In a moment of hope amid devastation, a California man surprised his girlfriend with an impromptu proposal after uncovering the engagement ring he feared had been lost in the Los Angeles wildfires.

Brian McShea and Stephanie Raynor returned to the site of their Altadena home, which had been destroyed by the Eaton Fire, to see if anything had survived the inferno. The wildfire, part of a series of destructive blazes across Los Angeles County, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed over 16,000 structures, and claimed at least 28 lives.

McShea, who had hidden the ring in a desk drawer before the fire, was determined to search through the rubble despite low expectations. “I thought the ring was going to completely disintegrate,” he admitted. Yet, as they sifted through the ashes, brushing away debris, McShea spotted the glimmer of a diamond.

The discovery shifted McShea’s plans for a future proposal into an immediate act of love. Kneeling amid the ruins, dressed in protective gear, he asked Raynor to marry him. “I’m crying,” Raynor recalled of the emotional moment.

Though their home is gone, the couple is resolute in their commitment to rebuild their lives together. “We’re really hoping that Los Angeles can support Altadena in its rebuild effort for the next couple years,” McShea said.

The proposal and their resilience offer a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s ability to find love and hope even in the ashes of loss. The couple has yet to set a wedding date but plans to remain in the area as they start anew.

Meanwhile, Southern California has seen much-needed rainfall, bringing relief to fire-scarred landscapes but raising concerns about mudslides. Emergency crews are working to prevent flash floods in affected areas as the region faces the challenges of recovery.

Volunteers gathered in Vancouver on Saturday morning to help brighten the holidays for homeless youth. The annual Backpacks of Hope initiative, led by Covenant House, provides gifts for 350 young people, ages 16 to 24, who use the non-profit’s residential housing and drop-in programs.

“This is like the community is wrapping the youth with a hug for the holidays,” said Amanda Merler, manager of volunteer services at Covenant House. “Getting these backpacks shows them there are people out looking to support them.”

Giving Back: A Volunteer’s Story

Among the 50 volunteers was Andrew Teel, a 22-year-old who spent part of his childhood in foster care.

“I could have been one of those youths,” Teel said. Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, Teel now works in a restaurant and is part of an adoptive family. “I wanted to help youth who might not have had the opportunity I have now—a family that cares about you and a safe place.”

Teel first volunteered at 13 and continues to return every year with his adoptive family.

Thoughtful Gifts for the Season

Each backpack contains practical and comforting items, including:

• Warm clothing like socks and toques
• Toiletries and first aid kits
• Chocolates for the holidays
• Journals for reflection

“All of our residents wake up on Christmas morning to find a backpack under the tree with staff all gathered around, just like a traditional family,” Merler said.

Community Collaboration

The initiative relies on support from 35 groups—corporate teams, schools, and individuals—who help bundle and deliver the backpacks.

Covenant House continues to face fundraising challenges, particularly with mail delays impacting donations. To support the initiative, donations can be made at covenanthousebc.org or by calling 604-638-4438.

For Vancouver’s homeless youth, this effort serves as a reminder that they are not alone. The backpacks offer more than supplies—they bring warmth, care, and hope during a difficult time of year.

Clementine Lee’s farm animals aren’t staying put—they’re hitting the road, bringing smiles to children all over Whidbey Island. Earlier this year, Lee launched Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet, a mobile petting zoo that features a delightful collection of ducks, sheep, and goats, all ready to make appearances at events.

Among the playful cast of characters are a goose named Dog and a dog named Goose, adding an extra touch of fun to the experience. Lee also introduced goats Willow and Fern to the farm, acquired from another petting zoo on the island. With hopes that her goats and sheep will soon give birth to kids and lambs by spring, Lee is focused on ensuring the animals are friendly and approachable for children.

“The call ducks are small enough for little kids to hold,” Lee explained, referring to the petite breed of ducks that enjoy being cuddled. Even Dog, her goose, is known for his gentle nature and affection.

Having previously worked as a preschool teacher and face-painter, Lee saw a natural progression in creating a mobile petting zoo. She’s already brought her animals to birthday parties and events like the recent Greenbank Farm Harvest Faire.

