Feel Good Friday
By Admin on March 10, 2021
HAPPY FEEL GOOD FRIDAY!
With all the negativity in the world right now, we want to bring you some good vibes as you’re heading into the weekend. So, we’re making every Friday a Feel Good Friday. Tune into MIX 96 on your radio and check out our social media pages (@mix96sac), where we’ll be sharing stories that will make you feel good, every Friday!
Share your Feel Good Friday stories on social media using the hashtag #FeelGoodFriday and tag us to have your story shared!
November 17, 2023
Stanley tumblers are known for their durability, but this is next level! A TikTok video by user @danimarielettering shows her going through the ashes and rubble of her car after a brutal fire. The only thing to survive…was her Stanley Tumbler. It still had unmelted ice inside! After the video went viral, Stanley saw it and said they would not only send her a new tumbler…they are going to buy her a new car!
November 10, 2023
Monday is World Kindness Day and to celebrate, Krispy Kreme is giving away a dozen donuts to the first 500 people at each location. They are hoping you will share them and spread Kindness. “World Kindness Day is an opportunity to make a positive difference by being generous,” says Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s global chief brand officer. “Simple gestures of caring and thanks, including sharing a sweet treat, is a great way to do that.”
November 3, 2023
A group of Sacramento kids are going viral after a doorbell cam caught them doing a Halloween act of kindness. They came upon an empty candy bowl and decided to put some of their own candy in the bowl so others could have treats. The homeowner who captured the video thought it was “the sweetest thing ever” and watched the video over and over. “I thought it was so innocent, really pure-hearted. Honestly, I kept replaying it because their reactions were so adorable,” said Jamie Lim. Through the power of social media, she was able to connect with their mom and tell her that she did a great job raising these kids. One of the kids, Isabelle, explains “My mom talks to us about being kind to others and you will be treated the same. Just kind of be nice and it will come back to you.”
October 20, 2023
A Pennsylvania woman was struggling with depression that wasn’t getting better. It was getting worse. She went to her doctor, who gave her an unusual prescription. He wrote on a piece of paper, “get a cat”. On her way home, she visited her local farm to pick up produce. That’s when she saw the kitten, one of a litter of five and missing most of a front paw after suffering an injury after birth. Their connection was “instant”. “I asked if I could take the kitty home and told them I could guarantee that she’d be safe and happy inside,” Robin Sipe told the Washington Post. “I bought three ears of corn and a cantaloupe that came to $2.99, and they agreed that an extra penny should cover the cost of taking the kitty.” She says her new furry friend lifted her out of depression and she hopes to pay it forward and take her kitten on visits to facilities working with veterans or people dealing with limb loss.
October 13, 2023
A California dog named Copper has been crowned the “talking dog” of the internet. Her videos on TikTok have earned millions of views. By pressing various buttons on a board, Copper can express a range of needs and emotions, from hunger to needing the toilet to even general anxiety. People are amazed at Copper’s IQ and how well she communicates! Follow her @ChattyLab
October 6, 2023
5-year-old Gavin Lane loves Hot Wheels, so when his dad, Chase, saw that there was a Guiness World record for the “most loop-the-loops in a Hot wheels track”…the two of them set out to break it….and they did! Their track has 20 loops and if you want to see Gavin’s pure joy at sending cars through it, check out the video here
September 29, 2023
Kyoto University is moving ahead with clinical trials to see if a drug that regrows teeth in ferrets and dogs will also work in humans. The trials begin next July. A dental scientist named Takahashi discovered this drug years ago and has been working to bring it to market since then. “The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream. I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.” If the trials are successful, the drug maker is hoping to start selling it by 2030.
September 22, 2023
After being suspended since 2009, the U.S. Forest Service has brought its rappel program back to Northern California. The agency carefully re-examined its operations and equipment to make sure it was safe before re-launching this program. Its rappelers have been deployed to fires multiple times this summer and have been very effective. Aerial-delivered firefighters were able to knock down flames in some of the most rugged terrain and difficult places to reach. A big thank you to all of the fire-fighting rappelers who are literally putting themselves on the line to protect us
September 15, 2023
Sacramento Republic FC and the Special Olympics of Northern California are teaming up and playing together as the “Unified Team.” Their goal: level the playing field for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The team is evenly split between Unified partners and individuals with intellectual disabilities and they are practicing regularly now for a big game…a matchup between the Sac Republic FC Unified team and the San Jose Earthquakes Unified team on Sunday, Oct. 1 at Heart Health Park. Everyone is invited and encouraged to be there to cheer on our Sacramento Republic FC United Team!
