Chocolate cloud: People in Olten, Switzerland, looked up one morning to find cocoa dust drifting through the sky like light brown snow. A problem with factory ventilation sent the chocolate particles outside, where a gust of wind carried them across part of the town. A car was lightly dusted, and the factory offered to pay for cleaning. The company said the powder wasn't harmful, and production continued soon after. Locals described the scene as strange but harmless, with the air briefly carrying a hint of sweetness. While the event was unexpected, it caused no real trouble and left a few people amused. Sometimes even a factory glitch can sprinkle a little delight into the day.

Chairs open: In parks and town squares across Canada, a retired social worker has set out two chairs, offering a seat and an ear to anyone who needs to talk. His sign promises a listening ear, no strings attached, and no judgment. People pass by, some hesitant, some curious, but many eventually sit and share whatever's on their minds, from heartbreak to personal growth to moments of joy. He brings his own life experience to the table, but keeps the focus on the other person. There's no clock running, no pressure to explain, and no need to hold back. He travels wherever he's invited, sustained by donations and the kindness of others. For him, giving time is simply another way to serve with care.

Tree technique: In the steep terrain near Kyoto in Japan, a clever tree-growing method called daisugi lets multiple trunks grow straight up from a single base. This centuries-old practice was developed when timber was scarce, and it helped solve the need for strong, straight wood without clearing forests. Instead of cutting down trees, locals used careful trimming techniques, shaping growth to come from the same root. The result looks like a leafy hand reaching upward, with tall, narrow shoots that can be harvested every couple of decades. The main tree can keep producing wood for generations. The technique stands out as one of the rare ways trees can keep giving without being cut down.

Mountain passage: Plans are underway to carve a ship route through solid rock in coastal Norway to avoid dangerous open-sea crossings. Instead of battling rough winds and high swells near a remote peninsula, vessels will be able to travel straight through the mountain itself. The plan includes reinforced entry points and clear safety rules to reduce the risk of ship collisions inside the tunnel. Sealed barriers will help keep water out during the deep underground excavation work. Once completed, the passage will handle a steady mix of commercial and passenger ships. Conditions in this area have challenged sailors for generations. The project is designed to improve safety and simplify everyday navigation for vessels.

Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone. ~ John Wooden

Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. ~ Tori Amos

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

1. What is the capital of Bulgaria?

2. Who directed the film Young Frankenstein?

3. Which Beatle was first to cross Abbey Road on the album cover?

4. This is the oldest known kind of tree in the world.

5. This German highway is famous for its sections without a speed limit.

Wind riders: A dandelion seed drifts with surprising ease, using tiny filaments that let air slip through and create a gentle vortex. Though delicate and full of empty space, this clever design carries the seed far across fields and beyond.

Immortal trick: A certain jellyfish that is no bigger than a fingernail, the Turritopsis dohrnii, has an unusual ability. It can reset its life when stressed. Instead of reaching a natural end, it shifts back into an earlier stage, a cycle that lets it begin again and again.

Salt vaults: Deep underground in Kansas USA, a salt mine holds government files, hospital records, and Hollywood films. Its stable climate and secure depth keep treasures intact, turning the mine into an unlikely archive.

Sticky secret: Long before modern glue, people heated birch bark to make a black tar that secured tools to wooden shafts. Strong and versatile, this Stone Age invention worked so well it was used for thousands of years.

Wing ears: Some butterflies have tiny ears tucked near their wings, and can actually hear people talking. In a certain group, puffy veins on their wings may even help funnel sound into those hidden ears.

What do you put in a barrel to make it lighter? A hole.

The seafood salad was shrimply awful.

I came home today to find my piano sitting on the porch. It forgot its keys.

Mom: Rabbits live in warrens, foxes in dens, birds in nests. What is your room? Son: A mess?

I have changed my mind a dozen times. It seems to work better now.

1. Sofia 2. Mel Brooks 3. John Lennon 4. Bristlecone pine 5. Autobahn