Not All News is Bad!

The Western states of Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California have been hit hard by devastating wildfires. With all these outbreaks, personnel and resources in the region are spread thin, but across the U.S. and Canada people have come together to raise more than a quarter million dollars to support the tireless, brave fire crews.

Source: Over a Quarter Million Dollars Donated to Help Victims of Western Wildfires – Good News Network

Of late we’ve been experiencing the smoke from some of these fires in the greater Seattle area. The crews are working exceptionally hard.

B.C. millenials are most responsible when it comes to not drinking and driving across the country

Source: Canadian millennials aren’t drinking and driving due to social media shame: study – Revelstoke Review

That social media is also being used to coordinate rides and designated drivers is also pretty cool.

A heroic 8-year-old boy rescued five people from a treacherous stretch of coastline in the space of just two days.Brave Steffan Williams was out kayaking when he spotted three tourists — an

Source: Hero boy rescues 5 people from the sea in two days | New York Post

Sounds like quite the little lifesaver. I hope he gets the career he hopes for, he’s already proven to be well qualified! 🙂

A Colorado woman was out shopping in Grand Junction when her mother’s wedding photos in the window of an antique store caught her eye.

Source: Blast From the Past: Woman Finds Her Mother’s 1948 Wedding Photo, Dress in Antique Store – Inside Edition via MSN

Sometimes serendipity and happenstance can be a wonderful thing.

A Tennessee restaurant manager’s generosity helped ease the anxieties of Florida newlyweds evacuating during Hurricane Irma, WATE reported.

Source: Tennessee restaurant manager’s act of kindness helps Irma evacuees | WJAX-TV

The worst brings out the best in us….

A Florida nun is pitching in on the cleanup efforts following Hurricane Irma by taking a chain saw to downed trees while dressed in her full habit.

Source: Nun with chainsaw clears trees after Hurricane Irma – CBS News

Go, Sister! 🙂

When people drink beer, rescuing a dog does not usually come to mind. On Saturday, Dirty Dog Squad and enFuego Events brought the two concepts together.

Source: Beer festival helps rescue at risk dogs with beer – Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Behold the power of … beer? 🙂

Colorado is launching a first-in-the-country apprenticeship program that’s designed to let students earn it all: a diploma, a degree, and a middle-class wage. The best part? It’s free.

Source: New School – 5280

Free is good, but to me the “best part” is that we have yet another non-traditional educational option that promises to help create a well-educated workforce with skills that are actually in demand once they complete their training.

Now Tesla has even facilitated travels for some of them as the automaker remotely unlocked the full battery pack capacity of Model S/X 60/60D vehicles with 75 kWh battery packs.

Source: Tesla remotely extends range of vehicles for free in Florida to help owners escape Hurricane Irma | Electrek

I realize this is kinda geeky, but as a Tesla owner I appreciate it, and as a geek I like the potential that it shows some of our upcoming technology promises…

Joss said he’s looking forward to life with Mack, which starts Friday, during the official service dog graduation day at the prison.

Source: Coworkers surprise quadriplegic employee with money for service dog

It’s lengthy, but well worth the read. There’s more to this story than the headline suggests: perseverance, redemption, generosity, gratitude, … and of course a happy dog & owner.