On Nov. 1, we shared our Cause of the Month, benefitting those affected by Hurricane Helene. Within hours, our generous Nice News community surpassed the fundraising goal. Today, we’re giving you another opportunity to contribute — and get some of your holiday shopping done at the same time. Many small businesses in Buncombe County, North Carolina, were hit hard by the storm, and you can support them by making a purchase through Love Asheville From Afar. The online platform features everything from handcrafted chocolates to bespoke jewelry and home decor, all sold by independent artisans, “the heart” of the city’s deeply rooted culture. — Rebekah, Ally, and Natalie
Featured Story
Why You Need to Be Self-Aware — And How to Improve If You’re Not
CSA-Printstock/ iStock
“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” A catchy Taylor Swift line or a harrowing realization that can keep you up at night? Both, how fun! In all seriousness, though, being self-aware comes with a host of benefits in numerous areas of life. If you’re wondering how on Earth you’d know you’re not self-aware if you’re indeed not self-aware, don’t panic. Apparently, most of us are oblivious: Per the leading research, only about 10%-15% of people possess true self-awareness. So how do you join that small percentage? Click below to learn why self-awareness is so important and get strategies for expanding your own.
… just to produce toilet paper. This new brand is changing that with luxury three-ply made from bamboo. It feels just like regular high-end toilet paper, but doesn’t harm trees. Why bamboo? It grows insanely fast — almost 100 times faster than the average tree — making it a sustainable option to save forests. Bamboo also has uniquely short fibers, which are perfect for creating soft toilet tissue you can feel good about. It’s biodegradable, 100% plastic-free, and delivered right to you. For the next 24 hours, Honeycomb is giving Nice News readers 30% off your first order with code NICE30.
Presidential Artifacts Set for Auction, Including a Lock of George Washington’s Hair
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
A collection of intriguing presidential keepsakes and artifacts will go up for sale later this month. “We’re conducting an auction of a number of the most historic objects relating to American history that [have] ever come up for sale,” Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s auction house, told Reuters. One of the items creating a buzz is a lock of George Washington’s hair, which has been kept in a locket and passed down through generations. Another noteworthy piece is the U.S. flag that was draped on Abraham Lincoln’s coffin during its trip from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois. Ettinger estimates that the flag will fetch between $800,000 and $1.2 million, but time will tell when the auction begins on Nov. 22, both online and live at the Arader Galleries in New York City. Check out the unique artifacts.
Health
New Guidelines for Lowering Stroke Risk Are in — Here’s What to Know
nortonrsx/ iStock
In the medical world, prevention is typically preferred over treatment. With this in mind, the American Stroke Association recently updated its guidelines for the first time in a decade to offer more informationon what people can do right now to help prevent a stroke from happening in the first place. “This guideline is important because new discoveries have been made since the last update 10 years ago,” Dr. Cheryl D. Bushnell, chair of the stroke prevention guideline writing group, said in a statement. The association’s recommendations include getting regular screenings for stroke risk factors, eating a nutritious diet, and moving your body regularly, noting that up to 80% of initial strokes may be preventable. The guidelines also listspecific advice for women, given that early menopause, endometriosis, preterm births, and other pregnancy complications can all raise stroke risk. Dive deeper into the updates.
Humanity
Ikea Designed a Blueprint for Tiny, Trauma-Informed Housing
Ikea
This tiny house is tucked inside a permanent supportive housing community for previously unhoused seniors in San Antonio, and it was designed and donated by everyone’s favorite Swedish furniture retailer. As you might expect, the Ikea home features the signature Scandinavian aesthetic — neutral hues, floating shelves, and cozy nooks. What’s less obvious is that every inch of the small space (365 square feet, to be exact) has been designed from a trauma-informed lens to help a resident who has experienced homelessness feel at ease when they walk in. “What someone who has been housed their entire life feels is safe, it turns out, isn’t necessarily the same for someone who hasn’t always had a door to lock or windows to close,”Ikea interior designer Susannah Munson told Fast Company. For example, she explained, floor-to-ceiling curtains and vertical windows let natural light in and maximize privacy. She added that the flexible layout allows for an “element of choice” and “self-determination.” Another must-have feature? A bathroom with a tub, a far cry from the experience of having limited access to a stall shower at a shelter. Take a look inside.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
Watch train riders take a journey deep into Taiwan’s misty Alishan Forest on a century-old railway
Middle school is often tumultuous for parents and kids alike, but with the right strategies, it can also be magical
What’s your favorite Dorothy Parker witticism? The sharp-tongued writer spent a year reviewing books for The New Yorker, and her trademark wry humor abounds in this collection of the weekly columns. In one, she praises Ernest Hemingway’s disregard for detail; in another, she playfully finds fault with A.A. Milne’s excessive use of whimsy in the latest Winnie-the-Pooh book. It’s a time capsule of what was being read in the era and yet another opportunity to appreciate Parker’s pen.
Chronicling the Duttons, the fictional owners of the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S., Yellowstone returns to TV screens tonight for the long-awaited final installment of season 5 — and possibly the series as a whole. If you haven’t yet dipped your toes into the Western drama, now is a great time to start from the top. Managing Editor Natalie Stone will be among the eager fans watching this evening’s premiere at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.
This Week in History
“Sesame Street” Premieres
November 10, 1969
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Fifty-five years ago, a new show posed the question “Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?” and invited a generation of children along for the journey. Today, millions of kids — and their parents — are still tuning in to see what Big Bird, Oscar, Cookie Monster, and the rest of the gang are up to on those sunny days where the air is sweet. The show was pioneering at the time. Set in a realistic New York City neighborhood and featuring a diverse cast of human and muppet characters, it was originally aimed at helping prepare underprivileged preschoolers for kindergarten, offering fun, educational lessons and promoting inclusivity. Click here to watch a clip of the very first episode, and here to learn how the show is made.
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