Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

May 26, 2023May 25, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from station KDKA, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA.

MT. LEBANON, Pa. (KDKA) — A local disabled veteran is calling his postal carrier a hero. He says the mailman pulled him to safety from the middle of the street.

“He is my guardian angel,” said Jim Brophy.

Brophy was installing lights outside his home on Mayfair Drive in Mt. Lebanon Monday morning when he fell down several concrete steps in front of his home, landing in the middle of the street.

The disabled Vietnam veteran said he couldn’t move and couldn’t even call for help because his cell phone flew out of his hands when he fell.

His mail carrier Eric was on his regular route when he happened upon Brophy lying in the street.

Brophy said Eric immediately parked his mail truck broadside to stop traffic flow and ran to his side. After asking a series of questions to ensure it was safe to move Brophy, Eric helped the Vietnam veteran to the sidewalk and then went to his door to get his wife.

“He said he’d do it for anyone. ‘I would do it for anyone, sir.’ That’s what he said, and then he thanked me for my service,” Brophy said.

After pulling Brophy to safety, Eric continued on his daily route, not knowing the impact he had on the man who calls him his “guardian angel.” Brophy said he couldn’t let that happen, so he waited for him this morning.

“I saw him walk up the street. I ran across the street, I said, ‘Hey, I don’t even know your name.’ He gave me his name and his route number. And I said, ‘I just want to thank you, man, you’re like my guardian angel, and I appreciate it, and we’re friends for life,’ and we hugged.”

The good news here is one man moved quickly to help another without thinking.

Today’s JohnKu talks about what it takes to be a hero. I hope you have a super weekend and a thoughtful Memorial Day.

Action without thought,

No self-consideration. . .

Marks the hero’s act.

Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

May 19, 2023May 18, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, The Good News Network. Here it is unabridged.

New York Cop Grabs Suicidal Passenger in First Rescue of its Kind on Staten Island Ferry

Andy Corbley May 18, 2023

It was a rescue that police said had never been done before hanging off the edge of a Staten Island ferry boat.

They were there because an emotionally disturbed man had inexplicably climbed out of the window onto a railing on the outside of the ship, seemingly ready to jump.

Then, after trying to reason with the silent would-be jumper, Officer Gambino, who was roped to the boat from an anchor point above, moved like lightning to grab hold of the individual and press him up against the side of the boat.

“Some people were in dry suits, and some were in rope harnesses in case he went into the water or stayed on the ferry,” said NYPD Emergency Service Unit Sgt. Darion Brooks. “We were prepared for both.”

Brooks told ABC 7 news that this particular rescue strategy had never been attempted before but that the ESU trains for dozens of different situations, some of which have involved potential jumpers.

The moment of arrest was captured in stunning detail by a news helicopter, and the man was transported to a hospital where he could receive psychiatric attention.

Here is the video of the rescue.

The good news here is that there were trained police officers who were able to save a life. Today’s JohnKu talks about rescues. I hope you have a great weekend.

Thinking of police,

More comes to mind than defunding . . .

Think rescue response.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

May 12, 2023May 11, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

White’s seahorse released in Australia – Supplied by Dr. David Harasti

Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, the Good News Network. Here is the story.

‘Best One We’ve Ever Done’–Scientists Release Hundreds of Endangered Seahorses Back Into the Wild

Andy Corbley May 11, 2023

Marine biologists restoring populations of seahorses off Australia’s east coast are ecstatic at the best efforts they’ve seen so far.

Hundreds of White’s seahorses, the only seahorse or seadragon species on Australia’s national endangered species list, were released into the waters north of Newcastle into specially-made “hotels.”

The project was conducted through a private-public effort consisting of the Sydney Aquarium and the Department of Primary Industries, (DPI) an agency that oversees hunting, agriculture, fishing, and forestry.

A generation ago, divers might see two dozen White’s seahorses at a time off Sydney Harbor at a refuge called Port Stephens, but coastal development and boat moorings have disrupted the habitat of these beautiful and strange creatures.

Sydney Aquarium has a very successful breeding program for the animal that uses individuals from Port Stephens as broodstock. The fathers raise the eggs of the next generation in a belly pouch—a feature unique in the entire animal kingdom—and are collected in large bags of seawater after they hatch.

They are then taken to the refuges and lowered down into their hotels. The hotels are essentially cages meant for much larger animals. They create plenty of nooks and crannies that serve as habitats for them and their prey species, like crustaceans.

