Latest news with #Herb
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Herb Coleman, Miami entrepreneur who served food and his community, dies at 62
Kendall entrepreneur Herbert 'Herb' Coleman thrived in the food industry for more than 30 years because of his penchant for finding solutions and connecting with people on a personal level. He had various ventures in the business, from running Nathan's Famous franchises to serving food in a mobile kitchen at the Olympics, before his death last month at age 62. 'He had the type of personality where people would come to him and tell him their whole life story,' Herb's widow, Joya, told the Miami Herald. 'That's the type of spirit that he had about him.' Joya Coleman, 61, was married to Herb for more than 30 years and worked closely with him as he developed his food empire. Joya first met Herb when he worked at her parents' North Carolina record store in the '80s. She befriended him and worked alongside him when she came home for breaks from her studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After she graduated in 1986, they started dating. Herb was born in Miami and returned many times to visit family throughout his childhood after moving to North Carolina in elementary school. But as he prepared to enter the workforce as an adult, he felt limited in terms of pursuing a future career in North Carolina and moved back to Miami. In Miami, Herb got a job in marketing and promotions at Luther Campbell's Luke Records. Coleman had a talent for working in the community and eventually developed a relationship with marketing reps at Walmart that would provide him with franchising opportunities later in his career. The Colemans married in 1992 and first began working together as food vendors for Miami-Dade Public Schools. Joya remembers her late husband's brazen attitude in making that partnership happen: Herb had walked into the school district's headquarters and asked to speak to the top person in charge. Joya said she was initially taken aback but appreciated the act when they secured their opportunity. 'He always had that type of confidence about him,' she said. 'It worked, but it used to make me nervous.' During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Herb worked as a chef catering the equestrian events, and the infrastructure of his kitchen there captivated him. The kitchens were built on 18-wheelers, and Herb began to wonder what it would be like to run his own food trucks. 'He said, 'I wish I had an 18-wheeler kitchen to drop food off and feed people,'' Joya remembered. Between 2005 and 2009, Herb franchised eight Nathan's Famous restaurants at Walmarts across Florida. From 2009 onward, he continued to hone his entrepreneurial skills and built relationships with Miami leaders like Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel — another connection that would turn into a business partnership later in life. But first, in 2018, he got another opportunity that was years in the making. The Miami Veterans Affairs hospital was renovating its kitchen and needed a mobile chef to serve food to its employees and visitors. The Colemans secured what Joya called their 'first big contract.' For two years, Herb finally got to serve food on a large scale via his own mobile operation. Then COVID hit, and their mobile catering operation was affected. Never out of ideas, Herb quickly found a solution. When the pandemic began in 2020, he partnered with the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphins Food Fleet. The program utilized minority caterers and mobilized them to serve communities throughout Miami via food trucks. 'They sent us everywhere. That's how our businesses stayed afloat,' Joya said. While Herb's business acumen continued to sharpen, he dealt with health challenges. His wife said he ate clean but had high blood pressure and often stayed up late doing research. On May 18, Joya and Herb were in their bed with their 4-year-old granddaughter when something made Joya get up. She yelled Herb's name, but he was unresponsive. Herb had died in his sleep. Family was extremely important to Herb. He is survived by Joya and three sons, Christopher, 33, Herbert II, 29, and Emmanuel, 27. Herb and Joya's daughter, Jade, 31, has a daughter, Jamia, and is expecting another daughter named Joy with Florida International University assistant football coach Jelani Berassa. Herb Coleman worked to make sure every employee at his businesses was recognized and appreciated, his wife said. If customers were ever rude, he would tell them that his business didn't need their money. The atmosphere he created didn't go unnoticed, Joya said. 'He used to say that people do business with people they like,' she said. To her, the impact Herb left on the communities he served proved that he wasn't just liked — he was loved.
