CNN.com

07.29.02: Good news comes to lower Manhattan with the Irish Hunger Memorial, a moving tribute to a terrible, pivotal moment in history. [more]

07.25.02: Pop Smear, a benefit concert to be staged next month in Boston, will raise money and awareness for cervical cancer prevention. [more] popsmear.org

07.24.02: California takes the lead in the fight to curb global warming and makes the clean, green automobile the standard. [more] New York Times

07.23.02: Weight-training is not just for beauty-obsessed youth anymore. It can also help the young at heart avoid arthritis and other conditions of aging. [more] TIME Magazine

07.22.02: Well before most people even saw anything wrong with it, Anne Snyder fought tirelessly against the negative impact of suburban sprawl. [more] Washington Post

07.19.02: Great Britain designates one of its most sensitive marine habitats a "no-take zone" and initiates a new wildlife conservation strategy. [more] BBC News

07.18.02: Everyone knows women live longer than men. But why? A new study says it all about counting sheep. [more] National Post (Canada)

07.17.02: One multinational corporation may be poised to begin doing business more responsibly, thanks to the tireless dedication of a group of Nigerian women. [more] Salon.com

07.16.02: A new conservation organization is taking on the task of cultural preservation and hopes to protect China's Great Wall from a modern threat. [more] CNN.com

07.15.02: With the help of a cast of independent film icons including William H. Macy and Helen Mirren, Bill Porter's beautiful life becomes an uplifting new television movie. [more] New York Times

07.12.02: Explore photographer Sebastio Salgado's astonishing visual efforts to increase awareness of the quest to end polio throughout the world by 2005. [more] endofpolio.org

07.11.02: The astonishing, groundbreaking photographs of Ansel Adams have rallied people around the world to the cause of ecological conservation. [more] The Independent (UK)

07.10.02: In Bangor, Maine, schoolchildren from twelve different countries are preparing to sing in unison about the importance of nonviolence. [more] Common Dreams

07.09.02: Where endangered species are concerned, the news is rarely positive. But a new discovery in Syria gives hope to a rare bird. [more] BBC News

07.08.02: With her new book The Tiger Ladies, Kashmiri author Sudha Koul illuminates the human side of her embattled South Asian province and gives life to its strong women. [more] Boston Globe

07.03.02: These days, we all seem to be looking over our shoulders and fearing what's ahead. But what ever happened to looking forward to the future? [more] The Observer (UK)

07.02.02: Uganda's women farmers are taking advantage of a new CD-ROM that's helping them improve their harvests and the quality of their lives. [more] BBC News

07.01.02: A new photo book -- Magnum Soccer -- celebrates how the world's game is far bigger than all the things that keep people at odds. [more]

June 2002

06.28.02: In the world of positive and constructive news, World Hunger Year's Harry Chapin Media Awards recognize coverage of stories that increase understanding of global poverty. [more]

06.27.02: At ModestNeeds.org, sometimes $100 can make all the difference in the world to a person in need. [more]

06.26.02: For 108 youth who have dedicated the past two years to progressive public service, last night in Washington DC was their night. [more]

06.25.02: For the Iroquois, stunning beadwork formed the heart of a culture. Now, at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum, the beads continue preserve the tribe's identity. [more]

06.24.02: The late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl has left an immortal legacy with At Home in the World, a collection of his essays that reveal his profound tolerance and appreciation for all people. [more]

06.21.02: How family-friendly is your workplace? Many new parents in the UK yearn for more flexibility, less stress. [more][National Childbirth Trust]

06.20.02: From Chernobyl to teenage tragedy, a high school graduate overcomes adversity. [more]

06.19.02: With a new, free Toronto concert featuring performers who might appear to be from the many different sides of the Middle Eastern conflict, the Sound of Peace triumphs. [more][more]

06.18.02: The secret to ensuring high yields of shade-grown, fair-trade coffee in a sinking global market for beans may lie in the presence and hard work of a certain busy bee. [more]

06.14.02: Need some creative ideas to help Dad have an extraordinary Father's Day this year? [more]

06.13.02: With hot weather come both mosquitos and environmentally toxic repellents that can harm kids. Is a new tomato-based solution the way to beat "Deet"? [more]

06.12.02: Do boys and girls learn the same way? In Australia, some schools are trading in traditional teaching for dialogue-based education that caters to girls. [more]

06.11.02: Think heightened creativity is synonymous with angst and cynicism? Larry Bemm is a gifted artist, but he's far from tortured. [more]

06.10.02: What can using dialogue to quell street violence in London's East End teach us about bringing an end to global conflict? [more]

06.07.02: A life well-lived doesn't have to end when medical statistics suggest you've reached old age. [more]

06.06.02: With money to burn, Hollywood's big-wigs are going electric. [more]

06.04.02: Considering the benefits of summer camp, also known as life in a nutshell. [more]

