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Chris Pratt wonders how long parents should keep their kids’ trophies

Some parenting questions are simply universal, transcending the normal alienating barriers. And whether or not to hold onto certain mementos is one of them.

Whether it’s more noble to let childhood awards, artwork, quizzes and certificates stack up in storage boxes for years, to be opened for a nostalgic romp down memory lane at a later time, or simply let them go in the name of decluttering? Or is the answer somewhere in between?

This is the conundrum nearly every parent faces. Even celebrity ones, apparently.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt recently found himself wondering this very thing as he watched his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger going through her personal treasure trove of trophies from her own childhood.


The collection, curated by her mother Maria Shriver, included notable achievements like “most improved 2-year-old” in swim class to “Problem-solving super star” in the fourth grade.

On his Instagram post, Pratt noted how “thoughtful” he thought the gesture was, writing, “to see my darling wife beaming with sentiment as she opens these crates of meticulously organized keepsakes, remembering her cherished youth, makes me grateful for the efforts her folks put into archiving.”

“I suppose that’s the payoff for the work it took to store this stuff, the smile on her face as she relives moments of her youth. To pray one day that your children will look back on their childhood with glee is a blessing. It is the hope of parenthood,” he reflected.

But regardless of the warm-and-fuzzies felt by watching his wife reminisce, Pratt still wasn’t entirely sure what his stance was, so he posed a question to his fans.

“Real talk… once your kid goes through the stuff, is it okay to toss?” he wrote, adding, “I mean… do we need the ‘I was on a sports team trophy?’ Can they be donated? Repurposed?” Pratt also asked. “How many do we gotta keep? Not all of them right? Any of them? Is there a grading scale? Like, did you win? Were you a champion? Is there a specific sentimental connection? Help me out here. Do they go back in storage?”

His question received countless answers. But most parents seemed to lean towards the time honored tradition of holding on to as much as possible, then hocking it over their children to sort when they’re adults.

As one person hilariously advised, “ “Do as it’s always been done. Pack them back up and let your children deal with it when you move to an assisted living facility.”

However, some did offer alternative options, like donating old trophies to organizations, or even taking photos of the items to digitally reminisce. One person suggested “I feel that once we’re old enough to share them with our own children and tell the stories behind them, perhaps that’s the time to digitally archive the items and the tales behind them.” Another added that “looking at an object in a photo still brings back the memory without having to hold onto the actual object.”

While these are all valid opinions, there isn’t exactly a real rule to follow. And this is a concept that Lisa Woodruff, professional organizer and author of “The Mindset of Organization: Take Back Your House One Phase at a Time,” communicates in her work.

“You are allowed to keep everything you want to keep. That’s right. There’s no reason why you have to get rid of — or keep — anything belonging to your children,” she writes, and suggests that parents find creative ways to showcase those memories rather than putting them in storage, such as filling scrapbooks and decorating hallways.

What seems to be the moral of the story is that it’s completely up to individual preference. And that there are many ways to hold onto precious keepsakes. Oh, and that if you’re a parent dealing with this particular quandary, you are certainly not alone.

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Two sisters go viral for their ridiculously functional roller coaster costume

Spooky season can be a fun time of year for people. There are folks that wait all year for the official start of fall just to decorate for Halloween. Costumes are bought in advance and bags of candy are purchased and stored, but not everyone buys their costume. Some spooky season lovers get really creative with their Halloween costumes out of household items.

There are some homemade costumes that are so funny and realistic that you have to do a double take. Two sisters are going viral for their ultra realistic roller coaster costume made out of cardboard and foam noodles. But it’s not just their costumes that are stealing the attention of millions, it’s their acting skills.

In the video uploaded to TikTok by Laurie Dabbs-Gayton, the sisters stand side-by-side, though it looks like their sitting. They begin to shake and jostle as if they’re on a track before screaming like they’ve just rounded a bend or flew down a hill quickly.


