Look forward, experience, remember
Vol. 4, Issue 14
THE GOOD NEWS
Mommy - for the win!
For the first time in its 150-year history, the Philadelphia Zoo has bred and hatched four Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise hatchlings.
The parents — female Mommy and male Abrazzo — were both born in the wild on the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador and are estimated to be about 100 years old. That makes Mommy the oldest known first-time mother Galápagos tortoise in the world. As the species is critically endangered, she is also one of the most genetically valuable members of her species in human care.
Mommy came to the zoo in 1932 when she was about 4 years old. She laid 16 eggs last November, and more hatchlings may emerge in the coming weeks.
Abrazzo arrived at the zoo in 2020 and met Mommy two years later (with zookeepers fervently hoping that the couple would connect). He was part of a successful pairing in his previous home at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C., that resulted in five hatchlings.
Weighing between 70 and 80 grams, the baby tortoises began to emerge in late February. All four are girls, and they’re expected to make their public debut on April 23. Names will be selected at a later time.
"Philadelphia Zoo's vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galápagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now," zoo president and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman stated.
FMI: Click here.
Imagine a shiny tribute
The Royal Mint in the U.K. has issued a coin collection to mark what would have been the year John Lennon turned 85, as well as the 50th anniversary of his final solo album.
The new collection is part of the mint's "music legends" series, celebrating singers and songwriters. The late Beatles singer/songwriter won seven Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Designed by Henry Gray, the coin has a portrait of Lennon taken by photographer Bob Gruen in 1974, along with the singer’s name. The word "Imagine" is featured on the right side as a nod to his 1971 single, album and enduring message.
The limited edition coins are available in a range of precious metals and colors and cost anywhere from $24 to $8,330. Each order also includes a booklet celebrating Lennon’s career. Several have already sold out.
FMI: Click here.
Moments that make us go "Wow!" can change our lives
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On April 9, 1962, Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno became the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar for playing Anita in "West Side Story."
On April 10, 1872, Nebraskans celebrated the first Arbor Day. They planted more than 1 million trees.
On April 11, 1921, the first live sporting event was broadcast on radio. KDKA in Pittsburgh aired a boxing match between Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee. Pittsburgh Daily Post sports editor Florent Gibson provided the play-by-play commentary. The match ended in a draw after 10 rounds.
On April 12, 1981, NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle.
On April 13, 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament. He was 21.
On April 14, 1910, William H. Taft became the first president to throw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. The Washington Senators defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 3-0.
On April 15, 1924, the "Rand McNally Auto Chum" was released; it was the company's first road atlas.
On April 16, 1964, The Rolling Stones released their debut album. The eponymous title topped the UK charts for 12 weeks.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
April 9 is National Cherish an Antique Day, National Chinese Almond Cookie Day, National Name Yourself Day and National Unicorn Day
April 10 is Global Work From Home Day, National Bookmobile Day, National Cinnamon Crescent Day, National Encourage a Young Writer Day, National Farm Animals Day, National Hug Your Dog Day, National Poem in your Pocket Day, National Siblings Day, Support Teen Literature Day and Take Action for Libraries Day
April 11 is International Louie Louie Day, National Barbershop Quartet Day, National Cheese Fondue Day, National Eight Track Tape Day, National Living Donor Day, National Pet Day, National Poutine Day and Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
April 12 is International Day for Human Space Flight, National Grilled Cheese Day, National Licorice Day, National Only Child Day, Celebrate Teen Literature Day, Drop Everything and Read Day and Hamster Day
April 13 is International Plant Appreciation Day, National Peach Cobbler Day and National Scrabble Day
April 14 is International Moment of Laughter Day, National Dolphin Day, National Donate a Book Day, National Gardening Day, National Laver Bread Day, National Look Up to the Sky Day, National Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Day, National Pecan Day, National Reach as High as You Can Day, Good Deeds Day and Perfume Day
April 15 is World Art Day, National American Sign Language Day, National Glazed Spiral Ham Day, National Rubber Eraser Day and Jackie Robinson Day
April 16 is World Semicolon Day, National Eggs Benedict Day, National Librarian Day, National Orchid Day, National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day and Save the Elephant Day
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Plant flowers for bees and butterflies
* Add a bird bath to your garden
* Plant a tree. It’ll provide beauty, a home for creatures, cleaner air and shade for all.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." --Robert A. Heinlein
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to the Philadelphia Zoo, Instagram, The New York Times, YouTube, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Apple News, The Associated Press, The Royal Mint, BBC News, Max Joseph, The Written Word, 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 American Library Association, America's Test Kitchen, The Moonlight Reader Society, Hello. This Cat., Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, 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?
Happy Drop Everything and Read Day! 🥳
The tortoise story was amazing. Some hope for endangered species ❤️