Blogs Archives

Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, May 20

May 20, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Rescue Dog Day: Now that more of us are going back to the office, animal shelters say a lot of people are returning their “pandemic pets,” so if you’re looking for a furry friend, maybe consider stopping by a shelter. You can also just volunteer or donate.
  • National Be A Millionaire Day: Do one thing that makes you feel like a million bucks. Buy something extravagant, make a donation, or pay off some bills. Heck, maybe even wear a top hat!
  • World Bee Day: Raising awareness about the importance of bees. They don’t just make honey, you know. Bees help pollinate about 75% of the world’s crops and almost 90% of the planet’s wild plants and flowers. Bees have been around for more than 30-million years but lately, populations have been dropping at a scary pace, and scientists still can’t figure out exactly why.
The next time you fly, you could be asked to step on a scale before boarding the plane. Airlines need to calculate an aircraft’s weight and balance when boarding passengers. Unfortunately, the data that’s been used by airlines to guess the total weight of the passengers is outdated. In other words, Americans have gotten fatter and the FAA doesn’t know exactly how much we’ve plumped up. Therefore, passengers may soon be asked to check their weight before boarding a plane so that the FAA can collect new data. It’s all in the interest of safety. (Fox News)
This is difficult news as we head in to Pride Month. More than 40 percent of LGBT teens in America say they’ve considered suicide in the past year. The new research (by the Trevor Project) surveyed more than 35-thousand gay teens and young adults and found that about 70-percent of them suffered through ‘poor’ mental health during the pandemic, with LGBT kids also reporting feeling a lack of safety.
And, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the return of the Cicadas. This is one way to soften the noise a bit. According to some chefs, why not kill them and eat them? The Chicago Sun-Times says cicadas can be cooked into many unique dishes. The infamous bugs are consumed in many countries because they are full of protein. Experts recommend removing cicada wings and legs to reduce their crunchiness. They are best enjoyed while they are still soft and chewy. Cicadas can be used as pizza toppings or shrimp replacements in any recipe.
“Bug chef” David Gordon says, “We really have to get over our dislike of insects, which is really strong and deep-seated in most people in our culture. You could make stir fry. You can mix them into dough to make  banana bread, let’s say. You can batter them and deep fry them, which I think would be my favorite way.”

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Music News – Thursday, May 20

May 20, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Pink loved recording “Lady Marmalade” with Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Mya, and she admits winning a Grammy for it wasn’t too shabby. But she does have one regret about the whole thing.
She tells Variety “I was not happy about my outfit. I did not want to be in booty shorts, but I got into it. Cameras started rolling and I started feeling myself. Now I look at it and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, that body. Why didn’t I appreciate it?’”
Pink’s new All I Know So Far premieres on Amazon Prime this Friday.
The wait is over for Jonas Brothers fans who’ve been waiting for the boys to get the band back together — because they’re about to hit the road.
Nick, Joe and Kevin will head out this summer for the Remember This tour, which will kick off in Las Vegas on August 20th and wrap up at the Hollywood Bowl on October 27th. Kelsea Ballerini will open all the dates.
And, yes, there’s a bit of new music in the mix, too. The JoBros will premiere the song “Remember This” on the first night of the U.S. Track & Field Trials on June 18th — and will perform the song live for the first time during NBC Universal’s coverage of the Olympic Games this summer.
And by the way, Nick Jonas is feeling fine after a bike accident over the weekend. While on the set of a show, he tells ‘Entertainment Tonight’ that something got caught and he took a tumble. He suffered a fractured rib but he’s continuing along. He was back on ‘The Voice’ on Monday as scheduled. And this weekend, he’s set to host the Billboard Awards on NBC.
The singer also says he’ll perform this weekend at the awards with his brothers.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Wednesday, May 19

