Mini Board

When Betty started Sunday morning soccer practices a few blocks from where Luis grew up, he immediately knew we needed to go to the cash only Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop while she was in practice. The line wrapped the old school dining space and out the door February 27. A manager announced that everyone inside would eat for free so more tips could be collected for a woman behind the counter who had family in Ukraine. The donuts (one with yellow and blue sprinkles) were delicious. Hopefully her family is doing well.

Abbott Elementary, ABC’s new workplace comedy focuses on a young teacher eager to do her best for her underfunded second graders. After seeing fictional staff scrape and scheme to secure books, rugs, and other supplies for their classrooms, the news that Scholastic was teaming up with ABC to provide real supplies was heartening.

According to Variety, book fairs at seven schools in March, including Philadelphia’s Harrity Elementary, on which Abbott Elementary is based, provided students with two free books and each teacher with 10. ABC also relaunched its Traveling Teacher’s Lounge initiative to provide teachers with books, classroom supplies, breakfast, and show merchandise. The first round of the lounge, which began on Jan. 3 and visited schools in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, donated more than 1,000 books, 10,000 notebooks, 100,000 writing utensils, and 15,000 art and craft materials. Six more stops were added to the traveling lounge in Dallas, Houston, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Reno, and Los Angeles. Erin Weir, executive vice president of marketing, told Variety, “Giving back to this deserving community has been a pillar of our campaign from day one.” We hope they keep celebrating teachers.

After 39 days of retirement, Tom Brady used Selection Sunday to come back to work and steal the headlines. Reasonable people had already wondered, “What if Russia had Tom Brady in custody?” Other than Americans have always had a problem with the way Brittney Griner looks, how can a WNBA star just disappear? Griner plays for a Russian team and was arrested on drug charges in mid-February, but the embassy in Moscow only recently was allowed access to her. Her detention in Russian jail will last longer than Brady’s retirement. —MV

Apparently all the times I tell Kal not to wear with white socks with his black sneakers because it looks bad, I’m wrong. The look reminds me of Michael Jackson, but what’s old is new again (and all is forgiven?) I guess. Go crazy. Be cooler than me. —MV