with John W. Howell
On this Good Friday, I want to wish everyone the peace and joy that comes from the knowledge of renewal that this day and Easter and Passover represent. Today’s JohnKu carries that message.
Good Friday by John W. Howell © 2022
No matter your belief,
This day gives you a sign that . . .
A fresh start is here.
I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.
Today’s Good News story comes from the United States Marines. Here is the story as told by NBC News in San Diego.
U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, congratulates Cpl. Manny during a promotion ceremony at MCRD San Diego, April 1, 2022. Manny was promoted to the rank of Corporal during the morning colors ceremony.
Photo by Cpl. Grace Kindred
A momentous military promotion from Lance Corporal to the rank of Corporal happened Friday at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The lucky receiver of this promotion? An English Bulldog named Manny, the depot mascot.
Manny has been representing the depot since 2019. He was named Manny in honor of Sergeant. Jonny R. Manuelito. Sr. Manuelito’s legacy is carried on by Manny, representing Manuelito’s work as one of the “Original 29” Navajo Code Talkers, according to the San Diego Marine Corp.
Photos by Cpl. Grace Kindred
Bulldogs have been connected to the Marines since the 1920s, when the Marines were looking for recruitment tactics and realized they needed a good mascot for their sports games. The addition of bulldog mascots at all of Marine’s sporting events brought “public attention and enhanced the morale and spirit of Marines,” according to the United States Marine Corps website. The spirit of the bulldog has continued on in the Marine Corps San Diego, with Manny being a good boy and becoming a Corporal.
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here is an excerpt. The whole story is HERE.
As millions of Ukrainian women and children take refuge in other European nations, one inspiring act of kindness by workers at a Denmark office of Mediabrands Content Studio is warming hearts and going viral.
With Denmark already haven taken in thousands of refugees, the Mediabrands branch was inspired to write and create a free children’s book for Ukrainian speakers called “Welcome to Denmark”.
The charming booklet introduces refugees to the country while highlighting the cultural similarities of the two cultures, to help make the new refugees feel safer and more at ease.
The publishing team was thrilled to be connected with a Ukrainian female refugee who agreed to translate the copy.
20,000 copies were printed, and the book’s availability was announced through social media, hoping people or local organizations might be able to use them.
72 hours later, all 20,000 copies were distributed. Their office was inundated with requests, so 20,000 more are currently being printed. [UPDATE: Following this GNN article’s publication, the company said they’ve received a total of 100,000 orders.]
Queries came in from Danish train, bus, and ferry companies that want to give them to newly arriving Ukrainian passengers. At the same time, it acts as a mini-phrasebook that can make it easier to make friends and understand many new things around them.
The good news here is an American company in Denmark wanted to make Ukrainian refugees feel welcome.
Today’s JohnKu talks about welcoming new friends. I hope you have a great weekend
Strangers by John W. Howell © 2022
I don’t recognize,
Your face, clothes, language, or name . . .
No matter, we’re friends.
Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.
An image recently shared around social media of empty strollers on a Polish rail border crossing has inspired a mountain of donations for Ukrainian refugees.
Now at Przemyśl Station, women, children, and infants fleeing the war are being greeted by mountains of clothes, stuffed animals, strollers, diapers, and more after they step off the train.
ABC reports that the number of spare carriers and strollers from Polish mothers have been particularly inspiring, with many donators leaving handwritten notes behind, with words of support.
“We see on the television and hear on the radio what happened, and we say ‘okay, we can help,’” one Polish mother and volunteer told ABC.
The effort has become more organized over the weeks, which CNN details has spread like wildfire, mostly by word of mouth. The Medyka border crossing from Ukraine involves taking a train to Przemyśl Station, which has become the center of the relief effort.
The rooms of the train station are now being transformed from waiting rooms into warehouses for food, diapers, and clothes.
Beyond the station, people from across Europe have been seen waiting in cars offering to drive incoming refugees to wherever they have relations or a place to stay.
here is the Good Morning America video with the story.
Today’s JohnKu talks about overshadowing evil actions with good works. I hope you have a super weekend.
Spirit by John W. Howell ©2022
One evil man thinks,
He can break human spirit . . .
