Latest news with #Zippy
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
My son's Coventry murder will not define me
Three years ago Janice Lees' youngest son was murdered over a £400 drug debt. She describes her journey from rage to forgiveness, and how her memorial garden has provided salvation. Janice was sorting out compost in her Blackpool garden when she got the call from her eldest son to say his younger brother Andrew had been critically injured in a hit-and-run and was not expected to drove 150 miles to see the 40-year-old in hospital in Coventry, praying all the while it was a "sour joke".When she arrived, a police officer was present. "I shouted at [Andrew], 'You stupid bloody boy, what have I told you about messing with bad men?'"The officer told her: "It doesn't matter what he did. He didn't deserve this." Andrew Flamson was fatally injured after being hit by a car on Grosvenor Road in Coventry on 12 July 2022. It was an act of revenge following a row over money owed for days later, his life support was turned off and he died at 15:33 BST. "I sang to him, and I prayed with him. And I put a wooden cross in his hand," Janice says. "His [step]father put 50p in his hand for his bus fare home."Andrew's beloved Shar Pei, Zippy, had also been killed in the attack. The futility of it left Janice flooded with rage."I went down to the chaplaincy to pray, and I lost it. I was deranged. Screaming and rolling. I was like a devil possessed." Janice had known for years Andrew was using and dealing drugs. He was a raver who "lived his life to the beat of his own drum", she says."My Andrew was not the sharpest pencil in the box, but he was funny, and he was beautiful, and his smile lit up a room."He and his brother were a pair of "scallywaggles" as children, their mother says. From the age of 12 Andrew was sniffing aerosols and soon started hanging out with people who worried her. He was very close to his younger sister, who helped guide after Janice moved from Coventry to Blackpool in 2006, he was caught with a stun gun and drugs and jailed for 42 months."While they're under your roof you guide them. When they leave your roof they know your rules and if they choose to go down another path that is their decision," she says. "I loved them no matter what they did and who they are."She saw her son two weeks before he was killed and he told her he was content with his life. He loved concerts and dancing, was friendly and popular, and had a beautiful girlfriend, she in the weeks after his death, "vile thoughts" and hatred consumed her. Five men from the West Midlands went on trial in April 2023. Four were convicted of killing Andrew, including the driver of the silver Ford Mondeo that hit him, Ashley Donald, who was jailed for life for passengers - Samuel Henneberry (Donald's father); Carl Tomlinson; and Callum Ayre - went to prison for sat through the first half of the trial, watching CCTV of her son's final moments. But, unable to stay quiet when faced with the men's denials, she returned home for the final three weeks, receiving updates from her stepdaughter in personality had transformed from "a gentle loving, kind lady" to someone who would "just lose it," she mornings she would pick up a knife and scissors and imagine she was stabbing Andrew's from a woman called Jan proved a turning point. "She said to me, 'If you continue to hate like this, you are going to cause yourself serious health problems… you are inflicting that pain upon you'."She was marvellous... magic." Slowly, Janice began to find balance, and with the help of a £500 criminal compensation grant, she and her husband, Dave, used it to build a memorial garden at the back of her planted flowers with initials that spell out Andy, alongside candles and knick-knacks such as a yellow bird and little donkey, in memory of songs he loved as a child."All these little tributes to Andrew I've toiled into my garden. That's been my salvation," she says.A born-again Christian, her faith has helped her find forgiveness for his killers, one of whom, Henneberry, died in May."How sad that he died in prison a lonely old broken man," she says. "Now Ashley Donald has not got his dad any more, and I do feel desperately sorry for him." She sees messages from Andrew each time she spots the number 333, the time of his death, in the name of a shop or on a also gives her comfort that he gifted his organs. "We now know Andrew's heart beats in somebody else's chest; he's still here."She spent the third anniversary of his murder in the garden, chatting to him as she does daily, and remembering the little boy who loved her lemon meringue and family have helped her survive his loss, alongside her belief that her son is in heaven."Even though there was the despair, there was the hope. Sometimes I couldn't string a sentence along; it took me under," she says."I am not Janice before the death of my son. I'm another woman, but I'm a stronger woman. Andrew's death will not define me." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zippy's rolls out upgraded digital ordering experience, aims to bring locals home
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Zippy's Restaurants is taking a big digital step forward while also planting deeper roots in the local community. Hawaiʻi Foodbank giving keiki free meals this summer The iconic Hawaii eatery has launched a refreshed digital ordering platform, offering customers a faster, more convenient way to order their favorite local comfort food online, on their phones, or in-store. Customers can track their orders in real time, receive wait-time updates, and take advantage of digital perks and promotions. 'Convenience and efficiency are more important than ever,' the company said in a statement. 'This upgrade is about streamlining service and continuing to improve how guests interact with Zippy's.' But the project isn't just about tech it's also about initiative is part of Zippy's broader mission to create more opportunities for kamaāina to come back home and build careers in tech. Kylie Tamashiro is one of them. A graduate of 'Iolani School, Tamashiro left the islands to attend Boston University and later built a tech career in Atlanta and Las Vegas. She recently returned to Hawaii to work as a user experience designer for Zippy's, helping lead the new digital platform's development. 'Hawaii is, and will always be home for me,' Tamashiro said. 'I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to come back and work in tech here. But now, I'm part of something that not only supports the community—it brings people like me home.' Through its partnership with Piʻikū Co., Zippy's is also giving local students and young professionals real-world tech experience. The nonprofit connects talent with hands-on projects like this one, helping to grow Hawaii's tech sector from within. Looking ahead, Zippy's plans to roll out additional features, including in-store ordering kiosks and further upgrades to its online ordering experience. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news More information on Zippy's digital updates is available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Winners, resigners, guest dogs and royal losers – take the Thursday quiz
