AND NOW, THE 'GOOD' NEWS

Dr. DeLaCruz Offers Free Medical Services in Dominican Republic*

2006-06-20T21:51:00.000-04:00

Dr. Francisco DeLaCruz was recently able to return to the place of his birth, the Dominican Republic, to perform free medical services for many impoverished citizens in the area. This mission to the Dominican Republic is a dream that Dr. DeLaCruz had awaited for many years to become a reality.

Fran was able to accomplish this dream, due in part, to his USANA business. By August of 2005, he dropped his medical schedule down to a part-time status working just seventeen weeks a year. Soon after this, Fran discovered an organization called Children of the Nations that organized teams of medical professionals to offer free medical services in third world countries.

After learning that the Dominican Republic was on their list of countries to visit, Fran signed up for the next trip. Fran flew down with three other physicians and a crew of technicians. Fran explains, "It was everything I imagined it would be and more. We did thirty-one surgeries—burns, facial trauma, general surgery—and all the medical care was provided for free. There were people who walked thirty miles to get their surgical procedure done."

Fran encourages other network marketers to use their time freedom to seek out non-monetary rewards. "My dad came to the United States because of the opportunities. I'm glad that I can now take some of what we gained here back to my people in the Dominican Republic"

*Quotes and information for this article summary were provided by Liz Bennett, Networking Times reporter.

For more information about USANA, click here, and then view the online video. If you would still like more information, complete the contact information while you're there.

MEMORIAL DAY, 2006

2006-05-25T08:55:00.000-04:00

I belong to a Yahoo Group called "Good Clean Fun" which is my daily dose of humor. The gentleman who maintains this group, Tom, sends out "clean" jokes every day and will, on occasion, write articles relevant to the coming holiday. His patriotism is refreshing. He wrote this Memorial Day tribute, and I thought it was very appropriate. You can also subscribe to his daily dose of humor - the link is at the bottom. God bless all the men and women and their families who are serving their country, and especially those who have given the supreme sacrifice so that we may enjoy a life of freedom.
---------------------------

GCF: Memorial Day 2006

The joke for today has been sent. I want to be serious for a moment
and talk about the holiday which will be celebrated here in the
United States on Monday.

Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors those men and
women who lost their lives serving their country. What we celebrate
as Memorial Day today, began at the end of the Civil War. Family
members of the many soldiers slain in battle would visit the grave
sites of their fallen relatives or friends and decorate the graves
with flowers.

On May 5, 1868, General John Logan proclaimed this day a holiday
through his General Order No. 11. The day was entitled Decoration Day
and was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern states
celebrated this day every year, but the southern states celebrated a
day similar to this on a different day until sometime after World War I.

In 1882, the name Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in
1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the
last Monday of May every year. Over the years it has come to serve as
a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action
in all wars.

I am truly grateful for the freedoms which we enjoy today. Too often,
we take these gifts for granted, little realizing the sacrifice which
was involved in ensuring that these freedoms continue to be a part of
all of our lives. Be honest, how many of us think of Memorial Day as
just another chance for a three-day weekend? A chance to go the lakes
or beaches or mountains? A trip to Disneyland or Six Flags or some
other amusement park?

If you are here in the United States, please remember to display the
flag, not just for the day but for the whole weekend. Let's not
forget the real reason for having this holiday. The quote below says
it all. Please take the time to read it.

Take care everyone.

Tom
(HM2, USN 65-69)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---

"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of
our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see
these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something
like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them
were boys when they died, they gave up two lives -- the one they were
living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave
up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They
gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything
for their county, for us. All we can do is remember."

-- Ronald Wilson Reagan
Remarks at Veteran's Day ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia, November 11, 1985

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to
Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life.
Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor/

TRIBUTE TO ARMY SPC. ERIC T. BURRI

2006-05-22T11:05:00.000-04:00

A West Michigan family that lost a loved one in the war in Iraq is starting a shoe drive in his memory. Army Specialist Eric Burri, 21, was killed in June 2005, when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. While the Kelloggsville High School graduate was in Iraq, he mentioned the kids there have no shoes. Sunday morning Mike Burri, uncle of Specialist Eric Burri, appeared on CNN and told a nationwide audience how Eric would tell stories about Iraqi children who had no shoes. "Eric mentioned that on several occasions that these kids have no shoes, and it always bothered him. He said he would give his own shoes if he could," said Mike Burri.

