(BookTrib) - “Lowdown” by Anthony Schneider

Spanning three decades and two continents, “Lowdown” is a deeply human crime novel about love, loyalty and the long shadow of choice. Jimmy Piccini, a Brooklyn mob soldier who kept faith with the code of silence, is released from prison at age 58 after serving 25 years for a crime he didn’t directly commit. The world he returns to is unrecognizable — and haunted by the memory of Milena, the woman he loved and lost.

Told through interwoven timelines, the novel traces Jimmy’s rise in the Brooklyn mob and Milena’s escape to Sicily after her marriage to a volatile made man collapses under violence and betrayal. From gritty New York streets to sun-washed Mediterranean villages, Anthony Schneider crafts a character-driven story where violence gives way to introspection, and vengeance wrestles with forgiveness. “Lowdown” is a romantic literary thriller with a powerful emotional core and deftly layered themes of love and loss, reckoning and redemption.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pTMOf2.

“Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male” by Vince Benevento, LPC

There is an underrecognized crisis facing today’s young men — one marked by anxiety, isolation and a growing lack of purpose. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working with men and young adults, author Vince Benevento, founder of Causeway Collaborative, has seen firsthand how traditional talk therapy often falls short — and has uncovered what actually helps young men move forward.

Through eight practical, hard-earned lessons, Benevento replaces abstraction with action, emphasizing structure, accountability, healthy risk-taking and the power of meaningful male relationships. Blending candid personal stories with real-world case examples, he offers a framework that helps young men build confidence, resilience and direction — brick by brick. Written for parents, educators, mentors and these young men themselves, “Boys Will Be Men” is less about fixing what’s “wrong” and more about restoring what’s missing: purpose, connection and the tools to step fully into adulthood.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49OxOZN.

“DoubleHelix" (Book One in the Helix Project) by J.L. Calder

In the shadows of power, survival is never guaranteed.

Washington, D.C., 1996. Mike Green has built a career writing about dead girls, but nothing prepares him for the file he uncovers at the National Archives: the murder of Delilah Grennan, a Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as research becomes obsession, as Delilah’s voice invades his thoughts, her enemies become his, and paranoia pulls him deeper into the dark machinery of power.

Drawn into a covert war between a global crime syndicate, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that claims him as family, Mike learns too late that survival sometimes means being buried.

Winner of a 2026 Independent Press Award for Political Thriller and a 2026 Pencraft Award for Thriller Audiobook, “DoubleHelix” is a dark, razor-sharp political thriller blending psychological suspense, espionage intrigue and sarcastic wit — perfect for readers who crave character-driven conspiracies and morally treacherous power games.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q5LXrU.

"AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing: Essential Online Safety Tips for Your Child's First Device" by C.D. Richardson

Help your child build healthy screen habits and explore the digital world with confidence.

“AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing” is a vibrant, futuristic picture book that introduces young readers to technology with kindness, balance and responsibility. Through colorful A-to-Z lessons, each page highlights an essential skill — from screen-time balance and online manners to empathy, critical thinking and kid-friendly internet rules.

Guided by AROC, a friendly robot hero, children learn how to make smart choices online, avoid harmful behaviors and build strong character both on and off the screen. Ideal for families, teachers and early-learning classrooms, this engaging book offers a fun, age-appropriate introduction to digital literacy, cyber ethics and safe browsing. It also empowers caregivers and children to engage in a timely, much-needed conversation about smart and safe online habits.

Whether your child uses a tablet, computer or smartphone, this is an essential resource for guiding them through the early stages of exploring technology and developing responsible digital citizenship.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q8IV6b.

(NewsUSA) - Making the nursery and other children’s spaces safe, healthy, and beautiful is every parent’s goal. Strong and natural, American Hardwoods™ can help achieve it: from the reassuring solidity of a crib to the cozy ease of bunk beds, from the satisfying feel of carved toys to the charm of kid-size furniture, and from the tidiness of well-conceived storage to the warmth of architectural millwork. “Materials matter for those who matter most,” says Ian Faight of the American Hardwood Information Center. “Hardwoods like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut offer durability, low-emission performance, and an organic sense of comfort—qualities that support children’s well-being and safety while standing up to everyday use.” Here are six examples of hardwood doing just that.

