*Mornings Archives

The Happy Headline of the Day – Thursday, March 11

March 11, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
37-year-old Detroit native Jennifer Landry is a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps, stationed in Indiana.
She has always been on the lookout for ways to help others by donating blood and researching ways to even donate bone marrow.
Well, she never got around to donating the bone marrow because she stumbled upon a Facebook post, requesting a kidney donor.
They needed somebody with O-positive blood. That was a match for Jennifer, so she started the process. Sure enough. She was a perfect match — and agreed to donate the kidney.
Little did she know that this stranger was a Marine veteran, retired Gunnery Sgt. Charles Dane, who had been awarded a Purple Heart medal.
The surgery was a success — and gave Charles a new lease on life.
Jennifer explained that she “always had that mindset where I love helping people,” so when she was presented with a chance to help out, “There was no hesitation. I just went for it.” (Albany Times Union)

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The Daily Dish – Thursday, March 11

March 11, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Meghan Markle made many troubling claims in her interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday. Among them, that she experienced mental anguish that left her feeling as though she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore.”
While many people questioned her accusations, Meg’s close friend Janina Gavankar says she has proof. Janina tells the British show This Morning, “The truth will come out. There are plenty of emails and texts about that. I’m not going to get into the details of it. I don’t feel like that’s my place. I’m just happy that it’s actually being looked into because the truth really does set you free.”
Janina said that when Meghan was in despair she “turned to all of us. She turned to her husband.” The actress added that Meghan’s concerns were well-known within royal circles.
Things are getting ugly between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
According to Page Six, the divorcing couple are no longer “talking.”
A source says Kanye has even gone as far as changing all his phone numbers and told his estranged wife she could contact him only through his security.
The insider added that the rapper “abruptly cut himself off from Kim…even before they filed for divorce.”
Still, the two continue to co-parent their children, and Kanye regularly visits them at home while she’s away.
Kim filed for divorce on February 19th.
Michael B. Jordan will make his directorial debut with Creed 3, in which he’ll also star.
In a statement, Jordan said, “Directing has always been an aspiration, but the timing had to be right. Creed III is that moment — a time in my life where I’ve grown more sure of who I am, holding agency in my own story, maturing personally, growing professionally, and learning from the Greats like Ryan Coogler, most recently Denzel Washington, and other top tier directors I respect. All of which sets the table for this moment.”
The boxing sequel, also starring Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad, hits theaters on November 23rd, 2022.
Jordon follows in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, who directed and starred in four Rocky movies — Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky Balboa.

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Music News – Thursday, March 10

March 11, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
The #FreeBritney movement has spread to Capitol Hill.
House Republicans in Washington D.C. demanded a congressional hearing on Britney Spears’ court-ordered conservatorships. She’s been under her father’s control for 13 years. The politicians submitted a letter this week to Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, They asked him to convene a hearing.
The letter states in part, (quote) “In recent years, there has been growing public concern about the use of conservatorships to effectively deprive individuals of personal freedoms. The most striking example is perhaps the case of multi-platinum performing artist Britney Spears.” (NBC News)
Following her removal from a mural on the outer wall of Legend’s Corner in downtown Nashville, Taylor Swift is now getting a bit of artistic real estate all to herself.
Tim Davis, who created the collage of iconic country stars outside of Legends honky tonk, replaced Taylor’s image with Brad Paisley some months ago. But according to TMZ, he’s working on a piece focused solely on Taylor. Allegedly, she was removed from the Legends’ mural because of her jump into pop music.
Tim has located a spot for the new mural just a few blocks from Legends and is raising money for the project with a GoFundMe page.
Pat Benatar tells Billboard magazine that she had to play catch-up with her fame during her career. “Once it started it went like a blinding speed. You start out and all of a sudden you have “Heartbreaker” go up the chart and then the next record comes in and jumps eighty places in the chart and you’re not ready for that. Then when it goes to number two, you’re certainly not ready for that. Then the third comes in and goes to number one, I mean you’re just not ready. The band spends most of our time running behind what’s happening to us, running to catch up.”

