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In the years following the bitter Civil War, a former Union general took a holiday originated by former Confederates and helped spread it across the entire country. The holiday was Memorial Day, an annual commemoration was born in the former Confederate States in 1866 and adopted by the United States in 1868. It is a holiday in which the nation honors its military dead. Gen. John A. Logan, who headed the largest Union veterans’ fraternity at that time, the Grand Army of the Republic, is usually credited as being the originator of the holiday. Yet when General Logan established the holiday, he acknowledged its genesis among the Union’s former enemies, saying, “It was not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South.” I’m a scholar who has written – with co-author Daniel Bellware – a history of Memorial Day. Cities and towns across America have for more than a century claimed to be the holiday’s birthplace, but we have sifted through the myths and half-truths and uncovered the authentic story of how this holiday came into being. Generous acts bore fruit During 1866, the first year of this annual observance in the South, a feature of the holiday emerged that made awareness, admiration and eventually imitation of it spread quickly to the North. During the inaugural Memorial Day observances which were conceived in Columbus, Georgia, many Southern participants – especially women – decorated graves of Confederate soldiers as well as, unexpectedly, those of their former enemies who fought for the Union. Civil War Union Gen. John A. Logan. Library of Congress Glass negatives Shortly after those first Memorial Day observances all across the South, newspaper coverage in the North was highly favorable to the ex-Confederates. “The action of the ladies on this occasion, in burying whatever animosities or ill-feeling may have been engendered in the late war towards those who fought against them, is worthy of all praise and commendation,” wrote one paper. On May 9, 1866, the Cleveland Daily Leader lauded the Southern women during their first Memorial Day. “The act was as beautiful as it was unselfish, and will be appreciated in the North.” The New York Commercial Advertiser, recognizing the magnanimous deeds of the women of Columbus, Georgia, echoed the sentiment. “Let this incident, touching and beautiful as it is, impart to our Washington authorities a lesson in conciliation.” Power of a poem To be sure, this sentiment was not unanimous. There were many in both parts of the U.S. who had no interest in conciliation. But as a result of one of these news reports, Francis Miles Finch, a Northern judge, academic and poet, wrote a poem titled “The Blue and the Gray.” Finch’s poem quickly became part of the American literary canon. He explained what inspired him to write it: “It struck me that the South was holding out a friendly hand, and that it was our duty, not only as conquerors, but as men and their fellow citizens of the nation, to grasp it.” Finch’s poem seemed to extend a full pardon to the South: “They banish our anger forever when they laurel the graves of our dead” was one of the lines. Not just poems: Sheet music written to commemorate Memorial Day in 1870.Library of Congress Almost immediately, the poem circulated across America in books, magazines and newspapers. By the end of the 19th century, school children everywhere were required to memorize Finch’s poem. The ubiquitous publication of Finch’s rhyme meant that by the end of 1867, the southern Memorial Day holiday was a familiar phenomenon throughout the entire, and recently reunited, country. General Logan was aware of the forgiving sentiments of people like Finch. When Logan’s order establishing Memorial Day was published in various newspapers in May 1868, Finch’s poem was sometimes appended to the order. ‘The blue and the grey’ It was not long before Northerners decided that they would not only adopt the Southern custom of Memorial Day, but also the Southern custom of “burying the hatchet.” A group of Union veterans explained their intentions in a letter to the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph on May 28, 1869: “Wishing to bury forever the harsh feelings engendered by the war, Post 19 has decided not to pass by the graves of the Confederates sleeping in our lines, but divide each year between the blue and the grey the first floral offerings of a common country. We have no powerless foes. Post 19 thinks of the Southern dead only as brave men.” Other reports of reciprocal magnanimity circulated in the North, including the gesture of a 10-year-old who made a wreath of flowers and sent it to the overseer of the holiday, Colonel Leaming, in Lafayette, Indiana, with the following note attached, published in The New Hampshire Patriot on July 15, 1868: “Will you please put this wreath upon some rebel soldier’s grave? My dear papa is buried at Andersonville, (Georgia) and perhaps some little girl will be kind enough to put a few flowers upon his grave.” President Abraham Lincoln’s wish that there be “malice toward none” and “charity for all” was visible in the magnanimous actions of participants on both sides, who extended an olive branch during the Memorial Day observances in those first three years. Although not known by many today, the early evolution of the Memorial Day holiday was a manifestation of Lincoln’s hope for reconciliation between North and South. Words by Richard Gardiner Associate Professor of History Education, Columbus State University. Special thanks to The Conversation for this story. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today.

