Caring Causes - Horsetober™

 Horses for Mental Health launches HORSETOBER™ and its #PassTheBraid Challenge, bringing together celebrity ambassadors, equestrian leaders, and horse lovers worldwide to share stories about the relationships between people and horses. Participants weave their stories, creativity, and connections into an annual celebration of the horse-human bond.

Since 2022, HMH has supported hundreds of organizations across the United States and in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe, raising over $3 million for mental health programs incorporating horses. Award-winning musical artists, athletes, actors, journalists, world-champion equestrians, and more raise awareness for organizations that incorporate horses into their personal growth and mental health programs, bringing life-changing support to teens, families, veterans, first responders, and more.

At the heart of HORSETOBER™ is the braid, a symbol of connection and the strength that comes from weaving stories together. Anyone who loves horses is encouraged to participate and #PassTheBraid.

Spend meaningful time with a horse. Create a braid and share your story of connection through a photo or video. #PassTheBraid and nominate others to keep the movement growing, tagging @horsesformentalhealth and #HORSETOBER.

The #PassTheBraid Challenge celebrates the horse-human bond in all its forms, inviting people across the equine community to participate in ways meaningful to them. Riders can take part at competitions or in their barns. Equine-assisted services programs, rescues, sanctuaries, and other organizations can invite their communities to experience and capture their connections with horses through images featuring braids.

Prizes: Each week in October features prize giveaways, community story spotlights, and educational content that encourage horse lovers to participate and share their connections worldwide.

Sweepstakes: L.O.L. Surprise Music Festival

 

Get ready to dance the night away! Introducing a NEW collaboration with a viral performance powerhouse: L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Music Festival™ Featuring Tyla! A trending dance icon and award-winning South African singer, Tyla’s fierce style and superstar energy is perfectly captured in this fashion doll.

Turn up the volume and step into the spotlight! This doll rocks an elevated, fashion-forward look inspired by a real outfit worn by Tyla. That’s not all – inside you’ll find a collectible Tyla poster to show off right next to your new fashion doll.

Just like Tyla - this doll brings effortless confidence and smooth, trendsetting energy to any collection.

Designed for superfans, trendsetters, and collectors alike, this chic, must-have series lets you collect every artist and celebrate your love for music and fashion in style. Fans can now collect the full line – featuring Tyla, Jennie, and Rosalia.

The surprises don’t stop there! Fans can enter the L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival™ Sweepstakes to win amazing prizes! Scan the QR code on the included festival ticket to learn more.*

Get ready to dance, play, and live your best festival moment with L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival™!

The outrageous world of L.O.L. Surprise!™ is taking over the music festival scene! Check out the rest of our L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival™ Tots, O.M.G. fashion dolls, playsets, and more.

L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival™ Headliners™ Tots

Clear the stage, your headlining acts have arrived! Introducing L.O.L. Surprise!™ Music Festival™ Headliners™ Tots, a NEW collaboration with iconic global artists ready to take center stage: global superstar Jennie, Spanish sensation Rosalía, and dancing queen Tyla.

Each Tot comes with a collectible trading card and is styled with a chic, fashion-forward look inspired by real outfit worn by each artist. That’s not all – collect two unique looks and two collectible trading cards for each artist for double the fun!

Each Tot also comes in a heart-shaped L.O.L. ball with a keychain, perfect for accessorizing your favorite bag and taking your favorite artist on-the-go.

Collect all 6 Tots to complete your music festival main stage lineup. Stay tuned to see if more of your favorite artists join our Headliners™ collection!

From MGA Entertainment, creators of fan-favorite brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!™, Little Tikes®, Rainbow High™, Bratz®, MGA’s Miniverse™, Yummiland™, CarTuned™, Ninjombie™,  Wonder Factory™, DohKins™,  BABY born®, and Zapf Creation®.

 

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The L.O.L. Surprise Music Festival Sweepstakes begins on July 1, 2026 at 12:01am ET and ends the sooner of June 30, 2027 at 11:59pm ET or once all VIP passes have been sold and/or distributed. Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (and the District of Columbia) who are eighteen (18) or older at the time of entry. See Official Rules for how to enter for free at https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://lolsurprisemusicfestival.turnkeysweeps.com___.YXAzOm1nYWU6YTpvOjBhOTI1ZjM4ZWE4MzYwZDIyMGM3NTk4NzdjZWE3ZWY1Ojc6NWMwMzpmZDVmZDU0ZmRmNDQ1MTFjOTUxYTc2ODAyMjYwOTUzMWQ1N2ExMzhkY2QwNmEwY2M5NzRiZjIxYWNhOTIzZTc2OnQ6RjpO. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by MGA Entertainment Inc.

