Erica E. Turner

Administrative Asst. II

erica.turner@louisvilleky.gov

Phone: 502-574-1200

Sophia White

Administrative Assistant II

sophia.white@louisvilleky.gov

Phone: 502-574-1100

   Written, Edited &                 Designed by                         Erica E. Turner

THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY

Joshua Vining and Colton Whitler

 The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a Council Chronicle series that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from joy, outrage, anger, amusement or hope. 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 BAD 

Colton Whitler, Joshua Vining and Jarrett Vining

TEENS TAKE TURNS SHOOTING EACH OTHER WEARING BODY ARMOR

    Last month in Belleview, Florida, a group of nincompoops teenage boys had the brilliant idea to test the effectiveness of body armor. How did they decide to test it? They put a bullet-resistant vest on and took turns shooting each other. Their friends cheered them on and one of the boys recorded the insanity fun for social media. As you might have guessed, this scientific experiment did not end well. 

    It ended with a phone call to 911 and a plea for help for a gunshot victim. When the authorities arrived at the home, they found Christopher Leroy Broad, Jr., 16, laying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to the chest. He later died at a local hospital. The medical examiner's office listed the manner of death as homicide.

    During the investigation into the shooting, the boys (shockingly) lied to the police about what happened to their friend. Luckily, the police were able to determine exactly what happened by the discovery of a recording on the cell phone of the teenage cameraman. The video showed Broad shooting Vining.  A second video which showed the murder had been deleted but the police were able to recover the recording. 

    The shooter, Joshua Vining, 17 was arrested and charged with manslaughter and giving false information to the police. The cameraman, Colton Whitler, 17, was arrested on charges of providing false information to law enforcement. Both are being charged as adults with their cases pending.  

    UPDATE: A few weeks after shooting Christopher Broad, the aspiring career-criminal, Joshua Vining, and his co-conspirator in the death of Broad, Colton Whitler, were joined by Vining's big brother, Jarrett, 19, for more lawlessness. All three were arrested for a drive-by shooting in Ocala, FL. There was a fourth teen arrested with this group who was underage and therefore not identified. When they were apprehended by authorities, they were in possession of 3 pistols and a rifle. These  boy scouts seem bound and determined to go to prison. We wish them well in Cell Block C with the real criminals.  

JUNE WORK ANNIVERSARIES

HEATHER BLAZIS                   JUNE 8TH

OLIVIA BENNETT                    JUNE 21

HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY!

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

 HEALTH & WELLNESS is a feature with the goal of finding simple and easy ways to make ourselves just a little bit healthier every day. None of us are getting any younger and thanks to the pandemic, many of us have developed some unhealthy habits, are dealing with unwanted weight gain and anxiety. This series will offer simple steps to help improve our overall health.  

  10 WELLNESS TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIFSTYLE 

  1. Start your day with a glass of water.

Your body goes several hours without hydration as you sleep. Drinking a full glass of water in the morning can aid digestion, flush out toxins, enhance skin health and give you an energy boost.

  2. Get some alone time.

Spending time alone can be extremely beneficial for your mental health. Get to know yourself, figure out what you want and start living your most purposeful life.

 3. Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep is just as important as eating healthy and exercising. From improving your productivity and concentration to helping support your overall health, getting the recommended hours of sleep per night can have a major impact on your wellbeing.

  4. Get moving throughout the day.

Try the stairs instead of the elevator, take short walks around your office or ride a bike instead of driving. Vigorous exercise is essential but moving throughout the day will keep you energized, as well as benefit your mind and body.

  5. Get some fresh air.

Whether you get outside for some exercise or to read a book in the sunshine, you should take at least 30 minutes a day to get some vitamin D.

  6. Track your steps.

Tracking your steps will help you see how much you’ve actually moved throughout the day and may even encourage you to challenge yourself to reach a certain amount of steps every day.

 7. Give your eyes a rest.

Eyes become easily strained when you’re constantly focused on your computer screen. Reduce the risk of tired eyes by looking away from your computer for at least 20 seconds in 20-minute intervals.
 8. Eat real food.

Real food is whole, single-ingredient foods that are unprocessed and free of additives. Incorporating these foods into your day can help improve your health, manage your weight and give you energy.

9. Snack smart. It’s easy to mindlessly snack throughout the day, so make sure your snack choices aren’t weighing you down. Mixed nuts, veggies, Greek yogurt or even a piece of dark chocolate are all great options that will keep you feeling satisfied.

  10. Take your vitamins.

Multivitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to your health. No matter how healthy you eat or what diet you follow, it can be difficult for your body to get all of the nutrients it needs from food. Research your options and find a multivitamin that fits your needs and supports your health.

