Donald Trump has a habit of turning relatively obscure public officials into household names. You’d probably never have heard of Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, had he not refused to help him overturn the 2020 election. And you probably wouldn’t know Alvin Bragg if he wasn’t currently maybe about to indict the former president over a hush money case. Bragg and his team do not appreciate Trump’s meddling in the case, including falsely predicting when he’d get arrested (then pilfering from his own supporters). And his staff doesn’t like GOP congressional staffers clogging up their phone lines.
As per The New York Post, a staffer on the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee got an earful after repeatedly calling Bragg’s office. It’s unclear what they sought, but by the second time they rang the office up, an annoyed staffer finally let them have it.
“Your committee has no jurisdiction over us. You’re wrong,” they reportedly told the congressional employee, adding, bluntly, “Stop calling us with this bullsh*t.”
The House Judiciary Committee, under new leader and MAGA bozo Jim Jordan, has been trying to derail Bragg’s case. Bragg and team aren’t having it, with their general counsel, Leslie Dubeck, calling their investigation “an unprecedented inquiry into a pending local prosecution.”
That said, it’s not like they’re against cooperating with the committee at some point. Dubeck said that they “request an opportunity to meet and confer with committee staff to better understand what information the DA’s Office can provide that relates to a legitimate legislative interest and can be shared consistent with the District Attorney’s constitutional obligations.”
Jeff Goldblum And The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra has finally released their new EP, Plays Well With Others. On the EP, Goldblum and his band cover songs which Goldblum considers to be among the best ever written.
On one of the EP’s six songs, Goldblum And The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra teamed up with Kelly Clarkson for a cover of “Don’t Fence Me In” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters mashed up with an instrumental rendition of “Strollin’” by Horace Silver.
On the song, Clarkson delivers her impeccable vocals, while maintaining a happy, carefree demeanor over breezy instrumentation.
Goldblum actually manifested this collaboration months ago, when he was a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show. He explained that he has a band, and would like to collaborate with Clarkson.
“If you would sing on our next little recording,” he said
Clarkson then replied, “If you would ask me.”
Goldblum then presented the idea of covering “Don’t Fence Me In,” though, at the time, Clarkson admitted she wasn’t familiar with the original song. But thankfully, she was up for a challenge that proved worthwhile.
You can listen to “Don’t Fence Me In / Strollin’” above.
Kelly Clarkson is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
For many American wine consumers, a cheap bottle of red from California kicked off their drinking trajectory. But if we’re being completely honest, most sub-$30 red wine coming out of the Golden State is… actually not that great. The reason? First and foremost, the land is expensive AF, meaning that simply finding land to grow grapes on already creates a high price point. In order to keep final costs as low as possible, many wineries use mass-production techniques, which naturally sacrifice the quality of the wine in bottle. These techniques range from using unsustainably-farmed fruit, as well as adding coloring agents, oak chips/oak powder, and a number of other chemical ingredients to the “wine” in question.
Don’t freak out just yet. There are still plenty of hidden, sub-$30 gems to find in the Golden State, it’s simply a matter of knowing where to look. When seeking out budget-friendly wines from California (or anywhere, really), we recommend starting with producers who work with organic, biodynamic, or sustainably-farmed fruit, as well as those who take a more low-intervention approach in the cellar—meaning that not a whole lot is added or taken away. This may require doing a quick Google search on a winery or producer’s website first, but hey, this is stuff you’re going to put into your body after all. It’s worth the effort.
After scouring (and tasting) hundreds of sub-$30 California reds, we can confirm that there are still some great gems to be found. Most of these wines are available on a national level and can be acquired via retailers who ship nationally. Pro tip: If you find a bottle you love, be sure to explore the other wines within said winery’s portfolio, as you’ll already know that the quality is there—you might love them too!
