Second chances
THE GOOD NEWS
Breaking the cycle
There's a cycle of poverty that needlessly keeps folks down. Unhoused people need jobs to improve their living situations, yet many employers don't want to hire workers who are living in shelters or on the street. Round and round the cycle goes, and no one's life is improved.
Enter Home Kitchen, a not-for-profit, fine-dining restaurant that opened last month in Primrose Hill, London. It’s owned by Adam Simmonds, a Michelin star-winning chef. Four professionals oversee operations. And almost every member of the 19-person staff has been homeless.
To land the job, candidates took a three-week culinary course and then spent two weeks working in a kitchen at the five-star hotel Megaro. Those who showed they had the chops to work in the restaurant industry were given full-time contracts guaranteeing them the London Living Wage ($17.58/hour) plus a travel allowance for their commute. Each employee also receives a free meal during their shift and access to several charities and organizations for support. Staffers who complete a 90-day probationary period are eligible for a paid yearlong course in culinary skills at Westminster Kingsway College.
The goals of Home Kitchen are simple: serve delicious quality meals to the public and provide the staff with a career and the opportunity for independence.
Simmonds said there are many reasons why people end up living on the streets, but at Home Kitchen, "we're giving them that second opportunity."
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Good girl, Gita!
Keith Johnson was staying at his cabin in Stevens County, Wash., on Sept. 25 when his dog Gita requested a pre-dawn bathroom break. Johnson, who is diabetic, was already up, having been woken by his continuous glucose monitor.
When Johnson tried to follow Gita into the nearby woods, he became dizzy and disoriented. He decided to head back to the cabin, then collapsed, breaking his hip.
For nearly 6-and-a-half hours, the 84-year-old Spokane, Wash., resident cried out for help, to no avail. Ever the loyal companion, Gita remained by his side.
“She came up very close to me and lay down, and I cuddled with her,” Johnson told the Spokesman-Review. After some time had passed, “I asked her if she would go get help, thinking I was just indulging myself.”
Gita did as he bid and ran into the woods. Although Johnson didn't know it at the time, she was going to find him some assistance.
Deputy Colton Wright of the Stevens County Sheriff's Office was patrolling a rural wooded area of Stevens County when he spotted the 13-year-old mixed-breed rescue dog sitting on the side of the road. Wright tried to urge Gita into his squad car so he could find her owner, but she refused to get into the vehicle. Instead, she lay in the center of the road.
Wright sensed something was wrong. He approached Gita again and she led him to a small summer cabin. Nearby, the deputy discovered Johnson lying on the ground. Colton called for help and remained with Johnson until the ambulance arrived.
"Your dog is a hero," Wright told Johnson. "She saved your life today."
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Long live the king
Look for the helpers
The "Frogmore Stew Podcast With Grace Cowan" recently featured an episode about the "impactful actions people take to bring hope and aid in challenging times." One of the people Grace interviewed was Dianne Crowley, who is working to raise money for disaster recovery. The other interview was with me, discussing A Bit of Good News. If you have 20 minutes free, please check it out.
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On October 23, 2001, Apple released the first iPod.
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations was established to maintain world peace and friendly relations among countries.
On October 25, 1960, the first electronic wristwatch went on sale in New York City.
On October 26, 2005, the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series since 1917 by defeating the Houston Astros 1-0 in Game 4.
On October 27, 1904, the New York City subway officially opened.
On October 28, 1636, Harvard University, the oldest institute of higher learning in the United States, was founded.
On October 29, 1998, astronaut John Glenn flew on the Discovery shuttle. He was 77, making him the oldest person to fly in space.
On October 30, 2020, a study of DNA showed that dogs were human's first domesticated animal. They became man's best friend 11,000 years ago.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS
October 23: Brazilian soccer player Pelé, singer/songwriter/accordion player/actor Weird Al Yankovic and actor Ryan Reynolds
October 24: attorney/presidential candidate Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood, cartoonist/Batman and Robin creator Bob Kane and Canadian rapper Drake
October 25: Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, actress Marion Ross and singer Katy Perry
October 26: operatic soprano Christine Brewer, New Zealand-Australian country music singer/songwriter Keith Urban and animator/actor/filmmaker Seth MacFarlane
October 27: President Theodore Roosevelt, poet Sylvia Plath and British actor John Cleese
October 28: virologist/developer of polio vaccine Jonas Salk, computer programmer/businessman/philanthropist Bill Gates and actress Julia Roberts
October 29: English poet/biographer/patron of the arts William Hayley, singing comedian Fanny Brice and actress Winona Ryder
October 30: President John Adams, rock singer Grace Slick and actor/author Henry Winkler
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
October 23 is National Boston Cream Pie Day, National Croc Day, National Horror Movie Day, National iPod Day, National Medical Assistants Day, National Paralegal Day and TV Talk Show Day
October 24 is United Nations Day, National Bologna Day, National Jamaican Jerk Day and National Kangaroo Awareness Day
October 25 is International Artist Day, Global Champagne Day, World Lemur Day, World Opera Day, World Pasta Day, National Bandana Day, National Breadstick Day, National Chucky Day, National Fine Art Appreciation Day, National Frankenstein Day, National Greasy Foods Day, National I Care About You Day and Punk For a Day Day
October 26 is Worldwide Howl at the Moon Night, National Chicken Fried Steak Day, National Hug a Sheep Day, National Make a Difference Day, National Mincemeat Day, National Mule Day, National Pumpkin Day and Muddy Dog Day
October 27 is National Black Cat Day, National Civics Day, National Mentoring Day, National Mother-in-Law Day and Visit a Cemetery Day
October 28 is International Animation Day, National Chocolate Day, National First Responders Day, National Immigrants Day, National Internal Medicine Day, Chucks and Pearls Day, Plush Animal Lover's Day and Wild Foods Day
October 29 is National Cat Day, National Internet Day and National Oatmeal Day
October 30 is National Candy Corn Day, National Publicist Day, National Treat Your Pet Day, National Wicked Day, Create a Great Funeral Day, Devil's Night, Haunted Refrigerator Night and Mischief Night
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
* Watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
* Handing out candy to trick-or-treaters
* Dressing up for Halloween
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Bake an apple or pumpkin pie for a friend
* Read a book out loud to someone who has poor eyesight
* Offer to sew outfits for a school or community theater production
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere." --Laura Ingalls Wilder
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Home Kitchen, Great British Chefs, The Guardian, Chef Adam Simmonds, Instagram, Big Issue, BBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Spokesman-Review, Good Morning America, ABC News, the Stevens County Sheriff's Office, KREM2, USA Today, Sam Bentley, David Easterbook, the Frogmore Stew Podcast with Grace Cowan, The Aleppo Catmen, Tim Gouw, Unsplash, The Purring Journal, YouTube, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, Famous Birthdays, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Words and Pictures by Pamela Leavey, The Moonlight Reader Society, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
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Dogs will never cease to amaze me!