Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Just in Time’ is GAF’s 2024 Easter Original Movie

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Great American Family brings an inspiring story to viewers in their original Easter film From Candace Cameron Bure Presents: Just in Time. It’s a story of love, loss, and hope.

Laura Osnes stars as Hannah, business owner, wife, and wanna-be mom. She and her husband Rowan (Greyston Holt) have been trying to have a baby with no luck and a lot of strain on their relationship. Hannah is obsessed with having a baby, but this pressure is too much for Rowan. He decides they need a weekend apart and spends the Easter holiday with his parents, leaving Hannah to stew in the fact that her marriage is crumbling. Not one to turn to God, she decides it is her last hope to save her marriage.

Hannah receives a call from a man who says he found her watch. Actually, it is her husband’s watch. This gold watch has her phone number (land line of all things) engraved on the back with the date of her wedding. But Hannah doesn’t think Rowan owns a gold watch. Franklin (Peter Bryant) asks to meet her to give the watch back. He enjoys returning lost items to people, and has been successful in that endeavor with the help of his trusty metal detector. 

Meeting Franklin changes her life. Together they set off on a quest to find out about the watch. Who does it belong to and why are her phone number and the initials RO engraved on the back? It’s been pretty beat up so they surmise the RO is the first part of Rowan’s name. Makes sense. Why not? But things are not what they seem in this story.

As the two start to unravel the history of this unique watch, they meet several people on this emotional journey. Franklin imparts plenty of sage advice which Hannah finds relevant to her life and her future. What is she supposed to do about her life and her marriage? Has it run its course? As Franklin says, live in the moment and God will guide her in his own time. But he has not been completely forthcoming with Hannah, so they both have a lot to learn from each other.

Their journey leads them from one person to another as they search for the answers to the mystery of the watch. Who would engrave a telephone number on their watch? That in itself is unusual. But also, why does it have the date of her anniversary as well? The clues unravel as the story takes Hannah on a journey of discovery and hope for her life. She finally learns to let go of things that are distressing and give them over to God. Yes, this is a religious movie, after all. It’s the 2024 Easter film from Great American Family. And yes, this is an engaging story with a happy ending for everyone.

From Executive Producer Candace Cameron Bure, Just in Time premieres March 26, 2024 on Great American Family. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images Courtesy Great American Family

‘Sweetly Salted’ will have your mouth watering

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Being a food critic isn’t easy, especially when your latest restaurant review goes viral, and not in a good way. Sweetly Salted is a cute romantic comedy about two people who met for a few minutes years ago and now rediscover each other and yes, fall in love.

Alison (Lanie McAuley) is the food critic at a Chicago newspaper. The thing is, no one knows that. She is known in the paper and online as “Sweetly Salted.” She keeps her identity a secret so she won’t get any special treatment when she dines in restaurants. Alison wants to get the same treatment and food as her readers would. 

Years ago she tasted a Puerto Rican sandwich from a food cart. That taste stayed with her. It was delicious. So when a new Puerto Rican restaurant run by a famous chef opens in the Windy City, Alison is eager to try it out. She is also anxious to taste the authentic Puerto Rican sandwich she remembers from all those years earlier. Unfortunately, when she does, it is nothing like what she remembered. Plus, it isn’t even prepared the same way. That all goes into her column and the newspaper soon gets plenty of hate mail and hate comments online. After all, Sebastian (William Martinez) is a well-known and popular chef. So trashing his new restaurant in her column does not get a lot of love from the readers.

Alison is forced to take a few weeks off from the paper to let the unpleasantness calm down. So, during this time she returns to the restaurant and takes a job as a sous chef, even though she has never been one before. She talks her way into the job and starts to write about what it is like to work in a restaurant and with a famous chef. With a proposed book deal in the offing, this just might be the hook that will propel her writing career into a new direction. The problem is, the book editor insists she “out” herself. They need her to disclose her true identity. No longer with Sweetly Salted be anonymous. 

While she is working hard learning how to chop and mix ingredients, Alison and Sebastian, aka Seb, compliment each other in the kitchen and in their off-hours.

Alison also manages to teach Seb a new dessert recipe which he adds to his menu. And she finally learns why the sandwich she tasted that influenced her rough review, was not made the way she remembered or the way Seb planned to make it. 

There is an attraction that they cannot deny. But when he finds out she has lied to him, not to mention was the critic who almost cost him his new restaurant, all bets are off as to if he will forgive her or not. 

The only thing that this movie could use would be an accompanying recipe book because the food throughout the show looks absolutely delicious.

