It’s hard to keep up with all of LEGO’s cool new releases, but this one is definitely a showstopper. The group just released a vintage typewriter that’s sure to be a conversation piece in your home. It was designed by a LEGO fan and it’s a fantastic gift for the expert builder or wordsmith in your life.
The typewriter has all the functionality you’d expect, with a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, a carriage that moves as you type and a roller to feed in real paper. It also comes with a letter signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, the chairman of the LEGO Group and fourth-generation member of the family privately owning the business.
The fan who pitched the idea, Steve Guinness, said “I wanted to create something totally different from anything that LEGO has ever done before and showcase that you really can make anything out of LEGO. I bought a vintage typewriter for my research and then played around with bricks and the mechanism until I was happy with the design. I hope it will bring nostalgia to adult fans like me, and wonder and curiosity to younger fans who might not have ever seen a real typewriter!”
You’ll be able to snag this set starting June 16 if you have LEGO VIP Early Access for $199, or July 1 as a member of the general public. It clocks in at 2,079 pieces for adult builders to construct. Write on!
National Geographic recently announced an Earth Day celebration you won’t want to miss. The virtual planet-friendly party will be hosted by travel expert Jessica Nabongo, feature ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall—and so much more.
The Earth Day bash kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 21 and will include an array of appearances from around the world. The line-up includes notable names, such as Angélique Kidjo, AURORA, José González, Maggie Rogers, Rostam, Valerie June, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma and Ziggy Marley.
Along with this lofty list of performers, My Morning Jacket will premiere their new music video during the virtual viewing party.
As if that’s not enough, Nat Geo’s Earth Day Eve remote party will also include a special preview of the new four-part Disney+ series Secrets of the Whales. National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry will introduce the series. Narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver, Secrets of the Whales is available to view on Disney+ at 12:00 p.m. PT on Apr. 22.
National Geographic Chairman Gary Knell, said of the virtual event, in a press release, “For over 133 years, National Geographic has strived to inspire people to care more deeply for the planet. This Earth Day, we hope to provide that inspiration with a one-of-a-kind celebration that invites audiences everywhere to unite around the power of music.”
Knell added, “Our Earth Day Eve event—virtual and accessible to everyone—will showcase environmentally passionate artists from around the world together with some of National Geographic’s most extraordinary Explorers. From AURORA’s forest performance in Bergen, Norway, to Jane Goodall’s greeting from her home in England, the celebration will give us even more of a reason to fall in love with the place we all call home—and empower us to act to protect it.”
If you’re into the after-party scene, Nat Geo will host a second virtual event on its new TikTok account at 10:00 p.m. ET on Apr. 21. To watch the Earth Day Eve event, tune in on the National Geographic YouTube channel or visit the Nat Geo website here.
Sesame Workshop and SC Johnson recently collaborated to create a new line of videos promoting healthy practices at home—in an eco-friendly way!
As part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, the videos star Elmo and his father Louie. The pair models healthy routines your kiddo may need to follow for sick days, bedtime and bath-time.
photo courtesy of PR Newsfoto/SC Johnson
Not only will the videos help children learn about basic hygiene practices, the educational Elmo-packed clips will also focus on and promote sustainable practices. Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, said in a press release, “It’s important that we all work together to help children respond to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Johnson continued, “Our goal is to combine our expertise in science and innovation with Sesame Workshop’s decades of experience in educating and connecting with children so we can equip them with the skills needed to lead healthier and more environmentally conscious lives.”
Steve Youngwood, CEO of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, said of the collab with SC Johnson, “Sesame Workshop is proud to work with SC Johnson to help families stay healthy, connected, and full of curiosity—with a little help from the Sesame Street Muppets.” Youngwood added, “Together, we can give children the skills they need to thrive and navigate whatever comes next in 2021 and beyond.”
For more information on the new videos or the Caring for Each Other initiative, visit Sesame Workshop’s website here.
Start your day with a hot mug of coffee and Ree Drummond. The Pioneer Woman, in partnership with Zavida Coffee Roasters, has launched a brand-new, premium coffee line.
