Blogs Archives

Speaking with Valerie from Waterfront Framing & Design about the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Krasl Art Center, The Coast Social Network

The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff Presented by1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services is returning to downtown St. Joe July 10-11 with tickets available at krasl.org. Valerie from Waterfront Framing & Design is a valued Premier sponsor of the event, and talks to Zack East about the great relationship art + design have to make your purchases really pop!... [Read Full Story]

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Friday, June 25

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Back in November of 2020, Chris Nikic became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon. To complete the race, Chris had to swim 2.4 miles, ride a bike for 112 miles and run a 26.2 marathon in under 17 hours. He crossed the finish line with just 14 minutes to spare.
Because of this accomplishment — and the inspiration he has provided others — Chris will be honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at The 2021 ESPYS, which is a big sports award show that airs on July 10th on ABC.
Since finishing his Ironman race, Chris has been spreading his message to be “1% better” every single day, in every aspect of life.
An executive at ESPN, Rob King, said that the network was “honored to present Chris with this award and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.” (ESPN)

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The Daily Dish – Friday, June 25

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Prince George got a seventh birthday gift like no other. He was told he’d one day be king.
Royal author Robert Lacey writes in his new, updated version of Battle of Brothers: “William has not revealed to the world how and when he broke the big news to his son. Maybe one day George will tell us the story himself. But sometime around the boy’s seventh birthday in the summer of 2020 it is thought that his parents went into more detail about what the little prince’s life of future royal ‘service and duty’ would particularly involve.”
Lacey adds that Prince William and Kate Middleton wanted to sit George down at the age of 7, in part, because of “William’s unhappiness at the haphazard fashion in which the whole business of his royal destiny had buzzed around his head from the start.”
Lacey also writes that they wanted him to have “‘a normal upbringing.”
George, who is third in line for the throne, turns 8 on July 22nd.
Saturday Night Live alum Laraine Newman testified this week in Robert Durst‘s murder trial.
Newman, who was an original cast member, told the jury that a friend provided a false alibi for Durst in the death of his first wife, Kathie Durst.
Her friend was writer Susan Berman, who was also a close friend of Durst’s. The real estate mogul is charged with killing Berman in December 2000.
According to Deadline, Newman said she was “ashamed” for not recognizing the importance of Berman telling her that she had helped Durst. Berman allegedly told Newman she made a phone call posing as Kathie Durst after she disappeared. Kathie was never seen again.
Deputy District Attorney John Lewin alleges that Durst killed Berman so the truth wouldn’t be known.
The Durst trial began in May after a yearlong delay because of the pandemic. The 78-year-old has pleaded not guilty.
Reality star Ant Anstead has rebounded quickly. Just days after finalizing his divorce from Flip or Flop star Christina Haack, comes news that Ant is dating Oscar winner Renée Zellweger.
According to TMZ, the two met on the set of his upcoming Discovery Plus series Celebrity IOU Joyride. A source says Zellweger appears on an episode, but the romance didn’t blossom until she returned to the set to drop off work boots for Ant.
Ant and Christina’s divorce was finalized earlier this week. They had been married for only about year, and have a 1-year-old son.

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Furry Friends Friday with Oliver from Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan – June 25

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Furry Friends

Oliver is a snuggly fellow who craves attention. This one year old neutered male is a classic Tabby Cat with stripes and a distinctive “M” on his forehead. He loves people, kittens, and other cats. Will you welcome him into your home forever? Please contact Animal Aid at 269-934-7729 to schedule a meet and greet with the awesome Oliver.... [Read Full Story]

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, June 25

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Leon Day: Nope, this isn’t a day to recognize people named Leon – although I’m sure they would appreciate some love today. Leon Day actually recognizes June 25th as being six months away from Christmas Day. Leon is Noel spelled backward. So … get out there and do some Christmas shopping?!
  • Global Beatles Day: A good day to listen to the Beatles.
  • Take Your Dog to Work Day: It’s hard enough that many of us have to go back to the office. But it’s even harder leaving our furry friends behind. So today’s the day to convince your boss that your mental health depends on fido or fluffy being along side you today!... [Read Full Story]

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Music News – Friday, June 25