If Dad is more of a traditional guy when it comes to colognes, then the new Polo Ultra Blue fragrance from Polo Ralph Lauren is an easy win. This new twist on the long-adored Blue line is lighter and fresher than its predecessors, with a strong hint of citrus. A perfect gift to refresh your dad on Father's Day. The lightness is even portrayed in the bottle design, which maintains Blue’s traditional shape and shiny silver cap, but which is fully transparent on the bottom fading to a more opaque cobalt blue at the shoulders of the bottle. Polo Ultra Blue is a refreshing fragrance that won’t overpower or project more than you want it to. Instantly refreshing, it’s great to wear in the office or throw on after a shower on a hot summer day. The added spice wakes you up and transforms into a salty, mineral scent that will have you yearning for the beach. Ultra Blue is also a great scent to take a break from a stronger, more pungent cologne that may have become an unwitting habit. So if you usually smell Dad before you see him, this is a wonderful way to suggest that he cool the jets a bit and freshen up with a lighter scent for summer. For a new twist on a classic fragrance, check out the brand new Polo Ultra Blue from Ralph Lauren. For more information, visit: www.ralphlauren.com Story by Thomas Bender

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has existed since ancient times, bringing us aesthetic pleasure to create paper figures of animals and flowers. Nowadays, origami evolves even further with a mix of advanced mathematical theories and laws. Robert J. Lang is one of those artists who merges origami and mathematical language and creates breathtaking complex origami pieces. His passion for origami can be witnessed through his books “Twists, Tilings, and Tessellations: Mathematical Methods for Geometric Origami”, “Origami Design Secrets”, “Origami in Action,” and much more. Interview and words by Anna Durbanova How did it all start? How did you find your passion for origami? I started origami when I was about six years old. I found some instructions in the origami book, and I thought it would be a fun puzzle to follow the instructions and fold the figures. Throughout my childhood I pursued origami as a hobby, looking for books that had instructions and trying to fold everything I could find. Eventually, I started making up my own designs because I wanted to make origami subjects that were not in any books. I really never thought it would be anything but a hobby, and so I pursued other interests as well. In high school I enjoyed mathematics, science and natural history and I chose my career in science. I went to Caltech and studied electrical engineering for my BS and MS, and then switched to applied physics for my Ph.D., focusing on semiconductor lasers. After graduation, I worked at JPL, a national laboratory, and then SDL, a Silicon Valley company, doing laser research and development. My scientific focus was on theoretical modeling of lasers, developing mathematical models of their function and behavior, but I was also pursuing origami on the side, trying to develop more complex structures. I had the idea of developing the mathematical underpinnings of origami; if I could describe origami using mathematical language, then I could use the tools of mathematics to accomplish the artistic goals I wanted in the world of origami. That’s what led me to merge the two, and that merging worked. Putting origami into mathematical language allowed me to use mathematics to develop new design techniques that let me create the things I wanted to create. Besides that, I was also able to teach a lot of these techniques to other people, which helped them to advance their own art. The language of math and science, applied to origami, also made it possible to apply origami structures and mechanisms to engineering problems. That got me involved in the consulting of how to use origami to create deployable structures and folded products. In the Photo: Artwork “A Miura-ken Beauty Rose, Opus 482” Photo Credit: Robert J.Lang In your TED Talk, you mentioned that origami could be used in space. How? (See TED Talk video below) That’s another area of applying folded patterns, structures and mechanisms from origami to deployables in space, in particular, things that are big and flat in space, like solar arrays, telescopes or antennas. Origami can improve their performance by providing a folding pattern that meets engineering needs, usually by providing a way to bring space objects down to a much smaller size in a controllable way. Where else can origami be applied? There are a lot of different fields like product design, packaging, consumer goods, containers, and sometimes just things that you want to make smaller, like furniture that collapses down for storage or shipping. Origami can also be used for purely decorative forms, for example, to create architectural facades and diffusers for lighting. Origami is also useful for medical devices. As an example, implants, should be small when they go in the body, but once they are inside, they should expand. In the Photo: Artwork “Allosaurus Skeleton, Opus 326“ Photo Credit: Robert J.Lang You applied four simple math rules in your origami process. Can you tell us more about them? Yes, those four math rules are specifically for flat origami, for things that fold completely flat. Flat origami can be described entirely by those four rules. That’s nice, but it can also be a little deceptive because one of the things that we often see in mathematics is that even very simple rules can give rise to very rich and complex behavior. We certainly see this in the case of origami; even though simple or flat origami can be described completely by those four rules, we are still exploring all of the ramifications of those rules, all the ways they affect origami designs. There is still a lot of complexity and a lot of opportunities for theoretical developments to be worked out even from those four simple rules. In the Photo: Artwork “K2, Opus 391“ Photo Credit: Robert J.Lang Should people who learn origami learn mathematical laws to do origami? Well, interestingly, you don’t necessarily need to know those four laws to do origami, because you can certainly follow instructions without knowing any mathematics at all. You can also design a lot of origami pieces using geometric ideas that are built on those four laws, but you don’t need to know the laws themselves. You can use the geometric concepts derived from the laws to turn an assembly of flaps into the patterns of folds on the paper that gives you the plan for folding. When people want to start to design origami, I usually recommend they start with a book I wrote called “Origami Design Secrets”, which teaches people how to design origami. They will learn those four laws along their way, but the focus of the book is to teach the layers of ideas above those four laws, ideas that people can use in design. I like to suggest for people who are designing origami that there is not a linear, step-by-step process for design, but rather that they develop a “bag of tricks,” a collection of design concepts that are akin to tools in a mental tool-chest of design. As they learn more ideas, they add more tools to their tool-chest. Once you’ve got a good collection of tools, when you are doing a design, you can select whatever tool helps with the particular design problem. So it is possible to design a lot with just a few simple tools, but you can create a greater variety and, perhaps, more beautiful and vary patterns if you have a large toolkit. You have also created some computer programs for origami design. Can you tell us more about them? Yes, I have written a couple of programs for the design of origami. One of them is called TreeMaker. What this program does is the following: if you draw a stick