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Score (89)
Video Store Owner Creates a Special Movie Corner For Loyal Fan
In Pocatello, Idaho, a beloved video store has closed its doors after more than 30 years, but owner David Kraning found a way to keep a cherished tradition alive for his most loyal customer. Christina Cavanaugh, who has Down syndrome and is mostly non-verbal, visited The Video Stop daily for two decades to rent her favorite movies. "She doesn't ask for very much," said Toni Cavanaugh, Christina's mother. "So when she does express herself, I try and accommodate her." Despite owning many of the films at home, Christina insists on renting them from the store. "She'll only watch them if they're from the video store," Toni explained with a laugh. "I think it's comforting." Faced with financial challenges that led to the store's closure, Kraning decided to create "Christina's Corner" in his adjacent convenience store. This special section replicates the video rental experience Christina loves. "Last year, just looking at the financials, it wasn't sustainable to try and keep the video store going," Kraning said. Yet he was determined not to disrupt Christina’s routine. Toni expressed gratitude for Kraning’s kindness: "That somebody would do something so kind... that's huge." Every afternoon around 3:30 p.m., Christina visits her corner of DVDs and checks out a movie herself before leaving with a gesture of thanks. "Pocatello has been ideal for raising Christina," Toni said. "The people here treat her like family — especially Dave and his team."
Score (98)
Family Milestone: Mom and 3 Daughters Celebrate Their Graduation Together
The Lee family recently celebrated a remarkable academic achievement as Quila Lee and her three daughters graduated together from Georgia State University. The ceremony at the Georgia State Convocation Center marked a significant milestone for the family, with each member receiving their degrees. Kalaya, one of the twins, expressed her excitement about sharing this moment with her family. “It’s insane to be able to say, ‘I’m graduating, but not just with my twin sister, with my older sister, who I look up to, and then my mom, who we all look up to,’” she said. Kamiya and Kalaya both earned degrees in Biology and plan to pursue medical school. Kamiya aims to become a gynecologist while Kalaya aspires to be a veterinarian. Rakiya completed her master’s in public administration and shared how surreal it felt to graduate alongside her sisters and mother. “She’s the glue of our family,” Rakiya said about Quila. “And I’m gonna follow behind her.” Quila added another accomplishment by earning a Master of Arts in Teaching. Reflecting on past graduations where she held her twins as babies, she felt honored to now share this experience with them. “I remember them being a part of my graduation, and now I get to be a part of theirs,” she said. The sisters attribute their success largely to their mother’s influence. Kamiya praised Quila as an exceptional role model: “I think my mom is the best...and allowed me to have somebody like her to look up to.”
Score (97)
How This High School Baseball Team Triumphed Amid The LA Wildfires
The Palisades Charter High School baseball team faced a season like no other, marked by resilience and determination. After their school was ravaged by wildfires and their field paved over for temporary classrooms, the team spent the entire season on the road. On Friday, they gathered at Fairfax High to conclude a challenging regular season. Eight seniors were honored with roses for their mothers and personalized baseballs for their fathers. Athletic Director Rocky Montz summed up the year succinctly: "Quite a year." The Palisades fire displaced 15 of the team's 42 players, burning for 24 days in January and destroying thousands of structures. Despite these challenges, the team managed to complete its season with an impressive 17-10 record. Practices took place in public parks, and games were held on various fields across Los Angeles. Head Coach Mike Voelkel described baseball as "a sanctuary, a safe haven" during this tumultuous time. Senior Ian Sullivan expressed gratitude for the sport's stability amid chaos: "I don't know where I'd be without baseball right now." The future of Palisades' baseball program remains uncertain as construction continues on campus facilities. However, this year's achievements stand as a testament to perseverance. "We're not just winning for us; we're doing this for the Palisades community," said freshman Joseph Stanley. As they look ahead to the playoffs starting Thursday, players remain hopeful about playing at Dodger Stadium if they advance far enough. For now, they've proven that even in adversity, sports can provide solace and unity. "We got a taste of it [in April], and I can't get that taste out of my mouth," Sullivan said about potentially playing at Dodger Stadium again.
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Score (96)
This Bird Built a Nest in an Ashtray, So Smokers Helped Them Out ❤️
A family of blue tits has found an unusual home in a cigarette bin outside the Astley and Dunley village hall near Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire. The birds have returned to this spot for several years, much to the delight of locals who have taken measures to protect them. A sign now adorns the ashtray, reading: "Birds nesting. Do not use." Hazel Spicer, the village hall booking secretary, shared her thoughts on their annual visitors. "They must think it's a perfect home, but obviously we want to keep them safe," she said. Despite efforts to deter them by replacing one ashtray with a slanted version, the persistent birds found another bin around the back. The community has embraced these feathered residents as local celebrities. Carly Vurlan, a mother of two from Astley, expressed her family's excitement: "It's really sweet to see them popping in and out; my youngest daughter loves to see them." She added that someone always ensures a sign is up during nesting season. While it may not be an ideal nesting site, this quirky choice seems to suit the blue tits just fine. Their presence brings joy and curiosity each year as locals eagerly await their return.
