Home Blog Page 109

Pregnant Waitress Charges $8.75 For Lunch But Cop’s Tip Leave Her Running To Boss In Tears

0

For those of us who aren’t from the United States, you may have wondered – just why is there so much fuss and demand to tip your server after eating out?

The reason for this is so – thanks to some archaic laws that have yet to be repealed, restaurants and similar eateries aren’t expected to pay their staff minimum wage.

Instead, the staff is expected to achieve or even exceed minimum wage by making up the difference in tips and then are taxed based on that assumed amount.

Sounds unfair, right?

Especially when you realize that on a slow day, the average server might not get any tips at all, resulting in them essentially going into the negatives just to pay their taxes.

In some horrible cases, it has servers practically paying the restaurants to let them work there!

No wonder there is such a huge call to ensure you tip your servers at least 20% of your meal’s cost.

For 23-year-old expectant mother, Courtney English, waiting tables at Lamp Post Diner in New Jersey is about all she can do while she prepares for her upcoming pregnancy.

Most soon-to-be mothers would start slowing down and taking things a little easier once they hit the eight-month mark in their pregnancy, but English has no other choice.

Either she works as hard as she can up until her daughter’s birth, or she allows her struggles with her bills to overwhelm and drown her.

It was at this time she had met her Good Samaritan.

The diner English works at is frequented regularly by local police officers, especially during the lunch-hour rush.

So another Voorhees officer sitting down at one of English’s table wasn’t something out of the ordinary.

The two carried out some casual conversation as the officer was served his lunch, then English’s attention was completely occupied by a much larger party at another table.

There, guests were excited about how obviously far into her pregnancy she is, and couldn’t help asking her all sorts of questions – for example, if this was going to be her first child, and when the baby’s due date was.

It seemed that all that talk had not gone unheard by the police officer.

When English came back over to pick up his paid bill, she was left in shock. In an act of kindness, the officer had left a $100 tip on an $8.75 bill!

It wasn’t just the unexpected amount that moved her to tears, however.

On the receipt was also a heartwarming note, reminding her to enjoy her firstborn child, as it will be an experience she will never forget.

This unexpected help is certainly one she won’t forget either.

English’s baby girl (who will be named Kayleigh) is expected to arrive on the 1st of April, according to the young woman’s father.

English is planning to work up till the very last day in order to accrue as much money as she can before she goes on maternity leave.

Hopefully, this big tip will help ease her burden somewhat!

Travellers Stunned As 6 Year Old Sits Down At Airport Public Piano And Plays Chopin

Six-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Captivates Milan Airport Travelers

Airports are rarely a place of joy, whether you’re a frequent business traveler or an enthusiastic vacationer. However, passengers at Milan’s airport experienced a delightful surprise when a six-year-old piano prodigy, Martina Meola, graced them with an impromptu Chopin performance in 2019.

A Serendipitous Performance at Bergamo Milan Airport

While navigating through the Bergamo Milan airport, young Martina stumbled upon a public piano that irresistibly drew her in. Seizing the moment, she sat down and transformed the airport atmosphere with her music.

A Moment of Tranquility Amidst Airport Chaos

Captured on a mobile phone, the video shows Martina surrounded by busy travelers and their luggage. As she began playing, the bustling crowd was mesmerized by her music. The usual airport rush gave way to smiles and a sense of calm, with people pausing to appreciate her talent.

Martina’s Exceptional Musicality

Martina’s performance showcased a remarkable connection with the piano, her expressiveness and skill belying her young age. Her fingers moved with extraordinary precision across the keys, evidencing a natural talent and musical maturity rare for someone so young.

Watch the video below to witness Martina Meola’s enchanting piano performance, a moment of musical magic in the midst of Milan airport’s hustle and bustle.

When a children’s choir performed “Queen,” the judges were moved to tears and pressed the “Golden Buzzer.”

