It started on a foggy morning in 1994 on the side of a volcano in San Francisco. Paul Zenk saw some wildly dressed folks standing along a roadway as the fog lifted. Sounding like a roll of thunder, Paul looked up in time to see “wheeled demons” rolling down the mountain road. The race was on, and the drivers were ruthless as they tried maneuvering their gravity-powered rolling death boxes along the route. It was a soap box derby, and Paul was hooked! @_laura_elisa 25th anniversary of the annual soap box derby! #portlandoregon #portland #pdx #soapboxderby #mttabor ♬ HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan In Portland, Oregon, the adults come out to play one day of the year. Paul organized the first Portland Adult Soap Box Derby Day in 1997. A ragtag group of men careened down Mt. Tabor in their “creations of death and destruction.” This year marks the quarter-centennial of the race. There are more participants, volunteers, and fans than ever before. The derby is 100% volunteer-run and is truly a community-wide event. The event is held on the 3rd Sunday of August in Mt. Tabor Park, and safety for drivers and spectators is not guaranteed. The cars can reach speeds up to 50 mph. With 42 cars, the race heats can last most of the day. Entrants build their vehicles out of whatever crosses their creative minds. The Soap Box Derby Course Racers pull their gravity-powered to the top of the hill, where they wait in the pit area. The route down the mountain begins with a slightly curvy stretch through Hogan’s Pickle Corner. The cars race through a broad left curve before reaching the longest “almost” straight stretch of roadway. They pass through Blood Alley, picking up speed on their way to the Learning Curve. Image from PDX Adult Soap Box Derby. We’re pretty sure they named it the Learning Curve because that’s where you learn if you ate the wrong thing for breakfast. The almost hairpin turn is lined with hay bales along the outer edge. If you live through the curve, you reach the homestretch and the finish line. The Soap Box Derby Cars We couldn’t find any reference to vehicle construction rules for the Portland Adult Soap Box Derby, but we’re sure they have some. The International Soap Box Derby rules are geared toward youth derby racing but offer a basic idea. The exterior designs are wildly hilarious. Image from TikTok. If you think you’re seeing a “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” you probably are. Next is a fully loaded baked potato with a sour cream driver and passenger. Image from TikTok. We’re unsure what these two vehicle designs might be other than minimalist. The guys on the trike brought live music, though, so it’s all good. Image from TikTok. Inspired by the Flintstones and Little Shop of Horrors, these two cars win props for costuming. If you can’t get enough of these car designs, check out some fantastic shoebox derby contenders on the official YouTube channel for the Portland Adult Soap Box Derby. You can see past derby cars in the collections of photographer Jason DeSomer on the derby website. The next Portland Adult Soap Box Derby is scheduled for August 16, 2025. Please put it in your calendar now and watch the hilarity in person. You’ll find the best viewing on Blood Alley along both sides of the course. That is also where the vendors and food trucks set up, so you’ll have plenty to do before the race starts at 10 AM. Don’t be late. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Adults Let Their Inner Children Shine In Wholesome Soap Box Derby appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The annual ritual of raking and disposing of fallen leaves has been engraved into the autumn dance for generations. But, in reality, those vivid plant layers offer more than just a gorgeous backdrop. They are an important part of nature’s cycle, providing numerous advantages to our lawns and gardens. Let’s explore the world of falling leaves and see how they may turn your yard from a labor-intensive space to a healthy environment. “Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own?” asks David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation Naturalist. The secret wealth of leaves Fallen leaves are more than just lawn waste; they are nature’s gift to your soil and its inhabitants. This yearly leaf cascade provides food, shelter, nesting material for birds, and winter refuge for innumerable insects. More importantly, it’s beneficial to the soil in your yard. As the leaves decay, they transform into a nutrient-rich elixir that powers the growth of the grass the following year. But it’s not just the grass that benefits from this organic feast; it’s the intricate web of microbes in the soil that thrives on it. According to Dr. Thomas Nikoai, a plant and soil specialist at Michigan State University, “leaving the leaves on the lawn is not only not a problem, it’s awesome.” A novel approach to leaf care Although leaving fallen leaves where they fall is a lovely intention, it may not always be practicable. Excessive leaf buildup can suffocate your lawn, so finding a happy medium is critical. Dr. Nikoai has a game-changing idea: mow over the falling leaves. This simple action reduces the size of the leaves, which, rather than damaging your lawn, increases its fertility. You don’t need a mulching mower; any mower may accomplish the job with a few passes during the season. There are other leaf-management solutions for individuals who want a neater lawn. Rake the dry leaves into flower beds, garden beds, or around trees to use as natural mulch. Invest in a bagger attachment for your mower to easily collect leaves. If you’re feeling particularly inventive, turn leaves into little mulch particles using a garbage can and a weed-eater. These solutions