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The Dismissal Of The ‘Nevermind’ Baby’s Lawsuit Against Nirvana Has Been Reversed

nirvana 1991
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The dismissal of Spencer Elden’s lawsuit against Nirvana over the use of his image on the cover of the band’s 1991 album Nevermind has reportedly been reversed, according to Pitchfork. On the cover, a four-month-old Elden appears fully nude in a swimming pool. Back in 2021, Elden filed a lawsuit against Nirvana, the band’s record labels, and photographer Kirk Weddle — who shot the cover art — claiming that the image constitutes child pornography.

The lawsuit was dismissed in January 2022 after Elden missed a deadline to respond to a motion for dismissal from Nirvana’s legal team. Elden would later file an adjusted suit that same month. The suit was once again dismissed in September 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Fernando M. Olguin, due to an expired statued of limitations.

But today (December 21), a three-judge panel reversed Olguin’s ruling, noting that “each republication” of child pornography “may constitute a new personal injury.”

However, a footnote in the suit read “The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal.” The ruling also noted that Elden’s original complaint cited more recent reissues of the album cover, including a 30th Anniversary edition of the album released in 2021. Since 1991, Elden himself has also recreated the cover multiple times.”

A lawyer for Nirvana stated Pitchfork, saying, “This procedural setback does not change our view. We will defend this meritless case with vigor and expect to prevail.”

A laywer for Elden said. “The wholesale worldwide commercial exploitation of a baby might be iconic, but that doesn’t make it right and certainly doesn’t make it legal.”

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Enjoy the magical story of Christmas but narrated by kids and acted out by adults

Almost all of us, whether we’ve grown up in religious households or not, have heard the story of Christmas—or the birth of Jesus—at some point in our lives.

But very few of us have had the chance to hear it straight from the mouths of babes—a version where the Virgin Mary (make that “Meh-wee”) was a teen doing laundry at the moment of her immaculate conception, where she and her husband Joseph ventured to “Bethle-ha-ha-ham” to bring their newborn into the world, who is gifted diapers, a stuffed animal and some Air Jordans sneakers by those Three Wise Men.

Thanks to the folks at Southland Christian Church, however, we can all enjoy a delightful wholesome spin the well known story.


In the video, which first appeared in 2015 but often returns online due to “popular demand,” adults act out the Biblical story according to what the kids say—all with silly costumes and including every giggle or wandering sentence. If you ever watched the series “Drunk History,” you’ll recognize the story structure immediately.

Even years later, it’s easy to see what makes this clip so darn charming. Seeing the three wise men bestowing Jesus “ “Gold, Frankenstein, and myrrh” alone is a hoot.

Watch:

Hanna Wahlbrink, creative director at Southland Christian Church, and Neil Gregory, the church’s video producer, told TODAY.com that the team never expected their little passion project to affect so many people year after year.

What they did know was that when it came to creating the funniest script possible, all they had to do was let the kids wing it.

“We really didn’t want to script it because we knew the kids would give us better sound bites than anything we could come up with on our own,” said Gregory. “And they did.”

Given by the literal millions of views and heartwarming comments, it seems like that was the right call.

Take a look at what other folks are saying:

“This is the best Christmas story I ever heard. There, I said it.”

“This melts my heart every year, whoever had this idea is genius. It’s so innocent & precious.”

“I look forward to watching this over and over every year. I love this so much.”

“OK, I’m not joking, this may be the best telling of the Christmas story that I’ve ever seen. Marvelous!”

“I’m not even religious, and I absolutely loved this. Good job guys. Super cute and hilarious.”

And because some gifts never stop giving, Southland Church also did a kid’s version of the Easter story.

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The viral telling of the first Christmas is back, narrated entirely by adorably clueless kids

Almost all of us, whether we’ve grown up in religious households or not, have heard the story of Christmas—or the birth of Jesus—at some point in our lives.

But very few of us have had the chance to hear it straight from the mouths of babes—a version where the Virgin Mary (make that “Meh-wee”) was a teen doing laundry at the moment of her immaculate conception, where she and her husband Joseph ventured to “Bethle-ha-ha-ham” to bring their newborn into the world, who is gifted diapers, a stuffed animal and some Air Jordans sneakers by those Three Wise Men.