Young Choir’s Unforgettable Performance Earns Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent

Aspiring performers often dream of grand stages, receptive audiences, and global recognition. However, the courage and determination to turn these dreams into reality are rare qualities. Many may not venture to try, and success is never a certainty for those who do.

Elementary School Choir Impresses Judges

A small children’s choir defied these odds with a memorable performance in front of Simon Cowell and other judges. Despite their youthful and unassuming appearance, these elementary school students delivered a performance that they, and the audience, would not soon forget.

Mastering Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”

Taking on Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” one of the most electrifying songs of the 20th century, is no small feat. The song is a testament to Freddie Mercury’s vocal prowess and has the power to captivate any listener.

Overcoming Challenges with Confidence

The young choir faced this challenge head-on. They stepped onto the stage with infectious enthusiasm, immediately drawing laughter and admiration from the judges and audience with their rendition of the iconic song. Remarkably, they exhibited no signs of anxiety or stress. Each member performed their part with confidence and zeal.

Golden Recognition for Their Talent

Their powerful performance not only drew critical feedback from Simon Cowell but also earned them the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge David Williams, making them the first to receive this honor in Britain’s Got Talent 2018.

Watch the video below to see the children’s choir’s compelling performance that secured them the Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent.

At the public piano, two 6-year-olds steal the spotlight with their amazing skills

Young Piano Prodigies Enthrall Audience in San Francisco

In an impromptu display of skill, two youthful pianists created a lasting impression with their performance. These child prodigies, surpassing the usual learning curve for piano mastery, demonstrated exceptional talent at a young age.

Incredible Talent from Young Musicians

At an age where play is the norm, these two six-year-olds captivated onlookers with their remarkable musical abilities. Their piano performance at Broadway Plaza in the Bay Area not only surprised but deeply inspired everyone present.

Youthful Pianist Becomes an Internet Sensation

The audience was spellbound by the young pianist, Paul Petrescu, and his effortless command of the piano. This performance quickly escalated to viral fame. Paul’s passion for the piano was kindled during the pandemic, when his parents acquired a keyboard to engage him during the lockdown period.

Watch the video below to experience the exceptional piano skills of these young talents, who have won the hearts of a growing audience with their captivating performance.

5 Useful Drill Extensions That Have Nothing To Do With Drilling

0

Volodymyr Ovcharov/Shutterstock

A good cordless power drill is one of the most versatile tools in any workshop. It’s obviously a staple for drilling holes and driving fasteners, but there are a myriad of other uses for it that often go criminally overlooked. 

The adjustable chuck that drills use to grip bits gives them the ability to interface with all kinds of interesting extensions. All an extension needs to benefit from a drill’s high-speed rotation is to have a part of it that fits in the chuck. The internet is full of videos featuring the creative ways that people have found to use unexpected items in their power tools. They’ve used their drills for everything from using whisks to make their own power mixers to attaching paper plates to them and making some interesting spiral art.

Not every unusual use for a drill is a gimmick, though. There are several unique attachments that are designed and manufactured to work with power drills, some of which have absolutely nothing to do with drilling. These take advantage of the drill’s inherent high-torque rotary properties to make light work out of tasks that would usually require copious amounts of elbow grease. Here are a few of the most useful drill bits that have little to nothing to do with actual drilling.

Brushes

Rabizo Anatolii/Shutterstock

Scrubbing off stains can be a pain. Maybe you have a stubborn ring in your bathtub or perhaps there is some fruit residue glued to the windshield of your car from parking under a tree. You could always get a bucket of soapy water and use good old-fashioned muscle to get it off, but why not save your rotator cuff the effort and let your drill do the work?

There are dozens of different brush attachments designed to fit your drill. These range from circular bristle brushes to bottle brushes to sponges, each with varying levels of density and coarseness. There are even several wire brush attachments that can be used to scrub off more stubborn substances like rust and corrosion.