Fun Freetime: How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the CTC (MN)

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to announce the complete cast and creative team for the hotly-anticipated return engagement of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! which will run from November 3, 2026-January 3, 2027, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Opening night is Friday, November 6, 2026, at 7pm. Featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, the production will be directed once again by CTC Core Company member Dean Holt, with music direction by Jason Hansen and Victor Zupanc, and choreography by Karla Grotting. The production is adapted from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. 

 

This is the 14^th time CTC has produced this show, which they originally commissioned and premiered in 1994. It also marks the ninth time CTC Core Company member Reed Sigmund will portray The Grinch.
 

“It is an absolute pleasure to, once again, spend the holidays in Who-ville,” said director Dean Holt. “My goal always is to create a room of joy, curiosity, and wonder that extends into the audience as well. This show belongs to all of us, young and old; it represents our collective heart that grows three sizes each holiday season as we gather in the glow of family, friends, and loved ones. I am honored to share this tradition, this tender story, and the unmatched experience of live theatre with all of you.”

 

CTC’s beloved holiday tradition Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! returns after last year’s sold-out run. In this hit musical spectacular, the grumpy green Grinch hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the cheerful Whos of Who-ville—snatching trees, swiping stockings, and sneaking away with every last present. But when one small voice and a spark of holiday spirit shine through, The Grinch begins to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Filled with music, mischief, and Seussian charm, this joyful production sparkles with laughs, warmth, and a little holiday magic your family will love.

 

“This will be my 9th time slithering and slinking through Whoville, and I’m still excited as I was the first time I donned the grumpy green carpet,” said Reed Sigmund. “This character and story are permanently timeless, and I can’t wait to climb into my lonely cave atop Mt. Crumpit once again.”

 

CTC’s production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a favorite across generations and celebrates the end of the calendar year. During this festive season, CTC is proud to spotlight the charitable year-end support that makes this work possible.
 

As a nonprofit organization, CTC relies on the generosity of our community to create extraordinary theatre experiences. Nearly half of CTC’s annual budget comes from philanthropic contributions of all sizes.
 

When individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organizations donate to CTC, every dollar is poured directly back into the work on and off stage–funding productions, creating scholarships, supporting staff and artists, and sharing transformative theatre onstage, in classrooms, and throughout the community. This contributed financial support ensures there are no barriers to participation, and allows CTC to continue to educate, challenge, and inspire young people and their communities. 

• A gift of $25 covers the cost of one student matinee ticket. 
   
• A gift of $100 welcomes a family to any CTC show through the ACT Pass program. 
   
• A gift of $400 offers a full scholarship to one student attending a Theatre Arts Training class.

 For more information, please visit childrenstheatre.org/give.

 

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs November 3, 2026, through January 3, 2027, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. This show is great for all ages. Tickets may be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/grinch or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $25.  

Music Minute - Gibson Artist Spotlight: Paula Pera

Gibson, the iconic global instrument brand, has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved brands around the world. As part of Gibson’s commitment to artist-first culture and elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world, the Gibson Artist Spotlight highlights an evolving roster of musicians who are celebrated across Gibson’s global channels.

 

Paula Pera y El Fin de los Tiempos is the musical universe of Colombian singer songwriter Paula Pedraza, an artist who blends indie rock, retro pop, and the emotional drama of Latin American música de plancha into a sound that feels both nostalgic and boldly contemporary. Her music channels influences from Anglo indie to icons like Jeanette, Yuri, and 90s Shakira, resulting in songs defined by raw honesty, emotional depth, and a voice that moves effortlessly between fragility and power.

 

Since emerging in 2021, Paula has established herself as one of the most distinctive and authentic voices in Colombia’s indie scene. Her music has brought her to some of the country’s most prestigious stages, including Festival Estéreo Picnic in 2022 and 2024, Movistar Arena, Teatro Colón, Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe, Festival Cordillera 2026, BIME Live 2026, and, most recently, a sold-out solo concert at Teatro Libre de Chapinero.

 

In 2023, Paula was selected for Amazon Music’s Rompe Colombia, a career-defining milestone that propelled her first tour across Mexico and expanded her reach throughout Latin America. Her debut album, Fin de los Tiempos (2024), earned a nomination at the Premios Nuestra Tierra, solidifying her arrival as a powerful new voice in Spanish‑language alternative music. Paula is currently crafting her second album, noquieroquemequieras, due out May 2026—a project that promises an even more intimate, honest, and expansive artistic vision.