September 8, 2023
Eric Kilburn Jr. was born a normal 8-pound baby boy, but has grown into a 6’10” young man with what might be the largest feet ever recorded in a human teenager.AT age 15, he was wearing size 22 shoes, which is the largest size athletic shoe companies make. When he outgrew them, his mom had to pay $1500 for a pair of custom shoes. A friend set up a Go Fund Me campaign, which caught the attention of Puma, Under Armour, and Shaquille O’Neal. Reps for the companies flew out to see Eric and measure his feet and after a lengthy process donated 4 pairs of cleats and 2 pairs of trainers to the school, who gave them to Eric as a gift in order to maintain his status as an amateur athlete. The story doesn’t end there, as Shaquille O’Neil, who knows the struggles of being extra large, sent a care package of shoes and clothes to the family, as well as his personal tailor who measured Eric for two suits; one for prom and another for homecoming lined with purple and red paisley.
September 1, 2023
A new poll by is reminding us of the top things that make us feel good. Instead of chasing satisfaction by scrolling through your social media feeds, try enjoying some of the simpler things. You might find it refreshing. According 2,000 people the top 20 things that make them happy just might work for you, too.
1. A good night’s sleep
2. A sunny blue sky
3. Summer
4. Receiving a compliment or praise
5. Booking a holiday
See the full list HERE.
A welcome reminder of the good things in life.
August 25, 2023
Lahaina residents are now being allowed back to their homes (or what remains). One woman, Susie Richter, returned to rubble. All that remained was a tiny porcelain angel from a music box…and miraculously, her 3 cats. She thinks they survived by climbing into a storm drain. They were unharmed, but very hungry….and happy to be reunited with their mom! See the heartwarming video here. You can help people like Susie rebuild their lives after the horrific fires on Maui by donating here.
August 25, 2023
A little boy’s lemonade stand fantastically raised $16k for the Maui fire victims. Edison Juel, who’s only five years old, thought it would be a great idea to create a lemonade stand for the victims of the Maui Fires. He had no idea, when he opened his “Lemonade For Lahaina” stand, that it would raise so much money. Edison and his family had just visited Lahaina earlier this year, so he felt a connection to the town. Keep in mind, this kid is FIVE. As word spread, people even began giving via Venmo, and the donations really started to pour in. The grand total of donations was $16,500!! You can lend a hand, too. If you would like to help the people of Maui, we’re also raising money for the Hawaii Community Foundation HERE.
August 18, 2023
A retired flight attendant is embarking on a special mission to honor the lives lost on 9/11. Paul Veneto started his journey on Monday for his annual “Paulie’s Push” tribute walk. Veneto says, “My legacy really, I feel, is to keep the legacy of these heroes on these airplanes and what they’ve accomplished.” This year, Venato will walk from Newark Liberty International Airport to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. He is pushing an airline beverage cart the whole 300 miles. If you want to follow his journey in real time, click here.
August 18, 2023
Hank the Tank, the notorious 400-pound black bear that has been linked to 21 home break-ins an property damage in the Lake Tahoe area has found a new home. Hank was brought to the Wild Animal Refuge, near Springfield, Colorado where the rescuers actually discovered she was a female. She is now being referred to as Henrietta. The staff says she is doing very well at the 230-acre natural habitat. Meanwhile. her three cubs who accompanied her on the break-ins are separately being relocated to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue in Petaluma where they will go through rehabilitation in hopes that this will allow them to stop the negative behaviors they learned from their mother, and eventually return to the wild.
August 11, 2023
People are calling it a “miracle in Maui”! A video posted to TikTok shows the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in downtown Lahaina still standing amidst the rubble. The church, which has stood since 1846, is seen in a video posted to TikTok standing proud with its stain glass and tower structure in place even as the ground around it smolders..
