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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Neutral Color Palette and Plenty of Flowers Set the Tone for This Wedding in the Green Mountains of Vermont
The brides wanted their wedding guests to feel like they were in an elegant Italian villa in New England. You could say that Julia Casey and Micaela Capozzo were fated to end up together: The two were randomly paired as lab partners during their first semester of graduate school at the University of Vermont in 2019, and their friendship grew as they spent time together pursuing their Doctorates in Physical Therapy. Halfway through the program, their dynamic shifted. Julia bought Micaela a drink at a local bar and the rest was history. 'It was like a switch flipped in that little bar and we both knew that we were each other's person,' Julia says. 'We both had such a sure sense of 'knowing' and we were absolutely inseparable from that day.' Julia proposed first during a rainy morning hike at Lake Minnetonka in Banff National Park in June of 2023. A month later, Micaela popped the question in return on a date at Monteluce Winery in Dahlonega, Georgia, with a custom crossword puzzle. Choosing their wedding venue was easy. They decided to tie the knot on Julia's family's property in Stowe, Vermont. "Micaela and I met and fell in love in Vermont, so we knew we wanted to get married there,' Julia says. 'Vermont is such a special place for us, and having gotten married on the property makes it that much more special.' They set the date for August 24, 2024, and invited 140 guests to join them for an earthy, natural celebration inspired by an elegant Italian villa planned by Lindsey Leichthammer Events. Read on to see the details of their unforgettable celebration, from parasol umbrellas at the ceremony to a family-style dinner reception in photos by Amanda Young. Related: How to Host Your Wedding at Home The couple worked with Rachel Browdy at RH Design House on their wedding invitations and day-of paper goods. Their invite suite was printed on a creamy off-white cardstock with sage green calligraphy-style script. The brides added custom wax seals stamped with their initials and tucked everything into sage envelopes finished with an illustrated envelope liner. On the morning of their wedding day, Julia and Micaela met for a first look, which was one of their favorite moments of the entire day. 'We wanted to do a first look so we could be really intentional and present seeing each other for the first time,' Julia says. 'We chose to read our private vows during this time and it was incredibly special.' The brides admit that they were both surprised by the dresses their partner chose. Julia wore an Ines di Santo sheath wedding dress with a halter neckline, plunging keyhole, and illusion back. 'I thought I loved the very first dress I had tried on, but when I tried on the dress I ended up picking, everything else seemed to pale in comparison, and I knew this was the one,' she says. She finished her look with her mom's pearl Tiffany earrings and bracelet and a natural makeup look. Micaela wore an A-line wedding dress from Paloma Blanca with a long train. She customized the dress with buttons down the back and added a cathedral-length raw hemmed veil. 'I loved the idea of a long train with an even longer veil for a big 'wow moment',' she says. 'The bottom of my dress got very muddy but it makes me smile to look back on because it shows how much fun I had on my wedding day.' She styled her bridal look with Badgley Mischka heels and her mom's earrings. 'Julia had surprised me with matching Nikes with our wedding date on the back, and we changed into them after the ceremony!' Micaela adds. She added hair extensions to achieve voluminous curls and asked her makeup artist for an elevated look for the day. Related: Looking for Your Own Wedding Dress? Shop at a BRIDES Top Tier Bridal Salon The couple's outdoor ceremony featured views of Mt. Mansfield as their backdrop. Wooden chairs were set up for guests facing a grounded ceremony arch of white, cream, and pink florals. For relief from the sun, umbrellas were added to the space and guests were given woven fans and white parasols. Julia and her dad walked down the aisle to an electric violinist's live rendition of Shania Twain's 'You're Still the One.' Then, Micaela and her dad entered to 'Tuesdays' by Jake Scott. Julia's sister, Amelia, officiated the ceremony. The couple exchanged personal vows they wrote for each other, including 'not just reasons we love each other, but promises that we plan on keeping to each other,' Julia says. The newlyweds celebrated