Yahoo is buying Tumblr, the popular blogging service, for $1.1 billion in cash. The acquisition will aid Yahoo in its efforts to expand its reach to younger users and give the brand a much needed boost.

CEO Marissa Mayer has initiated many controversial changes within the company. This bold move to rejuvenate Yahoo by co-opting an online property with significant traffic but little revenue is not devoid of risk.

Mayer explained in an interview that by combining the sites, Yahoo will be able to attract additional advertisers and retain site visitors.

“Tumblr in terms of users and traffic is an immediate growth story for us,” she said.

Yahoo has stressed that it is sensitive to concerns that it may impact Tumblr in a negative way, and will make sure to avoid making the network less irreverent or more corporate.

“Per agreement and our promise not to screw it up, Tumblr will be independently operated as a separate business,” Yahoo stated.

Infants Can Grow to Be Children with the Help of the Bell Family Foundation Infants in Crisis Program

In Burkina Faso, West Africa, the Bell Family Foundation is working hard to make a difference to children and their families. With donations from people like AJ Discala and his wife Dounya, the Foundation is able to provide the crucial supplies needed, which in many cases can mean the difference between life and death.

West Africa has the highest mortality rate in the world. With no shops to purchase supplies in the villages, it means that mothers do not have easy access to baby bottles or formula. And with no readily available supply of clean water to mix the formula, the only alternative feeding method for an infant to survive is through breastfeeding. If, however, the mother cannot breastfeed, her child is in danger.

This is where the Bell Family Foundation Infants in Crisis milk program plays its life-saving role.

With financial support from generous donors like AJ Discala, the Bell Family Foundation can intervene through local missionaries who are on-site, bringing life giving baby milk to those sorely in need.

Grace is the first baby whose life was saved through the efforts of the Infants in Crisis program.  Obviously grateful, Grace’s family had this to say about the program.

“How else could we have saved her life? We are very content because with this aid our children are saved. If you would not have saved our children, what would we have done so that they would become the children of tomorrow?”

In addition to supporting the Infants in Crisis Program, The Bell Family Foundation is also involved in helping bring fresh, clean water to the residents of villages who would otherwise have no easy or convenient way to obtain potable water. The following are photographs from a recent opening of a water well for the people of Burkina Faso.

Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!, has generated lots of company buzz with her policy changes. A few months ago she terminated the office’s work-from-home option, raising debates throughout the high-tech world.

Recently, however, Yahoo announced that it will be doubling the amount of paid leave for new mothers. Fathers will be given 8 weeks off, while mothers will receive 16. The new policy brings Yahoo closer to other Silicon Valley companies such as Google and Facebook.

“Over the last several month, we’ve introduced new benefits like free food to make Yahoos’ days easier, new smartphones to encourage innovation, and updated computers to speed productivity,” Yahoo said in a statement. “Recently, we rolled out some new and improved benefits to support the happiness and well-being of Yahoos and their families.”

Despite Mayer cracking down on certain aspects of the company, she has also installed several perks for employees. Yahoo now offers branded gifts for new children and pets, as well as up to $5oo worth of “daily habits” such as daycare or dry cleaning. Mayer explained that her new in-office policy is not a “broad industry view” of the practice, but “about what is right for Yahoo right now.”

Yesterday, CareOne CEO Daniel E. Strauss continued the distribution of $1 million of relief funds to the company’s hurricane-affected employees at a ceremony in New Jersey. The premier senior care company was able to benefit 100 employees and their immediate relatives thanks to ongoing fundraising efforts.

Daniel Strauss awarded $30,000 to community-based relief funds Hope for Highlands and Middletown Disaster Relief Fund. He was joined by Highlands Council President Rebecca Kane, Highland Council Woman Tara Ryan, Highlands Business Partnership President Carla Cefalo-Braswell and Former Mayor and Founder of the Middletown Disaster Relief Fund Anthony P.

The money will support families as they renovate and rebuild new homes and replace lost items, as well as help prepare for future crises. An application process and damage assessments helped to ensure fair fund distribution.

May 1 marks the opening night for the 2013 Spring Show NYC (by invitation only) at the Park Avenue Armory.  This particular event will be used to benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A room – designed by Brett Beldock of Brett Design – will showcase artworks with animal motifs.  From the sales of these, $25 will be donated to the ASPCA.

The actual Spring Show NYC is open to the public the following day until the 5^th May, at the same address. It is being orchestrated by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America (AADLA) and sponsored by 1stdibs.com.

Exhibition perusers can select a variety of items brought to the show from over 50 galleries and dealers.  These include: Kendall Fine Art (Stand 120), Phoenix Ancient Art (Stand 323), European Decorative Arts Company (Stand 310), Schillary Fine Art, Inc. (Stand 111), Jayne Thompson Antiques (424), etc.  Fifteen of these will be bringing their exhibit to the show for the first time.

Contained in Beldock’s room on opening night will also be her personally-designed wallpapers.  She explained that these really make “the glorious antiques sing,” which in turn have a significant impact on the strength of the items.

Yesterday, Drake University celebrated its bulldog mascot in the 34^th annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest. Held in Des Moines, Iowa, the contest participants include bulldogs of all ages. Creatively dressed as pirates, ballerinas, bikers and more, the bulldogs kicked off the Drake Relays event which will continue throughout the week. This year’s contest winner was Huckleberry, a four-year-old bulldog who belongs to Steven and Stephanie Hein of Norwalk, Iowa.

Here are some photos from the event:

Huckleberry Wins!

Addie

Zeus

Jazmine Josephine