06.03.02: The Divine Miss W? In Hawaii, a world-famous entertainer gets into the wildlife refuge business, and the birds rejoice. [more]

May 2002

05.31.02: Medical researchers are beginning to make great strides in the use of technology to fight cancer. Might the digital age yield a cure? [more]

05.30.02: From Birmingham, Alabama, to South Africa, to the Middle East, to New York's ground zero, forgiveness provides the freedom "to live again." [more]

05.29.02: Tirelessly, Amnesty International helps free political prisoners and fights for human rights around the world. Here are some of the group's success stories for 2001. [Amnesty International]

05.28.02: Author Anna Quindlen thinks about the 16-acre hole in the ground that now defines lower Manhattan and considers what a certain black granite wall in Washington DC can teach the world about remembering and grieving. [more]

05.24.02: Irish rock star Bono, on a tour of the African continent with US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, is bringing emotion and attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the need for exponential increases in funding. [more][more]

05.23.02: Child advocates in Great Britain are looking to their neighbors across the English Channel for examples of how to better involve parents in early education. [more][Pre-School Learning Alliance]

05.22.02: The grim economic outlook in Argentina has made international headlines. Now, so has an ambitious, positive Internet-based solution to the nation's hunger crisis. [more][ForTheKids.com]

05.21.02: The death yesterday of Harvard biologist Stephen Jay Gould marked the end of a brilliant career -- and the end of a life lived with curiosity and compassion. His hopeful 9/11 essay was without parallel. [A Time of Gifts][obituary]

05.20.02: Can any fast food be "good" food? The Center for Science in the Public Interest is pleased to offer some surprising nutrition news. [more][Center for Science in the Public Interest]

05.17.02: May is National Bike Month, and cities across the country are taking the opportunity to celebrate their own Bike To Work Days to advocate for sustainable transportation alternatives. [more][League of American Bicyclists]

05.15.02: News of a richly diverse chain of coral reefs off the coast of Indonesia gives hope to the tireless effort to preserve ocean ecosystems. [more][Conservation International]

05.14.02: Does the friendly neighborhood playground look remarkably different from the ones you remember growing up? Today, safe playgrounds and fun playgrounds are not mutually exclusive, no matter where you happen to live. [more]

05.13.02: In spite of international safeguards protecting them from extinction, the world's elephants are at risk due to a renewed ivory market. The time to lend your support is now. [more (BBC)][support the Kenya Wildlife Service]

05.11.02: Even one of the US Congress' most fervent opponents to meaningfully increasing global AIDS funding finally acknowledges the moral magnitude of the pandemic. [more][UNAIDS.org][Global AIDS Alliance]

05.10.02: On the eve of Mother's Day, we draw your attention to the seventh story in the Canadian newspaper National Post's wonderfully human "How To Raise A Child" series. [more][also Save the Children's Mothers 2002]

05.09.02: Would you believe discarded cellular phones create over 65,000 tons of hazardous waste per year in the US alone? There are alternatives, though: you can recycle your phone or, better yet, donate it to the fight against domestic violence. [more][DonateAPhone][more from Inform]

05.08.02: The prospect of menopause might evoke dread in most women, but a new study says, "Be patient!" Mental health after mid-life is golden. [more]

05.07.02: Would you let a documentary film crew follow you through the arduous process of radical breast cancer surgery? A Discovery Channel series shows the emotion -- and the hope -- in life's most trying moments. [more][Discovery Health Channel]

05.06.02: After nearly two years under house arrest by the government of Burma (Myanmar), the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and pro-democracy and non-violence activist Aung San Suu Kyi finally has her freedom. [more][more]

05.03.02: Igor, the last of the great California condors, has re-entered the building! That is, after 15 years, he's back from the brink and back in his natural habitat. [more][more]

05.02.02: Would you spend four years of your life walking 18,000 miles around the world to fight breast cancer? Polly Letofsky would. Catch up with her on her GlobalWalk! [more]

05.01.02: Do you know a teenage "alpha girl"? A burgeoning movement tries to sort out the Queen Bees and Wannabes and solve the problem of cruelty -- and violence -- among high schoolers. [more][more]

April 2002

04.30.02: Current political rhetoric notwithstanding, what does it really mean to have a life-long commitment to volunteerism? [more][more]

04.29.02: Three different faces from the 1992 riots in Los Angeles reflect on lessons learned, wounds still open, and the guarded prospect of hope restored. [more]

04.27.02: Need another rigorous reminder that sleep is a "goodthing"? [more]

04.26.02: Among countries purely dedicated to the pursuit of global ideals of freedom and peace, Canada has few equals. From the World Wars all the way to Afghanistan, Canadian peacekeepers have served with honor; many have paid a high price. [more]

04.25.02: A new and engaging public television documentary helps get you connected to what you can do to protect the world's oceans and make global fishing practices sustainable. [more][Oceans At Risk]

04.24.02: Three medical researchers -- based, extraordinarily, in Israel, the West Bank, and the United States -- are collaborating in an effort to understand deafness. [more]