The pair is in total sync with each other adding to the realistic vibe of their costume for their employer’s costume party. It was so convincing that people watching the video were confused at first thinking it was a coin operated ride. Commenters didn’t realize it was a costume until the women stood up fully.

“I thought it was a mini roller coaster,” one person writes followed by multiple rolling crying laughing emojis.

“Took my brain a few extra seconds to process what my eyes were seeing,” a commenter says.

“I thought for a second it was like the pony ride machines outside a grocery store,” someone admits.

“It took me far longer to figure out than it should have,” one woman writes.

Watch the fantastic combination of acting skill and costume design below:

@laurie.dabbs.gayton

TikTok · Laurie Dabbs – Gayto

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What Is Heidi Klum’s Halloween Costume?

Heidi Klum is the undisputed champ when it comes to wildly elaborate Halloween costumes. Naturally, people are curious to see what Klum will roll out for this year’s costume even though it’s going to be hard to top her now infamous worm costume. Last month, the supermodel teased that her 2023 outfit would be “really extra” and she’s had “sleepless nights” just thinking about it.

With Halloween night just a few hours away, Klum has finally offered fans a sneak peak at this year’s costume, and well, your guess is as good as ours here. She teased the outfit on both her Instagram and an Amazon Live appearance, but she has yet to reveal the full ensemble.

You can can see a glimpse of Heidi Klum’s 2023 Halloween costume below:

According to costume designer Bill Corso, who works with Klum every year on her show-stopping outfit for her annual Halloween party, there was a lot of pressure this year after the worm. He also revealed that the final form is still a work in a process as of this writing.

Via Entertainment Weekly:

He works on details up until the last moment the Project Runway host steps out for her party.

“I’m very excited to reveal it,” Klum said, adding that the pressure to outdo herself every year is “huge.” The only tease she offered was that her husband, Tom Kaulitz, has a costume that goes with hers — and that he needed some “glitz and glam” before the Halloween night bash.

As for anyone trying to guess Klum’s costume, Corso only had two words: “Good luck.”

(Via Entertainment Weekly, Heidi Klum on Instagram)

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Where Is Rideshare At Crypto.com Arena For Doja Cat’s ‘The Scarlet Tour?’

Doja Cat’s Scarlet Tour is headed to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena (or Staples Center, as it is still known to locals), and in addition to helping you find parking, Uproxx has a handy rideshare guide right here to make sure you get inside in time to catch the opening act. As long as, you know, you account for LA traffic (a hint: those freeways are a TRAP!).

Cryptoarena.com has directions from just about anywhere in LA or its adjacent counties, but if you’re an Uber/Lyft user, there are two main spots for drop off and pickup: The white zone on Chick Hearn Ct. (Eastbound) between L.A. Live Way and Georgia St. and the white zone on Figueroa St. (Southbound) between 12th St and Pico. However, from personal experience, pickup is usually easier if you walk down to the Convention Center and then request, as the white zones can get a little crowded. Alternatively, you can walk a couple of blocks in pretty much any direction and reliably catch an Uber or Lyft out of downtown.

Meanwhile, there’s also the Metro, with a rail station letting out just across the street from Crypto/Staples on Pico Blvd. The Crypto website still refers to the Metro lines by their old color designations, but recently, Metro has decided to rename each rail line with a letter, so the Blue Line is now A Line, the Red Line is B, the Green Line is C, the Purple Line is D, the Expo line is now E, the Orange Line is F, and the Silver Line is G.

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Here Are The Flavored Vodkas Bartenders ~Swear~ Are Worth Trying

Vodka is the friend who’s always around but nobody completely loves. It’s not that this friend is disliked… it’s just that nobody can pinpoint their true personality and what they bring to the table. They don’t have much unique to say but somehow they’ve grown to be part of the group.