Sweetly Salted premieres March 17, 2024 on UP TV. Get your taste buds ready for some mouth-watering recipes.

note: The movie is also known as With Love, Your Sweetly Salted.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Yellowstone Romance’- GiddyUp

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Take three Manhattan twenty-something’s and put them on a working dude ranch in Yellowstone, Wyoming and what do you get? Yellowstone Romance is a cute little romantic story set amid the beautiful scenery of the West. 

Olivia  (Stephanie Bennett) works in an art museum in NYC. She just found out her roommate Amber (Aadila Dasani) is getting married and moving to a ranch out west where her fiancé lives. Olivia feels that Amber would be like a duck out of water living on a ranch so she hatches a plot to prove that to Amber. As maid of honor she plans a bachelorette getaway to a working dude ranch in Wyoming. Along with their friend Justin (Caleb Di Pomponio), the three embark on their adventure with Olivia positive her friend will realize she won’t be happy living away from New York. 

Baling hay, collecting eggs, corralling horses, mucking stalls and fixing fences are part of this delightful getaway. But to Olivia’s chagrin, both of her friends enjoy what they are doing. And to her surprise, Olivia also discovers enjoyment working on the ranch. She also is drawn to Travis but neither Olivia nor Travis realize their attraction for each other. However it is evident to Justin who does everything he can to make sure those two are together as often as possible.

Being on the ranch brings back Olivia’s desire to follow her heart and begin painting again. With encouragement from Travis, she reignites her artistic endeavors and paints the beautiful scenery around the ranch. Who knew that this scenery would rival the bright lights of the big city?

The laid back lifestyle of the west definitely has its advantages. But so does the hectic life of Manhattan. Which one feels the most comfortable?  

Viewers can guess what the outcome will be when Amber has second thoughts about moving from the city to a ranch and Olivia quashes her concerns.  After all, they are all getting used to this new life a little at a time. 

The hustle and bustle of fast big city life versus the laid back easygoing lifestyle of ranch life (even with the hard work) is not the only consideration for Olivia and Amber. Their personal feelings come into play too.

Yellowstone Romance streams on UP TV.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘A Royal Makeover’ now streaming on UP TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The story of a commoner being plucked from obscurity to take over the crown is an age-old tale. A Royal Makeover is another such story with some ups and downs as Ramone (Ricky Martinez), a young Floridian man is confronted with his destiny. Will he accept it or deny it? For someone who doesn’t know anything about his heritage, this is a decision that could go either way.

San Pablo is a small country near Spain, and thankfully Ramone, having been brought up in Florida, knows Spanish. But Ramone’s favorite things in life are tacos and baseball. So, when it comes time for the current king to abdicate, without kids of his own, the next in line is his nephew Ramone. 

Angelica (Veronica Long) lives for her job in Miami. She loves history and working in the museum. Her knowledge of world royalty is extraordinary, so when Ramone is tracked down by King Felipe and Queen Leticia, they hire her to groom him to be the next king.

Can Angelica transform this laid-back taco-loving, baseball fanatic into a respectable gentleman who can govern a country? First she has to convince him that this is no prank. Then she has to help him see the possibilities of being a king and what he would be able to accomplish. And the icing on the cake for her to dangle at him is the fact that as king he would own the country’s baseball team. That did it! 

Teaching him the history of his family and the country is one thing, but actually getting through to him and reaching his heart is another. Can she really get him to commit to this transformation and to undertake  a new future for himself? It seems like she can accomplish this task until a couple wrenches are thrown into the mix. Will Ramone change his mind and refuse to take the crown or will she be able to convince him to grasp his destiny?

This story is similar in many ways to The Princess Diaries. Taking a commoner  who does not know he or she is royalty and transforming him or her into respectable royal material is not an easy task. Ramone is a strong-minded man. But an unexpected attraction between Angelica and Ramone enters the equation. Come on, you knew this was going to be part of the plot. The two do make a cute couple, and with Angelica by his side, Ramone might just make one of the best kings in the history of San Pablo.

A Royal Makeover is now streaming on UP TV.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

“The Neon Highway” puts Beau Bridges in the spotlight By Francine Brokaw

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Country music is at the heart The Neon Highway, starring Beau Bridges and Rob Mayes. Will one great song make a new singer/songwriter’s career and revise the old career of a country legend, or will it be the end for both of them?

Wayne Collins (Mayes) is a singer/songwriter along with his partner/brother Lloyd (T.J. Power), but on the night that might change their careers something happens that actually does change their careers and their lives. In an instant a car crash puts them both on a different trajectory. 