May 19, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
When first grader Ava Schmidt was at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she invented a game called “Ava’s Animal Adventure” that involved Nerf guns.
The game was such a hit that doctors, nurses, and other staff members were constantly visiting her room to play. Things were fun and frantic — and ended up becoming very competitive.
When Ava was released from the hospital, she wanted to show her appreciation for everyone who cared for her and brighten the days of patients who were still there, so she raised money to purchase a bunch of Nerf guns to donate.
Her goal was to give the hospital 10 Nerf guns to play “Ava’s Animal Adventure.” She ended up raising enough money for 45 of them.
Ava explained that she remembers how fun it was to have everyone coming into her room to play and “wanted to make sure other kids can have that experience, too.” (WZZM-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Wednesday, March 19

May 19, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Naomi Campbell is a mother.
The 50-year-old supermodel surprised everyone on Tuesday when she announced on Instagram that she had welcomed her first child, a baby girl.
Naomi shared a photo of herself holding the newborn’s feet and wrote, “A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.”
She didn’t reveal the father or whether she gave birth, hired a surrogate or adopted.
A source tells Page Six, “Naomi has been wanting to be a mother for a long time and it finally happened. She is the godmother to many friends and family’s kids and has always looked forward to the day of starting her own family.”
A man in Texas who bought Gwyneth Paltrow’s vagina-scented candle claims it “exploded” and nearly killed him. Now he’s suing.
In the class-action complaint, Colby Watson said he purchased the candle, which is called “This Smells Like My Vagina,” from Paltrow’s Goop website in January. He said when he lit it for the first time it “exploded” and became “engulfed in high flames” after burning for about three hours.
A warning on the candle advises users not to burn it for more than two hours.
A rep for Goop tells NBC News, “We’re confident this claim is frivolous and an attempt to secure an outsized payout from a press-heavy product. We stand behind the brands we carry and the safety of the products we sell. Here, Heretic—the brand that supplies the candle— has substantiated the product’s performance and safety through industry standard testing.”
Watson, who is suing Paltrow’s company for breach of warranty and products liability, is trying to put together a class seeking damages exceeding $5 million.
Actor Charles Grodin died Tuesday from bone marrow cancer at the age of 86.
He appeared in such movies as Rosemary’s Baby, The Heartbreak Kid, The Great Muppet Caper, Beethoven and Midnight Run.
Grodin was nominated for a Golden Globe and won a Primetime Emmy.
Steve Martin tweeted, “So sad to hear. One of the funniest people I ever met.”

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The Coast Social Network with Berrien Community Foundation – Wednesday, May 19

May 19, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Berrien Community Foundation, Blogs, The Coast Social Network

Lisa Cripps-Downey from the Berrien Community Foundation and Amy Zapal from St. Joseph Today join Zack to talk about Berrien Community Foundation’s “For Good” Grants. Hear how BCF is making a difference for local non-profits in the community, and get more details at berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, May 19

May 19, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
May Ray Day: A good day to grab some rays.
Good news for toilet paper hoarders! A company in Japan has developed the world’s most compact roll of toilet paper. They’ve managed to cram nearly a thousand feet of two-ply ’TP’ onto a single, regular-sized roll. You can buy a 24-pack online for about 40 bucks, but that should be enough to last the average family 8 months! (No word on how ‘scratchy’ or flimsy it is)
According to government health officials, when it comes to colon cancer screening, 45 is the new 50. For years, they’ve been telling us to get checked at age 50. Well, it seems that more and more people have been dealing with colon cancer at a younger age. So, if you’re in your mid-40s, experts are now suggesting that that you get that checked out earlier instead of later, so be sure to ask your doctor before they ask you. (ABC News)
Get your noise-cancelling headphones ready and find your happy place…the cicadas are back. The bugs have now been spotted in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee and Georgia. They’re emerging from below ground for a loud, month-long mating process (that will make you yearn for the soothing sound of a jackhammer). Trillions of the bugs are supposed to burrow to the surface between now and the end of June. The last time they popped up was in 2004.
Naomi Campbell just announced on Instagram that she just welcomed her first child, a baby girl … at the age of 50. Naomi is now one of the thousands of older women having kids that have been defined as “geriatric mothers” – people who are having babies at 50+. According to the CDC, 1,073 babies were born to women over the age of 50 in 2019. (NY Post)
Time to ditch the “wicked stepmother” label … A new study found that the ‘wicked stepmother” myth is the stuff of fairy tales. The study found that stepchildren did just as well as other kids in the family. “The idea of a stepparent, especially the stepmother, as being an agent of evil seems to be a story as old as time,” says anthropologist Dr. Ryan Schacht of the University of East Carolina.

