Too Much Produce in Your Garden? Here’s How to Donate It to People in Need

by Sarah ShebekMay 7, 2021

Gardening became a hit hobby during last year’s pandemic and the momentum has carried forward into 2021. But did you know that only half of home gardeners use all the food that they grow, according to a new survey from Bonnie Plants? The Grow More. Feed More. initiative is aiming to change that and tackle food insecurity in the process.

Bonnie Plants has partnered with AmpleHarvest.org, a non-profit that connects gardeners with food pantries based on their zip code. Together, they hope to encourage home gardeners to donate their surplus and help feed neighbors in need. Bonnie Plants will also donate 5 percent of their online sales through July to AmpleHarvest.org and committed $200,000 to help fight hunger.

“Many people don’t realize that you can donate the extra food from your garden directly to local food pantries,” said Mike Sutterer, Bonnie Plants President and CEO. “Most gardeners end up with extra zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes that they don’t know what to do with, and if all of these gardeners donated just a bag or two of vegetables, we could make a significant impact on food insecurity nationwide.”

Your plants are probably still in the seedling phase, but you can plan ahead for your donation once harvest approaches. Visit the AmpleHarvest website to find a food pantry in your area and get started. It’s an easy way for green thumbs to give back!

––Sarah Shebek

Video courtesy of Bonnie Plants/Feature photo: Filip Urban via Unsplash

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15 Dallas-Inspired Baby Names We Love

by Gabby CullenMay 4, 2021

Anyone who lives in Dallas knows that it’s not only the norm but also highly encouraged to go big or go home. That’s why we’ve curated a list of baby names that not only make a statement but also pay homage to the history and culture of Big D. From famous TV characters to historical figures whose contributions have made the city the place it is today, scroll down to see our favorite monikers that swagger in a way that folks living in Dallas (and the surrounding metroplex) can replicate with ease.

J.R.

As in John Ross Ewing, as in the patriarch of the iconic ‘80s show Dallas. Played by legendary actor Larry Hagman, J.R. is as synonymous with the city of Dallas as is its NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Kennedy

Dallas is forever a major part of American history—for being the place where JFK was assassinated. The Sixth Floor Museum and the grassy knoll are one of the most visited landmarks in the city.

Austin

It might be the state capital, but it’s also the last name of Lloyd G. Austin, a pastor at St. John Missionary Baptist, in the all-black community of Mosier Valley, for over 40 years. He was also an early presence in North Texas race relations during the late ‘50s, as he and his family were one of the first African-American families to buy a home in an all-white neighborhood of Fort Worth. They withstood and ultimately prevailed over direct attempts to be ousted from the community.

Dallas

If you’re going to honor Big D, why not just go with the city itself?

Emmett

Emmett Smith is known as one of the best running backs of all time, and he spent a majority of his career playing for the Dallas Cowboys. During the team’s ‘90s heyday, he won three Super Bowls with the team. He is the only running back to win a Super Bowl, an MVP of the Year award (both for the Super Bowl and the entire NFL) and an NFL rushing crown all in the same season. He also was a very popular contestant (he won!) on the third season of Dancing with the Stars in 2006.

Ross

Ross Perot garnered national attention as the businessman who ran for President as an Independent in 1992, against Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr. But, for those who live in Dallas, he’s also the billionaire philanthropist for whom the award-winning Perot Museum of Nature & Science is named.

Erykah

For Erykah Badu, the Grammy-award winning neo-soul songstress of the big hats. Born and raised in Dallas, she attended high school at renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts—a magnet school for the arts. She went on to release several albums and win a multitude of awards.

George

George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States. He was also the governor of Texas from 1995-2000. After eight years in the White House, he and wife Laura made Dallas their home base. Dallas is home to his presidential library, and he is a big supporter of local university Southern Methodist University.

Fenix

Popular restaurant chain El Fenix started in Dallas in 1918 and is the country’s oldest Mexican restaurant chain. Some also claim El Fenix is the birthplace of Tex-Mex cuisine.

Bonnie and Clyde

Having fraternal twins? Name them after some of America’s most famous outlaws—Bonnie and Clyde—who called West Dallas home before they set off on the two-year spree of robberies that inspired the iconic Hollywood film.

Kessler

In honor of George Edward Kessler, a pioneer architect, urban planner and landscape architect who was hired by the city of Dallas in 1908. He was responsible for solving the city’s flooding issues and beautifying the urban areas with greenbelts. Today, the Kessler Park neighborhood is one of the most beautiful in the city, a designated historic district that includes well-maintained examples of Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

Dirk

The Dallas Mavericks wouldn’t be the same without German phenom Dirk Nowitzki. The beloved basketball player hung up his jersey in 2019, but his legend will live on for decades.

