United States

Millsboro, Del. – – September 21, 2026 -- Couples shopping for an engagement ring face a core choice between full customization and instant availability, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Sergio Palazzo of Palazzo Jewelers in Millsboro, Delaware.

Custom rings give buyers control over every detail

The article explains that custom engagement rings let clients select a diamond or gemstone, choose a setting, and refine band details to reflect a personal vision. This appeals to buyers who want a design that stands apart from standard styles and carries personal meaning.

The custom design process takes four to eight weeks

Building a custom ring starts with a consultation covering ideas, budget, and preferences, followed by sketches or digital renderings before production begins. According to the article, this timeline typically runs four to eight weeks depending on complexity, requiring buyers to plan ahead.

Carson City – September 21, 2026 -- Property owners in Carson Valley and Reno are being reminded that annual backflow testing is required in most Northern Nevada jurisdictions to prevent contaminated water from entering clean drinking supplies.

Backflow devices stop pollutants from reversing into drinking water lines

A HelloNation article explains that backflow devices are installed to block contaminated water from irrigation systems, fire sprinklers, or industrial equipment from flowing backward into a home's plumbing or the municipal water supply. Internal valves inside these devices can wear out, corrode, or fail over time, often without any visible warning signs.

Springdale, Arkansas – September 21, 2026 -- A new HelloNation feature spotlights Wendy Jarvis, a pediatric therapy expert in Washington County, Arkansas, on why combining occupational, physical, and speech therapy often produces better outcomes for children than treating each skill in isolation.

Overlapping challenges rarely stay in one lane

Jarvis notes that a toddler struggling with speech may also have trouble sitting upright, while a preschooler who avoids messy play may pull back from social activities altogether. These overlaps are why the three disciplines are designed to reinforce one another rather than operate separately.

Carbondale, PA and Randolph, MA – September 21, 2026 -- Gentex Corporation and Randolph Engineering have launched a limited-edition Thunderbirds x Gentex x Randolph Sunglasses Collection, capped at 600 individually produced pairs and sold exclusively through Randolph Engineering.

The collection pairs Randolph's American-made Aviator frame with the same silver mirror lens technology flown by the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.

The lenses use military-derived optical technology

Made in the USA with globally sourced materials, the lenses are engineered to military-derived performance requirements, offering optical clarity, accurate color perception, impact protection, enhanced durability, and all-day visual comfort, according to the companies.

Oak Brook – September 21, 2026 -- Ace Hardware has named Vantage Point (38B-4), a sophisticated blue hue, as Clark+Kensington's 2027 Color of the Year, now available at participating Ace Hardware stores nationwide and online at The Paint Studio.

The blue tone anchors a full 2027 color collection

Selected by color trend forecasting partner Colour Hive alongside the Clark+Kensington design team, Vantage Point is described as a rich blue softened by subtle undertones. It serves as the focal point of a broader 2027 Clark+Kensington Color Trends collection, joined by two coordinating palettes named Drift and Mellow.

Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware, said the color aims to bring warmth and character to interiors while staying versatile enough to feel current in 2027 and lasting for years afterward.

Warren, Mich. – September 21, 2026 -- A new one-time educational grant is now open to undergraduate students studying healthcare or related fields, with applications due by May 15, 2027.

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant targets undergraduates nationwide

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals is available to undergraduate students enrolled at any accredited U.S. college or university, regardless of city or state. Applicants must be pursuing a degree or course of study in healthcare or a related field.

An essay is the core of the application

Candidates must submit an original essay responding to the prompt: "How Will You Use Your Healthcare Education to Make a Difference?" Strong submissions are expected to link academic goals to patient care, community service, innovation, or leadership within healthcare.

St. Paul, Minn. – September 21, 2026 -- Command Brand has launched the Command DÉCOR Collection, a new line of premium metal fixtures designed to be seen rather than hidden, now available at retailers nationwide and online.

The collection combines real metal construction with the brand's damage-free hanging technology.

Pieces are available in four finishes -- Brushed Brass, Light Beige, Matte Black and Chrome -- and include Large and Small Metal Hooks, a Metal Wall Planter with a removable plastic insert, a Metal Key Rail, a Metal Wall Shelf, and a Large Towel Hook and Small Robe Hook for bathrooms.

Small hooks hold up to 2 pounds while larger hooks and shelves support up to 5 pounds.

Every fixture uses Command Brand's signature technology, letting users hang items without nails, screws or tools and remove them later without leaving marks or holes.

Broomfield, Colo. – September 21, 2026 -- Skiers and riders have until October 7 to lock in discounted Epic Day Pass rates for the 2026-27 season, with savings of up to 65% compared to window lift ticket prices.

Four days at Vail or Whistler costs $471 before the deadline

A 4-Day Epic Day Pass covering marquee destinations like Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City Mountain and Breckenridge runs $118 per day, or $471 total. Regional resorts including Keystone, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar and Stowe cost $367 for four days ($92/day). East and Midwest local favorites are priced at $223 for four days, or $56/day. Prices rise for all tiers after October 7.

Las Vegas – September 21, 2026 -- Amped Fitness has announced plans to open its first Nevada location at 2160 N Rainbow Blvd in Las Vegas, bringing its signature "Amped Universe" concept to the state for the first time.

Shelbyville, KY – September 21, 2026 -- Jeptha Creed Distillery is releasing a three-part video series across 2025 to mark its 10th anniversary, with new chapters tied to key dates throughout the year.

The series began July 4th with a chapter honoring America's 250th anniversary, focusing on the Nethery family's generations-long farming history in Shelby County, Kentucky.

The second chapter traces a decade of heirloom corn experimentation

Released September 18th, Decade of Dedication: Jeptha Creed Solera explores the heirloom corn varietals grown on the family farm and used in the distillery's whiskey over the past ten years. The chapter also spotlights the anniversary release, Jeptha Creed Solera Aged Bourbon, which blends whiskeys distilled from every heirloom corn varietal the distillery has produced to date.