Today is National Let’s Laugh Day!!

To celebrate National Let’s Laugh Day today, iconic candy brand Laffy Taffy — famous for its knee-slapping, side-splitting jokes on every wrapper — has created the first national survey of the laughter-loving habits of all Americans.

Did you know that 96% of Americans enjoy making other people laugh (that's  huge!) and 79% of people love the sound of their own laugh?

Based on a survey of 1,500 Americans, the Laffy Taffy study reveals how often we laugh, our favorite types of laugh, and even which U.S. states laugh most.

*** LAFFY TAFFY NATIONAL LET’S LAUGH DAY INDEX ***

A. THE TOP 10 ‘MOST LAUGHTER-LOVING’ U.S. STATES
(ranked by the percentage of state residents who laugh at least 10 times per day)

1. Arizona (50%)
2. Maryland (48%)
3. Oklahoma (46%)
4. Louisiana (44%)
5. Minnesota (43%)
6. Indiana (42%)
7. Wisconsin (39%)
8. Pennsylvania (37%)
9. New York (36%)
10. California (35%)

B. GIGGLES ARE THE MOST COMMON LAUGH TYPE
Everyone laughs, but not always the same. Nationally, giggles (32%) top chuckles (20%) and belly laughs (19%). More unique laugh types uncovered by Laffy Taffy include the guffaw (6%), the cackle (6%), and the infamous “cry laugh” (7%).

C. SIGNIFICANT OTHERS MAKE US LAUGH MOST
Most Americans love to laugh with (or at) their significant other (33%). Other top sources of laughter include friends (27%), kids (19%), siblings (9%), and moms (7%). Dads, surprisingly, may need to up their dad-joke game (5%).

D. LAUGHTER MAKES AMERICANS FEEL LESS STRESS
According to the Laffy Taffy study, 95% Americans say laughter is a stress reliever — with 54% saying they will laugh out loud even when no one else is around.

For insights from the Laffy Taffy National Let’s Laugh Day Survey, please see:
>>  https://nationaltoday.com/national-lets-laugh-day

Registration Still Open!!

There is still time for girls to register to join a team and get active this school year. Girls in grades 3 through 8 can register for the program through one of the 33 participating elementary and middle schools OR, for girls who attend a school that does not currently have its own GOTR team, a GOTR representative will make a referral to the nearest team with open slots. Each team has a minimum of eight and a maximum of 15 girls.

The elementary school program is open to girls in grades 3 through 5 and the middle school program is available to grades 6 through 8. Participants meet twice a week after school for 90 minutes to practice. The program curriculum dates and time vary for each school. The program registration fee includes 20 lessons conducted by nationally-certified GOTR coaches, a healthy snack each session, all class materials, end-of-season celebration party, 5K entry fee for both the girl and her running buddy, a program t-shirt, water bottle and a goody bag.  

More than 700 girls across the Las Vegas valley each year participate in the GOTR program which delivers a season-long, experienced-based curriculum designed to develop confidence, friendship, strength and emotional and spiritual health in young girls—all while integrating running. The season culminates with a 5K event where all GOTR participants come together to celebrate girl power.

A list of participating schools can be found at www.GirlsOnTheRunLV.org.

WHEN:

• Registration ends Monday, Feb. 18
• Spring 5K takes place Sunday, May 5 

REGISTRATION:
Click here to register for the Spring 2019 Season, become a Running Buddy or a community runner.

COST:
Registration fees vary based on the participating school.

Goosebumps 2

 *Disclosure: The movie was provided free of charge to help facilitate this review.  No monetary compensation was received. 

Goosebumps 2!  Most of us grew up reading the Goosebumps books, sharing them with our kids or even watching the series on TV.  Our kids loved the books and the movie even more! Now on DVD and Blu-ray Sony Pictures Entertainment has released Goosebumps 2.  Slappy the devious ventriloquist dummy returns to run amuck, in this second installment of the family-friendly franchise based on R.L. Stine's beloved book series.   

Our fourteen year old daughter's take on the movie "This movie was really cool! I loved how there were so many new mysteries in it.  It was so awesome to watch it and it was also really funny.  I loved the actors too! They were perfect for the roles.  It was overall such an amazing movie and I had a blast watching it!" 

The Goosebumps 2 Blu-ray/DVD Digital bonus features include a gag reel full of hilarious hijinks, three all new deleted scenes and five featurettes.  Between the chills, thrills and goosebumps, watch the cast get a case of the giggles in the "Gag Reel." Dive deep in "Thrills & Chills - The Making of Goosebumps 2" with Madison Iseman, along with behind the scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.  "Meet the Monsters" (our fav) gives fans a sneak peek of how the scary creatures were brought to life.  And get ready to sing along with three hilarious "Slappy-oke" songs.  Who knew dummies could sing!? 

Synopsis:

Be careful what you wish for. With their after school junk business, best friends Sonny and Sam hope to find treasure in other people’s trash. But when cleaning out the old Stine house, they open a locked book that frees a supernatural nightmare- Slappy! Now, with the help of Sonny’s sister Sarah, they’re in a race against time to get the sinister dummy and all the creatures he’s brought to life back into the pages before he unleashes total pandemonium!

Based on the beloved Scholastic book series by R.L Stine, GOOSEBUMPS 2 was directed by Academy Award®-winner Ari Sandel (2005, Best Short Film-Live Action, West Bank Story) from a story by Rob Lieber and Darren Lemke and screenplay by Lieber. The film is produced by Deborah Forte and Neal H. Moritz and is executive produced by Timothy M. Bourne and Tania Landau. GOOSEBUMPS 2 is a Columbia Pictures, Scholastic Entertainment Inc./Silvertongue Films, Inc and Original Film production.

Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Bonus Materials Include:

§  Gag Reel

§  Three Deleted Scenes:

§  Five Featurettes

o   “Thrills & Chills – The Making of Goosebumps 2”

o   “Meet The Monsters”

o   “Science With Slappy”

o   “Junk Brothers – Call Now”

o   “Slappy's Audition”

§  Three Slappy-Oke Sing Alongs

GOOSEBUMPS 2 has a run time of approximately 120 minutes and is rated PG for scary creature action and images, some thematic elements, rude humor and language. 

Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins Returns by Disney came out yesterday.  I grew up watching the original so I was really looking forward to this movie and let me tell you - it did not disappoint!  I took my teenagers to see it as well.  I do have mixed thoughts regarding the generation today enjoying the movie.  My kids enjoyed it, but they just thought it was just "okay" and a little long with too much music.  I honestly see that as being an issue with kids today.  It is a little long for someone who is not familiar with the original Mary Poppins and who doesn't have a connection with the movie.  Now on the other hand, for someone like myself who grew up watching Mary Poppins and singing the songs - no doubt you will absolutely love this movie!  Disney did a fabulous job on Mary Poppins Returns!  Although it was a little long, they hit every point and connected it spot on to the original.   I found myself laughing, crying and smiling throughout the movie as the warmth and memories it brought was comforting.  The cast as well fit so perfect, I really can't say enough about this movie.  If you are over thirty and grew up watching the original Mary Poppins, this will warm your heart! GREAT job Disney!!! 

How to Prevent Home Fires During Christmas

By: The Experts at Safer Alarms

It seems as if every year the holiday season begins earlier.  Along-side Halloween costumes in the stores are dancing Santa’s and reindeer. But in our mad dash to get our home decorated for the holidays and organize the gatherings, it’s easy to forget about the additional fire hazards that come with this time of year.  To keep your family safe, keep these tips in mind to prevent fires:

Christmas Tree - Let’s face it, bringing a 4 ft. to 8 ft. tree into your home that is only being held up by a small stand with four screws is just asking for trouble with a toddler in the home.  I can remember at least one time in my childhood hearing the tree come crashing to the floor in the middle of the night.  Toddlers will naturally be attracted by this new item in your home and equally fascinated by the lights.   To prevent the tree from falling wrap green gardening twine around the mid-section of the tree.  There are extension gates that can be assembled as large as you require.  Once you have placed the lights on the tree, be sure to tape any extra length of cord directly to the wall to prevent your toddler from pulling on it and pets from biting it and potentially causing a fire.

Ornaments - While you may have many family ornaments that you have used to decorate your tree in the past, store any glass ones away for the next few years.  Along with the potential risk of broken glass cutting your child, a curious toddler will try to put one in her mouth.  Make sure smaller ornaments are placed towards the top of the tree and consider decorating the bottom with ribbons or larger cloth-covered ornaments.

Christmas Tree Lights – Never attach more than three strands of lights together. Pick up some extension cords and read the directions carefully for the best way to light your tree. Some stores may even carry cords designed to go up the trunk of your tree to individually light each strand. Also, make sure you keep them high enough so that your pets don’t think they’re chew toys! Electrical fires are no way to start your holiday season.

Fireplace - Nothing is cozier than a roaring fire but make sure children are aware of the dangers.  If you have a fireplace in your home, make sure you securely fasten gate or screen in front to protect your area rugs, carpets and furniture from loose embers, and to keep your children safe from burns. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

Cooking - Whether your kids are helping you bake a gingerbread house or just heating up a cup of hot chocolate, establish some safety rules.  Make sure they understand to stay away from hot appliances or plugging in electrical appliances with wet hands. 

Candles – It’s easy to forget and leave a candle burning when you go to bed. There’s also the chance of a taper candle falling over and igniting a table cloth or drape.  There is a wide array of scented electric candles that will look just as beautiful and be much safer to use.

This Sat. - The LINQ Promenade to Spread the Spirit of the Season

The LINQ Promenade will transform into a colorful, magical winter wonderland with candy-themed décor and a whimsical show of music and dance for the annual Holiday Magic display complete with the scent of fresh cut pines during the nightly snowfall beginning this Saturday, Dec. 1. 

During the week, Monday through Wednesday, carolers will spread the spirit of the season by singing holiday hits from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For Thursday through Sunday - a modern twist on the classic - Twas’ the Night Before Christmas - dance spectacular will delight revelers at the top of every hour, also from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Additionally, locals who partake in the merriment can enjoy $5 off the newly-opened FLY LINQ, the only zipline on the Las Vegas Strip. The new attraction features 10 side-by-side ziplines, capable of simultaneously launching all riders. Guests will take off from a 114-foot-tall tower in the direction of the High Roller, “flying” 1,121 feet above The LINQ Promenade at approximately 35 miles per hour. Click here for more information regarding tickets. 

WHEN: 

Dec. 1 through Dec. 31

WHERE:   

The LINQ Promenade

3545 S Las Vegas Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

TOY STORY 4 Teaser Trailer

I am so excited to share with you that Woody and the rest of the toys are back for an all-new adventure in “Toy Story 4,” welcoming new friends to Bonnie’s room, including a reluctant new toy called Forky. “Like most people, I assumed that ‘Toy Story 3’ was the end of the story,” said director Josh Cooley. “And it was the end of Woody’s story with Andy. But just like in life, every ending is a new beginning. Woody now being in a new room, with new toys, and a new kid, was something we have never seen before. The questions of what that would be like became the beginning of an entertaining story worth exploring.”

But Forky insists that he is NOT a toy! An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip. “The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” said Cooley. “A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects? Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”

Filmmakers called on comedian Tony Hale to provide the voice of Forky. “It’s a huge thrill to be part of the Toy Story family,” he said. “But it’s going to take a while for it to really sink in.”