Choose the right tools

The right gear can make or break your cookout experience. A quality grill is the centerpiece, but it shouldn’t be the only piece of equipment on your list. Barbecue-specific gadgets, food storage tools, and outdoor furniture and shelters go a long way toward the finest outdoor grilling session imaginable.

Grill types

There are several types of barbecue grills out there. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. When looking for the right grill, some basic guidelines can point you in the right direction.

• Gas: The ubiquitous gas grill delivers the most convenient barbecue experience possible. Lighting and cleanup are about as easy as they come. Plus, it’s easy to find a large enough model for your entire group without spending a fortune. Experts and owners alike praise Weber and Napoleon for making some of the best gas grills on the planet. Both companies also make some great charcoal models.
• Kettle: These are some of the most iconic grills in American history. At their most basic, kettle grills are basically metal buckets for burning charcoal with a metal grille perched on top. They’re most effective in the hands of experienced barbecue chefs. It takes know-how and a certain touch to reach and maintain the perfect temperature. They can also be especially cost-effective due to their simplicity. Char-Broil makes some of the most famous and effective kettle grills, though they’re also responsible for other great styles.
• Barrel: Barrel grills are traditionally made from a 55-gallon drum sliced in half vertically. They represent the biggest and beefiest option and can feed an army. The best require a big investment, but a quality barrel grill should last for years. Dyna-Glo makes some of the most dependable ones.
• Kamado: If you only plan to cook for small groups and are willing to invest in a top-quality option that will last for years, consider a kamado grill. These versatile grills retain heat better than most other cooking apparatus. They allow for high-heat searing or all-day slow cooking. They’re not usually ideal for large cookouts because kamado grills get expensive as the size goes up.
• Dual-fuel: Dual-fuel grills are somewhat of a niche product. They’re for the demanding barbecue enthusiast who insists on complete control of every part of the meal. The two types of fuel in the name are typically charcoal and propane. This lets you give some foods a high-heat sear with grill marks, while others slow-cook over coals to absorb all the aromatics of charcoal.
• Pellet: These aren’t traditional barbecue grills. Rather, they’re partly automated smokers that use electricity to light wood pellets on fire and smoke what they’re loaded up with. While the smoking process is different from traditional backyard grilling, it can be satisfying when done right. Traeger, the company that invented the original pellet grill, makes some of the best.
• Portable: Not every cookout takes place at your home. If you’re heading to a friend’s house, state park, or tailgate party, you might want to take along a portable grill. They come in many varieties, including electric, gas, and charcoal. They rarely have the capacity of freestanding grills, an understandable tradeoff for portability. While small, they’re perfect for grilling out at a campsite.

Grilling tools

You can’t cook with your bare hands — at least, not safely or effectively. The right set of tools makes a huge difference in how easy your grilling experience ends up. Luckily, you can find a great deal of comprehensive grilling tool sets. You can also research your favorite grill tongs, spatulas, and grilling gloves to make everything as simple and safe as possible.

One way to ensure you have a great cookout is to prep every possible bit of food in advance. There’s no easier way to lose focus and mess something up than trying to juggle too many tasks at once. Keeping a good set of food storage containers handy helps keep your prep work organized and clean.

Once your food is cooked, you still have to finish prepping and serving it. If you’ve slow-cooked a beautiful pork butt for pulled pork, for example, a pair of barbecue claws can help you shred it.

It’s best practice to use disposable gloves when performing this all-important task. Not only is it more sanitary for diners, but pulled pork and shredded beef are awfully hot when they come off the grill or out of the oven. They’re greasy, too, and you don’t want to scrape pork fat out from underneath your fingernails for the rest of the week.

Smoking meats

Smoking meat isn’t for everybody. It requires considerable preparation, patience, and trust in the laws of thermodynamics. Not to mention you need to wake up at or before dawn.

It’s recommended you get some experience with a smoker before hosting a large cookout and relying on your brisket to come out tender and on time. A pellet grill is the easiest way to smoke meat, fish, and vegetables. To get the feel for what you’re doing, though, a manual smoker is the way to go. In addition to their gas and barrel grills, Dyna-Glo’s smokers have a good reputation for a reason. Similarly, Smoke Hollow makes many top-quality models that use either propane or electric heating elements. This can take much of the guesswork out of the process.

Alternatively, you can add mild smoke flavor to anything you grill with a simple smoker box. It’s nothing more than a metal compartment for holding wood chips while you grill and keeping them from burning up right away. Technically, you can turn any grill into a smoker using one of these. Many older grills aren’t built to retain the smoke effectively, though, and cleaning dense soot from a gas grill can be a nightmare.

To grill foods smaller than steak or burgers, such as chicken wings, shrimp, or your favorite vegetables, pick up a metal grilling basket. These let you manage tasty, bite-size pieces without letting them fall through the grill. They still deliver the direct heat needed for a delicious level of char.

FAQ

Is gas or charcoal better to cook with?

A. There’s no right answer when it comes to outdoor grilling. Propane and natural gas burn more efficiently. This makes cleanup and maintenance easier. It’s also simpler to maintain consistent temperatures with a good gas grill. So, if you don’t have a ton of experience with charcoal, a gas grill might be your best bet.

If you’re willing to practice and gain experience with charcoal, it can have a profound effect on the food you grill. Juices and seasonings drip from your meat and vegetables onto blazing hot coals. The resulting vapors give subtle and complex flavors that gas grills can’t replicate.

And if you want the best of both worlds, you can always opt for a dual-fuel grill.

What kind of furniture is best for a cookout?

A. It partly depends on the weather. If you’re in a high-humidity area with lots of heat and bugs, consider a rugged party tent, ideally with mosquito netting. If heavy winds won’t be an issue, you can get by with a lighter-duty camping canopy.

Everyone will need somewhere to sit and eat. Anyone outfitting their backyard or patio for summer gatherings should consider an outdoor dining table. Those putting together a portable or pop-up cookout are better served by one or more durable outdoor folding tables.