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Music News – Wednesday, May 19

May 19, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Adam Levine is returning to The Voice — for one night only.
Billboard reports that Adam will bring Maroon 5 and Megan Thee Stallion to the show’s stage on May 25th for a performance of “Beautiful Mistakes.” It will be his first appearance on The Voice since he left his coach’s chair in 2019 after a 16-season run.
Adam picked up his joking feud with Voice mainstay Blake Shelton right where they left off, telling Billboard, “It’s good to be back on The Voice and see Carson, Kelly, Nick, and John” — making sure to leave Blake off the list.
Pink turned the celebration for the release of her new documentary into a celebration of frontline healthcare workers — by treating that group to a performance and a first look at the flick.
The singer welcomed 4,000 workers to the 17,000 capacity Hollywood Bowl for a screening of All I Know So Far, topped off with a four-song acoustic performance. Pink, who had a life-threatening case of COVID last year, explained her connection to the healthcare community, saying, “My mom was an ER nurse all of her life, and my stepmom was an Army Vietnam nurse, so I grew up in hospitals. If you put me in a hospital gown, I’ll sleep for four days.”
She went on to say, “I am so glad that we get to celebrate you all finally. We couldn’t get through any of this without you. You are tireless and dedicated and brave and we just love you love you. It means a lot to me to be here and sing for you all.”
Overnight, Demi Lovato tweeted a personal change of their pronouns to they/them. Demi Instagrammed a video announcement, too.
They tweeted in a thread (quote) “Today is a day I’m so happy to share more of my life with you all — I am proud to let you know that I identify as non-binary and will officially be changing my pronouns to they/them moving forward.”
Demi added (quote) “This has come after a lot of healing and self-reflective work. I’m still learning and coming into myself. I don’t claim to be an expert or a spokesperson. Sharing this with you now opens another level of vulnerability for me.”
They concluded (quote) “I’m doing this for those that haven’t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones. Please keep living in your truths and know I am sending so much love your way xox.”

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Tuesday, May 18

May 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Researchers at Stanford University in California performed a medical miracle when they implanted microchips into the brain of a paralyzed man that allowed him to write words using only his mind.
The man had been paralyzed below the neck after a spinal cord injury in 2007.
But even without the use of his arms and hands, the man was able to imagine using his hand to write on a notepad — and then a computer converted these thoughts into text on a screen.
One of the researchers, Dr. Jaimie Henderson, reported that the man was able to compose sentences nearly as quickly as someone typing on a smartphone.
While more work needs to be done to perfect this technology, everyone involved is very hopeful that this breakthrough will lead to others having the chance to regain this important skill in the future. (USA Today)

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The Daily Dish – Tuesday, May 18

May 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Jimmy Fallon has a late-night gig for at least another few years.
NBC has renewed The Tonight Show with Jimmy as host for five more years.
He had kept the Tonight Show number-one in the ratings ever since taking over for Jay Leno in 2014, at least for the first few years. During the Trump years, Stephen Colbert took over as the king of late night, and even Jimmy Kimmel moved past Fallon eventually. But now that’s Biden‘s president, the Tonight Show has been gaining in the ratings.
Plus, Jimmy is involved in six projects at NBC, including That’s My Jam and The Kids Tonight Show, so they couldn’t get rid of him that easily.
OK! magazine says Bill Gates’ close relationship with his former girlfriend, Ann Winblad, allegedly destroyed his marriage to his wife, Melinda. A source tells the magazine “He is close to her. Romance or not, when one spouse loves the company of another person outside of the marriage and perpetuates that friendship over many years, it can help destroy trust. He could have treated Melinda better. He’s not a saint, but there isn’t one thing that created the final split. It goes deeper than that.”
The Daily Record claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are allegedly planning a new tell-all Royal documentary. Writer Angela Levin is quoted by the newspaper as saying,  “There is a lot more. I think there is another documentary in the making where they will have taken films of various rooms and maybe even of various conversations. They can then go detail by detail about how terrible certain things were. I’m waiting for that one. I think it will be yet another nail in the coffin of his relationship to his father and his brother. They can’t trust him anymore.”

