As Americans flock to beaches this summer, their toes are sinking into some of the most hotly contested real estate in the United States. It wasn’t always this way. Through the mid-20th century, when the U.S. population was smaller and the coast was still something of a frontier in many states, laissez-faire and absentee coastal landowners tolerated people crossing their beachfront property. Now, however, the coast has filled up. Property owners are much more inclined to seek to exclude an ever-growing population of beachgoers seeking access to less and less beach. On most U.S. shorelines, the public has a time-honored right to “lateral” access. This means that people can move down the beach along the wet sand between high and low tide – a zone that usually is publicly owned. Waterfront property owners’ control typically stops at the high tide line or, in a very few cases, the low tide line. But as climate change raises sea levels, property owners are trying to harden their shorelines with sea walls and other types of armoring, squeezing the sandy beach and the public into a shrinking and diminished space. As director of the Conservation Clinic at the University of Florida College of Law and the Florida Sea Grant Legal Program, and as someone who grew up with sand between my toes, I have studied beach law and policy for most of my career. In my view, the collision between rising seas and coastal development – known as “coastal squeeze” – now represents an existential threat to beaches, and to the public’s ability to reach them. California state law mandates public access to beaches, but wealthy property owners have been able to restrict access to this beach near Santa Barbara. The beach as a public trust Beachfront property law has evolved from ideas that date back to ancient Rome. Romans regarded the beach as “public dominion,” captured in an oft-cited quote from Roman law: “By the law of nature these things are common to all mankind; the air, running water, the sea and consequently the shores of the sea.” Judges in medieval England evolved this idea into the legal theory known as the “public trust doctrine” – the idea that certain resources should be preserved for all to use. The U.S. inherited this concept. Most states place the boundary between public and private property at the mean high tide line, an average tide over an astronomical epoch of 19 years. This means that at some point in the daily tidal cycle there is usually a public beach to walk along, albeit a wet and sometimes narrow one. In states such as Maine that set the boundary at mean low tide, you have to be willing to wade. A sign marks the demarcation between public beach and private property in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. AP Photo/Brendan Farrington Everybody in! Early beach access laws in coastal states were largely designed to ensure that workaday activities such as fishing and gathering seaweed for fertilizer could occur, regardless of who owned the beach frontage. Increasingly, however, public recreation became the main use of beaches, and state laws evolved to recognize this shift. For example, in 1984 the New Jersey Supreme Court extended the reach of the Public Trust Doctrine beyond the tide line to include recreational use of the dry sandy beach. In a pioneering move, Texas codified its common law in 1959 by enacting the Open Beaches Act, which provides that the sandy beach up to the line of vegetation is subject to an easement in favor of the public. Moreover, Texas allows this easement to “roll” as the shoreline migrates inland, which is increasingly likely in an era of rising seas. Recent litigation and amendments to the act have somewhat modified its application, but the basic principle of public rights in privately owned dry sand beach still applies. Most states that give the public dry sand access on otherwise private property do so under a legal principle known as customary use rights. These rights evolved in feudal England to grant landless villagers access to the lord of the manor’s lands for civic activities that had been conducted since “time immemorial,” such as ritual maypole dancing. Oregon’s Supreme Court led the way in judicially applying customary use rights to beaches in 1969, declaring all the state’s dry sand beaches open to the public. Florida followed suit in 1974, but its Supreme Court decision has since been interpreted to apply on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Like Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands all have enacted legislation that recognizes customary use of the sandy beach, and courts have upheld the laws. Sand wars in Florida Florida has more sandy beaches than any other state, a year-round climate to enjoy them, and a seemingly unbounded appetite for growth, all of which makes beach access a chronic flashpoint. Along Florida’s Panhandle, pitched battles have erupted since 2016, with beachfront property owners and private resorts asserting their private property rights over the dry sandy beach and calling sheriffs to evict locals. When beachgoers responded by asserting their customary use rights, Walton