Goodable

Talk about an unexpected houseguest!

Staff at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore got the surprise of the season when Kipepeo, a four-year-old giraffe who wasn’t known to be pregnant, casually gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The calf made her grand entrance in the early hours of March 27, and zookeepers are still doing double takes.

“Kipi,” as she’s affectionately called, had only arrived at the zoo in November. So when keepers noticed a tiny shift in her behavior on March 26, they thought she might be having an off day—not a whole baby.

But sure enough, by the next morning, Baltimore had a brand-new resident: a 128-pound, six-foot-tall bundle of spotted joy.

Erin Cantwell Grimm, the zoo’s Mammal Curator, explained that giraffe pregnancies last around 15 months. The baby—who hasn’t been named yet—is nursing like a champ and adjusting well to zoo life, while first-time mom Kipi is absolutely crushing it in the parenting department.

We’re just hoping she gave the zookeepers a high-five. Or, at the very least, a very tall head nod.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed its newest addition, a young Masai giraffe named Tucker, to the Kilimanjaro Safaris’ savannah.
Its mother, Mara, gave birth to the calf earlier this year and park visitors got the chance to see Tucker make his debut on Monday.
The new arrival is the first giraffe born at Walt Disney World Resort since 2021. In an announcement celebrating this new family member, the resort promised its ongoing commitment to wildlife and species protection.

Surprise! This Giraffe Just Unexpectedly Delivered an Adorable Baby

People

Choco, a small brown dog with a big story, is back home in California nearly five years after he disappeared — and no one knows how he ended up tied to a fence outside a shelter in Detroit, Michigan, over 2,000 miles away.

The mystery began in May 2021, when Choco vanished from his home in Antelope, California. His owner, Patricia, searched but had no luck — until last month, when she received a call she never expected.

“1645 days later, that’s 4 years and 7 months, he showed up 2,289 miles away, tied to the fence at a small shelter in Lincoln Park, near Detroit, Michigan,” shared Helping Paws and Claws, a California-based animal nonprofit that helped reunite the pair.

The shelter had scanned Choco and found a working microchip with Patricia’s contact information. That single piece of technology made the reunion possible.

At first, Patricia didn’t know what to do. She turned to social media to ask for advice — and Helping Paws and Claws saw her post.

The nonprofit jumped in to help, rallying volunteers to bring Choco home. One supporter donated airline miles for Choco’s flight. Others picked him up from the shelter, drove him to the airport, and accompanied him on a delayed journey back to California.

Meanwhile, local Michigan organizations — Lincoln Park Animal Shelter, Pet Care Clinic Lincoln Park, and Lyla’s Mobile Pet Nail Trim — cared for Choco while he waited to head home.

On December 3, Choco finally returned to the West Coast. Patricia welcomed him back with open arms — and two new family members. During the years Choco was missing, she had two children, who now get to grow up with their furry sibling.

Choco, a bit grayer now, didn’t take long to settle in. “He’s catching up on five years of hugs,” Patricia said.

The journey remains a mystery. No one knows how the dog made his way across the country, or who might have cared for him along the way. But the ending, Patricia says, is all that matters.

She’s using the moment to urge other pet owners to microchip their animals. “Microchip your dogs,” she told CBS News. “With the holidays and the extreme cold, a story like mine can be your story next.”

Helping Paws and Claws is also spreading the message. “Please remember if your pet has a microchip, be sure it is registered, and double-check that the information is current and correct,” the group shared. “If your pet does not have a microchip, Choco says, ‘Please get one.’”

Choco’s journey may never be fully understood. But thanks to persistence, compassion, and one tiny chip, he’s home — and finally warm, safe, and surrounded by family again.

Lost Dog Found 2,289 Miles Away After Nearly 5 Years — and Makes it Home Just in Time for the Holidays

CTV News

In a quiet basement in River Park South, the holiday season has officially arrived — and it’s come in the form of a miniature city bursting with twinkling lights, snow-covered rooftops, and hundreds of tiny townsfolk going about their festive lives.

This is Ayotte’s Christmas Village, and it’s more than just a holiday display. It’s a decades-long labour of love.