August 11, 2023
Angela Mercer went into labor just before P!nk’s concert at Fenway Park in Boston. She was just 31 weeks pregnant, so it came as a surprise when she started having contractions shortly after arriving at the stadium. Since traffic was so congested around the venue, she WALKED to a nearby hospital and gave birth to her baby boy. She named the baby in honor of the evening. His name is Aycen Hart. “Hart” is in honor of P!nk, who shares the name with her husband Carey Hart. You can see a picture of little Aycen HERE.
August 4, 2023
An 87-year-old woman fought off a teenage home invader, only to end up feeding him when he said he was hungry. Marjorie Perkins said she awoke at 2 a.m. and saw an intruder standing over her bed. She put on her shoes and fought back using a chair as a shield. As the two struggled they eventually found themselves in the kitchen where the teen said he was “awfully hungry.” Margorie gave him a box of peanut butter and honey crackers, two protein drinks and two tangerines before calling 911 on her rotary phone. While she was talking to the dispatcher the boy eventually left on foot. It didn’t take long for the police find the 17-year-old burglar who Marjorie says cut her lawn about 10 ago to make some extra money. ‘He did a darn good job,’ she said. ‘I hope he gets help.’
July 28, 2023
A lot of people HALF his age would never attempt this hike, but a 93-year-old Oakland man just summited Yosemite’s Half Dome thanks in part to his son and granddaughter. Everett Kalin successfully completed the strenuous hike in three days last week, becoming one of the oldest, if not the oldest, person ever to climb the iconic piece of rock. He prepared for the climb by walking up and down the stairs at his retirement facility for months prior. Congratulations Everett!
July 28, 2023
It’s unclear where this happened, but for some reason a young boy walking with his friends decided to walk up to a random person’s house with a doorbell camera and gave a pep talk into the camera. He looks directly into the camera with wisdom beyond his years says, “You matter, alright? There’s always going to be someone who cares about you. You’re a good person. No matter what people say about you; you matter.” While his friends try to play ding dong ditch, he continues on with his positive affirmation. “I’m just trying to say something nice. “You matter, man, or girl. Whoever you are, you matter to someone. Just keep that in mind. Don’t forget that.” Then he just wandered off down the sidewalk. Watch the astonishing moment HERE.
July 14, 2023
21 years after being approved by voters, construction of a massive municipal park is finally underway in the city of Irvine. The former El Toro Marine Corps Base is being converted to the Great Park of Irvine. When completed, it will dwarf NYC’s Central Park by over 500 acres! Expected to take another 10 years to complete, the park will include several museums, an amphitheater, a veterans memorial garden, an aquatics center, a sports complex, and two lakes. The first stage is to is to demolish and clear away 77 old military buildings before construction of the new amenities can take place, but work has begun. You can see what’s already in place and what’s to come in the future here.
July 7, 2023
In an effort to boost patient well-being, a hospital in Belgium is now allowing long-term patients to spend time with their pets in a newly opened visitation pavilion. So far, most owners have requested visits from their dogs, but cats are allowed to visit, too. “For long-term hospital residents, mental well-being is very important in their recovery, and reconnecting with pets really helps,” says a spokesperson. “Seeing your dog in itself does not cure you, but it gives you a lift,” said Greta Donnay, 56, who reunited with her dog Rambo after a listeria infection. The new pavilion at Sint-Trudo hospital is away from other hospital areas, allowing for safe visits. So far, everyone is loving the new pavilion and program!
July 7, 2023
Odin, a specially trained search and tracking dog for the Madera County Sheriff’s department, had to be tracked down himself over the weekend. After Odin escaped from his kennel and the backyard of his handler’s home, urgent posts went out on social media asking people to be on the lookout for the beloved K-9. There were a few sightings, but Odin proved to be pretty elusive during his big day out. It turned out had been happily keeping himself busy playing with another dog in a backyard about 5 miles away. Odin is now home safe and sound and the good Samaritan that discovered the missing pup is getting a $2000 reward!
June 30, 2023
An 18-year-old in Colorado saved two people’s lives with his drone! Josh Logue was out flying his drone when he spotted something odd. It was a sinkhole with an overturned Jeep. Josh got help from his dad and a firefighter that lived next door. They discovered two people trapped inside with only about six inches of air left before they were submerged. Josh was able to get help and the couple was rescued. Both are expected to make a full recovery!