back up the aisle to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole. Guests were given paper cones made from their invitation stationery filled with flower petals to toss during the recessional. Related: Our 5 Favorite Eco-Friendly Wedding-Exit Toss Ideas The couple chose a sailcloth tent for their reception, and its entrance was decorated with greenery, potted plants, lanterns, ground florals, and barrels displaying pots and organic floral arrangements. Guests found their seating assignments on escort cards that were displayed in faux wooden planters filled with moss. With an elegant Italian villa as their inspiration, the brides and their planner decided to decorate the tent with hanging pendant lamps, wooden flooring in a natural oak shade, and a checkered dance floor. The tent's structural poles were strategically decorated with branches to look like trees in the center of the space. 'The seating chart was probably the hardest part of our planning process,' Julia says. 'We had a mix of small round tables, large round tables, small rectangle tables, and large rectangle tables. We loved this look but it did require a lot of time and attention to the seating chart.' Lounge areas were also interspersed throughout the space, and they incorporated various textures, from soft couches to woven chairs and stone accent tables. While some tables were dressed in floor-length white linens, others were simply topped with gauzy runners. Each tablescape featured blush and ivory taper candles in textured glass hurricanes, various neutral-hued floral centerpieces in stone vessels, and crystal glassware. 'Rachel Browdy with RH Design created linen menus for us and hand calligraphed stone tiles for place cards,' Micaela says. Julia and Micaela made sure espresso martinis were flowing all night, and they served two other signature cocktails, too: a Mexican Mule and a Maple Old-Fashioned. "Our favorite drink to make at home or order when we go out is a Mexican Mule and we wanted to have an additional drink for our brothers and dad's, as they all enjoy a good maple old fashioned,' Julia explains. Julia and Micaela like to try a little of everything when they dine out, so they chose to serve a family-style dinner that allowed guests to graze. Family members and friends enjoyed main dishes of beef sirloin, slow roasted salmon, and roasted chicken. 'I know everyone talks about not getting a chance to eat on your wedding day but Micaela and I made sure we ate!' Julia laughs. 'It was absolutely incredible.' The couple shared a choreographed first dance in front of their guests to Filmore's "Other Girl." They spent the month before the wedding practicing their pre-planned moves with a teacher. 'We were nervous about it but knew it would be fun no matter what,' Julia says. After their first look, they snuck into the tent for a practice run. 'Micaela and I got to run through our entire dance with the band playing our song, and just us in the tent,' Julia says. 'It's something we will never forget.' Julia had a father-daughter to Will Dempsey's 'Best Parts of Me' and Micaela shared a dance with her dad to Riley Roth's 'When God Made You My Father." The newlyweds cut into a three-tiered wedding cake decorated with with fresh flowers, which features layers of gluten-free triple chocolate salted caramel cake with vanilla buttercream. Guests also enjoyed a variety of small desserts decorated with cutouts of the couple, including strawberry shortcake in a jar, mini blueberry hand pies, chocolate chip cookies, and donuts. For late-night snacks, the couple had a soft pretzel station, a pizza station, and pommes frites. 'This was a great way to wrap up the night, with our guests walking around eating pizza and pretzels,' Julia says. 'We also hired Shy Guy Gelato, which was a big hit!' Julia and Micaela spent their honeymoon traveling through Greece. To couples planning their wedding, they recommend soaking it all in. 'Our piece of advice is as much as it is difficult, try not to stress and enjoy every single minute of this process!" they Weddings Credits Photographer Amanda Young Photography Planning and Design Lindsey Leichthammer Makeup Elizabeth England Studios Flowers Clayton Floral Invitations and Paper Products RH Design Music Generation Events Catering Vermont Farms Catering Cake Cronin Cakes & Sweets Gelato Shy Guy Gelato Rentals Vermont Tent Company, Kadeema Lighting Griffin and Griffin Lighting Videographer Matt Garza of New England CreativeUp Next: The Complete Guide to Planning a Wedding Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Cells are the smallest, most basic unit of life. Do they also hold memories?
