Stellar journeys: Every year, young astronomy enthusiasts gather for the International Astronomical Youth Camp, a travelling event uniting participants worldwide since 1969. Participants embrace an unusual schedule, starting their day with a noontime breakfast and continuing through afternoons of arts, sports, and teamwork. As night falls, stargazing takes centre stage, with veterans guiding newcomers in using telescopes and observing the cosmos. The camp has visited over 15 countries, offering hands-on astronomy experiences alongside cultural exchange. Many campers leave with skills and friendships that last far beyond their time under the stars.

Timeless innovation: The ingenious mitre lock, often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, revolutionized waterway engineering and remains a foundational element in canal systems like the Panama Canal. Da Vinci's concept used V-shaped gates that naturally sealed under water pressure, with valves to manage levels and reopen the gates efficiently. Modern advancements like motors and hydraulics have enhanced the design, but its fundamental principles remain unchanged. This invention allows massive ships to navigate waterways that Leonardo da Vinci could never have imagined, proving that great ideas endure far beyond their time, sometimes even reshaping the world centuries later.

Desert greenery: In Inner Mongolia, China, Yi Jiefang transformed barren desert into thriving forests, fulfilling a promise to her late son. After he tragically passed away, Yi channeled her grief into a mission inspired by his love of nature. Selling their homes and using compensation funds, in 2003 Yi and her husband launched Green Life, a nonprofit that planted thousands of trees in the vast Alxa Desert. Once lifeless sand, the area now houses rows of flourishing greenery, a testament to their dedication. Yi found solace in helping grieving families join her tree-planting efforts, turning personal loss into symbols of renewal. Her belief was simple while money doesn't follow anyone beyond life, trees remain a lasting gift to the Earth.

Noodle fusion: In Hanoi, Vietnam, a restaurant is stirring curiosity with its peculiar culinary experiment bubble tea beef noodles. This dish merges fresh milk, black tea, thick noodles, tapioca pearls, and tender beef slices in a vegetable broth, aiming to reinvent a beloved tea trend. The unusual combination has sparked heated debates online, with critics labelling its taste as puzzling. Some say it resembles milk tea but without its signature sweetness, while others argue the tapioca pearls clash with the overall texture. Despite the mixed reviews, clever marketing has made it a social media sensation. For the adventurous eater, it's a dish you try not for the taste but for the tale you'll tell afterward.

Information is just bits of data. Knowledge is putting them together. Wisdom is transcending them. ~ Ram Dass

Your mind can be either your prison or your palace. What you make it is yours to decide. ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

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

1. Who painted the impressionist masterpiece Water Lilies?

2. This was the last letter to be added to the English alphabet.

3. Did MTV first air in 1979, 1981, or 1983?

4. Which founding father established the First Bank of the USA?

5. In legal jargon pro se means by/for _____.

Friendly boost: Good friends do more than lift your mood. They can improve your health, too. Strong friendships can lower stress, raise self-worth, and even reduce risks of high blood pressure and depression, potentially adding years to one's life.

Pringle pride: The iconic Pringles snack can design was patented in 1970. The Cincinnati man behind the famous design, Fredric Baur, was so proud of it that he requested part of his ashes be buried in one, which they were after his passing in 2008.

Musical milk: Studies show that dairy cows produce more milk when listening to calming classical music. By reducing stress during milking, a gentle soundtrack boosts both cow welfare and milk production, an easy harmony for happier herds.

Proper play: At Wimbledon, the famous tennis tournament, swearing is strictly off-limits for players. To keep matches respectful, line judges learn curse words in various languages, ensuring no one slips past the rules.

Gut feeling: The gut is sometimes called the second brain for good reason. This complex network of neurons does more than digest food. It's linked to emotions and mental wellness, subtly shaping how we feel each day.

My electrician worries about current events.

Did you hear about the skunk who went to church? He had his own pew.

Don: I have a high paying job. Ron: Are you a CEO? Don: No, I wash windows on a skyscraper.

What do you call a grizzly bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.

The robber took a bath so he could make a clean getaway.

1. Monet 2. J 3. 1981 4. Alexander Hamilton 5. Oneself