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, May 18

May 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Visit Your Relatives Day
  • National No Dirty Dishes Day
A new study by the World Health Organization found that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of death from heart disease and stroke. According to the study, working 55 hours or more per week was associated with a 35% increase in the risk of stroke, and a 17% increase in the risk of dying from heart disease, compared to working 35 to 40 hours. (HuffPost)
OK, so you’ve revived the “Rachel” haircut and re-watched every episode of Friends, so what’s the next step? Sleeping in the Friends apartment, of course. “The Friends Experience” – an immersive celebration of the show that launched in New York earlier this spring — has teamed up with travel company Booking.com to provide what it calls “The Ultimate Sleepover.” Diehard Friends fans will be able to spend the night in “Monica’s apartment” and even hang out at Joey and Chandler’s place. Guests will also be treated to a special tour, along with a late-night game of Phoebe’s Cab Escape Room, a Friends-themed scavenger hunt, and breakfast at Central Perk. The stays are available May 23 and May 24. Bookings start May 21 at 10 a.m. ET, and as you might imagine, they are quite pricey. (GMA)
Road trippin’ … Are you ready to hit the road? 70% of people in a recent survey said they can’t wait to take a road trip this summer – especially to get away from their “quaranteam” – aka the people they have been quarantining with for the past year or more. And it seems Northeasterners want to hit the road the most – with 80% saying they are itchin’ to take a road trip. 30% of those planning to take a road trip said they are planning to go visit family and friends they haven’t seen in over a year. (SWNS)

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Music News – Tuesday, May 18

May 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Lady Gaga‘s dog walker is back at work.
Ryan Fischer, who was shot and nearly killed in that scary dognapping incident earlier this year, stopped by her home Friday afternoon in L.A., according to TMZ. The gossip blog says he was “bearing gifts and looking pretty healthy in the wake of his lengthy hospital stay.”
Ryan is reportedly back to walking Gaga’s French bulldogs, but now he’s doing it in the daytime.
The last time he went for a nighttime stroll with the pooches he was shot and two of the dogs were taken.
Three of the alleged dognapper have been charged with attempted murder and robbery.
Ryan was hospitalized for several weeks and had part of a lung removed.
Pop Princess Ariana Grande is now a married woman.
She and real estate agent Dalton Gomez got hitched over the weekend in a surprise intimate ceremony at her home in Montecito, California. TMZ first broke the news, and People magazine has confirmed it with Ari’s rep. Just 20 people attended the nuptials.
The two have been together for a bit more than a year. They got engaged in December.
Coldplay are showing their support for May 27th’s Red Nose Day USA by livestreaming a concert on TikTok.
The May 24th show will come just two days after the band’s scheduled to headline the global Glastonbury Festival stream. Red Nose Day is a global effort to help end child poverty.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Monday, May 17

May 17, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Throughout the winter months, diamondback terrapin turtles near Ocean City, New Jersey, were hanging out in storm drains, trying to avoid the cold temperatures.
Now that things have warmed up, it’s time for the turtles — and their babies — to get back into the wild. But the journey from the storm drains to the wild is a dangerous one. There are streets and cars. There are predators.
And, thankfully, there were volunteers in the area to rescue the turtles and deliver them to safety.
These volunteers, working with Stockton University, used a custom-made net and pulled the turtles from the drains. From there, the turtles were delivered to Stockton University, where they received professional care.
After all of their hard work was completed, 826 turtles were rescued. Over the next year, these animals will be cared for and prepared to be released back into the wild, stronger and healthier than ever. (Nerdist)

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The Daily Dish – Monday, May 17

