The Thread of Goodness and Positivity

Topic

This is the thread to post good and positive news, personal stories, videos, pictures, and other things.

Whenever I’m feeling down or just need to feel good, this song always does it for me.

Replies

Ex-football star sponsors 500 mammograms to honor mom who died of breast cancer

Williams, who played for the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, started covering the cost of mammogram screening for women in 2015 through his nonprofit organization, The DeAngelo Williams Foundation.

Since then, the foundation has covered the cost of over 500 mammograms at hospitals in Pittsburgh, Memphis, Jonesboro, Ark., and Charlotte, N.C.

Williams is a staunch supporter of breast cancer awareness. In 2014, his mother Sandra Hill died from breast cancer when she was just 53. Williams also lost his four aunts to the disease, all before the age of 50.

Williams began sponsoring the free mammogram screening in honor of his mother through the “53 Strong for Sandra” program. At each event, the foundation sponsors mammograms for 53 women. The foundation eventually hopes to host a free mammogram screening event in every state.

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DavidM

Dog missing since 2007 reunites with her owner 1,100 miles away

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DavidM

The current times are stressful and can be overwhelming.

Here’s a story that is very positive!

‘Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse’ Actor Offers Free Peter Parker Voice Messages To Quarantined Kids

Forget the cringeworthy Imagine sing-a-long, some celebrities are coming up with genuinely heartwarming ways to help people deal with the coronavirus crisis.

New Girl actor Jake Johnson, who voiced Peter B. Parker in the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movie, is offering families stuck at home a free voice message from the web-slinger to lift their kids’ spirits.

Johnson posted on his Instagram that, because he has received so many DMs from families who are watching the movie while cooped up in their houses, he is opening up his email inbox to requests for personalized voice notes. Demand is likely to be high, you’d think, and he did apologize in advance to anyone who doesn’t get a response.

The actor added the #stayhome hashtag to his post, which many are using to spread awareness of the necessity of staying in to prevent the virus spread.

Here’s Johnson’s Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

Since the quarantine a lot of parents have DM’d me saying they’ve been watching Spiderverse with their kids. A lot. So, here’s my idea. If your child is home from school and wants a quick encouraging message from Peter B Peter, then send me an email with their name and I’ll try and send over a short voice note. If I don’t get to you, I apologize. #stayhome Email here if you wanna try this: peterbparkersayshi@gmail.com

A post shared by jake johnson (@mrjakejohnson) on Mar 19, 2020 at 11:26pm PDT

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Ben, Rocket, DavidM

Garden gigs for those stuck inside self-isolating 🎻

👏 @lizhankscello

Read more: https://t.co/s1sei4vgfS pic.twitter.com/b3o3GxRpL0

— BBC Radio Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) March 20, 2020

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Todd

I have also liked him as an Actor. His current role is the ex-con Bar owner in Stumptown. His relationship onscreen with Cobie Smulders is one of the best on TV, imo. He is supportive and generous without demanding while there are romantic undertones there is no sexual tension. I like male female relationship that focus on friendship rather than sex and this one on Stumptown does that for me.

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Ben

Good to know he’s on Stumptown; I want to watch that at some point, and I’ve always liked him on New Girl.

I think we need to bring back this thread and come up with positive things to post…

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Todd

The story of Lord of the Flies was not realistic. In an occurence when 6 kids were really stranded on an uninhabited island, they got along great, organized a thriving little community and were all rescued living and healthy one and a half year later.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-21/rutger-bregman-lord-of-the-flies-human-nature/12263980

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Rocket, DavidM, Christian, Todd

Al-x wrote:

I think we need to bring back this thread and come up with positive things to post…

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Todd, Al-x

Positivity you say…

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Todd

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Todd

A Florida police officer pushed a kneeling protester to the ground. Then his black colleague stepped in

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njerry, Todd, lorcan_nagle

[JRCarter]

Now this is what we like to see… ‘Cops vs Protestors breakdance battle (Elgin, IL)’

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by JRCarter.