To honor his memory, his family now wants to collect footwear for the children. Originally, the shoe drive was to run through May 20, but due to the overwhelming response across the nation, it has now been extended through the end of the month. The original story was broadcast last weekend by a local TV station, and at that time the family hoped to collect between 400 and 500 pairs of shoes. Since then a number of local groups have stepped forward, including retailers, individuals, schools and businesses. The family now has between 1,500 and 2,000 pairs of new and used shoes, including flip flops, tennis shoes, and sandals.

After Mike Burri's story on CNN last weekend, he said he had about 50 phone calls, all before he left the building. A North Carolina company, Blackwater USA, was so moved by the mission, it has agreed to cover the cost of shipping the shoes overseas.

"I wanted to do something positive," Joanne Burri said. Eric's uncle, Michael Burri, said Eric would have been pleased. "He would really be impressed by the outpouring of concern that the community has shown," he said. "It's very gratifying to me to be able to do something good out of this," Michael Burri said. "It's really helping our family get over this."

While she still mourns his death, Joanne Burri said, the growing pile of shoes fills her with other emotions. "It means so much. He's not here, and I miss him. This way, I'm sort of keeping his goodwill alive."

The two week shoe drive has been extended another ten days, taking it to the end of May. You can donate new or gently used shoes at: Wal-Mart in Cascade, Grandville and Alpine, Matthysse-Kuiper Degraff Funeral Directors in Grandville, Allendale, Wyoming, Kentwood, and Caledonia, and at Ziegler Harold Ford in Lowell or ask your local church. You can also contact Mike Burri at 616-299-7321 or Woody Watson at 616-698-9245.

A TRIBUTE TO MOM

2006-05-09T13:49:00.000-04:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

-- This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers intheir arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherryKool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
--Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't becomforted.
--This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
--For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who don't.
--This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. Andthe mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
--This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
--And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
--This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for icecream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
--This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
--This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
--For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
--This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
--This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
--This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.
--This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomachaches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
--This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
-- For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
--For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
--This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without. This is for all of you. For all of us... Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray and never stop being a mom. "Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall." - Author Unknown

THE A-Z OF ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS

2006-05-03T19:43:00.000-04:00

A-void negative sources, people, things and habits.
B-elieve in yourself.
C-onsider things from every angle.
D-on't give up and don't give in.
E-njoy life today: yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.
F-amily and Friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.
G-ive more than you planned to give.
H-ang on to your dreams.
I-gnore those who try to discourage you.
J-ust do it!
K-eep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. It will get better.
L-ove yourself first and foremost.
M-ake it happen.
N-ever lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.
O-pen your eyes and see things as they really are.
P-ractice makes perfect.
Q-uitters never win and winners never quit.
R-ead, study and learn about everything important in your life.
S-top procrastinating.
T-ake control of your own destiny.
U-nderstand yourself in order to better understand others.
V-isualize it.
W-ant it more than anything.
X-ccelerate your efforts.
Y-ou are unique of all of Nature's creations. Nothing can replace you.
Z-ero in on your target, and go for it!!

OUR LIFE JOB

2006-04-24T21:24:00.000-04:00

"Throughout our whole life our job is simply to exert the best
possible influence on the part of the world we touch. The flowers
we cultivate in our own garden will drop seeds in the patch next
door. This is how in our own gentle way we transform the world."

-Meredith Lady Young

FUN, USELESS INFORMATION

2006-04-23T20:45:00.000-04:00

Did you know:

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from and old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

Stewardesses is the longest word typed with only the left hand.

Marilyn Monroe had six toes on one foot.

If you keep a Goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left handed people do.

The average chocolate bar has 8 insects' legs in it.

The average human swollows 8 spiders in their lifetime at night while they sleep.

A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair.

It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

The longest one-syllable word in the English language is "screeched."

On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament Building is an American flag.

All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.

"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".

All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.

Almonds are members of the peach family.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

The youngest pope was 11 years old.

The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910.

A snail can sleep for 3 years.

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class.

China has more people who speak English than the United States.

The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes.

A polar bear's skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.

