Orphx performing at the LIVELab space at McMaster University (Photo: LIVElab)

Have you ever wondered what makes us dance? A team of scientists from LIVElab at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, dove into what musical elements signal to our brains that it’s time to get our groove on. They found that low-frequency tones, otherwise known as bass, could be the key.

“I'm trained as a drummer, and most of my research career has been focused on the rhythmic aspects of music and how they make us move,” says Daniel Cameron, neuroscientist and lead researcher. “Music is a biological curiosity—it doesn't reproduce us, it doesn't feed us, and it doesn't shelter us, so why do humans like it and why do they like to move to it?”

The McMaster LIVELab is not your typical lab; it’s a live performance space equipped with state-of-the-art 3D motion capture technology, a sound system that can replicate the experience of a concert, and enhanced speakers that can produce ultra-low frequencies that are undetectable to the human ear. (If you’ve ever been close to the stage at a concert and felt the bass shaking in your chest, it’s a similar concept.)

During the study, volunteers wore motion-sensing headsets to track their dancing as the EDM duo Orphx performed a 45-minute set. Throughout the concert, researchers operated the undetectable bass-producing speakers, turning them on every 2.5 minutes and then turning them off. The research team found that when the low frequencies were played, participants danced about 12% more—even though they couldn’t hear it.

So, why did this happen? Cameron explains our vestibular and tactile systems are behind it. The body’s vestibular system, aka our inner-ear structures that keep us balanced and tell us our body’s position in space, “is sensitive to low-frequency stimulation, especially if it's loud,” the neuroscientist explains.

Cameron adds that our tactile system, or sense of touch, is also sensitive to bass and its vibrations. “[The bass is] feeding into our motor system in the brain, the movement control system in our brain. So it's adding a little bit of gain. It's giving a little more energy [to the body]…from that stimulation through those systems.” As their study states, our anatomy can detect low frequencies, even if we can’t hear it, and “increase ratings of groove (the pleasurable urge to move to music), and modulate musical rhythm perception.”

Researchers state that while their findings show a direct correlation between bass and movement, they don’t necessarily mean they would be the same in real-world, complex situations, like live concerts. Nonetheless, musicians were keen on participating in the study, “because of their interest in this idea that bass can change how the music is experienced in a way that impacts movement,” Cameron says. “The study had high ecological validity, as this was a real musical and dance experience for people at a real live show.”

So, next time you’re grabbing tickets for a concert, look for seats close to the speakers to ensure a night full of dancing.

A team of scientists from LIVELab at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada dove into what musical elements signal to our brains it's time to get our groove on—the answer, it seems, is bass.

Photo: itsh01/Depositphotos

The McMaster LIVELab is a live performance space equipped with 3D motion capture technology, a special sound system, and enhanced speakers that produce undetectable bass.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LIVELab (@live.lab)

Volunteers wore motion-sensing headsets to track their dancing as the EDM duo Orphyx performed a 45-minute set. Throughout the concert, researchers operated the undetectable bass-producing speakers, turning them on every 2.5 minutes and then turning them off.

Photo: Sandy Kawadkar

The research team found that when the low frequencies were played, participants danced about 12% more, even though they couldn’t hear it.

Photo: Aleksandr Popov

Daniel Cameron, a neuroscientist and the study’s lead researcher, explains that our body’s vestibular and tactile systems are the reasons why.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LIVELab (@live.lab)

The body’s vestibular system, our inner-ear structures that keep us balanced and tell us our body’s position in space, “is sensitive to low-frequency stimulation, especially if it's loud,” he states.

Photo: prettyvectors/Depositphotos

Cameron adds that our tactile system, or sense of touch, is also sensitive to bass and its vibrations.

Photo: Karori Production

So when these low frequencies are introduced to the environment, even if we can’t hear them, our anatomy controls our bodies’ rhythm perception and signals an urge to move.

Photo: Antoine J.

Researchers state that while their findings show a direct correlation between bass and movement, they don’t necessarily mean they would be the same in real-world, complex situations, like live concerts.

Photo: Aditya Chinchure

Nonetheless, musicians were keen on participating in the study, because learning how bass affects concertgoers’ movements is important to keep the interest of a crowd.

Photo: Marcela Laskoski

So, next time you’re grabbing tickets for a concert, look for seats close to the speakers to ensure a night full of dancing.

Photo: AllaSerebrina/Depositphotos

h/t: [NPR]

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READ: Want To Turn up the Dance Floor? Science Says Turn up the Bass

Photo: K.Klimenko/Depositphotos

Every 10 years, film lovers everywhere wait for the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound team to release their list of greatest films of all time. The decennial tradition dates all the way back to 1952, and for many decades, Citizen Kane reigned supreme. This year, there are many firsts—including a new number one.