Claude Allen (Bridges) is a legend in the industry, but hasn’t had a hit or even a concert in years. He’s a drunken insolent man. When Wayne comes to his house to install some cables, things change for both of them. Wayne is surprised to be in the company of a legend and when asked by Allen to sing a song, Wayne hesitates but performs the song he wrote that could have launched his career seven years ago, before the tragedy. 

Soon Claude makes a business arrangement with Wayne, who proposes he will record the song, make all the arrangements, and split the profits 50-50 with Wayne. Wayne is down on his luck and desperately needs money and Claude desperately needs a good song to put him back on top. This could be the answer for both of them.

So off they go to Nashville. Claude calls in all his favors from the past, but he quickly learns things, and the business itself, have changed. While his name does open doors, there are still hoops to jump through, unlike the past. But he’s obstinate and tenacious. He keeps plugging away at all the prospects with Wayne getting more and more disappointed. But the duo have a mutual respect for each other and they continue to bombard Nashville with their propositions. And, the song, “The Neon Highway” does happen to be a great song. So with the two working hard and pounding the pavement to broker a deal, they come to respect each other more and more, even with all the setbacks.

Things go from bad to worse. Wayne is desperate to get a deal. He really needs the money for his family. And Claude is desperate to prove he still has what it takes. 

The ending is something interesting for viewers. Wayne proves that he has brains as well as talent and with that he takes a chance that could mean triumph or tragedy. It’s Nashville after all, so anything could happen. It’s interesting to see Wayne going the distance to help the old-codger fulfill his dream. 

Beau Bridges comes from an acting family, with his father Lloyd being an iconic star. His brother Jeff and son Jordan combine to make the Bridges legacy continue in the business. Having won accolades on both the big and small screen, Beau has a filmography that dates back many decades. At 82 he is still proving he has what it takes to lead a film.

While the story takes place in Nashville, the movie was actually filmed in Georgia. 

The Neon Highway hits theaters March 15, 2024. It is rated PG.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Liam Neeson is ‘Marlowe’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Raymond Chandler’s no-nonsense private investigator Philip Marlowe was introduced to the public in 1939 and has ranked among the most popular detectives in American history, alongside Sam Spade and others. Over the years a number of actors have portrayed Marlowe on screen and on the radio: Humphrey Bogart, George Montgomery, Elliott Gould, Van Heflin, Robert Mitchum, and more. Philip Carey even played the PI on a short-lived TV series from 1959-1960. Now Liam Neeson steps into the gumshoe’s shoes in the film aptly titled Marlowe.

The story takes place in 1930s  Bay City, California with the Hollywood industry as a backdrop. Marlowe is hired by sophisticated heiress Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger) to find her lover who disappeared. Soon the PI discovers the lover, Nico Peterson (Francois Arnaud), a cad and womanizer, had been killed in a hit and run. Case closed. But it wasn’t case closed when Clare discloses she saw the man in Mexico not long ago.

As Marlowe attempts to get to the bottom of this strange situation and informs his friends in the police department that the supposed dead man is not the real Nico Peterson, things get even stranger. Marlowe has an interesting conversation with Clare’s mother Dorothy Quincannon (Jessica Lange) who is a famous movie star. She brings out some information that leads Marlowe on a different direction and the PI discovers he is onto a bigger case than simply a missing person.

This 2022 movie is dark and involves smuggling, drugs and other illicit activities. Neeson plays Marlowe with a flair of low-key enthusiasm combined with inner interest and when he discovers he is in the middle of a big crime syndicate, his life is on the line. But Marlowe is not deterred. He knows he is getting close to cracking the syndicate and outing some famous people in the process. 

Even though he is in danger and in the middle of a big case, Philip Marlowe is cool, calm, and collected at every turn. He has what could be described as detached attachment to the case. He  is soft spoken and laid back. This is the perfect vehicle for Neeson who portrays the famous detective in a way that weaves together his bravery, intelligence, and coolness.

This is a dark story bringing together Hollywood, drugs, and the underworld. It is now streaming on MGM+.

Marlowe is rated R for language, violent content, some sexual material, and brief drug use. It’s for adults only.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Upgrading to USB-C – ZAGG helps with this transition

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

So you finally took the plunge and purchased an iPhone 15. After all, the kids have iPhone 14s so it’s time to upgrade yourself. You take your new purchase home only to discover the cords for all your older items are Lightning connectors and the new phone needs a USB-C connector Why the change? And why is everything new going to be USB-C?