Observer
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
British film ‘Ballad of Wallis Island' builds story of human bonds
For producer, actor, writer and composer Tom Basden, the British comedy film "The Ballad of Wallis Island' leans into the complexities of relationships rather than high-risk action scenes or life-threatening situations. "There were never going to be massive stakes, murders, and car chases kind of thing, but I think we sort of knew tonally the kind of film we wanted it to be,' he told Reuters. "We're confident that people will really invest in that story," Basden added. "The Ballad of Wallis Island,' distributed by Focus Features, arrived in theaters on March 28. The film's origins date back to 2007 when comedy duo, Tim Key, who is known for working with British comedy personality Alan Partridge, and Tom Basden, who starred in the series, "After Life,' wrote, produced and starred in the short film "The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island,' which "The Ballad of Wallis Island' is based on. The short went on to be nominated for a BAFTA and won the best British short at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Both the short and feature film have the same plot, following aging folk singer Herb McGwyer, portrayed by Tom Basden, who gets paid an enormous sum of money to play a one-off gig on a remote Welsh island. However, when Herb arrives at the gig, he discovers that he's only performing for one man, a lottery winner named Charles, played by Tim Key. The difference between the short and the feature film is that Carey Mulligan is in the feature as McGwyer's ex-girlfriend and former musical partner Nell Mortimer, adding a different layer of interpersonal relations. The film focuses on the bond between Herb and Charles. "Maybe in some films it's really clear what you want to happen to the two people,' Key said. "In our one it's more generally, I really want him (Herb) to like me, as a people pleaser,' he added. Music is a major part of the film, as Charles continuously plays hits from McGwyer Mortimer. Basden wrote all the songs of the fictional folk band. "It's really important that you believe that throughout the film that this is a musician, and these are musicians, and that was all his compositions,' Key said.—Reuters
Reuters
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
British film ‘Ballad of Wallis Island' builds story of human bonds
LOS ANGELES, April 8 (Reuters) - For producer, actor, writer and composer Tom Basden, the British comedy film 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' leans into the complexities of relationships rather than high-risk action scenes or life-threatening situations. "There were never going to be massive stakes, murders, and car chases kind of thing, but I think we sort of knew tonally the kind of film we wanted it to be,' he told Reuters. here. 'We're confident that people will really invest in that story," Basden added. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island,' distributed by Focus Features, arrived in theaters on March 28. The film's origins date back to 2007 when comedy duo, Tim Key, who is known for working with British comedy personality Alan Partridge, and Tom Basden, who starred in the series, 'After Life,' wrote, produced and starred in the short film 'The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island,' which 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is based on. The short went on to be nominated for a BAFTA and won the best British short at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Both the short and feature film have the same plot, following aging folk singer Herb McGwyer, portrayed by Tom Basden, who gets paid an enormous sum of money to play a one-off gig on a remote Welsh island. However, when Herb arrives at the gig, he discovers that he's only performing for one man, a lottery winner named Charles, played by Tim Key. The difference between the short and the feature film is that Carey Mulligan is in the feature as McGwyer's ex-girlfriend and former musical partner Nell Mortimer, adding a different layer of interpersonal relations. The film focuses on the bond between Herb and Charles. "Maybe in some films it's really clear what you want to happen to the two people,' Key said. 'In our one it's more generally, I really want him (Herb) to like me, as a people pleaser,' he added. Music is a major part of the film, as Charles continuously plays hits from McGwyer Mortimer. Basden wrote all the songs of the fictional folk band. "It's really important that you believe that throughout the film that this is a musician, and these are musicians, and that was all his compositions,' Key said.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Trend alert! Shop TikTok-viral Air Jordan clogs, torpedo bats and more
Trend alert! Shop TikTok-viral Air Jordan clogs, torpedo bats and more Consider this your weekly guide to the internet's trendiest products across beauty, wellness, travel and beyond. Another week, another batch of viral TikTok products to shop! It's no secret that I spend a lot of time scrolling through TikTok (and will continue doing so for at least another 75 days) and sneaking my way into even the most niche corners of the app. Call it "chronically online" if you will, but my social addiction has done wonders for my shopping radar and even introducing me to some of the internet's most viral products—from a Stanley Tumbler crossbody bag to a $9 Lush shower gel. As someone who has had their fair share of both good and bad TikTok purchases, I also know how tricky it can be to separate the worthwhile investments from the internet duds—of which there are many (trust me, folks). To help guide you in the direction of your next favorite purchase, I'll be coming to you every Friday with a breakdown of the week's most viral TikTok products. In each of my explanations, I'll analyze why certain products are trending, what professional shoppers (like myself) really think about them and whether or not they truly deserve a spot in your digital shopping cart. In this week's installment, I rounded up the most viral essentials that are currently flooding my TikTok feed, including Air Jordan's foray into clog shoes, an economic smart garden that can help you cut down on your weekly grocery bill, a top-rated Amazon cleaning paste with over 200,000 reviews (and counting) and the torpedo bats that are currently dominating MLB discourse. Check out this week's trending products ahead. 