County – no liberal bastion – backed them up, passing the local equivalent of a customary use law. Florida’s Legislature stepped in and took away the local right to pass customary use laws, except according to a complicated legal process that only a few local governments have initiated. Critics argue that the law has made it harder for communities to establish lateral public access to beaches and has done little to resolve the ongoing disputes. What about just adding sand? Erosion is both an enemy and a potential savior of beach access. As rising seas erode beaches, pressure to harden shorelines grows. But armoring shorelines may actually increase erosion by interfering with the natural sand supply. Adding more sea walls thus makes it increasingly likely that in many developed areas the dry sand beach will all but disappear. And what once was the public wet sand beach – the area between mean high and low tide – will become two horizontal lines on a vertical sea wall. The sea wall around this Florida Panhandle beach house blocks public movement along the shore.Thomas Ankersen, CC BY-ND One alternative is adding more sand. Congress authorizes and funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore beaches with sand pumped from offshore or trucked from ancient inland dunes. States must typically match these funds, and beachfront property owners occasionally collectively pitch in. But federal regulations require communities that receive these funds to ensure there is adequate access to nourished beaches from the street, including parking. And new beaches built from submerged shorelines must be maintained for public access until rising seas submerge them again. This requirement, along with more arcane property rights issues, led landowners in Florida’s Walton County to fight a beach nourishment project that would have protected their property from erosion. They took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and lost. Beach nourishment, too, is a temporary solution. Good-quality, readily accessible offshore sand supplies are already depleted in some areas. And accelerating sea level rise may outpace readily available sand at some point in the future. Squeezed between condos and coral reefs, South Florida beaches are especially at risk, leading to some desperate proposals – including the idea of grinding up glass to create beach sand. By Thomas Ankersen, Legal Skills Professor and Director from the Conservation Clinic, University of Florida College of Law, University of Florida. Special thanks to The Conversation

A project built initially to test ideas inside Stepico has made its way onto the Meta Quest store. Discovery: Rogue Planet, a sci-fi VR shooter released for Meta Quest 3 and 3S on August 13, 2026, began as an Unreal Engine prototype before growing into a standalone game with its own development team. The path from experiment to finished title gives a rare look at what can happen when an internal R&D project is allowed to move beyond its original purpose. For the game development studio Stepico, the early version was a way to explore VR production and demonstrate what its developers and artists could build with Unreal Engine. It eventually became large enough to justify a separate product direction. A Demo That Outgrew Its Original Purpose Discovery: Rogue Planet was not originally planned as a commercial release. Stepico's team created the first version as an internal Unreal Engine demo. The prototype provided room to work with VR mechanics while building a science-fiction environment that could showcase both technical and artistic work. The concept kept developing. A small experiment turned into a pitch for a complete game, and work moved beyond the boundaries of a conventional internal demo. A dedicated team was eventually formed under the Immersmind name to take the project into full production. Meta also became involved during development, providing technical support and guidance for the project. That history separates Discovery: Rogue Planet from a game conceived from day one around a fixed commercial brief. Several parts of the final experience can be traced back to experimentation rather than a predetermined formula. Rogax Was Built Around Its Own History The game takes place on Rogax, a remote planet where the player works as a bounty hunter. Its setting avoids the familiar polished corridors and space-station interiors found in plenty of science-fiction shooters. Rogax is dry, hostile and filled with traces of an environment that no longer exists. The developers imagined the planet as a place once covered by water. Its oceans disappeared long before the events of the game, leaving behind landscapes shaped by that history. Dried seabeds, unusual rock formations and vegetation resembling coral help sell the idea without requiring lengthy explanations. That approach is particularly useful in VR. Environmental details can carry more weight when players are free to examine locations at their own pace and perceive their scale through a headset. The Ukrainian roots of the team also appear in smaller details throughout the project. They are not treated as the