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 GOOD
AMAZON DELIVERY DRIVER SAVES TEEN AND HER DOG FROM PIT BULL ATTACK
An Amazon delivery driver in Las Vegas had to make an unscheduled stop – to save a woman and small dog being attacked by a pit bull.
Lauren Ray, 19, was outside on Dec. 13 when an unleashed pit bull attacked her family's small dog, Max. Ray picked up Max and attempted to fend off the dog, captured on video by the family's Ring doorbell camera.
"My first thought was 'Save the dog," Ray said. "I would’ve let the dog bite me for all I care. I just wanted him to be safe because he’s so small, compared to a pit bull, he didn’t stand a chance."
Ray screamed for help as she tried to fend off the pit bull which continued to circle and snap at her and Max. Stephanie Lontz, an Amazon delivery driver, heard her cries and jumped in to help. Lontz put herself between the pit bull and Ray and her dog and told her to get in the house.
Pit bull attacking dog in girl's arms
Lontz trying to keep Pit bull from pursuing Ray and Max
"I would have been lost without any help," Lauren Ray said. "I had no clue what I was going to do. I didn’t know if I was going to get hurt. And someone risking their life like that is a really big thing and means a lot to me."
Lontz said hearing Ray's screams "made me think of my own child. I would only hope that somebody would jump in and help her if she was in a similar situation. It's the human thing to do."
The Ray family posted the Ring doorbell video in the hopes of finding the hero delivery driver and thanking her in person. Lauren Ray and Stephanie Lontz met again when Stephanie delivered a package to her family's home. Lauren and her father, Michael, both thanked and hugged Stephanie while presenting her with flowers and a card.
Michael Ray witnessed the attack on his daughter and Max on an app on his phone while he was many miles away. He says he was panicking and yelling at the phone. Then he saw Lontz "swoop in like Wonder Woman" and give Lauren time to get herself and their dog, Max inside.
Lauren hugs Stephanie after giving her flowers
Lontz was also recognized for her heroism by her co-workers and Amazon after they viewed the video.
"We saw that video and honestly that was something that I’ve never seen before. And just appreciate your service to Amazon and really to your community," a representative from Amazon said.
Amazon gave Lontz and her family four tickets to Enchant Christmas Las Vegas along with backpacks filled with gifts for the family.
Soon after the incident, the local animal control picked up the Pit bull.
Stephanie Lontz, Hero
The bravery and selflessness that Stephanie Lontz showed that day is nothing short of amazing. Isn't it wonderful to know that there are good people out there willing to put themselves in harm's way to help a stranger and her little dog?
JANUARY 1st
Chanelle Smith
JANUARY 2nd
Marilyn Parker
JANUARY 4th
Jecorey Arthur
Cassie C. Armstrong
Megan Metcalf
Brianna Wright
JANUARY 5th
Brent Ackerson
Jessica Green
Bill Hollander
Jeff Noble
JANUARY 6th
Stuart Benson
Rick Blackwell
Debbie Carroll
Robin Engel
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JANUARY 6th
Kip Eatherly
Madonna Flood
Steve Haag
Kevin Kramer
James Peden
Barbara Shanklin
JANUARY 7th
Keisha Dorsey
Mark Fox
Nicole George
Paula McCraney
Anthony Piagentini
Donna Purvis
Markus Winkler
JANUARY 20th
Scott Harrington
Cheryl Woods
JANUARY 28th
Amy Holton Stewart
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HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!
Cookie, after her rescue
Before & After Rescue Dog Transformation
Who can resist a heartwarming makeover, especially when it involves a sweet dog? Whether they were abandoned, lost or mistreated, these down-on-their luck dogs were in dire need of a loving presence in their lives. That's where caring animal shelters, pet rescues and foster parents come into the picture. With a little love and much-needed TLC, these rescue dogs started thriving — inside and out. These before-and-after transformation pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, it may inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
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COOKIE
When Cookie was surrendered to Animal Control she had a skin infection and was severely malnourished. Veterinarian's believe she was a puppy mill dog who had several litters before she was taken in by an animal sanctuary.
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Cookie's foster parents call her a "foster fail" because they couldn't bear to give her up after so many sleepless nights spent comforting her. She continues to make strides every day while enjoying life in her forever home.
Please consider adopting a pet from the animal shelter or a local rescue if you have room in your home and heart for a new furry family member.
NEW YEAR'S DAY , JANUARY 1ST
NATIONAL DRESS UP YOUR PET DAY, JANUARY 14TH
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, JANUARY 17TH
The late comedian Bernie Mac giving a classic 'side eye'
Side-Eye Pics are 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.
ARMED & AGED!
Make My Day
Dirty Harry's Grandma is not playing today. Never mind a concealed weapon, Grandma wants everyone to know she's armed to the teeth and double-dog dares anyone to mess with her on that train. I don't know where this is but, it must be very, very dangerous. It obviously is an open carry state as well.
I want to be just like Dirty Harry's Grandma when I'm her age.
1. The first New Year’s celebration dates back 4,000 years. Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome, was the first to declare Jan. 1 a national holiday. He named the month after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates.
2 .Forty-five percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The top resolutions are: to lose weight, get organized, to spend less and save more, to stay fit and healthy, and to quit smoking.