These kinds of attachments have become very popular for auto interior restoration as they’re very good at getting into the narrow grooves and crevices found in cars, but they should honestly be a staple in every home. Many of them are sold in variety packs on Amazon, where you can get a set of anywhere from five to 15 different brush attachments for less than $20. They’re great for cleaning up sticky, stubborn stains and they can make daunting tasks like scrubbing off the grime that builds up in the area behind your oven feel a lot more reasonable. 

However, you should be wary of using any corrosive or toxic cleaning products with a brush spinning at high speeds. Mouth and eye protection is never a bad idea.

Buffers

Natakor/Getty Images

Want to polish the stainless steel appliances in your home to a mirror shine? Maybe you want to put a nice coat of wax on your car. You can always bust out a couple of shammy cloths and try to channel your inner Karate Kid, but there is a much easier way. You don’t need to buy a special tool to do it either. All you need is a power drill and a buffer attachment.

There are several foam and wool polishing pad attachments that are made to lock into the chuck of a drill. These are sold relatively cheaply on sites like Amazon and come in a variety of different sizes. All you need to do is apply your wax or polishing solution to the pad, press firmly against the surface you want to buff, and then pull the trigger. 

The diameter on these attachments isn’t quite as big as some of those available on dedicated power polishing units, so it might take a bit more time to go over an entire car. However, these really excel at smaller polishing projects, such as the surfaces of a stainless steel dishwasher or refrigerator. Still, it’s a much more affordable solution than buying a whole separate power tool, and letting your drill’s battery take on the brunt of the work is far easier than polishing a car by hand.

Dryer vent cleaning kits

Lost_in_the_Midwest/Shutterstock

Dryer lint is a common cause of fires in the U.S., and keeping the lint trap free and clear is the first and most important step in preventing an accident from occurring, but it isn’t completely foolproof. Some lint will still escape the dryer and it can easily get trapped in the ribbed tubing leading from your dryer’s exhaust to the vent on the outside of your house. This build-up can be dangerous and should periodically be cleaned out.

Some people recommend opening up the outside vent and then simply attaching a leafblower to the dryer side of the tubing and blasting out the lint. This certainly gets some of the lint out of the tubing, but the bits that are impacted in the ribbed sections of the tube can be stubborn and difficult to remove. That’s when you want a dryer vent cleaning kit.

These kits are made up of a cylindrical brush which is attached to a long flexible shaft that, in turn, attaches to your drill. The drill causes the brush to rotate as you slowly feed it through the dryer vent, knocking free all of the lint that has been impacted on the sides of the tubing. The brush itself will push most of the lint out, while reattaching the tube to the dryer and running it should create enough pressure to push out any remaining debris. These kits run around $10 to $25 and should be seen as essential equipment for homeowners.

Paint mixers

Sidorov_Ruslan/Shutterstock

Have you ever painted a wall and then come back the next day to paint more and noticed that the color seems to have changed a bit? That’s because paint separates over time and needs to be periodically remixed to stay consistent in color. 

Home stores usually use a machine to mix up the cans when they give them to you. They will also give you a wooden stirring stick to remix it by hand before each use. This is fine so long as you’re mixing up the paint on a daily basis, but it can be really hard to remix paint that has been sitting for a long time. This is because it takes a fair bit of force to reintegrate the dense sediment at the bottom of the can. It’s possible to do it with a paint stirring stick given enough time and effort, but a much easier and more efficient method is to use a paint mixer drill attachment.

These have a turbine-like blender attached to a metal shaft. You simply insert the mixer into a can of paint and turn on the drill. The end of the mixer pulls the more liquid paint from the top of the can down and blends it with the heavy sediment at the bottom. It can still take a few minutes to fully emulsify the paint, but it’s a much more thorough method than simply mixing it with a wooden stick. Best of all, they only run about $10 to $20.

Burr grinders

Emma Philp/Shutterstock

One of the most versatile attachments you can get for your drill is the humble burr grinder. These are used to bore into wood or other materials any time you want to carve, smooth, or otherwise remove material without actually punching a hole in it. They’re also good for widening pre-drilled holes that might be difficult to re-drill.

