Friday – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

July 8, 2022July 7, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Today’s good news comes from the good news network. Here is the story in its entirety.

Airline Captain Writes Note to Tooth Fairy For Girl Who Lost Tooth on Plane

Andy Corbley

–

Jul 5, 2022

Captain Josh – courtesy of Laura Larmon

A 6-year-old who realized after disembarking that she had lost a tooth aboard a plane was desperate to get it back.

Seeing this, a passing captain, with his jacket, cap, and epaulets, stepped in to write a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining the situation.

Lena and Laura Larmon were at the tail end of a long travel period, with a return leg from Norway to Greenville-Spartanburg Int. Airport, South Carolina, interrupted in New York with a 36-hour delay. Finally, stepping off the plane must have felt like bliss, until at the baggage claim, when 6-year-old Lena realized she had lost a tooth.

“We tried to walk back to the airplane, but security was closed. It was 2 a.m.,” mom Laura told Good Morning America, adding that Lena was “crying and very emotional” when she realized that, without the tooth to place under her pillow, there would be no corresponding visit from the Tooth Fairy.

That’s when United Airlines Captain Josh Duchow, seeing Lena’s distress, stepped in to help. With his captain’s bearing and official uniform, there would be no doubt that a quick written explanation from “Captain Josh” would be an acceptable receipt for the Tooth Fairy’s records.

“Dear Tooth Fairy, Lena had a tooth fall out on her flight to Greenville,” wrote Duchow, who piloted the flight. “Please take this note in place of her tooth.”

Note to Tooth Fairy – courtesy Laura Larmon

Mother Laura later shared the story on Instagram and Facebook as a break from “a world of bad airline stories.”

United Airlines released a statement on Duchow’s part, declaring: “we’re proud to see moments like this that underscore our commitment to going above and beyond for our customers and creating an airline where Good Leads the Way.”

The good news here is it doesn’t take much to show kindness. Thank you, Captain Josh, for your kindness toward Lena. Today’s JohnKu talks about being kind. I hope you have a great weekend.

Kindness by John W. Howell

It does not take much,

To make the day of someone . . .

Who needs a kind act.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Friyay/Good News

July 1, 2022June 30, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

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

Floating Drones Are Swallowing Tons of Plastic Waste Before it Reaches Ocean

By Andy Corbley

June 24, 2022

From Chennai to Trentino alto Adige to Baltimore, inventors are churning out methods of stopping plastic pollution from entering the ocean by picking it out of riverways.

They come in different shapes and sizes, and a Dutch company just added a whale-shark-inspired drone that can cobble 160 liters of waste to the mix.

Developed by RanMarine in Rotterdam, the drone project was both straightforward, but with a pretty long checklist. It had to be automated, zero emissions, easy to use, economic to deploy and maintain, and be able to clean a freshwater environment without harming it.

The result is WasteShark, which is about 4 feet long and quietly captures trash in a tray between its two pontoons. Like the whale shark that provided its inspiration, a grid stops anything sizeable from entering its mouth, until it detects trash and the grid is lowered.

Once the drone is filled, it’s steered back to the water’s edge, where the tray can be easily removed, and emptied into a larger receptacle.

Watch the video

The good news here is around the world people continue to work on keeping plastic and trash out of the ocean. Today’s JohnKu talks about problem-solving.

Solving a problem,

Even the impossible . . .

Takes a dogged heart.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – FRI-Yay/Good News

May 27, 2022May 26, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 95 Comments

With all the bad news from Uvalde and Buffalo, we need to think of the good in this world.

Today’s good news comes to us from iheartdogs.com.

Here is the story as written.

First-Graders Create Sweet & Silly Kennel Cards To Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

by Stephanie Maguire

Right now, animal shelters all across our beautiful country are experiencing a crisis. There are continuously more strays and surrenders in need of care than they have room to comfortably accommodate. There are simply more dogs than adopters.

So when some first graders found out that the current lack of space was affecting their local Texas shelter, they did what came naturally to lend a helping hand – they broke out their crayons!

Popeye — Facebook photo – Austin Animal Shelter

Smile-inducing sweetness is practically second nature to a child. So when the Austin Animal Center made it known to the public that they desperately needed help making space in their shelter, long-time dog lover, volunteer foster mom, and first-grade teacher, Dr. Victoria Zolli, felt inspired to share this with her students. Naturally, they were all extremely excited to help.

