Lifestyle features from around the web

SmartAsset evaluated the latest IRS data to see which households from different states are moving into Florida—and which states Floridians are relocating to.

SmartAsset evaluated the latest IRS data to see which households from different states are moving into Florida—and which states Floridians are relocating to.
Read more.
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
A second run leads to a home run
Longfellow resident Mary Haugh got a second run at life and decided to give vintage homes a second life, too. After surviving an aggressive form of cancer in the prime of her professional marketing …
The Minnesota Toy Library is for parents, grandparents, educators, occupational therapists, and mostly, for kids, to come and choose toys that are fun and that help them learn. MTL Executive Director Rebecca Nutter said, “We can’t just keep consuming things. We need to do better.” (Photo submitted)
Minnesota Toy Library opens third metro location
The Minnesota Toy Library (MTL) is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to five years. Members can check-out up to five toys at a time, and take them home for 2-4 weeks. And …
Pianocycle founder Zero One is a music maker and mathematician, as well as a piano recycler.
Reuse, replay, or recycle your old acoustic piano
It’s one thing to cull outgrown or unused clothes from your closet, but what do you do with a piano that’s outlived its usefulness in your home? Pianocycle is a Public Benefit Corporation …
Holding harvested marigold blossoms, farmer and educator Maddy Bartsch said, “We’re land stewards really, those of us who are working to develop our local fiber system.”
Three Rivers Fibershed connects people with local fiber
Marigolds, hollyhocks, cosmos, and black eyed Susans. These are just a few of the late-summer flowers bursting into bloom right now. While many are cutting them for bouquets, farmer Maddy Bartsch is …
Ericsson resident Jessica Wyn Miller (right), an entomologist, leads a Bug Club adventure into the world of bugs near her Minnehaha Creek-side home. She has found that her work as an artist intersects with insects.“I got excited for aquatic insects when I found out they reflect the health of a water,
She hated bugs – so she decided to become an entomologist
Jessica Miller still shrieks sometimes when a spider jumps on her, but the south Minneapolis environmental entomologist has found that makes her more approachable when she’s teaching classes on …
Happy holidays!
More than 4 out of 5 (81%) shoppers plan to buy a gift card this year
(BPT) - For nearly two decades, gift cards have been the most requested holiday gift, according to the National Retail Federation. And research shows that consumers plan to purchase even more gift …
Why Gift Cards Are the Ultimate Holiday Gift: Tips for Thoughtful and Safe Gifting
(BPT) - Gift cards remain the most requested gift for 18 years in a row, according to the National Retail Federation. Their appeal is simple: they offer flexibility, convenience, and the joy of …
Tech the halls: The perfect smartphones for everyone on your list
(BPT) - Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list doesn't have to add to the holiday season's hustle and bustle. Flip that stressful script by picking one theme and sticking to it. …
Stay Protected During the Holidays: What to Know About COVID-19
(BPT) - As the holiday season approaches, it's important to remember that it often comes with a heightened risk for respiratory viruses like COVID-19.1 Data from the past four years suggest COVID-19 …
5 easy kitchen and bath upgrades to wow holiday guests
(BPT) - Ready to host for the holidays? Whether you're planning parties and/or welcoming visitors to your home during this festive season, you probably want to make a great impression. Ahead of this …
Small business owner, teacher or remote worker? How to set yourself up for success in 2025
(BPT) - Sponsored by Office Depot OfficeMaxAs 2024 winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set intentions and goals to conquer next year. Whether you're a small business …
Gear Up for Holiday Road Trips with Winter Prep Tips from Mercury Insurance
(BPT) - As the holiday season gets underway, millions of Americans are planning road trips to visit loved ones or enjoy seasonal getaways. AAA projects that nearly 80 million travelers will journey …
42% of Americans say they’ll regift to save money this holiday season
(BPT) - New research from Empower explores how America is "spending" the holidays.Key takeaways:84% of Americans report there is at least one topic they'd want to avoid at the holiday dinner table …
How to transform your kitchen into a holiday showstopper
(BPT) - Ready to transform your kitchen and impress your guests this holiday season? Just in time for the family feasts and celebrations, you can give your kitchen a stunning refresh with a simple …
Unwrap affordable luxury: Why a bidet seat is the perfect holiday gift
(BPT) - Looking to level up your gift-giving game this year? The secret to inspired holiday gift giving is choosing meaningful things that will uplift, surprise and delight. It's not about how …
Lifestyle stories from the web

In a deep-red state, this lieutenant's blueprint for removing guns from abusers is spreading

The Trace spotlights Lieutenant Valerie Martinez-Jordan, who has trained over 2,000 officers in a Louisiana program that prevents abusers from accessing firearms, even as federal laws become looser.

With Texas' paper-based voter registration system, applications get lost in the shuffle

Votebeat reports that Texas' lawmakers have resisted efforts to expand online voter registration options while some people who filled out forms find out too late that they never made it onto the rolls.

The high-tech tools police can use to surveil protesters

The Marshall Project reports that when Americans take to the streets to make their voices heard, they're inevitably dragging their digital trails right along behind them.