When it comes to the grill itself, a few key pieces of equipment can protect it during and after the event. A solid grill gazebo keeps the cook and their tools out of the elements. A dependable grill light can be helpful to the cooking experience after dark. Finally, once your grill is clean and cool, a rugged grill cover protects it from the elements until you’re ready to fire it up again.

How do you make the best homemade burgers?

A. Grind and season the meat yourself. Start with a decent cut of chuck roast and put it through a quality meat grinder. Season it properly because the spices you use require a combination of heat, moisture, oil, and time to fully develop. Consider a premium premade spice blend, but don’t be afraid to experiment with your own recipe.

Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper are the most common spices found in burgers. You can also get exotic if you like. Ingredients such as cumin, hot smoked paprika or ground chipotle pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and even ground breakfast sausage can have guests begging for your secret recipe.

Best grills for a cookout

Kamado Joe Joe II Charcoal Grill

This has features such as half-rack cooking and a cast-iron shell.

Available at Amazon

Napoleon Prestige Pro Gas Grill

This grill has a staggering max heat output of 90,000 Btu and a large cooking area.

Available at Amazon

Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill And Smoker

This grill has several smart home features.

Available at Amazon

Weber Summit E-470 Propane Grill

This is more than a grill. It’s also a rotisserie and smoker.

Available at Amazon

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By KATE BRUMBACK and JEFF AMY (Associated Press)

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — A few hundred people gathered Monday for a vigil to remember four victims of a mass shooting in an Atlanta suburb, singing “This Little Light of Mine” at the end as they lit candles in their honor.

Family members, friends and neighbors were still shaking off disbelief at the 10-minute span Saturday when Scott Leavitt, 67; his wife, Shirley Leavitt, 66; Steve Blizzard, 65; and Ronald Jeffers, 66, were shot and killed. Police and witnesses named 40-year-old Andre Longmore as the shooter.

“My parents loved each other,” Scott Leavitt Jr. said after the vigil, a tear running down his cheek. “They always said neither one of them would be able to live without the other, so we’ve been able to find some comfort that they went together.”

Harold Blizzard said his older brother, Steve, was a lover of photography and adventure. The two had planned a trip along Route 66 in early July, but when Harold had to cancel to allow an amputated finger to heal, Steve told him they’d do it another time.

“It’s the biggest regret of my life,” Harold Blizzard said after the vigil.

The killings set off a massive search that ended Sunday with Longmore dead in a shootout in another suburb about 15 miles (25 kilometers) north. The exchange of gunfire wounded a sheriff’s deputy and two police officers, who are all recovering.

Residents of the bucolic Dogwood Lakes subdivision, where about 40 houses with tidy yards flank a lake on two streets, were surprised that gun violence had come to their peaceful neighborhood about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Atlanta. Hampton had not previously recorded a homicide since 2018.

“I’m not going to say it makes me uneasy, but it does drive home that this kind of thing could happen anywhere,” said Kevin Pugh, who lives next door to the house where the Leavitts lived for a few years with their adult daughter and her children. “Up until Saturday, the most ruckus we had was the Canadian geese.”

Erin Leavitt, in a Facebook post, remembered her aunt and uncle, Scott and Shirley, as “fun loving and caring souls, my aunt possibly one of the sweetest and kindest souls a person could meet.”

They both grew up in Massachusetts and moved years ago to Georgia, where they shared their home with their daughter Jessica and granddaughters, Erin Leavitt wrote. The couple also has two other surviving children, she wrote.

“Jessica and her young girls were also home at the time of the attack, however, my aunt was able to alert her and she and the girls survived,” she said. “Sadly, my aunt did not.”

Jeffers was described as a pillar of his church. Sherry Wyatt, who works at Hampton’s recreation center near Jeffers’ home, said Sunday that Jeffers would regularly sing at the senior center that shares the building.

A few months ago she told Jeffers how beautiful his voice was.

“I’m just so glad I told him he sang like an angel,” Wyatt said. “I know he is in heaven now singing.”

Tom Hannegan and his husband, Donald Smith, live two doors down from the house where Blizzard had lived since the subdivision was built in the 1990s. The only crime they ever remember hearing about was a rash of car break-ins about five years ago.

Hannegan, now president of the homeowners association, said Blizzard was one of the few remaining original residents. He was vice president of the association and previously served as president.

“He was just a good guy,” Hannegan said.

Blizzard was a military veteran and skilled locksmith, former coworker Randy Slape told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He lamented that Blizzard’s life was cut short.

“I can just imagine that he was planning on doing something with his grandkids and being a grandpa,” Slape said.

Hampton Mayor Ann Tarpley ordered flags flown at half-staff in the city of 8,000 on Monday. Officials including the city manager and police chief assured the families during the evening vigil that their community would support them over the long haul.

The shootings brought to 31 the number of mass killings so far this year, with at least 153 people dying in them, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University.

Longmore had needed mental help for nearly a decade, but his family and officials couldn’t force him to get treatment, his mother said. Longmore had a “mental breakdown” in 2014, leading to an inpatient hospital stay, Lorna Dennis told WSB-TV on Sunday.

She said her son “kept deteriorating” but refused to seek medical attention, and that officials said they couldn’t force him to seek care.

“It’s hard to lose your son, and it’s also hard to know your son cost the life of so many people,” Dennis said.

She said Longmore was living with her in recent years and she hopes relatives of the victims will find peace with God.

“I feel so much for the families, and that’s why I just want to say I’m very, very sorry. I know words cannot really comfort them from me at this time, but I know there is a comforter, and they can refer to him at any time,” Dennis said.

The Army said Longmore was a sergeant, working as an automated logistical specialist from August 2000 to May 2006 overseeing supplies and equipment. He deployed to Afghanistan, served under hostile fire and was a trained parachutist, driver and mechanic.

Hannegan said Longmore attended a couple of neighborhood association meetings with his mother, but he didn’t really know him. Longmore sometimes rode an electric scooter around the neighborhood or drove slowly up and down the dead-end streets.