“It takes me about 60 hours to set up, so I have to plan ahead,” Gabriel Ayotte told CTV News. “Once you start building, then you get into it. But it’s that first 10 hours of just unpacking and sorting and organizing.”

The village is now a sprawling, intricately detailed town that blends the whimsy of Disney with the nostalgia of Norman Rockwell and the charm of a Dickens novel. It features 63 buildings, about 450 miniature residents, two Canadian Tire stores, and even its own entertainment district. There’s a working train, 21 snowmen, nearly 450 trees, and countless glowing lights.

But it all started modestly — with just 8 to 10 small houses placed in front of the fireplace by Ayotte’s wife about 30 years ago.

“She took care of it for, I guess, 15 years or so,” Ayotte said. “And then I got involved and added more pieces.”

What began as a small seasonal tradition soon turned into a full-blown obsession.

“One year I said, ‘Well, let’s make it a little bit bigger,’” he recalled with a laugh. “When I got to the plywood sheet, she said that was too much. So, then I just took it over.”

Now, the Christmas Village stretches across the basement. But as for expanding further? “The city council tried to get approval to get a bigger village,” he joked, “but it was kiboshed. So, this is as big as it will get.”

Ayotte treats the village like a living, breathing place. Scenes are set with townsfolk skating, shopping for trees, fishing, or simply enjoying the season. And each year, new characters or buildings are added — often souvenirs from his travels.

There’s a Guinness man from Dublin, a bratwurst stand from Munich, and even a replica of Neuschwanstein Castle from the Bavarian Alps.

“What I’m focusing on is if something catches my eye or it means something to us,” he said. “The little things like that, it just makes it fun.”

Ayotte has even enlisted the help of the next generation. His three-year-old grandson recently spent over an hour carefully unwrapping figurines and sorting snowmen.

“As I get older and he gets older, then he’s the one who’s going to climb on the table and do the back road,” Ayotte said.

This weekend, Ayotte is opening his doors for the third annual open house, inviting neighbours and guests to experience the magic in person. He’ll be guiding visitors through the display, sharing stories — especially with children — and using the event to raise money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“I tell them stories of what’s going on, especially the little kids, to look for certain things,” he said.

Space is limited, but those interested in attending can email Ayotte directly at gabe.ayotte@gmail.com
 for more information.

Having just retired in October, Ayotte now has even more time to devote to his beloved tradition.

“I’m already thinking of what I’m going to do for next year,” he said. “I’m not slowing down.”

A Massive Toy Christmas Village Collection is Opening to the Public For a Festive Fundraiser in Canada

At a Lowe’s in Richmond, Virginia, customers might come for tools and paint, but for nearly a decade, many stayed for Francine — a scrappy, independent, and famously beloved feline who made the garden department her home.

“She wasn't quite as friendly in the very beginning,” said store manager Mike Sida. “But after a little while, she found her way into a lot of people's hearts, I guess you could say.”

Francine had once been a stray. But over time, she became a fixture — lounging in flower pots, greeting shoppers, and earning an unofficial title as the store’s favorite “employee.” That is, until a few months ago, when she vanished.

“I just had a gut feeling that she was gone,” said Wayne Schneider, a Lowe’s employee who had taken on the role of Francine’s primary caretaker.

Schneider feared the worst — that Francine may have wandered onto a freight truck heading to a Lowe’s distribution center in Statesville, North Carolina, about 85 miles away. If she had, finding her would be nearly impossible.

“She could have been anywhere in there,” he said. “Maybe they opened the trailer up and she got out. We would never find her.”

Still, he had to try.

Schneider reached out to the warehouse managers in Statesville, Preston Bullock and Taylor Taconet, who didn’t hesitate.

“As long as they had fight in them, we had fight in us to help support,” Bullock said.

Taconet agreed: “Our mission is to solve problems. And that’s exactly what we took it as. We’ve got a missing family member out here, so we’re going to jump on top of it.”

They didn’t hold back. The search team brought in Fancy Feast to lure her out. They flew a thermal drone over the distribution center. They swept the massive space with a high-end 360-degree camera.