John, Neely or Bryan

Put these names together, and you get John Neely Bryan. A farmer, tradesman and lawyer, he set up a settlement in the area that was to become the city of Dallas in 1841.

Trinity

Pay homage to the main water source and the vast urban forest that runs through the city.

Stevie

Honor one of America’s greatest musicians and Dallas native, Stevie Ray Vaughan. He began playing guitar at age seven, and he was performing around the city by age 12. He went on to record several smash-hit albums and tour with legendary performers and musicians such as Robert Plant, Eric Clapton and more. Tragically, the age of 35, after a concert in Wisconsin, his helicopter crashed, killing Vaughan and four others on board.

—Gabby Cullen

Feature image: Gabriel Tovar via Unsplash

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Elizabeth Banks’ New “Flintstones” Pilot Is Gonna Rock!

by Erica LoopApril 30, 2021

Get ready for a trip back to Bedrock! FOX Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation recently announced the future debut of a new animated comedy for adults based on the iconic Flintstones characters.

The new primetime series, aptly titled Bedrock, is currently in development. Elizabeth Banks will produce the series pilot and voice the role of a 20-something Pebbles. Lindsay Kerns (Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, DC Super Hero Girls, Trolls: The Beat Goes On!) will write the pilot script.

photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment/FOX

Bedrock starts two decades after the classic family show left off. In the new series, Fred is heading towards retirement, young adult Pebbles is starting a career of her own, and the Stone Age is not-so-subtly shifting into the Bronze Age.

Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, FOX Entertainment, said in a press release, “Long before the Simpsons and Springfield, the Griffins and Quahog or even when the Belchers started serving burgers on Ocean Avenue, there were the Flintstones and Bedrock.” Thorn continued, ““Their imprint on the animation universe is undeniable and the idea of adapting it for today’s audience is a challenge we here at FOX are very much looking forward to taking on with Warner Bros., Elizabeth and Lindsay. No pressure whatsoever, really.”

Peter Girardi, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming at Warner Bros. Animation, said, “The Flintstones are the first family of primetime animation.” Girardi added, “Elizabeth and Lindsay have a brilliant take on these characters, and FOX and Brownstone are the perfect partners to bring them back to primetime. This is going to rock (sorry).”

—Erica Loop

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Surprise! Your Fave L.O.L. Dolls Are Going on Tour in the Spring

by Erica LoopApril 27, 2021

L.O.L. Surprise! is coming to a stage near you. If you’re ready for some in-person entertainment, the beloved brand is taking its fierce, fab characters on a nationwide concert tour—with dozens of dates announced! New tour dates have been added in big destinations like Washington D.C. and Boston and due to a scheduling shift, some of the previous dates have been rescheduled or removed.

Lady Diva, Royal Bee, Neonlicious, Swag and other faves are hitting the road for the L.O.L. Surprise! Live-Calling All B’B.’s concert experience. With awesomely amazing visuals, the L.O.L. Dance crew and plenty of music, this interactive show is a can’t-miss for your young fan.

photo courtesy of MGA Entertainment

Here’s the full tour schedule, which kicks off in Spring 2022:

March 5 Thousand Oaks, CA Bank of America Performing Arts Center
March 6 Anaheim, CA City National Grove of Anaheim
March 9 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
March 11 San Jose, CA San Jose Civic
March 12 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
March 13 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
March 16 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
March 17 Ralston, NE Ralston Arena
March 18 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
March 19 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
March 20 Saint Louis, MO Fox Theatre – St. Louis
March 22 Knoxville, TN The Tennessee Theatre
March 23 Charleston, WV Clay Center for Arts & Sciences
March 24 Chattanooga, TN Tivoli Theatre
March 25 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
March 26 Lima, OH Veterans Memorial Civic Center
March 27 Richmond, VA Carpenter Theatre
March 29 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
March 30 Warren, OH Packard Music Hall
March 31 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
April 1 Greensburg, PA The Palace Theatre
April 2 Rockford, IL Coronado Performing Arts Center
April 3 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre
April 5 Rochester, NY Kodak Center for the Arts
April 6 Wilkes Barre, PA F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
April 7 Staten Island, NY St. George Theatre
April 8 Brookville, NY The Tilles Center at LIU Post
April 9 Albany, NY Palace Theatre
April 10 Boston, MA Emerson Colonial Theatre
April 12 Syracuse, NY Oncenter – John H. Mulroy Civic Center – Crouse-Hinds Theatre
April 13 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
April 14 Lancaster, PA American Music Theatre
April 15 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theatre
April 16 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Center for the Arts
April 19 Mobile, AL Mobile Civic Center
April 20 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center
April 22 Louiville, KY The Louisville Palace Theater
April 23 Charlotte, NC Belk Theater At North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
April 24 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
April 27 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
April 28 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
April 30 Fort Lauderdale, FL Broward Center for the Performing Arts
May 2 Melbourne, FL King Center for the Performing Arts
May 3 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre
May 4 Orlando, FL Walt Disney Theatre
May 5 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
May 6 Atlanta, GA The Fox Theatre
May 7 Columbia, SC Township Auditorium
May 8 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
May 10 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre
May 11 Midland, TX Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
May 12 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
May 13 Grand Prairie, TX Texas Trust CU Theatre

