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BubbleLife Staff

In the wake of the recent tragic shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, many people are wondering what they can do to support the survivors. Reports indicate that 12 people were killed and roughly 22 were taken to various hospitals nearby. 

According to the Red Cross, one of the biggest ways you can provide support is to give blood. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to find a donation center near you. 

There is also a GoFundMe page where you can donate to support the victims and their loved ones. It was set up by the Westlake Village Rotary Unrestricted Charitable Foundation, a certified charity. So far, they've raised over $13,000, but they hope to reach their $50,000 goal over the next few days. 

Another donation option is the Ventura County Community Foundation. They've coordinated with the City of Thousand Oaks to set up a victim relief and recovery fund. The donations go towards providing critical equipment and resources to those affected. 

BubbleLife Staff
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On December 16 of 1773, a monumental event in American history took place: the Boston Tea Party. This sparked the time in which Paul Revere made his claim to fame and the tides changed in the Revolutionary War.

Now, on December 16 every year, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Tour Experience pulls out all the stops to create an immersive, realistic experience for visitors. Every group member receives a "colonial character" to play, along with corresponding clothing and interactive experiences. A man playing Sam Adams will invite you to participate in a re-enactment of the moment in which tea creates were tossed overboard and the independence of America became visible many years ago.

Generally, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (4:00 PM in the off-season). Although you can visit and learn about our country's history at any time, there's no better date to revisit the Tea Party than on December 16, its anniversary.

Tickets for the re-enactment are $30 apiece. They grant you admission to the historic Old South Meeting House where colonists used to gather. You'll also be escorted to the Boston Harbor and receiving special viewing seats for the action aboard the Brig Beaver at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

To learn more about the re-enactment or to purchase your tickets, click here. 

BubbleLife Staff

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several years, you've undoubtedly heard people singing the praises of this revolutionary musical left and right. Hamilton, written by Lin-Manual Miranda, follows the store of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and his role in the Revolutionary War. The score is a unique, catchy mix of blues, rap, jazz, hip-hop, and of course, Broadway-style performances. 

If you don't have the funds to head into NYC for this absurdly popular show, you might now have the chance to see it at the Boston Opera House. Tickets are as low as $80 on some nights, and based on this show's avid fan base, they'll probably go quickly. Buy yours today here. 

To learn more about the cast of Hamilton and the production details, visit boston.broadway.com. 

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We all loved carving jack-o'-lanterns last week, but now they're just rotting on our porches and making a mess. Fortunately, there's a more fun way to dispose of them than by simply tossing them in the garbage bin. 

Greenovate Boston is hosting an event with City Soil called Pumpkin Smash!, a composting event at the Mattapan Ecovation Center. You'll get to smash your pumpkin, then learn to safely compost it. Afterward, enjoy some cider donuts. 

You can stop by to participate in the event any time between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Saturday. To learn more, visit this link. 

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On Saturday, November 3, thousands of participants will meet at DCR's Baxter Park to help raise awareness for a kind of cancer that kills more people annually than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. About 234,000 new cases of lung cancer are reported every year, and 14 percent of all new cancers reported are lung cancers. 

That's why the late Rich Kaufman and the late Geri Norris started this Boston walk in the first place. Both long-time cancer survivors, the two wanted to bring together a group of people who had all been touched by lung cancer. Now, the Breath Deep Boston Walk draws thousands of people every year and raises millions of dollars for lunch cancer research. All of the proceeds from the event benefit LUNGevity Foundation. 

To pledge your support to people who have been touched by lung cancer, and to help support research efforts, sign up to join the Breathe Deep Boston Walk this weekend. The route is a scenic walk (about 5K) around a park, so anyone can come and participate. Even strollers and wheelchairs have a place in the event. 

Check-in/registration: 10:00 AM 
Program Begins: 10:30 AM 
Walk Begins: 11:00 AM (rain or shine!) 

Learn more about the event or sign up by visiting www.lungevity.org/boston. 