📲 More: This week's viral TikTok products: A glass skin hack, Puma sneakers and a $4 glass tumbler Shop this week's most viral TikTok products 1. Air Jordan is getting into the clog game Jordan Roam Slides Step up your spring fashion game with a pair of Jordan Roam Slides in a peachy pink or foam green coloring. $46 at Nike (Save $14) With a reputation for being one of the world's most popular shoe brands, Air Jordan is expanding its offerings beyond sporty sneakers and trainers, with a new spring shoe drop that might just be its most polarizing yet: Jordan Roam Slides. These casual shoes combine the practicality of Air Jordans with the comfort of a supportive clog for a breathable style you're sure to see everywhere this season. My verdict? Despite my best efforts to slow it down, this Air Jordan drop proves that the clog movement isn't going away anytime soon. If the virality of these shoes is any indicator of what's to come (and if TikTok has anything to do with it), these Jordan clogs will wind up being spring 2025's "it" shoe—sandals be damned. More: Shop the pixel-perfect new Minecraft Crocs collaboration today 2. This indoor garden is an easy way to grow your own food Click and Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit Get the indoor smart garden that Amazon shoppers swear by for more energy-efficient gardening at home. $100 at Amazon As TikTok shoppers look for more ways to be frugal with their spending habits, many are investing in devices that can help them cut down on their weekly grocery bill and grow their own produce from home. While the Click & Grow Smart Garden certainly isn't new to internet fame (in fact, it's long been an Amazon best-seller), the practical gardening device has bubbled up on TikTok in recent weeks thanks to its easy-to-use design and wide variety of gardening seed options. My verdict? This indoor smart garden is one of my most prized possessions and a truly failsafe way to grow fresh herbs, veggies and fruits—even if you lack the talents of a skilled gardener. From basil to strawberries and tomatoes, with this kitchen garden, you can grow it all and enjoy high-quality produce from home. More: 8,000 people bought the Flexzilla hose last month. Don't wait to save 38% on it! 3. TikTok shoppers swear by this viral cleaning paste for their spring cleaning The Pink Stuff Miracle All Purpose Cleaning Paste Tackle your spring cleaning chores with ease thanks to this pretty cleaning paste, which is designed to help remove pesky stains and grime buildup from different surfaces in your home. $6 at Amazon It's spring cleaning season, which means that TikTok is currently buzzing with unique cleaning products to help make your home chores more manageable. The app's favorite cleaning essential this week? None other than the viral Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste, which has a devout following and more than 155,000 five-star reviews on Amazon alone. My verdict? Not only is this versatile cleaning paste incredibly effective (speaking from experience), but the product's bubblegum pink coloring and sweet rhubarb fragrance somehow actually make me excited to clean—perhaps that's the real miracle of the paste. Shopping news: Get the Bissell CrossWave Edge vacuum to tackle the toughest spring cleaning jobs 4. This space-saving coat rack has the coolest, Swedish-inspired design Umbra Picket Mounted Rail Hang purses, coats, hats and more via this stylish, Swedish-inspired wall hanger, which can blend in beautifully to any home, no matter the aesthetic. $50 at Amazon (Save $5) If you've scrolled through TikTok in recent weeks, odds are you've seen this quirky wall hanger pop up on your feed. The Umbra Picket Mounted Rail offers a stylish alternative to traditional coat racks, with a convertible design that's easy to mount and switch up as you see fit. My verdict? Ever since I visited Sweden and Copenhagen last year, I've become enamored with Swedish design fixtures—their simplicity, their functionality! This space-saving coat rack ticks all of my boxes and then some, with an under $100 price tag and convertible design that's completely genius. Catch me buying one for every room in my apartment. 📲 More: Don't skip Stanley's limited-edition Oasis collection of tumblers and barware 5. Torpedo bats have taken over the MLB—and TikTok ALT13 Torpedo Pro Reserve Bat Elevate your batting game with the help of this top-rated torpedo bat. $200 at Victus After the New York Yankees tied an MLB record in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers this past weekend, the team's dominant performance inspired a larger conversation on the phenomenon of "torpedo" bats—a customized bat used by the MLB team that's known for its unique barrel, which can be tailored for each hitter. Now, videos of the signature baseball bat are flooding TikTok, while sales for torpedo bats have reportedly spiked in the past week—according to the Associated Press. My verdict? Given that I'm not exactly the most athletically-inclined person, I don't know if I'll personally be buying this ALT13 Torpedo Pro Reserve Bat for myself; however, I will say that all of this buzz surrounding the baseball accessory has made me infinitely more interested in watching the MLB and by extension, trying it out in some capacity. Perhaps a torpedo bat was the missing key to my baseball success all along? Time will tell. More: Sling is a homerun for your MLB streaming needs. Save 50% on your first month today.
