“Payam Method” hits the right note with piano students, making music education fun and accessible for kids

Payam Khastkhodaei thought it was the biggest achievement in the world when he placed second in a state-level piano competition. Then his students started sweeping competitions across the United States.  The 32-year-old son of Iranian immigrants has come up with a new method of teaching that has students loving their piano lessons and performing at … Read more

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While the jockeys and the horse owners compete for the top purses at the Iroquois Steeplechase, the perennial favorite event of this 85-year-old tradition is the parade of foxhounds. More than 20 foxhounds, a breed specifically trained to run alongside horses and hunters, took to the turf course Saturday to kick off … Read more

Katie Porter pokes fun at viral staffer video in new campaign ad

Katie Porter’s campaign for California governor got off to a rough start last year after a video surfaced of her telling a staffer to “get out of my f—ing shot” while she was recording a video. The former Democratic congresswoman is now using that in a new campaign ad. Political strategists Meaghan Mobbs and Matt … Read more

23 Amazon cleaning products that will make spring cleaning stress-free — and dare we say, fun?

While it sometimes feels like a chore, regularly cleaning your home can be rewarding. The satisfaction of sparkling dishes, a spotless sink and freshly laundered clothes can reduce stress and give you more time to focus on things you enjoy, like being outdoors, gardening or traveling. To help make cleaning your mattress, vacuuming carpets, mopping … Read more

How iNaturalist app users have fun while aiding science

We share our planet with maybe 10 million species of plants, animals, birds, fish, fungi and bugs. And to help identify them, millions of people are using a free phone app. “Currently we have about six million people using the platform every month,” said Scott Loarie, the executive director of iNaturalist, a nonprofit. Has anyone … Read more