Earlier this month, the nominees were announced for the 2024 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, a yearly celebration of the most beautiful eateries and watering holes around the globe. It had us thinking about our own (admittedly less aesthetically pleasing) kitchens, and the things that make them tick. Check out Nice News’ favorite kitchen tools, ranging from workhorse pot scrubbers to gorgeous pottery.
Arts and Crafts May Support Well-Being Even More Than Having a Job: Study
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If a boxful of embroidery hoops you bought as a pandemic hobby have been gathering dust in your closet, here’s a good reason to break them out again. A large-scale study determined that engaging in arts and crafts is significantly linked to well-being, and promoting such activities could be a boon for public health. “Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense that their life is worthwhile,” lead author Helen Keyes of Anglia Ruskin University explained in a news release. “Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment.” We’re not going to tell you to quit your day job to sell your handiwork on Etsy (though a side hustle may not be a bad idea), but the results make sense. Creative hobbies are outlets for self-expression and opportunities for feelings of accomplishment — which isn’t true of all career paths. Dig into the study methodology and findings.
Together With Monogram
Beyond Nasdaq: Monogram’s New Investment Potential
Monogram (Nasdaq: MGRM), known for its autonomous robotic surgical systems, completed a crowd funded public offering and NASDAQ listing last year. What’s next? They just filed for FDA approval to market and commercialize their patented AI joint replacement tech. By the year 2027, 50% of knee replacement surgeries will be robotic — up from 12% today. Now, Monogram’s offering a new chance for investors: the opportunity to invest in preferred stock with an 8% dividend (in cash or kind). Their common stock recently closed at $3.40, but the unlisted preferred stock (which is convertible into one share of common) is available for $2.25/share. Monogram currently plans to close the Series D Preferred offering on Sept. 12, 2024.*
Culture
Gen Zers Are Encouraging Peers to Vote for the First Time
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As we wade knee-deep into election season, some adults may find themselves already exhausted by it all. But many young people across the country are fired up, using their voices to encourage their peers to cast ballots for the very first time. For some, this looks like talking about voting with fellow students over free doughnuts; others capitalize on lunchtime to host voter registration drives. “When we talk to students, we always lead with, ‘What do you care about?’ That’s the best practice for canvassing across the board, because young people care so much,” Jahnavi Rao, founder of a nonprofit called New Voters that helps organize such drives, told NBC News. “It’s just a matter of tying that care to voting.” This year, 8 million youth are newly eligible to vote — and 51% of voters ages 18-24 are expected to head to the ballot box this November, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. But that rate will be even higher if motivated young people like Rao, 24, have anything to do with it. After all, voting is “a privilege that other teens around the world sometimes don’t get,” as 17-year-old Jessie Cai put it. While we’re on the topic, double-check that you’re registered to vote (or register for the first time here).
Humanity
Michigan Church’s “Free Food Saturday” Is More Than 50 Years Strong
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For more than 50 years, the Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has opened its doors every Saturday morning to feed community members — no questions asked. “My passion is for giving, and I guess first and foremost, this is my neighborhood,” Demarco Wilkinson, the organization’s Food Program Director, told FOX 17 News of the “Free Food Saturdays” tradition. Demarco said the church receives 8-10 tons of food deliveries throughout the week, which then get packaged into boxes filled with around $200 worth of groceries. “Flour, crackers, onions, snacks, canned goods. Then when Saturday morning comes, that’s when you’ll see, we’ll bring everything out of the coolers, everything out of the freezers, and then we’ll pitch it all in,” he shared, adding that all are welcome. “You don’t have to register for anything. You don’t need an ID. I don’t care about your family size or anything like that at all. It’s just if your family needs, or if you need, or if you just want to cut down your grocery bill, you know, come down.”
In Other News
Even the North Star changes: New images show the cosmic compass covered in “large bright and dark spots” that have evolved over time.
Scientists are looking at the human digestive tract as a potential source of intel for new antibiotics that could treat drug-resistant infections.
In a jaw-dropping rescue, beachgoers in Massachusetts pushed a beached great white shark back into the ocean.
Researchers created a chalk-based fabric that’s chock-full of cooling properties, dialing down the air beneath it by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tennis star Coco Gauff will be featured on the iconic Wheaties cereal box, joining the likes of Billie Jean King, Michael Phelps, and Michael Jordan.
Something We Love
Today Was a Good Day Tumbler From Jumie Ceramics I discovered Jumie Ceramics at a farmers market and immediately became obsessed. This hand-painted tumbler, currently on pre-order, has the words “today was a good day” adorning the cup in an abstract style — the perfect reminder to indeed have a good day! These smile cups are also right up the Nice News alley. — Marika Spitulski, Writer
With a passion for World War II memorabilia, Austin Wideman has collected a bounty of used gear. One particularly special piece is a battle-worn jacket that he was able to reunite with the family of the man who once wore it, eight decades later. “This is what it’s all about … sharing the stories and keeping these stories alive,” Wideman said.
Photo of the Day
Midlothian Council/Instagram
Scotland is known for its rolling hills and mountain ranges, and adventurers will soon be able to ride down one of those peaks on the country’s first alpine roller coaster. The attraction, more than 3,200 feet long with a vertical drop of 558 feet, can reach speeds of up to 28 mph. It was tested for the first time earlier this week ahead of its opening later in the year — check out a video.
Discover Elegance With Armoire
If you’ve ever aspired to have the “quiet luxury” style, Armoire is the clothing rental service for you. You can enjoy high-end fashion from brands like Cynthia Rowley and Vince Camuto (both recently added!) with no commitment. Plus, benefit from free shipping, cleaning, and expert styling — Armoire is where luxury meets convenience.