June 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
One day after bombshell court testimony, Britney Spears apologized to her 30 million Instagram followers. She wrote, (quote) “I don’t want people to think my life is perfect because IT’S DEFINITELY NOT AT ALL.”
Britney’s timeline always showed her happy and enthusiastic. When asked directly, Britney made believe that she was living the dream in her huge California mansion. In all honesty, she was lying and hiding what she suffered under her dad’s iron fist.
Britney admitted on Thursday, (quote) “I apologize for pretending like I’ve been ok the past two years. I did it because of my pride. Instagram actually helped me feel like I matter despite what I was going through and hey it worked.” (Billboard)
Stars are showing support for Britney Spears as the pop star battles to get out of her conservatorship.
Britney revealed during a court hearing this week that her legal arrangement forces her to do things she doesn’t want to, including extensive performances and multiple weekly meetings and therapy appointments. It also apparently blocks her from doing things she does want to do, like having another child, by forcing her to get an IUD.
Her ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, tweeted out a trio of messages supporting Brit. “After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time. Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was…what’s happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body… No one should EVER be held against their will…or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for… Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.”
Ed Sheeran‘s website says he currently has no shows scheduled, but that didn’t stop him from grabbing his guitar and playing for England’s national soccer team at their training facility today (Thursday).
The acoustic set took place outdoors at St. George’s Park, the English Football Association’s National Training Center in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. According to World Soccer Talk, Sheeran received special permission to enter the COVID-secure bubble to entertain the players.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson called Sheeran “very warm,” and said “as a performer everyone knows how good he is.” He added, “It was a bit surreal at times. He was just sitting playing the guitar while we were eating. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. The lads really enjoyed it.” England plays Germany on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the UEFA Euro 2020 championship.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Thursday, June 24

June 24, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
A couple named Marc and Kristin have been dealing with problems their pug — Puggaroo Shorty — when Marc leaves the house and travels on business.
It seems that Puggaroo Shorty deals with some pretty severe separation anxiety. He barks and cries and nothing seems to calm him down.
Well, Marc and Kristin came up with a solution — and it seems to be working. They brought a mannequin into the house and dressed the mannequin just like Marc.
Sure enough. Puggaroo Shorty — along with other dogs that Marc and Kristin are caring for — have been finding comfort by cuddling up with the mannequin version of Marc, which everyone calls “Farc,” short for Fake Marc.
Marc admits that he’s a little hurt that Puggaroo Shorty could be fooled by “a brainless dummy,” but is also relieved that Shorty has found something that makes him happy while Marc is away. (Sunny Skyz)

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The Daily Dish – Thursday, June 24

June 24, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Britney Spears demanded the immediate termination of the conservatorship that has stretched more than 13 years.
Wednesday’s virtual appearance before the judge was the first time Britney personally addressed the court. She had remained silent out of fear that she would not be believed. Though she desired her freedom a long time ago, Britney told Judge Brenda Penny, (quote) “I did not know I could petition to terminate the conservatorship.”
Speaking in a crisp clip for 23-minutes, Britney said the conservators separated her 12-step friends from her and lied to her for years. (quote) “I don’t even drink alcohol. I should drink alcohol for what they’ve done to my heart. My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship — including my management – should be in jail.”
She added, (quote) “My own management could sue me if I didn’t follow through with the [2018 Piece of Me] tour. It’s not OK to force me to do anything I don’t want to. The conservatorship should end.”
Earlier in the day, her boyfriend of four years, Sam Asghari, displayed his support by flaunting a #FreeBritney T-shirt. Britney wished out loud to “get married. I wanted to take the IUD out and have a baby, but conservator won’t let me because they don’t want me to have a baby.”
Changes Britney demanded include a new lawyer, an end to regular drug testing, mental evaluations and twice-weekly therapy sessions. If she must visit a shrink, Britney wants a private entrance away from paparazzi. She admitted, (quote) “I do know I need a little therapy. I’ve been so angry. I cry every day. I just want my life back. I want to own my money. For my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his car. I want to sue my family.” (People)
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell pleaded guilty on Wednesday to attempting to endanger children and disseminating material harmful to juveniles.
According to Deadline, the charges against the Drake & Josh star “stem from a December 2017 meeting between the then-31-year-old actor and a 15-year-old girl, when Bell was in Cleveland to perform a concert. Police have not specified what occurred at the club, but say the meeting followed months of inappropriate social media messages, and that the two had known one another for several years.”
His sentencing is set for July 12th. Bell faces 18 months for the felony charge of attempting to endanger children and six months for the misdemeanor charge of disseminating material harmful to juveniles.
Harrison Ford suffered a shoulder injury on the set of the latest Indiana Jones movie.
According to Disney, the 78-year-old actor was rehearsing a fight scene when he got hurt. There’s been no word yet on the severity of his injury. Production on the UK set will continue on an adjusted schedule while he is on the mend. Ford is reprising his role as Indiana Jones for the fifth and final time. The film is scheduled to be released next year. (BBC)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, June 24