Thomas Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, academic, award-winning author, public speaker, poet and podcaster. He is the author of eight books, including the global bestseller The Secret Life of the Unborn Child and 2021'sThe Embodied Mind: Understanding the Mysteries of Cellular Memory, Consciousness and Our Bodies. Joshua Bongard, professor of computer science at the University of Vermont, believes that as humans and animals evolved and adapted to their surroundings, so did their tissues and cells. 'What we are is intelligent machines made of intelligent machines made of intelligent machines, all the way down,' he said, referring to cells. [1] Cells are the smallest, basic unit of life responsible for all of life's processes. A typical human cell has a membrane filled with a jellylike fluid called the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm contains structures called organelles that perform functions similar to major organs. For example, the mitochondria are the lungs of the cell. The nucleus, another organelle, contains the genetic material as DNA. Another important organelle is the cytoskeleton which consists of a cellular scaffolding or skeleton within a cell's cytoplasm. It is made up of microtubules, assembled from the protein tubulin into tube-shaped networks. Some studies support the view that it is the microtubules within the cytoskeleton that store memories. [2]. In addition to 37 organelles, each human cell contains about 12,000 proteins that amount to 42 million protein molecules. A human adult's body contains 50 trillion to 100 trillion cells. These cells are constantly in a state of flux. About 300 million die every minute, while an equal number are freshly minted. The only cell visible to the naked eye is the ovum. About 10,000 average-sized human cells can fit on the head of a pin. Despite their minuscule size, these biological machines are surprisingly efficient, intelligent and possess remarkable memory. Can science solve the puzzle of consciousness? We do not generally think of the cells in our bodies as intelligent or capable of storing data other than those relevant to their function. However, as you will see, our cells process information and engage in purposeful behaviour. They are comparable to, but a lot smarter and more caring than, computer chips that power artificial intelligence. Like AI, cells change and learn from experience, while unlike computer chips they arrive naturally preprogrammed. Textbooks often depict the cell as a factory, with genes providing instructions to produce proteins that carry out the body's daily functions. Considerable biological research indicates that 'control' and 'information' are distributed throughout the cell rather than concentrated in the nucleus. Cellular organelles do not operate like assembly lines; instead, they engage in intricate interactions with one another. Moreover, the cell's primary role isn't solely focused on 'production' as the common factory metaphor suggests. Rather, a significant portion of its activity is devoted to self-maintenance and supporting the well-being of neighbouring cells. [3]. Cell communication plays a vital role in maintaining tissue balance, co-ordinating specific cellular activities, and responding to environmental signals. During both development and repair, tissues must continually adjust to shifting biological conditions to achieve physiological stability. To do so, cells within these tissues engage in ongoing interactions – either with nearby target cells or, in some cases, with distant cells – without always involving the surrounding local cells. The art and science of aging well Cells can talk and help one another by way of the recently discovered tiny tube networks (TNTs). When a stressed or ailing cell releases a chemical distress signal, nearby cells extend hollow tubes through which they pass needed resources such as RNA, proteins or even whole organelles to the sick cell. [4] Anne-Marie Rodriguez, a researcher at the Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research in Paris, has discovered that TNTs help injured heart cells recover from heart attacks. [5] In addition to TNTs, cells have other options for exchanging molecules, most notably the structures called gap junctions and exosomes. New research from The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has revealed that adult tissues retain a memory, inscribed on their DNA, of the embryonic cells from which they arose. [6] This discovery led to an even more fascinating finding that memory is entirely recoverable: 'Beyond the sheer existence of this archive, we were surprised to find that it doesn't remain permanently locked away but can be accessed under certain conditions. The implications of this discovery for how we think about cells' capabilities, and for the future treatment of degenerative and other diseases, are potentially profound,' said Ramesh A. Shivdasani, the senior author of the new study. In other words, under specific conditions, patient-derived cells could be reverted to a more primitive developmental stage and then guided to grow into mature healthy tissues