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 GOOD
MAN WINS $450,000 LAWSUIT AFTER OFFICE BIRTHDAY PARTY TRIGGERED PANIC ATTACK
A Kentucky man who suffers from an anxiety disorder, asked his employer to not throw him an office birthday party as was customary due to the stress it would trigger. That request was ignored, and the company threw him a surprise party anyway. As the man feared, the event caused a panic attack. He left the lunch party to go to his car, where he texted his manager about how upset he was that his request wasn't taken seriously.
The employee "was confronted and criticized" in a meeting the next day by his superiors, which triggered another panic attack and resulted in him being sent home. Four days after the birthday party, he received a letter in the mail explaining that he was fired "because of the events of the previous week."
His employers said that the employee was fired for violating a "workplace violence policy" and that they stood by the termination, concerned that he would return to work angry and possibly dangerous to coworkers.
The former employee's lawyer said that their concerns about violence were unwarranted, as his client uses coping techniques to calm his emotions, and the termination was more likely an excuse to get rid of someone perceived as not being a team player. "They started giving him a pretty hard time for his response to the birthday celebration, actually accusing him of stealing his co-workers' joy," the lawyer stated.
A jury sided with the employee who was wrongfully terminated and awarded him $450,000 in damages, including $300,000 for mental anguish.
In a statement after the judgement, the lawyer representing the ex-employee said, "I think the significance for employers is that they need to understand that they shouldn't make assumptions about individuals with mental-health issues. My client was an exceptional employee that went above and beyond for his employer, and if they would have taken a step back it would have been clear that he did not present any danger at all."
BRIAN POWELL 10/1
LATONYA BELL 10/2
AARON HORNER 10/5
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY!
1. Did you know that serial killer, Ed Gein inspired three major horror movies? Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
2. The first horror movie ever made is a French film made in 1898. It is called "Le Manoir du Diable", which translates to "The House of the Devil."
3. Which film was the first horror to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar? 1973's "The Exorcist."
 |
|
4. The highest-grossing horror film is Stephen King's IT. The movie made $700,381,759.
|
5. "Be afraid. Be very afraid." Which movie is this quote from? "The Fly" from 1986. Side Note: Mel Brooks came up with this line, and it is considered one of the most famous horror movie taglines of all time.
6. Which 2000 horror movie was based on an abandoned "X-Files" episode? "Final Destination." The X-Files episode was titled, "Flight 180."
7. What is the funniest vampire movie ever made? "Shadow of the Vampire" (2000) in which Willem Defoe stars as Max Schreck. He is a real vampire playing the role of a vampire in the 1922 silent film, "Nosferatu." Dafoe gives a masterful performance in this movie.
|
|
 |
 |
|
8. What 1978 classic horror film was originally titled, "The Babysitter Murders?" John Carpenter's "Halloween."
|
9. What is the cursed object in the 2009 movie, "Drag Me to Hell?" A button.
|
|
 |
In the 1992 "Bram Stoker's Dracula" film, Director Francis Ford Coppola refused to use modern visual effects for the film. Almost every special effect was achieved live on camera, with the use of makeup, puppets, mirrors, shadows, projections and forced perspective miniatures. There is only a single use of CGI in the film, when Dracula spontaneously transforms from an old man back into his more youthful form.
|
1. How do you fix a damaged jack-o'-lantern?
Answer: You use a pumpkin patch.
2. What room will you never find in a ghost's house?
Answer: A living room.
3. What is a mummy's favorite type of music?
Answer: Wrap music.
4. What is a witch's favorite subject in school?
Answer: Spelling.
5. How are vampires like false teeth?
Answer: They both come out at night.
6. What's the problem with twin witches?
Answer: You knew know which witch is which.
7. Why did the witch refuse to wear a flat hat?
Answer: There was no point to it.
8. What is a ghost's favorite dessert?
Answer: I-scream.