June 24, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Bomb Pop Day: A good day for an ice pop.
  • Swim a Lap Day: A good day to get in the pool.
  • Fairy Day: A good day to believe in magic.
Fido or Facebook? A bunch of heartless pet owners picked social media over their pets. Yep, a survey found that 40% of respondents would give up their pets rather than social media. It’s not just pets. That same 40% said they would give up their TV and even their car before deleting their social media accounts. Even cash didn’t sway them. More than 70% said they would not give up their social media accounts for less than $10,000. (Reboot)
There’s great news regarding a cure for hiccups. A new product is scientifically proven to do what holding your breath, swallowing three times, or standing on your head can’t do. It’s called HiccAway. It’s an L-shaped plastic straw with small holes on each end that makes it harder to suck water through. The designers say that the effort it takes to sip the water causes a contraction of the diaphragm and activates a nerve that shows a 92% effectiveness in stopping hiccups. (The Guardian)
Is it possible the pandemic took years off your life, even if you never got covid?  According to a new poll, most Americans say YES. 55% think that dealing with all the stress from the pandemic . . . and sitting on their couch so much . . . made them age faster than they would have.  And 46% say they’ve had more aches and pains because of it. 76% of people admit they need to be more physically active going forward, so they can start “aging better.”  Our top reasons are to avoid chronic issues like back pain . . . to live independently for as long as possible . . . and to make sure we can still be physically active well after the age of 50.
Christina Clemons clinched her spot on the U.S. Olympic team with her performance in the 100-Meter Hurdle trials. But it was something on her ears that got people’s attention: a pair of dangly mini Cool Ranch Doritos chips earrings. In an interview posted to her Instagram story, Christina explained why she wore the earrings, which are something of a good luck charm: “I love Doritos, so why not? And they match my uniform, and my husband calls me Dorito because I have broad shoulders and small hips so it was just fitting.” No doubt Doritos will be following Christina’s performance at the Olympics. In the meantime, if you want a pair of the earrings, there are a number of options available on Etsy. (Delish)

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Music News – Thursday, June 24

June 24, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Britney Spears demanded the immediate termination of the conservatorship that has stretched more than 13 years.
Wednesday’s virtual appearance before the judge was the first time Britney personally addressed the court. She had remained silent out of fear that she would not be believed. Though she desired her freedom a long time ago, Britney told Judge Brenda Penny, (quote) “I did not know I could petition to terminate the conservatorship.”
Speaking in a crisp clip for 23-minutes, Britney said the conservators separated her 12-step friends from her and lied to her for years. (quote) “I don’t even drink alcohol. I should drink alcohol for what they’ve done to my heart. My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship — including my management – should be in jail.”
She added, (quote) “My own management could sue me if I didn’t follow through with the [2018 Piece of Me] tour. It’s not OK to force me to do anything I don’t want to. The conservatorship should end.”
Earlier in the day, her boyfriend of four years, Sam Asghari, displayed his support by flaunting a #FreeBritney T-shirt. Britney wished out loud to “get married. I wanted to take the IUD out and have a baby, but conservator won’t let me because they don’t want me to have a baby.”
Changes Britney demanded include a new lawyer, an end to regular drug testing, mental evaluations and twice-weekly therapy sessions. If she must visit a shrink, Britney wants a private entrance away from paparazzi. She admitted, (quote) “I do know I need a little therapy. I’ve been so angry. I cry every day. I just want my life back. I want to own my money. For my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his car. I want to sue my family.” (People)
Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift are never going to agree.
The mega-manager contradicted Taylor’s account of trying to acquire her back catalog. He purchased Swift’s master recordings then leveraged their value in a billion-dollar deal with the South Korean company that owns K-Pop stars, BTS.
Taylor has said that she tried to buy her music, but Scooter would not make a deal. Speaking with Variety, Scooter shared his side, (quote) “I don’t know what story she was told. I asked for her to sit down with me several times. I offered to sell her the catalog back and went under [non-disclosure agreement], but her team refused.”
Here’s what Taylor wrote late last year. (quote) “Scooter Braun wanted me to sign an ironclad NDA stating I would never say another word about Scooter Braun unless it was positive. I would have to sign a document that would silence me forever before I could even have a chance to bid on my own work.”  (Billboard)