The Thursday quiz was listening to Hello by The Beloved the other day, in the hope of asking a question such as 'how many people mentioned in the song are still alive' and getting the in-joke answer 30-50. But it soon realised it was going to be quibbles all the way down. Leslie Crowther? Died in 1996. Kym Mazelle? Still very much with us. But Zippy? Well, Roy Skelton, who voiced him (and the Daleks) died in 2011. But is Zippy dead? Or was Zippy ever alive? What about the LSO? Presumably some of the people playing in the LSO at the time the single came out in 1990 have subsequently passed. But does that count? Anyway, one thing we can all agree on, that was certainly some words to bulk out this article page so it gets indexed by search engines. On with the quiz … 15 questions, no prizes, have fun! The Thursday quiz, No 211 If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working and are absolutely 100% positive you aren't attempting to factcheck a joke – you can complain about it in the comments below. Why not watch Hello by The Beloved instead?
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zippy's new Summerlin South location to share aloha through food
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The wait is almost over. The Summerlin South and Las Vegas community is preparing to welcome Zippy's second location on the mainland. The Hawaii staple is located on South Hualapai Way, which is about 16 miles away from Zippy's flagship Vegas restaurant at Arroyo Crossing. Zippy's preps for grand opening of second Las Vegas location A grand opening celebration will be held on Tuesday, March 25, bringing Zippy's iconic island flavors such as chili and the Zip Pac to the Summerlin community. Celebrations include traditional songs and dances to invite blessings upon those who enter the building and a traditional untying of the 'maile' lei. Even though grand opening celebrations begin at 10 a.m., those wanting to dine in at the new location can begin queuing in line at 8 a.m. 'We're just so excited. We have one restaurant already here in Las Vegas at our Arroyo Crossing location and now we get to continue to share our aloha and our ono food with the Summerlin South community and the larger Las Vegas community,' Jess Yamamoto, Zippy's Communications and Social Media Manager to Yamamoto, Zippy's Arroyo Crossing location has proven how much of a hit the restaurant is in Las Vegas. 'We've been able to talk about Zippy's. More importantly, we've been able to talk about Hawaii and share our aloha through food. It's really an opportunity for us to talk about Zippy's and where we come from. We know that Hawaii people are so proud to be from Hawaii and we just want to share everything we have.' Zippy's will be offering specials to celebrate the grand opening, such as their popular Korean Fried Chicken and Chili Mixed Plate for $9.99, takeout only. Of course, if you need a sweet treat after your meal, check out the classic chantilly cakes, pies, dobash and more at Zippy's Bakery. Check out more news from around Hawaii The Summerlin South location will be open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. Doors for the grand opening will open at 10 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Christmas markets and giant Santa return to square
Christmas events will return to a city's iconic location in 2025 after years of exile due to a £430m refurbishment. Albert Square was historically the centrepiece of Manchester's Christmas Markets, watched over by a giant inflatable Father Christmas, known as Zippy, that sat in front of the town hall. But both Zippy and the markets left the area after the 2019 event, when the ongoing refurbishment forced festivities away from the area. However, the work is due to be complete in 2026 and Manchester City Council has said it would "accelerate" works to Albert Square, which will be enlarged and fully pedestrianised, so Christmas events can take place sooner than expected this year. Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham said the reopening would be a "real celebration" for the city. "I don't think it could be the full market that we remember from a few years ago," he said. "I'm sure there'll be loads of good things, it'll be a real celebration when the square's open" Initially, it was hoped the restoration would be complete by 2024, but delays and the discovery of a multitude of problems inside the grade-I listed Gothic gem mean work is now expected to finish in August 2026 - and cost £76m more. "We know Mancunians and visitors alike are looking forward to having their town hall and their civic square back and better than ever and it's great that we can now look ahead to that," said deputy council leader Garry Bridges. While Bridges confirmed a "festive attraction" would be in place for winter 2025, exact details are set to be announced later in the year. However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands market stalls are being considered as part of the events. "We are developing a civic square to rival the best in Europe and it will be exciting to see it pilot Christmas events this year ahead of a full permanent opening next year," Bridges said. It was also confirmed today the council is planning a formal reopening ceremony of the town hall and square to "run up to and including September 2027", to "mark the 150th anniversary of the building's original opening". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Town hall restoration to cost extra £76m Repair Shop chips in to fix city's massive clock Town hall restoration to cost extra £76m Manchester City Council