9. What does a witch order when she goes to a hotel?
Answer: Broom service.
10. Why is a cemetery a great place to write a story? Answer: It's filled with plots.
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 will inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
PRESLEY
This 4-year-old Shih Tzu was discovered running down the side of the highway. Upon seeing him (and that tongue!) running scared and alone, a kind-hearted, dog-lover was smitten and brought him into her family.
Now Presley has a canine-sister, a new look, loving family and the happily ever after that every fur baby deserves.
|
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. 🐾❤️
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.
Harry is on his way to meet the Henderson's for a family dinner.
WORLD ANIMAL DAY 10/4
WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY 10/5
COLUMBUS DAY 10/10
BOSS’S DAY 10/17
NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY 10/26
BLACK CAT DAY 10/27
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY 10/28
NATIONAL CAT DAY 10/29
HALLOWEEN 10/31
AMERICAN DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH
LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE MONTH
1. The amount of money spent on Halloween is estimated to be 7.4 billion dollars. Yes, that's billions, not millions.
2. 2.2 billion dollars is spent on candy, alone for Halloween.
3. The number of Trick or Treaters is 42.1 million.
4. A Halloween full moon hasn't appeared for every time zone since 1944.
5. A full moon on Halloween occurs approximately once every 19 years.
6. The next Halloween full moon will be in 2039.
7. For centuries cats were used as part of a Halloween ritual to predict the future.
8. The Halloween holiday is over 2000 years old.
9. Before pumpkins were carved into Jack-o-Lanterns, turnips were used.
10. Wearing costumes was once used to hide from ghosts.
Halloween is my favorite holiday. The Halloween decorations, creative and fun costumes, month-long horror movie marathons, and the sweet treats. I'm here for every bit of it. If you’re looking for Halloween dessert recipes, I've got you covered. From scary delicious candy recipes to cookies and pretzels, here are recipes to help achieve that sugar rush that accompanies this holiday.
BOO BARK
INGREDIENTS
- two 4-ounce semi-sweet chocolate bars (226g), coarsely chopped
- two 4-ounce white chocolate bars (226g), coarsely chopped
- Festive Halloween candy such as eyeball sprinkles, Halloween sprinkles, and Halloween M&Ms
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate. You can melt it in a double boiler or the microwave. If using the microwave: place the chopped chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 20 second increments in the microwave, stopping and stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth.
3. Melt the white chocolate following the same melting process in step 2.
4. Pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out into a large rectangle (anywhere around 8×12 inches is great). Drizzle the white chocolate mixture on top. Use a knife or a toothpick to swirl the layers together. Decorate the top of the bark with candies.
5. Allow the chocolate to completely set uncovered at room temperature or in the refrigerator, about 45 minutes. Once hardened, break into pieces as large or small as you want. 6. Store bark in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
|
Chocolate Covered Halloween Pretzels
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup white chocolate chips/vanilla candy melts
- 1 cup chocolate chips/chocolate candy melts
- 1 bag pretzel rods
- Sprinkles orange, purple, green, or black
- Candy Eyes
- Candy Corn
- green candy melts
- orange candy melts
|
|
 |
INSTRUCTIONS:
-
Line a pan with parchment sheet.
-
Melt the white chocolate chips and chocolate chips in 30 second intervals in a tall bowl/mug, stirring after each, until the chocolate is smooth.
-
Take one pretzel rod and dip it into the chocolate. Use a spoon to to add additional chocolate to the pretzel stick to coat it about half way, or two thirds to the bottom.
-
Top pretzels with sprinkles, candy eyes, candy corn, or drizzle with orange or green candy melts.
-
Allow to set and enjoy.
MONSTER OREOS COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
24 Oreo Cookies
11 ounces orange candy wafer melts
24 candy eyes
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Line a large baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
- Microwave Candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl until creamy in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each.
- Once the melts are creamy dip one half of your Oreo into the candy, and using a fork, gently wiggle it down into a slime like pattern.