“You could just tell he was a little out there,” Hannegan said. “He would tell people he was a prophet.”

Longmore was killed in suburban Jonesboro after a Henry County sheriff’s deputy saw the SUV that Longmore stole from Blizzard and began chasing.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Monday that Longmore first tried to ambush officers in Jonesboro and shot a Henry County deputy. Longmore stole a police vehicle and drove across the street, investigators said. He then fled to the backyard of a townhouse, bleeding and naked, and ran inside. When officers entered the home, Longmore fired again, wounding two Clayton County police officers.

The sheriff’s deputy was shot in the back and underwent surgery. Both Clayton officers were released after treatment for minor injuries.

___

Amy reported from Atlanta.

Police in Portsmouth are investigating a crash involving a pedestrian on July 13.

According to a release from police, officers were dispatched just after 3:30 p.m. to the 4700 block of George Washington Highway for calls of a crash. When they arrived, emergency services found 71-year-old Linda Hagins with life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a hospital, where she later died. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not released whether speeding or alcohol were a contributing factor.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Strategic Traffic Unit at 757–393–8013.

By The Associated Press

An attack before dawn Monday damaged a bridge linking Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea that is a key supply route for Kremlin forces in the war with Ukraine, forcing the span’s temporary closure for a second time in less than a year. Two people were killed and their daughter was injured.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered increased security at the 19-kilometer (12-mile) Kerch Bridge, repeating a call he made in October 2022 when the span was severely damaged by an explosion that Moscow also blamed on Kyiv.

He also promised “there will be a response from Russia, of course.”

“What happened is another terrorist act of the Kyiv regime,” Putin said at a televised meeting with officials. “It is a crime that is pointless from the military point of view, it bears no significance because the Crimean bridge hasn’t been used for military means in a long time, and it is brutal, because blameless civilians were injured and killed.”

Vehicle traffic on the bridge came to a standstill on Monday, while rail traffic also was halted for about six hours.

Satellite images taken Monday morning by Maxar Technologies showed serious damage to both eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge across the Kerch Strait on the part nearest to the Russian mainland, with at least one section collapsed. The railroad bridge that runs parallel to the highway appeared undamaged.

The strike was carried out by two Ukrainian maritime drones, Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee said.

Ukrainian officials were coy about taking responsibility, as they have been in past strikes. But in what appeared to be a tacit acknowledgment, Ukrainian Security Service spokesman Artem Degtyarenko said in a statement that his agency would reveal details of how the “bang” was organized after Kyiv has won the war.

The October attack on the bridge came when a truck bomb blew up two of its sections and required months of repair. Moscow decried that assault as an act of terrorism and retaliated by bombarding Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, targeting the country’s power grid over the winter.

In Monday’s blast, the Ukrainian news portal RBK-Ukraina cited a security services source as saying it was carried out by what it called floating drones. A deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, later said on the Telegram messaging service that “today, the Crimea bridge was torn apart by sea drones,” but it was not clear if he was making an official confirmation or referring to earlier reports.

Hours after the attack, video from Russian authorities showed crews picking up debris from the deck of the bridge, a section of which appeared to be sloping to one side, and a damaged black sedan with its passenger door open.

Putin ordered authorities to “thoroughly investigate what happened,” to come up with “concrete proposals to enhance security of this strategically important transport object,” and to “provide all possible support to people who ended up in a difficult position due to the halted traffic on the bridge.”

The Kerch Bridge is a conspicuous symbol of Moscow’s claims on Crimea and an essential land link to the peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. The $3.6 billion bridge is the longest in Europe and is crucial for Russia’s military operations in southern Ukraine in the nearly 17-month-old war.

Russia has expanded its military forces in Crimea since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Occasional sabotage and other attacks against the Russian military and other facilities on the peninsula have occurred since, with the Kremlin blaming Ukraine.

Those attacks and acts of sabotage haven’t discouraged Russians from spending their holidays in Crimea, and as car traffic on the bridge came to a halt, long lines formed at a ferry crossing the Kerch Strait, Russian media reported.

Traffic jams also clogged a highway in the Russian-held part of the Kherson region after Moscow-appointed authorities in Crimea redirected motorists to take the land route to Russia, through the partially occupied regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Drivers heading to Crimea were also stuck in a three-kilometer jam between Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog, RIA Novosti reported.

The bridge attack comes as Ukrainian forces are pressing a counteroffensive in several sections of the front line. It also happened hours before Russia announced, as expected, that it is halting a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that allows the export of Ukrainian grain during the war.

Russian media identified the dead as Alexei and Natalia Kulik, who were traveling to Crimea for a summer vacation. The 40-year-old Kulik was a truck driver and his 36-year-old wife was a municipal education worker. Their 14-year-old daughter suffered chest and brain injuries.

Kyiv didn’t initially acknowledge responsibility for October’s bridge attack either, but Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar acknowledged earlier this month that Ukraine struck it to derail Russian logistics.

Russian authorities said the attack didn’t affect the bridge’s piers but damaged two road links, one beyond repair. The damage still appeared less serious than in October’s attack; Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said authorities would gradually resume traffic on one side of the bridge after midnight Monday (2100 GMT Monday).

Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence department, declined to comment but said: “The peninsula is used by the Russians as a large logistical hub for moving forces and assets deep into the territory of Ukraine. Of course, any logistical problems are additional complications for the occupiers.”

The Security Service of Ukraine posted a redacted version of a popular lullaby, tweaked to say that the bridge “went to sleep again.”

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

—

Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker contributed from Washington.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD (AP Medical Writer)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Another experimental Alzheimer’s drug can modestly slow patients’ inevitable worsening — by about four to seven months, researchers reported Monday.

Eli Lilly and Co. is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval of donanemab. If cleared, it would be only the second Alzheimer’s treatment convincingly shown to delay the mind-robbing disease — after the recently approved Leqembi from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

“Finally there’s some hope, right, that we can talk about,” Lilly’s Dr. John Sims told reporters Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam.