May 17, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, The Daily Dish
Sunday night’s MTV Movie & TV Awards could have been called the Marvel Awards, as WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier won nearly half of the trophies.
The two Marvel/Disney Plus shows picked up a total of six trophies. WandaVision was up for five awards and took home four — including best show. Star Elizabeth Olsen walked away with best performance in a show, her costar Kathryn Hahn was named best villain, and together they won best fight.
During her acceptance speech, Elizabeth said, “You guys are just the greatest fans anyone can have, and I have loved playing this part for seven years. Really, nothing could have been better than to have WandaVision. We had so much fun making it and I hope we moved you. I hope we entertained you.”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier picked up best duo for stars Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, and Mackie also went home with best hero.
In the movie categories, To All the Boys: Always and Forever was named best feature, while Chadwick Boseman got a posthumous win for best performance for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom — making up for his controversial loss at last month’s Oscars. The late Black Panther star got a standing ovation.
Scarlett Johansson received the Generation Award. In a funny moment, her husband Colin Jost slimed her, mistaking the MTV Awards for the Nickelodeon Awards.
In another highlight, Sacha Baron Cohen accepted the Comedic Genius Award as several of his most iconic characters.
Leslie Jones, who was the host, opened the show with a bit that saw her being inserted into shows like WandaVision. She also won the award for best comedic performance for Coming 2 America. Snoop Dogg served as the night’s DJ.
The Bill Gates divorce has gotten messy. He’s having his #MeToo moment.
The Wall Street Journal reports that last year Gates was pushed off the board of Microsoft, which he co-founded, due to an inappropriate “sexual relationship” with a Microsoft employee. The engineer claimed in a letter that the affair with Gates started in 2000 and went on for years.
The New York Times published on Sunday a report that two other Microsoft employees received “go out for dinner with me” messages from Gates. One of the women was emailed in 2006. She ghosted Bill, who concluded his email, (quote) “If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened.”
These disturbing reports follow another that noted how Melinda Gates began divorce proceedings the same month that Bill was exposed for having a chummy friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Wall Street Journal)
If Prince Harry wants to keep trashing the Royal Family, he should give up his titles — at least that’s what Royal aides believe.
Harry went on Dax Shepard‘s podcast to talk about his new documentary about mental health and said his father caused him great pain and suffering. He added that Prince Charles experienced the same thing, because it’s “genetic” in the Royal Family.
A Royal aide is quoted by The Daily Mail as saying, “People are appalled that he could do this to the Queen when the Duke of Edinburgh is barely in his grave.”
Sources say the Royal Family is fed up with Harry speaking ill of them. One insider said, “The Duke of Sussex has now spent a significant amount of time emphasizing that he’s no different to anyone else and attacking the institution which he says caused him so much pain. There is a growing feeling that if you dislike the institution that much, you shouldn’t have the titles.”

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, May 17

May 17, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Pack Rat Day
  • Work From Home Day
  • Pinot Grigio Day
Does a salad a day keep the stress away? A new study from Australia found that vegetables and fruit can help reduce daily stress. Researchers from Edith Cowan University found that people who ate at least 470 grams (about 2 cups) of fruit and vegetables daily had 10% lower stress levels than those who ate less than 230 grams (less than 1 cup) of fruits and veggies every day. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day.
Another positive pandemic effect … We’re spending more time outdoors. A new study found that 75% of homeowners surveyed said their outdoor space was everything to them during the pandemic, with 73% saying spending more time outdoors has been therapeutic for them and 70% saying that improving their outdoor spaces became a new pastime. Those surveyed said they’re spending 14 hours a week outside – that’s an increase of three hours over pre-COVID days.
How long does it take to find “the one” … pet, that is … New research from Royal Canin dog food found that it takes the average person looking for a pet four months and 20 days to find their furry friend. 50% said they went to three or more shelters while looking for a pet and spent six and a half hours a week scrolling through pet adoption sites. When they finally found the perfect pet, 60% said it was “love at first sight.” 63% said their pet is their four-legged soulmate.
Do you have a secret stash of snacks? A new survey found that 48% of respondents said they have hidden their favorite snacks in secret paces around the house so they don’t have to share them with the people they live with. 46% said they just “don’t want to share,” while 53% said the people they live with would “eat them all” if they knew where the snacks were. 72% said their stash had been discovered and have had to change their hiding place. Partners and kids tied at 71% as the biggest culprits for finding the snack stashes.