Thanks to the folks at Southland Christian Church, however, we can all enjoy a delightful wholesome spin the well known story.


In the video, which first appeared in 2015 but often returns online due to “popular demand,” adults act out the Biblical story according to what the kids say—all with silly costumes and including every giggle or wandering sentence. If you ever watched the series “Drunk History,” you’ll recognize the story structure immediately.

Even years later, it’s easy to see what makes this clip so darn charming. Seeing the three wise men bestowing Jesus “ “Gold, Frankenstein, and myrrh” alone is a hoot.

Watch:

Hanna Wahlbrink, creative director at Southland Christian Church, and Neil Gregory, the church’s video producer, told TODAY.com that the team never expected their little passion project to affect so many people year after year.

What they did know was that when it came to creating the funniest script possible, all they had to do was let the kids wing it.

“We really didn’t want to script it because we knew the kids would give us better sound bites than anything we could come up with on our own,” said Gregory. “And they did.”

Given by the literal millions of views and heartwarming comments, it seems like that was the right call.

Take a look at what other folks are saying:

“This is the best Christmas story I ever heard. There, I said it.”

“This melts my heart every year, whoever had this idea is genius. It’s so innocent & precious.”

“I look forward to watching this over and over every year. I love this so much.”

“OK, I’m not joking, this may be the best telling of the Christmas story that I’ve ever seen. Marvelous!”

“I’m not even religious, and I absolutely loved this. Good job guys. Super cute and hilarious.”

And because some gifts never stop giving, Southland Church also did a kid’s version of the Easter story.

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Comedy writer has a funny and revealing take on what your email sign-off says about you

Even if you never gave much thought to your email sign-off, Kelly Landry, it says a lot about you. In a recent viral TikTok video, the comedic writer explained why she believes they can reveal a lot about someone’s position at work and their personality.

“As a creative and not someone who is sat in an office, I don’t really do a set signature. I noticed that depending on who I was writing to or how I wanted to come across, I would sign my email differently,” she told Southwest News Service. “I found it interesting: if I want to send a business email and want to come across as professional, it can be ‘yours sincerely’ or ‘the best.’”


She critiques 5 sign-offs in her video, entitled: Which email personality are you?

@kellylandrylive

Which email personality are you? #email #anxiety #comedy #emailetiquette #millennial #basic #quiz #officelife #personalitytest #cheers #fyp #kardashians #greenjuice #work

Best — “You’re classy and probably in a position of authority.”

Sincerely — It’s what you write when you don’t know the person you’re emailing. You’re also probably selling something or writing a “boring a** cover letter.”

Thanks — “You’re chill, but you’re probably a people-pleaser. Especially if you add that exclamation point.”

Cheers! — “You definitely spent some time abroad and it’s become your entire personality. You also want to make sure you come off light and breezy, even when your email is not.”

– (dash) — “You’re probably going through life in a constant state of crippling anxiety.”

So, what is Landry’s favorite email sign-off?

“I love ‘with gratitude’ — they are my hippies,” she told Southwest News Service. “They are burning sage, they might go on an ayahuasca retreat next year. Not to be confused with ‘have blessing’ or ‘have a blessed day,’ which is very mainstream religious.”

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We’re Picking Winners For Week 16 Of The 2023 NFL Season

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Christmas is here and the NFL season is ramping up. Week 16 begins on Thursday and covers high-end action on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to boot. Week 15 was relatively friendly to us in this space, even if a 3-1-1 performance almost felt disappointing on account of an unfortunate push from the Chicago Bears. Still, the momentum is helpful as the stretch run arrives, and five more picks are on the way.

Before we get to the holiday schedule, let’s take stock.

  • Week 15: 3-1-1
  • 2023 Season: 39-32-4

Come get these winners.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) over Detroit Lions — Widely Available

We loved Detroit last week. It went well. That’s always nice. We’re going the other way this time around. Minnesota catching a full field goal is too appetizing to pass up in a game I would make closer to a pick’em with current rosters. Let’s ride.