figure of the shape that you want, then it will calculate a crease pattern that folds into that stick figure. It is particularly useful if you want to make, for example, an insect with six legs and antenna. You draw a little stick figure in TreeMaker, specify how long each of the legs and appendages needs to be, and then TreeMaker will calculate a crease pattern that folds into that shape. If you wish, you can print it out and fold it or you can also (as I often do) use that as a starting point and then refine that pattern in ways to make it more artistically interesting. In the Photo: Artwork “Pegasus (mini)” by Robert J. Lang and Kevin Box Photo Credit: Bill Stengel Photo What is for you the most exciting part of the origami design process? It varies from day to day. Perhaps, the main thing that keeps origami interesting to me is the fact that there is always something new. I can try an idea in one conceptual area and then switch to something completely different. The common factors that keep me excited are novelty, solving problems, and creating something that did not exist before. Usually, that’s also something that’s aesthetically beautiful as well. It sounds that origami can never be boring for you? It is rarely boring, although sometimes it is if I am folding a pattern that has a lot of repetition in it. Just doing the same folds over and over again can get pretty tedious, but I am willing to go through that bit of boredom to accomplish the greater goal of the thing I am trying to fold. In the Photo: Artwork “Raptor” by Robert J. Lang and Kevin Box Photo Credit: Bill Stengel Photo How many hours do you spend to fold complex origami objects? It varies a lot. For fairly simple designs I may only need about 5 or 10 minutes to fold. At the other extreme, the longest time I have ever spent folding a single object was spread over about seven years, but that was an unusual case. I would say that most of my complex pieces take a few hours to a couple of days to fold. That’s separate from the amount of design time, which might have taken anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. What are your future plans? There will be a couple of traveling exhibitions with my artwork around the US. I also have a few art commissions and I am in discussions with a couple of venues to do some exhibitions for the next year. For upcoming exhibitions of Robert Lang, click here. Words by by Anna Durbanova. Special thanks to impakter

UP! merges function and fit with its transformative pull-on pants and THINCREDIBLE FIT TM technology. Their newest offering has the perfect designs and cuts for traveling in style, from airy prints and fun tropical patterns to soft pastel florals and delicate neutrals. Fill your suitcase with the light blue and green floral pattern of the Hawaii pant or let yourself be swept away for a weekend in Boca Raton with the funky palm leaf and silver grass pattern on the Boca skirt. This season, rock tried and true favorites like the ankle cut, petal slit pants, and modern crop pants. Designed to empower women and make them feel confident in who they are, UP! Pants range from $95 – $150 and are available in over 600 fine boutiques and stores across Canada and the United States. Click to view larger image > To find a store near you, visit http://uppants.com/findastore By ML Staff

During this time of social distancing in our homes, the vibrancy of Miami can feel like a distant memory. Join us in celebrating the place we love by helping to create a work of art. The Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College (MOAD MDC), in collaboration with the Miami Book Fair, invites everyone to take part in the great Spanish artist Dora García’s new public artwork I Remember Miami, a participatory work that invites the public to come together in a virtual collective space of memory and connection to celebrate the experience of living in our city. Produced by the people of Miami themselves, this work records intimate memories of a vital place temporarily stilled. Read more about the project. Share Your Memories While we remain in our homes, I Remember Miami asks us to recall small, specific details of spaces in the city that have made lasting impressions on us and to record ourselves as we narrate our memories of being in those spaces. Participants may also submit photographs that relate to their memories. The artist will collect the audio files and photographs to compile a polyvocal archive of memories describing the expansive, richly varied, and indelible place where we live. I Remember Miami represents a hopeful gesture of solidarity and togetherness at a time of individual isolation. Be part of the project and share your memories. Upload your audio and photo files Submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2020. Selections will be posted on MOAD and the Miami Book Fair’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. When complete, the archive will be accessible on these websites: MOAD, Miami Book Fair, Dora Garcia. If you have any questions about I Remember Miami or need assistance with your submission, please contact us at Iremembermiami@mdc.edu By Miami Living Staff, Courtesy of Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation, and special thanks to photographer Miguel Balbuena.

Acting was not the first career that Kenny Leu pursued. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with his Mechanical Engineering degree, the Taipei-born, Bay Arearaised actor went straight into tech startups in Silicon Valley. “When I graduated college, I made a list of things I wanted to do in my life, to live my version of a most fulfilled life. One was to start my own company and see it through. I started it with some friends. After a year of working on it out of my parents’ house, we were pretty much out of money, and were about to go under. Then, miraculously, we got funding from Google! We incubated at the Google Ventures Startup Labs for two years. It was so fun; we had snacks, skill training, office space and supplies for something like $5 a month. We were then bought by a much larger company. The success of that startup gave me leeway to do something even crazier: acting.” A few months later, Kenny relocated to Los Angeles to become an actor. Today, five and a half years later, the award-winning Chinese martial artist (specializing in open hand, Chinese broadsword and staff)/international actor is best known for his role as Gohan in Dragonball Z: Light of Hope, a live-action adaptation of the legendary anime show. “Anime fans haven’t seen their shows faithfully adapted, and we really pulled out the stops in getting the characters, the world, and the DBZ-style action right. Based on the fans’ reaction, we did! It feels great being an Asian superhero! This was filmed years before Shang- Chi, before Crazy Rich Asians. Asian representation was especially lacking then, and it was incredible having kids/ DBZ fans look up to you as a different kind of hero than what’s out there,” says Kenny. Kenny has also appeared in a number of television shows, including NCIS, NCIS: LA and The Player, and has portrayed several real life people. Recently, Kenny portrayed Zhu Xuesan, a heroic schoolteacher in rural China during WWII, in the film, Midway, Released in theaters last month, Midway’s cast includes Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, and Mandy Moore. Tell me about Midway and what it was like working on it? Kenny Leu: It’s the true story leading up to the Battle of Midway —the fight that turned the tide for America against Japan in World War II. What’s so special about the film is how they captured the insanity of what it was like to be an aircraft carrier pilot back then. These guys were flying these clanky, unreliable death machines, landing on a tiny, moving strip in the middle of an ocean. Not