Maybe this identity crisis is because vodka is so straightforward. It’s a clear spirit distilled from potatoes or various grains (most commonly). It has a flavor. But it’s subtle at its best and harsh at its worst. In short, it’s a spirit that works best when it’s mixed into a cocktail with other ingredients — tucked neatly into the background.

When you add a flavor or two, vodka shifts dramatically. It’s as if that same bland friend learned to play the ukulele, got an adorable puppy, or decided to try stand-up comedy. Add some lemon zest, vanilla beans, or green chiles to your vodka, and the spirit is ready to take center stage and shine. It could maybe even take a turn as a shooter.

That being said, there are as many terrible flavored vodkas as there are great ones. So to find the bottles worth spending your hard-earned cash on, we went to the experts for help — asking a handful of well-known bartenders to tell us the flavored vodkas worth drinking. Now… this is dubious because as much as we love the analogy above… most flavored vodka is trash. It’s the friend who never knows when to listen or leave.

How to combat this? We made our panel of bartenders swear that these bottles are gems. Keep reading to see all of their answers.

44 North Huckleberry Vodka

44 North Huckleberry Vodka
44 North

Michael Ng, USBG bartender at Behind the Glass Bartending in Los Angeles

ABV: 35%

Average Price: $30

The Vodka:

When it comes to flavored vodka, 44 North Huckleberry Vodka is a true standout, offering a truly one-of-a-kind taste experience. What sets it apart and makes it the most delicious, flavored vodka to mix with? Well, let me share the reasons why this vodka is a game-changer. First and foremost, 44 North Huckleberry Vodka is unique in its base spirit—it’s crafted from potatoes. Unlike many flavored vodkas that use grain or wheat, the use of potatoes lends it a distinct and velvety texture that’s incredibly smooth on the palate.

Tasting Notes:

This unique potato base provides a solid foundation for the infusion of huckleberry flavor. Speaking of flavor, the huckleberry infusion in this vodka is nothing short of spectacular. It captures the essence of ripe, wild huckleberries with a natural sweetness that’s both vibrant and authentic. It’s not overly sugary or artificial, which is often the downfall of many flavored vodkas. Instead, it strikes a perfect balance between the tartness of the berries and a subtle sweetness.

Stoli Gala Applik

Stoli Gala Applik
Stoli

Allen Lancaster, head bartender at The Bar at The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina

ABV: 35%

Average Price: $20

The Vodka:

If you’re asking for a brand of flavored vodkas, I’ll say Stolichnaya. If you’re seeking a specific flavor, my pick is their Gala Apple. It’s all apple, without any generic flavors. Since we’re in autumn, it’s a natural fit — the apple is quintessential to the fall.

Tasting Notes:

This flavor works well for cocktail construction this time of year.

Absolut Peppar

Absolut Peppar
Absolut

Aleksander Simic, bartender at Hutong in Miami

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $23

The Vodka:

Absolut Peppar vodka is an excellent choice for mixing because of its bold and zesty pepper flavor. It adds a spicy kick to cocktails, making it a great option for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their drinks.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of ripe jalapenos, black pepper, and spices lead into paprika, pepper, and Chile peppers. It’s a perfect base for a bloody Mary.

Van Gogh Double Espresso

Van Gogh Double Espresso
Van Gogh

Clay Crocker, beverage director at Branja in Miami

ABV: 35%

Average Price: $28

The Vodka:

Hands down, one of my favorite things to use in a desert cocktail is Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka. Including it in a cocktail with sweet cordials such as amaretto or creme de cacao is easy, but the real magic happens when you go off the deep end. If you try pairing it with some of the more bitter amaros and then incorporate some great textures with heavy cream or an egg white in there, you can really start to have a blast with it. It also is a great stand-alone over the rocks when paired with desserts, and the inclusion of caffeine in the spirit is just what every coffee fiend wants.

Tasting Notes:

The name tells you exactly what you are getting on the palate, and it delivers coffee flavor in spades. The obvious go-to is riffing with it for an espresso martini, but I just enjoy using it a bit more out of the box.