suitable for replacing damaged or diseased ones. This approach also shows potential in cancer research, especially in understanding how healthy cells 'catch' cancer. Near-death experiences suggest that our consciousness may not die when our bodies do Biologists, adapting principles from cybernetics and dynamic systems theory, have argued that the cell is an autopoietic system that continually recreates itself. [7] The word autopoiesis is derived from the Greek words for self and production, and refers to a system that can enact, reproduce, and maintain itself. To support renewal, human tissues routinely eliminate millions of cells without compromising their overall structure, integrity, or intercellular connections. Researchers at the Institut Pasteur have identified a novel process that helps achieve this: dying cells temporarily shield nearby cells from undergoing cell death, thereby preserving tissue stability. Using fluorescent markers sensitive to protein activity, the scientists discovered that when a cell dies, it triggers a short-term activation – lasting about an hour – of the EGFR-ERK signalling pathway in surrounding cells. This pathway, already known for its role in promoting cell survival, acts to prevent the simultaneous death of neighbouring cells. 'We were aware of the pathway's significance in epithelial cell survival, but witnessing this protective interaction between cells was unexpected,' said Romain Levayer, head of the Cell Death and Epithelial Homeostasis Unit at the Institut Pasteur and the study's lead author. [8] Their findings also demonstrate that disrupting this local protective mechanism severely impacts epithelial tissues. Without it, adjacent cells would also die, causing major breakdowns in tissue and organs. 'These results highlight the remarkable self-regulation abilities of biological tissues,' Mr. Levayer explains. 'There's no central control directing when and where cells should die – it all comes down to direct, localized communication between neighbouring cells.' The magic and mystery of dreams: Nighttime phenomenon's purpose still up for debate The crucial contribution of the entire single living cell to our health is conventionally overlooked. We humans place extra stress on our cells that they are not really programmed to deal with. Smoking, drinking and sun tanning, if continued for long periods, can cause permanent damage. The same goes for noise, pollution, radiation and the new threat to our health – microplastics. The cells that constitute your skin and the linings of your mouth, lungs and gut are particularly vulnerable. They deserve to be treated with respect. Unpacking all the above, please note that individual cells are not just building blocks, like bricks in a wall; they have extra competences that enable them to construct larger structures and repair tissues. Cells need not understand, nor have minds, but by possessing information to perform tasks, beginning with the fundamental task of self-preservation, they provide themselves with the energy needed to adjust to their local environments in ways that advance their prospects. As cells form ever larger and more complex networks, their aggregate intelligence and wisdom grows. One more thing. What I find especially intriguing about cells is the recent revelation by wildlife scientists that all living organisms shed small amounts of genetic material known as environmental DNA, or eDNA. This eDNA is present everywhere, drifting through the air, lingering in water, snow, milk, over grass, on the steps of your house or the chair in your living room. Thanks to recent advances in technology, researchers can now extract increasingly detailed information from ever tinier eDNA samples. In fact, scientists at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida in St. Augustine, have managed to retrieve both medical and ancestral data from trace human DNA fragments found in the environment. [9] A friend of mine, a very sane person, I assure you, told me of an experience last year while going house hunting in a small Northern Ontario town. After checking out several houses he and his wife were led to a lovely old building. His wife and their real estate agent marched right in. But he froze in terror at the sound of crying and screaming children. He turned around and fled to the other side of the street. When his wife and the agent emerged from the house, they asked him why he did not follow them in. He explained what happened. The agent told them that a hundred years ago this house was an orphanage. Neither my friend nor his wife had any prior knowledge of the history of this house. So, I am wondering whether this incident and many similar ones as well as seances, occult writings and hundreds of ghost stories, are in some way connected to certain people having a special ability to tune in to persons who had experienced strong negative emotions like fear or suffering by 'reading' their eDNA? Could it be that all of these fragments of DNA that have been piling up for millennia on this planet are responsible for what Carl Jung called 'the collective unconscious?' [10] References