central subject of the game, but can be found in names, visual elements and music. Ukrainian musician Gordiy Starukh contributed to the soundtrack, bringing the sound of the hurdy-gurdy into the game's sci-fi setting. Designing a Shooter for a Headset Building a shooter for VR involves problems that are easy to overlook when designing for a conventional screen. Fast movement can make a player uncomfortable. Interface elements have to remain readable without constantly pulling attention away from the environment. Weapons and objects need to feel convincing when the player can inspect them from almost any angle. Even the perceived size of a room or enemy changes when it is viewed at human scale rather than through a monitor. The team tested ideas that never reached the released game. Plans at different stages included an underwater sequence, vehicle gameplay and more complicated drone mechanics. Those features were dropped as production progressed. The final version instead concentrates on exploration, shooting, missions and story progression. Cutting mechanics is an ordinary part of development, but VR makes the decision particularly important. Adding more systems does not automatically produce a better experience when every new interaction also has to work naturally with motion controls and remain comfortable inside a headset. Immersmind Takes the Project to Release As the project moved closer to becoming a commercial product, its organizational structure changed as well. Immersmind emerged as the dedicated team behind Discovery: Rogue Planet. On the Meta Horizon Store, Immersmind Studio is listed as the game's developer and publisher. The distinction matters because the finished title should not simply be described as a current Stepico release. Its connection to Stepico lies in where the project began and how it developed before becoming a separate product initiative. The game finally launched on August 13 for Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. Its release completed a development path that started with an internal prototype and ended with a publicly available standalone VR game. Stepico Is Testing Game Technology Outside Traditional Releases The VR project is also connected to a broader area of work at Stepico. During 2026, the company has been putting more attention on serious games and interactive simulations. These projects use familiar game-development tools but are created for purposes such as training, education and professional simulation. In June, Stepico took part in an IGEA webinar devoted to practical applications of serious games. Topics included the use of simulations in enterprise learning, education, manufacturing and defence-related training. Stepico co-founder and CEO Andrii Titov returned to the subject in September during a guest lecture at the University of Technology Sydney. One of the points addressed was the difference between gamification and a serious game. The two terms are often mixed together, although they describe different approaches. Gamification can add elements such as rewards or progression to an existing process. A serious game is an interactive product in its own right, built around a learning, training or simulation goal. For a development team, that still requires many of the disciplines used in entertainment games: 3D environments, animation, gameplay programming, UI, level design and real-time rendering. The difference is what the finished experience is expected to achieve. From Portfolio Experiment to Finished Product The story behind Discovery: Rogue Planet is arguably more interesting than treating the release as another addition to a studio portfolio. It began without the certainty of becoming a commercial game. The first objective was experimentation. Once the prototype showed enough potential, the scope changed, a dedicated team appeared and the project moved toward a standalone release. That route is difficult to plan in advance, which is precisely what makes internal development projects useful. They give developers room to test technology and design ideas without forcing every early experiment into the structure of a finished product. In this case, the experiment survived that process. Discovery: Rogue Planet is now a released Meta Quest title, while Stepico continues working with VR, game production and serious-game applications. What started as an Unreal Engine demo ultimately became something much more concrete: a game that players can actually put on a headset and play. By ML Staff