Stoli Vanil

Stoli Vanil
Stoli

Mike Herchuck, director of operations at American Social Bar & Kitchen in Tampa

ABV: 37.5%

Average Price: $23

The Vodka:

One of the originals, Stoli Vanil, is still the best. It is and always will be the GOAT of flavored vodkas. My love started with drinking Stoli V and Diet Coke during my twenties, but I didn’t realize its versatility until I got more into cocktail creation. It’s most famously used in a porn star martini, but it is also finding a regular home in the ever-trending Espresso Martini.

Tasting Notes:

It’s the only vanilla vodka that captures an authentic vanilla bean flavor and still gives you a clean vodka finish.

Ketel One Botanicals Grapefruit and Rose

Ketel One Botanicals Grapefruit and Rose
Ketel One

Amber Milner, director of beverage at Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $19

The Vodka:

Ketel One Botanicals is always my go-to. It doesn’t need many additional items, a simple spritz with low ABV and full of flavor. What flavors make it great? The Grapefruit and Rose is my favorite. The combination of citrus and floral makes for a wonderful cocktail no matter what time of day or season.

Tasting Notes:

Infused with natural botanicals, this vodka has bold flavors of rose petals, grapefruit zest, and other citrus flavors.

St George Green Chile

St George Green Chile
St George

Dana Lachenmayer, head bartender at The Wesley in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $25

The Vodka:

Usually, a strong critic of flavored vodkas, St George’s Green Chile Vodka is probably the only flavored vodka I would champion, which speaks to its quality. The vodka goes through an intricate and tedious distillation process where five varieties of chiles, lime, and cilantro are infused in individual batches.

Tasting Notes:

The result is a zesty, peppery, fruity flavor bomb that is quite versatile and leaves you wanting more. Well-suited for mixing into a bloody Mary and various other cocktails.

Breckenridge Pear Vodka

Breckenridge Pear Vodka
Breckenridge

Lauren Pavlak, manager at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $26

The Vodka:

My favorite flavored vodka to mix with is a pear-flavored vodka. Grey Goose La Poire is a favorite standard choice, but lately, I have loved the smaller-batch Breckenridge Pear Vodka from the Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado. We’ve added a Pear Martini to our house cocktail list at The Lodge, mixing the Breckenridge Pear vodka with Giffard’s Elderflower Liqueur and fresh lime juice, garnishing with a pear sliver from our own orchard onsite here at Dawn Ranch.

Tasting Notes:

The smooth taste of the pear vodka coupled with the sweet aromatics of the elderflower and the acidity of fresh lime juice have made this a top-seller on our fall cocktail menu.

Hangar One Buddha’s Hand Citron

Hangar One Buddha's Hand Citron
Hangar One

Vincent Bolognini, head bartender at Due West in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $25

The Vodka:

We don’t often use flavored vodkas but Hangar One Buddha’s Hand has always been a constant for us. The Buddha’s Hand has subtle jasmine and apricot flavors with a hint of basil. We tend to make sparkling John Daly’s with it and Darjeeling tea.

Tasting Notes:

Notes of fresh flowers, orchard fruits, and bold citrus make this a great base for any cocktail. It’s perfect and fresh any time of year.

St. George California Citrus Vodka

St. George California Citrus Vodka
St. George

Vlad Novikov, general manager at Silver Lyan in Washington, DC

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $33

The Vodka:

St. George California Citrus Vodka is perfect for any cocktail calling for citrus vodka. It has several different types of citruses. Floral and juicy, but light. It’s also super versatile.

Tasting Notes

Bergamot, Sevilla oranges, and Valencia oranges. Drinking this vodka is like slowly walking through an orange grove.

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Is ‘The Marvels’ Teasing An X-Men Connection? Because It Sure Looks Like It

A new promo for The Marvels has MCU fans freaking out over what seems like a pretty huge (although fleeting) X-Men tease. In the 15-second spot, a frightened Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) can be heard saying, “There’s a different reality bleeding into ours,” which marks the marketing for The Marvels has revealed a connection to the Marvel multiverse.

