Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to get into the smart home scene because a lot of them don’t require rewiring your house or drilling holes into walls. There’s also plenty of flexibility possible that goes beyond color-changing bulbs or light strips. For years, Nanoleaf has been offering smart lighting panels that can liven up your wall with colorful, dynamic lighting that can be controlled manually or synced with other systems. Nanoleaf’s hexagon-shaped lighting tiles have become iconic and offer visually interesting compositions, but it’s not something that suits everyone’s tastes nor is it the most flexible shape for arranging tiles. At IFA 2024, Nanoleaf introduced a new Blocks set whose basic square shape belied the greater freedom it offers.

Nanoleaf Blocks ditch hexagons for squares and a more flexible modular lighting system

When it comes to design inspiration for all sorts of things, nature is one of the most popular sources. From architecture to technology to lifestyle products to product concepts, we see all sorts of designs that take its cue from nature all around us. Lighting fixtures are no exceptions and this project in particular is based on plants and transposed to a pendant light.

From Nature to Design: The Journey of a Plant Pod-Inspired Pendant Ligh

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J. Souza

A man has sparked heated debate online after deciding to take a solo trip for his 40th birthday, despite his girlfriend's financial struggles. The man, who has been dating his girlfriend for three months, shared his dilemma on a popular Reddit forum.

Boyfriend Taking Vacation Alone Since Girlfriend Can't Afford It Asks if He's in the Wrong

Los Angeles County, CA

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community_voice

Herbie J Pilato

Actor Van Johnson, who died in 2007, was one of Hollywood's ideal films idols. In the 1940s, the charming screen icon was box office gold, and remained a popular presence on TV in shows like Murder, She Wrote (which starred his good friend Angela Lansbury).

The Secret Gay Life & Horrific Car Accident of Actor Van Johnson: 16 Years After His Tragic Death

Florida State

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Hialeah, FL

Akeena

If you’ve ever been to one of the few remaining locations in Florida, you know this chain is all about building the perfect burger. But one of its five Sunshine State locations, the Hialeah Fuddruckers, recently hit a bit of a roadblock after a state inspection led to a temporary closure. Here’s what went down.

Chain Restaurant Known for Its 'Perfect' Burger Shut Down After State Inspection in Florida

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

An opinion piece appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA this week illustrates why the drug problem among people experiencing homelessness in Denver may be so severe. It's because many homeless people aren't addicted to just one drug, but two, according to the viewpoint's author, Benjamin A. Howell of Yale School of Medicine and colleagues.

Fentanyl-meth combo ravages homeless in Denver, so why aren't there better treatments?

NewsNinja

It can be frustrating when you’re trying to give a business your money and they won’t acknowledge you—especially when hunger is added to the mix. That’s what TikToker Karina Heredia (@esthiekary_31) says happened to her during a recent visit to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Buffalo Wild Wings customer wait 10 mins for server to take their order. So they call the restaurant

Aurora, CO

The City of Aurora’s plan for a homeless navigation campus focusing on “work first” is coming together. The City Council will vote during its study session Monday on a resolution sponsored by council member Dustin Zvonek that spells out how the campus will operate. “The City of Aurora wishes to pursue an alternative to the ‘Housing First’ approach, by setting requirements and expectations for housing to include participation in addiction recovery, mental health, and job training programs to better address homelessness,” the resolution states. “It is inhumane and economically unwise to allow individuals experiencing homelessness to remain on the streets, or simply offer unconditional housing, rather than providing them with the necessary support services that offer a structured path to self-sufficiency and housing.”

Aurora’s ‘work first’ homeless plan: Instilling responsibility

Woodinville, WA

Maria Shimizu Christensen

Seafair is over but it’s still festival and fair season. With good weather forecast for the weekend, it’s perfect for getting out of the house. There are several festivals happening around the region, covering a range of interests, from food and crafts to a logging show.

Wide Range of Festivals This Weekend

In a world where flexibility and efficiency are the cornerstones of productivity, your desk setup should reflect the same principles. Gone are the days of single-function tools that do only one job. Today, we’re looking at gear that can multitask, bringing both style and versatility to your workspace. From a letter opener that doubles as a paperweight to scissors that moonlight as a boxcutter, these top 5 desk tools aren’t just unexpectedly versatile—they’re game-changers. Let’s explore how these innovative tools can elevate your everyday work experience.