Nothing worked — until finally, a grainy surveillance video spotted a small figure in a cargo truck parking area. It was Francine.

They tracked her down and brought her inside.

“I could have cried, I’ll be honest,” Taconet said.

“I was so overjoyed,” said Schneider. “Tears were just coming down my face, that we had found her.”

Sida and Schneider made the drive down to North Carolina, picked up Francine, and brought her back home to Richmond. Her return was met with smiles, photos, and more than a few emotional reunions.

Now, Francine is back to her old routine — prowling the aisles, lounging in sunbeams, and charming customers like nothing ever happened.

“It’s good to see her back where she belongs,” Sida said.

A Lowe’s Cat Went Missing — What Followed Was a Full-Scale Search Mission and a Happy Ending

One year after Notre-Dame cathedral reopened its doors to the public, more than 11 million people have already visited the Paris landmark — a sharp increase from pre-fire attendance figures.

The 12th-century Gothic cathedral, severely damaged by fire in April 2019, officially reopened on December 7, 2024, following more than five years of intensive restoration. The reopening was marked by a high-profile ceremony attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

Since then, the crowds have only grown.

Notre-Dame has welcomed “approximately 11 million visitors” in its first year, said Sybille Bellamy-Brown, head of visitor management at the cathedral. That’s roughly 30 percent higher than the eight to nine million annual visitors it drew before the blaze — and more than both the Eiffel Tower (seven million) and the Louvre museum (8.7 million) in 2024.

Colombian tourist Maria Vega was among those in awe of the restored building. “It’s particularly important for me since I’ve recently reconnected with the church,” said the 22-year-old. “The beauty and simplicity are striking.”

The fire, which destroyed much of the roof and wooden framework, left the cathedral in ruins and triggered a global outpouring of support. A total of €843 million (about US$982 million) in donations helped fund the massive reconstruction effort.

Inside, visitors are now greeted with pale, newly cleaned stonework and minimalist furnishings. Outside, long queues stretch across the forecourt daily. Entry remains free and no reservations are required, but staff have started regulating access during busy periods — especially during religious services.

This year, more than 1,600 services are scheduled. The cathedral has also seen a boom in religious pilgrimages, with over 650 organized visits, a third of them from abroad.

Despite the surge in visitors and the success of the restoration so far, work is not yet finished. The cathedral had already been in poor condition before the 2019 fire, and while €140 million in donations remain, officials say more funds will be needed to complete the full restoration.

Still, for many who pass through its doors, Notre-Dame’s return is symbolic — a powerful blend of survival, renewal, and beauty.

Notre-Dame Sees 11 Million Visitors in First Year Since Reopening After Devastating Fire

CGTN

Researchers in China have unveiled a new kind of underwater gripping tool that could reshape how robots interact with delicate objects. Inspired by octopus tentacles, the adaptive hydrogel biomimetic suction disc marks a major breakthrough in underwater manipulation and soft-material handling.

Developed by the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the device combines advanced materials and 3D printing to tackle some of the toughest challenges in robotic grasping — especially in complex and sensitive environments.

“Drawing inspiration from the octopus, our primary innovation lies in mimicking the deformation of its tentacles while incorporating a specific structural design for the suction cups,” said Wang Xiaolong, a researcher at LICP.

At the heart of the invention is a custom-designed supramolecular hydrogel that blends extreme softness with high tear resistance. That combination allows the suction disc to hold fragile or irregularly shaped items without damaging them — a key requirement for tasks like deep-sea exploration or delicate surgery.

To bring the idea to life, the research team used high-precision 3D printing to construct a suction disc embedded with micro-channels and flexible films. These features give it the ability to adaptively form close contact with a wide range of surfaces, regardless of their shape or texture. Tiny air channels within the disc allow it to generate suction on demand, making it ideal for gripping soft, wet, or curved materials.

Unlike traditional robotic grippers, which often struggle in wet or unpredictable environments, the hydrogel disc is specifically engineered for such conditions. It’s designed to work under water, on soft tissues, and in places where rigid tools fall short.

“This enables the handling of ultra-soft items without causing damage,” Wang said.