- Place cookie on the wax paper-lined sheet and add one eye to the middle, repeat.
- Allow them to cure in the fridge for 30 mins before eating.
|
Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup sugar for rolling
- 48 miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped and FROZEN
- 96 candy eyes
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
|
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375.
- In a large bowl, beat together shortening, peanut butter, egg, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and milk.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture and beat until blended.
- Form into 1" balls.
- Roll in sugar and place a couple of inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- Immediately, gently press an upside-down frozen peanut butter cup on top of each cookie and move to wire rack to cool.
- After placing and moving all of the cookies on the wire rack, put in place the candy eyes while chocolate is still slightly soft.
- Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow cookies to firm.
- Put chocolate chips in the corner of zippered sandwich bag.
- Microwave for 20 seconds, knead and repeat until chocolate has melted.
- Clip tiny piece off of the corner of bag to allow for piping and draw eight legs on each spider cookie.
- Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow legs to set.
 |
Monster Truffles
Family members from left to right are: husband, Mark, Amy, her daughter, Suzannah, grandson, Koa, daughter-in-law, Raquelle and son, Hunter.
What makes you happy? Is it a person, place or thing? A group of people, a pet, a home, a beautiful sunset, or a favorite vacation spot? What one thing never fails to put a smile on your face and happiness in your heart? What makes you feel grateful and blessed?
Councilwoman Amy Holton Stewart shares with us that the source of joy is her family.
"My family, my three dogs and my boat make me happy. My handsome husband, Mark, my daughter, Suzannah, my grandson, Koa, my daughter-in-law, Raquelle, and my son, Hunter are my world," Holton Stewart shared. 🌎❤️
Holton Stewart's boat
"The boat has no name. Actually, we should have named her when we bought her. Lol," she said.
Holton Stewart with her fur babies. The dogs from left to right are Beau, Leo and Sugar.
"They all have a story. Beau broke his leg and has a metal plate and 8 screws in it. Leo had to travel to Purdue University and have major heart surgery when he was 6 months old. And Sugar became a part of our family just over a year ago when my mother passed away," she said.
Thank you, councilwoman, for sharing with us what makes you happy. You have a wonderful family.
BOO!
DAN LUCKETT 10/2
SHALANNA TAYLOR 10/5
SONYA HARWARD 10/7
BRENT ACKERSON 10/9
TONY PIAGENTINI 10/9
PAULA MCCRANEY 10/10
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!!!
Marissa Brown
Marissa Brown joined the Metro Council Clerk's Office as an Assistant Clerk in June 2022.
Q. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
A. "I enjoy exploring Indiana and Kentucky with my boyfriend, family, and friends."
Q. How would your family and friends describe you?
A. "Outgoing, brave and silly."
Q. What’s something someone would be surprised to learn about you?
A. "I think people would be surprised to learn that I’m a bit of an old soul. I love music from literally every genre and every decade. From Pavarotti to Marilyn Manson, from Barry White to Luke Combs, from 80s music to Doo-Wop hits, I LOVE IT all!"
Q. What’s your idea of a dream vacation?
A. "I would love to stay at a beach house, right on the water, 10/15 minutes away from a big city. This way I can relax in the morning/evenings and watch the sunrise/sunset right on the water, go
for a swim, and then in the evening get to enjoy the city nightlife and maybe hit a few bars and go dancing."
Marissa's family from left to right : Marty, Sr. (Dad), Donna (Mom), Olyvia (Sister), Marissa, and Kyle (Brother-in-law).
Q. Can you tell us a little about your family?
A. "My family is awesome! My mother and father are high school sweethearts and just celebrated their 31st anniversary. They are incredibly supportive, and I am deeply thankful and lucky to have such amazing parents. My older sister Olyvia just turned 30 and is about to celebrate her 2-year anniversary with her husband, Kyle. My sister is a huge role model for me because she always strives to be better."