The Childspose panel crib by Green Cradle Organic Home and Baby (greencradle.com) is as gorgeous—and as safe—a nursery essential as you could wish for. Made in the U.S. from 100 percent solid hardwood, it’s not only sturdy and durable but also finished with non-toxic, VOC-free natural linseed oil, so baby—and you—can breathe easy. Offered in maple, oak, cherry, or walnut, the crib is an heirloom in the making. Photograph courtesy of Green Cradle

Growing kids need furniture that can keep up. Waverly bunk beds by Room & Board (roomandboard.com) do just that, with solid hardwood construction—walnut or natural or painted maple—and smart, space-saving twin-over-twin or twin-over-full configurations. Suitable for ages 6 and up, the versatile piece delivers safety and ease while giving a shared room a fun, vertical lift. Photograph courtesy of Room & Board

The solid maple Kiddie Car from Community Playthings (communityplaythings.com) taps into something timeless: the simple pleasure of a wooden toy built to be touched, pushed, and passed along. Rounded edges and a nontoxic finish highlight the wood’s warmth, recalling generations of hand-carved playthings that gained character through use. Available in two sizes—for ages 1–2 and 2–4—it’s robust, tactile, and appealingly uncomplicated, a reminder that the best toys often begin with honest wood. Photograph courtesy of Community Playthings

The Kids Set by EARL (earl-home.com) brings sophisticated design and superb craftsmanship into a child’s everyday world. With a round table and chairs in meticulously finished hardwood—walnut/maple, white oak or ebonized oak—it gives children a tangible introduction to thoughtful material and joinery. Aesthetically elevated, yet durable and entirely approachable, it encourages play, creativity, and early appreciation for well-made objects. Photograph by Jenny Kim

The custom wall-mounted storage unit in this Miami kids’ room by Agsia Design (agsia.com) brings shipshape order with a welcome burst of energy. Crafted in solid oak, the mix of drawers, cabinets, and open cubbies keeps toys and supplies within easy reach, while the glossy enamel paint on the doors and drawer fronts animates the room with bright color, inviting kids to dive into whatever enticements the compartments may hold. Photograph by Moris Moreno

In this remodeled Washington, DC, basement rec room, Wentworth Architects & Builders (wentworthstudio.com) use hardwood millwork to create a space that suits kids and adults alike. Wrapping the structural columns in solid maple slats introduces a sense of play and discovery for children while giving the room the clean visual order grownups prefer—equally ready for games and crafts or quiet conversation and a cup of coffee. Photograph by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in your home.

(NewsUSA) - Want a home exterior that looks distinctive, contemporary, and inviting yet stands up reliably to real-world conditions? As an architectural material, cypress slats deliver a rare balance of great looks and lasting performance, bringing rhythm, shade, privacy, and an airy lightness to façades, porches, balconies, and garden structures. “Cypress is naturally resistant to moisture, insects, and decay, making it exceptionally well suited to exterior use—and it looks beautiful doing the job,” says Ian Faight of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association. The wood also is ideal for the increasingly popular shou sugi ban charring treatment, which creates a range of finishes that further enhance its character and durability. Here are six compelling projects that show what cypress slats can do.

