1. Mack to the Super Bowl

I’d like to send a quick shoutout to Mack Hollins. The former UNC wide receiver is heading to Super Bowl LII as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles! Not bad for your first season, eh? I had the pleasure of meeting Mack after his last home game in 2016. What a great guy! I couldn’t be happier for him.

2. Toys “R” Us in Durham Closing

Well, folks. Another part of my childhood will soon be disappearing. It was widely reported this week that Toys “R” Us plans to shutter about 200 locations nationwide as the struggling retailer looks to restructure. One of those stores will unfortunately be the (only) one in my hometown of Durham, N.C.

The store has been there my entire life. I could tell you so many stories of times spent in the store. Time spent as a child with my mother, both grandmothers and my grandfather. My grandparents since passing on. I know things like this can happen – it seems even more so now – but it still hurts. Especially since Raleigh and Cary get to keep their stores. Reports say that most Toys “R” Us stores slated for closure will probably do so by mid-April. Although I don’t buy toys anymore, I’ll most likely head over there one last time before the closing.

3. Sterling K. Brown Makes History

This Is Us star, Sterling K. Brown, has had a whirlwind of a few months. But he made history at the Screen Actors Guild Awards by becoming the first African American to win the award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series. Way to go, Sterling! I’m a huge fan of his and the show as a whole and I’m so stoked for him!

4. Another Jersey in the Rafters

Former UNC Hoops standout, Justin Jackson, became the latest Tar Heel to receive the recognition of having his jersey honored in the rafters of the Dean Smith Center.  The 2016-17 ACC Player of the Year and 2017 National Champion totally deserves this incredible honor. Congrats, Justin!

5. Oscar Nominations

Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards have been released and I’m pleased overall. I will say I was pretty disappointed that my favorite film of 2017, The Greatest Showman, received only one nomination for Best Original Song. 

As far as Best Picture, huge shoutout to Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.  The Martin McDonagh project was filmed in and around Asheville, N.C. As a staunch supporter of #NCFilm, I was ecstatic to see it receive seven nominations, including Best Picture. 

Speaking of that, I’m trying something that I’ve never done before: I plan on seeing every film nominated for Best Picture. I’ve seen three of the nine films so far, so I’m already well on the way to completing this goal. I also plan to review each one right here on my blog. Stay tuned!  

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