keep your yard neat while allowing you to take advantage of nature’s abundance. Composting and community Consider community leaf drop-offs if you have an abundance of leaves. These facilities collect yard trash and convert it into beneficial compost and mulch. While some raking and bagging are required, it is a sustainable option that keeps natural resources out of landfills. Alternatively, consider becoming a leaf drop-off center in your community, or contact local drop-off organizers for free bags of leaves to enrich your soil. Finally, fallen leaves are more than just autumnal detritus; they are an essential component of a healthy environment. We can leverage the power of leaves to improve our lawns, gardens, and even communities by rethinking our approach to leaf management. So, this autumn, let us say goodbye to leaf-raking as a duty and welcome it as a celebration of nature’s wisdom.The post Ditch the rake and discover the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A recent study from Uppsala University in Sweden discovered that playing the popular video game Tetris can drastically lessen flashbacks for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This innovation could provide new hope to millions of individuals worldwide suffering from the ailment, including military veterans and frontline healthcare workers. While this approach may appear unorthodox, it has been investigated since 2009, when Professor Emily Holmes began researching if Tetris could be used as an early intervention tool for trauma. Holmes, who is now a professor at Uppsala University, led preliminary research to see whether the game could diminish the severity of unpleasant memories. A novel approach to PTSD In Holmes’ early research, participants watched a frightening film before playing Tetris. Those who played the game reported fewer flashbacks than those who did not. However, this initial study only included 40 people in a controlled setting, limiting its general applicability. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Holmes’ team expanded the research. Between September 2020 and April 2022, they investigated 164 healthcare personnel in Sweden who had been exposed to trauma while treating COVID-19 patients. The findings were astounding: individuals in the gaming group, who played Tetris for 20 minutes, reported much fewer flashbacks than those who listened to the radio.  At a five-week follow-up, healthcare workers who played Tetris reported an average of one flashback per week, compared to five in the control group. Six months later, the gaming group continued to have half as many flashbacks as the control group. How does it work? Tetris isn’t only an addicting game; it necessitates a cognitive process known as “mental rotation.” To clear rows, players must rotate and place blocks, which engages the spatial reasoning section of the brain. Researchers assume that this visual task competes for the same cognitive resources as intrusive memories or flashbacks. Dr. Holmes claims that Tetris can “disrupt dysfunctional mental imagery (e.g., intrusive memories of adverse events)” by activating the brain’s visuospatial memory. According to the notion, when the brain is busy cognitively rotating Tetris blocks, it has fewer resources available to generate vivid, emotionally intense flashbacks. This latest study goes even further, demonstrating that a brief, 20-minute game of Tetris can minimize the recurrence of flashbacks for extended periods.  A potential tool for PTSD management Tetris‘ simplicity and accessibility make it a promising potential aid for controlling PTSD. The game is free to play online, takes minimal time, and can be provided following a stressful experience with a single guided session. Holmes hopes that this strategy can even serve as a “cognitive vaccine,” preventing the emergence of PTSD symptoms. “My vision is that one day we will be able to provide a tool for people such as healthcare professionals after traumatic events to help prevent and treat early PTSD symptoms,” Holmes stated.  The future of PTSD treatment While additional research is required, the findings of this study are encouraging. Tetris, a game that many people connect with casual entertainment, could play an important role in helping people manage and decrease the impact of traumatic experiences. This strategy is accessible and provides a realistic, cost-effective solution for PTSD treatment. As Holmes’ work gains traction, it paves the way for more investigation into how simple, engaging tasks might enhance mental health outcomes. Tetris could be an important part of a PTSD recovery toolset.  Source study: BMC Medicine— A guided single session intervention to reduce intrusive memories of work-related trauma: a randomized controlled trial with healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemicThe post Do you suffer from PTSD flashbacks? Playing Tetris may just help first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

The train, as one of the earliest forms of mass transportation, forever changed the landscape of civilization, linking cities and communities across vast distances. It not only transformed travel but also became a powerful metaphor for life’s journey, momentum, and the unstoppable forces of change. In the world of rock music, the imagery of the train has long symbolized energy, escape, and raw power, which is evident in the scorching tracks featured in this list. This article explores ten electrifying rock songs with the word “train” in the title, focusing on legendary artists from the ’60s and ’70s who embodied The post 10 Scorching Rock Songs With The Word ‘Train’ In The Title appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

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