Set in a Texas Hill Country meadow, this striking residence by Miró Rivera Architects (@miroriveraarch) is a contemporary take on barns, shotgun cottages, and other traditional rural buildings. Its centerpiece is a screen porch with a soaring 30-foot-high pitched roof. Warm cypress siding sets the volume apart from the rest of the house, which is clad in white corrugated aluminum, while cypress slats reinterpret the classic vented gable, keeping the space light and airy. Photograph by Paul Finkel

A brise-soleil of shou sugi ban–treated cypress slats runs the full length of this sprawling beach house in Bridgehampton, New York, by BMA Architects (@bma.architects). With its rhythm of carefully spaced vertical elements extending past both ends of the two-story residence, the dramatic, dark-hued screen unites the home’s three wings without adding visual bulk, while providing privacy and shade yet still allowing ocean breezes to pass through. Photograph by Michael Stavaridis

Dane Spencer Landscape Architecture (danespencer-landscapearchitect.com) uses cypress slats to elegant effect in this handsome arched portal in a Sarasota, Florida, garden. Finished with Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes exterior stain, the structure frames and partially screens the backyard, adding both privacy and a hint of intrigue. The slats are robust enough to give the arch heft without creating heaviness, while the “keyhole” for the branch is a particularly charming detail. Photograph by Giovanni Lunardi

Shou sugi ban cypress siding with an overlay of slender battens gives this Montauk, New York, beach house by Desai Chia Architecture (@desaichiaarchitecture) a distinctive slatted look. The play of ridges and shadows enlivens the timber skin without overwhelming the home’s crisp, modern form, which nods to the simple silhouettes of the local community’s cottages and shacks, while the color and texture of the charred finish evoke the weathered character of longtime oceanside structures. Photograph by Eric Striffler

Commissioned with renovating the exterior of a mid-century house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Christian Dean Architecture (@christiandeanarchitecture) created a dynamic composition by cladding individual volumes in different materials—dark cement board, gray stucco, and blonde cypress siding. But the architects framed the large, second-floor terrace and balcony with slatted cypress railings that lighten and visually “dematerialize” these elements, adding texture and depth to the rectilinear structure without increasing its apparent mass. Photograph by Chad Holder

With its stripes, bright colors, and playful angles, this backyard addition to a Hollywood, California, house by Hughes Umbanhowar Architects (@huumarchitects) crackles with showbiz energy. Overlooking the pool, the full-width balcony off the second-floor is framed by a trellis of shou sugi ban cypress slats whose spacing widens as the structure projects outward. By diffusing sunlight, casting atmospheric shadows, and providing privacy from neighboring houses, the slats make the space an inviting gathering spot. Photograph by Eszter + David

Visit www.cypressinfo.org for more about using cypress in your home.

(Lexia) - As the infants and toddlers of the COVID-19 pandemic era enter kindergarten, many educators report unique challenges in this cohort, according to results of a survey conducted by Lexia, a leader in science of reading-based literacy solutions.

The survey included more than 200 educators from across the United States who worked with kindergarteners in the fall of 2025.

Overall, approximately three-quarters of the survey respondents said that this year’s kindergarten students were behind in early literacy skills compared to those of five years ago. Among those who described their students as behind, most cited phonemic awareness, the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words, as the biggest gap. Others mentioned that children struggle with recognizing letters and writing their names.

In addition, almost 90% of teachers reported that children’s attention spans during reading-related activities are shorter than previous classes, and more than half said their students are less confident when asked to participate in reading activities.

However, social and emotional delays were even more striking than the academic delays. Eighty-two percent of educators said their students are less socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten than past years. Educators also reported that children are less practiced in sharing, self-regulation, and cooperation on arrival in kindergarten -- the first group experience many whose early childhoods were relatively isolated.

When young children lack opportunities to play with peers or listen to stories in groups, they lose not only vocabulary, but also the social-emotional skills of waiting one’s turn, following a sequence, and engaging with other minds.

Despite the pandemic-induced challenges, teachers also reported that these kindergarteners can adapt. They remain curious, empathetic, and eager to learn, but some may need scaffolds that reflect their unique early childhood experience.

The educators surveyed agreed that more engagement in reading at home is key to helping children catch up; reading aloud with children is an opportunity not only for bonding but also for promoting literacy.

