Condensed Soup

Certain holidays have disappeared from your Google Calendar -- a Canadian YWCA is making sure they're not forgotten. I also discuss silent reading clubs, Ian McKellen's latest acting venture, and the oldest choir in the world.

YWCA Metro Vancouver Rebook It app

The anti-book club, book club: Why people are loving silent reading events by Clare Mulroy (USA Today)

Choir named world’s oldest during Christmas concert by Alex McIntyre and Katie Thompson (BBC News), Phil Mackie (BBC News, Midlands Correspondent)

Ian McKellen Praises 14-Year-Old Director’s “Courage” After Starring in Debut by Glenn Garner (Deadline)

Ian MCKellen stars in teenage director’s film debut by Galya Dimitrova & Phil Mercer (BBC News, Berkshire)

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Just like Troy and Gabriella said, "We're all in this together." I chat tips for people in the street, but we still end with a smile -- a use for facial recognition we can all get behind! 

How AI is using facial recognition to help bring lost pets home by Ash-har Quraishi, Analisa Novak (CBS News)

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Some stories of communities making their world a better place. And donation this week is going to a GoFundMe in my personal circle. Try to support yours whenever possible!

See how a Michigan town moved 9,100 books one by one to their new home

A Russian bucket brigade helps toads and frogs cross the road to get to a spawning site by Kirill Zarubin (AP)

When an earthquake struck San Diego, these elephants formed an 'alert circle' by Rebeca Rosman (NPR)

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I've got raves for Orlando's newest theme park, Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort -- with a very big safety alert for fellow food allergy sufferers who visit. Then a quick trip through the lost and found lockers at Uber, and a library's unique approach to supporting sustainable fashion.

Universal Orlando Resort (official)

The 2025 Uber Lost & Found Index (Uber)

Unclaimed Baggage (official)

Festive party frocks borrowed from the library by Genevieve Tudor (BBC Radio Shropshire)

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Didn't file your taxes on time this year? You may be in luck! Not so lucky? Students and faculty of Jacksonville University. Plus, finding love and making it count.

*Special thanks to listener Jon from Orlando for sending the tax info!

IRS extends April 15 tax deadline for Florida and at least 8 other states. See the list by Francesco Gariano (Today)

JU cuts 40 faculty and ends music and theater programs by Dan Scanlan (Jax Today)

‘Love on the Spectrum’ EPs Cian O’Cleary and Karina Holden on Neurodiverse Representation for a “Character-Led Show at its Heart” by Ryan Fleming (Deadline)

Galapagos tortoises at Philadelphia Zoo become first-time parents at nearly 100 (AP)

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With great comedy comes great responsibility. I chat about being a woman in this business and why the craft of comedy might mean letting some jokes go. Plus, oysters around the world. Join me (but get your own dozen). 

On Aimee Lou Wood’s Pitch-Perfect Response to Bullying Dressed Up as “Comedy” by Rebecca Cope (Vogue)

Does Humor Entail Cruelty? By Giorgio Baruchello (Israeli Journal of Humor Research)

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A half-marathon for robots and humans, Mariah Carey has a secret album from 1995, and a good local "pay it forward" moment that will make you want to help out a stranger. Or get fast food. 

World’s first humanoid robot half marathon postponed due to windy weather by Eduardo Baptista (Reuters)

Robots to race humans at China half-marathon by Cameron Ormond (Canadian Running)

Mariah Carey Might Release a ‘Few Songs’ From Her Secret Grunge Album by Rania Aniftos (Billboard)

Stranger Pays for Hundreds of Meals at Haverhill’s Upper Main Street McDonald’s by Caroline Louise Cole (WHAV)

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Do airport scanners make you gay? Of course not -- but it led me down a rabbit hole. Join me to learn about why all airport security experiences are NOT the same. Plus we chat about thin people problems in Beijing and the Disney Look. 

Hundreds of flights cancelled in China as strong winds hit capital by Barbara Tasch (BBC News)

'Gay beam machine': Right-wing pastor makes startling claim about airport scanners by Tracis Gettys (MSN.com)

Why I'm Grateful for Global Entry, as a Gender Non-Binary Traveler by Lindsey Danis (Afar)

The Horrible Things That Happen to Trans People Going Through Airport Security by Leila Ettachfini (Vice)

Yanks amend longstanding facial hair policy, to allow 'well-groomed beards' by Bryan Hoch (MLB.com)

The Disney Look (Disney Programs official)

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From resurrecting extinct species to LED floors that change arenas with a tap, this weekend edition hits science, sports, and a Cinnabon cake in one swoop. Also: sauce packet formalwear. See you in Vegas?

The Return of the Dire Wolf

Company Seeking to Resurrect the Woolly Mammoth Creates a ‘Woolly Mouse’” by Adam Popescu (Scientific American)

NBA Teams Quietly Test LED Glass Court in All-Star Afterglow” by Jacob Feldman (Sportico)

Taco Bell Wedding (official site)

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I've been shipping luggage for years, and I'm not gatekeeping these hacks! 

Join me this week in supporting the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. which was created by Governor Andy Beshear to support this year's catastrophic storm damage and floods in Kentucky. 

How Fred Smith rescued FedEx from bankruptcy by playing blackjack in Las Vegas by Ann Schmidt (FoxBusiness)

Middle-Aged Man Trading Cards Go Viral in Rural Japan Town by Ynes Sarah Filleul (Tokyo Weekender)

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