Fat Cat

Two years old and 39.1 lbs, Meow (That's his name. The owners got real creative there.), a flabby tabby from Santa Fe is now up for adoption.Without the resources to care for this continuously feeding feline, the owner was forced to leave him to be cared for by the Humane Society, with only a few parting comments. "He was a fit  kitten," she says, "Then suddenly.... ballooned." Meow does not play with mice like a normal cat would, and is unable to fit through the toy tunnels provided to him by the shelter. According to his veterinarian, Meow is supposed to weigh about 12 lbs. Instead, he is over three times that, the feline equivilant of a human weighing 600 lbs. Meow is at serious risk for heart problems, and is being put on a diet. Though vets are baffled by what his previous owners had been feeding him, he has already lost 2 lbs, taking one short, earth-shattering step in the right direction.

Not Your Average Lemonade Stand

Three months ago, six year old Drew Cox learned that his father had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After publishing his father's story on an online support blog, Drew opened a lemonade stand in his small Texas town. Little did he know, his innocent effort would go a long way.People across the country read Drew's story and drove miles to donate to the young business man. In one day, the stand raised over ten thousand dollars, all of which will go towards helping Drew's dad. Drew describes his father as his hero, stating, "He's so important to me. We love to play with each other, lots of times. We play games." The moral of the story? It turns out that even a six year old's lemonade stand can do more to cure cancer than hundreds of people "liking" or sharing the same disturbing Facebook photo.

http://www.aol.com/video/6-year-old-sets-up-lemonade-stand-to-save-sick-dad/517337636/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl22%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D153019

Almost Justice

Being a national issue, most of us have probably heard about the outrageous travesty that resulted in the death of an innocent and defenseless teen, Trayvon Martin. Now, a month and a half after committing unprovoked murder of 17 year old Martin in Sanford, Florida, George Zimmerman has finally been charged for his crimes. Zimmerman is being charged with second degree murder, indicating that there was an element of malice involved when Martin was shot. Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to these charges, claiming that he shot the teen in self defense, after being involved in a life or death struggle with Martin. A life or death struggle that resulted in no visual injuries whatsoever to Zimmerman, according to an ABC News surveillance tape taken merely four hours after Martin was shot, that is. If convicted, Zimmerman faces up to a lifetime in prison, which is certainly more than his victim was allowed. Until then, demonstrations and public outcry are an ongoing occurance across the country. No matter how you look at it, Martin's death was an unnecessary tragedy, and justice must be sought so that gross contradictions of the equality and compassion America stands for, like this one, may never be committed again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-charged-second-degree-murder_n_1417198.html

Prodigal Teacher Zac Rueth Announces Long Awaited Return

Whether through memories of the resounding statement, "You're on my time now," followed by a furtive glance down at a bulky Walmart watch from under triangle eyebrows, or fond recollections of open abuse from students to teacher, we all remember Zac Rueth, the now estranged English "teacher" from back in middle school. Now, after several years of wandering the globe, living off the land, and soul searching, Rueth makes his long awaited return to Gibraltar. With the loss of Gibraltar's heroes, Shirley Mann and Paul Bremel, the school has found its staff understaffed and a little less than entertained. To spice things up a little, the administration has decided to bring back someone who already has experience with Gibraltar students. Rueth rejoins the Door County community with unbridled enthusiasm, saying, "I just missed you all so much! I mean, ever since those girls wrote a play about my murder for a 7th grade English assignment, I just knew I belonged here." His comments were cut short by a fit of baa-ing and scuffing the ground with his hooves. Housing for Rueth has been provided by Al Johnson's, as bountiful grazing space was a necessity. Rueth will make his return in the fall of 2012, and will be teaching Ancient Mythology and AP Biology: Hooved Mammals. Needless to say, the student body is buzzing with anticipation of their beloved mentor.
"It's like an early graduation present!" says junior, Megan Swain. "Spending my last year of at Gibraltar with Mr. Rueth was truly the only thing my highschool experience was lacking. Being able to realize that dream is more than I could ever imagine."
Eyes water with nostalgia as other students reminisce about their experiences with the acclaimed educator.
"He's always been a role model for me," sniffles Ainsley Nelson, another former student of Rueth's. "His constant control of the class, his leadership, his incredible fashion sense.. I'm sorry.. I need a moment."
It is very important for young students to be able to look up to their teachers as intelligent and mature adults. Gibraltar administrators have clearly taken a step in the right direction with this decision, and the entire community is waiting with enormous excitement for the start of the new school year.