His lesson comes hard.
Here is a good news story about folks helping Ukraine hosts in need. I’m producing it here in its entirety.
From March 2nd to March 3rd, people from around the world booked 61,000 nights in Ukrainian cities via Airbnb, likely not one ever planning to check-in, or reschedule.
It’s part of a creative social media campaign to channel funds into besieged cities where something like aid drops or supply trucks can’t reach, and it has seen $1.9 million raised for Ukrainians in just those 48 hours.
In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Volodymyr Bondarenko had 10 people book into his room in a single day. “This was surprising, it’s very supportive at the moment,” 36-year-old Bondarenko told CNN early Friday. “I told many of my relatives and friends that I plan to use this money to help our people who need it at this time.”
Airbnb has said it is offering temporary housing in neighboring countries to up to 100,000 Ukrainians who are fleeing. It’s also waiving guest and host fees in the country to support individuals donating.
“We are so humbled by the inspiring generosity of our community during this moment of crisis,” said Haven Thorn, a company spokesperson. He asked those willing to help by hosting Ukrainians or donating to their efforts to visit Airbnb’s website to find additional ways to support or information.
One way anyone can help is by opening their home to Ukrainian refugees as an Airbnb host, for which the company will cover you with Aircover, a one million dollar hosting insurance policy. Airbnb also partners with non-profits and charities to help contribute to the guests’ basic needs.
The hospitality service isn’t the only community-based service that is helping out. Etsy has decided to cancel the current balances owed to Etsy by all sellers in Ukraine, which includes listing fees, transaction fees, advertising fees, and more—a roughly $4 million relief package.
The good news here is people and businesses are working together to help those being brutalized by Putin and his army. Today’s JohnKu talks about the best sides of humankind. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Kindness by John W. Howell © 2022
It doesn’t take much,
To open your heart to others . . .
Think if you were they.
Here is today’s good news story courtesy of My Modern Met. Here is the story in its entirety
Father-daughter dances are special occasions that many young girls eagerly look forward to. And many go on to look back on those nights with cherished memories as they grow older. But for 11-year-old Audrey Soape, who unexpectedly lost both her father and grandfather in 2021, tragedy had soured what would normally be a lovely evening. Nevertheless, when her church announced the upcoming event, the grieving tween’s mom Holly Soape took matters into her own hands. She was determined to find a way her daughter could still attend the dance and have a wonderful time in spite of the heartbreak of losing her father.
The Texas mom took a leap a leap of faith and reached out to Audrey’s favorite football player, Philadelphia Eagles free safety Anthony Harris, to see if he would escort her daughter to the daddy-daughter dance. And, to her surprise, the famous NFL football player said yes. “I just asked if he would be willing to come,” Soape explains. “And he said, ‘Not only will I come, but I want to make sure she feels like a princess.’”
Now that it’s all said and done, there’s absolutely no doubt that the kind-hearted athlete did just that. In addition to flying into town to be Audrey’s date for the evening, Harris also arranged a professional stylist to do her hair and makeup, scheduled a car to drive her to the appointments and even made sure she got the dress of her dreams. Finally, when the time came, he arrived on her doorstep with a corsage in hand to escort the 11-year-old to the father-daughter dance.
The Soapes were absolutely touched by the NFL player’s selfless gesture, especially after such a tough year. And to make the night that much more special, Harris even took the time to meet Audrey’s younger brother, too. Still, like any other preteen, the young girl admitted that although she was excited, she was also a bit anxious to have such a famous date. “I was very nervous because I didn’t know what I was going to say,” Audrey shared when asked about the evening. “At first, it was kind of awkward because we weren’t talking yet…But then he kind of came up and started talking to me.”
Since the news of Harris’ generosity got out, the story has gone viral all over the internet. But rather than soaking in all the praise, the star athlete has remained humble, saying that he was “just trying to be a human” and show some support for their family during this difficult time. “You gotta cherish these moments,” Harris adds. “You never know how long we have here on this Earth. So, the people that you care about and you love, show support for them.”
