• We learned: that air pollution has a stronger correlation to shorter average mortality than many other factors, including smoking. In addition to that finding, the excessive pollution caused by Volkswagen’s cheating diesel vehicles seems to have led to lower birth weights and more cases of acute asthma attacks, at least during the period studied (2008-2015).

• We think: there is merit to this article, predicting that the US restaurant industry may have reached an apex. The soon-to-be-finished Cheesecake Factory in Gainesville has us hoping that our market can support it, as well as the independent restaurants that we really enjoy.

• We read: about how Southern California’s famed Crystal Cathedral has been rededicated as a Catholic Church. It is an interesting change for the architecturally significant building, previously the home of a popular televangelist.

• We've been: taking the agriculture industry for granted. We arrive at the store, select our produce, and go home. Able to enjoy nearly any kind of fruit of vegetable at any time of year, it is easy to ignore the research and development that provides delicious Fuji Apples and Honey Mangoes. This article about a new apple variety, the Cosmic Crisp, is a really interesting glimpse into the opportunity (and risk) inherent in growing our food.

• We recommend: the new version of The Lion King. The original has long been Joe Jr’s favorite of the classic 90’s Disney films, and he isn’t sure he likes the new one more, but the visuals make it worth the big-screen treatment. It’s a simple story, beautifully rendered.