Belgian film Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles is this year’s greatest film of all time. Jeanne Dielman, the movie’s subject, grapples with self-liberation and identity as a widowed mother and prostitute. Directed by Chantal Akerman, the movie is the first film directed by a woman to hold the top spot, and the first to ever even be in the top 10. But that’s not all that’s new.

This year marked the beginning of 2010 films being eligible for critics’ consideration, and many contemporary works have joined the likes of Vertigo, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Godfather. Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Barry Jenkins' Moonlight, Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire, and Bong Joon-ho's Parasite were all selected. As well, seven Black filmmakers were on the list, six more than there were in 2012’s list. And, for the first time ever, animated films have joined the ranks. Two of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, are 72nd and 75th, respectively.

You can find the entire list on BFI’s website here.

Since 1952, BFI’s Sight and Sound have released their list of greatest films of all time every 10 years. For many decades, Citizen Kane reigned supreme, but in this year’s list, there are many firsts.

Embed from Getty Images

Beating out Vertigo for the number one spot is Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, making it the first time ever that a film directed by a woman landed the number one spot or even made it into the top 10.

 

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A post shared by Movie Museum 🎬 (@the.cinematic.diary)

This year marked the beginning of 2010 films being eligible for critics’ consideration, and many contemporary works—like Get Out, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, and Parasite—have joined the classics.

 

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A post shared by Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (@portraitofaladyonfiremovie)

Another first for this year: seven Black filmmakers were selected for the list, up from only one in the last list.

Embed from Getty Images

Animated movies have also been selected for the first time. Two of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, are 72nd and 75th, respectively.

Embed from Getty Images

With so many historic firsts for the prestigious list, it's all the more exciting to see what will come in 2034.

 

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A post shared by 🍑 art and cinema 🍑 (@art.andcinema)

h/t: [Mental Floss]

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READ: There’s a New No. 1 on “Sight and Sound” Greatest Films of All Time

During your typical local news coverage of a winter storm, you can expect several types of perspectives, from a meteorologist in the studio explaining a weather radar to a reporter outside showing you a first-hand account. During one early morning show though, a sports reporter was stuck with the grueling task of reporting on the ground. His annoyance with the weather and the job was not hidden at all, and it’s hilarious to watch.

On December 22, 2022, KWWL sports reporter Mark Woodley was called up to report on a blizzard storm in the morning. Cranky and cold, Woodley spent hours making hilarious quips and remarks on the horrible weather. At the end of the live broadcast, he compiled some of the best moments in a short video. Woodley then shared it on Twitter with the caption, “This is what you get when you ask the sports guy to come in to cover a blizzard in the morning show.”

The video starts with Woodley outside, bundled up in a coat and hat, only lit by street lights and the camera light. A reporter in the studio asks, “Mark, how’re you feeling out there?” Woodley snarkily responds, “Uh, again, the same way I felt about eight minutes ago when you asked me that same question.” In the next clip, Woodley explains, “I normally do sports. Everything is canceled here for the next couple of days.” With impressive deadpan tone and a snarky smile, Woodley continues, “So, what better time than to ask the sports guy to come in about five hours…earlier than he would normally wake up, go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same.”

Other highlights include Woodley stating, “I didn’t even realize that there was a 3:30 also in the morning until today,” and “the outdoors, currently, is not heated.” As well, the sportscaster accuses coworkers of adding hours to his outdoor reporting schedule and says that he wishes he couldn’t feel his face.

Woodley’s snarky hilarity has garnered over 31 million views on Twitter alone. People everywhere have re-shared the video; even celebrities like Judd Apatow and Josh Gad have, the latter of which Woodley says scores him “massive points with [his] kids.” Many viewers have wondered if Woodley has gotten in trouble with the network for his snippety remarks, but he has assured people that his news director and general manager have both known him for years and know his sarcasm. He says, “Both have been very supportive of all this. I was serious in the storm reporting outside of the occasional sarcasm.”

Woodley has used his newfound fame not only to chat with celebrities, but also to support local causes. RAYGUN shirts created four new shirts with different references to the funny compilation, like one that says, “Can I go back to my regular job?” and another that says, “The outdoors is not heated.” Woodley shared the news about the t-shirts on Twitter and also shared that a portion of the proceeds would go towards Cedar Bend Humane, a nonprofit animal shelter. As well, Hurts Donut in Cedar Falls created a funny donut with Woodley’s face on it. They sold them and donated a portion of the proceeds to Kaden’s Kloset, a not-for-profit organization that provides services and necessities to children in need.

