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Katrina
KATRINA HELMER
Katrina began working for the Metro Council on October 6, 2021. She is the Majority Caucus Communications/PR Manager. Her office is located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, Room 314. She's in Tony Hyatt's former office.
I had the chance to interview Karina and learn a little about her. Continue reading to find out some interesting things about her. Also, don't forget to drop by and introduce yourself to our new co-worker. Welcome aboard, Katrina!
Q. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
A. "I like to hang out with my dog (Earl), bake, try out new restaurants and wineries, and travel."
Q. How would your family and friends describe you?
A. "They would describe me as the outgoing one that always has a plan for the group to do something fun."
Q. Who inspires you?
A. "My parents are my inspiration. They dedicated their lives to making an impact for small businesses and schools around the world through their non- profit."
Q. What are some of the jobs you’ve had before coming to work at the Metro Council?
A. "I worked in local TV news for the last ten years. I spent the last five years reporting for WDRB News."
Q. What’s something someone would be surprised to learn about you?
A. "I have triple citizenship – my dad is American, my mom is Canadian, and I was born in England. And I grew up in Russia, until my family moved to Indiana when I was in third grade."
Q. What’s your idea of a dream vacation?
A. "I LOVE to travel. So my dream vacations would either be in the mountains hiking and camping OR relaxing at a winery or on the beach."
Q. What did you want to be when you were a child?
A. "My parents constantly reminded me that I wanted to either be an ambassador, astronaut, or a ballerina. Keeping my options open."
Q. Tell us a little about your family?
A. "Sorry if this answer is too long – but I love my family so much, and I’m very proud of them. I’m the oldest of three girls. My youngest sister is living in Charleston, South Carolina, where she is working on a ferry boat to earn her captain’s license. My middle sister has autism and lives with my mother in Noblesville, Indiana. She loves learning about philosophy and art. My mother works part-time as an accountant. She’s also a seamstress, fellow wine lover, and has definitely earned the ‘Best Mom Ever’ award. My father passed away unexpectedly in April 2019 of a heart attack. He was an entrepreneur and started a medical equipment company, international translating/publishing company, and a non-profit. He was a huge advocate for journalism, small business, and good government."
Q. If money was no object, what would you do all day?
A. "I’d own a vineyard and chill with Earl all day."
Q. Where did you grow up? Where else have you lived?
A. "After moving to the U.S., my family settled in Noblesville, Indiana. That’s where I grew up before going off to college and starting my journalism career."
Q. If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
A. "I’d definitely have dinner with my dad. My second choice would be Clare Hollingworth or Anthony Bourdain."
Q. What is the best gift you have ever been given?
A. "A wine fridge and a KitchenAid mixer."
Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with us about yourself?
A. "I’m still trying to get to know everyone. So I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and say hi!"
Katrina & Earl
Picture of catalytic converter for sale with drug paraphernalia in background
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a Council Chronicle series that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around in the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from joy, outrage, amusement, hope or anger. These are a summary of stories worth knowing. Each month we will feature a story of the Good, the Bad & the Ugly around the globe. If you come across a news item that falls into any of these categories, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
THE UGLY
A 38 year-old Missouri man trying to sell a catalytic converter online has been arrested after a huge stash of meth and a syringe were spotted in the background of the photo he used for the advertisement.
The man was taken into custody in Reeds Spring, MO after posting a photo of the catalytic converter on Facebook Marketplace.
His bag of meth and drug paraphernalia were clearly visible on the coffee table behind the exhaust emission device he was trying to get sell.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader said someone tipped them off to the drug stash soon after Kertz posted the ad on Facebook.
"Apparently he must have been under the influence because in the background of his picture he posted, he left his large bag of meth and syringe on the coffee table," the sheriff said.
Police obtained a search warrant for the man's home and seized 48 grams of meth and an illegal handgun.
"Take note, if you are selling items on social media, make sure your drugs are not in the background! We have now provided him a new place to stay," the sheriff added.
 This upstanding citizen and candidate for Mensa has prior convictions for resisting arrest, domestic assault, possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.
What do you suppose his response was when asked by the other prisoners, "What are you in for, man?"
NOVEMBER IS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS, NOVEMBER 7TH
WORLD ADOPTION DAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
VETERAN'S DAY, NOVEMBER 11TH
WORLD KINDNESS DAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
WORLD DIABETES DAY, NOVEMBER 14TH
THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 25TH
METRO GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH
HANUKKAH, NOVEMBER 28TH
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, NOVEMBER 28TH
NATIONAL GIVING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH
Natasha Romanoff
Natasha Romanoff is a new edition to Angela Webster's (D20) family.
She is a cute English Labrador puppy.
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Natasha is enjoying her first Pup Cup treat.
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Ms. Romanoff is very sensitive to sunlight, so
she's wearing her pink sunglasses to protect her eyes. Looking fashionable
is just a bonus.
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Thanks to Angela for sharing these adorable pictures of Ms. Natasha as she get's acclimated to her new home and family. Isn't she gorgeous? I'm in love with this beautiful fur baby.
David James November 18th
Geoff Wohl November 30th
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY!
Side-Eye Pics is a series of photographs of people or animals behaving strangely or annoyingly. They are doing things that make one pause and take a second look. Their actions are perplexing enough to those observing them to earn them the side eye.