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Music News – Monday, May 17

May 17, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Pink, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears were constantly battling for chart position 20 years ago — but Pink says she never saw it as a competition.
She tells People magazine, “It was so unfair to all the girls. None of us wanted that. I think we navigated through it as good as a 20-year-old girl can. Now I think it’s totally different. Girls supporting girls is rad — I love to watch it.”
Pink recalls the worst part was being marketed as “the anti-Britney” and laughs off the comparison. “I love Britney — she used to carry around my album. I was like, ‘Dude, I’m a street punk, I just skateboard. That doesn’t have to be the anti-Britney. I don’t want to fight anybody.'”
Pink’s new documentary, All I Know So Far, premieres on Amazon Prime on May 21st.
Ally Brooke is getting real about her time in Fifth Harmony. The ‘Dancing With the Stars’ alum shocked fans by saying her time in the pop supergroup was toxic and abusive. On ‘The Ally Brooke Show’ podcast, she revealed that Normani, Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello, Dinah Jane, and herself were very competitive and fought to sing the good parts of a song. Ally went on to say that she didn’t enjoy being in the group because of the mental and verbal abuse she endured. She says, “My time in Fifth Harmony, I didn’t…enjoy it. It was hard because there was so much going on, so much behind the scenes, so much toxicity, so much abuse…of power. So much mental abuse; verbal abuse.”

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Friday, May 14

May 14, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Happy Headline of the Day
Cecil Lockhart of Welch, West Virginia, recently passed away at the age of 95, but his legacy lives on, thanks to his decision to become an organ donor.
According to the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, Cecil became the oldest organ donor on record in the United States when a successful surgery resulted in a woman in her 60s get a boost in life — and a new liver.
The woman is reportedly “doing well.” And, friends and family of Cecil aren’t surprised that he continues to help others. They describe him as a “generous person” and are proud to see that his legacy of generosity continues even after his long, happy life. (People)

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The Daily Dish – Friday, May 14

May 14, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Ellen DeGeneres insists those toxic workplace allegations and her dip in the ratings had nothing to do with her decision to end of her talk show.
The comedian told the Today show’s Savannah Guthrie that that if she was still “having fun, I would do this show with nobody watching,” and that if she was quitting over the toxic workplace allegations, “I would have not come back this year” for season 18.
Ellen told The Hollywood Reporter that she had planned to end after Season 19 three years ago.
On the Today show, she said she did think of quitting last year, adding that the personal attacks felt “orchestrated,” “coordinated” and “very misogynistic.” She admitted it “took a toll on me. No, I’m not bulletproof. And no, I don’t have thick skin. I’m extremely sensitive to the point of it’s not healthy how sensitive I am.”
As far as her tumble in the ratings, Ellen said, “Everything in television is down. It’s got nothing to do with why I’m leaving.”
That long-delayed Friends reunion special will debut on HBO Max on May 27th.
Friends: The Reunion, which  was delayed several times because of the pandemic lockdown, will feature Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer.
They’ll return to the show’s original soundstage on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank to remember and celebrate the sitcom. Each of the stars reportedly got at least $2.5 million for doing the special.
Guest stars include David Beckham, Justin Bieber, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Lady Gaga, Kit Harington, Mindy Kaling, Tom Selleck, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai.
Prince Harry tells Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast that being in the Royal family is a cross between ”The Truman Show” and being in a zoo. “Yep, it’s a mix between ‘The Truman Show’ and being in a zoo.  I was in my early 20s and I was thinking, I don’t want this job, I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be doing this. Look what it did to my mum, how am I ever going to settle down and have a wife and family when I know it’s going to happen again. I’ve seen behind the curtain, I’ve seen the business model and know how this operation works. I don’t want to be part of this.”