Outdoor enthusiasts are aware that dampness can ruin pricey equipment in a matter of minutes. Electronics, clothes, and food supplies can be destroyed by a sudden downpour or a river crossing. Picking the right storage solution prevents such costly disasters on every trip. Waterproof dry bags for outdoor adventures solve this exact problem. A good one keeps a phone, a sleeping bag, and a bag of trail mix completely dry. Bad ones leak, tear, or fail right when they matter most. This guide covers seven features worth checking before any purchase. Image by DepositPhotos Material Quality and Durability The fabric used in construction impacts how long a bag will withstand rigorous treatment. Most high-quality options use coated nylon, TPU, or thick PVC. These materials can withstand continual rubbing within a backpack as well as abrasion from rocks and branches. Although a flimsy shell seems inexpensive and light, it tears when the worst happens. Examine the denier rating, which gauges the strength and density of the fabric. Higher numbers typically indicate tougher material. Weak stitching causes water to enter, so seams should receive similar care. Simple stitched lines are not as durable as reinforced, welded, or taped seams. Closure System Reliability Even when the bag is fully submerged, water is kept out by a strong sealing mechanism. Roll-top designs are popular because they provide solid protection and easy operation. Before snapping the buckle shut, users must fold the top at least three times. When it rains a lot, skipping folds or hurrying this stage encourages leaks. Although they require greater maintenance and frequent lubrication, zipper closures are also functional. Practice using the closure until it comes naturally, regardless of the style you choose. Because inexpensive plastic breaks in cold temperatures, buckle quality is important. Before relying on the closure with costly equipment, test it several times. Size and Capacity Needs The equipment and duration of the journey should fit the storage capacity. Smaller packs, about ten to twenty liters, are necessary for day walks. Thirty liters or more are needed for clothing, food, and shelter supplies on multi-day treks. Purchasing large bags adds needless weight and wastes space. If you choose something too small, you have to make difficult choices about what gets left behind. Think about how the bag might fit inside a bigger backpack as well. A cylindrical form fits into confined spaces with ease. Measure the current equipment before choosing a capacity with a little breathing room. Waterproof Rating Explained Manufacturers use IP ratings to indicate levels of water resistance. The bag may withstand submersion at one meter for thirty minutes if it has an IPX7 rating. In deeper water, lower ratings are ineffective, although they manage splashes and rain. The best protection is essential for anyone wishing to go rafting or kayaking. Unpleasant surprises on the water can be avoided by reading these labels. Rather than marketing claims, the grade is based on tested conditions. Comprehending the scale facilitates fair product comparisons for consumers. Waterproof dry bags for outdoor adventures should always have an unambiguous, verifiable grade. Image by DepositPhotos Carry Comfort and Portability When equipment travels large distances on foot, transportation becomes important. Shoulder discomfort during prolonged carrying is lessened by padded straps. Because the bag can be transformed into a basic stuff sack, detachable designs provide versatility. A person's ability to hoist a loaded pack is influenced by the location of the handle. For improved balance, backpack straps disperse weight over shoulders. Daisy chains are included in some types so that additional things can be attached. In an emergency, rolled tops can be used as grab handles. Before buying, check the fit to prevent blisters and dissatisfaction. Valve and Air Release Design Trapped air inside a sealed bag makes it bulky and uncomfortable to carry. This function compresses the contents into a tighter, more manageable shape. Contents are compressed by this function into a more digestible, tighter shape. Valves are important to paddlers since kayaks have limited room. Additionally, deflation makes carrying a backpack much easier. Verify that the valve locks into place and closes securely. Inadequately installed valves may leak slowly and reduce effectiveness. Here, high-quality construction increases convenience without compromising security. Visibility and Color Options Bright colors serve a practical purpose beyond simple aesthetics. A neon bag stands out against dark water during rescue situations. Hikers looking for gear inside a crowded tent benefit from distinct shades too. Dark colors absorb heat, which damages sensitive electronics over time. Lighter hues reflect sunlight and keep internal temperatures lower. Reflective strips add another safety layer for night excursions. Group leaders assign different colors to each member for quick identification. Choosing visible tones improves safety and organization on any trip. Seven features determine whether a dry bag protects gear or fails when conditions turn harsh. Material strength, closure design, capacity, waterproof rating, comfort, valve function, and warranty coverage all deserve careful review. Anyone comparing waterproof dry bags for outdoor adventures should weigh each detail before spending money. Rushing this decision leads to ruined equipment and ruined trips. Thoughtful comparison before purchase guarantees dry, safe belongings on every adventure. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of DepositPhotos

