A labor of love
Dion Thompson-Davoli had a dream. To motivate himself to exercise -- while experiencing a new place each time -- he decided two years ago to run on nearly every street in Washington D.C.
In July, the 27-year-old urban planner ran his 1,838th street and completed his mission.
Thompson-Davoli avoided highways, of course, and did not run on the Kalorama street where the Obamas live. However, while logging well over 1,400 miles, Thompson-Davoli discovered that the nation's capitol was a "beautiful, beautiful city." Some of his favorite neighborhoods were Northwest D.C.’s Palisades and Spring Valley.
"I think this was such a great way to get to see it — you know, see the whole thing, in all its great, all its different nooks and crannies," he told The Washington Post.
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A special day to celebrate
I would like to create an official "fun" holiday, just like the ones listed in each issue of this newsletter. It doesn't take much: a simple application, some behind-the-scenes Web stuff, a ton of promotion and a bit of dough.
Creating a holiday dedicated to good news would be a wonderful way to support this community and spread a message of positivity. While I'm happy to do the work on the back end, I need your help:
1) IDEAS SOUGHT: Have any thoughts on how to celebrate Good News Day? Should we offer swag (coffee mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, etc.)? Perhaps give an award to other good-news sites? Or maybe we could hold a contest about your favorite article in A Bit of Good News and then send the story's subject a prize/donation? Ideas, dear readers. Send ‘em in:
2) WE GOTTA GROW: Help me to build the readership of A Bit of Good News. Share it with your friends and encourage them to sign up.
Already subscribe to the free version of this newsletter? Consider upgrading to the paid version. Subscriptions are only $5/month, or $50/year. Everyone who purchases a subscription will be automatically entered into a monthly giveaway for books, gift certificates and other prizes.
Good job, Marlin!
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL
THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On September 11, 1914, W.C. Handy, who was known as the "Father of the Blues," published his most famous composition ("St. Louis Blues").
On September 12, 1954, the TV series "Lassie" debuted on CBS.
On September 13, 1985, Nintendo released the Super Mario Bros. video game.
On September 14, 2016, Dr. Carla Hayden was sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress. She was the first woman and the first person of African American descent to hold the position.
On September 15, 1982, the first edition of USA Today was published.
On September 16, 1848, slavery was abolished in all French territories.
On September 17, 1996, TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey launched her book club. It quickly became an influential force in the publishing world, turning little-known books into bestsellers.
On September 18, 1846, poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning exchanged their last of 575 letters and moved to Italy to begin their life together.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS
On September 11, director Brian DePalma, singer/actor Harry Connick Jr. and actress/producer/singer Taraji P. Henson
On September 12, journalist/critic H.L. Mencken, publisher Alfred Knopf and Olympic medal-winning track and field athlete Jesse Owens
On September 13, entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey, TV producer/actor/director Tyler Perry and singer Fiona Apple
On September 14, CBS war correspondent Cecil Brown, rapper Nas and British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse
On September 15, football quarterback Dan Marino, actor Tom Hardy and Britain’s Prince Harry
On September 16, Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, actress Lauren Bacall and blues musician B.B. King
On September 17, Scottish-American automaker David Dunbar Buick, baseball player/Negro National League founder Rube Foster and country singer/guitarist Hank Williams
On September 18, English lexicographer Samuel Johnson, Swedish actress Greta Garbo and actor/producer Jason Sudeikis
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
On September 11, National Hot Cross Bun Day and National Make Your Bed Day
On September 12, National Chocolate Milkshake Day, National Day of Encouragement, National High Five Day, National Hug Day, National Just One Human Family Day, National Police Woman Day and National Video Games Day
On September 13, International Chocolate Day, National Bald Is Beautiful Day, National Doodle Day, National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, National Peanut Day, Positive Thinking Day, National Twilighters Day, Roald Dahl Day, Supernatural Day and Uncle Sam Day
On September 14, National Coloring Day, National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day, National Eat a Hoagie Day, National Live Creative Day, National Parents Off Day, Drive Your Studebaker Day, Farmers' Consumer Awareness Day, German Language Day and Gobstopper Day
On September 15, International Day of Democracy, World Engineers Day, National Cheese Toast Day, National Creme de Menthe Day, National Custom Framing Day, National Double Cheeseburger Day, National Felt Hat Day, National Linguine Day, National Neonatal Nurses Day, National Online Learning Day, Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day, Dot Day, Greenpeace Day and Wife Appreciation Day
On September 16, World Barber Day, National Anne Bradstreet Day, National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day, National Guacamole Day, National Play-Doh Day, National Sit With a Stranger Day, National Stepfamily Day, National Tattoo Story Day, Collect Rocks Day, Mayflower Day, Respect for the Aged Day and Working Parents Day
On September 17, International Country Music Day, National Apple Dumpling Day, National IT Professionals Day, National Monte Cristo Day, National Pet Bird Day, National Professional House Cleaners Day, National Table Shuffleboard Day and Smithsonian Day
On September 18, International Equal Pay Day, National Cheeseburger Day, National First Love Day, National Respect Day, Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day, Locate an Old Friend Day, Purple Bra Day, Read an E-Book Day and Rice Krispie Treat Day
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
* Voting in local elections
* Picking apples at an orchard
* Decorating the house for autumn
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Donate banned books to your local Little Free Libraries
* Offer to rake leaves for an elderly or infirm neighbor
* Make applesauce in the slow cooker, jar it and share it with friends
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." --E.B.White
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Great Runs, WTOP News, The Washington Post, USA Today, Littleny, 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, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, 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?