04.23.02: The Silk Road Project, a multi-faceted celebration of the ancient global connections between East and West, may make the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival this summer's hottest ticket. [more][Silk Road Project][Folklife Festival]

04.22.02: Mariane Pearl, the widow of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, urges tolerance and restraint and sets an extraordinary example of humanity at its best. [more][more]

04.20.02: Monday, April 22 is Earth Day. Could there be a better excuse for spending some time exploring Grist Magazine to learn why a city as unlikely as Bogota, Colombia is on the cutting edge of urban ecology? [Grist Magazine]

04.19.02: Lend your support to the effort to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling. Take a beautiful photographic journey through ANWR. [Wilderness Society][more]

04.18.02: In Los Angeles public schools, working gardens have become a hot new teaching tool. [more]

04.17.02: Is there any way to remain optimistic about the state of affairs in the embattled Middle East? One Web site continues, in spite of it all, to keep the faith via a daily Web log. [Mideast Optimist]

04.11.02: The birth of six healthy pups in North Carolina gives new hope to the survival of the endangered red wolf. [more][NC Museum of Life and Science]

04.04.02: In the effort to improve child literacy rates, a pioneering icon faces an uncertain future. [more][Head Start]

04.03.02: At long last, City Year -- the organization called the "Favorite Opportunity for Youth Involvement" in our Favorite GoodThings 2001 campaign -- plans to expand into New York City. [more][more]

04.02.02: Advocacy groups, innovative programs, and government agencies struggle with limited resources to address the heartbreaking plight of homeless children. [more][more]

04.01.02: What could possibly unify environmentalists, fishing enthusiasts, and snowmobilers? A vast, untouched New England wilderness a quarter the size of Rhode Island. [more][Trust for Public Land]

March 2002

03.29.02: A Stanford University professor's new book explores the biological basis of forgiveness and why it's so linked to psychological well-being. [Forgive For Good][Forgiveness Project][more]

03.28.02: Committed individuals are respectfully defying the odds and remaining dedicated to building an extraordinary international passageway for tiny, threatened hummingbirds. [more][Hummingbird Corridor]

03.27.02: A fledging Washington DC non-profit is a unique marriage of hedonism and the humanitarian spirit. [more][Cocktail Charities]

03.26.02: Many choose to flee the city and all its problems. A suburban Boston doctor has formed an organization dedicated to bringing the security of health care to urban homeless women and their children. [more][Women of Means]

03.25.02: Yellowstone, Big Bend, the Everglades, Glacier, the Great Smokies, and Mojave are among the top ten most threatened US national parks. What's the good news? There's always something you can do to reverse their fortunes. [more][what you can do]

03.22.02: Looking for housing that won't devastate your bank account or the environment? Have you considered going Mongolian? [more]

03.21.02: Celebrate the beginning of spring a little differently this year: read a poem. [more][World Poetry Day]

03.20.02: "Personal coaching" is more than a euphemism for "therapy." And it's increasingly popular and increasingly effective. [more][more]

03.19.02: At times, the history of the world can seem like little more than an endless string of war and conflict. But a recent study suggests that, in fact, love is the tie that binds us all. [more]

03.18.02: In a new television special, journalist Linda Ellerbee looks into the Faces of Hope of the youth of Afghanistan. [more][Nick News with Linda Ellerbee]

03.15.02: Adults have much to learn from children, and as the new documentary film Promises suggests, it is profoundly true in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [more][The Promises Project]

03.14.02: A growing craze -- climbing to the tops of the world's tallest trees -- can nourish the soul and increase environmental awareness. [more][Tree Climbers International][Dancing With Trees]

03.13.02: Take a glimpse at the changing face of elementary-school education in Afghanistan. Once for boys only, new classes are filled with girls and, in many cases, taught by women. [more]

03.12.02: A new study from Montreal suggests that while aging baby boomers will put pressure on health care systems, they may also bring unexpected benefits. [more][more]

03.11.02: As women get empowered and begin to take control of their own destinies, overwhelming birth rates may finally, mercifully be on the decline in the developing world. [more][more]

03.08.02: Facing imminent extinction due to a declining food supply caused by over-fishing, the black-browed albatross wins a preserve in the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina. [more][more]

03.07.02: Unwanted infants are abandoned in alarming numbers everyday, but a compassionate grassroots movement is working to ensure that so-called "safe havens" will give those children a chance at survival. [more][more][more]

03.06.02: With the help of the non-profit Venice Arts Mecca, six Los Angeles youth travel to South Africa with movie cameras and have an eye-opening experience that could change their lives and those of the people they captured on film. [more][more about Venice Arts Mecca]

03.05.02: 5,000 years ago, an advanced ancient people had a rich culture and a penchant for pyramids. Sure, you say, in Egypt. Guess again. What's amazing the experts is that Caral is in the heart of Peru. [more]