“We don’t cure the disease,” he said. “Diabetes doesn’t have a cure either — it doesn’t mean you can’t have very meaningful treatments for patients.”

Lilly announced in May that donanemab appeared to work, but on Monday the full results of a study of 1,700 patients was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the Alzheimer’s conference.

Both donanemab and Leqembi are lab-made antibodies, administered by IV, that target one Alzheimer’s culprit, sticky amyloid buildup in the brain. And both drugs come with a serious safety concern — brain swelling or bleeding that in the Lilly study was linked to three deaths.

Scientists say while these drugs may mark a new era in Alzheimer’s therapy, huge questions remain about which patients should try them and how much benefit they’ll really notice.

“The modest benefits would likely not be questioned by patients, clinicians or payers if amyloid antibodies were low risk, inexpensive and simple to administer. However, they are none of these,” Dr. Eric Widera of the University of California, San Francisco, wrote in a JAMA editorial accompanying Lilly’s new data.

Lilly’s study enrolled people ages 60 to 85 who were in early stages of Alzheimer’s. Half received once-a-month infusions of donanemab and half dummy infusions for 18 months.

The study had a few twists. Patients were switched to dummy infusions if enough amyloid cleared out — something that happened to about half within a year. And because amyloid alone doesn’t cause Alzheimer’s, researchers also tracked levels of another culprit in the brain — abnormal tau. More tau signals more advanced disease.

The results: Both groups declined during the 18-month study but overall those given donanemab worsened about 22% more slowly. Some patients fared better — those with low to medium tau levels saw a 35% slower decline, reflecting that the drug appears to work better in earlier stages of the disease.

How much difference does that make? It means donanemab slowed patients’ worsening by about four to seven months, the JAMA report concluded.

Another way of measuring: Among the donanemab recipients with lower tau levels, 47% were considered stable a year into the study compared with 29% of those who got the dummy version.

The main safety concern is brain swelling or bleeding, which often causes no symptoms but sometimes can be serious, even fatal. About a quarter of donanemab recipients showed evidence of that swelling, and about 20% had microbleeds.

Scientists already know that patients getting any amyloid-targeted therapy need repeat brain scans to check for those side effects — a costly and time-consuming hurdle.

Widera noted that the possibility of stopping donanemab treatment at least temporarily in people who respond well would help limit some of those challenges. For comparison, Leqembi is given by IV every two weeks and researchers didn’t test a similar stoppage.

It’s too soon to know if some patients might need to resume donanemab, said Lilly’s Dr. Mark Mintun. But the amyloid “doesn’t come back with any sort of vengeance,” he said, speculating that might take several years.

Another concern: More than 90% of the study’s participants were white, leaving little data about how other populations might respond, Alzheimer’s specialist Jennifer Manly of Columbia University wrote in JAMA.

Scientists have long tried and failed to slow Alzheimer’s with amyloid-targeting drugs — and the FDA’s contentious 2021 conditional approval of a drug named Aduhelm soon fizzled amid lack of evidence that it really worked. The approval of Leqembi and promising data for donanemab have reignited interest in attacking amyloid buildup.

But Mintun acknowledged additional approaches are needed, saying Lilly expects results of a late-stage study of a tau-fighting drug next year.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

The Route 22 bus, which runs along Shore Drive and Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach, has barely enough daily riders to warrant a bus, Ray Amoruso, Hampton Roads Transit chief planning and development officer, told the City Council last week.

“Is there a better way to spend the money?” Amoruso asked.

Microtransit could be the answer, he said, but more research needs to be done.

Hampton Roads Transit tested a rideshare option last year in Virginia Beach and Newport News that officials say could eventually replace bus service in northwest Virginia Beach and be used in other areas of the region where there’s a dearth in public transportation.

Microtransit is a transportation option that uses smaller vehicles like a mini-van to move people from one point to another. Rides are shared and can be reserved through an app or a phone call. Passengers met the vehicle at a particular place and time with other people who had a similar destination. The cost was $2 per person for a ride. New York City-based Via operated the small vans and provided the app.

The goal was to determine if microtransit, which is also referred to as demand-responsive service, will improve mobility in a cost-effective manner, and if HRT can facilitate it throughout Hampton Roads, Amoruso said.

The microtransit pilot program lasted for six months with six vehicles used in Virginia Beach and five in Newport News, including wheelchair accessible vans. HRT moved just under 10,000 riders in Virginia Beach and about twice as many in Newport News.

Another microtransit pilot program is planned for next spring. HRT wants to promote it more widely and collect more data to determine if it’s financially sustainable.

Data from the first test round shows high-demand areas for transportation. In Newport News, residents who live in small “cul-de-sac communities,” west of Warwick Boulevard, for example, where HRT’s fixed route bus service isn’t offered, used microtransit to connect to commercial areas. Destinations included Patrick Henry Mall, medical appointments and the shipyard, Amoruso said.

“It could bring new people who never considered transit before,” he said.

In Virginia Beach, the pilot program zone ran along Shore Drive from Fort Story to the Bayside Recreation Center and on to the Pembroke area. It also extended to Newtown Road and Virginia Wesleyan University.

Half of the passengers in Virginia Beach used the pilot program to get to another HRT service stop. The Newtown Road light rail station, where passengers can ride The Tide to Norfolk, was the most frequented, according to HRT. Town Center was another popular destination.

In 2016, in a ballot referendum, Virginia Beach voters were against using local funds to extend light rail to Town Center.

Elsewhere in Virginia, microtransit options have been used to add service where no mass transit options exist and to replace underused routes.

In the Prince William County area of Northern Virginia, public transportation agency OmniRide recently began using microtransit. It has replaced an underused bus route in Manassas Park and provides an option where bus service didn’t exist in the town of Quantico.

“It’s definitely something that’s here to stay,” said Joe Stainsby, OmniRide’s chief development officer.

But he doesn’t believe buses will be completely cast aside in favor of rideshares.

