Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Beer douses pub fire
This story sounds as if it comes from the lyrics of a country and Western song. When a minor fire broke out at a Lone Star restaurant in Christchurch recently, the hero was a keg of beer that doused the flames and bought the fire under control.
“Lone Star Manchester St branch co-owner Trevor Casey says that ‘Speight’s beer saved the day’. Casey explained that the small fire started from a ‘malfunction in the fan’ in the women’s toilet early Friday morning. ‘The fire started, and the cleaner got out of the building and called the fire brigade, and then it burned through the beer lines,’ says Casey.
“Within a short time, the fire was put out with no harm to the employee. A 20L keg of Speight’s beer was sitting right above where the fan was, Casey says, adding that it ‘just emptied itself on the fire and put the fire out’. According to Casey, there was a massive cleanup following the incident. The trade professionals were called in to get the electricity running, check gas levels and ensure the building was safe.” (Source: “Speight’s beer averts disaster by quenching minor fire at Lone Star in Christchurch,” June 28, www.nzherald.co.nz).
5 stars – a fantastic tale of a crisis averted and a very unlikely hero as well. Total upside!
Garden Bird Survey kicks off
For the past 19 years the Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa has asked bird watchers to survey the sounds and sights of birds to accumulate information on numbers and behaviour.
“The survey’s co-ordinator, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research senior researcher Dr Angela Brandt, said the ongoing data collection showed how the trends for each species might be changing over time. The survey reported on 14 different bird species that were most commonly seen in the garden to identify trends within those species.
“Last year’s survey found that tūī and pīwakawaka continued to increase, while national declines in silvereye or tauhou lessened. But there were short-term declines for kererū both at the national scale and in seven regions, she said.
“‘What we’ve noticed, especially in our last two reports, was that three species were starting to show these short-term, five-year declines.’ Brandt said the survey not only provided information about birds and the environment generally, but it boosted participants’ wellbeing by getting them outdoor and observing and thinking about nature. ‘We had people saying it was a good opportunity to slow down. Participants talked about feeling curiosity, joy, fun, wonder and a sense of connection.'” (Source: “Annual New Zealand Garden Bird Survey begins,” June 28, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – apart from the value of the information gathered, it is a great adventure for participants!
Kiwi runner breaks world record
In a truly stunning effort of endurance, Sam Harvey recently broke the world ultra-running record before having to pull out of the race. A true test of determination and fitness, backyard ultra-running pushes competitors to the limit.
“Harvey, from Christchurch, and Australian runner Phil Gore, broke the backyard ultra world record just before 6am NZ time on Thursday, after covering 784km over nearly five days. They began running on Saturday morning at the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra in Queensland, and had completed a 6.7km loop every hour since then. At 6am they had run for a record 117 laps/hours.
“The format allows runners to snatch a few minute’s sleep between laps, along with food and massages, but they must start a new lap every hour. The race continues till there is only one person left standing – who must complete one more lap than anyone else.”
However, not long after setting the record, Harvey was unable to continue. “He lined up for the 119th lap, but could only manage a few hundred metres before stopping and being brought back to the event’s base.” (Source: “Kiwi Sam Harvey breaks world ultra-running record before pulling out of race,” by Mike White, June 26, www.waikatotimes.co.nz).
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