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘Shallow Hal' actor Rene Kirby dies at 70 following health complications linked to Spina Bifida
Rene Kirby, the actor best known for his role in the 2001 Farrelly Brothers comedy Shallow Hal, has died at the age of 70. According to Seven Days, Kirby passed away on July 11 at the University of Vermont Medical Center following a two-month hospitalization due to complications related to his esophagus, kidneys, and bladder. Born with spina bifida, a congenital condition in which the spine and spinal cord don't develop properly, Kirby lived his entire life without the use of his legs. Despite this, he embraced an active lifestyle, engaging in activities such as hand-cycling, skiing, and gymnastics. He also had a two-decade career at IBM and enjoyed online stock trading in recent years. Kirby was cast in two Farrelly Brothers films: Shallow Hal, where he portrayed Walt, a character who also had spina bifida, and Stuck on You (2003), starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear. In 2005, he made a guest appearance in HBO's Carnivàle as Hoppy in the episode 'The Road to Damascus.' In a 2008 episode of Seven Days' web series Stuck in Vermont, Kirby spoke candidly about living with his condition. 'I've never thought of myself as disabled,' he said, referring to himself humorously as 'a gimp without a wimp.' Kirby also survived throat cancer in recent years, though the treatment required the removal of his larynx, leaving him unable to speak. His brother Jon Kirby noted that Rene had not ridden his bike since the previous fall due to declining mobility. Rene Kirby is survived by his mother and six siblings. His father passed away three years ago.
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rene Kirby dead: Shallow Hal dies at 70 after health struggles and lengthy hospital stay
Rene Kirby, known for his role in Shallow Hal, has sadly died at the age of 70. The actor's death on July 11 followed a two-month hospitalisation due to infections and complications with his oesophagus, kidneys and bladder, according to his brother Jon Kirby. His passing occurred at the University of Vermont Medical Center, as reported by the Vermont-based publication Seven Days. He was best known for starring in 2011 American comedy Shallow Hal, directed by the Farrelly Brothers and starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black. The movie saw Black's sexist character be hypnotised to only see the inner beauty of people - including love interest Rosemary (played by a fat-suit wearing Paltrow). The movie was a huge box office success, grossing $141million against a $41million budget. Kirby found himself starring in the 1999 Hollywood movies after a chance encounter with Hollywood director Peter Farrelly. Farrelly was in Rene's hometown of Burlington, Vermont shooting Me, Myself & Irene starring Jim Carrey. After buying Rene a pint and spending the evening chatting, Farrelly decided to cast Rene in his next film. In a 2001 interview, he said: "He's got a zest for life that is contagious and he's extremely funny." Farrelly penned a role specifically for Rene in Shallow Hal, which he co-wrote and co-directed with his brother, Bobby. Given the film's theme of looking beyond physical appearances, Farrelly believed it was an ideal fit for Rene, who he said "epitomises inner beauty". Kirby lived with spina bifida, which led to him having no use of his legs. But that didn't stop the actor from biking, skiing and acting. "Walking on my hands, it's just, all I've ever known, I just never thought of myself being disabled," he told Seven Days' Eva Sollberger in an episode of Stuck in Vermont.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Donald Trump's election triggered transgender people to contemplate DIY hormones & suicide: study
Even before executive orders were signed in January or court decisions handed down, fear was already surging through transgender communities across the United States. A new study from the University of Vermont, appearing in JAMA Network Open, captures that fear in stark detail. Titled 'Access to Gender-Affirming Care and Alternatives to That Care Among Transgender Adults,' the research found that every single one of 489 transgender, nonbinary, and intersex respondents believed they could lose access to gender-affirming medical care under the shifting political climate. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. 'This is a population that already feels that their access to care is constantly under threat,' said Teresa Graziano, the study's lead author, who uses they/them pronouns. 'It was startling.' Related: What does Donald Trump's 'shocking and devastating' victory and a second term mean for the LGBTQ+ community? The survey, conducted between the 2024 election and Inauguration Day 2025, revealed a level of distress that transcended fear and entered the realm of survival. More than 21 percent of participants reported that they would feel suicidal if their access to care were cut off. Graziano said one participant explicitly told them, 'killing myself is easier than living without my hormones and my gender affirming care.' Particularly alarming to Graziano was how many respondents described preparing for life without medical support. Nearly a third said they would turn to black-market hormones or attempt to synthesize hormones at home if care were banned. 