The survey also asked educators which school-based interventions most help support today’s kindergarteners. Some takeaways for schools include using data-driven tools to pinpoint skill gaps in phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension, structuring small-group interventions that target those gaps with playful, multisensory practice, embedding social-emotional learning into literacy instruction, helping students persist through frustration and take pride in progress, and offering teachers professional development focused on understanding and responding to the unique needs of post-pandemic learners.

Overall, the educators surveyed expressed determination; they see the current group of kindergarteners as individuals with resilience, empathy, and curiosity who need consistent support, connection, and time in order to thrive.

(NewsUSA) - The new captains of China’s growing space industry are riding the new wave of a hybrid technology ecosystem that combines the size and infrastructure of large, state-owned space-oriented businesses and the nimble innovation of startups, according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

In the report, analysts David Lin and Eileen Chen reviewed key features of China’s evolving space program, and some notable traits of the “space cowboys” driving the industry into the future.

The Industry

China’s current space industry includes state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private companies. Of the top 25 space companies assessed in the SCSP report, 8 were SOEs and 17 were a mix of state and private ownership. Most of the private companies appeared after the industry was opened to private investment in 2014.

Notably, many of China’s top space companies have close ties to the People’s Liberation Army, according to the report. “This cross-pollination is increasingly structural rather than incidental, reflecting Beijing’s push to implement its military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy – to more seamlessly integrate private sector innovation into national military capabilities – an initiative that has raised alarm bells in Washington,” the authors wrote.

On a general level outside of military applications, China’s top space companies are focusing on two objectives: developing reusable launch vehicles and deploying low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, according to the report. However, data show that other startups are developing other space-based applications such as in-space advanced manufacturing, space-based data centers, infrastructure, and space positioning technologies.

The Players

Most of the top leaders of the current Chinese space industry boom were born in the late 1970s or early 1980s, putting them at career peaks in in 2014. Most have academic or technical backgrounds vs. entrepreneurial or market-driven credentials. The SCSP report identified two types of executives among the Chinese space cowboys: the Academic Founder and the SOE Veteran. “Notably, an overwhelming majority of leaders conform to both archetypes, indicating that the ideal talent has expertise in both spaces,” the authors wrote.

The common technocratic lineage among much of China’s space industry leadership supports a space sector that is commercially driven and strategically focused in a way that could challenge U.S. leadership in the space industry in the next few decades, the report concludes.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more and to access the full report.

(BookTrib) - “Transitions” by MB Barden

“My Mom asked me if I wanted to go to my grandfather’s grave with her. I thought, really? I’m sure that is what every kid would love to do on a Saturday afternoon. I just looked at her. I was staring at her but not seeing her. Instead, I saw images of zombies, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and creepy crypt keepers. ‘No, thank you.’”

In this relatable and touching story, intended for children ages six to 12, a boy who is afraid of cemeteries works through his fear as he comes to a greater understanding of life and death during a visit to his grandfather’s grave.

The symbolism on the gravestones and in nature comforts him as he accepts death as a part of life. He comes to realize that an individual's death is not an ending but a continuation of the soul’s journey.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/transitions-mbbarden.

“The Safe Place” by Brandon M. Rogers

“The Safe Place” is a gripping journey of redemption and healing, where faith and trauma intertwine to shape a young man’s life. Tristan’s search for belonging and understanding leads him through a maze of relationships, struggles with faith, and the painful remnants of his past. As he battles shame and detachment, his path toward forgiveness — both from others and himself — becomes the most difficult yet transformative journey of all.

This novel invites readers into an emotional, spiritual exploration of grace, love and the power of overcoming internal battles. With a powerful mix of lyrical storytelling and raw, heartfelt moments, “The Safe Place” will resonate with anyone seeking redemption and the courage to heal.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/TheSafePlaceAmazon.

“Not Yet Your Time” by James Terminiello

Winner of a Literary Titan Book Award

When Titus Carneades is saved from a traffic death by a mysterious young woman who quickly vanishes, telling him, “It is not yet your time,” he finds himself drawn into a high-profile terrorist kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in which the same woman has interfered.