Recently, aboard a DPI boat off Nelson Bay, Dr. David Harasti, a scientist with the department, released 350 baby seahorses at one time.

The seahorse “hotels” – Dr. David Harasti

“That was the best one we’ve ever done—350 baby seahorses sitting around in their new home,” he told ABC au, who filmed him doing the release.

“It’s great to see, and I can’t wait to go back in a couple of weeks and see how they’re doing.”

Harasti is also planning to check up on his charges this coming October.

The good news here is that with work, endangered species can be saved. Today’s JohnKu talks about what saving endangered species means to us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Vanishing Species,

Are the early warning signs . . .

For the rest of us.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

May 5, 2023May 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 100 Comments

Credit Courtesy Finbarr FallonBjarke Ingels Group

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.

Skyscraper Bursting with 80,000 Plants Opens in Singapore

Andy Corbley May 4, 2023

If you’re planning a trip to the other side of the world’s richest city-state, Singapore’s “biophilic” CapitaSpring tower is now fully bursting with a publically accessible urban forest.

In Singapore’s business district, you have to go 17 to 20 stories above street level to find vast open greenery. On CapitaSpring’s “Green Oasis” floor, accessible to the public, a spiral path winds through gardens and small replicants of tropical forests, like the kind that stood there before Singapore came to be.

On the roof, three rooftop market gardens supply fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to three on-site restaurants, and trees grow in nooks in the building’s facade as often as windows.

Ground broke in 2018 under the supervision of two of Europe’s most significant architecture firms—Carlo Ratti Associati and the Bjarke-Ingels Group.

“Due to the unique character of Singapore’s urbanism—both extremely dense and green—we decided to make the design a vertical exploration of tropical urbanism,” founder Bjarke Ingels said in a statement, adding that the tower is “like a vision of a future in which city and countryside, culture and nature can coexist.”

The 51-story building houses over 80,000 trees and plants across 90,000 square feet of landscaped area.

It reflects the belief of the nation’s founder, Lee Kuan Yew, who referred to the city-state as a “garden city.” Despite 6 million people filling an area smaller than Greater London, plants are easy to come by and are, in fact, a legal requirement in building regs.

The good news here is that if an effort is made in Singapore to ensure a dense Uban area has a proliferation of plants, such an effort can happen anywhere. Today’s JohnKu talks about creativity in urban planning. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Alabaster lights,

Gleem on the city walkways . . .

Could accent the green.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

April 28, 2023April 27, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 90 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.

Ex-Racehorse Destined for Kill Pen Rescued by Woman Who Helped Raise Her–WATCH

By Andy Corbley Apr 27, 2023

Meaghan Martin has seen a lot of long faces in her years as a horse trainer, and it was this history that allowed her to turn a potentially-sad story into a happy ending.

She was just a teenager when she met the young mare Saxy, a horse that was to be trained for racing. But having never made a name for herself and collecting only a few thousand dollars in winnings, Saxy was sold on as a workhorse.

Retired equine athletes in America are often sold to the Amish communities, who use them to pull plows and buggies, and it was during this activity that Saxy was involved in a collision that left her marked for slaughter.

Around this time, Martin was all grown up and worked full-time at Red Lion Farm, in Gray, Maine. She was scrolling through Facebook and saw a mare with a brand on her neck that immediately jumped out at her.

“That number is actually what saved her,” Martin told the local NBC affiliate. “I recognized that brand and said, ‘Oh, that’s one of the babies that I worked with.’”

Her friend and owner of Red Lion, Kendra Gorham, felt as Martin did that Saxy had to come home, that they couldn’t let her fall to such a tragic end. Agreeing to split the cost and raise money and supplies whenever possible, the two ladies set off to Pennsylvania to bring Saxy home.

Within 48 hours of reaching out to their community, they had enough money and supplies to ensure Saxy had a real chance of recovering from her accident.

“People donated blankets, people donated brushes, people donated boots for her feet before we had shoes on her to keep her more comfortable,” Martin said. “People were so incredibly generous with their energy, with their money, with their things.”

News Center Maine details the moment when seeing her old trainer for the first time in years, Saxy wrapped her head around Martin after she entered her paddock, bringing immediate tears.

Once back home, it was clear that the mare would need slow and careful rehabilitation. Without shoes and with thin hooves, walking was difficult. Furthermore, she had spent her life with strict orders to run fast or pull things. Gentle but precise maneuvering was never something she had to do and must now learn.