“My life keeps taking me in new and exciting directions,” she said with enthusiasm.

Next up for Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet is the Fall Festival at Whidbey Grace in Oak Harbor, where the animals will don Halloween costumes—including Dog, the goose, who will be dressed as a mermaid. The event takes place on Sunday, October 20, from 5-7 p.m.

Currently, Lee offers an introductory rate of $200 for two hours with her mobile petting zoo, which includes three sheep, two goats, a goose, and a lively flock of ducks—though she admits it’s hard to keep an exact count. “They’re always moving around,” she said with a laugh.

Caring for the animals is a family effort, with help from her 9-year-old son, Leonidas Mitchell. Ducks were the first animals they acquired while living in northern California, but the family tragically lost their home and animals in one of Santa Rosa’s devastating fires.

Lee’s love for animals deepened after a moving experience at an outdoor farm school where her son attended. There, she encountered an affectionate sheep named Celeste, who offered her comfort after the loss of her home.

“After everything, this sheep just came up and gave me all the love and hugs,” Lee recalled.

To her surprise, Celeste and her two lambs, Clover and Crimson, would one day become part of Lee’s own flock. In 2021, after moving to North Whidbey, Lee’s son’s former teacher offered her the sheep. Lee happily drove 16 hours from California to bring them to Oak Harbor.

Reflecting on the experience, she added, “I never knew I’d love a sheep or a goose. I used to think sheep were afraid of everything, but they can be so affectionate.”

Australia’s youngest Olympic gold medalist, 14-year-old Arisa Trew, didn’t just secure her place in history at the 2024 Paris Olympics – she also earned herself an unusual prize. The skateboarding prodigy revealed that her parents had promised her a pet duck if she won gold, a reward she’s eagerly anticipating.

Trew’s preference for a duck stems from her family’s frequent travel schedule, which makes traditional pets like dogs or cats impractical. The young athlete expressed her fondness for ducks and her excitement about the prospect of having one as a pet during post-victory interviews.

Her gold medal-winning performance in the women’s park skateboarding event saw her score an impressive 93.18 in her final run, outshining competitors from Japan and Great Britain. Trew’s achievement is particularly remarkable given that this was her Olympic debut.

The teenager’s journey to Olympic glory began with inspiration from the Tokyo 2020 Games, spurring her ambition to reach the podium in Paris. Her success builds upon previous victories at the X Games in 2023 and 2024.

Trew’s parents, Simon and Aiko, were present to witness their daughter’s historic win, expressing amazement and pride at her accomplishment. The young skateboarder’s triumph also drew praise from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, who commended her performance and the progress of the sport.

As Trew celebrates her victory and looks forward to her unique reward, her story highlights not only her exceptional talent but also the joy and determination that define her approach to the sport. The promise of a pet duck serves as a charming footnote to an extraordinary Olympic achievement.

A live stream featuring rescued seals at the Pieterburen centre in the Netherlands has unexpectedly become an international sensation, particularly in Japan. The webcam’s sudden rise to fame began with a social media post that quickly went viral, leading to a significant increase in viewership and donations.

The centre’s staff were taken aback when they noticed a dramatic spike in viewers, with numbers soaring far beyond their usual audience. This surge in popularity has translated into a substantial boost in financial support, with the rescue centre receiving a month’s worth of typical donations in just one day.

The phenomenon has been attributed to a potential cultural connection. Some speculate that the seals’ appearance in the water bears a resemblance to a Japanese symbol of good fortune, which may explain the enthusiastic response from Japanese viewers.

In light of this newfound attention, the Pieterburen team has been actively engaging with their international audience, using translation tools to respond to queries and provide educational information about the seals and their care.

While seals are actually formidable predators in their natural habitat, their appealing appearance often leads people to perceive them as endearing creatures. This dichotomy between their true nature and public perception adds an interesting dimension to their popularity.

This isn’t the first time a Dutch wildlife webcam has garnered international attention. Earlier this year, a fish-monitoring camera in Utrecht also experienced a similar surge in global interest, demonstrating a widespread fascination with live nature feeds.

The unexpected popularity of the seal webcam not only benefits the rescue centre financially but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about marine life conservation on a global scale.