Star Trek Beyond - The 3rd Installment in the Franchise Reboot is a Fun Watch

Author: Jose G. Barr

Rest in Peace Anton Yelchin

The movie begins with the Enterprise three years into its five-year deep-space mission when  encounter Krall (played by Idris Elba), a reptilian like alien searching for an “ancient weapon” artifact that is in the possession of Captain Kirk aboard the Enterprise. Sadly the Enterprise NCC 1701 is destroyed early in the movie by Krall.  But never fear, a better and more powerful version will be ready for the next movie.  

Rest in Peace Leonard Nemoy

Out of This World - An Evening at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus

Author: Jose G. Barr


Last night the family and I had the pleasure of embarking on an intergalactic adventure at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus new show "Out of This World". The Ringling Brothers have outdone themselves and reimagined the three ring circus to create a spectacular new show.

Simet Family Astronauts

The underlying story of good versus evil is woven throughout the evening's performance.  The premise of the show is that a rival circus, led by Queen Tatiana, has taken all of Ring Master Jonathan's acts and spread them throughout various planets in the galaxy. The hero's travel to each planet to collect the acts and bring them back together.

One significant feature of "Out of This World" is that the main floor is ice. Many of the performances are done on skates, while the bigger acts have mats rolled out to cover the ice.  The Heilongjiang Provincial Acrobatic Troupe, performing for the first time in the United States, showcase the mastery of skilled Chinese acrobatics. Their feats of daring include an 11-person human pyramid as well as hoop diving. This amazing troupe performs all this while skating on ice. From trapeze artist and unicycle performers  to the death defying motorcycles riding in a globe of steel,  there is plenty of excitement for everyone.

Get Your Kids Outside This Summer

Author: Jose G. Barr

We are about a third of the way through the summer and keeping Joseph active and outdoors can be challenging. Growing up I had nothing but time, my bike and imagination to enjoy the summer. Back then we did not have computers, tablets, video game systems, smartphones or any of the technology kids have available today.  So, getting them outside to have some fun can be challenging.  Here are a few ideas:

Take a Walk

It may not seem like much, but walking can have long lasting benefits for all involved. Being stationary for too long increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Joseph and I walk down to the local play area and kick the soccer ball around to get in some fun exercise. 

4th of July - More Than a Holiday its a Family Tradition

Author: Jose G. Barr

The 4th of July is our National Holiday, commemorating our founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is celebrated with parades, picnics, speeches and fireworks. For me and my family it has always been about spending time together, enjoying a great picnic dinner and then an amazing fireworks show.  My father loved to buy us fireworks and set the night on fire with all the different types available back then.  He even built a switchboard to light the fuses remotely so that we could do it from a safe distance.  I miss my Dad so very much thinking of those far away memories of a more innocent time in my life. I am doing my best to live up to my Dad's love of the celebration and sharing it with my son Joseph.

The year after Joseph was born we attended the Fireworks show at the # National Mall in Washington, DC.  It was hot, crowded and not a very pleasant experience at all.  The fireworks show itself was mediocre at best. Once it was over the nightmare began as we all tried to enter a subway car back home.  Been there, done that and no desire to ever see that show again.