TEASER: Jacksonville Jaguars (+8.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts (+8.5) over Atlanta Falcons — FanDuel

Our weekly teaser is gross but appealing. Jacksonville might not have Trevor Lawrence, which is terrifying, but they can get us home through two key numbers. Atlanta became a notably larger favorite after changing quarterbacks and, while that does make some sense with the way Desmond Ridder was playing, it puts us squarely in the Wong teaser zone on Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) over Cincinnati Bengals — PointsBet

I won’t even give the stats on Mike Tomlin as a home underdog. Just know they are quite good. Beyond that, this is an insane amount of respect for Jake Browning on the road, especially without Ja’Marr Chase. We have principles.

New England Patriots and Denver Broncos UNDER 34.5 points — FanDuel

This is a (very) low number, but it’s the play. We profited from a Denver meltdown against Detroit a week ago but, aside from that, the Broncos have been quite solid on defense. The Patriots are always good on that side of the ball as well, and New England’s offense… does not scare anyone. Let’s get home at 17-13 or something.

Baltimore Ravens (+5.5) over San Francisco 49ers — Widely Available

Many have referred to this matchup as a potential Super Bowl preview, and it might be. It’s definitely the best game of the week. Fundamentally, I just can’t get to this number, especially with where the total is. It isn’t fun to stand in front of the 49ers train, but we’ll have to do it this week.

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The Best Value-Per-Dollar Gins, According To Bartenders

Bristow/Citadelle/Bombay/Fords/istock/Uproxx
Bristow/Citadelle/Bombay/Fords/istock/Uproxx

“Value” — especially when it comes to alcohol — is a very interesting idea. While your definition might be different, ours is pretty straightforward. When we think of value, in the case of gin specifically, we use the term to describe the amount of enjoyment and quality we get out of said gin against every dollar we spend on it. That means the best value gin could be $100 (but taste like $200) or it could be $20 (but taste like $70).

Putting value on gin is complicated because depending on the botanicals and herbs used, two gins can taste very different (save for the underlying juniper berry flavor in all gins). Luckily, it’s exciting to look for value in the gin world because there are so many unique gins available. Just ask Bradley Stephens, USBG bartender at Cereus PDX in Portland, Oregon.

“Gin is a fun one, isn’t it?” he says. “All you need is a base spirit and some juniper to start, the rest is your botanical wonderland. Walking a gin aisle at the liquor store is like walking through a booze garden.”

We asked a few well-known bartenders to tell us their picks for the best value-per-dollar gins. Keep scrolling to see if they picked your favorite gin.

Koval Gin

Koval Gin
Koval

Jennifer Donegan, bar manager at Bar Pendry in Washington DC

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $39

The Gin:

Koval Gin out of Chicago is the most well-balanced gin I’ve come across in a long time. This is a delicate gin that can be enjoyed as a martini that’s perfectly accented with a bit of Lillet Rose. Try it and thank me later.

Tasting Notes:

It has the classic juniper, but it’s so well balanced with light floral and botanical notes that you don’t need to mask it with tonic.

Beefeater London Dry Gin

Beefeater London Dry Gin
Beefeater

Alex Barbatsis, bar director at The Whistler in Chicago

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $22

The Gin:

Beefeater London Dry Gin is a classic for a reason, and it is also many people’s go-to gin for a negroni— myself included. It’s what I drink most of the time, so Beefeater is an invaluable addition to any back bar. Plus, you can get the giant 1.75-liter bottles for an even better discount.

Tasting Notes:

Beefeater is a classic London dry gin. It’s centered on piney juniper berries, citrus peels, and spices. It’s a perfect choice for a gin & tonic.

Bombay Dry Gin

Bombay Dry Gin
Bombay Saphire

Federico Doldi, food & beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York City

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $21

The Gin:

The best value-per-dollar gin is Bombay Dry Gin. This complex dry gin is flavored with eight herbs and botanicals using a vapor infusion. It’s a must-have for any at-home bartender.

Tasting Notes:

The nose of Bombay Dry is soft, pleasant, round, and accessible aroma, with a touch of angelica. Mild juniper with a pine and herbaceous facet, notes of citrus, and a hint of gently piquant cinnamon provide a lift to the spirit. The palate is quite creamy with an almost vanilla-like sweetness reminiscent of gins that begin from a base of wheat— especially red winter wheat.

