AP Lifestyles Digest

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Here is the AP Lifestyles digest for the week of April 27.

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NEW THIS DIGEST:

Virus Outbreak-TV-Comfort Viewing: With the future made uncertain by the coronavirus, TV viewers are finding comfort in cast reunions including for the movie “Goonies,” series reruns and much-seen films. By TV Writer Lynn Elber. UPCOMING Thursday by 3 p.m. 750 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Virtual Friendships: ‘U ok?’ Virus-era friendships can be both crucial & fraught. By National Writer Jocelyn Noveck. SENT Wednesday, 990 words, photos.

Poll-Virus Outbreak-Mental Health: A new survey examines the emotional toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on Americans’ mental health and stress levels, nationwide as well as in 10 states and eight metropolitan areas. The COVID Impact Survey also looks at Americans’ physical health and financial security. UPCOMING Thursday.

Virus Outbreak-Higher Education: The existential threat -- maybe -- to colleges and universities because of the coronavirus. UPCOMING Friday: By Alan Clendening and Sharon Cohen.

Virus Outbreak-Ramadan in America: For Muslims in the U.S., there is no other time more centered around gathering in congregation than the holy month of Ramadan. But this year, Ramadan falls in the middle of a global pandemic, and in the U.S., where most of the world’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred, that means being forced to mark the month in a different, less communal, and sometimes more virtual way. UPCOMING Saturday: 1,400 words in chunky character sketches, by Noreen Nasir, Mariam Fam and Aroun Deen. Photos and video.

Viral Outbreak-Viral Questions-Take-Out: Is it safe to order take-out during the pandemic? SENT Tuesday, photo.

Virus Outbreak-California: Surf’s down in California: Governor will close beaches. SENT Thursday, photos.

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GENERAL

Virus Outbreak-Last Normal Moment: The coronavirus scare has done something to time. The weeks have blurred and stretched. Like so many catastrophes before this one, memories are settling in of the old times, for better or worse. By Leanne Italie. SENT Thursday, 1,000 words, photos, video.

Virus Outbreak-Virtual Proms: In party dresses or come as you are, with colored lights flashing in their bedrooms and teachers-turned-DJs spinning, high schoolers have turned to virtual proms to salvage at least one slice of fun and tradition for the Class of 2020. By Leanne Italie. SENT Monday, 790 words, photos, video.

US Virus Outbreak-Sad Summer: Summer tourist destinations are worried what the pandemic and social distancing guidelines will mean for beaches, camps, and local businesses. SENT Tuesday, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Navigating the Invisible: Invisible virus, invisible fear: How to navigate the unseen? By National Writer Ted Anthony. SENT Monday, 900 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Asian Celebs: Asian celebrities are using their voices to speak out against anti-Asian attacks that authorities say are on the rise amid the coronavirus pandemic. SENT Monday, photos.

US-Comedy in the Age of Coronavirus: With the coronavirus having closed nightclubs across the country, stand-up comedians are still managing to get the laughs out. They say making people laugh is fun — and needed now. SENT Monday, photos, video.

Virus Outbreak-The Dreamers: One person dreams about monsters trying to get his family, but in the strange new world of the coronavirus, they are spaced a socially distant 6 feet apart. Another has such a vivid dream about having the new coronavirus that they wake up convinced they have it in real life. Powerful dreams about COVID-19 and its impacts on society are spreading almost as fast as the virus itself. SENT Tuesday, 950 words and photos. By Gillian Flaccus.

Virus Outbreak-Unbanked: Millions of people in the U.S. are waiting on paper federal-relief checks to be mailed to them. They are disproportionately black and Latino and have limited or no relationships with traditional banking institutions. Advocates say federal officials should be doing more to help the “unbanked” open safe online accounts. By Aaron Morrison. UPCOMING, photos.

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FOOD

Stone Soup: As the days go by, I am being forced to become more creative with my cooking. So when I found a bag of beans in the pantry, I made a ``stone soup″ with other things I had on hand. By Elizabeth Karmel. SENT Monday, 700 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Senior Meals: California’s proposal to repurpose struggling restaurants to put food on the table for millions of senior residents ordered to stay in their homes during the coronavirus crisis could salvage the ailing food industry but also cost taxpayers unknown billions. SENT Monday, photos.