to mention, they also had to shoot each other out of the sky! I saw an early screening of it, and the action is exactly what I dreamed air combat could look like on the big screen. I nearly jumped out of my seat; I was so thrilled. But it also stayed very true to how it was out of combat. I’ve been a WWII aviation fanboy since I was a kid. And many of the stories I’ve read about, I saw in this movie. Many of those guys died not from enemy fire, but because they crashed trying to land. It was an insane time. Roland Emmerich also directed Independence Day, one of my favorite feel-good blockbusters of all-time, but this one’s different. I’ve been a part of authentic military stories before, The Long Road Home in 2017, and he’s done an incredible job honoring the men — American and Japanese— who fought in that war. He made me real proud to show this film to not only my veteran friends, but my Japanese friends, too. Zhu Xuesan was a real-life war hero, how did you prepare for this role? KL: Zhu Xuesan was a poor schoolteacher who lived in a village in China. Doolittle [portrayed by Aaron Eckhart], a famous American pilot, crash lands in Zhu’s village, after his team is sent on a suicide mission to bomb Tokyo to get Japan back for Pearl Harbor. The Chinese army was about to execute him because they thought Doolittle was a German spy. Doolittle was in bad condition; he had just survived this crazy mission, had no food, water, and worst of all, couldn’t speak any Chinese! Zhu hears about this and being the only guy to speak any English for hundreds of miles, rushes his way over, intervenes, and ends up saving Doolittle, not only from execution, but nursing him and his men back to health and getting them back to American territory. Doolittle went right back into the fight and became a pivotal part of the U.S. winning the war. So Zhu is a special kind of hero. He was not a hero that fought. He was only a schoolteacher, but his courage to step out of that, would save many lives. Preparing for this role was fun because Zhu spoke a very distinct dialect of Chinese, so I had to prepare my Chinese to have that accent. Then, I had to prepare my English to speak in an accent reflective of that dialect. Two accents for two languages, in one role! You’re also the lead in the indie, A Shot Through the Wall. This is another real-life role, how did you land this part? KL: A Shot Through the Wall is inspired by a real-life case. In New York, an Asian American rookie cop on patrol named Peter Liang accidentally shoots and kills a black man. This case truly was an accident, it was an accidental discharge into a dark stairwell. The bullet ricochets off a wall, strikes and kills a man a floor lower that Peter didn’t even know was there. In the context of many cases of much more obvious police brutality, the Asian American kid is the only one to get indicted by a grand jury. The Asian American community goes into an uproar over this, in the midst of the black community saying, “Stop killing us” and the police saying, “We’re just trying to do our best.” This movie takes a similar circumstance and explores it. I play the Asian American cop, and we see how an Asian American family copes with the fallout. I auditioned for this while I was still shooting The Long Road Home. I was playing a soldier, and I got to play with a .50 cal machine gun —a gun as long as your arm and bullets as long as your fist is wide. When you fired this thing, you could feel it shake your soul. Not because it’s firing in your hands, it’s usually mounted to a vehicle, but because of the air vibration. It’s terrifyingly powerful. And on The Long Road Home, there is a horrific part of the story where the American soldiers are forced to fire cases of these bullets into rows of women and children. As an actor, it was my job to vividly imagine them be decimated. From there, it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine the horror of accidentally killing someone with your own gun. Additionally, you did fight choreography in Warner Bros. feature Yakuza Princess, what was the most challenging part about that? KL: The most difficult part was having to fight and act with my wife, Masumi, on camera. We had gotten married two days before we left for Brazil, where we shot Yakuza Princess. It was her first role ever. They were teaching her to be an action hero: stunt fighting, swordplay, falls. I really didn’t want her to get hurt, so I trained her thoroughly myself. I’m an actor, but I have a lot of experience doing stunts, action choreography, teaching, and competing. We worked our butts off, and it really paid off! It was a challenge getting someone with limited experience to look sharp and clean after only a month or so of training. But she did it, and I’m really proud of her. So then when I was asked to choreograph and perform our fight, I had a lot of things on my mind. It had to be good, because what a great thing to share with your new wife. It had to be easy enough, because she wasn’t as experienced as I was. It had to be well rehearsed, because I wanted to keep her safe —and furthermore, myself! At the same time, I had to try to kill her, because that’s what my character is trying to do. And she had to try to kill me! Talk about a great honeymoon. I saw your IG post about the notes given to you be the director for your character in Yakuza Princess —how did you bring your character to life? KL: Originally, I wasn’t supposed to be in Yakuza Princess. When my wife booked it, I went along with her only to hold her coffee and rub her back. I had been the lead of a movie before, and I know how much pressure and stress it is. But after seeing how quickly my teaching was helping her, they looked me up and realized that I am an established actor. They then offered me a role. They also increased the size of the role and added some great action scenes. The best part was that they gave me free rein to reinvent the character. Vicente just said, “He’s sadistic. He’s nuts and drives a taxi filled with kooky shit.” It was incredible fun, because as an actor, you’re used to only interpreting the writer’s story. Rarely do you get to create a whole character from scratch. I had many iterations for the role, but what I settled on I think is really cool. If you can find a picture on my IG, you’ll see what I mean. I can’t wait for you to watch it. You’re known for your role as Sgt. Eddie Chen in Nat Geo’s miniseries, The Long Road Home, which is based on a true story. What was it like playing him? KL: Deeply gratifying. When you’re playing a true story about real people, you’re filled with a sense of purpose I can’t describe. Some may see it as pressure, but I am fired up because that’s what I live for. Eddie Chen was a man deeply loved and respected by his men. By playing him, I received so much love and support from people who knew him, many veterans have treated me like a brother from the moment we met. It was stunning for me to experience, because I have never seen an Asian man —Eddie was an immigrant and didn’t speak English very well— so admired and loved, especially by people who don’t come from big cities or liberal states. I felt so proud to represent this man who transcended being so different yet connecting us all. What’s next for you? KL: With The Long Road Home, Midway, and A Shot Through the Wall, I have developed a reputation for playing real people, reflecting authentic Asian stories. I’m very proud of that! I want to represent my experience growing up as an Asian man in America and in the world. It’s unprecedented that Asians are finally being seen and understood, and I’m so happy to be able to be a part of that. I think there are all kinds of people who would see themselves reflected in our experience, and realize we’re not all that different. With Dragon Ball Z, Midway and The Long Road