Conniption American Dry Gin

Conniption American Dry Gin
Conniption

Tsuru Goto, food & beverage manager at Society Cafe in New York City

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $28

The Gin:

We love to recommend Conniption Gin. They use a dual distillation process using both traditional vapor infusion as well as modern cold vacuum distillation. This helps create depth and complexity in the gin without using any artificial extracts.

Tasting Notes:

The result is a super versatile, tasty spirit that works beautifully in both classic gin cocktails as well as fun new stuff. The nose is juniper pine, citrus peels, coriander, and cucumber. The palate is juniper, pine, lemon peels, and angelica.

Wonderbird Gin No. 61

Wonderbird Gin No. 61
Wonderbird

José Medina Camacho, co-owner and mixologist of Adiõs in Birmingham, Alabama

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $48

The Gin:

Wonderbird Gin No. 61 out of Mississippi uses ingredients that are local to the delta. It’s applicable in many ways in the sense that it brings something to the market that others don’t. It’s also incredibly versatile—i.e. great to drink neat or in a martini.

Tasting Notes:

This rice-based gin is known for its complex flavor profile featuring hints of lemongrass, pine, pepper, citrus peels, and spices.

Tanqueray Rangpur Gin

Tanqueray Rangpur Gin
Tanqueray

Tracy Javier, lead mixologist at VUE Rooftop at Hotel Washington in Washington DC

ABV: 41.3%

Average Price: $27

The Gin:

Tanqueray Rangpur though is a delicious, unique gin distilled from Rangpur Limes, which is like a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. This is one for the citrus fans. It’s a great gin for a gimlet or gin & tonic.

Tasting Notes:

It’s juicy and citrus-forward. For the price, it’s one I restock on my shelf constantly.

Sipsmith London Dry Gin

Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith

Chris Cutjapan, general manager of Carbon Beach Club Restaurant in Malibu, California

ABV: 41.6%

Average Price: $36

The Gin:

Sipsmith is my favorite gin for the money. It’s a beautiful spirit and not overly floral like other London dry gins. Made in the eighteenth-century style on copper pot stills, it’s a true throwback when it comes to the gin world.

Tasting Notes:

It has a lemon peel and some juniper spice. Excellent on its own or when making cocktails. It’s as good if not better than the more expensive Monkey 47 gin.

Fords Gin

Fords Gin
Fords Gin

Bijan Ghiai, beverage manager-sommelier at Urban Hill in Salt Lake City

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $25

The Gin:

One standout in this category is Fords Gin. I can’t say it has ever disappointed, with the bottle costing around $20. It shows as a versatile spirit component that any cocktail bar that holds its weight in salt needs to consider.

Tasting Notes:

This English dry gin really delivers with a blast of coriander and fresh pine. It plays well in many different categories of cocktails, standing up in sours, livening up martinis, and structuring out fizzes effortlessly.

Citadelle Gin

Citadelle Gin
Citadelle

Nick Jackon, head bartender at The Rum House in New York City

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $22

The Gin:

Citadelle Original is a great value for quality gin that has won several awards but is not too expensive. The versatility adds to its value in that it makes amazing gin and tonics, is great in traditional dry martinis, and can still add something to other classic cocktails.

Tasting Notes:

It’s a bright gin that balances fresh citrus notes with contemporary juniper and a touch of spicy and floral notes, with a finish that opens up with touches of pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Bristow Gin

Bristow Gin
Bristow Gin

Anne Saunders, head bartender at The Kimpton Shane in Atlanta

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $43

The Gin:

I recently tried Bristow Gin out of Mississippi and really enjoyed it. Made by Cathead Distillery, Bristow Gin is made with eleven herbs and botanicals. It’s aged for three weeks in stainless steel vessels to add to its complexity.

Tasting Notes:

A lot is going on with this gin’s flavor profile. Silky citrus and peppercorn notes balance out juniper for subtler gin & tonics and gin cocktails.