Virus-Outbreak-Italy-Pizza’s-Back: Naples’ beloved pizza is back after virus shutdown eases. SENT Tuesday, 410 words, photos.

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GARDENING

Grandmothers Gardens: Even before the coronavirus crisis sparked renewed interest in vegetable gardens and victory gardens, there’s been a movement toward more traditional gardening aesthetics. For example, there are what’s known as Grandmother’s Gardens. These old-fashioned, naturalistic flowerbeds rich in color have much to recommend them in contemporary settings. By Dean Fosdick. SENT Tuesday, 550 words, photos.

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CRAFTS

Virus Outbreak-Crafts-Creative Impulse: Crafters, sewers, painters, potters, welders, weavers. People who create things by hand are pursuing their passions the best they can during the coronavirus pandemic, and finding solace doing so. By Jennifer Forker. SENT Monday, 700 words, photos.

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HOMES:

Germany-Home Offices: Germany’s labor minister wants to enshrine into law the right to work from home if it is feasible to do so, even after the coronavirus pandemic subsides. SENT Sunday, 260 words, photo.

NerdWallet-Liz Weston-Ask Bank For Help: How to ask your bank or lender for help. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. SENT Monday, 760 words, photos.

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Virus Outbreak-Radio Storytime: A library in small-town Alaska is keeping kids in remote communities connected with a children’s story hour, thanks to an AM radio station whose broadcast can reach homes with often unreliable internet. It’s one way the nation’s libraries are dealing with closures during the pandemic. SENT Tuesday, photos, video.

Virus Outbreak-Diary-Core Values: He’s stuck at home, the third-generation home where his grandfather, a naturalist, spent many years planting. Now, at age 13, it’s his turn. SENT Tuesday, 600 words and photo. By Ted Anthony.

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PETS

NerdWallet-Millennial-Money-Puppy: Millennial Money: Do this before adopting or buying a puppy. SENT Tuesday, 720 words, photos.

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TRAVEL

Virus-Outbreak-Hotels-Cleaning-Upgrade: Hotels, Airbnb beef up cleaning standards to calm travelers. By Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin. SENT Tuesday, 510 words, photos.

US National Parks-Cellphones Vs. Silence: National parks are grappling with how to expand cellphone service while preserving the serenity of nature. SENT Wednesday, photos.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

FAMILY: Virus Outbreak-Skipping Home School; Virus-Outbreak-Missed-Milestones; Virus Outbreak-Kids’ Newscast; Virus Outbreak-Diary-The Parents; Virus Outbreak-Elderly Visits; NerdWallet-Millennial-Money-Baby-Registry; Virus Outbreak-Nursing Home Visits; Virus Outbreak-Empty Playgrounds-Photo Gallery.

HOMES: Designer-Personal Refuge.

GARDENING: Victory Gardens.

FOOD: Virus Outbreak-Food-Homebrewing; Obit-Sirio Maccioni.

PETS: Virus Outbreak-Viral Questions-Pets.

GENERAL: Virus Outbreak-Earth Experiment; Virus-Outbreak-Clergical-Care; Virus Outbreak-Germany-Hotel Office; Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-Tutoring; Virus Outbreak-Losing Face; Virus Outbreak-College Seniors; Virus Outbreak-For-Profit Colleges; Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-Riddle Me This; Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-A Kind Voice; Virus Outbreak-Beach Reads-In Shelter; Virus Outbreak-You Talkin’ To Me?

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SPECIAL EDITIONS ADVISORY

Editors: Because of rapidly changing developments caused by the coronavirus, The AP will not be moving any more Special Editions in 2020. We plan to continue spot and feature coverage of these subjects — weddings, pursuits, school, homes, pets and holidays — on the regular AP Lifestyles and main news wires. If you have questions, please contact Julia Rubin at [email protected] or Barry Bedlan at [email protected].

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LIFESTYLES ADVISORY

Editors: During this uncertain time, we are pleased to provide you with more timely content for Lifestyles that speaks to how we are living, adapting and coping during the coronavirus pandemic. As we increase that coverage, we have altered our standard weekly offerings for the time being. Our gardening column will move bimonthly. Food stories will be guaranteed at least twice a month. Home stories will be guaranteed at least twice a month. While the kind of content we provide is changing for now, our commitment to providing excellent Lifestyles articles is not. For further questions, please contact Nekesa Moody at [email protected] or Barry Bedlan at [email protected].

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