Home, I’m also becoming known as an action hero, the guy who fights for what he believes in and isn’t afraid to sacrifice to save people. Who hasn’t dreamed of being that! Let that be a hint to the next thing I’m working on, which I can’t speak about yet. You’ll just have to stay tuned. What would fans be surprised to find out about you? KL: Before I got into acting, I was on the United States Chinese martial arts team and competed all over the world, like Mexico, Turkey, and China! My body is loaded with sword scars from those days. Any plans for the holidays? KL: I’m big on family, so I always go home for the holidays. I believe all of my success stems from my inner peace, which I owe to the incredible group of people close to me, who love me and support me. I reserve my holidays so I can focus on them, and let them know they are special to me. I also just started being a spokesperson for Lancer Legacy Ranch. It’s a home for homeless veterans in Maud, Texas, founded by my friend Matt Fisk, who is one of the soldiers at the center of the tragic events of The Long Road Home. It offers a long list of services from mentorship to suicide prevention & PTSD counseling, to legal assistance, to employment assistance. The ultimate goal being the empowerment of its residents to create personalized, long-term strategies for success. He’s one of life’s true heroes. He took a great tragedy and transformed it into hope —a life mission to lift others from the same depths he suffered. I’ll be visiting Lancer Legacy Ranch for the first time over the holidays, and extending my family. If you know a veteran who could use something like this, you can find them at ancerlegacyranch.org or call 903-585-2023. ML Keep up with Kenny at @TheKennyLeu on Instagram and don’t miss Midway, in theaters now. Words by Vanessa Pascale, Photo credit: Diana Ragland, Groomer: Patrick Chai, Wardrobe stylist: Tar A Aquilina

Rolling hills, lush foliage, cascading waterfalls, sweeping mountain views -- this is Highlands, North Carolina. Here, you will find Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a luxurious Relais & Chateaux property nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort’s old-world charm and upscale amenities breed romance --from the blazing fireplaces (or outdoor fire pit) that encourage snuggling in the winter to the private balconies where fine bottles of wine and sunsets are meant to be enjoyed during the warmer months. Old Edwards Inn and Spa takes exceptional care of their guests. While we check in at the The Lodge, we are offered flutes of champagne. Complimentary Dove ice cream bars are also available. The Lodge is a warm and inviting milieu with its exposed wood beams, stone features, and cozy seating area focused around a lit fireplace. In the morning, Art’s at the Lodge serves coffee and light breakfast offerings; when night falls, a full cocktail menu, along with live music on Friday and Saturday nights are served up. The original part of Old Edwards Inn and Spa, which overlooks Main Street, houses the spa and salon, Hummingbird Lounge (a piano bar and library with a full bar, light bites, and live music on Friday and Saturday), and Historic Inn. There are a range of accommodations at Old Edwards, from guest rooms and suites to cottages and vacation homes. The most romantic of them all are the Falls Cottages; they’re intimate, rustic, and chic. Every inch of our cottage is thoughtfully appointed. A package of cookies (an Old Edwards tradition) and a complimentary bottle of wine and plate of charcuterie welcome our arrival. A refreshing blue and white color palette and rustic touches are sprinkled throughout the idyllic cottage. The living room has a working fireplace, a bar with a mini fridge (stocked with water bottles), a desk, and a couch with a pullout bed, perfect for cuddling up in while enjoying a movie and a roaring fire. The private balcony, accessed from the living room and bedroom, is equipped with patio furniture, so that you can luxuriate in the gorgeous view and breathe in the fresh mountain air. The generous-sized bedroom is appointed with a king-sized wrought-iron, four-poster bed outfitted in fine Italian linens. Blackout drapes, a mounted flatscreen TV, and convenient USB outlets complete the room. The bathroom is possibly the most impressive room in the cottage with its heated marble floors, towel warmer, grand freestanding tub, quality Molton Brown toiletries, multiple-jet shower, and comfy bathrobe-and-slipper sets. While it’s tempting to hole up in our cozy cottage and subsist on in-room dining (cheeseburger and fries are excellent) our entire stay, there is much to experience beyond our chic accommodations. A neat row of antique shops, quaint eateries, and an old-fashioned confectionery are steps away on Main Street. When you’re finished window shopping, explore the great outdoors. A wealth of outdoor activities are within driving distance: fly fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, tennis, ziplining, rafting... The nearby hiking trails and waterfalls (Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls) are a must. Or, stay onsite and take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness center (fitness/yoga classes, hikes are offered); mineral pools with cabanas; and 18-hole golf course at Old Edwards Club. Click to view larger image > Hungry? Old Edwards has you covered. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar and Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden boast excellent menus. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar is a casual eatery that serves wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches with ingredients from the property’s gardens and local purveyors. We had dinner at Four65 one night, and started off with the Warm Wood-Fired Brussels Sprout Salad, which was incredibly delicious. Of course we had to try one of their “authentic wood-fired neapolitan pizzas,” so we ordered the Prosciutto: san marzano, mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, hot pecan honey. This satiated my craving for something sweet, salty, and crunchy. Foodies are in for a genuine treat when they dine at Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden. The award-winning restaurant serves exceptional farm-to-table fare. My compliments to the chef, who presented us with dishes that were innovative, delicious, and perfectly plated. Made with the finest and freshest local ingredients, we devoured every bite of our romantic dinner. Everything, from the Fideos & Butter Poached Lobster, Crispy Leg of Duck Confit, Bourbon Maple Glazed Pork Belly and Grilled Lamb Mergueze Flatbread, to the Truffled Macaroni and Cheese, Pimento Cheese with Spicy Buttermilk Crackers, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie, was cooked to perfection. Madison’s offers an unrivaled dining experience greatly credited to their sophisticated ambiance, stellar service, and masterfully-prepared dishes. Right outside is the picturesque Wine Garden, their seasonal alfresco dining space featuring a patio-side water feature and lush greenery. Madison’s also serves breakfast and lunch, including southern staples, like House-made Buttermilk Biscuits with Country Sausage Gravy, Spicy Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuits, Traditional Southern Benedict, and Thick-Cut Country White French Toast with powdered sugar, lemon curd, and berry compote. Does it get any better than this? No vacation is complete without a visit to the spa. The Spa and Salon at Old Edwards was rated “Top Hotel Spa in North America” by Condé Nast, so you can trust that you’re in good hands. The beautiful European-style spa boasts a mineral whirlpool, steam room, sauna, and offers a list of rejuvenating services: massages, therapeutic bodywork (polishes, scrubs, masks), and facials. I highly recommend the Sweet Mountain Metamorphosis, a 110-minute treatment that includes a foot wash, relaxing dry brushing (they send you home with the dry brush), CranioSacral Therapy, and a soothing massage. The experience was pure bliss and left me completely relaxed. If you want a light bite to eat, stop by The Spa Café for a smoothie or salad. Or better yet, pop by the front desk for a Dove bar. Yep, Old Edwards definitely knows how to spoil their guests. Click to view larger image > Words by Vanessa Pascale. Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located at 445 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741. For more information and reservations, visit www.oldedwardsinn.com or call 866-526-8008

