Nest retreat: In the forested outskirts of Harads in Sweden, visitors can stay inside a suspended structure called Biosphere, wrapped in hundreds of small birdhouses. The rounded suite is reached by an elevated walkway and offers windows on every side so guests can watch the surrounding wildlife. Its designers worked with bird specialists to turn the structure into habitat as well as lodging, adding shelters sized for many regional species. Inside, the room uses dark tones and wide sightlines to bring the colours and movement of the trees into the space. A rooftop platform provides a full-circle view of the woods and the nearby river. The project blends conservation ideas with design, inviting travellers to sleep among the creatures it helps support.

Golden books: Long before online videos shaped what kids read and watched, Little Golden Books changed how families brought stories into their homes. Instead of relying on expensive hardcovers or whatever was available at the library, parents could pick up these colourful titles at grocery counters and newsstands. The small format made them easy for children to handle, and the bright covers stood out from other books of the time. As the series grew, it added familiar characters and simple stories that appealed to many households. Publishers began to notice the demand for affordable books made for everyday use. The format continues to adapt, helping new generations discover reading in an approachable way.

Ocean retreat: Off the southern coast of Norway, diners descend into an underwater dining room set partly below the sea, where a wide viewing pane looks onto drifting kelp and passing fish. The restaurant was engineered to withstand strong currents and harsh coastal weather, while its rough concrete exterior encourages marine life to attach and form a growing reef. Researchers use the structure to study underwater conditions with sensors placed around the building. In the kitchen, chefs rely on nearby waters for ingredients, often choosing species that are usually ignored. It's a reminder that a restaurant can operate responsibly while staying closely tied to its environment.

Honey shield: Conservation teams are testing whether active beehives can help protect marula trees from foraging elephants in a private reserve in South Africa. Their idea draws on earlier research showing that elephants tend to avoid buzzing swarms near sensitive areas on their faces. Some trees are fitted with hives, others with wire, and the rest are left unprotected so researchers can track differences over time. The hives also produce small batches of natural honey that local supporters have eagerly welcomed. Beeswax products have followed, adding another way to use the project's work. By pairing tree protection with beekeeping, the team hopes to support both wildlife and nearby communities.

None but ourselves can free our minds. ~ Bob Marley

No matter how far a person can go, the horizon is still way beyond you. ~ Zora Neal Hurston

Franklin Bridge Club at 20 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe, is the place to learn and play the most popular mind sport (card game) in the World. Enjoy a warm welcome at our very friendly club where all ages are welcome. Enquiries to Maureen on 022 156 4511.

Volunteer Community Patrollers wanted – Can you spare a minimum of 4 hours per month? Full training provided. Clean driver licence required. Waiuku 021 030 4062, Pukekohe 021 138 0135

Volunteers needed for Drury Riding for the Disabled. No previous experience necessary, full training provided. Mon, Tue or Thu flexible hours. Work with horses, riders or in a support role. Call 021 727 390 or email admin@southaucklandrda.org

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

1. Kofi Annan was the seventh General Secretary of the United Nations - T /F?

2. Which river runs through Paris?

3. Is the Greek god of blacksmithing Hephaestus, Mercury, or Poseidon?

4. A Juniper tree is deciduous - T/F?

5. In 1975, was the first Saturday Night Live guest host Bill Murray, George Carlin, or Prince?

Divine fungi: Ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms were gifts from the gods, born from lightning striking the earth. Considered food of immortality, they were reserved for pharaohs; ordinary people were forbidden to touch the sacred delicacies.

Mysterious muse: For centuries, the true face behind Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa has kept scholars guessing. Most now suspect she was a Florentine woman named Lisa Gherardini, whose steady gaze became one of history's most studied portraits.

Hidden ties: Coastal redwoods can grow to incredible heights even though their roots reach only about 2 to 4 metres deep. They stay upright by linking roots with neighbouring trees, creating a vast network that anchors the entire forest.

Cover debut: When Rolling Stone launched, John Lennon appeared on its very first cover, marking the start of a long parade of music legends to do so. From Bob Dylan to Madonna, many artists have made their mark on the magazine's front page.

Naming continents: Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci realised the lands across the Atlantic were not part of Asia but a separate continent. When mapmakers later documented his findings, they used his first name, giving America its place on the map.

Why did the orange only go halfway up the hill? It ran out of juice.

A helper at a shoeshine parlour is called a bootician.

Do I have a time machine? Of course, I do! We go way back!

Dad: I was told you skipped school to watch football today! Son: I didn't and I have the movie ticket to prove it!

Basketball players are always bouncing ideas off each other.

One of the secrets of youth is to lie about your age.

1. True 2. Seine 3. Hephaestus 4. False, a conifer 5. George Carlin