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Christian, Todd, lorcan_nagle

[garjones]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/11/stormzy-to-donate-10m-to-black-british-causes-over-ten-years

 

I love Stormzy, he really walks the walk with his activism.

Before this he’s introduced scholarships to help black students get into Cambridge, started an imprint of black authors.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by garjones.

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DavidM, Bruce, Todd, Dave, lorcan_nagle

My daughter’s band has been unable to meet for rehearsal or gigs since March due to the virus. Their band director has really stepped up and has been working with them one at a time over Skype. He’s done a great job keeping them engaged in the music and mixing their individual rehearsals into finished songs. Hopefully they’ll be able to do some small shows this fall. Amber has one more year before she moves past the age limit and really wants to do another show at the Hard Rock Cafe before they break up.

Hopefully this video loads (still having trouble loading on the site)

https://youtu.be/uzRLpwKgnNY

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garjones, DavidM, njerry, Todd

Seriously, Amber’s vocals are the best part of that song, Andy. The musicians are good, but she’s fantastic!

My only complaint is that the YouTube video cites this as a cover of “Spooky” by the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Any true music fan knows that ARS was doing a cover of the original song by Classics IV from 1968

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Andy, Todd, DavidM

I am a true music fan and I endorse Jerry’s message

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Andy, Todd, garjones, njerry

In other good news, the Halal food cart has returned this morning to the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 34th Street. Life has taken one step closer to normal. This is such good news that I’m going to repost it on the Food thread.

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Andy, Todd, DavidM

Wow Andy her voice is amazing!

New meaning to “hit-girl”?

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Andy, Todd

Small-scale miner finds biggest tanzanite gems in history, worth $3.3m

Saniniu Laizer plans to build a school and shopping mall near his home in Tanzania, but will hold a big party first

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Todd

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Will_C, Rocket, lorcan_nagle, Todd

Had a good venting session with some irish geezer on discord tonight. Felt good, man.

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Todd, lorcan_nagle

Some good news that came from bad news: with the covid epidemic, China has decided to scrap pangolin scales from the approved traditional medicine list. These beasties are almost hunted to extinction and they’re incredibly cute.  https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/2020/06/pangolins-receive-surprising-lifeline-with-new-protections-in-china

 

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garjones, Todd, JRCarter, lorcan_nagle

16 Pleasant Facts To Temporarily Distract You From More Terrible News

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njerry

A clinical trial in Spain showed vitamin D3 supplements had a positive effects on patients suffering from coronavirus. Of 50 patients given the vitamin all recovered, only 1 required intensive car, of 26 without the vitamin 13 required ic treatment and 2 died.

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076020302764

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DavidM, Todd

Wherefore art thou? Italian man serenades wife of 47 years at hospital window

Stefano Bozzini played accordion for his spouse outside the building due to Covid restrictions

All I can think about is all the other poor fuckers on that ward. Getting cancer is bad enough, and then someone turns up outside the window playing the accordion for hours.

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Todd, njerry

You’re just a hopeless romantic, Dave.

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Todd, Rocket, Dave

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Rocket, DavidM, Christian, Todd

Was debating posting this in the Relationship Thread but this thread needs more posts:

Born out of love: How the baby they gave up 50 years ago reunited high school sweethearts

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njerry, DavidM, Todd

JRCarter wrote:

Was debating posting this in the Relationship Thread but this thread needs more posts:

It can be two things!

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JRCarter

This 8-year-old Syrian girl is learning mindfulness techniques to cope with the trauma she carries from years of war. pic.twitter.com/FMFLcZP15S

— IDLIB POST (@IdlibEn) February 25, 2021

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Rocket, Todd

“The Last Unicorn” Returns Home: Renowned Fantasy Author & Screenwriter Peter S. Beagle Prevails After Multi-Year Legal Battles Against Elder Abuse and to Regain Control of His Literary Legacy

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-last-unicorn-returns-home-renowned-fantasy-author–screenwriter-peter-s-beagle-prevails-after-multi-year-legal-battles-against-elder-abuse-and-to-regain-control-of-his-literary-legacy-301254107.html?fbclid=IwAR1rkOHOkJk5wBkK8HFsa_mV9TqWPT2CSH72e9RM0XUjzVQrHLykTHpMA3E

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Christian, Rocket, njerry, lorcan_nagle, Todd

Over a decade of fighting and @CariolHorne has finally received justice.

