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

April 25, 2025April 24, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

The Working Bikes workshop in action during the pandemic – credit, Working Bikes

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

Chicago Bicycle Refurbishers Pedal Good to the World for 26 Years With 150,000 Bikes Saved from Landfills

By Andy Corbley – Apr 24, 2025

For 25 years, a local nonprofit has been refurbishing bikes for resale or donation to communities in need in Chicago and the world.

Over the years, its horizons have continued to expand beyond the Windy City and out to the farthest corners of the world.

Working Bikes, located at 2434 S. Western Ave in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, has seen an awful lot of bikes pass through its doors; pulling them from landfills, picking them up off the curbside, or accepting them from community members. Over 150,000 have been repaired since the registered 501(c)3 got its wheels turning in 1999.

12% of all the bikes they restored are sold in the Working Bikes storefront. 15% meanwhile are donated right back to the people of Chicago through local program partners that will ensure they arrive in the hands of people in need of transportation.

The whole operation is volunteer-supported: anyone can come in and fix a bike or learn how. A few dedicated employees ensure that salable models are in excellent condition, or boast unique designs and features.

“I think there’s always a need in Chicago,” said Trevor Clarke, current director of Working Bikes, in an interview with CBS Chicago.

“There are disinvested communities here who really lack access to transportation, and we saw that spike in with the new arrival population, so we had an acute need for people who were just coming to Chicago.”

Thousands more bikes—the majority, in fact—await delivery to Working Bikes’ overseas partners in Mexico, Venezuela, Albania, Uganda, Angola, Egypt, Cuba, and many, many more countries.

Working Bikes provides not only bicycles and spare parts but also training to the Bwindi Bicycle Program in rural Uganda, which trains women to repair and maintain bikes. This is just one of many local organizations supported by Working Bikes.

“The focus is really on employment for the ladies,” Clarke said. “They set up the shops, we help provide the training, we continue to provide the bikes—and the ladies who were trained eight years ago train this new group for a new shop.”

100,000 of the 150,000 bikes the Working Bikes team refurbished have gone to these overseas difference-makers. They arrive unrideable, but with the training and tools to repair them. Each bike is then sold for prices relevant to the local economy, and many of these partners provide microloans to prospective buyers.

WATCH the story from CBS below… or for viewers outside the US, WATCH HERE…

The good news in this story is what would normally be waste is turned into usable products that have purpose. Today’s JohnKu talks about elimination waste. I hope you have a super weekend.

Why discard something,

When someone could value it . . .

Need to think before.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy, Tempeste, and Temptation

April 24, 2025April 23, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 111 Comments

“What’s going on, Tempeste?”

“MMMifftt.”

“Are you eating leaves over there?”

“Not leaves. Just one leaf.”

“You know what Mom and Dad said about that.”

“Yeah, but they don’t know how tasty they are.”

“Don’t come crying to me when you get a tummy ache.”

“Haven’t had one yet.”

“Yeah, but there is always the first time.”

“I think I’ll take my chances.”

“Where did you find that leaf. Dad keeps this place picked up.”

“You know, it just floated down like manna from heaven. It was like it was meant for me.”

I think the whole thing is disgusting.”

“Want to try one?”

“For heaven’s sake, no. You should spit it out, too.”

“Well, a little late for that.”

“Eww, you ate it?”

“It just sorta melted in my mouth.”

I prefer the real food myself.”

“Speaking of that. I think I hear the call of the dinner dish.”

“At least your ears are normal.”

“Oh, by the way. You won’t tell Mom about the leaf, will you?

“And break her heart. Not on your life.”

“You are the greatest.”

Note: No actual leaves were eaten in this dramatization.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Bothers”

April 22, 2025April 21, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

I opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 181 and with my eyes closed I pointed to the page. My finger fell closest to the word “bothers.” That is our prompt today.

“So what bothers you most about the neighborhood.”

“What makes you think anything bothers me?”

“You have this grumpy look all the time.”

“I certainly can’t help the way I look.”

“But is it a frown or just the way those eyebrows are positioned.”

“You know I don’t spend a lot of time looking at myself. Let’s just say it is what it is.”

“Okay. Gosh no need to get upset.”

“I’m not upset but here it is hardly dawn and I’m having to explain how I look.”