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Furry Friends Friday with Andre the Giant from Berrien County Animal Shelter – May 14

May 14, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Furry Friends, The Coast Social Network
It’s Furry Friends Friday from The Mason Jar Cafe!
 
Meet Andre’ the Giant! Andre’ is a 3-4 month old part Sharpei part house hippo! This guy is ridiculously adorable, fun and floppy! Andre’s paws are T H E biggest mitts ever! And, check out that schnoz! Already weighing in at 50lbs, he’s on track to be a heavyweight champ. Unlike the human Andre’, our dog Andre’ gets along with all his peers, but we always suggest a meet and greet to make sure the other pup can keep up with this guy’s sparkle. Neutered and vaccinated, he easily is a plug-and-play kinda guy. Andre’ won’t last long– call Berrien County Animal Control – Berrien County Government to set up an appointment today! (269) 927-5648.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, May 14

May 14, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Chicken Dance Day
  • National Decency Day
  • Shades Day
Did the pandemic change you? A new survey by Oracle found that 86% of respondents said the pandemic changed their personalities – for the better. Becoming more conscientious (40%) and open to new experiences (38%) were the most common personality changes, followed by being more agreeable (33%).
Not sure they needed a study to prove this … but it turns out that booze is an ice breaker that brings peoples closer together. Researchers from the University of Illinois found that when people were drinking, they got closer in physical proximity to others – even strangers.
Speaking of drinking … Now you can get your White Claw vacation going before you even get to your destination … Starting June 1st, United Airlines will offer White Claw hard seltzers for purchase on their flights over two hours. (Delish)
Speaking of hard seltzer … If a pickle-flavored hard seltzer has been missing from your life, do we have a dill for you … BrüMate is introducing “Afternoon Dillight Hard Pickle Seltzer.” The seltzers will hit shelves this summer, but if you want to stay up-to-date, you can join the “VIPickle list” at www.crookedBru.com. (USA Today)
I think we all KNOW it’s not a good way to start our day by hitting the snooze button a bunch of times.  But even hitting it twice could be a problem. According to a new study, if you stay in bed for just 14 minutes after your alarm goes off for the first time, it throws off your entire day. And since most snooze buttons give you nine minutes of peace until the alarm goes off again . . . that means if you hit it twice, you’ve already screwed up your day. The study also found the day when people hate waking up the most is Monday . . . and Tuesday came in second place.

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Music News – Friday, May 14

May 14, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Music News Podcast
Janet Jackson still hasn’t talked about Justin Timberlake‘s apology for that wardrobe malfunction, but three of her brothers just accepted it and said it’s time to move on.
Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson stopped by SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy” on Wednesday and talked about Justin’s involvement their sister’s most infamous moment. Marlon kicked off the love-fest by saying “You know, it takes a man to step up and do that, so we do thank him for doing that. We thank you, Justin, for what you did.”
Jackie chimed in by adding he appreciated Timberlake speaking out “because it kind of hurt Janet in the past. So for him to step up and say that, it means a whole lot.” (New York Post)
Amazon Prime Video released a pair of screen shots from the live-action Cinderella starring Camila Cabello.
The modern telling of the classic fairytale will be released to streaming in September. However, despite production concluding more than six months ago, the studio has yet to release a teaser trailer. Typically, that’s a troubling sign.
The chief at Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke, said on Thursday, (quote) “The filmmaking team has taken this beloved fairytale and revamped it with a fresh, empowering perspective. We couldn’t be more excited for our global customers to sing and dance along to this reimagination of this classic story.”
Cinderella co-stars include Idina Menzel, Billy Porter, Minnie Driver, Pierce Brosnan, Missy Elliott, James Corden, John Mulaney and Nicholas Galitzine as the prince. (Deadline)
Get ready to welcome back your ‘Friends’! The long awaited reunion of the classic NBC comedy is coming May 27th on HBO Max. The list of guest stars is massive with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Reese Witherspoon – just to name a few – joining the gang. The reunion was originally set for last year, but had to be postponed due to the COVID pandemic. The new teaser trailer shows the cast walking together with a stripped-down version of their theme song.