The suction disc, which holds independent intellectual property rights in China, is expected to be paired with a wide range of robotic arms. Its potential uses include deep-sea resource recovery, high-end manufacturing, and minimally invasive medical procedures.

Researchers believe the technology could fill a major gap in current robotic systems, which often rely on rigid or semi-rigid components that aren’t well-suited for delicate tasks. By mimicking nature — specifically, the unique adaptability of octopus tentacles — the hydrogel disc offers a new kind of precision and flexibility.

Looking ahead, its creators say the invention could help drive innovation across multiple Chinese industries. In underwater robotics, it could improve exploration of fragile marine ecosystems. In medicine, it may enable gentler surgical tools. And in manufacturing, it could make it easier to handle soft or irregularly shaped products during assembly.

For now, the device stands as a promising example of how bioinspired engineering and material science can come together to solve long-standing technical problems — and potentially change how robots interact with the physical world.

China Develops Octopus-Inspired Suction Disc for Underwater Grasping and Precision Tasks

The FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association continued its 35-year tradition of supporting the families of fallen New York City firefighters with a special holiday shopping spree at FAO Schwarz on Sunday, November 23.

The iconic toy store, located near Rockefeller Center, opened its doors exclusively to the FDNY-UFA Widows & Children’s Fund, giving children who’ve lost a parent in the line of duty a day filled with toys, fire truck rides, and holiday cheer.

Each child received a $200 gift card to spend freely in the store, which remained closed to the public in their honor. The day also included a visit with Santa Claus and a ride high above Manhattan in the bucket of an FDNY fire truck.

“For decades, this event has been a lifeline for families who have endured tremendous loss,” the association said in a message shared on Instagram. “Offering support, connection, and a reminder that the FDNY family always stands together.”

Photos posted from the event showed beaming kids with overflowing shopping bags, excited to show off their gifts. In one photo, 6-year-old Charlotte summed up her morning with a big smile: “I saw Santa and I got a purse. It’s good.” Her older brother Joseph, 8, had his own special moment upstairs in the store. “There was a case upstairs with a fireman’s hat in it and the fireman’s hat had 325 on it. That’s my dad’s engine,” he said, referring to their father, Joseph Mulvey.

Teenager Juliette, 15, whose father, Tommy Oelkers, died of 9/11-related cancer in 2021, said the event was more than just a shopping trip. It’s also a space to feel understood. “It’s nice to be around other kids who get it,” she said.

The day is meant to bring comfort and community — but also serves as a reminder that these families are never alone.

“Reminding them that they’re not forgotten and they will always be a part of our family,” said FDNY-UFA President Andrew Ansbro in an interview with 1010 WINS.

Many of the children who once attended the event have grown up and returned as volunteers. That includes the four children of Eileen Bellew, whose husband, firefighter John Bellew, died in the 2005 Bronx tenement tragedy known as “Black Sunday.”

“We haven’t missed the event in 20 years,” Bellew told the New York Post. “As we received, we moved into giving. We like to give back because we received so much from this event.”

For the FDNY-UFA, the goal is simple — to make the holidays a little brighter for families who carry the weight of tremendous loss. As they shared online, they hope these moments are ones “these families will carry with them for years.”

Families of Late FDNY Firefighters Just Enjoyed a Shopping Spree at FAO Schwarz

Science Daily

The story of how complex life evolved on Earth is being rewritten.

New research led by scientists from the University of Bristol suggests that eukaryotic life — organisms with complex cells that eventually gave rise to animals, plants, fungi, and algae — began evolving much earlier and over a longer timespan than scientists previously believed. The findings, published December 3 in Nature, challenge the long-held idea that high levels of atmospheric oxygen were a prerequisite for cellular complexity.

Instead, the study shows that early versions of complex life were already forming in an Earth with little to no oxygen in its oceans — up to 2.9 billion years ago.

“This insight ties evolutionary biology directly to Earth's geochemical history,” said Philip Donoghue, professor of palaeobiology at the University of Bristol. “The archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes began evolving complex features roughly a billion years before oxygen became abundant, in oceans that were entirely anoxic.”