“Mornings come very early on our ranch,” Drummond said. “Coffee is one of my favorite things about rising and shining, and I love to sip it all day. My coffee line with Zavida Coffee Roasters includes both high-quality coffee beans and single-serve cups in both flavored and non-flavored blends that I think you will absolutely love!”
The Pioneer Woman line includes premium ground coffee beans and single-serve cups featuring three non-flavored blends: Up & At ‘Em (Breakfast Roast), Saddle Up (Medium Roast), and Giddy Up (Dark Roast).
The line also includes a range of flavored blends, carefully developed by Drummond, and inspired by her popular recipes. Flavored blends include:
Hazelnut Vanilla: This coffee blend celebrates all things hazelnut with added vanilla flavor.
Cinnamon Rolls: Inspired by Ree’s mom’s legendary cinnamon roll recipe.
Caramel Fudge Brownie: Ree loves layered caramel fudge brownies so much, it inspired this blend.
Pecan Pie: Pecan pie is the ultimate dessert in the Drummond family. This coffee blend is like pecan pie in a cup, with the same custardy goodness you’d expect.
French Vanilla: A cup of French vanilla coffee is hard to beat, and it’s a staple in Ree’s coffee rotation.
Pumpkin Spice: The pumpkin spice flavors are amped up in this seasonal blend, and just a sip makes you feel happy.
Spicy Cowgirl (Coming Soon): Ree’s signature spicy coffee drink made with notes of chocolate, cinnamon, chile, and cayenne now turned into beans to enjoy at home.
“At Zavida, we’re all about great tasting coffee – and we’re excited to bring our passion for combining the world’s best coffees with unique flavors to the Pioneer Woman brand. Our team crafted these blends to be enjoyed both hot and cold-brewed, so Ree’s fans can indulge in her favorite treats one steamy (or iced) cup at a time,” said Charles Litterst, Chairman at Zavida Coffee Roasters.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Zavida Coffee Roasters to bring The Pioneer Woman Coffee to retailers nationwide,” said Jeffrey Cohen, co-chairman at Earthbound. “This partnership marks the continued expansion in an important category for the brand, food, to bring the most popular flavors from Ree’s recipes into her fans’ homes.”
The Pioneer Woman coffee single serve cups are currently available for purchase online at Walmart, Amazon and Zavida.com. Ground beans will be available for purchase in late Spring 2021. The coffee line will be at retailers nationwide later this year.
Many industries are switching to more eco-friendly practices, and the toy industry is hopping on board. VTech has announced that it has plans to launch a variety of green electronic learning products throughout 2021––working towards the company’s goal of replacing fossil-based plastics with sustainable alternatives by 2030.
Both VTech and LeapFrog will be dropping a combined seven new eco-friendly products this year. In addition to green alternatives for toy construction, VTech packaging currently is made up of 94 percent recyclable materials and the company is committed to getting rid of fossil-based blister packaging by 2025.
Kids will soon be able to play with three new vehicles in the Go! Go! Smart Wheels line made from plant-based plastic, and the Sort & Recycle Ride-on Truck made from reclaimed plastic. Looking for LeapFrog products? Keep your eyes peeled for a new Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot with vegetables and accessories made from plant-based plastic, and two new wooden toys that include a Touch & Learn Nature ABC Board and Interactive Wooden Animal Puzzle.
Dr. Allan Wong, Chairman and Group CEO of VTech Holdings Limited states, “VTech’s sustainability vision is to create sustainable value for the lives of people and protect the planet for the future generations. We are committed to using sustainable materials in our products and packaging and recycling them in a responsible way, using eco-friendly transportation modes in our supply chain management, increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing the consumption of natural resources in our production process.”
So how else is VTech changing the toy landscape? The company is taking part in post-consumer packaging recycling programs in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, included packaging recycling labels like “How2Recycle®” its packaging to promote awareness and has partnered with recycling companies like TerraCycle® as an easy avenue for consumers to recycle products.
You can learn more about VTech’s sustainability efforts and achievements at vtech.com.
