Popcorn with a purpose? How this N.J. nonprofit is impacting the community.

Good News Notes: “Popcorn is positively changing the lives of people in New Jersey — and not just by being a salty treat at the movie theater. It’s thanks to an organization known as Popcorn for the People, a Piscataway-based nonprofit that employs people with autism and developmental disabilities to produce its line of gourmet treats….

Actress Tatyana Ali donates $100K to Winter Garden midwifery school

Good News Notes: “She’s been on soap operas and one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Now Tatyana Ali is stepping up to help a local organization that helps expectant mothers and the midwives who help them deliver. Ali played for a local cause during a recent celebrity edition of Wheel of Fortune….

Forest Park receives 60-acre conservation donation

Good News Notes: “A 60-acre section of North Portland’s Forest Park has received a conservation easement donation. This is the first donation of its kind in more than 25 years, and the Forest Park Conservancyis making sure it won’t be the last….” View the whole story here: https://www.koin.com/local/forest-park-receives-60-acre-conservation-donation/

Casa Bonita Paying Employees To Perform Community Service During Renovation Period

Good News Notes: “While Casa Bonita remains closed for renovations, the iconic restaurant and entertainment venue in Lakewood’s workers are staying busy. Since November, several dozen employees have been paid to serve the community in the Denver metro area full time.   On Tuesday, the wait for a helping hand stretched dozens of cars deep in the parking…

Council Bluffs nonprofit Promise 4 Paws cares for senior dogs

Good News Notes: “Cathy Graeve’s life’s purpose is bringing care and comfort to dogs who need it most. “I love all dogs, but old dogs, they just get me. Even when they’re peeing on the floor, it’s just like, what do you do?” Graeve laughed. Her passion was sparked about fifteen years ago as a…

A local nonprofit is planning transitional homes in Joplin

Good News Notes: “A nonprofit is getting help from the community to get up and running. Vita Nova Village is raising funds to build several transitional homes. “Vita Nova Village was born out of the idea of creating something to provide the next step to homeless people once they were ready to leave the shelters,”…

‘Ocean battery’ targets renewable energy dilemma

Good News Notes: “A wind turbine sitting idle on a calm day or spinning swiftly when power demand is already met poses a problem for renewables, and is one researchers think can be tackled under the sea. In one vision, offshore wind farms could use seawater to essentially store energy until it’s needed, helping wean humanity off fossil fuels….