10. Broc Cellars Love Red
Artisan Wine Shop
ABV: 12.5% Region: North Coast, California Price: $20.99
The Wine:
Broc Cellars’ main mission is to highlight naturally made, “unsung hero” grape varieties at an affordable price—and their Love Red is a great place to start. The blend here is Carignane, dominant (about 50%), with some Syrah, Valdiguié, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Grenache Noir peppered in.
Tasting Notes:
On the palate, flavors of ripe dark berries, raspberry, bramble, dried herbs, and hints of rhubarb lead to a bright, acid-forward finish. The was aged in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete tanks, which adds a variety of textures to the wine’s overall flavor profile.
The Bottom Line:
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon get all of the love, but it’s truly the overlooked grapes—think Carignane, Valdiguié, and Petite Sirah—that play a huge role in California’s legacy. This is like drinking history with a modern twist.
9. Monte Rio Cellars Petite Sirah
Vivino
ABV: 13% Region: Lodi, California Price: $22.99
The Wine:
Monte Rio Cellars was founded by sommelier Patrick Cappiello back in 2018. Similar to Broc Cellars, Cappiello seeks to shed light on California’s historic grape varieties, which are often overshadowed by more consumer-friendly varieties. This peppery, whole cluster-fermented Petite Sirah shows a more elegant side to this often jammy variety.
Tasting Notes:
Thanks to the use of carbonic maceration (that’s the signature intracellular fermentation technique used in Beaujolais), this Petite Sirah is vivacious, acid-forward, and peppery. Expect flavors of blackberry, red plum, oregano, and hints of black olive to lead to a balanced, ever-so-slightly grippy finish.
The Bottom Line:
The majority of wines made from Petite Sirah are massive, bold, and oftentimes flabby. Cappiello’s expression shows the light, bright, and easy-drinking side of this historic variety.
8. Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon
Giannone Wine & Liquor Co.
ABV: 14% Region: Paso Robles, California Price: $18.99
The Wine:
Foxglove was founded by Bob Varner in 1991, with a mission to highlight the often-overlooked growing areas of California’s Central Coast. While many California Cabs are aggressively aged in new oak, Varner ages his expression entirely in steel to preserve the natural freshness and fruit flavors found in the wine.
Tasting Notes:
Full-bodied yet fresh, this steel-aged wine really lets the Cabernet Sauvignon speak for itself. Expect notes of jammy red and dark fruits, hints of cassis, and undertones of milk chocolate, tobacco, and earth to lead to a lasting finish. Hints of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc bring added oomph and peppery notes (respectively) to this well-rounded wine. It’s a steal for the price!
The Bottom Line:
There’s truthfully not a lot of sub-$30 California Cabernets that we’d recommend, as much of it is mass-produced and generally lackluster. Foxglove’s expression is a rare and welcome exception.
7. Cline Ancient Vines Carignane
Beverage Warehouse
ABV: 15% Region: Contra Costa County, California Price: $18.99
The Wine:
Drinking Cline’s Carignane is like drinking history—literally. Contra Costa’s sandy soils prevented phylloxera from destroying the area’s vines, meaning that vineyards planted here are some of the oldest in the United States. Cline’s Carignane vines were planted in 1906 and 1925, meaning they’re basically 100-120 years old.
Tasting Notes:
If juicy, fruit-driven reds are your thing, then this varietal Carignane promises to please. On the palate, concentrated flavors of blackberry jam, bramble, raspberry coulis, plum, and hints of cinnamon lead to a polished, palate-coating finish.
The Bottom Line:
Remember the whole historic grape variety thing mentioned above? Carignane is one of them, and Cline Cellars’ affordable (and seriously well-made) expression pays homage to its centuries-old trajectory. Oh, and the wine is delicious.
6. Lioco Pinot Noir
Vivino
ABV: 12.6% Region: Mendocino County, California Price: $24.99
The Wine:
Lioco is a small family-owned project spearheaded by Matt and Sara Licklider. The duo sources fruit from a number of vineyard sites across Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Mendocino, then vinifies them at a cooperative facility in Santa Rosa. Overall, the couple is most interested in working with old vines planted to heritage clones in historic areas.