Saxy now works for Martin as one of her horses for an equine-assisted psychotherapy program for humans suffering from trauma and PTSD. Here’s a video of the story

The good news here is life is precious and worth saving. Today’s JohnKu has more to say on this subject. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

It takes but a spark,

A desire to keep going . . .

And a helping hand.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

April 21, 2023April 20, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 86 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. The following is the story in its entirety.

Missing Texan Trapped for 3 Hours in Her Submerged Car Saved by Passing Fisherman–Learn How to Save Yourself Too

Andy Corbley Apr 19, 2023

In an incredible story of luck and survival, a Texan was pulled from her submerged car after 3 hours under the water.

The woman had been reported missing by loved ones but was only discovered because a fisherman happened to see the faint outline of a car roof sticking up out of the water in a Texas lake.

The call to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office came in on Friday morning, according to a press release. At Lake O’the Pines, a fisherman said he saw a Jeep about 40 feet from the boat ramp.

It took 18 minutes for deputies to arrive. They determined it was too dangerous to wade out to the vehicle and instead took the fisherman’s boat out to the car after a wrecker had arrived to tow it out.

“It was at that time they saw the woman,” Police Capt. Chuck Rogers told Business Insider. “The fisherman and wrecker employee was able to help the woman from the Jeep. They placed her into the boat, and she was brought to shore.”

Longview Police Department in Texas, located about 25 miles south of the lake, had the woman, whose identity was not released, listed as a missing person, though no reports have emerged as to why or when.

Emergency services arrived and treated her for hypothermia—it had been a brisk morning, and the water was not warm.

Regarding the woman’s survival, details haven’t been released as to how much water entered the Jeep, how much air was available, or how long she was under; she claims at least several hours.

As soon as a car begins sinking in water, a very limited amount of time exists to save oneself, but there are effective methods that everyone should know of. The first step is to try and open the door, though usually sinking occurs too fast, or the weight of the water outside prevents this. The second step would be to open the window.

A car door, if unlocked, can be opened once the car is fully submerged and the air pressure inside and outside equalizes. If there are passengers in the backseats, the first priority is to stay calm, unlock all the doors, unbuckle all seatbelts, and open all the windows. If no one can escape during the sinking, everyone should be able to open the door and swim out once the whole car is submerged.

In the case of the Texas woman, her car was not fully submerged, which removed the immediate risk of drowning but meant the door and windows were stuck shut. She managed to survive in the cold water for 3 hours.

In such a case as this, hypothermia becomes a real risk, especially for young children and the elderly. Breaking the windows should become a top priority if there is a tool inside that’s capable of doing so.

If oxygen is entering the car from outside, continuously move the limbs as that will help generate heat, but if air is not coming into the cabin, the best option is to remain as calm as possible, slow and control your breathing, and use a phone if possible to call for help.

The good news here is the woman fought to survive despite the odds. Today’s JohnKu talks about inner strength. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

When times get tougher,

Our internal strength remains . . .

The best hope for help.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

April 14, 2023April 13, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

A Trip to Delaware Hardware Store Turns into Life-Changing Moment

Andy Corbley Apr 12, 2023

When Lowe’s employee Dave Urban came across the Getty family in the PVC aisle, he thought he would be helping them find the right fittings or something like that.

It was after he heard what was being built and who it was being built for that he took the time to do more than just help.

The Getty family was building parallel bars to help their son William practice walking.

“He was born very prematurely, just 23 weeks, so as a result, he has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, and one of our goals for William is to get him walking,” mom Jessica Getty told local news.

So inspired by young Will, Dave ended up spending half an hour cutting and fitting the PVC right there in the store, ensuring that everything was perfect to help Will get started finding his feet in the world.

“Then came the test. Will got up, out of his wheelchair, and grabbed hold of those bars. I think you saw that courageous smile of his. Sense of pride, ah, it keeps getting me,” Urban said, holding back tears.

The whole family saw how much it meant to Dave, and quickly made a lasting friend out of the man, who himself said the experience rewarded him “100 times back.”

The good news here is one man cares for others and takes the time to help. Today’s JohnKu talks about the highest form of giving.

When no one’s looking,

A good deed done selflessly . . .

Ranks as number one.

Here is the video.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

April 7, 2023April 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Photo of Alan Babin during the community honor ceremony of his home – Photo courtesy of the Austin Statesman

Today’s good news is a local story about an American hero who lives here in Lakeway. Alan Babin was excited to become a Lakeway resident for many reasons, not the least of which is that he is able to leave his home independently in his wheelchair.