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Wednesday, June 23

June 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Starting this Friday, June 25th, 54-year-old accountant Wai Law of Bethpage, New York, plans to run 555 miles over the course of 10 days — all for charity.
Wai will run the 555-mile length of the recently completed Empire State Trail, while pushing a baby stroller stocked with 50 pounds of supplies.
Along the way, he will stop to sleep and eat, mostly using the supplies packed in his stroller. And, of course, he expects some visitors along the way, but mostly expects to take on the journey by himself.
Wai will be running the equivalent of 21 marathons to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s research.
Last year, he raised more than $10,000 while running “only” 103 miles. Wai hopes to double that amount this year.
Wai says that he definitely expects to be in pain during this run, but the effort is well worth the trouble because he’s running for those who can’t. (Newsday)

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The Daily Dish – Wednesday, June 23

June 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Kevin Hart is the most foul-mouthed celebrity on Twitter.
The comedian unleashed 954 curses in his last 3,000 tweets, according to a survey by MrQ. That put him just ahead of reality star Brandi Glanville, who cursed 946 times in her last 3,000 tweets.
In a distant third was rapper 50 Cent, who wrote 742 swears. Rapper Cardi B (480 cusses) and singer Charli XCX (446 curses) rounded out the Top 5.
The F-bomb was the most commonly used cuss word, being used more than 5,000 times throughout all the tweets surveyed.
Even though comedian Pete Davidson had hinted that he’s leaving Saturday Night Live, he’s left the door open for a return to the show.
In a new interview with Gold Derby, the comedian, who’s been with SNL for seven seasons, said, “I don’t know what the plan is. Everything’s kind of up in the air right now just depending on scheduling.”
Pete said Season 46, which ended in May, was “really emotional” because it was the end of his contract. “I worked with these guys for a fourth of my life, and I started there with acne and left with tattoos, and it was just, like, a very crazy, long period of time.”
In May, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he was “ready to hang up the jersey” in reference to his SNL career.
An NBC source tells Page Six that contracts for Season 47 won’t be decided until later in the summer.

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The Hot 3 from Honor Credit Union – Summer Concert Series in Buchanan – Wednesday, June 23

June 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Hot 3 with Honor Credit Union

Karol from Honor Credit Union and Michael from the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation join Zack to chat about Honor’s support of the Summer Concert Series in Buchanan. Learn more on their Facebook pages or honorcu.com to become a member of a credit union that deeply supports their communities!
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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, June 23

June 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Let It Go Day: Grudges? Regrets? Anger? Guilt? Today is the day to let it go …
It’s been a long tough year for some companies’ workers that never stopped working at 110% since the pandemic began … But could you imagine being so burned out that all of your employees need time off? Dating app Bumble has decided to give its entire staff the week off, with pay, so that they can rest and recharge. All 750 employees, located in Austin, Moscow, London, Barcelona, Sydney and Mumbai, were given off until June 28th. The company hopes the paid time off will avoid employee burnout. (NBC News)
Over the past few years there’s been a lot of talk about being fat but fit. Well, doctors say that really isn’t a thing. Researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland say obese people, even those with a healthy metabolic profile, are still at a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease than non-obese people with a healthy metabolic profile.
You never forget your first … concert. A new survey by JBL found that 60% of respondents said they remember every second of the first live concert they went to, and 56% remember how happy they felt. No surprise then that 58% of people said going to a concert or festival was the number one thing they want to get back to once restrictions are relaxed.
Tele-health is here to stay … Seems people really like seeing their doctor or therapist … virtually. A survey found that 75% of those who used tele-health during the pandemic said it’s easier than in-person checkups. Not only that, but 49% said their doctor paid more attention to them over video chat. 48% said they plan to continue using tele-health post-pandemic.
This show basically runs on coffee.  So this is good info to have . . . A team of researchers in Scotland looked at how late in the day you can drink coffee, and not have to worry about all that caffeine keeping you up at night. And the answer is . . . stop drinking stuff with caffeine SIX HOURS before bed.  After that, it can mess with your internal clock. The study also found that drinking four to five cups a day is totally fine as long as you stop early enough.  But some people metabolize caffeine more slowly, so keep that in mind. In other coffee news:  A big study in the U.K. just found that drinking three to four cups a day can lower your risk for liver cancer. It tracked a half-million people for more than a decade.  And coffee drinkers were 49% less likely to die of chronic liver disease.