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Wednesday, March 10

March 10, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Kyler Murray is the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals football team — but grew up near Dallas, Texas.
And, as we know, that area was impacted in a big way by the recent winter storms. The cold weather knocked out his power and hot water.
For Kyler, it was a wake-up call as he realized many others in his community were dealing with the same problems — so he stepped up and did something to help.
Kyler made a big donation that resulted in 60,000 meals being delivered to the North Texas Food Bank.
He described the gesture as a “no brainer” and pointed out that helping others in this time of need was his “bigger purpose.”
It certainly was big, as the North Texas Food Bank distributes food to more than 200 partner agencies in 13 counties. (ESPN)

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The Daily Dish – Wednesday, March 10

March 10, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Queen Elizabeth has broken her silence on the Prince Harry – Meghan Markle interview with Oprah.
A statement released by Buckingham Palace says, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,”
During the bombshell interview, Meghan said that there was concern among some royals that Archie would be dark-skinned. Oprah later clarified that Harry and Meghan were not referring to the Queen or Prince Philip. (ABC News)
While Queen Elizabeth took the high road, Meg’s father and half-sister have not.
Thomas Markle tells Good Morning Britain it’s his daughter’s own fault for suffering. “She’s pretty much ghosted all of her family, on her mother’s side and my side. So she really had no one to reach out to. She would’ve had us, if she’d kept us.”
Samantha Markle said it wasn’t fair of Meghan to blame depression for anything. “Depression is not an excuse for treating people like dishrags and disposing of them.”
CBS is offering a second chance to watch the Prince Harry and Meghan Markel interview with Oprah Winfrey.
This Friday, the network will repeat the primetime special, which nearly 50 million people worldwide have watched. (Deadline)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, March 10

March 10, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
International Day of Awesomeness: A day to celebrate everything in your life that is awesome — including yourself!
Think dogs shouldn’t be allowed in stores, or restaurants … or even hospitals? Think again. Turns out that your dog’s paws are cleaner than your shoes. Researchers in The Netherlands examined dogs’ paws and the soles of their owners’ shoes for bacteria, including those found in poop, and it turned out the dogs were cleaner. “The dogs’ paws turned out to be cleaner than the soles of their shoes,” said a researcher at Utrecht University. “This makes the hygiene argument that is often used to ban assistance dogs from public locations invalid.”
A new survey of office workers has found that lots of people aren’t happy with their boss – especially these days. 66% of the workers surveyed said the pandemic has had a negative effect on their relationship with their boss, and 52% said they’re looking for a new job because of their boss or manager. 65% of the office workers polled said they could do a better job at work if they had a better boss. What are some of workers’ biggest gripes about their bosses? 55% said they wish there were fewer “pointless meetings,” 47% said they were tired of all the “last-minute emergencies,” and 40% said they want their boss to stop micro-managing them. And this is interesting … 53% said they wish they got more feedback from their boss.
Escape … to the bathroom? Where do you go in your home when you need to “get away”? For many people, it’s the bathroom. Yep, the bathroom has become our sanctuary during the pandemic, with 22% of people in a recent survey saying it’s the only place they can get some peace and quiet. 33% said they enjoy the “calmness” of the bathroom and 36% said they’ve been spending more time in the bathroom than ever before. And a whopping 68% said the bathroom had a positive impact on their mood. Think about that. Being in the bathroom improved their mood. (SWNS)

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Music News – Wednesday, March 10

March 10, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
You may not be able to get to the Grammy Awards in person this year, but you can still snag a souvenir — thanks to the annual online Grammy auction.
The charity auction, which runs through March 23rd, features dozens of crave-worthy items, including:
  • A Folklore guitar autographed by Taylor Swift
  • Handwritten lyrics from Ed Sheeran — from any song the winner chooses
  • A Gibson guitar autographed by Bruno Mars
Head over to CharityBuzz to check out all the offerings.
Demi Lovato has been clean and sober since nearly dying of a drug overdose in 2018, but she also believes drug use saved her life in some ways.
Demi tells the Yeah, No, I’m Not OK podcast, “In the same way it almost killed me, it saved my life at times, because there were times that I dealt with suicidal ideation. I turned to those coping mechanisms because I genuinely was in so much pain that I didn’t want to die and I didn’t know what else to do.”
The singer will tell all about her struggles in her documentary Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil.
Selena Gomez is pondering a surprise career move — retirement!
The singer, who just released her first Spanish-language project, tells Vogue magazine that she may hang up her microphone because she’s tired of not getting enough respect. Selena says “It’s hard to keep doing music when people don’t necessarily take you seriously. I’ve had moments where I’ve been like, ‘What’s the point? Why do I keep doing this?’”
According to Selena, the last straw was the lukewarm response to her emotional “Lose You to Love Me.” She says, “I felt that was the best song I’ve ever released, and for some people it still wasn’t enough. I think there are a lot of people who enjoy my music, and for that I’m so thankful, for that I keep going, but I think the next time I do an album it’ll be different. I want to give it one last try before I maybe retire from music.”