The Science of Flexibility: Innovative Technology in Eyewear

The Science of Flexibility: Innovative Technology in Eyewear

(NewsUSA) - The advancements made in eyewear over the years have been shaped by innovative materials designed to be stylish, durable, and flexible. Today’s optical frames are far more than just …

Marine Toys for Tots Kicks Off Holiday Campaign

Marine Toys for Tots Kicks Off Holiday Campaign

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season arrives, Marine Toys for Tots stands ready to assist millions of children in need across the Nation—providing hope and joy through toys, books, and other …

Tenth Anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week Highlights Success and Opportunity with Registered Apprenticeship

Tenth Anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week Highlights Success and Opportunity with Registered Apprenticeship

(NewsUSA) - This year marks the 10th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which will take place from November 17-23!NAW 2024 includes over 2,000 apprenticeship events and proclamations in all …

Navigating Changes as a Family

(Family Features) Every family experiences changes. Some are planned, others are unexpected. Some are joyful, others are marked by pain or uncertainty.

Reap the Rewards of Shared Family Meals

(Family Features) Addressing the epidemic of loneliness can be as easy as sharing one more meal with family members each week. This National Family Meals Month, commit yourself to reaping the benefits of shared meals.

5 Reasons Family Meals are a Recipe for Success

(Family Features) Address the epidemic of loneliness by joining the Family Meals Movement and sharing a meal with friends and family today.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Minnesota back in a drought
The weather here in Minneapolis has been extreme recently, and drought is something we’ve experienced every year. Although the 2024 drought was not as severe as previous years, rainfall …
Extension programs to keep you busy this winter
If you’ve been following this column the past few years, you will know that I’m a Master Gardener Volunteer through the University of Minnesota Extension. It’s a wonderful program …
Woodworker Bill Dossett (left) and Joe Hayes look over a set of windows being restored. According to Dossett, the dust collection system in the new building is an upgrade that has made a big difference for staff. Plus there's a room just for planing.
Hayes Window expands into new location, offers storm windows
Lost your storm windows over the years? Have windows you can’t open anymore because they were painted shut? Does the glass rattle in the wind? These problems don’t mean that you need to …
Many trees in the community went down in storms over the summer on both private and public land. The very dry conditions of the previous drought damaged tree roots.
What’s up with our trees this year?
Trees are an important part of the landscape in South Minneapolis. They shade our streets and yards, provide habitat for wildlife, improve the air, and reduce the urban heat island effect. If …
How to garden in a small space
Many of us in south Minneapolis have small outdoor spaces, so we need to do more with less. It can be a challenge to make space for a garden alongside everything else we use our yards for – …
More Lifestyle coverage
You can stay connected and take control of your holiday budget with TextNow’s Holiday Hotline.

Simple Hacks to Make the Holidays Merrier (and Cheaper)

(NAPSI)—The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but when the average American is spending nearly $1,000 on gifts, food, and decorations, they can also be the most stressful. For many, …

HIV isn't the death sentence it once was: How related deaths are dropping in the US

Stacker analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify drops in HIV-related deaths and look at the causes and impacts.

As the tech revolution continues, IDs may be the next thing to go digital

ID cards may become relics. Uniqode examined news and industry sources to explore the rise in digital IDs, their benefits, and their challenges.

Where family and resident councils are most common in US nursing homes

Caring.com analyzed CMS data to show the prevalence of protected resident interest groups in nursing homes and provide tips for starting one.

How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels

Grist spotlights balkonkraftwerk, the simple technology putting solar power in the hands of renters.

Notre Dame reopens in Paris 5 years after fire – its reconstruction preserves the past and illuminates France’s modern ambitions

For the French, the 850-year-old Gothic cathedral has been both a source of inspiration and a symbol of the nation’s glorious past.

Why Shopping Small is Always in Style

(BPT) - By Sarah Acton, Chief Customer Officer at BILLImagine your neighborhood without any small coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops or craft stores. Would it even have the same feel and …

5 tactics for shoppers this holiday season

(BPT) - Thanksgiving is late this year, so the holiday shopping season is approaching faster than ever. As you're making out your gift list, are you concerned about inflation? Amid global …

How to keep stress from impacting your health this holiday season

(BPT) - The holiday season is a joyful time, but it can also be hectic, bringing with it unique mental stressors like juggling to-do lists, managing budgets and navigating family dynamics.To help …

To tree, or not to tree? How Jewish-Christian families navigate the 'December Dilemma'
The Conversation explores how multifaith families navigate the dilemma of putting up a Christmas tree or not during the holiday season.
What is neoliberalism? An economic and political system devoted to the free market
The Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Teen Vogue examine the meaning of neoliberalism in modern day.
A doll representing the infant Jesus in St. Catherine's, the Franciscan church in the town of Bethlehem.
Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem? Why the Gospels disagree over the circumstances of Christ’s birth
The differences in the Gospels are hard to reconcile. That’s because, says a scholar, they offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views of ethnic identity.
The Christmas creep: Holiday shopping now starts in September
The LA Post warns about how early Christmas shopping is starting and the reasons behind the trend.
Are laxatives for weight loss safe?
Ro shares the skinny on laxatives for weight loss, as well as better ways to lose weight sustainably and safely.