Tickets and VIP packages are on sale now for shows that were rescheduled and tickets for the newly added shows go on sale to the general public starting Friday, October 8. Since Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour, Citi cardmembers have access to purchase presale tickets for the new shows beginning October 5 at 10 a.m. local time. Visit Citi or the LOL Surprise Live site for all the details!

—Erica Loop

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Leslie Knope Is Running for President—In a New Children’s Book

by Erica LoopApril 23, 2021

What would happen if Leslie Knope ran for class president? You came to know, love, and laugh with Amy Poehler’s comedic character as the perky Pawnee bureaucrat on Parks and Rec. Now Knope is back and running for class pres!

Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President! is a family-friendly look at a younger Knope and a few of her hilariously memorable Parks and Rec pals. Written by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Melanie Demmer and published by Little, Brown Young Readers, this picture book is a can’t-miss for fans of the show and their kiddos.

Photo: Little, Brown Young Readers

Based on characters from the seven-season-long show, this comic look into a little Knope’s world follows Leslie as she campaigns for Pawnee Elementary class president. Not only will you get a kick out of the comic characters and their younger selves, but your child will also enjoy the tall tales of Knope, Ben, Ann and more!

Find Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President! at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Ebooks.com, and Kobo for $9.99 starting Jun. 29, 2021.

—Erica Loop

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Baby Shark Live! Is Returning to the Stage This Summer

by Erica LoopApril 20, 2021

Baby Shark is back! Pinkfong and Round Room Live recently announced the return of Baby Shark Live! to a stage near you.

The live immersive shark-filled experience prematurely shut down last year so if your littles didn’t get a chance to check it out, now they live out their “do, do, do, do, do, doo” dreams. The Baby Shark Live! tour will kick off this June, starting in Texas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIcvbtFFt4/

Stephen Shaw, tour producer and co-president of Round Room Live, said in a press release, “We’re thrilled to bring Baby Shark Live! back to stages across the country. Audiences have been waiting over a year for live entertainment to responsibly return and while we plan to continue offering memorable experiences for the entire family, our priority is to keep everyone safe and protected by working with venue and health officials in every city.”

As of now that live show dates include:

Tues., Jun. 1 – Comerica Center – Frisco, TX

Wed., Jun. 2 – H-E-B Center – Cedar Park, TX

Thu., Jun. 3 – Ford Arena – Beaumont, TX

Fri., Jun. 4 – Stride Bank Center – Enid, OK

Sat., Jun. 5 – Ralston Arena – Ralston, NE

Sun., Jun. 6 – Stormont Vail Events Center – Topeka, KS

Mon., Jun. 7 – Alliant Energy PowerHouse – Cedar Rapids, IA

Wed., Jun. 9 – First Interstate Arena – Billings, MT

Thu., Jun. 10 – Bismarck Event Center Arena – Bismarck, ND

Fri., Jun. 11 – Scheels Arena – Fargo, ND

Sat., Jun. 12 – Fine Arts Theatre – Rapid City, SD

Sun., Jun. 13 – Tyson Events Center – Sioux City, IA

Tues., Jun. 15 – Tony’s Pizza Event Center – Salina, KS

Wed., Jun. 16 – Family Arena – St. Charles, MO

Thu., Jun. 17 – BancorpSouth Arena – Tupelo, MS

Fri., Jun. 18 – Knoxville Civic Coliseum – Knoxville, TN

Sat., Jun. 19 – Pensacola Bay Center – Pensacola, FL

Sun., Jun. 20 – James Brown Arena – Augusta, GA

Tues., Jun. 22 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Arena – Savannah, GA

Wed., Jun. 23 – Von Braun Center – Huntsville, AL

Fri., Jun. 25 – Moran Theatre – Jacksonville, FL

Sat., Jun, 26 – Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL

Sun., Jun. 27 – Hertz Arena – Fort Myers, FL

Mon., Jun. 28 – Silver Spurs Arena – Kissimmee, FL

All dates are subject to change. Visit the show’s website here to buy your tickets!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo courtesy of Businesswire

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Disneyland Resort Announces Opening Date for Avengers Campus

by Karly WoodApril 9, 2021

The year-long closure of California theme parks is almost over and Disney is celebrating in a big way: by opening the long-awaited Avengers Campus.