June 30, 2023
Laughter truly can be a form of medicine. A new review of several studies on the effects of humor therapy on patients with depression and anxiety show that comedy and laughter have a positive can be a powerful tool in mental health care. Laughter therapy comes in many forms. For example, incorporating comedy videos or movies; medical clowning entertains children awaiting surgery with magic tricks or puppets; or laughter therapy such as laughter yoga that incorporates breathing, meditation, and relaxation. Today would be a good day to start fitting a little more humor into your life.
June 23, 2023
Sacramento’s Rhoda Wilson-Jackson celebrated her 100th birthday by performing a concert for her family and friends last night. She even had a surprise guest, her 103-year-old brother, who sang a duet with her. Clearly, longevity runs in their genes, but Rhoda has her own advice for living a long, healthy life. She says, “Take care of your stomach like you take care of a car. Always put the right thing in it. Don’t put the wrong thing in it.” Congratulations Rhoda! Here’s to many more birthday celebrations!
June 23, 2023
An Ohio grandmother decided to take the plunge when she found out a lifeguard shortage would force her local pool to close on certain days. She wanted everyone to be able to enjoy swimming this summer, so she decided to take the job. Since the 66-year-old was a lifeguard as a teenager, so she thought what the heck, and decided to give it another shot. She took all the required classes to become certified, learning new skills like CPR and how to use and AED. “I think it’s great to be able to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather,” she said. “It keeps you in shape, you find out you can do things you weren’t really sure you could do like swim 300 yards.” When she’s not working, she loves to spend time a the pool with her grandkids.
June 16, 2023
An artist in the U.K. named Tash Frootko has been transforming parts of Gloucester by to paint houses for FREE. She was unhappy with the drab colors and lack of creativity in the city. The artist uses a different vivid, bright color for each house, which are referred to as ‘rainbow’ homes. Not only is it adding vibrancy, it’s also increasing the home values by around 30%. Locals love the new atmosphere it’s creating. Frootkpo has been making over entire blocks and squares for five years ago, and has done over 130 houses so far. See her fascinating creations HERE.
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June 9, 2023
Missouri 8th-grader Xavier Jones was so determined to make it to his middle school graduation, he walked 6 miles to get there. As he arrived, his mentor was speaking at the podium and mentioned what Xavier had done to be there. Xavier got a standing ovation! The President of Harris-Stowe State University, Dr. Latonia Collins Smith was in the audience and was so moved by the perseverance and determination shown by young Mr. Jones, she offered him a full college scholarship, complete with tuition and money for four years of attendance including rent and textbooks. That’s not the end of the story…. Miami Dolphins NFL player Terron Armstead, who grew up in a similar part of town to Xavier, heard the story and bought his family a minivan, and an electric bike to ensure transportation options are no longer a problem.
June 9, 2023
A family was reunited with their missing dog at an adoption event. After losing their puppy when it escaped from a dog sitter in January, the family from Queens, New York got a surprise of their life when they stopped by an adoption event and discovered their missing pup! “We had enough time, and we decided to take a ride over there and take a look, not expecting to find Mocha. Just take a look to see if we could find a puppy. And as soon as we walked in, she was right there,” Mocha’s family told NY Daily News about how they ended up at the adoption event. Mocha is now happily back home with her family that includes three very happy children.
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May 19, 2023
Reading could be your child’s ticket to fun at the California State Fair. Earlier this week, the Fair announced details of their “Read to Ride” program. Here are details from the official news release…”For every two books you read, receive two rides free and a monorail ticket at the CA State Fair & Food Festival! A $15.00 value. The Read to Ride program is open to students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students must read two books, write a summary, then bring the completed form to the California State Fair Guest Services office (located inside the Main Gate) to receive two free rides and one monorail ticket.” Get more details here!
May 12, 2023
A New Jersey couple was having a hard time choosing a name for their soon-arriving baby boy, so they let their beloved dog choose! Erica and Frank Derise of Monmouth County, New Jersey, wrote names on three tennis balls, then threw them for their two-year-old pup, Beau to chase. When Beau came back with the ball named “Frankie”, the decision was made! You can watch the adorable video here!