The answer is that the European Commission decided years ago to switch everything over to USB-C, supposedly for convenience. They said it was for convenience but for the public it is not convenient, at least until all the other hardware in our homes are upgraded to the new system.

USB-C is the latest version of the Universal Serial Bus connector and most companies have already transitioned to USB-C. The holdout has been Apple. Last year they transitioned their iPads to USB-C and this year the iPhone 15 is the final product to convert to the new connectors. USB-C is the newest technology in connectors, so from now on it will be the standard, until a newer type of USB is produced, everything you buy new will be USB-C based. As always, everything in the technology world is changing and with those changes the cost to consumers adds up.

But hold on. There is one way to get around the frustration of this new monkey wrench in the technology world for those who simply want our gadgets to work and not think about all the upgrades buying all new hardware to utilize USB-C. You will have to purchase some new adapters and cords, however it is much cheaper than purchasing new computers, keyboards, Apple TV remotes, keypads, etc.

Zagg to the rescue

Zagg is a company I have trusted for years. Their products are first rate and they offer plenty of ways to help consumers adjust to the new USB-C system.

First you must make a list of all your products that are still using standard USB, Micro-USB (very old products), and Lightning connectors. Don’t forget the plug in your car. All those connectors need to be changed, or as they say in the technology world, upgraded.

Starting with the car charger, ZAGG has several options. There is a single USB-C outlet, a dual USB-C outlet, and a dual combination USB and USB-C outlet. Just select which one best fits with your uses, keeping in mind all the products you plug into your car charger. For most people it is simply their phone, however many like the additional outlet for a tablet or a secondary phone for passengers.

Now think of the wall chargers. With GaN technology charging is faster and the unit stays cooler. GaN stands for Gallium Nitride. The old chargers utilized silicon-based chargers. GaN chargers are usually smaller than the older chargers. With faster charging and cooler units, this is definitely a giant leap in the world of chargers. Who doesn’t want a faster charge? Even though they might be a tad more expensive, they are worth the price.
Once again ZAGG offers a variety of fast wall chargers utilizing the GaN technology. Besides combinations of input/output plugs (USB-C and USB), there are single ports and double ports, just like the car chargers. And they also offer a variety of wattage with their line of speedport chargers. 67W is a good choice if you want fast charging. They also have 45W, 42W, 30W, and 20W. The price varies on the different chargers depending on how many outlets (ports) and the wattage. The speedport 120 incorporates 4 ports (wow, think of charging 4 items at once) and the speedport 120 travel kit includes a travel case as well as two cables (USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning (they thoughtfully recognize users still need lightning for older devices). Keep in mind, the speedport 120w does not put out 120 watts per port. Rather it is shared between the various devices plugged into the charger. But even if you have several devices plugged in at the same time, it is still faster than old chargers, and cooler too.

The ZAGG chargers utilize “smart circuitry” so your device, whether it is a phone, tablet, or something else will dictate how much power it needs to charge. This takes the worry out of charging when using a higher watt charger. It won’t blow up or damage your device, like the public was cautioned about years ago.

Now you have your car charger and your wall chargers, the next step is to get cables. Make a list of what devices you have using the different ports. Then select how many USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, USB to USB-C cords you want and their length. For cars most users prefer the shorter cords. In homes the outlet might be farther away so a longer cord is in order. The ZAGG cables are sturdy, well made, won’t crack or tear after a few uses, and keep their shape so there won’t be any kinks.

Now you have the accessories for your new USB-C enabled device. The first purchase along with the phone should have been a screen protector. There is a variety of strong protectors. My personal favorites are the one with “VisionGuard” meaning there is a Blue Light Filter on the protector. Eyes are important and if you watch your screen a lot, they often get tired and/or blurry. The VisionGuard protectors cut down on that.

And for added protection to your new phone, the Crystal Palace Snap Ultra Slim case is easy to hold and being clear, it won’t change the beautiful new color of your phone that Apple took much care in producing. There is the option to have the case with a “kickstand” so you can pop it out and it will keep your phone standing up. This definitely comes in handy and when you don’t need to stand up the phone, it just clicks back and doesn’t take up any additional space. The cases protects phones for up to a 13 foot drop. And after you’ve already paid big bucks for the new phone, this additional purchase is a must-have for peace of mind.

The next item is a wireless charger. These definitely come in handy however many people prefer simply to plug in their devices. That’s up to you. Whether you want to charge one phone or a phone, watch, earbuds at once, there is a wireless charging pad with all these options.