Top 5 Unexpectedly Versatile Desk Tools for the Modern Professional

Where are they? Podcast

When you head out on a cruise, you’re most likely thinking about suntan lotions, umbrella cocktails, and endless buffets. You’re not likely to be thinking about disappearing without a trace.

Vanished At Sea: Mysterious Cruise Ship Disappearances

Kentucky State

Jefferson County, KY

Louisville, KY

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Federal, state and local public health officials have confirmed the first case of the Oropouche virus in Kentucky and Jefferson County in a person who had returned to Louisville after traveling to the Caribbean.

Health officials report first case of Oropouche virus, aka ‘Sloth Fever,’ confirmed in Kentucky

Apache Junction, AZ

Suzy Jacobson Cherry

When I studied Anthropology in college, I learned that teeth have been indicators of economic status just about forever. Archaeologists look at the teeth in ancient skeletons and know who the rich were based on their tooth decay. During the Renaissance period, it became fashionable for women to blacken their teeth to look like they were better off than they were, because the royals and aristocrats, who could afford sugar and sweets, had more rotten and missing teeth than the poor.

Opinion: Stop Stereotyping Bad Teeth as a Sign of Drug Addiction

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a tiny six-pound dog named Alistair who is looking for his forever home. At only one year old, this little boy is a sweet dog who is thought to be a Maltese, "but we can’t make any guarantees that he would be suitable for those with allergies," explains the nonprofit animal rescue.

Meet The Tiny 6lb Dog Looking For Love

Hull, MA

Get ready, because you're invited to the "best late summer beach party in New England!" The Endless Summer Waterfront Festival, hosted by the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, is just around the corner and promises to be an event you won't want to miss. Taking place on Saturday, September 7, 2023, this event celebrates the last days of summer and the vibrant community of Hull.

Live Music, Family Fun & More: This Waterfront Festival Has It All!

Colorado State

A study by the self-storage company Storeganise ranks Colorado seventh in the U.S. for retail theft. It should come as no surprise as a Walmart in Aurora announced earlier this month that it is closing due to retail theft. Other locations, such as Central Park in Denver, have locked up an extraordinary amount of their merchandise. Customers now must find clerks to unlock products from cases and put them in a locked box to be unlocked at checkout.

Sticky fingers: Colorado ranks seventh in U.S. for retail theft, study shows

Declutterbuzz

Overwhelm is a word I often hear folks say regarding decluttering. Decluttering does not have to be overwhelming. When you Declutter For Life the process is not stressful. You won't clear the chaos overnight, but with patience and effort, you can build a space—and a life—that feels calm and organized. For busy young working moms who've tried and failed, understanding that decluttering is a gradual process rather than a quick fix can change everything. Let me explain.

How To Declutter For Life, Not For a Quick Fix!

Alameda Post

Refined by New York chemist Robert Chesebrough almost 150 years ago, petroleum jelly is still widely used today in topical applications. Even with the myths that abound online about it being carcinogenic, it has withstood the test of time.

Wonder Jelly

A Reddit post on the r/Cruise subreddit has caused a stir after a user uploaded a photo appearing to show a mannequin taking a picture from the balcony of Royal Caribbean's new ship, Icon of the Seas.

Is that a Mannequin? Image from Balcony of Largest Cruise Ship Raises Questions

Clutter, can and often does, creep up on us because decluttering is an ongoing process. This makes our homes feel more like chaotic storage units than serene sanctuaries. Keep reading to learn how to avoid making decluttering mistakes.

How To Avoid Making Common Decluttering Mistakes

NewsBreak

This Solar-Powered Tiny Houseboat Lets You Enjoy A Peaceful Life On The Water

Dubbed the Fàng Sōng, this houseboat is designed by Crossboundaries and is powered by a solar panel setup. The houseboat features a clever space-saving interior that...

This Solar-Powered Tiny Houseboat Lets You Enjoy A Peaceful Life On The Water

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