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Music News – Wednesday, June 23

June 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Today, Britney Spears will speak directly to a Los Angeles judge and request that her “oppressive” father be permanently removed as conservator.
Coincidentally, The New York Times obtained “confidential court records” that bolster Britney’s argument. She’s battled her father’s controlling behavior. She complained that Jamie Spears limited her allowance but took a large salary for himself, which went toward his relapse drinking.
For seven of the conservatorship’s 13 years, she fought to have dad ousted. Documents confirm that two years ago, Britney was forced against her will into a mental health facility. She told court-ordered investigators into the conservatorship how being institutionalized was her father’s “punishment for standing up for herself.”
Jamie Spears micromanaged Britney’s life to the extent that she required his approval on the color of her kitchen cabinets. He refused because she spent too lavishly. During Britney’s Las Vegas residency, she brought home nearly $1 million per show but was limited to $2000 on personal expenses.
During her court battles, Britney must pay attorney fees on both sides! Just not the lawyers fighting for her freedom but also the conservatorship lawyers who have argued for the status quo.
Britney’s grievances to the court over the years include:
  • Britney felt “sick of being taken advantage of on her payroll.” Her father took 3% of tour revenue and 1.5% from her Vegas residency.
  • Her security team kept her credit cards locked away.
  • Jamie Spears refused to take drug tests while Britney was “tested for drugs numerous times weekly.”
  • Forced to perform in Las Vegas despite a 104-degree fever.
  • Jamie Spears had final approval of Britney’s friends.
Ed Sheeran is moving in with James Corden for a week.
Starting this Monday, June 28, Ed will have a week-long residency on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden.  According to a CBS press release, the residency, which will run through Thursday, July 1, will feature the TV debut of Ed’s new single “Bad Habits,” performances of his past hits, comedy segments and an interview.
The singer has posted yet another tease of the “Bad Habits” video, which gives us a good chunk of the song’s chorus along with visuals of Ed in his pink-suited vampire outfit.  “Excited for you to watch this one,” he captioned the clip.
In addition, Ed’s posted a video of himself playing the song on acoustic guitar.
“Bad Habits” and its music video arrive June 25. No word on when a new album will follow.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Tuesday, June 22

June 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Joe Tate of Anchorage, Alaska, was on the way back from a fishing trip and was stuck in a traffic jam. After looking around, he discovered the problem — cars were backing up because a baby moose was struggling to get across a guardrail.
Joe could tell that the moose was tired and very, very young — about a week old or so.
Joe watched as drivers got impatient and drove around the animal. This made him nervous as he didn’t want the baby moose to be injured, so he took action.
Friends were able to position a trailer to block the mother moose from seeing her baby while Joe approached and helped it along.
Joe admits that there was a risk involved, but drew from his experience in the military when he decided to solve the problem.
The baby moose was reunited with its mother — and out of harm’s way. As Joe said, “It worked out for the best.” (WLWT-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Tuesday, June 22

June 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Ben Affleck is romancing Alex Rodriguez‘s ex, and now it looks like Alex Rodriguez is romancing Ben Affleck’s ex.
In a video obtained by Page Six, A-Rod is seen hanging out with Lindsay Shookus, the Saturday Night Live producer who dated Ben a couple of years ago. In the clip, the baseball legend is seated right beside Lindsay at “an intimate backyard gathering in the Hamptons.”
A rep for A-Rod denied a romance telling Page Six: “There is absolutely zero there. They’ve been friends for 15 years.”
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib made history on Monday when he became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.
In an Instagram video, the 28-year-old said, “What’s up people? I’m at my house here in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. I really have the best life, I’ve got the best family, friends and job a guy could ask for.”
Nassib added that “to cultivate a culture that’s accepting” he’s “going to start by donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project,” which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league “is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today.”
Michael Sam was the first openly gay player to be drafted in NFL history in 2014. But he was cut at the end of training camp that year and never played a regular-season game.
George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling and Eva Longoria are among those who will co-found a film school for underserved communities. The Roybal School of Film and Television Production will begin in fall 2022. (Variety)
Over the weekend, Sesame Street introduced a family with two dads.
The special episode debuted during Pride Month and just ahead of Father’s Day.
In a post on Facebook, Alan Muraoka, one of the show’s actors who co-directed the episode, writes, “Sesame Street has always been a welcoming place of diversity and inclusion. Love is love, and we are so happy to add this special family to our Sesame family. Happy Pride to all!!!!”
In the episode titled “Family Day,” gay dads Frank and Dave attend at a party with their daughter Mia.