The City of Miami Beach is preparing to safely welcome back residents and visitors to a myriad of locales that had previously closed their doors in our collective effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Now, as we restart our phased reopening of museums, office space, personal services, retail, restaurants, residential building amenities, gyms and hotels — we welcome you back! Note: Gyms, hotels and residential amenities remain closed. They are expected to open by the end of the month. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS Restaurants within arts and culture establishments must comply with restaurant requirements Limit the amount of staff and customers to 50% occupancy All persons working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles, shall wear a facial covering as described in Emergency Order 20-20, except that facial coverings shall not be required: for children under the age of two years; for persons who have trouble breathing; where Federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings; or for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity. Additional PPE may be required of persons engaged in specific activities as described in the Miami-Dade County Handbook RETAIL MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS Limit the number of staff and customers to a maximum of 50 percent of mall/store occupancy All persons working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles, shall wear a facial covering as described in Emergency Order 20-20, except that facial coverings shall not be required: for children under the age of two years; for persons who have trouble breathing; where Federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings; or for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity. Additional PPE may be required of persons engaged in specific activities as described in the Miami-Dade County Handbook OFFICE SPACES MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS All persons working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles, shall wear a facial covering as described in Emergency Order 20-20, except that facial coverings shall not be required: for children under the age of two years; for persons who have trouble breathing; where Federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings; or for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity. Additional PPE may be required of persons engaged in specific activities as described in the Miami-Dade County Handbook RESTAURANT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS Restaurants that comply with all of these guidelines may also provide additional outdoor seating in compliance with Miami Beach Limit staff and customers to a maximum of 50% of capacity with the maintenance of social distancing of 6 feet between parties*. Any outdoor seating must maintain similar distancing, but in no event may the combined indoor and outdoor operation exceed 100% of its legally permitted building occupancy content to the entry of County and City personnel onto the establishment’s property for the sole purpose of inspection for compliance with County Order 23-20 and Miami Beach Phase 1 Reopening Order and Emergency Measures effective May 17, 2020. All persons working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles, shall wear a facial covering as described in Emergency Order 20-20, except that facial coverings shall not be required: for children under the age of two years; for persons who have trouble breathing; where Federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings; or for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity. Additional PPE may be required of persons engaged in specific activities as described in the Miami-Dade County Handbook (Handbook). GROOMING - MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS Capacity limited to 10 individuals (employees and customers) or 25% of building occupancy as required by law, whichever is smaller at any one time. Within the shop, a minimum of six feet (6’) distance between customers, except for families residing at that same dwelling All persons working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles, shall wear a facial covering as described in Emergency Order 20-20, except that facial coverings shall not be required: for children under the age of two years; for persons who have trouble breathing; where Federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings; or for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity. Additional PPE may be required of persons engaged in specific activities as described in the Miami-Dade County Handbook Any establishment that has an on-site employee or contractor who tests positive shall close for the shorter of: the time needed for all staff to be tested and the establishment to be deep-sanitized, as specified in the Handbook; or 14 days from the date such employee or contractor was last onsite at such establishment Where an establishment has multiple floors or structures, only those structures or floors where the infected person was present are required to be deep-sanitized as a condition of re-opening, and only those employees working in such structures or on such floors must be tested. Placement of trash containers for face coverings and other personal protective equipment (PPE) near exits and entrances and other common areas Comprehensive cleaning of facilities must be performed each night and include thoroughly disinfecting all frequent touchpoints (doors, stairwell handles, light switch, elevator switch, ) and emptying all trash receptacles using solid waste bags that are double-bagged and securely sealed Use reasonable efforts to ensure that on-site customers, employees, contractors and vendors maintain appropriate social distancing, as recommended by the then-current CDC guidelines, which may include, but are not limited to, marking floors at appropriate intervals or providing other visible systems to identify the appropriate social distance Visually mark separation 6 ft. apart for areas where people would group (e.g., queues and elevators) Procure increased amounts of soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and protective equipment (face coverings, gloves) Clean and disinfect bathrooms every two to three hours Eliminate the use of common water fountains and interactive displays Train all personnel in new operating protocols and modifications to existing codes of conduct to deal with COVID 19 issues Install hand sanitizing dispensers or make sanitizer available at entrances and in common areas Space out customer queues at cashiers with floor markers (every 6 ft) Place signs outside and inside the elevators to limit capacity to 4 passengers, with visual markers for passengers to stand on Dressing rooms must be closed. Merchandise, particularly clothing, must not be handled or tried on by customers and returned to shelves or display racks before being properly cleaned Cart and basket handles must be sanitized between uses Eliminate car valet services Enable single point of entrance Mark with arrows entry and exit points, creating one-way circulation paths inside stores Only the customers receiving the service may enter the shop (except for a parent or guardian accompanying a minor) All services require an appointment; appointments must be recorded for tracking purposes and for the notification of others that may have been present in the shop, if a positive COVID-19 case is reported Customers must wait outside of the business (practicing social distancing) or in their cars until they are called for their appointment A paging system may be utilized similar to what restaurants use, so that customers do not congregate outside of or around the shop Walk-ins are prohibited Employees to wear face coverings and gloves at all times, the use of face shields is strongly encouraged Employees must not share tools Hairdressers must wear single-use aprons By Miami Living Staff