Both fascinated and troubled, Titus volunteers to help government agents resolve the crisis and encounters the woman's mentor, the suave and avuncular founder of the Apologizers, a group that believes God has forsaken humanity and must be lured back by good deeds.

This odd trio embarks on a perilous odyssey that includes imprisonment in a labyrinthine security complex under the ruins of the World Trade Center; flight through a murky, unfinished tunnel beneath the Hudson River; a safe house masquerading as a defunct museum; and a perilous train ride to link up with a terror cell. Ultimately, the reluctant Titus will face a rendezvous with life, love, death and destiny in the green wilds of New York’s Hudson Valley.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49Tfq3f.

“When All the Gods Died” by Sudarshan Chatterjee, M.D.

What if the legends you thought were lost forever were waiting just beyond the veil of myth?

When their plane from Athens crashes in an unknown area, archaeologist Andrew and his fiancée Rhea are plunged into a world where Greek gods walk among mortals. Stranded in an ancient, magical land, they uncover a secret lost to time: the Olympian gods never vanished — they were merely waiting. As old rivalries reignite and new destinies emerge, Andrew and Rhea must navigate a realm where gods wield thunder, love is a battlefield, and mortal lives hang in the balance.

Epic in scope and rich with mythological depth, this novel weaves history, adventure, and fantasy into a gripping modern retelling of Greece’s greatest legends. Each Olympian — from Zeus’s thunderous power to Aphrodite’s captivating allure — comes alive in a tale of power, fate and timeless struggle.

Perfect for readers craving immersive mythology, mystical adventure, and the unending battle between mortals and immortals. Step into a world where the gods never died, and the myths begin anew.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pD9AHT.

(NewsUSA) - Changes that come with age aren’t always easy. Feeling tired, unsteady, or not as strong as you used to be can make daily tasks harder. But research shows that your health can stay steady—or even improve—with the right habits.

In fact, about 80% of chronic disease could be prevented by staying physically active, following a nutritious diet, and not smoking. For 81-year-old fitness instructor, certified nutrition coach and bodybuilder Bill Keller, this fact changed everything.

“At 70, I realized I didn’t just want to grow older,” said Keller, a proud grandfather living boldly in Tullahoma, Tenn. “I wanted to grow better.”

At the time of his retirement, Keller was dealing with issues that many think are a normal part of getting older: his blood pressure was high, cholesterol was elevated, and he was at a heavier weight than was healthy.

Instead of surrendering to the idea that his best years were behind him, he made a bold choice—to rebuild his health and reverse the signs of aging through movement, strength training, and nourishing food. Keller was able to join the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise program through his health plan, and he went right to work using the program’s resources to improve his health.

“I changed the way I look, feel, and live,” he said. “I’ve restored energy, balance, and confidence that I once thought were gone forever.”

He was so inspired by changes he saw that he also became a certified fitness instructor and nutrition coach to offer his passion for healthy aging to others.

Then, wanting to mark his 80^th birthday in a special way, Keller entered a national bodybuilding competition—and won.

“I know I’m not the oldest competitor ever,” said Keller. “Though, I believe I may have set the record for oldest novice to enter a bodybuilder contest.”

Today, Keller embodies the Silver&Fit ethos to encourage older adults to live boldly, embrace fitness, find community, and take ownership of their well-being no matter their age. More than a decade after his retirement, Keller wakes up each morning with purpose and gratitude. He teaches local group fitness classes, coaches seniors, and shares his story on social media to help others see what’s possible.

“Whether you’re 60, 70, or 80, it’s never too late to start,” Keller said. “You can get stronger. You can eat healthier. You can feel better every day.”

(NewsUSA) - In 2025, the Marine Toys for Tots Program once again proved that compassion doesn’t follow a calendar. Fueled by the remarkable generosity of the American people, nearly 880 local chapters, National Corporate Partners, fellow non-profits, local businesses and organizations, and tens of thousands of devoted volunteers, Toys for Tots remained steadfast in their mission of being a year-round force for good.