April 28, 2023
After shelling out her life savings to pay for her daughter’s breast cancer treatment, Geraldine Gimblet of Lakeland, FL decided to celebrate the moment that her daughter, Lawrencia Jackson, rang a bell at the local hospital signifying she had finished her breast cancer treatment. The grandmother bought the last scratch off ticket at her local store… and ended up winning $2 Million! She says she never hesitated spending all that money to save her daughter’s life and says this jackpot is a blessing.
April 7, 2023
The Yuba City Police Department have a bunny officially on staff. “Officer Hopps” does not fight crime – and he doesn’t go on patrol. His job is inside the police station. His official title is “wellness officer” and his job is to be an outlet for stress, for officers and staff who see a lot of bad in their day-to-day work. Staff agree…Officer Hopps is a great emotional support bunny! The department also takes him to community events and to schools. He’s quite the hit when school children come to tour the police department on field trips. If you want to see a picture of Officer Hopps, click here!
March 31, 2023
A blind Elk Grove dog has inspired a book, “Crooze On, Croozer”. The book, written from the pup’s perspective, takes readers through the true story of Croozer’s adventures and challenges in navigating his blindness. Croozer’s owner is travelling the country, talking about the book and it’s message…wthat the things that make you different can often be your “superpower.” Here’s the link to buy the book. Proceeds will be donated to Paws for a Purpose, which helped save his life.
March 24, 2023
The Houston Zoo announced this week that a 90-year-old tortoise named Mr. Pickles became a father for the first time. His species is critically endangered, so they joked that it’s a really “big DILL.” His wife Mrs. Pickles is 53, so it’s a real May-December romance. They welcomed three hatchlings named Dill, Gherkin, and Jalapeño. HERE’S a photo.
March 17, 2023
Who couldn’t use a little extra inspiration in their life? Have you heard of Positive Potato, the little crocheted potato that comes with a tiny inspirational sign? These adorable accessories are popping up everywhere, holding signs that say things like “I may be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing!” They make great gifts for anyone who could use a bit of encouragement, including yourself. You can find handmade Positive Potatoes, or buy a pattern to make your own
March 17, 2023
Sac State celebrated its first ‘Happiness Day’ yesterday. It was hosted by the Psychology Department to educate students about the benefits of happiness, like a longer life and more career success. On average, happy people live 10 years longer! Students were taught various ways to boost happiness and Herky the Hornet was there giving out free hugs. International Happiness Day is Monday, March 20.
March 10, 2023
A big breakthrough in breast cancer research! A team of Texas A&M researchers found that a hormone secreted by muscles during exercise can reduce tumor growth and even kill cancerous cells. Here’s even more good news, you don’t have to be super fit for this to benefit you. They found that this prevention mechanism works in both long-time fitness enthusiasts and exercise newcomers.
March 10, 2023
This is so heartwarming. A nonprofit called Loose Ends was recently formed by longtime friends. If someone passes away . . . like a grandparent . . .volunteers take their unfinished knitting project, and finish it for you. It’s free. You just pay shipping. They’ve only been around six months and already have thousands of volunteers from all around the world. It’s like getting a piece of your loved one back.
March 3, 2023
Three nights into a stay at Excalibur in Vegas, a couple discovered someone’s cat was living in their hotel room, explaining why their personal items had been knocked from the bathroom counter during their stay and the shower smelled like urine. Turns out the cat had gotten separated from its owner, who had stayed in the room previously. It was living in a tiny space under the sink and drinking toilet water to survive. Poor kitty. Thankfully, the rescued cat was found to be in good health and was recently reunited with its owner. Ironically, the couple who found the cat are veterinarians.
March 3, 2023
If you’ve ever lost your phone, you know how quickly the panic sets in. When someone lost their phone at Walmart the family that found it decided to record a fun video for the owner to find later. The mini music video begins with the dad singing, “”We found your phone! We found your phone!” The mother pops in with, “He found your phone! He found your phone! And we found your phone!” “In the baby section! In the baby section!” While their sons excitedly join in, their daughters look like they might die from embarrassment. Once the phone’s owner discovered the video they posted it on TikTok so we could all enjoy this gem. See the video HERE
February 23, 2023
Bindi shared a warm tribute to her dad on what would have been her father Steve Irwin’s 61st birthday. “Happy Birthday, Dad. Thank you for instilling a love for all species, courage to follow my heart and determination to make a difference in the world for wildlife and wild places. Your legacy lives on and the world is forever changed because of your dedication to conservation. Mum, Robert and I love and miss you so much.” Even though he passed away suddenly in 2006, he is still adored by fans around the world with the sweet message prompted an outpouring of love for the family of The Crocodile Hunter.