A long, quiet beginning for complexity

Earth is about 4.5 billion years old. Microbial life emerged more than 4 billion years ago, dominated for hundreds of millions of years by simple, single-celled organisms known as prokaryotes — which include bacteria and archaea. These organisms don’t have nuclei or other internal compartments.

Eventually, eukaryotic cells emerged — cells that do contain nuclei and other internal structures. This leap in complexity set the stage for every multicellular organism alive today.

Until now, it was generally believed that this evolutionary leap happened in tandem with a rise in atmospheric oxygen. But according to this new study, the process may have started long before that oxygen appeared.

“The process of cumulative complexification took place over a much longer time period than previously thought,” said Gergely Szöllősi, who heads the Model-Based Evolutionary Genomics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

Rewriting the origin story of complex cells

To find out just how and when complex cellular features started evolving, the team used an enhanced version of the “molecular clock” — a method that estimates when species diverged by analyzing genetic differences and known fossil timelines.

They gathered gene sequence data from hundreds of species and applied it to a “time-resolved tree of life,” allowing them to track the development of specific gene families tied to complex cellular systems.

“What sets this study apart is looking into detail about what these gene families actually do — and which proteins interact with which — all in absolute time,” said lead author Dr. Christopher Kay, a research associate at the University of Bristol.

Their results suggest that structures like the cell nucleus began to form around 2.9 billion years ago — far earlier than the 1.8-billion-year estimate cited in previous studies. Surprisingly, mitochondria — often considered one of the earliest defining features of eukaryotic cells — came significantly later.

“One of our most significant findings was that the mitochondria arose significantly later than expected,” Donoghue said. “The timing coincides with the first substantial rise in atmospheric oxygen.”

Out with old models, in with CALM

The study’s conclusions also force a reevaluation of many current theories on how complex cells evolved. Since none of the existing models fully matched the evidence, the team introduced a new one: CALM — which stands for Complex Archaeon, Late Mitochondrion.

The CALM model suggests that the archaeal ancestors of eukaryotes began acquiring complex features on their own, before forming a symbiotic relationship with mitochondria. The mitochondria — often described as the cell’s powerhouse — are believed to have originated from a bacterial cell that was engulfed by a larger host.

“Previous ideas on how and when early prokaryotes transformed into complex eukaryotes has largely been in the realm of speculation,” said Davide Pisani, professor of phylogenomics at the University of Bristol. “Estimates have spanned a billion years, as no intermediate forms exist and definitive fossil evidence has been lacking.”

The new model doesn’t just shift timelines. It suggests that cellular complexity didn’t happen suddenly or all at once. Instead, it unfolded gradually — and likely over a billion years — long before oxygen flooded the atmosphere.

By combining paleontology, molecular biology, and advanced phylogenetics, the study offers one of the clearest timelines yet for how the building blocks of complex life took shape. It also raises new questions about what conditions are truly necessary for complexity to evolve — not just on Earth, but perhaps elsewhere in the universe.

Complex Life May Have Evolved Nearly a Billion Years Earlier Than We Thought, Study Finds

Scientific American

You’ve probably never heard it before: “Leftover pizza is better for you than fresh.” It sounds like the kind of half-baked trivia someone blurts out at a party while holding a slice. But this one’s got some solid science behind it.

Researchers have found that cooling certain starchy foods—like pizza, rice, and pasta—actually changes their chemistry in a way that makes them healthier. The trick? Cooling them down creates something called “resistant starch,” a form of carbohydrate that behaves more like fiber in the body. And it could have real benefits, especially for people with Type 1 diabetes.

Here’s how it works.

When starchy foods like pizza crust are cooled to below 4°C (about 40°F), some of their starches reorganize into longer chains. These chains form what scientists call resistant starches, which don’t break down during digestion the way regular starches do. Instead of being absorbed as sugar, they pass through the digestive system more like dietary fiber.

Even if you reheat the food later, the new structure mostly sticks around.

