Trendzz Ground: March 2020

Tuesday 31 March 2020

: Heidi Klum says she has no 'struggles with food' anymore: 'I feel happy with who I am'

Heidi Klum says she has no 'struggles with food' anymore: 'I feel happy with who I am'

Heidi Klum is feeling more comfortable with herself these days.

: Jessica Simpson says she's turned to prayer during the 'last few weeks of uncertainty' amid coronavirus quarantine

Jessica Simpson says she's turned to prayer during the 'last few weeks of uncertainty' amid coronavirus quarantine

Jessica Simpson is dealing with stress and uncertainty by leaning on her faith during the coronavirus pandemic.

Quotation of the Day: Cases Spiral Aboard an Aircraft Carrier, and a Commander Pleads for Help

By Unknown Author from NYT Today’s Paper https://ift.tt/344Rbvp

This Broccoli-Dill Pasta Has a Hippie Twist. Your Kids Will Love It.

By BY TEJAL RAO from NYT Magazine https://ift.tt/2wQroLe

Trump Calls New Fuel Economy Rule a Boon. Some Experts See Steep Costs.

By BY CORAL DAVENPORT from NYT Climate https://ift.tt/2R0Dpop

Historic Town in Veszprém County

By BY DEB AMLEN from NYT Crosswords & Games https://ift.tt/346FOmL

As Furloughs Grow, Kennedy Center Defends Use of $25 Million in Aid

By BY JULIA JACOBS from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/2UVbJlS

: Wayne Brady on self-isolating with his daughter, ex-wife and her boyfriend: 'We are a family'

Wayne Brady on self-isolating with his daughter, ex-wife and her boyfriend: 'We are a family'

Wayne Brady is in a unique situation during the coronavirus quarantine.

: Idris Elba updates fans on his and wife Sabrina's condition after passing quarantine period: 'Stuck in limbo'

Idris Elba updates fans on his and wife Sabrina's condition after passing quarantine period: 'Stuck in limbo'

Idris Elba says that he and his wife Sabrina are "both good" amid their fight with coronavirus.

: Pink belts out moving gospel song during son's bath time: 'Faith is always a comfort'

Pink belts out moving gospel song during son's bath time: 'Faith is always a comfort'

Pink is moving her fans to tears with an impromptu gospel performance.

: Larry David urges 'idiots' still out socializing to 'watch TV' in funny coronavirus PSA

Larry David urges 'idiots' still out socializing to 'watch TV' in funny coronavirus PSA

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David offered a pretty, pretty, pretty good public service announcement on Tuesday, urging the "idiots" who aren't following social distancing guidelines to "watch TV."

FOX NEWS: Tech company keeps tabs on how people socially isolate across the country

Tech company keeps tabs on how people socially isolate across the country

A tech company is monitoring smartphone data and grading American counties on a “Social Distancing Scoreboard” as authorities across the United States urge residents to socially isolate and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

via FOX NEWS https://ift.tt/3atP3Ql

Las domadoras de leones de Egipto dominan el negocio

By BY DECLAN WALSH from NYT en Español https://ift.tt/2UOz3St

$30 Million in Illegal Drugs Seized From Cross-Border Tunnel in San Diego, U.S. Says

By BY NEIL VIGDOR from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2UyBfhU

‘Never Thought I Would Need It’: Americans Put Pride Aside to Seek Aid

By BY CARA BUCKLEY from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2Uygm6p

Human Rights Group Says Two U.S. Strikes Killed Somali Civilians

By BY CHARLIE SAVAGE AND HELENE COOPER from NYT World https://ift.tt/3dFYDSa

Hellmut Stern, 91, Dies; Violinist Returned to Germany After Fleeing

By BY KATHARINE Q. SEELYE from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/2R0fBku

: 'Sonic the Hedgehog' speeds to early digital release

'Sonic the Hedgehog' speeds to early digital release

New in Home Entertainment: The trend of early home releases continues as the nation's movie theaters remain dark due to the coronavirus pandemic.

: Judd Apatow: McConnell should be prosecuted for coronavirus 'lies'

Judd Apatow: McConnell should be prosecuted for coronavirus 'lies'

Filmmaker Judd Apatow called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his colleagues "murderers" on Tuesday, saying they should be held criminally responsible for the coronavirus pandemic.

: 'Bachelor' star Colton Underwood on coronavirus symptoms: 'It got scary'

'Bachelor' star Colton Underwood on coronavirus symptoms: 'It got scary'

Colton Underwood is feeling better while fighting coronavirus.

: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry acting like 'defiant teenagers,' author claims

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry acting like 'defiant teenagers,' author claims

Prince Harry's biographer has something to say about his "choice of priorities."

Coronavirus Spreads in Veterans’ Home, Leaving ‘Shuddering Loss for Us All’

By BY ELLEN BARRY from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3dLIbQg

Monday 30 March 2020

Met Museum Tells Staff It Is Extending Pay Until May 2

By BY ZACHARY SMALL from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/2Uw6hXy

N.C.A.A. Allows Extra Year of Eligibility for Athletes in Curtailed Spring Sports

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports https://ift.tt/39onneo

Behind Trump’s Reversal on Reopening the Country: 2 Sets of Numbers

By BY PETER BAKER AND MAGGIE HABERMAN from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2xwlbUR