“There’s a point of utilization of microtransit where if it becomes so popular, you’re better putting in a fixed route,” he said.

Stainsby noted that one of the benefits of microtransit is the flexibility in hiring drivers. A commercial driver’s license is required to operate a bus, and bus driver shortages are plaguing many communities.

HRT received a $1.6 million state grant for its microtransit pilot program. Virginia Beach and Newport News each provided a 20% match to participate.

Amoruso said more time is needed to get the word out about the next pilot program, but he expects microtransit in the future could complement, not replace, bus service in Hampton Roads.

Low density areas of Hampton Roads including Salem and Pungo in Virginia Beach, Hickory in southern Chesapeake and neighborhoods in Hampton near NASA Langley Research Center could benefit from microtransit, he said.

Virginia Beach and Newport News will be invited to participate in a pilot program again next spring, with the state providing $3.5 million and each city contributing 20% to extend the program for 12 months, Amoruso said.

“It has been successful,” said Councilwoman Amelia Ross-Hammond, who is chair of the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, which works to provide reliable and efficient transportation services and facilities in the region. “We’re moving forward and expanding.”

Virginia Beach is providing $8.6 million for HRT services in the city this fiscal year. The city also recently reinvested in another microtransit program, providing $1.2 million to Freebee, which offers free rides at the Oceanfront.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, [email protected]

By COURTNEY BONNELL (Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — Russia on Monday halted a breakthrough wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Black Sea Grain Initiative would be suspended until demands to get Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met. An attack Monday on a bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to Russia was not a factor in the decision, he said.

“When the part of the Black Sea deal related to Russia is implemented, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the deal,” Peskov said.

Russian representatives at the operation center for the initiative were more definitive, calling the decision “a termination,” according to a note obtained by The Associated Press. Russia has complained that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hampered its agricultural exports, but it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year.

The suspension marks the end of an accord that the U.N. and Turkey brokered last summer to allow shipments of food from the Black Sea region after Russia’s invasion of its neighbor worsened a global food crisis. The initiative is credited with helping reduce soaring prices of wheat, vegetable oil and other global food commodities.

Ukraine and Russia are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food that developing nations rely on.

The suspension of the deal sent wheat prices up about 3% in Chicago trading, to $6.81 a bushel, which is still about half what they were at last year’s peak. Prices fell later in the day.

Some analysts don’t expect more than a temporary bump in food staples traded on global markets because countries such as Russia and Brazil have ratcheted up wheat and corn exports. But food insecurity worldwide and prices at local stores and markets have risen as developing countries also struggle with climate change, conflict and economic crises. Finding suppliers outside Ukraine that are farther away also could raise costs, analysts say.

The grain deal provided guarantees that ships would not be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer. Western sanctions do not apply to Moscow’s agricultural shipments, but some companies may be wary of doing business with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wanted to keep the initiative going even without Russia’s safety assurances for ships.

“We are not afraid,” he said, adding that shipping companies told him “everyone is ready to continue supplying grain” if Ukraine and Turkey were on board.

The Russian Foreign Ministry again declared the northwestern Black Sea area “temporarily dangerous.” Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based pro-Kremlin political analyst, speculated that if Ukraine doesn’t heed the warnings, Russia could strike Ukrainian ports or place explosive mines in shipping routes.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed three Ukrainian ports to export 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to the world, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.

Russia has repeatedly complained that the deal largely benefits richer nations. JCC data shows that 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, with the top destination being China, which received nearly a quarter of the food.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal will result in more human suffering but that the U.N. would keep working to ensure the flow of supplies from Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine can still export by land or river through Europe, but those routes have a lower capacity and have stirred divisions among its neighbors.

“We will stay fixed on finding pathways for solutions,” he told reporters. “There is simply too much at stake in a hungry and hurting world.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said officials were talking with Russia and that he hoped the deal would be extended.

The agreement was renewed for 60 days in May, but the amount of grain and number of vessels departing Ukraine have plunged, with Russia accused of preventing new ships from participating since June 27. The last ship left Ukraine on Sunday and was inspected Monday.

The war in Ukraine sent food commodity prices to record highs last year and contributed to a global food crisis, which was also tied to other conflicts, the fallout from the pandemic and climate factors.

High grain prices in countries like Egypt, Lebanon and Nigeria exacerbated economic challenges and helped push millions more people into poverty or food insecurity.

Rising food prices affect people in developing countries disproportionately, because they spend more of their money on meals. Poorer nations that depend on imported food priced in dollars also are spending more as their currencies weaken and they are forced to import more because of climate change.

Under the deal, prices for wheat and other commodities have fallen, but food was already expensive before the war in Ukraine, and the relief hasn’t trickled down to kitchen tables.

“Countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia are dependent on food imports from Ukraine, so it does hamper availability and accessibility to food,” said Shashwat Saraf, the International Rescue Committee’s regional emergency director for East Africa.

Now, it’s key to watch whether Russia “weaponizes” its wheat exports, said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

As the world’s current largest wheat supplier, Russia could hike its export taxes, which “would raise world grain prices as well as allow Russia to finance more of its military campaign in Ukraine,” Evenett said. He noted that Moscow already raised them slightly this month.

The grain deal has faced setbacks since it was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey. Russia pulled out briefly in November before rejoining and extending the deal.

In March and May, Russia would only renew for two months, instead of the usual four. Joint inspections meant to ensure vessels carry only grain and not weapons have slowed considerably.

The amount of grain shipped per month has fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tons in October to over 2 million metric tons in June.

Meanwhile, Russia’s wheat shipments hit all-time highs following a large harvest. It exported 45.5 million metric tons in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another record of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

___

AP reporters Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Andrew Wilks in Istanbul contributed.

___

See AP’s complete coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine and the food crisis at https://apnews.com/hub/food-crisis.

Did you know that turning on the oven can raise the temperature of your kitchen by almost 10 degrees? In fact, if your kitchen doesn’t have doors, the temperature also rises throughout your home as the heat disperses. 