February 2002

02.28.02: More than ever, whale-watching captures the imagination of people around the world. And more than ever, conservation efforts are essential. [more][The Ocean Alliance]

02.27.02: Where do old computers go to die? A proposed new California law would see them recycled and reincarnated as other useful products. [more][Californians Against Waste][National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative]

02.26.02: For 20 years, an exceptional, diverse public school in Washington DC has offered a unique bilingual (English-Spanish) program, and parents are determined to get their kids enrolled. [more][more on the Oyster school]

02.25.02: Isn't it funny how humor can heal painful wounds? The New Jersey-based Coalition for Peace Action sponsors an extraordinary night of laughs. [more]

02.22.02: The tireless dedication of a few committed individuals is making it possible for the children of Afghanistan to return to school. [more][Center for Afghanistan Studies]

02.21.02: With a few simple passenger behavior changes, air travel is not only becoming safer, but also more friendly. [more]

02.20.02: Waltzing confidently onto mainstream shelves, natural foods prove they're not just for hippies anymore. [more][and speaking of food...]

02.19.02: "From a distance, the world looks blue and green..." A beautiful new satellite composite photograph of the Earth makes it hard to conceive of the planet's troubles. [more]

02.15.02: US Secretary of State Colin Powell takes a progressive stand in the fight to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. [more]

02.14.02: The American Academy of Pediatrics - a leader in the area of child welfare - offers "Ten Ways to Show Love for Your Child This Valentine's Day." [more]

02.13.02: The quest for peace in Afghanistan requires vigilance and more than lip service from the US and its allies. [more]

02.12.02: There's a powerful new reason to support the conservation of the world's coral reefs. Groundbreaking human pain relief may be lurking in the ocean depths. [more][more]

02.11.02: The Women's Lunch Place in Boston offers fellowship and a warm midday meal to women who need it most. [more][more on the Women's Lunch Place]

02.08.02: At Ohio's Fur Peace Ranch, guitar legends teach eager students how to find joy in the blues. [more]

02.07.02: With a nursing shortage threatening the very foundation of the health care system, hospitals are making the workplace a lot more attractive for prospective recruits. [more]

02.06.02: A new study debunks the myth that cities are no place to raise a family and that there's nothing to do in the suburbs. [more][more on the Brookings study]

02.05.02: The tallest sand dunes in the US are in Colorado, and it's on the verge of becoming the newest national park. [more][more dunes][dunes and the Nature Conservancy]

02.04.02: Is there such thing as "too much" in the effort to find permanent homes for foster children? "Adoption parties" have child advocates sharply divided. [more][recently on CBS' 60 Minutes]

02.01.02: So just how small is the world? A new project at Columbia University is using e-mail to explore just how connected we all are. [more]

January 2002

01.31.02: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali - long a voice for pacifism - pleads for a peaceful resolution to the case of kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl. [more][more about Ali][still more]

01.30.02: Compared to Japan's PeaceBoat, riding on a peace train just feels so 20th century. "Cruises with a cause" draw the next generation of activists. [more][more about PeaceBoat]

01.29.02: The best way to make it through the long winter is a lively celebration of community. [more]

01.28.02: 40,000 young New Yorkers weren't even born four months ago. How will they remember September 11? [more]

01.25.02: Pleased with a "good start," Kofi Annan becomes the first UN Secretary General in 40 years to visit Afghanistan. [more]

01.24.02: After September 11, a unique residency program in Santa Fe offers beauty and healing for New York artists. [more][Santa Fe Art Institute]

01.23.02: Thanks to a highly effective vaccination, rubella (or German measles) - once the cause of major birth defects - may be all but extinct. [more]

01.22.02: January 30 marks the beginning of A Season of Nonviolence, a 64-day celebration of the peaceful legacies of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. [more]

01.18.02: The border between India and Pakistan is defined by nationalist pomp and circumstance. But in more peaceful times, it was the site of some pretty good volleyball games. [more]

01.17.02: After a decade of tenuous stability, the people of El Salvador take stock of their peace and why it truly matters. [more]

01.16.02: Among the standouts at this year's Sundance Film Festival is a tribute to the role of music in the fall of South African apartheid. [more][more on Sundance]

01.15.02: The non-profit organization Global Exchange engineers an extraordinary attempt at reconciliation by bringing together Afghan and US families who have lost loved ones. [more][more on Global Exchange]

01.14.02: Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns (of Jazz and The Civil War fame) is back with a stunning celebration of the socio-cultural legacy of Mark Twain. [more]

01.11.02: The non-profit Save the Children is working feverishly to ensure the survival of millions of young Afghans through the cold Central Asian winter. [more][photos of the need]

01.09.02: Will 2002 be the year of the bionic? Those suffering from age-related macular degeneration and other eye problems are hopeful. [more]

01.10.02: A desperate effort to preserve Jewish cultural traditions in 1930s Germany and the drive to "live to the point of tears" serve as the inspiration behind a new book and collection of music. [more]