Explore the notes of taste and sound in this adventurous virtual event hosted by NWS Brass Fellows on Saturday, J‌une 6th at 7‌:30 P‌M. Tickets are just $25! From the comfort of your own home, enjoy a recital of brass quintet works paired with different beers by Veza Sur, Wynwood's Latin Craft Brewery and Bar. Ticket includes performance stream, selection of six beers (four will be paired with works during the concert) and a souvenir pint glass delivered to your home in advance of the event! The performance will be followed by a live Q&A session with Brass Fellows and Veza Sur's Brewmaster. Ticketholders must be at least 21 years old and present a valid ID at time of beer delivery or pick-up. In addition, ticketholders must reside in Miami-Dade or Broward counties. THE PROGRAM Tylman Susato (c. 1510-70) Transcribed for brass by John Iveson Renaissance Dances: Five Dances from The Danserye La Mourisque Bransle Quatre Bransles Ronde Ronde - Mon Amy Basse Danse Bergeret BEER PAIRING: MANGOLANDIA (MANGO BLONDE ALE) Did you ever wake up from the sound of ripe mangos falling on your roof? This bright and sessionable Blonde Ale is Miami Summer in a glass. Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Adagio for Strings BEER PAIRING: LA YUMA (DARK LAGER) Very easy drinking, with a malty finish. Enrique Crespo (b. 1941) Suite Americana No. 1 Ragtime Zamba Gaucha Bossa Nova BEER PAIRING: SPANGLISH (LATIN LAGER) Inspired by our Latin roots, crisp and refreshing, perfect for a hot Miami day. Duke Ellington (1899-1974) Arranged for brass by Jack Gale "In A Sentimental Mood" BEER PAIRING: MALA YERBA (SESSION IPA) West Coast meets Latin America in this perfectly balanced IPA. The perfect introduction to the world of India Pale Ales! What you need to know What do I get with my Beer and Brass ticket? The first 200 ticketholders will gain access to the concert stream, a set of 6 beers from Veza Sur, a souvenir pint glass and the opportunity to chat with Fellows and Brewmaster Rhett Dougherty post-concert during a Q&A session. You only need one ticket per household to access the stream. I purchased my ticket. What next? NWS will send you an order confirmation within a few hours after your purchase. It will include information on how to secure your beer delivery or pick-up with Veza Sur. Be sure to add tickets@nws.edu to your contacts and check your spam folder. How can I order more beers? You may purchase additional sets of the featured Veza Sur beers. A promo code for 20% off your beer order is included with your ticket confirmation! How do I get my beers? In your ticket confirmation email, there is a link to a form from Veza Sur to plan your delivery or pick-up. Ticketholders must live in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. For any beer inquiries, please contact beer@vezasur.com. NWS ticket order must be placed by June 1 to have beer delivered by Veza Sur. How do I watch? NWS will send you a custom access link on the morning of the event, Saturday, June 6. By accessing this link, you’ll be able to join the concert stream and participate in the live post-concert Q&A session with Fellows and Brewmaster. This link is non-transferable and cannot be shared. Can I watch the concert later? The Beer and Brass concert will air once on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 PM and will not be aired again. To experience this virtual event please visit NWS's website. My Miami Living Staff

DHL Express has partnered with REEF Technology to pilot the use of four low-power electric-assist e-Cargo Cycles for deliveries across Miami. The three-wheeled cycles are equipped with accompanying cargo container and are capable of pulling up to 400 pounds or 60 cubic feet in volume. The e-Cargo technology is expected reduction of 101,000 kg of C02e annually. The two companies are bringing the environmentally friendly e-Cargo Cycles to Miami as part of the DHL GoGreen strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.  The short-term goal of DHL is to implement clean pickup and delivery solutions for 70% of its operations by 2025. Each e-Cargo Cycle deployed enables DHL to take one conventional delivery van off the road, reducing road traffic, noise and pollution while still providing fast efficient deliveries for customers. REEF’s mission is to build the ecosystem that connects the world to your block. By leveraging the power of proximity, REEF is reimagining parking facilities by creating last-block mobility and logistical hubs that serve the needs of cities, residents and businesses. REEF manages the hubs that will serve as the home base for the e-Cargo Cycles that DHL is using during this pilot. REEF’s technology-driven infrastructure provides congestion-reducing buffering zones and environmentally-conscious parking, micro-fulfillment and delivery solutions to enable the frictionless movement of goods and services. “We are excited to partner with DHL and the City of Miami to shape the future of last-block delivery,” said REEF Technology CEO Ari Ojalvo. “We appreciate Commissioner Manolo Reyes and his leadership on this issue from the outset and are grateful to Mayor Suarez, Ken Russell the District 2 Commissioner, the Downtown Development Authority, as well as the Miami Parking Authority for leading the way to make freight deliveries safer and more sustainable for the entire community.” “We are thrilled to be leveraging the REEF ecosystem and deploy these new environmentally-friendly vehicles not only to support our emissions-reduction efforts, but also significantly reduce the challenges associated with urban business deliveries, improving safety, productivity and costs,” said DHL Express U.S. CEO Greg Hewitt. “They reinforce our own ongoing program to minimize our environmental footprint and support the city government’s efforts to promote sustainable city living.” “This partnership between the City of Miami, the Downtown Development Authority, Miami Parking Authority, REEF Technology and DHL is an example of how both public and private entities can work together to realize innovative and environmental solutions that benefit the citizens of Miami,” said City Commissioner Manolo Reyes. The Miami e-Cargo cycle pilot, a DHL straight truck equipped with a customized trailer will carry up to nine cargo containers for the e-Cargo Cycles. The containers are delivered to the REEF Hub at the Courvoisier Centre, where they will be quickly connected to the e-Cargo Cycles at REEF Hub garages for last-mile inner-city deliveries in the morning. The containers can then be reloaded for outbound shipments in the afternoon. The four e-Cargo Cycles being deployed in Miami will result in an expected reduction of 101,000 kg of CO2e annually. DHL couriers will receive comprehensive training to operate the e-Cargo Cycles on the street to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local traffic regulations. For more info visit REEF Technology By Miami Living Staff, Image courtesy of Reef Technology

