Good News, News

Malls Open Early So Kids With Autism Can Meet Santa In a Calm Setting

By     Dec 13, 2019

Santa Lays on Floor For Child With Autism
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Credit: Autism Speaks

Taking your kids to meet Santa is a wholesome family tradition. You get to drive to an always-crowded suburban mall, spend 10 minutes circling for a parking spot, wait in a long line to meet Santa, and then take a picture of your kid crying when he comes face to face with the most magical person in their world. It really is pretty special.

And for some parents, especially those who have children with special needs, participating in these routine traditions can be a much tougher hurdle to clear. This is why Autism Speaks is hosting “Santa Cares” events at malls across the country, where kids with special needs can visit with Santa in a less frenetic setting.

On those days, the malls open early to help facilitate a smaller crowd, the music plays a little quieter, and the lights are a little lower. Santa also has training for children with special needs. Often times they’ll stand behind their chairs or lay on the ground to make sure the children are comfortable. All of this combines to create a much more accessible experience for kids who need it.

 

Autism Speaks partnered with Cherry Hill Programs to produce the events, which include special training for the Santas so they can better interact with special needs children.

“Our goal is to create a more inclusive world for people with autism, and events like this make such a meaningful impact in helping families feel comfortable, understood and accepted,” said a spokesperson at Autism Speaks.

There are hundreds of events planned around the country, to find a sensory-friendly Santa experience near you, check out the Autism Speaks website.

Cars, Good News, News, Parenting

Dad Opens Car Wash To Change the Life of His Son and Others With Autism

By     Aug 3, 2021

Dad opens car wash that employs people with autism
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Credit: YouTube/NationSwell

Being a parent means wanting your kids to have every opportunity they choose to pursue in life. But for parents of kids with disabilities, the world isn’t always so welcoming. Opportunities are limited, and for some, things we take for granted feel completely out of reach. Rather than let society dictate his son’s future, John D’Eri took things into his own hands.

John D’Eri’s son Andrew has autism, but D’Eri refused to accept the limitations autism supposedly gave him. The unemployment rate for those with autism is exceedingly high, often around 90%. But Andrew wouldn’t become part of that 90% – not on D’Eri’s watch.

“I want him to have a life,” D’Eri told NationSwell. “I want him to have a job. I want him to have friends that are like him.”

D’Eri knew his son was capable beyond what society expected, and he knew the same was true for others on the autism spectrum. To help give Andrew a sense of purpose and normalcy, D’Eri and his other son, Thomas, co-founded the Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland Florida – a car wash with a purpose.

“There are a lot of incredibly capable people with autism who rarely get a chance to excel in life because they have been labeled with a disability that society pities instead of a diversity that can be harnessed as a competitive advantage for business,” the Rising Tide website explains. “Now we utilize the strengths many individuals with autism have and leverage those into the highest quality experience on the market.”

The Rising Tide car wash employs around 35 individuals with autism, and each employee is held to the company’s high expectations. D’Eri stresses that individuals with autism are more than capable of doing good work. The success of the Rising Tide car wash proves his point – the high unemployment rate in those with autism is due to opportunity far more than ability.

D’Eri hopes that his family business sets a new standard across the board, opening up even more opportunities to those with autism.

“You might be thinking that we’ve succeeded in spite of our unusual workforce. The truth is that Rising Tide’s success is because of our unique team,” their website states. “Every time a customer leaves happy, every successful year of business we complete, and every new store we open is a testament of the value individuals with autism bring to the workforce.”

Movies and TV, News, Trailers

Brooklyn 99’s “One Last Ride” Gets a Trailer

By     Aug 3, 2021

Brooklyn 99 One Last Ride Trailer
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Credit: YouTube/Brooklyn 99

Brooklyn 99 has had a strange road. It started as an Andy Samberg vehicle before quickly establishing itself as a classic ensemble workplace comedy. It started on one network before getting canceled and then picked up by a different network, and then saw its final season delayed – like everything else – by the pandemic.

Perhaps most challenging, it’s a comedy about lovable, bumbling cops during a time when being a cop in America carries a lot of baggage and controversy.

