Steady rhythm: When Parkinson's disease made holding a baton difficult, Rand Laycock looked beyond medication for a solution. The longtime orchestra conductor from Ohio USA turned to advanced brain stimulation, a method that calms irregular signals affecting movement. Tiny electrodes were implanted in his brain and linked to a battery under the skin, letting specialists adjust how the device responds to symptoms. After early success, he tried a newer version that automatically adapts throughout the day, which is especially helpful when symptoms shift during stressful performances. His shaking eased, his confidence returned, and he once again could lead an orchestra without distraction.

Winged hideaway: In Dolgellau, Wales, a retired jetliner has been completely refitted into a vacation suite. Once used by an oil company, the aircraft has been stripped, cleaned, and redesigned into a two-bedroom rental, combining retro appeal with homey upgrades like wood flooring. A modern back cabin adds extra sleeping space, and an outdoor setup gives guests a place to enjoy the breeze. The plane's original cockpit still welcomes explorers. The renovation, led by Tamir Ali, brought new life to the worn plane, which had been left unused for decades. Cream leather seats and a few 1970s touches remain, now paired with bold dcor choices. The jet's unusual layout continues to draw curious travellers year round.

Pet alert: When a beloved pet goes missing, every minute counts. A free service called FidoAlert is helping bridge that gap by using QR tags and a vast text-alert network to bring pets safely home. Owners register online and receive a tag that links to their pet's profile. If the animal is lost, a simple scan of the tag sends a text alert to the owner and their chosen contacts. Neighbours nearby also are notified through the network, increasing the likelihood that a lost pet will be spotted and quickly returned. The service has already reunited over 40,000 pets with their families. It's an easy and welcome extra layer of peace of mind for pet lovers everywhere.

Reef revival: A team in San Diego, California USA, has developed a new coating inspired by pink algae to help coral reefs bounce back. Applied to underwater surfaces, the mixture slowly releases natural cues that encourage coral larvae to settle and grow. These cues mimic the signals emitted by crusty algae that help guide larvae in the wild. Earlier attempts at reef restoration relied on lab-grown corals, which lacked variety and shared weak points. This method invites more genetic diversity by encouraging natural settlement instead. Outdoor tests showed strong results when the coating was used in real seawater. The technique offers a promising way to strengthen reef ecosystems without introducing live materials.

Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

No man is the whole of himself; his friends are the rest of him. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

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

1. Who wrote the novel Gulliver's Travels?

2. How many geese are a-laying in the carol Twelve Days of Christmas?

3. What mythical bird gains new life by rising from the ashes?

4. Kombu, wakame, and hijiki are all edible types of what plant?

5. This Dutch artist painted Sunflowers.

Subsea surge: Beneath the ocean, powerful underwater rivers carry sediment over vast distances, carving deep canyons into the sea floor. These hidden flows shape huge valleys and help nourish deep-sea life, yet they remain largely mysterious and unseen.

Haunted harmonies: Before he was a household name, actor Ryan Gosling co-founded the band Dead Man's Bones. He was fascinated with ghosts and haunted themes as a child. The band's eerie album even features a children's choir for an extra haunting touch.

Planet protector: Earth's magnetic field acts like a giant shield, protecting life from the Sun's charged particles. Without it, the planet would be left exposed to intense solar winds that could harm living things below.

Sting legend: The bullet ant, in Central and South America, is the strongest stinging insect, delivering intense pain comparable to a gunshot. The reddish-brown insects hunt, guard, and forage to keep their large, tree-based colonies thriving.

Pod surprise: When sesame pods ripen, they don't open gently. They suddenly split with a pop, scattering seeds everywhere. That explosive motion may be what inspired the magical phrase Open sesame! in ancient tales.

The first boat show had a yacht to offer.

I used to be a motorcycle courier. Boy those things are heavy!

Inspector: Why is that skyscraper sneezing? Foreman: Maybe it has a building code.

Ski holidays start on a high but go down hill from there.

What do you get when you cross a computer with a lifeguard? A screen saver.

1. Jonathan Swift 2. 6 3. Phoenix 4. Seaweed 5. Vincent Van Gogh