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Happy Headline of the Day – Tuesday, March 9

March 9, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Over the weekend, Joel Embiid [Joe-EL EM-beed] of the Philadelphia 76ers played in his fourth NBA All-Star game. He’s one of the best basketball players on the planet — and earned $100,000 because he was chosen for that All-Star game.
But instead of pocketing the money, Joel decided to give his winnings to homeless shelters in Philadelphia. His team stepped up and committed to donating an additional $100,000 to the same groups that Joel had chosen.
He explained that he “felt it was important to provide more support for individuals and families struggling with homelessness and food insecurity” and pledged to “continue to help in any way I can.” (ESPN)

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The Daily Dish – Tuesday, March 9

March 9, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
The aftershocks of the explosive Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being felt days after.
In the United States, more than 17 million people watched the two-hour special on CBS. That’s the largest audience for a non-sports program since the Academy Awards more than 13 months ago.
Here’s just a few of the things being said about Meghan and Harry:
Buckingham Palace has not made a statement concerning the interview. An insider said Queen Elizabeth is “reeling” from the accusations thrown at her family by one of their own. The Royals are “paralyzed with horror and dismay.” (The Sun, UK)
Royal photographer Arthur Edwards watched Harry grow up. He said on Monday, (quote) “Meghan came along and then things start to fall apart. Since Meghan came along, he’s been unbelievably miserable.” (Fox News)
Meghan Markle’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, responded to the interview. She told Inside Edition, (quote) “The truth was totally ignored and omitted. I don’t know how Meghan can say, ‘I don’t know her.’ We’ve got photographs over a lifespan of us together.”
Samantha Markle also spoke with an Australian radio show, Fifi, Fev and Nick. She accused Meghan of having a “narcissistic personality disorder.” As for Prince Harry, the estranged half-sister thinks he’s the victim of Stockholm syndrome. (New York Post)
Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight, (quote) “Prince William is devastated by this interview. Don’t forget that his wife, Kate Middleton, is being dragged into this whole saga and William will hate that.”
For International Women’s Day, Kate Middleton put on a brave face and made a public appearance. She did not say a word about the Oprah interview. Instead, she stayed focused on the accomplishment of the youngest woman to row a boat by herself across the Atlantic Ocean. (E! News)
Now that the world has watched Meghan Markle speak her truth, she “finally feels at peace. She is very proud of Harry for also speaking out.” (E! News)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, March 9

March 9, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Barbie Day: It’s Barbie’s birthday. The iconic doll was “born” on March 9, 1959.
  • National Meatball Day: A good day for some spaghetti and meatballs.
  • National Get Over It Day
You know that feeling you get when you don’t get enough time to yourself? There’s a name for it – alonely. Basically, it’s the opposite of lonely. It’s the need to carve out some time for yourself. While the pandemic has led to increased feelings of loneliness – 65% reported feeling lonely in a survey from last year – the other side of it is couples and families spending so much time together that they are in need of some space and time to themselves. (Vice)
Does the temperature you like your coffee reveal your personality? According to a new survey, if you like your coffee cold, you’re probably a Gen Z-er and are into sunny weather and binge-watching science-fiction. Cold brew lovers are also more likely to be introverted, love to travel, and have a water or air zodiac sign.
Hot coffee drinkers, according to the survey, are more likely to be Baby Boomers. In fact, 94% of people over 56 like their coffee hot. They’re also more likely to be extroverts, prefer overcast weather, like comedies, listen to artists like Taylor Swift, and have a fire or earth zodiac sign.
But whether hot or cold, coffee drinkers all agree that they can’t fathom mornings without it. The survey revealed that coffee drinkers would rather give up social media (22%), TV (18%), alcohol (16%), and video games (4%) than coffee.
Who says you can’t celebrate spring break this year? Chili’s is bringing the party to you … with to-go margaritas … available by the gallon. Yep, in celebration of its founding on March 13, 1975, some Chili’s locations are filling up 128-ounce bags of their Presidente Margaritas. The best part? They’re selling them for just $30. According to Chili’s, each bag holds about 30 drinks. While the $30 bags are only available on Saturday, March 13th, that doesn’t mean the party is over. The margarita bags are available now – and will be available after Saturday – they’ll just cost you $40. (Food & Wine)

