Natalie

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

Read Across America Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Today is National Read Across America Day, where children at schools from coast to coast celebrate reading, books, and storytelling. The tradition began in 1998, as a celebration of reading on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Dr. Seuss is one of America’s best-loved children’s authors, so on this day, let’s take a look at his life, how he became a beloved author, and celebrate reading!

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, Springfield, Massachusetts

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1904. His family, of German heritage, experienced harassment during and after World War I, but his family was very involved, and he developed a sense of patriotism that stayed with him through his life.

Dr. Seuss is Springfield’s hometown hero, and in 2002, the town unveiled a masterpiece sculpture garden dedicated to the author. It includes five large statues of some of Seuss’s most famous and well-loved characters, including the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax.

The entire exhibit is in the center of the Quadrangle, which is a cluster of museums, libraries, and community structures, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum.

Dr. Seuss National Memorial

Oxford University, Oxford, England

After graduating from Dartmouth College, he moved to Oxford, England, to earn a PhD in English Literature. And where better than the oldest university in the English-speaking world?

However, it was there that he met his future wife, who encouraged him to commit full-time to a career highlighting his creative drawings. So, he left school after two years and returned to the US, and the rest is for the storybooks.

Oxford University

Family Home, San Diego, California

Within a few years, Seuss had a solid career in writing, but it took a detour during World War II, when he used his talents to help the war effort through films and other animations.

After the war, he and his wife moved to La Jolla, in San Diego. The four-acre estate had a four-bedroom house, with pool, and beautiful landscaping. The home was donated to University of California at San Diego after the death of his second wife. A few years ago, the property was divided into four parcels and sold at auction for about $19 million total.

Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel's house (former)

University of California San Diego Geisel Library, San Diego, California

The main library of the university system was renamed in Theoror Geisel’s honor. He and his second wife had made several substantial contributions over the years to the university. The library is known for its bold and modern architecture called “Brutalist/Futurist”. The design is fitting for Seuss, as it looks like something that would be found in the pages of his books.

It has more than seven million books, including 8,500 items in the Dr. Seuss collection. This includes his early works, sketches, and manuscripts.

UCSD Geisel Library

Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Of course, the OG library in the United States is the Library of Congress. The beautiful structure, which sits across the street from the US Capitol, is one of the largest libraries in the world. It actually has multiple buildings on Capitol Hill, as well as a few more buildings offsite.

It was burned by the British in the War of 1812, and lost much of its original collection. Thomas Jefferson donated his expansive collection of nearly 7,000 books. Sadly many of these were burned in a subsequent fire. Currently, the library has more than 160 million pieces! This amazing collection includes an original Gutenburg Bible, as well as items in more than 400 languages.

Library of Congress

If you’re looking for some fun and interesting books to read with your little ones, here’s a wonderful list curated for variety and interest, which is sure to entertain all sorts of kids! Here’s to some happy reading. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss, and thanks for all the amazing adventures.

https://www.worldcat.org/lists/49c3900f-50d6-4be4-a7c3-01ff8f909fee

February 28, 2023January 25, 2023

Coolest Bridges in the US

Sometimes, a bridge is just a way to get to where you’re going; but sometimes it’s an architectural feat worthy of regard and fame.

San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge, New York City has the Brooklyn Bridge, but there are several other bridges just as breathtaking and interesting across the United States.

Golden Gate Bridge

One of the most recognizable bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is perched at the western edge of the country, spanning the San Francisco Bay as it opens into the Pacific Ocean. It connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County, California.

It was constructed in 1937, overcoming significant construction hurdles including the mile long span, constant fog, strong winds, gusty waves and deep water. For many years it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

The bridge has a dark side, too, being the second most used bridge for suicides in the world. The long fall and freezing water below make jumping or falling from the bridge very dangerous.

Golden Gate Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

On the other coast, the Brooklyn Bridge is another landmark amid the New York City skyline. It connects the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan across the East River.

Construction started in 1869, and nearly thirty men, including the original lead architect, died building it before it was completed in 1883.

When it opened, P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants across the bridge to demonstrate it was safe and stable.

The neo-Gothic architecture makes for a beautiful photograph for the thousands of tourists that cross the bridge daily.

The Brooklyn Bridge

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, or CBBT, is one incredible feat of engineering, with four lanes of traffic spanning 20 miles, including two one mile spans under water! The tunnel portions allow for large ships to traverse the waterway to the ports of Norfolk and Hampton Roads Virginia, some of the most important and busiest shipping hubs in the United States. It is one of ten bridge-tunnel combinations, two more of which are in the Hampton Roads area!

Tourists are welcome to drive on the CBBT, and there are lookout points along the way, but be prepared to pay the toll, which is about $15!