A Bitter Herb From the Lower East Side

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/2UsZjmc

An Easter Egg From Beverly Hills

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/2Ut4P8s

For Your Quarantine Pizza Cravings

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/33Xc5fR

Tempting Pastas and Sauces From Sicily

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/39yA9XI

A Knife to Add Flash to Your Kitchen

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/2JtgGgq

A Haggadah for Seders Near and Far

By BY FLORENCE FABRICANT from NYT Food https://ift.tt/2QWTSd0

Virus Prompts Workplace Protests Over Health Concerns

By BY NOAM SCHEIBER AND KATE CONGER from NYT Business https://ift.tt/2QWRCCy

Trump to Governors: I’d Like You to Do Us a Favor, Though

By BY MICHELLE GOLDBERG from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/2QWRhjg

Alison Roman’s Seder Table

By BY ALISON ROMAN from NYT Food https://ift.tt/3aGXqIB

: Christie Brinkley says daughter Alexa Ray Joel's wedding planning has been put ‘on hold’

Christie Brinkley says daughter Alexa Ray Joel's wedding planning has been put ‘on hold’

Christy Brinkley is dealing with the fallout of coronavirus, more specifically the fact she can’t see her daughters Sailor Brinkley Cook and Alexa Ray Joel.

: Sam Smith changes 'To Die For' album title and release date amid coronavirus outbreak

Sam Smith changes 'To Die For' album title and release date amid coronavirus outbreak

Sam Smith is making some changes in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

‘Strega Nona’ Author Tomie dePaola Is Dead at Age 85

CONCORD, New Hampshire — Tomie dePaola, the prolific children’s author and illustrator who delighted generations with tales of Strega Nona, the kindly and helpful old witch in Italy, died Monday at age 85.

DePaola died at the Dartmouth-Hancock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, according to his literary agent, Doug Whiteman. He was badly injured in a fall last week and died of complications following surgery.

He worked on close to 250 books in a half century of publishing. More than 15 million copies have been sold worldwide and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Strega Nona, his most endearing character, originated as a doodle at a dull faculty meeting at Colby Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, where dePaola was a member of the theater department. The first tale was based on one of his favorite stories as a child, about a pot that keeps producing porridge. “Strega Nona: An Original Tale,” which came out in 1975, was a Caldecott finalist for best illustrated work. Other books in the series include “Strega Nona’s Magic Lessons” and “Strega Nona Meets Her Match.”

Reflecting on her popularity, dePaola told The Associated Press in 2013, “I think it’s because she’s like everybody’s grandmother. She’s cute, she’s not pretty, she’s kind of funny-looking, but she’s sweet, she’s understanding. And she’s a little saucy, she gets a little irritated every once in a while.”

DePaola said he put Strega Nona in Calabria, in southern Italy, because that’s where his grandparents came from.

He said over the years, the visualization of Strega Nona — who grew out of his drawing of Punch from the commedia dell’arte — became more refined. But his liberal use of color and folk art influences in her stories were a constant. After saving her village from being flooded with pasta from a magic pot by her assistant, Big Anthony, Strega Nona went on to star or play a supporting role in about a dozen more books.

“I remember laughing at the pictures of Big Anthony, the townspeople, and even cute little Strega Nona,” wrote one of his many fans in 2013, a woman who recalled her mother reading the book to her growing up. “She is ingrained in my childhood … I hope to read Strega Nona to my kids one day.”

In 2011, dePaola received a lifetime achievement award from the American Library Association.

“Tomie dePaola is masterful at creating seemingly simple stories that have surprising depth and reflect tremendous emotional honesty,” the committee chair Megan Schliesman said at the time. “They have resonated with children for over 40 years.”

At age 4, dePaola knew he was going to be an artist and author — and he told people so. He received a lot of encouragement from his family. “They gave me half of the attic for my ‘studio.’ Now, how neat is that?” he said.

His family, in turn, became central characters in a number of his autobiographical books, such as “26 Fairmont Avenue,” about growing up in Connecticut during the Great Depression, and “The Art Lesson,” about reaching a compromise with his art teacher on drawing in class. The former received a Newbery Honor Award in 2000.

DePaola wrote about doodling on his bedsheets and on his math work in second grade, telling his teacher he wasn’t going to be an “arithmetic-er.”

Many of his books bring to life folktales, legends, and spirituality — he often incorporated images of a white dove among the pages. Christmas, his favorite holiday, was a popular subject of many of his works exploring traditions of the season, and offered some storylines for Strega Nona.

In 2013-2014, dePaola had two exhibitions at Colby-Sawyer College, “Then,” and “Now.” The first showed his early artistic efforts, his formative years at the Pratt Institute and his work, influenced by Fra Angelico and George Roualt, among others; the second came out shortly after dePaola turned 80 and it focused on his more recent artwork.

“Even though I love doing my books and I try to be as creative as possible, there’s always a restriction,” he said in 2013. “I have to please other people, I have to please my art director, my editor, and then there’s all the public to please. Some of the books I’ve considered my best artistic personal accomplishments aren’t necessarily the books that appeal to children. And that’s OK.”

In 2011, dePaola received a lifetime achievement award from the American Library Association.

DePaola spent much of time working in his 200-year-old barn in New London, which houses his studio and library. It includes wall niches displaying folk art and a corner with a chair facing a small altar, where he meditated. More Native American, Mexican and early American folk art decorated his nearby home.

DePaola received many letters through the years from children with questions about his life and books, and he often took the time to chat with them at book signings and other events. It was always important to him to keep that voice active.

“I just keep the inner critic,” he said in an interview. “Don’t let the little 4-year-old get jaded. I listen to him. He stands beside me and says, ‘No, I don’t like that.’”