If you know of any local families or organizations that are especially in need at this time, please give me a call or reply to this email. I will do my best to spread the word!

Now that the days and nights are getting warmer and warmer, it’s time to think about moving your gatherings outside. Here are a few resources to make the best of it.

Need awesome tips and ideas for throwing an amazing outdoor dinner party? Whether it’s finding the best lighting or picking out the perfect food menu, this article covers everything you need to know. https://tinyurl.com/uplift06231

Need grilling inspiration? This piece provides a list of the best grill recipes that are easy to make and packed with flavor, perfect for cooking outdoors. https://tinyurl.com/uplift06232

If you’re looking for some sweet ideas to transform your backyard into the ultimate dining spot, check out this article on outdoor dining ideas, packed with fun and creative tips. https://tinyurl.com/uplift06233

In case you need even more tips for throwing an outdoor party, this Insider article has got you covered with their guide filled with handy tips and tricks to make your backyard bash a hit among your friends and family. https://tinyurl.com/uplift06234

Big, bright and brief: the rare sighting of a massive star. Known as a Wolf-Rayet star, this incredible cosmic sight is 30 times the mass of the sun and dazzlingly bright. Luckily, the James Webb Space Telescope has captured an awe-inspiring image of this star before it goes supernova. With deep reds and pinks surrounded by a star-studded sky, observing massive stars like this can help us discover more about the universe. More: https://tinyurl.com/uplift0623b

Street art reaches new heights. With a long history of self-expression, community identity, and politics, street art has always been exciting to stumble upon. However, there is something special about art you can interact with, and these stunning painted staircases make art a part of your journey as you travel around the world. Whether it’s an intricately painted masterpiece, a giant mural or even a floral arrangement, any one of these surprising staircases could be the inspiration for your next trip! More: https://tinyurl.com/uplift0623c

These magnificent trees haven’t always been protected by national parks, though. The creation of these abundant natural sanctuaries can be credited to a sad story involving one unbelievable tree and the unfortunate greed of a few men. Known as the “Discovery Tree,” it was first discovered way back in 1852 by Augustus Dowd, who stumbled upon the tree while hunting. Dowd’s discovery soon attracted hundreds of visitors as word began to spread about a tree so huge that you had to see it to believe it. It eventually earned the nickname the “Mammoth Tree.”

At the time, this gargantuan specimen generated a strong sense of appreciation for the giant sequoia trees of the California area. The crowds of people coming and going meant that some jumped at the chance to monetize the attraction, with pieces of tree bark even being stripped and sent on tour to other cities. However, the tantalizing thought of generating more profit from this spectacle ultimately led to its downfall.

The beautiful ancient tree, which had been an important part of the natural landscape for so long, was doomed to be cut down in an attempt to take it on tour. The remaining stump continued to be a tourist attraction, attracting visitors year after year, becoming one of California’s oldest attractions. But what became of the beautiful tree?

Perhaps cursed, the touring tree generated very little money but plenty of outrage across the country. The general public, the media, and conservationists could not believe that such a valuable natural giant was allowed to be interfered with. This began the discussions in 1864 that eventually led to the legal establishment of national parks. From the death of a great giant came a conservational legacy lasting generations.

Imagine going about your daily business and finding a gift of creativity on your route designed to bring a bit of light into your day. This fun and unique idea encourages people from all over the world to discover and share found art pieces in their communities, whether they’re everyday objects with interesting stories or cool art pieces in themselves.

Art dropping has been largely instigated by Toronto artist Courtney Senior to promote creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainability all while discovering beauty in the unexpected. Courtney accidentally came up with the idea in her early 20s. She started painting to quell her anxiety; however, she ended up painting so much she ran out of space in her home to keep all of her works. Instead of destroying or hoarding them, she decided to give them away on the street, hashtagged with #ArtAndFound to be picked up by strangers.

Now, her idea has picked up momentum and grown into its own event, International Art and Found Day, when people are encouraged to leave art to be found as well as share photos and stories about their discoveries on social media using the hashtag #foundart.

You don’t have to participate in Senior’s specific event to involve yourself in art dropping. If you are an artist or creative of any kind, you can take a page out of Senior’s book by leaving a painting or drawing outside for someone to find. If you want to participate without making something of your own, try leaving out a pile of your favorite books so that they can continue to inspire others with the stories that have touched you.