There are several different shapes of burr grinder. You can get a ball grinder, end cut cylinder grinder, ball nose cylinder grinder, pointed tree grinder, ball nose tree grinder, and numerous other shapes. Each of them allows you to grind at different angles and in different patterns, so it’s good to have a full set. There are also several file grinders that can be useful for taking the sharp edges off metal.

The burr grinder gets its name from the sharp metal burs, which dig out bits of material as the bit rotates. These bits are relatively cheap and can be useful in all kinds of situations. There are also smaller, ⅛-inch shank burr grinders that make popular attachments for Dremel-style rotary tools. Those are good for carving tasks that require finer motor skills, but the larger ones can take advantage of the extra power you get from a drill to remove denser material easily.

Church files suit against Castle Rock challenging town’s ban on sheltering homeless people in RVs

0

“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.”

That passage from Isaiah 58:7 was invoked by the Rock Church in a lawsuit it filed against Castle Rock last week as part of an attempt to overturn the town’s decision to bar the evangelical church from providing temporary shelter to homeless people in two RVs parked behind the church.

“The Bible specifically directs God’s people to care for the poor and needy, and these Scriptures, and others, state the sincerely held beliefs of the Rock regarding care for the poor and needy,” the lawsuit, filed in Douglas County District Court on Thursday, reads.

The Rock describes its program as “transitional, for a limited period and provided pursuant to Biblical stewardship guidelines.” Those taking shelter must show that they are looking for work and must also agree to “cease destructive behaviors,” the church says.

“Castle Rock does not have the right to tell the Rock which vehicles can be parked in its private parking lot, how long they can be parked there, and whether someone can sit, stand, eat, or sleep in such vehicles,” the suit reads. “A substantial burden on a church’s mission caused by application of a zoning law may violate RLUIPA.”

RLUIPA, or the Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act, is a 2000 law that protects “individuals, houses of worship, and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws,” as described by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mike Polhemus, lead pastor of the Rock, said the church “loves its neighbors, community, and town.”

“It’s from that deep love that we feel compelled to action to help individuals experiencing need or lack,” he wrote in an email. “We do that with a variety of services including free food, clothing, counseling, and employment resources. We believe the church should fulfill that role and duty in the community.”

Castle Rock spokeswoman Melissa Hoelting said the town does not comment on pending litigation.

The most recent point-in-time survey of homeless individuals in metro Denver found that 72 people were without a home in Douglas County on Jan. 30, 2023. Three of five respondents were experiencing homelessness for the first time, according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.

That compares to the more than 9,000 people the survey found to be without a home throughout the entire seven-county metro area. Safe parking programs, where people who live out of their vehicles can park in church parking lots overnight, have sprouted in metro Denver in recent years.

“It is not disputed that there is a problem in Castle Rock for people experiencing temporary homelessness,” the Rock’s lawsuit reads.

According to the complaint, the dispute over the two RVs, referred to in the complaint as “campers,” started more than two years ago when Castle Rock’s zoning manager sent the church a notice of violation, asserting town code does not allow “storage or residency in campers on the property.”

That was followed up a year later with a letter from the town attorney stating that the church, located in the northwest corner of The Meadows neighborhood, remained in violation of zoning code. Last fall, Castle Rock’s director of development services told the church that only a parsonage is an acceptable residential use on the property, the suit says.

The Rock appealed to Castle Rock’s Board of Adjustment, which last month upheld the town’s decision to deny the church use of the campers to temporarily house homeless people. The church says it can’t house people inside its building because of “limited overnight staff.”

“Castle Rock has not alleged that the Rock’s compassionate care program providing such limited overnight temporary shelter for those in need is harming any person or property,” the complaint says.

This isn’t the Rock’s first foray into the world of trying to provide homes to those without one. In 2022, the church in partnership with Douglas County Housing Partnership, proposed standing up around 200 units of affordable family housing, 10 units of transitional housing and 10 units of emergency housing for the homeless on vacant portions of its 54-acre campus at the western terminus of Cherokee Drive.