Windows deal with far more daily stress than most homeowners realize. They are exposed to changing temperatures, rain, sunlight, wind, repeated opening and closing, and the occasional bump from furniture, pets, or children. When researching replacement options, homeowners may look at local providers such as The Window Depot of Tampa Bay – Windows & Doors to get a better sense of the available products and features. Durability, however, ultimately comes down to the materials, construction, installation, and maintenance behind the window itself. A well-built window should continue to operate smoothly, protect the home from the elements, and maintain its appearance for years without demanding constant attention. Image by DepositPhotos A Strong Frame Sets the Foundation The frame carries much of the structural responsibility, so its quality plays a major role in how well a window holds up over time. Different frame materials respond differently to moisture, heat, cold, and physical stress. Some resist warping exceptionally well, while others offer good insulation but may require more maintenance. What matters most is not simply the material name but how well the frame is manufactured and reinforced. Corners should be tightly joined, surfaces should feel solid rather than flimsy, and the entire frame should remain square. Once a frame begins to twist, bow, or separate at its joints, the window can become difficult to operate and gaps may appear around the sash. Durability also depends on how well the material handles expansion and contraction. Temperature changes cause most building materials to move slightly. A quality frame is designed to accommodate that movement without cracking, bending, or pulling away from surrounding components. Glass Has to Handle More Than the View Glass is often discussed in terms of energy efficiency, but its construction also contributes to the long-term reliability of the entire window. Modern residential windows commonly use multiple panes separated by a sealed space. This construction can improve insulation while also creating a more substantial glazing unit. However, the quality of the seals around those panes is especially important. Once a seal fails, moisture may enter the space between the panes, leading to fogging or condensation that cannot simply be wiped away. Durable windows use glazing systems that keep the glass securely seated while still allowing for the slight movement caused by temperature changes. Glass that is poorly supported can place unnecessary stress on the surrounding sash or frame. The type of glass may also matter in areas where windows are more exposed to impact, strong winds, or frequent activity around the home. Different safety and reinforced glass options are available for situations where extra resistance is useful. Hardware Should Survive Thousands of Uses Locks, handles, hinges, rollers, and balance systems may seem like small details, but they often determine how a window feels after years of use. A window can have an excellent frame and high-quality glass yet still become frustrating if its moving parts wear out quickly. Everyday durability requires hardware that can tolerate repeated use without loosening, sticking, or becoming difficult to operate. Opening a new window should feel controlled rather than shaky. The sash should move evenly, locks should engage cleanly, and handles should feel secure. These details can reveal a surprising amount about overall construction quality. Hardware should also be matched to the size and weight of the window. A large sash places more stress on hinges, tracks, and support mechanisms than a smaller one. Components that are undersized or poorly fitted may wear prematurely. Image by DepositPhotos Weather Resistance Is Part of Durability A window does not need to look damaged to be performing poorly. Air leaks and water intrusion can create problems long before obvious deterioration appears. Weatherstripping, seals, drainage channels, and frame joints all help control what happens when wind and rain reach the exterior of the home. Durable windows are designed to direct water away rather than allowing it to collect in vulnerable areas. Repeated moisture exposure can damage surrounding trim, walls, and insulation if water finds a path indoors. Even a small leak may become more serious over time, especially if it remains hidden. Air leakage can also indicate worn weatherstripping or poor alignment. While weather seals are replaceable components, a well-designed window should keep them properly compressed when closed so they do not wear unnecessarily fast. Installation Can Make or Break a Good Window Even a well-manufactured window can develop problems when it is installed incorrectly. The opening must be prepared properly, the unit must be positioned square and level, and the surrounding gaps must be sealed appropriately. If the frame is forced into an uneven opening, it may twist slightly. That distortion can make the sash difficult to move and may place extra strain on locks and seals. Water management around the opening is equally important. Flashing and exterior sealing methods help prevent moisture from traveling behind the window and into the wall system. This is one reason durability