The sports reporter doesn’t seem to be planning on switching his career to meteorology any time soon and has appreciated all of the support he has gotten over the past week. He says, “The thing that’s stuck with me the most are the emails (and there have been a lot) from people have told me I was able to put a smile on their face during a difficult time.” Woodley admits he’s gotten emotional reading some of the responses and that they have reminded him that while the holiday season is happy for some, it is difficult for others. He tells fans, “A kind word, gesture, or a phone call can make a world of difference for someone who’s struggling.” Woodley ends by saying, “I want to thank all of you for the overwhelming positive response to my goofiness. It’s been incredible!”

Scroll down to watch the funny video and see all of the amazing responses.

KWWL sports reporter Mark Woodley was called up to report on an Iowa blizzard storm in the morning. Cranky and cold, Woodley spent hours making hilarious quips and remarks on the horrible weather. At the end, he compiled them in a funny video.

This is what you get when you ask the sports guy to come in to cover a blizzard in the morning show. pic.twitter.com/h0RL9tVQqg

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 22, 2022

Over 31 million people have viewed the video on Twitter alone, and some celebrities have even re-shared the hilarity to their fans.

This has been quite the day. 😳 https://t.co/SlTsiU4NBF

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 22, 2022

OMG! Olaf! Scoring massive points with my kids today! https://t.co/WMuAVWPtQy

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 24, 2022

Many viewers have wondered if Woodley has gotten in trouble with the network for his snippety remarks, but he has assured people that his bosses have been very supportive.

I get that, but luckily I’ve known my ND and GM for years and they know who I am and my personality. Both have been very supportive of all this. I was serious in the storm reporting outside of the occasional sarcasm.

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 23, 2022

Woodley has used his newfound fame not only to chat with celebrities, but also to support a local animal shelter and a nonprofit organization helping children in need.

Thanks so mich to @RAYGUNshirts for this. A portion of the proceeds will be going to support @CedarBendHumane! https://t.co/CgIzWL0zTQ

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 23, 2022

Thanks so much to Mike and everyone at @RAYGUNshirts for this, and thanks to all of you who have bought one and helped out @CedarBendHumane! Happy holidays to you all! pic.twitter.com/w2PVd1KfCj

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 25, 2022

And now I’m a donut! Hurts Donut in Cedar Falls is donating a portion of the sales to Kaden’s Kloset, an amazing organization serving kids in the Cedar Valley! Thanks so much!!!!! Could not possibly love this more! @kristledian pic.twitter.com/TSQFlRaDEM

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 25, 2022

The sports reporter doesn’t seem to be planning on switching his career to meteorology any time soon and has appreciated all of the support he has gotten over the past week.

(2/2) …the holidays can be the opposite of happy. A kind word, gesture, or a phone call can make a world of difference for someone who’s struggling. I want to thank all of you for the overwhelming positive response to my goofiness. It’s been incredible!

— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 25, 2022

Mark Woodley: Twitter | Website
h/t: [Today]

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On New Year’s Day 2022, 18-year-old Jamie Rees was at a friend’s house, watching fireworks and celebrating the new year, when he suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. His friends called the ambulance and performed CPR on him in the meantime. They located the nearest defibrillator, which was not too far away, but it was locked away in a school. And police officer that was the first on the scene didn’t have a defibrillator with him. The ambulance did finally arrive, over 19 minutes later, but Jamie’s brain had been too starved of oxygen. He passed away a few days later in the hospital.

Naomi Issitt, Jamie’s mom, explains just how life saving defibrillators are. “If you reach a person in cardiac arrest in seven minutes the chances of getting his heart beating again is 70%.” She points out that many defibrillators are locked in buildings and adds, “You can’t pre-plan your cardiac arrest. Defibrillators that are locked in buildings are pretty pointless.”

On January 26, Issitt started a Just Giving fundraiser to install a 24/7 automated defibrillator at a local school in her son’s memory. There was a tremendous amount of support within the community. Only one day later, the family met double their goal. With around £3,000 (about $3,655) in hand, they decided to keep going.

Issitt soon founded a charity called OurJay Foundation, named after her Jay. Through fundraising efforts that included a bingo night, a raffle, horse races, selling wax melts, and more, the charity has raised over £50,000 (approximately $60,924) and has installed 22 defibrillators all over town, with 13 more on the way. “We can’t thank people enough,” says Issitt. “The support has been amazing.”

Jamie’s legacy doesn’t stop there, though. He had previously told his family he wanted to be an organ donor. To ensure they knew, he even signed up three times. And, as Issitt shares on Facebook, “On the 5th January as a result of Jamie’s truly selfless act of generosity, 5 people received an organ transplant from him.”

“We know Jamie is out there,” says Issitt. “He’s meant to be saving lives.”

You can keep up with the good work that OurJay Foundation is doing by going to their website. Scroll down to see some of the updates they have shared so far.

On New Year’s Day 2022, 18-year-old Jamie Rees suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. He was not able to get a defibrillator in time, and he sadly passed away a few days later in the hospital.