Summer is here, and as much as we love roast dinners and baked goods, it’s simply too hot to cook with the oven. 

In an attempt to stay cool while still enjoying delectable meals, we assembled this quick and easy list of oven-free recipes. Whether you’re looking for morning-fresh breakfast options or a savory side dish, we’re sure you’ll find something delicious to sink your teeth into — all without breaking a sweat.

No-oven breakfast recipes

Overnight oats

Take the heat and the hassle out of breakfast with overnight oats. Kickstart your day with a sweet variety, or power up before a morning workout with a protein-infused version. 

Ingredients: 1/3 cup each of oats, yogurt, and milk, 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional add-ins: protein powder, honey, agave syrup, or liquid sweetener)

Tools: Mason jar or glass bowl with lid

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients until blended well.

2. Cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

Breakfast egg bites

Instead of sweating over a hot stove to make a morning omelet, try this cool and easy no-fuss alternative with hard-boiled eggs.

Ingredients: 2 hard-boiled eggs, 1/2 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, 12 pitted kalamata olives, 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese, crostini or multigrain crackers, freshly-ground pepper to taste

Tools: Avocado slicer, egg slicer, pepper grinder

Directions:

1. Slice hard-boiled eggs and gently set them aside so they maintain their shape with the yolk.

2. Dice and combine diced avocado, fresh tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Add a tiny splash of olive brine for a bit of moisture and tang if you’d like.

3. Arrange 12-16 crackers on a plate, layering ingredients atop them, beginning with the egg slices and followed by the avocado, tomato, and olive mixture.

4. Drizzle egg bites with goat cheese crumble, followed by freshly-ground pepper.

No-oven lunch recipes

Gazpacho

Looking for a light veggie-packed delight? Enjoy a hearty bowl of gazpacho, a soup served cold featuring tomatoes and a few pantry staples.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 cucumber, 1 shallot, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 16-ounce jar roasted red peppers (drained), 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

Tools: Blender or food processor

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients through roasted red peppers in a blender or food processor until the consistency is liquified with a slightly grainy texture.

2. Add sugar, salt, and pepper, adjusting amounts to taste and mix well.

3. Cover mixture and let sit in the refrigerator for no less than four to six hours.

No-oven dinner recipes

Simple sushi

Believe it or not, sushi doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to prepare at home. With the right tools and proper ingredients, it’s easy to make your own sushi in time for dinner. 

Ingredients: 6 sheets of nori (sushi seaweed), sushi rice, 1 avocado, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 pound raw salmon, sesame seeds, garlic-infused soy sauce, pickled ginger

Tools: Sushi mat kit, avocado slicer, rice maker

Directions: 

1. Slice salmon, avocado, and cream cheese into thin slices of equal sizes.

2. Set up bamboo mat on a clean, flat surface and cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap.

3. Lay one sheet of nori across it, followed by a thin, even layer of rice flattened with the sushi paddle or a spoon.

4. Arrange salmon, avocado, and cream cheese on the nori and roll it up, being careful not to crush ingredients in the process. 

5. Hold the sushi roll while you remove the mat and plastic, and transfer the roll to a plate.

6. Slice the sushi roll into neat and even pieces, then garnish with sesame seeds and pickled ginger. Serve with soy sauce.

Chickpea pasta salad

This staple summer pasta dish enjoyed cold will please palates as much as it turns heads, especially when you tell guests you’re using chickpea pasta.

Ingredients: 1 box chickpea pasta, 4 medium zucchini, 6 radishes, 1 pound halved cherry tomatoes, 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 10 leaves fresh basil, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 

Tools: 4-quart saucepot, spiralizer, colander, cheese grater

Directions:

1. Bring water to a rolling boil in your saucepot and add the entire box of chickpea pasta. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes.

2. Prepare vegetables by spiralizing zucchini, slicing radishes, halving tomatoes, and cutting basil into ribbons.

3. Pour pasta into a colander in the sink, rinsing it with cold water until cool.

4. Return pasta to the pot. Add olive oil, remaining ingredients, and freshly grated parmesan. Mix well.

No-oven snack recipes

Watermelon smoothie

Cool down and unwind with this fruity non-alcoholic watermelon smoothie. With bright pink color and a refreshing flavor, it’s a perfect pick for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Ingredients: 2-3 cups seedless watermelon chunks, 1/2 medium seedless cucumber (sliced), 1 cup Greek yogurt (key lime flavor if possible), 1 1/2 cups dairy-free milk, sweetener to taste

Tools: Blender, freezer-safe drinkware

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender (except sweetener) and mix well, adding more Greek yogurt or milk as needed to achieve your preferred consistency.

2. Taste and add sweetener to achieve desired sweetness, such as Stevia, honey, or coconut sugar.

3. Serve immediately in a chilled glass.

Caprese wrap

This Caprese-inspired wrap a simple yet flavor-packed combination of rich ingredients that form the backbone of Italian cuisine.

Ingredients: 3-4 ounces fresh mozzarella, 1 large ripe tomato, 1 wrap, 6-10 leaves of fresh basil (sliced), a dash of salt and freshly ground pepper, balsamic vinegar to taste

Tools: Serrated knife, pepper grinder

Directions:

1. Slice mozzarella and tomatoes into slices one-eighth-inch thick and arrange across the wrap.

2. Tuck basil leaves between mozzarella and tomatoes.

3. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and add a dash of salt and freshly ground pepper.

4. Fold wrap, tucking in the edges where possible, and serve immediately so ingredients stay cold.

No-oven dessert recipes

Chocolate chia pudding

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delicious chocolate chia pudding. Flavorful with plenty of texture, it’ll quickly become your go-to dessert of the summer (and perhaps the rest of the year).