Burdines was an American chain of department stores operating in the state of Florida, headquartered in Miami. The original store opened in Bartow, Florida in 1896 as a carriage-trade shop. Over its nearly 110-year history, Burdines grew into a popular chain of department stores, known as 'The Florida Store,' decorated with palm trees in the center of the store, painted in pink and blue, and other subtropical colors and motifs. In 1956, the stores became a part of Federated Department Stores, Inc. (now Macy's, Inc.) On January 30, 2004, it was renamed Burdines-Macy's, and a year later, on March 6, 2005, the name Burdines was dropped altogether. The majority of the stores were rebranded as Macy's while a handful closed. Beginning In 1897, Henry Payne and William M. Burdine opened a dry goods store in the central Florida city of Bartow. A year later, Payne left the company, and Burdine brought in his son, John, as a partner, resulting in the company's name change to W.M. Burdine and Son. In 1898, Burdine bought a block on South Miami Avenue, one block south of Flagler Street, in the then-fledgling community of Miami. That year he opened the first W.M. Burdine & Son store at the location, just two years after the first people had arrived in the area from the newly completed Florida East Coast Railway to incorporate the city. His tiny store held only a few shelves of clothing, which were primarily sold to construction workers, soldiers from the Spanish–American War, and the local Miccosukee and Seminole Native Americans. Burdine was amazed with the business that he did in Miami and decided to close his store in Bartow and move his operations base to Miami, changing the business name to Burdines and Sons. By 1912, under the leadership of Roddy Burdine, Burdines had grown into a full-fledged department store and continued expanding. The land-boom of the 1920s helped the store launch its first branch in Miami Beach. As Florida's population soared, so did the growth of Burdines. Over the next thirty years, four other branches opened across the state of Florida. In the late 1940s, Burdines opened an international mail order program that served Latin America. This resulted in a rise of popularity for the company, and military personnel stationed in Cuba would send a supply ship to Miami every 6 months with orders for Burdines. Click to view larger image > 1956–1996 In 1956, Burdines merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc. The financial support given by Federated allowed Burdines to push north and westward in the 1970s and 1980s. Beginning in 1966 they opened stores in Hialeah (at Westland Mall), Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Orlando (at Orlando Fashion Square), Altamonte Springs, Clearwater, Sarasota (at Southgate Mall), Fort Lauderdale (Clearance Center), Plantation (at Broward Mall), Boca Raton, South Dade (Clearance Center), Fort Myers, West Palm Beach (at Palm Beach Shopping Center), St. Petersburg, Cutler Ridge, Fort Lauderdale (at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, 1981), Daytona Beach, Doral (at Miami International Mall), Melbourne (at Melbourne Square Mall), Tampa (at Tampa Bay Center and University Square), Coconut Grove (at Mayfair Shops, 1984-1991) Coral Springs (at Coral Square Mall), Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens. In 1971, the Burdines store in Dadeland Mall became the largest suburban department store south of New York. Burdines also piloted auto centers, beginning in 1960, at their 163rd St location and the Miami warehouse, after testing it in Fort Lauderdale. In 1991, following the 1988 merger of Federated with the Allied Stores Corporation and subsequent bankruptcy reorganization, Burdines absorbed Allied's Tampa-based Maas Brothers/Jordan Marsh Florida division, converting many of the stores to Burdines and closing the rest. The conversion resulted in there being fifty-eight Burdines stores in the state of Florida, more than twice their initial store count of 27. During the 1990s, stores opened at Pembroke Lakes Mall in Pembroke Pines in the Miami Metropolitan Area, Brandon Town Center in Brandon in the Tampa Bay Area, and Seminole Towne Center in Sanford in the Orlando Metropolitan Area. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1996, Burdines sold custom-made FIESTAWARE pitchers by The Homer Laughlin China Company. The pitchers held 67.5 ounces of liquid and stood seven inches tall. 1999–2001 From 1999 to 2001, Burdines experienced major growth, expanding into seven new locations and significantly renovating their existing stores with a lighter color palette and an upgraded decor. The most publicly anticipated stores that opened during this period were those located in expansions of The Florida Mall in Orlando and Aventura Mall in Aventura, while other stores opened with new shopping malls such as Citrus Park Town Center in Citrus Park and The Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington. During this period, Burdines also tried another new layout at their store in St. Petersburg's Tyrone Square Mall, in an attempt to improve convenience for shoppers. The store upgraded to use a central checkout system and was expected to be more popular among shoppers since they would only need to see a cashier once before leaving. However, the design failed as an employee had to manually apply a coded sticker (identifying who made the sale) to the price tag of each item before customers left the store. Thus, this convenience plan was quickly abandoned by Burdines, and the company resumed using traditional cashier layouts. The former flagship store in Miami continued to operate as a Macy's until it was closed in March 2018. Ross Stores leased the building in 2019, and are redeveloping it to relocate a nearby store whose building was set to be demolished in favor of a 92-story skyscraper. The redevelopment will permit a second store to be located on the first floor of the building. Special thanks for Wikipedia for textual inserts. Images by commons.wikimedia.org and State Archives of Florida. To ensure that Wikipedia continues to ensure that everyone has the right to free and open knowledge, please donate.

World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. HIV vaccine advocates mark the day by promoting the continued urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. They acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, supporters and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine and urge the international community to recognize the importance of investing in new technologies as a critical element of a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The concept of World AIDS Vaccine Day is rooted in a May 18, 1997 commencement speech at Morgan State University made by then-President Bill Clinton. Clinton challenged the world to set new goals in the emerging age of science and technology and develop an AIDS vaccine within the next decade stating, “Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS.” The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of Clinton’s speech, and the tradition continues today. Each year communities around the globe hold a variety of activities on World AIDS Vaccine Day to raise awareness for AIDS vaccines, educate communities about HIV prevention and research for an AIDS vaccine and bring attention to the ways in which ordinary people can be a part of the international effort to stem the pandemic. Special thanks for Wikipedia for textual inserts. To ensure that Wikipedia continues to ensure that everyone has the right to free and open knowledge, please donate. Every week Miami Living showcases things like persons, places, animals, objects, events and things that we love. If you find this posting inspiring, share it and post a comment below. Got a love suggestion?