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The Happy Headline of the Day – Thursday, May 13

May 13, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Happy Headline of the Day
Joshua Nelson, who’s a senior at St. Charles West High School in Missouri, got some good news recently when he learned that he had earned a full scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University.
It was a big accomplishment for Joshua, which resulted in his tuition and living expenses being covered for four years.
It also resulted in a bit of a problem — sort of — as Joshua had been saving money for college … that he no longer needed.
Joshua solved this “problem” by creating a scholarship fund that would help another student make their college dreams come true. He put the money he had saved up into the Joshua Nelson Leaders in Action Scholarship — and invited others to add to the college fund.
Joshua is hoping to inspire local businesses and others in the community to match his starting donation so he can help other students with college tuition.
His school counselor, Yolanda Curry, fully supports his efforts and admires what Joshua is trying to do, explaining that “he just has a heart for people.” (WLS-TV)

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The Daily Dish – Thursday, May 13

May 13, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, The Daily Dish
Ellen DeGeneres has announced she is ending her talk show after 19-seasons.
The 63-year-old comedian and host informed her staff Tuesday that she will wrap the show at the end of the 2021-2022 season and told The Hollywood Reporter, “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore.” She adds that her decision to end the show was made a long time ago, and before claims were made about the alleged toxic work environment behind the scenes. She says she had initially wanted to stop after season 16, but was urged by affiliates to keep going.
Tiffany Haddish is ready to take Ellen DeGeneres’s daytime TV crown, according to Page Six.
The comedian has filled in for Ellen on several occasions, and with Ellen ending her talk show, a senior NBCUniversal source says, “Tiffany is a favorite… She’s top of the list to get a daytime show – she’s a fresh voice.”
As Page Six points out, “Ellen owns the rights to her show so it’s impossible to replace her without launching a fresh format with a new host.”
Haddish is currently the host of Kids Say The Darndest Things on CBS. She’ll have to compete with Kelly Clarkson, who’s a favorite to grab Ellen’s 3 p.m. time slot.
Phylicia Rashad is now a college dean.
According to TMZ, The Cosby Show mom has joined Howard University as Dean of its College of Fine Arts.
She starts at the historically Black university on July 1st.
The actress is a Howard alum who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in fine arts. She also served as the late Chadwick Boseman‘s mentor when he attended Howard.
And, NBC’s hit tear-jerker drama This Is Us will end with its upcoming sixth season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, May 13

May 13, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • World Cocktail Day
  • Apple Pie Day
  • Top Gun Day
Does the color of your sports drink affect your performance? Researchers from the University of Westminster in England found that having pink drinks seems to help athletes run faster and farther. In fact, researchers say pink drinks boost performance by 4.4%, and the color pink increases the “feel good” effect, making working out seem easier. Why is this? Researchers aren’t sure yet, but believe it could be because the color pink is associated with sweetness, which gives those who consume it expectations of a sugar and carb rush – even if those things aren’t in the drink.
Can your pets detect your perfect partner? A new survey found that 67% of respondents would end a relationship if their pet doesn’t approve of the person they’re dating. 68% say their pet has the final say of who they date. And 70% said they trust their dog’s judgment over their own and more than family and friends. Some signs that your dog doesn’t like your date: Not going near them (47%), clawing/biting them (41%), and growling/hissing at them (40%).
On the other hand, these are signs your pet like someone:
  • Wagging tail/purring — 46%
  • Sharing their favorite toy — 45%
  • Rubbing up against them — 39%
  • Allows petting — 31%
If you’ve ever had a guy ghost you after three months of dating, don’t blame yourself, blame biology! According to psychotherapist Jack Worthy, all creatures are ruled by “evolutionary psychology” — a theory that divides romance into “short term mating” and “long term mating.” Humans are weird in that they can go either way at any given time. So with that in mind, men tend to feel emotions differently in the first three months from how women do, with guys having “an intuitive, animal draw” that’s more unconscious. Around the three-month mark, women start to drift into thoughts of the long term, but guys tend to let hormones rule — and if they’re cooling down, you get ghosted. Now, doesn’t that feel better? (Cosmo)

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