That’s a big deal for anyone who needs to manage blood sugar levels. Resistant starch doesn’t cause the same spikes in glucose that normal carbs do. It also feeds the good bacteria in your gut and may improve overall digestive health. The process is a bit like tempering chocolate or forging steel—the heating and cooling changes the material at a molecular level.

And it isn’t just pizza. The effect shows up in rice, potatoes, pasta, beans, lentils, and other common staples. Reheating won’t undo the transformation, making your leftovers potentially a healthier choice than the original meal.

The science behind this isn’t just theoretical—it’s been studied in labs, in detail. In one experiment, researchers used electron microscopes to examine rice after it had been cooked, cooled, and digested in simulated conditions. They found those long, sturdy chains of resistant starch still intact even after simulated digestion.

In another study, researchers went a step further. Human volunteers showed up at a lab at 6 in the morning to eat pre-cooked, chilled rice, all in the name of science. Researchers controlled every variable, including how long each participant chewed their rice. It might sound like overkill, but the scientists had a good reason: digestion begins in the mouth, and chewing plays a role in how foods break down.

That kind of rigor is exactly what turns a passing fun fact into a meaningful discovery.

“Humans have been eating food the entire time humans have existed,” said Tom Lum, a science communicator featured in the video series Innovations In: Type 1 Diabetes. “But the way it interacts with our body is so complex that we’ve only just learned that apparently our fridge is a forge for fiber.”

While you might not win any friends at a party by explaining starch crystallization and digestive enzymes, the takeaway is simple: chilling your leftovers could be a small, easy way to support better health. Especially for people living with diabetes, it might offer one more tool for keeping blood sugar in check.

So next time you open the fridge for cold pizza, remember—it’s not just tasty. It might actually be helping your body, one slice at a time.

Leftover Pizza Might Actually Be Better for You—Here’s the Science Behind It

It started with three kids, a bottle of wine, and a green message on the wall.

A few years ago, Kurt Neesley from Redondo Beach, California, needed a spot to hide the family’s Elf on the Shelf. He got creative. Using Tootsie Rolls, he built a mini climbing wall on the kitchen wall, posed the elf with a paintbrush, and scrawled a message reminding his children to behave. Paint splatter completed the scene.

“The paint was left over from St. Patrick’s Day when a leprechaun visited and made a mess,” Neesley said. He wasn’t worried about the mess — the wall needed repainting anyway. “Three glasses of wine usually gets the creativity flowing. Elf on the Shelf can be very stressful.”

If you know, you know.

The annual tradition — where parents secretly move the elf doll to a new spot each night — is now as much a part of December as wrapping paper and half-eaten advent calendars. It’s also a source of joy, guilt, comedy, and panic for families trying to keep the magic alive. This year marks two decades since the idea first found its way into homes across the United States.

How it started

The modern version of Elf on the Shelf goes back to the 1970s in Atlanta, when Carol Aebersold introduced her twin daughters to a magical elf named Fisbee. He would visit during December and perch in a different place each morning after flying to the North Pole to report to Santa.

Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, Aebersold’s daughters, believed Fisbee gave them a direct line to Santa Claus. “It’s the most wholesome thing you’ll ever see,” said Bell. The rule was simple: you couldn’t touch the elf, or he’d lose his magic. That part of the lore stuck.

In 2004, Aebersold and Bell self-published The Elf on the Shelf, a children’s book that came with a doll. Pitts helped market it. It eventually exploded in popularity. Today, the company they co-founded, Lumistella, has turned Elf on the Shelf into a full-fledged Christmas empire, complete with Netflix specials and even a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

How it’s going

For many parents, Elf on the Shelf has become a nightly creative challenge.

Antonia Katsanos, who lives in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has been doing it year-round. Her family’s elf, named Twinkle, has been spotted dressed as a mermaid in the shower, hiding in the ice machine, and dangling upside down in the car.

“I am a creative person, but you do go dry at some point doing this over and over again, year after year,” she said. “I Google ideas and look at Instagram. It’s sometimes a nuisance. I’ve popped up from sleep at 3:30 a.m. remembering I need to move the elf.”

Still, she keeps going — for the look on her daughters’ faces each morning.