February 17, 2023
A California start-up has saved thousands of used electric vehicle battery packs from landfills by diverting them into an energy storage facility. BWU Storage Solutions made a million bucks last year selling stored renewable energy to the CA power grid, thanks to 1,300 used battery packs from Toyota and Honda EVs. Worn out over long years of powering cars, the batteries nevertheless have continued use as a way to store excess solar and wind energy for times when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. Grid storage in large-demand states like California is a useful destination for these battery packs, and could potentially lower storage costs by 40%”
February 17, 2023
This feel good story comes out of Missouri, where a desperate mom went on Facebook looking to PAY someone to hang out with her 24-year-old son, Christian, who has Down syndrome. “I’m looking for a young man, between the ages of 20-28 who would like to make some extra money,” Donna Herter wrote. “Two days a month for two hours, I’ll pay you to be my son’s friend. All you have to do is sit with him and play video games in his room. Nothing else.” The post quickly went viral. Tons of people got in touch and said they’d love to be his friend, filling their calendar for the next several months. “He has not been this happy in years; this is the happiest I’ve seen him in years.”
February 10, 2023
Two giraffes at the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo are predicting a Chiefs Super Bowl win. Zoo staff set up two bundles of food along an enclosure, with a Chiefs and Eagles logo on each container. 5-month-old Bacari and his mom both ate from the Chiefs side, so zookeepers think that means a win for the Chiefs. Zoo spokesperson Ryan Bickel said he originally wanted an eagle to make this year’s prediction, representing the Philadelphia logo. Unfortunately, the logistics weren’t as easy as the giraffe’s setup. “I talked with the keeper about how we could do this, how we could set this up. They said the eagles don’t really care about football,” he said. We will see just how accurate the giraffe’s predictions are tomorrow. What’s yours?
February 10, 2023
Here’s your gentle reminder to get outside. The cure for what’s ailing you may be as simple as hanging out at your local park, lake, or garden. A study out of Finland found visiting green spaces 3 or 4 times a week may lower your need for medication for depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and asthma. The key seems to be actually leaving your home to enjoy these natural environments and not just viewing them from your window. The more frequent the visits, the better the outcome. More and more scientific evidence points to the health benefits of being exposed to nature and the increase of the quality of life.
February 3, 2023
There’s a guy in Long Island who has an interesting hobby. He visits estate sales and secondhand shops weekly to buy old home movies and photo albums JUST so he can reunite them with the families featured in them. While he enjoys the detective work involved, his favorite part is the reactions people have to being reunited with these items. He says “People are often quite emotional when we get in touch – most of these items are lost after a house move or a family death: the people clearing someone’s stuff don’t always know what they’re getting rid of.” You can follow him and see if he’s got any of your family memories at @museumoflostmemories and www.museumoflostmemories.com
February 3, 2023
A food truck provided free healthy meals and fresh produce to 200 people in Stockton who needed it most. Las Maris Vegan Food Truck was cofounded by south Stockton native Carlos Bryant, who grew up watching his neighbors struggle to find affordable and healthy food options. Bryant and Stockton City Councilwoman Kimberly Warmsley teamed up with PETA to give out free vegan chicken burritos and watermelon aguas frescas from his food truck. Free bags of food along with fresh produce and other healthy vegan options like tofu and lentils were also given out. Bryant said this is the first of many plans to confront food injustice along with other issues in the community.
January 27, 2023
JC Penney is helping senior dogs find their fur-ever homes! Their Portraits by Lifetouch business is taking portraits of senior dogs at 10 rescues or shelters across the nation to help them get adopted through “Portraits for Pups.” The older dogs debuted on the website today and will be featured through Feb. 28. Customers can go to the shelter’s website from the page. JCPenney said it also will donate $1,000 to each shelter and provide each with a $500 JCPenney gift card to purchase supplies such as towels, blankets, cleaning equipment, bowls and beds.