Polhemus told the Post that the homeless shelters are no longer part of the plan.

Hoelting, with Castle Rock, said the town received a pre-application for the project in November. The church has until this November to submit a formal application.

Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

Jeremy Renner makes first red carpet appearance following his snow plow accident – brings along a very special plus one

0

This week, the actor made his first red carpet-appearance, and he brought along a very special plus one to mark the occasion.

Shutterstock

Jeremy Renner made a career for himself in Hollywood. The actor’s biggest role perhaps was in the Avengers franchise as Hawkeye. And in real life, the actor took on the role literally as well, becoming a superhero who saved his nephew’s life.

According to the details in a redacted Washoe County Sheriff’s Office incident report towed his nephew Alexander Fries’, vehicle after it got stuck in the snow. In the process, the snow plow began to move, and to avoid his nephew getting hurt the actor decided to intervene.

According to the report, the snowcat which was a PistenBully snow groomer started “sliding sideways” and then “began to roll down the hill.” The actor jumped out of the machine only to realize that his nephew was in its path.

Shutterstock

“Once he was off the PistenBully, he realized it was heading directly toward (his nephew),” the report read. “He feared the PistenBully was going to hit (his nephew), so he decided to attempt to stop or divert the PistenBully.”

In the spur of the moment, the actor decided to jump into the cab of the vehicle in order to stop it but instead was “immediately pulled under the left side track.”

He was brutally injured in the accident. The actor was immediately hospitalized following the accident. In a recent interview, he revealed that he had broken “35 or so” bones.

“We kept discovering them as we were going along. It went from critical order, like, priority of what I’m going to die from or not,” Renner said about how doctors tackled his broken bones. “And then six weeks later, I’m finding another break and another break and another break.”

Shutterstock

He revealed that despite how severe the accident had been, “It just missed every vertebra, didn’t hit any organs, didn’t hit my brain, didn’t swell, nothing like that. My eye did pop out, that’s weird,” Renner shared. “But I got pretty lucky that none of my organs got messed up. It pierced my liver but that wasn’t dangerous.”

While the actor acknowledged that he looked well and lighthearted, he shared that he was in a lot of pain, saying, “I promise you I’m in a ton of pain.”

But the actor is doing a lot better than he was. His new documentary series Rennervations had its premiere on Tuesday. The actor showed up to the red carpet in a classic navy blue suit and dark shades. He walked with the help of a cane.

Getty Images

And he held hands with his daughter Ava, his plus one for the premiere. Both father and daughter beamed for the cameras as they made their way up the red carpet.

This was Renner’s first red carpet-appearance following his accident and subsequent hospitalization on January 1, 2023.

In recent interviews, the actor has noted that he is lucky to be alive and that it could have been much worse for him.

We wish the actor nothing but good health as he heals from his accident. Share this piece with others so they can look at how well Jeremy Renner has recuperated from his accident!

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Go Public with Their Romance For the First Time

On January 4, the couple attended a basketball game between the Lakers and the Heat in Los Angeles, where Selena and Benny openly displayed their affection for each other. This was reported by OK! magazine.

Gomez and Blanco were constantly hugging, holding hands, and whispering to each other.

The singer was dressed in a black coat with white inserts and black trousers, complemented by silver high-heeled boots. The rapper chose a white jacket with a pink-orange floral print for their public appearance.

Back in December, Selena spoke about her relationship with Benny, saying, “He’s still the best I’ve ever dated. Fact. He treats me better than anyone on this planet,” the singer stated.

“Bare Elegance”: Celebrities’ Recent Head-Turning Red Carpet Looks

More and more designers are creating outfits that leave little to the imagination, and an increasing number of stars are attending award ceremonies and movie premieres practically naked. Today, we want to show you the “bare” dresses that stars have worn recently, and there’s definitely something to see!