From small towns to major cities across the Nation, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributed toys, books, and other gifts through initiatives such as the Literacy Program, Foster Care Program, Disaster Response and Recovery Program, and their annual Holiday Campaign. These efforts reflect the belief that all children deserve comfort, joy, and encouragement no matter the season.

During the spring and summer months, Toys for Tots partnered with other non‑profits to host special distributions that brought hope to disadvantaged children. Whether offering emotional comfort to children whose families were impacted by natural disasters, providing resources to children navigating the Foster Care System, or distributing educational books and resources to Title I funded schools, the Program ensured that its mission extends beyond Christmastime. Each distribution was more than an event—it was a reminder to children that they are valued, remembered, and cared for by their communities.

During their flagship Holiday Campaign, local chapters worked tirelessly to collect donations, organize events, and deliver gifts directly to children in need. Marines, civilian Coordinators, and volunteers joined forces with schools, churches, civic groups, and community organizations to ensure that every child had at least one gift to open on Christmas morning. Toys for Tots is still finalizing their 2025 Holiday Campaign results, but early totals are already showing they are on track to reach over 11 million children in need.

These grassroots efforts transformed gymnasiums into toy warehouses, parking lots into distribution centers, and local businesses into hubs of generosity. The sights and sounds of these moments—rows of toys, families gathering with anticipation, and volunteers working shoulder to shoulder—captured the true spirit of the season and demonstrated the power of communities united in kindness.

“The compassion and commitment we witnessed in 2025 were truly inspiring,” said Lieutenant General Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Each contribution—whether a single toy or a large donation—helped transform moments of hardship into promises of brighter futures for children who needed hope and comfort the most," Lieutenant General Laster continued. "We are profoundly grateful for the generosity that continues to drive our mission forward.”

As we enter 2026, Toys for Tots renews its pledge to turn compassion into action. Every gift placed in a child’s hands is more than a toy—it is a message of hope, a reminder that they are valued, and a spark that brightens their future.

“The New Year offers us a chance to strengthen our purpose, expand our reach to serve more children in need, and unite as one force for good,” said Lieutenant General Laster. “With the continued support of our donors and volunteers, I am confident we can reach even more children and families this year.”

Throughout 2026, the mission will remain clear: generosity must extend beyond the holiday season. Through the collective efforts of donors and volunteers, Toys for Tots will continue to bring joy and hope to children nationwide—one toy, one smile, and one heart at a time.

To learn more about Toys for Tots or to make a donation, please visit www.toysfortots.org.

(BookTrib) - “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” by Tracy Cavelli-Trussell

Trisha Maitland, a celebrated novelist, speaker and devoted woman of faith, begins experiencing vivid dreams that transport her to a dark, dangerous realm known as Elsewhere. What starts as unsettling visions soon reveals itself as a spiritual reality — one connected to a powerful and sinister secret council manipulating events in the physical world. As Trisha struggles to understand God’s messages woven through her dreams, she uncovers a growing conspiracy led by a charismatic businessman whose thirst for power masks ancient evil.

Moving between light and darkness, faith and temptation, truth and deception, reality and imagination, this fast-paced, faith-fueled supernatural thriller explores spiritual warfare, free will and redemption. With prose as sharp as sea glass and characters that leap off the page, it is both a compelling mystery and a profound meditation on the stories we tell ourselves to survive. “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” launches a gripping Christian thriller trilogy that challenges readers to consider what unseen forces may be shaping their world.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/4RRUsoW.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby "Z" Zielinski

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” follows the exploits of one bar’s patrons across a single evening, from Friday at 3 p.m. until Saturday at 3 a.m. Everything revolves around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolds, introducing a cast of colorful, albeit shifty, characters.

