Gentleman Caller: Michael Ealy

If you have seen the movie "Think Like a Man," then you know that actor Michael Ealy is the only man that can make driving a broke-down Honda with a missing front bumper look so darn sexy! Ealy, who is now starring on the USA series "Common Law," says that if he wasn't an actor he'd be an educator like Cornel West. His guilty pleasure is watching episodes of "Ice Loves Coco."

For five other facts that you might not know about Ealy, click here.

Can drinking coffee lower your risk of death?

Older adults who drank coffee — caffeinated or decaffeinated — had a lower risk of death overall than others who did not drink coffee, according a study by researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and AARP.

Neal Freedman, Ph.D., Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, lead the study, which examined the association between coffee drinking and risk of death in 400,000 U.S. men and women ages 50 to 71.

"Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in America, but the association between coffee consumption and risk of death has been unclear,” said Freedman. “We found coffee consumption to be associated with lower risk of death overall, and of death from a number of different causes." 

Push to Save 'GCB'

It’s been two weeks since “GCB” aired its season finale on ABC. Although station executive have announced that the show – which debuted to a firestorm of controversy for its original title “Good Christian B**ches” – will not return next season, and a number of fans are simply not ready to say goodbye.

An online petition to bring the popular series back to television has gained over 57,000 signatures. The petition, which was created by Randy Bragdon of California, reached half of its goal of 100,000 signatures in its first week.

“I’m so grateful to all of the people like Randy Bragdon who’ve taken the initiative to start a campaign like this on their own,” said GCB author Kim Gatlin. “This is an authentic and heartfelt effort by these fans to tell ABC what they really want to see on TV.”

More: www.SaveGCB.com

High Heat & Cool Treats

Mooresville Ice Cream Company showcasing Front Porch, its new line of Southern style ice cream.

The South is known it’s for hot and humid summers, and this year doesn’t look like it will disappoint. The weather outside is really heating up.  Luckily, I was able to cool things down with half-priced Frappuccino’s and free ice cream.

Friday, Starbucks kicked off a nine-day Happy Hour. From May 4 until May 13, Frappuccino’s will be half off between the hours of 3 and 5 PM.

I stopped by on my way to SouthPark to check out the Alive After Five Golf Night Block Party, where I tried a couple of flavors of Front Porch Southern Style Ice Cream.

This hand-painted rocker, inspired by Peachy Keen
 flavored ice cream was one of many auctioned off
Friday night to raise money for BBBS.

Mooresville Ice Cream Company held an ice cream social at the event to showcase the new line of ice cream, which features 15 uniquely-crafted Southern flavors such as Blackberry Crumble, Nana’s Banana Pudding, Peachy Keen, and Scarlett Red Velvet. 

When I sampled the Sweetie Tea flavor, I had no idea what to expect from an ice cream named after the classic southern drink. I found it surprisingly good and refreshing. It has pieces of teacake in it. I also tried the Sassy Strawberry flavor, which had real chunks of strawberries – yum!

In addition to giving away free ice cream samples, Mooresville Ice Cream Co. also auction off hand-painted Front Porch Rocking Chairs – each inspired by a different flavor of ice cream. The silent auction was held in support of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte.

The chairs were by painted by professional artists Nicholas M. Stewart and Katelyn R. Smith. Art students at Mallard Creek High School painted and decorated the Mountain Mint Chip inspired chair.

Babi Alarcon, Mooresville Ice Cream Co.’s part owner, said the concept for the ice cream social was to get out and meet customers and allow the company to showcase the very items that inspired its new ice cream line – front porch rocking chairs.

“We also look forward to supporting a great cause in Big Brothers, Big Sisters,” she said.

For additional information, visit: www.enjoyfrontporch.com