“I can see why that would bother you. I was just wondering is all.”

“Okay then. How about we get on with the day.”

“We good then?”

“Yea we are good. What do you have planned?”

“I thought I would go fishing today. You want to come?”

“I wouldn’t mind going with you but I’m not much for catching fish. I mean I don’t really know how.”

“Well, I can show you how.”

“That would be nice. I think a change of diet might be a good thing.”

“What are you used to eating.”

“Mice.”

“Mice? Eww.”

“Oh come on. That is about all I can catch. I’m not a big ole eagle like you.”

“Do you know what they call you?”

“Yeah. Screech Owl.”

“Stupid name. You don’t screech. Those hawks screech.”

“Yeah enough to scare the bejesus out of you.”

“What ya say. Want to fish?”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Library

April 21, 2025April 20, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

This list was published on October 21, 2013, by Marie Ann Bailey and me. Since we all go to the library, I hope it will be helpful.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Library

10 When at the library, refrain from using the stacks in the archived periodicals section to conduct an amorous liaison. If you do, at best, few, if any, people browse those stacks. At worst, at least one lonely doctoral student will trip over you while you are in flagrante delicto with the potential of causing you great distress.

9 When at the library, do not try to sneak in food and drink from anywhere, much less a fast food restaurant. If you do, at best, no one will catch you. At worst, the aroma (or odor) of greasy burgers and fries will likely draw a sizeable crowd to where you are hiding, all of whom will want a bite of your lunch or, if you’re gone, you.

8 When at the library, do not try the patience of the reference librarian by asking questions like, “So, who first discovered drinking milk from a cow?” At best, the librarian will point you to animal husbandry stacks. At worst, the librarian will pull out a cattle prod and demonstrate its use … on you.

7 When at the library, do not think it is okay to talk loudly on your cellphone just because you found a “quiet” corner away from other patrons. If you do, at best, sound carries, and the librarian will shush you. At worst, you may get to finish your call before they find you, but it could be the last call you ever make in that library once the librarians are finished with you and possibly your firstborn.

6 When at the library, do not use library staff as free babysitters. If you do, at best, they won’t call Child Protective Services. At worst, they will be so tired of breaking up squabbles, assisting your two-year-old to the toilet for a lesson in potty training, or chasing after the 5-year-old boy who insists on running through the stacks to burn off the high sugary breakfast you gave him that morning that the librarians might (literally) rope you into a game of dancing around the May Pole, with you as the pole.

5 When at the library, do not commandeer the computers in the children’s section to play games that were unavailable when you were a kid. If you do, at best, the children will sulkily go away to another room. At worst, the children will return with both parents (one of whom is a professional wrestler) and the head librarian in tow, and you will quickly find yourself bouncing down the library steps.

4 When at the library, do not think anyone would think it is funny or entertaining for you to take every copy of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex and put them alongside The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Calculus, the Bible, and Mastering the Art of French Eating. If you are caught by a librarian, at best, you will likely have to unstack and restack the Fiction section fifty times for penance. At worst, an embarrassing request for a date.

3 When at the library, do not return DVDs or CDs without first checking and cleaning them if necessary. It would only be a matter of time before the librarians figure out that you are returning DVDs and CDs after you’ve used them to play Frisbee with your cats or as coasters at your Saturday Margarita fest. Once you’re found out, at best, you’ll likely be sent to the basement where they will make you clean every DVD and CD in their collection. At worst, you’ll be required to rewind every cassette with a pencil and videotape with an old VCR that keeps blowing a fuse.

2 When at the library, do not drop off your soiled and smelly paperbacks and magazines as donations. Before long, the library patrons will associate the odd cat-wizz smell from the donations bin with the same smell that consistently comes from your shoes. (Dear kitties, love the warmth of your shoes, and they seem to hold a lot.) At best, they will have security bar you from dropping off your donations before you even enter the door. At worst, you will be forced to clean every one of your donations until their smell no longer causes people to wrinkle their noses and sneeze.

1 When at the library, do not stack towers of books on a table, peruse a few, and then just walk away. It may be the librarian’s (low-paying) job to return books to the stacks, but to horde books without any concern for the other patrons will cause you to fall into disfavor among the librarians. At best, they will simply shoot you nasty looks as they retrieve your tower of books. At worst, they will make a wall of said books and bury you behind it in the company of the convicted felon doing community service.