Score (98)
How Your Brain Literally Grooves to Music: New Theory Explains Why
Ever wondered why a catchy tune makes you want to dance? A new theory might have the answer. According to neural resonance theory, our brains don't just hear music; they physically resonate with it. This synchronization between brain oscillations and musical elements like rhythm and pitch could explain why music feels so universally powerful. Caroline Palmer, a neuroscientist at McGill University in Canada, explains, "This theory suggests that music is powerful not just because we hear it, but because our brains and bodies become it." The implications for therapy, education, and technology are significant. The concept isn't entirely new. Humans have been crafting music for millennia without fully understanding why certain sounds appeal to us. Neural resonance theory (NRT), now formally described by Palmer and her co-authors in a perspective paper, delves into how neural oscillations sync with external audio at various rates. Rhythm aligns with slower oscillations in the cortex, while higher frequencies correspond to pitch. This natural synchronization makes music enjoyable across different cultures and ages—from toddlers bopping along to classically trained musicians. The authors note that while some musical appreciation is learned—like complex structures varying by culture—simple rhythms develop quickly and strengthen over time. Groove also plays a role; when beats fall between predictable pulses, the brain fills in gaps through what researchers call nonlinear resonance. "NRT can provide insights into both neuroscience and human behavior," the researchers write. They believe this understanding could illuminate how music communicates emotion and fosters interpersonal connections. The study was published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Score (97)
Here's How Gardening Can Add Years to Your Life
Gardening may be the secret to staying sharp in old age, according to new research from the University of Edinburgh. The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, found that gardening is linked to higher cognitive functioning for those over 79, regardless of income, education, or overall health. "Identifying lifestyle behaviors that facilitate healthy cognitive aging is of major public interest for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia," said Janie Corley, a post-doctoral psychology researcher at the university and lead author of the study. Corley described gardening as a "key leisure activity in late adulthood," noting its accessibility as a "low-to-moderate intensity physical activity." She explained that activities like garden upkeep involve complex cognitive processes such as memory and executive function. "Consistent with the 'use it or lose it' framework of cognitive function, more engagement in gardening may be directly associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline," she added. The study's findings are based on data from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921—a group of 550 Scottish men and women who took part in intelligence exams at age 11 and again around age 79. Researchers used these results to draw their conclusions about gardening's benefits. Corley emphasized that while more research is needed into specific links between gardening and healthy aging, evidence suggests it's beneficial at any age. A 2022 National Institutes of Health study also found time spent in green spaces reduces mental health challenges. Some doctors now offer "nature prescriptions" to help patients lower blood pressure and reduce dementia risks. As Canadian physician Melissa Lem told the BBC: “We all know that more physical activity improves mental and physical health, but gardening supercharges those benefits.”
Score (96)
Boccia XR: The Game Transforming Rehabilitation Worldwide
Boccia, a Paralympic sport celebrated for its inclusivity, is gaining traction as a tool for rehabilitation. Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed an extended reality version of the game, known as Boccia XR, to enhance motor and cognitive skills in older adults. Associate Professor Masataka Kataoka from the Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science led the team behind Boccia XR. The program aims to bring the benefits of boccia to environments with limited space. The research focused on participants over 65, examining mood changes before and after engaging in Boccia XR, traditional boccia, and treadmill walking. Additionally, they measured lower limb muscle activity during these exercises. Participants reported improved moods, vitality, and energy levels after playing both versions of boccia. While there was no significant difference in overall lower limb muscle activity across the activities, an increase was noted in the rectus femoris muscle during both types of boccia compared to treadmill walking. "Boccia XR could be effective as a rehabilitation exercise for older adults in terms of both physical and emotional effects," said Professor Kataoka. "Since it does not require a large court, it is practical for indoor environments such as hospitals and nursing care facilities." The study's findings were published in PLOS One. Future research will explore long-term effects on a larger population and continue refining Boccia XR.
