Oak Forest Idol's New Video!

Remember our Oak Forest Idol? Well his first music video just made its debut online today!

I posted about Chris Medina just after his first appearance on American Idol last month. His inspiring story made him a big hit among viewers.  His fiance was left brain damaged after a car accident in 2009, just months before they were set to be married.  Medina never left her side and is now her caregiver.

The 26-year-old from Oak Forest made it through several rounds on American Idol.  However, Wednesday night he was voted off.  Even though Medina's Idol run is over, it seems his journey as a singer is just beginning.

Producer Rodney Jerkins was so moved by Medina's story, he wrote a song just for him.  The song, "What Are Words," made it's debut online today.  AMAZING!  Take a look:

 

Medina will perform this song tonight on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.  After that, there's no telling where his career could go! 

Medina fans are hoping he gets called back to the American Idol stage.  Every season, the judges are allowed to bring back a contestant as a "wild card". 

Whether he's brought back or not, he's already proven to be an inspiration to people across the country.  With his new song, he will only continue to spread a message of hope and kindness! 

Did You Meet Any Snow Saints?

I've been a busy little traffic reporter the last couple days so I haven't had time to post! My company had us stay in a hotel Tuesday and Wednesday night to make sure we made it in to get listeners information on the blizzard and roadway conditions.  The picture below is what it was like outside when I walked back to the hotel after one of my shifts.  Crazy! 

Hundreds of people were stranded in their cars on Lake Shore Drive and more were stuck on other roads throughout the Chicago area.  The blizzard forced the closing of several major roadways, shut down schools and forced many people to just abandon their cars.  It was a true mess. 

Photo by E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune

But since this site is dedicated to *INSPIRING* people, no more talk of the crazy mess!  It's time to share the inspiring stories of people neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers.  We will call them SNOW SAINTS:)

I'm sure you've all heard the story of the woman who lives near Lake Shore Drive and brought stranded drivers cookies!  Well, here are some more stories I've read over the last couple days from various news outlets that made me feel good about Chicago!  

**An excerpt of a FOX NEWS CHICAGO interview with Patrick Waldron of Andersonville who was stuck on LSD: 

“One woman knocked on my door. She had granola bars and bottled water, and she was just trying to give them away to people stuck in their cars.”

Two men who said they lived near the Drive also helped motorists push their cars backwards, so they could use the North Avenue exit, Waldron said.

“It was incredible to see the kindness of people,” he said. “The people who came out in the middle of the night could have been inside asleep or watching the news.”

*Roy Harris via the NBC 5 News Today Facebook Page: 

"After 20 years in the Navy I moved back to Chicago last May, found this house on the North side and moved in. Made some new friends and met my neighbors, when this blizzard hit I saw what my parents had to deal with in 1979. This whole block jumped into action with shovels and snow blowers and we were able to clear the sidewalks our block and most of the alley. Chicago is without a doubt the city that has the friendliest people and a city that works together. No complaints, or anything our block pulled together."

*An excerpt from the Chicago Tribune:

"I think it's wonderful," said Laverne Friedl, 81, of Westmont, who relied on three neighbors — Jennifer Carroll, Bill Parker and Dan Taylor — to clear the way so she could get to dialysis treatment Wednesday. "They're like my guardian angels. I don't know what I would do without them."

*Ted Nelson via Chicago Adventure Travel Examiner writes about his cross country skiing experience:

Photo from Ted Nelson

It is always a warm feeling how an event like bad weather or some sort of disaster brings communities together.  When I was out skiing I witnessed neighbors working together to shovel snow and helping each other clear their cars.  I also saw strangers help push out stuck motorists.  I even lent a hand to a stuck taxi on Lawrence Avenue.
I continued over the Chicago River and saw two young men down by the river just checking out the pretty winter scenery.  One looked up and waved at me and said “it sure is an adventure today.”  “Yes, it is,” I replied.

*A note to the Chicago Sun Times from a woman named Phyllis in Harvey:

"After parking at the Harvey train station Thursday, I was horrified to see it had not been touched (over a foot of snow). Lo and behold, there was a young gentlemen shoveling.

I said, “They should have had you out here yesterday when it wasn’t so cold.” He said, “Who’s they?” I said, “The City of Harvey or Metra, whoever you work for.”

That’s when he blew my mind. He said, “My girlfriend/fiancee has to come through here when she gets off work. I want to make sure she can get through without a problem.”

All I could say was, “God Bless You and Thank You.” That made my day.

We all were so thankful for him and the girl who is loved so much. She is a very lucky young woman."

These are just a few of the great stories I've read.  Did anyone help you during the blizzard? Or did you witness a good samaritan in action? Share your stories below!