Others take a more relaxed approach. Ashley Zavala of St. Paul, Minnesota, keeps it simple. “We don’t get elaborate, we just move the elf,” she said. As a bartender who works late, she doesn’t want to come home and build a miniature elf zipline.

“Our kids like it and they don’t know the difference because they haven’t had their elf do crazy things,” she said. Instead, she sends clever ideas to her cousin who goes all out.

The cheat code

Some parents outsource the job to older kids who’ve figured out the game. Actor Alan Ritchson, star of Reacher, says his teenage son now handles the nightly elf duties.

“Here’s the cheat code,” Ritchson said. “You get a 13-year-old who figures it out a couple years earlier than he should, and then he becomes your little Elf on the Shelf weapon. So they get excited. They’ll never miss a night.”

More than one elf

For Jewish families, there’s Mensch on a Bench — a Hanukkah-themed alternative created by Ohio dad Neal Hoffman. Inspired by Elf on the Shelf, Hoffman designed the Mensch doll and accompanying book to teach kids about Hanukkah traditions. He pitched the idea on Shark Tank in 2014 and landed investors.

Some households do both. Sandi Celentano, also from Franklin Lakes, once introduced both Elf on the Shelf and Mensch on a Bench to her interfaith family. It didn’t last.

“The amount of time and energy that it took thinking of creative ways to display these things every single day — it just took over everyone’s lives,” she said. “I’ve boycotted it for about three or four years.”

As for Neesley in California, he’s still embracing the chaos, Tootsie Rolls and all. Just don’t ask him to do it sober.

Parents Share Creative Tips For Moving Santa’s Spy Elf On The Shelf

ABC - Australia

Brodie Taylor didn’t set out to make history. He just wanted to be part of the game.

The 18-year-old from Lavington, a town straddling the Victorian-New South Wales border, has become the first person in Australia to earn national netball umpire accreditation while using a wheelchair.

“Honestly it was never something that I thought I would have wanted, and didn't think umpiring was going to be that serious,” he said. “But all the great umpires around me have their badges, and I thought that is one step closer for me having a purpose in the sport.”

Brodie is a familiar face on local courts, where he regularly officiates social matches and games in the competitive Hume League. What’s routine for him now was once unimaginable.

Growing up, he often found himself on the sidelines as his siblings played sport. Netball became his way in — first as a spectator alongside his mum, then as a coach, and eventually, an umpire.

“I enjoy having control over the games,” he said. “It can really dictate the way the game is played, and also produces fairness for everyone on the court.”

That passion didn’t go unnoticed. Amanda McLachlan, regional manager for Netball NSW’s Riverina branch, first saw Brodie in action during a local game.

“He was keeping up with the play, he knew the rules really well, his rapport with the players and his communication on the court was fantastic,” she said.

His mum, Del Taylor, remembers being stunned — and thrilled — when they learned Netball NSW was scouting him for official accreditation.

“I said to Brodie this will open a lot of doors for him,” she said. “He's watching all his peers and his siblings all go and get jobs, and so with opening up the umpiring it also gave him a leeway to … earn some extra money by doing something that he loves.”

Brodie earned his national C-badge — the first of four levels in Netball Australia’s umpiring pathway — without a single rule being changed. The only adjustment he needed was where he positioned himself on court to move smoothly in his motorised chair.

According to McLachlan, there was initial concern about how his wheelchair might affect play, but “Brodie proved us all wrong in that case.”

“We’re really lucky with Brodie because he already had some really good umpiring skills and he's just a natural find,” she said.

For Brodie, breaking a barrier wasn’t on his radar — not at first.

“But when I found out I was like — that is pretty darn cool.”

Since his accreditation, other state netball organisations have reached out to McLachlan for advice on how to support aspiring umpires with disabilities.

“I think it's just having an open mind that it can look different, and it's OK to look different as well,” she said.

With his Year 12 exams now behind him, Brodie has his sights set on university in Melbourne, where he hopes to study politics.

“My biggest passion is to make this world more understanding around disabilities, where it's not a question, it's just the norm,” he said.

Still, netball remains close to his heart. And he’s not done with it yet.

“I would still love to further my career in netball.”

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