01.08.02: When watching someone overcome disabilities, inspiration trumps pity every single time. [more]

01.07.02: What is it that makes dog lovers out of so many of us? [more]

December 2001

12.21.01: Is "This American Life" host Ira Glass the future of radio? Just over a million weekly listeners are convinced of it. [more]

12.20.01: Ground-breaking cancer therapy boosts the immune system of a young British boy and offers new hope. [more]

12.19.01: Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman ponders the facts -- and the uncertainties -- surrounding breast cancer and early detection. [more]

12.18.01: In 2001, the arts established their indisputable significance, demonstrating how music, film, imagery, and the written word have the remarkable power to unify and heal. [more]

12.17.01: What do you know about the holiday, Kwanzaa? Two animated television shows are helping make this winter celebration of community and creativity part of the consciousness of children of all races and ethnicities. [more]

12.14.01: Ever thought of seeing the world from a boat? An award-winning writer ponders the community-building benefits of taking it slow. [more]

12.13.01: A few more favorite goodthings: Ms. Magazine names its "Women of the Year" for 2001. [more]

12.12.01: New medical technology -- POPS, or portable organ preservation system -- will revolutionize the science of vital organ donation and save lives in the process. [more]

12.11.01: So what are the kids doing online these days? Turns out downloading music and playing games may be old news. They're looking for info on how to stay healthy. [more]

12.10.01: Actor Liev Schreiber, currently appearing in a new production of Othello in New York, ponders the Shakespearean complexities of "good" and "bad" in the context of September 11. [more]

12.07.01: The BBC radio program, Outlook, reports on a choir whose members endure Chechnya's continual despair with undying hope. [more]

12.06.01: Canadian rock music luminary and professional rabble-rouser Neil Young tries inspiration on for size with the September 11 heroes tribute Let's Roll. [more]

12.05.01: Liberty and music for all: Los Angeles-based Young Musicians Foundation helps put used and long-forgotten instruments into the hands of kids who will play them. [more]

12.04.01: Bonding across generations: why it's good for grandparents and grandchildren alike. [more]

12.03.01: Horse Heaven author Jane Smiley writes that the liberation of Afghanistan's women is, no doubt, an "unequivocal good thing" and wonders: When did the fight against terrorism become a women's war? [more]

November 2001

11.30.01: The passing of "Quiet Beatle" and dedicated voice for peace, George Harrison: "Give me love, give me love, give me peace on Earth, give me light, give me life..." [more from the BBC]

11.29.01: With World AIDS Day on December 1, UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan writes that the fight to save lives throughout the world has never been more important. [more][World AIDS Day Web site]

11.28.01: In a frank and fascinating interview, British humanitarian and fashion maven Jemima Khan discusses making a difference and making a meaningful life when politics, family, and religion loom large. [more]

11.27.01: Author, environmental activist, and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber considers her pregnancy and her life through the songs of birds at her window, and gains clarity on the interconnectedness of things. [more]

11.26.01: The Raymond Carver short story "A Small, Good Thing" sets the tone for a New York Times piece on the solace of food. [more][A Small, Good Thing]

11.21.01: Does altruism make good business sense? One the one hand, Massachusetts-based Malden Mills faces a struggle to stay afloat. On the other, it may have the most loyal employees and potential investors anywhere. [more]

11.20.01: Is "Mideast Optimist" an oxymoron? Not to the founder of one Web site, which focuses on the strides being made toward lasting peace in the region despite a flood of news to the contrary. [more][still more]

11.19.01: In the Central Asian high desert of Mongolia, the majestic snow leopard is fighting for survival with the help of a passionate non-profit organization. [more][learn about the Snow Leopard Trust]

11.16.01: The New York-based Legacy Project uses art to capture and honor memories of the most trying times in human history. [more][learn about the Legacy Project]

11.15.01: Even with a rapidly changing political landscape in Afghanistan, humanitarian aid organizations face tremendous challenges ahead as they try to reach those in need. [more][learn about War Child]

11.14.01: One North Carolina university student has taken the concept of recycling to new heights. She convinced her college that recycling her dormitory simply made good sense. [more]

11.13.01: Proceeds from "Freedom," the new single from Paul McCartney, will benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund, an organization supporting families of low-income victims of the 9/11 attacks. [more][learn about Robin Hood]

11.12.01: A new campaign enlists men as "Bosom Buddies" in the fight against breast cancer. [more][more][still more]

11.09.01: With a little help from National Public Radio and author Paul Auster, everyone's a storyteller. [more]

11.08.01: Still reeling from the past year's energy crunch, the people of San Francisco vote to approve a measure that will make the city the solar-power capital of the world. [more]

11.07.01: Vote for the Seven Wonders of the contemporary world, and do your part for peace, ecology, and freedom at the same time. [find out how]

11.06.01: A new documentary film -- The Blue Planet -- sheds dramatic light on the darkest, richest corners of the deepest ocean. [more]