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Becky Hammon Got Kendrick Perkins Mad Arguing Jalen Brunson Is ‘Too Small’ To Be A 1A Player

becky hammon kendrick perkins
ESPN

The New York Knicks have gotten off to a solid start to the 2023-24 season, holding the 5-seed in the East at 16-11, with Jalen Brunson deserving credit for a large portion of their success.

Brunson appears on track for his first ever All-Star selection, averaging 25.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game on 47.2/45.8/80.1 shooting splits, as he’s been nothing short of spectacular for the Knicks this season. Brunson’s terrific play has allowed them to navigate injuries and some ups and downs from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to remain solidly over .500. After back-to-back wins over the Lakers and Nets, the Knicks became a national topic of conversation as pundits debated their viability as a real contender in the East this season.

On ESPN’s NBA Today on Thursday, Becky Hammon joined the crew and said she thought the Knicks needed “a 1A dude” to be a contender and lacked that guy. Perkins said they have that guy in Brunson, but Hammon noted he was “too small” to hold that title and rattled off how the only recent example of a championship team being led by a “small” guy is Stephen Curry and the Warriors — it should be noted Isiah Thomas would be the other outlier in this category.

That had Perkins upset and he tried valiantly to defend Brunson but struggled to really get the point to land, first pointing out how Brunson made a conference finals (with the crew pointing out that was Luka Doncic’s team, first) and then trying to argue he belongs where you’d put Donovan Mitchell. The problem there is, I don’t think many folks would put Mitchell in the same category as the Giannis-LeBron-Jokic-Steph category. Hammon also points out that she’s saying this as someone who was a small player who got buckets and she knows from experience how the game of basketball is just generally dominated by those who are born with a size advantage.

I do understand some frustration with the conversation from Perk’s side, because it does feel like it’s discrediting Brunson’s terrific start to the season and what he can do as a player. That said, the truth of the matter is, as Hammon accurately notes, there are only a handful of players in the league that actually are proven as 1A guys on a championship team and almost none of them are small (with Steph as an exception, but even he isn’t even that small). Maybe Brunson and the Knicks can shock everyone and prove Hammon wrong, but that’ll be a tall order (pun intended).

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7th graders are asked what 30-year-olds want for Christmas and their answers are hysterical

Seventh grade teacher Mr. Frakes routinely asks his students to give their observations on various aspects of adulthood to post on his TikTok.—everything from “things parents love to say” to reactions to old school songs to guessing the “worst parts about adulting.” The answers are always hilarious…if not a little brutal to us olds.

His Christmas edition is no different. Recently Mr. Frakes asked his students “what do you buy someone in their 30s for the holidays?” And the adults who saw the video can’t help but commend the accuracy.


The list is as follows, verbatim.

“Measuring cups…bwahaha.”

“Signs that say ‘Bless The Home.’”

“A Dyson vacuum.”

“A bottle of wine and hip implants.”

“Panera bread gift card. People in their 30s love soup!”

“Bingo cards.”

“You give them Bath & Body Works stuff. That’s what my mom wants!”

“Expensive meats.”

“Hard Candies.”

“Candy Crush Premium.”

“You get them old people candles that smell like ‘home’ or ‘back then.’”

“T.J. Maxx gift card.”

“The wrinkle creams.”

“Heated blanket cause their muscles be hurtin.”

“A coffee mug that says ‘don’t talk to me til I’ve had my coffee’ because they’re all coffee obsessed millennials.”

“A lawyer for the divorce attorney. (fight for the kids).”

@7thgradechronicles Its me. I’m 30s. 😂🫣😬#teachersoftiktok #teacher #teacherlife #teachertok #middleschool #middleschoolteacher #middleschoolteacher #middleschoollife #dyson #panerabread #tjmaxx ♬ Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Bublé

Obviously, adults who saw this joked about feeling personally attacked. But also seen.

Case and point: one person wrote, “Okay the ‘they’re all coffee obsessed millennials’ was personal” as another admitted, “I watched this while drinking coffee out of my ‘dont’ talk to me til I’ve had my coffee’ mug.”

Meanwhile, another added, “ But are they wrong? Because I honestly love soup and candles. I’m 36.”

Echoing that sentiment, someone commented, “not me thinking all those gifts sound amazing.”

