The Mind Unleashed

The Mind Unleashed

What should you do if you see a child in a hot car? By A. Pawlowski TODAY contributor

In a summer punctuated by horrifying incidents of children dying in hot cars, one state will now allow bystanders to break into a car if they see a kid inside who they believe is in danger. As of July 1, you can legally smash a window or otherwise forcibly enter a parked car in Tennessee without liability if you have “a good faith belief” the actions help a minor who will suffer “harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle.” State Rep. David Hawk, who sponsored the bill, called it a landmark piece of legislation. “I hope this law brings awareness to parents to, number one, not leave their child in a hot car,” Hawk told TODAY Parents. “But if that does occur in Tennessee, I want our citizens to be aware that they have the ability to take action, to be a Good Samaritan and to save that child without fear of repercussions.” Last year, 44 children in the U.S. died of heatstroke in cars, according to KidsandCars.org. That grim tally has reached 16 so far this year, including the high-profile case of Cooper Harris, the 22-month old found dead in the family SUV in suburban Atlanta last month. His father has been charged with murder. While other states have broad laws that protect Good Samaritans from lawsuits, the Tennessee law is unique in that it specifically addresses kids left in cars, said Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, a nonprofit child safety organization. She hopes more states follow suit. “I think it’s fantastic because many times people are faced with this situation where they might see a small child in a car and think, that’s not my business, I don’t want to get involved,” Fennell said. “When it comes to children, we should all be comfortable with getting involved.” Because of the danger, Fennell advises people to be proactive, and look inside parked cars whenever they walk through a parking lot. If you spot a child alone inside a car, call 911 immediately, she recommends. If the child looks in serious distress, check to see if there’s any way to get into the car and if not, try to figure out which window you could break so the glass doesn’t harm the child, she added. “People need to step back for a second and say: ‘Would I leave a million dollars in my car?’ I think the answer to that would be, absolutely not,” she said. Nineteen states now have laws that specifically make it illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, according to KidsAndCars.org. Experts warn children can get dangerously hot quickly when left alone in a car. Heatstroke can happen when the temperature is as low as 57 degrees Fahrenheit/15 degrees Celsius outside and cracking a window does little to keep the car cool, according to SaferCar.gov. TODAY Parents, PopSugar Moms

Annie Lennox

A Whiter Shade of Pale Annie Lennox

PopSugar Moms

We're not surprised that kids of same-sex couples are just as happy and healthy as their peers. But we are a little surprised for the reason. . . http://moms.popsugar.com/35177146 PopSugar Moms

German Culture

Brazil vs Germany in the WM semi-final tonight, and throughout the country viewers, many in towns and villages looking much like this, will be rooting for the German team. As they will be in this town, which is thousands of miles away from Europe. It's Pomerode in Brazil. German immigrants, mainly from Pomerania in what is now mostly Poland, colonized the area in 1863 and until the mid-1990s almost everyone spoke German or Pomeranian. Even now, despite an influx of workers from other areas through a recent growth in local industry, between 60 to 70 per cent speak the languages. Many will watch the game in the town’s three bars: Curry Wurst, Schornstein and Opa Boteco. 92 percent of the townspeople have German heritage, there is 'Hausmannskost' from Eisbein to sauerkraut, coffee and cake in the afternoon, craft beer. German music is heard everywhere and of course groups have their own 'Stammtisch', while the week of 'Festa pomerana“, a bit like a small Munich Oktoberfest, is celebrated by townspeople dressed in Trachten and accompanied by 'Oompa Bands'. This "most typically German of all German towns of southern Brazil" is just 500 miles south-west of Rio de Janeiro. Photo of Pomerode with its Lutheran Church foradomapa.com.br German Culture

Truly, Madly, Deeply ~ Savage Garden

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do. I will be strong I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on a new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning. Yeah. I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea. I wanna lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven and make you want to cry. The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of. The highest powers. In lonely hours. The tears devour you. I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea. I wanna lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... Oh can you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes 'cause it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come... I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do... I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea. I wanna lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea. I wanna live like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me... oh yeah... oh yeah

Back Street Boys "I'll Never Break Your Heart"

Back Street Boys, "I'll Never Break Your Heart"

Hope for Paws Non-Profit Organization - California

Hope for Paws I just wanted to share a photo update of Lola.

If you missed the video of her rescue that I posted YESTERDAY, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/hopeforpawscalifornia (it will be at the TOP), and then please SHARE the video link... this video will remind hundreds of thousands of people to keep their pets safe this coming 4th of July holiday. LOLA is looking for a home now!! If you would like to adopt her or just see photo updates from this morning, please click here where you can also talk to her foster mom here: https://www.facebook.com/StarPawsRescue Later on today I'll post new rescue stories on this page. I have so many good new stories and so many new videos Here is a cool list to check out... see if you missed anything: https://www.youtube.com/user/eldad75/videos?view=0&sort=p&flow=grid Have a great day! Eldad

45th Annual Chicago Pride Parade - photo gallery By Rick Lobes

45th Annual Chicago Pride Parade kicked off at noon on June 29, 2014, more than one million turned out to watch and participate. Chicago is well known as a world class parade town and the Pride Parade is one of the best! The parade traveled through the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods. It started at Broadway and Montrose and headed south on Broadway and ended at Sheridan and Diversey. Among the participants were many elected officials including Mayor Rahm Emanuel who lead the parade, along with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley and Jan Scakowsky, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Sheriff Tom Dart, alderman Tom Tunney, Danny Solis and James Cappleman. ChicagoNow