11.05.01: Is a reopened "friendship bridge" between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan a possible solution to a monumental humanitarian crisis? [more]

11.02.01: In the wake of Sept. 11, people are increasingly seeking out retreats and places where they can find restoration and solace. [more]

11.01.01: Without a shared commitment to constructive action that benefits the world as a whole, unity is nothing more than a five-letter word. [more]

October 2001

10.31.01: Women in the Philippines are learning to use technology for a constructive purpose: their own economic and political empowerment. [more]

10.30.01: Even in trying times, underground schools for Afghan girls defy those who would dare women to become the doctors and lawyers of tomorrow. [more]

10.29.01: Is the idea of a "military artist" -- like "jumbo shrimp" -- just another oxymoron? Sergeant Henrietta Snowden wields pastels instead of weapons. [more]

10.26.01: A group of Boston-based, peace-loving independent musicians are convinced they represent the silent majority. [more][and more][still more]

10.25.01: Think environmentally responsible living is too difficult, too unappealing? The Center for a New American Dream presents simple ways you can "turn the tide." [more][still more]

10.24.01: With the eyes of the world on the war on terrorism, a gesture of peace in another major international hotspot may be a sign of hope. [more]

10.23.01: The conflicts of the past seem forever distant as a South Carolina community raises money to replace a New York City fire engine, lost on September 11. [more]

10.22.01: What happens to communication, community, and emotion in a life without music or musical instruments? [more][and more]

10.19.01: Beyond the reach of the Web, cutting-edge radio technology is enabling community development innovation in remote parts of Africa. [more]

10.18.01: Are all the newest heroes and celebrities firefighters? In tragedy, a star-struck nation reconnects with its working-class roots. [more]

10.17.01: With educational funding from the Ford Foundation, the women of the Lahu, an ethnic minority in China, finally have to access to tools for cultural preservation. [more]

10.16.01: Wary in the face of current events, many American Muslims have encountered warmth, tolerance, and compassion in the workplace. [more]

10.15.01: Huge amounts of money have been raised to support the relief effort, post-September 11. But should we be thinking harder about our philanthropic priorities? [more]

10.12.01: So much more than a Nobel laureate, 2001 Peace Prize winner United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is a man of passion and conviction. [more][still more][and more]

10.11.01: Is entertainment better when it shields us from the world's troubles or when it engages us? [more]

10.10.01: An Iranian-American student urges people -- in the context of current events -- to educate themselves. [more]

10.09.01: During confusing times, what does loyalty to country really mean? [more]

10.08.01: The world is now focused on Afghanistan. How much do you know about the central Asian nation? [more][and more][still more]

10.05.01: While many people are just starting to deal with fear, some public schoolchildren face it everyday. [more]

10.04.01: Humanitarian aid to the desperate people of Afghanistan takes on a whole new meaning and urgency. [more]

10.03.01: The Beatle whose voice made Yesterday an anthem is spearheading the upcoming benefit "Concert for New York." [more][more][still more]

10.02.01: Prodigal Summer author Barbara Kingsolver writes that, now more than ever, the American flag should belong to all people for the inclusive principles it truly represents. [more]

10.01.01: Vivid, descriptive family stories can benefit children in more ways than just giving them something to fall asleep to. [more]

September 2001

09.28.01: Harvard professor Stephen Jay Gould says what we've all truly witnessed is far bigger and more powerful than single acts of terror. [more]

09.27.01: David Letterman and Jay Leno offering something more than irony and cynicism? Clearly, the world has changed. [more][and more]

09.24.01:When reality suddenly becomes more violent than a Hollywood movie, Hollywood itself assumes a more responsible role. [more]

09.19.01: Film critic Roger Ebert poetically suggests an appropriate memorial to September 11 -- "make it green." [more]

09.18.01: In an act of governmental grace, the state of New York pledges free college education for the children of victims of the September 11 disaster. [more]

09.17.01: The power of public spaces during times of such vast national and worldwide grief can be profound. [more]

09.14.01: Consider the perspective of Nelson Mandela, the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, on responses to the terrible tragedy. [more]

09.13.01: From 1000 miles away, a donated heart reached its patient on Wednesday despite the nationwide no-fly zone. [more][more]

09.12.01: Incredible heroism emerged in the face of the unspeakable. [more]

09.11.01: Toyota's new green machine is all the rage in the San Francisco Bay area, ever on culture's cutting edge. [more] From Daily Grist

09.10.01: Liked the GoodThings story on shade-grown, fair-trade coffee? Here's more on how business is making social responsibility a critical part of the bottom line. [more]

09.07.01: In addition to finding that environmental problems disproportionately affect the poor, a new British study proposes solutions. [more][and more]

09.06.01: A mother -- through her own failed pregnancy -- comes to terms with her views on stem cell research. [more]

09.05.01: A new study suggests "work second, train first" may be a better formula for welfare reform. [more][learn more]