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The Coast Social Network with United Way of Southwest Michigan – Tuesday, June 22

June 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Coast Social Network, United Way of Southwest Michigan

Charlotte from United Way of Southwest Michigan joins Zack to talk about the Summer Stock-Up program running now through the end of the month, including some in-person drop-off food drives happening in St. Joe, Berrien Springs, and Paw Paw this Thursday! Get details or donate online at uwsm.org.... [Read Full Story]

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, June 22

June 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • World Rainforest Day
  • Onion Rings Day
  • B Kinder Day
Are some first-date meals safer than others? Apparently so. A survey found that the “safest” meals for a first date are pizza (24%), burgers (21%), and salad (21%). Foods to stay away from on a first date? Oysters (19%), mussels (18%), and sushi (17%). The survey found that it takes at least four dates before people are comfortable with “riskier” food choices.
And, of course, the way someone eats can be a first-date deal breaker — with chewing loudly, eating messily, and asking to take home leftovers being the biggest dining deal breakers.
And this is interesting … According to the survey, steak is the meal of choice when proposing to someone … as well as the top choice when breaking up with someone.
Speaking of food … Good cooks are sexy. A new survey found that 43% of single respondents said someone being a good cook is a turn-on when looking for a partner. 40% said they are looking for someone who is as passionate about food as they are.
What if you moved into a new house and found a bloody imprint of a human body on the floor? Would you leave? A woman in New Jersey tore out the carpeting in her new home and claims she found what appears to be an old crime scene. There’s even an outline in marker and a ‘crime scene’ number written next to it. It was probably a prank by the guys who installed the carpet, but she insists its real. Either way, her TikTok video has been viewed more than 5 million times.
When it comes to divorce, custody can be a touchy subject, even when it comes to the pets. Who gets the dog? The cat? Or even the parrot? Yup, it’s all been brought up during divorce proceedings. There are options before getting married. Like a prenup, “petnups” are meant to iron out the “what if” before the “I do.” Some states including California and Illinois have divorce laws giving judges leeway in considering what is in the best interest of the pet. New York state has a similar law pending.
Good news! The COVID death rate dropped below 300 a day for the first time since the start of the pandemic. As of today, 150 million Americans are now fully vaccinated! Last year, the coronavirus was the third leading cause of death in the U.S…only heart disease and cancer claimed more lives.

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Music News – Tuesday, June 22

June 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were very secretive about the birth of their second son, Phineas, but they’ve finally given the world a peek at the tot — via Justin’s Instagram.
JT celebrated Father’s Day by sharing the first public photos of the little fella, along with a note saying, “Being a dad is better than I ever could have imagined. Thankful to my dads and my grandfathers for leading the way, making the sacrifices for me to live out my dreams and for teaching me that REAL LIFE happens in all the little moments.”
The couple first revealed Phineas’s birth last July after dodging rumors of Biel’s pregnancy for months.
Lewis Capaldi sings sweet songs, but he gets a lot spicier on social media — according to a new survey that puts him near the top of the list  of our most foul-mouthed celebrities.
Gambling site Mr. Q combed through a year’s worth of tweets from dozens of stars and found that Lewis is very fond of dropping F-bombs, S-bombs and all sorts of other bombs. He racked up 384 trips to the swear jar, one behind sharp-tongued comic Seth Rogen.
While Lewis had an impressive array of curses, he’s got a lot to do if he wants to catch up to the list-topper — Kevin Hart, who dished out 954. (Daily Record)
More than 300 artists have banded together to sign an open letter urging the U.S. Senate to pass HR5, otherwise known as the Equality Act.
Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Pink, Josh Groban, The Jonas Brothers, Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, Sam Smith, Shawn Mendes, James Taylor, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Elton John and Katy Perry are just a few of the many, many stars who’ve signed the letter.
The Equality Act would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  It would also expand protections for women, people of color and people of faith.
On June 24 at 7 p.m. ET, a virtual happy hour event called A Night of Action will encourage fans to take actions that support the passage of the act.  Special guest artists will appear throughout.  You can RSVP at EqualityTime.org/Music.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Monday, June 21