Naomi Issitt, Jamie’s mom, explains just how life saving defibrillators are. “If you reach a person in cardiac arrest in seven minutes the chances of getting his heart beating again is 70%.”

The closest defibrillator to Jamie was locked away in a school. Issitt says, “You can’t pre-plan your cardiac arrest. Defibrillators that are locked in buildings are pretty pointless.”

On January 26, Issitt started a Just Giving fundraiser to install a 24/7 automated defibrillator at a local school in her son’s memory. There was a tremendous amount of support within the community.

Issitt soon founded a charity called OurJay Foundation, named after her Jay.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@ourjayfoundation)

Through fundraising efforts, the charity has raised over £50,000 ($60,924) and has installed 22 defibrillators all over town, with 13 more on the way.

Jamie’s legacy doesn’t stop there, though. Issitt shared that her son was an organ donor, and that five people received an organ transplant from him.

“We know Jamie is out there,” says Issitt. “He’s meant to be saving lives.”

OurJay Foundation: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Good News Network]

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Photos: Cincinnati Art Museum

During a routine inspection of the Cincinnati Art Museum’s cherished Paul Cézanne work titled Still Life with Bread and Eggs, chief conservator Serena Urry noticed something “odd.” What she found lying beneath the surface is a secret that has remained hidden for almost 160 years.

No work is safe from time, and for this still life piece from 1865, cracking in the paint is expected. However, Urry noticed that these cracks were concentrated in two particular areas, instead of spread throughout the canvas. And, underneath those cracks, starkly contrasting against the painting’s dark color palette, lay glimmers of bright white. The conservator called in a team from a local medical company to take scans of the oil painting with a portable X-ray machine. After piecing together the scans in Photoshop, Urry saw “blotches of white,” meaning there was much more lead white paint than she initially thought. “I was trying to figure out what the heck they were… then I just turned it [90 degrees],” she recalled. “I was all alone but I think I said ‘wow' out loud.”

Hidden behind the bread in the painting and only shown through scans, a figure appears in white and black splotches. A face quietly hovers behind the glass and a shoulder stealthily extends beyond it, both buried beneath a moody dark background. And what’s even more exciting—it could be a portrait of the artist himself. “I think everyone's opinion is that it's a self-portrait,” explains Urry. “He's posed in the way a self-portrait would be: in other words, he's looking at us, but his body is turned.” She further explained that if it was a portrait of someone else, the subject would most likely be fully turned toward the audience. If this mysterious portrait is indeed of Cézanne, it would be one of the earliest depictions we have of the artist, who was in his mid-20s at the time. As well, it would be one of the few self-portraits not completed in pencil.

Peter Jonathan Bell, the museum's curator of European paintings, sculpture, and drawings, explained that they are actively researching and working to solve the mysterious history of this piece. “This will include collaborating with Cézanne experts around the world to identify the sitter, and undertaking further imaging and technical analysis to help us understand what the portrait would have looked like and how it was made,” Bell states. “Stitched together, this information may add to our understanding of a formative moment in the early career of this great artist.”

During the early part of Cézanne’s career, he used a realist style of painting, as seen in Still Life with Bread and Eggs. But later on, informed by Impressionism, the artist formed a more colorful palette. During the mid-1860s, he also experimented with a coarse painting style by using a palette knife to apply paint.

Many questions that have been raised from looking behind the top coat of paint, including what colors Cézanne used and how complete the portrait is. The question that seems to be asked the most, though, is why? Some have speculated the portrait was an experiment gone wrong, while others have suggested the painter needed to save money by reusing an old canvas. Urry suggests the artist had a sudden spark of inspiration and just “needed a canvas,” explaining, “It's pretty clear that he didn't scrape it down.”

In order to answer these questions, Urry says, “We're hoping to reach out to colleagues in the conservation and curatorial worlds to see if we can get access to other equipment.” If the piece undergoes a series of more advanced scanning processes, experts can better determine what techniques Cézanne employed. Multispectral imaging would analyze all of the textures of the paint, revealing what kind of brushwork was used on the portrait. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy would also uncover the elemental makeup of the paint, allowing for experts to narrow down what pigments were used.

These processes would most likely involve taking the 2.5-foot-wide oil painting off display for a while and carefully transporting it to another institution, which is not necessarily an easy feat. “You can't just pop it in your car and drive it to Chicago,” says Urry. So, Still Life with Bread and Eggs was put back on display on December 20, 2022, giving Cincinnati Art Museum visitors a chance to see this two-for-one Cézanne painting for a little while longer. Urry explains, “The portrait has been there since he painted it, and it's been there since [we acquired it in] 1955, so there's no rush.”

