Latest news with #JoshBrooks
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Plumbers pull up floorboards and make discovery that creeps residents out
A married couple who are documenting the renovation of their home on social media have a shared a series of videos online after plumbers spotted a safe concealed under the flooring A couple who are in the process of renovating their home after a plumber they'd employed to carry out piping work stumbled upon a locked safe hidden beneath their floorboards. Josh Brooks and his wife Emily are documenting their home improvements on TikTok, which is where they showcased the unusual discovery. "This just happened today whilst the main job was to fix the heating pipes under the floor," Josh explained in a caption alongside his first video. The clip began with a plumber dusting away rubble beneath the tiled flooring to unveil a round object just below the surface. The plumber added: "Twenty years I've been doing this and I've never seen that before." It quickly became apparent the circular object was indeed the dial of a safe. Asked by Josh how old it appeared, the plumber responded: "It's old, very old." Josh then explained: "It was the 40s or something that I think the house was built." It prompted a second plumber to ponder whether previous owners of the property "couldn't be bothered" to pull the safe out and "covered it over". "There's no record of the previous owners, I tried to look them up," Josh added as excitement amongst the plumbers grow over the potential of the safe's contents. "I don't care about anything else now," one of them joked as he slammed the safe unsuccessfully with a hammer. "It might be six hours of pulling out this safe!" Josh later shared a brief follow-up video, revealing he'd been told the safe resembled a World War II era manifoil contraption, which the inscription seemed to back up. No closer to discovering what was inside it, however, he began to tackle it once more with a drill. After successfully piercing the safe 45mm from the dial, Josh then inserted a camera down the hole for a closer inspection, which only added to the confusion. "What is that?" he asked, spotting little more than a small bead-like item. Next, it was the plumbers' turn. They began by chiselling away the dial and hammering a screwdriver into the surface where it once sat. After applying a variety of other tools to the metallic structure, the pair were eventually able to prise the safe open. "There you go, have a look," one of them told Josh. "There is something in there," he exclaimed as he removed the remains of the dial's mechanism. "It's like a letter." Upon closer inspection, however, it turned out to be a neatly-folded newspaper, dated October 22, 1977 with a headline calling for late football manager Brian Clough to be "given the job". Turning the newspaper over failed to offer any further clues as to why it had been locked away, meanwhile. "It's crazy that you would keep that in a safe," one of the plumbers added. They also pulled out another random item – a small, golden globe object akin to a jewellery piece. The newspaper, which appeared stained in places and featured another story under the headline, 'How the sexy vicar seduced me'. It prompted a variety of theories, as one TikTok user responded: "Should go to the police, could potentially help a cold case and be used as evidence, if it is in fact a trophy kept from a murder." A second urged: "Look for a murder or missing person in the paper and then the gold thing is probably a keep sake from the person's necklace or something." A third person added: "Time capsules were very popular in the 70s. Blue Peter did a famous times capsule and people just copied suit." A fourth explained: "This looks like a 'Sealed Harmony Ball' - they were made for pregnant woman to symbolise protection." Whilst a fifth TikTok user pointed out: "My grandad used to line the bottom of drawers with random newspapers, might not have any importance." Josh concurred: "Yes that makes sense. Let's just say I'm glad kids weren't here when I opened it up to Page 3."
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dabba now has a global ‘food' print: From Toronto to Sydney, Indian tiffin services thrive
Once seen as too spicy or exotic, Indian home-style fare is now a global hit as busy professionals, students and locals across the world lap up meals inspired by the country's very own tiffin culture Butter chicken and naan defined all that Chicago-based accountant Josh Brooks thought was good about Indian food. He had been to Indian restaurants and tried other dishes, but those experiments had mostly ended unsatisfactorily. Which is why he was unprepared for the tastes he encountered after he was invited to dig into an Indian co-worker's lunch box. Warily, he sampled the assortment of palak dal, jeera rice and crispy bhindi and was instantly swept off his feet. Without much ado, he whipped out his phone and signed up for the Indian tiffin service that had put together the meal. 'What I'd pictured would be too fiery, spicy and oily turned out to be gourmet therapy. Besides, a meal from them costs less than fast food,' Josh says, cheerily admitting that he is fascinated by the wonderful sprawl of Indian home-made dishes — from the smoky comfort of baingan bharta to the tangy joy of rasam, and a dozen varieties of dal that he never knew existed. Beyond Butter Chicken Amid the growing appetite for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options, Indian food has quietly transformed itself from the occasional exotic treat to the toast of lunchrooms worldwide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo While homesick desis have always had fellow expats they could count on for some comfort food, a dash of entrepreneurial spirit is rapidly transforming the Indian lunch meal into a go-to solution for the everyday lunch break. Think about it: a bowl of moong dal tadka ticks all the boxes. It is naturally plantbased, nourishing, and soothing enough to make you feel like calling your mom back home, says Shivani Mehta, a tech consultant in Canada's Toronto. Shivani, who shares one such subscription with her flatmate, a Singapore national, is relieved that she does not have to cook and worry about her lunch every day. 