But thanks to a great cast and a dedicated fan base, it weathered all those changes and controversies and managed to survive for eight years. It’s finally coming to an end with “One Last Ride,” the final season that NBC ordered in late 2019, and that finally hits the airwaves on August 12.

Despite the delay and the network change, it looks like more of the same from the amiable crew, and the whole cast is back, with Samberg joined by his winning, diverse cast: incredible foil, Andre Braugher, rival turned love interest Melissa Fumero, dopey partner Joe Lo Truglio, big-hearted tough guy Terry Crews, tough girl Stephanie Beatriz, and more, including fan-favorite guest stars back to help send the show off.

Check out the trailer for the final season:

The Dad of the Month

July 2021: Lewis Creed Sr.

By     Aug 3, 2021

Photos courtesy of Shauna Schuman
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We are honored to announce The Dad of the Month for July 2021: Lewis Creed Sr. Being a dad is so much more than sharing genetics with your kids; it’s about giving your all and setting an example for your family, and Lewis’s step-daughter, Shauna, says he absolutely meets those criteria and then some:

“This is my dad, Lewis Creed Sr. He is the dad of 4 – my stepsister (Jennifer), my stepbrother (Lewis Jr.), my sister (Darla), and myself. My biological father walked out of the lives of my mom, my sister, and me when I was a few years old, so while Lou is my ‘step-dad,’ the saying ‘I’m not the stepdad, I’m the dad who stepped up’ is much more fitting.

Photos courtesy of Shauna Schuman

“In the 23+ years that Lou has been my dad, he has always truly done his best to be a caretaker and a provider for our family, as well as a positive example of what a man should be. From walking me down the aisle to marry my daughter’s dad, to staying by my mom’s side and helping take care of her as she went through chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, to coaching his brother, his son, and his grandson in wrestling, to moving his children and grandchildren across states or across the country, and even working multiple jobs to help financially support his grown children when they’ve faced struggles…I couldn’t have ever dreamed of a better dad than the one I have.

Photos courtesy of Shauna Schuman

“Beyond what he does for us, Lou is one of the first to drop things he has going on to help others whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers. Assisting with farm chores, building additions on houses and doing household repairs, auto troubleshooting and repairs, and building adjustable ramps for aging and disabled pets are just the beginning of what he does for others with any spare time he has, and he is extremely humble about all of it – never looking for any kind of recognition. This guy has a truly amazing heart, and I’m proud and extremely blessed to call him my dad!”

To honor Lewis, his selfless attitude towards life, and his incredible humility, we’re giving him $500 and some special edition dad gear. Lewis is an amazing example of a father who continually “steps up” to care for those he loves. Cheers!

Movies and TV, News, Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds Explains the Genesis of “Feud” With Hugh Jackman

By     Aug 3, 2021

Reynolds Jackman Feud Explained
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Credit: YouTube/Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have been feuding for a long time. The former costars, each most famous for playing their respective comic book superheroes (Jackman’s Wolverine and Reynolds’ Deadpool), even turned their feud into charity. The two never miss a chance to take a shot at the other. And now, Reynolds has explained the genesis of their feud.

OK, well, first, I should explain that it’s not a feud, it’s a “feud.” If it was a real Hollywood feud, you wouldn’t see them in public together capitalizing on it, it would be confined to passive-aggressive comments in the press and cryptic social media posts. It’s clear to anyone who has a brain that the two do like each other. And just in case it’s not clear, Reynolds has made the effort to explain it.

Reynolds was a guest on Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett’s podcast “Smartless” and called Jackman “one of the best guys I know.”

“I mean he really is just the nicest guy you’d ever meet, and it drives me nuts sometimes…he really is the real deal,” Reynolds said. He said the two have fun taking jabs at each other, but that Jackman is like his life Sherpa.

Reynolds mentioned it was Jackman’s relentless optimism that forced him to lash out initially.

“He reciprocates, of course, because he’s nothing if not a sportsman,” Reynolds said. “And that’s kind of it.”

The two are both great actors, but also really good people, who have done a tremendous amount of charity work. That’s the best kind of celebrity you can be, someone who uses your platform for good, but isn’t afraid to have some ball-busting fun along the way.