And of course, everyone was eyeing that Dyson vacuum.

Growing older might mean muscles that “be hurtin’” and some judgement from the younger generation, but it clearly also comes with a deep felt appreciation for the simple, practical things in life, as indicated by this list. Nothing wrong with that.

(After all, the young ones might balk now, but it won’t be long til they become coffee obsessed as well.)

May we all get a bit of holiday joy this year, in whatever form we can.

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Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it’s a moving lesson in generosity

Generosity comes in many forms, but the most beautiful gifts come straight from the heart, no matter how much they cost. And when a heartfelt gift comes from a child? That’s a pure form of giving that’s hard to match.

A former teacher shared a story of the most memorable gift a student had ever given her, and it prompted a flood of teachers sharing similar stories that show the meaning of true generosity.

Heather Babin Benoit shared a photo of a small white gift box with a purple crayon inside it with the following story:


“Nine years ago, a student of mine saw other kids giving me presents and he had nothing to give. He took a box from a present he was given and his purple crayon from his pouch and wrapped it. He walked up to me and said, ‘I hope you love it, it is your favorite color.’ I still get tears in my eyes when I open this box.

Purple is my favorite color. He knew that. He paid attention to what I said. He didn’t have much to give in his eyes but he gave me so much more than a purple crayon. He gave me love. He gave me his heart. He gave me a kind gesture.

Nine years ago, it was my last Christmas as a classroom teacher. I received many gifts in this lifetime, but this present will always be a gentle reminder that it is always the thought that counts.”

The comments on Upworthy’s share of the story on Instagram were filled with teachers sharing similarly meaningful gifts their students had given them over the years. (Fair warning: If the purple crayon didn’t already have you grabbing a tissue, you might want to grab one now.)

“A student once got me a dryer sheet. He had a troubled home life and didn’t have a lot of money, but he brought me a dryer sheet for Christmas because ‘It’s my favorite smell, and I wanted you to have one to smell too!’ It’s been 8 years, and I still have that dryer sheet. ❤️” – @roxanneamarques

“I had little boy in my Kindergarten classroom who brought me a mostly used bottle of old perfume. He said I’m sorry it’s all I had. I assured him I loved it and he said. “It was my Mom’s favorite perfume and you remind me of her.” His Mom had died the year before. The most selfless and heartfelt gift I have ever received.” – @carol_j_becker

“This reminds of a student I had when I taught 1st grade, his family didn’t have money for store bought valentines so he hand wrote valentines on loose leaf paper with pencil to every student in the class. Kids understand the true meaning of giving.” – @heatherbee721

“Years ago a student gave me a tiny piece of paper with just a curved line on it. It was our last day working together and he told me it was a smile. I still have that little smile in my office. 🥰” – @orangegrad

“Years ago when I taught pre-k, a child gave me a packet of ketchup for Christmas so he’d have something to give me. His mom worked at a burger place and he spent his afternoons and evenings there sitting in a booth because she had no child care. 😢❤️” – @awcarlsson

“One year one of my first graders gave me 2 extra long Slim Jim beef sticks that I believe were intended for her own snack. Keep in mind I am a vegetarian. 2 hours into our day she came up to me and said Ms. Hagan, I’m really hungry and think I need to eat one of those Slim Jims I said absolutely. Then an hour later she came back and whispered, I’m starving and I need to eat that other Slim Jim. Best present ever and best story. 😂😍” – @lu.hagan

“My daughter was teaching at a school where many students didn’t have money for gifts or great home situations. A little girl who received free breakfast took all the marshmallows from her cereal box and put them in the bag the plastic silverware came in to give my daughter her teacher as her Christmas gift. I could still cry thinking about how much her little heart wanted to just give a gift to her teacher.” – @stacykib

Other commenters shared how much the story meant to them.

“I really hope that kid sees this someday and then he’ll know how many people smiled because of his beautiful purple crayon,” wrote one person.

“You cannot compete with the pure innocence of a child, that’s why their energy must be protected,” shared another.

“I’m not sure which is more beautiful. That the student gave the sentimental gesture, or that the teacher recognized the sentiment in the gesture. Both are making me cry,” shared another.

