Posts by Melinda Sineriz

I’ll admit it: Tommy Boy is one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s silly and delightful, and Chris Farley gives a sweet, earnest, and hilarious performance. Sadly, we lost this comic talent far too soon. Here are 14 fascinating facts about the amazing Chris Farley: 1. Chris Farley posed as Newt Gingrich—in front of Newt...

Most of us have some embarrassing, quirky stories from childhood. For example, I was dropped (gently) off the end of a diving board after everyone involved got tired of me walking to the end of the board and chickening out. Am I still risk-averse? You betcha. Twitter user Kathryn Brightbill kicked off a thread of...

Over the past few years, boba shops have been popping up on just about every corner. What’s the story behind this delicious drink? What are those bubbles, anyway? Here’s the inside scoop on boba, aka bubble tea. The History of Bubble Tea Boba started in Taiwan, possibly in Taipei. Milk tea was already a popular...

Allergies are a serious issue for many parents. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), 32 million Americans have food allergies, and 5.6 of those are children under age 18. Movies and television have given us a dramatic impression of what to expect when someone has a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis doesn’t always look like...

Houseguests can be fun. Sometimes. If they don’t stay too long. A good houseguest is respectful, keeps things relatively clean, and maybe offers to do the dishes. A not-so-good houseguest…well, here are 15 stories of what that looks like: 1. I hope they paid the plumbing bill My 10-year-old distant cousin unwrapped 3 new bars...

Marlene Dietrich is one of Hollywood’s best known leading ladies. Known for her voice, beauty, and incredible style, she ruled the box office in the 1930s and 1940s. Here are 15 facts you should know about the sultry femme fatale: 1. Her real name Marlene Dietrich was born Marie Magdalene Dietrich on December 27, 1901...

I don’t think there’s anyone who really loves the airport. The lines are always long, everyone’s cranky. The Denver Airport has always been a bit unique, though. Ever since the Denver Airport opened in 1995 (well behind schedule), it’s been subject to a host of rumors. Is it the Illuminati Headquarters? Why does its dedication...

Once you’ve gotten your kids into dress clothes, it’s almost inevitable that they will find their way to the closest mud puddle. But as frustrating as clean-up duty can be, dirt and mud are actually good for your kiddos. The idea that playing in the dirt (and, let’s face it, they’ll probably eat a little...

Kira Aldcroft, a 22-year-old from Prestwich in the United Kingdom, didn’t know she had herpes. She had never experienced any symptoms besides thrush, which is a common side effect of pregnancy, according to the Daily Mail. Her son was born nine days premature, but everything seemed fine until he was eight days old. That’s when...

“Shrek” won the very first Oscar for best animated feature, but making the movie was far from a fairy tale experience, according to the New York Post. “Shrek” was stuck in development hell for years. Back in 1996, it was a low priority for DreamWorks, with a limited budget of $20 million. It was using...

The polar vortex brought snow, school closings, freezing temperatures, and airport delays to the Midwest. It’s also brought this cool visual phenomenon: This visual effect, as the picture indicates, is called a sundog. Sky & Telescope defines a sundog as “a concentrated patch of sunlight occasionally seen about 22 degrees to the left or right...

Regardless of the weather, your pup needs regular walks to stay calm and fit. What are the best ways to make sure your dog stays safe and healthy during cold winter walks? Here are four tips: 1. Dress for the weather. In addition to being adorable, winter jackets can keep your pup warm against the...

Jackie Robinson is most known for breaking the color barrier in baseball. He started playing Major League Baseball in 1947 and was actively involved in the civil rights movement. Here are some lesser known facts about the legendary player: 1. He was named after a president. Jackie Robinson’s full name is Jack Roosevelt Robinson. His middle...

Although February is Black History Month, it is always important to know Black history if you want to be able to understand America. The achievements of Black people have often been downplayed or overlooked in our history books and schools, and that is an extreme disservice to the Black community – the people upon whom...

W.E.B. Du Bois is an important activist and scholar who lived during the time between the Civil War and the civil rights movement. Here are some essential facts to know about Du Bois. 1. He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University and...