KID'S KORNER

Olivia's son, Shai

    Meet Shawn Thomas Hayden III, known lovingly as Shai by his family. He is Olivia Bennett's two and a half year old son. As a first-time mom, she shares how motherhood has transformed her life.   

     "Being a mother has changed my life in every way possible. It has given me a purpose in life; it has taught me to be more patient, understanding, and compassionate. To think harder before speaking or reacting and has made me enjoy and appreciate the little moments," Olivia said. "Being a mother has helped me get back in touch with my inner child, and my creativity. It has made me more open minded, as well as more vulnerable, emotional and frightened by the idea of anything ever hurting my most precious thing."

Shai loves to watch his favorite TV shows, play with his dinosaur toys, dance, act silly, and cuddle with his mama. He likes playing with Play-Doh and he really dislikes eating vegetables, so Olivia has to hide them in his food.

     She goes on to say that her son's touch brings her peace, his hugs and cuddles bring her tranquility, his smile and laughter bring her joy. Shai is very curious about new things and he surprises her with new things he's learned every day in daycare.

     "He radiates light, happiness, love and fun. I am so blessed to be Shai’s mother. It is hands down my favorite job. Though it is very challenging, being a mother to my son makes me a better person," Olivia said. 

A special thanks to Olivia for allowing us to feature Shai in this edition of the Kid's Korner. He's an adorable little boy.  

AMAZING RESCUE DOG TRANSFORMATIONS

Before & After Rescue Dog Transformation

Milo  Milo is one of those extreme cases that will restore your faith in humanity. Michael J. Baines, or The Man That Rescues Dogs, has devoted his life to saving strays on the streets of Thailand. Milo was discovered at only seven months old in dire need of food, water and medical attention by some students in Thailand.  Michael treated Milo at his clinic for 50 days until the dog was completely transformed. Milo is now happily ensconced in his forever home with his human family in Phoenix, Arizona.

 Please consider adopting a pet from your local animal shelter or a pet rescue if you have room in your home and heart for a new furry family member. Trust me, you'll be so glad that you did. 🐾❤️

RIDDLE ME THIS...

  1. When is a door no longer a door?  Answer: When it's ajar.

  2. What tastes better than it smells?  Answer: Your tongue.

  3. What building has the most stories?  Answer: A library.

  4. What has a bottom at the top?  Answer: Your legs.

  5. What has four wheels and flies?  Answer: A garbage truck.

  7. What can you put in a bucket to make it weigh less?

   Answer: A hole.

  8. What starts with T, ends with T, and has T in it?  Answer: A teapot.

  9. Where is the only place where today comes before yesterday?          Answer: The dictionary.

 10. What goes all around the world but stays in a corner?  

     Answer: A stamp.

SIDE-EYE PICS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EDITION

Baby side-eye is hilarious.

 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. 

Hmmm, why?

IMPORTANT DATES IN JUNE

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, JUNE 5TH

FATHER'S DAY, JUNE 19TH

JUNETEENTH DAY, JUNE 19TH

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATED, METRO HOLIDAY,

JUNE 20TH

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER, JUNE 21ST

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY, JUNE 24TH 

PTSD AWARENESS DAY, JUNE 27TH

FUN FACTS, BEACH EDITION

   1. Most sand on earth is quartz, a silica (SiO2) based mineral. 

   2. Sand dunes act as storm barriers and re-nourishes beaches during periods of extreme waves, high tides, and storms. 

   3. White sand beaches come from parrotfish poop. Yuck!

   4. Sand is the second-largest resource extracted and traded by volume. 

   5. Black sand comes from eroded volcanic materials. This includes basalt rocks and lava.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii.

   6. Recent trends in shoreline dynamics and coastal recession could result in the disappearance of beaches by the end of the century, according to the publication Nature Climate Change.

   7. Shell Beach in Australia is made up of trillions of tiny shells.

   8. Water covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. 

   9. There is no such thing as a seagull! It’s a casual name people use for gulls.

  10.  408 million people visited the beach in 2019. 

  11. Uncrowded, outdoor, and beach experiences were the most desired domestic travel destinations for U.S. travelers in 2020.

  12. Congress Hall in New Jersey is the oldest seaside resort (1816) in the United States.

  13. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can harm your skin in 15 minutes.

  14. 85 percent of sunlight can reflect off of sand, concrete, water, and snow. 

  15. Grayton Beach State Park in Florida was named the #1 beach in America in 2020. 

Grayton Beach State Park in Florida.

QUICK FIX MEALS

BARBECUE CHICKEN WITH MANGO SALSA AND JASMINE RICE

Quick-Fix Meals feature recipes that are hearty, tasty and quickly-prepared. These meals are ready 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. 

