The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging reports that 1.3 million older adults and people with disabilities are under guardianship. Senators Bob Casey and Mike Braun have highlighted serious flaws in guardianship laws, citing alarming statistics from the Government Accountability Office.

In New York, the Farley family is embroiled in a legal battle over the guardianship of 84-year-old Dr. Ena Farley. Jonathan Farley claims his mother was unjustly placed under guardianship and removed from her home by police, an incident caught on video. He alleges that his brother Chris, acting as Power of Attorney and temporary guardian, is responsible for her year-long confinement in a nursing home, despite no finding of mental incompetence. Jonathan says authorities and agencies have sided with Chris, denied an independent medical evaluation, and restricted contact with Dr. Farley.

A court hearing in June will address the dispute. The Farley case highlights ongoing ethical and legal concerns in guardianship, echoing calls for stronger protection for vulnerable individuals.

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What does it mean to be alone, to fall in love, and to make love in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking and deeply personal exploration, acclaimed novelist and nonfiction writer Victoria Hetherington examines the rapidly changing landscape of AI companionship.

The Friend Machine begins with a searching look at our era’s pervasive loneliness, then skillfully weaves together interviews with scientists, social critics, and other experts to unravel the complex relationships forming between humans and AI. Each chapter explores the philosophical, psychological, ethical, economic, and biological dimensions of this swiftly evolving technology.

Hetherington also offers a compassionate and intimate portrait of individuals from diverse backgrounds who have sought—and found—companionship in AI. As the boundaries between human and machine continue to blur, Hetherington reveals how the very nature of our relationships is poised to change in ways we are only beginning to imagine.

She is the author of "The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship."

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She has devoted over 40 years to helping students of all ages and abilities succeed. She specializes in supporting learners who face challenges in school due to anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Together with her husband, Alvin Silbert, Ed.D., she co-authored the award-winning book Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids and its forthcoming updated edition, Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades: What Parents Need to Know and Do (available April 12, 2026). The Silberts have also created a variety of learning and study aids, including best-selling books—over a million copies sold—and the popular SuperDeck™ card games. In addition to her writing, Dr. Linda publishes a weekly education column for five local newspapers and is a regular presenter at the annual Everyone Reading conference in New York.

https://stronglearning.com/

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He brings to life the surviving fragments of timeless wisdom from the lost plays of ancient Athens. Consider sayings such as, “The truly happy man ought to stay at home,” “Hunger, and lack of coin, put a stop to love,” and “Hades, alone of the gods, does not enjoy bribes.” These and many other memorable lines from Greek dramatists like Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Menander were preserved centuries after their creation, thanks to Stobaeus—a fifth-century AD scholar who collected them to instruct his son.

Stobaeus’s anthology offers the only glimpses we have of countless lost Athenian plays: concise, eloquent verses chosen with a father’s wisdom. Some fragments spark “aha” moments, others deliver wit or dark humor, and many offer profound moral insight.

With this volume, James Romm becomes the first to translate these fragments into verse for English readers. Vividly rendered and elegantly presented, Since You are Mortal . . . is both an ancient and enduring guide to living a thoughtful, virtuous life.

He is the author of Since You're Mortal . . .: Life Lessons from the Lost Greek Plays.

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The purpose of her book is to guide you through a successful transition from incarceration to a fulfilling and productive life after release. Ideally, preparation for this transition should begin six months before your release date. The recommended approach is to collaborate with a mentor, meeting weekly to follow this program both during your final months in prison and for twelve weeks after release.

This program aims to reduce recidivism by addressing the challenges of reintegrating into the community and providing a clear structure for your success. In other words, their goal is to help you avoid returning to prison by equipping you with the tools and support needed to overcome common obstacles faced in the outside world.

The book includes preparatory activities to help you get ready to connect with a mentor. Once you are prepared, you and your mentor will meet each week to discuss the relevant chapter and work through the material together. The content is designed to help you develop essential life and employability skills. Additionally, you will find checklists and templates to ensure you are fully prepared for life after release.

She is the author of "From Prison to Possibilities: Paving Your Path."

https://drnugentspeaks.com/

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This book, written by scientist Adrian Woolfson, explores how recent technology could let us "write" or design DNA, which is the code of life. Woolfson believes that by learning to program DNA, we could change biology in amazing ways. For example, in the future, we might be able to grow houses instead of building them, have living smartphones, or wear clothes that can react to us. We could even store all human knowledge in a tiny piece of DNA, cure all diseases, and live much longer lives.

To make this possible, Woolfson says we need to understand DNA as a language that we can read and write. Right now, scientists are just starting out—they can write the DNA of simple things like viruses and bacteria. But soon, we might be able to create the DNA of extinct animals or even new life forms that have never existed before. This would mean life could be designed and changed by humans.

However, this power comes with big risks. Changing life in such a major way could have unexpected effects on nature and on what it means to be human. Woolfson’s book explains these possibilities and warns that we need to use this technology carefully and ethically.

Experts praise the book for being bold, imaginative, and easy to understand. They say it is important reading for anyone interested in the future of life on Earth.

https://adrianwoolfson.com/

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If you have experienced intense stress, trauma, or abuse, you may struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, resentment, or even challenges in achieving your personal goals. You might also find it difficult to protect yourself from toxic people. Dr. Toni Cooper offers practical tips and strategies to help you move forward. Her resources include self-help videos, audiobooks, podcast episodes, books, and “how-to” blog posts designed to provide answers and direction.

Dr. Toni Cooper is a psychologist, author, and public speaker dedicated to helping adults find emotional healing and personal growth. With more than three decades of experience, she integrates proven psychological strategies to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and family dysfunction. Through her counseling work, books, podcast, and teaching videos, Dr. Cooper guides people toward practical coping skills and a more fulfilling life. Her mission is to help individuals release emotional burdens, build resilience, and move from daily survival to a life anchored in confidence and well-being.

https://www.drtonicooper.com/

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Do you have a passion for Tuscany or Italian culture? Imagine discovering a slice of Italian paradise not in Europe but nestled among the golden hills of California’s wine country. Healdsburg, a hidden gem in the heart of Sonoma County, offers a Tuscany-inspired experience that brings the charm of Little Italy to California.

With Sonoma Wine Rides, exploring the enchanting beauty of Healdsburg becomes effortless. This dedicated transport service invites you to sit back and relax as you journey through picturesque landscapes, visiting top wineries for delightful tastings. Their mission is to make your wine adventure both memorable and hassle-free, ensuring you savor every moment in this charming city.

Located just 10 to 15 minutes north of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg has quietly become a haven for wine lovers, food enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an authentic taste of la dolce vita. From the vibrant town plaza to the scenic wineries scattered across the Sonoma County countryside, Healdsburg offers a little pocket of Italy perfect for a weekend getaway or a day trip from the Bay Area—or from anywhere in the country.

While many are familiar with the world-class Italian wine varietals grown in the region’s rich soil, only a few know about Healdsburg’s farm-to-table cuisine, bursting with ingredients fresh from the California earth. Add in the rolling countryside. And it is time for you to discover your own slice of Tuscany right here in California!

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