Still Life with Bread and Eggs by Paul Cézanne is currently on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum. It is also a part of the museum’s exhibition One Each: Still Lifes by Cézanne, Pissarro and Friends, an audio exhibition. You can learn even more about Still Life with Bread and Eggs on the museum’s website.

During a routine inspection of Cincinnati Art Museum’s coveted Paul Cézanne painting, titled Still Life with Bread and Eggs, chief conservator Serena Urry noticed something “odd.” She investigated further with the help of a local medical company’s portable X-ray machine.

Photo: Cincinnati Art Museum

Lying beneath the surface is a secret that has remained dormant for almost 160 years—a portrait painting, possibly of the artist himself. The museum hopes to further analyze the piece soon to answer all of the questions that remain unanswered.

Photo: Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati Art Museum: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [CNN]

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READ: Cézanne Self-Portrait Hidden Under a Still Life Is Discovered After Almost 160 Years

Belgian singer Stromae quickly rose to fame in the early 2010s, and soon after, the pressures of public life took their toll. The artist has been open about his depression and anxiety, the cause of his seven-year hiatus from pop stardom. With the recent release of his long-awaited album Multitude, the maestro is back and ready to bare all—even stripping his complex electronic pop hits all the way down to an intimate live performance.

Stromae’s music relies on intricate, heavy layering of global sounds and tracks. During live performances, this often means pre-recorded tracks are essential to maintaining the original sound of his music. And while this practice works well for selling out Madison Square Garden, it’s not how performances usually go at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. For this engagement, NPR gave the short instructions, “no preset sounds,” and Stromae’s team got to work finding a way to carefully craft his music in real time.

The team came early a day before to rehearse for hours, bringing in an array of computers, synthesizers, mixers, and producers to accomplish the feat. The resulting performance shows the marvel of modern technology and the ingenuity of Stromae. Starting with “L’enfer,” Stromae digs his heels into the darkness of the song’s lyrics, relishing in the intimacy of Tiny Desk to belt out alongside members of the Yasna Voices NY Bulgarian Women's Choir. Stromae’s “Santé” somehow maintains the upbeat, cumbia spirit of its studio-recorded predecessor, while the performance of “Alors on danse” refreshes the 2009 megahit. Releasing all of the electronic elements of the previous songs, the group ends the session by performing an incredible a cappella rendition of “Mon amour.”

Stromae’s Tiny Desk Concert shows an artist relinquishing themselves to the bare bones of their music, resulting in a perfect capsule of a long, successful career.

Scroll down to watch and listen to Stromae’s captivating Tiny Desk Concert.

With the recent release of Stromae’s long-awaited album Multitude, the singer is ready to bare all—even stripping his complex electronic pop hits into an intimate live performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk.

NPR Music: Youtube | Website | Facebook
h/t: [NPR]

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Life was not kind to a sweet Boxer-Pit Bull mix who was found bloodied and cowering in a drainage pipe. Dog fighting had cruelly ripped off most of his left ear. In 2019, the 4-year-old arrived at a rescue in North Carolina and received the care he needed, including surgically removing what was left of his ear. The pup was then named Van Gogh. Christy Langley explains he was named after the famous painter “not because he is an artist, but because he is a work of art.” What Langley couldn’t predict was that Van Gogh would actually go on to be a successful artist.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the adorable brindle dog with his soft brown eyes and kind smile. A Facebook post from May 2022, though, detailed that through no fault of his own, Van Gogh was back at that same shelter, waiting to be adopted. Now a senior dog at 7 years old, Langley describes him as “well-mannered” and “chunky” with a “heart-melting smile.” She urged people, “Please come meet this special boy and reciprocate the limitless love he has to offer.” Jaclyn Gartner took it a step further.

Gartner owns the Happily Furever After Shelter in Connecticut, a shelter that helps dogs in shelters that are at risk of being put down. She saw Van Gogh and immediately knew she needed to help. “He’d had an absolutely horrific life, and yet he looked happy, and I was told he got along well with people,” Gartner states. “Van Gogh was resilient, even after all he’d been through…I had to rescue him.”

So, through the help of Pilots N Paws, Van Gogh got on a private flight from North Carolina to Connecticut in June 2022. Gartner got to work telling everyone about the friendly and adorable Van Gogh on Facebook, Petfinder, and Rescue Me, but no one responded. While he was staying with several foster families, “Not a single application came in,” Gartner lamented. “I couldn’t believe it. He was the cutest dog ever.”

After months of searching for a new owner, Gartner had an ingenious idea. Why not take Van Gogh’s name literally? “I’d seen TikTok videos of other dogs creating paintings, so why not Van Gogh?” Gartner explained. “He certainly had the name and the ear for it.” Gartner got to work, putting globs of paint on a canvas, wrapping it in a plastic bag, and coating it with peanut butter as a tasty treat for the pup. It only took five minutes for Van Gogh to lick the plastic-coated canvas clean and for a work of art to be created.