June 21, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Edwin Hendrickson of Muskegon, Michigan, has accomplished a lot in his 81 years. He’s been a chemical engineer. He repaired clocks. He’s been a pilot. And, about 10 years ago, he became a violin maker.
Over those 10 years, Edwin has created 75 hand-made violins — which he has decided to donate to Muskegon Public Schools.
Edwin’s passion for violins was introduced by his grandfather, who gave Edwin his violin and encouraged Edwin to take lessons.
That childhood memory inspired him to start making them.
Each time Edwin finished a violin, he set it on his shelf — and then began working on the next one. He never sold any of his violins, which ended up being a good thing for the students in the area.
Thanks to Edwin’s generosity, every student who wants a violin in 6th, 7th and 8th grade will have access to one.
The school district’s Orchestra Director Nick Voyt was, of course, thrilled about the donation, explaining, “It really is like winning the lottery.” (WZZM-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Monday, June 21

June 21, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Prince Harry’s son Archie will never become a prince, according to The Daily Mail.
The paper says, “A grandchild of the sovereign has long had the right to be a Prince, but [King-in-waiting Prince Charles] is determined to limit the number of key Royals, believing the public does not wish to pay for an ever-expanding Monarchy.”
Charles reportedly told Harry that he’ll change key documents to block Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, from inheriting the title.
The source says, “Harry and Meghan were told Archie would never be a Prince, even when Charles became King.”
Insiders say the move has angered Harry and wife Meghan Markle and is thought to have been the catalyst for the feud between the couple and the Royal Family.
The Mail says Charles plans to give only heirs to the throne and their immediate families full titles and financial and police support funded by taxpayers.
This Father’s Day, Bindi Irwin took the time the honor her late dad Steve, her husband and her father-in-law, while also accusing her grandfather of “psychological abuse.”
The 22-year-old new mom was asked why she left out her grandfather Bob Irwin in her tribute and she revealed why.
She wrote, “Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family. Publicly he continues to claim that he wants to spend time with us while privately my entire life has been psychological abuse from him.”
Bindi says her grandfather has returned gifts she’s sent him — after opening them. “From the time I was a little girl he has ignored me. Preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me. He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship.”
Bindi claims her mom, Terri Irwin, continues to write letters and send gifts to Bob, even though he ignores her as well.
Bindi also says her family has been supporting Bob financially since 1992.
Chrissy Teigen has admitted to bullying celebrities in the past, but when it comes to fashion designer Michael Costello‘s allegations she’s calling BS.
Costello recently posted screenshots of alleged messages from Teigen showing the media personality attacking him. He said Chrissy got him blacklisted after he was falsely accused of being a racist several years ago and that the incident left him suicidal.
But now Chrissy says he faked the DMs and that she’s “surprised” and “disappointed” by his bullying accusations.
In a statement, she writes, “No idea what the [bleep] Michael Costello is doing. He just released a statement where he didn’t at ALL acknowledge how fake the dm’s were & now claims to have emails that don’t exist.”
On Friday, Chrissy’s husband, singer John Legend, called out Costello, tweeting, “Chrissy apologized for her public tweets, but after her apology, Mr Costello fabricated a DM exchange between them. This exchange was made up, completely fake, never happened.”