Now that he’s gone on record, even people who didn’t fully understand the “feud” can enjoy the snipes taking place between the two, knowing they come from a good place of mutual respect.

Food and Drink, News

Do You Want a Pizza This? Brazilian Restaurant Sells World’s Strangest Pizzas

By     Aug 3, 2021

Pizza Restaurant in Brazil Creates Some Unexpected Pies
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Credit: Instagram/pizzariabatepapo

Pizza is a food so beautifully diverse that it can be transformed into things that barely resemble the three-ingredient classic. There’s a fine line between creative pizzas and things that no longer qualify as pizza at all, and restaurants like Pizzaria Batepapo in Brazil are constantly testing the limits. Maybe all it takes to qualify is a single person who believes it’s a pizza, but even so, this Pizzaria’s Frankenstein-like creations are a hard sell, maybe even criminal.

Most foods take on different forms in different countries, and Brazilian pizza is no exception. Some popular pizza toppings in the South American country include tuna and onions, broccoli with bacon and cream cheese, and green peas. If regular Brazilian pizzerias offer such an odd array of toppings, it’s going to take some serious dedication to stand out. Fortunately (or something), Pizzaria Batepapo is up to the challenge.

Founder Dos Santos started creating giant pizzas almost a decade ago, but once he began sharing pictures of some of his more creative pies on social media, he never looked back. Pizzaria Batepapo is an immersive culinary experience, one you won’t soon forget.

Maybe you’re looking for something savory,

Or are dessert pizzas your jam?

 

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Don’t worry if you can’t decide,

 

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A post shared by @pizzariabatepapo (@pizzariabatepapo)

You can have both.

 

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A post shared by @pizzariabatepapo (@pizzariabatepapo)

Or maybe just some extra cheese?

 

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I honestly couldn’t even tell you if the baby comes with it at this point.

 

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Every day we stray further from God’s light

 

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A post shared by @pizzariabatepapo (@pizzariabatepapo)

Pineapple on pizza doesn’t seem so bad now, huh?

 

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I need a shower.

 

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Entertainment, Hip Hop, News, Sports, Trending

Watch Snoop Dogg Light Up Peacock’s Olympics Coverage

By     Aug 2, 2021

Snoop Dogg Commentates the Olympics
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Credit: Twitter/cjzero

It’s a little bit hard to believe for those of us who first knew him as a gangster rapper on the notorious Death Row label, but Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg, is one of America’s most beloved celebrities. It seems the culture has finally caught up with the notorious pothead, as marijuana use has grown increasingly mainstream and increasingly legal. Now Snoop can befriend Martha Stewart, appear in national ad campaigns, call boxing matches, and even provide commentary during the Olympics.

Of course, he’s still Snoop, so if you’re gonna hire him to call some Olympic highlights, alongside comedian Kevin Hart, you’d better be prepared for some antics.

Over the weekend, Peacock put Hart and Snoop behind a desk and let them riff on some Olympic footage, and they did not disappoint. Snoop was on one, noting the similarities between the equestrian event and cripwalking, much to his co-host’s delight.

Snoop also took advantage of the similarity of an Olympic event name to some urban dictionary slang that I would not suggest you explain to your children.

Even after referencing gangs and… bangs (sorry), Snoop emerged unscathed, with most taking delight in his commentary and appreciating the wildcard spirit he brought to the gig. Peacock took it all on stride:

And viewers loved it:

No word yet on whether there was any backlash to Snoop’s hosting, but something tells me he’ll be just fine.

Good News, News, Parenting

“Scariest Silence of My Life,” Video Shows Emotional Moment Baby Regains Pulse

By     Aug 2, 2021

Dad breaks down when baby cries for the first time
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Credit: TikTok/sherinicole455

The birth of your baby is a moment you never forget. Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, each birthing experience is unique and magical. Every parent hopes for a straightforward labor and delivery, a predictably difficult but otherwise uneventful day. Unfortunately, for many parents, the day your baby enters the world can be filled with fear and uncertainty.

