Kapiti Coast

Vol. 294-1  September 1, 2025

022 090 3062


Everybody's Talking

Ancient pour: In the heart of Athlone, Ireland, Sen's Bar has been serving up pints and stories since 900 C.E., making it over 1,100 years old. Believed to have been founded by a man named Luan, the riverside tavern still features wattle-and-wicker walls from the ninth century. Its slightly tilted floor was designed to drain rainwater toward the River Shannon, a practical detail preserved to this day. Coins uncovered during 1970 renovations now sit in Ireland's National Museum, helping verify its long history. Recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest pub in Ireland, it's also a strong contender for the oldest pub in the world. Step inside, and you're standing in more than a thousand years of hospitality, music, laughter, and timeless charm.

Dog haven: In the hills near Heredia, Costa Rica, thousands of dogs roam freely across open fields, splash through streams, and rest beneath trees. This place, known as Territorio de Zaguates or Land of the Strays, grew from a single rescue into a vast sanctuary where abandoned dogs are given names, care, and the chance to be adopted. What began as one woman's response to a single neglected animal became a mission too big for city life. The dogs now live in large packs, learning from each other and enjoying long daily walks through the countryside. Adoptions reach across borders and touch hearts between continents. In this valley of wagging tails, rescue turns into belonging.

Fragile harmony: In Japan, a team of expert glassblowers has shaped something few thought possible a fully functional violin made entirely of glass. With a shimmering scroll, curved body, and precisely formed contours, the instrument closely mimics the look and proportions of a traditional wooden violin. Though delicate, it's played using a horsehair bow, allowing the higher notes to resonate with a bright, otherworldly clarity unlike any standard instrument. The project, led by a company known more for teapots than concertos, pushes the boundaries of what molten glass can become. The glass violin weighs noticeably more than its wooden cousin, but the craftsmanship is unmistakable, and many listeners say it positively sings.

Grime canvas: Instead of spraying paint, reverse graffiti uses dirt as its backdrop. Artists or advertisers remove grime from select areas on walls or sidewalks using stencils, creating clean patches that form messages or images. This form of street art, sometimes called clean tagging, has evolved into a tool for businesses to catch attention without traditional posters. Locations are chosen based on foot traffic and target audience habits, from shopping areas to school routes. Since it doesn't add anything to the surface, some consider reverse graffiti to be less invasive than typical tags. Still, local rules vary, so it's best to check before cleaning the streets. The results are fleeting, but that only adds to their charm.

Quotable Quotes

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ~ Bertrand Russell

I don't know a perfect person. I only know flawed people who are still worth loving. ~ John Green

Trivia

1. What connects bones to muscle?

2. Who devised the psychological hierarchy of needs?

3. Who wrote Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats?

4. What small country is a peninsula in the Persian Gulf?

5. What was the sole ingredient of the first machine-made cotton candy?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
Aries are usually quite decisive, sometimes too much so. But at midweek, you may find you are confused about how to proceed. Adjusting your viewpoint might help. Lucky numbers: 10, 13, 21, 32, 39, 40.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Libras favour diplomacy and tact to create posi­tive change. But over the next few weeks, speaking unvarnished truth may be necessary to accomplish what is needed. Lucky numbers: 6, 9, 17, 27, 31, 37.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
The energy early in the week may support your grounded nature. If you need to present your ideas to others, this might be a good time. Strongly focus on the details. Lucky numbers: 4, 15, 22, 24, 27, 29.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
Scorpios can sometimes have difficulty communicating their intuitive insights to others. For the next few weeks, try to present information in a more practical and detailed manner. Lucky numbers: 7, 8, 15, 27, 34, 39.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
Be on the lookout during the middle of the week for potential accidents and other negative events. Take a deep breath and think carefully before you speak or act. Lucky numbers: 3, 9, 25, 29, 31, 34.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Cars, computers, and such may glitch over the next month, so be proac­tive. Make plans to back up your computer and make an appointment to have your car serviced. Lucky numbers: 2, 4, 11, 21, 26, 40.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
You may be tempted this week to take on more than you can realistically commit to doing. So it's important to choose your priorities carefully and to stick with them. Lucky numbers: 1, 6, 8, 28, 29, 37.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
You may feel fully your­self for a few days at the beginning of the week. Use this energy to accom­plish something that is close to your heart. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Lucky numbers: 1, 5, 14, 20, 22, 31.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
Love may be a strong focus for you at week's end, and a new opportu­nity may emerge. Try to keep your eyes open for some­one you may not have considered before now. Lucky numbers: 12, 13, 19, 23, 32, 40
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
About midweek important information that’s emerging from your un­conscious, may heighten your emotions. Perhaps wait a few days to process it before taking action. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 14, 16, 27, 31.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
For the next few weeks, you may be working on reviewing and reworking things you thought were complete. Be patient with this pro­cess. The new outcome truly may be better. Lucky numbers: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 36.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
For the next few months, you may not feel you are making very much pro­gress. This might be a good time to review and plan to rework projects that need improvement. Lucky numbers: 13, 16, 20, 25, 28, 29.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Taurus winners with the luckiest number being 27.

Did you know

Spit support: Most people produce up to 1.5 litres of saliva a day, enough to fill a large water bottle. This steady flow helps break down food, protect teeth, and keep the mouth healthy and hydrated.

AI athletes: RoboCup is a global tournament where teams of robots compete in soccer matches. These bots are programmed to make their own game decisions, showing how far artificial intelligence and robotics have come.

Ocean air: A significant portion of Earth's oxygen comes from plankton and bacteria in the ocean. Tiny organisms like Prochlorococcus help keep our air breathable, producing amounts of oxygen on par with the planet's vast forests.

Solo code: Some buildings in the USA have their own mailing code because they get so much mail every single day. The Empire State Building uses 10118 and the White House has 20500, both unique to those specific buildings.

Feathered filter: Flamingos have a strange dining habit; they feed with their heads flipped underwater. Their beaks are specially shaped to work like a filter, letting water out while trapping tiny snacks inside.

On the lighter side

He: Darling, will you marry me? She: No, but I admire your good taste.

What do you call an overweight cat? A flabby tabby.

The bear who went over the mountain wanted to see what was bruin.

I can't believe I got laid off from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off.

Answers

1. Tendons 2. Abraham Maslow 3. T.S. Eliot 4. Qatar 5. Sugar