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, June 21

June 21, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Seashell Day
  • International Yoga Day
  • National Selfie Day
  • National Daylight Appreciation Day
Vacation on our minds … A new survey by Hilton Hotels found that more than 75% of respondents plan to take the “vacation of a lifetime” this year. 64% said they are in desperate need of a vacation after the stress of the last year and a half. 49% said they used the pandemic as an opportunity to save money for a dream trip.
According to the survey these are Americans’ Top 10 Wish List Destinations:
  1. The Grand Canyon in Arizona  — 26%
  2. The Eiffel Tower in France — 24%
  3. Niagara Falls — 22%
  4. The Statue of Liberty in New York City — 21%
  5. The Colosseum in Rome — 21%
  6. The Northern Lights in Iceland — 20%
  7. The Las Vegas Strip — 20%
  8. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia — 20%
  9. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy — 19%
  10. The Acropolis, Greece — 17%
Twitter is going crazy over a butcher shop that sells hots dogs – in the shape of a hamburger. Yep, you can eat a hot dog – on a hamburger bun. Rastelli’s butcher is selling the hot dog patties on their website in a pack of four for $10. “Run out of hot dog buns? No problem,” says the product description on their website. “Our Round Dog is everything you love in a hot dog in the shape of a burger.” Twitter users say it looks like a thick piece of bologna. (Insider)
You weren’t imagining things … everybody was drinking more in 2020. The International Wines and Spirits Record (IWSR) released its annual report – and alcohol sales in 2020 were at their highest levels in nearly 20 years. Alcohol consumption increased by 2% last year over the year before – that’s the biggest yearly increase since 2002.  And it looks like 2021 is going to be just as boozy. Alcohol sales are still surging – and IWSR research predicts 2021 will end with a 3.8% increase over 2020. (Food & Wine)
And, when our relationships get rocky, if we truly love each other enough, we’ll do just about anything to save it. A couple from the Ukraine made a final attempt to save their relationship … by handcuffing themselves together. After 123 days of doing everything together … they’re breaking up. Yep, the cuffs came off and they decided to go their separate ways. Seems instead of bringing them closer together, the experience brought them even further apart. (Reuters)

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Music News – Monday, June 21

June 21, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
A charity event in support of Pride attracted a supergroup dubbed Back-Sync. Guys from *NSYNC joined a pair from BackStreet Boys for their sold-out debut performance on Friday.
AJ McLean and Nick Carter jumped on stage with Joey Fatone and Lance Bass. The show was so well-received that people murmured about a possible Las Vegas residency. Joey Fatone revealed, (quote) “It’s interesting to have the four of us knuckleheads do something together. BSB fans are very loyal, so we’re going, ‘We get it – certain people liked one band or the other back in the day, but now it’s okay to like both.’”
During rehearsals, the guys traded off in teaching choreography from their biggest hits. A TikTok clip from rehearsals went viral (Variety)
Taylor Swift just threw her fan base a curveball — by announcing that her next re-recorded album will be Red.
Swifties had been burning up social media with rumors that Tay was set to take on 1989 with her next outing, but she nixed that thought on Friday night by unveiling plans for Red: (Taylor’s Version).
In a long Instagram post, she explained that the revamped album would be her most over-the-top release yet, writing “Like your friend who calls you in the middle of the night going on and on about their ex, I just couldn’t stop writing/ This will be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go on Red. And hey, one of them is even ten minutes long.”
Red: (Taylor’s Version). is set for release on November 19th.
Adele just ensured that she’ll never have problems with her neighbors — by buying the mansion next door for herself.
She already owns two multi-million-dollar spreads on her Beverly Hills block, and she just spent another $10 million to purchase the estate from pal Nicole Richie and her husband, Good Charlotte‘s Benji Madden. There aren’t any of those luxurious listing photos, because the home was never really on the market, just sold between friends.
The surrounding gated community has plenty of allure for paparazzi, with neighboring homes owned by the likes of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry. (Domain)

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Friday, June 18

June 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Employees of a Waffle House in Center Point, Alabama, went the extra mile to make sure their co-worker could attend and enjoy his high school graduation.
Last week, Timothy Harrison showed up for work at the Waffle House, confusing his manager and co-workers. It was the day of his graduation. Not a day to be at work.
When his manager, Cedric Hampton, asked Timothy what was going on, Timothy explained that he didn’t have a ride across town to the ceremony, so his plan was to just skip it.
That’s when Cedric and the rest of the crew sprung into action.
One employee drove Timothy over to the high school to get his cap and gown. Other employees went to a clothing store to buy Timothy a new pair of pants, a dress shirt and a tie.
They got Timothy ready and in the right place, just in time for the commencement.
Timothy was thankful that those close to him wanted him to succeed, explaining that putting on the special clothes for the ceremony made him feel like “a million dollars” and that it was “the best feeling.” (BoingBoing)

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