should be viewed as a combination of product quality and workmanship. A window is not an isolated object. It becomes part of the home's exterior envelope, and its long-term performance depends on how well those components work together. Everyday Use Reveals Construction Quality Some durability issues become noticeable only after a window has been used repeatedly. A strong residential window should not require special handling every time it is opened. The sash should stay aligned, the lock should remain easy to engage, and components should not begin rattling after a short period of use. Smooth operation matters because resistance often leads people to use more force. A sticking window may be pushed, pulled, or slammed, which places additional stress on hardware and frame connections. Household routines matter too. Windows near kitchens may encounter more moisture and grease. Windows near patios may be opened frequently. Those in bedrooms might be operated less often but still need dependable locks and seals. Thinking about how each window will actually be used can help homeowners choose construction features suited to the space rather than treating every opening exactly the same. Image by DepositPhotos Maintenance Still Matters Durable does not mean maintenance-free forever. Tracks collect dirt, drainage openings can become blocked, and weatherstripping gradually wears with use. Keeping these areas clean reduces unnecessary friction and helps prevent water from collecting where it should not. Periodic inspections are useful as well. Homeowners can look for loose hardware, damaged seals, difficulty opening or closing, condensation between panes, or signs of moisture around the surrounding wall. Small issues are generally easier to address before they begin affecting other components. A loose handle, for example, may be a simple repair. Ignoring it until the hardware shifts or damages the sash can turn a minor problem into a larger one. Durability Comes From the Whole Window No single feature determines whether a window will last. Strong frames matter, but so do glazing seals, hardware, weather protection, installation quality, and ongoing care. For everyday home use, the most durable windows are usually those designed as complete systems rather than collections of impressive individual features. Each component should support the others, allowing the window to handle regular movement, weather exposure, and changing temperatures without losing alignment or performance. Homeowners comparing options should therefore look beyond appearance alone. A window may look nearly identical to another model in a showroom while using very different internal hardware, frame reinforcement, sealing methods, or glass construction. Those less-visible details often become the difference between a window that simply looks good when new and one that continues working well many years later. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of DepositPhotos

Somewhere around the second week of the school year, a small, quiet tragedy repeats itself in garages all over the country. The tennis racket goes up on the hook, next to the deflated beach ball and the abandoned pool noodles, filed away with summer, not to be touched again until June. It happens almost automatically, a seasonal reflex. And it is, for anyone whose kid actually enjoyed those summer lessons, a genuine waste — because ask any junior coach and they will tell you, with feeling, that autumn is secretly the best season on court. Cooler air, empty courts, and children who are no longer wilting into a puddle by the second game. Parents hesitate for reasons that mostly don't survive scrutiny, so let's take them one at a time, because the objections are the whole thing standing between your kid and eight good weekends. 'Isn't it too cold to play?' Almost never, and far less often than you'd think. Tennis generates a surprising amount of heat, fast — the first two or three rallies handle the warming-up entirely, and within a game most kids are shedding a layer. The real enemies of autumn tennis are not the temperature during play but the two edges around it: the cold, stiff, under-dressed warm-up, and the damp, sweaty, over-dressed cool-down. Both are wardrobe problems, not weather problems. Cold-weather tennis, almost entirely, is a packing question pretending to be a reason to stay home. 'So what do they actually wear?' Layers that come off and go back on between games, which is the governing principle of the whole season. Start with a breathable long-sleeve base against the skin. Add tennis clothes for kids that are genuinely cut for a full swing — a fitted top under a light jacket beats one thick, restrictive sweatshirt every single time, because the sweatshirt turns a serve into a wrestling match. And finish with an outer layer that blocks the wind without pinning the shoulders. A packable girls windbreaker is the workhorse here: on for the warm-up and the changeovers, off and stuffed into the bag by the third game, weighing almost nothing either way. My own daughter adds leg warmers over her leggings once October bites and declares that she looks, and I quote, 'like a real player.' I have learned not to argue with a motivated athlete. 