For Audrey and her family, the compassion and support Harris showed them without even really knowing them truly meant the world. And in the end, he gave them a night they’ll never forget. “We would all do anything for our kids when we see them suffering,” says Soape. “To know that there are people out there who will be there for your kids and for you, it’s really encouraging. And it sort of turned this horrible tragedy into this triumphant moment.”
The good news here is that no matter how much fame Anthony Harris achieves, this was his finest hour. Today’s John Ku talks about giving.
A Hand by John W. Howell © 2022
Reaching those in need,
Is the greatest of honors . . .
Which defines your grace.
by Andy Corbley March 3, 2022
A former UK Royal Marine has loaded a 16-seater minibus with sleeping bags, pillows, and toys for refugees moving across the Ukrainian border into Poland and pledged to drive 1,000 miles to personally deliver them.
31-year-old Tom Littledyke from Lyme Regis began his journey on February 28th, saying he was inspired to act after seeing pictures of “families broken and separated by the conflict.”
Setting up a fundraiser, it took Littledyke just twelve hours to fill his minibus with supplies and collect £4,000 in donations ($5,300) for the trip.
“Too often do we think that we have to do something grand, and if it can’t be grand, what’s the point,” he told the BBC. “It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it’s something in the right direction. There’s so many of us who want to help. It will all build to this gigantic thing.”
The 1,000 mile (1,600 km) drive will take him and his cargo through England, France, Germany, and Poland before arriving at the border with Ukraine, where an alleged 500,000 refugees have fled. After unloading the supplies, he plans to utilize the bus to give rides to people who have a place to stay.
Littledyke’s partner will hold down the fort in his absence, which consists of two pubs and an Italian restaurant.
While it is said that war is hell, Good News Network knows that during times when the capacity for human malevolence is greatest, the capacity for compassion is greater.
The good news here is one man decided to do something to help Ukrainians. Today’s JohnKu reminds us to think of those in need. I hope you have a super weekend, and maybe you can think of a small way to help.
Little Acts by John W. Howell © 2022
Big efforts to help,
Can also use the support . . .
Of little kind acts.
Here is a good news story found in Daily Paws and authored by Austin Cannon, Associate Editor.
A golden retriever who found herself trapped beneath the frozen ground has more than just firefighters to thank for her rescue. A passing Labrador retriever also played a vital role in reuniting Macy with her parents.
Macy went missing Friday morning at Marilla Park in Streator, Ill. As Streator Fire Department Capt. Fred McClellan—one of Macy’s eventual rescuers—understands she seemingly disappeared when her human turned away from her. The ground had collapsed beneath her, and unbeknownst searchers, including a drone, couldn’t find her.
Before 7 a.m. the next day, Wrigley the chocolate Lab and his human were walking in the park when Wrigley ventured into the area where Macy was and stayed there, McClellan tells Daily Paws. He whined and barked, letting his owner know he found Macy, one of his park playmates.
Soon the Fire Department arrived for what would be a tricky rescue. Macy was only 4 or 5 feet beneath the ground, but she was bogged down in 4–5 inches of mud, McClellan says. The frozen ground was acting as a nearly unsupported roof to the hole. At first, the rescuers put a ladder down toward Macy to hopefully coax her up, but that didn’t work for the older dog with leg and hip issues.
McClellan had descended into the hole to secure Macy to a leash, so when the ladder didn’t work, they opted to lift her out using the leash. The attempt seemed to work initially, but the ground gave way under McClellan, who was standing right outside the opening as he tried to lift Macy out.
McClellan fell, but he was able to transfer full control of the leash to his engineer, Tim Redd, while he was semi-suspended over the opening. Redd and Wrigley’s owner were then able to pull Macy out as McClellan rolled away from the opening.
Macy, who’s about 11, seemed justifiably pleased to exit her cold, muddy prison after nearly 24 hours. She quickly greeted a woman who we’re guessing is her owner. She was very calm and helpful down in the hole, offering McClellan a paw when he was down there to affix her to the leash.
“She was doing really, really good,” he says.
A check from the veterinarian revealed Macy was unhurt—no doubt thanks to Wrigley, McClellan, and everyone else who helped out.