    Having friends over for dinner and want to dazzle them with your culinary skills? Try this Mango BBQ chicken with homemade mango salsa and jasmine rice. Fancy, huh? Serve the chicken and salsa with jasmine rice for a perfect pairing of sweet and savory. Layer everything together in a bowl and you have an impressive, flavorful, healthy and delicious protein bowl. They'll think you spent hours slaving in the kitchen, when you actually prepared this meal in 30 minutes. Just smile, bask in the glory of the praise you will receive for the fabulous meal you prepared and dig in. 

 INGREDIENTS

•  1 cup Jasmine rice

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 1/ 2 cup favorite BBQ sauce

       SALSA

• 1 avocado, cubed

• 1 mango, peeled and cubed

• 1 blood orange, peeled and cubed

• 1/ 4 red onion, finely chopped

• Handful of cilantro

• 1/ 2 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely diced

• Salt and pepper, to taste

      DIRECTIONS

        Place the chicken breasts and BBQ sauce in a sealed plastic bag or container. Move the chicken around until fully coated in sauce. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight. 

   After the chicken has marinated for a sufficient time, preheat a lightly oiled grill pan over medium heat and cook chicken for about 8 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl and lightly mix. Set aside for later. Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. Serve chicken over the rice and top with salsa. Enjoy.

DUDE WITH SIGN

    TRUTH BOMBS are described in the urban dictionary as surprising but true statements. A fact or piece of knowledge that, when told to a listener, is devastating to the listener's argument or world view. 

    New Yorker Seth Phillips has gained a cult following for his truth bombs that protest anything from loud engines, phones that shatter easily, “x” in espresso, and other very specific, small things that add up to our daily lives. He has a whopping 7.5 million followers on social media. Phillips has gone mainstream enough that the fast fashion giant Zara has capitalized on his popularity by selling "Dude With Sign" shirts in their summer collection.   

    And, of course, there’s always something new to protest. Such as, hot coffee in summer or verifying you’re not a robot online. The Council Chronicle will now feature these truth bombs in each edition. Those of us who have had enough of everything will get a chuckle out of this series. 

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Scott (in green) during a group ride

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?

     Cycling makes Scott Harrington happy! He recently became the Vice-President of Advocacy with the Louisville Bicycle Club, founded in 1897. Scott's determined to learn all he can about the sport by enrolling in LBC’s free New Rider Clinic, which teaches bike handling and maintenance. Each class includes practice drills and concludes with a group ride.  

  "I enjoy group rides that take place in every part of our City," Scott said. 

  Scott rode in the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle this past Memorial Day. He also plans to ride in the 42^nd Old Kentucky Home Bicycle Tour which will go through Oldham County on Sunday, June 5.

Cycling packs a range of powerful benefits, from reducing your risk of illness to improving your heart health, lung fitness, and metabolism.           Scott is pictured at left, in the center (in green) enjoying a group ride.

  "If any of my council colleagues are interested in riding with me, just let me know," Scott said.

Thank you, Scott for sharing with us what makes you happy. Don't be a bike salmon. :o) Happy Trails and be safe out there. 

To learn more about the cycling club or to view the ride calendar,

visit www.louisvillebicycleclub.org

PET MEME

LOL

BIRTHDAY'S IN JUNE

THERE ARE NO JUNE BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE.

WOULD YOU RATHER...

'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.

 1. Would you rather spend 20 years in prison and be exonerated as innocent or be put away for four years (despite your innocence) and be considered guilty forever?

 2. Would you rather meet the president of the United States or a movie star?

 3. Would you rather spend two weeks stuck in a psychiatric hospital or stuck in an airport?

 4. If you had to give up one thing for the rest of your life, would it be brushing your hair or brushing your teeth?

 5. Would you rather have your own boat or your own plane?

 6.  Would you rather be a character in an action-packed thriller or a romantic comedy?

 7.  Would you rather be stuck on a train or a bus?

 8.  Would you rather be a part of an arranged marriage or spend your life as a single person?

 9.  Would you rather babysit a crying infant for a day or have an unwanted houseguest for a week?

 10. Would you rather take an action-packed European vacation or spend two weeks at the same Caribbean resort?

THE MOST HILARIOUS NOTES LEFT ON CARS

And the award for The Pettiest Parker goes to...

 This series will feature a different note left on a car windshield by a passive-aggressive driver who couldn't walk away without expressing exactly how they feel. These notes are downright hilarious and outrageous.

 This person was so aggravated by the situation that they wrote out parking instructions for the driver and sketched a little map. They even left a bit of helpful advice on hygeine.  LOL

PRAYER FOR EQUALITY, PEACE & UNITY

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.

CLOSING QUOTE