And finally, well not finally because there are plenty more items from ZAGG to make your life easier, there is a combination UV sanitizer with wireless charging. How often do you clean and sanitize your phone? This is something that is often overlooked. Sure, you might wipe it down with a cloth to get the dirt or smudge off, but that is different than sanitizing. In this day and age where viruses run rampant, it behooves users to sanitize their phones often. After all, they are next to your face. Keeping germs at bay is a must in today’s world. Viruses and bacteria get zapped with the UV sanitizer, and this unit does double duty because it is also a wireless charger.

So those of us in the United States have Europe to thank for all this craziness about USB-C “upgrades.” As with most upgrades, once users get used to them they are fine. Unfortunately, most users will not be purchasing all new hardware (computers, keyboards, track pads, etc) at the same time just so everything uses USB-C. This will be a gradual thing. So, in the meantime count on ZAGG to help make the transition a bit easier. As you slowly change out your older hardware to the new USB-C standard, you’ll find most of your needs will be USB and USB-C. Lightning is a thing of the past. Unfortunately Apple relied on lightning but is now embracing the world standard USB-C.

For a complete look at the options from ZAGG (a company I highly endorse, as you can tell), visit their website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County and is a regular contributor on Good Day Orange County.

‘American Dreamer’ focuses on personalities and relationships

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine star in the eccentric dramedy American Dreamer.  Dinklage is Phil Loder, a college professor who is down on his luck. He lives in a tiny apartment and longs for the American dream of owning his own house. Well, be careful what you wish for.

Loder attracts women of all ages, even his students. He has an interesting personality and an intelligent mind. What he doesn’t have is a house he can afford. Then he sees an ad in the classifies. He can purchase the entire estate for a big bundle or, and here is what interests him, he can purchase a guest room and when the occupant dies he will automatically get the house and all the property. And this is one beautiful property. It’s huge.

What would anyone do in this situation? Apparently the occupant, Astrid Fanelli (MacLaine) is an invalid, aged, and not long for this world. Loder sells everything he has and cashes in his retirement to take the second option. 

When he moves onto the property he is met with a dilemma. Astrid doesn’t seem like the invalid she is supposed to be. He realizes he will be living in the little room for longer than expected. But nevertheless, he now owns part of the American dream. Success. 

A friendship soon grows between Astrid and Loder. In the beginning he is upset about his situation, however as he gets to know her, he sees how kind she is and they become more than acquaintances. They become good friends. 

Then Loder is met with another situation. This guy has one problem after another. He seems like he is the consummate loser. But is he? His problems mount up and he finds himself in much the same situation in which he started. But … never say never. Things can change. Life is a series of surprises. And yes, even for Phil Loder.

This is an odd story but the acting is entertaining. Matt Dillon co-stars as Phil’s real estate broker and sometimes friend. 

The message is, if you are a good person, you can achieve the American dream. It might take time and a lot of hard work, but it is possible. And for Phil Loder, it does take a lot of hard work and maneuvering through some difficult situations. The relationship between Astrid and Phil is what makes this show as entertaining as it is.

American Dreamer opens in select theaters and will be available On Demand beginning March 8, 2024. It is rated R for disturbing material, violence, some strong sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use. It’s definitely for adults only.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Passover festivities for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


This year the celebration of Passover runs from April 22 – April 30, 2024. The holiday is one 3,300 years old and honors the sacrifice and the liberation of the Jews from Egypt. Every year Jews around the world celebrate this amazing accomplishment by their ancestors, with songs, games, the lighting of the menorah, and food (mainly matzoh). 

PJ Library has created a “Passover Hub” filled with kid-friendly activities and a fun way in which to tell the story of Passover. Included in this hub are plenty of recipes (including an easy way to make matzoh), a video playlist for kids to learn more bout the Passover Seder, and a book list to get more information about history and the story of how the exit from slavery occurred. With the recipe cards families will be able to try new dishes and experience some fun together creating them for the Sedar and beyond. There are also printable activities and a Passover card game. 

The goal of PJ Library is to include all members of the family in this important holiday and to bring preschoolers and younger kids into the festivities in ways they can understand and acknowledge. They are family focused with plenty of resources for Jews and non-Jews to gain more from the celebration of Passover. 

While shopping for matzah, families will see something different this year on boxes of Streit’s Matzohs. They have added the PJ Library logo in support of the company and how it includes plenty of ways for families to enjoy the holiday together. They can also sign up for a subscription from PJ Library through the information on the Streit’s Matzoh boxes. 

