If you’ve ever hemmed and hawed over decorating a new place or giving an old room a refresh (who hasn’t?), here’s some practical advice: It doesn’t have to be that deep. “Decorating your home is not that serious, and it’s nothing to lose sleep over,” interior designer Drew Michael Scott told The Guardian. “Your house is probably never going to look like it belongs in a magazine, and that’s OK. The goal should be to create a space you love, and that will look different for each person.” Now that you’ve released some anxiety, read some practical tips for getting started with decorating.
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Culture
Calling All DIYers: 3 Historic Cape Cod Homes Are Up for Lease by the National Park Service
NPS Photo
Massachusetts’ Cape Cod National Seashore is brimming with beauty, from its iconic lighthouses and pristine beaches to its ruby-red cranberry bogs and lush forests. If you’ve ever dreamed of making this New England gem your home — and you’re handy with a hammer — the National Park Service has an opportunity for you. The organization is accepting proposals from individuals and organizations interested in leasing and restoring three historic homes, eachfor a minimum 10-year term. Two are 19th-century Cape Cod-style houses, and one is a mid-century modern artist studio built in 1961. All three properties are privately owned and full of character, but need extensive repairs and rehabilitation. Both of the older homes — the Ahearn House in Wellfleet and the Jedediah Higgins House in Truro — are 1 1/2 stories tall and located on 3 acres. The Anthony and Allison Sirna Studio in Wellfleet is a one-story residence and workspace on 1 acre of land. According to the park service, private rental agreements like this help ensure historic properties get the TLC they need to continue enriching communities for years to come. Interested investors will need both financial resources and the dedication to provide the care required.Learn more about the opportunity.
Together With Collars & Co.
This Warehouse Sale Is Too Good to Skip
Does the man in your life need a wardrobe refresh? You’re in luck: Collars & Co.’s end-of-season warehouse sale has up to 50% off select styles. From the ultra-soft cotton and cashmere quarter zip sweater to the versatile Nantucket chino short and classic white performance tee, you’re sure to find something he’ll love. This is the final opportunity to own these signature styles, so shop now to secure his size.
The First Public Nature Library in the US Opens Its Doors in Colorado
Anythink Nature Library
We’re believers that all libraries are good libraries — but there’s one opening near Denver today that’s as much of a destination for nature lovers as it is for book lovers. Called the Anythink Nature Library, the 15-acre campus is home to a calming darkroom, a nature lab, an indoor-outdoor cafe, gardens, a mud pit, and a mile-long loop trail (as well as plenty of books, of course). According to the website, it’s the nation’s first public nature library, with a mission to “help people of all ages discover their connection to the natural world.” The building itself is a testament to that vision, as it features hundreds of solar panels, bird-safe glass, and geothermal heating and cooling. Patrons are invited to check out hammocks, telescopes, tents, and other experience kits dubbed “TryIts” so people can explore the outdoors without having to spend on pricey gear. “Public libraries have always evolved alongside the needs of their communities,” Mark Fink, executive director of Anythink Libraries, said in a statement. “The Nature Library represents the next evolution: a place where books, nature, science, and community come together to inspire curiosity and connection.” Take a look around the grounds.
Humanity
LA County’s New Aging and Disability Resource Network Seeks to Simplify Access
Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department
Older adults and people with disabilities must often navigate multiple government agencies to access the support they need, a confusing and time-consuming process. A new Los Angeles County initiative seeks to mow down that bureaucratic maze through a “No Wrong Door” approach, bringing together multiple departments into a single coordinated network Called the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Network, the collaboration was announced Thursday at the Service Center for Independent Life in Claremont — one of the six independent living centers now united alongside two local government departments and the nonprofit 211 LA. The network was designated by the California Department of Aging and the California Department of Rehabilitation, making it a state-approved framework. It will serve as a central hub for people over 60 and folks with disabilities as well as their families and caregivers. “Navigating care services can be frustrating when you’re passed from agency to agency and asked to retell your story each time,” Maral Karaccusian, LA County Aging & Disabilities Director, tells Nice News, adding: “We’re not just providing referrals; we’re committing to a person-centered mission where we work with individuals, families, and caregivers to understand their goals, and connect them directly with the services that truly support their independence, dignity, and well-being.”
In Other News
The U.S.’ first political cartoon, by Benjamin Franklin, is becoming a massive sculpture in Philadelphia (read more)
Archaeologists uncovered what may have been ancient Roman firefighters’ barracks near the Colosseum (read more)
Standing 7 feet, 4 inches tall, a teen basketball phenom from India is shooting for the NBA (read more)
A team of Karelian bear dogs is helping ensure humans and bears can live side by side in Lake Tahoe (read more)
This 77-year-old grandpa tracked down the stranger who saved his life during a mid-flight heart attack (read more)
Inspiring Story
Halloween in July
Forget the pool party and ice cream cake — for one Alabama boy, Halloween in July was the perfect 11th birthday celebration. Leah Farrow’s son Soren, who has autism, loves donning a costume and collecting candy, so she put out a call on Facebook asking neighbors if they’d be willing to let him trick-or-treat at their houses. The community came through. More than 80 neighbors volunteered to take part, many of whom decorated their homes and gave Soren gifts to boot. “He was so happy,” Farrow said, adding, “My overwhelming feeling was really just, like, relief, because I know he’s safe here.”
Photo of the Day
NICOLAS TUCAT—AFP/Getty Images
From the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland, to the scenic French Riviera, 147 of the world’s most elite female cyclists have put their athleticism to the test during the fifth annual Tour de France Femmes, which covers a record 1,175 kilometers this year. But the steepest hurdle is behind them: Friday’s 15.1-kilometer climb up France’s Mont Ventoux at an average incline of 8.8%. The final stage on Sunday will see the riders ascend the Col d’Èze in Nice. Follow along here.
Daily Health Digital: After 60, Your Knees Are Begging for This Nutrient
In small villages outside Barcelona, people in their 70s climb stone staircases and walk cobblestone streets for hours — no walkers, no struggle. Scientists in Spain say it isn’t the diet, the walking, or genetics. It comes down to a single overlooked nutrient that keeps aging joints from drying out.