The shelters feature include PAWS Philadelphia as well as PAWS Atlanta, Georgia; Austin Pets Alive, Austin, Texas; PAWS Chicago, Illinois; Dallas Dog and Dallas Pets Alive in Texas; LA Animal Services in Los Angeles, California; MisPits and Friends in Louisville, Kentucky; Humane Society of Greater Miami, Florida; The Animal League, Orlando, Florida; and HALO Animal Rescue, Phoenix, Arizona.”
January 27, 2023
On Christmas morning, a 10-year-old girl gathered the leftover snacks believed to have been sampled by Santa, and sent them to the police. Along with the evidence she included a handwritten note saying “Dear Cumberland Police Department, I took a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left for Santa and the reindeer on Christmas Eve and was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real?” A full-scale investigation was launched. However, the Rhode Island Department of Health says it was not able “to definitively confirm or refute the presence of Santa.” The department tweeted that “we all agree that something magical may be at play.”
AirTags have been in the news as people have used them to track lost luggage, but now they are getting credit for helping to save the life of saved the life of Seamus, an 18-month-old Australian Shepherd dog in San Bernadino, CA. Seamus was swept away from his owner in flood waters earlier this week. The dog was swept downstream and was spotted by witnesses for around a mile, until he disappeared. Using the AirTag in Seamus’s collar, firefighters found him in an access tube.”Seamus was equipped with both Apple AirTag and a conventional ID Tag,” the local fire department posted online, “which aided rescuers and owners in tracking the pup and reuniting them.”
After the most recent storms, a man in Rancho Cordova posted on the Next Door app offering his phone number to help anyone in surrounding areas, cutting down fallen trees, repairing fences and clearing out their gutters. He’s traveled all over the Greater Sacramento Area, offering his services for free to anyone that needs it. He says he began trimming tree’s when he was 16 years old so he has been buying tools and collecting gear over the years, and now he wants to help out anyway he can. Read more, here!
A man who is being credited with saving the lives of 24 people by breaking into a school in upstate New York during the ‘worst storm in a generation’ has been gifted Super Bowl tickets from the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. Jay Withey broke into a school building on Christmas Eve to get 2 dozen people, including several seniors and two dogs, out of the deadly storm. For his heroic efforts he’s been gifted two tickets to next month’s Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. “The selflessness that people showed to help others during the storm is what Western NY is really made of,” a Police spokesperson.
Volunteers have been popping up at schools and malls to help busy parents wrap Christmas presents. The Grandparents Club at St. Michael’s helped wrap presents in exchange for donations that go right back into the school. You’re are also welcome to bring your gifts to Sunrise Mall where the Bella Vista Jr. Broncos are wrapping presents all the way though Christmas Eve. For any parent who has stayed up into the wee hours wrapping gifts, this is a big help.
An L.A. County girl named Madeline just became the first person to ever receive an official license for a pet unicorn. Madeline was covering all bases, in case she finds a unicorn or gets one for Christmas, so she wrote a letter to L.A. County Animal Services & Control, asking their permission to keep a unicorn in her backyard. Two weeks later, she got their approval and an official unicorn license. Director Marcia Mayeda said: “It is always rewarding to hear from young people who thoughtfully consider the requirements of providing a loving home to animals. We commend Madeline’s sense of responsible pet ownership to seek permission in advance to keep a unicorn in Los Angeles County. As a result, we issued her a preapproved unicorn license.” The conditions to house a mythical creature included that the unicorn must be provided ample exposure to sunlight, moonbeams and rainbows and have its horn polished at least once a month with a soft cloth. Any glitter used on the unicorn should be biodegradable and nontoxic and that it can be fed its favorite treat of watermelon at least once a week. You can see Madeline’s letter here. I hope Santa brings that unicorn to Madeline this year!
In and around more than a dozen cities in India, brightly colored caterpillars, octopi and elephants have begun appearing in empty lots, much to the joy of local children. Built from old tires and industrial waste like scrap metal and ropes, these climbers, jungle gyms and swings are low-cost, sustainable play spaces created by Bangalore’s Anthill Creations. A new playground can be built in just five days for around $2,500, a fraction of the cost of a standard playground. Reusing some of the 100 million tires discarded in India every year also helps the environment, reducing the air pollution created by tire burning. Each tire is carefully cleaned, inspected and painted before being repurposed in the 300 playgrounds Anthill has so far built across India. Happy kids + cleaner environment = Big win for everyone!
