9 Good News Stories: ‘I Just Wanna Talk Business’; Walk The Talk; More

ACROSS AMERICA — It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which step or relationship in Edgar Nivar’s life led to the one he’s living now as the proprietor of one of the most popular food spots in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood.

Was it helping out in his grandfather’s bakery in the Dominican Republic as a child? His day job for the past 12 years at Mount Sinai Hospital? The unwavering support of his wife to start and continue his business? Or was it a seemingly ordinary fishing trip with his father-in-law?

Likely, Nivar told Patch’s Gus Saltonstall, his success now comes from the combined force of all of those people who encouraged him to imagine his life beyond a 9-to-5 and start a business from scratch. “I don’t want to be an employee until I’m 60,” he said.

His simple portable grill and canopy evolved into a food truck, where he serves up avocado toasts, burgers and other foods the neighborhood can’t get enough of. Achieving this was not easy, and Nivar does not take one moment of his success for granted.

“I’m glad that I can recognize the success and I can appreciate it because sometimes you’re blind to it,” Nivar told Patch, holding back tears. “Maybe you’re too busy, or something, but I know what’s happening, and I appreciate every moment.” » By Gus Saltonstall for Washington Heights-Inwood Patch

‘It’s Our Responsibility’

Cranston, Rhode Island, salon owner Robyn Dubois prides herself on using “low toxic,” plant-based products packaged in reusable aluminum or glass containers, doing her part to eliminate as much plastic pollution as possible. But it’s not enough, she told Patch’s Jimmy Bentley. Next month, Dubois will participate in an Ocean Recovery Community Alliance community cleanup at India Point Park in Providence to clear plastic and other litter from the area. “The beauty industry alone is responsible for so much waste and plastic that I feel it's the least we can do,” Dubois said. “I believe that even if we aren't the ones polluting this Earth, it’s our responsibility because we know better.” » By Jimmy Bentley for Cranston (Rhode Island) Patch

‘I Just Wanna Talk Business’

East Orange, New Jersey, native Dieunerst Collin was 9 when a video of him holding a Popeyes soft drink cup and glancing sideways at the camera made him internet famous. He rolled his eyes for years at the “Popeyes Kid” tags and the memes that followed, initially seeing them as bullying. But after he helped his high school football team win the state championship last year, he acknowledged his infamous past, tagging Popeyes in a message that said, “I just wanna talk business.” Collin, now 19 and an offensive lineman at Lake Erie College in Ohio, landed one of the highest-profile brand deals in a Division II football since the NCAA changed its rules to allow student athletes to profit off their names. » By Eric Kiefer for West Orange Patch

In The Right Place

Tim Baldermann, the mayor of the Chicago suburb of New Lenox, Illinois, was at the exact right place at the exact right time earlier this year when he was vacationing with family in New York City. He stepped out on the street to see a woman laying on the ground, encircled by bystanders. Her lips were blue, and she was unresponsive. Baldermann put 20 years of law enforcement training to work, performing life-saving measures in the first critical minutes. She was breathing when paramedics arrived, but Baldermann will likely never know if she survived what officials confirmed was a heart attack. But he does know this: “There was genuine concern in their eyes and panic in their voices,” he told Patch’s Lauren Traut of the bystanders. “They really cared. They could have just kept going. It was nice to see that all those people did their part, and were really concerned.” » By Lauren Traut for New Lenox Patch

History Comes Full Circle

Illinois teenager Jack McDonnell is combining a lifelong infatuation with history and an enthusiasm for scouting with his quest to earn the Boy Scouts of America’s prestigious Eagle Scout award. He aims to raise $2,000 that will go toward a project to refurbish a historic marker put in place on the Lincoln Highway — officially, U.S. Highway 30, which stretches 3,389 miles from New York City to San Francisco. The sign near New Lenox, Illinois, first planted by the Boy Scouts nearly a century ago before the route was paved, is one of only a few such markers still in place after a new highway numbering system was adopted. “The fact that Boy Scouts from across the country put the markers in shows the teamwork from each scout troop,” McDonnell told Patch’s Jeff Arnold. “So that’s what has really inspired me to try to help renovate this (space).” » By Jeff Arnold for Orland Park Patch

What Is …

Plainfield, Illinois, residents who watch “Jeopardy!” may have recognized a familiar face on Wednesday’s episode. An English teacher by day at a local high school, Erin Portman took a series of online quizzes testing her knowledge in 50 categories a couple of years ago. That led to a Zoom interview with the show’s producers and a mock game with others hoping to win a spot on the long-running quiz show. A faithful “Jeopardy!” watcher, Portman told herself, “You’re literally at home buzzing in on a pen.” Did she advance? » By Emily Rosca for Plainfield Patch

World’s Largest Solar Installation

Bishop Ranch is a sprawling, multi-campus business center in San Ramon, California, the kind of place that would drain millions of kilowatts of energy off the power grid if not for the installation of solar panels that generate about 75 percent of the development’s electricity needs. Right now, Bishop Ranch has the world’s largest solar installation, and the developers’ roadmap to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable energy includes more solar panel installations in the future, with a goal of 90 percent independence by early next year. » By Michael Wittner for San Ramon Patch

Farewell To ‘Divine’ Peacocks

Harry, Jim and Phil have earned their retirement. For more than 20 years, these handsome, colorful peacocks have been fanning their iridescent tail feathers to the delight of visitors to The Cathedral of St. John The Divine on New York City’s Upper West Side. The church planned to honor the wild peacocks, who hatched there in 2002, in a final “Farewell to Our Feathered Friends” sendoff Saturday. They’ve reached a ripe age for peacocks and will live out their years in Upstate New York at a volunteer-run wildlife sanctuary. “As symbols of the Cathedral and The Cathedral School, the peacocks will always be part of the history and legacy of this Manhattan landmark,” the church said. » By Gus Saltonstall for Upper West Side Patch

One Last Thing …

Say you’re between 13 and 22 and have a nifty, kindness-focused project in mind that will strengthen your local, national and global communities? A New York City-based nonprofit group, Riley’s Way Foundation, will consider projects from across the country for its fifth annual Call for Kindness competition. The nonprofit plans to award up to $3,000 each for 36 youth-led projects. » Read more on Across America Patch

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