Boston Globe
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘The Ballad of Wallis Island' is a pitch-perfect ode to the power of song
Advertisement Herb McGwyer is no longer the one and only musician invited to play Wallis Island. In this iteration, he's part of McGwyer Mortimer, a since-disbanded duo that featured songwriting partner and Herb's former flame, Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan). Details of their breakup are slowly revealed as the film progresses. However, we assume that there must be some acrimony involved since Charles purposely neglects to mention to Herb that he'll be sharing the gig with Nell. Charles also conveniently forgets to tell either party that this concert is for an audience of one. Considering the amount of money they're getting (500,000 pounds for Herb, 300,000 pounds for Nell — all from Charles's lottery winnings), McGwyer Mortimer should play Advertisement The venue itself is far from convenient. Located off the coast of Wales, Wallis Island is one of those places you can only get to by boat — and that boat runs whenever its captain feels like driving it. Which isn't often, of course. The island doesn't even a proper dock, as Herb discovers when he and his guitar fall overboard into the stormy seas upon arrival. From left: Tom Basden, Carey Mulligan, and Tim Key as Charles in "The Ballad of Wallis Island." Focus Features Wireless service is scarce, leading to some funny moments involving a cellphone outside the grocery store run by Amanda (Sian Clifford), a local who's sweet on Charles. She doesn't understand some of Herb's requests for items like peanut-butter cups, though she dutifully puts in inventory orders with the mainland when he asks. Herb is distant and grumpy, a cynical yin to Charles's perky and optimistic yang. Charles is always smiling, trying his best to be polite and laughing at his own social gaffes. Herb finds his quirkiness annoying and is less than pleased to discover that the 'five-star hotel' on the island is really Charles's large but humble house. Nell is far less critical when she arrives on her boat with her husband, Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen). She takes a shine to Charles more easily, perhaps because Michael is equally weird and goofy. Nell also knew she'd be sharing the gig, something she's willing to do despite retiring from the music business. Once all the parties have gathered, songs are sung and old wounds are reopened. Mulligan and Basden have chemistry both as musicians and as ex-lovers, so they play the dramatic and musical scenes beautifully. The requisite misunderstanding that occurs at the end of the second act is handled in an unexpected manner by both actors, which adds to the joy of watching this film. Advertisement So why is Charles going through all this trouble to reunite his favorite band on a nearly deserted island? The simple answer is nostalgia. Charles saw McGwyer Mortimer several times in concert, and their breakup pained him for what appears to be selfish reasons. Since he has the money, he can get one more show all to himself. The songs (written by Basden) are very good, which makes this a credible idea. Thankfully, 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is more complicated than we think. Through this crazy setup, Charles thinks he can recreate the feeling he once had while sharing those concerts with his now deceased wife. This bittersweet notion is something we can all relate to, especially when it comes to music. Think about the first song you associate with your significant other, and how that thought makes you light up. Key is so good at conveying these feelings that you can forgive the movie almost anything. Just watch him at any given moment when someone is singing. There's one shot in this film where Key's face conveys so much emotional information that my eyes filled with tears. I had no idea where his memories were taking him, but I knew where mine were going. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is full of gentle, heart-tugging moments like that, but it's also very, very funny. The laughs come not from complicated setups but from simple human observations. These are lovely people, flaws and all, and we like them and their passions. By the time the excellent title song plays over the end credits, we've become good friends with the denizens of Wallis Island, temporary and permanent. This is a movie about a relationship that deserves to be nurtured and cherished. The most wonderful feature of 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is that it's not the relationship you're expecting. Advertisement ★★★½ THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND Directed by James Griffiths. Written by Tom Basden, Tim Key. Starring Tom Basden, Tim Key, Carey Mulligan, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen. At AMC Boston Common, Landmark Kendall Square, Coolidge Corner, suburbs. 100 minutes. PG-13 (profanity) Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.