'It throws up a meal plan for the entire week. Besides, this saves me from washing utensils, shopping for groceries, and cleaning the kitchen.' Krish Shah couldn't agree more. He is a co-founder of Canadabased TiffinStash. 'People are not just eating it — they are planning their weeks around it,' he says of Indian dabba meals. TiffinStash is an online marketplace that connects customers with local home chefs. It delivers more than 500 Indian meals every day in the Greater Toronto Area. 'Our clientele largely comprises Indian immigrants in the 25-54 age group. We also cater to a growing base of Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan nationals, and 3%5% of our customers are nonAsians,' Shah says. Saved By Aunty's Kitchen Halfway across the world, Snigdha Basu becomes nostalgic when talking of the homely nourishment she gets from a neighbourhood aunty in Sydney. 'Takeaway or ordering online is unaffordable. My husband and I both work full time, and we get our lunch from this 'tiffin aunty', a homemakerturned-entrepre neur. It is healthy and helps us save money and time.' The sad symphony of soggy sandwiches and plain pastas no longer bothers Snigdha. Instead, she now relishes a vibrant medley that includes everything from rajma chawal, masoor dal, chana masala, aloo gobi to sabzi wraps. Over in London, DabbaDrop co-founder Anshu Ahuja gets messages like 'I had never tried lauki kofta before and now I am obsessed.' 'The meals provided by our catering service are hyper-seasonal, plant-based, and rotating weekly. So, no two tiffins taste similar,' Ahuja says, adding that officegoers love the surprise element in the menu. Ahuja talks of her childhood in Mumbai and how she tried to reimagine the bustling city's ultra-efficient lunch delivery system — run by the iconic dabbawalas — for officegoers in London. 'Food is packed in steel tiffin carriers and delivered using eco-friendly methods such as bicycles, e-bikes, and other emission-free vehicles.' Taste of home and heritage In Russia's St Petersburg, the craving for home-cooked Indian food has led to a quiet revolution among students and professionals. With long days, intense coursework, and cultural adjustments, comfort often comes in the form of a warm tiffin with stuffed parathas, pulao and vegetable dishes. 'There is a world of difference between the food you get at restaurants in India and the Indian restaurants here, which are few and far between. Thankfully, when I came here last year, I found many Facebook groups for people who cook Indian vegetarian meals and deliver them to your flat,' says Sushila Rao, a nursing student. She never thought she would be crying for sabzis that she would usually snub when they were cooked back home in Pune. 'But here I am, holding on to a plate of dal, chawal and aloo bhaji like an emotional lifeline,' she says. Sameera Bhatia has turned her kitchen in Germany's Hamburg into an office for a mini tiffin service. 'I prepare fresh and healthy lunches like kadhi chawal, khichdi, stuffed parathas, and so on. My customers, mainly from offices and hostels, receive the weekly menu on WhatsApp every Sunday and ping back with their orders. I also cater for birthday parties, anniversaries, and even baby showers for Indian families.' From homesick students and workers to curious locals, customer demand is focused on variety and familiarity, says Shah of TiffinStash. 'Indian immigrants love it that they can get a mix of dishes they grew up with — like methi thepla or kadhi chawal. Some even tell us it helps them feel more connected to their roots.' The success of Indian tiffin services lies in what the operators refuse to compromise on: human connection, cultural roots, and dependable deliciousness. Whether it is the comforting flavour of your mother's sambhar recreated 7,000 miles away or a perfect two-roti lunch that shows up without you lifting a finger, the magic is in the minimalism. No AI, no hyper-processed proteins — just good food made by real people. Some even include achaar, if you're lucky.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SEC coaches talk scheduling agreement with Big Ten. What UGA AD Josh Brooks thinks of it
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.—Georgia football fans have savored memorable playoff victories against Big Ten teams Michigan in 2021 and Ohio State in 2022 en route to national titles. Could similar matchups happen in the regular season under a proposed scheduling agreement between the conferences? Advertisement Some SEC coaches emerged from the conference spring meetings on Wednesday May 28 at the Sandestin Hilton saying they would support that. For that to happen, the SEC may need to go to a nine-game schedule, play a Big Ten team and then have two other nonconference opponents. 'I think we'd be open to it in the right scenario,' Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said. The SEC and Big Ten talked about a scheduling agreement, but SEC commissioner Greg Sankey Wednesday night said called a mandate to play 'incredibly difficult….That's a long road to hoe to get to the end of that.' One issue is some SEC schools have in-state rivalries played annually including Georgia-Georgia Tech, South Carolina-Clemson, Florida-Florida State and Kentucky-Louisville, but other SEC teams don't have an in-state rivalry outside the SEC. Advertisement Georgia in some seasons already plays two power conference schools outside of SEC schedule. 'While I say I'd be open to it, I then take a look at what we have on our schedule and see how it affects it,' Brooks said. 