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Book reviews: NY Times best-selling author David Baldacci doesn't disappoint

Baldacci is a grandmaster of character building, and getting to know FBI agent Pine is a delight, leaving you turning pages
Posted by Fred Steiner on Friday, June 26, 2020

The Icon introduces our newest column of book reviews. Robert McCool of Ada is our reviewer.

Reviews by Robert McCool
Who says that summer reading has to be as bubbly and frothy as the foam on top of your iced latte? 

I find it better to immerse myself in a good story, like my toes being buried in warm beach sand. But with the current covid-19 restrictions on all of us I have to depend on curbside service from my local library, and recommendations from my favorite librarians. 

Which brings me to the point of these reviews on two books that I really enjoyed.

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Movie review: Just Mercy

The story is very powerful and the film is very effective. Have tissues on hand.
Posted by Fred Steiner on Thursday, June 25, 2020

Icon movie review "Just Mercy"
Reviewed by Wilson
JUST MERCY tells the story of civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson (MICHAEL B. JORDAN), who travels to Alabama fresh out of law school to defend a number of prisoners on death row. His most notable client Walter McMillian (JAMIE FOXX), who is on death row for a murder he did not commit. 

Stevenson’s investigation and defense of McMillian uncovers and exposes the corruption and racism that runs rampant through Monroe County’s justice system.

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Music review: Chromatica - Lady Gaga

Download the singles, but unless you are a huge Lady Gaga fan skip buying the entire album
Posted by Fred Steiner on Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The Icons introduce our first music review, a column we hope to continue monthly. Your comments are welcome at [email protected]

Chromatica - Lady Gaga
Reviewer: Craig Hoffman
Lady Gaga, the Queen of Pop, is out with Chromatica. It is the first album for the megastar since the popular A Star Is Born in 2018. Chromatica is Lady Gaga’s sixth consecutive number one debut in the US.

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How local parents cope with the coronavirus

Posted by LizGH on Thursday, March 19, 2020

By Liz Gordon-Hancock
If the last couple days are any indication, I’m in for a very bumpy, noisy, hectic ride. Parents across the state are scrambling to find childcare and/or helping their children accomplish learning at home, all whilst preparing for the possibility of enforced isolation from the coronavirus.

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Smart technology or smart parenting?

Posted by LizGH on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

By Liz Gordon-Hancock
How much “screen time” should parents allow?
When do you give your child their own cell phone?
Do you allow cell phones at the dinner table?

We all rely on technology: we’re more likely to leave the house without our wallet than our cell phone. We take it for granted that we can, at a glance, know the exact time, the weather, traffic, or who’s texted, emailed, phoned or posted on Facebook, and so on, simply by glancing at our smart phone.

In my household of seven, there are no less then three laptops, three tablets, and four smart phones.

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"Now Papa..." said Mama Bear

A salute to the Berenstain Bears books
Posted by LizGH on Wednesday, February 19, 2020

By Liz Gordon-Hancock
I have been known to quote Mama Bear from the Berenstain Bears books.

Not only is she always calm, collected and right (sorry daddies), but she speaks some great pearls of wisdom. She also knows when NOT to speak or intervene, allowing her cubs (or Papa) to learn for themselves.

I quote Mama Bear when I’m instructing my children about tattletales: “Tattling is telling just to be mean” according to Mama Bear, and she goes on to explain that telling on someone because you’re worried about them is different from tattling (from The Berenstain Bears learn about strangers).

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