In the tradition of “A Bronx Tale,” this narrative poetry collection is a historical and satirical look at the post-war bar scene in Jersey City, New Jersey, told by one of the original Jersey City bad boys of the period, Bobby “Z” Zielinski. “The bar in the 50s and 60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, bought various items that ‘just fell off the back of a truck,’ … bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the ‘shys,’” Zielinski writes.

Now you can experience the mayhem of this rough and rowdy time in urban history for yourself through “Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

“Corn Festival” by Melissa Laird

In 1970, drawn by idealism and the promise of a better way of life, Wanda and a small group of friends leave California for North Freedom, Wisconsin, determined to build a communal farm rooted in cooperation, organic living and music. As they struggle to grow food, restore an old cabin and find their footing in a skeptical rural community, cracks begin to form — both within the group and between them and the world around them. Backlash, disappointment and diverging paths eventually leave Wanda alone, guarding a dream that once felt revolutionary.

Spanning five decades, “Corn Festival” traces the echoes of that experiment into the present day, revealing how the cultural divisions of the late 1960s resurface in modern America. By linking counterculture idealism to contemporary polarization, the novel offers a deeply personal and timely reflection on belonging, legacy and the enduring struggle to create meaningful change.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qKjh8w.

“The Great Dane” by Suanne Laqueur

After the sudden death of his only child, Liko Greenman is adrift, passing time until a mystery hidden inside his son’s favorite video game gives him a reason to move forward. When a cryptic clue from the game’s maker leads him from the digital world to a secluded farm in rural New York, Liko meets Danelaw “Dane” Strong — an intersex man with a layered past and a life shaped by love that defied convention.

As Dane guides Liko through the game’s unanswered questions, the search becomes something deeper: a journey through grief, identity and the ways people find belonging when traditional labels fall short. Set against legends, folklore and the evocative symbolism of the Three Hares triskelion, “The Great Dane” is a luminous exploration of connection, chosen family and the healing power of love.

Blending romance and drama with psychological and philosophical depth, Suanne Laqueur shows us that while we view the most profound human connection in pairs, three is often love’s most magical number.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qsKpt3.

(NewsUSA) - Artificial intelligence is poised to be a game-changer in managing the increasingly congested and potentially contested domain of space, from Earth’s orbit to the Moon and beyond, according to a new podcast from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

At the recent AI + Space Summit hosted by SCSP, General Jay Raymond (U.S. Space Force, Ret.) joined SCSP’s NatSecTech podcast host Jeanne Meserve to discuss the future of space as a warfighting domain. They explore how AI can improve space traffic management, surveillance, acquisition, and data fusion; the growing role of commercial partnerships; and the need for stronger norms, faster capabilities, and a technically skilled workforce.

Many Eyes in the Sky

Launching satellites or anything else is becoming more complicated because of the volume of objects in the Earth’s orbit, said Gen. Raymond. “You have to make sure you don’t launch something into something else,” he noted. The increased number of satellites and other objects have made the world a more transparent place, as a lot of the current objects in space are intelligence surveillance reconnaissance satellites, he added.

In some cases, objects that appear to be space debris have been identified as something else because they maneuver in a defined way, Gen. Raymond said. Ideally, AI could be used to track debris and determine whether it is maneuvering, he said. The vast majority of people currently experience space through data or observations, said Gen. Raymond. Harnessing that data and applying AI to it can facilitate problem solving by speeding up analysis, he said.   

Implications of AI

One of the greatest risks associated with AI and space is that adversaries of the United States will get ahead of us and use technology to their advantage, Gen. Raymond said. Although the original stated goal of the U.S. Space Force remains one of deterrence, it is important to improve AI literacy and stay aware of the potential need to be prepared to fight, if necessary, while working to maintain stability, he added. However, deterrence related to space may occur in other domains, he noted. “If someone did something in space, you wouldn’t have to respond in space,” he said. The concept of integrated deterrence involves multiple domains and capabilities in partnership with allies, Gen. Raymond emphasized.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about the SCSP’s AI + Space Summit and other ways in which AI is driving space industries.