Perhaps this young lady wanted to get a closer look at the menu
without stepping over the line?
1. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
2. Americans eat 704 million pounds of turkey every Thanksgiving.
3. The Butterball hotline answers 100,000 turkey-related questions every year.
4. "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song.
Jingle Bells
5. President Franklin D. Roosevelt once moved Thanksgiving up a week.
6. The first Thanksgiving lasted three days.
7. The woman who got Thanksgiving reinstated as a national holiday also wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
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8. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving a little differently. They celebrate on the second Monday of October.
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9. Although Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan both pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys, it did not become an annual White House tradition until George H.W. Bush's administration.
10. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons used to just be let go after the show.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Ravioli, Spinach & Sausage Lasagna
Quick-Fix Meals is a recipe series in which the Council Chronicle features
recipes that are hearty, tasty and quickly-prepared. These meals are done in 30 minutes or less. They are ideal for those days when you come home after a long day at work, hungry and tired. But you want a substantial meal, not just a quick snack.
RAVIOLI, SPINACH & SAUSAGE LASAGNA
INGREDIENTS
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1 pound Italian sausage
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12 ounces baby spinach
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24 ounces marinara sauce
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20 ounces refrigerated cheese ravioli
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3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage until browned.
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Add spinach and stir together until wilted.
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In 9x13 pan, ladle enough pasta sauce to cover bottom of pan.
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Arrange a single layer of ravioli to cover bottom of pan. Cover with 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and layer remaining cheese ravioli on top.
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Spread sausage and spinach mixture evenly over ravioli.
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Poor remaining marinara sauce over sausage and spinach and top with remaining cheese.
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Bake for about 30 minutes or until warmed through and bubbling. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting and serving. Add a small green salad and some garlic bread to take your meal up a level. Enjoy.
Quick & Easy Ravioli, Spinach & Sausage Lasagna
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
What makes you happy? Is it a person, place or thing? A group of people, a pet, a home, a beautiful sunset, a favorite flower, favorite color, favorite song, etc. What one thing never fails to put a smile on your face and happiness in your heart? What makes you feel grateful and blessed?
Sophia White's grandson, D'Airre brings her an abundance of joy. They have an extraordinary bond that gets stronger as the years pass. Sophia has had her grandson with her practically every weekend since he was 4 months old.
Sophia says, "It’s a totally different kind of love with grandkids."
Meet Arlan D’Airre White , Jr is 9 years old. His birthday is January 1st. He attends Jacob Elementary School and is in the 4th grade.
His favorite subject is math. D'Airre loves going to the science center, reading, board games and video games. His vocabulary is enormous for a child his age. He made the honor roll again this year with an "A" in every subject, despite the pandemic and NTI instruction.
"D'Airre is a New Year’s baby so that has definitely slowed my New Year's Eve celebrating to a minimum, because I have to be present for his birthday party," Sophia said.
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Sophia began taking him to the library when he was just 2 years old and that is what fostered his love of reading and expanded his vocabulary. Sophia and D'Airre make good use of their weekends by going to various events around the city. She makes it her mission to introduce him to new things and experiences as often as possible.
" I asked D'Airre what did he want to be when he grew up? And his response was, " I'm undecided. After all, I'm only 9 years old, Grammy," Sophia said with a laugh.
He calls her Grammy and if you ask him why, he'll proudly say because she's a Grammy Award Winner.
Sophia says of her grandson, "D'Airre makes my heart smile!"
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Thank you, Sophia for sharing with us what makes you happy. Most of us have watched your grandson grow up and we look forward to seeing what great things he will accomplish in the future. You deserve the Grandmother of the Year award for the love you have lavished on D'Airre, and the time and effort you have invested in his growth and development.
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
1. Would you rather cook the Thanksgiving meal or clean up the dishes?
2. Would you rather eat Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant or at home?
3. Would you rather take a nap after the meal or watch a football game?
4. Would you rather always smell like turkey or always smell like gravy?
5. Would you rather have two days of Thanksgiving or two days of Christmas?
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6. Would you rather have a Thanksgiving meal without your favorite dish, or have a meal made up of only your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
7. Would you rather go Black Friday shopping or watch Thanksgiving football?
8. Would you rather eat an entire pumpkin pie or drink the whole gravy boat?
9. Would you rather wear pants two sizes too small to Thanksgiving dinner, or listen to a family member tell a gross story while you’re trying to eat Thanksgiving dinner?
10. Would you rather eat a burnt Thanksgiving dinner or an undercooked Thanksgiving dinner?
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Roger, the pet turkey, gets taken for a walk
11. Would you rather keep a turkey as a pet for a year, or have to kill the turkey you eat for Thanksgiving?
12. Would you rather eat Thanksgiving dinner with the UK’s royal family or with your own family?
13. Would you rather take a nap after the meal or watch a football game?
14. Would you rather say fifty things you’re thankful for or listen to someone else say fifty things they’re thankful for?
15. Would you rather eat a Thanksgiving meal with just your hands, or have to open your Christmas presents using a fork?
Kevin Triplett November 4
Cheryl Woods November 6
Susan Hughes November 9
Rick Blackwell November 19
David James November 22
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
PRAYER FOR EQUALITY, PEACE & UNITY
I pray for equality, unity and peace in every city in our country. Equality for all people in every country. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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