 

Rooted in Bogotá and driven by a deep emotional compass, Paula Pera continues to shape a sound that is unmistakably her own: melancholic, cinematic, and profoundly human.

 

Discover new music from Paula Pera HERE.

 

Watch/share the video for her single “noquieroquemequieras” HERE.

 

Read the new interview with Paula Pera on the Gibson Gazette.

Travel Tidbits - The Best Warm, Lower-Cost Cities to Escape Winter

 Considering trading snow for a few months of warmth? You're in good company. Every fall, snowbirds — retirees and remote workers from colder states — head south for months at a time. This year, the four highest-ranked destinations are all inland.

StorageCafe ranked more than 470 warm-weather U.S. cities based on what matters during a months-long stay: weather, housing costs, health care, safety and things to do. The top four are Winter Haven and Lakeland, Florida, and McAllen and Mission, Texas. All four are more than 10 miles from the nearest beach, and each has a median home value below $270,000.

The takeaway: A great winter doesn't require a beachfront address or a beachfront budget.

Here are the standouts:

• Florida (63 cities in the top 100): Decades of seasonal migration have built a mature snowbird ecosystem. But this year, the state's top spots go inland: Central Florida's lake towns pair established snowbird communities with home values about a third lower than in Florida's coastal top-10 cities and more distance from hurricane-prone coastlines.
  
  
• Winter Haven, Florida (No. 1): The city lives up to its name, with warm winters, a chain of lakes and nearly half of its vacant homes set aside for seasonal use. Orlando and Tampa are within day-trip range.
  
  
• Texas (25 cities in the top 100): Snowbirds here are called "Winter Texans," and McAllen (No. 3) sits at the heart of their territory, with RV resorts, birding at Quinta Mazatlán and a median rent of about $1,050 a month.
  
  
• Best on a budget in top 10: Brownsville, Texas (No. 7): It has the lowest median rent in the top 10, at $923 a month, with South Padre Island's beaches about 40 minutes away.

Victor Maghear, consumer trends and market analyst at StorageCafe, estimates that roughly 40 million retirees and remote workers in colder states could spend part of the winter somewhere warmer, and their impact reaches well beyond tourism. "Snowbirds fill seasonal homes and keep local restaurants, shops and clinics busy for months at a time," he said. "Self storage helps make that two-home lifestyle work. Snowbirds can keep seasonal clothing, golf clubs and household basics near their winter base and travel lighter between homes, and storage inventory has grown in every city in this year's top 10.”

See how all 472 cities stack up in the full study and interactive ranking here: https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/best-snowbird-destinations-usa-2026-2027/

Book Nook - Bye Bye Baby Teeth

I recently had a chance to see a copy of a new children's book by Little Gestalten, Bye Bye Baby Teeth by Lada Chizhova. It's a fun book that can help kids celebrate the differences in a very real process that all of us experience - losing teeth. Part picture book with a story, part education, the book has lovely nostalgic-style illustrations and a relatable story to teach kids about teeth.

In kid-friendly ways, readers will learn about anatomy, why roots dissolve and how baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth; a look at dental tools and how they are part of hygiene; and also cultural traditions from around the world that look at how different countries celebrate the milestones of a lost tooth.

Amazing Art - Gibbes Museum: Impression, Monet: Loans from the Gregg Turk Foundation (Charleston)

Route pres de Giverny, by Claude Monet (1885). Oil on canvas. Loan Courtesy of Gregg Turk Foundation.

 

Now entering its final weeks, Impression, Monet: Loans from the Gregg Turk Foundation (on view through Oct. 25) offers visitors to the Gibbes Museum of Art the opportunity to experience three extraordinary landscapes by Claude Monet (1840–1926), the pioneering French artist celebrated as a founder of the Impressionist movement.