Douglas — Facebook photo – Austin Animal Shelter

So, drawing inspiration from a teacher she heard about on the radio, Dr. Zolli helped her class create kennel cards to entice prospective dog parents to adopt or foster one of their long-stay pooches.

Her creative class wrote from the perspective of the dogs, and using their newly acquired persuasive writing skills, they combined characteristics from the pictures and short bios provided by the shelter.

Angus — Facebook photo – Austin Animal Shelter

The kennel cards turned out to be colorfully eye-catching, and the kids’ clever, candid writing was incredibly enticing. Hung above the kennels of the adoptable dog they described, the cards have delighted everyone lucky enough to lay their eyes upon them.

Their amusing childhood candor, combined with the apparent love shown for these sweet pups, made for an extremely endearing endeavor.

Fredo — Facebook photo – Austin Animal Shelter

It would be incredibly hard to walk away from a kennel with one of these cards above it without giving the pup a second look or even a meet and greet – which is exactly what these students, and their teacher, had in mind.

Sometimes, the dogs that have languished in shelters the longest can find their forever homes after spending some time in the spotlight. These pups have been overlooked long enough. The adorable kennel cards are giving them the attention they so rightfully deserve, which increases the odds that they will finally find forever homes!

Moby — Facebook photo – Austin Animal Shelter

Great job, first graders from Chaparral Star Academy, and thanks for caring so much about the fantastic dogs waiting to be adopted at your local shelter.

The good news here is that children were able to relate to those animals who need a forever home which had to have enriched their perspectives on life. Today’s JohnKu talks about life perspectives. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Do you look around?

For those who need to be helped . . .

Or mind those blinders?

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

May 20, 2022May 19, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

Today’s story is lifted directly from the Good News Network. I hope you enjoy it.

Anonymous Donor Pays Off Student Debt for Entire 2022 College Class in Texas

Students at a Texas College graduated last week not only with their diplomas but with their balances cleared suddenly by an anonymous donor.

More than 100 students assembled for the 133rd graduation ceremony at Wiley College and were shocked to hear President & CEO Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. announce that their balances had been paid off.

The recent pandemic had exacerbated some students’ ability to pay their debts, so some graduates and parents in the audience in Marshall, Texas, were especially thrilled to hear the news.

“Our commitment to our students goes beyond their time while they are enrolled,” said Felton. “We are grateful for this anonymous donor who will assist the students in paying off their balances.”

The estimated total owed by the class of 2022 in the historically Black college was $300,000.

“As Wiley College closes the academic semester and prepares for its Sesquicentennial Celebrations beginning in July, this is a great way to start the celebration of 150 years of the College’s contributions to the world.”

Wiley College, with its focus on social good and leadership, has reduced its tuition in the past years to $17,500 to cover fees, room, and board.

Now the school’s motto is even more appropriate: “Go forth Inspired.”

The Good news here is someone thought enough of these students to give what he felt necessary to give them a great start. Today’s JohnKu talks about giving. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Generosity by John W. Howell

Whenever it comes,

Generosity is love . . .

We need more of it.

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

April 29, 2022April 28, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

Our Good News today comes from the Good News Network. Here is the story

Tourists Come to See Tulips in Holland Once Again, Grabbing Incredible Photos of Spring – LOOK

By Good News Network – Apr 24, 2022

Tulip fields in Lisse, Netherlands by Matt Cooper – SWNS

Photographs in the last few weeks show the stunning kaleidoscope of colors bursting into bloom in Holland’s tulip fields.

Beginning in late March, millions of blooms have been delighting visitors in the Netherland with their patchwork of color.

British photographer Matt Cooper was one of those visitors. The 48-year-old from London traveled over the Easter weekend and shared his images and drone footage.

The images show Holland’s famous flower field landscapes, which have become a rich blanket of tulips with row upon of row of vivid block colors.

“I went there especially to shoot the tulips,” he said. “This is the best time to shoot them, as they flower in April and May every year.”

Cooper’s 4-day trip took him all over the country capturing the iconic fields by drone—especially the famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, one of the world’s largest flower gardens.

Noordoostpolder, Netherlands, by Matt Cooper – SWNS

The Garden holds an annual festival—but 2022 is the first time the festival has been open to the public since the pandemic. It runs through 15 May.