09.04.01: On both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, real people -- bewildered -- struggle to make sense of the chaos. [more][and more][more still]

August 2001

08.31.01: If you were born after 1982, you -- like Wendi Adelson -- are part of the Millennial Generation and, chances are, you're hoping your first job and your career will make a difference in the world. [more]

08.30.01: Diana Golden Brosnihan's life was a sports story, a skiing story. More importantly, though, it was deeply human. Her courage will always inspire. [more]

08.29.01: Home is where the heart is. But is it also where healthy relationships thrive? See for yourself. [more]

08.28.01: The winner of the 15th World Food Prize has advocated for the hungry in Pakistan, Egypt, and Uganda for 30 years. [more][more still]

08.27.01: Admired for their beauty, colorful exotic birds -- for many years plucked from the wild -- are often abandoned when it becomes clear they're unsuitable as pets. Enter Foster Parrots. [more][and more]

08.24.01: There's safety in numbers. A new transportation idea in the UK is good for kids and the environment. [more][even more]

08.23.01: AMBER, a new alert program similar to what's used during weather emergencies, is making the task of finding abducted children just a little easier. [more]

08.22.01: How do you get rid of your weeds? One world-class ski resort has a non-toxic solution with a nose for the plants that shouldn't be there. [more][and more]

08.21.01: Everyone says all teenagers are disaffected and lack heroic tendencies. Edna Wilks begs to differ. [more]

08.20.01: Taking advantage of a standard refrain -- "I'm bored!" -- to open up her children's world to creativity, Nancy Blakey provides -- and learns -- a good lesson. [more]

08.17.01: Stephanie Ready is ready to become a new brand of pioneer: she'll soon begin coaching a men's professional basketball team. [more]

08.16.01: Ten years ago, being diagnosed HIV-positive was like a death sentence. Today, there's hope, and transcendent sports star Magic Johnson and many like him are around to prove it. [more]

08.15.01: 18 miles high and solar-powered: it's the now world-record-holding aircraft of the future. [more]

08.14.01: The very latest in hip wedding gifts: contributing to a compost pile? [more]

08.13.01: Call it Oprah: the Next Generation. From humble, even tragic beginnings, Iyanla is now leading the charge for real people seeking to maximize their potential. [more][and more]

08.12.01: Since when did it become unusual for people to treat each other with respect and decency? Here's an impassioned perspective against rudeness. [more]

08.10.01: Paired exchanges keep living kidney donation in the family -- in a way. [more]

08.09.01: Do you work for what Whoosh author Tom McGehee might call a "creation company" or a "compliance company"? [more]

08.08.01: What's your definition of "tax relief"? [more]

08.07.01: A Canadian lonely-hearts club has its roots in empowerment, self-awareness, and laughter. [more]

08.06.01: In his latest novel, Nick Hornby wonders How To Be Good and determines it's not all cut and dried. [more]

08.03.01: New Orleans demonstrates its commitment to fueling the city's passion for jazz by paying attention to the musicians themselves. [more][learn more]

08.02.01: A unique summer program at T.C. Williams High School gives northern Virginia students a taste of the real world at nonprofits and corporations. [more]

08.01.01: Pay a bill through the mail, do some good. Write a letter to a friend, do some good. Would you believe $21.5 million worth of good? [more][and more]

July 2001

07.31.01: Health problems? In some cases, a little dose of optimism may work wonders. [more]

07.30.01: Two men on opposite sides of an unfathomable divide find closure on common ground. [more]

07.27.01: Even the troubled can reveal remarkable goodness, courtesy of Locks of Love. [more]

07.26.01: A humble San Francisco medical researcher brings joy and creativity to an innovative treatment for a devastating disease. [more][still more]

07.25.01: Diverse and familiar voices share their thoughts on the wonderful magic and mystery of animals. [more]

07.24.01: Digital Divide Data is taking a simple, humane idea and opening up the world of technology to everyday Cambodians. [more][still more]

07.23.01: Best-selling author Larry McMurtry is on a mission: to revitalize Archer City, Texas, by turning it into an unparalleled haven for book lovers. [more]

07.19.01: We're betting you missed St. Swithun's Day this year, not to mention all the good that came with it. [more]

07.18.01: If wishes were horses, then the disabled would ride...and develop motor skills...and gain confidence...and experience a special kind of understanding. [more][and more]

07.17.01: What's the key to having better health care in the developing world? Access to cutting-edge information and research. And now, the Internet may be able to provide it. [more]

07.16.01: The new Museum of the Americas uses arts and culture to connect people from the Arctic Circle to Patagonia through common histories and shared futures. [more][more still]

07.13.01: Is your dog your co-pilot? Do you love seeing your best friend splash into the water in the middle of the dog days? Are you reading Bark magazine? It's The New Yorker for dog lovers. [more]

07.12.01: The new women's soccer league is a kick in the grass, and it's wildly popular with young girls eager for role models. [more]