'Why do my kid's shots suddenly fall apart in the cold?' Here is the insider detail almost nobody tells parents, and it saves entire afternoons once you know it: tennis balls behave differently in the cold. Below roughly ten degrees Celsius they lose internal pressure, bounce lower, and sit heavier off the strings — so a kid who was hitting cleanly in September starts spraying balls into the net in October and quietly concludes they've gotten worse. They haven't. It's the ball. Keep a fresh can indoors rather than in a freezing car boot, warm a couple in a pocket between games, and tell your player, out loud, that it's the equipment and not them. That one sentence has rescued more fall practices in our house than any tip about technique. 'What about their hands — mine are freezing just watching?' Extremities are where cold-weather tennis is quietly won or lost, and they're the easiest thing to fix. A pair of thin, close-fitting gloves for the warm-up that come off the moment rallies start; a headband or light beanie, since a startling amount of heat leaves through an uncovered head; and warm, moisture-wicking socks inside proper court shoes, never cotton, which soaks and chills. Racket grips also go slick and cold-hard in low temperatures, so a fresh overgrip makes a real difference to a small hand trying to hold on. Warm hands and feet keep a kid on court a full hour longer than they'd otherwise last — it's the cheapest upgrade you can make. 'Should we just move indoors for winter?' Eventually, maybe — but don't rush it, because outdoor fall tennis has genuine advantages that a booked indoor court can't match. It's free or close to it, it's available whenever the mood strikes rather than on a reservation, and the empty public courts of October mean a kid can hit for an hour without waiting or feeling watched. Save the paid indoor sessions for the genuinely frozen depths of winter. There's a long, cheap, low-pressure runway of outdoor play to enjoy first, and it's exactly the unstructured kind that builds a lasting love of the game rather than just a forehand. 'How do I keep it fun once the season turns serious for the older kids?' Lower the stakes, deliberately and without apology. Autumn is the season for games, not ladders or rankings. Beat the parent. Hit the cone for a point. Play twenty-one against a sibling with dinner on the line. First to make ten in a row wins a hot chocolate. The children who are grinding joylessly through drills in the July heat are very often the same ones who quietly, permanently fell in love with the sport on some cold, low-stakes October afternoon when absolutely nothing counted and the only prize was the walk home. Fun in the fall is not a distraction from the sport. For a young kid, it is the sport's retention plan. 'Is the kids' gear even any good, or is it just miniature adult stuff?' It has genuinely improved, and fast. For years, junior court clothing was an afterthought — either cotton that soaked through or shrunken adult kit that didn't fit a child's proportions. That has changed. Brands like moodytiger now make junior court pieces using the same technical, quick-drying, four-way-stretch fabrics the adult performance brands use, but sized and cut for people who celebrate winning a point by attempting a cartwheel. The result is clothing that actually supports the movement instead of fighting it — which, for a kid still building the habit, removes one more small reason to quit. Junior court wear is a genuine category for moodytiger rather than a sideline, with a dedicated tennis line cut to junior proportions in the same breathable fabrics the tour brands use. 'What if they seem to be losing interest entirely?' First, don't panic or push — a cooling-off after the intensity of summer lessons is completely normal and rarely permanent. Often it isn't the sport at all but the format: the drills got repetitive, a coach got stern, the fun quietly drained out. The fix is usually to change the container, not abandon the contents. Play instead of practice for a few weeks. Let them invite a friend so it's social rather than instructional. Hit with them yourself, badly, and let them win. And if they genuinely want to step away for the winter, let them, with the door left open — a kid allowed to leave a sport freely is far likelier to wander back to it than one who was marched through it. The goal was never a ranking. It was a person who still likes to play. So resist the seasonal reflex. The racket does not belong on the hook next to the pool noodles quite yet. There are, by a generous count, at least eight good weekends left before the weather truly closes the outdoor courts for the year — eight chances at cool air, short shadows, and a court all to yourselves. Pack the layers, warm the balls, keep the score friendly, and go claim an empty court while every other family in town is queuing for the pumpkin patch. Your kid, and their forehand, will be better for it come spring. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of moodytiger