"My older brother Marty is a music teacher. He is my best buddy! He’s not the stereotypical older brother who picks on their baby sister, rather he’s always been very protective of me, and I can go to him for anything. Lastly, I have two cats, Woody and Anne, one dog named Kato and a turtle named Spartacus who all provide me with unconditional love. My family is the greatest and I am entirely grateful for them."
Marissa and her boyfriend, Mitchell
Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with us about yourself?
A. "I am very, very excited to be working for Metro. Even though it’s only been a few months I really love being an assistant clerk for Louisville’s Metro Council. My coworkers have been very welcoming. My boss Sonya Harward has been very helpful and patient with me. The council members are all very kind and encouraging, especially President James, he never fails to say hello to me and make me laugh! I am very thankful for this position, and I promise to work incredibly hard every day and I look forward to achieving greatness, which is what Metro is all about!"
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
1. Would you rather carve 20 pumpkins or eat ten bags of candy corn?
2. Would you rather be covered in spiders or snakes?
3. Would you rather dunk apples or carve jack-o-lanterns?
4. Would you rather be scared or scare someone?
5. Would you rather be a real-life Vampire or a Werewolf?
6. Would you rather meet a werewolf or a zombie?
Would you rather be a character in an action-packed thriller or a romantic comedy?
7. Would you rather fall into a pool of blood or kiss the creature from the Black Lagoon?
8. Would you rather watch Hitchcock's Psycho or Spielberg's Poltergeist?
9. Would you rather have a pet bat or spider?
10. Would you rather read horror stories or watch horror movies?
Searching for a cute costume for your furry best friend for Halloween this year? Check out these adorable pet outfits for some inspiration for your fur babies for All Hollows Eve.
 |
|
This pug is also known as the Fart Factory in his family. What an ingenious idea!
GRADE: A
|
A ferocious three-headed doggy.
GRADE: A
|
|
 |
 |
|
Isn't this the cutest little kitty costume you have ever seen? To recreate this darling Bat Kitty look, all you need is an adorable kitten, tiny bat wings and a pair of miniscule fangs.
GRADE: A+++
|
This costume requires a total commitment to the character. Note the dead-eyed stare in this pup's gaze? He deserves a DOscar nomination for this performance and his mom, an honorable mention for her creativity and ingenuity.
GRADE: A+
|
|
 |
 |
|
A Martini. Shaken, not stirred. An excellent use of every dog or cat's arch-nemesis. The E-collar.
GRADE: A
|
A scary little Shrub Monster looking ferocious and growling for the camera.
GRADE: A
|
|
 |
 |
|
Pretty in Pink. This Flower costume is another great way to re-purpose the dreaded Elizabethan collar (or E collar) to make your pet a lovely costume.
GRADE: A
|
BEWARE:
A Cookie Bandit is on the loose. Lock up those cookie jars. LOL
GRADE: A+
|
|
 |
I don't know about ya'll, but I really love a good meme. The best memes are funny, simple and creative. To celebrate Halloween, I have selected some of the best memes on the internet for your enjoyment.
Michael Myers stalking Lori Strode in the movie "Halloween." The fan-favorite franchise that has been keeping us on the edge of our seats for over four decades.
LOL!
Doggy Scary Story Time
I can relate.
Michael Myers waiting on his favorite time of the year.
Is Hellraiser in the condiment family!?!
Luna Rose
Meet Luna Rose, Geoff Wohl's new grandbaby. She was born on September 8, 2022.
Welcome to the world, Luna Rose!
A very proud Grandpa Geoff & Luna Rose.
Congratulations to the Wohl family on their new bundle of joy. We wish you all the happiness that the arrival of a new baby brings to your lives. May Luna Rose bring you lots of cuddles, special moments and sweet memories. Thank you to Geoff for sharing the photos of this little angel with the Council Chronicle.
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.
|