BubbleLife Staff

The holiday season just wouldn't be complete without some cheer from our favorite elf, Buddy. That's why we're excited to see Elf: The Broadway Musical going on tour across America! 

The closest showing to our hometown will be happening in Worcester at the Hanover Theatre. A team of enthusiastic, talented performers will bring the story of Elf to life on stage from November 29 to December 2. Be prepared for singing, dancing, special effects, and of course, a heaping amount of Christmas cheer. 

Due to the show's popularity, it could very well sell out within the next few weeks, which is why we're grabbing our tickets as soon as we can. There are six different showtimes to choose from, so you and your family can select the one that works best with your schedule. 

Tickets start at $43, depending on seating location. To buy your tickets and maybe qualify for discounts, visit thehanovertheatre.org. 

BubbleLife Staff
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Whether you need post-trick-or-treating plans or something to watch while you carve pumpkins, Netflix has a handful of great films to watch this Halloween. Here are some of the top movies to stream if you need a dash of horror in your holiday. 



The Babysitter 

Cole immediately realizes that something is wrong when he discovers that his babysitter is hanging out with a bad crowd - satan worshippers. What ensues is a mess of hysteria, comedy and fun characters. 



Malevolent 

A brother and sister con team make money by faking paranormal encounters in Scotland, but when they take on this next job, they realize that things might be more out of their control than they feared. It's a bit cheesy and jumps the shark at points, but if you're just looking for a horror movie that will keep you guessing, this isn't a bad choice. 



The Conjuring

Two paranormal investigators and demonologists are summoned to a secluded farmhouse to assist a family with a supernatural presence. Things seem relatively harmless at first, but events quickly turn dark once the investigators learn the horrifying history of the house. 



The Sixth Sense  

Even though this movie was released almost 20 years ago, it still holds up in comparison to other popular horror movies. Young Cole Sear has been haunted by ghosts since he was young, and when he tells his child psychologist Dr. Malcome Crowe about his abilities, things only get stranger. 



The Shining 

You've probably already seen this classic film, but even so, it's worth re-watching during the scariest time of year. Follow Jack Torrance as he falls into a disturbing world of premonitions and secrets at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado. 



Hush 

If you're in the mood for something as funny as it is scary, try this compilation of ten short stories. The film follows ghosts, ghouls, monsters, murderers, and other horrors on Halloween night as they terrorize a suburban community. It's probably not the best scary movie you've ever seen, but it's certainly appropriate for October 31. 


What movies are you planning to watch in honor of the spookiest holiday? Let us know in the comments. 

BubbleLife Staff
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According to AAA Northeast, commutes in Massachusetts are getting longer and longer. The average one-way commute by bus, train or car is currently around 29 minutes. If you're traveling to and from work each day, that's an hour you could be using to educate yourself on a topic of interest.

For instance, you could use that travel time to become better with money and improve your financial future. 

If that sounds like a worthwhile effort to you, here are five podcasts to listen to as you make your way to the office or your home. After just a few days of listening, you'll start to feel wealthier and more in control of your own money.  

Bad With Money 

Gaby Dunn began by reckoning with her own financial identity, but eventually, she decided to share her findings with an audience of devoted followers. She talks money with everyone from politicians to celebrities, and although she knows what she's talking about, Dunn never comes across as an overbearing money expert. She's someone you can relate to as she talks about spending and debt. 

Stacking Benjamins 

This award-winning podcast is as informative as it is entertaining. Host Joe Saul-Sehy shares his financial knowledge in a comical, unique way. You might not even realize you're learning about investments or 401K's as you laugh along with the podcast. Who knew building wealth could be so funny? 

Money for the Rest of Us 

Many of us feel embarrassed by our gaps in financial knowledge or our history with money, but financial expert David Stein won't make you feel bad about any of that. His whole goal is to improve your "retirement IQ" by teaching you to build wealth and invest smartly. Since the median retirement savings of Americans between 35 and 44 is $37,000, this is probably a podcast we could all benefit from. 

