This week’s snowstorm in Washington, D.C., might have made getting around the city a bit more difficult than usual, but there are at least two residents enjoying the white out. Bao Li and Qing Bao, the giant pandas who traveled from China to the Smithsonian National Zoo in October, seemed to have a blast during their snow day in the nation’s capital, per footage released by the zoo. If you live in the area (or have a particular fondness for pandas), mark your calendars for the duo’s public debut on Jan. 24.
Florida Ballpark Where Jackie Robinson Made Minor League Debut Is Now a Commemorative Site
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Before Jackie Robinson made history for becoming the first Black player in the MLB, he broke barriers in the minor leagues. On March 17, 1946, he played in a spring training game in Florida with the Montreal Royals, thus integrating modern professional baseball. Nearly eight decades later, the ballpark he played at in Daytona Beach — renamed to Jackie Robinson Ballpark in 1990 — is now officially a commemorative site and part of the African American Civil Rights Network, bringing it one step closer to becoming a National Historic Landmark. “This bill preserves and honors Jackie Robinson’s legacy, the pivotal role he played in Daytona Beach’s history, and the lasting impact he made on America as a whole,” Rep. Mike Waltz, who introduced and sponsored the act, said in a statement. The park features commemorative plaques and a statue of Robinson holding hands with a child, representing “his contribution to future generations,” historian Bill Schumann told Minor League Baseball in 2018. He added that the home plate is in a very similar (if not the exact) spot where Robinson once played. “There’s no ballpark like this. This is where history was made,” Schumann said. Read more of its story.
Together With Quince
Give Your Sweetheart the Gift of Comfort
We know the holidays recently ended, but Valentine’s Day is just over a month away, and it’s never too early to start thinking about the perfect present for your sweetheart. Thankfully, Quince has something for everyone, all at wallet-friendly prices. To give the gift of comfort, look no further than the Mongolian cashmere sweaters, available in a range of styles and colors for men and women. You also can’t go wrong with the luxe washable silk pajamas or leather goods, like the timeless cashmere-lined gloves or trendy cross-body bags.
In California, 2 New National Monuments Will Honor Tribal Lands
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In a landmark decision that protects a combined 800,000-plus acres of tribal lands, the White House announced that California will be home to two new national monuments: the Chuckwalla National Monument, near Joshua Tree, and the Sáttítla National Monument, in Northern California. The action preserves lush forests, wildflowers, drinking water, fisheries, and lakes, as well as Indigenous culture and communities. “We are happy to see the designation protect this area that contains thousands of cultural places and objects of vital importance to the history and identity of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians,” chairman Joseph DL Mirelez told the Los Angeles Times. He said his tribe has called the lands within the new Chuckwalla monument home for millennia. For some, the designations also represent something less tangible. “It gives you new faith that the process is working and that people are listening to Indigenous voices,” said Brandy McDaniels, a member of the Pit River Tribe who helped advocate for the establishment of the Sáttítla monument. “We’ve spent a lifetime fighting to protect this area, and it’s hard to put into words how important this is to us.”
Health
“Like a Miracle”: High-Tech Surgery Put a Halt to Music Instructor’s Hand Tremors
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Millions of Americans live with essential tremors, a condition that causes involuntary shaking — and Matt O’Brien, a music instructor in the Chicago suburbs, is one of them. Since he was 4, tremors have affected his ability to do everyday tasks, from playing with Legos as a kid to shaving and putting in contact lenses as an adult. But that all changed when he underwent a procedure called deep brain stimulation, CBS News reports. Often used to treat Parkinson’s disease, the sophisticated surgery involves putting small wires through the brain at the tremor-generating location. The wires arethenconnected to a rechargeable pacemaker implanted under the collarbone and controlled by a handheld device. “The degree of tremor control is 90, 95, sometimes even 98%. So it’s quite … it’s almost like a miracle,” said Sepehr Sani, a neurosurgeon who conducts the procedures at Rush University Medical Center. This newfound control allows O’Brien to play music the way he wants (you can watch him perform here) and enjoy life’s little things. He told the outlet that after receiving his implant, he gave his girlfriend a kiss without shaking. “It was amazing,” O’Brien said.
In Other News
NASA’s solar probe survived the closest-ever approach to the sun and beamed back long-awaited data (read more)
A wildlife bridge will be built above the Massachusetts Turnpiketo reduce collisions between drivers and deer (read more)
Welcome to the club! The Danish-Swedish farmdog is officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (read more)
Scientists discovered a hidden “hot spot” that may explain how and why the Great Lakes formed (read more)
Honda has big plans for EVs: The manufacturer hopes to create batteries with double the standard range (read more)
Something We Love
Soom Foods Dark Chocolate Tahini Spread With Sea Salt This Soom spread makes everything taste better — I eat it on toast, in ice cream, with apples, and sometimes just straight out of the jar. It has only four ingredients (tahini, pure cane sugar, cocoa powder, sea salt) and is simply irresistible. I love it so much I want everyone to try it! – Marika Spitulski, Writer
On Christmas Eve, rapper Post Malone took the season of giving to another level when he surprised his bartender, Renee Brown, with a $20,000 tip. “Things have been extremely difficult, and this was truly a blessing that I can’t fully put into words,” the single mom said.
Photo of the Day
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears set a very cuddly world record over the weekend. The Pennsylvania team collected 102,343 teddy bears and stuffed animals on the ice rink during its annual teddy bear toss for charity on Sunday. That easily surpasses last year’s record of 74,599 — watch video footage of the toss.
Quince Has Everything You Need for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your special someone how much you appreciate them with a little gift, and Quince has everything you could need — including fine jewelry at an affordable price. From 14-karat gold earrings and diamond necklaces to bracelets and engagement rings, you’re sure to find something that they’ll love and cherish forever.
