Submerged sculptures: After witnessing storm-ravaged coral reefs in Grenada, sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor decided to shape his work for the ocean. Instead of gallery walls, his concrete creations rest underwater, built to attract marine life and grow with the sea. The statues, made using scans or casts of local people, offer surface textures that invite algae, corals, and sea creatures to settle and thrive. He takes care to avoid harming the ecosystems; input from biologists and coastal communities guide each placement. Beyond just replacing damaged reefs, these structures also reflect the stories and culture of the people nearby. As tides shift, the artwork slowly transforms. In a way, each piece begins only after it's been left behind.

Lake lifeline: Once clogged with weeds, a famous lake in Srinagar, India, is now seeing a clever comeback, fuelled by an unlikely source. Entrepreneur Maninder Singh created a system that turns invasive lake plants into valuable organic fertiliser. His team harvests the aquatic growth, processes it, and supplies local farmers with a sustainable product that boosts crops and cuts costs. The effort also clears away decaying weeds that once fouled the air during hot months, making the lake more inviting for both wildlife and visitors. Encouraged by success in Srinagar, Singh aims to bring this model to other overgrown lakes across India. Sometimes the best solution grows from the problem itself.

Primate phrases: Bonobos, which are small apes closely related to humans, are revealing a surprising skill in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine their calls to express complex meanings. Researchers found that these vocal patterns mirror how humans string words together. Some combinations simply stack meanings, while others subtly shift the message, like saying bad dancer instead of just bad and dancer. The team built a reference of bonobo sounds, then tracked how they combined over time and across different social settings. Their findings suggest this ability may stretch far back into our shared evolutionary history. It seems these clever apes have been mixing and matching words all along.

Factory reset: Outside Barcelona in Spain an old cement plant once thick with dust has become something entirely different. Architect Ricardo Bofill saw more than decay when he bought the place he saw potential. Over time, he kept what others would scrap, turning giant chimneys and broken staircases into a blend of home and studio. Each odd corner was reshaped rather than removed, adding new purpose without erasing the old. With concrete towers still looming above, the space now holds lush gardens, wide windows, and open-air rooms. Though never truly finished, the building became a place where past industry meets new ideas. Even now, it stands as a reminder that some projects are meant to keep evolving.

Find out who you are. And do it on purpose. ~ Dolly Parton

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Wriggle & Rhyme, Manukau Library, every Tuesday during school-term. Join us for a programme that promotes active movement and brain development for babies and toddlers. For ages 0-2 years old.

Live Stronger for Longer: Community strength and balance classes are a great opportunity to complete regular exercise whilst socialising and having fun with like-minded people in your community - www.livestronger.org.nz

Free notices for not for profits papakura@coffeenews.co.nz

1. A merganser is a type of duck, wool, or tool?

2. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Kidnapped - T/F?

3. Is an Airedale a type of sporting, terrier, or hound dog breed?

4. The Lascaux _____ paintings depict Paleolithic images of animals.

5. A penny, farthing, and shilling are examples of this.

Floating feelings: Without gravity to pull them down, tears in space don't fall. They stay stuck to your face. Astronauts have to wipe them away instead. Even small and natural reactions work differently when there's no up or down.

Arc logic: A rainbow appears when sunlight bounces and bends at just the right angle through falling raindrops. This only happens when the sun is behind you and moisture is ahead in the sky. You'll never see one if you directly face the sun.

Mortgage miracle: British singer Ed Sheeran co-wrote Thinking Out Loud with his friend Amy Wadge when she was short on money. The song's massive success helped change her situation, providing financial security and easing her worries about expenses.

Calm companions: Cows do better if they have company. Studies show they stay more relaxed, learn faster, and even produce more milk when raised with a familiar peer. Like many animals, cows seem to thrive on close social bonds.

Giant underground: Hidden beneath the Malheur National Forest in Oregon USA, a colossal fungus quietly spreads in soil by feeding on tree roots. The Humongous Fungus is one of the largest living things on Earth, stretching over 7.8 sq. km.

Do you want to hear the story of a basketball player? It's a tall tale.

Tip: Why are you putting iodine on your paycheque? Top: Because I just got a cut in my salary.

Why didn't the nut like the bolt? Because he was screwed up.

Tweezers will do in a pinch.

Farmers are real experts - they are often outstanding in their field.

A cat ate some cheese, and waited for a mouse with baited breath.

1. Duck 2. True 3. Terrier 4. Cave 5. British currency