Tasting Notes:
According to Lioco’s site, the 2021 vintage of this wine “punches above its weight class,” and upon first taste, we’re confident you’ll agree. On the palate, flavors of black cherry, wild berries, violet, dried mushroom, and hints of black tea lead to a savory finish.
The Bottom Line:
Similar to Sonoma and Napa, Mendocino also makes up part of California’s North Coast. However, wines of similar quality that come from the former two growing areas are generally more expensive. Meaning that this is a serious bang for your buck pick.
5. Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc
Lang & Reed
ABV: 14.1% Region: Sierra Foothills, Sonoma, and Napa, California Price: $26.99
The Wine:
Founded in 1993, Lang & Reed is the brainchild of John and Tracey Skupny, two passionate wine industry folks with a desire to showcase Cabernet Franc’s potential in California. After stints at some of the state’s biggest wineries, including Caymus and Clos du Val, the duo pursued their dream.
Tasting Notes:
Fruit for this 100% Cabernet Franc comes from a handful of sites across northern California, which are planted to the same clone used in the Loire Valley. On the palate, herbaceous flavors of strawberry, blueberry, star anise, pine, are finished with hints of baking spice, thanks to 14 months of aging in seasoned French oak.
The Bottom Line:
Although we generally look to the Loire Valley when reaching for varietal Cabernet Franc, this pioneering expression from Lang & Reed is a seriously good alternative. Do a side-by-side with your favorite Loire producer and see what you think.
4. Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches Sangiovese
Vivino
ABV: 12.5% Region: Santa Barbara, California Price: $24.99
The Wine:
For decades, the Stolpman family has been highlighting the unique growing sites of Santa Barbara County, specifically within Ballard Canyon. Although generally known for their numerous (and super tasty) Syrah bottlings, this unique Sangiovese is definitely a must-try.
Tasting Notes:
This wine gets its name, Love You Bunches, from the fact that grapes undergo carbonic maceration (the method used in Monte Rio’s Petite Sirah above), which incorporates allowing the fruit to begin fermentation in bunches rather than post-crushing. The resulting wine is vivacious, high-toned, and laden with flavors of red jolly ranchers, raspberry jam, and hints of rhubarb. The family describes the bottle as a “fun, happy wine” and we couldn’t agree more.
Serve slightly chilled for maximum enjoyment.
The Bottom Line:
Sangiovese is rare in California as it is, and the Stolpman family may just be the only ones making it with carbonic maceration. If you love Beaujolais, this wine needs to be on your radar (and the name is cute as hell).
3. Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel
Vivino
ABV: 14.4% Region: Sonoma County, California Price: $26.99
The Wine:
Based in Sonoma, Bedrock Wine. Co is a small wine company focused on highlighting historic vineyard sites across California. Since its founding in 2007, Bedrock’s flavor-packed, terroir-focused bottles have continued to capture the hearts of consumers and industry folk alike—and the only thing better than the bottles’ taste is their wallet-friendly price.
Tasting Notes:
Dark-hued in the glass, Bedrock’s Old Vine Zin jumps with aromas of red fruits and cracked black pepper. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, juicy, and laden with flavors of black cherry, strawberry jam, pepper, and hints of damp earth. Lengthy and fresh, the wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so over the next few years.
The Bottom Line:
Forget the negative connotations you may have with Zinfandel—especially those conceived from associations with White Zin. This complex, full-bodied wine is absolutely worth seeking out.
2. Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
Unwined
ABV: 13.45% Region: Santa Barbara, California Price: $24.99
The Wine:
Jim Clendenen, the late founder of Au Bon Climat, was an absolute legend in California winemaking. While many producers catered to the overripe, overly oaked style of wine that consumers were buying by the masses during the late 20th century, Clendenen advocated for an acid-driven, more balanced style of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes:
While Clendenen is no longer with us today, Au Bon Climat’s wines continue to upkeep the style that he so passionately advocated for. On the palate, flavors of strawberry, red cherry, and hints of clove mingle with hints of baking spice and smoke. Acid-forward yet supple, the wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so for about 5-7 years after the vintage stated on the bottle.