Today the State of New York Supreme Court vacated and annulled the City of Buffalo's decision to fire her and take her benefits. She'll be getting her pension, benefits, and back-pay from 2010. pic.twitter.com/FZy8AAH6CX

— Jecorey Arthur (@jecoreyarthur) April 14, 2021

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Todd, Rocket

‘Incredible Hulk’ Star Lou Ferrigno in Tears After His Cochlear Implant Surgery

https://www.insideedition.com/incredible-hulk-star-lou-ferrigno-in-tears-after-his-cochlear-implant-surgery-67552

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Sean Robinson, Rocket, njerry, Todd

Coldplay to stop making music as a band in 2025

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DavidM, Sean Robinson

Technically the wrong thread.
That little tidbit should have to wait until 2025 like we do.

This could go in the sports thread, but it had nothing to do with the sport.

Eagle-eyed Seattle hockey fan may have saved Canucks staffer’s life with cancer alert

Basically, Nadia Popovici (accepted to multiple medical schools, not chosen yet) is with a family who has season tickets for the Seattle Kraken behind the visitor’s bench. She spots a mole on the back of Canucks assistant equipment manager Brian Hamilton, bangs on the glass to get his attention.

Hockey fan Nadia Popovici shows off the message she showed to Vancouver Canucks equipment manager Brian Hamilton, urging him to get a mole on his neck check by a doctor.

Well, Hamilton’s doctor confirms cancerous and tells him “if you ignored that for 4 or 5 years, you’re not here anymore.”
She definitely saved his life.
He’s wearing a jacket, and equipment to talk to people (that he says would go around the neck), so she really has some eagle eyes.

That game was back in October, they found out who she was, and a joint Seattle-Vancouver $10,000 towards her medical training announced before the Jan. 1st Vancouver @ Seattle game.

Pretty cool to start saving lives before schooling starts!

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Al-x, DavidM, Todd

I saw that story. That was a very nice thing to do. I really liked her hat too.

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Sean Robinson

21 inspiring quotes celebrating Black history to share with your kids

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DavidM, njerry, Todd

Maybe this isn’t the right thread, the health thread would probably be better but I’ve not asked to be allowed in the treehouse yet so I’ll allow myself this anyway:

I’m killing it with the workout and the diet. Absolutely performing better than I thought I would.  I feel great, I eat healthy, I work out like a machine and I’ve got tons of energy for my hobbies, friends, to look for jobs and go to floor ball practice.

When this year began, I weighed more than 110 kilos, not sure exactly how much (bad scales) but somewhere between 110 and 115 kgs. Probably closer to 110. I’ve already lost 13 of those, this morning I weighed in at 97.15, and it’s not even been two months.

I feel great, and I’m really proud of myself for sticking with it this year. I’m going to keep going. Prepare for a lot of shirtless pictures this summer. (That’s this winter for you, @andrew).

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DavidM, njerry, Sean Robinson, lorcan_nagle, Todd

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/solar-power-renewable-energy-europe-b2036988.html

We still have a very long way to go, but it’s great to see that we’ve come so far.

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DavidM, Todd

This whole idea and article just made me smile, so I thought I’d share.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/03/16/baltimore-museum-art-guard-exhibit/

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njerry, Todd

Some more good news in these dark times
https://www.portugal.com/news/portuguese-government-announced-the-majority-of-ministers-are-women-for-the-first-time-ever/

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njerry, Christian, DavidM, Todd

With everything going on in the world right now, it’s great to hear a story about life triumphing in a place that’s mostly known for destruction. Really inspiring stuff.

From land mines to lifelines, Lebanon’s Shouf is a rare restoration success story

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Todd, njerry

North America has been hit with some serious weather at the worst possible time.
Just when you thought it was safe to travel for Christmas, — Boom!