Givenchy has introduced a new selection of women’s dresses for the current season, featuring a range of silhouettes and materials aimed at evening and occasion wear. The lineup includes long dresses with sliced slashes as well as midi, mini and bustier styles, offering varied options in length and structure. The collection is presented as a curated wardrobe that can be adapted for different formal and semi-formal settings. To complement the dresses, Givenchy is spotlighting new Mules Pompom sandals and the Pinch Soft pouch in leopard-effect shearling, designed to complete coordinated looks with matching footwear and accessories. Shoppers can browse the collection and explore additional women’s and men’s offerings through Givenchy’s official website. By ML. Photo(s)/Givenchy

Dior has expanded its Dior Ribbon sneaker line with new color and material variations that emphasize the model’s retro-inspired silhouette. Designed by Jonathan Anderson, the latest versions of the sneaker feature uppers crafted in suede, leopard print, metallic finishes, and Donegal tweed, each paired with distinctive Dior-embroidered ribbons. The collection is now available through Dior’s online and retail channels, allowing customers to explore the range and select their preferred version of the Dior Ribbon sneaker. The new designs continue Dior’s focus on combining archival references with contemporary casual footwear, adding seasonal options to one of the house’s signature sneaker styles. By ML. Photo(s)/Dior

Givenchy has released a Men’s Winter Edit that focuses on knitwear pieces for men, including sweaters, cardigans and pants designed for the colder months. The collection highlights knit textures and layered silhouettes intended to add structure to winter outfits, offering options for both casual and more polished looks. Pieces from the Men’s Winter Edit are available in Givenchy boutiques and online at givenchy.com. By ML. Photo(s)/Givenchy

Chanel has expanded its Bleu de Chanel line with a coordinated shaving and grooming ritual designed to extend the fragrance experience for men. The new Bleu de Chanel ritual features a collection of shaving and grooming essentials that reinforce the line’s signature aromatic woody notes through a complete five step routine. Alongside the ritual, Chanel has introduced Bleu de Chanel L’Exclusif, a woody, ambery aromatic composition created to deliver a more intense fragrance trail for those seeking a deeper interpretation of the scent. More information is available on the official Chanel website. By ML. Photo(s)/CHANEL

Tiffany & Co. is spotlighting the Elsa Peretti Open Heart collection, emphasizing the line’s simple, evocative silhouette and its association with the spirit of love. The collection features Open Heart pieces that can be styled together or worn individually for a more pronounced look. Tiffany & Co. is directing customers to explore the broader Elsa Peretti jewelry range, including necklaces, bracelets and other designs that incorporate the recognizable heart motif. Shoppers are encouraged to consult with Tiffany specialists for guidance on diamond selections and styling, with the option to book in-store appointments for more personalized service. The company is also promoting personalization services on select designs and offering sign-ups for text updates to keep clients informed about new pieces and services. Customers can explore Tiffany online to view the Elsa Peretti Open Heart collection and learn more about available services. By ML. Photo(s)/Tiffany & Co.

The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach has released its exhibition schedule for the 2026–2027 season, which runs from summer 2026 through fall 2027 and includes new solo exhibitions by Yuko Mohri, Amalia Pica, Sara Zapata, Pedro y Juana, and Pepe Mar, among others. According to the museum, the season’s exhibitions present a range of perspectives and narrative themes that reflect Miami Beach’s diverse international audiences, offering visitors opportunities to consider how personal, cultural, and institutional contexts shape their experience of contemporary art. Throughout the 2026–2027 program, audiences are encouraged to examine how multiple meanings emerge from artworks over time, treating interpretation as an active process that evolves through continued engagement with artists’ practices and the museum setting. Further details about the 2026–2027 exhibitions are available on The Bass website. By ML. Photo(s)/The Bass Museum of Art

Burberry has introduced a new seasonal refresh collection featuring clothing and accessories designed to ease the transition between seasons and adapt to unpredictable weather. Rooted in the brand’s British heritage, the latest arrivals highlight signature house styles and key accessories intended for layering and versatile everyday wear. The collection spans ready-to-wear pieces, bags and accessories across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, with an emphasis on practical design that maintains the label’s established aesthetic. New arrivals are available through the Burberry website and in selected stores. By ML. Photo(s)/Burberry