The Bottom Line:
Santa Barbara County is where it’s at. This southerly, Pacific-influenced region experiences large diurnal temperature swings, meaning warm days allow for fruit to ripen, and significantly cooler nights keep the grapes’ natural acidity high. The result? Refreshing, flavor-packed wines that can go the limits.
1. Presqu’ile Winery Santa Barbara County Syrah
Presqu
ABV: 13.2% Region: Santa Barbara, California Price: $22.99
The Wine:
Located just 16 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Presqu’ile’s 29 hectares of sustainably-farmed vines are planted to a number of diverse grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah—the latter of which is truly one of the best value wines to coming out of California today.
Tasting Notes:
Wine shops, sommeliers, and journalists alike frequently use the term Old World meets New World, though few wines embody the phrase as well as this one. Vinified with 35% whole clusters and aged for 17 months on the lees, this textured, palate-coating wine shows flavors of red and black fruits, violets, black pepper, and dried herbs, with hints of cured meats and leather coming in on the finish.
The Bottom Line:
If you love Northern Rhône wines, this bottle is an absolute must—and the fact that it clocks in at under $25 is the cherry on top! Think of it like Saint-Joseph meets sunny California in the best way possible.
The beef between Donald Trump and acolyte-turned-rival Ron DeSantis has been heating up, even though one of them hasn’t even formally thrown his hat in the ring that is the 2024 presidential election. DeSantis’ attacks have been pretty low-key thus far. Trump, though, has predictably gone all-in. He doesn’t reserve his ire for the Florida governor either. He’s also started sticking it to his employees.
As per Insider, the former president has reportedly banned anyone who works on DeSantis’ campaign from working in his administration.
“It’s a time for choosing,” a source with close ties to Trump told the conservative site RealClearPolitics. “If you work for Ron DeSantis’ presidential race, you will not work for the Trump campaign or in the Trump White House.”
Of course, no one currently works on DeSantis’ campaign because, again, it does not yet exist. One day it almost certainly will, though, and those who go to work for it will, the source said, be “persona non grata” to Trump.
It’s yet another example of Trump’s demand for utmost loyalty — although he doesn’t go as hardcore that way as he claims. Just ask Tucker Carlson, who was caught trashing him over personal texts in late 2020, but whom Trump has since forgiven after he pledged fealty to him once more. Perhaps someone who goes to work for DeSantis 2024 will simply have to kiss the ring to win Trump back.
The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t defend their home court on Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets. In a game they desperately needed to win as they continue to fight for postseason positioning in the Western Conference, Dallas lost, 117-109, to fall to 11th place and out of the play-in tournament altogether. Perhaps even worse than the fact they now sit 36-38, the Mavs are now 3-7 in games where both Luka Doncic and prized midseason acquisition Kyrie Irving play together.
Unsurprisingly, Dallas fans weren’t happy with the performance, and they let their emotions be heard by booing in the third quarter as they trailed by as many as 18 points. After the game, Jason Kidd empathized with the fans, and said that he thought they should have expressed themselves a little earlier.
“Probably should have been booed in the first quarter,” Kidd said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Just the effort in the play, they have a right, they pay to see a better show. It wasn’t there until the second half. We can’t come out like that, especially this time of the year, but I thought, again, the guys at halftime, we made the adjustment, and we fought and put ourselves in a position to get back in the game.”
Kidd’s sentiment about getting booed was not shared by one of his stars, as Irving struck a different tone.
“So? So what? Just the way I feel about it,” Irving said. “I’ve been in New York City, so I know what that’s like. You obviously want to play well, but it’s only five people on the court that can play for the Dallas Mavericks. If the fans want to change places, then hey, be my guest. Got years of work ahead to be great enough to be on this level. But our focus isn’t necessarily on the boos. It should be on our performance and just being there for each other.”