Views of the Neighborhood – Easter in Lakeway

April 20, 2025April 19, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today is Easter Sunday, so we are visiting the community Activity Center for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Since rain is threatened, the event has been pulled indoors. We are catered by Austin Taco Project, and our entertainment is Judy Garland and Fred Astaire

Tajita – Grilled chicken thigh, peppers & onion, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, poblano crema, flour tortilla

Kickin’ Chicken – Crispy buffalo chicken, shaved celery & carrots, cabbage, blue cheese crumble, ranch, flour tortilla

Confit Pig – Braised pork shoulder, cabbage, pineapple pico de gallo, Walter’s secret sauce, corn tortilla

Carne Asada – Beef tenderloin, onions & jalapenos, poblano crema, lime, corn tortilla

Crispy Fish – Corn crusted cod, cabbage, mango salsa, lime sauce, corn tortilla

Nopales – Cactus, mushrooms, cotija cheese, cabbage, pepita vinaigrette, corn tortilla

Let’s get on the bus.

The Activity Center

Announcing the Eggstravaganza.

Ice cream truck.

Fun entrance.

Inner courtyard of the center.

Big turnout.

HEB Buddy is here.

We also need this.

Go ahead. Sit down and get painted.

A large carrot for the Easter Bunny helpers.

Coloring books and crafts.

A petting zoo,

Need a photo.

Happy family.

Andra Bennett is the Director of Parks and Recreation and makes all this happen.

One last shot before we have some Tacos and listen to the music.

An Easter decoration at a private home.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and a super week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Exclamation!”

April 19, 2025April 18, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

Wow! The speed of the coffee delivery this morning was nothing short of outstanding. It appears the coffee machine has developed a way to sense the urgency of the need for caffeine. It responds at a speed necessary to prevent a total collapse of the host. It is very logical for AI to continually adapt to its surroundings. It figures that if something happened to me, like a total caffeine meltdown, there would be no attendant to keep its vitals up.

A sip of the miracle brew brings to mind the clock. Reaching for it is interrupted by the way-too-loud interference of the Westminster chime of the doorbell. This cacophony is joined by the eardrum-shattering warnings of Twiggy and Tempest. Before a brain bleed begins, a toss of two marrow bones into the soundproof bunker and a slam of the ten-inch door bring peace to the household.

The security system must be deactivated before opening the front door and addressing the visitor. Before that, though, the SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. The control panel makes the shutdown of the security system process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, the IUDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown. A look at the security system camera shows a short guy who looks like a hunter. He is carrying an ominous-looking shotgun.

Thinking twice about opening the door, a call is made to him through the loudspeaker. He responds that he is looking for a wrascally wabbit. “No wabbits here,” is the reply. He states he has a Linda Hill message and holds up an envelope. “Just drop it on the porch.” He shrugs and tosses the message into the air and, with all the smoothness of a seasoned skeet shooter, blows the envelope to Kingdom Come. Punching the skunk scent button does the trick, and the hunter disappears down the street.

There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads: “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “exclamation.’” Add an exclamation mark to your title or the first word/sentence of your post, and just keep writing. Have fun!”

To know what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2025/04/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-19-2025/

“Amazing!”

“What?”

“That skunk scent button.”

“I find it effective to eliminate folks without causing permanent harm.”

“But very unpleasant.”

“Beats boiling oil.”

“You got me there.”

“So why no clock?”

“As you saw, I got interrupted.”

“Well, that’s what you wrote. There must have been a reason.”

“Yeah, it was another slow day 100 years ago. Only the funding of Colo-Colo, Brazil’s football club.”

“That’s interesting.”

“Yeah, but there wasn’t an event. Just a bunch of guys saying, ‘Okay, we have a club.’

“I’ll bet they had a few drinks, though.”

“No VooDoo Ranger.”

“Why?”

“VooDoo Ranger was launched in 2017 by New Belgium Brewing.”

“Makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?”

“Call Uber.”

“Already did. It’s over there.”

“Where’s the driver?”

“He was arrested for drunk driving.”

“Well, that’s just great. If we don’t get a driver, we could have the same fate.”

“Relax. One is on the way.”