Without a doubt, the holidays are going to look very different this year. Many retailers have altered their business hours and safety protocols due to the pandemic. Now amid the rise of cases across the country some stores are making the decision to close businesses on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
As of today, these are the retailers that will be closed this Thanksgiving. The list will be updated as more stores make announcements.
Walmart
On Jul 21 Walmart announced all of their locations and Sam’s Club locations will be closed for Thanksgiving Day.
“We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,” said Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner in a press release. “We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”
The company also announced another round of bonuses for employees working on the front lines of the pandemic: $300 for full-time hourly workers and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary workers.
Target
On Jul. 27, Target announced that all national stores will be closed for Thanksgiving this year.
“This year more than ever, a joyful holiday will be inseparable from a safe one, and we’re continuing to adjust our plans to deliver ease, value and the joy of the season in a way that only Target can,” said Target CEO Brian Cornell in a statement.
Best Buy
In a press release on Jul. 28, Best Buy announced they will close all stores across the country for Thanksgiving Day. Shoppers will still be able to purchase items online and via the Best Buy app.
Best Buy will also be enhancing the way it fulfills orders, including offering more convenient pickup times at stores and making sure online orders arrive on time.
DICK’S Sporting Goods
On Jul. 27, DICK’S Sporting Goods announced they will close all stores and distribution centers for the Thanksgiving holiday. The company also announced a 15-percent premium through the end of the year for store and distribution center employees.
“We are so thankful to our teammates for their hard work and dedication,” said Ed Stack, Chairman and CEO in a news release. “They have navigated this year with strength, commitment and care for each other and for our customers. We will continue to do all we can to support them and show our gratitude.”
Kohl’s
Kohl’s announced they will be closed on Thanksgiving in a press release on Jul. 29. “The holiday season is when Kohl’s shines brightest, and as we move into the holiday season of this very unusual year, we are adapting our plans in response to changing customer expectations and behaviors,” said Michelle Gass, Kohl’s chief executive officer. “We are deeply appreciative of how our team of Kohl’s associates have shown up to serve our customers through this pandemic and know that they will continue to show Kohl’s at our best throughout the holidays.”
Joanna Cole, award-winning author of the bestselling The Magic School Bus series and more than 250 books for children, passed away at the age of 75 on Jul. 12, 2020. Along with illustrator Bruce Degen, she created the groundbreaking science series in 1986. The book series, published by Scholastic, has thirteen core titles and dozens of series tie-ins, with more than 93 million copies in print in 13 countries.
The Magic School Bus series has been recognized with some of the most prestigious children’s awards including: NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, An American Booksellers Association Choice, IRA/CBC Children’s Choice, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, A Horn Book Fanfare, and Parents Magazine Best Books of the Year.
“Joanna Cole had the perfect touch for blending science and story,” said Dick Robinson, Chairman, President and CEO, Scholastic. “Joanna’s books, packed with equal parts humor and information, made science both easy to understand and fun for the hundreds of millions of children around the world who read her books and watched the award-winning television series. Her Ms Frizzle led a group of eager and curious students on countless adventurous trips on the Magic School Bus¬–into the human body, hurricanes, the solar system, and everywhere imaginable. Joanna and the landmark series she created with illustrator Bruce Degen and editor Craig Walker was produced for television by Scholastic Entertainment, and has been viewed continuously for 25 years. Her spirited work will live on as The Magic School Bus continues to be discovered by new readers and viewers.”
Degen said, “I think for Joanna the excitement was always in the idea. What? Why? How? And with The Magic School Bus it was how to explain it so that it is accurate and in a form that a kid can understand and use. And you can actually joke around while you are learning. She had a rare sense of what could be humorous.
We met in 1984 in the office of the much missed Craig Walker, the brilliant editor who asked us to work together. We did not know each other. In the world of children’s books it is not often necessary for illustrator and writer to actually meet, but there were conundrums with MSB. Every page was so complicated we had to make decisions: how to make it work. Could it work? And we did. Together. And we became friends. What Joanna has meant to the world, what there is in the world because of her, is well known. What she meant to me I can’t describe. Everyone who knew her, worked with her, loved her, knows what a loss it is.”