This past week, pop trio Muna stopped by Australia’s Triple J. During their appearance on the show, they performed a cover of a timeless classic for Triple J‘s “Like A Version” segment.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” Muna shared a stripped-back acoustic cover of the iconic anthem, which first appeared on the Titanic soundtrack.
With Naomi McPherson on piano and Josette Maskin on guitar, Muna’s lead vocalist Katie Gavin delivered her signature, soft, alto vocals over dreamy, transcendent instrumentation.
After the performance, Muna shared a behind-the-scenes video explaining why they chose to cover “My Heart Will Go On” and how they ended up giving it a more minimalistic sound.
“This song is a song that I have always loved,” said Gavin. “Originally, we thought we were going to do a dance version of this song, but then we decided to do more of a folk version, so it kind of went through a couple of iterations. We love Celine, and we thought it was time to give her her flowers, so we really are glad that this song worked.”
You can check out Muna’s cover of “My Heart Will Go On” above.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation. It’s a time of rebirth. It’s a time when the rains wipe away the darkness of winter, making way for the sunny days to come. It’s also a great time to drink beer. Cooler weather is on its way out and warm weather is on its way in. Meaning you can still get away with drinking darker, maltier brews while slowly adding lighter, hoppier beers into the mix.
Today, we’re talking about underrated IPAs, ESBs, bocks, pilsners, kellerbiers, and even black lagers that are perfect for spring sipping. To find them, we once again turned to the professionals for help. We asked a handful of well-known brewers, beer experts, and beer experts to tell us the most underrated beers to drink this spring — keep reading to see them all.
Tröegs Troegenator
Tröegs
Phil Markowski, brew master at Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, Connecticut
When asked about the most underrated beer my mind immediately jumps to the most underrated brewery. For me, that would have to be Tröegs. It’s not that their beers aren’t given any acclaim, it’s just that there’s so much innovation happening in the space right now that’s grabbing folks’ attention, but Tröegs continues to produce a slew of excellent and diverse products. My personal favorites include Nugget Nectar, Perpetual IPA, and the now classic, Troegenator Doppelbock, one of the most authentic American-made bock beers out there. It’s balanced, and approachable yet only as assertive as it needs to be to excite and satisfy. Many breweries come and go while Tröegs has been doing their thing and doing it outstandingly for twenty-five years and counting.
Tasting Notes:
Notes of caramel malts, dried fruits, brown sugar, and light spices make this a flavorful, warming beer for spring.
Hogshead Chin Wag ESB
Hogshead
Jim Bruckner, head brewer at Bootstrap Brewing in Longmont, Colorado
ABV: 5.8%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
Chin Wag ESB by Hogshead Brewery. Saying underrated is maybe inaccurate because I know people love this beer, but it’s from a small brewery that doesn’t package and one that I always seem to have to tell people they need to go to. So maybe untried is a better description. Cask conditioned and beautiful, crazy drinkable, and served in imperial pints.
Tasting Notes:
It has great balance across the board; within the malt (equal parts roasty and caramel without being heavy on either), between the malt and hops (exactly what an ESB should be, earthy, spicy hops with a great backbone), and overall (yeast esters aren’t overshadowed by the aforementioned). And let me reiterate, cask-conditioned. Served as it was meant to be.
Anchor Steam Beer just doesn’t get the credit it deserves from modern beer lovers. But this distinctive holdout to a nearly vanished regional style has stood the test of time and should get much more acclaim.
Tasting Notes:
Notes of caramel, slight wafts of Sulphur, and butterscotch. Earthy and citrusy hop notes. It’s a brand and a style.
Lush from Fremont Brewing Company. Whenever I find myself in Washington State, this is the beer that ends up in my fridge. It has a clean base of 2-row malt that allows the hop character to shine.
Tasting Notes:
The palate is filled with notes of tropical fruits (passionfruit and guava) and melon. A smooth, assertive bitterness rounds out the flavor profile, asking you to take another sip (and another one).