Indeed, giving a gift from the heart is one thing; recognizing the value of such a gift is another. May we all be thoughtful givers and receivers, especially with the children in our lives.

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Here Is The Best Temperature For Serving And Drinking Champagne

Best Temperature for Champagne
Shutterstock/UPROXX

It’s the season for popping corks on champagne bottles. If you’re anything like us, that season started with Thanksgiving and is going strong through New Year’s Day. As with all wine, the temperature is paramount when serving a good bottle of bubbly. Entire industries are devoted to making sure your wine is at the exact right temperature when it hits your lips.

Which begs the question, what is the best temperature to serve champagne?

As someone who drinks a lot of champagne year-round and has worked at bars that highlight champagne service, I can go deep on this subject. I worked at Rum Trader in Berlin, which devotes a huge part of its service to magnum Bollinger bottles — the only place outside of Champagne, France that does so. So knowing and treating champagne correctly is a passion of mine.

First and foremost, you want to let your champagne rest in a cool and dry place in general. A cellar that stays below 60F is ideal (a pantry off the kitchen typically works). Then, you’ll want to put that bottle in the fridge the night before you plan to open it. The temperature settles in if you have a nice 12-hour window for the bottle to rest at that temp without being jostled around. But there’s so much more to it than that. Let’s get in the weeds!

Champagne
Unsplash — Tristan Gassert

There are some different thoughts about the ideal temperature to serve/drink champagne. First, let’s look at a fridge. The average U.S. home fridge is going to be set for 40F. The bottom and back of the fridge will be cooler by two degrees or so. The door will be the warmest with an additional two or even three degrees. So, you’re looking at a window of 38 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit in any given home fridge — generally.

The consensus out there is that brut champagne — the dry version that most of us drink — should be served at 46F to 50F. If you don’t have a fancy wine fridge, you’ll need to plan a little. The best idea is to take the bottle out about 10 to 15 minutes before you pop it to allow the temperature to rise from 40F to 46F. Once popped, the wine will continue to warm more rapidly. If you have four people/glasses, you should be able to get two rounds from the bottle pretty easily. If you’re pouring that second glass within about 15 minutes, you should be fine without an ice bucket. If you’re with slow drinkers, you’ll want to use an ice bucket with a very scant amount of ice to maintain cool temps.

If you’re talking to an expert from Champagne, France, things change slightly. The Chef de caves and Executive VP of Production at Louis Roederer, Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, famously insists that champagne should be enjoyed at 50F to 54F, which is significantly warmer than what I’ve listed above. Lecaillon notes that the profile notes available in champagne are at their most vibrant in that temperature range. This temperature is also far easier to achieve if you’re pulling a bottle from a dark and dank cellar. In practice, you simply have to pull your bottle from the fridge much sooner — at least a half-an-hour — before you pop it for pouring. In this case, though, I’d 100% use an ice bucket to ensure that the temperature doesn’t go above 55F. The wine will just taste warm after that.

If you want to follow what The Court of Master Sommeliers says, you’ll want to aim for 42F to 50F. This is the widest and most useful metric to use. There’s a lot of space here to enjoy nicely chilled champagne and a little warmer and creamier champagne that can be simply left on a table as you pour, drink, and repour until the bottle is kicked. This is the tactic that I’d use. I’d pull the bottle from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for a good five minutes. Once popped, I’d simply leave the bottle on the counter/table until finished (which is never that long).

Champagne
Unsplash — Billy Huynh

Okay, so how do you measure the temperature of your wine? Well, a lot of it is just instinct. You know that bottle is coming out of the fridge at 38F-40F. Unless your kitchen is a sauna, it won’t warm that quickly — like I said, a 10-minute sit on the counter is plenty of time to get to the mid-40s temp-wise. Then if you’re aiming for a 50F to 54F temperature by the end, sitting on the table is perfectly fine — again, unless your house is sauna.

You can get wine temperature gauges like this if you want to get really pedantic about it. But unless you’re pouring for Master Sommelier judges, I’d keep it a little simpler than that and trust your abilities to feel it out.

In the end, get that bottle in the fridge the night before, take it out of the fridge five to 10 minutes before you want to pop it, and then enjoy the ride.