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

Ambassador Bridge

The Ambassador Bridge is a beautiful suspension bridge connecting Detroit Michigan to Windsor Toronto, Canada. When it was completed in 1929, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. But it’s more than just a beautiful bridge; it’s an economic lifeline between the two countries.

An estimated 25 percent of all merchandise trade between the US and Canada passes through the Ambassador Bridge, with over 10,000 commercial vehicles crossing the bridge every weekday.

Pedestrians and bicycles were permitted to cross the bridge until security concerns after September 11, 2001.

Ambassador Bridge (US-Canada)

Royal Gorge Bridge

The highest suspension bridge in the United States, the Royal Gorge Bridge is part of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park tourist attraction near Canon City Colorado. It is nearly 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River, and is made of steel and covered with wooden planks.

Cars and light trucks are allowed to drive across the bridge during limited hours, but most traffic is by pedestrians who take in the breathtaking vistas and thrill of being so high above the river.

Tourists can even zip line across the gorge or take a gondola ride across for a more relaxed passage.

Royal Gorge Bridge

February 21, 2023January 25, 2023

Deep Dive into History: Catching the Spy Aldrich Ames

Everyone loves a good spy thriller. Names like James Bond and Jason Bourne are familiar to many, but most real-life spies go their entire lives without revealing their names, or secrets. Unless you get caught, of course, like Aldrich Ames.

Aldrich Ames is known as one of the worst double agents in American spy history. He betrayed his country and got many people killed, all to earn a little extra money.

It was on this date in 1994 that the career CIA spy was arrested in Arlington, Virginia, wrapping up one of the worst leaks in CIA history. Let’s take a look at his life, and terrible legacy.

CIA Headquarters, McLean, Virginia

Aldrich was exposed early in life to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) because his father worked there, and he even got a job filing papers in his high school years. After a few fits and starts, he eventually started his spy career at CIA headquarters in McLean, Virginia.

The headquarters, now called the George Bush Center for Intelligence after former CIA leader and US president George Bush Sr., is located right outside Washington, DC. The headquarters is very private. While the location is public information, only people with clearance, or a very specific appointment and approval, are allowed on the property. There’s a Starbucks on site, but as you would expect, they don’t ask names, and are very private.

Over his career, Aldrich worked here several times, when he was stationed stateside.

CIA Headquarters

Cam Peary, AKA “The Farm”, Williamsburg, Virginia

During World War II, the government recognized the need for a location where they could train individuals in covert tactics. They settled on an area in Virginia and named it Camp Peary.

During World War II, it was used to house top-secret German prisoners of war. If the German government realized certain people had been captured, not killed, it would have compromised US intelligence.

After the war, the area was turned into a training facility for covert operatives and foreign intelligence officers. They are taught many classified skills, but we generally know they are taught techniques for evading capture, enduring torture, surveillance, cryptography, and more.

While the closed-lips CIA hasn’t reported about when or if Ames went to Camp Peary, it’s likely, as many agents who travel overseas are sent here for training.

Camp Peary - CIA's "The Farm"

Ames’ Home, Arlington, Virginia

Aldrich Ames married and divorced a fellow CIA operative, and then remarried in 1985. It was at this point it is believed he began spying for the then-Soviet Union, as a means to recoup money lost in the divorce. What started as a one-time thing led to him betraying more than ten high-level assets, for at least $4.6 million.

He quickly began to spend the money he received from spying, drawing attention of his peers. He even paid for this Arlington, Virginia home, in cash for $540,000, and adding another $100,000 in home renovations. In fact, his wife, who was later convicted as a co-conspirator, boasted to a fellow CIA employee that she was installing drapes through the whole house at once, even though it was very expensive. Her phone bill alone was more than Aldrich made, at $6,000 a month!

Spy Residence

Chadwick’s Restaurant, Hand-Off Site, Washington, DC

Eventually, the CIA realized they had a mole, or a leak, in the agency. They assembled a team, and set to work. It took more than five years, but by 1993, they were convinced the spy was Aldrich. They followed him constantly for months, amassing evidence against him.

They realized his known monthly meetings often held at Chadwick’s in DC with a Soviet official were sometimes a cover for his delivery of classified US information in exchange for large amounts of cash. He spied for more than six years, betraying “virtually all Soviet agents of the CIA and other American and foreign services” that he knew of.

Spy Rendezvous

Arrest Site, Arlington, Virginia

Finally, the CIA caught onto him, and he was arrested here, just a few blocks from his home, on February 21, 1994. At first, he claimed the officers had the wrong man, but it was quickly clear he was guilty of spying.