Afford Anything 

Although this title might sound a bit lofty, blogger Paula Pant means it when she says you can afford anything if you put your mind to it. She'll answer your burning questions on personal finance while also teaching you to build a passive income to fuel your passions and goals. If you're tired of the 9-to-5 grind, this is the money podcast for you. 

Listen Money Matters 

Want to "free your inner financial badass"? Then this is the podcast you need to start binging. The show's hosts, Andrew Fiebert and Thomas Frank, will keep you entertained with topics that would usually bore you, like timing the market and paying off loans. Even if you barely know a thing about personal finance, these guys will help you sort your bank account out. 


What money podcasts do you listen to? Let us know in the comments below! 

BubbleLife Staff
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We've all done it before. Sometimes, you just can't bring yourself to pick out your Halloween costume until a few hours before your friend's party. If you're in that position, here are a handful of costume ideas that you can create in under an hour without dropping the big bucks at a costume store. 

1. Decorate your face in skeleton makeup. Even if you're not particularly artistic, there are dozens of great tutorials on YouTube that can help you create an incredible skull disguise with just some black and white face paint. After all, it's easier to snag a cheap makeup pack from a Halloween store than it is to piece together a whole costume. 

2. Become a real-life emoji. Got a long-sleeve pink T-shirt? You can be the shrugging girl emoji. Got a black leotard and some construction paper? Pick a friend and become the dancing pair of cat girls. The more creative you can get, the better. 

3. Dress up as a minion. It's simple really; you just need a yellow shirt, some overalls or shorts with suspenders, and a pair of homemade goggles perched upon your head. 

4. Drink wine as a bunch of grapes. Blow up a dozen purple balloons and strategically place them around your body. Then top the whole outfit with a purple or green hat. 

5. Be a walking talking gumball machine. Grab some red pants and pair it with a white t-shirt. Then, grab some of those colorful pom-poms from a craft store and cover the shirt in them. Add a little extra flair by chewing bubblegum as you strut around. 


Do you have last-minute Halloween costume ideas? Contribute them in the comment section. 

BubbleLife Staff
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Since the CDC has encouraged everyone to get their flu shot before Halloween, we know that the 2018-2019 flu season is just around the corner. Last year's season was brutal, and this year, we're hoping to keep hospitalizations low by preparing ahead of time.

Not only should you get your vaccine to lower your risk by 40 to 60 percent, but you should also keep these items on hand to minimize the effects of the illness if you do contract it. 

1. A working thermometer. One of the first signs of the flu is a fever, and if you can properly check your temperature, you can head to the clinic for Tamiflu sooner. 

2. Fever reducers. Should you develop a high fever, you'll want to switch back and forth between Ibuprofen and Tylenol. 

3. Plenty of tea. Whether you're dealing with a nauseous stomach or a congested chest, there's a tea out there to soothe your symptoms. 

4. Clorox. You don't want everyone in the family falling ill after one person gets the flu. Use disinfectant wipes to de-germ TV remotes, door handles, and bathroom surfaces. 

5. Decongestants. One of the biggest reasons people end up hospitalized after getting the flu is because their chest becomes congested and they develop other problems like pneumonia. Pop those decongestant pills, like Sudafed and Mucinex, to clear up your chest and stay safe. 

6. Cough drops. Flu patients commonly develop gross, unceasing coughs. Keep cough drops nearby so you can medicate at the first sign of congestion. 

7. Chicken noodle soup. It never hurts to keep a few cans of Progresso squirreled away in the back of the pantry. You'll be glad you did when you need the soup to soothe inflammation or sore throats. 

8. Hand sanitizer. When someone gets the flu, they may be too sick to get off the couch, but they still need to disinfect their hands after coughing and sneezing. 

9. Tissue boxes (preferably the lotion kind). Using paper towels on a tender runny nose is pretty much the equivalent of rubbing sandpaper on burnt skin. 

10. Gatorades. When the flu invades, people tend to get dehydrated, which is a high risk for hospitalization. Keep drinks in the fridge that are high in electrolytes. 


How are you preparing for the flu season? Let us know in the comments below.