Ingredients: 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups chocolate almond milk, and 1/2 cup chia seeds (optional add-ins: honey, agave syrup, Stevia, or coconut sugar to taste)

Tools: Mixing bowl, whisk, glass containers with lids

Directions:

1. Whisk cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and chocolate almond milk until well-blended. 

2. Add in preferred sweetener and mix well.

3. Continue whisking and gradually add in chia seeds until the mixture reaches a thicker, more viscous consistency.

4. Refrigerate overnight in a covered glass container.

Homemade ice cream

Can’t be bothered to go out in the heat, even to the ice cream shop? Save yourself a trip and invest in an ice cream maker to blend a batch of your own whenever you want.

Ingredients: Ice cream mix, heavy whipping cream, half and half (optional to add: cookie or candy bar crumbles, chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, caramel)

Tools: Ice cream maker, hand mixer with whisk, mixing bowl 

Directions: 

1. Follow the instructions according to the ice cream mix box, adding ingredients to your ice cream maker in the proper order to achieve the right consistency.

2. Once the mixture is well-churned, add in any desired optional ingredients.

3. Depending on your ice cream maker, you can enjoy ice cream within 20 minutes to two hours.

Strawberry swirl icebox cake

Give the classic icebox cake a fun summer spin when you try this strawberry swirl variety. With fewer than five ingredients, including two flavors of wafers, you’ll love how easy it is to whip this one up.

Ingredients: 3 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar, 1/2 pound hulled and sliced fresh strawberries, 1/2 package each of strawberry- and vanilla-flavored wafers 

Tools: Hand mixer with whisk, mixing bowl, springform pan

Directions:

1. Whisk heavy cream and sugar in a mixing bowl until consistency thickens or peaks form.

2. Crush both flavors of wafers inside a resealable plastic bag, either together or separately, and set aside.

3. Layer cake into springform pan, beginning with a thin layer of the cream and sugar mixture. 

4. Add a thin layer of crumbled wafers. Alternate layers until the pan is filled. The top and final layer should be the cream and sugar mixture.

5. Arrange sliced strawberries across the top in a pattern of your choosing.

6. Cover and refrigerate cake for four to six hours before serving.

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Which Coola sunscreen is best?

The sheer number of sunscreen options on the market can be intimidating to the average consumer. There are many decisions to make, ranging from what kind to buy, to what SPF factor and which company. While there are many good options, Coola sunscreens stand out as a popular choice.

Coola sells sunscreens ranging from 18-70 SPF. In addition to the active sun-protection ingredients, they also add many other ingredients that are beneficial overall skin health. For example, Coola Mineral Matte Tinted Sunscreen contains rosehip seed oil, plankton extract and shea butter to soothe and soften and reduce blemishes all while protecting you from harmful UV rays.

What to know before you buy a Coola sunscreen

Coola mineral sunscreen vs. Coola classic sunscreen

Coola sells many sunscreen formulas but they can all be broadly classified into one of two groups: mineral and classic. Mineral sunscreens use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient, and sometimes both. These work by creating a physical barrier to block UV rays from reaching your skin. Many people opt for these due to currently unproven concerns over chemical sunscreens being absorbed into the bloodstream and potentially causing negative health consequences. Mineral sunscreens are also considered marine life friendly.

Coola classic sunscreens use chemicals like avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate as their active ingredients. These essentially absorb the sun’s UV rays and then release them from the body as heat. Chemical sunscreens are popular because they are easier to spread evenly across the body, have a lightweight feel and don’t leave behind that telltale white cast of many mineral sunscreens.

Sustainability

Coola is a socially responsible company that places a focus on sustainability. To that end, they support local communities and formulate their products with ingredients sourced from farmers that use sustainable practices. They also package nearly all of their skincare products in glass containers or tubes made from sustainably-sourced sugarcane resin that is 100% recyclable.

What to look for in a quality Coola sunscreen

SPF rating 

The higher the SPF rating, the more of the sun’s harmful UV rays a sunscreen can protect you from. Coola sells sun protection products with SPFs ranging from 18-70. For most people, SPF 30 or SPF 50 should be sufficient for their needs, but if you are prone to burning it may be worthwhile to purchase a sunscreen with an SPF 70 rating.

Inactive ingredients

Along with the active ingredients that provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, Coola sunscreens may contain a variety of other ingredients designed to hydrate, rejuvenate and detoxify the skin. These also reduce blemishes, promote healing and soothe irritation. Inactive ingredients found in Coola products commonly include various plant, flower and fruit extracts and oils. If you are sensitive to some of these types of ingredients, make sure to check the label carefully before purchasing or applying any Coola sunscreen. 

Water resistance

Coola sunscreens may have no water resistance, 40 minutes of water resistance or 80 minutes of water resistance. If you’ll be spending time in the water, it is best to opt for a formula that boasts 80 minutes of water resistance so you won’t have to reapply it as often.

Tint

Tints are often used in face or lip sunscreens to give your skin a healthy glow. Coola also adds it to some of its mineral body sunscreens to help prevent the white cast these types of sunblock are often associated with.

Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104

In January of 2021, Hawaii signed Reef Compliant Act 104 into law. This prohibits the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because the two chemicals are known to harm marine life and cause coral-reef bleaching. Even if you aren’t traveling to Hawaii, it is a good idea to use reef-safe sunscreen if you will be spending any time in the ocean. Coola sells both chemical and mineral sunscreens that conform to these regulations.

Fragrance

Coola sells both scented and unscented sunscreens. If you are particularly sensitive to smells, it may be best to choose a fragrance-free option unless you already know you like the scent of a particular Coola sunscreen.

How much you can expect to spend on a Coola sunscreen

Coola’s sunscreen products range greatly in price depending on their ingredients and form. Its body sunscreens are the most affordable, ranging from $3.50-$10 per ounce. Its facial sunscreens are the most expensive and can cost up to $50 per ounce. 

Coola sunscreen FAQ

When should you apply sunscreen?

A. Most experts recommend applying sunscreen whenever you’ll be spending time in the sun, even on cloudy days. It is best to apply it a minimum of 15 minutes before exposure to give it time to absorb into your skin and start working.

Where is Coola sunscreen made?

A. All of Coola’s products are made and packaged in the United States.

What’s the best Coola sunscreen to buy?