Spy Arrest Site

US Penitentiary, Terre Haute, Indiana

Aldrich recognized that he was going to be convicted, and chose to avoid a trial and the risk of the death penalty for espionage and treason. He spoiled more than 100 investigations and outed more than 30 individuals, many of whom were killed by the Soviet government.

As part of their agreement, Aldrich pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison, and his wife was sentenced to jail for five years. He is currently serving his sentence in the US penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. He will never be a free man again.

United States Penitentiary

While it’s unclear exactly how many people died because of Aldrich’s spying, it’s certain he was responsible for at least a dozen deaths. Several agents were arrested and killed in a very short period, and many others were later arrested by their governments. He was clearly an evil, greedy man, willing to betray his country, and jeopardize the lives of countless Americans and others, all so he and his wife could drive a fancy car, have nice clothes, and live a luxurious lifestyle.

February 14, 2023January 25, 2023

Happy Love Day!

It’s Valentine’s Day, when we think about love, and the people we love. In honor of this holiday some love, and some love to hate, let’s take a look at some celebrity couples that got together, or sealed the deal in 2022.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck

Twenty years after they first got together, Jennifer and Ben finally tied the knot in 2022, and it seems that this time, the two A-list celebs are together for good. As easy as their relationship seems this time around, finding a home for the filthy rich newlyweds and their blended family has been a lot harder.

After more than a year of rumored home purchases, it seems the new family will end up living at a home Jennifer has owned for years. The $28 million Bel Air mansion will undergo serious year-long renovations before they move in, though.

Jennifer Lopez's House

Meanwhile, the couple is renting a gorgeous home worth around $60 million. Jennifer hasn’t held back in her social media posts of the temporary home, which some sources thought they were purchasing in late 2022. The amazing mansion has a beautifully-landscaped backyard complete with pool, movie theater, and plenty of privacy for the high-powered couple.

Danny DeVito's House (Former)

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams

Everyone knows and loves Sarah from Modern Family and Wells Adams from various Bachelor shows. But the two adorable celebs met in 2017, when Sarah sought out Wells after seeing him on TV. Their relationship has been happily ever after, unlike most of the shows Wells hosts.

The happy couple even bought a new house in 2020, when they originally planned to get married. The $4 million house is described as a “modern farmhouse” in the Studio City area of LA. It has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and 6,000 square feet of living space.

Sarah Hyland's House

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Coming from her family, it makes sense that Kourtney would be big into weddings, but who knew she and Travis Barker, drummer for Blink-182 would have three? The first was a backyard wedding with an Elvis impersonator, the second was at a courthouse and the final wedding was a grand affair in Italy.

The couple, who have six kids between them, still maintain their previous residences to keep things easier on the kids. Kourtney has a massive estate in Calabasas, of course. She and her former partner Scott Disick bought the home at a bargain basement price of $7.5 million, well below the $12 million Keyshawn Johnson originally wanted. The two-acre property has a pool, spa, sports area, and an impressive living area with six bedrooms across 12,000 square feet.

Kourtney Kardashian's House

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari

Britney Spears has been in the news a lot lately, and mostly for great reasons! After having her conservatorship terminated, she was able to marry her longtime boyfriend Sam Ashgari on June 9. The couple married at her Thousand Oaks, California home. She bought the house in 2015, for about $7.4 million.

Britney Spears' House

Right after the marriage, the newlyweds announced they were moving to Calabasas, near her ex and her two sons. The home has seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, an area for the housekeepers, heated pool, and even an entire room dedicated for gift wrapping! With all that, the 11,600 square foot house was just not a good fit, and the lovebirds have announced the house will be back on the market in 2023. Changing your mind about a $11.8 million home is no big deal when you’re worth at least $70 million.

Britney Spears' House (Former)

Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews

Superstar NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his partner Brittany Matthews have been together, and very public, for so long that it may come as a surprise that the couple only married in 2022. And while Brittany’s presence on social media may be flashy, their Kansas City home is not.

The 4,000 square foot home is understated but absolutely gorgeous, and the couple spent an additional $400,000 on renovations after paying around $1.75 million for the 70 year old home. That’s pretty restrained for Patrick, who signed the single largest NFL contract ever, earning $500 million over ten years! One big splurge is the special closet for Patrick’s 180 shoes.

Patrick Mahome's House

These are just a few of the happy celebs who tied the knot in 2022, making their relationship official. Hopefully they have what it takes to last in the crazy world of celebrity and show business.

And hopefully, we are all able to surround ourselves with people who lift us up and make us want to be better people. Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 13, 2023January 25, 2023

The World’s Most Romantic City

Paris has long been the city of lovers and love, and one doesn’t have to look long or hard to understand why.

Here are some of the most romantic places in the City of Lights.