Score (98)
This Fan's 30-Year Wait Ends: Finally Invited to Her First Match
Nottingham Forest fan Marjorie Graves, 101, experienced a day to remember as she attended her first match in over three decades. A lifelong supporter of the Reds, Marjorie was invited as a special guest to the City Ground on Sunday for the East Midlands derby against Leicester City. Marjorie's day was filled with excitement and nostalgia. She received a personalized tour of the stadium, met players and manager Nuno Espirito Santo, and was gifted a custom Forest jersey emblazoned with "101" on the back. Despite watching her team settle for a 2-2 draw, she was thrilled that they qualified for European football next season. "It was magnificent," said Marjorie, who has been cheering for Forest for an impressive 93 years. "From start to finish, they really looked after me. All the players came up to talk to me and they were lovely." Hailing from Bulwell, Marjorie shared one small regret: "The only disappointment was that I would have liked to see a win. I told them Leicester would fight hard to spoil it and they did." She also joked about wanting to join the mascots on the pitch but admitted she might be "a bit too old for that." The club's gesture followed a social media post by staff at Fairway View Care Home highlighting Marjorie's dedication as a fan. "I want to say thank you to the club and my friends at the home," Marjorie added. "They have made me very happy.
Score (97)
US Just Hit a Historic Energy Milestone: A Trend That's Here to Stay?
In a groundbreaking shift for the United States, cleaner, low-carbon energy sources have surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation for the first time. Data from Ember, an energy-focused nonprofit, reveals that fossil fuels accounted for just 49.2 percent of the country's energy production in March. This milestone is attributed to a 2.5 percent decline in fossil fuel use and a notable rise in clean energy sources, particularly wind and solar power. Solar energy saw a remarkable 37 percent increase over the past year, while wind power grew by 12 percent. Together, these renewable sources contributed to 24.4 percent of total electricity production in March, with nuclear and hydroelectric power making up most of the remainder. The achievement occurred during what is known as the "shoulder season," a period between peak demand times when milder weather reduces heating and cooling needs. This seasonal factor typically boosts clean energy's share of electricity production, but has never before led to it surpassing fossil fuels. Despite political efforts to revive coal production, its future looks bleak. Energy Innovation reports that running existing coal plants is more costly than switching to renewables in 99 percent of cases. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis predicts coal output will drop to one-third of its 2011 peak by 2030 as aging plants close without replacements. Meanwhile, solar power continues gaining popularity across political lines due to its affordability and environmental benefits. Texas stands out as a leading state embracing both solar and wind energy. This development signals a promising new era for U.S. energy production where renewables play an increasingly significant role on the grid—a trend likely here to stay.
Score (97)
Giant Lambs Surprise Farm With Double-Size Births in a Record Season
At the Gawdy Hall Estate in Harleston, Norfolk, a remarkable lambing season has captured the attention of locals and visitors alike. Shepherdess Hannah Murrell, in her debut season, delivered six lambs each weighing an impressive 10 kilograms (22 pounds), double the size of an average newborn lamb. The estate celebrated its largest lambing season to date with 250 births. "You hope for healthy lambs around the 3-5kg," said Mark Hayhew, estate manager. "So when you see a healthy enormous one being born alive and well, which is nearly double that size, it's amazing." The flock at Gawdy Hall includes Llanwenog sheep and Norfolk Horn ewes—both on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's amber list—alongside Lleyn ewes and pedigree rams. While newborn lamb sizes can vary by breed, they typically weigh up to 5kg. Murrell joined the estate last October in her first role as a shepherdess. She anticipated that the season would be both stressful and rewarding. "It brings the mothering instinct out in you," she shared. Hayhew noted that everyone is enamored with these giant newcomers. "We've had lots of people walking past our fields and taking pictures and asking us about our giant lambs," he said. The farm expects even more arrivals next year as their flock has grown to over 400 breeding ewes.
Score (96)
How This Teen Earned $3.4M in Scholarships and Made History
Jaedin Wright, a senior at Ronald McNair High School in Georgia, has secured more than $3.4 million in scholarships, setting him on a promising path to higher education. Known for his academic prowess and musical talent, Wright is poised to graduate among the top 10 students in his class. At a recent event celebrating students with significant scholarship awards, Wright captured attention when he was announced as the recipient of over $3 million in scholarships. The crowd erupted in applause as he danced his way to the stage. "My nickname is Mr. $3 Million now," Wright told WSBTV, clarifying that his total scholarship amount is actually $3,466,716. Wright's scholarships are primarily for music; he plays trombone and serves as drum major for the school band. However, his academic achievements have also contributed significantly to his success. “These scholarships are life-changing,” Wright said. Without them, he would have faced delaying college or relying on student loans. He encourages other students to apply widely and remain persistent: “There are a lot of scholarships out there. People are giving people money.” Jared Davis, Wright's band director, commended his dedication: “Jaedin is the definition of when hard work and talent mix together.” Wright plans to study cybersecurity but has not yet decided which college he will attend. He will also deliver the commencement speech at graduation. His advice for fellow students aiming high: “All you have to do is be committed to the cause.”