“He has a fast and creative tongue,” Gartner raved. “It takes more time for us to get the canvas ready for him than it does for Van Gogh to lick off the peanut butter and smear the paint around.” They worked on paintings for about a week and then, Gartner invited people to an outdoor art gallery event on October 23, 2022. “I had sparkling cider and pastries and I even set up little stands for the paintings.” Sadly, only two people showed up.

The next day, Gartner says, “I put out a post on Facebook that I felt bad only two people showed up, and I said the rest of the art was still available.” Suddenly, Van Gogh’s pieces were hot items. After two minutes, the paintings were sold out and Gartner raised around $1,000 for her rescue. In November, after the painter pup completed more works of art, Gartner held a silent auction that was a rousing success. A dozen paintings were sold, raising $2,000 more for the shelter. Almost everyone that purchased a Van Gogh painting paid more than the asking price. The biggest success of all, though, was that on the last day of the silent auction, Van Gogh was finally adopted.

Jessica Starowitz, a foster volunteer at the shelter, was looking after Van Gogh and said, “As soon as I saw him, I knew he’d be a foster fail.” She describes, “He was romping around and licking everyone and playing tug of war. My whole family fell in love with him.” The adoption was finalized in November 2022 and around the same time, an Instagram page for the famous pup was created.

Because of Van Gogh’s story and talent, Gartner’s small shelter gained a lot of attention online. Other dogs searching for homes were also able to find their Furever After. “I never in a million years thought I’d see a dog become popular for his paintings,” Gartner said. “It’s really changed my life and his.”

Starowitz plans on keeping prepared canvases—and lots of peanut butter—available for the canine artist whenever inspiration strikes. “Whenever he sees a Ziploc bag and a jar of peanut butter, he knows it’s time to paint,” says Starowitz. “But right now, he’s sleeping on a big cushion bed in my office.”

Life was not kind to a sweet, one-eared Boxer-Pit Bull mix named Van Gogh, who was a helpless victim of dog fighting.

Jaclyn Gartner owns the Happily Furever After Shelter in Connecticut, and helps dogs in other shelters who are at risk of being put down. When she saw Van Gogh’s sweet face, she knew she had to help the senior dog.

Through the help of Pilots N Paws, the pup was flown out to Connecticut. Gartner got to work getting the word out about Van Gogh through Facebook, Petfinder, and Rescue Me, but no one responded.

“Not a single application came in,” Gartner deplored. “I couldn’t believe it. He was the cutest dog ever.”

After looking at the adorable, one-eared pooch, Gartner had an ingenious idea. Why not take Van Gogh’s name literally?

Gartner got to work, putting globs of paint on a canvas, wrapping it in a plastic bag, and coating it with peanut butter as a tasty treat for the pup.

It only took five minutes for Van Gogh to lick the plastic-coated canvas clean and for a work of art to be created.

After creating a few more pieces with the artist pup, Gartner invited people for an outdoor gallery event. Sadly, only two people showed up.

After posting online about the low turnout, Van Gogh’s pieces were hot items. After two minutes, the paintings were sold out and Gartner raised around $1,000 for her rescue.

The duo created more works of art, and in November, a silent auction was held.

A dozen paintings were sold, raising $2,000 more for the shelter. Almost everyone that purchased a Van Gogh painting paid more than the asking price.

The biggest success of all, though, was that on the last day of the silent auction, Van Gogh was finally adopted.

 

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Jessica Starowitz, a foster volunteer at the shelter, was looking after Van Gogh and said, “As soon as I saw him, I knew he’d be a foster fail.”

 

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Because of Van Gogh’s story and talent, Gartner’s small shelter gained a lot of attention online. Other dogs searching for homes were also able to find their Furever After.

 

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Starowitz plans on keeping prepared canvases—and lots of peanut butter—available for the canine artist whenever inspiration strikes.

“Whenever he sees a Ziploc bag and a jar of peanut butter, he knows it’s time to paint,” says Starowitz. “But right now, he’s sleeping on a big cushion bed in my office.”

 

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Van Gogh the one-eared dog: Instagram
Happily Furever After Rescue: Facebook | Website
h/t: [Washington Post]

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READ: One-Eared Painting Dog Named Van Gogh Gets Adopted

JoAnn MacQueen went to the grocery store to buy some raspberries and ended up leaving with $1 million. And what did her and her friend Marlisa Mercer decide to do before they even got their hands on the money? They made a pact to give it back to their community.