Pont Neuf

Meaning “New Bridge” the Pont Neuf is ironically the oldest standing bridge spanning the river Seine in Paris. Completed in 1607, the bridge has long been the heart of the city. It ties together the Left Bank, Ile de la Cite, the island in the center of Paris, and the Right Bank, connecting Paris with its beautiful arches.

Tradition encourages lovebirds to pause and share a long kiss on the bridge, and with the many romantic views from the bridge, you might want to stop for more than one kiss!

Pont Neuf

Pont des Artes

Paris is full of romantic bridges, and the Pont des Artes is at the top of the list. A pedestrian bridge, it has always been a special spot for lovers. Around 2008, couples began placing small padlocks on the bridge, engraved with their names, as an homage to their love. However, the bridge soon became overwhelmed with locks and the city had to remove them in 2014. At that time it was estimated there were over one million locks! That’s a lot of love!

While putting a padlock on the bridge is now frowned upon, the Pont des Artes has not lost its romantic luster, so lovers should be sure to stop here for a memorable moment.

Photo Credit: http://www.wikipedia.com

Notre Dame Cathedral

Among the most famous cathedral in the world, this cathedral in the heart of Paris is a must see for any visitor, and lovers are no exception.

The perfect location at the tip of the Ile de la Cite, the breathtaking beauty and elegance of the design, stained glass, and tragic love of Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame, all help couples feel closer together after walking up and down the cathedral’s long aisles.

Notre Dame de Paris

Make sure to share a moment staring at the stunning stained glass rose windows before leaving the cathedral.

Notre Dame de Paris

Eiffel Tower

Possibly the most romantic spot in all of Paris, the Eiffel Tower has rocketed to the top of every lover’s itinerary since its construction in 1889. The unique design, the beautiful park surrounding the tower, and the breathtaking views from the top of the tower are just a few reasons why lovers flock here. It has become one of the most popular places in the world for couples to become engaged, and provides a stunning backdrop to any photographs documenting the special occasion.

Lovers can walk or take an elevator to the top to enjoy the view and even dine at one of the restaurants in the tower. Any time spent here will not be forgotten!

Eiffel Tower

Sacre Coeur

The Sacre Coeur basilica is located in the bohemian neighborhood of Monmartere, at the top of the highest hill in Paris. Visitors here are greeted by amazing panoramic views of the Paris skyline.

Street performers, artists and musicians gather around the grounds of the basilica, providing entertainment and fun for all visitors.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Especially at night, when the beautiful white church glows against the night sky, lovers can spend intimate moments together. Many couples will picnic on the grounds with a bottle of champagne and baguette to share. What can be more romantic than that?

Basilique du Sacré Coeur at night

Versailles

A short train ride away from downtown Paris, the great palace Versailles has a history of being a landmark of great Parisian extravagance, romantic excess and scandal.

Since Louis XIV moved the court there in the 1600s, royalty lived at or near Versailles, creating much drama and intrigue, including outlandish parties hosted by Marie Antoinette before she and her husband, Louis XVI, were beheaded.

Palace of Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most famous rooms in the palace, and anyone can feel like royalty walking down the elegant corridor.

Hall of Mirrors

These days, lovers can walk through the palace and the surrounding grounds, with grand designs and elaborate landscapes. Lakes, gardens, sculptures and additional houses round out the roughly 2,000 square acres of real estate comprising Versailles.

Couples will certainly be able to find quiet moments alone in a garden where they can steal a kiss and make a memory together.

Palace of Versailles

Paris is the most romantic city in the world because of its many beautiful, entertaining and intimate locations where lovers can walk in the footsteps of countless romantics before them and still make memories as unique and fresh as new love.

Whether your love is starting out or has stood the test of time, any couple will love a trip to Paris, complete with stops at these romantic locations.

February 7, 2023January 25, 2023

Happy Birthday, Ashton Kutcher!

Happy Birthday, Ashton! 45 years ago today, he (and his twin brother Michael) were born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. And today, he’s on top of an acting, producing and investing empire worth $200 million, has a beautiful wife and two kids.

It seems like he has it all.

So, let’s take a look at how Ashton ended up where he is, as we celebrate another trip around the sun.

Childhood Home, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Ashton has an older sister and a twin brother. His brother suffered from congenital heart issues, which caused a great deal of stress to the empathetic kid. But overall his childhood was happy, and his family was closer for the challenges they faced.

Ashton Kutcher's Childhood Home

Teenage Years Home, Homestead, Iowa

When he was a teen, the family moved to Homestead. Ashton actually helped his dad with construction on the home. He got into theater in high school, but didn’t initially pursue a career in acting. He attended college in biochemical engineering before being discovered and starting out a career in modeling.

