🐒 Surgery on a Monkey

Good morning. Today’s stories are all about small but meaningful changes, from a rare monkey at Chester Zoo who got a second chance just before becoming a mom, to a college freshman in Virginia opening a general store that feels like home.

And in England, nightjars are making a quiet comeback thanks to careful conservation, and if you dial 867-5309, you’ll now reach a free cancer support line.

👉 P.S. Perspective can change everything. You can upgrade your subscription today.

—Stephanie S

This morning, let’s pause for a moment of hope from Chester Zoo, where a critically endangered Roloway monkey named Masaya recently made history. Just weeks before giving birth, Masaya underwent a delicate surgery to remove a painful abscess from her foot, making her the first of her kind to receive such care in captivity.

The procedure, performed at the University of Liverpool, meant Masaya lost a toe but kept her ability to hold and nurture her newborn, a daughter named Lagertha. With only a handful of Roloway monkeys left in the wild, every birth and every act of care feels especially precious.

It’s striking to think that the survival of this species may depend on moments like these, where compassion and science meet in a quiet zoo hospital.

A Virginia college freshman is juggling classes and entrepreneurship, reviving a nostalgic general store in Portsmouth with her dad. Inspired by childhood memories, Lindsay Goodwin wanted to bring that old-school charm back to her hometown.

The shop is more than a business; it's a community anchor and a nod to the city's history. Locals love the throwback vibe and the sense of connection.

Curious how a student balances it all? Take a look at her story.

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England’s nightjars, those mysterious birds you might hear churring at dusk, are making a comeback. After decades of decline, their numbers in the South Downs have doubled in just five years, thanks to focused conservation and habitat restoration.

These birds migrate thousands of miles to nest in the UK each summer. Protecting their ground nests has been key, with rangers working closely with visitors and local communities.

It’s a rare win for wildlife and a reminder that a little care can go a long way. Curious about how they pulled it off? Take a moment to read this one.

Remember the song “867-5309/Jenny”? That famous number is now a real lifeline. If you call it today, you’ll reach a free cancer support hotline, thanks to Tommy Tutone’s frontman and the Cancer Support Community.

It’s a clever twist on nostalgia, turning a catchy chorus into a source of comfort for anyone touched by cancer.

Curious how a pop hit became a helping hand? Give it a read and maybe even a call.

🌊 Portugal: A 10-year-old boy's message in a bottle traveled over 4,000 miles from the Bahamas to be found by a schoolteacher on a Portuguese beach.

🇦🇺 Australia: A coalition of business, union, and environmental groups urged the government to mandate that new data centers run on 100% renewable energy.

🦋 Hawaii: Scientists discovered 10 previously unknown species (including 7 new genera) of native Hawaiian moths.

🧬 France: Sanofi reported an FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for an investigational oral medicine for the neurological symptoms of type 3 Gaucher disease.

🌲 Washington: Tacoma launched a tree-planting program along school routes, planting 80+ trees to boost the canopy and slow traffic.

Legoland California opened in Carlsbad on March 20, 1999, becoming the first LEGO theme park outside Europe. The park features over 60 rides, shows, and attractions, along with a water park, aquarium, and two hotels. Key themed areas include Dino Valley, Pirate Shores, Castle Hill, Miniland USA, and Adventure Land, with Miniland USA showcasing impressive 1:20 scale LEGO dioramas of famous American locations such as New Orleans, Manhattan, the National Mall, and the Las Vegas Strip.

Following the success of the original Legoland in Billund, Denmark (1968) and the second park in Windsor, England (1996), the Carlsbad location marked a significant expansion of the LEGO brand into the American market. The park has since grown substantially, with the addition of Sea Life Aquarium in 2006 and the Legoland water park in 2010 after Merlin Entertainment took over operations. While additional Legoland parks opened in Florida (2011) and New York (2021), the original Carlsbad location continues to maintain the highest annual visitation.

Other notable March 20 events:

1928: Fred Rogers, creator and host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," was born in Pennsylvania.

1952: The United States Senate ratified a peace treaty with Japan.

1969: John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar near Spain.

1997: 22 states' attorneys settled a lawsuit against the US tobacco industry.

— Henry Kissinger

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:

🦌 Safe Fencing: Wildlife-friendly fencing protects livestock while allowing safe passage for native animals.

🌉 Printed Bridges: 3D-printed bridges are being built faster and with fewer resources than traditional methods.

🏗️ Ocean Plastic Bricks: Recycling initiatives are turning ocean plastic into durable materials for construction.

💦 Stormwater Design: Water-sensitive urban design is capturing stormwater for reuse and reducing flood risks.

🌱 Floating Gardens: Floating gardens are producing vegetables in flood-prone regions, improving food security.

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