More notably, the promo spot seems to be teeing up the first on-screen portrayal of an “incursion,” a cataclysmic event set into motion during Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In a nutshell, an incursion is when two realities crash into each other, potentially destroying one reality if not both in the process.

While the presence of an incursion suggests a potential status quo change for the MCU, what has fans wondering is a notable choice in letters during the new Marvels spot. As the words “What Comes Next” appear on the screen, they slowly fade away, but one letter lingers longer than the rest: X.

It was enough of a tease to whip Marvel fans into a frenzy on Twitter. You can see some of the reactions below:

As for what the “X” might mean is anybody’s guess, but it’s not a completely random occurrence. For starters, Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) was revealed to be the MCU’s first mutant during her show’s series finale. So The Marvels is already packing a mutant connection right out of the gate. On top of that, Deadpool 3 is on its way, and we know that film will introduce elements from the Fox films to the MCU. Specifically, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.

Could the events of Deadpool 3 be an after-effect of The Marvel‘s incursion? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Marvels:

Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as “The Marvels.”

The Marvels blasts into theaters on November 10.

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This Classic Chili (With Beans) Will Be Your Favorite Dish For Fall

There’s nothing like a warming bowl of chili on a cool fall day. That’s especially true if you’re tailgating with the family this fall, or just hanging with the crew over the weekend. The thing is, chili has about a million variations. So to help you sift through it all, we’re dropping a very easy yet delicious classic chili recipe (with beans, if you like).

Below, I’m breaking down a classic ground beef chili recipe (I’m using ground bison). I know that real Tejano chili is made with stew meat and a chili paste base. I’m not making that. Sorry, Texans. But if you want to make that version, here’s a great recipe right here. This is about classic chili that you can easily make without braising or making your own chili paste. All of this is easy to find and creates a great-tasting and very satisfying bowl of chili.

Yes, with beans if you want. Don’t let anyone police your chili choices.

The best part is that this is pretty low-impact when it comes to cooking. You’ll need to prep for about 30 minutes to get this on the simmer. Then it’s just a matter of simmering for an hour or two until it’s thick and spicy. Let’s dive in!

Check Out These Other Recipes From Flavored For You:

Classic Chili (With Beans)

Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston

Ingredients:

  • 40 oz. lean ground beef (or ground bison)
  • 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 2 dried ancho chilis (rehydrated and finely diced)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (finely diced)
  • 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 1 tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. black pepper
  • 15 oz. can black beans (drained)
  • 15 oz. can pinto beans (drained)
  • Neutral Oil

All of these ingredients are readily available at any grocery store. Even though I’m using ground bison, you should be able to get that at any grocery store or Costco these days too.

Optional:

Add cayenne pepper to taste. A full tablespoon will give you a solid heat that might make you break a sweat. A teaspoon will still be hot but not burning hot. I like a large pinch (maybe a small or half teaspoon) as it adds a light warmth without a burning heat. Remember, you can always add more heat later in the bowl, you can’t take it away though.

What You’ll Need:

  • Large pot
  • Cutting board
  • Kitchen knife
  • Small bowl (with lid)
  • Collander
  • Wooden spoon

Method:

  • Boil some water and cover the dried chilis in a small bowl with a lid, allowing the hot water to rehydrate the chilis. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
  • In the meantime, finely dice the onion and bell pepper.
  • Put the large pot on medium-high heat with about a tablespoon of neutral oil. Add the onion and bell pepper with a large pinch of salt. Cook until the onion is translucent.
  • Take the dried chilis out of the water and finely dice. Add the chilis to the onion and bell peppers and cook until very fragrant. Add the chili-steeped water to the onion-chili mix and simmer off, infusing the base with a deep chili flavor.
  • Move the onion and chili pepper mix to the side of the pot and then add the ground beef (or bison). Add salt and pepper. Brown the beef and mix in the onions and peppers. Allow to cook while the liquid from the meat simmers off (about 10 minutes).
  • Once the meat is sizzling, add the spices and stir into the meat. Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, and beans and stir until well combined. Turn the heat down to medium and bring the chili to a low simmer.
  • Allow to simmer until the liquid is simmered off and the chili is thick (about an hour) while stirring occasionally. Once thickened, salt and pepper to taste if needed.
  • Serve (in a bowl, over rice, baked potatoes, or hot dogs with diced onion and shredded sharp cheddar cheese).