“How long?”

“Here he is now.”

“Why is he dressed like that?”

“Like a race car driver, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe he likes to be safe.”

“What about us?”

“There are seat belts.”

“Yikes!”

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

April 18, 2025April 17, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

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

Teens Developed App That Identifies Mouth Cancer–Making Early Diagnosis Easy and Winning $50k for Their School

By Andy Corbley–Apr 17, 2025

GNN has reported on multiple occasions how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to detect signs of cancer.

Now, a team of high schoolers is using AI to help their community combat one of the deadliest forms: oral cancer.

The Oral Scan app detects signs of oral cancer using a photo taken on a smartphone with an 82% success rate. If the AI finds evidence of a tumor, it can diagnose the stage with an even better 87% success rate.

Not bad for a bunch of teenagers, and even though 82% is below what most medical ethicists believe should be the threshold for outsourcing tumor identification to a machine, it’s far better than the rate of 0%, which is what many in the team’s home state of Arkansas will experience.

52,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and more than 12,000 die as a result, according to their research. Early detection of oral cancers can boost survival rates by 40%, but such cancers are detected early in only 30% of cases.

In dental deserts, these numbers are even worse. In Arkansas, for example, 90% of the population didn’t visit a dentist last year, and according to one dental surgeon the team spoke with, whole counties in Arkansas don’t even have a dentist to visit.

“We learned that current diagnosis methods are expensive, intrusive, and often inaccurate, making early detection rare,” said Veera Unnam, one of the team members, from Bentonville West High School.

Their response is Oral Scan, a free app that costs just 50 cents for each diagnosis and delivers a response in just 15 seconds.

The team designed the app to be usable in all countries on both Apple and Android IOS and ensured it. was easy and intuitive to use, showing their commitment not only to Arkansas but the world at large.

Recently, Unnam and his two colleagues entered Oral Scan into the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, empowering public school students (grades 6-12) to drive positive change in their communities by applying STEM know-how to address real-world, pressing issues.

Each finalist school receives $50,000 in Samsung technology and supplies and will compete at the live Solve for Tomorrow Pitch Event in Washington, DC, on April 28th. Three National Winners will each earn $100,000 in prizes, and one will be named the Community Choice Winner.

Celebrating the 15th year of Solve For Tomorrow, Samsung has awarded more than $27 million in resources to nearly 4,000 public schools across the US to date, and the Oral Scan team will be hoping they’re among the recent winners. However, before the winner’s announcement, Oral Scan is already getting national news headlines, and the team has been invited to speak at medical conferences to present their invention.

You can watch the student’s presentation here.

The good news about this story is that a team of students took the initiative to find a way for the unserved to check for oral cancer. Today’s JohnKu talks about youth and the future. I hape you have a wonderful weekend.

Inspired young people,

Working together achieve . . .

Results called genius.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempest Hanging Out.

April 17, 2025April 15, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 106 Comments

“Twiggy. Let’s hit the backyard.”

“That does sound good. What should we play?”

“We could do the Panther and Puma hunting game.”

“We haven’t done that for quite a long time.”

“I know. So what will it take to see some movement on your side?”

“The Puma is resting at the highest part of the hill looking over the valley.”

“Hey Puma. You better not scare the folks like last time.”

“Don’t worry. The puma has more sense than to jump into the valley.”

“Okay. I left a leaf here when I came in last time.”

“You aren’t supposed to be eating leaves. I’ll bet Mom picked it up.”

“Makes me wonder how she knows it’s there. I also had a stick over here.”

“Are we going to play Panther and Puma, or will you continue talking about leaves and sticks?”

“I don’t know how you feel when your stuff disappears, but it is unnerving.”

“For heaven’s sake. Those leaves and sticks aren’t your stuff. They are forbidden fruit.”

“I would like to see how you react if someone took your leaves.”

“Oh, brother. Do you know if you stopped eating sticks and leaves, we would have the run of the yard?”

“Hey, Mom. Is that true?”

“Is what true?”

“If I stop eating sticks and leaves, would we have the run of the yard?”

“Absolutely true.”

“Told ya, Tempeste. Why don’t you give them up?”

“I don’t have a good reason, Twiggy. I think I’m addicted.”