MacQueen and Mercer, friends for over 35 years now, play the lottery when the prize is big. When MacQueen decided on a whim to check their ticket at the store, she was absolutely shocked. “I saw the Big Winner screen but didn't think we actually won,” MacQueen explained. “When the clerk told me OLG was calling, I said, ‘But I have raspberries,’” she laughed. “I was so shaken I brought the grocery cart out to my car for two packs of raspberries. Then I called Marlisa.” When she heard the news, Mercer said, “I told [MacQueen] to go home and lock the door now!”

When the two won the money back in August 2022, they had already decided they would be using it to give back to their Orillia, Ontario community. The pair wanted to honor MacQueen’s brother, who had recently passed away due to alcoholism, so they donated to places he might have accessed in his lifetime. These organizations include Orilla Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Lighthouse, the Salvation Army, the Orillia SPCA, the Farley Foundation, the Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign in Orillia, and the Mariposa House Hospice. These organizations work to help the community’s veterans, animals, and lower-income citizens.

Executive director of The Sharing Place Food Centre, Chris Peacock, is very grateful for the $10,000 donation. With inflation rising and the holiday season in full swing, their early November charity was very welcome. “These are the types of donations that really elevate an organization,” he said. “It's a big deal.”

The pair donated another $10,000 to the Comfie Cat Shelter. “I like that they are a no-kill shelter,” MacQueen stated. “I think that they get overlooked because they are independent and don’t have a lot of backing.” The shelter was also relieved with the two’s donation, which is the one of the top five biggest donations they have received. “We were really low on funds,” shelter and manager, Barb MacLeod, said. “We’ve been having a rough few weeks with people surrendering cats to us that were not healthy. This takes a big load off us.”

“They are completely focused on how can they help to make this community a better place through this win,” Peacock said. “Not many people win a million bucks and have the core goal of spending it on others and improving this community.”

After helping their community out, the two will divide the rest of their winnings to family and friends. Mercer also plans on using some of her earnings for home renovations. She says, “I will treat myself to some hardwood floors and landscaping.” MacQueen simply states, “It makes us feel great that we are able to do this.”

When JoAnn MacQueen and Marlisa Mercer won $1 million, they had already decided what they were going to do before they even got their hands on the money: give it back to their community.

They donated thousands of dollars to many local organizations that work with the community's veterans, animals, and lower-income citizens.

MacQueen simply states, “It makes us feel great that we are able to do this.”

h/t: [Good News Network]

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READ: Best Friends Win the Lottery, Decide to Spread the Wealth to Their Community

Taking Christmas card photos can be difficult for a multitude of reasons, especially if you have a youngster. Sitting in perfectly posed positions isn’t exactly the most attractive activity to a toddler, and the Leigh family’s youngest didn’t hide his feelings about it.

Back in 2015, Andrew Leigh, a member of Australia's House of Representatives, his wife Gweneth, and his three sons stood for family portraits. “We did a photo shoot with the whole family for about 20 minutes. Our 3-year-old (Zachary) enjoyed it initially, but then found it rather frustrating that we were all standing still and looking at the cameraman,” Leigh says. “From his perspective, you can understand it: Why stand still when you can play?”

“Gweneth and I were smiling at the cameras, along with our eldest two boys,” Leigh explains. “What we didn’t [realize] was that our toddler had left the group and was sitting a [meter] away, with the world’s biggest scowl on his face.”

Instead of choosing a photo where all of the family members were smiling, the family decided to choose that photo for their holiday cards—and everyone loved it. “People didn’t want to see airbrushed politics; they preferred to know that our kids were just as grumpy as everyone else’s,” says the politician. Someone had put the photo online; and soon, their sulking son was making international headlines.

After their family photoshoot garnered attention across the globe, Leigh detailed his role as a parent and a politician in an article he wrote for The Guardian. He says, “Ideally, both parenting and politics should be done with a sense of kindness. With children in your house, a politics of love looks a whole lot more attractive than a politics of hatred. You’re more attuned to the ridiculous and less inclined to take yourself too seriously. And maybe, just maybe, our youngest child will one day forgive us for featuring his grumpiness on our Christmas card.”

Taking Christmas card photos can be difficult for a multitude of reasons, especially if you have a youngster who wants to play.

Back in 2015, Andrew Leigh, a member of Australia's House of Representatives, his wife Gweneth, and his three sons stood for family portraits. What they didn't see was their youngest, Zachary, had had enough.

 

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Hilariously, the family ended up choosing that photo for their Christmas cards that year. Everyone loved it.

Since then, it seems the family has had better luck with family portraits.