Bottom Line on the Chili:

Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston

This is good and hearty chili with a deep chili pepper warmth, but not burning hot. That means that you can taste the sweetness of the onion and bell pepper with the savoriness of the meat and tomato. The cumin, paprika, and oregano shine through with a classic taco truck spice vibe.

I like beans in my ground meat chili; I forgo them in a stew meat chili. You can easily remove the beans from this recipe if you’re so anti-bean in chili that you can’t handle them in there. I think they add a nice textural bite to the dish with a little extra fiber (and carbs and protein!). Still, telling people they can’t have beans in chili is up there with not letting people put ketchup on hot dogs or use flour tortillas with tacos.

All in all, this is the perfect fall meal. It’s a warming bowl of chili with just the right warmth. The fresh onion and cheddar help it go to the next level of flavor with a nice fresh crunch and cheesy counterpoint to the umami chili. Maybe some diced onions and a dollop of sour cream on top? Whew, you’re in bliss.

Enjoy the warmth!

Photos of the Process:

Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
Chili Recipe
Zach Johnston
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Where Is Parking Near Crypto.com Arena For Doja Cat’s ‘The Scarlet Tour’

Doja Cat’s Scarlet Tour kicks off tonight in San Francisco and then, just days later, heads to her hometown, Los Angeles for a show at Staples Cen– Crypto.com Arena (groan). Downtown LA can be a madhouse at the best of times, so when one of the biggest stars in music comes to town, you know that getting to the arena — and parking near there — is going to be A LOT. Fortunately, we’ve got a handy guide for finding parking near Crypto.com Arena for Doja Cat’s Scarlet Tour show when it arrives.

First things first, you can head over to cryptoarena.com for an interactive parking map which presents the lots on Chick Hearn Court, L.A. Live Way, South Flower Street, and West Olympic Boulevard. Each of these lots is an official lot connected to Crypto.com Arena itself, but there are also plenty of independent lots in the downtown area within walking distance of the arena.

In fact, DTLA’s official website also has an interactive parking map of these lots, along with their respective prices. There are even a few on the other side of the 110 that only charge five bucks. Then, of course, there’s street parking, which is hard — but, from personal experience, not impossible — to find in the downtown area. Take advantage of this info to make sure you show up on time for both Doja and her opener, Doechii, who is also worth checking out (again, from personal experience) and have time to grab some of the tour’s merch, as well.

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Will There Be A ‘The Family Business’ Season 5?

Family Business is BET’s crime drama based on the popular book series of the same name, which follows the complicated Duncan family who operate an exclusive car dealership in New York…while also living a dangerous, crime-fueled double life. Thanksgiving must be fun for them.

The first four seasons of the drama recently hit Netflix and the show already landed on the streamer‘s Top 10 list, so fans are itching for news on the upcoming fifth season.

Series creator Carl Weber recently updated his Facebook page (so retro) with some news regarding the series. He said, “I’ve been hibernating and working overseas while the writers were on strike. Now I’m just waiting and hoping the Actors settle so I can get back to work on Family Business TV show: we were about 40% finished with new season when things went to hell!” He explained. He also confirmed that the first four seasons of the series had dropped on Netflix, so now is the time to tune in before season five premieres.

As for when the new season will air, it’s hard to say, but Weber seems ready at any given moment. It also seems like the full cast is expected to return, including Ernie Hudson, Valerie Pettiford, Darrin Dewitt Henson, and Javicia Leslie.