From PJ Library:

For centuries, families have used a Passover guidebook called the Haggadah, to tell the story of the holiday and pass down the traditions and lessons of the story to their children, relatives, and friends (the Hebrew word haggadah literally means “telling”). One of the leading sources for family-friendly Haggadahs across the United States and beyond – nearly 50,000 families have said this was their first Haggadah, and PJ Library has shipped nearly one million Haggadahs to over 200,000 families over the past six years — PJ Library will once again offer anyone celebrating the holiday a downloadable PDF version of IN EVERY GENERATION: A PJ LIBRARY FAMILY HAGGADAH. Aside from the traditional prayers and readings, this interactive guide to the Passover seder offers up specially curated videos of songs and blessing and explanations that help make the holiday a fun, engaging and family-friendly experience. For those interested in purchasing paperback versions, both the regular PJ Library Family Haggadah ($7.99) and a Large Print Edition ($10.99) are available for sale on the PJ Library storefront on Amazon.

Finally, PJ Library curates age specific books for its subscribers from birth through age 8. Last year children ages 3 to 4 received a delightful spin on a classic Yiddish folktale “In Our Teeny Tiny Matzah House”, written by Bill Wurtzel and illustrated by Claire Wurtzel (Apple & Honey Press) in which Kitzel the cat can’t hear himself meow, as his house is too noisy. But it’s about to become noisier because Passover is about to begin! And, kids ages 6 to 7 were sent “A Persian Passover” (Kalaniot Books), set in 1950’s Iran, written by Etan Basseri and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh, which finds Ezra and Roza looking forward to celebrating the holiday until they have an unfortunate mishap with the community matzah baking oven. If families don’t want to miss out on getting books each month, including for future holidays, they can sign up today at https://pjlibrary.org/.

Passover is a celebration that includes the entire family, from babies to great-grandparents, and friends of all ages as well. When everyone gathers around the table for the traditional Passover Seder, it’s a time of unity and joy. There is plenty of history in the retelling of the story through the Haggadah, but there are also some fun moments when family members get to play the parts or take turns reading from the Haggadah. Every family has their own traditions, which form a foundation for future generations to follow. 

It’s coming soon and time for everyone to begin preparing for the Passover season and festivities. 

Have a prosperous and enjoyable Passover. Shalom.

About the author

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

‘The Single’s Guidebook’ streams on UP TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Meggan Kaiser and Philip Boyd star in this new film about not only finding love, but also finding yourself. It’s a story for today’s social media world.

Molly (Kaiser) is a content creator for a company dedicated to social media and their goal is to get the most online “clicks”, “hits”, “likes”, and “follows”, and “comments” for all the vlogs they put up. When Molly finds herself newly single after splitting up with her boyfriend, she is given the assignment to create an online series titled “The Single’s Guidebook” in which she posts how she traverses through her life as a single. Where do singles meet? What do they do to find others in their same boat?

Her neighbor Jackson (Boyd) is a veteran at being single. He knows all about the singles world. They accidentally meet up at a cooking class for singles and Molly talks him into joining her assignment. She will help him find a date and he will help her find happiness as a single woman. 

Things heat up as they try karaoke, salsa dancing, poetry reading, and general activities where singles meet, interact, and possibly make a connection with someone else. But as these kinds of movies go, viewers know that Molly and Jackson are going to be the ones who make the connection.

The themes of this film is being true to yourself, being comfortable in your own life, enjoying being yourself, and not caring what others think about you. While Jackson is an easy-going kind of guy, although he is truly dedicated to his non-profit organization for kids, Molly is a structured, by the book kind of gal. Together they make a great team, even though they are complete opposites. 

In many ways this is a modern take on the 2004 film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, in which the main character falls in love with the guy she is assigned to repel and is torn between finishing the article and her love for the guy. In The Single’s Guidebook, the vlog series might be damaging to Jackson’s job and could ruin their relationship. Molly is torn between continuing the vlog which could lead to a potential promotion, and Jackson. What’s a modern girl to do? The answer is “follow your heart.”

The Single’s Guidebook brings viewers into the world of social media. For those of us who are print dinosaurs, this is a new world, with likes, hits, etc. But for Molly, it is her job and her life, at least for the time being. As it turns out, she’s really not all that happy doing it. So, she decides to finally follow her own heart and do what makes her happy and fulfilled.

This is a cute story. The Single’s Guidebook premieres Sunday, March 3, 2024. 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

 

Image courtesy UP TV