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Music News – Tuesday, March 9

March 9, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Madonna may be incredible on stage, but in the audience, she’s pretty awful.
That’s the word from Broadway star Alan Cumming, who became great pals with the Material Mom after a rocky start at one of his shows. Cumming tells the Talk Art podcast, “Madonna came to see Cabaret the first time I did it on Broadway. I could see her braiding her hair whilst she was watching the show. We thought she might come backstage but she didn’t and I thought, ‘Oh, she hated it, how awful.’ Then this big man came into my room and said he was Madonna’s driver and she wanted me to go to dinner with her.”
The cheeky actor brought that up at one of Madge’s Madame X shows last year. “When she was doing her concerts, I got free tickets. There was a bit when she sits down next to a member of the audience and it’s usually a famous person and she has a little chat. She talked about coming to see me in Cabaret and I said, ‘I remember you were braiding your hair.’ She was like, ‘Was I? That’s incredibly rude.’ And I went, ‘Yes, it was rude.’”
The Daily Mail says pop singer Billie Eilish has been granted a five-year restraining order against her stalker, John Hearle. He has been threatening her outside of her Los Angeles home for the past six months. At one point, the 23 year-old was camping outside of Billie’s home.
Beyoncé is paying tribute to a late fan. She shared a special a cappella medley of “Brown Skin Girl,” “Love on Top” and “Halo” in honor of Lyric Chanel. The 13-year-old fan died after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Beyoncé’s YouTube video featured a montage of videos and photos from Chanel’s Instagram. Back in 2020, Beyoncé sent her flowers.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Monday, March 8

March 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
In St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Emily Ford recently made history by completing a 1,200-mile hike.
Back in December, Emily and her dog, Diggins, started walking the Ice Age Trail, which goes all across and up-and-down the state of Wisconsin — and became just the second person to do it in winter.
Not only that, Emily was the first female ever to pull off the feat.
She braved harsh elements — including some seriously cold temperatures — during the 69 days she was out there walking.
Emily admits there were times she was “kind of wishing the journey was over” but crossing the finish line was a huge victory.
Now that she’s completed the journey, Emily has returned to her home in Duluth, Minnesota, where she has plans to do nothing but rest and eat for a while. (KBJR-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Monday, March 8

March 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
OPRAH’s interview with PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE aired last night, and some pretty heavy bombs were dropped.
Apparently, when Meghan was pregnant with their son Archie, they were told he wouldn’t receive a royal title, and they wouldn’t provide security for him . . . which would be a break in tradition.
Also, according to Meghan, there were, quote, “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
This was apparently a conversation between Harry and someone within the royal organization, but Meghan refused to name the person because, quote, “It would be very damaging to them.”
Harry confirmed that it happened, but refused to speak about it.  But at a different point in the conversation, he said he loves his family very much.  His relationship with QUEEN ELIZABETH is still tight.
But he admitted things are strained with PRINCE CHARLES, and there’s, quote, “a lot to work through.”  He also said he felt “really let down” by him.  And Harry’s relationship with his brother PRINCE WILLIAM is, quote, “space, at the moment.”
Meghan’s mental health was a huge reason she and Harry stepped back from their royal duties.  The media was BRUTAL to her, and despite promises that the family and its people would protect her and stick up for her, they never really did.
Meghan even admitted there were times when she, quote, “didn’t want to be alive anymore.”
She asked repeatedly if she could get some sort of professional help.  But The Firm, which is the organization that handles Royal business, refused her because, quote, “it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”
Meghan reaching such a low point was the final straw that led them to step back.  And Harry said it helped him realize that HE was trapped, too.
Quote, “I was trapped, but I didn’t know I was trapped.  Trapped within the system.  My father and my brother, they are trapped.  They don’t get to leave.  And I have huge compassion for that.”
To end things on a lighter note, Meghan and Harry are expecting a GIRL . . . and they say they’re done having kids after this one.
CBS paid at least $7 million to Oprah Winfrey‘s production company for the rights to Sunday’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A spokesperson for the former Royals said they were not paid for their participation.
Harpo Productions pitched the two-hour special to all three networks. CBS picked it up for a pretty penny. In return, they charged nearly one-third of a million dollars for each 30 second commercial. That amount was twice the normal rate for CBS on Sunday nights.
CBS also purchased the international rights. Today (Monday) in England, ITV will broadcast the shocking interview. The British media has jumped on Harry’s betrayal of his family. Naturally, they blame Meghan, as they have from the beginning, for taking Harry down the wrong track. (Wall Street Journal)