You can stream The Family Business on Netflix.

(Via The Direct)

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Breastfeeding mom’s touching encounter with an orangutan has people swooning—and debating

A breastfeeding mother’s experience at Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo is touching people’s hearts—but not without a fair amount of controversy.

Gemma Copeland shared her story on Facebook, which was then picked up by the Facebook page Boobie Babies. Photos show the mom breastfeeding her baby next to the window of the zoo’s orangutan habitat, with a female orangutan sitting close to the glass, gazing at them.

Today I got feeding support from the most unlikely of places, the most surreal moment of my life that had me in tears,” Copeland wrote.


I visited Schoenbrunn zoo in Vienna whilst on a mini-break with my partner and son. We nipped in to see the orangutans at the end of our day who were happily playing in the enclosure, so I went to the window for a closer look and sat down by the window so my lb could see the orangutan who was roughly 5/6ft away. She then got up, carried a piece of cloth to the window and sat down with me. She looked directly into my eyes then placed her hand up as if to touch my son. I was in awe of this beautiful creature already.

My son wanted feeding and as it was quiet I fed him whilst I sat there. The way the orangutan reacted took my breath away she kept looking at me, then my son then back again,” she continued. “She sat with me for approximately half an hour, kept stroking the glass and lay down next to me as if to support and protect me.

I had to share this because my mind was blown. We may be a species apart but breastfeeding connected us today in a once in a lifetime moment that will stay with me forever. I’m also incredibly lucky that my partner caught all of this on video 💕”

The Facebook page added a story about a gorilla being taught to breastfeed by women from La Leche League, an organization dedicated to supporting breastfeeders:

Did you know that women from La Leche League once taught a mother gorilla to breastfeed? The Mamma gorilla had been born and raised in captivity and didn’t know what to do with her firstborn, and her baby sadly died. When she next became pregnant, breastfeeding women volunteered to sit beside the gorilla’s enclosure and breastfeed their babies, showing the gorilla what to do. When the gorilla gave birth, a volunteer came over and breastfed her baby, showing Mamma gorilla what to do, step by step. Mamma gorilla watched, and then copied, and went on to successfully feed her baby

The story has been shared more than 37,000 times, with many commenters stating how beautiful and moving it was. Others, while appreciating the beauty of the animal encounter, expressed sadness at seeing such a creature in captivity. As with practically every post about animals in zoos, debate broke out over whether or not zoos are helpful or harmful to the animals they house.

And like most debates, people’s opinions fall along a broad spectrum. Some feel that zoos are the best way for people to learn about animals first-hand, which leads them to care more about protecting them in the wild. Some acknowledge that captivity isn’t ideal, but that many animals die individually or go extinct as species without the work they do. Some feel that it’s always wrong to keep an animal in captivity, no matter what. Even animal experts don’t agree on this front.

And not all zoos are created equal. Many zoos have moved more toward a rehabilitation and conservation model, and there’s no question that many animals who have been raised in captivity would not survive if they were suddenly released into the wild. There’s also the issue of whether trying to limit natural breeding in captivity falls under the ethical treatment of animals, as breeding is a natural animal instinct. And what about the animals that have gone extinct in the wild and can only be found in zoos? There are a million questions with a million unclear answers when it comes to zoos.

However there is one thing most can agree on. Whether or not you think zoos are helpful or harmful, necessary or not, they largely exist today because of human activity mucking with nature. The same nature that compels this creature to connect with a human mother, despite her unnatural surroundings. The same nature that humans are destroying to get palm oil for our cookies and soaps, leading orangutans to the brink of extinction. The same nature that we are all responsible for protecting.

Whether we find this story sweet or sad or something in between, the reality for orangutans in the wild is worth our attention. Visit www.theorangutanproject.org/ to learn more about how to help.


This article originally appeared on 10.04.22