Ashton Kutcher's House (Former)

Demi Moore’s Home, Hailey, Idaho

As Ashton moved up in his career in Hollywood, he also dated some very famous women. At age 25, he met 40 year old Demi Moore, who had a decades-long career already. They wed after a quick romance, and were the talk of the town for the six years they were married. However, there were too many differences, and they divorced in 2011.

Demi has stayed close with Ashton, as well as another ex, Bruce Willis. In fact, the family quarantined together in the family’s Hailey, Idaho home, which she bought after her divorce. The $9 million mansion has gorgeous gardens and attracts native wildlife, including moose and bears!

Demi Moore's House

Ashton and Mila’s Beach House, Carpinteria, California

After all his dating, Ashton ended up where he started; dating Mila Kunis, his co-star and love interest on the show that made him famous. The two got together in 2012, and married in 2015. Soon they had two kids, and seemed focused on being a strong family.

In 2017, the couple bought an amazing beach house in the small town of Carpinteria. The 3,100 square foot house set them back $10 million, with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, huge windows and high ceilings, and direct beach access.

Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis' House

Ashton and Mila’s Sustainable Farm House, Beverly Hills, California

The couple is committed to each other, their kids, and the planet. A few years ago, they started constriction on a 6-acre plot of land Ashton bought in 2007 for $8 million. It took them years, but they built a sustainable farm house-style mansion with a focus on family and friends.

Built by a respected environmentally-friendly designer, the couple created a home with reclaimed wood, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and more. It also has a corn field, on-site well, and solar panels to provide all the energy the home needs.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis's Lot

Steve Jobs’ House, Palo Alto, California

Ashton has made a fortune, both as an actor and director, as well as investing in Uber, Spotify, and a dozen other high-yield financial opportunities in the last decade. As his career has progressed, he’s stepped in front of the camera less often. In 2013, he starred in the biopic Jobs about creative genius Apple founder Steve Jobs. His performance was well-reviewed, and the movie did well.

Ashton was so committed to the gig, he even went on a Steve Jobs-inspired diet of raw fruits and veggies. It got him hospitalized twice, according to his wife Mila.

Steve Jobs had all the money in the world, but was not able to overcome his second bout of cancer. He once intended to built a giant mansion, but later in life found peace and quiet in a nice upscale neighborhood of Palo Alto. In the end, it seemed like a beautiful place for Steve and his family to spend the last few years of his life.

Steve Jobs' House

Ashton is turning 45 today. While he’s already accomplished so much in his life, personally and professionally, it’s no doubt that this brilliant, ambitious, and successful star will have his sights set on things bigger, better, and bolder for the years to come. And it will be a great journey to watch. So, happy birthday, Ashton, we hope it’s wonderful!

January 31, 2023December 31, 2022

Jackie Robinson, Breaking Down Barriers in Baseball

On this date, 104 years ago, a baby was born who would do more than nearly any other American to break down racial barriers in society, simply by playing a game he loved, and setting an example of integration for a country in desperate need of leadership.

Jackie Robinson’s Birthplace, Thomasville, GA

When he was born on January 31, 1919, Jackie Robinson’s sharecropper parents could not have imagined the impact he would have on the world. Life was tough growing up outside the small town of Cairo, Georgia. Jackie had his older siblings to lean on and look up to, but when he was five, Jackie’s dad left the family, never to return.

These days, there’s nothing left where the small house once stood. But there is a memorial to the great athlete.

Jackie Robinson's birthplace

Memorial to Jackie and Matthew Robinson, Pasadena, CA

On her own, Jackie’s mom moved the five kids to Pasadena, California. And she must have been quite a mother! Not only did Jackie break the color barrier in baseball, his older brother Matthew “Mack” was a super fast runner. He competed in the same 1936 Berlin Olympics where Jesse Owens showed Hitler, and the world, that there was no place for discrimination in sports, or politics, or life. Mack came in second to Jesse, and won a silver medal.

Pasadena has since erected the Pasadena Robinson Memorial, to thank Jackie and Mack, two amazing sons of the city who excelled in their chosen fields, broke down barriers, and taught millions a lesson in humanity.

Jackie Robinson & Mack Robinson Sculpture

University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

After a lot of encouragement from his older brother and others, Jackie found his talent lay in athletics, and he went to UCLA, where he lettered in four different sports. It was at UCLA where he met his future wife. He left the school right before graduating to take a job and pursue a career.

His first attempts to play professional sports was with football, not baseball! He played semiprofessional football, but in 1941, the US got involved in World War II, and those plans changed forever.