And now you know . . . . .

CHOCOLATE MATH PUZZLE

2006-04-18T18:54:00.000-04:00

I received this math puzzle recently and thought it was a lot of fun. Try it yourself and see what your results are. DON'T CHEAT - Finish all the questions before you look at the answer. It should only take a minute - Have Fun!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756 .... If you haven't, add 1755.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should have a three digit number. Now scroll down - you won't believe it!

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are: YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

I understand this is the only year (2006) this will ever work. - hmmmm. Puzzling, isn't it!

LEADERSHIP - IN THE EYES OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

2006-04-15T12:49:00.000-04:00

The following was written by a high school student writing an essay for her final exam:

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles... they don't flock, you find them one at a time." Hard work, profound dedication, and encouragement toward others are what entitle an individual to be a leader.

A strong work ethic is one important quality of an adroit leader. As the saying goes: "There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy." Hard work and intense dedication can only make you better, both mentally and skillfully. If others see one person working as hard as they can 100% of the time, they will work harder for that one person. No matter how unmotivated people are, if just one person steps up and takes the lead, everybody else will follow. Leaders motivate others.

Many people find themselves working harder when they know that they get something out of it. Just by hearing a few pushing words that motivate and encourage, people force themselves to work harder. Leaders are usually the ones who ignore their own accomplishments to commend others for theirs. The leader keeps everybody's head up at all times, as they work harder and harder, and more diligently toward their goals. The number one thing that a leader tries to avoid is making people feel guilty or to look down on them because leaders bring others higher in the world, usually with the result being success. As a noble person once said, "There are high spots in all of our lives, and most of them come through encouragement from someone else."

Hard work from one person makes other work harder. Vehement dedication shows others the success that comes through it. Encouragement and support for others make others feel good about themselves and give them something else to work for. These are all very significant traits that a leader must possess. Don't wait around for things to happen, make this world what you really want it to be, be a leader.

TRUE HAPPINESS LIES WITHIN

2006-04-13T19:56:00.000-04:00

"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." - Og Mandino

CHILDREN CAN LEARN WITH CLASSIC TOYS

2006-04-11T21:09:00.000-04:00

Children Can Learn With Classic Toys by: Robert Benson

Have we lost our children in a hypnotic video game trance? Have they become “drones” to the “video age”? Sometimes it may seem that way as many children spend hour upon hour in front of a video screen, pressing buttons or jockeying around a joystick. But it is up to the parents of children to say enough, let’s find some educational alternatives. However, it wasn’t that long ago when we were kids….we had real toys….classic toys.

Let’s step into a time tunnel of sorts and recall some of the fascinating toys that we had the pleasure of playing with:

Tinker Toys
Ahh..Tinker Toys..rods, sticks, spools, spokes..simple, but a true classic toy invented in 1914 by Charles Pajeau, who was a stonemason by trade from Evanston, Illinois. He was inspired by children playing with pencils, sticks and empty spools of thread to create his new toy. He saw them improvising and using their imaginations and wondered if he could improve upon what they were doing. He designed his first set of Tinker Toys in his garage and displayed them in 1914 at the American Toy Fair.

Alas, his Tinker Toys drew no interest. So he tried again, this time at Christmas time, but with a new marketing plan. Pajeau hired several midgets and had them dress in elf costumes. He then had them “play” with the Tinker Toys” in a store display window in a Chicago department store, and with this publicity a new toy was born. After a year or so, over one million sets of Tinker Toys had been sold!

Lincoln Logs
Notched redwood logs that could be used to construct log cabins, Lincoln Logs were the invention of John Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The inter locking logs, invented in 1916, were fashioned after the foundation of Tokyo’s earthquake-proof Imperial Hotel, which the younger Wright witnessed being constructed.

During the World War I era, it was in vogue to encourage American patriotism and for American’s to buy American made products, thus the new toy was named after one of our most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln. The original sets sold very well and became even more popular with the introduction of television to the United States. In fact, Lincoln Logs were among the first toys to be advertised and promoted on television. Capitalizing on the popularity of westerns in early television, Lincoln Logs were successful promoted on 1953’s Pioneer Playhouse. Today, Lincoln Logs are still available and have stood the test of time. As a matter of fact, as late as 1975, Lincoln Logs were still selling at a rate of one million sets per year. A sophisticated toy, it challenges youngsters to use their imagination and improve hand-eye coordination skills.