Monet’s revolutionary approach to light, color and atmosphere helped transform the course of modern art. The landscapes on view date from 1871, 1872 and 1885. This is the first time Monet paintings have been exhibited in Charleston by the Gibbes. All three paintings are privately held by the Gregg Turk Foundation, on special loan to the Gibbes for this exclusive showing, with generous support from Dr. Joseph and Meghan Scalea and Kiawah Partners. Presented at the Gibbes in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Monet's death in 1926, Impression, Monet brings together three privately held landscapes painted at pivotal points in Monet's career — Moulins en Hollande (1871), Pommiers en Fleurs (1872) and Route près de Giverny (1885) —spanning more than a decade of the artist's development. The Gibbes Museum of Art, a beacon in the American South for arts and culture since 1858 when the Museum’s art collection was founded as the Carolina Art Association, is heralded as one of the earliest and most longstanding arts institutions in the United States. The Museum’s collection spans 350 years, and features some of the country’s most celebrated artists ‒ including contemporary, modern, and historical works. With world-class rotating exhibitions and a dynamic visiting artist residency program, the Gibbes is a Southern museum with a global perspective. The Museum’s mission is to enhance lives through art by engaging people of every background and experience with art and artists of enduring quality, providing opportunities to learn and discover, to enjoy and be inspired by the creative process.

Book Nook - When Pharaoh Said “No”

 As Biblical stories continue to captivate children, author Jessica Dhakira is introducing young readers to one of the Bible’s most dramatic accounts in a way they can enjoy and understand. In When Pharaoh Said “No”, Moses, Pharaoh, and the Ten Plagues are brought to life through playful rhymes and colourful illustrations that make an important Biblical story feel exciting, memorable, and easy for children to follow.

 

Written for children aged 4–7, the book offers families a fun way to introduce the story of Exodus and the meaning behind Passover. From frogs hopping through palaces to hail crashing from the sky, each plague unfolds through rhyme and repetition, helping children strengthen memory, build confidence, and engage with themes of courage, faith, obedience, and freedom.

 

 

Synopsis:

Step into a colourful world where frogs bounce through palaces and hail crashes from the sky. When Pharaoh Said “No” brings the Biblical story of Moses and the Ten Plagues to life through memorable rhymes and bold illustrations created especially for young children. As Moses repeatedly asks Pharaoh to free the Israelites, readers follow a story of faith, courage, and perseverance while learning about the promises and power of the Most High.

 

As Pharaoh continues to refuse to let the Israelites go free, children are gently introduced to lessons on doing what is right, walking in faith, and standing firm in the face of challenges. Through rhyme and repetition, the story encourages children to remember important moments, ask questions, and connect with a Biblical story passed down for generations.

 

“I wanted to create a story that would help young children connect with an important Biblical account in a way that feels exciting, memorable, and approachable,” says Dhakira. “Many children naturally learn through rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling, so it felt important to bring the story of Moses and Pharaoh to life in a way that sparks curiosity rather than feeling overwhelming or out of reach. Stories like these still have so much to teach children about courage, faith, obedience, and doing what is right, even during difficult moments.”

 

Continuing, “I hope When Pharaoh Said ‘No’ creates opportunities for meaningful conversations between children, parents, teachers, and faith leaders. Stories like these can bring families together, encourage children to ask questions, and help young readers explore values that still feel deeply relevant today.”

 

A colourful rhyming children’s book filled with playful storytelling, memorable rhymes, and illustrations designed to help young readers learn and explore.

 

When Pharaoh Said “No” is available through Jessica Dhakira’s website. For more information, visit Jessica Dhakira’s official website.

 

 

About the Author:

Jessica Dhakira is a Berkshire-based poet, award-winning songwriter, and children’s author whose love of storytelling began at the age of seven. A former session singer, she appeared alongside the late recording artist Coolio on Top of the Pops and has supported charitable initiatives for vulnerable children and families worldwide. Drawing on her background in music, creative writing, and children’s education, Dhakira creates imaginative stories designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and meaningful family conversations.

Soul Sustenance - Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories

 Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, today announced the launch of Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories, a new animated series and companion book from the creators of the bestselling Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, winner of the 2020 Christian Book Award, and the award-winning animated series. The launch marks the next phase of a much larger expansion for the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids franchise. Beginning in 2027, Minno plans to release one new animated Bible story every week, building toward more than 200 stories spanning the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories brings the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus to kids through true Bible stories—from unforgettable miracles and parables to His encounters with the people around Him. The companion book launches October 13, with a screen-free audio experience also available on Minno.

What began as a book and animated series has grown into a multiplatform Bible franchise that now includes more than 65 animated episodes, Bedtime Stories, a Learning Series, screen-free audio stories, music, holiday specials, bestselling books, Spanish, Portuguese, and American Sign Language versions, and a growing presence across digital platforms. Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids content on YouTube alone has been viewed more than 200 million times in the last year.