'My concern as a health care provider is that they do not necessarily know that they are receiving sterile products or the products that they think they're receiving,' Graziano said. 'They may not be using doses that are safe or appropriate for them because it may not translate one-to-one with what they've been using in the past.' The Trump administration has moved quickly to implement policies redefining sex as strictly male or female and directing federal agencies to explore limits on gender-affirming care, particularly for minors. While no federal ban on adult care is currently in place, the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision in Skrmetti upholding Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors has fueled deep anxieties that similar laws could spread across the country. Related: Trump administration announces end to gender-affirming care for transgender veterans National advocates say the Vermont study confirms broader trends. A spokesperson for Advocates for Trans Equality told The Advocate, 'This new study echoes what we found in our 2022 U.S. Trans Survey health report that we released last month, which captures the experiences of 84,170 trans adults across the country, and what millions across our country who are losing access to their health care thanks to Trump's budget reconciliation bill are saying: Trump's policies have consequences—all of us are less healthy and less safe, and many trans people will die without the transition-related care they need.' For Rep. Becca Balint, Vermont's first out lesbian member of Congress, the study's findings reflect conversations happening at home. 'It mirrors what I am hearing directly from trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming folks, intersex people in Vermont and their families,' Balint said in an interview with The Advocate. 'This level of anxiety about not being able to get the care that they need and that they deserve and that will keep them alive is something that I'm hearing from a lot of my constituents.' Related: Supreme Court rules states can ban gender-affirming care for youth in U.S. v. Skrmetti 'In the last few months, when I am back in Vermont and I am at an event, inevitably, either someone who identifies as trans or nonbinary or their family will come up to me and they will tell me just how scared they are that they're not going to be able to get health care,' she said. 'And more broadly, just deep despondency that their own government is coming after them.' While Balint called it 'of course, a shocking statistic that over 20 percent would consider taking their own lives,' she said the finding was, tragically, not surprising. 'They have been told now for two and a half years in earnest by the Republican party and by Trump that they don't matter,' she said. 'That they don't care about the lives of these people, that they will say anything and do anything, and they will scapegoat them.' Balint said many constituents have expressed what it feels like 'to have your government weaponized against you,' and warned that political rhetoric has real consequences for mental health and safety. 'When they don't see us as elected officials standing with their civil rights, standing with their right to the health care that they need and deserve, of course, it looks bleak,' she said. Related: LGBTQ+ mental health crisis center says calls have surged with Donald Trump's inauguration She sees a strong connection between today's threats to transgender people's access to health care and the fight for reproductive freedom. 'I link those all the time, especially for constituents who might have a hard time understanding the lives of trans people because they don't necessarily have somebody in their family or within their close social circle,' Balint said. 'I always say it's the same thing: you're talking about people having control over their own bodies.' Balint emphasized that cutting off access to care won't make transgender people disappear; it simply pushes them into unsafe, underground options. She said, 'transgender people have always existed and always will, as part of humanity itself.' People, she noted, will go to great lengths to obtain the care they need, even if that means risking black-market treatments. Instead of forcing people into such dangerous paths, Balint urged, 'We need to stop demonizing this population who is just trying to live their lives.' If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at or text START to 678678. This article originally appeared on Advocate: Donald Trump's election triggered transgender people to contemplate DIY hormones & suicide: study RELATED Montana court strikes down ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors Hundreds protest Pittsburgh hospital for caving to Trump and denying trans youth gender-affirming care Supreme Court rules states can ban gender-affirming care for youth in U.S. v. Skrmetti