University of California, LA (UCLA)

During his service in the Army, Jackie was encouraged to pursue a career in baseball, reigniting old dreams and desire. After a short stint in the Negro league, and the Minors, he was signed to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York

On April 11, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his major league debut at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, as a Brooklyn Dodger. While most of the crowd was neutral or supportive of integration, a vocal minority made their feelings clear. However, Jackie was stoic in his play, and ignored the hatred and bigotry of others.

He played his entire career as a Dodger, retiring right before he was traded in 1956. Ebbets Field was home field for the Dodgers back then, before the team moved to LA. Later, the arena was razed and an apartment complex was built on the site. In 1972, the building adopted the name the Jackie Robinson Apartments in honor of the man who integrated baseball.

Site of Ebbets Field

Home in Queens, New York

Racism and discrimination were as prevalent off the field, and Jackie had a hard time finding a place for his family to live. After two years of renting an apartment they couldn’t even officially sign the lease to, they were able to buy a home in a recently-integrated area of Queens.

Robinson’s family weren’t the only famous Black residents; Count Bassie and Herbert Mills also lived in the area. Jackie and his family lived here in Addisleigh for about seven years. The family moved when he retired from baseball.

Jackie Robinson's House (former)

Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York

On his first year of eligibility, on the first ballot, Jackie Robinson was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor among MLB players. The hall of fame includes around 350 players, managers, umpires, and other influential individuals, who are voted on by the baseball writers of America.

The museum and hall of fame are wonderful places for baseball aficionados. They can see memorabilia, important items from baseball history, learn about the game and the people who play it, and more.

Cypress Hills National Cemetery

As we look back on this true American hero, let’s take to heart the words emblazoned on his headstone:

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.

Thank you, Jackie.

January 18, 2023December 31, 2022

Happy Birthday, Kevin Costner!

Kevin Costner has been entertaining and fascinating viewers for an entire generation, starring in more than 25 highly successful films, and now the hit show Yellowstone. He has earned several top acting honors, and earned at least a quarter billion dollars in the meantime. And today, it’s his 68th birthday, and the veteran actor has no plans to slow down.

Let’s check out some of the cool places Kevin owns, and some of the places important to his film career.

Dunbar Ranch, Aspen, Colorado

If he’s not filming the next season of his successful television show, he’s probably spending time with his wife and three kids at their gorgeous Aspen-area ranch. Kevin bought the 160-acre property ages ago, and was even married there in 2004. The ranch gets its name from Lieutenant Dunbar, the character Kevin played in Dances with Wolves.

The area has multiple homes, a large baseball field, pool, and even an ice skating rink and sledding area. The main house’s master suite has a door leading directly to an outdoor hot tub, which is so awesome for daring winter dips!

If you have a cool quarter million lying around, you can rent the entire property. While it’s “just” $36,000 a night, you have to commit to rent it for at least a week.

Kevin Costner's Aspen Compound

Property in Santa Barbara, California

In addition to his mountain home, Kevin and his family enjoy a home on one of California’s most desirable beaches. Kevin owns ten acres of prime beachfront property just south of Santa Barbara. He’s actually combined three parcels that total about 10 acres, including a former polo club. Crazy that in addition to the beach views, the property also has gorgeous views of the nearby Santa Ynez mountains!

In 2017, he put the property up for sale for a cool $60 million, only $32 million more than he paid in 2006. However, even after dropping the price significantly, the parcel didn’t sell, and he still owns the estate.

Kevin Costner's House

Field of Dreams Field, Dyersville, Iowa

Kevin Costner has starred in dozens of successful films, but his 1989 baseball movie Field of Dreams is considered a classic, and has even been preserved by the Library of Congress! The movie was mostly filmed in Dubuque County, Iowa, the heart of America’s corn country.

The farm house and baseball field from the film were filmed on site on a farm in Dyersville. The owner never turned the baseball field back into a corn field, but left it like the movie, and created a souvenir shop to encourage visitors.

The farm, with the field, a visitor parking lot, and the white house, all sold in 2011 for around $5 million. The movie was right: If you build it, they will come. In 2021 and 2022, the MLB has actually played real games on the field, with touching events allowing dads and their kids to play catch on the field before the players come out of the corn field to play ball.

Field of Dreams

Ranch Where Dances with Wolves was Filmed, Pierre, South Dakota

Kevin filmed and directed another American classic, Dances with Wolves, in 1990. The box office hit won Oscars for best directing and best film of the year. It cemented Kevin as a director and Hollywood star, and its this movie that he used to name his Aspen ranch: Dunbar Ranch.

Much of the filming was done on location in South Dakota, and a little was done in other western states. In 2015, Ted Turner purchased a large ranch in South Dakota that was used for filming. He paid about $32 million.