Cooper said the Dutch people take their tulips very seriously, and across the small country, “there are hundreds of millions of tulips’.

“The weather was beautiful too.”

SEE the scenes of the resurgent Keukenhof Tulip Gardens…

The good news is that beauty is around us even in the toughest times. Today’s JohnKu talks about not missing the beauty around you. I hope you have a super weekend.

It is all around,

All you have to do is look . . .

Nature has a show.

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

April 22, 2022April 22, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

Bigger than Texas: Huge New Marine Park Will Protect ‘Australia’s Galapagos’

By

Good News Network Apr 16, 2022

Massive new marine parks will now protect and preserve the Australian oceans surrounding Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands—home to life found nowhere else on earth.

These two parks in the Indian Ocean will protect over 287,000 square miles of spectacular seascapes (744k square km), an area greater in size than Texas, and twice as large as the Great Barrier Reef.

Australian Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley called it a “globally significant contribution to marine conservation and a further demonstration of Australia’s leadership in ocean protection.”

“The region, which is often described as Australia’s Galapagos Islands, supports unique underwater reefs and rare aquatic species which act as a natural laboratory, helping us to understand more about the evolution of the oceans.”

60 Commonwealth marine parks around Australia are now protecting 45 percent of the island country’s territorial waters.

Officials wanted to ensure that island fishermen could maintain their sustainable local food source and way of life.

“The offshore parts of these parks will be placed under the highest level of protection, while the inshore areas important to island communities will continue to enable sustainable fishing to occur,” said Nola Marino, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories.

Gaze at the local wildlife in this beautiful video from Australian Parks

The government allocated $5.4 million to manage the marine parks—which are 99% offshore, and one percent inshore to support local fisheries.

The good news here is real action is being taken by the Australian government to protect its natural resources. Today’s JohnKu supports that activity. I hope you all have a super weekend.

They always say that,

A penny saved is like earned . . .

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

April 8, 2022April 7, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments

Today’s Good News story comes from the United States Marines. Here is the story as told by NBC News in San Diego.

Good Boy: San Diego Marine’s Mascot Received a Major Promotion

Manny, the bulldog mascot, is moving up the ranks in the Marines

By Mackenzie Stafford • Published April 1, 2022, • Updated on April 2, 2022, at 8:33 am

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: San Diego Marine’s Mascot Received a Major Promotion

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manny, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego mascot, poses for a picture following his promotion ceremony at MCRD San Diego, April 1, 2022. Manny was named after Sgt. Johnny R. Manuelito, one of the original Navajo Code Talkers.

Photos by Cpl. Grace Kindred

The pure-bred English Bulldog was promoted during the Morning Colors Ceremony, honoring the American flag. The promotion had a great turnout of friends and family of the India Company, along with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, who graduated from recruitment training after the promotion ceremony.

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.

Photos: Manny at work

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Manny, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego mascot, examines an obstacle at MCRD March 14, 2022. Manny is the official mascot for the Western Recruiting Region. Log drills are utilized t strengthen the body and develop a strong character embodying our core values through teamwork.

Photos by Pfc. Max Noel

The Good news here is that recognition for a job well done is appreciated by everyone. Today’s John Ku talks about recognizing those who help make life easier. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

A six lettered word,

Tells someone you are grateful . . .

And that they count – Thanks

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

April 1, 2022March 31, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here is an excerpt. The whole story is HERE.

Danish Company Creates Children’s Book to Make Ukrainian Refugees Feel at Home – And it’s Adorable

Photo submitted to Mediabrands Content Studio

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.

Mediabrands Content Studio – The Cover

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

I don’t recognize,
Your face, clothes, language, or name . . .
No matter, we’re friends.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF Fri Yay/Good News

March 25, 2022March 24, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 116 Comments

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

Strangers are Leaving Strollers, Diapers, and Toys at the Border for Ukrainian Refugee Moms

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.

One evil man thinks,

He can break human spirit . . .

His lesson comes hard.

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

March 18, 2022March 17, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Here is a good news story about folks helping Ukraine hosts in need. I’m producing it here in its entirety.

People Are Booking So Many Airbnbs in Ukraine–They Raise $2M for Hosts in Need, and Never Even Check-in

Andy Corbley

–

Mar 10, 2022

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.

It doesn’t take much,

To open your heart to others . . .

Think if you were they.