The Gary Sinise Foundation gave Babin and his family a smart home in 2018 adapted to his specific needs, a significant gift for the injured U.S. Army corporal who served as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. Due to the wounds he received 20 years ago, he has had to work hard to be able to do many everyday tasks.

On March 31st, the city declared it Alan Babin Day in honor of the 20th anniversary of surviving catastrophic wounds during his service in Iraq. Alan was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart for his actions to save another. The proclamation issued by the city tells more of the story.

There was a unique open house at the airpark to honor Alan, and we will be visiting that open house on Sunday. The good news here is that a community cares about one of its own who sacrificed his own health and safety for another. Today’s JohnKu talks about honor. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Where do we find those,

Who are willing to give all . . .

To save another.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

March 31, 2023March 30, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Ukrainian refugees attending Orthodox Church in Minneapolis – credit American Service

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. So here it is in its entirety.

Recently Arrived Ukrainians in Minneapolis Head to Mississippi to Help Tornado Victims

Andy Corbley Mar 30, 2023

The mainstream media is filled with headlines about how the United States is helping Ukraine, but under the radar is how some Ukrainians are returning the favor.

Having arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as recently as a few months ago, a group of 7 Ukrainian refugees has signed up for a 2,000-mile road trip to Mississippi to help with tornado relief.

Tornadoes tore a path of destruction across rural Mississippi and Alabama on the night of Friday the 24th. The nonprofit American Service is just one of several aid organizations heading to help the victims.

They quickly organized a team of volunteers and headed down to North Fork, MI, expecting to arrive on Tuesday.

American Service’s Director of Operations, Sofiia Rudenko, is a Ukrainian who has only been in the country since Christmas. Still, after receiving help settling in from American Service, she quickly dedicated her time to helping other new arrivals.

“Here in America, a lot of people helped me to establish here, and we have this kind of culture that we want not only to take but also to give back and to help the others,” Rudenko told MPR News.

“I found a group of people, Ukrainian, that is not working today and willing to go immediately, and now we’re packing and going. It’s so exciting. I hope we can do something great for this world.”

American Service has so far helped 80 Ukrainians like Rudenko find temporary housing, jobs, and a bit of community in Minneapolis.

Their first trip down to Mississippi is to bring water exclusively, and a second trip will follow based on whatever they discover is in short supply after the first trip.

The good news here is those who have been helped are repaying by helping others who need help. Today’s JohnKu talks about repayments. I hope your weekend is lovely.

There are some who take,

With never a thought to payback . . .

Sowing yields reaping.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay – Good News

March 24, 2023March 23, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today’s good news is from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

Switzerland Set to Roll Out Solar Panels Between Railway Tracks–A World First

By Andy Corbley –Mar 22, 2023

Europe’s love of train travel is about to transform the continent’s solar energy production as the Swiss are set to begin installing solar panels in between train tracks.

The startup called Sun-Ways is waiting for a sign-off from the Federal Office of Transport to start installing their panels between the tracks near Buttes Station in the west of the country.

With the Swiss national railway network stretching beyond 2,000 miles of track, estimates place the amount of power generation at potentially beyond 1 terawatt hour or 2% of the entire gross annual consumption.

“There are over a million kilometers of railway lines in the world,” co-founder Baptiste Danichert tells SWI Swissinfo. “We believe that 50% of the world’s railways could be equipped with our system.”

A great way to incorporate solar panels into an economy is to find a place where flat ground is used by other industries, like canals, pastures, or warehousing.

Some companies use solar panels to generate power over agriculture, a strategy called “agrivoltaics” while India and California use their massive canal networks and hot sun to generate power while saving land.

Sun-Ways’ invention uses a specialized train car to lay down solar panels as if it were unrolling a carpet to save on labor costs.

At the moment, the idea is facing some pushback, including concern that the reflection of the sun off the panels could distract drivers, and that in areas with heavy snowfall, the panels would be a large waste of money.

Dust, debris, and damage from the vibrations of the rails could all potentially interfere the panels, but Sun-Ways have said they are taking all of this into account with the design and materials of the panels. For dust, they added that brushes could be attached to the undersides of trains to clean the panels as they drive by.

Their pilot at Buttes remains highly anticipated.

The good news here is that there are those trying unique and innovative ways to solve energy needs. Even if this system does not prove out, it is still worth pursuing. Today’s JohnKu talks about taking a chance. I hope you have a super weekend.

Even if it’s a risk,

Trying to solve big problems . . .

Beats ignoring them.