One of my favorite beers of all time is the Monkeynaut India Pale Ale by Straight To Ale out of Huntsville, Alabama. I consider it an underrated IPA because it bucks the current trends going on in the space. While many IPAs are trying to push the boundaries of bitterness, haziness, or just plain hoppiness, Monkeynaut has mastered something that most IPAs can’t: balance.
Tasting Notes:
Monkeynaut provides a slightly malt-forward flavor and aroma carefully balanced by a firm but restrained bitterness. As for the flavors, you’ll find bready orange marmalade, citrus zest, spice, and a pleasant lingering caramel sweetness. Deceptively smooth at 7.25% ABV.
BlackStack Fugazi Pilsner
BlackStack
Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
Ah, Fugazi is an Italian pilsner by BlackStack and it’s so damn refreshing. It’s underrated because of its simplicity and most beer drinkers I share it with don’t realize the uniqueness of a spicy hop until they try this beer.
Tasting Notes:
It has a slight lemon zest and sweet fruit flavor to it that but the hops they use still let it carry that classic noble spice characteristic.
Old Man from Treehouse Brewing Company. When I head over to one of the East Coast’s most popular breweries, known for doing their part in the haze craze that we all now exist in, I tend not to order an IPA, or DIPA, or something with the theoretical equivalent of twenty pounds of hops per barrel. Instead, I always start with a pour of their ESB, Old Man.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, aromatic English hops are backed by a toasty, bready, rich malt-forward bouquet. It tastes of well-toasted bread, brown sugar, caramel, and subtle holiday spice with light hop bitterness. Medium-bodied, but lighter and crisp on the finish, it is a great beer that harkens back to a day before we cared about how many pounds of southern hemispheric hops were in your glass.
Mahrs Bräu aU (or just Mahrs U). This is a seriously appreciated beer for those who know it, but it tends to fly under the radar for most; look for it. The ‘U’ is a reference to the word “Ungespundet”. For those who don’t speak German, it translates to “un-bunged”. It’s a reference to the cask remaining unsealed in the secondary fermentation process.
Tasting Notes:
Excellent bready, full character. Excellently lightly carbonated, round, and warming. Great beer regardless of weather.
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Sierra Nevada
Daniel Gadala-Maria, head brewer at Finback Brewery in Brooklyn, New York
Sierra Nevada Torpedo. It’s ubiquitous. You probably passed over it and all the other ‘first wave’ craft beers the last time you went shopping. But that was the generation that defined what a West Coast IPA was.
Tasting Notes:
Torpedo has sharp bitterness, bright citrus, and resinous pine; it offers consistent quality and is affordable, too. Don’t overlook this classic.
Death & Taxes from Moonlight Brewing Company. I’m not sure it is actually underrated but definitely underappreciated. People don’t often think of dark lager beers, and they are really missing out.
Tasting Notes:
Rich with smooth chocolate and coffee notes and just a hint of lager yeast character, this beer is just as refreshing on a hot summer day as it is comforting on a cool spring night.
When you are a child who has been abused by people who are supposed to protect you, how do you feel safe?
That question is the heart of Bikers Against Child Abuse International (B.A.C.A.), an organization dedicated to creating “a safer environment for abused children.” With specific training and extensive security checks, the frequently big and burly members of B.A.C.A. serve as protectors of chid abuse survivors, giving vulnerable children people to call on when they feel scared, and even showing up in court when a child asks them to.
In short, they become an abused child’s “biker family,” and they let the child—and everyone else—know that no one messes with their family.
As the B.A.C.A. mission statement says:
“We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.”
B.A.C.A. members do whatever they can to make abused kids feel safe, which is huge for children who have been hurt, especially by the adults who are supposed to love and protect them.
First, they set up an initial ride to welcome a child into the biker family. Kids are offered a vest and a patch, which they have the option of accepting or not—there’s never pressure put on a child. They take a photograph with the child, which the child keeps to remind them that they have family to call on whenever they feel afraid. They serve as escorts when kids feel frightened to go somewhere. They show up at court hearings to help kids feel less intimidated. They come to kids’ houses when called to help support the family or serve as a deterrent for further abuse.