3. Be sure to eat leafy greens on New Year’s. Tradition says that the more leafy greens a person eats, the more prosperity he or she will experience (what an incentive for staying healthy!). Tradition also says that legumes bring prosperity because beans and peas look like coins.
4. Many people ring in New Year’s by popping open a bottle of champagne. Americans drink close to 360 million glasses of sparkling wine during this time.
5. About 1 million people gather in New York City’s Times Square to watch the ball drop. The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop came about because of a ban on fireworks. The first ball in 1907 was 700 pounds and was lit with 100 25-watt lights.
The NYC Times Square Ball
6. The song “Auld Lang Syne” written by Poet Robert Burns in 1788, is traditionally sung at the end of New Year’s parties. Though most people don’t know the lyrics to the song, the overall message is that people have to remember their loved ones, dead or alive, and keep them close in their hearts.
7. The Baby New Year is the symbol most commonly associated with New Year’s. Myth states that he matures into an old man during the year.
8. According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicles are stolen on New Year’s Day more than any other holiday. Don’t think your old car is safe, either. In 2011, the 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen car.
9. At the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, 10,000 participants step through City Hall and perform in unique costumes.The parade dates back to mid-17th-century, incorporating elements from Irish, German, English, Swedish and other European heritages.
10. The tradition of kissing your significant other on New Year’s Eve is based on the myth that a relationship is doomed if a couple does not share a kiss at the stroke of midnight when the new year is ushered in.
Katrina giving Earl a puppy-safe Christmas cookie
Earl is Katrina Helmer’s 7 1/2 year old fur baby. He is a rescue pup that she adopted seven years ago. He is a French/English Bulldog mix. His mom says there’s nothing Earl loves more than his dog-safe cookies except to snuggle. He really enjoys burrowing under blankets and pillows when it’s snuggle time with his momma.
Earl is also quite fond of eating ice cubes. Like a lot of dogs, he doesn’t care for thunder storms at all.
Thanks for sharing Earl with us, Katrina. He looks like such a sweet boy.
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Garlic Butter Chicken and Pasta
Crock pot cooking is my favorite way to cook. I love using the crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, for Fall and Winter meals. I get up in the morning, put my ingredients in the crock pot, set it and forget it. The house is filled with the most amazing aromas as I go about my day reading, watching movies, napping and playing with my fur babies.
It's an easy, hands-off way to cook healthy, filling, flavorful meals. An added bonus to crock pot cooking is the easy clean up. There's not a lot of pots and pans to clean after dinner is done. These meals are also great for those days when you get home in the evening and your stomach is letting you know lunch is a distant memory and it’s HANGRY and ready to eat ASAP! All you have to do is plate your food, maybe toast some bread to accompany your meal and dig in!
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 white onion, diced
1/2 cup salted butter cut into slices
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup frozen peas, ADD AT THE END
1 ib. rotini pasta cooked al dente, ADD AT THE END
Parmesan cheese for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Add the chicken, garlic, onions, carrots, butter, thyme, basil, salt and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 7- 8 hours.
3. When the cooking time is done, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
4. Shred the chicken. Add the peas, and the drained and cooked pasta. Stir.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
6. Enjoy.
Emma, Heather & Caleigh
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?
Heather Blazis, Legislative Assistant (D12), says that her daughters make her happy. Like most proud mother's, she says she doesn't mind bragging about her girls.
Heather has two daughters, Caleigh, 21 and Emma, 19. Emma is a sophomore at UK with two majors (Business Management and Merchandising & Textiles) with a dream of going into fashion and running her own company. She works for a fashion magazine at UK while maintaining excellent grades, working and having a leadership position in her sorority.
"Caleigh loves all things art," Heather said. "That has always been her passion."
She is currently working as a server at Drakes restaurant, with a goal of pursuing a position in art. Caleigh painted the artwork pictured below for Heather as a Christmas gift. It hangs in a place of honor in the front room of their new home.
"I love my girls," Heather said.
Caleigh's art
Thank you, Heather, for sharing with us what makes you happy. We wish Emma well in her entrepreneurial pursuits and Caleigh much success with her art career.
OSCAR HEITHAUS JANUARY 9TH
JOHN TORSKY JANUARY 11TH
STEVE HAAG JANUARY 26TH
MEGAN METCALF JANUARY 28TH
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
1. Would you rather have to stay up until after midnight every night of the coming year or kiss someone at noon every day of the year?
2. Would you rather make a resolution to give up sweets this year or give up showers and baths?
3. Would you rather make a resolution to give up Netflix for the coming year or Facebook?
4. Would you rather swim in a pool of holiday punch or a pool of warm cocoa?
5. Would you rather be invited to the White House to celebrate New Year’s Eve or have a celebrity chef come to your house to make your New Year’s Eve dinner?
Chef G. Garvin
6. Would you rather wear a shirt tomorrow that lists everything you did over the holidays or everything you ate over the holidays?
7. Would you rather spend New Year’s Day in a home with no Internet or a home without indoor plumbing?
8. Would you rather celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square in 1850 or in 2150?
9. Would you rather make a resolution to complete a book every week in the New Year or to teach yourself how to play a musical instrument?
Smooches
10. Would you rather have to kiss your dog on the lips at midnight on New Year's Eve or your least favorite co-worker on the cheek?
Heather Blazis (D12) wins the Holiday Trivia Game
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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