 

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h/t: [Upworthy, TODAY]

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READ: Politician Puts Pouting Son on Christmas Card

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Beloved toy company LEGO has done it again. The Danish company has taken inspiration from the real world and rendered it in a set of its iconic buildable toy blocks. Coming in at a grand total of 10,001 pieces, the LEGO Icons Eiffel Tower set is an incredible replica of the iconic Parisian landmark. When completed, the mini-tower stands at around 58 inches tall. This is around the height of your average standing lamp, a medium-sized Christmas tree, or Danny DeVito, and it makes it LEGO’s tallest set ever. Aptly described as “an awe-inspiring challenge,” it’s no wonder why this set begins the Travel and History LEGO Sets for Adults series and makes its mark as the series’ flagship model.

LEGO’s intricately thought-out design pays homage to the construction of the original wrought-iron lattice tower and it’s easy to see its scaled down likeness to the original 1,083-foot-tall Eiffel Tower. LEGO says consumers can “recreate history” in their own homes through the construction process, consisting of completing four separate sections with handles that can then be attached on top of one another, much like how the original tower was constructed. Their “faithfully geometric design” includes aspects such as arches, cross bracing, railings, observation decks, and even an elevator.

No portion of the design was left unplanned— even below the structure, the esplanade has Parisian benches, lampposts, and trees; and sitting atop the tower is a tiny French flag. (The view of the LEGO tower from the esplanade below is so similar to real life that photographers have even used the LEGO set to fake nearly believable Eiffel Tower photoshoots.) And as an example of LEGO’s recycling cleverness, one fan pointed out that the pieces used as railings for the observation deck are actually hot dog pieces.

This set is designed to be a fun challenge that keeps the interior design of consumers’ homes in mind. And though it does have a large price tag attached to it ($629.99), fans have pointed out what a bargain it actually is. On average, buying a single brick from the LEGO website could cost around $0.15, but this set is less than a penny per brick. And, if purchased by December 31, 2022, the set will come with an additional LEGO set of Gustave Eiffel’s office at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Avid LEGO fans are raving about the replica tower, using it as a creative challenge, a home decor piece, and proof of LEGO’s ingenuity. If prospective buyers are unsure of how to display such a mammoth structure, LEGO has a helpful article on how to exhibit large LEGO sets. Or, as a creative way to celebrate the holidays, decorating it as a Christmas tree is the perfect way to share your love for architecture and seasonal decor at the same time.

LEGO Icons Eiffel Tower is available to purchase at the LEGO Store online and in-store for $629.99. Scroll down to see photos of this incredible set and fans’ reactions.

Coming in at a grand total of 10,001 pieces, the LEGO Icons Eiffel Tower set is an incredible replica of the iconic Parisian landmark.

When completed, the mini-tower stands around 58 inches tall—around the height of your average standing lamp, a medium-sized Christmas tree, or Danny DeVito.

This makes it LEGO’s tallest set ever!

The set is completed in four separate sections, with handles, that can then be attached on top of one another, much like how the original tower was constructed.

Their “faithfully geometric design” includes aspects such as arches, cross bracing, railings, observation decks, and even an elevator.

The esplanade below has Parisian benches, lampposts, and trees, and sitting atop the tower is a tiny French flag.

If fans purchase the mammoth set by December 31, 2022, they’ll also get a set of Gustave Eiffel’s office at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Avid LEGO fans are raving about the replica tower and pointing out the design’s ingenuity.

I can spend days building a LEGO set, crafting its review, taking photos of the set and a picture of the set next to a dog will be far more impactful – so here's Lola next to the LEGO Eiffel Tower 🇫🇷🐾 pic.twitter.com/f95p0mXCKc

— BricksFanz (@BricksFanz) November 21, 2022

it's just absolutely *incredible* how lego reuses pieces in their designs

for their new eiffel tower model they couldn't find the right piece for the railings… so they used HOT DOGS pic.twitter.com/uaBCaPtIVL

— juan (@juanbuis) November 24, 2022

The set is similar to real life that photographers have even used the set to fake nearly believable Eiffel Tower photoshoots.

Eiffel Tower Real, yes my pic, and the @LEGO_Group version again my pic pic.twitter.com/HJgYIPyg9f

— Dan Berger (@dberger624) December 3, 2022

“I Needed A Big Scenery, So I Photographed The LEGO Eiffel-Tower In The City of Budapest. The final picture is one single image. I used light cubes to light it up.” -FigsFanPhotos #Lego pic.twitter.com/3cX535FwYJ

— Soko Toys (@SokoToys) December 5, 2022

10 001 pieces LEGO Eiffel-tower photo shooting in the middle of Budapest!@LEGO_Group #LEGO #legophoto #legophotography #toyphotography #paris #eiffeltower #toureiffel #legoeiffeltower pic.twitter.com/9juBafsPuO

— Benedek Lampert (@FigsFanPhotos) December 4, 2022

The set is available to purchase online and in-store at the LEGO Store.

LEGO: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [The Awesomer]

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READ: LEGO’s 10,001-Piece Eiffel Tower Set Is Its Tallest Set Ever Released