The Good News here is when friends stick together like Macy and Wrigley, good things happen. Today’s JohnKu talks about friendship. I hope you have a super weekend.
You and I by John W. Howell © 2022
When there is just me,
A piece of us is missing . . .
You and I, a team.
Today’s good news is a little different. It is all about poetry. It is not just about poems but a unique way to deliver poems. It is called Telepoem.
These are refurbished phone booths that when visited and a number is dialed, the caller can listen to a selection from over 1000 poems. You don’t need a quarter either.
– Vintage phone booths and kiosks with 1000+ verses in the poetry directory allow you to dial-a-poem on a rotary or push-button phone.
– A multi-sensory community gift: visual, haptic and aural, multi-genre and multi-media. ADA accommodations provide poetry for all users of all physical abilities.
-Poetry, art, and music pieces, that engage participation and feature community poets. Performance vehicle for voices of many kinds. Co-created with the community.
Current Installations:
Telepoem Booth® Iowa
in the Millwork District covered walkway connecting East 10th and East 11th streets, Dubuque, IA
Telepoem Booth® Bisbee
Jonquil Motel, 317 Tombstone Canyon Rd.
Bisbee, AZ
Telepoem Booth® Santa Fe
Genoveva Chavez Community Center
3221 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM
Telepoem Booth® NMHU
Burris Hall, National Ave., New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM
Telepoem Booth® State College
The Maker, 209 W. Calder WayState College, PA
So the good news is there is poetry is available in refurbished cast-off phonebooths. Even better news would be a poem booth on every corner. Today’s JohnKu talks about joy. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Surprise by John W. Howell © 2022
Finding some good news,
When all the world genders bad . . .
Is a joy for sure.
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.
Marine biologists have found that $8 green LEDs affixed to fishermen’s gill nets were enough to dissuade vast amounts of sea animals like turtles, rays, and sharks from falling prey to these nets.
Originally tested by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on sea turtles off the coast of Hawai’i, they are proving even more effective on Humboldt squid and the elasmobranch family, which contains sharks and rays.
Gill nets are indiscriminate, and if a fisherman snags a thrashing shark, a four-foot-long Humboldt squid—known in Spanish as the “Red Devil”—or an unwelcome stingray, it can be incredibly dangerous entangling them without out-rightly killing them first.
Termed bycatch, the catching of unsought marine life accounts for 40% of all net-caught animals around the world and has been a major threat to sharks, rays, and turtles.
Jesse Senko, a biologist at the State University of Arizona’s School of Life Sciences, found that just a few green lights reduced the amount of elasmobranch and squid caught in fisherman’s nets by 95% and 81%, respectively.
The all-important loggerhead sea turtle was also bycaught 51% less frequently.
Furthermore, even non-game species of fish steered clear of the green light more than in the unlit control nets.
“We were stunned with our findings,” one researcher told Reuters.
In their study published in Cell.com, Senko and the rest of the research team compared 5,000 lit nets to 5,000 unlit nets off the coast of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, where several species of sharks and rays are declining due to bycatch, including the devil and manta rays.
Somehow, even though regular non-game fish were reduced, there was no difference statistically in the amount of game species caught in the lit and unlit nets, meaning there was no change to fishermen’s income.
“Regardless, the increased operational efficiency and reduction in total bycatch could justify the costs to fishers that convert to illuminated nets. In cases of high biodiversity and conservation importance, governments and NGOs could subsidize their adoption,” Senko wrote.
“In other gillnet fisheries, net illumination has been estimated to cost as little as $16 to $34 to prevent a sea turtle bycatch event. We encourage conservation practitioners, fishery managers, and other stakeholders to work with industry to develop new technologies, domestically manufacture LED lights, and seek new methods to increase efficiency and availability.”
One of the unexpected and rather cool reactions of reducing this bycatch was the amount of time it took to haul in and untangle nets, saving an average of 63 minutes per trip.
The good news here is game saving fishing techniques also bring higher profits to fisherfolk.
Today’s JohnKu talks about a winning solution. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Winner by John W. Howell © 2022
The best solution,
To a problem is crafted. . .
Where everyone wins.
