🌴 Suburb Transforms into Mediterranean Oasis

Good morning. In Arizona, a new Mediterranean-style neighborhood is showing how cool, car-free living can thrive even in the desert. Across the globe, two 10-year-old girls made chess history by toppling grandmasters just hours apart, proving that age is no barrier to big achievements. And in Australia, a postman’s simple act of kindness during a rainstorm turned him into a local hero, reminding us how small gestures can make a significant difference.

🎧 P.S. Don’t miss this week’s new episode of Good News To Go, your 5-minute boost of joy on the move.

—Stephanie S

A new Arizona community called Culdesac is reimagining suburban life by drawing inspiration from Mediterranean villages. Located in Tempe, this 17-acre, car-free neighborhood features tall, white buildings clustered together to create shaded, walkable streets that channel cooling breezes.

Without asphalt or private cars, ground temperatures are up to 60°F lower than in the surrounding areas. Residents rely on electric bikes, mini taxis, and light rail for transportation, making everything accessible within a 15-minute radius.

The lively street life is enhanced by 21 local businesses, including a James Beard Award-winning restaurant and a variety of unique shops. This design fosters spontaneous connections and combats urban loneliness.

Culdesac’s success is shifting the conversation about what’s possible for American cities, showing that car-free, climate-adapted living can thrive even in car-dependent regions.

When a heavy rain hit Logan, Australia, postman Gurpreet Singh noticed laundry hanging outside while delivering a package. Taking just a minute, he moved the clothes to shelter, saving them from the downpour.

Homeowner Verrity Wandel was surprised to find her laundry dry and safe, later discovering Singh’s thoughtful act on her security camera.

Singh’s kindness quickly went viral, earning him praise as a “laundry hero” and inspiring many with his simple, selfless gesture.

A century-old cruise ship, once the world’s oldest passenger vessel, has been transformed into the Doulos Phos Ship Hotel in Indonesia. Owner Eric Saw spent 15 years and $18 million to preserve its heritage, from portholes to lifeboats.

The ship’s storied past includes service in World War I and as a missionary vessel. Now, it offers guests a unique blend of history and luxury.

Saw takes just $1 a year in salary, donating profits to charity, making the project an actual labor of love.

Two 10-year-old girls made chess history by defeating grandmasters on the same day, but on different continents. Bodhana Sivanandan from England triumphed over a grandmaster in London, while Alice Lee from the US achieved her win in St. Louis.

Their victories highlight the rising talent and determination of young players in the world of chess.

Both girls are now inspiring a new generation to take up the game and believe in their abilities.

Happy 86th Birthday to Osage-American travel writer William Least Heat-Moon, whose breakout memoir Blue Highways (1982) became a modern classic of American road literature. Written after losing his teaching job and separating from his wife, the book recounts a 13,000-mile journey through small towns along the “blue highways” of America’s backroads. His encounters with locals and reflections on life captured a search for meaning far from interstates and fast-food chains, staying on The New York Times bestseller list for 42 weeks.

Least Heat-Moon later chronicled a 5,000-mile journey by water in River-Horse and continued to explore the relationship between people and landscapes. Often likened to Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley and Kerouac’s On the Road, his work has inspired generations to see America with fresh eyes.

Other notable August 27 events:

1665: The first play in English America, Ye Bare and Ye Cubb, was performed in Virginia.

1920: Radio Argentina broadcast one of the first-ever live shows from a Buenos Aires theater.

1955: The first edition of the Guinness Book of World Records was published.

1991: Pearl Jam released their debut album Ten, later selling over 13 million copies.

🤖 Massachusetts: MIT researchers have developed a bionic knee that integrates directly with bone and muscle.

🎨 Italy: A masked "Ghost Painter" in Brescia has gone viral for secretly painting over graffiti on historic buildings at night, calling his work an "act of urban love."

⛳ UK: A 93-year-old great-grandfather may be Britain’s oldest golfer to score a hole-in-one after achieving the feat at his local club.

🧬 New York: Retooled cancer drugs eliminated aggressive tumors in a remarkable clinical trial.

⚽ Michigan: Detroit police officers responded to a young boy’s 911 call about soccer by visiting his home and playing a friendly game with him.

— Jean Paul

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🌱 Rain Gardens: Rain gardens in urban areas are not only reducing flooding but also creating green spaces for communities.

🤖 Surgical Precision: Advances in robotic surgery enable minimally invasive procedures, resulting in shorter recovery times for patients.

🐘 Protecting Giants: International wildlife treaties have significantly reduced the illegal ivory trade, contributing to the recovery of elephants in many regions.

🌽 Feeding the Future: Hybrid seeds and modern farming techniques are helping feed more people with fewer resources.

💻 Coding Access: Free online coding bootcamps are opening career opportunities in tech to people around the world.

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