07.11.01: Tending to spark conflict more than friendship, flags are more often symbols of separation or nationalism than they are of global unity and commonality. But would your perspective change if everywhere you saw a flag there were a simple Companion Flag flying with it? [learn more]

07.10.01: Major League Baseball isn't the only sport with an All-Star Game this week. The WNBA's All-Star Game is July 16, and it includes a benefit auction for breast cancer awareness. [more][and more]

07.09.01: Emmylou Harris brings artistic integrity, bliss, responsibility, and the sweetest of harmonies to music. [more][still more][even more]

07.06.01: A former foster child graduates from a prestigious college and earns a law degree. He's now inspired a new Oregon law that will make it easier for other foster children to have the same opportunities. [more]

07.05.01: In the city that made the cheesesteak famous, people have joined together in a program sponsored by the local NBA team to fight obesity and improve health and happiness in the process. [more]

07.03.01: "Jigsaw learning," an innovative approach to education, may teach schoolkids to work together. Better yet, it may prevent violence. [more]

07.02.01: A Boston-area program puts its money where its mouth is and helps at-risk high school seniors "Say Yes to Education." [more]

June 2001

06.29.01: Turns out people - moo - aren't the only ones - moo - who are more productive - moo - with a little music playing in the background. [more]

06.28.01: Entropia's simple software program can enable you to help find a cure for AIDS or cancer by letting your home computer do all the work. [find out how][more]

06.27.01: In a highly publicized split last month with his political party, Senator Jim Jeffords turned Washington DC on its head. But in a town where everything is left and right, what's an independent soul to do? [more]

06.26.01: A piece of land - once logged then all but forgotten - is now well on its way to becoming a state-of-the-art environmental learning center and retreat for kids. [more]

06.25.01: What does a female athlete look like? Smithsonian Magazine acknowledges - with photos - the remarkable strides of women in sports. [more]

06.22.01: Kids who may have taken one step forward this school year run the risk of taking two steps back this summer. Find out how you can help a kid just say no to vacation brain drain. [more]

06.21.01: Thanks to the support of a major department store and an international non-profit, getting back on track in society for some women may be as simple as being able to afford appropriate business attire. [more] [still more]

06.20.01: The grassroots e-mail campaign on the voluntary blackout to mark the June 21 summer solstice with a protest against the proposed National Energy Policy has, no doubt, made it into more than a few inboxes. Thinking of joining the fun but want to do more?

06.19.01: Tonight, journalist Bill Moyers premieres his latest project on PBS. Earth on the Edge puts a human face on global environmental concerns. [check local listings]

06.18.01: Even for folks in the big city, rich garden compost is an obsession. It liberates landfills and helps plants breathe. [more] free registration required

06.15.01: In the new millennium, dads who put family first - and remain successful - may make Father's Day a true cause for celebration. [more]

06.14.01: In a remote corner of China, a community clings tenuously to its soul - and to the remarkable biodiversity that nurtures it. [more] free registration required

06.13.01: Plastic or biodegradable plastic? If you're tired of seeing plastic bags blowing across beaches and your backyard, it could be time to look for a brand-new logo. [more]

06.12.01: Where does all the money go when the tech economy is down? According to US News, it's ending up at charitable foundations and non-profits. [more]

06.11.01: On HBO, a documentary film airs about extraordinary forgiveness in troubled South Africa. [more]

06.08.01: How's your quality of life? Use this simple checklist to see what - if anything - is missing. [more]

06.07.01: Handling difficult transitions with elderly parents is painful but also an opportunity to reconnect over cherished memories. [more]

06.06.01: Does social responsibility exist in media? A group of major filmmakers are gathering in upstate New York, to ask themselves a few hard questions. [more] free registration required

06.05.01: Is positive reinforcement the key to lasting discipline? [more]

06.04.01: Are children the biggest losers in the war on drugs? At Odyssey House, the focus is on making things right for the kids. [more]

06.01.01: The solution to your gas pump woes may lie with a little Sparrow. [more]

May 2001

05.31.01: Find the plight of endangered birds fascinating? What do you know about the Kiwi? It's a veritable cultural icon. [more]

05.30.01: "Remind to Be Kind" program is making one Ohio school a more compassionate place. [submitted by Dan Cole of Temperance MI]

05.29.01: In this day and age, can high-profile 14-year-old twins be positive role models for young girls? [more] free registration required

05.24.01: Thinking of buying a house? Why not go home again? [more]

05.23.01: His own legal lapses notwithstanding, James Brown feels good about helping end school violence. (You knew that he would...) [more]

05.22.01: All is not lost in America's urban public schools. [the good news]

05.18.01: Will the first vegetable-oil "gas" station in the United States be a real energy solution or nothing more than a curiosity? [more]

05.17.01: Is there anything quite like the open road? Even Walt Whitman thought so. [road photos]

05.16.01: Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift has twins and makes history. [more on Governor