About The Author
Robert Benson operates http://www.ezshoppinghere.com a website devoted to helping shoppers find unique gift ideas in unique places with over 400 stores to choose from. Find brand name merchandise at brand name stores and look for more articles about classic toys and find classic toys at the site as well.

TRAVEL DISCOUNTS

2006-04-07T20:36:00.000-04:00

Three Ways to Get Travel Discounts by: David Pierce

Every year middle class American families put off traveling because they’re too busy or too tired or they just don’t have enough money. And, in some ways, they’re right. Traveling can be expensive. But by taking the time to learn about discounts readily available to everyone through the internet, newspapers, and even the yellow pages, more families can venture off on vacations that will recharge their batteries, stimulate their minds, and create memories to last a lifetime.

Airfare can be one of the most costly and unavoidable aspects of travel. Air travelers are constantly in search of a good deal. Numerous methods exist to get discounts on your next ticket. First, leave or return in the middle of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—and stay at least seven days to get reduced price fares. Check out alternate airports for departure or arrival to see if they offer cheaper prices, and if your plans are flexible, consider letting yourself get bumped for a cash reward or free ticket. Search discount travel sites online, which seek out bargains for you in a variety of ways, and check fares on budget airlines, not just the major commercial carriers. You can also use reverse bidding sites like Priceline to find a deal. Finally, start earning frequent flier miles without even flying by filling out surveys, staying in certain hotels, or simply using a specific credit card.

Another expensive part of traveling is ground transportation. Whether you travel by bus, train or automobile, there are ways to save money. You can find deals on rental cars online, but make sure you have a discussion with the rental car companies about insurance, road side assistance, and other pertinent matters beforehand if you are unclear. You can also rent Recreational Vehicles at surprisingly low prices, especially when you consider that you won’t have to spend money on a hotel. Experienced riders can find deals on motorcycles online as well. If you plan to use mass transportation, buses are a surprisingly inexpensive, if time-consuming option, and deals can be found on subways, trains, and ferries online. Rail passes in Europe and North America can be purchased before your trip to save money if you plan to stop in multiple destinations.

Finally, once you’ve flown, driven, or sailed to your destination, you’ll need a place to stay. Extended stays at hotels at weekly rates are one affordable option. Timeshares, home exchanges, house sitting, and hostels are other bargain options. Motel coupons can be found online, while a cheap bed and breakfast that doesn’t have a presence online can be found in the yellow pages. Some universities offer discount lodging in their dormitories. Retreat centers and monasteries also offer inexpensive ways for travelers to find rest and relaxation under certain guidelines. For more intrepid travelers, staying in national parks in tents, cabins, or RVs can be an inexpensive travel option, and if you plan to stay frequently or for an extended period of time, you can purchase a park pass to save money. RV travelers can also stay in free campgrounds across the country and can buy a pass to save money on RV parks. Finally, some travelers who face a serious lack of funds sleep for free in airports, although rules regarding this lodging option have changed since September 11, 2001.

One of the best ways to find travel discounts on all of the aforementioned aspects of travel—from airfare to lodging—is through memberships in a variety of organizations. Have your kids ever roped you into buying one of those Entertainment books that cost anywhere from $20 to $50 but offer a variety of coupons and discounts? Well, the next time you’re offered one, buy it. Not only will your money go to a good cause, you can benefit from the discounts on everything from airplane flights to hotels to rental cars. Without even realizing it, you may also already have memberships that could save you money on your next trip. AARP, Costco, and the military are a few of the organizations that offer bargains. Even a student or teacher’s ID can lead you to discounts. Use the resources you already possess to seek out the discounts necessary to make your next vacation a memorable and affordable event.

About The Author
David is an experienced internet entreprenuer with over 7 years of experience. He owns and operates the site http://www.florida-bound.info/. Visit the site for more info and specials on visiting Florida, plus other exciting places.

KNEELING SOLDIER MONUMENT

2006-04-05T12:46:00.000-04:00

This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas. The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad. Kalat was so grateful for the Americans' liberation of his country; he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors. Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months. To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.