We don't need to tell you it's been particularly cold in some parts of the country lately, and particularly warm (and snowless) in other parts. Thankfully, the weather forecast is looking good for both of these predicaments: A warm front is expected to come through the Southern and Northeastern U.S. in the next two weeks, and the West could get a much-needed snow dump. "This change in the pattern will be beneficial for California's snowpack and reservoirs," said AccuWeather meteorologist Kai Kerkow. See how the forecast applies to your neck of the woods.
Must Reads
Good advice for couples this Valentine's Day (and always)
Get Paid to Pay Rent on Time: Colorado Rolls Out Nation's First Rent Reward Program
Jacob Boomsma/iStock
In Colorado, it can pay to be punctual. In a first for the United States, a state initiative is giving select renters cash back for making their rent payments on time. Through the pioneering program, 66 renters at a property in Estes Park can earn about 2% cash back for each on-time rent payment, delivered via a digital wallet platform called Stake. What they do with this money is up to them — but if they choose to save their cash-back earnings for one year, they can qualify for an additional 2% savings match. Renters who stay in the property longer than a year are also included in annual equity distributions, receiving a share of financial returns tied to their building. The goal is to help tenants build up savings to pave the way to homeownership — a milestone that is feeling increasingly unattainable for many U.S. families. "By helping renters save the money needed to make a down payment on a home, more Colorado families will be able to build wealth and security," Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. "Home ownership is a major pathway to financial security, and now more Coloradans will be able to realize the dream of owning a home."
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In a world that asks us to constantly become faster and more efficient, this is a story about the art of doing the opposite: going as slow as possible. That philosophy is playing out, quite literally, inside a medieval church in Germany, where a custom-built pipe organ has been playing a single song since 2001 — and it won't finish until 2640. No, that's not a typo. The piece, composed by John Cage, is set to last a total of 639 years. Cage, who died in 1992, was famous for breaking musical conventions. In this case, he designed "ORGAN²/ASLSP" — short for "As Slow As Possible" — with no fixed duration so that every performance would be unique, leaving its length up to interpretation. The composition consists of just eight pages, each of which can last decades in the German version, organized by the John Cage Organ Foundation. But no one is expected to play the instrument for years on end; rather, sandbags hold the keys down while electrically powered bellows produce a steady airflow to sustain the sound. Human hands only intervene to introduce each new chord. The next change is planned for Aug. 5, 2026, after which an A4 chord will sound continuously for 911 days. Listen to the pipe organ for a moment or two (or three) — after all, what's the rush?
Culture
Ever Dreamed of Living at Disney World? Massive Home Inside Resort Hits Market
Pozek Group / SWNS
If you've ever wanted to live in "The Most Magical Place on Earth," this could be the perfect opportunity: A massive home built within Walt Disney World is on the market for $13.9 million. The nearly 11,000-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired home has seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, and is located inside Disney's Golden Oak community in Orlando, Florida — just four miles from the Magic Kingdom Park. Sitting on a 0.79-acre lot, the estate is fittingly nestled on Enchanted Oak Drive. Built in 2019, the home features Disney-themed stained glass windows overlooking a courtyard as well as characters etched in and above the doors. It also boasts an exact replica of the marble fireplace from the Cinderella Castle Suite: an apartment inside the park's Cinderella Castle that was originally built for Walt Disney and his family. In the great room, you'll find a pizza oven designed to look like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. See inside.
In Other News
To tackle forever chemicals, Britain unveiled a national plan to ensure they're "not a forever problem" (read more)
19 Buddhistsand a dog are set to physically finish their "Walk for Peace" this week, but the journey won't end (read more)
A New Zealand teen set a world record for the fastest mile ever run by an athlete under 18 (read more)
Thousands of golden retrievers gathered in Golden, Colorado, over the weekend — check out pics (read more)
Orchids are in full bloom inside the Chicago Botanic Garden, even as snow covers the city outside (read more)
Something We Love
Nekteck Shiatsu Neck Massager A family member ended up with this after it got stolen twice in our holiday white elephant, but I got a turn with it and instantly knew I had to have one myself. It totally loosened my tight muscles and now I use it every week or so. Note: It's for those who like a real, intense massage.
Back in 1900, James Weldon Johnson wrote "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as a poem, which his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, set to music. More than a century later, the words continue to resonate, with the song — often called The Black National Anthem — still played at major events like last weekend's Super Bowl. Watch Coco Jones' performance on Sunday.
Eyes on Milano Cortina
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud defended her Olympic gold in women's freeski slopestyle yesterday, edging out Eileen Gu, who took silver for China. "Her skiing was absolutely incredible," Gu said of her rival, per The Athletic. "I know that was my best slope run. I also know that was her best slope run." Gremaud echoed that sentiment in her own post-race interviews, applauding Gu and the bronze medalist, Canada's Megan Oldham. "We've got a bright future in our sport," she said. Watch Gremaud's jaw-dropping second run.
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Odds & Ends
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Quote of the Day
"Your life is not static. Every decision, setback, or triumph is an opportunity to identify the seeds of truth that make you the wondrous human being that you are."
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