Megan Fox at the MTV Video Music Awards, 2021

The ultra-sheer outfit was designed by Casey Cadwallader of Mugler and included the house’s signature form-fitting mesh, shiny optical patterns, and even dazzling thongs. Of course, this look instantly went viral. Following the social media frenzy, Megan responded to sexist commentators: “I ignore and challenge all your puritanical, emotionally suppressed notions of what a woman should be.”

Kate Moss at the WSJ. Innovators Awards, 2022

The queen of the runway showcased her figure in a hooded dress by Saint Laurent at the WSJ. Innovators Awards in New York in November 2022.

Heidi Klum at a movie premiere, 2022

The supermodel looked whimsical in a cloud-like ensemble from Lever Couture at the premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Los Angeles in December 2022.

Rita Ora at the British Fashion Awards, 2022

The “For You” singer showcased a barely noticeable red dress by Nancy Dodjak at the British Fashion Awards in December 2022.

Ciara at the Vanity Fair party, 2023

Earlier this year, Ciara stirred controversy when she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a crystal mesh dress by Norwegian designer Peter Dundas. Opponents of the almost nude look took to social media with the usual sexist comments, but Ciara, known for her bold fashion choices, didn’t take the hate to heart.

Hunter Schafer at the Vanity Fair party, 2023

Sometimes a nude dress is not a dress at all. For example, Hunter Schafer’s outfit at the 2023 Oscars after-party consisted only of feathers and a skirt. The almost naked outfit in question was created by stylist L’ou Roch from a collection released just a week before the party.

Dua Lipa at the Academy Museum Gala, 2023

Lipa stunned guests with her lace jumpsuit under a transparent dress in December at the Academy Museum Gala 2023.

Ashley Graham at the opening of the Swarovski flagship in New York, 2023

Graham attended the opening of the Swarovski flagship in New York in November 2023 in an entirely transparent dress from Swarovski x Skims paired with lingerie. Open? That’s an understatement!

Amelia Gray Hamlin at the CFDA Fashion Awards, 2023

Hamlin appeared topless in a transparent blue dress by Alaïa at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York in November 2023.

Olivia Wilde at the Vanity Fair party, 2023

The director of “Booksmart” showcased her bra in a Gabriela Hearst outfit at the Vanity Fair party in 2023 in Los Angeles.

Alessandra Ambrosio at the Vanity Fair party, 2023

The supermodel decided she had nothing to hide and wore a sparkling chainmail dress to the Vanity Fair party in 2023 in Los Angeles.

Danielle Brooks at the Vanity Fair party, 2023

The star of “Orange Is the New Black” appeared in a polka dot sheer jumpsuit at the Vanity Fair party in 2023 in Los Angeles.

Salma Hayek at a movie premiere, 2023

“The star of ‘House of Gucci’ showcased her figure in a black mesh dress adorned with flowers at the premiere of the film ‘Super Mike: The Last Dance’ in Miami in January 2023.”

“Tragic Loss”: Actor Christian Oliver and Daughters Remembered After Caribbean Plane Crash

She shared a statement on the studio’s page about the accident.

The statement said the family was very sad about the plane crash on January 4, 2024. Christian, their daughters Madita (12) and Annik (10), were on their way back from a holiday in the Caribbean. The plane had engine problems and fell into the ocean. Unfortunately, none of the four people on the plane survived.

Christian Oliver was known for being in movies like The Baby-Sitters Club and Speed Racer. The statement talked about how loved Christian and his daughters were in their community. Madita was a lively 7th-grade student, and Annik was a gentle 4th-grade student.

The statement also mentioned that Jessica Klepser, the mother, is in Los Angeles. Christian’s parents and sister in Germany survive him. The family asked for privacy during this hard time.

A friend of Jessica, Sarah Silverman, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with expenses. The page has raised almost $50,000 of the $100,000 goal.

The police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines shared details of the crash. The plane had trouble shortly after takeoff and went into the ocean. Local response teams helped recover the bodies of the passengers and the pilot, Robert Sachs. Post-mortem examinations will determine the cause of death.