Tennis reinvention: Tennis balls, often thrown away after just a few games, are getting a second life thanks to Belgian eco-designer Mathilde Wittock. She turns discarded balls into creative furniture and sound panels, cutting and colouring each one to create functional and sustainable designs. The balls aren't glued, allowing them to be reused or recycled later, adding to their versatility and extended lifespan. Inspired by sensory research and the idea of reducing waste, Wittock's work shows how everyday items can be transformed into something new, impactful, and meaningful. Wittock's designs remind us that with creativity, even waste can bounce back into a better life.

Divided glow: Berlin's past as a divided city still glimmers in the night sky. Viewed from space, the city's eastern streets glow a warm orange, while the west shines in brighter, whiter light. This difference stems from the types of streetlights used. There are older, sodium-vapour lamps in the east and more modern fluorescent lighting in the west. The contrast reflects Cold War-era infrastructure, as each side developed separately under differing influences and priorities. Although Berlin has been reunified for decades, this striking light pattern is a reminder of its divided history. As the city transitions to more energy-efficient lighting, this glowing legacy may soon fade.

Eco subway: Barcelona's subway system is transforming energy efficiency. Every time a train slows down, the energy its brakes generate is converted to electricity that, in turn, supplies one-third of the subway's energy needs. This renewable energy powers trains, stations, station lights, and EV chargers. The energy even powers the ultra-fast charging points near metro stops. To maximize energy recovery and cut carbon emissions, the MetroCHARGE initiative is installing additional inverters. By using what otherwise would be wasted energy, Barcelona's modern subway showcases how public transit can lead to sustainable urban innovation even in the tunnels and on the tracks of a system that is over 100 years old.

Playful repairs: Jan Vormann's creative project, Dispatchwork, uses LEGO bricks to patch damaged walls around the world, blending playfulness with public art and everyday life. Beginning in Bocchignano, Italy, the idea has spread to cities across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Local participants contribute bricks, which are carefully fitted into walls without glue, creating vibrant patches that blend childhood nostalgia with urban repair. Some installations use just a few pieces, while others incorporate large quantities, all inviting communities to collaborate and contribute their creativity. When creativity meets collaboration, even a broken wall can tell a brighter story.

The challenge is not to be perfect, it's to be whole. ~ Jane Fonda

Our passions are ignited when we set out to advance a cause greater than ourselves. ~ Simon Sinek

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

1. Who is the Greek goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility?

2. The linear distance between two waves is called a _____.

3. This is the only U.S. state that borders exactly one other state.

4. Who wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray?

5. This natural grease is derived from sheep's wool.

Leaf lover: Bagheera kiplingi, a rare vegetarian spider, skips hunting altogether. Found in Central America, it thrives on acacia tree nectar and leaf tips, skillfully avoiding the aggressive ants that guard the plant from intruders.

Potato pioneer: In 1952, Mr. Potato Head became the first toy advertised on TV, targeting kids instead of parents. This spud's clever campaign sparked a shift in advertising and paved the way for toy commercials as we know them today.

Martian twilight: Sunsets on Mars are unique, often displaying a blue tint caused by fine dust scattering sunlight through the planet's thin atmosphere. These striking views differ greatly from the warm tones seen on Earth.

Anteater antics: Giant anteaters curl their claws while walking to maintain their sharpness for breaking into anthills and fending off threats. Bushy tails act as cozy blankets or sunshades, highlighting their remarkable and practical adaptations.

Tech tribute: Bluetooth technology is named after Harald Bluetooth Gormsson, a Viking king who united Denmark and Norway. The name symbolises connection, and its logo cleverly incorporates his initials in Nordic runes.

Learning to drive, a son screamed to his dad, What do I do? Here comes a power pole!

Salesman: Do you like fishing gear, sir? Fisherman: Yes. I think this is finally reel love.

What kind of television do you find in a haunted house? A wide-scream TV.

The person who invented the football got a kick out of it.

1. Demeter 2. Wavelength 3. Maine 4. Oscar Wilde 5. Lanolin