'We do have Florida State, Louisville and other teams lined up. All of that fits into that puzzle.' Some of those nonconference games could have to fall off the schedule if a Big Ten partnership were added. The SEC won four straight national titles from 2019-2022, but hasn't had a team in the last two championship games. 'They've won the last two, and you can't deny that,' South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. Advertisement Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said an SEC-Big Ten alliance would excite TV executives and fan bases. Pittman said another option besides playing nine SEC games would be to play the Big Ten opponent instead of a ninth SEC game. 'I think the league wants us to go to nine,' he said. 'How are we going to do it? Are we going to go to nine playing ourselves or are we going to go to nine and maybe invite another conference to play?' Said Beamer: 'I'm all for it, but it would be like the Kansas City Chiefs playing the Green Bay Packers for our 18th regular season game and the other teams aren't.' (This story was updated to add new quotes.) This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: SEC-Big Ten scheduling agreement possible? What UGA's Josh Brooks said
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UGA athletics wants another concert in Sanford Stadium. Here are 8 acts that should play
The University of Georgia athletic department wants to bring another concert to Sanford Stadium like it did in 2013 when Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan headlined a country fling with 66,000 in attendance. At the time, Michael Adams was UGA president, Mark Richt was leading the football team and school administrators thought that would be the first of many concerts in the stadium for years to come. But it hasn't happened. Times have changed. There are now two national championship banners hanging in the stadium, and new musical acts are now options for the venue. But wouldn't it be cool if there was an older act coming back together for an historic reunion? Yes, yes it would. That's where we'll start for the eight acts that would be the best fits, should UGA and Sanford Stadium host a concert in 2026. Athens would lose its collective mind. The world might lose its collective mind. This is R.E.M.s town. Where it got its start. UGA athletic director Josh Brooks has long said his top choice would be the Athens legends. "Look, I'm going to keep saying it until they get sick of hearing it, I still want R.E.M.,' Brooks told the Banner-Herald's Marc Weiszer. 'I know Bertis (Downs, the band's lawyer) and Mike Mills are going to keep telling me no, but I will keep pestering Mike and Bertis and the crew over and over again.' The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has shown signs of inspiration of late, the first real hope since calling it quits 14 years ago. R.E.M. reunited last June at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame to perform 'Losing My Religion,' one of the band's greatest hits. The four original members (Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry) hopped up on stage at the 40 Watt in February to play 'Pretty Persuasion' with Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy, who were performing R.E.M.'s 'Fables Of The Reconstruction." Fingers crossed. Widespread Panic packed downtown Athens in 1998 for the 'Panic in the Streets' concert in front of an estimated 100,000 people. The jam band has long had a huge following, and the Athens-based rockers would certainly put butts in the seats (at least until the music begins). It has been more than a decade since the Atlanta duo of Big Boi and Andre 3000 played their last show in 2014, but they'll be inducted into the Rock & Roll HOF this year, leading many to believe they'll perform together when inducted in Cleveland. Maybe they'll carry that momentum into Sanford Stadium for a home show in front of Georgians. Why not put together some of the biggest Georgia fans there are? The three Georgia natives always show support for the Bulldogs, wearing UGA gear or posting a 'Go Dawgs' on social media. Rhett's wife, Lauren Akins, is a huge Tennessee fan, so this would be a little bit of bragging rights for Rhett to say he played on Georgia's football field. The Atlanta band known for 'Chicken Fried' has sold out arenas for years, bringing its flair of "Margaritaville Country" to the table. Brown did a game trailer for Georgia Football in 2021 and he's made two appearances as a guest picker on College Gameday. He knows his football, and is a Bulldogs fan. The Truckers are another piece of Athens' incredible music history and, from 2001 to 2006, the band had Jason Isbell. Now, Isbell has gone on to his own successful career with a large following. Reuniting the two would be a tip-of-the-cap to Athens (although Isbell is from Alabama) while also letting them each play their own sets with a little crossover along the way. UGA's biggest hype machine of recent years has been Quavo, a founder of the former group Migos. The Athens native enrolled at UGA in 2023 and even performed a free show in downtown Athens' Urban Outfitters' store last fall. He'd probably have a few friends (hopefully from rap-rich Atlanta) join him to make a huge hip hop party in the middle of Sanford Stadium. Does Georgia athletics dare let a Tennessee Vol take over Sanford Stadium? Well, it would almost certainly sell out. And the guy who recently made "Get me back to God's Country" famous after his abrupt SNL exit would consider Athens as part of God's country. It would make sense for UGA athletics to pursue the hottest act in country music, even if he is one of UT's biggest fans. Ryne Dennis is the Deep South Connect Team Editor for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X @RyneDennis and email at rdennis@ This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Sanford Stadium, home of Georgia football, should host 1 of these acts