Ted Turner's Ranch

“Tatanka” Art Installation, Deadwood, South Dakota

Filming Dances with Wolves significantly impacted Kevin Costner, and he even went so far as to sponsor an art installation outside Deadwood, South Dakota to commemorate the bison of the Great Plains, called “Ta ‘Tanka” in Lakota.

The moving work of art displays Lakota hunters riding in pursuit of the bison. The life-size statues of men, horses and bison is one of the largest bronze sculptures in the world.

Along with seeing the work of art, visitors can shop at the nearby store, and learn so much about the way of life for Plains Indians before the buffalo were nearly extinct and the people were moved to reservations.

'Tatanka: Story of the Bison' by Peggy Detmers

Kevin Costner has done so many amazing films, and been involved in some really awesome projects all around the US. From some blockbuster films to unique and creative projects, from directing to starring in television, he’s done it all. So, on his 68th birthday, it’s a great time to reflect on what he’s done, and gear up for some more cool adventures. Happy Birthday, Kevin Costner!

January 10, 2023December 31, 2022

The Great British Baking Show Comes to America!

As we’re all recovering from the collective holiday overload, while still craving a good dessert or two, many of us are watching the Netflix series The Great British Baking Show (known as The Great British Bake Off in Britain). Watching amateur bakers present fabulous tea cakes, “puddings” and tiered edible desserts makes us all want to be better in the kitchen. Or at least get another Oreo.

But did you know the show is revamping its American series? Sometime in the next few months, we’re going to see judges Paul and Prue, along with Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry as hosts, with American bakers. In fact, they’ve already got a holiday edition available on Roku!

As we wait for another series of the heartwarming show, let’s take a look at who, and what, we’re going to see on TV.

Welford Park, Berkshire, Great Britain

Welford Park, with its animals and gorgeous flowers, have become famous as the backdrop for the wholesome and fun baking series. The tent becomes home to the bakers, hosts, and judges as they work to awarded a platter and bouquet of flowers, and bragging rights as the country’s best amateur baker.

The grounds have been used since the time of the Anglo-Saxons, when it was used as an Abbey. Henry VIII took over the property of the church during his tumultuous reign, and then passed down through the lines of lesser nobility. During World War I, it was used to help recovering soldiers.

Welford Park (The Great British Bake Off)

Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, Great Britain

The new show may have American hosts and American bakers, but it’s all filmed in Great Britain, just outside London. Pinewood Studios has been a filming spot for decades, and the gorgeous mansion, Heatherdan Hall, has been in a James Bond film and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to name a few.

Pinewood Studios

Paul Hollywood’s House, Wingham, Great Britain

The one person who has stuck with the show since the start, Paul Hollywood and his steely blue eyes, recently put his Wingham house on the market. The home, worth around $1 million, dates back to the 13th century, and even has cobblestones in the cellar that likely date back to the Roman period.

The house also has four bedrooms, a guest house, and of course, an amazing kitchen fit for the most famous baker in England.

Paul Hollywood's House

Ellie Kemper’s Family Home, Laude, Missouri

Ellie Kemper, of The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fame, is set to be one of the hosts of the American version of the show, and is off to a great start, with the successful airing of the holiday version on the Roku channel in December.

Ellie grew up in Missouri, in one of the richest families in the state. Her dad runs the family bank, her grandmother is the namesake of an art museum, and on and on.

When she was a little girl, the family moved to the Ladue suburb of St. Louis, where she attended a private high school and fell in love with acting. Her brush with fame came early, as one of her acting teachers was John Hamm, who later became famous in his own right.

Ellie Kemper's Family Home

Marshawn Lynch’s House, Richmond, California

On the holiday edition of the American version of the show, “Beast Mode” brought his game to the tent. The former Seahawks star now works for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football pregame show, and had a blast on the baking show.

When he’s not traveling for football gigs, Lynch resides in a gorgeous $4.6 million home in Richmond, outside San Francisco. The home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and amazing views of the inland water of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every room in the house. The kitchen has a double oven, the weight room is kitted out, and the home theater is Super Bowl worthy.

Marshawn Lynch's House (former)

Nat Faxon’s House, Los Angeles, California

Also on the show, Nat Faxon had a blast baking, but doesn’t seem to spend much time in the kitchen. The Oscar-winning actor and writer grew up outside Boston, and now lives in Los Angeles. He’s mentioned that he misses the seasons, and was sure to live near the ocean so it would feel a little like home.

It’s a perfect place for the funny, good-humored guy to raise his three kids alongside his wife of 15 years, Meaghan Gadd.

Nat Faxon's house

If you’re looking for some entertainment, something wholesome, cheerful, and satisfying, be sure to check out The Great British Baking Show in all its versions on Netflix and the Roku channel, or on your local PBS app. It’s as comforting, like a favorite food, and has a lot less calories!