Minno's YouTube channel now has more than 1.7 million subscribers, putting Minno in the top 0.06% of most subscribed YouTube channels globally (source: VidIQ global rankings) and making it the fastest-growing Christian YouTube channel for kids. The company recently launched dedicated Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids channels for Music and Bedtime Stories. Together with the full Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids experience on Minno's streaming platform, this growing ecosystem gives families a trusted Bible destination spanning streaming, books, audio, music, and YouTube.

With Jesus Stories, Minno is taking the franchise even deeper—helping kids get to know the person at the heart of the Bible: Jesus.

"We want kids to experience Jesus not simply as a character in a Bible story, but as the Person at the center of God's story—someone who knows and loves them deeply and whom they can know for themselves," said Jess Wolstenholm, M.Ed., VP of Education, Co-Writer, and Executive Producer of Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories. "These are true stories from the Bible that reveal who Jesus is—how He loved people, what He taught, and what it looks like for us to follow Him and love like Him. We've presented each story with wonder, emotion, adventure, and moments kids can connect with. Our hope is that kids walk away not only remembering what Jesus did, but wanting to know Him more."

Each new story will uphold Minno's 50-point quality standard, combining biblical depth, child-development expertise, and creative excellence that families have come to expect from all of Minno's original shows, including Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories.

"There are more than 200 stories in the Bible, and no one has ever animated all of them for kids. We're going to be releasing a new story every week, so churches and families everywhere have a way to teach the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation," said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-Founder of Minno. "We are beginning our expansion from the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids with Jesus. Most kids' Bibles cover the highlights of His life. Jesus Stories goes deeper, with 52 stories from the Gospels, because He's the center of the whole story and the One through whom we come to know God. Our mission is to help kids experience Jesus every day through media and technology, and we believe Jesus Stories can become a foundation for that in homes around the world."

Families can watch Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Jesus Stories with a free trial of Minno at GoMinno.com.

For more information, visit GoMinno.com.

For media enquiries, please contact: PR@GoMinno.com

About Minno

Minno is the leading faith-based streaming platform and media company for kids and families. Named after the Greek word menō ("to abide") from John 15:4–5, Minno exists to help families abide in Christ in the everyday moments of life. With a fast-growing streaming platform, the #1 YouTube channel for Christian kids, screen-free audio and bestselling books including The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Minno helps kids and their families experience Jesus every day, on and off screens. Minno's original shows are created in partnership with Christian creators, child-development experts, theologians and educational media specialists, bringing together biblical truth, developmental expertise and world-class creative storytelling. Available across major platforms and supported by resources, devotionals and blogs for parents, Minno is where God's goodness and love come to life in stories kids love.

Learn more at gominno.com.

Music Minute - Dallas Wayne

Singer-songwriter Dallas Wayne is hitting the road for a series of performances following treatment for multiple myeloma cancer. He will perform several shows this Fall at intimate venues and listening rooms in Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, including The Bluebird Cafe, the legendary Nashville mecca for songwriters.

“Listening rooms are my favorite places to play because they foster an intimate, one-to-one connection with the audience – much like the relationship with our radio listeners on SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw Country,” said Dallas Wayne. “After a year and a half focused on battling cancer, it’s a real pleasure to be able to hit the road again now that I’m in remission.”

For tour dates and more information, visit: www.dallaswayne.com.

About Dallas Wayne
As Ray Waddell once wrote in Billboard, “In case anyone forgot what country music sounds like, search no further.” Dallas Wayne’s most recent album, Coldwater, Tennessee, was released on the BFD/Audium Nashville label with distribution via Sony Orchard. Produced by Buddy Cannon, this album of original tunes includes several co-writes with long-time collaborator Robbie Fulks, along with the heartbreaking ballad He Even Brought Her Flowers, which Dallas co-wrote with Hall of Fame songwriters Buddy Cannon and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson.

Throughout his 50-year career, Dallas has performed across North America and Europe. He has released 13 albums of his own, and performed on various compilation and band projects including Heybale, The TwangBangers, and a Grammy-nominated Special Consensus bluegrass album.

In addition to performing his own music, Dallas can be heard on SiriusXM Radio at Willie’s Roadhouse (channel 61) weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. Eastern and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. In 2015, Dallas was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2026 he was inducted into the North America Country Music Assoc. International Hall of Fame, receiving the Living Legend award.

Dallas currently lives in Bristol, Tennessee, the ”Birthplace of Country Music.” Follow Dallas on Facebook @DallasWaynefanpage, Instagram @Dallas.Wayne, YouTube @DallasWayneMusic, X @Dallas_Wayne and Spotify. For a complete discography, biography, photos and more, visit www.dallaswayne.com.