When TikTok user Sheri sherinicole455 went into labor, she never realized her daughter’s life could be in danger. In a video that’s been viewed over 4.7 million times, Sheri shares the terrifying moment she and her husband feared they would never get to watch their daughter grow up.

“We lost her heartbeat while I was pushing,” Sheri explains in the on-screen text. “She was blue and completely lifeless.”

@sherinicole455Giving me a run for my money since the day she was born 😅 ##childbirth ##birth ##babiesoftiktok ##fyp ##McDonaldsCCSing ##VideoSnapChallenge ##labor ##cute

♬ Sad Emotional Piano – DS Productions

Though Sheri’s reaction isn’t visible through the rails of the hospital bed, her husband’s panic is tangible. He stares down helplessly at his wife and newborn baby as the nurses work quickly and skillfully, waiting for a sign that his daughter is ok.

For a few heartbreaking seconds, the room is filled with a heavy silence. When a few short moments mean the difference between life and death for your child, however, those seconds feel like an eternity. A sharp cry suddenly tears through the silence, freeing the panicked dad from his petrified trance.

“The most relieving sound in the world,” confirms the on-screen text.

As the heroic nurses congratulate the new parents, Dad drops his head into his hands and cries tears of relief. Sheri reaches out towards her husband, wordlessly sharing a moment of joy and gratitude.

“I saw him crying, and I knew he was worried,” Sheri recalled in the comments. “He told me later that he thought we had already lost her, and hearing her cry was overwhelming.”

Movies and TV, News, Trailers

New ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Trailer Gives Us the Woody We Deserve

By     Aug 2, 2021

Let There Be Carnage Trailer
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Credit: YouTube/Sony

Fans have been waiting for this ever since the post-credits scene!

Remember Venom, Sony’s unlikely Spider-man adjacent blockbuster from a few years back that featured Tom Hardy going gonzo as investigative journalist Eddie Brock AND ravenous alien symbiote Venom? The sequel is coming and based on the new trailer, it’s going to have exactly what we want: more Woody Harrelson!

Harrelson’s role as Carnage in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was teased at the end of the first movie, and fans have been dying to see Harrelson’s red-headed serial killer, Cletus Kasady, get infected by a symbiote of his own and match Hardy’s scene-chewing antics. The people behind these movies know what we want, and they’re giving it to us. In spades!

Eddie Brock and Venom have settled into an odd-couple relationship, complete with rule (“No eating people”), but once the depraved Cletus gets a taste (literally) of his own symbiote, he has nothing but chaos – and carnage – on his mind.

Check out the crazy new trailer for Venom: Let There Be Carnage, coming this fall:

Movies and TV, Trending

David Ayer Defends His ‘Suicide Squad:’ “Who Would I Be to My Kids if I Quit?”

By     Aug 2, 2021

David Ayer responds to Suicide Squad criticism
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Credit: IMDB

The Suicide Squad hits theaters and HBO Max this weekend, and early reviews suggest it will be fun, goofy, chaotic, and hilarious; four things the original Suicide Squad movie was not. The first movie is… not good. But DCEU devotees think it could have been, if director David Ayer had been allowed to release his intended version of the movie. And after the success of Zach Snyder’s Justice League do-over, there has been a growing call to #releasetheAyerCut of the original Suicide Squad.

But, because it’s the internet, there has also been a surge of people seeing the new movie as an excuse to dunk on Ayer.

One particular tweet seemed to be a final straw for the writer/director. In a three-page letter he posted on Twitter, Ayer defends work, shed light on the sometimes painful creative process, and offered an inspiring, if somewhat gritty meditation on perseverance.

“I put my life into Suicide Squad. I made something amazing – My cut is intricate and emotional journey with some ‘bad people’ who are shit on and discarded (a theme that resonates in my soul),” Ayer wrote. The letter touches on his troubled youth, and how these stories is a part of his sense of redemption and self-worth.

Along with standing by his own integrity, Ayer also made sure to heap praise on his team, as well as James Gunn. It’s a fascinating read, and worth considering what could have been, had the studio not done what studios tend to do.  He concludes the letter by saying this is the last time he’ll be speaking publicly about his cut and the controversy surrounding it. Read his response, and try to keep your adrenaline down because the man is fired up!