Prior to her death, Cole and Degen completed The Magic School Bus Explores Human Evolution, scheduled for publication Spring 2021.
The Broadway League announced that Broadway performances in New York City will be suspended through the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19. They released updated information regarding performance cancellations and ticketing. Broadway theaters are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for all performances through Jan. 3, 2021.
While continuing to work with city and state officials along with leaders in science, technology and medicine The Broadway league is trying to formulate the best plan to restart the industry. Some of the logistics being reviewed include screening and testing, cleaning and sanitizing, wayfinding in theaters, backstage protocol and much more.
Returning productions are currently projected to resume performances over a series of rolling dates in early 2021. Tickets for performances for next winter and spring are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks. For regular updates on ticket sales, individual show announcements, performance dates, and more, please check Broadway.org for information as it becomes available.
“The Broadway experience can be deeply personal but it is also, crucially, communal,” said Chairman of the Board of The Broadway League Thomas Schumacher. “The alchemy of 1000 strangers bonding into a single audience fueling each performer on stage and behind the scenes will be possible again when Broadway theatres can safely host full houses. Every single member of our community is eager to get back to work sharing stories that inspire our audience through the transformative power of a shared live experience. The safety of our cast, crew, orchestra and audience is our highest priority and we look forward to returning to our stages only when it’s safe to do so. One thing is for sure, when we return we will be stronger and more needed than ever.”
“Our membership is working closely with the theatrical unions and in concert with key experts and some of the greatest minds inside and outside of the industry to explore protocols for all aspects of reopening. We are focused on identifying and implementing necessary measures that will enable us to resume performances safely for Broadway audiences and employees,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League. “We are determined to bring back the people who rely on this industry for their livelihood, and to welcome back all those who love this vital part of New York City, as soon as it is safe to do so. As so many of us in the Broadway community have been saying during this time – We’ll be back, and we have so many more stories to tell.”
Those holding tickets for performances through Jan. 3, 2021 will receive an e-mail from their point of purchase with detailed information regarding refund and exchange options. Any customers holding tickets through Jan. 3, 2021 that have not received an e-mail by Jul. 13 are advised to contact their point of purchase for assistance after this date.
If you were watching Good Morning America this morning, you were among the first to hear the exciting news. The Hamilton movie, originally intended for a full theatrical release premiering Oct. 2021 will be dropping sooner than expected.Now, the release has been moved up a year and a half to Jul 3 and will stream on Disney+.
Miranda, the show’s creator, and Bob Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company, made the surprise announcement this morning.
“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of Hamilton—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way. In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Iger. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind ‘Hamilton’ to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”
According to Miranda, The Hamilton performance that will air on Disney+ was filmed over three days in July 2016 with the original cast. “It just captures that moment in time so beautifully and watching it brings me right back there with that incredible, once-in-a-lifetime company,” he said.
The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater, film, and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton.
“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in Jun. of 2016, Hamilton features Tony Award winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.
Calling all “pinball wizards!” Stern Pinball recently announced a new game—and it features Netflix’s Stranger Things.
The Stranger Things pinball machine features absolutely everything you’d expect from the “upside down” world of the super-popular streaming series. Not only will Stern Pinball release one supernatural-infused machine, but the company will give fans three different options. Look for Pro, Premium and Limited Edition models.
According to Stern Pinball’s website, the Premium and Limited Edition machines will feature, “A first ever video projector that displays images and animations directly on the playfield, creating dramatic interactions with gameplay action.” The Premium and Limited Edition machines will also have an Eleven-themed “telekinetic” magnetic ball lock and ramp that doubles as a screen.
Of the pinball pairing, Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc, said in a press release, “Stranger Things is one of the most successful shows of all time, connecting with people around the world and across generations. This game features action, mystery, suspense, and humor; Stranger Things is a perfect fit for pinball.”
To buy your very own Stranger Things pinball game (priced between $6,099 and $9,099) you’ll need to visit an authorized Stern Pinball dealer. Find a dealer via Stern’s website here.