“Hello, leaves and sticks intervention.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Union

April 15, 2025April 14, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 97. With eyes closed I pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger was union.

“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to witness the beautiful union of this male and this female. If anyone has just cause as to why this marriage should not take place speak now or—”

“I have just cause.”

“Who are you?”

“I am the husband of the bride.”

“Oh, come now sir. Perhaps you have made a mistake or took a little too long at the pre-reception.”

“I’m not drunk and I am not mistaken. This bride is married to me.”

“Why are you not together then?”

“You can ask her, but for all I know she just got tired.”

“Tired? Tired of what?”

“Well… she just became a mother and I think it was all too much.”

“Just became a mother? You have to be kidding.”

“No she left the children and I to fend for ourselves.”

“Children? How many children?”

“There are six.”

“Six? I think I’m going to faint. I would be tired too.”

“It’s not a big deal. Some have up to twelve.”

“Okay we must be talking by each other. Explain the six children.”

“We are Cassowary birds and she laid six eggs.”

“Oh. That’s different.”

“And like all Cassowary birds she left me to raise them. I’ve been on the nest 50 days and now they are hatched.”

“You want her home.”

“It would be nice.”

“May I say something?”

“Ah, the Cassowary mother wants the floor.”

“If you two idiots would look up Cassowary birds you will find that once the eggs are laid, our job is done. I’m not going back there ever.”

“I need to say something.”

“The chair recognizes the groom.”

“I don’t want chicks so we make a perfect couple.”

“I’m no expert but there has to be a formal dissolution of the first marriage before I can marry you two.”

“We never got married.”

“What?”

“He was a good looking bird so I just stayed in his nest.”

“Is this true husband?”

“Sadly it is.”

“Well then can we proceed with the ceremony?”

“I left the kids outside. Can they join?”

“Miss bride. How about it?”

“The more the merrier. Let’s get on with it.”

Top Ten Things Not to do When Writing a Novel

April 14, 2025April 13, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

This post was published on February 3, 2014, by Marie Ann Bailey and me. Since we all are still writing, this may contain some good advice.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Writing a Novel

10 When writing a novel, do not try to explain what you are doing to anyone. If you do, at best, they will walk away shaking their head. At worst, you might find yourself receiving an intervention by well-meaning friends and family that you didn’t know was being filmed until you saw it on Dr. Phil.

9 When writing a novel, do not assume everyone is waiting for it to be finished. If you do, at best, you may get used to the sound of crickets when it’s done. At worst, people might start avoiding you on purpose without trying to hide that they are.

8 When writing a novel, do not ask your spouse to read parts and provide an opinion on how they like it. If you do, at best, you might end up in an argument over whether you really only used your imagination in writing those sex scenes. At worst, you both might end up paying a lot of money to a divorce lawyer.

7 When writing a novel, do not ask your children to be quiet while you write. If you do, at best, they will make even more noise, and you will have to find a way to soundproof your room. At worst, you might just be investigated by child protective services at the request of neighbors tired of the screaming and crying (mainly from you).

6 When writing a novel, do not think you need a rest by playing a video game or knitting a sweater sleeve. If you do, at best, you’ll lose your focus on your plot. At worst, you will finish the sweater and reach the god level in the game but never finish the book.

5 When writing a novel, do not try to decide whether you should plan the book or just write it. If you do, at best, you may get stalled on starting the novel and have to adjust your publication deadline. At worst, you may end up having an argument with yourself and end up not on speaking terms, which would totally blow your deadline.

4 When writing a novel, do not keep your own counsel on word usage or grammar. If you do, at best, you may get lucky and have only a few mistakes. At worst, you will need to leave town and change your name to avoid the laughter from your peers.

3 When writing a novel, do not do your own editing. If you do, at best, you may be surprised by the number of problems in your book. At worst, you may want to book a trip to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.

2 When writing a novel, do not avoid rich characterizations. If you do, at best, you will have a book filled with pounds of boring material that not even you will want to read. At worst, you will need to find a decent disguise when meeting other authors and readers to avoid being called out by your characterizations of them.

1 When writing a novel, do not skimp on the plot, thinking your literary style will pull you through. If you do, at best, you might have a book you love but no one else does. At worst, you might win the Worst Literary Book of the Year Award in recognition of your achievement.