Though B.A.C.A. absolutely does not physically confront perpetrators, simply their presence provides the message that a child has a band of protectors behind them. Watch these bikers in action:
2019 Bikers Against Child Abuse International informational video. Visit www.bacaworld.org or find us on Facebook – Bikers Against Child Abuse International
And check out the B.A.C.A creed to see how dedicated these folks are to this work:
“I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past has prepared me, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My fate is set, my gait is fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for He will see my B.A.C.A. backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.”
When Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi both landed their high jumps at 2.37 meters, they were in the battle for Olympic gold. But when both jumpers missed the next mark—the Olympic record of 2.39 meters—three times each, they were officially tied for first place.
In such a tie, the athletes would usually do a “jump-off” to determine who wins gold and who wins silver. But as the official began to explain the options to Barshim and Tamberi, Barshim asked, “Can we have two golds?”
“It’s possible,” the official responded. “It depends, if you both decide…” And before he’d even told them how sharing the gold would work, the two jumpers looked at each other, nodded, and then launched into a wholesome and joyful celebration guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Just watch:
None
— (@)
(If you are unable to view the video above, check it out on NBC’s YouTube channel here.)
The two jumpers have been competing against one another for more than a decade and are friends on and off the field, so getting to share the gold is a win-win—literally—for both of them. It’s also a historic choice. According to the BBC, the last time competing track and field Olympians shared the gold medal podium was in 1912.
The friendship and camaraderie between the two athletes are palpable and their immediate decision to share the gold truly embodies the Olympic spirit.
“I look at him, he looks at me, and we know it,” Barshim said, according to the CBC. “We just look at each other and we know, that is it, it is done. There is no need.”
“He is one of my best friends,” he added, “not only on the track, but outside the track. We work together. This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and we are here delivering this message.”
Barshim was the silver medalist in the event in the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Tamberi suffered a career-threatening injury prior to those games, which took him out of medal contention.
“After my injuries, I just wanted to come back,” Tamberi told CNN. “But now I have this gold, it’s incredible. I dreamed of this so many times. I was told in 2016 just before Rio, there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete anymore. It’s been a long journey.”
What a beautiful display of sportsmanship, excellence, and genuine human connection. This is what the Olympics are all about. Love to see it.
These days, we could all use something to smile about, and few things do a better job at it than watching actor Christopher Walken dance.
A few years back, some genius at HuffPo Entertainment put together a clip featuring Walken dancing in 50 of his films, and it was taken down. But it re-emerged in 2014 and the world has been a better place for it.
Walken became famous as a serious actor after his breakout roles in “Annie Hall” (1977) and “The Deer Hunter” (1978) so people were pretty shocked in 1981 when he tap-danced in Steve Martin’s “Pennies from Heaven.”
But Walken actually started his career in entertainment as a dancer. He took his first dance lessons at the age of three. “It was very typical for people—and I mean working-class people—to send their kids to dancing school,” he told Interview Magazine. “You’d learn ballet, tap, acrobatics, usually you’d even learn to sing a song,” he later explained to Interview magazine.
As a child, he also studied tap dance and toured in musicals. He even danced with a young Liza Minelli. “I’d been around dancers my whole life, having watched my parents make musicals at MGM, and Chris reminded me of so many of the dancers I knew growing up,” Minelli said according to Entertainment Weekly. “He’s talented in every way.”
Craig Zadan, Executive Producer of “Peter Pan Live!,” agrees with Minelli. “I think that if he had been around in the heyday of MGM, he would have been a big star of musicals on film,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
His dance moves were put center stage in 2001 in Spike Jonze’s video for Fatboy Slim’s song “Weapon of Choice.” Walken says he did it because one day he’ll be too old to cut a rug. “You think, ‘Well, do it now!’ You know, you get too decrepit to dance,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
This article originally appeared on 02.15.22
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