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The Coast Social Network with Cornerstone Alliance – Monday, March 8

March 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Cornerstone Alliance, The Coast Social Network

Zack is joined by Rob Cleveland and Jessica Boyd from Cornerstone Alliance, as well as Arthur Havlicek from the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, to discuss Wednesday’s Business Recognition Awards & Annual Meeting event, which is virtual this year. You can find details on attending at smrchamber.com.
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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, March 8

March 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
International Women’s Day: The theme of this year’s IWD campaign is #ChooseToChallenge …
As the official International Women’s Day website says, “We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.”
You can raise your hand to take the challenge and post your pics to social media using the hashtags #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021.
Seems with Kamala Harris as vice president, people are more optimistic about gender equality in politics. In fact, according to a new survey, 60% of the women and men polled said having a woman vice president made them more hopeful for the future of women’s equality. 59% said they could easily see a woman president in the next 10 years. 59% said they think more progress will be made toward women’s equality now that more women are in D.C. And 50% of respondents said, regardless of party, it was extremely important to have women in leadership positions in Washington. (SWNS)
 
Legos is celebrating International Women’s Day … by launching a Future Builders ad campaign to celebrate all the girls who love to build with Legos. The new campaign allows parents to load a digital photo of their child holding their proudest Lego build and transform it into an ad-like poster. Parents can simply visit LEGO.com/futurebuilders, answer a few questions about their child’s creative process, upload an image, and they’ll get a unique poster emailed back to them. Parents can then share that poster with the #LEGOFutureBuilders on social media if they want. (The Brothers Brick)
In honor of International Women’s Day, IKEA wants to not only commend women for all that they do, but bring to light the inequalities that still exist in the home. The furniture giant has teamed up with relationship expert Jennie Miller to launch a free online game called FiftyFifty to draw attention to and spark conversations about how evenly, or in most cases, unevenly the household responsibilities are split. It’s also fun. If you’re interested, the game is available free in IKEA’s Instagram Stories. (Creative Boom)
New research has found that more than a third of Americans currently working from home would quit if they were asked to come into the office. And even those who are OK with going back to the office want some remote work flexibility, with 51% saying companies should have work-from-home options available. (SWNS)

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Music News – Monday, March 8

March 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
The Recording Academy has announced the full lineup of performers for Sunday’s Grammy Awards. A few Coast artists on the list of those who’ll take part in the annual In Memoriam segment include Chris Martin of Coldplay, John Mayer, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift.
Also, as a tribute to independent music venues, which have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, workers from the Troubadour and Hotel Café in L.A., the Apollo Theater in New York City and the Station Inn in Nashville will present various categories throughout the telecast. The Grammys air Sunday night on CBS hosted by Trevor Noah of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Adele is officially divorced. On Thursday, a judge finally signed off on the agreement that Adele reached with her ex, Simon Konecki.
The settlement will be kept confidential, which Adele demanded in the divorce negotiations. An insider revealed, (quote) “Hollywood divorces can become extremely ugly. Adele and Simon clearly did not want that.”
Adele married Simon without a prenup. Her $170 million estate was at risk when she filed for divorce. We may never learn how much she gave Simon to go away.
They share custody of their 8-year-old son, Angelo. Simon reportedly lives in a Beverly Hills mansion she bought him for nearly $9 million. (Us Weekly)
Adam Levine tells Apple Music that Maroon 5’s next album is done. “I’m going to tell you right now that the album’s done. And I can tell you it’s finished, I can tell you it’s been mastered, and I can tell you it’s been delivered, but I can’t tell you when it comes out. But it’s not far off, I’ll just say that.”