Locally, Vancouver hit with snow last Saturday night/Sunday, and didn’t recover before a good and proper snowfall on Tuesday.
Now another dump, with it turning to freezing rain has this city shut down.
They promise us rain Saturday (Christmas Eve), and maybe we can leave the house.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) did the least pre-emptiveness they could last Tuesday (aiming for 10-20 centimeters, but got 40).
This caused a cascading chain reaction of cancelled flights. Cancelling International flights until after X-mas (to concentrate on North America) has stranded a lot of people. They’ve been sleeping at the airport for days, and other North American routes are a no go.

How the fuck is anything here in a thread of “Goodness and Positivity”?

Well, YVR has made arrangements to get 400 passengers into hotel rooms for the next few days.
Free of charge, well, that’s a good thing because you just know they’re not obligated (Act of Dog and whatnot), and they’ve never done that before (like when 9/11 happened they patted themselves on the back when they gave out a few pillows and blankets, cheap fucks).
It’s not optimal for them, just far better then a floor.
Good on them for being human for a moment.

I can be pretty good at pointing out flaws, ineptness, and stupidity, but have decided to pause let them have this (only until Dec. 26th.

I hope none of you are having any troubles. We all deserve a normal Christmas.

All the best to you and yours!

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Rocket, DavidM, garjones, Todd

The fact that it’s been over a year since someone posted in this thread says either that there hasn’t been any good news to report or we just haven’t been looking for it. So, allow me to make the first effort:

https://www.upworthy.com/nicu-nurse-teen-mom-rp7

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Al-x, njerry, Todd, Sean Robinson

Good news stories of 2026:

• Hungary telling Orban to get fucked.
• The Artemis moon trip showing space, Earth and the moon in ways that were impossible in 1972.
• Also, you think you’re aging too much, or can’t contribute, the Artemis crew ages were 47, 49 and 50.

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njerry, Tobias Radesäter, Todd

Geez, I’ve got to start actively posting on this thread. Thanks for the reminder, Ben.

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Ben

Felt like the right combination of stories. The Artemis flight was a total surprise in the best way.

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Todd

‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Mariska Hargitay’s Rape Kit Backlog Campaign Marks Legislative Wins in All 50 States – Hollywood Reporter

The actress and the Joyful Heart Foundation have reached a milestone 16 years in the making.

Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation has achieved a milestone more than a decade in the making.

On Friday, it was announced that after 16 years, the End the Backlog campaign has successfully driven rape kit reform legislation in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Maine became the final state to enact at least one of the campaign’s six pillars of reform, marking a nationwide breakthrough in efforts to eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits and help prevent future backlogs.

According to End the Backlog, the six pillars of rape kit reform include mandating the submission and testing of all backlogged kits, requiring the testing of all new kits, creating statewide rape kit tracking systems, conducting statewide inventories, ensuring survivors have access to the status of their kits, and securing dedicated funding to support submission, testing and tracking.

Hargitay — best known for playing Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 after her work on the NBC series deepened her awareness of the trauma survivors often carry. The organization’s mission is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, support survivors’ healing and end violence. Central to that mission is the End the Backlog campaign, which seeks to eliminate the hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits stored across the United States so survivors can pursue justice and closure.

“Today marks a watershed moment not only for the State of Maine, but for every survivor who has asked if their rape kit was forgotten, if their truth was abandoned on a shelf, if they have hope of finding justice,” Hargitay said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “This did not happen overnight. It happened because survivors spoke their truth. It happened because advocates refused to let urgency become complacency. It happened because Rep. Geiger, Sen. Bennett, and Sen. Duson, along with many other inspired legislators, championed a cause that demanded their persistence and years of dedicated work. And it happened because our community insisted that every survivor deserves accountability, transparency, and dignity in the handling of their kit.”

“This moment is a promise that the system can and will be transformed into a source of light, not darkness,” Hargitay concluded. “To the survivors who have carried this cause in their hearts: this milestone belongs to you. We are far from done, but how glorious to take this moment to honor how far we have come together.”