Top Coola sunscreen

Coola Mineral Matte Tinted Sunscreen

Our take: A tinted mineral option with skin rejuvenating ingredients, this sunscreen is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their skin healthy and protected. 

What we like: It doesn’t leave behind a white cast like mineral sunscreens from many other companies.

What we dislike: It is only water-resistant for 40 minutes.

Where to buy: Available at Amazon

Top Coola sunscreen for money

Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF 70

Our take: If you need maximum sun protection, you can rely on this easy-to-apply SPF 70 option.

What we like: It is also available in a lotion option with the same formula for those who don’t like sprays. Plus, it is one of the company’s more affordable sunscreens, so you won’t feel like it is costing you an arm and a leg.

What we dislike: Several users have complained of the spray nozzle failing.

Where to buy: Available at Amazon

Worth checking out

Coola Classic Face Sunscreen

Our take: This lightweight and non-greasy formula boasts an SPF 50 rating and comes in a TSA-approved size to take along when traveling.

What we like: It offers the effectiveness of chemical sunscreens but still meets the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104 regulations. Most people enjoy the pleasant White Tea fragrance, but it is also available in an unscented variety for those sensitive to smells.

What we dislike: There have been reports of it causing breakouts for a small number of users.

Where to buy: Available at Amazon

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Grab the popcorn

You may have a top-of-the-line TV in your living room, but there’s just something about watching a movie on a big screen. When the weather’s warm, you can turn your backyard into a drive-in theater for your family and friends to host your own film festivals with an impressively sized screen.

Do you need some help setting up your own personal movie theater? Here are all the products you need to create the coziest of drive-ins in your backyard this summer.

How to set up a backyard drive-in

You obviously need a portable projector to provide excellent picture quality for your movie night, but the first — and most important — step in creating a backyard drive-in is choosing the right spot to set it up. Whether you invest in an outdoor projector screen or just use a white bedsheet, it’s usually best to place the projection surface against one of your home’s exterior walls or in your driveway against the garage door. A sheet can move and wrinkle easily, so you want to secure it as taut as possible if using one.

Don’t forget to set up an area with beverages and snacks, such as popcorn and candy, that is easily accessible from the seating area. You don’t want your guests blocking the view of the screen every time they get up for some M&M’s or more popcorn.

Backyard drive-in theater must-haves

Tech essentials

Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector

This super-compact projector is the perfect choice for backyard movie nights. It has HDMI, USB and Micro SD ports and can project on screens up to 100 inches. It also boasts built-in speakers and threading for use on a standard tripod mount.

Available at Amazon

Anker Nebula Capsule Max

This top-of-the-line portable projector offers sharp 720p visuals and works well in low-lighting situations. It also has an auto-focus feature and provides up to four hours of run time for movie nights. You can stream directly from Netflix via the Nebula Connect app for smartphones and tablets too.

Available at Amazon

Elite Screens Yard Master 2

This durable, lightweight outdoor projector screen is available in nine sizes and assembles quickly. It has a fully tensioned snap button frame to ensure that the screen is perfectly smooth and taut for projection. It also cleans easily with soap and water.

Available at Amazon

Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation)

If you want to boost the sound quality for your backyard drive-in, this high-end Bluetooth speaker is ideal. It’s waterproof and dustproof, making it safe for use outdoors, even in inclement weather. It also offers up to 43 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Available at Amazon

Roku Ultra

Super fast and user-friendly, this streaming device makes it easy to access your favorite movies if your projector doesn’t allow for direct streaming. It supports 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and audio for an authentic home theater experience. It includes a voice-controlled remote too.

Available at Amazon

Seating essentials

Degrees of Comfort Outdoor Floor Cushion

Kids will love sitting on these comfy oversized cushions during backyard movie nights. They are filled with premium shredded memory foam and provide effective support for hours. They’re lightweight too, so they’re easy to move around your yard.

Available at Amazon

Jaxx Juniper Outdoor Bean Bag Patio Chair

This outdoor bean bag makes for comfortable backyard drive-in seating. It has a machine-washable cover and a handle for easy carrying around your yard. It also contains polystyrene bead filling to conform perfectly to the shape of your body.

Available at Amazon

Oniva Portable Reclining Camp Chair

This comfortable camp chair provides plenty of support for even the longest movie marathons. It is padded for extra comfort and offers three recline positions. Its sturdy steel frame is durable, but it also folds easily for storage.

Available at Amazon

Coleman Quattro Lax Quad Chair

If you want to snuggle up on your backyard movie nights, this two-person camp chair is a perfect choice. It has a strong steel frame that can support 225 pounds per seat and two mesh cup holders for beverages.

Available at Amazon

Down Under Outdoors Large Stadium Blanket

Spread out this rainproof, windproof fleece blanket for the kids to sit on during backyard movie nights. It’s machine-washable for easy cleanup and large enough to fit two adults or three or more kids. It comes with a convenient carrying bag too.

Available at Amazon

Refreshment options

West Bend Theater Crazy Popcorn Machine

This classic popcorn maker allows you to have theater-quality popcorn for your backyard drive-in. It can make up to six servings in only a few minutes and holds up to 4 quarts of popcorn at a time. It also has a small footprint, so it won’t take up much space on your table or counter.

Available at Amazon and 

Nostalgia Vintage Countertop Snow Cone Maker

On hot summer nights, this snow cone machine makes the perfect cool treats for your backyard theater. It holds enough ice for up to 20 snow cones at a time and features a durable stainless steel blade for shaving. It also has a safety mechanism to protect your hand, so you don’t have to worry about using it around kids.

Available at Amazon and 

Eastern Standard Provisions Movie Night Artisanal Soft Pretzel Snack Pack

These soft pretzels are another classic snack for backyard movie nights. The set includes two large soft pretzels, a bag of pretzel bites, six soft pretzel sticks, pretzel salt and a jar of mustard. The pretzels are all-natural and vegan too.

Available at Amazon

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