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Friday, March 5

March 5, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Back in 2013, 31-year-old Julia Tinetti and 32-year-old Cassandra Madison started working together at the same restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. The two women quickly became close friends and joked around, telling people they were “sisters” — and would sometimes wear matching clothes to work.
The similarities between Julia and Cassandra were uncanny. They were both adopted from the Dominican Republic as babies — and they both had tattoos of the flag of the Dominican Republic.
They even looked enough alike that customers and co-workers mixed them up all the time.
At one point, Julia and Cassandra looked through their adoption paperwork to see if they might really be sisters. No dice. The forms showed that they had different mothers who lived hours away from each other.
Well, the forms were wrong.
Julia and Cassandra recently did a DNA test and, sure enough, the test confirmed that they are actually biological sisters.
Thanks to the positive test, they now have a closer bond than ever. And, they’ve also reached out and connected with their biological family in the Dominican Republic — and hope to meet them in person someday. (People)

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The Daily Dish – Friday, March 5

March 5, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Prince Philip has undergone “successful” heart surgery, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
In a brief statement, a palace spokesperson said, “The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.”
Queen Elizabeth‘s 99-year-old husband has been hospitalized for more than two weeks after falling ill.
About a week ago, Prince William told a photographer at an event that his grandfather is “okay,” and added that “they’re keeping an eye on him.”
Chris Harrison apologized for offending Rachel Lindsay and the entire Black community, during his appearance on Good Morning America Thursday, and Rachel accepted the apology.
The Bachelor host came under fire after defending a cast member who was accused of racist behavior in the past. Chris, who made the comments during an interview with Rachel, had to step away from the reality show temporarily.
He sat down with Michael Strahan on Thursday to talk about the incident. Chris said he was “saddened and shocked at how insensitive I was in that interview with Rachel Lindsay.” He added, “I didn’t speak from my heart — and that is to say I stand against all forms of racism, and I am deeply sorry.”
Rachel later told TMZ she accepts his apology, because it’s what she needs to do to move forward with her life.
On the other hand, Strahan wasn’t impressed by the mea culpa, saying, “His apology is his apology, but it felt like I got nothing more than a surface response on any of this.”
Sports broadcaster Emmanuel Acho will replace Harrison to host the After the Final Rose finale for this season.
Meghan Markle is ready to tell all during her big interview with Oprah Winfrey Sunday — and one of the “shocking claims” she reportedly makes is about her battle with mental health during her time in the U.K., according to Page Six.
The Duchess will also discuss her experiences with racism in Great Britain.
But, according to Page Six, “the most staggering moments will come when she discusses the breakdown that led to her and [Prince] Harry quitting the royal family and his home country.”
Oprah was “stunned” to hear how bad things were for Meg as a royal, saying in the trailer, “You’ve said some pretty shocking things here … wait, hold up, wait a minute.”
A TV insider tells Page Six, “What Meghan says is very, very serious and upsetting.”
The tell-all interview with Oprah airs Sunday on CBS.

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Furry Friends Friday with Al-Van Humane Society – Friday, March 5

March 5, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Furry Friends, The Coast Social Network

Max is the sweetest man you will ever meet. He is almost 10 years old and doesn’t see the best in his old age. He likes to take things slow and is very easy going. Max is very gentle, laid back, and a dignified man! Max loves treats and to cuddle up in a bed. If you think Max would be a great fit for your home, start by filling out an adoption application on the Al-Van Humane Society website www.al-van.org/adopt. Once approved, we will contact you about coming in to meet this sweet boy.... [Read Full Story]

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, March 5

March 5, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Day of Unplugging
  • Middle Name Pride Day
  • Employee Appreciation Day
  • Cheese Doodle Day: A good day to get some orange dust on your face and hands. Did you know there’s an official name for that Cheese Doodle dust? It’s called Cheetle. (Today)
Mattel is celebrating International Women’s Day (Monday. March 8) by introducing a special Eleanor Roosevelt Barbie doll. The toy-maker is celebrating the contributions of the nation’s longest-serving first lady, primarily her humanitarian efforts and work for civil rights. The doll, which has Mrs. Roosevelt in a floral dress and pearls, is the newest addition to Mattel’s “Inspiring Women” series, which also includes Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, and Sally Ride. (CBS News)
Is there one room in your home that is always a mess? You’re not alone. A new survey found that 80% of respondents said they have at least one “cleaning black hole” in their home — an area or room that’s always unorganized and in need of cleaning.
And, do you ever feel like you have trouble getting anything done in a day? Take a listen to the amazingly productive story of Meredith Bates, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She recently had a baby, saved a life and passed her nursing exam all on the same day. Meredith went to the hospital because she was experiencing contractions. Doctors told her she wasn’t ready to give birth and to go and take her nursing exam. Meredith went to a local Starbucks to study. She encountered a woman there having a heart attack. Meredith stabilized the woman until help could arrive. She then went and took her exam. Meredith later went back to the hospital and gave birth to a baby boy named Jack.