January 1, 2023December 31, 2022

Celebrity Breakups of 2022

It’s 2023, can you believe it? Congrats for surviving yet another hectic, crazy year. Let’s take a look back and see what celebrity relationships didn’t make it to the new year.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Perhaps the most surprising, and a little sad, breakup of the year happened in the fall, when rumors began swirling that Super Bowl superstar Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen were calling it quits after 13 years.

Gisele knew things were going south when Tom un-retired from football earlier this year. In 2022, she bought not one but two new homes in the same south Florida town.

Smaller Home, Clearwater, Florida

The smaller house was purchased for $1.5 million last February, nearby the house the family was building. It has 1,500 square feet, three bedrooms, and a tiny lawn. Perhaps this purchase was a harbinger of bad news to come.

Gisele Bundchen's House

Larger Home, Clearwater, Florida

Later last fall, when the divorce was finalized, she bought a larger, more permanent property. This property set the newly-single Bundchen back $11.5 million, but she got nearly 4,000 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, gorgeous expansive windows, and unique wood and stone designs throughout the house. Outside, there’s a pool, gorgeous landscaping, and lots of room to enjoy the Florida weather.

Gisele Bundchen's House

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson

We can’t exactly say we’re surprised the near-billionaire celebrity and the Saturday Night funny guy didn’t go the distance. But it kind of makes sense that Kim could be happy with a funny guy like Pete, considering he’s dated so many other beautiful, successful women in the past (and is already rumored to be in yet another relationship with a supermodel).

Condo in Staten Island, New York

Pete has really parlayed his reputation as a perfect boyfriend and hapless funny guy into a career, and he has the amazing New York digs to prove it. He recently bought a condo in this amazing waterfront building in Staten Island. But, apparently it wasn’t more permanent than his relationship, since he announced in early December that the condo is on the market and he’s moving to Brooklyn.

Pete Davidson's House

Home for Mom, Staten Island, New York

It’s kind of sweet to learn that Pete first bought his mom a home, and lived with her, before getting a place of his own. Maybe that’s what makes him stand out in the entertainment business.

Pete Davidson's Condo

Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Morrone

Leonardo is a serial dater, and doesn’t settle down for too long with any one girlfriend, but his relationship with Camila Morrone lasted four years, which is about as long as any the Hollywood mainstay has had.

Leo may switch out companions every four years or when they turn 25 (it’s basically a well-known fact at this point) but his commitment to some of his real estate holdings has lasted far longer.

In 1994, new star Leo bought the first of two side-by-side mansions in the Hollywood Hills area of LA, for $4 million. (For those doing the math, that’s 28 years ago, older than any of his girlfriends.) He later bought the second home for $2 million, and has merged the two into a massive estate anchoring his $60 million real estate portfolio.

Leonardo DiCaprio's House

Private Island, Belize

Another purchase that sets Leo into a class all his own is his private island off the coast of Belize. He bought the skinny isle for $1.75 million in 2005, with the intent to sustainably develop it into an eco-friendly hotel. However, it’s not clear much has been done there, and it’s certainly not ready for business.

Leonardo DiCaprio's Private Island

Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks

Liam has had a rough few years, getting divorced from Miley Cyrus, and now breaking up with the actress Gabriella Brooks. The couple dated since 2019, but spent most of their time under the radar due to Covid restrictions in Australia and other places.

He bought a home in Australia in 2020, for $6.5 million. The 10-acre property has a swimming pool, entertainment area, and even has a place for a helicopter to land. The happy couple spent lots of time together, but it seems that it couldn’t survive after Covid, and the couple called it quits as Liam began to take more roles in 2022.

Liam Hemsworth's House (Newrybar Downs)

Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly

Trevor Noah has come a long way, literally. He grew up in South Africa, and moved to Los Angeles as a teen, and has risen to celeb status as a comedian and host of The Daily Show. For the last two years, he was dating long-term actress Minka Kelly, but they split up earlier in 2022. Rumor has it Minka has moved on to Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds already.

Perhaps as part of his failing relationship, Trevor sold his Bel Air mansion in the spring, for a million dollar loss. The 11, 000 square foot mansion set him back more than $27 million, but he sold it for just $26.4 million. The gated, one-acre property just didn’t hold its value as much as Noah must have anticipated.

Trevor Noah's House

He also put his New York penthouse on the market in November 2022. He bought the place in 2017 for $10 million, and he’s asking for $13 million. Whoever scoops this up will love the 15-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a 1,000 square foot terrace.

Trevor Noah's Penthouse

These are just a few of the few people who didn’t quite make it to the end of 2022 as a couple, but the good thing about the new year is that they can start fresh in life, and love. Happy New Year!