Get ready to make your reservation for this summer, because the Avengers will finally assemble at their new home on Jun. 4, 2021! The new land is located within the Disney California Adventure theme park and will welcome guests to live out their superhero dreams.

Ken Potrock, president, Disneyland Resort shares “We are so excited to soon welcome our guests to Avengers Campus, our first land dedicated to Super Heroes. Here, our cast members will unite to help guests of all ages find their super powers and create special memories.”

Avengers Campus will unite “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” and inspire guests to join them. Park goers will be able to sling webs with Spider-Man, taste-test food and drinks and shop exciting new merchandise.

You can read all about the new campus from our behind-the-scenes visit to the campus last year.

Head to Disneyland News to see even more details and learn about the new reservation system the California resorts will be implementing to ensure safe visits for all.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disney

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The “Rugrats” Are Back with an All-Star Cast of Famous Voices

by Erica LoopMarch 19, 2021

Nostalgia alert! The Rugrats are coming to Paramount+ and the new series features some very familiar voices.

Your fave toddlers from the ’90s and early 2000s are back. Paramount+ and Nickelodeon recently announced the upcoming release of a brand-new series—and it stars the OG voices plus a cast of famous faves.

photo: Courtesy of Nickelodeon

The new series’ cast includes Ashley Rae Spillers (Vice Principals) and Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project) as Tommy’s parents; Tony Hale (Arrested Development) as Chuckie’s father; Natalie Morales (Dead to Me) as Phil and Lil’s mother; Anna Chlumsky (Veep) and Timothy Simons (Veep), as Angelica’s parents; Nicole Byer (Nailed It!) and Omar Miller (Ballers) as Susie’s parents and Michael McKean (Better Call Saul) as Grandpa Lou Pickles.

Liz Paulson, Senior Vice President, Talent and Casting, Nickelodeon, said in a press release, “This incredibly talented group of actors provides a fresh and very funny take on these iconic roles, combining humor with heart to bring the characters to life in a whole new way.”

Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation, added, “The all-new Rugrats is packed with comedy, music and adventures that only babies can embark upon, and the role of the grown-ups is an essential piece of the series.”

Along with new cast members, original voice actors featured in the new Rugrats series include E.G. Daily (Tommy), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie), Cheryl Chase (Angelica), Cree Summer (Susie) and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil).

Look for the new Rugrats series in Paramount+ this spring!

—Erica Loop

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Actor Edris Elba Takes on New Role—As a Children’s Book Author

by Erica LoopMarch 16, 2021

Award-winning actor Idris Elba just took on a new role—and it’s not for a movie. Elba recently signed a global multi-book deal to publish a range of children’s books with HarperCollins.

Elba’s new venture into the world of kid lit will include picture and fiction books, featuring characters and worlds the actor and writing partner Robyn Charteris developed.

Photo courtesy: Maarten de Boer / Contour by Getty Images

The writer/actor said, in a press release, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life with my incredible partner Robyn Charteris, and the powerhouse team at HarperCollins.”

President and Publisher HCCB US, Suzanne Murphy, said of the partnership, “Idris Elba is a creative force, who has many wonderful stories to tell. We are honored to be working with him and with Robyn Charteris to bring Idris’s rich and imaginative storytelling to the world of children’s books, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the HarperCollins family.”

Elba’s new line of children’s books for HarperCollins will launch in 2022.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: DFree/Shutterstock.com

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You Can Buy “Friends” Ice Cream & Could It BE Any Cooler?

by Karly WoodMarch 10, 2021

Ice cream brand Serendipity Brands has just partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and for the best reason: ice cream! The super-premium dessert company is bringing four new pints that are all inspired by your favorite series and movies.

Get ready to dig into Friends Central Perk Almond Fudge, The Goonies Sloth and Chunk Rocky Rooooaad, Caddyshack Gopher Trax and A Christmas Story Oh Fudge! Peppermint Cookie Fudge Sundae. The Friends pint is in the permanent Serendipity lineup, while The Goonies, CaddyShack and A Christmas Story will be limited-time releases.

Sal Pesce, president and COO of Serendipity Brands says “Friends is a pop culture classic that we couldn’t be more thrilled to create a special flavor for! Our Central Perk Almond Fudge flavor is nostalgia in a pint that makes you feel like you’re with your six best friends indulging in a sweet treat at a coffee shop.”

So what exactly are the tasty flavors? Friends Central Perk Almond Fudge pint is made with chocolate covered almonds and fudge swirls that creates a mocha almond fudge ice cream. You can already binge on the Friends ice cream which is available at select retailers and on serendipitybrands.com for $5.99 each, but keep your eyes peeled for the other three later this year.

––Karly Wood

Photos: Courtesy of Serendipity Brands

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