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Music News – Friday, March 5

March 5, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Perez Hilton, who was one of Britney Spears‘s harshest critics, now says he wants to protect her — from the producers of the documentary Framing Britney Spears.
The gossip guru talked about Brit on an L.A. radio station, saying, “Part of me feels like the documentary is a for-profit venture. It’s about ratings disguised as investigative journalism. It’s just a regurgitation and a re-framing of the past. To me it almost feels like it is exploiting Britney all over again.”
Perez once called Britney “an unfit mother” and sold T-shirts bearing Heath Ledger‘s picture and the caption “Why couldn’t it be Britney? ” He says he mended fences with the singer a few years back after offering her an apology and a promise to be nicer going forward. (Pink News)
Janet Jackson has plenty of stories to tell, and she’ll spin them in a two-part documentary that will hit the tube next year.
The four-hour doc, simply titled Janet, will take in the superstar’s entire life, from childhood to the present. Producers promise plenty of never-before-seen footage, including home movies from the Jackson family archive and film of live concerts.
Miss Jackson, who has authorized the movie, was interviewed at length about topics like the deaths of her brother Michael and her father Joe and that infamous Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” incident with Justin Timberlake. (Billboard)
Shawn Mendes wished Camila Cabello a happy 24th birthday Wednesday with the following post: “Happy birthday to the kindest, bravest and most beautiful person I’ve ever known. I love you more every day mi vida.”
Louder Sound magazine says Heart star Nancy Wilson has put a tribute to Eddie Van Halen on her upcoming album “You and Me.” She does an instrumental titled “4 Edward.”

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Thursday, March 4

March 4, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
15 years ago, Victoria Johnson purchased a used book in New York City. Inside that book was a vintage family photo.
While Victoria does not remember the book — she held onto that photo all these years.
And just last week, Victoria was curious enough to post the picture to social media and ask people for clues.
It didn’t take long for the photo to spread across the country — and for the mystery to be solved when a family member responded with a message indicating that it was her great uncle Sheldon.
Sure enough. The man in the picture was Sheldon Sudduth, along with his wife and two daughters.
Thanks to Victoria’s curiosity — and the help of people online — the special photo is now back in the family, as Victoria was able to send it to Sheldon’s daughter Valerie … who currently lives in Texas. (WGCL-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Thursday, March 4

March 4, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Thursday on Good Morning America, Chris Harrison auditions to keep his Bachelor Nation hosting gig in a taped interview.
The controversial host is on an apology tour for defending the racist actions of Bachelor contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell. She’s apparently the person picked this season by Bachelor Matt James. Yet her scandal — attending an Old South-themed party in college — has reportedly torn them apart. James, by the way, is the first black Bachelor on the show.
Good Morning America teased the interview conducted by former NFL player Michael Strahan. He asked why defend Rachael in the first place. Harrison did not offer a direct answer while taking responsibility, (quote) “I made a mistake. I am an imperfect man. I made a mistake and I own that.” (The Wrap)
HBO Max will finally tape the Friends reunion in mid-April. All six cast members will reunite for the streaming special, which had been tapped to help launch HBO Max one year ago.
David Schwimmer confirmed the shooting schedule. He told Andy Cohen on Wednesday, (quote) “In a little over a month I’m heading out to Los Angeles. We figured a way to film it safely. There’s a portion of it outside because of safety protocols.”
The rumored host, Ellen DeGeneres, will not participate. Schwimmer hesitated at identifying her replacement. Then joked, (quote) “It’s not Billy Crystal, either. I can tell you who it’s not, but that’ll take a while.” (People)
Meghan Markle is a bully, according to former royal staffers.
The Duchess of Sussex was accused of creating a toxic atmosphere for royal aides in a story published in the Times of London — and now Buckingham Palace has started an investigation.
In a statement, the Palace says that it is “very concerned” about the allegations and adds that “accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned. The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”
Meghan is accused of reducing staffers to tears when she lived at Kensington Palace after marrying Prince Harry. In one incident, a royal aide allegedly told a colleague “I can’t stop shaking” as they anticipated a confrontation with the Duchess.
On Wednesday, Markle’s rep called the allegations a “calculated smear campaign” orchestrated by the Palace ahead of her interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday night.

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